Disguised As A Boy: The Tale of the Reincarnation of King Arthur

Chapter 3

I was right. The first thing Daniel tried to do once we got home was grab me by the neck and start yelling while Mother screamed in shock. He lifted me up and the sword clattered to the ground as I grabbed at his hands, trying to open them so I could breathe.

Out of nowhere, Philip came and tackled him and I fell on the ground, panting for breath with my hands around my neck. I slowed down and slowly calmed myself down. Soft, warm arms wrapped around me and I looked at Daniel, feeling tears start to well up in my eyes.

" Why?" Mother croaked out.

" I deserve to be the reincarnation!! She doesn't. She's just a weak little girl. She used sorcery to get the sword. She isn't the reincarnation!!" He raged. I leaned back into Mother's arms. Philip looked murderous.

" You were about to suffocate your little sister for something she has no control over. She is the reincarnation. You are not. Get that through your tiny brain, brother and accept it. And touch her again and I will kill you. Got it?" Philip told him. Daniel nodded and Philip got off him and walked over to me.

" You okay?" he asked. I nodded and he picked me up. " I'm taking her up to her room. It's been a long day." He tried to pick up Excalibur but it wouldn't budge. I reached out and it practically jumped into my hand. Daniel stared at me with complete envy and loathing.

I closed my eyes and tightened my grip on Excalibur. I felt my eyes flutter close as I was put on something soft and warm. And soon I was asleep.

The Guild didn't arrive for many days. In fact, it had been nearly a week when the letter finally came, saying what things that I was allowed to bring and that they would arrive the next day. So we spent the day, packing. I wasn't allowed to bring any female clothing and possessions so I packed only an old doll of mine, a spare dress, a locket Mother had given me when I was born, a lot of books since I loved to read and an album of my family.

When I was done, I tied the bags and put them next to my door. Excalibur, I placed next to it and tugged my bedcovers over my head. My last day in my bed with my family for a long time, I remembered.

I should have been sad or frightened but all I could feel was excitement for the unknown. I'd always felt too cooped up in this tiny town and I'd always wanted to see the world but for someone living in a village, leaving wasn't an option really given to us and for a girl, my chances were even slimmer.

But now this was my chance. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I was lucky that I was even getting it.

I closed my eyes and smiled, happy knowing that at least I would have an interesting life and maybe I could make a name for myself. I already kinda had since I was the first girl to pull the sword out.

I sunk into the black abyss of sleep, dreaming about what could happen tomorrow. I woke up, feeling a strong sense of danger. Every molecule in my body was telling me RUN!! Get out of here!!

I tried to subconsciously move my arms but something constricted them and it was then I realized that something was wrapped tight around my mouth and wrists.

My eyes snapped open and I immediately looked into the cold eyes of my older brother. Daniel. I shrunk back at the look of rage and loathing he gave me. I knew he hated me but I really didn't care because Philip took over the responsibilities of the overprotective brother and Father was just as bad too.

My mother and older sister had helped me with all the girl issues so I was happy that I'd gotten an extremely loving family- excluding Daniel of course.

And now the brother who hated me had me tied to my bed, gagged and was probably going to do something horrible to me. This thought had me struggling and fighting to get free.

" Stop it! Stop moving!" Daniel hissed. I tried to scream as loud as I could but the gag muted the screams. A slap came onto my cheek and I stopped, too stunned to comprehend it.

He reached up and untied one of my hands while grasping it tightly while holding it tightly. Then his hand brought up something I'd missed: a sparkling in the moonlight knife.

My struggles resumed but he managed to hold me down and to lower the knife. Philip, anyone, help!! I thought, praying for someone to come. The knife sliced into my hand and he started to make precise yet deep cuts.

I didn't know if I was screaming or not. All I knew was the pain: the endless suffocating pain that didn't seem to stop or even lessen. Then all of a sudden it was gone. Just like that. I heard yelling and blows coming from somewhere. I tried to look out into the darkness and the sight I saw was gladly welcomed. Philip was rolling around on the ground, punching Daniel as hard as he could while taking blows of his own.

I felt someone fumble with the knots and saw Catherine looking really pale.

" Catherine?" I whispered, feeling extremely weak.

" Hey, Ari. Everything's going to be fine. You'll be fine," she answered. I nodded and her face started swimming until everything went black.

Waking up, I heard loud voices arguing. " Why did the lad attack her?" asked an unfamiliar voice.

" We only have guesses, sir not answers but I do believe that Daniel was jealous and thought he was the true reincarnation even though all the evidence pointed towards Arianna," said Father.

What were they talking about? And suddenly the memories swam back. Daniel, the attack. My eyes fluttered open and slowly adjusted to the light. I raised my hand to see it was covered in bandages.

Father looked over at me and did a double take. " Ari, how are you feeling? Do you want anything to drink or eat?"

" Some water please," I croaked out. My throat felt extremely parched. He handed me a glass of water which I sipped on while looking curiously at the stranger. He was a little older than Father with gray in his black hair and large brown eyes that had a twinkle of mischief and fun in them. He was dressed in a brown robe with a long golden chain with the symbol of the Guild on it. He must have been a Priest of the Guild, I realized.

He smiled at me. " Hello, Arianna. My name is Father Josiah. I am one of the Priests of the Guild, sent to represent and bring you to the Guild."