I love it when you guys post what you hope happens and what you think happens. It makes me laugh. Lol. Please review what you want to happen, and what you hopes happens! That way I can make the plot better. Eh?

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Lera leaned over the edge of the boat, admiring the water.

It was midday, the sun beamed on her from above, and the boat rocked gently, taking herself, and the troops under her overlord's command to the island that would be their home for the next few months.

Stu had passed his Ordeal, his forearm bore a great gash that Lera herself had had too sew closed. He at times zoned out and began sweating, and Lera knew he was remembering though he couldn't tell her about it.

Logan had passed his unfazed. No one knew what happened, but the doors opened after about ten seconds and Logan walked out, looking slightly confused but entirely okay.

"You can see it now." A voice said from behind her. Lera turned around, and smiled at Logan.

"Hey." She greeted him, turning to where he was pointing. A small island had appeared on the horizon. It was rapidly approaching.

"Are we going to have to fend anyone off before we set up camp?" Lera inquired as Logan leaned against the pole next to her.

"Not that I'm aware of." He said, looking into the water, spray splattering his chest and face with salty mist. "The Copper Island troops aren't supposed to arrive for another week or so. Then it will be hell to pay. We came prepared."

He grinned at her.

Hauling sand bags from the ship onto the already sandy beach of the new island was not fun. Lera helped them lug the bags from the ship, then helped arrange them in small almost full circles where arrows could be launched from.

Between two large palm trees, Lera and Stu tied a thick rope, and draped their tent over it. Pinning it in the four corners and laying down the floor, Lera made a make shift door out of a useless piece of tarp.

Crawling into her bed roll, which was neatly sitting next to Stu's, Lera fell asleep, though she meant to only nap a little.

When David came calling for her to help him serve with him, Lera awoke. Still extremely exhausted, Lera accepted two plates from a familiar looking cook thinking at least there were only five people to be served.

Lera set the plates before Logan and Stu and returned to grab Daine's vegetarian salad and patty when she realised that Owen of Jesslaw was present. A wave of nervousness washed over her as she scuttled back to the makeshift kitchen. Owen was Carlyn's overlord.

She accepted the plate, cautious of the shifting sand beneath her feet and glanced up to thank the chef. Carlyn's alarming blue eyes met hers and she drew a deep breath. He had filled out incredibly. He was enormous. Taller than Stu even. He was at least Six feet and Five inches tall. Lera just gawked at his monstrous height. He seemed to have grown a foot in the eight and a half months since she saw him last. She turned on her heel, eyes still wide and served Mistress Sarrasri, before returning to the kitchen tent where herself David and Carlyn sat, in a somewhat uncomfortable silence.

"Logan doesn't have a squire then?" Lera asked, making conversation.

"No. Apparently after his first one was killed when some thieves attacked them he vowed not to take another on. Mind you his first one was trying to run away without helping Logan at all and he took a bolt in the spine." Carlyn supplied helpfully, grinning at the memory as though it was funny or something.

Lera nodded to him as David stood up to serve the Knights wine. He left the room and silence filled it once more.

Lera could hear laughter from outside the tent. She stared into Carlyn's eyes, searching for something. He met her gaze.

"It's been a while." Carlyn said. Breaking the silence.

Lera nodded. "Almost two years." She said, conversationally.

More silence.

After realising that there was no point in pretending not to be hurt still by his cold treatment of her since they were lost, Lera spoke again, hurt filling her voice, though she intended to keep it even.

"Why did you betray me?" She asked simply. Figuring after that Betray wasn't the right word for what she felt. She tried again. "You ignored me for two years Carlyn. You were my best friend. What the hell is wrong with you."

Though her whole life she had been taught not to wake a sleeping dragon, and if there was no problem don't make one, she couldn't help it now.

"Have you any idea how hurt I was." She paused before adding more quietly, "I am." She shook her head. "No news on how I could make it up to you. No telling me how your doing, if your alive. For two ears Carlyn. I had no idea who you were. I have no idea who you are anymore."

Carlyn's eyes met hers and for a brief moment, all of her feelings flooded back into her, before she controlled herself and glared at him, tearing her eyes from his gaze.

"Sorry." Carlyn choked, looking at the floor.

"Excuse me?" Lera asked incredulously.

"Sorry." He muttered, not meeting her eyes.

"Look at me." Lera commanded. Carlyn refused to meet her gaze, his eyes staring blankly at the floor. He shook his head.

Lera slipped her fingers beneath his chin and lifted him to face her. Their eyes connected.

"I'm Sorry." He whispered, not moving even a fraction of an inch. "I was arrogant, I Couldn't let you get to me. I couldn't be the reason you failed as a knight. I couldn't face you after you cast me aside."

Lera pulled her hand away and stood up, turning to leave the tent. "Carlyn of GoldenLake, you are a bastard. You lied to yourself. You know it. I loved you. When I knew who you were. You cast me aside, unwanted. Didn't speak to me for two years. Two Years Carlyn!" She drew a breath and stepped out, whispering so that only he could hear her faintly. "I never want to speak to you again.

Carlyn let her go, not saying anything. He wanted to call back to her. Get her to return Tell her he loved her over and over again. He was weak. Silence was a mistake he had made before. And now again.

Lera flopped into bed, curling up in a ball, her shoulders shaking with suppressed emotions. She didn't understand, or like how one person could make her feel so depressed.

There was a tap of the leaves barricading her door. Whipping her eyes, Lera expected Carlyn with an apology better than the one he'd just given.

Stu entered. Lera's eyes filled again, tears rolled down her cheeks. Stu sat down.

"No, no, no." He said, worried. "Don't cry. I'm not sure I can deal with that right now."

Lera smiled half heartedly and threw herself into his open arms. Stu fell back, and Lera lay on top of him, wrapped in his arms, hugging him. She felt better that she had in a long time just lying there with her friend and overlord.

Suddenly Lera looked up at Stu, her eyes still sparkling from the hurt she felt from Carlyn. Stu met her gaze, and in an instant they were kissing. His kiss felt so much different that Carlyn's.

Carlyn felt hungry. Needy. Rough.

Stu made it feel like a delicacy. Like a rare drink of wine that was fruitful and sweet. Lera gave it to his kisses.

Stu seemed more definite. Knowing. Wise for some reason. Expirienced.

He expertly rolled Lera over, pinning her with his body weight. She swallowed. Lera hated being pinned down. She stiffened and Stu felt it. He propped himself up on his elbows, still lying on her, his weight was just reduced a lot.

"Hey." He whispered, his nose and lips brushing against hers as he spoke. "You okay?" He asked.

Lera didn't say anything for a second. Stu knew hesitation when he saw it and moved to roll off. Lera wrapped her hands around the back of his head, knotting them in his hair and pulled him to her, her own dominance astonishing herself. Stu smiled against her lips as she un tied his sash, letting his sword fall to the ground beside them.

Stu rolled off and pulled his travel worn breeches off, and his hose and loincloth. Lera tensed a little, but leaned forward, her hands roaming over Stu's toned chest and stomach. Her eyes met his and he pulled her to him again. His lips barely brushing hers as his hands fluttered like midsummer night's wind up her spine giving her shivers. She smiled to herself. His fingers were like butterflies.

A gentle tap on the bamboo door and the sound of the flaps being drawn back startled Lera and Stu. Rolling away and wrapping himself in a blanket in one fluid motion as Saban's head popped into their tent.

"I'll thank you to knock next time." Stu said mildly as Lera flustered about, fixing her bedroll.

Saban nodded, a smirk appearing on his lips before he hid it behind a friendly grin. 'Like a snake.' Lera thought.

"I' de like a word with Lera, Given your Grace's permission." Saban nodded again, in respect, and he met Stu's eyes.

"To what end?" Stu asked, sparing himself any pleasantries and politeness.

" To apologize for unacceptable behaviour on my part." Saban's face was grave as he stepped outside.

Stu met Lera's gaze as she followed Saban. He shot her a worried look as he began pulling his clothing back on.

Out side, Saban directed Lera to a small space between a few trees, well within hearing distance of the tent.

"I behaved in a way that was disgraceful to my entire family and the palace. I apologize." Saban's words were sarcastic, though covered nicely. He admired his nails as he spoke, tossing his hand carelessly, illustrating that it was not meant.

Lera felt her anger rising. Saban, unexpectedly hugged her, his fingers pressing against her shoulders, obviously trying to bruise. To anyone walking by it would appear they were hugging.

"You still want me, Skank." He whispered into her ear, his voice like poison. "Some day. When that man-whore knight of yours is away. I'll get you."

He stepped away, smiling cruelly at her. "Thank you for accepting my appologies." Saban said curtly and strode away.