So, it's my second day of writing. I'm still really far behind! But oh well. : D But I'm feeling like I am rushing through the story- let me know if you feel the same, please!


"Terrinatha!" Baroness Angelina called out. The sound of her full name made Terin wince. It could never be a good sign. "What are you doing out here? Your sewing lesson began an hour ago. You'll never improve if you don't attend lessons."

"I lost track of time." Terin replied, while avoiding her mother's disproving gaze. She preoccupied herself by sheathing her practice sword in it's sheath before mental y preparing herself for the possibility of another fight. Thankfully, her father intervened.

"It's my fault, dear." He said, laying a hand on Terin's shoulder. "She's getting a lot better, and I wanted to test her, to see how far she would go."

It was obvious that the Baroness did not agree with this lacking excuse. It was evident by her eyebrows, that were furrowed so far together that they almost appeared to be the same brow. But still, she kept a civil and cool tone as she addressed her husband.

"You have to understand, dear. We have enough sons prepared to go off to war, but only one daughter. A daughter who should be studying to become a noble addition to the ladies of the court."

Terin bristed at this comment. She was still stuck on this court thing! Terin refused to spend all day, every day, in a group of air headed girls who didn't care for more then the latest fashion trend. There were a few girls who offered enjoyable company, but many were just like her mother, with an iron clad will to get the best for themselves and their friends. There were some vicious women who she would never in her life want to join.

"I refuse to parade myself around to impress the other lades!" Teri shouted. She would feel bad for such an outburst latter, but at the moment, all she wanted was for her mom to understand that she was not that kind of girl!

"My dear child!" Her mother responded, aghast at her child's disobedient behavior. "I can not believe that you would yell so loudly at your own mother. You should act your age. You are 17, not 7." And with that last comment, and a quick gesture at her maid, she turned swiftly. This time, she couldn't completely hide her rage at her daughter's refusal to do what she was told, and it was evident with every graceful step she took to the edge of the courtyard, and into the mansion.

"Don't worry, Terin. I'll talk to her." Her father said, before starting to move towards the house. She was grateful for his effort, but she knew he would have no impact on her mother. For such a hardened warrior, her father sure was a push-over when it came to his wife.

Terin felt horrible about the whole incident, but she couldn't do anything about it. Her and her father just couldn't get along. She proceeded to pick up the practice swords and move across the ring to the equipment shed.

As she was stashing away the swords and padding, she spotted a grand gathering of people in the courtyard down the hill. There were way to many bags for it to be just one of her brothers going somewhere for a few days. Especially because she could see her brother Andreason, who never went anywhere anyways. He was more inclined to stay at home and read then to go off and socialize.

"Andreason!" She called out. "Andreason!" He couldn't hear her over the noise of everyone else, so she quickly shut the shed and ran down the hill.

It was a short run from her to her brother, but with the extra speed the sloping hill had offered her, she packed a good deal of speed into her brother's back when she ran into him. Thankfully, he managed to stay upright. His clothes looked like they would shrivel if they got anywhere near dirt, they were so finely embroidered. Gold on green really suited their family's looks.

"What is going on?" She questioned him. He laughed at her eagerness. As always, he avoided answering her question in the same way he always did, by playing with his long hair that had been pulled back into a pony tail. Most noble men kept theirs up in caps, and women in pins, but some liked to keep it back without keeping it up. It was a bit uncomfortable to keep all that hair on top of your head. It was a silly tradition for nobles to keep their hair long. Terin huffed a bit. "Well?"

"The king has called for war.: Andreason drawled in his oh-so-smart way. "And anyone who can, must. And, unfortunately I can."

This news excited Terin to no end. She hugged her brother again, a reward for delivering the good news. With this, she could convince her mother that the king needed anyone and everyone. And if they wanted Andreason, they would certainly take Terin!

"Do you think she'll let me join if the kingdom needs it?" She asked excitedly.

But the response she got back quickly diminished her joy. She looked up the whole two inches into Andreason's eyes, and saw the poorly masked pity in there.

"What?" She asked. He didn't answer, just kept looking at her. "What, Andreason, what?"

After a long pause, he finally answered. Slowly, cautiously. "Well...It seems that mother has a different idea."

Terror flooded Terin's heart. This could in no way be good. What could she possibly be planning?