First off, I'm so freakin' sorry! I haven't been able to get on the computer as much as I would've liked. My whole schedule for this month is filled with things that require me to be very far away from the computer T-T. I'm going to apologize in advance for if anyone seems OOC. I haven't read the series in a long time.

Disclaimer: In my world, the sky is at our feet, black and white are colours, big dogs are scared of little ones, and I am Tamora Pierce. Unfortunately, the sky is above us, black and white are shades, little dogs run from big ones, and I'm nobody important.

---------------

Chapter 3: Training Begins

Rising early, Alanna prepared for the morning training. Brushing her hair, she looked over at Faithful who was curled up on her bed, eyes purple slits. She had thought she had dreamt him, but there he was. She had gotten sick of feeling the animal's eye on her and turned to him. "How long are you going to be watching me like that? Why don't you go and chase mice or birds, or something like a normal cat?"

-But I'm not a normal cat- was the reply.

Rolling her eyes, Alanna set down the brush and started on cleaning her teeth, reading over the training schedule George had handed her later the previous day.

--------------

Alanna couldn't believe how many young men had gathered to fight in the war as she marched down to the practise yard. She figured there had to be at least two hundred or so men.

"This isn't even half of the people who're fighting," Someone said behind her.

Turning around, she found a group of young men maybe slightly older than her. They were Raoul of Golden Lake and Gary of Naxen. She recognized the two from supper. Amongst them was a youth with dark hair and blue eyes who was new to her.

"Really? Not even half? But there's so many!"

"It's true. They've all been divided up into groups that train in different fields," The dark haired youth replied.

"Oh," Alanna replied dumbly.

Raoul leaned over to her and whispered, "This is Prince Jonathan, Alan."

Another dumb expression crossed her face as she bowed and made a hurried apology which sounded like she had said it in just one breath. She mentally scolded herself for not have knowing. Rising, she found him smiling at her.

"No need for an apology. I'm sure you didn't expect to see someone like me out here," he replied.

"No, I didn't actually, sire."

An order for all those training in the first field to hurry up and grab a staff, then get into three lines, one at least five feet apart from each other. They would begin by showing anyone unfamiliar with how to fight with a staff the basic techniques before the actual training began.

Alanna was thankful that when they had begun to pair people off that she was with Raoul. She knew that there were people on this field that might get a little too aggressive one they were permitted to begin. Since the two had become fast friends yesterday, she was sure he'd take it easy with her.

"Everyone, take your stances. Begin!"

--------------

She was wiping the sweat off her face with her handkerchief as she pushed open her bedroom door. Faithful was yowling and hissing at the man who was in her room, taking her things and packing them in the luggage case.

"Who are you?" She demanded, closing her door behind her firmly.

He turned to her and she recognised him.

"Corram? What in Mithros' name are you doing?" She asked, fists firm on her hips.

"Lass, you're gonna get yourself killed out here. I'm here to take you back home."

"Do you really think you're capable of doing that?" she leaned back on the door. "Have you forgotten what I can do?"

He paled ever so slightly. "You wouldn't…"

She smiled wickedly. "Try me. Now, unpack my things, we're staying." Watching him, she was thankful that she had gotten here before he had a chance to find where she kept her undergarments.

----------------

Okay, more's coming up. I'll try to find more time to update but it'll be hard what with so much stuff going on.

NealsChick: I'll get started on that second chap for Someday ASAP.

nicolerena: Well, here's the next chapter.