Chapter 01 – Guinevere Calypso

Sweat trickles down her face but she knows better but to keep her unwavering focus on the man in front of her. She cannot afford any distractions right now. Not even a tinge of it. If it’s just her she would not even blink but of course, it’s nearly impossible to do that.

Anytime now she thought, clutching her sword tighter as the two of them silently stare at each other, calculating each other’s steps.

The man then screamed as he charged towards her. She stood her ground and in one quick flick of her hand, raise her sword as she deflected what’s coming. She cursed out loud, realizing how her opponent got stronger and quicker in just a matter of few days.

The people around them barely make any sound. Everyone’s eyes are on them, anticipating their every move and who will be the first one to surrender though she doubts it that someone will.

“I’ve seen enough of your moves, milady,” the man teased her that pissed her off instantly. She’s a knight who earned the right to be there and being called a lady on the battlefield angers her. But for all she knew, he’s probably just playing mind games with her. After all, sword fights are not solely about skills. It’s also looking for your opponent’s weakness mentally to distract them.

She then showed her trademark murderous smile which taken the man aback. She took that to her advantage as she hit his chest with the handle of her sword that made him stumble to the ground. She did not waste any time nor give any chance for his opponent to stand up. With full force, she hit his sword with hers then it flew a few meters away from him.

When he’s about to stand up, she quickly put the tip of her sword on the base of his neck. That’s when the audience roared into delight.

The man then raised both hands as a sign of surrender, not wanting to fight back anymore especially that his sword is somewhere beyond his reach right now. He shook his head instead.

“Damn it. You are supposed to be banned on doing that damned smile of yours. It’s not fair!” Stannis complained, thinking how that manic smile of hers had always been so creepy, even the commander says so.

She rolled her eyes at that. “Well, do you think it’s also okay for you to call me ‘milady’ even though I’ve said for a millionth time already that I am not to be called like that outside?” she wiggled her eyebrows playfully and offered her hand to help himself stand up.

They just both laughed in the end. They may be both heated when it comes to sword fights but in the end, they’re friends, comrades, and ultimately family. Ever since she arrived here, it’s been a habit for her to treat her fellow knights as dear to her. After all, she’d be dead if it isn’t for them.

“Ugh, I want some glass of beer for myself right now. What are you doing tonight?” Stannis asked her as they walked past the others who gave them claps at their backs for the good performance they have shown.

She did not answer until they have made it to the gate. “Well, we just arrived last week from the campaign so I’m just thinking of staying to help Rosalind and rest. There are some dishes that Anita wants me to try too,” she said referring to the maid.

“How about the commander? He seems to be a bit soft these days.”

She laughed at that but did not say otherwise because truth be told, she can also see it. And there’s only one definite reason why his brother is like that.

“Do not let him hear you unless you want to share the same fate with Sir Berrington.” she warned remembering how his brother made their comrade run a hundred laps while carrying a sack of potato which the weight is almost like hers.

“But maybe, he’s just like that because the lady seems to feel scared if she sees him act like a mad man.”

“I second to that,” she agreed, nodding her head.

Even though the campaign where they spent three years fighting enemies at the borders of the North has come to an end a few weeks ago, his brother Arthur still makes sure that they are not doing their drills and duties lightly but he calms down whenever his wife is around to observe them. The knights have noticed how their ruthless commander would turn into a gentle puppy if his wife is around but no one dares to say it out loud even her.

At the end of the day, the commander may be his older brother who treasures her but ultimately, he is also the commander of Dawn Conqueror Knights whom she respects and admire whole heartedly.

She suddenly stopped walking when she noticed that Stannis also just stopped moving. She stared at him quizzically then looked around to check if anyone is there.

“What’s with you?” she asked when she cannot figure why he just stopped abruptly.

Stannis opened his mouth to answer but words won’t just come out. He’s been building himself for this day but he just suddenly wants to head back to the barracks and forget about this.

“There is something I want to tell you. Well, I am –”

“Guinevere Calypso.”

They both looked at the owner of the voice then bowed their heads automatically upon realizing the figure in front of them.

“Yes, brother?” she asked, feeling relieved.

“The maids said that you have left the castle before sunrise and haven’t returned since then. Go home,” Arthur said brusquely then darted his attention to now fidgety Stannis.

“What are you still standing there for? Go rest,” he commanded.

“Yes, commander,” Stannis gazed at her one last time before turning on his back to leave.

When the fellow is already far, she looked at her brother thankfully. She may have acted like a fool last time but if the commander did not intervene, she perfectly knows what’s to come.