Chapter 31

As they neared the castle, idly watching the first year squires practice swordplay, Midori suddenly remembered an important thing she knew Owen would be mad at her for. She had never told him she was leaving for Corus or when she was going to leave. When she had received the news that her lover was brought back from the dead, she did not think of her knight-master or of anything else except hurrying to find Kalen. It had all been a blur of action and emotion as far as she knew, and Owen would probably be furious, and quite disappointed.

"We've got to hurry and send a message by bird to my knight-master. Sir Bennel will probably wonder why you're suddenly appearing but tell him to blame my cat. Although she is kind, she does get in trouble, and this time she's in way over her head." Midori explained as Kalen nodded.

Yukiko stopped and Kalen dismounted, "You know, you'd make an excellent commander, but don't forget to report!" he playfully scolded, kissing her cheek and going to see if he could duel any of the squires.

Midori untacked her mare and brushed her down, not paying attention to much except her task. She hummed a quiet song for company, soothing both her mare and herself as she filled the trough and pitched new hay into the stall after mucking it out. She didn't notice that Shakith had appeared, standing outside the stall until she had looked up from her sweeping.

"That's a stable-boy's job, girl, not a proud squire's. I thought you wanted to tell your knight-master where you were?"

"I did, but it seems it's already been done. One of the sparrows is carrying as message." Midori leaned on her broom and watched a rather big sparrow she had named, Cam, fly off with a rolled up scroll tied to his leg.

"Smart, real smart you can be sometimes, but don't let it get to your head, I don't give compliments lightly."

Midori nodded, "I understand."

The goddess of seers frowned, "I hope you do, girl. Knighthood calls for understanding, and it seems you've got it."

In a flash of white light the goddess disappeared, Midori stared for a moment then sighed and returned to her sweeping.

The squire thought about what she said about Nicola just before Kalen had left to the practice courts:

"In times, she's in way over her head..." Midori chuckled at the thought. "Well, sometimes, so am I!"