Sybil Deceived

by Catherine Banks

  The stances seemed easy, but then he started adding movement and soon we were fighting imaginary enemies with invisible swords. My body’s aching increased until I was sweating from the exertion and pain, not the weather which was blessedly cool.

  “Okay, take a water break,” he said as he pulled a water bag from a box next to the arena. I took the bag and drank heavily from it. “Not so fast,” he chastised as he took the bag back. “You’ll give yourself a cramp if you drink too much.”

  I walked to the grass and collapsed onto my back, looking up at the blue sky and fluffy white clouds overhead. “I should have done more running when I was growing up and less flying.”

  Gerard sat next to me. “It’s a tough life, but after a few weeks you’ll be in great shape and able to at least hold your own against us. At least for a minute or two.”

  “Did you ever regret being skilled in this trade over another? I mean, did you ever wish you had become a grower instead?”

  “The only time I was ever jealous of the other trades is when I saw you visiting them and becoming friends with their members,” he answered softly.

  A male yelled a war cry nearby and then he was over me. I rolled away from his punch, which hit the ground where my head had just been. Gerard grabbed the male’s arm and spun him around until he had him in a choke hold. “Too early,” Gerard whispered. “It’s not time for this yet.”

  The male nodded his head and Gerard released him. “Nice roll, Sybil,” the male said with a smile as he turned and walked away.

  I watched him go and then looked at Gerard, eyes wide. “You’re letting him go?”

  “In our training we have random attacks to keep us on our toes and better prepare us. Usually we do this the second day with our newest trainees, but you aren’t as ready as most of our trainees are.”

  I exhaled in relief. “Oh, okay.”

  “I would never allow someone who had truly tried to attack you to walk away.”

  “I do not think I am so worthy of your attention,” I said as I turned away from him to look out at the mountains.

  “And who would be more worthy of my attention, than the female I have been training for since I came here?”

  “You don’t even know me,” I whispered.

  “I know you better than you think, but I agree that I need to get to know you better.” He let his words hang in the air a minute and then said, “Okay, back to training.”

  I rolled my neck on my shoulders and took a ready stance. Gerard made minor adjustments to my stance and then showed me how to slash, strike, parry, and use two hands to attack overhead with an invisible sword. Gerard’s skill was truly amazing even without a sword. I knew I’d never be able to become as skilled as him, but I hoped that one day I might be able to at least stand against him for a few minutes in a fight.

  After another twenty minutes of imaginary swords, he finally grabbed wooden swords and tossed one to me. “I want you to attack me. I’ll only defend, but I want you to use the techniques and stances I’ve taught you.”

  I nodded my head and faced off against him. Now was my chance to prove I was a capable learner and that he could push me harder and teach me more. I didn’t know how long I could stay with the warriors, but I wanted to learn as much as I could with them while I was here. I moved forward, slashing sideways at him, trying to hit his arm, but his sword was up and blocking mine before I made contact with his flesh. I stepped back and then attacked quickly, hoping to catch him off guard, but the captain was too quick. I attacked again and again, but my sword was always blocked by his. Sweat ran down my face and my breathing was erratic as I continued my attacks.

  I switched to a double-handed grip and swung from overhead, but he dropped his sword and caught my hands with his. “Lunch time,” he whispered from inches away from my face.

  I swallowed and tried my best to keep my desire to kiss his lips hidden. “Okay.”

  He looked over my face a moment and then released my hands and stepped back. “You’re a quick learner. I’m impressed with how much you’ve learned already.”

  “I have great teachers,” I said as I headed up the hill.

  “Sybil. Gerard.” Uncle Giles called. “There you are. The queen has asked for your presence for lunch.”

  “Okay, I have to get washed up first,” I answered as I turned to tell Gerard goodbye.

  “Gerard you’ll need to clean up as well,” Uncle Giles said with a suspicious smile.

  “Me? She asked for me?” he asked in shock.

  Uncle Giles nodded his head. “Yes, now both of you hurry.”

  “I can’t fly yet,” I admitted as I rubbed my still sore wing.

  “I can fetch clothes and fly you to your house, if you want,” Gerard offered.

  “No, I’ll take her. Go on and get ready,” Uncle Giles said as he held out his hands to me. “Don’t dawdle.”

  Gerard flew up into the air and towards his house. I turned to Uncle Giles and folded my arms across my chest. “What did you tell her?”

  “I simply explained that you were learning about the warriors and she wanted to have more contact with the captain, soon to be commander. I am getting old, Sybil, eventually I will be replaced.”

  “You are not old,” I chastised him. “And you’re hiding something.”

  He picked me up like he used to when I was a child and smiled sweetly at me. “You could always tell when I was hiding something or lying. Sadly, you could never figure out what it was though.” He flew up into the air and then we soared towards my house.

  “Is she mad?” I asked.

  “No, of course not. She just wants to see you and meet Gerard.”

  I let him fly in silence since I knew it took extra skill to fly with another person’s weight on you. We landed and he set me down on my porch. “What should I wear? Is this formal?”

  “Yes, wear a dress as though you were introducing a suitor to her.”

  I gasped. “How did you know?”

  “I’ve known Gerard since he came to us as a young boy. He never hid the fact that he wanted to be your guard. Or that he fancied you.”

  I groaned and threw my hands up in the air. “Great! Just great, Uncle! I haven’t even had a chance to go on a true date with him and you’re already having my mother meet him.”

  “Do you not find him attractive?”

  “Yes, he’s attractive,” I admitted, not really liking the idea that I was having this talk with him.

  “Does he not have a pleasing attitude?”

  “Yes, he treats me very well, Uncle. That’s not the point.”

  “I don’t believe you have a point, Niece.” No smart reply came to mind so I turned and walked into my house. “I’ll have Gerard pick you up in ten minutes.”

  As quickly as I could, I used a piece of cotton and water to scrub at my skin until all the dirt was off and then did the same to my hair. I’d never worked so fast at cleaning myself, but after only four minutes my body was clean and I was able to change into one of my favorite dresses. It took me another two minutes to brush my hair out so that the waves fell around my shoulders appropriately.

  “Sybil, are you ready?” Gerard asked from outside.

  “One minute,” I called as I applied some of the pollen makeup Audrey had made me onto my eyes and cheeks. Pleased with how well I made my appearance in such a short time, I walked to the door and opened it.

  If I’d thought Gerard was handsome before, seeing him formally dressed in his military suit made him striking. His gaze roamed over me a moment and then he stared into my eyes with a passion I’d only ever seen males give other females when they were pursuing them. “You look gorgeous,” he whispered as he picked up my left hand and kissed the back of it.

  I swallowed nervously, but composed myself before he saw and smiled at him. “You look handsome, sir.”

  “We better hurry,” he said as he picked me up. “I don’t want to be late meeting with your mother.”

  I wrapped m
y arms around his neck and smiled sweetly at him. “Don’t worry, she’ll love you.”

  “Her love is not the one I’m looking for,” he said then kissed my cheek. No logical words formed in my brain, but luckily, he wasn’t looking for a response and took to the sky, soaring towards the palace. The air was cool against my skin as we flew, relaxing me and easing the nerves I felt tingling everywhere. He landed in the courtyard and set me down on my feet. I straightened my dress and set my hand on his forearm as he escorted me inside the doors and to the dining hall.

  My mother sat in the head chair with a light blue cotton dress on and looked as majestic as ever. She stood and I curtsied while Gerard bowed to her. “Princess Sybil, I have missed you.”

  I stepped away from Gerard to walk to her and hug her. “I missed you as well, Mother.”

  She looked at my drooped wings and frowned. “What happened?”

  “It’s just a bruise, nothing serious,” I said with a smile. “It’s all part of learning to be a warrior.”

  She kissed my cheek. “Do not hurt yourself too badly, Daughter.” I stepped away from her so she could walk to Gerard who was still in a bow. “Stand please, Warrior.” Gerard straightened and she hugged him. “It has been a very long time since I’ve seen you. I believe it has been since you first joined our Troupe.”

  “Yes, Queen Amelia.”

  She smiled at him and then kissed his cheek. “Let’s eat, I’m sure you’re both hungry.”

  I sat down at her left side and Gerard sat next to me. Uncle Giles came in and sat in the chair opposite Gerard. “Where is your guard?” he asked mother.

  “He will be with us soon. So, Gerard, my brother here tells me that you are quite a skilled warrior and possibly the best candidate for commander.”

  “I do not want to be boastful, but my desire is not to become commander, Queen Amelia.”

  “Oh? And what do you wish to become?” she asked with a knowing wink in my direction. I’d never wished to hide under the table more than in that moment.

  “Currently I wish to ask permission to court your daughter,” he said with a smile.

  She looked at me and I bit my lip nervously. For some reason my reaction seemed to amuse her as she smiled happily. “I give my permission.”

  Armand, the chef, brought out our food and left quickly. I forced myself to eat slowly despite the aching hunger that gnawed at my belly. It wouldn’t do to act uncivilized with Gerard beside me and at my mother’s table.

  Gerard chatted easily with Mother about current events and seemed unfazed by her presence like others were. It made me like him and admire him even more.

  “How’s Coral?” I asked after finishing my food.

  “She’s doing very well and seems to already have a knack for fiddling,” mother said with a happy smile.

  “That’s great,” I said sincerely.

  “The food was delicious,” Gerard said.

  “I’m glad you liked it. Be sure to remember to come to the party,” Mother said.

  “What party?” I asked curiously.

  Everyone looked at me curiously. “Are you feeling alright, Sybil?” Uncle Giles asked.

  I frowned at him. “Yes, I feel fine. I just don’t recall what special event is happening.”

  “I don’t mean to interrupt, but we really need to get back,” Gerard said as he stood.

  “Of course,” Mother said with a smile. “Thank you for coming.”

  Gerard bowed elegantly. “It was an honor dining with you.”

  “I hope we see you again, soon, Captain.”

  “I’m sure I’ll see you at the party,” he said with a wink.

  Her smile widened and she nodded her head. “I look forward to it. Goodbye Sybil, train hard, but don’t hurt yourself.”

  “Thank you, Mother. Uncle Giles,” I said as I curtsied to them respectively. Gerard extended his bent elbow and I placed my hand on his arm, letting him lead me out of the dining hall and out to the courtyard. I pulled him to the side of the palace where no one would see us and stood on my tiptoes to kiss his lips.

  He kissed me back tentatively, but didn’t pursue the kiss. “What was that for?” he asked softly.

  “I’m sorry. I just. I thought you wanted to kiss me,” I answered as I turned away from him and leaned against the wall.

  He turned me around and pressed his body against mine, pressing me against the wall as he kissed me deeply. My head spun and I felt like I was floating. He pulled back and smiled, sinfully handsome. “I did, but I was just taken aback.”

  “We should head back,” I whispered as I stood on tiptoe and kissed his lips again quickly.

  He kissed me again and whispered, “Yes, we should.”

  He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer against his body as he wrapped his wings around the both of us. “You’re so beautiful, Sybil.”

  I loved it when he said my name. It was a turn on, on its own.

  “Sybil?” Charles called from out in the courtyard. “Where are you?”

  The moment was ruined, and I felt as though we’d not get it back. Gerard pulled back from me, releasing me from his wings and I grabbed his hand before he could move away. “Let’s just go,” I whispered.

  “You want to run away?” he asked, his brow lifting.

  I smiled and shook my head. “No, I want to sneak away with you to the forest.”

  His frown stretched into a wide grin. “Very well.” He picked me up in his arms and flew up behind the palace and to the training grounds.

  “What’s the party for?” I asked, my lips close to his ear.

  “Do you really not know?”

  “No,” I frowned. “Tell me, please.”

  He laughed. “No, I’m going to make you figure it out.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You sound like my mother.”

  He landed at the archway and set me down. “Your mother is a very smart female. I’m sure sounding like her is a compliment.”

  I looked down at my dress and groaned. “Crap, I forgot to change.”

  “We can train like this. Actually, it’s probably better if you train in what you’re likely to be wearing.”

  “Okay, but can we train on the grass instead of the sand so it doesn’t get as dirty?” I asked as I looked at my dress.

  “Let’s go get swords to continue our lessons,” he said as he led the way to the sand arena. “I’m going to give you abbreviated lessons because I think you’ll be able to keep up and you don’t need as extensive training since you’re only learning for a short time.”

  “You’re in charge, so whatever you think is best,” I said as I stopped next to a large wooden rack which held various types of swords and spears.

  “Really? Whatever I think is best?” he asked as he held out a sword to me.

  “Within reason,” I amended. He laughed and we headed towards the hand combat arena which was empty for some reason. “Where is everyone?” I asked.

  “Eating still,” he answered.

  I turned to face him and held the sword how he’d shown me. “Ready?”

  He smiled. “I’ve been ready for you for thirteen years.”

  I lowered my sword, shocked still by his passion towards me and then had to immediately bring it back up as he attacked. I blocked his hits and tried to use quick slashes to get him, but he was so much better than me, and faster, that he blocked all of my moves. Put back on the defensive, I blocked as much as I could, but occasionally he made contact, somehow managing only to smack my arm or stomach instead of cutting me. I saw people walk down the hill out of my peripheral vision, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of Gerard for a single millisecond or he’d get me.

  His sword slid across my arm making a burn and I hissed in pain, backed away holding my arm, and looked down at it as though in serious pain. Gerard lowered his sword and moved towards me and I knew my plan had worked. I waited until he was close enough then swept his legs out from under him and held my sword at his throat.
/>   “Holy crap, she beat him,” someone whispered.

  “No one beats Gerard.”

  “You’ve withheld information from me, Princess,” Gerard whispered as he smiled up at me.

  “Perhaps,” I admitted as I stepped away from him.

  “You’ve had sword fighting lessons before. Yes?”

  “Yes.”

  “By who?”

  “By me,” Uncle Giles said as he walked to me. “Very nice. Did you use Damsel in Distress?”

  “A quicker variation, but yes,” I said as I smiled at him.

  Uncle Giles beamed happily. “That’s my girl.”

  “What else did you teach her?” Gerard asked as he stood up.

  Uncle Giles pointed at Adam. “Spar with her.”

  Adam walked over. “Okay, but I did this with her yesterday.”

  “Just do it.”

  Adam stood in front of me and I hiked up my dress, holding one side with one hand and holding my other hand up to my face. “Ready?” he asked.

  I nodded my head. “Ready.”

  Adam lunged forward and I sidestepped him, spinning around and kicking him in the back as he went by. He stumbled forward, but didn’t fall and spun around, ready for my attack. I held back, watching him and waiting for his move. It’d been a long time since Uncle’s lessons, so I wasn’t completely up to speed on the moves yet. That’s why I’d learned the ones Adam had taught me yesterday. He swung at me and I ducked, sending an upper cut into his stomach as I did. He gasped for breath and stepped back. “What the…? How much training does she have?” he asked Uncle Giles as he caught his air again.

  Uncle Giles smiled. “That is for Princess Sybil and me to know alone.”

  “Why did you teach her to fight?” Gerard asked.

  “She has always been a fighter, but females are not allowed to join the warriors. So, I taught her in the palace where no one could watch. I only allowed her to come here because I knew she wanted to see what it was like to be trained in the Warrior’s Way.”

  I curtsied to all of the men. “Thank you.”

  “So, you faked being bad at archery?” Hugh asked.

  Uncle Giles laughed loudly. “No, she’s awful at archery.”

  I glared at him. “That’s because you refused to teach me outdoors, so I learned very little about archery.” I turned to Gerard. “I’m sorry. I should have told you, but I wanted to see what it was like and if you knew I was decent at fighting you wouldn’t have shown me. Are you mad?”