Chapter 42

A/N: 200 reviews! Wow, you people really love this story! And I love all the feedback, it's really encouraging, so a big thanks goes to all the reviewers who have reviewed since Chapter 1.

Notebook

Now on to the story…

Midori mounted her mare and waited for Owen and Kalen, excited to head home. Her mare apparently felt her tension and neighed. Nicola, who sat in one of the saddlebags, grumbled about being late but fell silent at Midori's frown.

Owen shook hands with Wyldon and the former training-master nodded, "From the reports of those two, you should consider moving them to knighthood as soon as possible. Their skills will benefit the realm greatly."

"Thank you, sir, I'll mention it to the king."

Wyldon nodded again and Owen mounted his stallion, turning him to the gate. Kalen had already mounted, as had Sir Bennel and they galloped out of Cavall with their hopes high.

Once safe in the city of Corus, the late afternoon sun at their backs, Midori hurried to greet Amyl who had dropped her bow and ran to hug her friend. "I was sure you would have been gone longer." She remarked, "Tonight's the night we convince Sheba, and Oriana to take the Ordeal early and win their shields."

"But when?" Midori asked, intrigued. She walked with Amyl through the halls and into Amyl's room.

"After supper, we tell them to meet us here, of course!" Amyl replied, leaping into her blankets. "Oh, and I spoke to my knight-master, Sir Alan of Pirates Swoop and…well it's going to be a surprise he's planning on the night we're all knighted. His brother and him have an idea for our shields, though I have no idea what it is." Amyl grinned and threw a pillow at her friend, "Why the gloomy look?" she laughed.

Midori attempted a smile but failed, "Amyl…I—don't know if—" Amyl furrowed her brows in confusion. "What are you trying to say, Midori?" she asked, gently, sitting up.

"I'm worried about…about all of us." Midori's eyes betrayed her true fear. Her everlasting fear of death still followed her like a shadow and glittered now in her eyes with unshed tears.

"You're afraid to die aren't you?" her friend whispered, light crystal-cobalt eyes understanding, as she hugged her friend, letting Midori cry on her shoulder.

"Yes, yes I am. Who ever heard of a knight afraid of death, Amyl?" Midori whispered fiercely, in a husky voice.

"Lady Alanna's afraid of spiders and from what I've heard, your own aunt is afraid of failure." Amyl replied, "Alan is afraid of losing his family and Thom afraid of feeling defenseless. Everyone is afraid of something, Midori."

"What's Merric afraid of Amyl?" Midori asked, facing her friend with a tearstained face.

At this, Amyl paused, "I-I think he's afraid of losing me…He already lost Ma, I don't think he could bear losing another…"

Midori held up a hand, "I understand now, Amyl. Come on supper's going to be ready."

Later…

After supper, Amyl, Midori, Sheba and Oriana headed to Amyl's room to talk. None of them spoke as they walked and quickly found places around the room to sit.

Amyl locked the door and took a seat on the floor. She took a deep breath and began, "Sheba of Blue Harbor and Oriana of Galla—she maintained a straight face as she continued, "Me and Midori have decided to take our Ordeals early."

"What!" Oriana cried, silver eyes wide.

"That's insane!" Sheba whispered, frowning.

It was Midori who spoke next. "Well it is a benefit to both of us. Amyl wishes to help her father and I wish to do this for Kalen…" "And Oriana, I do know once you're knighted you will be at Emrys' side fighting off raids with him, and Sheba…You've wanted to bring honor to your family didn't you?"

"To avenge my father's death, yes, and that." Sheba replied, light honey-colored eyes flashing in anger.

"These are your chances and ours." Amyl spoke then, standing from the floor, as if to stare them down.

"These aren't chances, Amyl," Sheba defied, "Their death sentences."

Midori stood next, "So what if we die? I, myself am terrified of death…but I'm not afraid of dying for my dream…"

The three others froze and Midori suddenly remembered when she had first confronted her father about knighthood all those years ago:

Flashback

"Amyl's going train as a knight like Kel and the Lioness! She said Merric's going let her"

Neal's face went blank. "Is that so?" he inquired.

Amyl nodded. "Da said I could"

"Can I train with her?" Midori's face was filled with a glowing hope that Neal fought to refuse.

A cold shiver slid down Neal's spine.

"Can I?" Midori repeated.

Neal gazed at Midori, "Why?" he asked.

"Because I want to become a pillar for the family's honor. Like you are" Midori stuck out her chin stubbornly, and crossed her arms.

"Listen sprout, training will be hard"

"I'll train harder if I have to, Kel will help me!" Midori's eyes glinted with anticipation.

Neal rubbed the back of his neck. "The Chamber of Ordeal--"

"That box of magic doesn't scare me!" Midori sneered.

"That Chamber chewed me up and spat me out, Midori, it could kill you"

"I'm not afraid of dying for my dream…" Midori whispered.

End Flashback

Midori waited for the other two to stand up and when they did, they nodded and put out their clenched hands.

"For honor and my family" Sheba whispered.

"For Emrys." Oriana said proudly.

"For my father." Amyl replied.

Midori paused for a second before replying: "For Kalen and my dream."

"For knighthood and friendship!" They said last line in unison.

"Now all we have to do is convince Owen, Sir Bennel and their knight masters before we go the king." Midori thought, feeling pride and hope swell in her chest. This was working perfectly.

A/N: Next chapter, they talk with their knight-masters and then Jon. Ordeals are coming up VERY SOON so be ready!

Regards,

- Notebook