Cat Fight

Chapter 18 Talandia

The male was making his way toward the training area. His target was supposed to be there. 'Ha!' He thought 'an untrained female?' Easy as could be he might even accept half payment for this one. Dressed as a palace guard he thought his plan was fool proof. Well he thought it was 'til he rounded a corner seeing a well trained female training another.

Looking closer he thought he knew the female from somewhere in the past. Stopping he started to go through his memories of the unification war. Still nothing came to him. Even as he watched he saw that the older female had a skill at sword play that he'd not seen since the era of the knights of the realm.

Shaking his head he'd have to reassess this mission if there was highly trained people within the palace. A moment later a tall Lynx clan male walked to the older female. To the astonishment of the male as he watched he could see that the male had the colors of a first knight! Quickly retreating he shook his head. Yes, this was going to take definite further planning!

Adina was trying her hardest to not get mad or discouraged. True she could now hold a sword correctly. She could swing it without getting it stuck. Hell she was even starting to be able to block several of the blows that were sent at her. Almost panting from the exertion she still couldn't see that she was any better. To her it felt as if they were wasting their time training her.

Mileen could see the frustration on Adina's face as they had worked through the exercises. In almost a week now King Ambrose's cousin could not only hold but yield a sword. The fact that the female's grip had improved and she hadn't lost her sword in the last two days was a definite improvement. Still Mileen thought her strength isn't improving fast enough. Thinking a moment she smiled as a thought came to her. She just hoped that Ambrose didn't get mad at her.

Finished for the day Mileen could actually start to see a bit of skill building in Adina. Taking her aside she decided it was time to talk to the young female.

"Adina," Mileen started. "You are finally starting to grasp the basics. You actually managed to block several blows. I am sorry Princess that we have to push you as hard as we are. The king demands that you be trained as fast as possible."

"Thanks Mileen, though I don't really see any improvement yet. I am giving it my all I want to make cousin Ambrose proud of me, not thinking he made a mistake making me Paladin Princess of Xendra. Disappointing him would be my worst nightmare." Adina replied to Mileen as they were removing their armor.

"I highly doubt that you could do that Adina. The pride he had on his face when you took that bolt was heartfelt. I believe you are lucky young one. The fact that Ambrose loves you as much as he does makes my heart glad. It has been too long since I saw him this happy." Mileen explained.

Adina was quiet for a long time lost in thought. Suddenly a smile was on her face. Then she asked, "he loves me? I am his cousin, he can't..."

"Believe me young one when he looks at you I see the same look that he also holds for Queens Niaco, Twitty, and Gleena. I have been around a good amount of time I know a look of love when I see it. Though I don't think that he is even aware of it yet." Laughing a moment at the shocked look on Adina's face Mileen stated. "Though I think that he will very soon. The thing is young one. Will you be ready for it?"

"I ... I." Looking at Mileen Adina still wore a shocked look on her face. "Before today I would have said yes. Now? I am unsure. Am I sick? I have dreamed of him being in love with me for ages. Now he might be and I am having doubts. Again I ask am I sick or going daft?"

Mileen shook her head no, "You are growing up far faster than you want to. The dream of love with him was a fantasy, now? It is a very real thing. I think that like almost any female, with the fantasy gone reality is crashing in. With everything hitting you at once it is far harder to take it all in at once. Give it a few days and you will see, alright?"