He hissed standing up, dumping the rest of his meal into the fire. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself.”

“I’m not!” She protested standing as well her cheeks heating.

“Yes you are. Have you ever considered that you might find a Lord who thinks and feels the same as you?” His brows raised as if challenging her to tell him it was impossible. She shot him a defiant glare and then turned away hating the fact he was right. It was possible. She found her pack and pulled out the saber he gave her when she was fourteen. Looking at the elegantly curved blade she remembered all the lessons he gave her when she was young. She heard the chink of his blade as he pulled it from its scabbard and pulled her own out then turned.

He motioned for her to follow and they left the glow of the fire and walked into a field not far away. The stars and moon gave just enough light to cast black shadows along the ground. She noticed how his eyes seemed to shine in the faint glow of the night. “You swear to me that you’ll convince my father to let me go?”

He gave her an impatient glare but then sighed. “I swear I’ll try. Though it doesn’t matter you won’t win. I’m not holding back this time.” His tone held a hint of threat in it that made the hair on the back of her neck rise.

She lifted her chin and smiled taking the same stance as him, her Saber held out and up while her other arm was our from her body for balance. “Come on then.” The promise of a good fight brought her energy up. It had been so long since she had a challenge to test herself against.