Chapter 2

As I awoke I found myself in a church I looked around to see nuns and church attendees walking around. "Oh good you're awake." I turned to see the girl I saved earlier as she walked up to me she took my hand and began to pray. "Thank God you're safe. I'm sorry for the late introduction but my name is Agatha and I'm a Solm which is a low rank in the Holy Order of Eve." "So, the Holy Order of Eve is a secret program or something?" "We continue gods work in secret while the Holy Church and French politicians take the credit." "But that's not fair you've all sacrificed just as much as anyone else you deserve to be in the limelight!"

"We don't do this for glory nor for recognition red. We do this to keep you and the others safe and give our lives to serve God and the angels in his service." A man with a rugged beard, eyes a piercing steely grey and a deep voice walked up to me. "Prince Charles! You made it." I quickly got up out of my bed and curtsied as I greeted Prince Charles. "No need for that red. I'm still human just like you. You're lucky Agatha found you before the Witches of Damocles got to you first." "What do you mean they still got me!" "You're here and not with them ain't ya?" "Well yeah but..." "So don't be so nitpicky bout the details why don'tchya." "Stop calling me red! my name is Jehanne!" "Naw, you'll be fine with the nickname red." "Why you..." I began to walk up to you Prince Charles but that's when Agatha stepped in the way and tried to hold me back.

"Jehanne, don't." "No, Agatha let her go I'll let her duel me someone's got to teach this farm girl some respect." "You are rude, insolent, pompous, asshole bastard!" "Yeah, I'm a bastard but I'm still your prince." "Correction, you're the false prince by birth." "Alright, red meet me at the dueling circle in 5 minutes if you can make me bleed or graze me once I'll consider your real name but if I win you recognize me as true your prince."

"Deal." Prince Charles walked away as he stood he did Agatha turned back to me. "Are you crazy! Why'd you do that?" "Because it's time for him to realize that we women aren't just some kitchen slaves, nor sex objects it's time for him to realize the truth. The time for him to realize that we can do anything men can do. I will change his mind." "Jehanne..." I walked over to the rack of swords and picked out a beautiful lightweight rapier as I tested it out someone bumped into me. "Watch where you're going sweetheart be careful not to poke an eye out nor cry from the sight of blood." "Who are you?" "The name is Brutus." "Brutus; leave the girl alone."

That's when another guy showed up and began to usher Brutus away. "Sorry about my friend there manquer?" "My name is Jehanne D'Arc." "The pleasure is all mine beau. My name is Tibil." "I'm Pleased to meet you sir Tibil." "Stop sucking up to the farm girl Tibil!" "I may be a farm girl but I'll kick your ass just as if I was a man." "Bold words farm girl.Tell you what if you can his highness I'll treat you better." "Deal." "Are you sure about this Jehanne?" "Oui."

Jehanne walked into the dueling circle as they both prepared to duel Prince Charles unhooked his cape and tossed it to the side. Tibil walked in the center of the dueling circle as he started to say: "The rules are simple. The first to spill first blood or yield wins the duel." Tibil stepped out the middle and uttered begin! Prince Charles stayed still and so did I. "What are they doing Brutus?" Agatha asked. "They're feeling each other out basically using mental imagery to play different scenarios in their head just based on the stance the other is taking." "So how do we know who's going to win?" "The art of swordsmanship isn't as easy as most people think but let's just say whoever does the first move may or may not be the winner. The tension in the air is so thick you can taste it." Prince Charles lunged Forward that's when Jehanne blocked it with her rapier. "What does that farm girl think she's doing!? Doesn't she know the rapier isn't meant for blocking a lunge!"

"You sound worried Brutus. Where's all that bravado and spunk you had earlier?" Agatha asked teasingly. "Shut up! I'm not worried about her she could damn near die for all I care." "If you say so Brutus." "Why the hell aren't you worried about her Agatha you and Tibil were the ones against it the most." "Unlike you. I have faith in my combatant. You on the other hand seem on edge." (Brutus is nervous. Did he bet on this duel?")