Hello peoples! Before we begin, for anyone interested, LeiaPrincess21 has a C2 called Complete DN Story Archive and she's looking for staff members. She would REALLY appreciate all the help she can get. If you're interested, please let her know. Or you can let me know and I'll tell her for you. Whatever works for you lot.

Disclaimer: Not mine.

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Chapter 4: Ready for War

Through rain, sleet, or hail, they trained long and hard with staffs and archery. There were some days Alanna didn't even want to leave her bed and wondered who was crazy enough to plan that they get up so early. On a particularly wet afternoon, they had decided to try something new, swordplay.

Finally, no more hitting people with sticks, Alanna thought, pleased. Of course, she knew they wouldn't exactly be starting off with real swords. About a little over half probably hadn't even seen a sword before in his whole life.

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"We've been at this training stuff for quite a while now, when will we actually get around to the war?" Alanna asked. She, Raoul, Gary, and Jonathan were all gathered in Gary's rooms. Three shrugs were her sole answer. "Surly you know something, Jon."

"No. All that I was told is that we'll head out onto the battleground when Sir Myles feels that we're ready. Until then, Alan, you'll have to be patient."

She sighed. "That's easier said than done."

"You never know, that day just might come sooner than you think," Raoul warned.

"Fine."

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King Roald frowned. "Are you sure about this, Myles?"

The knight seated across from him nodded. "If you were to send troops 4 and 7 in ahead here and here," Myles points to two areas on the map, "we would have a better chance of blocking off an attack here." The knight pointed to an area on the map just before the Tortall/Tusane border. "Then, after a couple more training sessions, my troop should be ready to join troop 5 and meet with 4 here."

"I don't know…"

"Trust me, this'll work."

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The sound of practise swords banging together filled the courtyard when Myles exited the palace several weeks after his discussion with the king. "Excuse me, if you could all stop what you're doing."

"I wonder what Sir Myles wants." Alanna heard someone behind her ask.

"If you shut up then maybe you'll find out," Another replied.

She turned around, "How about you both shut up," she hissed.

"You all have been doing quite well over the fast few months we have been training. Tomorrow, you all shall forge your own swords, practise with them. Then we shall be moving out to join the others out on the battlegrounds. Be ready, we may have to change out plans at a moment's notice."

Everyone began to talk amongst themselves about the sudden change. Most of them had thought they'd be training forever.

Alanna turned to her friends. "About time."

Raoul grinned. "We told you to be patient."

"Yeah, but still…"

"In any case, it's high time we all headed in and got cleaned up before supper," Gary said as they marched out of the practise yards and into the castle.

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-So, you shall be heading out for the battle grounds soon? - Faithful asked, his tail swishing silently back and forth.

"Yes. It's about time too," Alanna replied.

-Remember, only fools rush in things-

"I know that. It's just I'd rather get this done and out of the way as soon as possible. The last thing I need is for anyone to find out the truth and my brother be dragged into this war."

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nicolerena: Well… I suppose there'll be some fluff- not a whole lot. Just don't expect it to be Alanna/Jon. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Alanna/Jon parings, I'm just not all that crazy about them.

NealsChick: It's not really finals that make this a busy time. The Friday after Mother's Day I'm going to the other side of the country for a week. So I won't be able to update for a time.

Madame-S-Butterfly: That happens once and a while. There'd been I time when I couldn't even log on.

stormrider7: Ha! It amuses me when my parents try to hide my stuff as punishment. It only ends up in vain. I looked it up and you're right! Coram is spelled with one 'r'. Man, I gotta start slowing down when I read over the stories! I wasn't planning to put Alex in my story. I don't really care for him either. I don't know what it is…I just don't like him. And As for Roger…hmmm…I'm working on how he's gonna fit in. He isn't gonna have a big evil roll or anything like that. Heck, If I can't find a spot for 'im, I'm not gonna bother putting the guy in.

And I wanna remind you to PLEASE let me or LeiaPrincess21 know if you're interested in becoming a staff member for her C2. Until the next update, ciao!