Aaarg! I just read over the last few chapters and I realised how awful they were!1 *beats self with a spatula* I will really try to improve this, if I can't I'll probably take it down, so roll in the helpful criticisms, people! o_0

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If I screwed up my eyes against the sun and concentrated, I thought I could make out a figure in the shadows of the trees at the edge of the field next to the huge riding arena. Well, Bevier had said he'd watch my riding lesson. I just prayed that he'd stay there and not bring attention to himself. I couldn't spend my whole lesson looking for him. Iain would realise I wasn't paying attention and-

"MARJORY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, WOMAN?!"

I blinked and concentrated on my instructor.

"Sorry."

"NOW TRY FOR AN OUTLINE AND SIT STILL!! STILL! RIDE WITH YOU LEGS, NOT YOUR ARSE!!"

I winced.

"Yes, Iain."

My pony, Zita, had her nose rammed firmly up in the air and was prancing round the arena like an idiot. No amount of jiggling at her mouth would get her to curve her neck round and sit her head in an outline. I gritted my teeth as my left arm went into spasm at the constant movements I made. Then, sensing a weakness, Zita joyfully fell into the circle and refused to be pushed back out again by my leg.

"DON'T YOU DARE USE THAT OUTSIDE REIN! KICK THE BLOODY HORSE OUTWARDS! STAY ON THE CIRCLE! SIT STILL! BLOODY HELL WOMAN! YOU'RE RIDING LIKE SHIT!"

Nup, still no outline.

"Fine, we'll try again next time. Keep practising that outline." Iain lectured, returning to normal voice pitch before marching off to officiate around the stables. Zita plodded out the arena with her head between her knees like an old nag as I nursed my aching limbs. And people say riding is easy.

As Zita and I reached the end of our drive, I saw Bevier standing there. He looked furious.

"Hi, Bevier" I said, acutely aware that my face was bright red from exhertion and that my T-shirt was sticking to me with sweat.

"How dare he!" the knight snarled, his fists clenched at his sides and his eyes glaring.

"Huh?"

"Didn't you hear the way that curr spoke to you?!"

"..wha? Oh, Iain's my riding instructor."

Bevier drew himself up. "That. Is. No. Excuse. How dare that swine address you in such a manner! It's horrendous! I should teach him what is proper when addressing maidens" He cracked his knuckles.

Oh Bugger.

"That's the way he is with everyone. It's no biggie." I said hurriedly.

Bevier pursed his lips and didn't reply.

"It's not illegal to talk to women that way!" I explained nervously.

He folded his arms stubbornly and glared at my postbox.

"If you make a fuss you'll be found out!" I hissed, desperately.

He looked at me for a minute, then sighed.

"I supose you are correct." he muttered reluctantly.

Phew.

We walked along my road for a few minutes, letting Zita cool off after our lesson.

"That's a very nice looking pony." said Bevier absently, reaching to rest his hand on her neck. Her head swung up and she made a face at him before flouncing away with her ears pinned back.

"Zita!" I scolded. "Sorry, she's not bad, just cheeky." I patted her furry black neck as we walked on in silence.

"So, women have no protection in this world?"

I was a little taken aback at this question. This affected the depth of my answer.

"No!"

"Well," he said in a confused voice, "Who protects you, then?"

I thought for a few seconds.

"There's an organisation called the police who stop crime."

"Do you have one of these police looking after you?"

"Me personally? No, they just come when something happens to you and they try to catch the criminal."

"But then it's too late. A young maiden should have more protection than that."

"Well, I look after myself."

"What if you're attacked?"

"I won't be."

"What if you are?"

"Well...I'll defend myself..."

"Like you defended yourself against me?" His tone was a just little smug at having proved whatever point it was he was getting at.

"....Why are you asking me all this?" I asked, trying to change the subject from our first meeting. I was feeling quite stupid about the whole thing.

Bevier halted Zita and got on one knee. He took a breath and cleared his throat.

Oh no! What the hell is he doing?! This looks suspiciously like a proposal!!!11!!1!!11!

"My Lady," he began, "from what I have seen of your world it is a hazardous place with little protection, especially for a maiden like you."

"...yeah?"

"Therefore, I shall be your protector and champion."

...you whit?!?!

"What?"

"I shall make sure that no harm comes to you, and I shall fight to uphold your honour. You are helping me in this world, it is the least that I can do to protect you."

I blinked.

Thank Goodness!

"Uhhh...okay."

He stood with a relieved smile on his face and we turned back towards home.

................Why am I thinking this might be trouble?

Yay, a chapter at last! I mean what I said at the top! Okay, people?! Good. Heehee, I got a knight protector!