Enjoy the free day (Majority vote)

You shook your head and chuckled. It was much too beautiful of a day to let it go to waste. Besides you had been working yourself to the bone lately and deserved to enjoy some free time.

You left the palace premises and walked onto the training grounds. The large space was set in the middle of one of the queen's gardens, although the grass that surrounded it had been too trampled to be noticeable by now. A few benches were scattered around a large stone platform where soldiers could spare in more even ground. Weapon racks stood nearby holding both training and real instruments. Some guards needed to learn, and sometimes a trial by fire was necessary.

As you got closer you noticed about five men standing around the stone ring as they looked at their sparring companions. Noticing you approach the spectators straightened themselves and gave you a salute. It didn't take long for the two sparring man to do the same.

"At ease soldiers." You rolled your eyes at their reaction. You were still not used to the amount of respect guards thought you deserved.

"My lady, is there anything you need of us?" A young elven woman asked you. You had never seen her before, probably a new recruit, and she seemed quite nice.

"Nothing specific." You walked over one of the weapon racks and pulled out a wooden sword. After giving a few practicing swings you looked back at them. "I simply thought that it has been a while since I got to spare with any good combatant."

The guards looked at each other while mumbling lightly. A few looked at their feet while others simply stood awkwardly. After a few moments one guy stepped forward, he was a small young man of slender build, a pair of cat ears emerged from his black hair and there was clear nervousness on his green eyes.

"I would be honored to train alongside you ma'am."

"Thank you, Gale. The honor would be mine." With a smile you hold the wooden weapon and look at the other guards. "Should we start our spar now or someone already on queue to use the training ring?"

The guards quickly took a step back giving you space to walk in. A larger man put a hand on Gale's shoulder and whispered something to his ear, at which the catboy shook his head and sighed heavily. Going to the weapon rack he took a pair of wooden daggers and prepared to start the combat.

You take a stance on one edge of the stone ring while Gale took the other. You began walking around in circles while slowly approaching one another. You had known the catboy to be a dextrous fighter from the few times you've gotten to interact with him, so you had to be more defensive in your tactics.

After you had finally gotten close enough Gale leapt forward. He had great balance thanks to his feline reflexes and the tail on his back. He began with a flurry of blows with both daggers, which you were barely able to deflect with your longer weapon. After a few attacks you managed to find an opening and strike back on his stomach.

Gale was **** back and panted heavily for a moment. He shook his head and looked back only to notice you had gotten closer during the opening. He lifted his weapons and barely managed to stop your blow, but that didn't stop the ****. Having gotten the upper hand, you began striking against his weak spots until slowly he had to give in against your superior fighting prowess.

As the combat stopped you helped Gale to his feet. He stood in shaky legs, but ultimately began laughing.

"I really thought I would have lasted a little longer than that."

"I'm sure it was just some bad luck, no need to be down about it." You smiled at him while giving a firm handshake. "If we go for a second round it might be better."

"Possibly, but I would prefer taking a breather before then." He held his side while chuckling once more.

As you both went to sit on the bench another two guards took the ring and began a spar session. You looked at them, silently judging their form. They were doing fine, but there were small issues that a more experienced combatant could easily exploit. A small opening on their guard, their footing being an inch too wide, their attacks being just out of connecting with a weak spot. You shook your head, they were doing fine and they were training to fix this no need to be judgemental.

"Congratulations on beating a stray." As you looked up you noticed a large half-orc holding a cup to you. His smile showed a pair of small tusks that had left a scar on his upper lip. "I'm sure he'll never forget it."

"Shut up Gotor." You smiled and took the drink he was offering. The fresh water tasted nice after the combat. "He did great."

"Oh I know, I doubt any of us could have lasted longer than him." The half-orc sat beside you, resting one of his muscled hands on his knee and looking directly at you with piercing yellow eyes. "Except for me, of course."

You rolled your eyes before giving the cup back. "You care to prove that once this combat ends?"

"Is that a challenge?" He put a hand on his chest pretending to be offended. "Is it really fine for a well renowned knight to try to challenge such a lowly common guard?"

"Shut up Gotor." You now laughed heartily, amused by the way he freely spoke. "Want to spar or not?"

"It would be a pleasure." He smiled and pulled a hammer from his belt.

The rest of the morning was quite nice. You got to spend the time training with the guards and talking in between combats. To his credit, Gotor did manage to last the longest against you, even if it was for about five extra seconds. Gale got his second round, which didn't really go much better. And even the new elven recruit, whose you learnt was named Lillia, built enough courage to try her hand at a session against you, tougher than expected but didn't take long for her to go down.

As you laughed among the guards after having finished your latest match you used a rag to clean the sweat from your brow. You left the wooden sword back in the rack and noticed the guards were preparing to leave. You frowned lightly, but figured they were done for today. You shook your head trying to think on how to spend the rest of your off-day. Your thought, however, were happily interrupted by a tap on your forearm.

"Excuse me my lady." Gale was next to you. Next to him you could see that you towered almost a head and a half over his smaller frame. "I was talking with a few other guards, and we thought about going to get some drinks later in the evening. We were wondering if you'd be so inclined as to join us?"

You smiled at him. "That sounds lovely, my evening should be free, but you know how duty might call and all."

"Of course, we will be at the tavern down the road if you do have the time though."

You smiled at him as he turned around. You noticed that a few weapons had been left on the floor, you were not sure if the guards had forgotten to pick them up or if they had fallen during some combats. You shook your head and went to pick them up. As you got closer you noticed, however that Lillia had also began placing things in order.

"Recruit, good to see at least someone is being responsible."

The girl looked at you and shyly picked up an axe that was a little too heavy for her. "I... I just noticed you were doing it and thought that... you know."

"Well, it is better to pick up this habit instead of some others." You thought back to what you usually did when you were alone in your room and shook your head. Not the moment.

"Thanks, my lady. I... I don't want to interpose, but I was thinking about going to the bathing house close by." She looked down, managing to place the axe back on the rack without issues. "If you'd like maybe we could both go... together?"

You raised an eyebrow looking at her. She was a petite thing, barely reaching above chest, with green hair and a pair of glowing blue eyes. You pondered the offer for a moment, before smiling down.

"I might have some other plans, but I'll think about it. Just let me think for a moment."

"Of course my lady, I understand." She looked down a little dejected, but immediately shook her head and kept hard at work.

You pondered the decision a little longer while cleaning the training ground. As you reached the benches to sit and think you noticed something sitting where you had been. It appeared to be a note with a stone on top of it. Curiously you removed the stone and looked at what was written.

"My fair knight.

You

me

adventure

front of the Rusted Plate.

yes?

-Gotor Strongarm."

You shook your head realizing what this invitation was. Suddenly your free day had multiple options and what you could do.

Go with Gale and the other guards?

Go to the bathhouse with Lillia?

or

Go to an "adventure" with Gotor?