The next day Kila woke before dawn in her nervousness. It was the second day. Last night, she had studied for hours and done so many pushups that that even now her arms ached. Mostly she was worried about the weapons practice. Yesterday, the only thing that she had been okay at had been archery. Just as she was closing her door, Liz and Will closed their own doors (which were both across the hall from Kila's, to Kila's private content). Without saying a word, they went down to the mess hall, grimly.

As they walked into it, Eldonzo shan Kermonot and Armen of Stone Mountain walked up to them. Kila stiffened.

"Probationer, go fetch me a roll from my room," said Eldonzo, a wicked smirk on his face. Kila winced. Kel's becoming a knight hadn't changed the hazing of first-years. Third and fourth-year pages were allowed to make first-years get them things.

"Don't even start with her, Eldonzo," growled Will. Liz and Kila looked over at him. Kila's heart pounded, even with her trying to quiet it.

"Oh, it's the future king!" taunted Armen. Will scowled.

"Well, perhaps he will be, Mountain Freak!" exclaimed Liz. Armen and Eldonzo's eyes bulged in anger as they both grabbed for Liz.

But an arm snaked out in front of the third-years, knocking them back, with unbelievable force. As Eldonzo and Armen fell, Lord Padraig haMinch's face scowled in front of the first – and second – year pages.

"Armory, two months, on sundays, for two bells. You will all be together." Lord Padraig's voice had disgust in it.

Kila felt scared. She tried to wave that feeling away, but it wouldn't go. If I'm to be a knight, like I've been dreaming all my life, and help the realm, I absolutely cannot be scared!

But she was. Mithros knew what would happen at that armory for two months, on those horrible Sundays, and those even worse bells. Kila knew that all of their weeks would start out with them groaning about their bruises, especially Kila.

"Will?" she said as they sat at the last table in a chunk that had been left untouched.

"Yes?"

"Don't think that I'm not brave because I'm telling you this…"

"You're scared, aren't you." It wasn't a question.

"Don't think bad of me…" Kila lowered her head.

"Of course I won't, silly girl! You know…" his voice lowered a notch in volume. "I'm scared too."

"Then we'll all be scared together," said Liz grimly.