Later that day Kel took the children down to the smiths to have old swords fitted to them. That being finished they went out to an open practice area and Kel walked them through the basic guard stance and grip. Contrary to Tobe's belief the youngsters had no problem what so ever learning to use a sword. It was a valuable skill that could one day earn them a position in the palace guard, so in her mind she was training them to a future that they would need to survive.

"Will we have enough training to be in the queen's riders after the war" asked a new girl named Lain. Lain was almost sixteen and she seemed to really excel in the fighting arts

"Well that depends, what other things do you think you need to know for the Riders". Kel asked her planning in her head how much she could change this girls future, give her a home.

"I suppose, riding." She replied.

"You will also need to learn how to read a write", Kel told her. "I was actually thinking of starting to make reading and writing part of you children's daily routine".

"Why do we need to learn how to read an write", Irani complained. The rest of the group just looked at her, the expressions as if to tell her that she was absolutely insane to pass up an opportunity like this.

"Shouldn't we just wait and go to school after the war?" Lain was confused, really the riders shouldn't need to learn how to read and write.

"That's enough discussion about it. For an hour every day after dinner you will all report to the head quarters conference area to begin studies in reading a writing. To further that anyone interested in taking mathematics, that would be you Lain, expect to stay and extra hour for those classes" Kel told them, though she didn't fully consider the weight of her words. Walking back in to the barracks the children headed off to go clean up before dinner. Running into her new assistant Kel asked "Hello, Carter I was wondering if you could have someone reorganize the tables in the conference room after dinner tonight. I'm teaching the younger staff group reading and writing."

"Lady Knight Sir, I don't think we have enough supplies to teach the entire group". Carter told her looking confused

"Do we have slate and chalk?"

"Of course, that's how we write up the duty roster drafts each week" he told her

"Then we have supplies until the time when we can get enough paper and quills for their lessons", Kel told him simply.

"Yes, Mme, it will be done", Carter told her and walked away in the opposite direction. He's going to have to learn to loosen up, Kel thought, Carter had been nothing more than civil to her since his arrival and it was starting to concern her.

Alright guys and gals, this is it for now, I know your all probably mad at me cause I'm not updating as much as I should but I really want to its just getting computer time when I am feeling inspired is almost as hard as finding time to sleep during musical time. But if you keep with those all encouraging reviews maybe I wont be running into writers block quite so often wink, wink, nudge, nudge, hint, hint