How I Became a Knight (Book 1)

Chapter 1: Her 16th Birthday

I woke up with the sun shinning and the birds singing a sweet melody. I was asleep in my room on my bed as the sun shone through my window hitting my face. I groaned as I sat up stretching when I realized today is my sixteenth birthday! I jumped out of bed and ran down stairs were my father waited me at the bottom step.

"Good morning Thea." He said up to me as he gave me a loving smile. I jumped on him wrapping my arms around his neck and nuzzled my face into his shoulder.

"Good morning father." I replied to him as his chest rose and fell chuckling while holding me in his embrace. He wrapped his large, calloused hands around my waist.

"Happy birthday Thea!" He said smiling as he set me down. "I cant believe that your sixteen! I remember when you were still a little thing and played in mud all the time." He boomed ruffling my hair then squeezing me into another hug.

I didn't resist ether I just hugged him back. He pulled me out of the hug so he could look me in the eyes. His eyes were blue and he had brown hair. sharp futures, he really was a good looking man.  I had green eyes and red hair, I looked more like my mother then my father.  My brother looked almost the exact same as my father. Speaking of my brother.

"Were is Rowan? " I asked Father as he smiled brightly down to me. 

"He is out getting your present." He answered me then gave a evil smile. "But I got you one too." He said grabbing my arm and dragging me to the shop.

"Father you didn't have to." I said whining. My father had been hard on money for the past few months so I was surprised to hear he got me something.

"Yes I did. You are an adult now! You can get married and be happy! Have kids! I wont see you that much and I want this to be the best present ever!" He said happily as we entered the shop.

There on the table was a blanket that covered something large. He walked over to it wrapping his fists on the edge of the cloth.

"Ready?" He asked raising an eye brow.

"Yes." I said getting excited. He ripped the blanket off the present. I stood there in awe. 

"Father! This is so amazing! Thank you so much!" I said running over and giving him a hug. He kissed the top of my head. I went to it and ran my fingers over it feeling cool metal under my fingers gave me a spark of energy. It was steel armor, father a crafted it perfectly. It shined in the morning sun. Tears stung my eyes I turned to him. When I was little all I wanted was to be a knight. The other kids laughed and said a girl could never do it, so I punched them. I got in trouble but it was so worth the lecture from father and the other boys parents. 

Out of the corner of my eye something shined turning towards it is saw the sword. Its was beautiful, just like the rest of the armor. Gently I reached out and  wrapped my hand around the hilt.I had not not realize how heavy it was tell I lifted of the table and it dropped to the floor. Lifting it up my grip was so tight on the hilt, that my knuckles were turning white from holding it so hard. Swinging it at one of the wood posts i heard a satisfying crunch as the blade dug into the wood, I did it a few more times tell I heard the large wooden door to the shop open, turning I saw it was Rowan.

"Good morning Thea, having fun with out me I see." He said to me lightly chuckling, as I gave him a hug.

"Good morning Rowan. Where have you been young man?" I asked looking angry at him and pointing my finger,resting my other hand on my hip. He laughed and grabbed my hand intertwining our fingers together.

"I will show you." He said pulling me out of the shop with father on our heels. Rowan let go of my hand then slipped them over my eyes. Then began to guide me to wherever he was taking me. We stopped abruptly me almost falling over in the process.