Kaden woke up suddenly, startled by the same nightmare she'd had for weeks. She found herself in a warm room with a fire going well in the fireplace. She slowly got out of bed and walked achingly to the table where she found a note.

Dearest Kaden,

There are clothes for you to wear in your privy. Have a bath, get changed and come to the mess hall. That's where you'll find me. Come quickly. After breakfast, you're to meet all of my friends and have a tour of the palace.

Your brother, Adish.

She ran to the privy and took a short bath. She threw a green tunic, brown breeches and black boots. She buckled her belt on which her daggar hung, and tied her untamed, black hair up. Then, she ran into the hall. Remembering that she didn't know how to get to the mess hall, she tapped the nearest person on the shoulder. He was a tall, brown haired man with hansome features. He smiled at Kaden warmly.

"Allan of Pearlmouth at your service." He said formally. He was dressed as unformally as her, in green breeches and a green tunic.

"Um, hi. Where's the mess hall?"

"I was just going that way. I can take you there." He said casually as he started to walk down the hall. "Follow me, uh, what did you say your name was?"

"I didn't. It's Kaden of Blue Harbour, sir."

"Blue Harbour? Your brother is Adish, right?"

"Yessir."

"Please, Kaden, don't call me sir, call me Allan." When she looked at him surprisingly, he added: "I don't like being called sir."

"So, how do you know my brother?"

"I was his squire, before I turned into a knight. He and I are good friends." He led her into a big room that seated many knights. "Here we are."

Adish stood up and waved to both of them, a big smile spread across his face.

"So I see you've met my good squire, Allan. I was going to introduce you two, but I'm guessing you found each other before I could say anything about it." Adish said once they had their food and sat down at the table.

"We met in the hall. You forgot to tell me how to get here. I asked him for help."

"Yes, well, hurry up. We need to get going. If you want a tour, you're going to get one." He smiled devilishly.

She ate quickly, as quickly as she could, and went outside with Adish. Allan decided to come along. They toured the whole palace, which took until lunch, and retreated after eating to their rooms. Kaden claimed she could do no more walking.

"What news from the palace while I was gone, Allan?"

"Keladry has joined the Own, just the other day."

"She what?"

"You're going to have company. Lord Raoul has taken her as a squire."

"He has never taken one before, why now?"

"I don't know."

"Is she here, at the palace?" Kaden asked. She had always wanted to meet Kel. The two men hesitated to answer.

"Yes." Allan told her.

"Well then, I want to meet her. I've met all these men you call your friends, now I want to meet her."

"No, Kaden." Adish said firmly.

"Why?"

"I don't want you to."

"Why not? There's nothing wrong with me meeting her, is there? Except my brother won't let me." She was getting cross, so she made herself calm down. "I want to meet her, please?" The silence in the room was almost unbearable. She knew her brother's answer was going to be no.

"I'm going to the practice courts, you want to come?" Allan said. His smile made her want to go, like it was pulling her. She did need to practice her archery and pole arm work.

"No, I think I'll stay here." Adish added.

"I need to get some fresh air. I also need to practice." Kaden knew that he just didn't want to deal with his sister, but she went happily, just to get away from him. She hated to fight with him. When they were outside, Allan asked:

"Do you two fight a lot?"

"Not so often, seeing as he's away most of the time. I haven't fought with him in months. Not until today, that is." She followed him into the stables where he passed a bow and arrows to her. They walked outside together and lined up in front of the targets. "Do you have any siblings?" Kaden asked with curiosity.

"I have a younger sister and two younger brothers. What about you? Other than Adish." He was stringing his bow when he said this, and grinned slightly at her.

"Let me see, Lalita, Galen, Fianola, Tamas and Panyin." He stared at her, confused and smiling. He seemed to smile a lot. Maybe he was just a cheerful guy. "Lalit and Galen are older, Fianola, Tamas and Panyin are younger. Tamas and Panyin are twins." She said as she loosed an arrow. It hit squarely in the middle.

"Nice shot! Even I can't do that!"

"Try it. Let me see." He loosed his arrow, and it wasn't far away from the middle. Right outside the border.

"See? I told you!"

"All you need is a little practice. Here. Make your loosing stance." As he did, she walked over. "Ah, I see what your problem is."

"What? What am I doing wrong?"

"Put your elbow up higher. Your legs are too far apart. There. Perfect."

Kaden spent the afternoon teaching Allan a few things he didn't know about archery, pole arms and other things, and finally retreated to her rooms where she collapsed in her bed. The day had made her so exhausted. She quickly drifted off to sleep thinking about her parents.

A/N: I NEED IDEAS! R&R please! And give me some good suggestions. :)