Amber found the training difficult but Darlene was a forgiving teacher. Memories of his former days as a squire with each new task a skill to master. With Darlene or mother as she reminded herself to call her. She learned the daily chores that were expected of her. Some were familiar like the cleaning, cooking and laundry duty. But even these often took on a new nature as a squire they were simple tasks. With the cooking she learned a multitude of new recipes. No more was it simply dump into a pot and cook till no flavor remained. The careful prep work with spices added to create nuanced flavors. No more armor polishing only the silverware when company came over. She often found the pronouns of how she thought of herself switching in her mind rare. Fear of those that could scan the surface thoughts in your head made her cautious of how she even thought of herself.
Mother taught her new skills like sewing clothes and quilts. Dancing the female part with her father Gregory. The lessons on manners and decorum sat poorly with the former paladin. Amber’s conscience used to be her guide but her mother taught her about being submissive and taking care to not put forth her opinions. She knew this was vital to maintain her disguise but still disliked the role she found herself in. Time bought a new joy to her new parents as they announced her mothers pregnancy. But it also brought with it a worry as Arietta failed to get into contact her. Patience never one of her stronger qualities made waiting more difficult. She even thought of striking out on her own but figured Mazara still pursued her.
Little news of the outside world reached her new family. They did hear that Sir Garrett disappeared on a quest and knights of the silver griffon were dispatched to find what happened to him. The most distressing news that came to him was that Princess Fina was betrothed to another. Some prince that would provide a new alliance for the kingdom. Amber felt a tear flow down her cheek but quickly composed herself. She threw herself into her chores hoping that exhaustion might alleviate her anguish.
In the morning she gave herself ten minutes to practice sword forms just to do something familiar. Amber felt silly using the broom but she had no sword of her own. Her concentration broke with her mother scolding, “Put that broom to its correct at once. I don’t want to see you playing like that again. It is undignified and unladylike. Now I want to hear you apologize and say you won’t do it again.”
“I am sorry mother. I promise not to do it again,” Amber said reluctantly. She hated doing it but didn’t want to be on her mother’s side. She waited for her mother to get out of earshot before grumbling to herself as she swept the porch. Amber imagined running away to find one of her former colleagues. Or resigning herself here until Arietta returned.
