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Disclaimer: I don't own the Study series, Ixia or any of the rest of it ok??

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- Gabbiehannah xx.

I looked out the window of the cottage, I could see Lake Allora from where I stood unpacking my belongings, I sighed as a tear escaped, if all went 'well' then this would be my second last night in the Territory of Ixia.

My maid, Tantia looked up at me, concern etched upon her face, 'Is something wrong ma'am?'

'No, but thank-you for your concern Tantia,' I replied solemnly.

That night I went to sleep early, the traveling had been tedious and long; it was a three-day journey from the castle to Allora Lake. I also wanted to be awake and not sleep-deprived tomorrow when I go to visit my secret weapon, the reason why I had chosen Allora Lake.

The next morning I woke early, my maid heard me busying around and woke as well, she helped me dress in light casual pants, I could wear them horseback but I could also still look feminine. I wore a long-sleeved shirt, we were in the cooling season and it was rather cold around the Lake.

'Where are we going today ma'am?' Tantia asked politely, as my maid she had to accompany me wherever I went, a bit of a downside but I would work around it discreetly.

'We are going to visit someone of historical importance,' I declared.

'I apologize, but I do not understand,' Tantia said.

'During my classes I stumbled upon the name of a man from the past and I wish to visit him while I stay in the area,' it was true enough, I said to myself, feeling guilty for lying to the grandmotherly-like maid, she had always been so sweet.

'Always trying to broaden your knowledge aren't you my dear?' Tantia asked with a fond smile.

'Yes, now for breakfast, it is a shame Sammy isn't here to cook for us, he is a rather delightful cook, would you agree Tantia?' I asked, Sammy was the head cook back at the castle, he had been working there ever since the Commander's rule. He was a funny guy and he told the most peculiar stories, but never to me, I had the feeling he didn't like me very much although I can't think of anything I done to him personally.

'Sammy is a wonderful cook, and I agree breakfast is in order,'

After much arguing Tantia did allow me to help her in the kitchen, we prepared sweet cakes, enough for ourselves and the whole of my guard, seven young, inexperienced soldiers. We ate as much as we could before I told the soldiers where I wished to go they agreed, and promptly set up to leave.

After only an hour of riding we stumbled upon the house I was looking for, it was one-story, had gray bricks and a sturdy wooden door the roof was made of slated tiles and the little garden out the front was rather quaint.

I slid off my horse, a roan chestnut, her name was Noralia, I then proceeded to the front door where I knocked, awaiting the person whom was hopefully at home to answer.

'Hello?' the person who answered immediately struck me as looking like a rabbit, he had a huge grin on his face and he had dark hair.

'Hello, sorry to call upon you without notice but I wish to talk with you, would that be agreeable?' I asked as politely as I could while excitement was running through me.

'M-most certainly!' this man seemed unbelieving or uncertain.

'Tantia, please wait outside,' I said to my maid, I didn't want her in here.

'Madam?'

'Please?' I asked.

'Yes, ma'am,' Tantia replied, although she looked very disapproving.

'Come in, come in,' the rabbit man said, I followed his orders and sat down on a very plush couch, he too sat down, across from me. His home was very military style, but comfortable, it didn't scream opulence though.

'Thank you for inviting me in, I know this is unexpected and probably rather awkward for you but I have a proposition for you. One that I had hoped that you would help me carry out, I am trusting you, if you are in disagreement then you will most certainly tell the authorities and I will be executed for insubordination but I am willing to take that chance, are you?' I asked, I wanted to get to the point right away and not waste time on pleasantries. 'My name is –'

'Elaina, I know. Oh boy, do I know,' the man cut me off, he knew my name!! He knew my name!

'H-how do you know my name?'

'You're a spitting image of your mother, your sapphire blue eyes are your father's though.' The man mused, I was stunned, and this man knew my parents! Could he? Or was he just trying to earn my trust? 'I know your name, my dear, because I was your parents' friend.'

'How can you be sure I was your friends' daughter?'

'Because like I said before, you are your mother incarnate, but with your fathers eyes,' he said.

'Who are you?'

'You don't know? But how is it you found me? I thought you already knew all this? I know after your parents died the monarchy took you in, I watched to see what would happen, but nothing did. Did they keep you in the dark or didn't they know? Wow, I didn't think I would have to explain all of this, I was going to come get you when you came of age and explain everything, but now you're here so I may as well, but will you believe me? Well there was always the risk of you never believing me I suppose but your only fourteen. Only fourteen, who am I kidding I haven't properly seen you since you were five,' this man rambled on and on. I couldn't make much sense of it because he said it so fast; I did pick up that he knew me though.

'Sorry, but I still don't know who you are,' I said.

'Elaina, my name is Janco, I was one of your father, Valek's second-in-commands, so was my best mate Ari, we served your father and were best friends with your mother, Yelena.'