A/N: The only real problem I had with this chapter was the fighting scene. I’ve never really written a long fighting scene, whether it be vampires, werewolves, guns, swords, or whatever. I’ve written a few, but not many, and nowhere near as long as this one. That’s the only reason this chapter took so long.

The Kat A Nine Tales – Minx Lionheart

Chapter 2

Training Hard

Leona, still thinking about her dilemma, walked until she reached the palace’s open front double doors. The doors were at least three times her height, and were easily ten times her width. The doors were sparkly white with golden embroidery-like patterns. In the centre of the doors was a giant black cat. It was on the outside and inside of the doors. When the doors were open it was split in two, with its head on the left door. Its eyes were emerald stones, and when they were hit by light, they lit the room with a nice green brilliance. She loved seeing this cat; it always seemed to cheer her up, smiling she went outside.

She headed for the training grounds, which were to the right of the palace. She took a detour through the gardens. The gardens were always very beautiful and brimming with life. The lovely fragrance of flowers reached her nose, she could smell roses, daisies, violets and tulips, along with many she didn’t recognise. She saw all the pretty arrangements, with splashes of colour mingling together to form a rainbow of colours throughout the Palace Gardens, this was one of her favourite places to be within the palace grounds. Finally, after admiring the flowers that, strangely, their fragrance always seemed to calm her, she reached the training grounds.

‘You’re late,’ came the voice of one of the men standing at its centre, he was wearing black training gear, his dark brown hair tied back out of his face. He gave Leona a stern look as she arrived.

‘Sorry, Mr. Wright,’ she said apologetically, ‘but I ran into Ambrosia, and had to get fitted for the ball next week.’

‘Ah, yes,’ said the other understandably, his brown eyes watching her intently, ‘and how’s your dancing going?’ - her cheeks turned a slight pink - ‘I thought as much.’

‘I don’t know what I’m going to do, “The Annual Royal Ball” is only next week, I’m doomed!’ she admitted. “The Annual Royal Ball” was a ball where people from all over came wearing their finest, royalty and nobility alike.

‘Well, you’ll just have to practice. Now enough about the ball, and let’s get started.’ Mr. Wright turned to the other man, ‘Michael, I’ll go first this time,’ - he pointed to himself - ‘you just sit over on those seats,’ - he pointed to the said seats - ‘and wait.’ Without complaining, since it was what happened every training lesson, Michael turned about and walked off to the seats.

‘Right,’ Mr Wright, handed her the sword she usually used for training, and she was confidant that today would be her last training session. Like always after this, she would then learn from Mr McKay, who was watching from the seats, to her far right.

Leona never got to wear training gear, but the advantage of that was that she was always prepared for real life, though she was a bit of a tom boy, and didn’t much like wearing dresses. Especially the bright pink one she wore now. She hated pink, especially when it was bright, she didn’t mind it as much when it was dark, but still hated it. She gripped her sword like she had been taught, and waited for the right moment to strike.

They circled each other for what seemed like several minutes, when Mr Wright struck first. He was so fast that Leona had almost not managed to defend herself.

Breaking away, she swung around to the left, at what she thought was an unguarded flank, but as always his speed matched his wits. She didn’t even see his sword move, but she heard the clang as the swords clashed; Leona didn’t stick around to see what had happened.

Again she twisted her body to the left, twisting her foot; she spun around, in something that resembled a pivot, bringing her sword to bear down on his left shoulder. She was fast enough not to have such a reckless move cost her. In mid motion, she twisted the sword hilt in her hands, so that the flat side, not the edge, landed on his shoulder.

These practice sessions weren’t used to kill or injure each other, they were solely for the purpose of preparing one’s self for life’s dangers. Mr Wright smiled at her. Breathing hard, since such speed used a lot of energy, Leona knew it was time to take on her next challenge. Mr Michael McKay.

Mr Wright took his defeat honourably. Mr McKay strode over looking more confident than she had ever seen him. Taking their postions, and before Mr Wright could give the signal to fight, Michael attacked.

Mr Wright taught her the ways of an honourable opponent, but Michael’s task was to teach her the ways of a deceitful one.

Compared to Leona’s usual practice sessions with McKay, this time his speed was astonishing, only lightning would be quicker, which made her wonder if this time was a practice session after all.

He lunged at her, thrusting his sword, aiming for her left flank. Leona sidestepped, the sword cutting her dress, missing her skin by millimetres. Shocked by his aggressive behaviour, Leona took him more seriously. Pushing herself to the best of her abilities, she defended herself, again, and again, but again he caught her by surprise.

Having knocked Michael to the ground, her sword pointed at him, he moved so fast, she hadn’t seen it coming. He threw sand into her face, causing her to back away, to try to clear her vision. With his sword, he knocked hers out of the way, and was going for the kill, but even though her eyes were shut, she managed to see him coming, and knew exactly where he was.

Bringing up her sword to defend herself, she heard the familiar clang as their swords connected. The sound rang in her ears, almost deafening. Her ears seemed to have tuned into her surroundings. Clearing the sand grains from her eyes, her hearing returned to normal.

She pushed against him with her sword, but he came straight back at her. As fast as she could, she lunged out of the way coming to his right side. Swinging her sword, it landed flat across his back. She had considered for a moment to use the sharp edge of the sword, but at the very last second, she changed her mind, and flicked the sword to the flat side.

It hit him with such force that it threw him forward, and he hit the ground. Feeling like she was going to faint from exhaustion, Leona sat down on the nearest seat to catch her breath, only to pass out.

A/N: I’ve had a big brainstorm on this story recently, and have a basic idea of the next few chapters (up until chapter 5).