Well, now I can finally start my NaNoWriMo story. I don't plan on finishing the goal this year, but the fact that I am actually starting to participate is a large step forward from my previous years, where I would plan on joining, but never would! So here we go!


A loud scream of frustration echoed down the hallways. For the third time since the beginning of practice, a little less then two hours ago, Terin's father had dumped her on her ass. He was the only person she had gone against who she could not beat. It could very possibly be because she was a noble, and no one dared to hurt her, but she hoped it was her skill, not her lineage. Any of her brothers, or the guards, she could take down easily. But her dad, with all her military training and experience, was always at least one step ahead of her. She needed more practice.


Heaving a sigh, she got up to dust off her backside. It would be bruised tomorrow, for sure. She'd forgotten to fall properly this time. Apparently, it wasn't as drilled into her conscious as she would like. But maybe with enough practice, she could do it.


Baron Arnold laughed heartily at his daughter's bitter outburst. "It was a good match. You've been improving noticeably. It won't be much longer until you can get me on the floor." He reached out a large, calloused hand. It was so different from his daughter's dainty, manicured hand. A striking contrast, in fact. But you could feel the callouses stubbornly building up, despite the Baroness's attempt to keep her daughter as lady like as possible.

No matter how hard Terin tried, she could never convince her mother about her choice to be a soldier. It wasn't something new, girls participated all the time in the army. Unfortunately for her argument's sake, they weren't noble. City and country girls alike could go to the army and register, if they did not have a husband or a family business. It was the alternative to working. But as a noble, her life was planned out for her. There was nothing else she could do but sit and wait for the day when her mother and father made a deal with another noble to marry her off. Her father would allow her to chose, but even though he was the big, bad man of the house, her mother still ruled with an iron fist. There was little she could do, when even her war hero father didn't have the courage to stand up to her. 


Terin was the only one who would ever argue with her. Shouting and verbally abusive words could be heard all across the mansion when her mother tried once again to explain to Terin why it was important to marry and continue with the traditions, how her brothers would all be away at the army for years, and she would have to take over the mansion with her husband to carry one the family line, but she refused to listen. Although, it was the same the other way around. Terin would try and try to explain to her mom that it wasn't her style, that she couldn't be a house wife, that she felt drawn to the life of a warrior, the glory and brotherhood of an army. But her mother shook her head and blamed such ideas on the stories her husband was telling. It was like two stubborn goats, always butting heads, but never reaching an agreement. They were both too much alike. Too strong headed to see the other's reasons.


As if on cue, Terin's mother made a very eloquent entrance, with a lady-in-waiting trailing along just one step behind. She was very regal in appearance, with green eyes and long, silky brown hair just like her daughter. Terin hated the resemblance. She didn't want to be anything like her mother, who was so hung up on beauty and dancing and social games. She was never good at any of that. She'd rather deal with a fight by a duel challenge, instead of secretly destroying their lives. It wasn't honest.