Chapter Six

Chapter six;

 

Lissie was kicked out of the house the next morning. Her mother thought her mission was to find a husband and live her life like an adult should. So her mother was more then willing to let her go.

Lissie was dropped off on the outskirts of Denrim. The League auditions weren’t held for another three days and Lissie had no money. She didn’t know how to spend her time. She robbed a few people, and obtained seven sovereigns. It would feed her for at least three days. Most of the time she slept in a hay bale she had found in a skinny ally way just outside the market square. She got to sleep even through the sound of the pigs and sheep. A few men tried to persuade her to join them in their beds, a few men also lost a few teeth. Lissie wasn’t one to be pushed around.

The day of the League finally came. Lissie was the only girl there. Most of the girls in Denrim weren’t trained to fight and defend themselves; most of them were trained in the merciless art of sewing, and how to dance.

Lissie was pared up with a rather small man. His buddies called him Bullet. Claiming he was as small, fast, and painful as a bullet when he fought. Lissie highly doubted it. When the two were called into the middle of the palace courtyard to fight, Lissie laughed. The man�"Bullet�"looked at her like she was making a huge mistake.

His first few moves were strong, Lissie wouldn’t deny that. His first hits actually knocked her back. As he became more tired, Lissie switched from defense to offence. She threw a few quick punches, and darted around him to grab his arms. She held him there, and kicked his legs out from under him. This forced all his weight to rely on his arms, and since they were held behind his back, they were released from his sockets. The man screamed bloody murder like a little girl, and Lissie laughed. The other men took a few steps back and stared in disgust. Bullet got up off the ground, with his arms hanging lifelessly from his sides.

“She’s a witch!” A few men claimed. “The devil!” Lissie ignored it all. In her life, she had been called much worse.

The next man came out with a sword. Lissie knew she couldn’t win without playing dirty. The first swing on his sword, she let him cut her arm. She gasped in, and fell to her knees in fake tears.

“That hurts so much.” Lissie forced her lips to quiver and her eyes to become big and wet. She weakly put her hand over the cut. “How could you do this to a girl?” She switched to her crying mode, and looked up at the man with her stunning hazel eyes.

“I�"uh�"you seemed tougher, I, uh…” The man looked guilty. Just a little longer…

“You could at least apologize.” Lissie said, in the midst of her fake tears. “B*****d.” She swung her fist straight at his face, and knocked him out. Her fake tears stopped, and the crowed up roared with disapproval.  Lissie shrugged.

Everyone became silent and the sound of clapping from one man was heard. The group of men slowly cleared a path, when emerged the prince, clapping his hands for Lissie. She squinted her eyes. This is the man she was supposed to gain the trust of.

His neck length black hair brushed lightly at his collar. Lissie could see the brightness of his eyes from here. He looked just like a prince should�"Lissie felt like puking.

“My turn?” He asked, as he stepped into the circle with Lissie. “You’re a very impressive fighter, using something as casual as your gender to win a battle. I’m impressed.”

“I don’t care to impress you.” Lissie mocked. He smiled at her, truly smiled. It wasn’t just to annoy her.

“Scared, are you?” He dropped his sword and held up his fists. Lissie glared at him.

“Let’s dance, pretty boy.” A loud, dragged on ‘ohhh,’ was heard from the crowed.

Lissie started off strong, just like bullet had. Slowly, she became more and more tired. This prince was strong, and quick. She kept up, though. The crowed was very into this fight, since it was so close. After nearly two hours of swinging fists, the prince caught her fist and threw her to the ground.

“Let’s call it a draw, then.” His voice was out of breath, and Lissie sprung back up like a spring.

“I’m not done yet.” Lissie swung her fist again, and he just as before caught it.

“I said we’re done.” He threw her fist down to her side again. “Good day, miss.” He walked away from her, unaffected.

Lissie was furious. She couldn’t believe him. Just because he was a Prince doesn’t mean he can just push her around like he did.

“Aye!” Lissie called. The prince half turned.

“What is it?”

“May you be lucky and become a maggotous sniveling b*****d who pukes on the oozing aboriginal abortionist and the mindless bat out of hell.” Lissie said in one breath. The prince’s eyes became wide. He threw his head back and laughed.

“Go drool on somebody else, you bungling imperialist bung who dances with the raving bureaucrat and the slime spewing dew rag.” He replied, still laughing. Lissie then turned her back on him, and joined the others in the crowed. He’s almost as bad as Quince, Lissie thought.

Her father was right. She made the League, the top League, in fact. The top League was the one that was the Royal family’s personal guard. They lived in the palace, with the family. There were six of them in the top league; one for the king, one for the queen, and one for their four sons and daughters. Lissie prayed not to get the boastful prince who irked her so.

The First League was called to the Royal Palace three days after it had been assigned. Bullet was with them; Lissie imagined he’d get one of their little girls. Lissie imagined the arrogant Prince wouldn’t even need a guard. She rolled her eyes at the thought of him.

“Gentlemen and Lady,” The king paused and smiled warmly at them all. “Congratulations at being in this year’s First League. I see some from last year have joined again, and I see some new faces as well. Thank you again, for giving your lives to protect the Royal Family here in Denrim.” Lissie stood patiently, waiting till the rolls were assigned.
      “Bullet,” The King announced. Bullet’s attention was then given to the King. “You’ll be trusted to protect my eldest daughter, Marie Ann.” Marie Ann is sixteen and wild. I’m sure a young man like Bullet will be fine with that, Lissie thought. Bullet bowed his head, and was dismissed.

“Renault,” His Highness addressed. Lissie looked to see whose head turned. It was a tall man with broad shoulders; he hadn’t shaved today, Lissie could tell. “You’re assigned my Wife. Please take good care of her, she means the world to me.” Renault bowed and left.

“Lissie.” Lissie was taken by surprise.

“AH, uh, yes?” She turned to him. He smiled kindly at her.

“You, girl, will get the privilege of being my son’s guard, Prince Aubren.” Aubren, Aubren… Which one is Aubren? Lissie worried. She prayed to Thalamic, god of luck, that it wouldn’t be the one she met in the court yard last week.

“Oh-Kay.” Lissie had never done this before, so she followed where the others had gone, to the massive doors.

“Oh, Lissie. He’s already in here, so you can stay�"“ Lissie spun around back, facing the King. “Aubren, son, come here.” Lissie eyes forsake her when out from the back room came the same Prince she met in the court yard.

“This makes no sense.” Lissie said aloud. “He’s stronger then me�"I’ll serve no purpose for him,” Lissie confirmed.

“I said it was a draw.” Aubren raised his eyebrows.

“And you’re the only one here who has gotten even that close to beating him. You’re the only one strong enough in all of Frelldan to be his body guard.” Lissie let her lungs empty through her clenched teeth. Her Father owed her�"big time.