Sorry or any spelling errors

Chapter 5~~~

As soon as the sun reaches my face through the window I get up and get ready for the fight. I clean myself up quickly then change into my jeans and shirt. I tie up my worn out sneakers then grab my beloved sword and its sheath.

I look in the mirror. Why can't I always dress like this. Knocking on my door knocks me out of my admiring then I head to the door. I open the door and look at my brother. He is dressed similar to me.

He looks at my clothes. "Where did you get those?" "George told me I could have some of his sister's clothes." I see him look at my sword. "He also made me a sword last night." I lie. I have had this for three years.

"Okay then. Let's go." We walk downstairs and I shake off the glances I get from guards.

We got to the fighting grounds. Since its early its empty. When we pass George he looks at us and I gestire for him to come.

He comes out amd sits on a bench in the stands.

"Do you want a clean fight or can blood be shed?" I ask Anthony as I take out my sword. I put its sheath near George. "Well I guess we can be hurt a little but the first to disarm is the winner. If you can place the opponent into a risky position you also win." He explains and I roll my eyes. I have watched him fight.

"Okay then let's start." I stand a few metres away from him and wait for him to make a move. Just as I suspect he strikes at my shoulder which I quickly deflect then lightly poke his leg. I can see some blood seep through his pant leg and he looks at me surprised. I smirk then go for his left arm. He sees it then blcoks it. He strikes at my hip but I dodge it then go behind him. He spins around before I can do anything then strikes once more. Our swords clash together showing the power and speed behind each other's strikes.

I push his sword down and he hits my shoulder with the blade. And it isn't light may I add. I ignore the searing pain and we circle each other. He is mainly protectimg his chest and head which leaves a lot of his lower body vulnerable. I see a part of his hip that is open but barely. We lock gazes woth each other then we both charge. He goes for my shoulder as I strike at his hip. We bith get struck at the same time and but I ignore the pain. He hit the same arm. He touches his hip and blood goes onto his fingers. I know my shoulder is bleeding, I can feel the blood pouring down my arm. Once again we circle each other looking for any open spots. I see his own shoulder unprotected and slice at it. He gasps and holds his shoulder. I think I did that a little too hard. I shrug then quickly crouch down and swipe my leg under his. He falls back just as I wanted and before he can get I wrap my arm around his neck and put my sword along it. "You're dead." I say to him. I take away my arms and walk to George. He comes down and whispers to me. "How much have you been practising and examining fights?'' He is the only one in the palace that knows what I do.

"I have been training for three years." I say. I look at my arm. These are definetely going to scar. I pull up my sleeve and examine the wound. Its really deep. Its going to be a while before I get inside so I get my sword so I can cut a bit of my shirt. "No. I will." George grabs the sword from my hand and cuts his own shirt. He wraps the cloth around my arm and ties it. "Thanks." I smile at him and look at the makeshift bandage.

"No problem. Is the fight over now?" He looks at Anthony who is holding onto his shoulder while sitting down. "Not quite. We had a deal. If I won he has to give me one of his swords and he has to try to get through the maze." He nods. "Isn't that a bit harsh?"

"I agreed to help him if he truly gets lost. I'm going to go to the end of the maze. Only let him go when I shout to you." He nods amd I get up. I pull him up and he looks at the maze nervously. "Don't worry. I will be at the end so you will know when its finished. Just shout and I will come find you okay?" He nods. George comes up and greets Anthony.

"Okay. I'm off." I run into the maze I have memorised. George also knows his way around but what he doesn't know is where the shortcuts and passages are. I have made my own passages and holes through the think hedges that no one knows about.

I go to the first one which is actually a fault in the hedge. I found a little opening through the branches big enough for me to go through.

I twist myself through the tiny hole and find myself near the middle. The trick to knowing where you are is by lookong around. I can tell this is near the middle because the three way exit is ahead. I go through the left one then turn left. I bend down and go under the hedge. Its lifted a little but is barely noticeable. Once I am inside the hedge itself I walk to my left. Surprisingly this hedge is much wider than most so I am able to slip between the branches. It turns and thats my cue to get out. I crawl up and over a large branch then through another opening. I jump onto the ground and turn a few more times.

The exit comes into view. I may have used a few shortcuts but going through the maze itself is quite easy. Well, if you know the way.

"George! He can go now!" I shout as loud as I can. "Okay!" I jear his voice shout back. I hear footsteps behind me and go for my swkrd when i realise I left it on a bench. I hide behind the hedge and wait for the footsteps. They come closer and closer. Through the trees I can sea Shane.

I let a sigh of relief come out and step from behind the hedge.

"Shane you scared me." I say. "Sorry. I heard someone shout so I came over." I nod and see he has his sword. "Were you practising?" I ask him. He nods. "Since the sun came up I practised. Why are you up so early?" He asks. "My brother and I had a sword fight." I explain. He looks at the maze.

"How long does it take to do it if you know it?'' He asks. "Around five minutes. Because Anthony lost he has to try to get through the maze." I turn back to the maze and await my brother.

"Prince Anthony lost?" The surprise is evident in his voice. I nod.

"You must be a good fighter then. I have watched a few battles when there are tournaments. He is very fast and his moves are deadly." Shane really does have his mind set to sword fight. I lean against the hedge then instantly regret it.

"Ow!" I forgot about the wound. Well at least it isn't bleeding as much as before. "Alexia? Are you okay?" Shane asks from behind me.

I nod even though the pain starts again. He comes and looks at the wound. "Its fresh. Did your brother do this to you?" He worries too much.

"Yes. But I think I did it worse to him. I also struck at his shoulded but I did it a little deeper than intended. He only got me hard twice. I got him three times." He blinks at me not knowing what to say.

"Alexia!" I hear Anthony's voice. It isn't that far away.

"Did you fall in a trap or are you utterly and completely lost?" I shout back.

"Lost!" He shouts. "Just follow my voice!" I turn to Shane. "You should go now. I will come back later with all of the supplies." He nods then wanders back into the woods. I hear footsteps in the maze. "Nearly there!" I shout. Then he appears. He sees me then drops to the ground.

"Is it even possible to memorise the way?" His breaths are heavy. I walk to him and pull him up. "I'm getting hungry let's head back."

We walk back to the fighting grounds and see George polishing a few swords.

I go to the stands and retrieve my sword. "Thanks again for doing the bandage." I tell him as I grab my sword. "No problem." He smiles at me and I am quick to return it.

"Can I eat with you?" I ask him. I am not prepared to face everyone's questions.

He nods. "Okay. I will be back." I put my sword down and run inside. I dodge around the guards and make a beeline to the the kitchens. "Good morning Miss." Jane the head chef greets. She and I get along so well.

"Good morning Jane. I am going to eat outside with George. Can I bring his food as well as mine?" She nods and I watch her prepare some food. She puts two bottles of water in a bag. I hang the bag just below my elbow then balance the two plates on ny hands. "Thanks Jane." I push the door with my hip then head back outside to George.

"Here you go." I hand him his plate and his water then sit down next to him. "I forgot the cutlery. Wait here." He grabs my wrist. "I have some in my room. I eat there most of the time. I'll get it." He goes into his workshop which also has his room behind.

He comes out with two knifes and two forks. He hands me mine. "Thanks for getting my food." He says. "I'm not going to come here and eat in front of you." I say.

"Well thanks anyway. At least today I won't eat alone."

After we eat George takes our plates to Jane. While he's gone I take a look at the several swords he was polishing earlier. I take one out of its sheath. Its a long sword but light. Essential for fast strikes. The long piece of metal glistens as it catches the sun. I look closelt and see some writing.

George comes back and sits in front of me. "These are old swords from my ancestors. Why are you cleaning them?" I recognise this from the dining hall. It normally hangs with a golden one diagonally placed on top creating an 'x'.

"Your father wants the palace to be clean by tonight. The neighbouring kingdom is visiting." He explains.

"Is it only the King and his wife?" I ask with hope. He smiles reassuringly. "No. Prince Thomas is coming." I lay down on the bench and groan.

"They are arriving very late tonight. So don't spend too much time out tonight." He stands up and takes all the swords to the palace.

Why does Prince Thomas have to come?