Many thanks to xDarklightx, HPLUVR71495, Tishica, R0ki, RooenEnnyte, and xMxRosex.

Thanks for the reviews and comments!

Refreshed from her nighttime excursion, Eleni found herself much more willing to put up with the boys when morning arrived. Flying came naturally to her, but winter had kept her caged. Though she knew Lokejo had forbidden flying during the winter because he had worried for her health, she had pined away. There was no better feeling in the world than having the wind keeping you aloft.

As breakfast began, she could only marvel at her incredibly good mood. She even laughed at one of Schuylar's jokes, and that, frankly, scared her friends. They thought she had finally cracked.

"Did you just laugh at what Schuylar said?" Warren knew better than anyone that Myles' sense of humor was not compatible with Schuylar's. He'd seen how their separate ideals of the comical reacted with one anothers. The result was never pretty, but here was Myles, laughing uproariously.

"Of course," Eleni said. She actually had to wipe away a stray tear. "Does anyone else find the sausage especially delicious this morning?"

The boys just stared at the little redhead eat with renew vigor. Something was off.

"Did you do anything last night?"Herne had been put out when Myles refused to go join in on their nightly drills. He figured that one thing thing or another had stolen his time. The sudden change in his temperament was caused by something, and Herne wanted to know what it was. "We missed you in the practice yards."

Struggling to speak around a mouthful of bread, Eleni gave up and continued to chew. "I stayed in my room, decided to sleep early." It was partially true, she had gone to sleep earlier than usual.

Schuylar, wanting to try his luck with this cheerier Myles, jumped in. "Devin will beat you soundly if you don't practice. We'd hate to see your proficiency with the sword rust." None of the other pages shared his grin. In fact, Devin had covered his face with his hands, embarrassed that Schuylar would drag him into the teasing.

"Then I'll settle for being able to pierce your heart with my arrows." The response was quick and nonchalant, much more like the old Myles the boys knew. Seeing Schuylar's slackened jaw drop open, Eleni smiled. "No comeback for that one, Fool?" Definitely old Myles.

The pages did laugh at that. Myles would good-naturedly tease Schuylar into submission, and the silly boy would momentarily learn a lesson in respect. It was a time-tested method for keeping Schuylar in check, and a sign that Myles was still himself.

By the time the week ended, Eleni was itching for another night of flying. She had returned to her weapons practice and gotten the boys to stop asking where she disappeared to every night. It wasn't feasible for her to lock herself away every single night. But tonight she wanted to soar above the palace once more.

With a few words of parting to Lokejo, Eleni was alone for the night. Just as she was about to shed her clothes, she remembered to open her window. Always learn from your mistakes, that's what her mother would have said. Eleni gave the room a final look-around, and decided that everything was in order.

Perfect!

She was out the window and in the air faster than she had ever been before. The nights were final warm, but not stifling like they were back home. Home was always warm, sometimes too warm, and it was humid. The humidity never left the Islands, content to steam the residents year round.

After a hasty circuit over the palace walls, Eleni was bored again. Though, she loved flying, nothing seemed to happen at night. She would go flying during the day, when the grounds were bustling with activity, but people would notice that she was missing.

Eleni settled for exploring the gardens she had previously discovered. The gardens had been located on the western wing of the palace, so Eleni knew that they, and the room that led to them, belonged to a noble. The tenants were still a mystery, but she were sure she'd find out soon enough. In the meantime, the gardens were just ahead.

Tonight they were lit up, though, and most definitely not deserted. Landing on a branch just below the one she had perched on before, Eleni watched the scene in the gardens with fascination. Paper lanterns in a wide range of color were hanging on ornate wooden stands, bathing the gardens, and the inhabitants, with light.

I thought they were Yamanis, she thought to herself.

The two ladies sitting on the delicate marble benches were doubtlessly Yamani, there was no denying it. Their silk robes, albeit slightly different in cut from what she'd seen in books, were the traditional kimonos of the Yamani Islands. One of the ladies was draped in green silk and the second in sapphire blue. The robes were very pretty, but the women wearing them were simply beautiful. Both women sat straight-backed on the bench, making it look effortless.

Soft laugther caught Eleni's attention. She knew that giggle. Ahead of the ladies, children of all ages were playing, and among them were the two boys from the other night. In total, there were eight children in total; four girls and four boys. The toddler was running away from the older children, all of who were making a valiant effort to capture him. They were in the middle of a game of tag, and Eleni wished she could join them.

Eleni couldn't help but caw in glee when the boy evaded one of the older girls. The children were also laughing, but one of the women, the one clad in blue, distinguished her laughter from that of the children. She spoke in Yaman, so Eleni had no idea what she was saying, but her tone was gentle.

The toddler, the older boy had called him Yasumaru the other night, came to stand below Eleni. Through hand signals and the garbled speech of toddlers, he asked Eleni to fly down. Never one to resist children, she landed on his outstretched hand. Pudgy flesh gave way beneath her talons and she was careful to not hurt him.

One of the girls knelt beside Yasumaru and reached out with a tentative hand. She seemed to ask permission, and Eleni desperately wished she understood the language. Eleni relayed her confusion by cocking her head to the side. The girl mimicked Eleni's movement, herself confused.

Yasumaru found it funny and his giggles started up again. Without a worry in the world, his pudgy fingers started to pet her black head. Impressed by his feat, he went to show the two women. All the while, he whispered nonsensical things to the crow on his arm.

"Karasu!" He proudly presented his companion to the ladies.

The older girl came up right behind Yasumaru and spoke to one of the ladies. "I do not believe that Yasu's fried understands Yaman."

The green-clad lady leaned over to pick up Yasumaru and placed him between her and the blue-clad lady. "Your sister is correct, Yasumaru." A gentle finger stroked Eleni's beak. "Your friend must not understand your words. Speak to him in Common, dear." Eleni let out an insulted caw. "Oh, my, I think your friend is a she." She inclined her towards Eleni. "Forgive me, Mistress Crow."

"Friend!" The little boy was estactic and continued to pet her. Eleni had to admit, she liked the feeling, it made her relax.

"Can we not simply teach her Yaman?" The green-eyed youth, and all of the other children, had gathered around the bench.

"No!" Small Yasumaru adamantly defended his new friend. "My friend." His small arm came over her body and hugged her close to his chest. Pain instant brought her back to the present. "Galen bad!"

Eleni could only squawk at being held so tightly. He was crushing her fragile bones, but she didn't want to hurt him. Help came from the blue-clad lady. Placing a delicate hand on Yasumaru's head, she calmed him down.

"Galen, be kinder to your brother." The youth only bowed his head, embarrassed at being reprimanded. "I think," she said. "That your friend would be more comfortable if she could breathe." She looked up to one of the girls who had remained silent. "Liano, I believe we still have your cricket cage. Get it for Yasumaru's friend."

At the word "cage" Eleni panicked. They were going to keep her as a pet! She tried to break free of Yasumaru's hold, but he only held on tighter. Eleni was almost constricted in the little boy's arms. Seeing the struggle, Galen stepped in to take her from Yasumaru. Stronger hands held her now, and escape was beyond her grasp.

A minute later, the girl had returned with a small wooden cage. Eleni renewed her attempt to escape, and there was no need to be gentle now. Tired of crow's attacks, Galen used his Gift to subdue her. An emerald glow covered Eleni, and before she knew it, she was overcome by darkness. Satisfied with his work, Galen placed the sleeping crow in the cage and handed it to his younger brother.

"Make sure she doesn't escape, Yasu." The little boy was staring that still crow. "Don't worry," Galen comforted. "She'll wake up in a bit. Then you can play with her."

Yasumaru glowed with joy, but set the cage down beside his mother. With a small bow to the lady robed in blue and a quick hug from his mother, he grabbed his brother's hand. The other children had already returned to their game.

Oh, dear! Eleni got herself caught. Eh, she'll be fine. About not actually writing much in the way of dialogue, I figured that the children would speak to their mothers in Yaman. I know that I speak to my parents in Spanish. Generally, while in the home, children speak in their parents' language.

Some of you guessed that the two boys were Neal's kiddies. Good job. Any guesses for our other lady?

Anywho, thank you so much for your suggestions for knight masters. I'm always grateful for suggestions, they prove interesting.