That was quick, wasn't it? Read and review please. I'd like to know what my readers think.

The Basis of Hope

The next day, Serena found herself at that same door. Muttering a little prayer, she knocked timidly.

"Come in."

She slipped inside, and closed the door gently after. The duke got up, his eyes studying the girl once again. She stood there, wringing her hands.

"Tell me, why do you want to be a knight? I find it hard to believe that no one would take you as his wife, even at your young age."

"I don't want to marry sir. All of my life, I wanted to fight. Are all girls born to marry and serve their husbands? Are there no other path that they can take?"

"Well said," his face broke into a smile, "there are not that many girls like you, and I am proud to welcome you to be one of us."

Serena stared at him for a second, "Really?"

The duke seated himself once again at his table, all humor vanished from his face. "I'll assign someone to show you around. All questions you have will be directed to him. You will start out as a page for 4 years. If you pass the tests at the end, you shall move on to be a squire for another 4 years. After that, you are a knight. But, as a page, you will be doing everything that a squire or knight orders you to do. There will be no slacking off on your part just because you are a girl. You are training among boys, and you will be treated as such. You will have a separate room to yourself and you shall not enter anyone else's room without supervision. If I find that you violate that rule, you shall be kicked out no questions asked. Do I make myself clear?" Serena flushed, and bowed her head in respect.

"A maid will direct you to your quarters. Your training will officially begin the day after tomorrow. Any questions?"

"Yes sir. How many people are supposed to share a room?"

"Five."

"Is it possible that I find some girls to share my room?"

The duke nodded, "as long as they already live in this castle and wishes to share a room with you."

"Thank you."

********

"Lita! I got in! I got in!" Serena through herself in the kitchen, ignoring the scalding looks sent her way.

"That's great! I told you that you could do it!"

"Look, all I need is someone to share a room with me, anyone interested?"

Lita jumped up in delight, "You mean I can?"

"Of course. In fact, my room's supposed to hold five. Do you know anyone who would like to join us?"

"You bet I do! Here, meet Amy," Lita beckoned toward a blue-haired girl who smiled timidly toward her, "She's a assistant professor. She'll be teaching you too."

"Really? Wow, you must be really smart."

"Wait Serena, meet Rei and Mina. Rei is an apprentice to the head priest here," Lita gestured to a raven haired beauty who stuck out a hand to shake, "Mina's working in the kitchen with me."

"It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," the blond piped.

"What are we waiting for then? Let's get unpacking. I'll meet you guys later okay?"

"Sure!"

Serena skipped out and hurried to get their bags. Swinging them on her shoulder, she went in search for her room. What she saw made her drop her bags. Five beds lined next to each other, each supplied with its own night table. On one side of the wall laid a rack, used for holding her weapons. A full-sized mirror stood on the opposite side, next to an oak desk. There was a walk in closet, a tidy little bathroom, and a large area covered by a rug for her to practice with her weapons or do her homework.

The girls crowded around, "I love it!"

"Yeah," Amy agreed, "This is so much better than our old rooms."

The unpacking was quick and neat, thanks to Lita's owl eyes, who caught anyone who was putting a pin out of place. They spend the rest of the day, sitting around and just telling everyone about themselves.

"I don't know my parents," Serena confessed.

"Neither do I," Lita added.

Ami, Mina, and Rei glanced at each other, "Nor do we."

"That's weird, isn't it? None of us have ever seen our parents. I always like to think that I'm from the moon. The place just seems to be so enchanting," Serena whispered, looking silently out the window.

"It's not just you Serena, it seems we all feel a bond with the moon."

"Do you think that we are from there then? All five of us?"

"Might be."

The room stayed quiet for a while.

"Come on guys. We should be celebrating today. Let's not get gloomy. We should have fun," Mina threw a pillow at Rei, who immediately returned it, yelling about blond air heads.

Hearing the insult on her hair, Serena grabbed a pillow as well, hurling it at Rei who dodged it, and hit Lita instead. Amy was the last to join, but with a mutter of 'oh well' she entered the mayhem.

********

"Get up Serena! Now! You haven't even begun training and you are already going to be kicked out," Lita tried desperately to wake up the snoring blond. The others had already gone to do their work.

"Mmmm. Lita, bug off."

"NOW, Serena. The boys are going to begin training soon. You need to be sponsored."

"Oh shit. Why didn't you wake me up earlier?" Like a whirlwind, Serena jerked awake. Grabbing a pair of golden breeches and matching tunic, she rushed into the bathroom, slamming the door closed.

"Like how? I already threatened you with no cookies and you still ignore me. Nothing gets worth than that."

"No time to talk Lita," Serena put up her hair in a high ponytail and peaked her head out the door. The other boys were beginning to line up in front of Duke Crestin.

"We have a new page joining us today. I need someone to sponsor her."

Murmurs of "a girl' and 'have we gone desperate?' followed.

"Silence!" the duke bellowed.

"Are there any volunteers?"

No hands raised.

"Don't go all raising your hands at once. Are there anyone? Speak up!"

"I'll do it."

All heads turned to the crown prince.

"Very well. I trust you all will treat this girl with the respect you show each other. Act otherwise, and you will face me in my office. Is that understood?"

Reluctant nods followed.

"Let me introduce Serena then," the duke beckoned for the girl to walk closer.

The boys goggled, speechless. There, standing in front of them, was the mere wisp of a girl. Golden haired flowed all the way down her back. Innocent baby blue eyes shined back at them. She gave off a golden glow. There was no way in their minds that she was going to make the hard life. One little push could have broken her.

Darien took a step back as he recognized the girl that argued with him yesterday. He saw that his theory of her unable-to-find-a-husband had to be changed. She was the most beautiful and enchanting girl he has ever met. What was she doing here? She should be spending her time doing what all girls these days do. Spending their days primping up their hair and cooing over men.

Serena was getting tired of having everyone stare at her. Squaring her shoulders, she returned the angry glares sent her way. One by one, the boys walked past her. One boy with an ugly sneering face shoved her against the wall. She shoved him back, only harder. He hit another boy with brown spiky hair and they both turned toward her. Serena held her ground, her eyes daring them to take her on.

Darien hanged back and watched.

"You're just a girl. You'll go running back to your mother before long."

"Like you did? Bet she just threw you back out the door. Figures, isn't it? What sensible family would allow you to stay at home? It'll be a disgrace," she retorted.

"Take that back."

"Why should I?"

"Do you know who you are talking to?"

"Yeah. An ugly, fat, disgusting pig!"

"I'm the son of a noble and I can have you thrown in jail."

"So? I don't give a damn who you are the son to. Personally, I think there must have been some mistake. Are you sure that you haven't been switched with the neighbor's pig when you were born? If people like you can be nobles, then anyone can."

"Enough!" Darien's voice cut in.

Serena turned toward him.

End of chapter 3 (REVIEW PLEASE)

Please review: I'm not trying to sound like a nanny, but it would mean a lot to me.

I know you guys don't like cliff hangars.. neither do I, if fact. But, if you have read any of my other stories, you would know, that I use them a lot. Anyway, I'll try to update soon. You have to admit, I am updating often these days. I'll try to get the next chapter up in 2 to 3 days. Till then!