At fourteen I had no problem beating my brothers when training, but being the youngest I had no claim on the manor or the surrounding lands. My eldest brother was Jorren and everyone in the castle admired him. No one was able to best him in any contest except me, and I was dismissed as being his little sister and he was being nice and letting me win. I believed it myself when I saw how easily he beat everyone else. My other brother, Jayhawk, was less outgoing, but had a better understanding of the laws and how to make the manor run. My sister was a little vain, but with looks like ours we deserve it.

I trained constantly, my confidence growing as none of the warriors were able to beat me. We learned anything involving combat. At the gladitorial games held in my twenty-fifth year, my brother came to us with an arm in a sling and his other shoulder turning purple. He told my father that his opponent in the games had pulled a club during the wrestling match and attacked him with it. My father went immediately to face the man. When I saw him, my breath caught in my throat. His black hair framed a strong face and his chest was thicker then that of either of my brothers. His dark amethyst eyes and relaxed stance gave one the impression of cat ready to pounce.

At the sight of him Sorlen started saying he had cheated and needed to be punished. Father silenced Sorlen and seemed to not believe him, asking this stranger to accept our hospitality and to stay the night. He smiled and introduced himself as Valyant Heartblade. He nodded acceptance to my father who seemed pleased and led us away to the rest of the festival, talking in furious whispers to my brother. I was angry but refused to give Valyant the satisfaction of seeing it. As soon as I could I left my father’s side and began to prowl the festival, following Valyant and prepared to teach him what cheaters deserve. He never was alone, though no one seemed to interact with him, he was an island that things moved around.

That night he ate at the champions table and retired early. He left before I had recovered from the night’s revelry, already continuing his journey. I left my home with some basic provisions and one of the swords from the armory. I tried to catch up to him in the wilds but he was too fast. I found him the next day in Wehnimer’s Landing near an alley and took the chance to confront him. When I prepared for his attack he dismissed me like I wasn’t a threat, leaning against the wall of a building. His lack of concern to my challenge only made me furious and I charged him, lowering my shoulder to put my full weight into him. He threw his cloak in front of me and the only thing I hit was the wall of the building with a thud. Dazed he dragged me to the ground and set his knee into my back. The coward tried to get me to yield after he pulled a dirty trick like that!

I struggled, screaming and yelling, tying to free a hand to gouge out his eyes or a foot to kick him off me, but to no avail. My screaming began to attract people and he pulled me to my feet and dragged me down an alley, moving to quickly for me to have a chance to resist. He took me to a table at an inn and tossed me unceremoniously into a chair. There he asked why I had come and I told him to avenge my brother’s honor through gritted teeth. Then he explained that he had not done anything of the sort, that he had broken my brother’s arm as part of the brawl and that my brother had attacked him from behind. It suddenly became clear to me why my father had treated my brother as he had and for the first time in my life I was embarassed at what I had done and for my family.

He smiled and didn’t take offense, nor did he press the point, seeming to take it all in stride. I couldn’t return home, my father would be so disappointed in me for sneaking out of the castle on a fool’s errand. I asked if I could stay with him while I sorted things out and he graciously allowed me to. We hunted around the town, clearing some of the hobgoblins from the area to get enough to pay for our room and board. I met a nice couple, Sorshalyn and Landrag, and asked if we could pay for use of their cabin. Landrag and his wife were both night people and had no problem with me and Val using the cabin during that time. I eagerly showed Val and he nodded acceptance and then told me I was his mate. The look he gave me stunned me, and I was unable to react. Then I realized I did love this man he was everything I would wish for, handsome, strong, intelligent and yes even gentle when he wished to be. I lowered my head and said as you wish, knowing I would spend the rest of my life with this warrior. He had an engagement band made and has cared for me since. I know life with him will never be dull for I am constantly trying to best him; but he always wins......but one day! (winks)