Ayla’s Voyage Blog

Publish Date: Friday, September 25, 2009
Hi Everyone! As some of you may know, writing is one of my favorite pastimes. I love to write historical fiction, mysteries, and survival stories. This story, which I wrote for school, is about a french princess who is not about to live her expected life, but secretly learns to handle a sword, and eventually becomes engaged in a  tangled web between love, chivalry, and a girl’s “proper place”. I hope you all enjoy (it is a bit long, so you don’t have to read it all at once).   🙂

My Sword is My Needle
by Ayla Besemer

I slipped out of my window, letting the cool morning air surround me. It smelled so fresh and renewed, that I couldn’t help letting myself relax for a moment against the dew covered brick wall. How good it felt to let my legs stretch after seven days of rain! Lightly, I slid down the gnarling ivy, hoping I had not made noise enough to wake my father, King Edmund. With a slight plop, and a little “oof”, I dropped to the ground and scurried away from the castle walls. The sun had not yet risen, and the dawn sky was only beginning to show signs of pink and orange. Enjoying this moment of freedom, I ran nimbly along the wet grass, only stopping every once in a while to make sure my under-dress (which I was running in) did not rip. That would surly tell my ladies maid that I had been out running.

King Edmund was one of the men who believed girls should only sew, cook, and look pretty. It was was my pet peeves, and at every chance I could, I silently proved him wrong. Though I could cook and look pretty (though only in extreme circumstances), I loved to be out in nature, experiencing the world. Now, as I ran across the fields into the sacred olive grove, I laughed silently at the rest of the french noble court.  They underestimated girls constantly. See! I can run farther and faster than any of your horses! Look at me! Do you see me! I’m free from your judgment of girls. Freedom was what I prized most.

After I had had my fair share of freedom, I dashed back to the palace to get back in bed before my lady-in-waiting found me. She would have a fit if she knew I could run! Smoothing down my black curls and brushing off tell-tale dirt from my fingers, I slid into bed only moments before I heard her footsteps in the hall.

“Lady Callista!” Viola’s voice was as soft and sweet as always. Smiling, she got me out of bed, dressed me in one of the richly embroidered dresses that only noble girls could wear, washed my face and hair, and lead me to the kitchen for breakfast. There she left me, to enjoy the goat cheese and bread with my brother, Jason.

“Good morning sister.” He greeted me courteously, as all brothers and sister had to. It was the rule of the court.

“Good morning Jason.” I nodded at him, then sat down to eat. As usual, we ate in silence. He was busy wolfing food down to be strong enough for weapons training, and I was trying to eat my food politely, hoping I wouldn’t embarrass myself in front of any guests we had coming. Once I had finished the meal, I bade Jason good day and left.

As a noble girl, I was supposed to go to the weaving room, weave a blanket, practice dancing, use my flute, and then do the whole thing over day after day. However, I could get away without doing any of those things…as long as I wasn’t dressed like Callista. As I ran through the halls, I made sure to stay partly hidden behind the tapestries or the many statues, bookshelves, and armor. If anyone saw me, it was certain that I would spend another day weaving blankets. Finally, I reached the courtyard where I could escape the watchful eyes of my father’s soldiers and arrive in the peaceful tranquility of the stables. In the stable, I kept all my secrets. It was the place where I could come to take my horse out to ride (I knew how to ride only secretly).

“Morning Athena.” I whispered to my horse. I had named her after the Greek goddess of warfare and wisdom. She was wise and brave, and so was my horse. Athena whinnied softly, turning in her stable to offer me her back. “In a moment Athena.” It was important to keep my voice low so she wouldn’t send out an alarm, waking all the other horses. “Today, we practice our riding and fighting.” Swiftly, I thrust myself up into the loft. The hay was damp from the rain and morning dew leaking in through the cracks in the roof. I had not been riding in seven days because of the heavy rains that had found us. I began to remove the hay from a certain area. An area where I had hidden my prized possession. Four years ago, when my father’s most valuable soldier died in a battle, I had rushed to his side and drug him to the forest where I removed his armor to check his pulse. Though deeply sorrowful that he was dead, I inherited something. That was the armor I now lifted quietly from the hay. Brushing the still shiny silver breastplate off, I smiled to myself. Four years ago, you could have fit 5 of me in it, but now, it was perfect. I took off my dress and hiked up my petticoat. It would have to do for a riding tunic. Barely daring to breathe as not to wake the stable boy who slept in the room above the hay loft, I put each piece of armor on. It was hard to maneuver down to Athena’s back, but I managed, enjoying the sound of the clanking armor like an old friend. If Athena’s noisy whinnies of excitement had not yet woken the tender, a few clanks of armor wouldn’t. The stables were not exactly fresh, with the ripe stench of horse manure, slop, and sweat, but, I could put that past. It was a good place to keep secrets.

I lead Athena out of the stable to the fresh air. She seemed pleased and thankful to finally be let out. “Ok girl. Lets go.” I took her over to a tree stump where I could step on to mount, and then clapped her reins. “Ride on!” She took off, running through the woods, barely missing the dense trees. I had to duck several times to dodge the overhanging branches. The forests near Nice, France were some of the most beautiful with towering trees, tranquil streams, and a large variety of sweet birds to listen to.

As we galloped through the canopy of trees, I joyously listened my armor ringing and the pounding of Athena’s hooves on the leave-laden ground. How good it was to again be free of gowns! After almost thirty minutes, we stopped at a stream to take some water and rest.

Suddenly, as I sat, I heard the whinny of a horse near in the distance. It wasn’t Athena. Crouching low, I tried to spot any intruders. These forests may be pretty, but they were infested with robbers as well. Slinking along the dew-wet ground, I came to where the trees thinned, letting a small amount of sunlight come in. I gasped. In the little clearing was a knight. A knight that did not wear the coat of arms of our court! He was an outsider knight whom had not come the main road, or checked in with any of our ambassadors. The arrival of an outside knight was always a big deal, and I had not heard of this one arriving. I knew what I had to do.

Creeping back into the trees, I made sure that I was as noiseless as possible. He could not know I had seen him. Quickly, I mounted Athena and pressed in my heels. She took off at a run, going straight for the clearing with the foreign knight. As he came into view, I let out a war cry and charged. The knight was quick! In less than two seconds he had mounted his horse and sprang forward. I was taken aback and almost forgot to hold up my shield. Just in time, I thrust the un-used shield before me and waited. CLASH!!!! The sound was deafening. I had never been in a real battle before, and even though my adrenaline was pumping, I was scared out of my wits. If I cherished my life, I knew I would have to take what I had seen father’s soldiers do and use it. Regaining composure , I wheeled my horse around and dodged another blow.

“YAH!” I cried, feeling triumphant. Now I needed to dismount him. Not kill– dismount. Any well seasoned soldier knew that winning did not mean taking a life. Athena knew what to do also. As the unknown knight came around, Athena leapt forward, faster than ever before. Gripping her reigns, with my jaw set in a determined line, I drew a spear from my saddle bag and drove it right into the center of his armor. CRACK! The spear had broken, but the force was jarring. Both he, and I, went tumbling off of our steeds onto the dirt. It took me a moment to realize what had happened as I lay sprawled under blanket of trees, but when reality came around, I was proud. I had dismounted a knight and left him disheveled on the muddy ground. I was sure I could forget the fact that, in my well-won victory, I had also been thrust off my horse. Checking for broken bones, I sat up, hoping that any signs of my fight could be concealed from any prying eyes. After I made sure I was still in one piece, I looked to the knight. He was tossed on the ground in the most unusual of ways, and at once, my girlish feelings came back.

“Sir!” I ran full force at him, knowing I could not live if I had killed him. All I had wanted to do was make sure he brought no trouble—Not make sure he never saw light again. “Sir! Are you quite alright?” I did not even think about the fact that I was speaking as a girl, not a knight. To my great relief, the knight stirred, allowing me to let out a deep breath.

“I ask…” He grunted and pushed up a bit. “What that was…” The man’s voice was raspy and tired, “for. I was only stopping to give Ares a rest.” I looked at the knights horse who was looking at him from afar. If it was possible for a horse to look disdainful, Ares had just accomplished it.

“I apologize for the inconvenience, but it is my duty to protect Nice from unannounced intruders.” I had regained my knightly composure, knowing with the proper amount of pride and chivalry, this knight would never know he had been defeated by a girl.

Now, the knight was sitting on the dirt, brushing off his armor. “May I know the name of the knight in which I have been defeated by. Your are a chivalrous man for not having killed me then and there.” I was done. Saying my name would lead to problems. I staggered up in the heavy armor and mounted Athena.

“I never reveal my name or my face. Inquire at the palace for further information.” With that, I clapped the reins and was off. What I had said sounded very gallant, but I had no idea the trouble (or perhaps maybe luck) it would bring.

* * *

“You were a mess! Full of sweat! What strenuous activities have you been getting into?” Viola had been fussing over me for half an hour after my wild ride, and it had been everything I could do not to speak of my victory.

“Twas nothing! Only a bit of walking in the woods to find…chestnuts.” Lies were coming out of my mouth like a waterfall. I must admit, I felt slightly guilty for telling such stories, but it was to protect myself.

“Well.” Viola put the finishing touches on my hair, a gold clip, and spun me around, “You are not a ladylike princess, thats for sure, but I won’t tell your father.” With that she sent me out of the ladies dressing room and hoped (though with much doubt) that I would find my way without trouble to the throne room where my father had requested me.

I walked daintily along the hall, a far reach from my earlier fight. I was attempting to be as ladylike as I could be. Father had mentioned a “special guest.” I loved to hear stories of brave knights and the amazing adventures the encountered on the road. At last I arrived at the grand hall, and do mean grand.

There were heavily woven tapestries on every wall depicting scenes of ancient Greek mythology as well as chivalrous battles of our time. The torches were always lit with brightly burning flames, and we had fresh-smelling rosemary or lavender in vases at every corner. The king’s and queen’s thrones themselves were huge, and made of gold set with sparkling gems of every color, size, and shape.

I swept in, bobbing a quick curtsy before making my way to the children’s thrones where Jason already sat, looking annoyed at being pulled from his strenuous weapons training.

“Daughter! Come! This visit concerns you I believe.” Father motioned me to stand between them…the place of honor. A visit concerning me!  Could it be a suitor? Or, suddenly, I sucked in my breath sharply. Had someone found out about my battle? I stood rigid and unwilling to breathe.

“Bring him in!” The doors swung open, and for a moment, the sunlight blinded me. After the brilliant white light cleared, my vision came back to me, and what met my eyes was like a dream. I caught my breath.  Standing before the thrones was the most handsome man I had ever seen. With golden curly hair, piercing blue eyes, tan skin, muscular shoulders, and a smile worth a million gold coins, he seemed to be sparkling and glittering, casting light all over the hall. Yet then I realized what he was wearing. The man had on tarnished black armor…with a large dent right in the center…as if someone had sent a spear straight into it. The man standing before the French noble court was the knight I had fought earlier.

“Your Royal Highness. Thank you for allowing me to come to your presence and speak to you about what I wonder.” He had a much more fluid and lovely sounding voice then when I had knocked him from his steed, and though he spoke very slowly, the words seemed more like a song.

“It is a privilege to welcome a knight from Paris.” Paris! This knight was from the richest city in all of France! Perhaps I had not done the fine deed that I thought I had done!

“Thank you sir.”

“Tell us. What do you request?” Father, as he asked, ordered one of the servants to bring over a chair and goblet of wine for our guest.

“Thank you for the wine. May I take more of your time?” The visitor was obviously kind and fair.

“Yes. All the time you need. Now talk!” Father obviously wanted the knight to get to the point.

“Well your highness, today, I was resting my horse in the clearing when a rather rambunctious and eager knight rushed up, surprising me.” I let out a small cry, then slapped my hand over my mouth. He was here to say that a girl was fighting! I knew this was the end of my days of freedom and ability to slip out. I would be cursed with sitting in front of a loom all day and…

“I apologize sir for the inconvenience. But it looks like you are no worse for the wear.”

“I’m not finished.” The knight drained his goblet and began talking again, “We clashed swords, but I was thrown from my horse. To my surprise and pleasure, the knight I fought did not kill me, but rather made sure I was ok. I believe he fought just for  protection. He was chivalrous.” The knight, which I still did not know the name of, smiled a bit.

“What is the name of this knight? I will have him rewarded for showing chivalry.” Father was big on chivalrous knights and rewarding them to stimulate further good deeds.

“You see. He did not tell me. This knight told me to inquire at the palace for further information, and he rode off before I could ask more questions. I wish sir, to know his name and thank him for sparing what is most precious to me.” The knight stood up and bowed slightly. “I am Sir Princeton Weatherbe.” Princeton. What a fine name!

“Yes, Sir Weatherbe. I see.” Father thoughtfully stroked his beard. “Well. You may stay in the palace apartments for the night and we shall search for this good soldier. I find it odd he did not tell you his name nor show you his face. Our knights usually like to take pride in their chivalrous tasks.” As father spoke to Sir Weatherbe, I concluded I was safe for now. Princeton thought the knight he fought was a he, and father thought I was his ladylike angle. I would tread carefully, and our guest would be gone soon.

“This is my son, Prince Jason.” Sir Weatherbe and Jason bowed to each other, “And my daughter, Princess Callista.” I curtsied shyly as he bowed low. “She will show you to your chamber.” A chance to accompany this handsome knight? For a moment, I forgot my precautions and fantasized us walking arm and arm through a sun filled garden, laughing… “Callista?” Father looked at me expectantly.

“Oh. yes. Come with me Sir Weatherbe.” I shook of my day dream and stepped down from the thrones. He walked out slightly behind me.

“Princess. Thank you to you and your family for inviting me for the night.” He grinned a bit at me. I blushed.

“It is a great pleasure Sir. We will be dining in the hall when the sun is down. Please join us for a welcome banquet.” I spoke softly and quietly, hoping to sound like my older sister, who was already off and married.

“I will! Thank you.” By know we had reached the guest chamber, and I lead him in, leaving him with another goblet of wine and instructions for calling a servant. He thanked me kindly, promising dinner.

* * *

“Come knights! Don’t be shy! One of you must have fought our guest!” Father boomed across the hall where all of the knights and soldiers had gathered, “I assure you you will be rewarded for protecting our nation as well as sparing his life.” I moved the tapestry aside a bit, looking at the faces of 100 knights who were all dumbfounded at fathers announcement.

“A golden feather for the knight! Just speak up!” Father rumbled “This guest is fine and he comes requesting one thing! He shall not leave without it! If we have any hope of giving him my daughters hand, then we must please him!” My hand in marriage! It was everything I could do to keep from yelling out What! I’m only 14! Not Yet! Instead I gasped and closed the tapestry, huddling in the dark of the secret room behind the thrones. Yes, he was handsome, and he made my heart flutter, but friends would be enough! He could even be my beau, but a spouse before sundown? Father and mother were out of their royal minds! I thought nothing could top the surprise and shock of that moment…when a knight spoke up.

“Well Your Highness. I do not wish to brag, but it was I who spared our dear visitor’s life and protected our country. Your welcome.” He bowed smugly, enjoying his stolen fame. WHAT! That was more a lie than the moon is made of cheese! I gasped and wriggled back through the trapdoor to my room. In two minutes, I had found that, a) my father wanted me to marry Sir Weatherbe, and b) knights could be dishonorable. I hiked up my dress and rushed down the halls, not stopping to worry if running in the palace would get me in trouble. I was to upset. Even if I could never speak up about my chivalrous victory, I didn’t want another knight taking it. SLAM! I thumped into a figure and sent both of us sprawling across the stone floor.

“My apologies Sir! I did not see…” I trailed off as I realized who it was. It was the handsome Sir Weatherbe, or as I had come to know him Sir My-father-secretly-wants-you-to-marry-me-and-that-is-the-only-reason-I-care-so-much-about-the-knight-who-stole-my-noble-deed.

“The fault was mine princess.” I loved Princeton’s good natured attitude for everything.

“Pardon.” Shyly, I dusted off, curtsied, and continued hastily down the hall.

* * *

I stood in the dark hallway, breathing in, trying to settle my beating heart. I did not believe what I was about to do. Sir Weatherbe’s banquet was in full swing, but I doubted anyone had noticed my sullen absence. I peaked through the double wooden doors, sweating more profusely every moment. Father and Princeton were talking heartily with Sir Eversfield, the knight that had claimed the victory.

“Thank you for sparing my life! Not to mention making sure I was alive before you departed.” Sir Weatherbe really thought that Sir Eversfield was the knight he had fought! Couldn’t he see that Sir Eversfield was a good six inches taller than I was?

“Well Sir. It is my greatest honor. It is my life mission to be chivalrous.” Eversfield commented smugly with fake honey and sugar. Being chivalrous did not mean taking credit for someone else’s work, even if you did not know the true victor.

“Yes. Sir Eversfield. You truly are a great knight. Thank you for coming clean.” Weatherbe patted him friendly.

“You mean lied.” I thrust open the doors and stood there, armor and all, ready to take on the world. “I was the one who fought you in the forest. And I was the one who spared your life.” I stared down the hall, eyes darting from every noble. There was an odd and uncomfortable silence of Why is the princess here, clad in armor?. This lasted for almost a minute before father spoke up.

“Callista! What ever are you doing in those clothes? Why are you taking credit? Goodness, you are a handful. Go get changed!” He dismissed me, not even stopping to consider that I knew how to run and fight. I wasn’t about to be sent away to be a women.

“Father. Sir Weatherbe. It was me who fought! You may believe a girls only purpose is to look pretty, but I know how to run, ride horseback…”

“CALLISTA! Now!” He stood up, slamming his goblet on the table.

“No! I shall not leave until I am given credit for what is rightfully mine!” This was the bravest thing I had ever done.

‘Callista! I mean…” Father pointed to the door, but was silenced as Sir Weatherbe stood up.

“Your Highness. I do not mean to defy you, but, this was the armor of the knight or…well…women…who fought me.” He looked at me in a bit of disbelief,  but I was pleased to see there was not distaste or distain.

“But! That is impossible! Sir Eversfield is the knight! My daughter can’t sew, much less handle a sword.” He was refusing to even think about what Princeton and I were suggesting!

“Maybe I cannot sew because I am used to the heaviness of a sword, not the lightness of a needle.” I pointed out, NOT giving up. “Sir Eversfield lied.” Declaring this was slightly dangerous, but I had a sword at my hip, and I was ready.

“Daughter! I refuse to believe…” Father was again cut off by Sir Weatherbe.

“She has all the right features of the forest knight! I do not want to  speak against you, but I think I may believe your daughter.” Princeton smiled warmly at me. I glowed inside and out! Princeton was not humiliated that he had been taken down by a girl!

“Sir Eversfield! Did you lie?” Father now turned on him, giving him his most menacing stare.

“Well sir. Um…I believe that…” Eversfield was crinkling under the pressure. “Sir…”

“DID YOU!” Father was losing his temper. Finding out his daughter could do a man’s work and a good knight had defied the code of chivalry was to much for him.

‘Yes Your Highness.” Eversfield snapped. My jaw literally dropped. I was amazed that he had admitted it!

“Then that means that…” Father looked from him, to me, to sir Weatherbe. “Callista?”

‘Yes Father?”

“You defeated this knight and showed chivalry…without a vow?” He looked, quite frankly, shocked.

“Yes Father. I did.”

Just then, Sir Weatherbe picked up the golden feather from the table place in front of Sir Eversfield, and strutted over to me. “I believe then, that this belongs to you.” He placed the golden feather on the helmet of my armor. “It was a great pleasure to have fought you.” All I could manage was a smile and  a weak “thank you”.

I then turned to father. “A girl is more than meets the eye your majesty.”

“Well…” I could see no anger in his eyes. What I saw was more of a realization. “Then I suppose I shall say well done.” He cracked a small grin. “It is not your proper place, but if you have brought him here, then…” He could not finish.

“Thank you.” I turned around, walked through the door, going to change into a gown. I knew three things now.

Father would not underestimate me, or any girl, anymore

Sir Eversfield would not be allowed back in the court.

Princeton and I were meant to be with each other. It would happen. I was sure.

Epilog

I did not see Sir Weatherbe after the banquet that year. Nor the year after, or the year after that! It was five long years before Sir Weatherbe and I met again. It was much like the first glimpse I had of him. I was out in the woods on Athena (Whom I could now ride freely with no secrets) when Sir Weatherbe rode up on Ares.

“Princess!” He looked down at me with his fair eyes and lovely smile. He did not need to say more. He would be king…the husband of a queen. Yes, we married, and yes, we ruled france together, both of us strong, fair, and ready to tackle anything life threw at us.