Cataindar

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Luisa opened her eyes in her quarters in Cataindar. She gripped her fists tight. God she wished she had the courage to punch that Tess girl in the face.

Clearwater rolled over noisily choking in a half-snore. Luisa got out of bed. On top of the chest of drawers was a wrapped package. A small card that sat on top read,

For Luisa.

A new day.

Finn

She tore it open. Inside was a black belt and scabbard for her sword. It was thick and strong, with a cool 'Y' shape studded with silver to hold the sword. She silently slipped on her jeans and delved back into her dressing chamber, avoiding the rail of her aunt's clothing and opting to look through some of the chests and trunks further inside. In a chest she found a white button up shirt, made out of silk, with puffed lace short shoulders. She put it on, it was a snug fit. Next she found some fine riding boots that fitted her well. She tucked her jeans in them. Opening the box of costume jewellery she found some sparkling hair clips, and did up her hair. She went back to the chest of drawers and put on the scabbard. She grabbed her sword and fed it through. It made a slick 'shhhwt' sound.

Cool.

Luisa went to the mirror.

Wow. She looked, different. Really different. The sword did not look out of place any more, it kind of matched... no it complimented the outfit.

She gave herself a half-smile. Yes. Finn was right. Today was a new day. She felt different today, she was happy to be in Cataindar. Here she could be cool, here she could make a difference and today she almost looked like a hot pirate or something.

Did I just say hot pirate?

She knelt and patted the sleeping Clearwater on the head and whispered into her ear.

"I'm going to practice my swordsmanship Clearwater"

"Mmhmm pleasedontwakemeup." Clearwater rolled the other way.

Luisa shook her head smiling, Clearwater was a funny one. She left her quarters to find Finn.

Even the catains that saw Luisa regularly looked at their princess with raised eyebrows this morning, in her different dress with the royal sword glinting and bouncing on her side. They nodded and smiled at their Princess striding confidently through the corridors.

After consulting several runners she found Finn's quarters.  His door carvings were classic Cataindar concentric designs, with a knocker carved of  two short swords; Finn’s weapons of choice.

So Finn.

She knocked on his door, with a little thrill, having taken the initiative to find him. He opened it, with a look of surprise, he looked at Luisa up and down.

"By the dragons princess, you look like you are ready to train."

Luisa nodded at him, her hand resting on the pommel of her sword.

"Absolutely."

Finn strutted around the Ratain dummy of the training room while explaining to Luisa once again the key ingredients to swordsmanship.

"Princess, just because you have a sword in your hand, (A very special sword, Luisa thought) you should not limit yourself to only that one weapon if an opportunity presents itself. Remember these the keys of combat Princess. Adaptability; to fluidly move, from sword, to dart, to kick, to scramble, to using whatever is at hand with skill and thought. Aggression; To punish your foe in anyway you can. Focus; to engage your dewin, to be aggressive, but focused. All that you have worked on with the abbot has its place in swordsmanship."