The day I turned 18 I knew I had a mission to accomplish. I was woken up and dressed by the maids. At breakfast, my mother gave me a sword, one of the best our smith could make. She told me to make her proud with it. My father gave me a shield, the most beautiful I had ever seen, with the house stemma in the center contorted with really intricate flowers. He told me to come back with it or on it. My brother gave me a list of 100 of the best and most valorous soldiers that he personally chose for me. He told me nothing but gave me a sorry look. Both he and I knew I was never a combatant, despite being raised as one.
He should have been the one to go on that deed, I know he tried to tell it to our parents multiple times, he offered to go in my place, but they didn't let him. I wouldn't have allowed him either, it was too dangerous, and he was only 16. But he is far more able than me. He is a natural, I had to work so hard to gain so little, my technique is great but it still blanched in confront to his.
I went back to my room and got ready with my celebrative armor. I had just put up my hair when my brother came in. He ran inside and sat on my bed just like he did when we were younger and he was scared by something. <<Solidago,>> I started but my voice broke, I couldn't bring myself to speak. He looked at me with big eyes, identical to our mother's. He just sat there looking at me as I finished getting ready then held the door open for me to exit my room and we both headed in the stable. There I chose my horse, it should have been his task, for a long time the days prior to that we had discussed which horse was the best, but at that moment I couldn't leave him alone. Or maybe I couldn't separate from him.
We headed together to the great hall, down the immense corridor till we reached the main door. I looked at the strong metal with an emotionless gaze. No fear, no anxiety, no remorse, no resentment, all feelings that had thorn me over the last eighteen years, stopped all of a sudden. My time inevitably came and I had to do it. I looked at Solidago on my right and nodded. He looked back at me worried as he's ever been. <<I'll miss you Dicentra.>> he said and then ran off to grab my horse. He didn't know I could see he was holding back a tear.
The sound of drums came from the other side of the door and I gestured for the servant to open. In front of my eyes my brother in the center of the square was holding my horse, our parents were a few steps behind and then there was a line with the 5 Generals, then the 10 Sergeants, behind them my small army of 100 soldiers. I lifted my chin proudly as a knot formed in my throat and walked down the few steps in front of me. I reached my brother's side and bowed to my parents as they avoided looking at me. Solidago helped me get on my horse and from there I took a better look at my soldiers. Poor men, led by generals who distrust the woman they are guided by, with no idea of what awaits them. I looked back down and hugged my brother and whispered to him that I'd miss him and he should never mourn me because, in one way or another, I always would come back to him.
Like that, I left the palace followed by 115 marching men. We were acclaimed through the streets, with people on both sides trying to get a glimpse of the warrior princess that would defeat the evil and the dangerous and free the west border. The louder they cheered, the heavier my heart felt. We exited the city walls and reached the horses and carriage with provisions and medical care then we continued our march through the reign.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCthlDFwPyW
