It has been 2 months since Alistair's arrival. Except for Jevin, all the inhabitants of the castle were openly welcoming and friendly. He had become close with Rory and Aiden. But Astrid was the one who became his best friend. They spent most of their free time together. They liked to watch the knights practice, helping with the animals or playing outside. At first Alistair was surprised by her boyish demeanor, but her quirky and enthusiastic nature quickly won him over. Now, he couldn't imagine her any other way. If she was a frilly female they would have nothing in common and he would feel lonely.

For this reason he enjoyed the few times Ser Burke directed him, during their lessons, to the Teryna. The Teryna and Nan taught the children decorum, table manners, and proper etiquette. When the two had to practice these skills with each other, Astrid seemed a little uncomfortable and annoyed by it all. Maybe even a little embarrassed. He didn't understand why, but he couldn't help but enjoy, at least a little, that for once she was the one who was ill at ease. She always relished in making him uncomfortable and seeing her unsure was rare. It amused him. Of all the things to be embarrassed about…

After these lessons Astrid would often complain to him about them and the fact that her mother and Nan insisted on going over these lessons again and again, that they were relentless. She would normally roll her eyes as she dramatically described the horrors these lesson were to her. The conversations never failed to produce to make him chuckle. It was rare for their time together not to end in fit of laughter.

Alistair said, "Aiden and Rory both had described their arms training in great detail, but I'd like to see it firsthand."

"Me too," Astrid said enthusiastically. "Hey, maybe we can meet here before our lessons and watch them train?"

"I'd like that. For some reason when I am on my own I don't seem to get out to the sparring yard early enough. You waiting for me should be all the initiative I need."

"It's settled then. We will meet here an hour before class."

Alistair nodded.

The next morning, he ate breakfast earlier than normal. He was on his way to the sparring ring before the bell tolled. Astrid greeted him with a smile. "Fergus and Rory are dueling under the direction of Ser Hughes." She pointed to their location. Aidan practiced against a wooden dummie called a quintain. It was essentially a heavy sack or dummie in the form of a human. It was hung on a wooden pole along with a shield. He had to hit the shield in its center. When hit, the whole structure would spin around and around. He had to maneuver away quickly without getting hit. "I've seen him get hit once already," she said gleefully.

Aiden must have heard her because he glowered at her for a moment.

It was interesting to see the different levels of experience. They had only watched fully trained knights practice. She could see that Aiden possessed finesse and the other two did not. But this early in his training his moves were still stiff and awkward. Astrid was mimicking Aiden's stiff movement and laughing. As a result, Aiden was wacked more than usual by the swinging dummy. This made his sister break down into a fit of giggles. The last time this occurred, she clapped for her brother in a mocking fashion, thoroughly enjoying herself. He scowled at her and gave her a warning look.

His trainer told him "if you could learn to ignore her it would be a useful. It would also make all her effort benefit you." This last statement made him snap to attention. He liked the idea of being one up his sister by ignoring her attempts to distract him. He nodded in agreement, but excused himself from his trainer for a moment. He walked over to Astrid his face a furious red but was wearing a smirk.

"Keep it up dear little sister and see what happens." There was no real malice in his voice but it definitely held a promise of retribution.

Astrid put her hands on her hips defiantly. "Oh," raising an eyebrow, "is that so? Hmmm I wonder what my dear brother," mimicking her brothers mocking tone, "has in store for me? I guess there is only one way to find out."

"Suit yourself, dear sister," he retorted flippantly, still smirking.

The change in Aiden's demeanor was remarkable. After he spoke to her he was able to discipline himself to an extent he never knew he could. She was still merciless, but everyone could see the determination on Aiden's face. After a short while, he became quite good at ignoring her taunts. It was apparent his trainer was pleasantly surprised by the change in the boy. It was a rare event for Aiden to put much effort into anything. He was not going to let this chance go to waste. He put the boy through his paces.

Astrid had caught Fergus's gaze a few times. He would shake his head and laugh. He was enjoying her mischief but had the discipline not to become distracted. Astrid let up on Aiden a little, while she watched Fergus and Rory who were putting on a good show.

"It's time for class." Astrid said as she took the lead. Alistair was behind her and caught Aiden's sigh of relief when he saw his sister leave. He chucked quietly to himself and Astrid asked him what was so funny.

"You and your brother." Motioning to her and Aiden; he didn't reveal Aiden's sigh of relief.

She smiled back at him before greeting Aldous and taking her seat, feeling victorious. She and her brother had an unspoken competition between them. They often pulled pranks on each other. Whoever pulled the best prank was the victor. They enjoyed these competitions, even though their antics normally earned a pretty brutal tongue lashing from Nan.

Alistair's handwriting had improved immensely. He was also making a decent dent into the books Ser Balen gave him. On account of this, his mentor was giving he daily drills him on the Code of Chivalry.

Astrid and Alistair went to the stables after their lesson. Astrid was feeding a horse a carrot, when they both heard Aiden's voice. "There you are, my troublesome little sister. Ready for your torture?," He smirked.

Astrid handed Alistair the last carrot. "Got to go," she said hurriedly. She was already running towards the safety of the castle before he could return the farewell.

Her brother was close behind her. The siblings laughed and shared light banter, while they weaved back and forth around obstacles. "Give up. You're too slow, brother."

"Yet I always seem to catch you." He lunged for her but she out maneuvered him by changing directions. Astrid squealed with delight energy pumping through her veins. Aiden attempted to cut her off from her path once more and almost crashed to the ground. "Andraste's arse," he muttered while trying to regain his balance.

His sister took a gasped and blushed. She had never heard her brother's curse before. They were both a little wild but there were certain things they just didn't do like curse front of anyone. She wiggled her finger back and forth at her brother while she giggled. "Tch, tch. You're lucky Nan or mother didn't hear you." He scanned the area and nodded sheepishly, grateful that not too many others had heard him. But his outburst gave him the opening he needed. He changed direction taking her unaware. He had her sleeve in his grasp but she was able to pull it free. Andraste's tits, I almost had her.

Everyone in the area had stopped what they were doing and thoroughly enjoyed the show. Ser Garret a kind older knight was posted by the door. He was shaking his head and quietly laughing when Alistair walked up to him.

"So what was the little spitfire's crime this time?"

"Distracting her brother while he trained… I don't think I've seen Aiden so serious and focused. He was determined not to let her undermine his training. His trainer was so pleased he was practically glowing," Alistair laughed.

Garret laughed with him, "Ser Hugh might want the girl around for all the young lords training sessions."

Alistair nodded and laughed in agreement.

"Never a dull moment with those two around."

"That's for sure," Alistair said gleefully.

"I wish more children of the nobility could forget themselves and just enjoy each other and their youth."

"Oh, have you worked for other families?" Alistair didn't think knights ever changed allegiances.

"Oh, no, I came to Highever when I was about your age and have been here every since. But, I often accompany the Teryn when he travels. There's considerably more rigidity and less gaiety at the homes of other noble families. You will see it yourself when the Howe's come for the First Day celebration."

To Alistair's dismay, the knight said no more on the matter.

Even though the older man spoke pretty freely with Alistair, it was clear he did not forget his place. It was not knightly to gossip. Instead he gave the boy insight into a different noble family, the king's no less. "Surprising as it may seem, the King and his son are the only nobles to possess easygoing natures that could rival the Couslands'.

"Really?" This came as a shock to Alistair. "Royalty are normally far from easygoing, right?"

He smiled. "Yes, normally. However, the king spent most of his youth on the run. Not the type of upbringing that makes someone haughty. Now, I've told you enough of the nobles' secrets for one day, off with you," he said good-naturedly. Alistair laughed and bid the knight farewell.

In a different part of the Castle…

Astrid could taste her victory. She just needed to get to the safety of her room and lock the door. Nan's appearance ruined her plans. Blasted. She quickly looked behind her and saw that her brother was almost upon her. Double Blasted. She quickly changed course and darted into her family's parlor. Ugh why do I have to be so weak? While she tried, she knew it was hopeless to attempt to bar her brother's entrance by sheer force. She decided to use her quickness instead. She darted from the door and made it to the safety of the other side of a large game table. She planned to lure her brother over to the far side of the room where the table was and make her escape back out the door. She was half way to the door when out of the blue she was tumbled to the ground. Her brother had her trapped on the rug tickling her mercilessly.

"Gotcha!" was the only thing he said while he flung himself over the settee to prevent his sister's escape. He managed to topple over the piece of furniture in the process and knock his sister to ground. He was grinning victorious, still marveling over his sister shocked look.

Between trying to catch her breath and fits of giggles, she struggled to utter a coherent sentence, "I can't believe…." Before she could finish her sentence, she heard her father's voice.

"What are you two wilds beasts up to, hmm?" The siblings stopped their rough housing and noticed they had an audience. "It's alright, Ser Galen. It just appears someone let some wild animals loose in the castle." Galen nodded to the Teryn barely able to hide his amusement. He walked in the room turned the toppled furniture upright before heading back to his post.

Nan however, was not amused. "Your Lordship, they are going to stay wild beasts unless they are taught not to be."

The wild beasts were quicker with their rebuttal than their father. The two exchanged a look then in unison said, "But we love you Nan." both now wearing their most angelic expressions. They heard their father's muffled laughter. Nan gave the Teryn a look that would have made lesser men crumble. He gave her a sweet and apologetic look that disarmed Nan. She huffed and shook her head before turning to leave. Their father walked up to Astrid. He swept her off the ground and placed her on his lap as he sat down on the settee. "So who started it this time?" Raising an eyebrow, looking upon both children.

"I started it Papa," Astrid said in a quiet voice.

Wild animals, maybe, but adorable ones. He looked down at his youngest with love, moved by her honesty. "Oh, what did you do?"

"I distracted him during his training," she said pointing to her brother. "He actually started to get good at ignoring me in the end." She added looking at Aiden with sisterly pride. Her father chuckled. Aiden nodded not trying too hard to hide his smug look.

"That doesn't explain the performance I just walked into."

This time Aiden spoke, "Payback."

"You had no part of this?" The Teryn was addressing the newcomer.

The younger siblings turned and saw Fergus standing in the doorway. He was listening in on his family with amusement. But his father's question took him by surprise, so he answered in a serious tone, "No father. I just knew what he'd planned for Astrid."

Bryce understood the pressure Fergus felt as the eldest and his heir. His features softened. "No," raising an eyebrow, "if you two had worked together, you could have made quick work of the little spitfire." This had the impact he wanted. His eldest's demeanor relaxed and he smiled at his father.

"Hey," Astrid said with a pout.

"Just give the little spitfire a head start," Bryce said while tickling her.

A woman's voice sounded in the room. "Spitfire indeed, I was in my room when I heard all this ruckus. I thought the castle was under attack." Eleanor meant to come in portraying the voice of reason. "I hope to see no more rough housing inside the castle," she said giving her two youngest children stern look.

"Yes Mama," they said quickly in unison.

Eleanor had trouble maintaining her stern look when she glanced upon her husband. He too looked at her remorsefully as if he too was a child being scolded. It made her laugh and her eyes sparkled while she and her husband gazed upon each other with smiles. She lightly grasped and squeezed her eldest son's shoulders. "And to think my own husband encouraged our only well behaved child to join his siblings in their mischief," she teased. She walked over to sit by her husband. "Next time I discover you to rough housing in the house you two will go to bed without supper." She raised a brow at her two youngest.

Astrid and Aiden nodded solemnly.

"Good." Her husband quickly whispered to her details of the recent events. She turned to her children. "Astrid, no more teasing your brother during his training. Your brother's own method of retaliation seems enough of a deterrent, yes? Or do I need to get involved next time?"

Astrid gulped, "No Mama, I understand."

"And for the love of the Maker, don't behave like this in front of other nobles."

Bryce laughed quietly, when he realized his wife meant him too, which only made him laugh harder.

Their children piped in with a unanimous, "Yes, Mama."

"We never act this way around other nobles," Astrid replied.

"Ah, there may be hope yet that you heathens will find respectable matches after all."

Astrid's belly ached after that comment, she looked down right indignant, especially when her mother added. "Not many respectable nobles take wildcats as their wives.

Bryce leaned over, and whispered to his wife, loud enough for the now sputtering spitfire on his lap to hear. "I did and if I remember correctly I had to fight off a few others for the honor."

Eleanor blushed. The boys both looked eager to learn what their father had said and they knew just who to ask. Astrid had gasped in shock, but her scowl was now a smug smile.

"What, tell us Astrid," Aiden asked, hoping his sister could spill the beans before she was hushed. However his quick witted mother put a hand over Astrid's mouth before she could utter a sound.

"You should know love, that I passed Nan on the way here. She was muttering something about wild animals. It took me a moment to realize she was speaking about my family." She leaned towards her husband and whispered, " She included you in that description." she whispered to her husband.

The Teryn laughed. "I don't doubt it."

"Nan loves us Mama. She might never admit it, but she does, even at our worst."

"Yes Fergus dear she does, but you four shouldn't push your luck."

"A fine point, Lady Eleanor." Nan was now standing in the doorway. The children smiled fondly at their nanny.

"You have five minutes before supper is to be served."

"Oh dear." The Teryna quickly stood and brushed her dress smooth before heading to the door.

The children quickly dashed out the door. Either they remembered how ravenous they were or maybe they were racing each other. Nan could never tell. "No running!" She commanded" The children immediately obeyed. She harpooned the smallest child. "You're going nowhere, little one, until I can make sense of that mop on your head." The boys looked back and saw their sister's look of horror and burst out laughing. Astrid scowled at them in return.

"Astrid, that is a most unbecoming scowl," said Eleanor.

"And it had no effect," she scoffed."

Her mother and Nan tugged on her hair. Nan brushed it with the brush she always had hidden in her pocket. Her mother was already putting one side of her hair back in pigtails. The two ladies had Astrid ready and looking presentable in less than a minute. Bryce locked arms with his wife's while Nan and Astrid followed behind them.