"No like this".

Argus corrected the girls mistake on the Roman soldier's wound and she made an 'oh' motion with her mouth.

Keighley listened intently as the commander instructed her on how to dress wounds and apply creams.

As soon as they had arrived he had made her become familiar with a small pouch of healing remedies that most soldiers carried with them.

Keighley had the feeling that the commander wanted her to be a healer of some sort. She didn't really know if she wanted to do that. She had always been more prone to causing damage than fixing it.

But then again she did belong to him now and it was really his choice what she did.

"Now you have a go," said the commander.

Keighley looked around confusedly.

"On what sir?"

The commander suddenly pulled out a knife, took the soldier's unharmed arm and sliced a nice clean cut down his arm that would surely leave a scar.

Keighley looked at him with astonishment as the solider screamed in shock.

Then without thinking twice, Keighley hurried to cover the wound for the poor soldier. He dabbed it lightly with soft cloth and a little rum then she wrapped a tight bandage around it.

The soldier cradled his newest wounded limb and sat there moaning in pain and shock.

Keighley turned to looked at her master and found him with a slight smile on his face that showed a hint of proudness.

"You will do well".

And with that he stood up and left the soldiers' quarters. Keighley remained there for a moment, chatting kindly with the soldier until she decided to head to her own small but quaint room.

It was only filled by a bed, drawer and a small desk but that was more than what she had ever had before.

Keighley had never even slept in a proper bed before even though this was a poorly one at that. Still, it was bed.

She slept peacefully and when she awoke the next morning she met the eyes of the commander.

"Um- good morning si," she said awkwardly.

The commander gave a slight nod and held out a large and heavy book that was battered with age.

"I can't read".

The commander nodded understandingly. "I know and that is why you will learn. By the end of this month you should be able to read reasonably enough and then by the end of the next four months you should have finished this book".

Keighley took it in but felt as though it went straight out the other ear.

"What is the book about?"

"Well that's for you to find out".

And with that the commander left a confused and sleepy Keighley sitting in her bed staring at a book on her desk she had no idea what was about.

She got up and dressed from the plain, too-big tunic top she had been given as a night dress and put on her dress. It was old and tattered and had been worn for over a year being cleaned every single day.

Keighley walked over to the small desk and opened the very first page. She had seen only one other book in her whole life and then she hadn't even known what it was.

There were black markings all over the pages, hundreds of them and Keighley was sure they meant something.

To her delight there were also drawings in the book. They were fine sketches of plants and shrubs.

Then Keighley turned a page to find a series of pictures that seemed to be instructing something for there were arrows pointing to them. They were mostly the same and only had a few different things about them.

"They are called diagrams".

Keighley turned around in fright to find a plump woman standing behind her with her own pile of books. She was old and had white hair and had a kind smile.

"Oh sorry to frighten you dear. My name is Hanna and I will be your tutor".

Keighley didn't really know what she meant and it must have been obvious because Hanna continued explaining.

"I am to teach you how to read and perhaps write if we have time".

Keighley let out a smile and nodded. Hanna sat down on the bed and laid out her books. Keighley sat down in front of her looking at the books.

"So we'll start with recognising letters".

Dagonet listened to every word from Hangis and obeyed every command. Even though the Roman was cruel and hateful towards them he was still a good teacher and skilled in the arts of combat.

Dagonet was a quick learner and soon was regarded as the smartest in the group.

"You brat boys need to toughen up you hear! Learn to ignore cuts and scratches ok!"

But still, Hangis was really quite abusive even if he was a good teacher.

Dagonet looked over at a red haired boy with a great big bruise across his cheek where Hangis had used the back of his hand quite forcefully. The boys name was Kay and seemed extremely timid but he was the youngest so he had reason to be.

Even now when it had been hours after his blow from Hangis he still shook with fright.

Dagonet had immediately comforted the boy when Hangis had his back turned but he was afraid it hadn't helped Kay much.

"Now you and you! Your turn to spar!"

Hangis had cruel glint in his eye as he pointed at Dagonet and another boy. Dagonet stepped forward and immediately knew the fight was unfair. The boy he was to duel was much shorter and also younger. He looked about nine whereas Dagonet was fifteen.

Dagonet decided to go easy on the poor little blonde kid.

They both stepped forward into the sparring ring and raised their swords ready to attack at Hangis's shouts.

"Whats your name?" asked Dagonet so that only he and the boy could hear.

"Gareth. And yours?"

"Dagonet".

When hangis shouted for them to go, Dagonet let out a light attack but was surprised when he received a harsh blow that he only just blocked.

Gareth wasn't going easy and obviously Dagonet didn't need to either.

They fought on and on, Gareth never faulting but it was obvious Dagonet was the better fighter. Secretly Dagonet had seen a few ways he could have gotten the better of Gareth with but he hadn't taken them for ptiy of the boy. He obviously wanted show he was a good fighter.

After about an hour of duelling Gareth became tired and Dagonet only just felt ready to give a proper fight although he didn't.

Hangis ordered them to stop and sent another two boys out into the ring to fight.

Dagonet went to get a drink of water and was followed by Gareth.

"You're a good fighter," remarked the boy.

"Thankyou".

"Did you fight back home?"

"Yes".

"Why?"

"Because I had to".

Dagonet was bombarded with questions about his past for the rest of the day from Gareth but was reluctant to answer them and many of them he didn't.

Okay so now I've clarified that dagonet has a past that he isn't willing to share.