I don't own any of the Tamora Pierce characters

Right guys, as far as the plot goes, I'm pretty much sorted for the next few chappies and the ending... its the stuff in between, so on the last chapter that is planned at the moment, I'm going to be asking for your help, you can start thinking now if you want to, but if you guess where I'm going send me an email, ask about it, cus we can't ruin the plot for all of the other lovely people can we and if they decide to read reviews... then we will...

Enjoy the story!

Ivy was leaving the tent to go to the latrine when Matthew awoke. He sighed and lay back on his pillows, waiting for her to come back, feeling the sudden chill as the warmth that he had become accustomed to overnight faded from his bedroll. After a while Ivy returned, and Matthew immediately wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back into the bedroll, kissing her neck repeatedly, much to Ivy's amusement. His hand was slipping up Ivy's shirt when Gavins voice split the quiet of the morning.

"All you lazy gits get up!"

Matthew pulled away from Ivy reluctantly. "One of these days I'm going to yell in his tent and see how he likes it." He got up and pulled on his clothes, before leaning over and kissing Ivy gently on the lips. "You might want to stay here, he's a bit cranky in the mornings." he grinned and stroked her face before walking out of the tent. Ivy stayed in the bedroll for a while, trying to get back to sleep, but, aftera long time, she gave up and changed into clean clothes before leaving the tent.


Matthew was right. Gavin was obviously not a morning person, and was busy barking instructions at everyone in sight, finding fault with anything and everything. Ivy promptly avoided him,searching for Matthew and her family from the shadows of the trees. She didn't think it would be a good idea to get in Gavins way, especially after giving him a rather large scar the night before. Ivy's plan of discretion, however, failed. After looking over to the latrine to check that neither Matthew or her family were there, she turned and walked into something hard. Looking up, Ivy gulped.

"Watch where you're going Squire!" Gavin hissed at her. "And keep out of my way."

"I wouldn't want to waste my time and energygetting in your way anyway," Ivy replied.

Gavin glared at her briefly, then turned and walked away.


Matthew was in a small glade of trees along with Raoul and the rest of Ivy's family.

"What've you done to General Git this morning Ivy?" Raoul asked as she Ivy sat down on Matthews knee. "He gave us all such lovely looks as he walked by." Raoul's voice was sarcastic and Ivy looked down.

"I might have walked into him..." She said slowly. Matthew chuckled in her ear and nuzzled her neck with his nose.

"Say anything to him?"

"Might have..."

"Well...? What did you say?"

Ivy rolled her eyes. "I told him I wouldn't want to waste time and energy trying to get in his way alright? Satisfied?"

Matthew smiled. "Very. Thanks." he kissed her lightly on the cheek, a hand running through her hair.

"Tirragen!" Gavin roared from across the glade of trees. "I thought I put you on latrine duty!"

Matthew groaned and grumpily dislodged Ivy from his lap. "You did." He said. "It doesn't mean I have to do it every hour of the day. There isn't enough muck in the heap to do it."

Gavin looked at Matthew for a second. "Take another month Tirragen... what's that now? Six months latrine duty? You want to be careful, or I might mistake you for the heap of muck you're meant to be cleaning up!" He stopped then grinned. "Then again, its what you are anyway, isn't it?"

Matthew faked a yawn and stood up. "The number of times we've heard that line... can't you think of any original ones Sir?"

Gavin rubbed a hand over the stubble on his chin. "Keep up the witty comments Tirragen and you can have another six months for cheek."

Matthew put a hand over his chest and faked a hurt expression. "That is the most painful thing I've ever heard." he said sarcastically.

"Another six months it is then Tirragen... I'm starting to wonder whether you feel at home in the muck heap."


She was annoying him. Everywhere he went around the camp she seemed to be there. He couldn't get away from the smug grin on her family's faces, even when he gave them latrine duty, Gavin still got the smirks, the snide comments. Something had to be done about Tirragen's girl. And it had to be done soon, he wasn't going to let any girl ruin his reputation...
Ivy had gone to bed early. Now she had woken up, and was unable to get to sleep. She got up, deciding to go for a ride. There was nobody about except the men on watch, and most of the time they fell asleep on duty, nobody would be around to stop her, and she wasn't going far. She planted a soft kiss on Matthews cheek, careful not to wake him, then left the tent.

It was a dark night, with few stars. She couldn't see the men on duty,and there were no men walking over to the latrine.On another day, Ivy might have felt uncomfortable and gone back to bed, but she had been so agitated by the security of the camp that day, that she thought it was easier to go for a ride now, when nobody was around, than to try and convince people to let her go. Careful to avoid stepping on any twigs, Ivy hurried over to the stable that the men had built for the horses. She vaulted over the door to the stable in which Thunder was housed -she had already found out the door was creaky- only to find that Thunder was pawing agitatedly at the ground of the stable. She stroked him soothingly, then saddled him up. Only when she looked back at the door did she think that she would have to open the door for them to be able to get out, but then Thunder somehow managed to clear the door, landing quietly on the other side, cocking his head to the side as if to ask what was taking Ivy so long. Ivy grinned and vaulted over the door, taking Thunders reins and leading him around twigs and branches that would make a noise if they were trodden on. After a few minutes, they reached the edge of the camp, and Ivy mounted up, sighing in relief at the familiarity of being in the saddle. She was about to kick Thunder into a gallop, when suddenly a familiar and unwelcome voice sounded from behind her.

"Surely you should be in bed Squire!" Turning round, Ivy saw Gavin standing behind her, sword clipped to his waist. Ivy silently swore. This was just her luck, to decide to go for a night time ride when Gavin was on watch. When she didn't reply, Gavin went on. "You weren't planning on leaving were you?"

"I was going for a ride!" Ivy snapped. "But if that's not allowed then I'll just go!" She turned Thunder round and kicked him into a trot, passing Gavin. She didn't see his arm whip out until she had been dragged out of the saddle and slammed onto the floor. Ivy tried to cry out, but a large hand covered her mouth.

"You might have beaten me yesterday Squire, but it won't happen again! Nobody beats me and gets away with it! Especially not a fifteen year old wench!" Gavins voice was cold, low and frightening, but it didn't stop Ivy spitting in his face.

"Maybe if you learnt to fight you wouldn't get beaten so easily!" she hissed. Gavin grabbed her face in an iron grip and looked her in the eye.

"Maybe next time, little wench, I'll try harder, I didn't want to hurt you, but now, I think it might be worth the loss of honour to see the look on your face!" He stared at her with cold eyes. "You might think you can beat me, but I have ways to beat you that are much more than physical harm!" A cold smile passed over his face. "You might want to tell Tirragen to watch his back." he grinned. "Then again you might not..." his grip loosened on her face as his other hand passed down her chest. Ivy immediately brought her leg up, intending to hit Gavin in the back of the head, but the hand that had just been on her face moved very fast to grab her leg in just the same iron grip. "That's not very friendly now, is it?"

Ivy spat in his face again. "If we were trying to be friendly, you wouldn't have dragged me out of the saddle and covered my mouth!"

Gavin smiled wickedly. "True. But this is much more interesting... for me at least..." Ivy tried to hit him, but he stopped her whenever she tried. "Really, after yesterday, I thought you could actually fight... at least a little..." He released her and got to his feet. Ivy immediately flipped up and lashed out with her foot, only to have it caught in mid-kick. "Now now, calm down. Lets try and get along shall we?" he whipped his hand into the air, sending Ivy flying onto her back. She instantly got back up, hand darting to her waist where there would usually have been a sword. It wasn't there. She looked at Gavin angrily. He smiled at her. "You really aren't very good at this are you?" within a second he was in front of her, her face gripped tightly in his hand. "If it weren't for the fact I want to see the look on your face when I beat up lover boy, I'd have my way with you right now..." Ivy froze. She wasn't stupid, and she knew what he was talking about, and it wasn't something she was used to hearing. Nobody had ever threatened to rape her and kill her before, too many men thought her unfeminine. "Don't worry..." Gavin said quietly. "You're safe..." she could almost hear him smile as he said, "for now!" He let her go and turned away, walking back towards his tent. Ivy stared where she was, rubbing her painful face.

"Ivy?" Ivy spun round, seeing Matthew walking towards her in breeches and no shirt. "What are you doing?"

Ivy shrugged. "Nothing..." should she tell him? No, she decided. He'd only beat Gavin up and get himself in even deeper trouble. "I was just... walking..."

Matthew walked over to her, and shivered. "It's freezing though!" Ivy smiled.

"Its not that bad."

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Not bad?" He shook his head. "Come on. Even if you're not cold I am." He offered his hand. When she took it, he walked her back over to his tent.


What had he done? Gavin stared into the flame of his candle with annoyance, even anger. He'd just threatened Goldenlake's daughter, Tirragens lover, Numair Salmalin and Alanna the Lioness's niece. What had he been thinking? If she told any of them, he lost his position as General, and didn't get back at her for the painful scar she'd given him. For a second, he wondered if he was over-reacting. It was after all only a scar. Then he remembered the looks on the men's faces, the smirks, the smug looks that meant they were amused that he had been beaten by a Squire, and a female Squire at that. He clenched his fist at the thought. And Tirragen... he'd always hated him... somehow Tirragen had always bested him in the practice courts, always had a nerve and wit abouthim that couldn't be bested,and even though he never had any friends among the Pages, certain Knights had for some reason been on the lookout for him, watching his back, making it impossible for Gavin to touch him. Now he could hurt Tirragen more than he had believed possible, and hurt his Squire at the same time... he just had to keep his wits about him.
Maybe it was Gavins threat playing on her mind, maybe she just wasn't tired, but Ivy couldn't sleep. Long after Matthew had drifted off she lay awake in his arms, wondering how to keep herself out of Gavins way, and to keep Matthew out of his way as well. Maybe she could go back home... but if she did, she'd be leaving Matthew. She knew she had to go back sometime, but Jonathan had given her a month leave from her duties at the palace, and she wanted to spend as long as possible with Matthew, she just had to work out how to keep out of Gavin's way. She couldn't tell of him, she was sure of that. It was the first thing she had learnt as a Page; never tell tales. If someone asked what happened, make something up. She sighed, thinking. Just as she wasdrifting off to sleep, it occured to her that Thunder was still saddled, and she didn't know if he was in his stable. When she tried to move, her legs wouldn't obey,and her eyes remained close. In the morning, she thought, I'll go and make sure he's there in the morning... and she feel asleep.
Ivy woke up before Matthew, the first light of day drifted in through the crack at the entrance to the tent. She slipped out of Matthews arms, then pulled onher clothes and boots before heading outside andover to the stables. Thunder was there in his stall, with his saddle and reins hung up on a peg. Ivy frowned. Who hadtaken them off? She looked around and clenched her fists. Gavin was stoodten metres away, a smile on his face.

"I was wondering when you'd remember that you had a horseto look after."he said, walking over to her. Ivy watched him as he advanced on her. "I supposelover boy came out and took you in the tent did he? I don't think Ineed to ask what you did then." Ivy glared at him, but said nothing. "I thoughtwe were going to try and get along?"

"Keep dreaming!" Ivy spat. "I'd have to be mental to get along with you!"

Gavin smiled coldly. "You really don't know when to keep your mouth shut do you?" he grasped her face again, and brought his face close to hers. "When I said watch your back, I meant it..." his mouth opened to say something else, but he was interrupted.

"Whatin the name of Mithros do you think that you're doing?" Ivy couldn't see him,but she recognised Matthews voice, andwithin seconds, there was aflash of pale brown ramming into the side of Gavins face, and Ivy was released.There was a thud as Matthew picked Gavin up and slammed him into the door of the stable. "You keep your hands off her!" Matthew hissed. Ivy stared in shock. She'd never seen Matthew so angry, so out of control.

"Don't worry!" Gavin managed. "I don't want your whore Tirragen." There was a flash of silver, and suddenly, the flat of Matthews knife was pressed to Gavin's throat.

"Matthew!" Raouls voice sounded from nearby. "What's going on?" he said, advancing.

Matthew didn't say anything, he was still hissing at Gavin. "You ever lay a finger on her again and I swear I'll rip you apart!"

"Matthew!" Raoul roared. "Tell me what's going on!"

Matthew didn't look at Raoul, keeping his gaze firmly fixed on Gavins face, but spoke. "The bastard was hurting Ivy!" Matthew said with a venom in his voice that shocked Ivy to the core.

"What?" Raoul asked, trying to control the obvious anger she felt. He looked at Ivy and, seeing the mark on her face where Gavin had grabbed her, launched himself at Gavin. Ivy stared. She had to do something... but what? She thought for a second, then turned and ran to the cluster of tents nearby where her Aunt Alanna and Uncle Numair were sat on two logs, talking.

"Ivy? Whats wrong?" Numair asked.

"And what happened to your face?" Alanna enquired.

Ivy shook her head. "Not important." she said. "Dad and Matthew are beating Gavin up, you've got to stop them!" Instantly the two adults were on their feet.

"Where?" Numair said quickly.

"Over there, next to the stables!" she pointed and Numair immediately ran off. Ivy turned to follow him, but Alanna caught her shoulder.

"What happened to your face?" she said calmly.

Ivy looked at her for a second, then spoke. "I'll tell you later... what about Matthew and Dad?" Alanna looked at her niece for a second, then let go of her shoulder and the two of them ran over to the stables.

Matthew and Raoul were both laying into Gavin, throwing punches and threatening to gut him if he touched Ivy again. Numair was trying to hold Matthew back, but he wasn't having any of it. Alanna and Numair exchanged a nod, and within seconds black and violet fire was sprouting from their fingers and enveloping Gavin, forming a protective barrier. Raoul and Matthew both pounded it furiously, but to no avail, and finally they stopped. Raoul slammed a ham-sized fist into the door of the stable, whilst Matthew cast a last loathing look at Gavin before walking away. Ivy turned and ran to catch up with him.


"Matthew!" Ivy said, catching his hand. He looked at her, sighed, then turned and tilted her head to look at the red mark on her face which was already starting to bruise.

"What did he say to you?" Matthew said quietly, cupping her face with his hands. "Tell me what he said!"

Ivy lifted one of her hands to cover one of his. "It doesn't matter." she said soothingly. "It was nothing..."

"Stormwing dung!" Matthew interjected. "If it was nothing he wouldn't have grabbed your face."

Ivy looked down. "He just... doesn't want me here..." it was a terrible lie, but she couldn't tell him, he'd probably kill Gavin, and she wouldn't be responsible for an unnecesary death.

"I don't believe you!" Matthew stated. Ivy stayed quiet. "If he's threatened you Ivy, you have to tell me." He lifted her head and pressed his lips gently to hers. When he pulled away he stroked her hair from her face. "I'm not just your lover you know," he whispered, "I'm your knight-master. I have to look after you and defend your honour." He paused, then repeated, "What did he say to you?"

Ivy looked down again. "He just said to watch my back..." Ivy said. It wasn't the whole truth, but it wasn't a lie either, maybe he would believe her...

"What about last night?" Matthew said quietly, but he couldn't keep the anger from his voice. "What did he say then?"

Ivy bit her lip. She couldn't tell him... "Nothing. We were just t..."

"Don't Ivy!" Matthew growled.

Ivy looked at him. "Don't what?"

"Don't spin me all that dung. He threatened you. I'm not stupid, and he did it again today! Didn't he?" he looked at her fiercely. "Didn't he?" He shook her, and Ivy instantly pulled away from him.

"What's wrong with you?" Ivy asked, tears brimming in her eyes. "He threatened me and he threatened you! Alright? You happy now? You didn't have to yell at me!" She turned and ran off towards her tent.

"Ivy!" Matthew called after her, but she wasn't listening. "Damn!" Matthew said. What had he done?


Gavin sat in his tent. It had worked better than he could have planned. Yes, he had several cuts and bruises to show for it, but it was perfect. Tirragen had yelled at her, and now both of them were broken, emotionally at least. It was perfect. Now for the individual punishments they both deserved...


Guys, I'm so sorry it took so long to update, my life's been pretty screwed up for the past few weeks, so I hope you can forgive me this time... I don't know how soon the next update will be, but please review IF THE WORDS ARE STUCK TOGETHER SORRY, THE PROGRAM ON IS TERRIBLE!

Mage of the Heart