For those who didn't get the last chapter, Carlyn is 15 and Lera is 14, but don't forget that in Medieval times children aged a lot quicker.thank yah. Stu was a fourth year page when Lera joined.

Lera strode out into the courtyard, the grounds were deserted. The soft crunch of frosted grass petals beneath her feet and the rhythm of her breathing the only sounds to be heard. Halting Lera glanced around, the clouds of her breathe haloing her face before wafting away into the atmosphere.

She withdrew her sword from it's sheath and began her moves, closing her eyes as she reflexively went through her drills one after another. Her muscles were returning to their normal condition, but they still groaned after about twenty minutes of her repetitive drills. She changed her drill, and started blocking low, parrying the air then disengaging her false opponent. She had been at it nearly an hour and the sun had risen partially through the sky when she felt the death cold of steel pressed against her throat, trying not to move suddenly, Lera pivoted on her feet, coming face to face with Saban of StoneMountain. Instantly a wave of ice washed over him. His years as a squire had treated him well. In just 18 months he would be turned into a knight.

Lera averted her eyes hell ward in respect, though not an inch lower than needed.

"I see you've learned some manners." Saban drawled, his voice gruff and deep. He emphasized the word 'some' before continuing, "Finally a squire, yet with no overlord. No one wants a little slut like you." He seemed pensive about the whole thing.

Aware of the blade pressing against the flesh of her throat, Lera let the insult slide, though fury built up inside her as Saban continued, his voice taunting her to try and move. "Maybe Carlyn would take you on. Only so he could have you when he pleases, mind." Saban said, leering at her. Lera had grown a lot in the past year, she was nearly even with Saban in height, though he did seem to loom over her just now. Lera held her tongue.

"Perhaps if you hadn't been off in the forest making love with Carlyn like animals, Solo wouldn't have died." He grinned at her evilly.

Lera's blood boiled as she leaped for him, knocking his sword aside with her forearm. A mistake, but a move none the less. Blood spurted from her gashed fore arm as she dove for him. Her fingers closed around his throat as he battle to free himself from her hold. Sitting on his chest, fingers locked around his windpipe, half blind from anger and fighting to stay on top, Lera realised she would kill him. If she go the chance, she would kill him.

After the initial shock of Lera's sudden attack, Saban's strength overcame her. He flipped her onto her back. With the weight of Saban, who was solid muscle and nearly twice her size, pressing on her chest and gasping for breath, and the wet of the melting frost on the round pressing through her shirt, Lera struggled to right herself from beneath him. Saban, his knees pinning her hands above her head, laughed beneath his breath.

"You want me. You little whore. You're all the same." Saban grunted, his hands fighting the hold Lera's face from biting his legs. Lera could tell something was off. He was insane! She thought as his hand nestled itself over her mouth, muffling her shriek.

It was winter, early morning, the sun barely peeked over the tree tops. No one would wake for another half hour or so. Lera tried to bit Saban's hand to no avail.

Saban's knee forced her legs apart. "You're a whore." He kept repeating to himself. "A filthy whore."

Lera wrestled against him from several minutes as he tried to undress her, his nails viciously scoring purchase across her cheeks when she nearly unseated him. His blood dripped from his face and onto the front of her exposed breast band. A grin spread on his lips. "That was not smart, Missy." He whispered.

Rapidly he pressed his lips against hers, brutally forcing his tongue into her mouth. Lera did the only thing she could, and bit down hard. With a groan, Saban rolled away, blood welling from his mouth. "You bitch!" He screamed at the top of his lungs, choking on his own blood as he staggered to his feet, Lera following the suite. "You bitch!" His voice was gurgled by blood. Partway through shrieking 'you bitch' at her, Saban stumbled backwards into Stu. Stu stared down at Saban, his eyes filled with disgust as StoneMountain turned to face him. Without warning, Stu brought his knee up, punching the breathe from Saban as it connected with his 'tender spot'. Saban promptly passed out and lay wheezing, unconsciously on the ground.

Lera burst into tears. Salty drops rolling down her cheeks unwontedly. She tried to cover herself as her shoulders shook. Stu stepped forth and offered her his tunic: coloured with Lake Tirragen's house colours. Pulling it over her, feeling more decent, Lera threw her arms around Stu.

"Thank you." She whispered to him as her tears began to quench. He just patted her back comfortingly and nodded.

Since no knights hung around the palace, Lera had not much to do, and didn't have an overlord. She didn't mind it that much, She saw plenty of Stu and Carlyn, though he still refused to talk to her. Lera didn't understand how a wounded pride could last for months on end.

Winter ended and as spring arose, Lera's squire friends left with their knights to battle on the border of Tusaine, leaving Lera alone at the palace. Stu left with Sir Karl of Tirragen (His overlord, and Alex of Tirragen's nephew.) Carlyn went away under the command of Owen of Jesslaw. The rest of her friend left with assorted knights as well. Though Lera did feel abandoned all alone at the palace, there was plenty for her to do. She kept herself busy with cleaning around the stables, brushing Faithful, who was getting old. Soon she would need a new mount. She washed dishes, practised her tilting, swordsmanship and Archery skills. She worked with the healers, though she possessed no gift. The summer came and went just as spring and Lera kept busy, keeping her mind from the painful subject of her loneliness without her friends. Lera continued her lessons, learning all she could and working harder than ever. She collapsed every night, too tired to dwell on her friend's well being.

Lera awoke one Saturday morning, near the start of Autumn, to a gentle knock on her door. The scent of browning leaves wafting into her room through the open shutters. Dressing at an amiable pace, Lera opened the door thinking that it was one of the servants, sent to bring her to help prepare and serve breakfast.

A large body slammed into her unexpectedly, knocking the breath from her in a large bear hug.

Stepping back, Lera steadied herself on her guest and rubbed her eyes. Stu stood before her, tanned darkly and unnervingly tall.

"Eight months is too long." He said shaking his head and pulling her into a slightly less back breaking of a hug.

Lera grinned up at her large friend, agreeing full heartedly. After grabbing her coat and heading down to the Mess Hall with Stu.

Over breakfast, Lera filled Stu in on all that happened during the eight months he was away, and She also discovered her friend had been away with the Bazir for an extended amount of time and he was back because his Ordeal was in three nights. He wasn't that worried about his Ordeal. More people survived than didn't. And if he did die, he would have earned it. Lera didn't feel the same way, but didn't voice this opinion.

She couldn't believe that she had been a squire for nearly a year with no overlord. She felt abandoned. Useless. Despite her helpfulness around the palace, she was missing out on all the things her friends were enjoying and learning from just because they were boys. Lera couldn't help but feel sorry for herself.

As if he was reading her mind, Stu leaned across the table and took her hands in his,

"It's okay. Someone will take you on." He reassured her. But she didn't feel much better.

After breakfast, Lera and Stu headed down to the practice courts. Lera's hear thumped in her chest, it had been a long time since she fenced against anyone aside from herself.

Picking up her sword, Lera hefted it gently. The handle seemed to warm to her fingers instantly. Wrapping her hand around it, she unsheathed it and set herself in the 'guard' position. Last time she fenced for real was back as a page in a tournament for her class. She had had plenty of practice since then, but still, she wasn't a superb swordfighter.

As she and Stu began circling, Lera began relaxing. It was only a practice duel anyway. Her eyes fixed on Stu's torso, she circled, her feet instinctively nimble, ready for action. When Stu lunged forward, Lera stepped aside, bringing her sword arcing in to the opening he left her. Luckily he pulled back and his sword clanged against hers, blocking her swing. They began circling this time. Lera held back, never the first one to attack. It seemed to unnerve her opponents. Stu's face held a friendly smile and Lera grinned back. As Stu shuffled forwards, darting towards her with lightening speed, Lera's endless drills along came into action. She went offensive, and blocked his, driving her sword towards him, not stopping, not leaving an opening. Her arm muscles protested at the quick, fluid movements between blocking and striking. Lera swung her sword around and hooked Stu's. He knew she was going to parry with his sword around hers and let it fly, so he retreated a step, his sword untangling from hers.

"You've improved Lera." Stu said, in a friendly tone, dipping his head to her in respect.

"I'm not sure if you've improved, or just stayed as amazingly good." She said, Her tone somewhat pert. Stu grinned at her as he lunged in again.

He sword bit into Lera just above her wrist, as she blocked to slowly. She bit her lip and switched hands, tucking her wounded arm behind her back. Stu looked worried for a second and Lera took advantage, swirling in a circle bringing her sword against his, she parried again and a again and he lunged, she blocked, his sword knocked to the side. She moved to swing, but Stu twisted in a circle, revealing her back to her as he brought his sword around in a horizontal arc. Thinking fast, Lera stepped in the direction he was turning and brought the hilt of her sword down hard upon the top of his head.

Stu dropped his sword and stood momentarily dazed before laughing outright.

"Where did learn that?" He asked her, rubbing the top of his head. "I didn't even know you could reach my head, let alone hit it. He grinned down at her.

Stu was at least a head and a half taller than she was. She came up to his shoulders.

Dropping his arm over her shoulders, he headed off to the stables, steering her. "Saddle your horse." He instructed.

Doing as she was told Lera saddled her horse, not Faithful, but a horse the stable had supplied. A Docile, bay mare. Not quite up to a morning ride, the mare was being more stubborn that usual. Mounting and trotting out to the ring, Lera face the quintain.

Stu handed her a bow and a quiver of arrows. "Can you shoot while moving as well as you can fence?" He asked, daring her to try.

Lera spurred her horse off towards the quintain, trying to concentrate on steadying herself in the saddle. It took her three bolts to hit the center, but the first two were not far off.

"Impressive." Stu said nodding to her archery skills.

He had his horse mounted as well.

"Would you like to go for a ride?" He asked, pulling up beside Lera.

Slightly confused, Lera set her horse to a steady walk as herself and Stu headed out into the forest. They stuck to dry, wide, dirt paths that lead through the deepest bits of the forest. It was dark but sunlight spilled in beams through the trees.

After about a half an hour of silence Stu turned to Lera, his face slightly tinted pink.

"Lera." He trailed off, his horse starting to turn into Lera's. Setting her straight again, he spoke, his eyes remaining on the trail before them.

"I was just thinking.If I pass my Ordeal." He trailed off again and it was a few moments before he continued. "I will be a knight." He stopped speaking.

"I will need a squire before long, and I am to travel to these new islands and claim them as part of Tortall. They are just off the coast, you can almost see them on the horizon. Unfortunately the Coppers Isles are trying to claim them as well. I will need a squire to accompany me. We will be taking a group of about Five men, and their squires if they have them. I know you're a fair hand with a sword and a well enough shot. I was just thinking, it would be for the best if I took you on as my squire. I trust you and your skills. Plus you're my friend. Not that that is why I'm choosing you. It's just a bonus." He said all this so fast Lera had almost no time to digest this information. He took a deep breath. Regaining his composure.

"Do you accept?"

Lera stared at him, positively gaping. She had never thought in a million years that Stu would want her for a squire. She nodded ferociously and replied. "Of course I will Stu!"

He looked at her, surprised. "Really?" His face had now darkened to a violent shade of red.

"No one else wants me. But you're my first choice any way!" Lera said, reassuringly.

He grinned at her. "I don't know, Logan was going to ask you as well, but I beat him back to the palace. " He chuckled. Lera giggled too.

She had nearly forgotten about Logan. She hadn't seen him for a long time.

Stu seemed to read her mind again. "His Ordeal is the same night as mine." Stu informed her. "He is among the men I will command when I am claiming and defending the small islands west of Tortall." He said. His face returning to normal.

"Who else will accompany you?" Lera asked, peering at him, curious.

"Owen of Jesslaw, Logan or the FireDancers, Myself, Keladry of Mindelan, Saban of StoneMountain," He shot Lera a knowing glance before finishing up, "and Daine Sarrasri."

Lera's ears perked, " Sir Keladry and Mistress Daine are coming?" she asked brightly. Stu nodded. Suddenly it sank it who else was coming. "Saban is coming?" Lera asked, almost fearfully.

"Don't worry. We will be sharing a tent, and he wont be allowed any where near you. Too bad we didn't charge him for something eh?" Stu said, trying to make a joke of it.

"I believe Master Salmalìn will be joining us after a week also."

Lera's brows furrowed. She wanted to stay as far away from Saban as possible. But, later as Stu informed her some more on the islands they were being sent to claim, it took roughly three quarters of an hour to walk from one end of the island to another. It was very small indeed. Mostly sand, with a few palm trees. The water was nice. Lera wasn't sure why the king wanted it so badly till Stu explained that it was right at the entrance to a large river that flowed into the heart of Tortall, and an attack, if it was not owned by Toratll, could very easily be made from there.