Jamie wasn't going to admit how impressed he was with Eula. He wasn't going to tell her how wonderful her reflexes were. He wasn't going to tell her how he'd never taught someone who learned so quickly. After all, she was egotistical enough, he needn't thrust her into his patrol with her cockiness even more pronounced.

"A break?" Jamie offered, trying to make it seem as though he didn't need one, but was offering it for Eula's sake.

The bright-eyed young haremaid showed very little evidence of exertion as she gave a negligent twirl of her new rapier. "I'm doin' just fine, Jamie."

He kept his expression straight. It was a rule. Creatures should only get speed or endurance. They weren't allowed to have much of both. Darned if Eula didn't.

"Would y'tell on me if I said I needed a break?"

She grinned at him and shrugged, sheathing her weapon. Jamie followed suit and leaned back against the rock jetties on the shore. He watched Eula skip, carefree, towards the water, letting the sea cool her footpaws. She gave a small twirl, sending a shower of water into the windy air.

It made Jamie smile. That was the Eula he knew. Why didn't anyone else know her like that?

He blinked out of his thoughts when she glanced over at him, still walking back and forth in the shallow surf. "So how'm I doing, wot? Up to par? Learning okay?"

"You're doing.... pretty well." Jamie was answering carefully, but he saw Eula's smirk. "Not jolly well surprising, m'gel, the way Sandscut spoke of you."

That made her laugh. "Jokin', right? I thought he hated me."

Jamie smiled, crossing his footpaws casually. "Oh, he does."

There was a few moments of silence. Then, "So can I start training with your patrol?"

He studied her for a few minutes, seeming to size her up. "Y'think you're ready, then?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, please!"

"Bright'n'early tomorrow morning, Eula."

***************

So Eula found herself on the training grounds at dawn the next morning with her new patrol. She received some strange sideways glances, but never mind. She'd expected that.

After everyone stretched, the hares gathered about when Jamie called for attention. They all stood, full attention on their commanding officer.

"G'morning," he started with and, to Eula's surprise, was responded to with an enthusiastic greeting from everyone else.

He paced about, looking at everyone, scarcely acknowledging the fact that Eula was there. "I've been thinking about what you buncha slackers need t'work on. Your offense is seriously lacking, and we'll concentrate on that for now."

Eula glanced about at the others. None of them seemed to be offended by the insults. In fact, most seemed amused by how their Lieutenant spoke with them. Jamie continued.

"You all will pair off, and for a little while you're going to work on offensive tactics, instead of defending your sorry selves. Then I'll tell you everything y'did wrong when I've walked around. I've been doing a lot of thinking about how to improve, for I already know many things you do incorrectly."

At this declaration, one of the others spoke out. "Y'really need a lass, sah." Eula blinked, surprised anyone was at audacious as she was. But there was a general, good-natured laughter among the group.

Jamie turned his attention to the one who'd spoken out, straight-faced. "Y'know, I was just thinkin' that the other day, Cal. That Kendrie is a pretty gel. Y'think I have a chance with her?"

Cal's face went slack momentarily. "No, sah. She's mine."

Jamie smiled. "No kiddin'?" When everyone laughed again, he waved them into silence. "Right, in all seriousness chaps, pair off now."

They paired off quickly. It was obvious there were many friends in this patrol. Jamie immediately went about separating some couples and mixing them around. He brought over a haremaid and paired her with Eula. When he left, Eula glanced at the other haremaid.

"Haven't seen you before, wot." The other maid started the conversation.

"New," Eula replied blandly.

"Bit young aren't ya?"

When Eula only shrugged, the other maid went right along. "Well, you can call me Del."

"Short for something?" Eula queried.

"Yes," Del replied. When she said no more, Eula figured she wasn't going to tell her.

"Y'can call me Eula."

"Short for something?"

"Yes."

There was a brief exchange of amused smiles between the two. Del reached to her side and drew her sword, holding it aloft in front of her. "Well, Eula, let's see if you're any good, wot."

Eula nodded, tugging the rapier at her side free, and holding it likewise. She watched as Del took a moment to study her opponent's weapon.

"Nice blade."

"Back at'ya."

Del made a quick slash and Eula parried lightly, taking a small step to the side. After a few minutes of dueling, Eula found herself becoming frustrated. It was not because Del was a bad swordfighter, but because she was always on the defensive, which completely contradicted Eula's movements.

"All right, stop." Eula said, fed up. Del certainly looked offended at being bossed by the younger recruit, but she stopped anyway.

"You aren't trying. You're not on the offensive at all," Eula told her.

Del was quiet for a few seconds, sizing Eula up. "Didn't want to flamin' injure you on your first day here."

Eula bit her tongue, frustrated. So was this the way it was going to be? She'd just be looked down on as the young, small, fragile haremaid? She was about to say this, but switched tactics.

She flicked on a condescending smirk. "Injure me, Del? Ha! You couldn't injure me if you wanted to."

She watched the older haremaid's eyes narrow. "What's that s'posed to mean?"

"You couldn't take on a one-legged rat with its arms tied," Eula continued icily.

Del was completely taken aback at the nerve of the small haremaid. "I'll make ya eat those words, young'n." She spat just before she lashed out with her sword.

Eula parried quickly, anticipating her angered attack. Eula found herself hardly being able to attack Del now, completely trying to defend herself. She was much more satisfied, even after a few minutes when she ended up flat on her back, pinned.

Both haremaids were breathing quickly, but Del was staring daggers down at Eula. "That should teach you, wot."

Eula flicked on a smile. "How come y'pinned me this time and not the others?"

"I'm bally insulted from your insolent little tongue!"

"Well, could you be bally insulted from my insolent little tongue more often?"

It took Del a few moments to understand what Eula had just said. When realization dawned on her face, she pulled off of her and offered a paw to help her up.

"You're a bit too blinkin' clever for your own good, Eula."

She laughed, accepting the paw as she stood back up. "You aren't the first one t'tell me that, Del."

As she brushed off her tunic and prepared for another duel, she felt the quiet satisfaction of making a new friend.

**********

A/N- To Catty Engles: First off, thanks for reviewing all my chapters so far, it means a lot to me! (Same to Acoustical_Ferret- you review almost everything I do) And yes, it is pronounced like Circe. I didn't even think of that! Which is kind of lame, because I love The Odyssey. Maybe the sound of it was my subconscious liking to the name. *shrug* Greek Mythology kicks. The only thing I could stand through History classes.

Bring on the reviews!