Knighterella

Chapter Five

I walk into town in my normal everyday wear with the emblam of the Knight Academy and my sword on my hip. I go into the Market Place knowing that's where most of the gossip and infomation would be. Lots of woman look at me with disgusted looks on their face, until they see the emblame above my heart. Then they all start to whisper. I hear most of what they're saying, and it's mostly the same.

"Who is that woman?"

"That's the only woman in the Knight Academy!"

"You mean-"

"Yes. Now shush! She's a very respectible woman!"

"Isn't that Cinderella? The woman in the Knight Academy and the one that is going to share the Ball with Prince Adam?"

"Yes, I think it is."

"What is she doing in town when there is only a week before the ball, if that?"

"Prehap for Knight business, I mean Penelope did say that the Prince rode into town with a Knight and a woman and child. Prehaps she was the Knight Penelope saw."

"We should go tell Mother and Penelope!"

"What kind of woman walks in men's clothes and wears a sword at her hip?"

"A unladylike. Prehaps she is a heshe?"

"No, she is to beautiful and womanly in figure to be a heshe."

"True."

"I don't see how she's respectible. She is a woman who dresses as a man and plays with swords."

"Shush now, Fred. If she wanted to, she could take you out without you knowing it until you wake up in the Lord's Kingdom."

"I best be quiet then, shouldn't I?"

I listen to them all, hearing unladylike and respectible thrown around a lot. I see some Knights and walk over to them, getting a strange look until they see the emblam and smile.

"Hello, you must be Lady Cinderella." I blush.

"I'm a Knight in training, not a Lady." I inform them. "I maybe of noble blood, but I am a Knight, not a Lady."

"Of coures, our apologies." He smiles. "What can we do for a Knight of the Palace?"

"I need some infomation." I tell them. "About a man called the Bandit King, or maybe you know him by Pascal the Rascal?" They look at each other, exchanging a look I know well. "Please share with me, it's important and it's why Prince Adam and I are here." I tell them. "He has kidnapped someone dear to the Prince and we are trading two of the Badnit King's own for her."

"No one knows who the Bandit King is, I'm not even sure if most of his own know." The other Knight says. "He is more legend than an actual man. Some say he is a fair man who only looks out for his own, and others say he is unjust and selfish. Only wanting power and money. No one knows for fact." He looks around, then leans in closer. "You best be careful asking about him, Cinderella. He has spys everywhere, even in the Palace. If you are trading two of his own for someone dear to our Prince, then he will trade. But after you do so, you best forget about him. He brings nothing but bad luck to any who ask about him." I frown.

"Thank you."

I say, turning on my heel and walking. I notice a shadow move in the alley, but keep walking as if I saw nothing. I turn down the road leading the same way as the alley, and walk till I come to the road leading towards where the alley should end. I see a woman slip out, she's tall and slim and silent on her feet. I follow her from afar, acting as if I am on a simple stroll. I see no other Knights, so I keep up the charade of looking for them. I even stop and ask people if they've seen some Knights, and they all point the way the woman is going. I follow close behind, watching as she ducks into a Vender's Stall that sells 'Wonders from Across the Land!' and vanishes in the back. I keep walking, making a mental note where the stall is when a hand grabs me and pulls me into another alley. My eyes are covered and I feel my sword be taken. I curse at myself for letting someone sneak up on me.