A long line stretched from the registration desk. The girl avoided stares by keeping her eyes on the ground. She had put a bit of extra dirt on her face to make herself look a bit more masculine. Earlier she had practiced lowering her voice. When she finally reached the beginning of the line she faced Raoul of Goldenlake and several soldiers of the King's Own. After looking her over they raised their eyebrows in disbelief. "Look kid, we don't take them as young as you, no go on home…"

"Wait," Raoul interjected. "Go ahead, name and age please." Aaralyn of Kennan, she thought, 11. Instead she said shakily, "Aaron Jenson, 15." Even Raoul snorted in disbelief. "Sir, I know, I am small for my age, but I'm a good fighter. And I listen well!" Raoul scrutinized her for awhile before sighing and writing the name she gave on a sheet. New trainees will have an orientation tonight at the 8th bell in the practice courts. Aaralyn bowed solemnly and muttered, "Thank you, milord." As soon as she walked away the soldiers started protesting Raoul's decision.

"Men, I feel it was better to let the kid in even though he can't be more than 13. He'll be better of here than on the streets like it appears he's living."

"But sir…"

"Accept my decision Quinn. Enough said."

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Aaralyn arrived at the practice courts 5 minutes early. The court was filled with many young people—all of them boys, of course. She sat against a pillar, smaller than everyone else. Some of the boys scuffled roughly while others sat, almost as quiet as Aaralyn herself.

"Ahem!" Everyone fell silent, staring in awe at Knight Raoul of Goldenlake. He unnecessarily introduced himself and then immediately began training. He explained that the training would take place over a period of 4 weeks. Those who stuck to it would be placed in an army regiment at the end of that time, some would even be placed in the King's Own as trainees. After he finished his speech they began endurance work. "Never hurts to start out hard," Raoul said with a wink. They began with a series of running intervals which set Aaralyn's back into screaming pain. Somehow she resisted letting out a cry. She didn't want to risk embarrassment of being weak. Next, they did push-ups, sit-ups and staff work. At the end of the night some of the soldiers led the trainees to two large tents. They called off names and pointed to each one of the tents. Aaralyn was called into the right one. Worriedly, she picked out a bedroll in the very back corner. She was grateful that the hanging lanterns didn't illuminate the interior of the tent that far. Aaralyn shrunk against the back wall as someone picked the bedroll next to hers. "Hey there," he said cheerfully. "I'm Lazarus, but most people call me Liko, my middle name. What's your name?" Aaralyn almost didn't answer.

"Aaral—Aaron. Jenson." She immediately fell silent afterward despite his attempts of strike up a conversation. Finally he sighed and gave up. Shaking his blondish-brown head he slipped into his bedroll and faced the other way. Aaralyn felt a small pain of regret that she had been so cold towards him, but she brushed it off and fell asleep.

Da's voice strong and deep with Mum's voice chiming in like church bells. Kristen mute as always, but a master at the violin. And me. My light voice floating and skimming the music like a bird picking bugs off the water. Mum always said my voice was like brushing a feather across your face. A rare gift she said…

Pain. Uncontrollable pain. Dirt and rain covered me but I took no notice. I lay there wondering where I was. Was I alive? After what seemed like an eternity the pain turned to numbness so I tried to move onto my stomach. Pain. Uncontrollable pain. I wondered about my family as I slipped into the darkness of unconciousness.

"Hey kid, Aaron, wake up bud!" Aaralyn was shaking awake by the boy called Liko. "You okay? You kept crying out about something…I don't know. Must have been a pretty rough dream. Don't you hate those?" Aaralyn nodded yes but inside she thought 'Don't you hate it when it's real?' Liko offered her his canteen. She accepted grudgingly. They sat awake for awhile, whispering softly. Mostly Liko telling about his life history, but surprisingly Aaralyn didn't mind so much. "So…what about your family? Where you from?" The words hit her like a wall of ice. "I. don't. want. to. talk.about. it." she said haltingly.

"Sorry, what's wron—"

"I DON"T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT."

"Okay, okay…good night then." Liko could tell she wasn't going to be in a good mood anymore. They both lay down again; Aaralyn close to tears and Liko wondering what kind of secrets she had to hide.

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A/N: I know it's kinda short, but I guess it's better to update sooner than later right? this one was a bit forced but I'm just trying to get to the point where I have a good idea. I think like that-have a good hook and something later on but I have to push myself to find good stuff to put in between. hope you like it! and you could review…if you wanted to..and I wanted you to...which I do. :D