Disclaimer: I do not own JatD.

Note: I know the difference of language would be a problem for the people but, to make it more interesting, let's just pretend they spoke the same way.

Tradeoff

Chapter 1

"Lunge, Jane, lunge!"

That was one of Dragon's usual motivations for Jane as she battled Gunther in the practice arena.

"Make him cry for mercy!"

"In your dreams, frog." That was Gunther. Despite his feelings for Jane, which he kept very discreet, he would make comments such as these to put Jane down. Ever since she had become a squire, he had tormented her, and as the years had passed he began to like her, both as a friend and romantically. It was too late now, though, for he couldn't soften up after he had made his initial feelings so clear. No matter how much he wanted a friend, or love, it was too late now. Especially now as, upon turning 14, Jane had one week ago agreed to court Jester. She had not wanted to, not that she didn't like Jester, but more because she wanted to keep on track with her training. Jester had, as he was very persuasive, convinced her.

Jane suspected Gunther had feelings for her; she caught a certain look in his eye from time to time. She figured that if he was not brave enough to ask her to be his friend, then she would treat him as an enemy as he did her.

Even though Gunther was deep in thought, he still conquered by hitting her sword as hard as he could; he was impatient for the battle to be over. Jane shrieked as the sword flew from her hand and knocked her wrist back a bit farther than it should have gone. Gunther immediately felt bad for injuring her, but could not bring himself to go up to her. Instead, he headed to the stables without saying a word.

"Don't worry, Jane. You'll beat him next time." Dragon tried to encourage her as best he could.

"Maybe…" Jane replied, though she doubted she would beat him. Jane then headed off to the kitchens to find something cold to put on her wrist.


"Could you hurry up? I have homework to do."

"Do not hurry me, as I am sure you do not want me to make a mistake."

Kayla grimaced at the thought. She truly did not want him to make a mistake, and was in fact very apprehensive. She had been randomly selected to take part in a scientific experiment, and was to be given a load of money. The experiment was to see if someone's thoughts could be connected with the thoughts of someone from the past. Dr. Ronald Allen was a respected scientist; thus, Kayla's parents had agreed. Kayla was only 14 years of age and was being used only because Dr. Allen suspected teenage brainwaves would be easiest to connect.

It would be a few more hours until the experiment would take place, and the anxious girl began mentally writing her English report as she waited.


After Jane had a conversation with Pepper as she had tended to her hurt wrist, she had headed to the gardens in search of someone else to speak with. From the courtyard, she could hear the beautiful lute music ahead. Rake had gone to the market to get seeds for his garden, so she knew Jester was there alone.

"Greetings, Jane," Jester spoke in a warm voice as he laid his lute down on the table. "Did practice go well today?"

Jane's face hardened. "No, it did not. That's what I need to talk to you about. I haven't beat Gunther in months. He has gotten much stronger." She held up her skinny arm. "While I am not strong at all. What am I to do?" Jane always went to Jester for advice, though now that they were courting, she felt uneasy speaking to him.

Jester could sense her uneasiness. Still, he tried to encourage her. "Jane, you are far smarter than Gunther and more quick and agile. If you cannot match his strength, deceive him or out do him with your footing." Jester anxiously waited for Jane's reply.

Even though Jane knew all of that, it still made her feel better, and some of the uneasiness began to slide away. "Thank you, Jester," she said as she began to walk away.

"And, Jane…"

She turned back around.

"There's something I should tell you."

Jane's heart started pounding. She was pretty sure she knew what he was about to say.

"In fact, I should have told you awhile before. Anyway, I thought you should know what-"

Just as Jester was about to finish that sentence, Sir Theodore intruded.

Jane mentally thanked him for sparing her from having to come up with a response to Jester's admittance to his love for her. Even though they were courting, he hadn't yet spoken the powerful words, and Jane knew she wasn't ready for them.

"Jane, I need you and Gunther in my office immediately." He then walked away with a nod to both of them.

Jane, eager to get away from him, said, "You can tell me later." Jester nodded and watched as the redheaded knight walked away from him at a fast pace. He thought to himself, she certainly is beautiful.


Kayla got too anxious to think about her report. Instead, she toyed with her iPhone. And after a few minutes, she became too anxious to use it; she was literally trembling in her chair, and decided to watch Dr. Allen do his work.