Blood King

Chapter Fifty

A week had gone by since the King's return.

Things were finally calming down, however that did little to change Celina's current schedule in regards to her personal activities and governing affairs. Awaking in the early morning to go over taxes from the night before while Ann helped her dress for the morning, followed with going into the town to speak with the people, keeping track of their issues, their finances and what they would be able to offer if they could not afford regular tax.

For the past two years she worked to change how taxes were done, with it depending on a person's social standing and personal wealth, along with what they could offer if coin was not available, for depending on the season it was very much subject to change.

Then in the afternoon she would practice the art of the sword, suggested by Tharen and agreed upon by many of those who supported her.

"A ruler must know the ways of the sword, not only for battle but for defence as well."

The Elven King's words had left an impact, and though she had never wielded a sword in her life, for her brother did not wish it, Xavier had not been there to stop her when she tried. And when she tried, she found herself to be good, clumsy, but good.

And held a skill that she personally chose to keep hidden from the masses since she could use both her left and right hand easily with the blade just as well with a pen. Celina knew that a female fighter could be seen as strange to some, regardless of nobility or not. It was the last thing she wanted, so she hid it.

"Ready, Your Majesty?" Maria asked when the afternoon came, Celina changed her attire from a dress to dark brown trousers, a white blouse and leather vest since the shirt was a tad too big on her, for it belonged to Maria as her hair was still pinned back. It was still cold, but with the amount of times she had done this, the winder's chill did little too her as this point.

They would practice swordsmanship at least four times a week, for at least three hours. Regardless of weather, for a fight cared not when it was snowing horribly or raining none stop. One had to be ready.

Though in the past three years Maria clearly grew wise to it, trying to attack Celina's weak points from one side as a bluff then changed her attack and go for another, only to have Celina's blade block it instantly when she swapped the sword to her left hand. "Maria..." Celina said in a warning tone.

The woman just gave a knowing grin.

Celina readied herself for the woman's next attack. Her stance was wide, as she kept her left hand, her good hand, behind her back as she used her right hand. A stance that Tharen suggested. Something that would make it harder to be knocked off of her feet in a fight, though she was light in her weight, anything that could keep her grounded and standing was good in her eyes. She would have also been willing to go against some of the knights to test in her strength, but none of the men were willing to fight a woman. Tharen, seen became one of the only exceptions when he visited.

Celina eased her shoulders as she watched Maria's footing. Before, finally, going on the attack, lunging forwards and brought her right arm down as hard as she could, Maria blocked, using the hilt on the sword to keep it in place, giving the princess no was to free it herself.

"Now what will you do, Your Majesty?"

"Are you being condescending Maria?"

"Nothing of the sort," she said with a laugh. "It's an honest question, when you're in a situation like this with someone else, say a bandit, what should you do when you can't over power them?"

Celina didn't voice it, she merely showed, by kneeing Maria in the stomach as hard as she could while putting all of her weight forwards, the sword nearly grazing Maria's cheek as she then twisted out of the way, dislodging their swords in the process as Celina regained her footing again.