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?

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.