fey second chapter first draft

“Good morning Princess,” 
	“Good morning Heather, looks like another warm spring day,” I smiled whilst slipping into my training gear, even elven princesses know how to fight. 
	“Miss wouldn't you prefer to take a stroll in the garden or read a nice book?” My hand maiden Heather pleaded she never liked washing the grass stains or blood out of my training gear.
	“Not today Heather, I'm going for a run then might join the other fey for aerial combat,” I smiled and straightened up after lacing my boots. Garbed in the leaf like green patterns of our training gear I smiled at her and headed for the door.

	“Princess,” Krill acknowledged me in the hallway before falling into step behind me I must admit it was a nice change to not have to explain where I was going or why. I set a steady pace as I walked through the halls watching the maids and butlers scurry around with there day to day work saying hello to ones I knew as I went.

	“Princess,” Yorin suddenly fell into step beside me.
	“Good morning Sir, you have more than you three guarding me?” I asked realising I had forgotten to ask last night.
	“Yes but at all times one of us three will be guarding you in charge of the others,” Yorin smiled as he adjusted his pace to account for my smaller strides.
	“And I am not to meet the other guards?” I stopped at the top of the spiral stairs that led through all the main levels of the castle. 
	“Only if your ever truly in trouble. Frell I have it from here your shift is over,” He motioned towards the trailing who smiled bowed and ran off back in the direction we had just left. My guards usually have a barracks style room near to mine so I was not surprised at his direction.

	I started down the stairs feeling no more need to talk. I traced my hand down the banister as I picked up my pace. Yorin followed behind me though five people could walk down the stairs side by side comfortably. I hit the ground floor and headed out though a side door to the gardens Yorin lengthened the distance between us and I could almost forget he was there. I started along the dirt trail at a walk and once I was past the main parts of the castle I slowly started jogging heading towards the deeper parts of the Forrest as I was not usually able to run through the towns which were woven amongst the large trees. I would be stopped by the elves and faeries wanting to bow and chat lovely people don't get me wrong just not when your trying to run.

	I started to race amongst the trees following a popular running track the guards trained on Yorin like a quiet shadow behind me. I veered of the track to a path I had discovered and had usually attempted to lose my guards on but in this case I let Yorin follow easily. I watched the trees and shrubs get thicker either side of me only stopping when I finally reached the water fall I liked to rest at. I sat down on a stone bench that had been weather beaten and stretched my legs out in front of me. 

	“Princess what is this place?” Yorin asked walking in front of me to be nearer the lake. 
	“It's a place my father showed me when I was little, I come out here when ever I can I thought it best if your are to guard me to know it exists,” I shrugged.
	“I don't understand Ailin,” Yorin frowned as he turned to face me.
	“What don't you get?” I stood up and walk towards the water.
	“You ran purely to show me this place?” He asked


	“Of course not, I felt like running got close to the turn off and decided I wanted a break,” I laughed and turned to leave.
	“Ailin, you know I serve you yes?” Yorin asked unexpectedly.
	“No you serve my father,” I responded and started running back the way we had come.

						******

	I paused hands on my knees out of breath in an open field with other faeries and elves who were already split of into teams training. Most of the instructors were elves and wore brown versions of the training gear I was in, to symbolise ground training whilst faerie instructors wore blue for sky training. Those of us actually going to train were all in green even the guards whilst the guards usually carried there own weapons where as the rest of us borrowed from the barrels of open weapons scattered around the clearing. 

	Yorin sat down on the grass next to wear I stood near the edge of the clearing.
	“What now princess?” He leant back so the sun hit his face.
	“What do you mean?” I asked.
	“No man in his right mind would dare training with you, out of fear of your well being,” He chuckled to himself as he closed his eyes and soaked up the sun.
	“Who said I would be training with a man,” I looked up just in time, I dove fast to my left away from Yorin as Beck landed right where I had been standing sword aimed in my direction, Yorin jumped up and tried to draw his sword before Beck quickly disarmed him with a muttered spell.

	“Knight Yorin meet Warrior Beck,” I chuckled watching Yorin curse and retrieve his sword.
	“Sir Yorin, I can't say I have heard of you, though I heard that Lin has a new warden,” Beck rolled her shoulders standing to her full height, which was at least three inches taller than Yorin.
	“I have heard of you, the almost legendary huntress of our kingdoms enemies,” Yorin rolled his eyes and sheathed his sword.
	“Can you two quit flirting so I can train please,” I growled, Beck winked at Yorin.

	“Let's begin Ailin,” Beck flew at me and I dodged once again. I felt my wings expand as I jumped into the air the rush of freedom sweeping through me as I flew over the nearest barrel of training swords before taking to the air to face my personal instructor. Beck was a fierce faerie with blue wings and blue hair and unsettling brown eyes she had lived nearly four centuries and fought in countless wars but her beauty was not marred by the scars if anything it was enhanced. She was the only fey brave enough to fight me as she was not loyal to my father but the other way round because she was my Aunt, my mothers sister.

	Beck laughed in delight and swiftly flew towards me sword singing through the air as she aimed for my heart which I blocked with my own and my natural instincts took over and a blur of swords and wings was all that could really be seen from the ground as Beck and I attacked or defended over and over until the sun started to set.

	Beck landed unceremoniously on all fours gasping for breath. I landed across from her nimbly on my feet sword still raised more for defence then victory, Beck was not above making me think we were finished before lunging again. Using magic Becks sword flew to the nearest barrel and I knew our fight was done. I walked to the same barrel and placed mine in still wary of another attack. This had been a wise decision as she flew towards me and almost landed a punch right at my head. She chuckled admitted defeat and pulled me into a tight hug whilst faeries were not usually affectionate my Aunt had spent a long time amongst humans and had picked up a few things.

	“Shit Lin, I swear you could give your father a run for his money,” She caressed my hair and smiled lovingly at me as she released me from the bear hug at my small five foot seven inches her full six foot seven would be intimidating if I didn't know she was a huge softie outside of battle.
	“Maybe I should challenge him sometime just so I can see him,” I laughed back.
	“Princess Ailin, Sir Yorin asked me to tell you he was summoned and that I was to be watching you for the remainder of today,” Finn promptly bowed after butting in to our conversation.
	“Then I leave you in capable hands little niece, go have supper before you forget to eat at all today,” Beck nudged me slightly nearly making me lose my balance before alighting into the air for her nightly flight.

	“Thank you Finn, lead on,” I nodded a slight bow and followed as he headed back to the castle. The elf sauntered of his chestnut brown hair catching in the light of the setting sun. He soon started to run and I knew that he expected me to keep pace. I chuckled and ran after him soon pushing myself to try and pass him but it never happened he always stayed a metre in front of me.

	“Good race Princess maybe you will catch me next time,” Finn chuckled as we neared the castle and slowed to a fast paced walk. 
	“Thank you for it Finn, though I know you could easily out pace me every time,” 
	

Tags: hope, dark,