Janna Copperstone blocked the blow that had come her way from her fencing tutor and foster father, Gareth Smith. Gareth was a middle-aged dark-haired man with a look in his eyes that suggested he had seen horrors, and scars that proved this to be the case. Janna knew not Gareth’s history, nor how he had come to be the one raising her. But thanks to his tutelage, she was the finest warrioress in the kingdom.
“Excellent work, my dear,” Gareth said, setting aside his sword. Janna beamed. “Now, I need you to clean up.”
“Clean up? Why?” Janna asked, perplexed. They lived on and ran a small sheep farm outside the town of Wind’s Grove, and very rarely kept themselves well-groomed. There was no need. Janna in particular only went into town once every other week.
“Important people will be visiting us for dinner.”
“Important how?” Janna asked.
“It has been determined that you will be told of your heritage and history,” Gareth said solemnly. Janna’s jaw dropped.
“Why now?” she asked.
“Because your eighteenth birthday approaches. And there are some things you must know before you become an adult.” Gareth took Janna’s sword. “Go to your room, clean up, and put on your nicest dress.” Janna knew better than to argue with Gareth when he took that tone.
“Yes, sir,” she said with a curtsey. She went to the small, but tidy farmhouse, and climbed the stairs to her room on the second floor. As she brushed and braided her long, full, red hair, she pondered what was so important about her, that she had been kept from who she was for so long. She picked out her nicest dress, a dark gray that brought out her bright blue eyes. The dress also had the benefit of clinging to her flawless curves and emphasizing her large bust.
By the time she was cleaned, groomed, and ready, Gareth’s voice called for her to come downstairs. Their visitors had arrived. Janna slowly descended down the stairs, her heart in her mouth as her eyes first landed upon the people who would be telling her who she was and why she had grown up with Gareth on the sheep farm.
“Janna,” Gareth said. He gestured to the people standing at the foot of the stairs. “This is…”