Before

Before.

Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce owns Tortall. I own the characters who you will not find in any of the pages in ANY of the Tamora Pierce books(except young Roald and Lianne)

A/N: some of you Australians or possibly Brits, may notice I have used the names the Aussie and British cricketer(past and present, state and county reps as well as international) into knights. Why? Because I felt like it so na-na!(p.s. I never meant to offend any Brits, but I'm a strong, patriotic Aussie, who likes my "boys" to win!!) The personalities of the characters are completely different to the real thing as I have just used the names. Anyone who is confused send me an email at madb@ihug.com.au Right, all settled, let's gooooooooooo……

Setting: 10-20 years before Alanna and the crew come along

Midsummer.

"Page Brett!" A stern, gray haired man, about 35 spoke sternly to a blond haired youth about 14

"Yes My Lord Chappell?" The boys voice was tentative, a little wary.

"Am I to believe that you fell down again?" Brett looked down at his tunic, which was covered in blood, dirt, hay and horse droppings.

"I did fall down."

"I think you were in a fight again. Possibly with a certain Squire Andrew of fief Caddick?"

"I fell down my lord.  Squire Andrew was not involved."

"Very well. Go and see the healers. That arm looks bad." Brett bowed to Lord Chappell and escaped. Once he was outside he lent on the door, exhausted.

"Brett, are you alright?" Another teen, about the same height as Brett, with dirty blond/brown hair, deep set eyes and a thin frame stood in front of Brett, blue eyes full of concern.

"I'm fine, that bastard Caddick though, boy, is he going to get it!"

"I take it you fell down again huh?"

"Nathan, how many times has he beaten you?"
Nathan's face clouded for a moment. "let's see, about 12. He likes you better, you're more padded than me."

Brett managed a weak laugh. Then he grimaced, a bolt of pain had struck through his arm.
 "Here, let me." It wasn't Nathan who spoke, it was an older man, about 20, the newly knighted Damien of Fleming Forest. He was a distant relative of the Conte's, and had the same features as them, sharp nose, blue diamond eyes, coal black hair and an ice blue gift.

"No!" Panted Brett, now drunk with pain. One look at Nathan convinced him he was going to be healed now. His best friend was the most stubborn of all the pages. He got it from his mother, Alexandria of Trebond.(Alanna's great Aunt)

Brett winced as the ice blue fire covered his arm. He hated the healing process. It seemed like a crutch, something for the weak to lean on. He didn't have it. Nor did Nathan, which was odd, for they both came from families known for their sorcerers and healers. The boys made up for it with their skill at weaponry.

"Argh!" A sharp jolt brought Brett back to earth.

"All done. That was some hard falling down you did lad." Sir Damien looked quizzically at Brett who blushed.

"It was Caddick, wasn't it?" Brett's blushed deepened.

"If you keep blushing Brett, you'll be the same colour as Mother's hair." Joked Nathan, who was rewarded with a sneer that only those of Lake Lee could produce.

"You going to be alright?" Damien's quizzical look changed to one of concern.

"I'll be fine, if the little Lord of Bracken Point doesn't make me over exert myself."
 "I dispute that, you're the one who always has to do everything right now, before anyone else!" Nathan rose to the bait Brett had given him with tremendous aplomb. Brett rolled his eyes at Damien, who shook his head and wandered off.

"Come, dear invalid, supper is soon, my stomach rumbles, and your pride, which is probably sore after falling down, is in need of replenishing, so how's about a game of chess?" Nathan watched his friend smile, knowing that he had picked Brett's favourite indoor game. Nathan however, hated chess, hated being indoors. He was shocking at chess. He clapped Brett on the shoulder and they went down the corridor, to the pages wing, where they would attempt to play a fair game of chess, where Nathan wouldn't fall asleep and Brett wouldn't help him get into tight spots.

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