Silvestre Pendragon

The Merchant's Horse

"Why Silvestre, are you so irritatingly intent on getting yourself hurt!?" Hydra fumed as she carefully wrapped a fresh white bandage around Silvestre's wounded arm, it was only just a cut but the ruby red blood happily soaked through the bandage making Silvestre's aunt wince. Clearly she wasn't as used to the sight of blood as Silvestre was, but she persisted on, and eventually tied a tight knot before nodding her approval. Hydra stared down at Silvestre with an odd expression of disappointment and affection, her face wrinkled with worry. As the King's loyal sister it was her job to teach and care for Silvestre- there was a lot of worrying involved in that.

"Aunt, its fine!" Silvestre insisted,

"But your beautiful skin! Its so scarred! Heavens, why do you fight with the knights?"

" How could I ever ask them to fight for Camelot, if I myself am not prepared to fight beside them?" Silvestre responded, "And besides, I enjoy a challenge." There truly was nothing that Silvestre enjoyed more than the sound of metal clashing together and the intensity of a sword fight. Really, it was Albert who should be training the knights but he didn't seem interested in fighting, in fact Silvestre didn't really know what Albert did, he just seemed to be glued to the Kings side, occasionally going hunting but very rarely associating himself with the knights and Silvestre. Silvestre didn't mind.

The physician's quarters seemed darker than the rest of the castle with only a small window to offer light, the shelves were crammed with books and the table was scattered with bottles and viles filled with colourful liquids and unidentifiable plants. As Hydra placed the bandages back on a shelf, Silvestre examined some of the peculiar potions, reading their labels and cautiously returning them, she leafed through some of the books but felt Hydra's gaze prickling the hairs on her neck.

"Come along Silvestre." She sighed.

Silvestre reluctantly peeled away from the books and followed her aunt through the door.

Hydra continued to chat about this and that but Silvestre was happy in a slightly dazed state. Earlier her fighting had been a little clumsy and her reactions were slower than usual, she couldn't stop thinking about last night. How Milo had retrieved her quartz pendant, how had he known? She couldn't forget how it felt to be so close to someone who was like her. Someone who had magic. It was as if she was drifting through the castle, not fully noticing the way the light bled into the hallway or the smell of winter in the air, her mind was still dancing at the ball.

"The King's holding another social gathering but as far as I'm aware you aren't required to be there so you will have to entertain yourself this afternoon." Hydra announced, nudging Silvestre awake, "Sometimes I don't even think you're listening to me!"

"Have a good day Hydra and send my greetings to our guests." Silvestre smiled politely, swinging open the door to her room. Silvestre threw her sword onto the bed and slumped into the armchair beside the window, she took a moment to examine her arm, it was no longer bleeding but it would certainly add to her scarred biceps, pale jagged lines that streaked over her body. Silvestre disliked to wear armour since it made her movements louder and she was less swift, resulting in a beautiful artwork of memories on her body, Silvestre was proud of them. Her fingers traced the scar on her torso where a smuggler had slashed hopefully, it was from her first expedition with the knights. Her body was scattered with little marks, each with a story. Then, there was a sharp knock at the door,

"Come in." Silvestre said. Little Leisel entered, rosy cheeked and with her deep dimples smiling at Silvestre,

"Hello Silvestre, I have a secret note for you!" She exclaimed, carefully handing her a small, browned piece of parchment. Silvestre read the inky writing, droplets had peppered the parchment and in the corner there was a smudged fingerprint. She folded it back up before pocketing it,