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About Reviews

Please Review a lot. When you do, tell me things you want me to change in my style of writing because I want to be a professional author or publisher later in life. Tell me which parts made you chuckle, which parts made you cry. Which parts you thought were momentous and which parts should be left out. Thanks for your consideration.

Names

I chose the names Cat and James to reflect their personalities. Cat acts calm and distant, but once close to you is nice…unless you get too close, that's when the claws come out. James is much like James Potter and, for those of you who don't know, is a prankster, intelligent and funny. Cat's last name is the only meaningful last name. I used Jarewl as a combination of "jarred jewel" which means she is a hidden gem. Later I will talk more on this subject in later chapters.

Quotations IMPORTANT

"Double quotes are talking." 'And single quotes are either thoughts or at times nicknames.' "If there are double quotes with all italicized, bold or other words then that is a cat mind-speaking with her." 'If there are single quotes with all italicized letters then that is Cat thinking to another cat.' (Bold things in parentheses are notes from me and then actions are italicized.)

Other

The story will sometimes go to James's POV, but not often. I don't know how guys think. GIRL POWER! You can read this story even if you've not read the Tortall series. It will have little references to characters in the books, but quite a few to the magical creatures. No worries, I explain all of the creatures as though you haven't read the books. Well, in a shortened version. On with the chapter, but remember it's mainly introducing the characters and plot. The main part of the story will take place out of school.

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Cat Jarewl sat at her desk, leafing through the stacks of parchment that were her homework. She was at The Coutrun School for Gift Training and was bored by every minute of it. They learned history, math, three languages (which she was already fluent in along with six others), etiquette, reading, writing, a fighting/battle class, and of course, a class on and for the practice of the Gift. She had homework in every class, along with translating and working on reports from home.

Her father was the Spymaster of Coutrun, nicknamed 'Silence' due to his amazing spy and assassin abilities. Jack Jarewl had taught her everything he knew, and she had still craved for more. He had gotten her a tutor for over the summers in body guarding. It was now her area of expertise other than spying.

She excelled above almost all in spying (other than her own father) and was an unknown but amazing bodyguard and fighter. She had even studied with the Shang for a whole summer. Cat was one of the best, which was amazing due to her age of only seventeen. (Which is old to me, but hey shrugs)

In truth, her real identity was a secret to all but her father, the warriors who had trained her in various and the King Alexander himself. Her mother had died giving birth to her, but had once been a highly respected lady of the court. Cat was forced for safety reasons, for herself and her country, to go under a false name in school.

Here she was the shy, timid and weak Catherine Smith. She had always been too focused on her work to hold an actual conversation with anyone, but she was fine with it.

Because of her disguise, she had to act as though her Gift was small, only able to light candles. Cat actually had what her father called the 'Sampler Gift.' She possessed the rare Sight and had a strong magic. She even had the ability to talk with cats and turn into one. Not even the king knew that magic of hers.

It would be bad for everyone if people found out the only child of 'Silence' was there. Due to that, Cat had to be distant to everyone. Thankfully, Cat had never had trouble with hiding her emotions. She had a stone mask that the Yamani would envy. Only when she was around her dad was she loose and carefree.

She had never felt completely comfortable talking to anyone apart from Jack. She called him by his first name as her equivalent of 'Dad' as she was the only one other than the monarchs who could call him that.

Here at school she was talked about behind her back constantly. It was rumored that she only got into school because she had such good grades and not because her Gift at all. Even though she had no friends to help her through it, she was at the top of her male-dominated class. Sadly, most boys thought she was beautiful, but were dissuaded by her coldness.

The only people who would ever talk with her in school (other than her adoring professors) were the kind Lord Nathan Stutrian (Nathan acts a bit like Remus Lupin in HP. Really funny, but quite sensible.) and his best friend the Crown Prince James.

In all honesty Nathan only spoke to her if he had a question in the Language of the Isles class. The prince would prank her if he was bored, but normally ignored her like he did all people he thought were non-nobles or poor. It was nearly time for summer break and Cat was pleased beyond all imagining. She would give anything to get out of the confinement of the school. It was her last year at CSGT and she was ecstatic about it. Only on the inside though. On the outside she was as emotionless as ever.

Cat sighed and dotted the last 'i' in her essay. She was finished with her homework with just enough time to say goodnight to her horse. She walked over to her bed where her cat, Cylon, was sleeping. "Get up, I'm going to see Ashpetal."

The petite smoky blue cat glanced reproachfully at her. "And how does this affect me?" she asked in her bell-like mind-voice. Her paws, chest, mouth and oddly her whole tail were as white as cream. She had never grown much bigger than she was as a kitten, perfect for accompanying Cat around the castle.

"You're coming with me," Cat said, falsely cheerful. She could have mind-spoke back to the cat, but it was a hassle to. The cat mentally groaned, but stood up. Cat could see through her façade, Cylon adored Ashpetal.

She settled herself around Cat's shoulders in her normal position. (I got the cat idea from Faithful and the Lioness,) and they set off to the school stables. Cat stopped by the kitchens first to get an apple and a piece of venison for Cylon. The cat accepted gratefully and swallowed it in two bites.

Cat snuck out the back door of the kitchens and felt like skipping in the warm summer air. Instead of losing her icy mask by doing so, she occupied herself by looking for any assassins. Not that it was possible for any to slip onto the grounds, but she needed to keep in shape.

Her green eyes swept over the grounds. They were every shade of green imaginable. Jack often said all the foliage of the world resided in her eyes. She saw not a single rustle in the tall trees next to the pebbled path that led to the stables. No feet had scuffed the pathway so she let her mind drift away.

She thought back to when she first got Ashpetal. Jack had decided that it was time for her to stop using his old palomino, Sandwind, and get a mare of her own. At the horse , Cat had laid eyes immediately on a dappled gray filly that was #52. She had pointed the horse out to her father and he had approved at once.

They had paid such a high price the seller didn't even waste time putting her up for bids. The young Cat had dubbed her Ashpetal and set to training her immediately. She had trained the temperamental horse how to behave in battle and how to be silent when necessary. The mare was so touchy the only beings she would let near her were Cat and Cylon (a bit like Peachblossom but better trained and prettier).

She was jerked out of wonderings as Cylon hissed, 'Wake up, we're here.' Cat rolled her eyes and walked into the spacious barn. Ashpetal whinnied out a greeting and Cat strode automatically over.

"Hey, Ash," she muttered stroking her velvety nose. She held out the apple. Ashpetal sniffed it and took it delightedly from her hand. Cylon leaped onto the stable door and pawed her nose.

Ash snorted and nudged Cylon lightly, making sure not to knock her over. Cat went into the small stall picked up a soft brush. She brushed Ashpetal lightly, purely for the dappled gray mare's enjoyment. The mare was quite tall, over nineteen hands, but Cat was too. She was the tallest female she knew, almost 5'11.

She stayed until the old stable keeper, Jones, came by. "Hello Miss Catherine. I'm locking up in five." The old man nodded to Cylon and continued sweeping the dusty floor.

"Alright, sir," she said, grinning. Old Jones had gotten to know her really well in the nights she spent in the barn. She called him sir knowing he would get a kick out of it, as usual. They did the same thing every night.

"You're welcome to come back tomorrow, dearie…" he began.

"As long as you keep calling me sir!" Cat finished good-naturedly. It was a running joke they had. Cat was the only person in the school who called Old Jones 'sir', and the horse man was the only one she could laugh with.

He sighed and shook his head, failing to cover a smile. Jones kept walking on to finish cleaning. Cat put away her brush in the small wooden box she kept on the inside of Ashpetal's stall.

She gathered up Cylon, kissed Ash goodnight and locked her stable door. Cat didn't want an unwary stranger to step in and get killed by lashing hoofs. Cat slinked back up to the castle, mind-talking to Cylon the whole way. She didn't want people to see her talking to her cat and think she was crazy.

'I was worried Ash was going to push you off the door,' she said to her blue cat.

"Believe me, I was too. That beast is huge. She told me to tell you goodnight. Truthfully, her mind is sort of simple, but I suppose she means well." Of all the animals only cats can also communicate with other species. Thankfully, they couldn't hear the pleas and chattering of their prey. Cat shuddered. It would be horrible if they could.

She went up flights of stairs back to her room and saw many boys snoozing over their unfinished homework. She rolled her eyes at them and reached her room. It was in the midst of all of the boy's dormitories, but there was a strict rule about the people allowed in her room with her.

Cat looked in her small mirror at her tired face. She was tan and had very small worry lines on her forehead. Her extremely curly hair was disheveled. However, its colors were amazing. She had amber colored hair, a soft honey brown, but it was full of random streaks of blonde, dark brown, black and even red. She supposed it was because of her link with cats, but she was never sure. She always had it pulled back under a bandana so no one could see the animal coloring.

Her hair went only down to the middle of her neck and was normally pulled into a low, no-hassle ponytail. Cat set Cylon on her cot and undid the leather tie. She then changed into her pajamas, a light cotton tee and matching black pants. She snuggled into her smooth bed and laid stroking Cylon's head.

The blue cat began purring contentedly and was soon silenced by sleep. Cat followed not long behind, wanting to be refreshed for the morning of school.

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'Wake up Cat. Class is in three hours,' meowed a voice in her head. Cat awoke from her slumber and looked over at Cylon who was washing herself.

"You didn't have to get up you know," Cat said back. Her throat was too tired for use this early. "I can wake up myself."

'I know, but it's much more fun to help you get ready,' Cylon purred amusedly. The cat was very helpful in getting Cat to wake up. Cat threw off the soft sheets and rose, stretching her hands behind her. The young bodyguard woke this time every morning so she could go out and work out before class.

She threw on her moveable black pants with a black sash as a belt, her flat footed black boots, a loose green tunic (a bit like a pirate shirt without all the extra ruffles. I never know how to describe those) and a et over it so she could have something to keep her nice shirt from getting dirty. Cylon brought over her tie and green bandana. The petite cat jumped on her shoulder and settled

Cat checked to be sure all her weapons were in place. She had two daggers tucked in her sash, two wrist knives, many tucked in various places on her arms and legs and one in her right boot in case all else failed. She checked in her vanity mirror to make sure none were showing. It was against school rules to carry your own private weapons.

She eyed herself critically, not seeing how pretty she looked, in a black widow type way. Cat was lean and muscular, not very curvy though. She had long legs and naturally unmarked skin. Her features were perfect for spying. Nothing stood out. She had a normal nose, and almond-shaped eyes. Her eyebrows weren't bushy, nor pencil thin. She had full lips, naturally rosy pink in color.

She looked over that and saw not one of her various weapons stood out. She slipped quietly out of her room with all of her spy skills in use. She slunk down to the stables to get Ashpetal for training. She picked up saddled up Ashpetal for a quick gallop around the ring. She practiced all of the commands including "Quiet" and "Guard". Once she had brushed Ashpetal down and promised her she would see her during class, Cylon meowed, "Class in thirty minutes!"

Cat cursed under her breath and raced back up stairs in a hurry, almost forgetting to collect Cylon from her bench on the sidelines in her rush. She gathered her homework, making sure not to take any of the reports for her father with her. She threw off her jacket, inspected her shirt in the mirror and ran downstairs.

It wasn't helpful for her nerves to have Cylon counting off the minutes at her shoulder. She was in her Language of Isles class before the teacher could close the door. "I glad you decided to get up this morning Miss Smith," Professor Baliano said with a smirk. He was her least favorite teacher, but she was still the best student in his class. Cat didn't even bother to tell him that she had woken up three hours before class had started.

She nodded to him humbly and took her seat in the front row, as usual. She took out a quill and paper and took notes on a language she was completely fluent in. Though Cat wanted to show the teacher that she could answer all his questions perfectly, she refused to draw attention to herself by raising her hand.

Baliano lectured them on how everyone's accent was atrocious and they all would be singled out as foreigners automatically. 'What a snore fest. So when did this guy lose his sense of humor?' Cylon said from around her neck. Cat rolled her eyes at the cats bluntness, the only feature that was never emotionless and the professor caught it. "If this is so boring Miss Smith, would you please tell me how to say 'I'm sorry sir, I won't do it again'?" he said coldly, raising his eyebrows.

"Sie gof sentd han, Sie nah todar jefd wennired," Cat said, accent flawless, but she kept her voice quiet so not everyone would hear her show off. She snapped her mouth closed afterwards. See what happens when she let her guard down.

'Just because you're frustrated with me doesn't mean you have to blow your cover!' Cylon mind-hissed angrily.

"You distracted me. You can talk with me, just not near Bad Baliano," The teacher in question was looking at her in shock, surprised that the girl knew what to say. Cat was angry that he didn't expect it as she had aced all of his tests.

"Correct. As I was saying before though," Baliano continued with his lecture as though nothing had happened, but Cat could see his surprised expression and slightly shaking hands.

Laughter was heard at the back of the class and Baliano and Cat both whirled around at the same time. Prince James was lounging with his friends in the back, quills not even out. It seemed to Cat that the future king had just told a joke, one that the groupies enjoyed.

"May I ask what is so funny?" Baliano hissed, his pale face turning red.

"I was just telling my friends who weren't listening how Smith disproved your entire rant," The prince said smoothly. A few of the people around him looked shocked at his impertinence, but most just laughed along. Cat glared at them.

'What an idiot! Baliano is sure to give him detention for a week He ruined it. I was wallowing in your triumph and he had to open his mouth.' Cylon mind-spoke to Cat is annoyed tones.

"Forget him. I'm sure Baliano will. He is the prince. He can get away with anything," Cat replied back, mind-voice laced with distaste.

Sure enough, Baliano glared at the prince for a second and strode back to the front of the class. Cat and Cylon gave the prince similar dirty looks and turned back around. "Now he'll assign more homework, and the prince won't even be affected by it. It's not like the brat has ever turned in homework in his life!"

'You're not the only one unhappy with him. Look at Lord Stutrian! He looks ready to murder,' Cylon said as she glanced back. Cat chanced a quick look back and saw that Lord Nathan indeed looked ready to kill his best friend.

"You are dismissed. Write down your homework," Baliano said waspishly. They had to write a three foot essay on why it is bad to be accented when traveling to the Isles. Cat rolled her eyes and copied it down on her paper.

'I don't see why you copy it down. Between the two of us we're sure to remember it. It will make us late to Fighting Class," Cylon complained.

"I don't want to give Baliano another reason to hate me," Cat explained. She gathered her books and things in arms, careful not to let the textbooks knock on of her assassin daggers out of place.

She strode quickly out of the classroom, hoping to make it down to the practice courts in time for fighting lessons. Cat heard someone coming up behind her, someone taller than her 5'11 by his breath. "Someone's coming. Duck down," Cat told Cylon.

"Hello Smith. Nice job on old Baliano today. Really showed him," Cat recognized the voice and rolled her eyes.

"Well Your Highness, I didn't mean to embarrass him. Purely accidental. Now if you'll excuse me." Cat sped up, eager to get away from the annoying prince she knew so much about. He was the only thing the king ever talked about.

"We have the same class next. Slow down, we'll make it in time," Prince James said, walking in step with her.

'Don't listen to him,' Cylon said, glaring at the monarch beside them. 'With his influence you'll be late.'

"Don't worry, Cylon. I would never listen to that egotistical jerk!" Cat reassured her angry cat.

The young spy continued at the same speed, furious that the prince didn't leave to walk at a more leisurely pace. He could afford to be late. "So Catheri- Whoa, is that a cat?!" the prince yelped, apparently noticing the glaring Cylon for the first time.

"Yes, this is Cylon. She has been sitting on my shoulders since I came to this school six years ago," Cat said emotionlessly. "Do you have to draw attention to yourself?" she mind-spoke at the now embarrassed cat.

The prince whistled, "The teachers must like you a let you take your cat everywhere with you. Cool, I wonder if I could get a bird…"

Before Cat could explain that Cylon was always quiet, and that's why the teachers didn't care, another person came running up. They only had two minutes left to get to class and it was a two minute walk, as Cylon reminded her. No distractions.

"Hey Catherine, how are you? What are you doing James?" It was Lord Stutrian. Cat sighed and rolled her eyes. She sped up a bit, but the boys just continued walking next to her.

"We are going to be late," Cat hissed. Though the lord was a very sensitive student, he was still a troublemaker.

"No we're not," said the lord and prince simultaneously. "Where did you learn that language so good?" Lord Nathan asked.

"Look, I hate to burst your bubble, but I don't enjoy conversation. And we're here." With that, Cat opened the door, leaving the two heartthrobs of the school gaping at the closing door. The prince was very angry.

'Good job,' Cylon said approvingly.

"Well they deserved it," Cat muttered aloud. All of the mind-speaking was confusing, especially with all of the babble of the students waiting for the instructor to show.

Within seconds before it was time, the two pranksters entered. The prince shot Cat a glare and said, "Watch your tongue, Smith," as he passed. Cat rolled her eyes and looked over as Professor Terrious walked in and began at once talking. This was her favorite class, everything was great. Terrious was the best teacher she had.

"Today, we will be studying the Shang art of fighting. We have a special instructor here with us today. He will be in charge of your class. Students please welcome the Shang Panther." Behind him entered a tall man with smooth black hair, full of gray streaks.

Tune in next time for the lesson and more! (I cant think of anything more today!) ;0 PLEASE REVIEW!!