The Unforeseen [EDITING]

Chapter One

The sounds of steel striking continued.

As calculated as her opponent's movements may have been, she could always think one step further. She could anticipate when he was just about ready to strike; taking note of how he slowed down just before quickening his pace to cast her off. Each motion was precise, but her counters were evenly matched, ultimately always allowing her the victory. Now the tip of her blade nearly connected with his sternum.
Placing her sword in her scabbard, she walked away, giggling triumphantly. He let out a loud groan before falling to the grass, feeling defeated.
"One day Samuel, you'll earn the victory." She teased.
Sighing to himself, he chuckled.
"Maybe one day you'll pity me and just let me have it." He joked.
"Never Sam, earning it will be much more rewarding." She looked to him before seeing her father from a distance, clasping his hands together in approval. She rolled her eyes, taking a playful bow.
"It always pleases me to see that only my daughter shows the capability of defeating my own soldiers."
He spoke pridefully, his burly figure sauntering over to place a kiss atop her head.
She sighed to herself before walking away, noticing her sister standing in the doorway.
"Why don't you go speak to him, Dela?"
"He always has such a look of pride watching you spar. I swear I could see a little twinkling in his eyes this time." Her sister confessed.
Wrapping an arm around Delacroix's shoulder, they continued inside.
"Try not to forget that tonight is the ball," Delacroix attempted to change the subject. "King Silas is traveling from Calyx as we speak."
"If you refuse to speak to father, maybe I should," Timena suggested.
"No please, that's alright. I'm going to find Mother; I will see you at supper." Delacroix pulled away before running down the corridor.
Timena felt pangs of guilt after encounters such as these with her sister. She couldn't help that her interests often aligned with that of her father's. She knew that Delacroix only yearned for the same love their father had given to her.

Mounting their horses with ease, Timena and two of the guards began slowly on their trip into the city.
As one of her duties was to see to it that the city and its people were in order, it all appeared to be ordinary. The three split up immediately and began to make their way through. The small island of Mororcin possessed a vast population, and the city of Gabaden accounted for at least half of it. Along the street corners and in shops, people sold their crops and crafts. Mororcin had been, for the most part, a peaceful island; her father, King Vassar had ensured it. Timena's grandfather and his predecessors held a less than amicable reign over the territory; greed for wealth and power had eventually earned their downfall. Unlike generations before, King Vassar was strict, but fair in his rule, demanding order in every detail of the island. Timena hoped she would be able to exemplify some of the values her father so desperately tried to instill in her and Delacroix.
Pouring stew into the wooden bowl, Timena smiled. Another usual task of hers was to volunteer in the city. Their mother saw to it that she and Delacroix were active in helping their people, attending council and oftentimes attending to cooking or doing needlework. Timena never minded helping her people or attending the council, but she'd rather wear a dress and corset for the rest of her life than continue to cook and sew. Delacroix had been more suited for those activities—if anyone was to be chosen to properly represent the royal family, it would have been her. They could leave sparring, jousting and any other form of combat specifically for Timena, it would certainly please their father.
Tonight would be crucial, Timena thought; guests from near and far lands were going to be in attendance. As soon as the King of Calyx arrived, everything would be set in motion. He'd be coming to Mororcin to possibly leave with a bride. She'd wondered why her father had been so insistent on hosting such an extravagant event, but he'd never given her an adequate reason.
Timena leisurely made her way out of the church, exiting through the large wrought iron doors. Traveling along the cobbled streets, she passed the local shopkeepers and vendors. Approaching her horse, she quickly placed her foot in the stirrup and propped herself up. Holding onto the reins and lightly squeezing her feet against its' sides, they slowly began to make their way back towards the castle.