Crossfire

2

Fremoth and Palka had no trouble keeping up with the large man's slow pace. As he walked, he talked. Quite a bit. "The king can't meet you right now --he sends his apologies-- and had asked me, Guarar, to tell you everything you need to know. Anyway, the reason he summoned you here is simply because he heard you didn't have a place to stay, and the king is in your mother's debt. Don't ask me why, but he is. It has been set up that you shall work in the stables, and have access to anything in the castle, except the royal chambers, of course. Is that satisfactory to you, miss? Oh, and I do apologize for those guard's rude behavior."

Palka nodded, not really sure what else to do. They walked through the corridor until they reached courtyard, where they turned towards the stables. Near the side entrance that connected to the stables, Guarar stopped and said, "If you will excuse me,I need to find the head trainer to explain the stables. You can walk through them, if you want." He turned on his heel and walked promptly across the courtyard.

"Miss Fyifhers," Fremoth turned to Palka, "I need to get back to my shop. If you need anything you know where I'll be."

"Thank you. I'll pay you back for your bribe, I promise."

Fremoth winked. "No need to. As I said, I am generously paid." He sauntered back the way they came.

So she was alone. She walked slowly through the stables, memorizing every marking on every horse's face. There were three rows of stalls, two along the walls and one in the middle. The row in the middle had eight stalls and the ones on the side had nine.

The stables were empty of humans and three stalls were empty. As Palka was walking towards the dead end of the second hallway, she heard a, "Hey!" and quick footsteps coming toward her. She turned to see a young knight charging at her.

He swung his saber at her feet. Thinking quickly, she jumped and landed unsteady. She kicked her foot at the hand holding his sword. Though her aim was true and the saber landed on the ground, Palka's balance was not. She landed with her hands holding her up as her back faced the ceiling. One foot was planted facing away from her while the other was suspended in the air. In an attempt to bring it down, Palka felt it smack against something. Now facing up, she saw the knight holding his face. To the side of her was the dropped saber. She dove for it, and the guard did the same. She reached it first and quickly turned with the sword. He backed away on his knees, his own sword pointed at his neck. Palka stood, keeping the saber steady.

Making her voice low, she asked, "What is the meaning of this?"

"You were going to steal a horse."

"You shouldn't assume so quickly."

"I don't."

"Then where did you get that idea from?"

The knight snarled and said nothing.

"For your information, I have been sent for by the king. You can ask Guarar."

"Yes, you can ask me." The two looked down the passage to see Guarar standing with another man. He looked at the knight. "What is it, Kineou?"

He, Kineou, scowled as he stood. "Is she who she says she is?" he said as quietly as he could.

"Palka wouldn't lie. At least she hasn't so far," Guarar said.

"Whatever." Kineou snatched his sword back and stalked away.

"My apologies for him. I will speak to him about attacking random people." For the first time, the other man spoke.

"Thank you," Palka said.

The man glanced at Guarar, who excused himself.

"Hello, Palka. You can call me Comcom. You are here to earn money for your family, are you not? Of course you are. You will be doing several tasks through the time you spend here, mainly with horses, and your work will go towards money that will benefit your mother. You get to see her for two weeks every two months. Also, you will be taking fighting classes, as most young servants are required to do. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

Comcom walked to where the hallway turned and stopped at the stall along the wall. A young, brown paint mare eyed Palka in a bored way.

"This is Katana."

"Named after a sword?"

"Yeah, we were running out of names," Comcom chuckled. "You'll start out training her." Then after a moment, "Good luck."

"What about my horse?"

"She will be brought to the stables very soon. Meanwhile, I suggest you get to know this horse here." Comcom turned on his heel and left the stables giving a black horse a part on the neck.

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Palka followed the plump servant who was to bring Palka to her suite. Every now and then the servant looked back at her. Once they were at the room, the servant handed her a key.

"Now, ta only other person who has a key ta this room i' me, so don't ya worry 'bout anybody introdin' this place, ulrighty? An dif ya need anuting, I'ma here." The servant dropped the key into Palka's hand and winked as she walked away.

Palka entered the room. To her left was a bed big enough for a camel. Across the room was a rich brown wardrobe, looking empty and lonely against the wall. To her right was a giant mirror that, if you were at the right angle, you could see the whole room. Her small bags were emptied out onto the bed. Newly cleaned and neatly folded clothes were the contents of the bags, along with crumbs of eaten bread and meat, as well as her few coins.

Palka stuffed her money back into her bag. Then she hung up her clothes, picking trousers and a nice-ish button-down shirt. She wasn't about to wear a dress to her sword training, was she?

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A/N
Hope you enjoyed the second part of this! I hope it wasn't too confusing and you can understand what's going on.