Knight of Thieves

Chapter 20

“Try it again,” said James. Unlike the other times he corrected Emberly, his voice was devoid of criticism. Instead, he seemed to be willing to help her, he wanted her to be better. And, Emberly was hesitant to admit, he was right this whole time. She did need help, her fight against the Cyran proved that well enough. “Your stance is your weakest point. Square up like this. It will give you a stronger foundation.”

“This is weird,” Arran muttered to her. Emberly agreed. In the weeks following the attack by the Cyrans, James joined their extra training sessions. He watched over the other squires, correcting their forms and giving advice. He was still irritatingly superior to them, but he was also patient now. He wanted to see improvement in his fellow squires.

Still, Arran was right. It was strange having him here. But he was far and away more experienced than them. They would surely benefit from his expertise.

“That’s better,” James continued, “this stance will hold against any attack. Let’s go again.” Before Emberly could say anything, James swung his sword in a high attack. She threw her sword up to block. She could feel the difference instantaneously. Her legs supported her block for the first time, ensuring she was not simply using her arms to protect herself. Her whole body responded to the attack and defended it.

A smug smile decorated his face. “This is better, right?” She did not say anything but leaned in to attack him. She absolutely refused to admit James Heczah was right.

James and Emberly parried for a few minutes until James was completely satisfied with her work. He left to help Arran with his technique. In his place appeared Will.

“I’m glad James is joining us,” he said. He struck a high attack. It had little strength against it, nothing compared to the blows with which James attacked. Had she missed this block against Will, his dull sword would barely tap her head. If she missed James’s…well, it was best not to find out.

“He’s being uncharacteristically helpful,” she said. She attacked Will, putting all of her strength into the blow. Will stumbled backwards as though he were not expecting the attack. Anger burned inside of her. She pushed the anger away, striving for patience.

He attacked with, predictably, a middle attack. She threw her body into a defense, a needless exercise as there was a supreme lack of power behind the attack. She pulled away from their parry. “You’re doing it again,” she said.

Will frowned. “Doing what?”

“You’re not working hard enough. There’s barely any force in your attacks.” Will froze, knowing exactly what he was stepping into.

“I’ll try harder,” he promised. His promise meant nothing when he attacked Emberly again. Her hand instantly went to her hip, an eyebrow raised. He shrugged. “I guess I don’t like the idea that I could potentially hurt you.”

“I’m not weak,” she informed him. “I can hold my own.”

Will nodded and held up his sword once more.

“I know you’re not weak. I’m sorry.”

She stared at him for a moment. “I am your equal right now,” she whispered furiously. “I’m not Emberly.”

“I-I didn’t mean—“

“It’s getting late,” called James. “It’s almost time for curfew.” The squires nodded and carefully put away the training swords.

Emberly was quiet as she walked with Will up to the squires rooms. Will opened and closed his mouth numerous times as though he had something to say, but lost the nerve at the last moment.

When they reached Emberly’s room, she held the door knob for a moment. “I think it would be better if, during extra training, we focused on parrying with the other squires.”

“Em…” He grabbed her hand and dragged her into his room. Once his door was closed and locked, he continued. “I didn’t mean anything by it. You know that, right? I-I’m just tired.”

“Practice isn’t worth anything unless you’re doing it right,” she argued. Her eyes flashed with anger.

“Please don’t be angry with me.”

“I’m not weak,” she reiterated.

“I have never thought you were weak, Emberly. I just…I want to protect you.” She raised her hand. “Are you going to slap me?”

“I’m thinking about it,” she answered. “It is literally my job to protect you, you realize that, right?” She dropped her hand and sighed. “This is why I think it would be better to focus on parrying with others. We will gain more from it.”

“Em—“

“I’m not angry,” she clarified. “I just want to be the best knight I can be. I think we’re a hindrance to each other. Do you see what I’m saying?” He nodded.

“I think so.” He tugged her closer to him, pulling her into his arms. He kissed her. “I really didn’t—“

“I know.” She pressed her lips to his, throwing her arms around his shoulders. She wove her fingers into his hair. “I better go. It’s almost curfew.”

He responded by kissing her again. She stayed only for a few minutes before disappearing into her own room for the night.

“What a jerk!” squealed Olivia. “Do you want me to talk to him?”

Emberly laughed. After Emberly explained that Kyler was in Verlent, Olivia and Emberly drew closer. She wanted to know everything about Emberly’s time in training. She seemed to find it endlessly fascinating.

Olivia also wanted to know every detail of Emberly and Will’s relationship, which led her to talk about the training session a few nights ago. Olivia was outraged by Will’s actions.

“It’s nothing, really,” Emberly said.

“He insinuated you shouldn’t be doing this. That you’re not capable on the battlefield. You defended the castle from those Cyrans with my brother. You’re clearly capable.”

“Thank you, Olivia, I really appreciate it.” And she really did. She did not expect Olivia to be a good friend to her, but she was. She was a good person and a good friend. She was good for her brother. “Tell me about you and Kyler. What have your parents decided?”

“They’re thinking of sending me away after the Winter Festival.” She glanced around the room, lowering her voice even though they were alone. “I-I think they’re reading my letters. I overheard my parents talking about something I wrote a few weeks ago. I’ve been afraid to write to Kyler about what you told me. I’ve just been sending generic letters and I think he knows.”

Emberly bit her lip as she thought. “I could help you,” she said, keeping her voice at the level with which Olivia spoke. “If you want to send a specific letter to Kyler, you can give it to me and I’ll have Kyra pass it along. That way, your parents won’t read them.”

Excitement flooded her eyes. “If I get a piece of parchment right now, will you send it along?”

“Of course!”

“Alright, I’ll be right back. Just wait a moment, I won’t be long.”

Olivia swept out of the room, leaving Emberly alone in the room for a moment.

The door opened to the room a moment later, causing Emberly to frown. She waited for Olivia to speak, to express why she returned so quickly. When silence continued to reign in the room, she twisted around in her seat.

James stared at her, his eyes wide in shock. Emberly raised a questioning eyebrow at him. “Squire Heczah? Is something wrong?”

James shook his head and bowed politely. He strode across the room and sat down in a chair across from her. “I did not expect to see you here, Lady Emberly. Are-are you waiting for someone? Should I get Olivia?” He raised a little out of his seat, but Emberly raised a hand to stop him.

“Olivia stepped out for a moment, I’m just waiting for her to return.”

“Oh,” he said. His eyes travelled around the room, focusing on everything but her. “H-how are you, Lady Emberly?”

“I am well. How are you, Squire Heczah? I heard of your battle with the Cyrans.”

“Your brother was brilliant. I might be dead if not for him.” Emberly blinked. What was going on with James? Had he been abducted and switched with someone else?

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you compliment him.”

“I know how to give credit when its due,” said James. He smiled for a moment and Emberly returned it before she realized what she was doing.

Are you smiling at James?

“Will you be attending the Winter Festival at the castle again this year?” he asked her. She nodded.

“That is the plan right now. I assume you are as well?”

“As always,” James said. He opened his mouth to speak again, but the door to the room opened and Olivia entered.

“It’s right here, Em. Thanks so much for doing this—James. You’re here!”

Olivia threw her arms around her brother. Then, she plopped down on the seat beside Emberly, handing her the letter as she shielded it from James’s view. Emberly took it from her.

“Any time, Olivia.” Emberly glanced over at James, then back at Olivia. She wanted to deliver this letter to Kyra as soon as possible so that nothing happened to it. “Well, I better be going. I have a few errands to run in town. I’m not sure I’ll see you before the Winter Festival, but I’ll send Kyra over when she finishes your dress.”

“Thank you so much, Emberly.” Olivia embraced Emberly.

Emberly stood up, curtsied to James and left the manor.