“Is that all you got?” Evangeline laughed as she swung her sword downward, a loud clang echoing through the training ground atomphere. The person she sparred with, Chandler Clarke, was well renowned for his excellence in footwork. While he was not the biggest fighter, nor necessarily the strongest, he made up for it with technique and tactics. However, as he sparred with Evangeline, it was a tough going for the duo. For Evangeline's fighting style matched his; she was not the biggest, nor the strongest, but excellent with technique and tactics. 

“Not at all, Evangeline,” Chandler smirked before maneuvering his feet to the side, nearly flying behind Evangeline forcing her off balance and tumbling into the dirt. 

“You bastard!” she shouted standing up. Once again, she prepared to strike. 

The two swords continued to clash with the battle at a stalemate. Others soon gathered around the two, forming quite the crowd with many skilled warriors intrigued. One of the more unique spectators was the commander of the Collosicus troops, Chief Fletcher Godfrey, observing intently. 

Evangeline flashed a smile before casting her sword to the side and flipping the tip underneath Chandler’s left hand, forcing his grip on the sword to slip. The sword fell helplessly to the ground, and Evangeline pointed her sword to Chandler’s throat. He visibly gulped before putting his hands up in surrender. 

Evangeline grinned proudly, the feeling of victory swelling in her stomach. It was only intensified as the gathered crowd gave a loud applause, including Fletcher. 

“Well played, Evangeline, well played. I didn’t expect you to go for my hand,” Chandler complimented, lowering his hands of surrender. He step[ed forward with an outstretched hand after Evangeline withdrew her sword, putting it back in her scabboard.

She accepted her opponent's hand, giving it a hardy shake, but she noticed that Chandler grimaced in process. She watched his eyes look down towards his hand, and both were quick to notice blood dripping from it. Pride and joy  turned to guilt as she looked at the sword cut; it wasn't much, just a scratch, but it appeared to have broken the tissue a bit deeper than she predicted. It looked to be needing a few stiches. 

“My bad, Chandler. I didn’t expect the cut to go that deep.”

“Pft, Evangeline, it's part of the battle. It’s just a scratch; I’ll go get it cleaned up in a little bit and have it looked at later,” replied Chandler, waving his non-injured hand dismissively. Fletcher walked up to the two of them, wearing what might be considered a proud expression, even with a very rare smile. He is a stout man, nearing six foot two with a muscular, tough build, accquired from years of practice and in countless battles. His arms and legs were often bare when not in battle armor, simply to showcase numerous, proud battle scars as proof of his service. 

“An excellently fought battle, both of you. Without a doubt, two intelligent fighters are bound within you both.”

“Thank you, commander.” Evangeline and Chandler both gave a slight bow in his direction then; they both looked at each other, acknowledging the compliment with a slight nod before turning their attention back to Fletcher. He glanced from Evangleine to the wound on Chandler’s hand, inspecting it thoroughly with his eyes. 

“You’re dismissed, Chandler. Go get that wound cleaned up. Evangeline, may I speak with you in private?”

“Yes, Chief,” Evangeline replied, as a pang of nervousness running down her spine suddenly. She felt goosebumps settle on her neck and lining her arms. It was never a positive thing when Fletcher wanted to speak with someone privately. Yet, Evangeline couldn't think of a single thing she did wrong, something that would stir Fletcher in the wrong direction.

The two strolled over to a more secluded part of the training fields. Fletcher sat down on a bench next to a small, running waterfall. The waves gently fell into the pond causing constant ripples throughout the murky water’s surface.

Fletcher motioned for Evangeline to sit with him; she does so hastily. Her eyes found themselves looking into Fletcher’s eyes. She was mentally tracing the long jagged scar snaking across his forehead, past his left blind eye, to just below his upper left cheek. The story behind it was that Fletcher was challenged in a one on one by the old commander of Collosicus’ militia. When they dueled, it was said to be a vicious, grueling battle. It was a stalemate, until the old commander raised his sword and slashed Fletcher’s face, from forehead to cheek. It was gory and gruesome, blood was said to be everywhere. However, that didn’t stop Fletcher as he eventually came out victorious, despite being nearly blind in one eye. So, we wore that scar proudly. 

“Evangeline, I have a request.”

“Yes, Chief? Name it.”

Fletcher dismissively waved a hand in the air while taking in a long shaky breath, “You don’t have to refer to me as Chief, we are on the same level of authority, don’t you think?”

“Well, I am unsure of that, Chief ,” Evangeline let out a little, nervous laugh. Her eyes flickered from Fletcher to the ground and then back to Fletcher, consistently reminding herself to keep eye contact. 

“Huh, guess I won’t play that game. Anyways, I would like you to have some one-on-one lessons with me during your free time.” Evangeline’s heartbeat instantly skipped a beat with hearing those words. Fletcher, a man devoted to his job, was as skilled a fighter as they get! She felt honored to even be considered worthy for training with Fletcher. 

“I am honored, Chief. I just fear I won’t be able to find time with the princess requiring my personal attention most of the day."

“Well that is quite understandable, but I have an idea,” Fletcher paused for a moment. Evangeline felt her sharpened ears perk up slightly as she tilted her head in confusion. “How about, when the princess sleeps at night, we spar? When the moon strikes in the midst of the sky, let's say midnight, we will meet."

Evangeline put her hand to her chin and thinks for a moment whether this opportunity will ever arrive again. It seemed unlikely to gain the blessing to learn with a well renowned warrior, a man of strength and smarts. 

“Well, Chief, I consider that a relatively reasonable option. I accept.” Evangeline stuck out her hand, and Fletcher took it with a small smile on his face. What an extremely rare occurrence for smiling twice today. 

He then took her hand, and there was a firm handshake, confirming their agreement.  

However, moments after making their contact, a loud, shrill voice penetrated the air as Anastasia was seen skipping across the courtyard in the direction of Evangeline and Fletcher. 

“Ah, there you two are! Do you know how long I have been searching for you, Eva?”

Behind Anastasia came a gasping Valantis as he huffed and puffed, bending over and placing his hands on his knees trying to take a breath, 

“My lady! Please don’t run off like that again, I am not as agile as I used to be!”

Anastasia put her hands on her hips, glancing from Evageline to Valantis. She puffed her chest up and tritely retorts, ”I’m sorry you’re old.”

Evangeline had to stifle a laugh, just barely containing it. Putting a hand over her mouth, she looked down slightly, trying to regain her composure. However, she felt Anastasia’s smitten on her, and a small smirk made its way onto the Princess's face.

“As I was saying, before being so rudely interrupted, it is time we go to the market!” Anastasia glibly stated, expecting her command to be obeyed.

“But, Princess,” Evangeline started, but Anastasia hushed her quickly, waggling her finger in the process. 

“No buts, ifs, or ands! We go shopping!” clearly using the ‘royal’ we.

Evangeline crossed her arms and let out an exaggerated sigh whilst shaking her head. Her dark brown hair got slightly in her face, just to even more intensife her expression.

“Princess, did you forget you have tea with your father today at 2:30? That gives you just enough time for to be ready. And you know how the King Ragnar despises tardy people.” 

In response Anastasia let out a loud groan whilst bringing her hand to her face and rubbing the bridge of her nose. She then threw her arms downward in agitation, showcasing her frustration. 

“Fine, you win! But you need to promise me to go shopping sometime this week. We need to get you some new dresses, as you know the annual ball is soon!” A sparkle of nervousness floated down Evangeline’s spine as she tried not to gag. Her mind completely slipped when it came to the ball; it was something that occurs every year to mark off the official start of the autumn harvest, said to be magical, like out of a fairytale. This one would be her very first to attend. 

There was one thing about Evangeline that not many knew. Once she awakened, since six months ago, after arriving at the Collosicus's fates, it turned out she had no memory of the events that concurred of how she arrived at the doorstep. She had no memories of her past life, period. 

King Ragnar pondered what had happened, but, in reality, there was one thing about Evangeline that made his eyes twinkle with excitement; she was an incredible warrior. Never giving up and smart with her moves, there was nothing she couldn’t do. That’s how she became the princess’s body guard with time. 

Yet, everyone still wondered how she ended up at the gates that one day. She still wondered how it happened. 

Evangeline reflected on her recent past; yet, she found herself emotionally frail regarding the upcoming state ball. With no idea what to expect, she was unsure what would happen. She had heard rumors about something unusal occurring, but no further information slipped out. Not even Anastasia knew anything more of the planning.

As Evangeline listened to the conversation between Anastasia and Valantis, arguing about running off, or something along those lines, Evangeline could not help but ponder about the ball, about the training sessions, about… herself. All a mystery for her to untangle.

“Alright, Evangeline. I shall see you tonight at midnight.”

“Yes, Chief.” Evangeline smiled, and Fletcher took his leave, bidding his farewells to Anastasia and Valantis. 

“Now,” Evangeline started as she stoods up and stretched her legs ever so slightly, “Let’s go get you ready for tea.”