Well, I read Squire several weeks ago, and it made me wonder about continuing this fic. I've decided to go ahead and finish as planned, but utilize some of the new characters from the book. :) There will be some similarities, and many differences, so think of it as an Alternate-Universe kind of thing, if you will. Also, I'm going to be on vacation without computer access for the next three weeks, so there will be no updates. (grr) However, I do most of my writing by hand initially, so I just *might* be able to work lots on the darn thing! (yay!)
A special thank you to those who've left feedback for this fic. Being new to the genre of non-anime fanfiction, I have to say that the feedback has really kept me going. I have some great readers out there who make me very happy! Goddess Bless every one of you!

Tortall and all of its inhabitants belong to Tamora Pierce, and are used with her (indirect) permission.

// - denotes thoughts

The Squire Years
Chapter 5: The Eve of the Battle

George Copper was as perplexed as they were over Joren's political tactics. "You mean t' tell me that he's promotin' peace in a battle simulation?" he asked incredulously.

Kel nodded. "It doesn't make any sense to me. What could Joren gain by immobilizing us?"

Then it dawned on her, as well as George and the others. She dropped her head in her hands. "Gods curse it--he would've won! He successfully wins the simulation if no one takes the palace. And if he knocks me out of the fight with his fancy speeches about peace, he limits the chances of Cleon succeeding, whether Cleon listens to Joren or not."

She felt Sir Sacherell's hand on her shoulder. "Don't feel badly, Kel. We all made the same mistake. I didn't realize the kid was that clever."

The baron, however, found the whole thing humorous; he was laughing so hard that tears were forming in his eyes. "Bless me, Crooked God, if that isn't the sneakiest thing I've ever heard!"

"Thank God we've decided to go against the agreed alliances and all that," Merric sighed, rolling his eyes.

"What?" George asked sharply, suddenly losing his jovial expression.

"We're bandits, thieves, hillmen, and renegades, sir. We don't have to necessarily follow our word," Yancen answered.

The baron sighed, digging his knife into the top of the fence-post. "You lads always get the wrong impression of the Rogue," he whispered, more to himself than to the group. "Certainly renegades and bandits wouldn't have t' honor their word--but many do. I'll let you do what you want, but remember that once you betray someone's trust, you're on your own. They're never goin' t' trust you again." He lowered his voice and gestured for the group to come closer to him. "I'll let you in on a secret. Most o' you can tell that I'm not noble-born and bred. I was a commoner back in th' days before his Majesty was th' king, and I was in th' court of th' Rogue. I was th' leader. But things started goin' sour, and someone was tryin' to use my men against me and against th' crown. I was friends with th' prince-soon to be king--and I had t' weigh my life in th' Rogue against my friendship with Jon. Lookin' back, I don't regret what I did, but I don't feel good about turnin' in a fellow thief, either. It went against th' Thieves' Rules--especially for th' King of the' Thieves. After I did that, I knew that there was no way I'd be able t' show my face in th' lowever city again. Th' Gods spared me from th' fate I deserved, and I was pardoned 'cause my actions saved th' crown. Otherwise th' thieves and pickpockets and everyone else who knew what I'd done would've been free to kill me. Th' way of th' thieves isn't always based on lies and false agreements. We live by our wits--which is what you young 'uns need to be doing right now."

Kel swallowed thickly, feeling more than insecure about her role as leader. Had she offended the baron? "I'm sorry, Sir, but it was the only way I could think of to keep the other two groups on their toes. I have made and agreement with our spy in the palace to get us in the war. And I'd like to eliminate Cleon's group as early as possible. I want to win the palace--I want us to win the simulation, even though the odds are against us. We have the smallest group, and we're the worst close-range fighters, but I think we can muster something if we tell lies to Cleon's group, and turn against them halfway through."

George looked at her skeptically. "I never knew you t' be ambitious, Keladry of Mindelan. From everything I'd heard around the palace, you always seemed t' take it as it comes."

Sacherell let out a hearty laugh. "Ah, George--if you'd seen her negotiate with the spy from Joren's group twenty minutes ago, you wouldn't change your mind a bit. This youngster is taking it as it comes, I'd say."

Kel self-consciously adjusted her tunic. She wanted to be like the other boys. No one should be hearing about her either way, outside the practice courts. It was bad enough that she was singled out for being a girl--but did all the nobles have to know things about her personality and performance? //Neal would probably chastise me right now, telling me that I should be glad that I'm good enough to gain a reputation. But reputations aren't the real thing--people are going to judge me based on what they hear rather than what I show them.// With a sigh, Kel gazed dryly at the former King of Thieves. "Baron Cooper, I just want to prove to Lord Wyldon that we can manage ourselves in an offensive battle. Most of the groups I've worked with have been defensive. I want to prove that I can lead a charge, and that these squires can manage themselves well in combat. But before I can do that, we need to come up with a way to get ourselves entangled with Cleon's men."

"Have you met your spy from the group?"

Kel nodded. "They're planning to eliminate us at the end, if not before. I think they want to join forces in order to defeat Joren, then turn against us after we conquer the palace--or at least something along those lines."

"Let's beat 'em at their own game," George said with a twisted grin. "Remember that we have th' advantage of knowing who their counselor is. I've always wondered if I could best m wife at anything! I know what tricks she's going to want to play."

Prince Roald grinned at the baron. "She's going to use mages to their full ability--and she'll be heavy on the swords."

Kel nodded. "Cleon's group has the most mages--Neal, Esmond, and Kieren ha Minch. But Neal isn't good for much other than healing. Even his light-power is weak in comparison to Esmond or Roald."

Roald nodded. "He can cast basic light spells and he can manage some defensive circles, but he's not strong with traditional warcraft magic. Esmond, on the other hand, can manage blinding light. But I know some protection spells to fight against it." He flushed sheepishly. "We haven't been taught it yet, so I doubt he'll be prepared to work around it. As for Sir Kieren--well, I've only seen him use his magic for lighting fires and casting illusions."

Sir Geoffrey chuckled. "Yes--he was my squire several years ago. He mainly uses his magic to cast illusions as he fights. Try to knock him out of the battle before it reaches short-range combat."

"What about physical strength?" the baron asked. "Unless I'm misjudgin' my wife, I'd say she'll be heavy-handed with swords and staffs. How are they in those areas?"

"There are excellent swordsmen among them. Cleon and Neal are the best among the squires--and Cleon always utilizes close-range combat in his plans because he's a strong wrestler and staff-fighter, too. But as a group, we're stronger on the staff." Kel was proud of her group's composition concerning staffs and long-range arms. They were the best with the lance, and had a variety of skills with the various pole arms Lord Wyldon had allowed in the simulation.

"And how are on long-range techniques?" Conal asked.

Yancen shrugged. "Equally matched on archers, but Kel and Faleron and I are the best tilters Wyldon's ever trained--I heard him say as much to the king."

George grinned crookedly. "And don't forget ol' Sacherell here. He was th' best in his day. Drove m' lady crazy, if I remember correctly."

Sacherell nodded curtly in thanks.

"As for archers," Kel began thoughtfully," I wouldn't be so quick to say we're evenly matched. Sir Paxton and Sir Kieren are the best--and Neal is the best of all the squires, next to Joren."

"But what of special arrows?" Conal asked, smiling wickedly. It was well known throughout Tortall that Conal of Mindelan was the best with specialized arrows. "Surprise works wonders in any attack--but even more so if you scare their mounts with whistling arrows."

"That's a bit cruel for a mock-battle," George replied, frowning. "But we should consider their mounts." He turned to Kel with a sigh. "You're in charge, Squire Kel. What do you suggest we do by way of a battle plan?"


to be continued...