Plans for Moving Forward

Saturday morning, I awoke burning with determination. It had been too long since I had trained with being sick this week and the three week journey, I realized I was going on nearly a month without training. That was unacceptable! Today, I would find a secluded spot to train.

Even though now, the time was just past six, the rest of the participants would likely start waking at 10 Am. That meant I could find a spot train and shower by the time they were waking up.

Nothing unusual happened on my way to the stables. I borrowed a palace mount and I was off.

After riding through the woods for a little over an hour, I, at last, came to a clearing. At its widest the clearing was approximately 20 feet across, which meant it was smaller than I was used to. However, I thought I could still use it, if I was aware of my surroundings while I trained.

I spent my remaining two hours of training time practicing. As I trained, I periodically activate the new Skill: Slash. I had a vague guess that if I used it enough, it would level up.

I was beginning to feel disappointed that Slash hadn't leveled up, when another message popped up before my eyes, saying, Slash lvl up! Skill: Slash lvl 2.

Unfortunately, I was mounting the horse at the time and the unexpected message caused me to release the saddle and fall ungainly unto my behind. The horse blew air at me as if she were mocking me. I made a face at her. Then I climbed back up.

***

Having showered and changed, I headed to the Dining Parlor. Opening the door, I found that the room was smaller than the Grand Dining Hall, but it was still quite fine with gold trim and large, painting of sunrises on the walls. The scent of bacon, sausages, and eggs wafted to me as the door stirred the air.

My stomach rumbled.

Luckily, I was alone in the room. Most of the other participants were not up yet event though by now the time was nearly 9 am.

I had slept in because, for the first time in a long time, I could. However, that meant I had missed my usual time for eating breakfast and was, consequently, starving.

Grabbing a plate, I eagerly filled it with bacon, a buttered biscuit, smoked salmon, and a small serving of mixed fruit salad. Then I sat and dug in.

Meat was not a food that I'd often get at home. I voraciously devoured all that was on my plate in a matter of minutes, then I sat debating whether I should get more or not.

The door opened again and two males walked in. They were both wearing armor, though one's was mail while the other's was flexible leather. Additionally, they both had weapons hung about their waists.

They sneered at me as they passed.

That settled it. I got up and helped myself to a second plate.

"Pig." The one in the leather armor snarled.

"Didn't you hear, it's been decided that I'm a Cow?" I asked, "If you're going to insult me, at least get your insults correct." I smiled wickedly at the males as I returned to my seat. The male who'd spoken glared.

"Just ignore it. It's a half-breed. What does it know anyway?" The other jeered.

Ignoring the two males, I concentrated on the problem at hand.

I liked my system. I had always wanted to learn magic.

However, given my current environment, leveling up would be an issue. I thought of the King's Wood but I knew that that was a tame area. Any monster in it would be swiftly hunted down.

I was biting into another crispy, fatty strip of bacon when I heard a third person enter the room.

"I thought I'd be the first one here." The male laughed.

"We're going to the Guild's Training grounds. I'm close to leveling." The male in the leather armor announced.

The new male responded, but my interest was elsewhere. I felt as if I'd been struck by lightning.

I could join the Adventurer's Guild now. They required all would be members to have systems before they let them join, but now I had a system too. I could join!

I almost rushed out of my seat to head to the guild hall at once, but then my eyes fell on my plate and the glistened mounds of salty salmon and crispy bacon. My mouth watered again.

The guildhall wasn't going anywhere, I could finish breakfast first.

Settling back into my chair, I picked up my fork again.

A servant came by to see if I needed anything. I asked her for the morning paper. I could at least do some work while I ate.

I knew that successful investing required knowledge of current events and trends.

I was so thoroughly engrossed in reading about the increase in piracy on the Petrolous Sea that I didn't notice the door opening and closing several more times.

It wasn't until Lady Brook spoke from just beside me that I noticed she and her father, High Lord Volanti, were in the room.

"Miss Adamare, may we sit with you?" Lady Brook asked. Her tone was a little rapid, as if she were annoyed.

I smiled politely and folded my newspaper.

Placing it on the table, I said, "Of course."

"So which dresses from the opening ball were featured?" Lady Brook asked with a mischievous smirk. We both knew that it was improper for a noble female to read such tabloids in public. My smiled cooled a bit as I realize she was trying to mock me.

I picked up the sections of paper that I had separated out from the Vicerian and World news sections and offered it to her.

"I don't read such things. I believe there are more important things in life than being recognized for dressing well, but since you're so interested, you can read it and find out." I told her.

Lady Brook stiffened, "You shouldn't disparage the benefits of looking good, just because you will never experience them."

"I could experience them anytime I wished, but I'd rather people know me and like me for my mind and accomplishments, Lady Brook. However, I guess that is something people lacking in those two areas wouldn't understand. In that case, all those people have are their looks, so that is all they care about." I said calmly. "Would you like to read about how beautiful your dress looked or not?" I flapped the paper at her.

Lady Brook's cheeks flushed and her eyes burned.

She pushed herself to her feet and turned to her father.

"Do you have any special requests, Father?" She asked. I put the paper back down on the table.

High Lord Volanti looked at Lady Brook for a moment, then his gaze fell to me. Finally, he smiled back up at Lady Brook.

"No, you know what I like." He said warmly.

Lady Brook nodded, "I'll be right back then." She said walking towards the sideboard. As she passed me, she smirked.

"That wasn't nice." High Lord Volanti said to me.

I shrugged, "She started it."

"True enough." The High Lord smiled ruefully. "We tried looking for you at your rooms."

I sipped my tea. "I am still an early riser, my Lord." I replied. High Lord Volanti's smile deepened.

A servant raced over and he ordered tea for himself and Lady Brook. Then the servant raced off.

"Actually, I've come to believe that sleeping in late is a sign of laziness, and betrays an intolerable sense of entitlement." I said coolly as I sipped my tea again. "Where is Lord Glade this morning?"

High Lord Volanti stiffened and his smile cooled considerably.

"My son is out training right now. I raised him differently. He knows he has to earn his lifestyle."

I smiled and nodded, "That is as it should be. I know other people have lived differently than me and I should be more understanding but- I cannot abide entitlement."

"Well, you have worked for everything you have today. It is understandable that you feel that way." High Lord Volanti said.

"Honestly, I wouldn't consider anyone who is not up at this time, as a suitable mate." High Lord Volanti froze again. I began to wonder if I'd said something I shouldn't have.

"Don't you think that is a little harsh?" Lady Brook asked as she returned with two plates. Both contained sausages, fluffy eggs, toast, and roasted peppers. However, the one Lady Brook set in front of the High Lord had a significantly larger amount of food on it than the one she set down at her place.

She continued, "At home my brother sometimes doesn't wake until noon."

I blinked and turned to High Lord Volanti.

He smiled, "She is speaking of my second son, Glen. He does have a problem with entitlement, I'll admit, but I learned from my mistakes with Glade." I glanced at Lady Brook. She was frowning at her father. "Miss Adamare, if it's not too much trouble could I ask you to get me some of that delicious looking fruit?"

Frowning, I was about to speak, but Lady Brook cut me off.

"I'll get it for you father. I am already up." She offered quickly.

"No, my dear you just got back and I know how hungry you are." High Lord Volanti turned to me. "Would you mind terribly?"

I smiled politely and stood, "Not at all."

I did as High Lord Volanti asked.

When I placed the bowl in front of him, his eyes opened, and he said, "Thank you, Miss Adamare. After breakfast why don't the three of us go see how Glade is faring?"

I wanted to got to the Adventurer's Guild after breakfast but I couldn't refuse why my Lord asked like that, so I consented.

***

I couldn't help but staring as Lord Glade twirled his spear with deadly mastery. Then his long bangs were blown back from his face as he ran at his dazed opponent. Leaping gracefully through the air, Lord Glade brought his spear down. He stopped just before he struck his opponent's forehead.

"Bravo! Well done!" Lady Brook cheered rushing forward to the fence. I followed her at a more sedate pace.

Lord Glade, who had been grinning broadly at his sister's words, visibly cooled upon seeing me approach.

"That was excellent, Lord Glade." I said. I forcibly tamped down my urge to fight him myself.

Lord Glade smiled politely, "Thank you Miss Adamare. Your encouragement means a lot to me."

I snorted. Immediately, I started faking a coughing fit hoping no one, particularly my Lord, would notice.

"Father," Lord Glade said, ignoring me, "I would like to speak to you if you have a moment."

I ceased my fake coughing, "My Lord it is very dusty out here. If you will excuse me, I'll return to my rooms?"

"I'll fetch a servant to bring you some water. You three stay here and chat." High Lord Volanti said firmly.

Inwardly, I sighed. It appeared that I would not be able to make it to the Adventurer's Guildhall for a little while longer.