Chapter 1: The Palace

The tall walls of the palace stood firmly and strong as ever. No human power could shake its foundation let alone bring it down. Jasmine admiringly stared at it; a relief smile plastered on her lips. Her obsidian black eyes shone brightly shaming the already rising sun. Her little beautiful face was hidden under an old grey scarf. The exposed parts were smeared with coal. She wore a woolen coat and a pair of black pants. If not for her long silky hair one could mistake her for man. Mainly, it was very rare and odd for a lady to wear such outfits, especially trousers. They were only worn by men and a few rebellious women.

Jasmine did not notice the strange looks people were giving her. Not as if she would care. Her only concern was to get through the walls of the palace and for that, she had to have a good reason. There was only one way, and this was the reason she was here.

After every 12th full moon, the palace would recruit new maids and warriors. This was the only way she could enter the palace. That is if she was chosen after a series of tests.

"Jasmine! Jasmine!" A noisy voice brought her back to the world.

It was her friend, Laris. She had brown eyes and but unlike Jasmine, her face was not covered with coal. She wore a blue dress which fitted her perfectly due to her little chubby body.

Jasmine smiled at her, and the girl ran grinning widely like a little lost wild wolf that just found her pack. She held Jasmine's arm tightly leaning her head on it.

"Were you planning on going in without me, my Queenie?" Laris asked while trying to catch her breath.

Jasmine tried to wriggle out of her arm, but Laris held her tightly. She sighed and gave up struggling because it was of no use.

"First, let go of my arm. Second, I told you not to call me that Queenie thing."

Laris chuckled lightly and let go of her arm but still held her fingers.

"Have you forgotten you are our future queen?" Laris whispered to her ear.

Jasmine held her mouth and looked around to see if anyone heard her. She turned and gave Laris a look that could scare a rabbit.

Laris could not help laughing watching Jasmine make her scariest face. She loved it when she did that.

"Don't give me that face. You look too funny."

Jasmine was beyond annoyed looking at Laris laughing out of nothing.

"Am warning you, you troublemaker. Don't utter such things just anywhere. What if someone hears you. And moreover, am not any queen and am never being one. Am only here to..."

"Cool down, my lady. I know you just want to meet your grandfather then go back home." Laris completed her statement and Jasmine nodded giving her a thumb.

"It's good you haven't forgotten that. Now let's get in the queue or we might end up spending the whole day here for nothing."

With that, Jasmine dragged Laris who was whining about walking a bit slower because her legs were already swollen from the running. Her words only fell to deaf ears as Jasmine pulled her until they got into the queue, which was not very long, for now.

After a long wait, Jasmine and Laris got their chance. There were two evaluators. A woman for the maids and a man for the warriors.

Jasmine smiled at Laris and they both nodded at each other. Laris headed to the woman. Everyone expected Jasmine to follow her, but she went to the different direction.

Silence enveloped the place while everyone's eyes stuck on Jasmine. She had expected this so there was no big reaction from her. She stood firmly looking at the man waiting for him to start with the tests.

The man, precisely the army commander, was amused but did not show it.

He stood up his green eyes gazing at Jasmine sharply and asked, "My lady, did you come to the wrong place?"

Jasmine looked straight trying not to show any fear.

"My Lord am sure am not at the wrong place. I know it's unusual, but I want to do this."

Her answer caused a lot of murmur among the people. This had never happened before.

"My lady, this is not for women. You should probably leave."

"Why can't women be warriors? My lord, you cannot just dismiss me without a valid reason."

Jasmine wandered her eyes around and like she expected, there was shock and disbelief in people's eyes. Only Laris had a proud look, and she even clapped her hands happily.

"My lady, please leave while am asking you politely."

Jasmine took a deep breath and asked daringly, " My lord, if am able to defeat your best warrior in a sword fight then will you allow me to join the recruits?"

The army commander moved two steps forward closing the distance between him and Jasmine. He sized her up from top to bottom. He went round her and stopped before her.

"What gives you the audacity to say that?"

"My lord, I have total belief in my swordsmanship."

"You? A woman? Can hold a sword?" he paused then continued. "Fine but since you asked for the best warrior, how about me? Do you accept?"

The people and the few soldiers around were beyond shocked. The commander had never lost to anyone let alone even his best warriors. The lady was doomed to lose.

"I accept!" Jasmine's voice caused an uproar. Everyone including the commander thought she would give up but to their dismay, she accepted almost right away.

The commander chuckled and said, "I like your bravery but little miss that won't be of help when holding a sword. This is your last chance."

"My Lord, I would like to challenge you to a duel. As an honourable person, you wouldn't refuse that," Jasmine said sounding unaffected by his words.

This was her last result. She knew this would anger the commander, which it did, but since they would not allow her then she would pave way for herself.

"Fine. I won't go easy on you"

"I don't want you to."

Jasmine's words irked the man more. This is what she was aiming for. Due to anger first the commander would agree to duel with her and second, he would fight consumed by emotions which was not good for a warrior. This is what her father had taught her. You need to have a calm mind when fighting.

The commander drew his sword and Jasmine was handed one by one of the soldiers. People made a circle leaving enough space for the duel.

Jasmine took off her scarf and folded her hair into a messy bun. She was very composed and ready to win this. She had to because this was her only chance.

The commander charged impatiently towards Jasmine but before he could strike, a cold and commanding voice made him halt his actions.

"What's going on here?"