Against the World

Chapter One
The sun’s rays flitters over the countryside and the town of Burlocke. Many occupants of the town are still slumbering in their beds all but maybe one. Joan McBrody, a strong and independent girl, rides on her horse all the while pondering her current status in town. ‘Many believe living in high class society is all peaches and creams, but nobody really knows the whole dirt of it unless really getting the chance to experience it,’ Joan scrutinizes as she rides high on her black stallion through the Burlocke Forest. She loves this feeling. The feeling of being free as it blows through her hair and face. Her black stallion gallops at a breakneck speed cutting through the air.
Joan McBrody unfortunately for her is part of this high class society. She hates it. Everyday, she is reminded as the daughter of the wealthiest family in town that it is her duty to get a husband. Well, those are the words from her mother. She rather kiss dirt than marry a deadbeat. Why would she want to marry? She wouldn’t be free anymore. She wouldn’t be able to sneak out like this to ride her Arabian horse bareback. She wouldn’t be able to use her bow and arrows or her sword or etc etc. The list goes on. Joan sighs.
Sensing her discomfort, her black horse gives a concerned whinny. Joan breaks from her trance and gently pats the horse, “Sorry, boy, I’m thinking too much again.” She looks up and realizes that they are reaching their destination. She squeezes with her knees gently on Terrance’s back. Terrance, her horse, starts slowing down and comes to a stop in front of an open meadow filled with some small thistle bushes. Joan takes her bow and puts an arrow in place and waits patiently cloaked by her hooded cloak and the shadows of the trees.
Birds fly off in the distance which is a good sign for any good hunter. A rustle comes from the same area and out jumps a plump rabbit but meets an arrow before landing on the ground. Joan exclaims excitely, “Wow, Terrance, I am getting good at this everyday now, huh?” Terrance gives a grunt approval. “Hmm, how many rabbits did Cook want again? Oh, that’s right 2 plump ones, and there’s already one in my sack, so we can go.” Joan stuffs the other rabbit in the sack, mounts Terrance, and heads back home.

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“Where is she?” Nathan asks himself looking to the forest entry. “It is almost breakfast time. Her parents will be up any minute and find her not in her bed.” Nathan Angle is the McBrody’s stablehand; he makes sure that the horses are taken care of and ready to ride when need be. The sound of soft trotting hooves can be heard approaching the forest entrance. A black horse with a small figure breaks through the trees and heads to the stables. Nathan crosses his arms and gives a stern look.
“Hello Nathan!”
“Hello? Don’t say ‘hello’ to me missy. Where have you been? If your parents find you out here in your current attire, they will blow a head gasket.”
“I got here before they woke up, didn’t I?”
“That’s beside the point. What would I have done if you didn’t come back on time? Who knows what might have happened to you? Bandits or wild animals for all I know.”
“Oh, quit worrying, Nathan. How would bandits and wild animals have happened to me if I am already here?”
“Quit being a smart ass, Joan, and go in.”
“You know. You are taking the word big brother to a whole new level.”
“How else am I supposed to act with Derek away and you being one of my favorite little sisters since I can remember?”
“I guess I can’t blame you. Alright, I am going to go in. What about Terrance?”
“I’ll take care of him. He likes me, too.”
“Okay, I owe you.”

Joan enters the kitchen door quietly. She looks around the kitchen and sees the Cook’s butt sticking out of the oven. She tiptoes quietly with an evil plan in her head. As she approaches the cook, she is ready with her fingers to pinch her.
“I am going to slap you whoever you are,” the Cook says or better known as Kelly Sweeps.
“How’d you know there was someone in here?”
“This is my kitchen, Joan. I have a sixth sense when someone’s messing with me or my kitchen,” Kelly says standing up with crossed arms trying not to look amused.
“Guess what I have?” Joan says dangling the sack of rabbits in her face.
“Are those my rabbits?”
“Yep, two very plump ones.”
“Thanks Joan. They will be perfect for dinner. Now, you better hurry up before your parents come down.”

Joan exits the kitchen and heads to the dining room. She goes to the wall behind her father’s chair and opens a secret door. She crawls in and stands up in a passage that is at least 6 feet tall. She feels the wall as she walks ahead. The path starts becoming steep as it levels up taking her to the next floor. She stops in front of another wall. She kneels down and pushes the secret door leading to her room. She crawls out of the wall and closes the door. She quickly takes off her brown hunting pants, tan garrison, white chain mail, brown hunting boots, and her cloak. She stuffs all of her clothes under a floorboard that is under a chest at the end of her bed. She also puts her bow and arrows in there and then recovers the floor. Now, barely naked except for some undergarments and a dagger at her inner thigh, she quickly throws on her nightgown from the night before and dives straight in her covers. She immediately closes her eyes and waits for the butler to come ‘wake’ her up.