10

Dearest Raina,

Wow. I am... amazed. Dear girl! Why did you not tell me sooner! I am so happy for you! A mage!!! Wow! That is the most incredible thing! And you think we have some royalty in our blood? Not that I care about the whole royalty thing, but how could that be? We have all studied Royal History and I don't recall anything about heretic children.
My dear girl! I am sorry if you were ever scared to tell me of this! It has made me so very happy! My comments about mages before were said with a lack of knowledge. All I knew was told me by Benk and he himself admits that he is very biased on the subject. He is not too fond of mages.
What exactly can you do? Dear sister, tell me! I hear rumor that the king is trying to ban the use of magic on the battlefield which makes me all the more anxious to love it and do all I can to keep it legal!
Your fight was absolutely amazing! I would never have guessed that it was you! How you have improved! I am simply astounded that that was actually you. You were so good! And against a Magic Master! Wow. As to the magic part, I cannot profess to have the slightest knowledge and therefore I can't give you much advice there. But the combat... Sword was efficient. Better than me at the time. Maybe a little shaky at parts. I think there were some times both of you could have taken a good swing with the sword but instead turned to magic. You lost some good decent opportunities in that area. And if you are to lose the magic this next fight, you've got to forget the magic. I'm sure Sotur'i has told you all this. But the Magic Master is most likely to pick a Warrior without any magical abilities and so they will be completely focused on the combat and you must be too. You cannot let your mind drift to things you could be doing with your magic. It's you and your sword. Nothing else. I'm sure you will do great. And I will be there to support you! I can't wait!
Well, I am certain you have guessed from the tone of this letter that I am doing much better. I have just received a letter from Abe and though he is sad to be away from Warrior Training, the King's attempt at silencing him has done quite the opposite. Abe is more loyal to our cause than ever before and he is spending his time and effort forwarding the cause. I couldn't ask for anything better.
My training is truly going well. I am actually coming to enjoy it. I have such a lift in the spirits in pitting myself against the traitor that I feel I have some supernatural force behind my efforts. My Cavalry training is becoming obselete and I think we may end that soon. I beat Gi half the time and the other half I lose by the slightest margin. I have no doubt that I shall even beat him in Tournament.
And I have the greatest pleasure in informing you that my Swordsmanship is much improved. I am still far from being the best, but I think Gi even breaks a sweat when we fight. I am humbled enough to admit that Sotur'i was right in having Gi train me. I am improving much quicker than I dared hope.
I am also happy to say that Gi is miserable. He used to take pleasure in humbling me with his greater skills, but he only shrugs his shoulders when he wins. I have not seen him anywhere near the Princess I'talia and I hear she has been seen often with the Lord Chancellor Ryshound. I hope she marries the fat man.
Speaking of the Princess, your comment on the names thing is interesting. I had never thought before that my name was unique in any way and I dare say no one else has taken notice. Well up until yesterday. It was yesterday morning and I was getting ready when Benk strolled in. He was reading a book and he just lounged against the door frame. Nothing unusual there. But then he suddenly perked up.
"Hey 'Tair,"
"Yeah" My mouth was full of yesterdays roll and I mumbled my response.
"Who are your parents?"
I was finished eating now. "I already told you this Benk. Sir I'tone and Lady Ishona." He was about to say something else. "And no, I don't know who they were and for the life of me I can't find them in any records. Come on, we gotta go." We headed out the door as the call was made.
Benk looked thoughtful for a minute. "Those are kind of odd names for no-names." I glared at him. "I mean, you would think they would be recorded somewhere. The names just suggest they were someone of importance. Ya know, the I's. Like your name. I'taira. It's just not usual that anyone besides Royalty is allowed such a name. Hmm." He let it go at that and I hadn't thought of it until I read your letter this morning.
But it is an interesting point. I don't suppose we will ever really know. We can only wonder.
The Spies are really rather frightening. Why have they picked you to harass? How could they have picked you out of the crowd? It's just scary that they are so easily picking up on our group of supporters. Please be safe. And I have learned from hard experience that the supporters of the king come in pleasant forms and you musn't be deceived by their looks. Take Gi for example...
Kira and Terk have left Warrior Training to be married. I had a good long talk with both of them before they left but they would not be swayed. I have forgiven them all I can but I still don't think they are wise in this point. They have promised to do all they can to forward the cause. Perhaps it is best that they are going. It will be good to have people loyal to our cause in different places. But I will miss them so very much. My friends are all leaving me! It is just Benk and me now.
I only just received your letter this morning so I have not yet been able to find out who it is you are to battle. But I will wait to send you this letter and let you know who you have the pleasure of grinding to a pulp.
Love,
'Tair


Later:

I really don't have the time to write this as it is not a M'onday but I am skipping out on Archery to let you know of these past two days.
It was T'uesday and I was endeavoring to find out who your foe would be. I asked Master Gann and he said that the Magic Master had not yet chosen but was intending on visiting the Trainees Tournament that day to look over the Warriors. Master Gann also mentioned, as a side note, that the Warrior Master Trainer was to be there. Gann knows how very much I have wanted to pass into Second Year and he told me that if I did well in front of the Warrior Master Trainer I would have a good chance of getting his recommendation and moving up.
I was ecstatic and very confident. I had done well in my training and I was determined to win top in all I did. I did exactly that. The Warrior Master Trainer was there and I did my very best. I got first in everything but Sword and then I was only second to Gi. My heart and head were swelling and I was giddy as the Warrior Master Trainer headed my way.
I hardly remember any of what was said, but dearest sister, I did it! I am now officially a Second Year Warrior! I am sad to leave Master Gann and Benk but I am so very happy I could scream! But what came next certainly put a damper on my spirits.
I was standing just next to Gi and he was conversing with the Magic Master. I was certain that he was going to be chosen to be your opponent and I couldn't help being a bit nervous for you. He is very good.
I was shocked out of my thoughts when the Magic Master turned to me and asked to be introduced. Gi introduced us, but I could see a glimmer of confusion and hostility in his eyes.
"Warrior I'taira, I could not help but noticing your skills. I am deeply impressed." said the Magic Master. I thanked him and then waited for him to continue. He seemed thoughtful for a moment and then a broad smile came to his lips. "I had considered asking Warrior Gi to take on the young Apprentice I was so justly beaten by this last week," at this his smile turned to a frown. "but I cannot but help think that you would be better suited to that task."
Gi's face darkened and I smiled. I was sorely surprised that he would even considered me but I was pleased that I would be chosen over Gi. But I knew that I must reject the offer.
"I am very flattered, Master, but I cannot agree. Gi is the best and you deserve to have the best represent you. But thank you for the offer." I bowed and began to walk away but Gi's words stopped me.
"I agree. You should have the best represent you. And as much as I admire Warrior I'taira's skills, she only took second in Swordsmanship." I turned back and those around stopped their chatter, feeling the tension in the air.
"Excuse me Master," I was glaring at Gi but I directed my words at the Magic Master. "but I believe Warrior Medo is a bit confused. I only took second because he cheated." Gi's eyes flashed and I saw that I had touched a sore spot. The field was dead silent by now and a circle had been cleared around the Magic Master, Gi and me. I could see the Magic Master's smile was restored and he stepped out of the circle and motioned for two eager pages to stay back.
Gi was looking at me with a small smile now. He was playing to the crowd. "Warrior I'taira, if by cheating you mean that I used my Sword accurately, you are quite right. I find it quite inconvient to wobble it about as you do." His smile was big now and I could tell he was enjoying the battle of words.
I laughed softly and crossed my arms. "Oh no, I believe you were quite good with the wobbling yourself. I was merely alluding to that stick you have at your side. Anyone can tell that it was made for child. The rules call for a mans sword." I was about to go on but I could see that I had said quite enough. His face turned a deep shade of red and he drew his stick. Now, if you knew a Warrior, you would know that the deepest insult you can give is to criticize their sword. It hurts deep.
Before you could say YA'NA! Gi's sword was to my neck and the crowd was silent. I smiled mischeviously and his anger rose. He dropped his sword and grabbed my arm and pulled me close to his face. I have gotten used to the burning sensation.
"Rematch."
As you know, the loser can always call rematch, but technically the winner can also. It is just so unheard of that know one would think of the possibility. I was a bit staggered and as he released his hold on me I stumbled a bit before I regained my balance. But if he wanted a rematch I was certainly game.
He put himself into position and I did the same. My heart was beating rapidly but I felt more excitement than fear. I have fought so often against Gi that the position I was in was nothing new, but I had reason behind it now. I had angered him and he had called for a rematch. We had a crowd of Warriors and Masters watching and I had another chance to win the number one position. I hardly gave a thought to the Magic Master and where this fight had begun.
We fought unlike any fight. My skills were at their best and his were also. We fought neck to neck for two hours straight. The crowd never dispelled and the tension was always high. I won't go into the details as it would take much too long. I got nicked on the arm and he on the side. But we went on. When we both finally came to the point of collapsing, I felt him weaken for a moment and I disarmed him. He glared good and hard at me but finally knelt before me, conceding defeat. I was so surprised that I had beat him that I waited a full minute before tapping him on the shoulder with my blade.
As he stood up, all thought and feeling left me and the world went black. It was the most wonderful feeling. No pain, no anger, no thought. Absolutely nothing. But it didn't last for long and when I came to I was in my Tournament Tent and Benk was wrapping my arm.
He stayed silent and I could see that he was thoughtful. I didn't have time to wonder at his not immediately congratulating me as the Magic Master came in at that moment. I sat up but he motioned for me to lay back. I gratefully did so.
The Magic Master studied me for a moment. "Warrior I'taira, you have done well. Not only have you now won the position of Top Warrior, you showed the spirit to not let go of the chance you had. You could have easily conceded Warrior Medo the position and still been doing well. You have shown that you want to be the best. It is not often that Warrior Training gets someone with so much passion. Well done." He smiled. "I believe the Warrior Master Trainer will have something to say to you about that." He started to the tent opening. "By the way, I have informed the Warrior Master Trainer that I have chosen you as my proxy." He smiled widely and pointed a finger at me. "I'm trusting you young lady, you had better do well." He left before I could even try to protest and I fell back on the cot and groaned.
Benk was still extra thoughtful and we didn't talk. The day went on as usual. I was supposed to train with Gi that night but when I got there he was training a new colt and just laughed when I said we were supposed to be training.
He finally turned to me, "You're done." He was not smiling. "Now get outta here before I let a Master know that you're here." Then he turned back to his training. I was a bit unsettled with his attitude but I headed back to the Barracks. I was surprised that he had taken defeat so badly.
But my thoughts quickly left him as I remembered that I am to be proxy for the Magic Master. Dear sister, what am I to do! I talked to Master Gann about it and he just shook his head, saying that as I fought a rematch for the honor, it was now my duty to go through with it. Gann is sad to have me leave his group and I am sad also. He said the Master Warrior Trainer spoke to him and is putting me in the same Warrior Group as Gi with Master Tyr and that if I continue to do well he thinks there is a very likely chance of my finishing in six months. Although I did win the position of Top Warrior, that doesn't constitute that I have sufficient training.
Oh but dear girl!, what am I to do?! How am I to fight you! That's just not right! I can't go up against you! I would not want to beat you, but I cannot lose. It would disappoint the Magic Master so and there is a high possibility that I would lose my opportunity of finishing early. What do we do?!
Try to write me once before you come! We must decide what to do!
Yours in distress,
I'taira