Forgotten Vale

Chapter 9

As soon as the two of them were on the way towards the castle armory, Ashton turned to Pippa and said, "I have never seen Mage Charley in such a compliant mood. What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything," Pippa replied defensively. "At least, I don't think I did."

"He smiled!" Ashton exclaimed in fascination. "He actually smiled! I've known him for five years and I've never once seen him smile before!"

"He knew my mother," Pippa said thoughtfully. "He's the first person I've met who actually remembers her."

"Really?" Ashton replied in surprise.

"Yes," Pippa said. "I think I'd like to talk to him more, to hear more about her."

"So, do you remember your mother at all?" Ashton asked her curiously.

"Of course not, she died a week after I was born," Pippa replied.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Ashton said awkwardly.

"It's alright," Pippa answered. An uncomfortable silence ensued. Needless to say, Pippa was glad when they finally did reach the armory. She needed something to take her mind off her mother.

Ashton knocked on the door to the armory. A few minutes later, the door was opened by a very haggard man.

"What do you want?" he asked Ashton wearily.

"Sir Geod, it's me, Ashton," Ashton replied. "I've brought the princess with me."

The man looked up in surprise and stared at Pippa.

"Your highness," he said, bowing deeply.

"Sir Geod," Pippa greeted him with a gracious nod of her head. That's what Madam Louise had told her to do when greeted by a subject. "I have come to ask you a favor."

"Anything, milady," Sir Geod answered.

"I would like you to instruct me on the art of fencing," she requested. Sir Geod winced, as if she had spit on him.

"Milady, I'm afraid I cannot do that," Sir Geod began.

"Why are you so quick to refuse me?" Pippa asked, trying to sound offended.

"It is not that I do not want to serve you, milady," Sir Geod sputtered. "I just—cannot bring myself to teach a gentlewoman such a violent sport."

"Fencing is no sport," Pippa replied. "I do not ask for bloodshed, I ask only for the right to defend myself. For no matter how protected I am, violent acts can still be done against me, and I must know how to defend myself."

Ashton stared at Pippa in surprise. She felt confidence surge through her and suddenly, she knew that she would make Bellendelle a great princess.

"I suppose, when you put it that way—" Sir Geod stammered.

Pippa smiled and said, "Shall we start tomorrow?"

Sir Geod sighed and nodded.

"You will need a sword," he said.

"I have one," Pippa replied. "I will be here tomorrow in the afternoon. My blade will be sharpened and ready for training."

Then she turned and walked back towards the castle, with Ashton at her heels.

Pippa spent the rest of the day getting to know the different servants of the castle, after her lesson with Madam Pratt, of course. She made friends with the cook and the seamstress, especially after raving about their creations. The cook kept giving her treats to sample while the seamstress fitted her in a dress for the upcoming coronation. The seamstress tried to tempt Pippa with bright shades of pink, gentle tints of lavender, and lavish dark red. But Pippa always went back to forest green, her favorite color.