DISLCAIMER: I don't own anything by Tamora Pierce, and so all her ideas, names and places belong to her. If there are things you don't recognize, those are mine and will stay mine, alright? Now, let's get on with the show.

The girl sat anxiously on her mare. The breeches she wore showed signs of wear from the constant riding she did, though practical, along with a white tunic and black cloak. She was also excited because she was seeing her father for the first time since the war started, some two years ago.

The Scanran war had affected everyone's lives. Weddings were put off, parties cancelled; the world kept spinning, yet it seemed to stop in Tortall. The palace in Corus was empty but of the constant shuffling steps of hurrying servants and echoes of old parties, now ghostly among the large corridors.

Kassandra, also known as Kassy by her friends and family, sighed. She was being selfish and thought only of her self. It had been only a few months since her betrothed had died, yet she didn't mourn him. He had been arrogant and foolhardy with her and she never had taken a liking to him. Though, she still felt his loss as a friend.

She and her band had set out twelve days ago and would soon arrive in Steadfast, a fort near the Scanran border. She was going to her friend's wedding, along with following a request by the King. After the wedding she was to report to a refugee camp to help out in the defenses with Gifted abilities. She had been studying at the University in Carthak when the news of war had been announced.

"My Lady." A man's voice said. She made a noise, completely startled.

"Yes sir?" Kassy asked regaining her composure. She had learned some control of her face from her experiences debating with other scholars.

"We are about two hours away from Steadfast; I thought you might want to know." The man smiled and returned to the front of the line when she nodded. Kassy was in the middle of a two lined band of men, soldiers the King had assigned north along with her.

Kassy shook off her thinking and looked to the man next to her. They had been riding partners this entire journey and she had grown to think of him as a friend.

"Josh, how long have you been a soldier?" Kassy asked as butterflies moved in her stomach, making her want to grimace, but she controlled the act and just kept looking ahead.

"Well, I would say about ten years now." He answered as he looked at her. He knew her well enough now that he could tell that she was nervous. "But then again, I have grown used to fighting and all. Don't worry Kassy, you'll do fine."

He had guessed exactly what was wrong with her. She smiled at him. It was rare that people had understood her. Her father didn't even do that. For, Kassy was indeed worried about her abilities to fight and kill with the skills she had learned.

"Just think, you're not killing, you are protecting the innocent." Kassy smiled even more, for his words were as if he could read her mind. She had told him about herself, though no one else in the group knew who she was, except that she was Lady Kassandra, and nothing more. No place to call her home. The King had given his orders this way so that no one would tell her father her mission, for he would definitely forbid such a mission. But having been riding next to this man, she had grown to trust him.

Steadfast was a sight to be seen. It was a large fort with high wooden gates. They sent a messenger to tell of their arrival so that they may enter without trouble. It was then, though, that another group of men came. When Kassy looked she could tell that they were not Tortallan. Without a thought she cast a shield around the band she rode with.

"Lady, we must run for it, but our mounts won't be able to go fast." Josh whispered into her ear. The Scanrans were coming from the woods near the fort, but shut out of arrow-shot.

"Josh, we won't make it. We must fight." Kassy drew her long sword, a gift from the Queen when she had blocked a dagger thrown at her. The other men in the group quickly drew their swords.

Kassy kneed her mount to the front to talk with the leader. "We are going to have to fight. I have set up a shield that will block enchantments and arrows, but I fear nothing more incase I am needed for other things." The man nodded and thought about what she said. It was at this point that the Scanrans saw them and noticed them as easy targets.

Kassy narrowed her eyes and used her Gift to get a closer look of the enemy. She counted about fifty, compared to their twenty-five. She sighed, knowing that she too would have to use her sword. Horns were sounded inside the fort, though now the Scanrans were far away from them, but not Kassy. She could hear their battle cries as they drew closer. She clenched her jaw and raised her sword as their band started into the attack.

Josh had come up and went in front of her to lead the charge. The Scanrans spread far, though very disorganized, but very determined. In the back of the roaring enemy, Kassy spotted their pointed hat shaman. She muttered a word and drove to the side of the groups, the men didn't heed her, but the shaman did.

The old man looked at her a little surprised and then fell. Kassy dismounted from her mare and pulled her sword from the body. She took the pointed hat and cleaned her sword. She knew she had a job to do, though she was very sad that she had to kill. She looked back to her friends and saw they had prevailed.

From the fort they heard sounds, Kassy looked to see that there were more men coming, and this time their own. She carefully put her sword in her sheath and mounted her horse, she was tired. Her spell on the men was still in place, and had cost her a lot of energy. She had also spelled her sword to strike true, an old spell she had found in one of the ancient libraries.

Quickly and carefully, she lifted the spell from the men and swayed in her saddle. She had heard horses and talking of men. She sensed someone was speaking to her and turned to see who it was.

"Well, quite and entrance, don't you think Raoul?" The man looked at her. Raoul, mussed hair and sword drawn, smiled at her.

"Why of course Kassy, I see that you are your father's daughter, though he wouldn't be too happy seeing you hear." He came over and hugged her from his horse. She hugged him in return, out of breath and he squished out all her breath.

"Please, I would like to breath." She looked at him and her vision began to swim. She was vaguely aware of a pain in the back of her left shoulder. There, from behind, she saw a large feathered stick. "And maybe a healer." She looked at Raoul and shrugged, causing great fiery pain from her shoulder. Then all was dark.

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