Part 1 - Brigette's Patchouli Paradise
The air was crisp. The blue sky speckled with soft linen clouds. The courtyard was lightly damp from the previous week's rain. The surrounding land hummed a melody of life as spring introduced itself to the glen. Spring brought peace and fertility to the castle, flowers would fight their way through mortar and stone to present their precious petals. Among the peace was a large splashing of dirt as Brigette fell backside first to the ground.
Though Brigette was a woman, her father had insisted that she be trained. He knew being a nobleman made his daughter a target and wanted her to have the best protection. This is why Brigette found herself coated in mud, backside sore to the touch. Her hands, once soft and tender, callus and hard.
"I thought you had improved?" mocked Caleb, the trainer. He threw his sword between his hands and glared at Brigette, his cocky aura pissing her off. He glided over and smacked her back with the flat of his sword. He let out a conceited laugh and adopted his fighting stance. Brigette clenched her teeth and got up. She remembered all her training. Stance wide, shoulders relaxed. She knew her body wasn't built for fighting. Her slender frame attracted many men of the regal court, but her body never maintained muscle from her training. She knew the disadvantages nature gave her, yet she wanted to succeed.
She scanned the courtyard for anything that would help her against Caleb. She looked over the loam courtyard for any objects on the ground. They were too far from the stables for her to use any tools. As she glanced over the yard, she saw her leverage. Just as she looked back, Caleb lunged forward.
She brought her sword to his, a metallic clang at the contact. A rhythmic clanking of swords filled the courtyard. Caleb grunted, each swing with the intent of ending his opponent. Brigette struggled under his brutish strength. Though she was overwhelmed she kept her composure. Brigette's feet manoeuvred angelically, her plan unfolding. She just had to get him where she needed. Like a choreographed dance, they caracoled round the battlefield. Their swords created the tempo of their scrappy jaunt.
Just when Caleb thought he had her, Brigette kicked up the rock at her feet straight into his groin. Caleb dropped his sword and fell to his knees. Brigette brought her sword to his chin and tilted his head up. "I guess I have improved," Brigette flirted, smirking as Caleb crumpled to the ground.
"You cheated! You used that rock."
"Father says 'use the battlefield to your advantage, my dear'. I just followed his orders."
Brigette offered out her hand to lift Caleb up. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the ground, rolling to position himself above her. He placed his sword to her neck. "I'm sure he also said something about never dropping your guard," Caleb's lips curled up, a lustful glint in his eyes. "Looks like I won again, my lady."
Brigette groaned and turned away, blushing "You know I dislike you calling me that. Just call me Brie."
Caleb withdrew his sword and got up, offering his hand to Brigette. "I am not that weak," scoffed Brigette, pushing his hand away. Her muscles ached again, the small of her back sore from Caleb throwing her. She looked at her sore blooded hands and felt disheartened. No matter what tactic she used, Caleb was always one step ahead. Though something about how he grabbed her made her heat up.