Betrothed

Chapter Five: Sword Practice

The three Ladies in Waiting walked Audrianna back to her chambers and stripped her of her sandals, her dress, and bustier, and began dressing her in leather pants and a light blue cotton top, tucked into her pants, and the cuffs tied around her wrists.

"Wait," Audrianna announced, "We forgot to put on my bustier."

"Your Highness is going to sword practice," Rozelle answered. "She does not wear a bustier to sword practice." A smile shot across Audrianna's face as she beamed with relief.

"His Majesty was right! I'm going to love sword practice."

"Your Highness does wear a vest over her blouse, though," Ethlyn clarified. "It's not as tight, but it is intended to preserve Your Highness's integrity."

"Well," Audrianna chuckled, "maybe in a few years when my integrity shows up."

Within a few minutes, the three ladies had completely changed Audrianna's wardrobe, complete with her brown leather vest, laced in the front, and her boots that rose up to her knees. Once again, the princess and her entourage were out the door, with Rozelle giving whispered instructions on how to find the training courtyard.

As they approached the courtyard, Henry could be seen in the distance, practicing his advanced sword fighting techniques with Pitt. Their swords sang with a harmonious twang as the full-sized swords beat against each other. Both men were sweating profusely as they seemed to be giving their absolute all without actually killing one another.

Rozelle directed Audrianna to the left of the courtyard where a kind-looking man stood with two wooden sticks in his hands.

"Your Highness," he greeted the princess with a bow. Audrianna smiled at him cautiously with her head turned to one side and looking up at him through the corner of her eyes. "My name is Rupp. I am the captain of the guards. I am here to teach you how to defend yourself and fight with a sword."

"Like that?" Audrianna asked, pointing to Henry and Pitt clanking their swords vigorously.

"Well," Rupp answered, watching their display over his shoulder. "That's a result of twenty years' practice. Let's start a little more basic, shall we?" At that, Rupp handed Audrianna a short wooden sword, with a handle just like a conventional sword. "This, Your Highness, is a training dagger, called a baton. It is much smaller than what I use, because you are much smaller and weaker." Audrianna frowned at Rupp.

"Weak? I'm no weakling, Mr. Rupp!" she protested adamantly.

"Your Highness!" Ethlyn scolded. Audrianna turned to her three Ladies in Waiting and grinned.

"Okay, Your Highness." Rupp replied. "Let's see what you're made of." Rupp handed the princess her baton. "Alright, feet apart. knees bent slightly. Shoulders back. Now, look me straight in the eyes." Audrianna poised herself just as Rupp instructed. "Now, show me the meanest face you can give me." Audrianna grimaced a toothy snarl.

"Lovely, Your Highness," Castalia praised.

"Take no prisoners, Your Highness," Rozelle shouted. Rupp glanced at the three Ladies in Waiting standing under a shade tree just off to the side of the courtyard. As he glanced at the ladies, he pretended to not pay any attention to the princess. She took the opportunity to poke Rupp with the point of her baton. Without looking, Rupp deflected her assault with his larger baton, then with a swift stroke, knocked the training dagger out of her hand.

"Ooh, hey!" the princess shrieked in surprise. "It's my first day," she reminded Rupp. He smiled, then bowed.

"And tomorrow will be your second day, Your Highness."