Chapter 19: Learning to Get Back Up
Irene gasped for air as she fell to the ground, the wind being knocked out of her when her stomach met the hard dirt.
Not every day could be a winner, that much she had learned in the three days since she had been living near the Duke's Tower. Things were mostly mundane after the dire wolf attacks, but there were still ups and downs.
When she looked up at her opponent with a furious expression on her face, she saw Felix offering a gloved hand to her. Even though he was being helpful, he still looked smug.
She refused his hand.
"I don't need your help," she insisted.
"Suit yourself," the older apprentice relented, but he couldn't help himself. "I eagerly await you serving me for breakfast."
He let out a hearty laugh and Irene was fast to her feet.
The desire to smack him in the back of the head with her wooden practice sword was at an all-time high, but she had to remember chivalry and appropriateness. Even though she wasn't facing the world as a girl anymore, within a knighthood there were firmly established rules that had to be followed. The surest way to become a knight was to show that she could control herself.
"See you at breakfast," she responded as politely as she could manage despite the fact that her head felt hot.