Thanks for the reviews! Much appreciated. And just a side note, this is following a loose chronological order. The individual stories are all in chronological order, but some of them are following a faster timeline.

ERLIE

I tried to open my eyes, already beginning to whimper before I'd fully woken up. "Mama?"

"You're still callin' for your ma after what she done to you?" The voice sounded like a woman, but I couldn't see her.

"I can't see." I reached up and tried to feel for my eyes. I only felt bandages.

"No, don't pull at those." The woman set my hands back down by my sides. "You're still healin'."

I didn't try to fight her.

"You've been burnt bad, but we've got plenty of healers here who can do good for you. They're the reason you're still alive."

"Where am I?"

"A refugee camp. New Hope. You can stay here for as long as you need, and be taken care of."

I'd heard of New Hope. It was a big fort, built by magic and a lot of pine logs, sturdy enough to hold up against those metal monsters and anything else the Scanrans chose to toss at it. It would be a safe place for me, if they let me stay.

"Am I in trouble?" I asked. I didn't want to go to prison, or the mines. I'd heard stories about what happened to the young girls and boys who ended up there. They were made to fit into the teeny tiny spaces too big for the men and sometimes, they got stuck and were left to starve or be eaten by the rats, whichever came first.

"Of course not, darlin'." The woman carefully patted my arm. "Your family's in a spot of trouble, now that the Own's finally got proof they've been smugglin' poppy."

"Where are they?" I sniffled. "Where's my ma?"

"They're headed to Corus to be tried." The woman sounded sympathetic. "You'd best be glad you're not with them."

My eyes welled up, though I tried hard not to cry. "I don't want them to hang! It ain't fair!"

"Hush, child." The woman tried to soothe me.

"I want my ma!" I flung her hands away from me, though it made my hands pain as if they were being burnt all over again. "Let me go!"

"No animals in here!" I heard a man's furious voice from near me. "Get it out!"

I heard a snuffling noise and the sound of nails on wooden floor boards. The clicking got louder until a warm, furry body had jumped onto the cot with me.

"Hi, doggy." I pressed my bandaged face into the dog's fur and wrapped my arms around him.

"Jump." I heard a new woman's weary voice. "I apologize for him, Healer Markus."

"Accepted, Lady Knight." The angry voice sounded a little more controlled. But, still, a standard of cleanliness is to be maintained inside the infirmary."

"I understand." The woman, the Lady Knight, answered agreeably. "Jump, please."

Jump wiggled away from me and pressed his nose into my face before springing from the cot.

"I want him to stay." I begged. "Please?"

"When you get well again, you'll be able to see him." The woman who sat next to my bed assured me.

I nodded sadly.

"Jump, wait outside." The knight didn't order her dog as much as she requested. "Healer Markus, your order of herbs has been placed. A convey is scheduled to arrive next week. Can you stretch the supply out until then?"

"Yes, Lady." Healer Markus answered gratefully. "Thank you."

"And you," The Lady Knight's voice came closer until she stood over me. "Rest up, and listen to the healers, alright?"

I nodded. "Yes, Lady."

"Welcome to New Hope." She said, then walked away.

JEDDA

I yawned lazily and scratched my nose where the ferns had been tickling it. I rolled over onto my back and checked the position of the sun. I didn't know for sure, but I guessed that it was just after midday.

I got to my feet, brushing the leaves out of my hair so Mistress Vurda wouldn't know I'd been sleeping. I could barely see the road from my little hidey hole, but I could see the refugee wagons slowly passing on it. I began to walk quickly through the trees, staying parallel to the road. Mistress Vurda's wagon was near the front and as she was the one feeding me, I'd have to catch up to her before suppertime or I wouldn't get any.

My bare feet crunched the dry leaves on the ground. I tried hopping on the ones I thought would be more crispy, and then tried to rip the leaves to pieces with my toes as I stepped on them.

I stubbed my toe on a root and stopped to inspect my toenail. The nail hurt when I pushed on it and my toe hurt when I wiggled it, but there wasn't any blood or anything. If I was lucky, I'd get one of those blood bubbles under my nail and I'd get to watch it slowly creep up my toe as my nail grew. I'd have to keep my feet a little cleaner though, or I wouldn't be able to see it past the dirt.

I stood up again, now making a game of keeping a close eye on where I stepped and trying to be as quiet as possible. If I stepped on the rocks and the roots, I didn't make so much noise as when I stepped on the twigs and the leaves.

I looked to my left, checking on the progress of the wagons. When I turned back to look forward, I was staring down an arrow taut on a bow string.

I froze like a frightened rabbit.

The string loosened and the arrow lowered. Now that I wasn't facing death, I could see that the man on the other side of the arrow was a soldier.

"What are you doin'," The man cursed, wiping his sweaty palms on his breeches. "Sneaking up on me?"

I didn't answer. I was still trembling.

The soldier shook his head. "Stay by the wagons, child. There's scouts all up and down in these woods, and you'll get shot if you keep creepin' around."

I nodded and hightailed it back to the wagons. I'd no place arguing with a man five times as big as me and I didn't want to get pinned to a tree with arrows anyway.

Down on the road, it was much easier to find Mistress Vurda's wagon.

When she saw me, she frowned. "Where've you been?"

"I was up there." I pointed up the road.

"Are you ill?" She gently pressed the back of her hand to my forehead. She was almost tender.

I pulled away, shaking my head to get rid of her hand. "No, ma'am."

Her scowl returned, almost as deep as mine. "Then you can get up on that there wagon seat and help that soldier mind those horses. Slackers don't eat."

I scrambled up, using the hub and slow-moving rim of the wheel as steps up to the seat. I plopped beside the soldier, holding my hands out for the reins.

He raised his eyebrow. "You can handle these beasts?"

"Sure can." I took the reins from him, tightened up a bit, and flicked them on the horses' backs. "Gee up now!"

The horses reluctantly stepped up their march, closing the gap between our wagon and the one in front.

The soldier chuckled good-naturedly. "I'll let you handle the driving from here to New Hope, youngster."

I nodded in return and crossed my feet up on the board.

"Take these." Mistress Vurda reached up and deposited a bundle of mending and a spool of rough thread into my lap.

I sighed, tucked the reins up under my arm, and searched for the needle. It was stuck into the collar of one of Mistress Vurda's sons' shirts.

"You're not too bad at that either." The soldier remarked, after having watched my needlework for a minute or two.

I shrugged.

He frowned thoughtfully. "I've got a tear in my jacket. Do you think you could fix it up for me?"

Glee rose up in my gut and I struggled to keep it from my face. Instead, I frowned concernedly, sneaking a glance at Mistress Vurda.

"I'd do it myself," The soldier continued, seeing my hesitation. "But I'm no hand at a needle. I'll pay you. I can only give you a copper bit."

I slowly nodded. "Alright. But I can do better. Why don't I teach you how to sew it up yourself so that next time you can fix it without paying?"

The soldier grinned. "Thanks."

"Where's the jacket?" I asked.

He reached under the wagon seat and pulled out his uniform coat. I creased my forehead, looking at it. "That's a nice enough jacket that you wouldn't want to ruin it with a first try stitch. Here." I stuffed the shirt I was working on into his hands before he knew what was happening. "This cloth's coarser. You're less likely to ruin it."

I began his lesson, keeping one eye on the team and one eye on the soldier's sad stitches. I had to correct him a few times, tell him to place his stitches closer together, and butter him up a bit to keep him confident. When he finished the first tear, I handed him a pair of pants.

By the time we stopped for supper, the soldier had finished mending his jacket and half the pile of Mistress Vurda's work.

"Thanks, kid." The soldier tossed me a copper bit and I shook his hand solemnly.

When I handed the mending back to Mistress Vurda, she looked disappointed, as I knew she'd be. "That's all you've finished?"

"The horses were fussy." I shrugged. "Couldn't help it."

"Then you can help with the cooking."

"Ponty doesn't have to help with the cooking." I protested.

"No," Mistress Vurda shook her head. "She's watchin' the babies and changing their nappies. You want that job?"

I made a face. I didn't really mind the cooking when it was chilly out, but I'd been trying to get out of work so long I was just in the habit. Anyway, I'd got something of my own that nobody else knew about it and that was balm enough for the pain of all the chores that Mistress Vurda could find up for me.

KADY

"Can I give him his first ride?" Matthias reached an arm down from his horse.

I hesitated.

"I'll ride slow." Matthias promised.

"Be careful." I handed Tamnas up to his older brother. Tam waved his chubby arms cheerfully, not feeling insecure at all on the tall horse. Matthias nudged his horse and they plodded around the corral.

I resisted the urge to run after them and save my child. I really did trust Matthias, and my Tam was almost a year old, but it still frightened me to see my baby bouncing up on a saddle.

"Do you want me to fetch your horse, milady?" Draus asked me. The hostler stood by the fence, waiting for my answer.

I thought about it a moment, then nodded. "Yes, please do."

It had seemed like ages since I'd ridden. Really, it had only been a year. I'd stopped riding when I had found out I was with child and I hadn't gotten the chance since.

"He likes it, Kady!" Matthias called to me. "Can I trot?"

I nodded. "Hold him tight!"

I watched them circle around the corral.

"Born rider." Draus nodded towards the pair, returning with my horse.

"Matthias?" I asked.

Draus smiled. "Both of them, milady. Do you want a leg up?"

I took the reins and he helped me up onto Daisy's back. I settled into the sidesaddle, remembering how the position felt and nodded confidently. "Thank you, Draus."

I clicked to my Snowflake and she began to canter smoothly. The wind mussed my hair and I had to hold my skirts down with one hand, but the riding felt wondrous.

"Kady, Kady!" Luci screamed, tearing around the edge of the trees.

I froze, pulling Snowflake around. My blood ran cold for a terrifying second, until I saw Luci's wide smile.

I squinted, trying to make out who was walking behind her. When I realized who it was, I slapped the reins on Snowflake's neck and we raced across the corral. "Draus, the gate!"

Draus opened the gate, just in time for me to thunder through.

I galloped towards my husband, letting my skirts fly so I could hold the reins with both hands and hopefully not fall off my mare. I slid off just as we were slowing down, stumbled a little, then caught my balance.

Lord Aston hid a smile at my stumble. "Kaderyn."

"My lord." I curtsied gracefully. "It pleases me to see you again."

He reached for my hands and pulled me out of my curtsy. "And you, Kaderyn."

Luci was skipping happily around us, waving to Matthias. My stepson had left his horse in the paddock and was walking over, Tamnas secure on his hip.

"My boys." Lord Aston smiled widely.

"Father." Matthias handed Tam to me before bowing cordially to his father.

Lord Aston laughed and wrapped his arms around his eldest son. "I should say man, for you're almost as tall as me. Twice as handsome, too."

Matthias flamed. "Thank you, Father."

"And who's this?" Lord Aston turned to look at Tamnas, who shyly buried his face in my shoulder. "Another little knight? Or will he be a scholar?"

I patted Tam's back comfortingly. "Say hello to your papa, Tam. Come now, love."

Tam determinedly covered his eyes, making Lord Aston laugh.

"He'll warm up, my Lord." I smiled at my son.

"Father, look!" Luci handed her father a handful of plucked wildflowers.

"Beautiful." Lord Aston bent down and picked up Luci with a grunt of effort. "You'll need to stop growing, Luci, or I'll not be able to carry you."

Luci giggled. "I can't help it."

Draus came for my Snowflake, to put her back in the paddock. I nodded to him gratefully.

We walked back towards the manor, my Lord carrying Luci with one arm and the other around my waist. He asked questions of Matthias' page training and of Luci's lessons. They chattered away, happy to see their father after more than a year of his absence. I was content to just listen, to be with my husband.

When we were within sight of the manor, Lord Aston stopped walking, bringing us all to a halt. "Matthias, Luci, take your little brother and tell Cook I would like some of her chicken roast."

Matthias reached for Tam, who was happy to settle in his brother's arms. Luci skipped beside them, beaming brighter than a daffodil.

Lord Aston waited until they were out of earshot, before embracing me. "You look as beautiful as I remembered."

I blushed. "Thank you, my Lord."

He interlocked his fingers with mine, bringing my hand to his lips.

hesitated, trying to decide if I really wanted to know the answer. "How long are you able to stay?"

"Months." Lord Aston smiled. "Months, at least. The Scanran war may end soon, and then I've got a long leave."

I smiled back. "That would be wonderful."

Lord Aston gently pressed his lips on mine. "Yes, it would be."

I settled into the crook of his arm, resting my head on his shoulder, content to be with my husband as we slowly walked back towards our home.

EMMA

I was six now, as old as my brother had been when I'd left home. I remembered that, just as I remembered that he'd been upset with me when I'd gone, but I couldn't remember what he looked like, or how his voice sounded. I couldn't remember what my da looked like either, and of course, my mama was dead.

I didn't feel sad about it, though, because we were all kept busy with learning stretches and positions and punches. Sometimes I ached so bad that I could hardly remember the sound of my own voice, especially since the trainees were encouraged to keep silent and obey orders.

I wondered if my da or my brother would know me if they saw me. My hair had been cut like a boy's and I wore white cotton breeches and shirts now, never shoes. I was taller, and stronger, and tried my best to walk smoothly like the Shang masters did. I don't think they would know me.

Some of the trainees had gone home, after they'd cried themselves to sleep for weeks and refused to eat. They'd gone home, in disgrace, the masters said, although the trainees had gotten what they wanted. They sure wouldn't care what name had been put to them after they were back home with their mamas.

Some had gone home, too, after they couldn't keep up with the training. They'd tried, to be sure, but couldn't run as fast or stretch as much. They'd been sent home, but not in disgrace, and I'm not sure they weren't half-glad to be gone. I wouldn't like it if I tried hard at something and couldn't manage it.

There were only fourteen left in our training group, from the forty-two that had been selected two years ago. Since there were fewer of us, we got more individual attention from our Shang trainer. We had to try harder and move faster, and I certainly was tired.

I sighed, letting the air out slowly to calm myself.

A soft nudge on my foot made me open my eyes. I stood quickly, placing my hands on my thighs and bowing.

"Come with me." My training master said, his face giving nothing away. Darin and Maira were with him. Darin shrugged when I looked at him questioningly. I fell into line with the others, still curious. Interruptions during meditation were usually not permitted, so whatever had warranted it must be important.

Under a cluster of trees, the head training master was waiting. "Thank you, Master Roku. Trainees, join the advanced class."

We bowed obediently, a reflex, but Darin turned his head to look at me, his mouth dropped. I kept my eyes on Master Aikushu, but I'm sure my face gave away my disbelief.

"Something to say, Trainee?" Master Aikushu addressed me directly.

My face flushed and I shook my head, deepening my bow.

"Join the class." Master Aikushu bowed, and we returned it.

Darin, Maira, and I began to walk fast over to where the more advanced class was practicing their throws.

Maira was chewing on her lower lip. "We don't know that throw yet."

"Why would they do this?" Darin frowned. "It's going to be too hard for us."

I agreed wholeheartedly, but I knew that if Maira and Darin kept talking like that, then soon we'd all be crying at the thought of struggling harder. "No, we can do it. We can do it, I'm sure."

"Emma, we can't." Maira insisted. "They're older than us, and stronger."

"Only two years older." I reminded. "Only two years."

And then we were with the advanced class.

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