"Are we there yet?"
"Ughh..."
Rishon and I both chuckled at the two sitting in front of us at the carriage. Amantius seems oblivious to notice Amaia getting annoyed at his repetitive questioning. Our parents like to compare how I and my baby brother are alike, never wanting to sit still to drink tea or smell the flowers in the garden. Somehow father always gets told that it is his fault we are this way since he was also like us when young.
It is also because of that that he lets me wield the sword. He understands this restlessness to move and do things with your own two hands. She may disapprove of me for now, but once I show my mother how beautiful and honorable a swordswoman can become, she'll change her mind.
Rishon is supportive of me in his own way, which is not much of help in the end. Besides, if he can't convince our father to give me a knight title now, I know I can do it on my own with some more time.
On the other hand, today is the perfect day to show my sister what I'm capable of. Amaia never said it out loud, but I think she resents me for following this path. What good is there to an older sister that has nothing in common with you? Or one that won't be able to get married and her responsibilities fall onto you?
I'm already sixteen years old and with no fiancé. Partially because of my personality, I guess, and mostly because female knights can't marry. If they do, an offspring is expected to be born. It is expected that the mother will focus on her child and retire from her knight activities.
Then, since I won't marry into any noble house, my sister will be the one to fulfill this duty for the family. And marrying someone you never met... is a very uncomfortable idea to me. So it is no surprise if Amaia hates me for making her do it.
"Hm, sister, what is the ideal knight for you?"
If I know what she sees as a respectable person, maybe I can show her that I'm also like that today!
"Sister Priya, I don't interact much with our servants back home. What is there for me to say about the Novateur knights I never even talked to before?"
Ah, yes, this sister of yours forgot this is the first time you are coming to the knights' ground. Rishon, I know what I said and already reflected upon it so stop looking at me.
"I think that the ideal knight is someone that can always protect their master and family!"
"Amantius! We are on a moving carriage so sit down before you hurt yourself!" Amaia said while quickly pulling him down to the seat. At that moment she sounded just like our mother, Amantius couldn't say anything when she becomes a copy of Mariane or there is a risk Amaia would become worse than Mariane.
Rishon decided to clear his voice at that moment and save Amtius from a lecture.
"We are about to arrive there now. Remember to always keep your distance from anyone practicing, even if you two are with us and we'll make sure nothing happens to you, there is also no harm in being aware of your surroundings while here."
When Rishon finished giving his final warning, the coachmen stopped the horses and opened the door for us.
This place is just some minutes away from the manor. For someone like me who comes here every day to train, it is a good horse ride practice regime. For now, there are 86 knights in training and titled knights living at the Violet Quarters. It is where they sleep and eat, close enough to the stables and weapons storehouse. Taking care of those places is also part of the duty of a Novareut knight.
To welcome us to the buildings is the brigade captain, who is responsible for assigning each soldier to their post. He fought alongside my father through some stormy moments of Rishon's childhood and now uses his build-up experience to keep everything in check. All for the sake of the next generation of soldiers
"Greetings, Master Rishon," old Bernard saluted before facing the two new faces, "welcome to the Novateur Knight Training Hall Lady Amaia and young Lord Amantius. I am Bernard, Captain of the Novateur soldiers, and overseer of the knights' facilities."
Amaia gave a curtsy bow while Amntius just nodded, barely holding in the need to run and explore this place, and since I'm coming as a knight, there wasn't the need for a formal greeting between me and the captain.
"Let's start this inspection at the armory and then proceed to the stables."
"As you wish, Master Rishon."
I have already been here last week to clean the place, yet watching how delighted Amantius is only by looking at all the blades here makes me see all of this with a child's fascination too. Taking out my scabbed long sword while Rishon and Bernard talk, I show them how heavy the blade is.
"Wow! You must be very strong to lift this everyday sister!" The blade is almost as tall as him, Amatius is practically hugging it to stay balanced.
"I got used to it after some time. But before this, all knights do training with wooden mock swords and spears." Attaching my sword to my hip, I turn to the novice weapons corner.
Quickly picking up two of the battered wood swords, I can once again see how different these two are. Amantius doesn't even hesitate to grab it and swing it around a bit, noting how it is much lighter than the real thing. Beside him, Amaia observes his movements before picking the other sword, only turning it in her hands to observe the object.
I stow the wood swords immediately when Bernard opens the door for us to leave, hurrying to follow them out. Making sure to stay behind Amantius so he doesn't try to grab anything.
Next, we stopped by the stables.
"Blergh! Everything smells like poop!"
"This is where the horses live. What else did you expect?"
Even if her comeback sounded sharp, Amaia was smiling and petting one of the most docile horses at the stable. Amantius kept one hand holding his nose while copying his sister. It will take a bit of time until Rishon comes back from his talk with the knights assigned to the horses' health maintenance, so...
"Do you want to sit on the saddle?"
"I can? Yes please!"
I pick Amantius up and put him on top of the mare. He grips the saddle after I let go. Is he shaking?
"This... Is very high..." His voice is a whisper. He is always shouting so I almost didn't hear it.
"You are right, Amantius. It is so high that there is a small chance you could even die if you fall from there."
Before he starts crying, I put him back down. It doesn't take long for him to start telling Amaia how she's mean and that he wasn't scared of heights. Their squabble makes me remember when Rishon got terrified of a ghost story I told before our bedtime. I didn't understand why he could say ghosts didn't exist during the day and yet couldn't sleep at night because of it. Every time I asked my supernatural non-believer brother, he would only glare at me. That went on for days.
Hearing footsteps approaching us, I turn to see my brother and Bernard.
"Having fun? We only have one more interesting place to go."
Looking at his face, my laugh escapes before I can stop it with my hands. Rishon gives me a look as to question what I'm doing and it only makes me laugh more.
I calmed down by the time we arrived at the last place: The Training grounds!
This is where everyone is expected to spend most of their time. Veterans overlook the trainees' work. Because when doing something wrong for a long time, then having to relearn it and get rid of something your body got used to, is too troublesome. So everyone tries to avoid that by helping each other.
Well, that's what Bernard told me when I started. The thing is, everyone is very competitive here. Being the best Novareut knight not only gives you honor to battle at the frontier, but it also helps you get the attention of the Gerbold Duke house who selects those fit to serve as a Royal Knight. It is a dream to be able to protect his Majesty and the royal family. At least for me.
"We will be going to the Captain's office," Rishon gave me a pointed look before glancing at Amaia, who was observing the training dummies, "Amantius, why don't you come with us?"
"Eh? But I want to see the knights in action! Paperwork is boring."
I think our Rishon is scheming something again...
"Lord Amantius, if you want I could show you the armor and sword Master Nathan used to wear when in battle."
Bernard didn't have to say it twice. Amantius followed them to the main building as if skipping through a field of flowers. With that, only us sisters were left in the open area.
Ah! He didn't invite Amaia because it isn't something she would be interested in! To this day I still don't get why Amaia dislikes anything related to Father and Mother. I'm not the most perceptive person, Rishon was the one who told me some years ago and I can't help but notice that every now and then.
"Since it's just us girls now, I will show you the power of the female Novateur knights' training!"
Amaia just smiled and nodded. Since she isn't going to say anything, I'll start with my light exercises first. Then, I could ask someone to have a mock battle training with me for something more stimulating to watch.
"Hey, Priya! Are you still doing that weak training?"
I turn to see the group of people approaching.
"Ah, Gonzalo..."
This blond and bulky man is one of my veterans. He has yet to pass the final exam to be titled, but others say his strength is already enough for him to be called a knight. I don't know why the captain has yet to recognize that.
"I tried doing the exercises you suggested, sir. But my body ached too much afterwards. So I thought that-"
"See? This is why women shouldn't enlist to be a knight. If you can't even take the pain from simple training, what do you think will happen during a real battle?"
I gripped my sword. It's not like I don't feel pain from the regular training, but I can't make it so painful that I can't move properly the next day. My brother had warned about the morning ache after heavy work and Gonzalo's training regime made me feel a painful one.
"You should just give up now, Priya. Or else not only will you never be titled, but you'll also never marry and have children. Your talent with the sword helped you this far, even so, I don't think it can help you go any further."
I don't want to give up on my dream... However, if what he's saying is right, I'm doing more harm to my family than good. Even if I like it and I'm good at it, I was first born a noble. My life is more comfortable than many, yet I'm trying to leave all of that for a dangerous job.
"Hello, my name is Amaia Novareut. May I know who you are, Sir Knight?"
My sister's voice takes me out of my head. As always, she is courteous and does a formal curtsy for the group of trainees. Her blue dress is very lovely, but I notice how her smile is very small.
"Greetings Lady Amaia. I am Gonzalo, a knight in training from the Theodoric house."
Gonzalo is the second son of Viscount Theodoric. Some novices from commoner backgrounds follow him only because of that.
Amaia hummed before putting her hands together in front of her dress.
"I see. Then, with what footing can the second son of a Viscount insult the Novateur house?"
***
This dumb muscle head. Continue saying such things to Priya and I'll make you regret it. Not only his personality but even his face is ugly when he holds his anger. I have been studying only noble relations for the past three years, don't get me started Mr. Cheese!
"Lady Amaia, my apologies if I offended you. But a knight's training cannot be taken lightly. Priya has only sustained it this far because of her talent. I'm afraid she will get overconfident in her abilities and suffer for it in the future."
This man... is really annoying. Watch what you are talking to a sixteen years old girl!
"I agree that sister Priya has a talent for the sword. But that does not give you any right to overlook her resilient efforts. I know that training every day is not for everyone, or that it isn't everybody that has the persistence to get up after falling down. What becomes of someone's talent if it never gets energy put into it?"
I know it very well, it turns into nothing. It doesn't grow and it doesn't show its worth to the world. My last life was wasted, the things I could do so easily that people named it a talent were washed away. Only because I never grew them.
But this girl, Priya, not only is using her energy to grow the natural understanding of swordsmanship her brain enables. She is also keeping herself motivated while her parents don't acknowledge her dream. That is very hard.
And this guy is trying to kill that motivation? Not while I'm here!
"Priya may have talent, but that is not the only thing that makes her who she is. She is also optimistic and hardworking. And between her calloused hands and your almost tender palms, it's clear to see who has the conviction to be a Novateur Knight."
The man tries to hide his hands after what I said. See how it tastes to get owned by what looks like a 12 years old girl! Hahahahaha! And you!
"Sister Priya."
"Eh? Y-yes?" What are you so jumpy about Priya? I know this is the first time you witness me fight with someone, but pay attention to what I'm saying.
"It would be for the better if you seek guidance for your training from someone similar to you in regards to body structure. Everyone is born different, just as there are horses bred for carriage pulling and others for cavalry, you need to train according to what is best for your aptitude. It makes more sense than training to become something like... that." I finished it by just glancing at Gonzalo.
If this was back at home, his friends would be going "ooooh!" in the back. It's almost funny how red he's becoming. I never threw shade like this before, so it feels good to win an argument that isn't just inside my head.
Gonzalo decides to storm off. Eat my imaginary middle finger you misogynist trash!
Some of his crew follow him while others apologize to Priya before dispersing. I can't get mad at all of them. The Novateur Knight Training regime forbids the use of noble titles, it is to avoid conflict between nobles on the Novateur territory and any drama that could sprout between the different social classes.
So most of these guys didn't know Priya was from the Novateur family. But Gonzalo, there is little doubt he told people about his title as a lord from the Theodoric household. Seeing as the less knowledgeable person would try to get on his good side, trying to get benefits from what seems to be a Noble friendship, the guy got a little group of followers.
"What an annoying man."
"Um, sister Amaia?" Priya's soft voice came from my side.
"Yes?"
"Thank you, for defending me and saying all those kind words."
Eh, it's true I just defended you. But it was because there is no way I want you to become like me and drop your aspirations, just because of what an idiot said. You have a nice future up ahead, so don't give up.
"It was only natural to do it."