...You know, there was something I wanted to say about this chapter here, but I forgot what it was :/ Meh, don't think it was anything important. There is one thing I wanted to mention, though: This chapter involves a bit of fantasy-fied Batman and Batgirl, neither of whom have I seen in action for a little while. Batman probably doesn't have enough of a role for me to have messed up his character too much, but please forgive me if Batgirl's personality is off (and tell me how it's off so I can fix it later!) Thanks!

Chapter Two: Young Warrior

Strike coming from the right. Opening on the left. Blocked. Dodge blow, parry… Block! Richard focused intently as his practice sword clashed again and again with that of his fellow squire and current sparring partner, Barbara.

The training grounds were, as usual, bustling at this time in the afternoon. Young squires and skilled knights alike utilized its small collection of arenas to hone their skills with the sword and other handheld weapons, while battered targets used for range practice lined one side of a nearby clearing.

Richard wasn't paying attention to his busy surroundings, however. At that moment, it was just him and his opponent, each determined to emerge from the arena as the victor.

Now! The knight-in-training found an opening in Barbara's defense and struck. With a swift move, he knocked the wooden sword from her hand. Unarmed, she jumped back and nimbly dodged his next blows. After a moment, she turned slightly and dove off to the side to retrieve her weapon.

Richard had been anticipating this. Gathering what was left of his energy, he dashed after his opponent and tackled her to the ground. She recovered quickly, however, twisting his own sword from his exhausted grip and knocking him away. Before he could react, the blade was at his throat.

"Game… set… match!" the overseer announced from the side of the ring.

After a short pause, the two contenders stood up.

"Hey, good match," Barbara said with a nod, handing her opponent's training sword back to him before turning back to grab her own.

Richard nodded. "You… too," he replied, too out of breath to speak properly.

By this time, a young man with sharp blue eyes and a knight's sword strapped at his waist had entered the arena.

"Very good job, both of you," he commented.

"Thanks, Master Bruce," Barbara replied while Richard (still out of breath) nodded.

The knight eyed his male squire. "Although, Richard," he added, "you really shouldn't work yourself so hard so quickly. Wearing yourself out will end up putting you at a disadvantage, like it did today."

The boy didn't reply. He didn't really have anything that he could say; he had already gotten the same warning a few times in the past couple of weeks.

As the three left the arena, a few of the newer squires gawked at the knight or whispered to each other about him and his protégés. Richard hardly took any notice – Sir Bruce was one of the greatest and best-known knights in the kingdom, so he tended to attract attention from young hopefuls.

Barbara nudged her friend with her elbow. "So, just why have you been wearing yourself out so much lately?" she questioned.

Richard gave her a quizzical look.

Barbara rolled her eyes. "Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. I mean, you've always worked really hard at your training, but you usually know how to at least pace yourself."

Richard frowned and thought it over for a moment. "I guess I've been kind of anxious to finish my training and become a knight. I want to be able to see Princess Kori again…"

"… Before she marries?" Barbara guessed. When he didn't reply right away, she smirked. "I knew it! You're in love with her!"

Richard nearly stumbled, his face flushing over completely. "It's not like that!" he sputtered. "I just… She was my best friend and I want to see her again, okay?"

"Mm-hmm, suuure," Barbara trailed off before disappearing into the small building that housed Sir Bruce and his two squires. Richard scowled at her retreating form. Before he could follow her in and continue to protest, though, a commotion broke out behind him.

Curious, the boy turned back and walked up to a group of young men and women that were now chattering wildly. He recognized most of them from around the training grounds, but one stood out: a man on horseback, older than the rest and decked in the uniform of a palace messenger.

Richard stepped into the midst of the group. "Hey, what's going on?" he asked a nearby squire.

The girl turned to him, her eyes wide. "It's the princess," she replied incredulously. "The royal family's been betrayed by one of their trusted allies. The princess… She's been kidnapped!"

All right, now we're getting somewhere! *rubs hands together* Don't forget to review, and I'll try and get chapter three up soon!