The Protector

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I awake to the rising sun filtering through the gap in the window. Rubbing my eyes I roll over to realise I'm not alone, coming face to face with Claudia's still sleeping form causes me to jump slightly having forgotten that she was there. She begins to stir and slowly opens one of her eyes to take in my slightly flustered form.

'Sorry.' I mutter, rolling over and lowering my feet to the cold stone floor of my room.

I quickly dress in simple riding clothes knowing that father won't mind me dressing for comfort so long as I wear the long forest green travelling cloak which identifies me as from the house of Artt. Looking at myself in the mirror I notice the curve of my breasts through my shirt and begin to panic. How am I going to be able to convince the crown and the other knights that I am a boy if they can so obviously see that I am not? I begin to pace up and down my room as Claudia begins to stir more when my eyes land on a small pile of white fabric which had been placed on the floor just inside the door. Picking it up I examine it. Holding onto one end I allow the fabric to unravel itself and see that my father has already thought of my predicament. Pushing aside the thought that Father was the person to think of this I take off my shirt and begin to bind my chest flat. Tucking in the loose end I press my hand to it and feel for my magic, forcing a small amount through my hand and into the cloth I make sure that it won't come undone with any sudden movements. I try to take in a deep breath and feel the tight constraints of the bandages which will help to remind me who I am and what I am doing. This is not going to be as easy as I first thought. Slipping my shirt back over my head I take a mental note to never undo too many buttons seeing that having the third one undone shows the bindings I quickly do it back up. Reaching for my travelling cloak I give Claudia a quick kiss on the forehead.

'I love you, I'll miss you,' I whisper before throwing the cloak over my shoulders, snatching up my bow and arrows, strapping my sword to my waist and heading down to the stables. The house is a flurry of activity as I pass by the various rooms. Skipping through the kitchens on the ground floor I steal a freshly baked bun and some cheese. Before anyone can see what I've taken I sneak out through the servant's entrance and into the courtyard. I take a deep breath, home. When will I never see this place? My feet crunch in the freshly fallen snow, I love this time of day, the snow, so untouched, so perfect. The whole world looks calm, like a painting. Icicles hang off the rooftops and smoke rises from the chimneys, one or two servants skirt the edges of the open square, the cold air drawing them back inside quickly. Pulling my cloak around me in an attempt to keep that little bit of warmth to myself I dash across the almost deserted quad and slip into the stables. Stuffing the warm roll into my mouth I make quick work of it and before I've made it to my mare's stable I've completely demolished the entire thing. Gods! I'm still hungry!

'Hey Girl.' I greet my jet black mare pokes her head over the top of her stable whining softly in reply, 'Ready for an adventure?' I ask while opening up her stable door and allowing myself entry. Grabbing her saddle and tack I begin the process of saddling her up ready for the long ride south. Understanding what I was doing she stands still occasionally nuzzling at my side. 'There we go,' I smile while I finish tightening the straps under her belly, 'Shall we get you out of here?' I ask pushing open the stable door and leading her out. She falls into the step beside me as Sket comes bounding through the small gap in the wooden doors.

Father's looking for you. She warns as she jumps up onto my shoulder slightly startling Shade. He's hot on her heels, usually is and rounds the corner to the stable just as Sket settles across my shoulders.

'I was just saddling Shade,' He pulls the door further open for me and I smile my thanks as I pass him. In the half hour I have been in the stables the courtyard has gone from being as quiet as the grave to a bustle of activity with servants rushing in all directions carrying a vast array of belongings. Most of the snow has been shifted to the sides, no more picture perfect scene, no more painting.