Arabella Carrick

Bella just sat there staring at her plate with Will whilst Alyss and Jenny tried to coax them to eat something.

"Come on, guys, tomorrow's a big day. You don't want to be starving for it."

Jenny gestured towards their plates, still untouched, and smiled encouragingly at them. Tomorrow would be a big day, they knew. Bella, unlike Will, wasn't listening to her ward mate's muse about Choosing Day. Alyss had already been promised a spot in the Diplomatic Service by Lady Pauline. Jenny, would be taken immediately be Master Chubb. A name not mistakenly given to him, Bella thought wryly, thinking of the size of the chef's girth. George would be a born natural in Scribeschool. Battleschool was for Horace. Large and muscular, the boy would have little trouble keeping up with the hard drills. Which left Bella and Will. Will, he had told her, was planning to go to Battleschool. Will was small and wiry, but had great wit and spirit. Bella knew his request would be turned down. He was considerably strong, but he wouldn't make it. Bella studied the boy. She wondered if he had a second choice. She would ask him later, she decided. Bella's own preference was in the Ranger Corps. She had always been fascinated with the way they managed to move, without being seen or heard. She wanted to be like that. Bella had always imagined herself, a top advisor to the King, helping him plan out their enemies downfall. It was vain hope that the Ranger of Redmont would be there. If not, well, Bella didn't know what she'd do. She was jerked back to reality with a snide comment from Horace. Bella was always Will's verbal, or physical, back up with these little spats.

"So, Will, still applying for Battleschool?" Horace asked, with his mouth stuffed with turkey and potatoes. "Better eat something then. You'll need to build yourself up a little."

He laughed and Bella and Will glared at him. It only made matters worse that he was right. As the silence lasted, Horace sensed he scored a verbal point. This was rare. With both Bella and Will shooting verbal insults, that most of the time confused him, he used brawn for the lack of wits. He generally had the best of their physical clashes, even against two, though Bella's ability to distract, and Will's speed, they got away without too much trouble. Horace now took advantage of their moment of silence eagerly.

"You need muscles to get into Battleschool, Will. Real muscles." He glanced around the room smugly, seeing if anyone dared disagree. Bella decided he needed putting back in his place.

"Why yes Will, you do need muscles." She said, deadly serious. Will looked crest fallen at this. They were best friends and when people made fun of him because he had no last name, he often used Bella's, Carrick, as an excuse. "It's a shame for Horace, really, because you need them especially between the ears," Will looked up at this now and could hardly contain the snort that came from him at her words. Jenny couldn't hold in a little giggle either. Horace flushed red, and began to rise from his chair, to his feet. However, Bella and Will were faster and were out the door before he was fully up. He contented himself with the final word.

"That's right! Run away, Will No-Name! You're a no-name and Bella will never be wanted as an apprentice!"

Outside, although being hurt herself, she pulled Will by his hand towards their favourite fig tree. She knew Will hated that taunt, even if it was true. Unlike Jenny, Alyss, George, and Horace, Bella and Will appeared out of no where on the Baron's door-step, with a note attached to each of them. Will's read:

His mother died in childbirth. His father died a hero.

Please care for him. His name is Will.

Bella's was, in the same hand:

We are not able to care for her. Do not look for us.

Her name is Arabella Carrick. Take her in please.

There was only them two in the ward for another three years, so they had grown up together, alone, until the others had come. Even though the circumstances were unusual, he allowed the two of the to be taken in. They had become close. For Bella, the unruly dark hair, and brown eyes were a comforting sight for her. The same was for Will, for over the years, the waist length black hair, and dark blue eyes with various green flecks, of different shades had been a sanctuary for him from the outside world and Horace. Together, they climbed the huge fig tree, so high, they were from sight. It was easy for them, with many handholds, and Bella wearing a tunic and leggings, with almost knee high boots, instead of the standard dress. She had been rebuked for it at first, but she was resistant and began to wear them most of the time. When one of the maids suggested she wear a corset of colour, over her tunic, but just underneath her breasts and ending just above her hips. It made her look more feminine and brought out her figure. She had thanked the maid generously. Will had liked it from the beginning. That was how they were close. Bella had crazy ideas and Will supported them. When they finally reached the top, Will realized Bella had never said what crafts master she was going to choose.

"Bella, what are you going to do tomorrow?" he asked. Bella studied him for a while before answering."

"I want to be part of the Ranger Corps," She stood up and mimed shooting an arrow from a bow. "I want to be the first female in the Corps. Lady Pauline is head of the Diplomatic Service. Why can't I be a ranger?" Will chose his words carefully.

"I don't see why not. You're even better at moving without being seen or heard than I am. You already have the wardrobe." Bella stuck her tongue out at him. He constantly teased her for being more of a boy than he was, no matter how much he didn't mind her antics. They fell into a comfortable silence broken by short chatter occasionally, until they decided to go to bed, and climbed down awkwardly, because of cramps from sitting down for so long. They said their goodbyes and headed off to their beds, in less than nine hours, they would be facing the Choosing Day.

Soo.. What do you think? I'll give you a cookie if you've read book 8 and see the connection between Arabella's last name… BTW, how do you put up another chapter… I'm at loss here…