Emma

I'd been trying not to sulk, but I was fairly certain I wasn't trying hard enough.

A week ago, Jakob and I had gotten into a heated debate about the proper punishment for the young trainees. Our shouting disturbed the masters' meditation and Randall had ordered me silent until further notice. I was still waiting for notice.

I understood that he was trying to teach me a lesson. I'd had plenty of time to think about it for sure. I could have told him that silence enables listening, or that silence is less annoying than chattering, or even that silence gave others the impression that I was much more formidable than I actually was. Unfortunately, I didn't know when I'd get the chance.

I gritted my teeth and started paying real attention to what I was doing. I rested back in my position, holding my fists loosely in front of my face.

"Aih!" Randall barked, commanding me to begin.

I spun in a full circle, swinging my leg out and around in a powerful kick. Randall blocked it, of course, and threw me off balance to the right. I continued over in a fall, springing up before he could gain an advantage.

Randall's face was impossible to read. I had spent years learning from him and still could not guess his next move from his face. An abdomen was easier to read than any face, though, he had taught me that.

My master attacked quickly, his open hands a blur. I blocked methodically, ducking when I needed to. I wasn't expecting his kick, and had to jump high to avoid a smashed knee cap. Once in the air, I realized I could kick up to his face, if I was quick about it. He'd fling me to the side, but then I could somersault away.

He didn't knock my leg away. I somersaulted anyway, landing well enough away that he couldn't strike out at me. His nose was bent crooked, rather more crooked, and a trail of bright blood was starting to drip down his chin.

I started to apologize, realized I wasn't allowed to talk, and hesitated.

My confusion was all that he needed. Before I realized it, I'd been winded, flipped, and launched four strides' length. I landed well, but barely, and was shamefully slow getting to my feet. I crouched, wheezing, knowing I was in a poor state to defend myself. Sweat dripped down my forehead.

Randall relaxed, smiling at me and gingerly feeling his nose. "I haven't had this broken in a while. Oh, buck up, I'm not dying. I suppose this is the first time you've made someone bleed?"

I nodded.

"Well, the others in your class have been killing bandits for the last year, at least. So you'd better get used to it."

I flushed at the hint that I might not have been as capable as the others.

"You've earned a break," Randall jerked his head towards the creek. "Go pack your things. We'll head out tonight. And please, for Mithros' sake, clean up. You smell like a man."

He got the smile that he wanted from me.

I hurried back to the room that I shared with Maira. I packed my spare breeches, shirts, and stockings into my rucksack, along with my soap, comb, bedroll, mending kit, and bandages. If I rushed, I could wash my filthy clothes and bathe with enough time to make it back for a short nap before supper.

The woman and girls all bathed in the cold mountain creek, in a shallow pool that was mostly hidden from view and far enough away from anything for any males to come wandering in. Of course, the threat of angry Shang women was enough to keep any of the mischievous boys from peeking.

I washed all the dirt and grime from my shivering body and dipped my hair into the water to rinse the soap from it. Once I was sure that I was clean, I shook myself off and changed into a fresh set of clothes.

Though it was summer, the crisp mountain air was enough to keep me shivering as I made my way back to my room. I grinned wryly. Randall was right. I needed to toughen up.

Maira was sitting forlornly on her cot when I entered. She jumped up. "I thought you'd left already."

I shook my head, setting my pack on my cot.

"But you are leaving?" Maira knew that talking to me these days was like a guessing game.

I nodded, pulling back the blankets and tugging my boots off.

"Today?" She questioned.

I nodded again, lying down and pulling the blanket to my chin. I would begin to warm up in only a minute or two.

"I wish you didn't have to go," Maira paused at the door before leaving. "I'll be here until Winter Solstice, at least. Do you know when you're coming back?"

I didn't know.

"Oh," She turned back one last time. "Maybe next summer. I'll see you then, Emma."

I waved as she left.

Riley

I would forever be in this noblewoman's debt and I hadn't the slightest idea of how to repay her.

Lady Kaderyn didn't seem to be looking for any reward though, or even gratitude. She had taken us in, provided clean clothes and warm food, and settled us into a cozy room in the servants' quarters.

Tuck and Miriam were sleeping in a large bed, tucked under a thick quilt. Even sleeping, their faces looked weary. They couldn't have made it much farther. I tenderly smoothed Tuck's ragged hair away from his eyes.

"Riley?" Lady Kaderyn quietly gestured me into the corridor.

I joined her.

"I don't want to pry into your business," The noblewoman had a very soft, proper voice that I envied. "But I need to know what danger you're in."

"My husband and the man who-" I hesitated, then knew what I had to do. "The man who took Miriam. She's a noble, I'm fair sure. She's from Fief Andret."

Lady Kaderyn gasped. "Fief Andret? I know Lady Margarette. I haven't heard any of this. Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Yes, Lady. I haven't asked her direct, but she said she was from Fief Andret and she'd been taken. Her skirt and boots, they've never belonged to no commoner."

Lady Kaderyn peered into the room at the sleeping girl and paled. "She's Margarette's daughter. The hair, the cheekbones, I would bet on it. I will send a messenger directly. Who kidnapped her?"

"Etan did," I answered. "Etan Bjornson."

"Etan Bjornson," Lady Kaderyn repeated softly, probably to help herself remember it.

My insides felt twisted, like they were wrestling each other down. I loved Hiram, I did, but I knew he'd kill me for telling on him. I knew he might kill me anyway, just on the chance that I'd told. And Tuck needed a mother.

"Are you alright?" Lady Kaderyn touched my arm. I'm sure I looked like I might puke.

"Yes, Lady," I bit my lip hard. "My husband, Hiram Raulfson. I'm fair sure that he knew that Etan took Miriam. Etan and him were like brothers, always as thick as thieves. They've been in trouble before."

"Alright," Lady Kaderyn smiled kindly at me. "I will send my men to take care of it. You will be safe here, I promise you."

"Thank you," I ducked my head in gratitude. "But please, Hiram and Etan are dangerous."

"I will warn the guard," She reassured me. "You need to rest, I will take care of everything."

"Yes, Lady, thank you," I curtsied roughly.

Though she had promised we'd be safe, even though I was tucked into bed in the center of a fortress, I still felt like Hiram was near enough to beat the living tar out of me. I pulled Tuck close to me, more for my comfort than his.