Chapter Two: Enemy Mine

"You know, you really don't belong here, my lady..." the last two words were accented with a sneering sharpness, indicating the young man's disdain. 'Lina looked up from the book on tactical advantages, blinking in surprise. A young man, of perhaps eighteen, stood a few feet away with a wooden practice blade in his hand. Her eyes went to the sword, then to his face. Carefully, she set the book aside, inclining her chin.

"I take it you have some issue with me, Brendan?" she asked.

"You're damn right I do!" The boy snarled, slashing the air with the sword as he advanced toward her. Behind him, 'Lina could see two of his associates step into view, chuckling in dubious mirth. "You're some air-headed girl!" Brendan continued, "You don't know anything about fighting, anything about war! Why are you even here? I bet it's to impress some guy, or just to piss off your parents!" He snorted derisively, glancing to his friends, who cackled obediently.

'Lina rose to her feet, closing the book with an audible snap. She drew herself to her full height, looking up at Brendan with cool green eyes, "I came here because I was meant to be here," she said calmly, "I was Called into service. Why are you here, Brendan? Honor? Glory? To make a name for yourself in the world?"

Brendan's face twisted from fury to indignation as he stared down his long, aristocratic nose at her, "Pfft, you're such a stupid girl. Of course I'm here for the Honor. My father was proud the day I came to training; he said the Glory of our house was at stake!" He stared at her, his eyes glittering with his ambition, "And yes, I will make a name for myself. A name worthy of history books!"

The silver-haired woman smiled, though it was oddly sympathetic, "That is the difference between you and I, Brendan. I serve because I have seen the suffering of our people and desire for nothing more than to be able to help them." The boys all halted in their mockery abruptly as the shame they found in her words began to sink in. They glowered at her sullenly, the two toward the rear backing away and making a hasty retreat in the face of her cool nobility. Brendan slashed the air with his sword again, leveling the tip a mere few inches from her throat, "You'll never make Paladin, little princess. "

'Lina merely regarded him with that quiet detachment, "It's all right, Brendan. I forgive you." The boy, taken aback by such a response, frowned and took off down the corridor after his friends. She watched him depart with those calm jade eyes, but no sooner than he was out of sight did she sag back down on the bench she'd vacated at his arrival. It had been like this since she arrived, even among the other female trainees she'd found she was tolerated at best. Most of them viewed her as some pampered princess, incapable of truly appreciating the art of war as much as they. She sighed, pulling her feet up onto the bench as she tucked her knees beneath her chin.

"Shouldn't you be down in the yard with the other trainees?" a stern voice said over her head. 'Lina startled up, seeing a tall man standing over her, his hair a deep reddish gold. His authoritarian gaze took her in, making her flush in embarrassment. She rose to her feet, shuffling uncomfortably beneath his regard.

She took a momentary glance at the insignia on his armor, noting his rank, "I'm sorry, Knight-Captain. I'll head down straightaway." She bowed shortly, unsettled beneath that imperturbable emerald gaze, 'Lina backed away respectfully.

He held out a gauntleted hand toward her, "Wait," he said, taking a step forward even as she retreated, "What is your name, trainee?"

"'Lina, Knight-Captain," she said quietly, "'Lina Kestrin."

He considered her a moment, taking in the delicate, heart-shaped face. The silver hair braided tightly and tucked under, close to her scalp to prevent any undue advantages to her opponent. Her clothing was snug against her lithe frame; loose enough cut to allow free movement, rather than restricting her. For a highborn maiden, she looked more the part of a trainee that even some knights he knew! Still, he frowned slightly as he continued to scrutinize her. For all that she was dressed as a trainee, those bright pale green eyes were still alluring beneath those coal grey lashes. Beneath her uniform, those lithe curves still spoke volumes of a very womanly figure...

She shifted from foot to foot beneath his regard, clearing her throat after a few moments, "Knight-Captain? Do I have your leave to go before I'm late?"

Corran blinked, shaking his head slightly, "Uh, yes," he managed, also clearing his own throat, "Yes, go on, Trainee 'Lina. If the Blademaster takes you to task, tell him Knight-Captain Ravencrest detained you."

She bowed respectfully, "Certainly, Knight-Captain." She turned to go when Corran noted her book still on the bench. He bent, picking it up, smiling to himself as he noted it was a book on tactics and warfare. He watched her keep herself to a composed walk until she reached the end of the hall, only then did she turn, trotting off toward the practice yard. Corran tucked the book into a pouch at his belt, he'd return it later then.

----

Ravencrest. 'Lina mused to herself as she made her way down to the training yard. Knight-Captain Ravencrest. She felt like she should know that name, but nothing came to her. She sighed, there was still so much about the Order she didn't know. She'd have to keep at her studies until she was more familiar. Undoubtedly, the other trainees would know who he was, but she dare not ask. She'd be laughed right out of the yard.

She sighed inwardly to herself as she made her way along the corridors. He certainly was handsome... Her lips curved upward slightly, feeling the slight flush of warmth touch her cheeks. After a few steps, however, she shook her head sternly, What am I thinking? He's my superior and certainly not at all interested in a silly little girl who can't focus on her duties! Silently berating herself, 'Lina stepped out into the bright sunshine as it fell over the training yard. Already the Blademaster was beginning the day's lesson. Her training mates stood off in a group, so she quietly loped over to join them.

Fortunately, the Blademaster did not take her to task. 'Lina would not have liked to invoke the Knight-Captain's name, since that might engender yet more ridicule from her compatriots. The Blademaster paired them off, taking no consideration for gender, "On the field of battle," he said, "You women will be treated the same as any other man. The enemy won't find a suitable opponent for you, so you get used to fighting men that are stronger and heavier than you are."

Fate, it seemed, wasn't quite so merciful to her today, though. Her heart sank with dread as she saw her opponent for the day was none other than Brendan. He grinned at her maliciously from across the field as he fell into an easy-seeming fighting stance across the practice ring from her, "Well, well... I hope you're ready to have your bells rung, my lady." The edge on his voice was enough to cut into 'Lina's gentle spirit; if he came at her full-force, there was no way she'd be able to counter him! She glanced around at the other trainees who were already sparring with each other. The Blademaster was down at the far end, tutoring one of the younger boys at parrying. She looked back to Brendan who was taking slow, predatory steps toward her. A thin sliver of dread iced its way down her spine, but she merely inclined her chin, hoping Brendan saw challenge in her eyes and not uncertainty.