Marianne took a little joy observing the various facial expressions Sir Garrett made as she spoke. His sheepish smile when he seemed to realize his inadvertent jab at her own upbringing. His leaning in when she spoke of her older brothers and their training, understanding it be genuine interest. The cocked eyebrow as he seemed to size her up.
"What is that look for? Do I not seem the type to be able to undergo the rigors of knighthood training? You would do well not to underestimate me, sir." Marianne thought to herself. The frown when she mentioned how her eldest brother Paul failed to complete his training. Though, she didn't understand why he had nodded his head when she mentioned John.
Watching as one of her maids filled his goblet with water, she saw Sir Garrett take his first bite of food and took that as her cue. Starting on her meal shortly after him, she ate rather slowly. Taking small bites and as she chewed, she hid her mouth behind her free hand. Being careful to eat as neatly and politely as possible. She said nothing when Sir Garrett commented on the 'sweetness' of the meat, as she knew not of what he meant. After all, it was simply something she had been able to eat all of her current life. She knew no difference between its taste and the taste of wild game, never having consumed it. She looked up from her plate when he had abruptly changed subjects, mentioning her brother. Dining and listening carefully, as he told his story of what his people called 'Keepers' a nagging thought tugged at the back of her mind. If part of his clan revered these...'Keepers' so much, then why did she get the feeling that Sir Garrett didn't approve of magic users very much? She grew even more suspicious when Sir Garrett failed to maintain eye contact.
"Is he hiding something?"Marianne couldn't help but wonder.
Lightly grasping her goblet of water, she took a drink from it before setting it back down. A slight metallic ringing sound as her fingertips brushed against the metal. Dabbing and wiping at her mouth with a white cloth, she set it down on the table as she folded her hands on her lap.
"Sir Garrett? Do excuse me if I come across as intrusive and prying but, if your people revere such people similar to my dear brother John. Then why is it that you seem to disapprove of magic users?" She asked, speaking softly and quietly. Though he may not have ever given solid evidence or proof of his disdain for magic, Marianne was at least perceptive enough to know that there was something in the tone of his voice, his expressions, and body language that something was...
off. Sitting upright and unmoving, she locked her gaze onto his. Intensely curious as to the answer to her question.
As she awaited her answer, a maid stepped forth and leaned in to whisper something in Marianne's ear.
"Lady Marianne, it is getting late. Will you retire to your chambers shortly or will you be staying up late tonight with Sir Garrett?"A round of giggles from the maids standing behind Marianne who could hear, confusing the Delacroix woman.
She turned her head and quietly whispered her reply back.
"We haven't yet finished our meal or conversation, but I'll consider retiring to bed soon. Thank you."The maid bowed her head slightly in response.
"Very well, Lady Marianne."The maid then stepped back and returned to her spot behind Marianne, eying Sir Garrett with some dark intent. Ill or good intentions, it was unclear.
Marianne turned back to Sir Garrett and remembered that there was some explanation in order.
"Ah! Of course. I had nearly forgotten."She smiled as she clapped her hands together once.
"To clarify any confusion, in order to become an official Delacroix Knight, one must pass a years-long training regimen."She frowned, tilting her head as she looked up at the ceiling for the right words.
"Or would crucible be more accurate? Course? Trial?"She shook her head, dismissing the thought with a wave.
"In any case, the requirements to become a Delacroix Knights are to demonstrate your ability in a number of different parts. The first being intellect, you must pass a series of academic tests. This also doubles as your schooling and is typically done during your younger years with refresher tests here and there."She chuckled, tapping at her head with a knuckle.
"The second major part to our training is physical ability. Broken down into smaller sections such as strength, speed, and stamina. To be quite honest with you, I didn't do very well in my own strength portion, only passing by bare minimum requirements."Marianne blushed, admitting this fact.
"But! I passed with flying colors in my speed and stamina tests!"She beamed, smiling brightly at this.
"The final portion is aptitude. This is broken down into many smaller parts such as hand-to-hand combat. Swordsmanship. Archery. Magic casting. Horse riding. Basic field tactics. Basic stealth and reconnaissance. Mounted combat, and so on. The list is rather exhaustive and goes on for lengths."She laughed, shaking her head as she looked down at the table.
"My dear brother Paul couldn't pass his Magic casting portion, displaying little to no skill there. As it was a critical part of our training, he was unable to proceed."She sighed, a slightly sad look in her eyes though she was smiling.
"He then tried to save face by arguing magic had no place on the battlefield, denouncing it entirely. Claiming his disbeliefs in magic contributed to his failure, and not his own ineptitude."She shook her head again, slower this time.
"So, while I successfully completed my training, I became a Delacroix Knight. While my brothers became Knights of the Delacroix."She laughed.
"I hoped I helped to clear up any confusion, instead of create more."Growing silent, she again locked eye contact with Sir Garrett and held her gaze.
She still awaited her answer. The maids all seemed to follow suit, their eyes also trained on Sir Garrett in an innocuous manner. Yet, it still held some menacing undertone for some odd reason.