Chapter twenty eight: Ursla
When Jamie stepped down from the carriage she was inside, she saw the small cottage in the middle of the forest. The cottage belonged to the throne and was only used during the hunting season; Jamie knew that because her father allowed her a sneak at what hunting was all about when she was younger. Of course, she had to disguise herself as a boy with Elliott's old clothes.
The cottage was made out of local earth bricks and sticks. It was in a good shape and it housed three chamber rooms, a kitchen, a wash room and the weaponry.
She was excited she would have unlimited access to the weapons in her father's weaponry.
She picked up the helm of her gown to avoid getting debris on them and walked inside, the cottage was a lot smaller now that she was no longer a child. It was also peasant looking and unkempt. It was nothing like her chamber in the castle.
Her belongings were carted inside and dropped by the table and the people that bought her turned and left.
Jamie looked around and smiled broadly. She was finally free to roam. No constriction, no rules and no uptight maids and governess in sight.
She tried to take off the ridiculous gown she wore but it proved too difficult. She had no idea why it was necessary to imprison herself under the disguise of fashion.
Bollocks! She cursed under her breath. If she stayed any longer in the gown she would expire. She entered the weaponry and got herself a small throwing blade. As she attempted to cut herself out of the gown, someone threw a blade and even though she was able to get out of the way, it nailed the wooden handle of the blade she was holding to the wall.
She swerved to the right and drew the royal sword from the spot it hung. It was a mistake; the sword was taller, bigger and heavier than Jamie. And it didn't help matters that the gown she wore was heavy too.
When she turned again, her attacker was very close and quick on the feet. The attacker moved so fast with agility and precision that she barely made out her face.
Let's fight! Jamie smiled as she kicked a sword to the girl. She believed it was an injustice if she had a sword and girl that was sent to kill her didn't.
The girl hop out of the way and the sword Jamie threw fell helplessly on the ground.
Her lost! Thought Jamie as she launched forward in active attack but no matter how much she tried, the girl was too slippery yet the girl refused to strike back and only used defensive technique.
Tired of having her attacker go unaffected, Jamie used the fighting technique she saw her father use twice. She swirled like she wanted to attack the girl's calf and when the girl turned to defend her legs, Jamie turned and gave her a deadly blow to her head with the hilt of the sword.
The girl staggered a bit before she found her footing. She was angry now. The girl turned around and picked up the fighting stick by the corner. She swerved forward at Jamie in her very first attack.
The stick landed first on Jamie's shoulder then her stomach and finally her legs and Jamie suddenly found herself on the ground with air knocked out of her lungs.
The girl dropped the stick immediately and went to her. It was like she was just realizing what she had done for the first time.
As soon as she was close enough to Jamie, to check whether she was still alive or not, Jamie grabbed her left hand. And suddenly she was on the ground with the princess on top of her with a small blade pressed to her throat.
"Who sent you to kill me?" Jamie asked as she pressed the small blade closer to her throat, drawing a little blood.
The girl stared defiantly at Jamie. She couldn't be older than her. They were probably of the same age. She had green eyes that looked intently at the young princess and short brown hair.
Jamie was fascinated about the necklace she had around her neck. It was made of silver and it had a smell she couldn't place.
"Who sent you to kill a princess of Namura? Do you think I would be so easy to kill?" Jamie asked and pressed the knife closer to her throat, drawing more blood.
"Your father" the girl whispered.
It was like she was careful with the way she took in air into her lungs, in a controlled fashion. She didn't panic and she didn't try to resist.
"You are lying. How dare you lie against the king of my kingdom? I should plunge this blade into your chest for uttering such blasphemy" Jamie yelled.
The girl was wrong. The father she knew and loved would never do anything to hurt his offspring. He raised her when her mother left and he let her come here to learn how to fight instead of exiling her like the council wanted.
Lying against the crown was an offense punishable by public execution. And Jamie would authorize it if need be.
"Your last chance! Speak...the...truth. Lie again and die" her words were précise and filled with authority and threat.
"Your father brought me here. And that is the truth"
"Where are you from?" Jamie questioned further
"Naziri!" She spat out with much pain.
If memory served correctly, Namura just defeated a small barbaric kingdom near the White Mountain, few days ago. Her father killed their chief and captured a lot of war slaves. If she was from the Naziri tribe, then she had come to exact revenge on her father by killing her. Yet, Jamie felt sorry for her. She would do the same if the tables were turn.
"Did my father kill your family? Jamie asked.
"My brother...he was chief"
"I am sorry but Naziri attacked Namura first. She just fought back and won. Killing me won't bring your brother back"
"I am not here to kill you, Your Royal Highness"
"I am confused. What are you here to do?" Jamie with a confused expression
"My name is Ursla. I am your slave"