One More Chance

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Catherine had just finished visiting her father. Today was one of those lucky days where his mind was with him. He had recognized her and called her his little darling. He had told her that he was going to visit his dear Sylvia, her mama, soon and that they would both pray for her happiness. Catherine had cried when she heard that. Those few words took up her father's energy and he soon went back to sleep. Catherine quietly left the room and went to her room. 

She did not know why Cecelia had not denied her this comfort and let her sleep in the servants quarters. She probably would after her father was gone, she supposed. Her room was not as big or fancy as her sisters' but it was her private sanctuary and good enough for her. She kept her small treasures there - her mother's pearls and a locket with her picture, her father's pocket chain and his mini portrait. When things got too unbearable she would look at these treasures to seek her solace.

Catherine entered her room and took out the servant boy's tunics. She had heard that there was going to be a grand dinner tonight in the hall and that Cecelia and her daughters were taking a long nap to look fresh and at their best. She had also heard that the knights were resting and recovering from their long journey from the palace. So, she had a whole afternoon to herself. Catherine smiled. It was one of the few pleasures she got. 

When she had changed into tunics and a pair of breeches, she piled her long hair into a bun and set her cap on top of it to hide her reddish brown hair. Although the villagers and the knights knew her, she always took pains to be not recognized by others in case there were some other nobles visiting or her step mother and sisters chose to step out of the castle. It was not the best disguise but atleast it ensured that she did not attract any attention and had time to get away if trouble brewed. 

After checking herself in the mirror, she ran to the courtyard with excitement. She had perfected a new move that she had been training herself in and she couldn't wait to show it off to Kingford and the other knights. Kingford said that he would duel with her today if he was free. It was not often that he got the time to duel with Cathy and that was a pity because he was the best knight here and beating him had always been her toughest challenge. She had won him both times they dueled in the last year.

"Hey Cat! How are you today?" Sir Arden Coolmouth asked as she entered the courtyard. He was first in command to Sir Alvin Kingford. "Good, where is Alvin?" she asked. "Right here and ready to duel with you and see that new move you have been working on! But let me warn you, I have gotten better too, it's not going to be easy this time!" Alvin answered as he came to stand next to Arden.

Cathy grinned in response and took up a blunted sword used for training and faced him in a fighting stance. He picked up his own training sword and faced her. Soon, the duel begin. Indeed, Alvin wasn't kidding when he said he had improved. His footwork was much better than the last time and Cathy couldn't exploit that weakness as she had done so in the past. Soon the other knights and some villagers gathered around them to observe the duel. But Catherine did not let that distract her focus. She knew she still had a very good chance. Alvin's defense wasn't as strong as his attack and she tried to exploit that. When the right time came, she feinted to her left and saw Alvin follow through her movement. Within a moment she turned to her left and had her sword on his neck. The crowd cheered. "Was that the new move? It was bloody good! I did not expect it at all!" Alvin praised her amidst his heavy breathing. She grinned in return. She felt very satisfied and energized.

Out of nowhere, a voice boomed, "What is going on here?"

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Christian did not feel like resting after his meeting with Cecelia and her daughters. He and Fred decided to take a tour around the castle grounds to inspect its defenses against any potential attack by the rebels. 

It was during this time that he spotted a crowd in the courtyard cheering at something. 

"Looks like a duel is going on," Fred answered to his unspoken question. 

Both of them walked closer and the few people parted as they saw the two knights. They probably guessed who the knights were as they were still in the uniform of the King's army. Christian's eyes was greeted with a picture of a young lad who had his sword on the neck of Sir Kingford. The other knights surrounding them were patting the boy in the shoulder. He couldn't believe it what he saw.

"What is going on here?" Christian asked.

The lad jerked his head and met him. Christian was suddenly staring into a pair of big, round crystal clear violet colored eyes with long eye lashes. He had never seen such beautiful eyes before. He suddenly felt the sensation of drowning into those eyes. The lad had a sharp nose, high cheek bones and full red lips that looked so soft and kissable. Christian shook his head. Why was he having such irrational thoughts? He was a boy for god sake! No doubt it was because the boy had almost feminine features. He had a creamy white complexion and a few red-brown tendrils poked from beneath the cap further adding to his feminine face. "Why was it that girls looked like boys (the duchess's daughters) and boys looked like girls in this god forsaken land?" Christian thought to himself.

"Oh Sir Ashford, I had assumed you were resting. Is there anything I can help you with?" Sir Kingford asked him. He was just standing up from his position on the ground and dusting his breeches.

"Was that a duel? Did I just see you being defeated?" Christian asked.

"Er...yes. Cat, this lad here is very good with the sword. He is actually the best around these parts and sometimes we call him to duel with us so that we can improve our training," Sir Kingford replied nervously.

Christian's eyes glanced to the lad again. He hardly looked more than sixteen. His jaw showed no indication of any beard growth. He was just a boy. How could he defeat a fully grown knight like Kingford? Interesting.

"Best in these lands you say?" Christian asked.

"Yes, he is," Kingford replied proudly. "Would you like to duel him sir? He might challenge you well," he added.

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Do you like the story so far? Do you think Christian would duel Catherine?