As the door closed she spun and fell to the bed. The mattress was so soft and fluffy. The pillows were so comfortable and everything smelled so fragrant and inviting. She wanted to sink into its silky scents forever. The material was comfortable and soft to the touch. After a few happy moans Catalea realized that she had no time to enjoy her surroundings. Rising from the bed she made her way to the cherry wood door that she'd been told was the bathroom. The door opened without a sound. Her eyes widened at the sight. The bathroom was as elegant as the bedroom, with a large marble tub, gold handles and faucet. The deep purple walls and towels accented everything.

Looking at the large tub she turned the knobs and let the water fill the tub. Silently she began to unbutton her white blouse until it hung of her shoulders. and black slacks and turned to look in the mirror. She had scars on her chest and her back from her training, where rapiers had cut and poked at her by various opponents. Her mind she could hear the taunts and teasing of those who never believed that she could be a knight, let alone one training to be in the royal court. Silver-grey eyes glossed over as she fought the tears that came.

She covered her chest as she removed her undergarments and stepped into the tub. the steam rose up from the top of the tub as she sunk in. Sweet lavender from the soap bubbled about her. The ache from her body began to meld away as the hot water soothed her worn muscles. She soaked for a few moments, relishing the relief she felt from her travels, her search for a master and a school willing to teach her, hone her skills. She had trained every waking moment to be the best, and she was determined to be the finest. Now she was finally in a place that could help move her towards her goals, with a master that saw some potential in an otherwise unruly girl. She hadn't had a good night's sleep in years. Slowly, her eyes began to close and she drifted off to sleep.

Sieghart had been pacing about wondering why he'd taken this girl in and given her the room beside his. It was like something else had taken control of his mind and made him follow whatever would be in her best interests. Looking at Alfredo, he frowned, "What's taking her so long?"

"She is a lady. Perhaps she wishes to be appropriate for her new classmates."

Annoyed he stormed up to her room. The door was shut and he knocked. "Miss de Lioncourt?" he said trying to maintain his composure, "Miss Catalea de Lioncourt?" A sudden burst of panic engulfed him as the possibility that something may have hurt her came to his mind. "Miss Lea?" he knocked again and went inside. He looked about the room, "LEA?" he called seeing no sign of her even having been there. "Could she have left without a word?" his head sunk with a sense of sadness, "Why would she have even come if she was going to just leave." With a sigh he went to check the bathroom to see if she was still in the bath. The door was locked, "Miss Lea?" he called but no sound came. He pushed the door but it wouldn't budge. Sieghart sighed. "I'm going to have to break it down." Rolling up his sleeves he braced to run into the door. Using his right shoulder he rammed it and it opened, splintering a bit. She was in the tub, unconscious. Sieghart rose, holding his arm and bearing the pain he went to her.

"She's breathing…" he said relieved, "Lea…" he gazed upon her face, covered in steam and sweat. She wasn't ugly, and now that the dirt had been washed from her flesh she seemed just a normal female. Maybe a bit more than normal. She had been in the tub a while. The bubbles had all gone. "Lea…" he said again but she didn't respond. Standing he reached into the tub and picked her up, drenching himself in the process. He tried to avert his gaze from her as he grabbed a towel and draped it over her body. He moved her to her bed laying her upon the covers. He ran to get another towel and started to dry her hair not wanting her to end up with pneumonia, taking care not to open the wound at the back of her head.

She groaned and opened her silver-grey eyes, her gaze going to the person beside her, drying her hair. "Master Sieghart?" she jumped holding the towel to her scared body, "I… You…" her face flushed and heat rose to her flesh. "What are you doing here?"

"You passed out." he said grey eyes serious, "I had to break the door down to find you."

"I," she looked about, "Am I truly that late?"

"No. There's time but I was…." he cleared his throat. "I wanted to be sure you were adjusting." he stood up, "I'll leave you to dress and prepare. Please meet me outside your room."

Sieghart found his way out and went to his chambers to change as he was soaking wet as well. He changed quickly and made his way back to the hall to wait for her.

Too much time had been wasted. She leaped up and did her best to dry off even though she was exhausted. Wrapping the towel around her she went to the closet. She opened it up and saw nothing but gowns of all shapes, colors and sizes. She sifted through, unsure of what she should put on. Some of them were beautiful, fit for a princess to the point she thought most were too formal. She chose a black and white gown that fit straight down her legs. She slipped on a new pair of black slippers and brushed her hair into a pony tail down her back. There was a knock on the door as she tied the bow.

"Catalea?" Sieghart entered, "I've been waiting for you for a…" he stopped and looked at her through the looking glass. "You clean up very nicely. I hope everything is to your liking."

"More than I could ever need Master," she curtsied as best she could, "Simple clothing would have been more than enough for me."

"But not what a lady would need," he objected, "I've dressed you to be a lady of the household. The lady of my household. I hope you understand what that entails…"

"No Sir?" she was perplexed, and shook her head, "I was always surrounded by males. I had no mother…" she stopped herself, realizing she should not show her weakness in front of her master.

"Hmm…" he scratched his chin, wanting to inquire further but decided against it. He reached his hand out and bowed, "My lady, shall I escort the young mistress to lunch?"

Her cheeks flushed as he approached her and took her by the arm. He led her out the black and gold doors and down the stairs. Before she knew it, she was in the dining room with several of the other pupils, all young boys between the ages fourteen and twenty-four, training beneath the great Sieghart. Multiple eyes looked at her in her black gown and several tried to hold back their snickers. Sieghart sat her beside him at the head of the table and all the boys sat down after. Everyone stared unmoving.

"Before we eat I'd like to introduce the newest member to our family. Catalea of the house of Lioncourt. She is a skilled swordsman and I believe will be a valuable asset to this household."

"But she's a girl…" a small blond finally blurted.

"Pardon me?" Lea looked over to see who it was but they all stared blankly. She was about to rise but a warm hand on her thigh kept her sitting. It took every effort not to turn crimson in front of these judgmental males. She looked at him and he silently asked her to save face and let him handle the situation.

"Would one of you like to skip this meal?" Sieghart asked and was met with nothing but silence, "Very well, how about all of you…" he rose from the table and took Lea's hand, "Catalea and I will have lunch in the gardens…The rest of you will begin drills right away. Please clear the table for these ill mannered delinquents."

Her eyes widened. Though she kept her gaze upon her Master as he spoke, she could feel the hatred of the males penetrating her senses. Sieghart squeezed and made her rise to follow him out of the dining room. Her face was bright red by the time they were back in the foyer.

"You handled yourself well," he smiled at her, "I won't let them take advantage of you. Let's go enjoy lunch in the shade…"

"Thank you Master Sieghart," she smiled realizing that he would be her only friend through all this.

"Don't call me that…." He expressed that he didn't like the formality, "Just call me Sieghart…"

They walked through the back of the castle and into the gardens. The boys were already back training and were sore having lost out on lunch. Lea tried not to pay them any attention but focused solely on her master. He pulled her seat and they sat beneath a beautiful oak, its leaves bright green and shining in the sun light.

"How is your arm Sir Sieghart?"

"Perfectly fine now."

Alfredo came in with a decanter of red liquid that she could only guess was wine. He took the two glasses and poured wine for them.

"I don't drink…" she admitted, "I never have…" She looked away ashamed.

Not wanting to make her too uncomfortable he nodded, "Please Miss de Lioncourt, enjoy the luxuries I will provide!" Sieghart brought the glass to her, "Celebrate the first day of your new life…"

She took a sip of the crimson liquid in the glass and tilted her head. It was bitter but still had a slight sweetness to it. She looked at her master and smiled. He was very handsome and sweet. She wondered why hadn't she noticed this before? There was something about those crystal clear grey eyes that drew her in. That night black hair with wisps of violet passing though like lightning. She wanted to touch his face…Feel the warmth of his skin on hers. She smiled impishly.

"Miss Lea?" He brought her from her reverie, "Please… Eat.."

They ate silently and she drank more wine. Sieghart explained to her how the routines of the school and what she would be learning. She was too caught up in his sultry voice and the mess of hair upon his head to pay heed. She kept drinking, bringing crimson liquid to her lips throughout their meal. Her head began to spin a little and her face felt even more flushed than before. By the time Sieghart realized she had had too much she as bit more than tipsy.

"Oh my, I should have paid more attention since she said she had never drank." he thought, "I'm going to have to take care of her now." he frowned confused over why he cared so much for her well being. If any of the boys had gotten drunk in his presence he'd have been kicked from the school.

"Miss Lea. You seem tired. I'm sure you just need some rest. Let me take you to your rooms."

"I'm fine," She hiccoughed, "I can get back to my room just fine!" She stood up and she swayed to the right and started to walk sideways, falling over. He caught her and lifted her into his embrace. She fit so perfectly into his arms, unlike anything he had ever touched. Heat rose to his cheeks as he blushed, feeling her body against him, he tried to quell the human urges inside him.

"Lea," he looked at her red face, her eyes were closed and she was breathing heavy. He sighed. "At least she won't protest this time." He carried her upstairs and laid her in her bed. Pulling the covers he went to tuck her in so she wouldn't catch cold. Suddenly silver hues opened and her hands reached up to his waist, grabbing him and pulling him on top of her.

"Master… please…" her eyes were wide and pleading and he was frozen unable to make a move. She gently pulled him down pulled him down so they were nose to nose, "Honor me with your lips upon mine…" She pleaded and she wasted no other words. Lea pressed her lips to his, parting slightly to gently suck on his lower lip. He was caught in the moment and his tongue reached and pushed between her lips, seeking hers, dancing with it, caressing it. He brought his hand to her face, loving the feel of her soft skin. He felt her calloused hand against his face and realized…

"LEA!" he was swift and jumped off her maintaining his distance from the bed, "CATALEA snap out of it!"

She looked at him heartbroken; her eyes were filled with tears, "Master? Have I not pleased you?"

"I…" he was trying to contain the feeling building up in his loins, "This isn't right…"

"But you bed anything with a pulse…" she replied, "I… would be honored…"

"You're obviously not in your right mind right now." he frowned, "I'm so sorry I didn't pay more attention. I'm just… used to women…" he cut himself off. Had he been imposing his womanizing ways on this young girl? He turned away from her.

"Sieghart. Don't leave." she pleaded.

"I have to. You're in danger around me right now." he brought his hand to her forehead and caressed her gently trying to express his mistake, "You're not like the other women, nor will I allow you to be. I promise you that. I would stake my life on that."

She was breathing deeply, indicating she was asleep. sighing in relief Sieghart covered her fully and left the room, closing it gently behind him.