The All Important Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me (except the obvious) but are Tamora Pierce's. Wish they did- I could use the money.

A/N: Hope people feel free to review- it'd help to get some constructive criticism to help write future chapters. Anyway here's the next chap- hope you enjoy.

Chapter 2

When Jay finally gained consciousness it was to find that someone seemed to be using her chest as a punching bag. She was aware of sharply taking in air before the hammering stopped. Turning on her side she gasped for breath as someone rubbed her back.

"Don't worry you'll be fine. You're lucky Meathead taught me how to do that, but then I suppose the man has got to have some redeeming qualities" Her earlier predicament came rushing back and she tried to scramble away from the man's voice. "Hey, no need to be scared. We're here to help, not harm." Jay made no move to show she'd heard as all the while she studied the man facing her. He was crouched low on his knees but appeared lean and tall (and rather handsome she thought abstractly) in a black uniform that matched the colour of his wavy short hair. Blue eyes examined her with apparent concern but she could see lines around his narrow mouth that indicated he was a man who laughed a lot. The man sighed at her silence before raising his voice again "Kel, maybe you should talk to her and explain".

At that point Jay lifted her head and her eyes found another figure by the wagon entrance. At first she assumed it was another man in uniform, recognising it as the one who had entered the wagon moments before she passed out. Suddenly she realised, however, that this was instead a woman, one not much older than her she guessed, though she was exceptionally tall for a teenage girl. Her hair was cut short just below her ears and her large hazel eyes seemed at odds with her uniform and the large spear like weapon carried by her side. She walked carefully across to where Jay was sitting and knelt down beside her, laying the unusual weapon across her knees.

"To put you at ease the man who attacked you is dead. So are the ones who came with him. My names Keladry and this is Sergeant Domitan of the Kings Own" The girl gestured to the black haired man "We were sent here after reports of bandit activity and managed to find this group before they attacked your own. Unfortunately they were close enough that the fight spilled over into the camp and that's how that" she now nodded to the bloodied figure of what had been her attacker "managed to get into your wagon".

Jay's eyes studied the figure reassuring herself that he was indeed dead.

"Don't worry" the sergeant seemed to anticipate her thoughts with a kind smile "he wont be getting up again in this world. Kel's rather thorough with that pointy stick of hers"

The girl snorted and glared back at the man behind her "Pointy stick? That's like calling your beloved sword there a big knife. For the final time it's a glaive and deserves to be treated with respect and called by its name." She looked like she'd quite willingly go on as the sergeant smirked in response but instead she rolled her eyes and turned back to Jay. "Are you alright now? Feel you can talk? After I dealt with the bandit I had to run to find Dom to help you. I didn't think you'd make it after not breathing for so long"

Oddly, Jay felt at ease within these strangers presence. For one thing she doubted that men such as the one currently laying dead just a foot away would tease each other so good naturedly. She nodded and suddenly remembered the little girl she'd hidden under the bed. "Tally!" she croaked her throat still raw, before scrambling towards the bed. She felt a wave of relief wash over her as she saw the little girl still lying beneath the bed, hugging her knees with her eyes screwed shut. "It's safe Tally. I promise nothing will hurt you now. Come to me".

Tally opened her eyes at the sound of Jay's voice and with a loud whimper crawled to Jay and threw her tiny hands around her neck. Jay pulled her close and patted her hair before once more facing the people who had apparently saved her life, as well as Tally's. "Thank you" her voice steady now though it still hurt to speak "My name is Jaymina Olanathi."

Domitan, or Dom as the girl had called him, looked with feigned surprise at the rather frightened girl huddled in Jay's arms. "What have we here? Kel I think this girl appeared from nowhere, she must be magic!"

Tally, intrigued despite her fear, glanced towards the friendly face. The sergeant, Jay noticed, remained on his knees so as not to scare Tally with his height. He leaned in further as if about to share a secret "You must be magic to appear like that from nowhere" Jay was amazed at the transition within Tally who seemed charmed by this tall stranger who had just winked at her playfully.

"It's probably a secret Dom and that's why she's not talking. Mage's can't go around telling everyone they can turn invisible" Kel added, playing along with Dom's attempts to put the girl at ease. It was obviously working as Tally seemed to be looking very pleased with herself. She even forgot to be scared and began an eager inspection of her new friend Dom.

Later that day after all the families had been reunited; Jay sat in on a meeting between the merchant families and the company of the Kings Own who had fought to save their lives. At the head of the meeting was one of the largest men Jay had ever seen. He literally towered over her with over a foot to his advantage. Tanned with brown hair he presented a daunting figure but she found his voice was surprisingly gentle in dealing with the travellers. Sir Raoul, the commander of the Kings Own and the foremost of Tortall's knights after the King's Champion, had just informed them that he and the third company would be accompanying them back to the capital. Kel sat by his side watching attentively while Dom sat further apart playing with Tally on his lap, taking apparently no notice whatsoever of the proceedings.

"Despite the fact that bandit activity has been rife in the area it's equally obvious that the band had some knowledge of your camp. They were setting an ambush not waiting idly for an opportunity to come along. The threat may have been removed but there's no need to risk any further attack when we're all heading in the same direction." There seemed to Jay to be more he was leaving unsaid, confirmed in her mind when Dom looked up sharply demonstrating that despite appearances he had been paying attention diligently. However despite Sir Raoul's apparent reticence there was no question that after this morning, when there had been losses, that their presence would be appreciated.

The meeting broke up soon after with all questions on both sides having been answered. Kel nodded towards Jay before following her knight master in order to make preparations for leaving. Sergeant Domitan suddenly appeared by her side looming over her from his substantial height. Tally was obviously having a grand time from the vantage point of his shoulders.

"How are you feeling after the attack this morning? Your neck alright?" he enquired in his laid back drawl.

"Fine now." She replied, lightly touching the cut on her cheek. "Thanks again for your help"

"No need to thank me. What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn't go around rescuing fair damsels in distress?" He joked.

Jay smiled in return. "I thought knights rescued fair maidens not sergeants of the Own."

"Ah but it's a well known fact that gallant knights take their day off from rescuing fair damsels every first day of the week, so I thought I'd stand in, brave and honourable soldier that I am"

Jay smiled broadly at his teasing and the self mockery he implied "Whatever you say Sergeant Domitan. I shall remember never to get distressed on the first day of the week."

"Never fear, I'll be here!" He declared outrageously. He grinned and added "And its just Dom. Domitan is a bit of a silly name- makes me sound like a horse."