A/N: Haha. I made Liam a lefty. Ug, school just barely starts and I've already got three progects due. One for biology, geography, and stupid geometry. Okay, I'm making my updates a bit more specific. I decided to update on the weekends. I'm swamped during the week. Trying to fit in a shower and get a good amount of sleep is getting hard, that's pretty sad.

This one's pretty long (well long to me) as a future 'fogive me' for the next two chapters.

Disclaimer: Don't own . . . stop bothering me about it. I already understand I don't own this. Well I own a few of the things on this. But not much.

x..:..x

"Come on Liam! Your guard is weak on your right side!" Arra called as she watched him sparring with a fellow squire.

"Could you do better?" He called back.

She shrugged. "I dont know. Watch out! What did I tell you about your right side! For all that you're almost a knight, too!" Arra would've stood and fixed it that instant had an odd noise not presented itself. It was a almost a screech and yet part squawk. Arra turned around to inspect the sound but saw nothing until she heard it again. This time she followed the sound to a group of boys. "What's going on here?"

Three boys seperated quickly.

"Well?"

"Nothing miss. Just a bit of fun." One answered. Arra took another step closer and found something in their midst.

"And what is this?" She whispered. She lifted up something very soft. It was a bird barely into adolesence with some patches of fuzzy feathers. Though the feathers that seemed more permanent were blue. Blue on the outside, on top of the head and wings but not on the underside. The underside was white with black specks. The tip of his beak was a deep blue that as it got closer to the head it faded into white. Even it's talons – in quite a contrast because of a bright yellow color – owned grey claws that shined blue. "Daine would have your heads, the lot of you."

The eldest of the lot came forward. "Give him back. We caught him fair and square with our bows. He belongs to us."

It was then Arra noticed they had indeed harmed the creature. One of it's wings bled on her hand from just a graze. Though enough, no doubt, to bring it out of flight long enough for them to capture it. "Daine would probably have my head if I left him in the possesion of you three."

She walked away cradling the bird of prey against her shirt without another word and also ignoring the boys' curses aimed towards her. Now what do I do? I've got an injured bird here. . . a large bird. Since Numair is here, Daine is more than likely at there home caring for their children. So basically, I'm in a bit of a fix.

The bird make another sound causing her to look at it. It's eyes held intelligence and seriousness that any bird of prey should. "And what exactly am I supposed to do with you, hm?" The bird cocked it's head to one side. I can't very well ride to Daine myself. And Numair seems like he might be staying a while longer. I don't want to send him back for a bird. . . So I'll just have to do the best I can.

"Arra, what've you got there?" Liam asked, wiping sweat off his brow.

"A bird." Arra answered simply.

"Let me see him." He holds out his hands. At first Arra was reluctant until he rolls his eyes. "My aunt is the Wildmage. I think I know something about birds."

She hands him over and the large bird made only a peep. Liam studied him for a while lifting the bird above his head to look under it and finally made an assumption. "He should heal up nicely on his own. Though I have never seen a bird like this. It looks like a type of falcon, but I've never known them to be blue."

"So, he'll be fine?"

"Should be. Are you going to keep him? He looks like a good one." The way Liam held him reminded Arra of the way one might hold a chicken, around the wings to keep them from flapping.

Arra shook her head rapidly. "I was more hoping he could be set free again."

"We'll ask Daine."

"She's here?"

"Not exactly, but Numair's leaving today he can take your friend to her." Liam said.

"Only if your sure."

"It'll be alright."

The very next thing Arra did was take the blue falcon to Numair who readily agreed to take him on. "I'm sure Daine'll be happy to see to him," was his answer.

With nothing else to do, Arra just wandered around. I feel so useless. There's nothing for me to do with the pages off and Lindhall busy with . . . whatever he's doing. Actually I think he's working on an experiment.

Arra could feel the unbearable weight of boredom making its way to her slowly like a cloud. There really was nothing to do. With the pages out for the summer she had no one to really teach. She sighed and decided to find a way to keep busy. At seeing Ghost's saddle she grabbed it mentally saying this was a good thing as any other to start on. She brought it to her rooms and settled down with a needle and strong special thread. Arra was just about to begin when she realized working indoors didn't sit right with her. So in one swift movement she brought everything outside to work.

Someone, she didn't know who, said a long time ago that she had the ability to sew fine embroideries if she tried. She never had but the woman had been commenting on her work with the saddle. Fine, strong, sure stiches held together ever inch of it. Arra looked over the saddle, noting in her mind the places that needed attention the most and the ones that could wait. Sighing yet again that day she laid the heavy saddle on her lap and began work.

Arra pressed the needle into the leather and fell into the rhythmic movements. That was how she saw everything. In rhythm. It made things easier. From moving her sword to darning her socks. She had come to a point in sword fighting that the swings and slashes were no longer singular attacks but part of a greater pattern. Just like life, she though pulling the needle, everyone and everything is part of something greater and bigger than them whether they know it or not.

After mending the last bit of her saddle she looked over it one last time. Sad to say, it looked as close to perfect as any saddle could get leaving her with not much to do.

"I think it looks fine." Arra had been so concentrated she hadn't noticed the approach of Queen Thayet.

"Your Majesty. How are you today?" She said quickly.

The queen nodded, she wore a simple attire consisting of breeches and a shirt. Though, Arra thought to herself not in the least bitter, even the least of her clothes are finer than any commoners. "I'm doing fine. I saw you out here working. How are you?"

Arra sighed. "I'm okay. Just trying to find something to do today, I'm not even going to worry about tomorrow just yet." She grinned.

"So you've nothing to do?"

"Nothing at all, unless you count the neccessity to mend a few shirts, which I won't because it's not pleasant business." Arra said with another smile.

Thayet took a seat next to Arra. "I was thinking perhaps I'd take you up on an offer you proposed to me some months ago, then."

Arra really was lost. What proposal? She couldn't remember. "I'm sorry. I truly am. But I remember very little details from before the sickness struck me."

The queen laughed lightly. "Yes, I'd expect that. You did ask me to remind you."

At those words something unburied itself in her memories. "Oh! You mean the riding lessons!" Thayet nodded, her smile still present. "Name when and I'll try my best to teach you."

"I should be saying that to you."

Arra laughed outright just then. "If you left the decision to me it'd never get done. I'm a bit forgetful and would no sooner forget he date I myself named."

Thayet chuckled a bit. "I see, does now work for you? I'm free at the moment."

"Indeed it does. And you're in luck, I've just finished my saddle," And as an afterthought she added. "And I think Ghost could use an exercise, she's gone far too long without a rider. She'll be fat by now!"

Thayet laughed and they walked together to find Ghost. I didn't actually think she'd take up my offer. I don't mind teaching her though. It's just odd. Teaching someone older than you something. When they reached Ghost, she pushed her snout into Arra's clothes searching for something.

"I don't have any treats for you. Not today. Come on, look alive. Time for you to actually do something." Ghost snorted at Arra but obeyed all the same. She placed the saddle on the mare and secured it. "Alright, that should about do it," She tightened one more strap. "And she should be ready to mount."

"And how exactly am I supposed to do that?" The question stumped Arra momentarily. She herself just sort of . . . hopped on. This is going to be harder than I thought. Next time someone wants to learn how to ride maybe I'll just say no. "How do you do it?"

"I . . . jump on. Your must forgive me, I've never taught my riding to anyone before." Her lessons did not get any easier from there. When they finally did get the queen on she wasn't used to having no reins to hold on to and consequently tightened her legs to assure herself she'd stay atop. But in doing so she triggered Ghost to move forward.

"I feel like a child learning to ride again." Thayet commented. Arra laughed. The day proved close to useless in Arra's opinion, though not completely. The most progress Arra had made was that the queen could now sit comfortably and make Ghost move forward one step. But Thayet made it clear she meant to pursue this feat. Arra's respect for her grew at that and also her gratitude. Thayet had given her something to do for a portion of the long boring days.

Since that first day Arra hadn't thought much about that blue falcon. She woke up early one morning to a ticking sound. Blearily she opened her eyes and after rubbing them down followed the sound to her window. Arra jumped back in surprise. There it was, head cocked to one side, the blue falcon. Upon closer inspection she noticed a small sheet of paper clipped to it's leg. Question on how it got here? Flew. But how did it find my window?

Arra opened the window and let the bird in. He looked much better than in the state she had left him last, she noted. Taking the note carefully from its leg, it read :

Arra,

The bird you found is doing fine. Though, when I tried to set him free he said he'd much rather go back with you. He doesn't have a name but he said he'd gladly take any you wanted to give him. He's yours now!

Daine

"What?" She looked to the bird. "No, no, no. Surely you want to be free and fly around?" He ruffled his feathers and continued to search her room. Daine clearly said he wanted to be with me so there's no giving him away or letting him go. So what to do? Killing him is not an option. Arra sighed in defeat. "Fine, if you're going to stay I suppose you need a name."

A knock sounded at the door. Arra answered it ignoring the sounds of—was that happiness?--from the bird.

"Good morning Arra." Damien said with a smile. "And happy birthday!"

"What?" She'd completely forgotten.

"Happy birthday! I've asked Thayet to relieve you of your teaching duties so we can go into the city." He smiled again. She nodded dumbly. Eighteen. She let him enter as she changed in the bathroom and washed her face.

"Ouch!" Arra heard as she re-entered the room. She laughed at the predicament. The blue bird atop Damien's head was picking at his head with a hard beak. "Where did this thing come from?"

Arra's laughing settled down. "Came this morning, apparently I've got a new border in my room though I haven't a name for him yet."

"You're keeping this thing?"

She nodded and handed him the note while explaining.

"Ah, well that helps me anyhow. Gives me more options on what to give you."

"Damien I don't want anything." She said seriously for a moment.

He shrugged and they headed out. They decided to walk, nothing like a nice walk to wake you up in the morning. They set an easy pace and reached the main part of the city in a few hours. The blue falcon flew over them the whole way.

"So what do you plan to name him?" Damien said motioning up to the bird.

"I don't know."

"How about, Great Annoyance In My Side? Then for short you could call him G.A.I.M.S." He suggested.

"I don't think so. I was actually thinking of naming him 'Cobalt'. I rather like that." Arra had been thinking through the whole walk about a name, and Cobalt had been the best she could come up with.

He smiled. "Cobalt it is then," He said steering her into the first shop of the day.

"Ah, Damien. I've got what you ordered, it's just come in today I'll go fetch it." The shopkeeper said.

Arra raised a brow. "Ordered? Now what would you need to order?"

"That's a secret, my little chickadee." He said accepting a box from the man. "Onward, to more exciting stores."

She groaned, "You aren't going to buy me anything are you? I've told you year after year, I don't need or want anything."

"And year after year I ignore you. Plus I've got the past years to make up for." Damien said with another smile. He's not going to stop smiling is he? The Pheonix explored many shops keeping Arra in tow until he found one he seemed to like.

"What are we going to do here?"

"Getting you gloves. With a falcon, we can't let your arms get all torn now can we?" He said, looking for a pair he liked.

"If I'm going to be getting gloves, I'll buy them." She said.

He laughed. "I think not. Here try these on." She obeyed. It was a very dark, thick leather. She frowned. "You're right, they don't fit you. We need to find some that will fit those tiny hands well."

"I do not have tiny hands!"

"Yes you do."

"Can I help the both of you?" The man, more than likely the owner, asked.

"Yes, we need to find bird handling gloves that will--" Damien took a hold of one of Arra's hands, "--fit these small hands." The owner smiled. "In perferably a light color."

"I think I have what you're looking for." He left.

Arra tore her hand away. "Why a light color?"

"If the bird scratches it, and he will, it won't show up as easily as on dark leather." He said matter-of-factly just as the shopkeeper returned with a box just a bit larger than the other box Damien received.

"Here you are." He opened the box and inside lay surprisingly delicate looking gloves in a very light tan, creamy color. The stiches at the end were dark blue. "Women of many great houses like to have carrier birds. These types of gloves were made for such."

"Try them on Arra don't expect the man to just hold them there all day." Damien said with a pleased smile. Arra took one and slipped it onto her hand. It was very soft, though it would take some time for it to become comletley flexible, and it fit her hand well. They easily reached up her forearm and almost up to her elbow. And to her delight, they were very thick, good for protection.

"We'll take them. Arra wait outside." The gloves were placed back in the box and Damien left to pay for them. Wait outside? . . . oh, I get it. He doesn't want me to know the price. She stuck out her tongue but obeyed. He shouldn't be buying me things. Especially things I should be buying on my own.

"Where to next?"

"Back to the palace." Arra said dully.

Damien laughed. "I don't think so. Come on, you should be happy. It's your birthday!"

"I am happy, can't you tell?" She smiled. Though they spent a few more hours browsing, through all of that time Arra complained until Damien finally said they could leave. Arra had to convince him not to buy a stand for Cobalt because she was still a Shang and when she traveled it wouldn't be helpful at all.

"So you do plan to leave then?" He asked on there way back.

"Of course, why wouldn't I?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, just asking I suppose. You seem close to the Prince."

Arra looked at him suspiciously. "What are you getting at?"

Damien gave her a look and she gave him one back as if to say 'what?'. He sighed. "Just . . . be careful. He's a prince Arra."

"Damien! We are friends. That's it. Men and women can be friends without romantic or sexual appeal." Arra's temper rising. Why did he have to bring something like that up?

"I'll trust you on that." He said but in a lower voice he thought Arra couldn't hear said, "but I know how a man's mind works."

She tried to kick him but he jumped over her foot. "We'll have none of that." He laughed and Arra joined him, they stepped into Arra's room. "Here, this is for your birthday," He handed her the gloves, "and this is my goodbye present."

Arra looked up into his eyes as he gave her the first box he had gotten. "Goodbye?"

He nodded. "I figured it's about time I left."

I knew he wouldn't stay forever. She smiled. "Until the next time our paths cross then."

He returned the smile warmly. "Indeed." Damien pulled her into a hug. "Now don't open that until I leave," He grinned.

"When are you leaving?"

"Now."

"Wha-" But she was cut off by a knock at the door. The . . . door. She thought evilly. And as she opened it Damien stepped out swiftly with a smile and a wave. She opened her mouth to object but found herself currently engaged with a visitor. Though he seemed to be confused.

"He's leaving." She said simply. "Would you like to come in, Liam?"

He grinned. "No, I actually wanted to know if you were up to a spar."

Arra was about ready to decline when she decided maybe it would clear here head for a moment. "That would be nice." She walked out with the box still in her hand.

"What is that?"

"Oh." She held up the box. "It's a present."

"For who?"

"Me." She searched the box. "For my birthday. How am I supposed open it?"

"It's your birthday?" He laughed. "And me without a present."

"Oh, please don't. I don't want anything. I would've stopped him . . . if I could have. Even then I'm sure he wouldn't have cared." She took in a good amount of air. "No present can be your present."

Liam shrugged undecisively. Arra gave him a look that went unnoticed but continued on. "So what kind of spar would you like tonight? Swords, staffs, body?"

"How about staffs first?"

"Fine with me." Still looking for a way to open the box she asked. "Do you think Damien's gone by now?"

"We can check when we get out there, why?"

"Damien said I couldn't open it until he was gone," Realizing that didn't sound exactly right she ammended. "though I am in no hurry for him to leave."

He nodded as they took a turn for the practice fields. Getting frustrated with the box she muttered. "I'm sure he found this box especially just to annoy me!"

"Here let me see." Arra handed it to Liam. He looked at it for a few moments before he said. "Right there. You should be able to open if from there."

She frowned. "Well, don't I feel stupid?" Liam chuckled.

She did as she was told and opened it from where he had instructed. Seeing it's contents she gasped and stopped mid-step. "What is it?" Liam asked. Gingerly, she lifted gloves out of the box they had an insignia. The Shang orb with a bright red bird that seemed almost to be in flames, though the bird was only present on one glove the other had only an orb.

"Firebird." She breathed tears welled in her eyes but she wiped them away. "I'm sorry Liam."

"No, no, it's alright."

Arra lifted a note from the box and read aloud.

"Arra the Shang Firebird. Has a nice ring to it doesn't it? Yes, that would have been your Name, I decided maybe you should know but don't forget who you are."

"To think someone as lowly as me sparring with the Shang Firebird." Liam commented.

Arra smiled. "Lowly! Hardly! A prince!" Liam grinned. "And I'm not the Shang Firebird."

"Are you still up to a spar?"

She grinned. "Of course." How he lifted my spirits in such a short time I'll never know. She set the box down far enough so that it wouldn't get in their way but sill close enough to keep an eye on. Liam handed her a staff. She weighed it.

"Hm, let me see that one." He handed it over. "I like this one better." She decided handing Liam her reject. A smile stuck to Liam's face as he watched her walk a few steps away and take up a stance. "Well, come on then don't keep me waiting here like this."

The prince attacked. Arra blocked him and then tripped him with a swing to his legs. "Now, don't make this too easy."

They went back into position and this time Arra attacked. Liam seemed to deal with this better as the fight lasted longer. He blocked and retaliated. After a few minutes, though, his eyes focused on her swaying hair and he noticed how the slight flush of her cheeks accented her looks. In his moment of distraction he found himself on the ground once again.

She looked down at him with a frown. "Maybe the staff isn't working for you." She held out a hand and helped him up.

"I think you just took the good one." He said smiling. She rolled her eyes.

"Few more? Without the staffs?" She inquired. He nodded.

They fell into the punches and dodges. But, why couldn't he focus on the fight? He sidestepped another punch but only barely. She was on the verge of grinning. Nothing went through his head with his next movement. It was instinctive. He pulled her to him and without even a thought pressed his lips to hers.

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A/N: I never, ever said I was a nice person. How many chapters of romantic tension(well for you guys anyways)? Lets see next chapter how Arra reacts, eh? Will she accept, and give in to deep, animalistic passion? Find out sooner by reviewing!

The bird idea came primarily from another story I've written a good portion of, she has a falcon too. But its a gyr falcon. Fun! I love the whole animal-partner thing. It's in almost all of Tamora Pierce's books I think.

Know what I was thinking? Liam spelled backwards is mail. Haha. Mail.

My, my. Liam kissed Arra. I guess Liam isn't as well trained as we thought. Let's see what reviewers have to say about that . . .

REVIEW!