"No!" Paul's voice cracked, he was shocked to say the least, "How can you let her go there?" I walked over to him and began to yank him out of the house.
"Come on Paul, let's go back outside, I want one last archery lesson."
"You keep dropping your chin Ara, as soon as you drop your chin you get a different perspective than the arrow!" He seen exasperated. "Come on," he moaned as he tilted my head up ever so slightly. "Alright, now aim... ARA YOUR CHIN!" he yelled. He then stood infront of me, put both hands on my head and yanked it up. That time I kept it there.
"There we go," he laughed when I kept my head up for the fourth arrow in a row. "I think we should end on a good not today, good job Ara." I smirked and then went to pull some arrows out of the tree we were aiming at.
"Excuse me there lad." Paul and I spun around, a knight was standing there. Paul and I exchanged a glance, I hadn't changed back into my dress. I stood there in pants and a shirt. "Would your father just so happen to be home?" He was talking to me. Me!
"Let me show you the way," I said in the same tone that Paul spoke in. I quickly led him into our home. My father looked tiredly at the knight that stood at my shoulder before standing up and shaking hands with him.
"Would you like to come in and sit down sir?" he asked. The knight shook his head.
"No thank you, this will only take a moment," he said and then pulled out a scroll, "How many males do you have between the age of thirty five and ten in this household?"
That was the question, my father looked at me, I nodded pleadingly. "Seven." His voice was hollow.
"And what's his name?" the knight asked, gesturing to me. My father paused, we hadn't discussed names.
"Arthur," I butted in proudly, "My name is Arthur."
"Arthur is a noble name, will you live up to it?" the man asked as if he knew I was lying. I nodded. "Alright, you and your brothers will be expected at the castle in one week, do you have any swords?"
"We have two," my father said, finding his voice again, "They are only play swords though, Ar- Arthur may you go get the please?" I nodded and went to find them. I found both of them resting near a small patch of trees where I liked to fight. As I rounded the corner I could hear my father and knight speaking.
"I like the look of him, is he decent with a blade?" the knight asked. I hung back to see what my father would say.
"Yes, probably one of the most skilled rookies you'll get. He's been talented with a sword ever since he could get his hands on one," my father said. I was happy with his answer and trotted in.The knight nodded as I was filled with pride. I showed the knight the swords.
"They're nice enough, not for battle though," he picked up the sword and rolled it in his hands, "Is this your handy work?"
"Yes sir."
"You are very talented in your trade," the knight approved. He then glanced over at me, "Would you mind if I began to see what type of talent we're talking about here?"
"Not at all," my father said wearily. The knight tossed me a sword, he was amazing. I found it both exciting and annoying to be losing a fight. I kept him going for a few minutes before he had his sword at my throat.
"You, my boy, have extrodiary skill," the knight said, pleased. "I'll see you and your brothers at the castle gates in one day to the week at sunrise." He gave my father and I a nod before leaving.
"He really liked you Ara, said you had some real potential. What do you think of that?"
"I'm not sure yet." I then walked quicly from the house. I could have cut the tension with a knife.
I ran straight to Paul's house.
"Did the knight fall for it?" he asked.
"Yes," I said proudly, "He liked me infact."
"It was stupid," he said.
"What?" I asked, hurt. He didn't usually speak to me like that.
"The plan was stupid. You going is stupid. You acting like a man is stupid. You're a woman Ara. You cook, you clean, you have kids. You can't change that. You can't be treated like an eaqual! You're a gril! This whole idea of yours is stupid! You ask me what is stupid," he yelled. There was a second of silence when Paul noticed what he had said. "Ar-"
"Don't talk to me," I said as strongly as I could. I turned to leave.
"Ara," he began.
"You're right, I was stupid. I was stupid to believe that you could be my friend," I shouted back.
"I didn't-"
"Stay away from me," I shouted, "I hope I never see you again." Then I left. He called out my name but I kept moving, tears blurring my vision.
YOU ARE READING
How to become king Arthur
FantasyI am a girl. I was born in the late 5th century. My mother died when I was young leaving me to be raised by my 6 older brothers who taught me to have a passion for horseback riding, battle strategizing and sword fighting. My name is Ara Fitzpaula. B...
