Combat training was one of the hardest things that Arnold had ever done in his whole life. Sweat poured out of his pores in floods and by the time the sun set he was so weak he couldn't stand without the support of Brainy and Gerald. Helga meant it when she said that she wasn't going to go easy on him. She nearly beat him into mud as she furiously slashed and bashed at him. He knew it was for his own good, but the small gash in his arm still burned with his sweat.

When Phoebe came in with the scraps of food she rushed forward setting the tray down and took up his arm forcefully.

"Wow, she's strong." He thought as the force of her action nearly knocked him off his seat."

"Helga! What did you do to the poor kid?" she asked looking over at the blonde.

Helga looked over the small girl with wide eyes and open mouth "What makes you think that it was me that did it?" Phoebe gave her a looked and Helga cracked a grin "Okay yeah it was me, but the kid had to learn Phoebe. It's learn now or die later."

"She's right babe," Gerald said slinging an arm around her shoulders and kissing the top of her head gently "If he doesn't learn how to block and dodge now that big head of his is as good as gone."

Arnold tried not to shake and show his fear. It wasn't so much that the fact that they were talking about his possible decapitation, that he had come to expect. No what scared him more was the fact that they mentioned the fact as casually as they would mention the weather.

"Any news from the palace?" Curly asked in the curiously

"The queen asked me to give you this." Phoebe said untangling a small roll of parchment from her braid and slipping it almost unnoticeably into his hands. "She is a little stressed at the moment I am afraid. WE have been given word that the daughter of a Praetor from Hillwood City will be brought to the palace and trained as the queen's lady in waiting."

"In other words she is going to be the emperors play thing." Helga said with a touch of disgust in her voice "I almost feel sorry for the girl."

"Almost?" Gerald laughed

Helga smirked and tossed her hair from the left side of her face where a thin but jagged scar ran down her jaw line. Arnold gaped at it and wondered to himself how something so horrible could look so beautiful on the girl. "She could have at least tried to fight her way out I did."

"We don't all have your strength." Brainy said ruffling the blonde's hair. The men laughed heartily and drank deeply from their tankards.

"So when's our next fight?" Harold asked

"Tomorrow morning around ten." Phoebe said standing up "Which brings me to our next order of business."

They all leaned in curiously and she broke into a small smile. "The new lady in waiting will be arriving tomorrow and the emperor wants to make sure we give a good first impression. So tonight you will be allowed to go to the baths."

A little cheer sounded from the group and they all stood when Phoebe motioned for them to follow. Arnold stayed put in his seat a blush creeping up his neck. The only baths Phoebe could possibly be talking about were in the Tower. A very public tower at that.

"What's the matter newbie?" Harold teased looking over his shoulder at him "scared of a little nudity."

Arnold blushed furiously and looked down at his feet. He wasn't such a shy guy, after all he bathed in the bath houses back home all the time. But the thought of bathing in front of this band of intimidating people, particularly a certain blonde, seemed too daunting a task. He would rather be thrown into the arena at that moment.

He was shaken out of his thoughts when a small hand clasped his own and tugged playfully. Her blue eyes were shining with mischief and her barely there smile sent his heart into a frenzy "Don't worry Football Head, I'll be right beside ya' the whole time."

His eyes widened at the implication in her voice and some of the boys behind him whistled and the others simply muttered incoherently. She pulled him out the gates and looped her arm around his. "Are you coming or not boys?" She shouted behind her.

The rest all looked at each other and chuckled. Things were going to get very interesting for the newbie.

*I know it is has been over a year I believe. Holy crap! And I wish I could say I have a good excuse but really I was just suffering from writers block and working my ass off at work. Which worked seeing as I got two promotions in less than a year! Anyway I will try to update within the next two weeks but no promises. Enjoy this chapter and don't forget to comment.