She hated the thought of being so close to such shallow women but she felt at ease near the guards. It brought back memories of being angry with her mother or just feeling like a caged animal and running to her favorite spot beside a large lake not far from her father’s estate. She would do her forms until her body wouldn’t let her move anymore. And then she would jump in the lake to cool off. Those times were the closest she ever came to feeling truly free. Now as the cage was shrinking around her, it was like a skylight letting her see the stars. Clara was in obvious shock but after a moment she nodded. “But only for a moment.”

Lilly smiled and walked apart from the women to watch. The other women giggled and pointed at specific men they thought were handsome. She heard Clara come up behind her as they began now with swords. The obvious ranking officer who was still calling out numbers stood in front of them off to the side. Intent on them she saw another mistake. “That’s wrong.”

“Excuse me.” She looked at the older man, his brows were crunched together. “What is it that you find wrong, young lady?”

She bit her lip not realizing she had spoken out loud. She could feel the other women’s eyes on her as well while he stared waiting for her to answer. “The third block and the forth parry, sir.” She said timidly not liking the way she was being gawked at and wishing she hadn’t asked to stay.

The man laughed heartily and looked past her to Clara. “Is this the one you were expecting Clara?”

Lilly tensed expecting her to begin a lecture about keeping her thoughts to herself. “She is Bastian’s daughter, Othien.” Clara said not sounding mad at all.

“Bastian’s huh? What would Bastian’s daughter know about swordsmanship?”