Chapter 1 Part One-Lael

For the next two months, Lael was in deep training. She was tested every day on her abilities to ride a horse, and she learned new sword tricks.

The men of the Own were a difficult lot to get used to. They joked and laughed and played pranks on everyone, and they left her alone. She ate by herself every night until one of the men from her squad sat down across from her at the table, about a month and a half of training.

"You're pretty," he said, grinning at her.

She raised an eyebrow, not quite knowing what to say. "You're not so bad yourself," she finally replied. And he wasn't. Black hair covered his head, and green eyes shone from his tanned face.

He ducked his head in mock modesty and laughed. "Aw, thanks. I'm Andrew, but you can call me Drew. I'm one of Avery's corporals."

"Lael."

From that day on, Drew ate with Lael at every meal. After about ten days, other men started joining them. Lael was finally on speaking terms with her squad, nine other men, including Avery and Drew.

Lord Raoul had come though for her, getting a second mount for her, a bigger gelding than her dainty Cinnamon. He also managed to find armor that fit her nicely. She didn't know how he did it, but decided he was a miracle worker.

She spent her first few days as part of the squad of men watching them. It was clear that they were like family, and they laughed and played like brothers.

Avery was the consummate leader. He led everything from the squad to their pranks on other squads. Drew was the flirt of the squad, with his big green eyes and charming smile. Finn was lucky; he gambled all the time, bet on everything, and won nine out of ten times.

Gus and Reggie were the drinkers of the squad. They nearly always had a drink in their hands, but no one ever said anything about the two of them imbibing too much. From what Lael saw, they were careful not to overdo.

Powell liked to joke and turned everything into a punchline. Harper, Darren and Charlie were the pranksters. They were the ones who thought up pranks to pull. They were known throughout the three companies of the Own as the ones to go to if you needed a prank pulled.

Julian was the quiet, brooding one. He frequently stared off into space with an angry look on his face until his squadmates mocked him for it. Lael knew he was the one who she would go to if she wanted a real heart to heart conversation. He was just that kind of a man.

They ate together like a family, talking and laughing and joking, and they all seemed to accept that Lael was one of them now, and treated her no differently than they treated each other.

She was quickly welcomed into their midst, even though she was female. Avery had made it clear that she was not to be messed with, and the others respected that. They included her in all of their jokes and pranks, even getting her to play instrumental roles in them.

Harper, Charlie and Darren practically rubbed their hands together when they realized that Lael was more than willing to prank with them. "Oh, this is going to be good," Harper said, grinning wryly.

They immediately put their heads together, trying to think up the prank to end all pranks, but Avery stalled them.

"Gilbert wants to meet with all the sergeants," he said.

"That's got nothing to do with us," Charlie replied, turning back to Harper and Darren.

"He's just come from a meeting with my lord," Avery said. "Apparently it's big news."

The three men looked over and stood up from their places. Lael watched as the four men looked at each other, sharing silent conversation.

Harper, Charlie and Darren sat back down, their moods deflated. "Fine."

"I'll let you know what I learn soonest," Avery said, and turned to walk away.

The men put their heads together again. "We probably won't be here for very long," Darren said, looking over at Lael.

"What do you mean?" she asked, moving in closer so she could hear better.

"Lately there's been a worry about the Copper Isles," Charlie explained.

"Kyprish Isles now," Harper said.

"Right. They're hearing things about another rebellion, to overthrow Queen Dovasary. King Jon offered help to her, and she probably took it."

"We'll be in the Kyprish Isles within the month," Finn predicted, walking by. "I'll put money on it."

"If Finn's putting money on it, I'd reckon he's right," Darren said.

^_^

A few hours later, as they were sitting down to supper, Avery walked in, along with ten other men. Lael and Julian moved apart so he could squeeze in between them, and everyone fell silent.

"Well?" Gus said, looking over at him.

"We're leaving for the Kyprish Isles in two weeks," Avery replied. "It's a two week journey."

"How long will we be there?" Drew asked.

"We don't know yet. It'll probably be at least six months. Until the rebellion is put down."

"I'm surprised Queen Dovasary agreed to help from Tortall," Reggie said, lifting his mug to his mouth.

"Apparently her spymaster talked her into it," Avery said, shrugging.

The men nodded in understanding, but Lael was confused. "Her spymaster?" she asked.

"The Duani, as she's known, is the daughter of Alanna the Lioness and Baron George Cooper of Pirate's Swoop," Drew said.

"Oh," Lael said, and nodded slightly.

"So we have to start preparing. Lael is new, so we'll have to make sure that we train her well," Avery said.

^_^

Two weeks later, Lael packed up her belongings and saddled her new horse, Strawberry. She rode beside Julian, who was mercifully quiet in the wee morning hours on the ride to Port Caynn.

When they got there, they were immediately put on the ship. Lael unsaddled Strawberry and then went to where she and the rest of the men would be sleeping. She got there just as Captain Gilbert was gathering everyone to him.

"All right, men," he said, and his eyes swept over them. "The journey takes two weeks. When we arrive in Rajmuat, we'll be splitting up. Three squads will be staying in Rajmuat, and the other seven will be split among the other seven islands. I've been told that our communication will be through crows and mage messages, so we'll keep to that. If there's any confusion, use your own mages to reach me. I'll be staying in Rajmuat with the three squads, who will be spread over Kypriang Island. Two squads will be in Rajmuat, and one will be in the northern part of Kypriang. Are there any questions?"

When no one said anything, Gilbert nodded. "Very well. Go about your business. I expect you to continue sword training on the journey, and you all know what you need to work on. I'll be giving out assignments when we're closer to the Kyprish Isles."

The men started splitting up by squad, and Lael followed Avery and the rest of her squad to a place secluded from the rest.

"Do we know what he's doing with us?" Drew asked Avery. "I hope we stay in Rajmuat, but in the city, not the palace."

"What's wrong with the palace? There are plenty of wenches for you to get your hands on," Powell joked.

Drew rolled his eyes. "The palace means no pranking. The Duani will probably have us killed for trying. I'm not worried about getting my hands on wenches, Powell."

Lael grinned. "You should be. I hear they're tougher in the Isles than in Tortall."

"No woman is too tough for me," Drew replied archly.

"Not even Lael?" Powell asked innocently.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lael asked, rounding on him.

"Nothing, nothing," Powell said.

Lael punched him in the shoulder, causing him to wince slightly. "Tell me."

"You're the only woman he's not flirted with," he finally explained.

"I called her pretty," Drew protested.

"But you haven't tried to get her into bed with you," Harper observed. "That is a bit strange."

Drew sighed. "She's my comrade. Calm down. I'm a gentleman." The men started snorting and laughing, and even Lael hid a grin. "Anyway, I hope we get placed in the city," he said, cutting off all the rest of the conversation.

Lael grinned at him. "I'll be happy if we're placed anywhere in Rajmuat," she told them. "With the rebellion forming, we'll see the most fighting."

"And you're all right with that?" Avery asked. "You, who've only been with us for two months?"

"So what if I'd only been here two days. I'm a good enough archer to make up for my lack of sword skills."

"She's got a point, Avery," Gus said. He was their other archer, and he and Lael had been training together every day.

"And her sword work is getting better," Powell remarked. "She'd be fine in a fight."

"That's nice to hear," Gilbert said, strolling up. "Is there a specific reason you're over here instead of practicing?"

"No, sir," Avery said.

"Well anyway, I've come to tell you that you'll be placed in Rajmuat. You'll split your time between the palace and the city. You'll probably see a lot of fighting, but it shouldn't be overwhelming." He glanced at Lael. "I'm pleased at your progress, Kingsmot."

"Thank you, sir."

Gilbert's gaze swept the squad. "Get to practicing."

"Aye, sir," Avery said, bowing his head.

A/N: Please review!