Disclaimer: I don't own Ranger's Apprentice or anything from the books.

A/N: Chapter one revision is finally done. Let me know what you think!


~1~

Sasha sat at the end of the long wooden table watching her ward mates pick at their food with mild amusement. All of the orphans were too nervous to even think about eating. The dark haired girl supposed they did have a valid reason, tomorrow being one of the most important days of their young lives. It was the Choosing Day, an annual event where all fifteen year old wards decided the trade they would practice for the rest of their lives. Personally, Sasha didn't know how they could waste such fine food even if they were nervous. The baron of Meric was a kind man and had obviously tried to make their last meal as wards an enjoyable one. The girl did not intend to let his kindness go to waste, heaping everything she could possibly reach onto her plate. The massive pile of food drew some stares from the others but Sasha didn't care.

Just as she put a bite of succulent roast venison in her mouth, Mary decided to pester her. "How can you be so calm Sasha?" she asked in her mousy voice. Annoyed, the young girl turned her storm gray eyes on the petite blonde, wondering why the damned girl always tried making conversation when her mouth was full.

After chewing a bit more Sasha shrugged. "I just don't think about it," she replied around a mouthful of food. Truth be told, the young orphan was just as apprehensive, if not more so, than the others. She had no ambitions, no real skills to offer. The baron would probably choose her to be nothing more than a scullery maid for the rest of her life. Once, not long ago she was in training for a great and noble calling in her homeland, but that was all gone now. The girl shook herself out of her reverie, noticing Mary opening her mouth to ask another question. However, to Sasha's great relief, at that moment she was startled into silence by the door flying open.

Unfortunately, that relief was short lived. Sasha felt a sinking feeling when she heard those familiar heavy footsteps approaching from behind. Aaron the ward bully, and his two cronies strutted through the door as if they were the king and his court. With their entrance all the chatter in the room died away and everyone became extremely fascinated by their dinners.

The great brute swaggered over to the table and shoved the boy beside Sasha out of his seat, causing his watered down ale to splatter the bully's shoe. Aaron's smirk quickly turned into a scowl of outrage. "How dare you!" he shouted at the cowering boy, brandishing his wet boot in his face. The poor lad was nearly crying in terror, Aaron was nearly twice his size and had a reputation for being violent when angered. Sasha stiffened at the spectacle unfolding before her, unsure of what to do. After a few moments she decided to let the scene unfold by itself, Aaron would soon turn his attention to her anyway. There was no sense in making things worse for herself. At least, that's what she thought to assuage the prick of guilt.

Luckily for the boy Aaron didn't seem too interested in tormenting him tonight, letting the lad off with a half-hearted kick and a warning to watch his back.

Sasha however, was not so lucky. She stiffened as the bully leaned uncomfortably close to her against the table. Deciding to make the first move and get this over with, Sasha turned to her tormentor. "May I help you?" she asked sweetly, giving the great blonde brute her most dazzling smile.

He raised his eyebrows. "Hmm well, let me think," the bully scrunched up his face and tapped his chin, making a great show of it.

Like an intelligent thought ever crossed through that woolen brain of his, mused Sasha darkly.

Several moments later he loudly exclaimed, "Ah, I have it!" The bully grinned mischievously and leaned even closer to Sasha, his face mere inches from hers. "You're in my seat," he whispered.

He was so close, it would be too easy to claw out those pretty blue eyes of his. But Sasha reined in her temper, just as she had done every day for the past year. Even at 15 Aaron and his posse all towered at least a head above her. There was no sense in picking an unwinnable fight.

Swallowing her pride, the dark haired girl gave Aaron another dazzling smile. "Oh, I am so sorry! I did not realize this was your seat!" she exclaimed, false sincerity dripping from every word.

Sasha grabbed her food and turned toward the opposite end of the table, praying that would be all for tonight.

"Now, hold on darlin'," Aaron drawled. "Did I say we were done here?"

Sasha's skin began to crawl at the term of endearment. She turned stiffly to see the bully patting the bench beside him with an inviting smile.

"No, but I am done here," she retorted coldly before turning to walk off. Unfortunately, Aaron's two brutish friends quickly blocked her path of escape.

The girl shot them her most piercing glare before turning with as much dignity as possible and sitting back down next to Aaron. She stiffened in shock when the bully put his hairy apelike arm around her and gave a light squeeze. "See, now isn't this cozy," he exclaimed with mock delight.

Sasha did her best to ignore him, staring straight ahead and wishing she could sink into the wooden bench. The girl couldn't help but feel a flutter of fear in her belly, he had never done this before.

Aaron turned his attention to the heaping plate of food, now growing cold on the table. "Well someone was hungry tonight," he said with amusement.

"Not anymore," Sasha mumbled through clenched teeth, still acutely aware of the bully's arm draped casually over her shoulders.

"Oh, well in that case you won't mind if I take it?" he asked innocently. "I do work up quite an appetite preparing to train as a knight, you know."

Sasha gave him a smile that was no more than a baring of teeth. "Why of course not," she said airily before trying to shrug his arm off and make an escape.

In response the brute tightened his grip, obviously enjoying her discomfort at being trapped. "So eager to leave already. Didn't your mother ever teach you any manners?" he said with brows drawn down in disapproval.

Panic began to close the girl's throat. "Didn't your mother teach you not to harass women?" she retorted, hating the small quiver of fear in her voice.

Aaron chuckled at the insult. "Feisty tonight aren't we?" He said, giving her shoulder another squeeze. "I do like my women with a bit of spark in them," he stated with a wink, nearly causing Sasha to vomit up what little dinner she had eaten.

Catching her look of revulsion, the bully placed his hand over his heart. "You wound me, my fair lady!" he exclaimed. "A foreigner such as you should be honored to be with a fine gentleman like myself. Isn't that so?" he asked, giving her a menacing grin.

Sasha was beyond caring about her pride now, her only thoughts were bent on escape. "O-of course," she replied shakily. Hoping if she agreed he would finally let her go.

"Now that didn't sound very convincing, my dear," Aaron scolded. "I'm going to need a little more enthusiasm than that." Sasha finally turned to look at him, seeing in those soulless blue eyes just how much he was enjoying this.

It took a moment to swallow her rage and fear. "Of course," she replied more steadily.

Aaron grinned but still did not release his hold. "Words are all well and good, love" he paused for dramatic effect, "but it's going to take more than words to convince me." He said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Sasha recoiled in horror and again tried to struggle out of his iron grip, but to no avail. She looked beseechingly around the roomed for aid but the other wards were all engrossed in their plates, Sasha would receive no help from them. The bully squeezed her tight to his side to keep her still, then grabbed her chin and turned the girl's face toward him. "Now, now. There's no need to panic. All I require of you is a simple kiss, then we can be done." He smiled beatifically, as if he were giving her a great gift.

Sasha wanted to throw up. She hated being at his mercy, despised being afraid of him. But he had never acted like this before and she had no idea how to react. But, she supposed a simple peck would not be too painful, if it would free her from this hellish nightmare. The dark haired girl took a gulp of air to steady her nerves, leaned in and gave her tormentor the lightest of kisses. However, just as her lips touched his, the great brute grabbed the back of her head and clumsily forced her to kiss him in earnest. A small whimper of shock and revulsion escaped as she felt his mouth cover hers. The girl reached out for something, anything she could use to defend herself. Finally, she managed to grab something from the table and slammed it into the side of Aaron's face with as much force as she could muster.

The bully recoiled in shock as blood began to drip down his face, as if he couldn't quite believe what just happened. Sasha, fueled by pure terror, sprang up and bolted for the door. One of the other bullies attempted to grab her but she was nimble and easily dodged out of the way.

"You bitch!" Sasha heard Aaron scream as she flew out the door and into the welcoming arms of the night.

A few hours later the orphan returned, rather shakily, to her cot and lay sleeplessly in the dark until morning.