A roar from outside, rumbled through the castle's thick stone walls, making them tremble. My bed shook beneath me, waking me up from my peaceful slumber. I flung myself out of bed and ran to the open window, bitterly cold air instantly engulfed my body, but I ignored it. Again we were under attack, not by man or an army, oh no, this was something more terrifying. For me, however, I found each attack exciting. 

"Milady!" The sound of a door bursting open and smacking against the walls had me turning around. "Oh my! Get away from there at once!" 

Before I could tell her to mind her own business, my handmaiden Chelsea, wrapped her arms around my body just as the night sky lit up with a brilliant orange-yellow glow. I turned my attention back to the window, watching flames dance across the sky and hit somewhere in the courtyard below. 

"Arches!" Yelled a voice I knew all too well. "Nock!" 

I cast my eyes down to the courtyard. Several things burned, giving me enough light to see him. He stood on the lower wall with a line of arches, his figure towered above most of the other men.

"Draw!" He commanded, his voice was heard from up in my tower, even over the roar of the beast invading our sky and the cries and yells of people below; his voice was still loud.

Ah yes, Sir Will or William, my fathers, my trusted Knight and commander of our army. He is the bravest of Knights, and his strength is the strongest of all. Sir William might be most handsome Knight in all of the lands but his personality, well, that is something that needs to be improved. He is over six foot tall, chestnut coloured hair, brown skin tone with a muscular body, his eyes are green like grass, and he has a small beard. 

"Milady, please! I beg of you! Get back!" Oh, I forgot she was hanging onto me trying to pull me away. "It's dangerous! You must-"

"Loose!" Flaming arrows rained upwards but they did not hit their target, they never did. The beast is always faster than that of an arrow. 

'Ha-ha! Think you could get me, did you? Yeah, right!'

"What did you just say?" I turned around to face Chelsea. "Well? What did you-"

"I beg your pardon milady, but I did not say anything."

There's one thing I know about Chelsea. She never lies to me. "If you did not say that then who did?"

Chelsea opened her mouth, but two loud whooshing sounds drowned her out. 

"It's retreating!" Shouts and cheers erupted from the courtyard. 

*__________*

When morning came, evidence of last nights attack remained across the Castle's grounds, some places still burnt or were smouldering. My father, the King of Trividale, had called the council for a meeting. I, being the Princess and a lady, was forbidden to stand in the meeting. 

I paced in the corridor in front of the large thick wooden doors leading into the great hall. "Stupid!" I growled at a guard. "I am the Princess! I should be allowed in!"

The guard, however, did not respond. 

"I want to protect my Kingdom just as much as the Knights do! How can I do this if I don't know what's bloody going on!"

Again, the guard was silent. 

I huffed in annoyance and sat down on a wooden chair across the corridor from the great hall. "They've been in there for hours!"

Once again, the guard was silent.

What was I expecting? Him to engage in a conversation with me? Like that would ever happen. 

When I become Queen, I'll tear down the Law that says Woman don't have rights to enter a battle or be trained as a Knight. Sure, mother would turn in her grave at the very thought of it, but I, however, would be very, very, pleased. 

All of my life I have been trapped in the Castle, only on special occasions am I allowed to leave and when I do it's under the protection of a heavily armoured escort. 

I've dreamt of becoming a Knight, I even have memorised the Knights Code. 

This is the Knights Code, to live and die by the code is his duty. 

A knight's shield protects the weak, his sword defends the helpless, and his strength upholds his Kingdom. A knight is sworn to valour and faith, to live by honour and for glory, to guard and protect, to respect the honour of women, never must he refuse a challenge from an equal or turn his back from a foe. A knight only knows fairness, justice and truth. To protect and serve is his mission. 

Not only have I memorised the Code, but I have also watched them train. I know all of their moves--well, most of them. I've even witnessed Sir William put an end to a beast in the farmlands outside of the city. 

Ah, yes, beasts, these flying beasts have plagued and terrorised our lands for centuries. Our Knight's hunt them, but many do not return. Sir William however, is perhaps our only real Dragon Slayer, this is another reason I want to become a Knight. I wish to protect our lands and destroy the dragons who live in the mountains to the West.

But I cannot do that because it is against the Law for a woman to even touch a sword.

A knight must honour the Law so that no Knight will teach me. No Knight will let me be his Squire. However, there is one Knight I have not yet asked, one Knight who is sworn to protect me.

I jumped to my feet as the doors to the great hall opened with a soft squeak, Knights greeted me with a bow as they exited the room. I stood near the door, waiting for him. 

I didn't have to wait long. He walked out with my father next to him. "Father, Sir Knight." I greeted them.

My father looked down at me, "Tell me you have not been waiting here all this time?"

"Okay, then I won't," I grinned up at him.

He shook his head with a growl, and his gold-brown eyes didn't seem to be amused by my answer. "You want something, so tell me, daughter, what is it you require?"

The grin remained on my face. "Well father, I require a moment with Sir Knight here," I gestured to Sir William who looked taken back by my request.

"Ariana, Sir Will is a busy man, as am I-"

"Well then, I guess I'll venture to the village by myself then!" I spun on my heels only for my father to grip my wrist.

"You will do no such thing!" he growled down at me. "Why on earth do you need to go to the village? You have everything you could need here, in the Castle."

"Father," I began. "I am eighteen, I have been locked up in this Castle for years, I have no friends-"

"You have Chelsea."

"She's my handmaiden! She doesn't count!"

Sir William remained quiet.

My father released my wrist and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You really want to go to the village?"

"Yes!" 

"Very well," father turned to Sir William, my grin only widened. "Sir Will, you may escort my daughter to the village, do not let her out of your sight. She is under your protection."

"Of course milord." 

"Do you swear to protect her with your life?" 

"I do," Sir William gave my father a nod and a bow. "My sword is at her disposal, and I shall protect her at all costs." 

Father then turned back to me, "When do you wish to leave?"

"At midday,"

"Very well then, I leave her in your capable hands, Sir Will." and like that, my father walked around me then down the corridor.

"Shall we, Milady?" Sir William gestured to me to begin walking.

With a smirk plastered across my lips, I said; "We shall."

If only he knew what I had in store for him.

If only I knew what was in store for me. 

*___________*

Greetings everyone!

Welcome to my newest book. 

This is set in England during the Medieval times. The Kingdom is called Trividale, which I have made up. The same goes for the characters in the book; they are all from my wild imagination. 

I look forward to hearing what you all think of the first chapter, so please do drop a comment. 

Don't forget to vote, as well!

This book is also dedicated to highfantasy because, well, who doesn't love a good Fantasy profile!

- Dani signing off!