-18-The day after, Miriel sent soldiers to lay traps.-Behind the Lerkester mansion and a distance away. stood the barracks; a large building of wood and stone with a flat roof atop it.In the area beside the barracks was a clearing where the soldiers trained. There were wooden logs with deep incisions, some were round and painted with many holes in them.Near the barracks, Miriel stared at a sprawled Mark on the ground as he gazed at the blue sky."I was informed that Louis shortened your lessons." She said."The old man said it's useless if I can't pay attention that long. And he's right, even this is easier." He replied.Mark raised his body to sit and stared at the soldiers training at the clearing. Their shouts kept all birds away from the area."If Louis says so, then it must be. Though I am surprised how unfit you seem when it has not been long since you returned."Miriel turned to the clearing. Some of the soldiers were slashing and thrusting spears against logs, while some ran about the clearing."We didn't train much there. Barely had time to. And we had very strange tools. It's almost funny." Mark gave a dry chuckle.The hems of her black dress swayed as the wind blew and a brimmed hat covered her head."Why choose this? There are other ways to pass your time if you are bored." Miriel asked."Don't know, really. I didn't even like the barricade, but training with the soldiers calms me down."Miriel raised an eyebrow as she turned to Mark. His brown boots sank into his black trousers which were covered by his pale tunic and fastened with a belt."Will your new schedule delay the marriage further?" She asked."Louis said we'll finish more or less on time. Though I don't know how that works." Mark shrugged.Miriel's eyes darted to a girl who stood close by, gawking at the soldiers with shining eyes. Palms on her jaws and fingers on her face"That new maid of yours is just abnormal." Mark said."Call her Anne." Miriel narrowed her eyes at Mark."Well, look at her." He replied.Anne leaned forward with her heels slightly raised as she stared at the clearing."That is normal for a girl her age.""No, not that. Look closer. She isn't looking at them, she's looking at what they're doing. Like she thinks it might just be fun." He continued, "I saw people like that at the barricade and they were the craziest ones." He shivered as he crossed his elbows."Anne." Miriel called."Yes, my lady?" Anne jolted and turned to Miriel, then walked closer and stood near her."Mark mentioned you might like to join the soldiers' training.""Oh, Mister Mark! I didn't think you were so observant." Anne covered her mouth with a palm."Tch." Mark clicked his tongue and turned away."We have the time to spare. They have swords if you wish to join them.""Can I?" She blinked as her eyes widened.Miriel nodded."Thank you so much, my lady!" She bowed and ran to the clearing."Are you serious?" Mark turned to Miriel."She earned it." Miriel replied.He sighed and shook his head.They watched Anne run to the soldiers. The shouting paused as she conversed with them."I heard you had the soldiers lay some traps near the woods," Mark said."It is probable a creature lurks in the woods, preying on the crops and animals for food." Miriel replied."There shouldn't be any in the woods though.""We may have never seen one, but that does not make it impossible.""But it's still strange." Mark furrowed his brows."I agree." Miriel replied, "Nonetheless, we must handle it."The soldiers banded together and watched Anne batter a log with her spear; swinging and thrusting. One soldier stood in front with his hand on his hips. At some blows he shook his head, at other blows he nodded."Well, what do you plan to do about it then?" He asked."I am undecided, perhaps after a few days pass. I wish to see how the traps fare first." She replied."Then what about the creature? Couldn't there be more than one?""That is unlikely." Miriel shook her head, "I expect more crops and animals to be eaten were there more creatures.""Well, if you're right about the creature, hopefully you're right about that as well." Mark shrugged.Anne was resting with the spear beside her tip-to-air when a soldier ran to her bringing a sword. She beamed and took the sword, then started pummeling the log.The soldiers flinched as she swung. She grinned more with each swing. The one soldier in front was staring with his mouth ajar."Will you be joining them if they scour the forest?" Miriel asked."Don't know. I really don't feel like going." Mark turned his head and stared bove."Louis mentioned the blacksmiths are almost done fixing your father's sword.""Will they be done before the search then?""A few days and they will be.""Then maybe I will."Anne heaved and wiped her forehead with her sleeves, then she turned around. The other soldiers except the one in front were a distance away from where they stood before.She went over to the soldier and handed him the sword. He shook his head and spoke. When he was done, Anne returned to the two with her head dropped."What did the captain tell you, Anne ?" Miriel asked."He said I shouldn't be so reckless with a sword, and that he won't let me use one again until I can be careful with them."Her voice was soft and flat. Anne kept her head down as she spoke."He is correct, Anne. A sword is deadly and you could harm yourself if you are not careful.""I know…" Her words were muted by the end."You need not be sad, Anne. It is the captain's way of caring." She continued, "As for wielding a sword, he speaks of metal. You may use ones carved of wood and he will teach you if you ask.""Really?" She raised her head and stared at Miriel with her eyebrows slanted and eyes shaky."Really," Miriel nodded, "Ask Mark here."Anne stared at Mark with pleading eyes.Mark gritted his teeth."It is true. We've known him for years." He said."I am definitely going to ask him to teach me!" A smile returned to Anne's face. Her voice was lively and her eyes glistened."Oh, but, will I have time to, Lady Miriel?" She asked."Worry not. I have ample time and we need not play cloth and pocket all day." Miriel smiled."Yay!" Anne raised her hands in the air."Where does she get her energy from?" Mark mumbled.The sun passed its zenith and began falling as clouds littered the air."We shall return now." Miriel said."Okay, my lady." Anne replied."I'll stay here and train some more." Mark stood and walked to the clearing as he waved his hand.Miriel left for the mansion with Anne in tail.