I looked at my room again before leaving. Everything seemed to be in place. Bading farewell to Binks I left my room, walking in an unhurried gait, enjoying the richness of the hallway decorum, the tranquil evening air, the trees, the lawns. Everything looking picturesque and superior to anything I'd ever seen.

"Today was a wonderful day." I thought to myself, "And just think four days with Cal. God he is so cute. I just adore his hair and his butt and his…." I kept thinking these thoughts until at last I came to the dining hall. Upon entering I walked to my usual table.

"Hello everyone. Miss me?"

"Not a bit." Terri replied, grinning and giving me a hug.

"Lots." Adara rasped. Giving her a questioning look Aurelia answered, "She has laryngitis."

"My lovely sister and I missed you terribly and will miss you when you are away all those days. But you can't sit here tonight." Adrienne said, not smiling and everyone else nodded in agreement, all looking completely serious.

"WHAT? WHY? WHAT HAVE I DONE?" I said, screaming and completely freaking out.

"You can't because Cal asked you to sit with him. Now can anyone remember exactly what he said?" Demetria said, taunting with a large smile stretched across her face.

"Why I do believe he said," Flynn started, keeping me in suspense, while I began to pout.

"Will you send the sweet, lovely, enchanting Tierney to sit with me?" Adrienne and Aurelia recited together before collapsing in a giggling pile. I could feel my face changing from a pout to an embarrassed strangled look.

"And dear, don't pout it makes you look like a squashed tomato!" Adara called as I walked towards Cal's table. When he spotted me coming he grabbed the guy next to him by the collar and jerked his thumb towards an empty chair at the end of the table.

"Tierney! Sit her my sweet." He called. As I sat down he leaned over and caught my unsuspecting mouth in a delicious kiss. I did the only thing in my mind when he'd drawn back. I smiled dumbly and sat down, serving myself some food. Roast Chicken, potatoes, beans and rolls.

"Tierney I'd like you to meet some of my yearmates, whom are my dearest friends. That fool down there is Thomas of Yarrow, Mitchell of Blanchard, Andrew of Berian, Elijah of Bluebane, and last but certainly not the least my cousin the impossible pain in the ass, Nolan of Corian." He looked like he was about to keep talking but someone else, Elijah, butt in.

"So you are going to the tournament eh?" he asked. I nodded in response, not stopping my eating, for I was ravenous.

"You'll be meeting up with my sister Kelly of Bluebane. Good luck. She's tough. In fact Cal usually loses against her although he won't admit it.

"Well I can beat Cal so maybe I can beat her too." I said, rubbing my forehead because I had an intense headache that had just started.

"Tierney, would you be so kind as to come with me to testify against Quinian. You too Cal." Upon hearing Brahm's voice from behind me I jumped straight up in the air and dropped my tea all over Nolan's lap.

"So sorry Nolan!" I cried but quickly followed Brahm from the dining hall, grumbling about the fact that my dinner had been interrupted. Cal got to his feet stumbling over everyone else's feet. Walking quickly to keep up with Brahm Cal came up to me and whispered in my ear, "You know if you get Quinian expelled you'll have to find a new enemy. Then where is the fun in that my sweet?"

"If you two lovebirds would quit whispering in each other's ears than I can explain what we're going to do. Tierney, you will simply explain to King Roald what Quinian did. Now Quinian will be there, as well as Cal and myself, so tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. No stretching it, bending or completely re-doing it. Just tell it like it happened. Understand?"

"Yes by your very descriptive definitions of what I should and shouldn't say I think any half wit could have understood it too." I answered him tartly.

"Mind your manners. I can still give you extra HOURS of work, like scrubbing saddles or shining swords." Brahm replied, trying not to smirk. Brahm rapped on the large door in front of us once and then flung it open. It appeared to be the King's study. The three of us walked up to his desk and bowed, then sat in the seats he waved to.

"Quinian of Cagney you are charged with cheating in a refereed duel. Do you accept or deny these charges?" King Roald asked Quinian in a slow, bored manner.

"Deny. She tripped over her feet. It was quite funny actually. She doesn't belong here but of course we ALL know exactly why she was accepted don't we? I mean I suppose ANYONE could get in if their mother did the King a little 'favor', hmm?" Quinian replied. Rage hit me in full force. But luckily Cal grabbed my shoulders before I could jump him.

"SILENCE! That is slander against the King. I'll take care of the impudent little brat Your Majesty." Brahm said roughly grabbing Quinian's shoulders.

"I wouldn't touch the King's bastard son like that Brahmie. After all that does make me nobler doesn't it? Don't try to deny it father since you admitted it quite willingly to my grandfather. You even signed a contract and had someone marry my mum to make it look good an proper. Well your little secret's out now. Just can't keep your hands off those Yaminis huh? I agree quite readily. They do have great shapes." He said, sending an intent stare up and down my body.

"First of all son, of course I admitted to your mother. We were engaged until SHE decided not to marry me. I have never, ever received a 'favor', as you so kindly put it from the noble Lady of Queenscove. Next keep your opinions to yourself. Now, everything said in this here room is to be kept silent. You Quinian will have three weeks of suspension helping in the stables. You are to stay away from Lady page Tierney of Queenscove. If you bother her again you will be suspended. This is your warning. Also if any of you breathe a word of this to ANYONE you will pay the price. The kingdom would never live down the shame. You are all dismissed." When the King had finished his speech I bowed and left with Cal on my tale.

"Since we missed desert want to have it in the gardens?" Cal asked hopefully. I smiled and replied "Sure. I'll meet you there in a half and hour ok?" He nodded and bounded off in the direction of the kitchens. I went to the mailroom and got my mail. A letter from Uncle Dom and mom and dad. I decided to read Uncle Dom's first.

Dear Tierney,

Or should I say 'Dear Lady Page Tierney of Queenscove? Seems to be an awfully long title for a girl your age. Anyway how is Knight school so far? Met any nice young gentlemen? I heard from Lord Raoul that his two daughters are at school with you. Perhaps you know them. Their names are Adrienne and Aurelia of Goldenlake. OK now that we've talked about the social aspects we can actually talk about the interesting items.

What is the name of your horse and what does he or she look like? How are you liking your classes? Are they harder or easier than you expected? Well, I'd write more but the messenger is leaving. I want a reply back within a week. Charge it to you Dad's account signed 'With Love, Dom'. If you don't reply I'll have Adrienne of Goldenlake after you. I hear she's just like her father --Quite the tyrant!

Love Always,

Uncle Dom

Well that was a nice letter I thought to myself as I opened my parents' letter. It contained two separate letters, one from each. I read my father's first.

My Darling Meatheaded Daughter,

Not even a week away and I've already received three letters from the school. One from a healer, one from a Sir Aiden of Brahm and one from a Mistress Shang. Mayhap you could offer up explanation to any of these but I'm not going to give you that chance. The one from the healer expressed that you've already had two visits to the healing wing. Both from fights that were broken up by teachers. And both required actual healing not just a bump or a scrape but a broken nose and a concussion. Furthermore Sir Brahm informed me that they were both with the same person. Quinian of Cagney, I know his father and mother both brutes so I want you to be careful. He hurts you with teachers in plain view and there's no telling what he might do alone! ALWAYS keep someone with you. Someone who can protect you if the need arises. And Adara doesn't count! Mistress Shang's letter and part of Brahm's were about the fights. The other part of Brahm's was about the fact that you are entering a tourney tomorrow. I can quite clearly say that I am very pleased with this but do be careful in Corus. A lot of scum hangs around the city waiting for an innocent to walk by. But you are in luck I didn't tell your mother any of the bad things that have happened or she'd be on her way to fetch you. Study hard and goodluck.

Love always,

Your adoring Father

PS, I sent the bruise balm to the healer to make sure it got there unharmed. Go and collect it before you go. This summer Alanna has agreed to teach you how to make it since it is quite clear to me that you will be using a lot of it over the next four years.

Hmph. He always find out about the bad things.

My Darling Daughter,

I hope you are doing well so far. You father informed me that you had a bit of an accident. Tripped on the way to class or something. Dear you must learn to be more graceful. Please try harder darling for men don't look for a klutz when seeking a bride. Well must dash or I'll be late for a glaive match.

Love,

Lady Yuki of Queenscove

A/N: I think I'll stop here and leave you anxiously awaiting dessert in the garden! Never said I was a nice person!

~*AnnaBeth*~