Free The Dark Lady by Dawn Chandler Page B

youth...
     
    ***
     
    Van’s eyes squinted against the bright sun and dust stung at her nostrils as the boys circled her. There were five of them. Van smirked at them. Excitement raced through her blood. Her stomach was knotted in fear, but she would never allow the others to see it. She would never allow them to have that power over her.
    Angry and hurt because she was celebrating her eleventh birthday alone, Van had left her bunk that morning looking for a fight. Her muscles twinged as she forced her body to remain calm. She had searched out these boys. Prowling the grounds, she had come across several boys, all of them alone. Alone they would no longer fight her no matter how much she provoked them. Alone they were no match for her.
    Finally she had found a group of older boys. She had barraged them with insults and taunts until they had circled her. Now she trembled in anticipation. She knew she would lose, but they would not walk away from this unscathed. They would know she was one to be respected and she would get her frustration out at the same time.
    They closed in, closer and closer until she could feel their breath on her skin. Taking a shaky breath, she ignored her fear and prepared herself for the upcoming battle. Honor and dignity was all she needed to concentrate on as she fought.
    The boys attacked.
    The images of the boys blurred as fists connected. Time slowed as bodies collided together. Van growled deeply as she scrambled for purchase in the pile. She felt a bone crush underneath her fist as it drove into a nose. She heard a boy scream in agony as her knee drove into a crotch. Two boys pushed at her, driving her face into the dusty ground. She struggled and fought to get free. Blood flowed freely across her face, but whose and from where she did not know.
    Then the crushing weight and grunting bodies were gone from her. Jumping to her feet, Van was stunned to see Peter Lawston lecturing the boys on the duties of a page. You do not attack as a group. You do not attack defenseless boys.”
    Defenseless boy? Van puffed up her chest and took a shaky breath. Defenseless. Her innards twisted in pain as she fought to remain calm. This was the lord of the manor’s son. This was Peter Lawston, the Dragon Knight and the king’s champion. This was the man she secretly loved.
    The boys walked away with only a glance over their shoulder. They were beaten and bloody, but it was not good enough for Van.
    Now they believed that Van had needed help and they believed that, because of this man, this man who thought of her as defenseless. Van’s anger grew at what she saw as a transgression against her. How could Peter do this to her?
    Peter turned to her with a helpful, look-at-what-I-have-done smile.
    “ Helpless,” Van whispered as she attacked. Peter grabbed for her. The helpful, happy smile turned to shock as Van connected with him.
     
    ***
     
    Amy touched her arm and Van lashed out barely missing her. Van shook her head and focused on the present.
    Fear clouded Amy’s face. She stood tensely, appearing ready to run if necessary. Guilt stung at Van and she winced. “I am sorry. I was lost in thought.”
    She waited until Amy smiled and relaxed before taking a step toward her. Amy had quickly become comfortable in her presence which boded well for Van, but she was still nervous about trusting her. It was the best course of action, though, and she would just have to pray that Amy would not betray her, either consciously or accidently.
    Van took a deep breath and grinned, hoping that her concerns were hidden from view. “Now, it is time to put your, and my, trust to the test. Can I trust you with my life, with my secrets?” Van reached for the young girl, lifting her veil to see her face. “Do you think I will hurt you? Do you trust me fully?” Van asked.
    Van stood steady beneath Amy’s penetrating gaze. She relaxed slightly as Amy smiled and nodded. “You have my loyalty and my trust, my lord.”
    “