Disclaimer: I own Sierra, Sam, and a few other people you don't recognize. Tamora Pierce owns all else. Obviously. This disclaimer is here for technical reasons and technical reasons only. So you really don't need to read it...and now I'm raving.

Authors Note: Thank-you so much for all the great reviews! Wow! Your reviews are seriously (I hope) beginning to make my writing better! Don't know how long this chapter is going to be...I've decided just to write and see where I start. Well, on with the Reviewers Notes.

To My Reviewers:

maddimus3: Don't worry, she will be making more of an effort - obviously. Yeah, I think Sam is my favourite character too!

nicolerenea: Thank-you so much! You are my favourite reviewer, lol.

Acanthophis: I am sorry, but I can't tell you yet. But keep reading, and his identity will be revealed in a few chapters.

klutzyspaz: So now I have 28?

Redneck Girl: Thanks for reviewing! Please keep reading.

Bug: I have an excuse for the whole spell check thing...my Microsoft Word isn't working so I have to use Wordpad, which has no spell check. I know, it is messed. I'm really sorry about the mistakes (to you and everybody who reads this). But thank-you so much for the compliment, and I really hope you keep reading! And I do love Sam too ... he rocks:) That is why this chapter is partially given to him and to...

Of Sam and Weak Attempts

Sam, or Samson Gale, grew up in the marketplace of Corus with his three brothers and one sister. To them, finding a penny in the alleys with very much like finding a fortune. The family lived in a three room house that Sam's father William and his mother Deeana had bought when the first married. The first room was a kitchen/sitting room combination, and the other two rooms served as bedrooms, one shared by William, Deeana, and Sam's younger sister Sheena, another shared by Sam and his three brothers, William Jr., James, and Brent. Since the boys' bedroom contained only two beds, the boys either had to sleep pair by pair, or take turns rotating from the bed to the floor.

Deeana (Shile) Gale was unemployed, like most peasant women, and spent her time looking after her five children, cleaning the little that she had to clean, and planting the garden which most of the Gales' food ended up coming from. William Senior worked as an assisstant for two minor grocers, which gave him little pay and some bad produce every time after time. Yet although the family was low on money, William Senior would not give away to theft of nobles or others ranked higher then his family. Every day, William would pray to Mithros and even the Trickster that his good deeds would one day pay off his family.

It was a cool September day that the Gales received a notice from the palace and felt as if their wishes had been granted. They Court asked the Gales if they would give one of their boys to act as servant in the palace. The news was well needed, and the Gales were cheerful with joy. To be a servant at the palace was the highest payed job that a peasant could ask for, or dream of. So then came the act of choosing a particiapant. William Jr. was recently married, and was obviously out of question for the job, as he had his own job and family. Eleven-yeat-old Brent was much too young for the job, which left only James and Sam.

At seventeen, James was a quiet, shy boy that was often mistaken as rude to elders that knew not of his weakness around people. He was the height of his sixteen-year-old brother Sam, with a shaved head a dull brown eyes. He despised working around people, which had always put Deeana and William at an edge.

At almost sixteen, Sam was much more energetic then his brother, although not too energetic to be irratating. Sam was friendly which caused many of the people in the markets to love him at first sight. He was a pleasure to help with Deeana, and could always help his father when money was dim and unheard of.

So although it would benefit the Gales more to send James away, if they ever wanted good placement in the palace, Sam would be the one to send. So one moon later, Sam was sent to the palace, with love from his parents and family. Almost a week later James soon found a job as one of the main shop keepers accountant, which also brought money to William and Deeana. In fact, it was enough to buy a seperate bed for Sheena, so that she no longer had to sleep with her parents.

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Palace life adapted to Sam almost immediately. His duty was the same every day, and every day he would record himself to see if he could work faster then before, sweeping empty diners, doing the kitchen duties, and other slightly dull chores. It was almost an amazement to Sam when he found the amount of his first pay, not rich, but enough to buy his parents some food. He sent half of his money home every month when he was payed, and kept the other half for himself.

When not working, which was very rare, Sam usually found himself sleeping in the boys' servants quaters, which was shared by ten boys, each with their own bunk, ranging between forteen and nineteen years old. Younger boys had their in quaters, and older their own. Romance was found very little by the servants, although there would be nights that a boy would not return for the night. Sam had never been one to romance when he knew the trouble that he could get into. The last thing he needed now was to lose his job.

So for a period of half a year, Sam continued to quietly work at the palace, occasionally making new friends, but never anybody he could call a true friend.

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"Sierra?" Came a voice at the door, and then a knock. With a groan, Sierra liften herself from an easy-chair and slowly stalked towards the door, praying to the Goddess that Aelia nor Kevin had decided to pay her a visit.

"Oh..hello Kel." Responded Sierra as she opened the door to reveal her mother. She had just decided that she would call this woman Kel until she got to know her, and herself, better.

"Hello Sierra. May I come in, or are you busy?" Questioned Kel, dressed casually in breeches and tunic. With a polite nod, Sierra led Kel inside, showing her to the pair of armoirs that faced one another. With a grin, Kel sat, followed in lead by Sierra.

"Well honey, I fell quite bad for I have not really...spoken to you, so I thought now would be a good opportunity if you are not busy."

Sierra smiled her shy smile and nodded solemnly, realizing that this ling over-due chat was actually going to occur now.

"So, how was life in Wilmné. Tell me as much or as little as you want...I understand how it can feel to be...pressured." Answered Kel as she searched for the right word.

Sierra smiled again and answered, "Wilmné was okay, I suppose. There was a nice clearing in the forest outside the city where I would often go to when...well, you know. Nobody else had any knowledge of it. Sarrah and Leon for nice enough, but I really didn't speak much to the other Wilmné for we were so different and...well I was a little shy..." Sierra trailed off, surprised at how much she had said to her mother.

"But did you like it there...at all?"

"Oh yes. Well, I always felt I did not belong there, but I wasn't depressed or anything of the sort." Answered Sierra quickly, realizing that she had made herself sound like a depressed child.

"Okay, that's good. You know Sierra, I really have ment to say this - I am really sorry for...well...not speaking to you for sixteen years. I have my excuses, but they are probably unneeded as much as this apology is needed." Kel's voice was unusually straight, which allowed Sierra to see that Kel was using her Yamani mask.

"Oh Ke..mo...ummm...well, that really is OK, I understand, it does no good for a young knight to have a daughter."

Kel smiled sadly at her daughter and respnded, "But that really is no excuse...I really should of contacted you."

"No...K...mom. It's fine I promise. At least I know now, right?"

"Oh, thank-you Sierra. I really am sorry."

"That's okay. It really is."

I think ... right?

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Authors Note: So, how was it? Not a long chapter - but I wanted to give Sam some history and I needed Kel to talk with Sierra, even if it was a short talk. Please review with any ideas or what you think of my story. It would really help me to know.

Main Note:

Please Review - Please I want to know what you think of my story AND a single review sends me writing - although I would like at least 5-7 before I post the next chapter!