Author's Note: I forgot last time to say thank you to my reviewers, and thanks again for last chapter's reviews too. :)

"And who are you now?" Ceileigh asked, surprised. This new man raised his right hand to reveal the same glowing mark that Rook had.

Ceileigh raised her eyebrows. "You're him, aren't you? My…companion?" The word felt strange and she shifted uncomfortably.

"This pawn is called Leandor, Arisen," he replied in a strong, sure voice. "I will remain at your side during your journey. Your enemies are my enemies. I exist to protect and serve you however I can."

Ceileigh tried not to blush at the proclamation, again feeling taken aback by the attention. She bobbed her head and thanked him, not sure what the protocol was. "So, that was simple. I thought I'd have to travel to your world to meet more of you or something. Did I somehow call you here from the rift? Can pawns hear my thoughts there, like I can hear the legion talking to me through the stone? Did they hear me and send someone who fit what I wanted?"

Now it was Leandor's turn to be taken aback by so many questions. Looking uncertain, he opened his mouth to reply but was cut off.

"So many questions!" a voice laughed behind her. Ceileigh turned to see a tall man making his way toward her through a crowd of those mercenaries she'd seen earlier. When did they all get here? she wondered.

Her surprise must have shown on her face, because Leandor stepped to her side. "These are all pawns that previously came from the rift, master. They were awaiting you here." So they HAD been staring, Ceileigh realized. Why didn't they say anything or approach me like Rook?

"And I am Ser Berne," said the tall man. He wore a foreign uniform and had the same accent as the short haired woman from earlier. He had dark hair and small eyes. "I train men for the Enlistment Corps. Word's already gotten around camp that you're the new Arisen. It would be an honor to assist with any weapons or tactics training you may need."

"That would be great!" Ceileigh exclaimed with relief. "I've been a fisherwoman all my life and had time for little else. I would love some formal training." She suddenly yawned before she could stop herself. She felt drained.

"Maker, I'm tired. I only got up this afternoon, too," she laughed, then her smile faded. "I guess I've been…more active than usual though."

Ecbal poked his head in from the tent's other room. "You can sleep here tonight for a small fee," he offered, and she nodded.

"Okay, everybody out who's not sleeping here!" Ecbal announced. "Anyone who wants to rent a cot, come see me!"

Soon Ceileigh and Leandor were settled in and she was asleep almost as soon as her head hit the cot.

The day was well along by the time Ceileigh awoke. Leandor and Rook were sitting nearby on one of the benches, looking like they didn't know what to do with themselves.

"What time is it?" she croaked at them.

Leandor especially looked immensely relieved to see her awake. "Master! Do you require anything? Breakfast?"

"Uh…sure, thanks," she said, rubbing her eyes.

Leandor jumped up and left in search of food and she turned to Rook. "I'm going to train today, should I bring you two with me? I don't know if you're already fully trained or what. I know you have magic, but…" she trailed off.

"We will accompany you, Arisen. We go where you go. Besides, the more we learn, the better we serve," he replied. "And it is about midday."

Ceileigh finished getting ready for the day and Leandor brought breakfast back shortly afterward. They ate in silence, then headed to the training ground. Ceileigh eyed her new companion as they walked. She guessed he was near six feet tall and he carried a sword and shield like she'd wanted. His skin was darker than hers but still fair, and he had short, dark reddish-brown hair and light blue eyes. He had an alert, serious look about him. He's quite handsome, actually, she noticed, then stuffed the thought down.

"Ah, Arisen!" Ser Berne called, waving when he saw them coming. "What area do you wish to train in?"

"I don't know, is there a program all troops go through? And I need help with my daggers and bow," Ceileigh said.

"I'll teach you all the basics," said Berne. "Let me be clear from the outset - I'm a harsh master whoever the pupil. You'll master your weapons and then you'll complete three forms of training in sequence. Each serves to hone a different quality."

Ceileigh glanced at her companions on either side of her. "We're ready," she confirmed.

For the next several hours Ceileigh, Leandor and Rook learned fighting techniques, practicing against wooden men and each other. They participated in team trials that helped Ceileigh learn to direct her pawns and taught them all how to rely on each other. They learned what their strengths and weaknesses were, and what kinds of team members would be most efficient together. Days passed filled with physical and mental tests from Berne.

"Meet all challenges with that vigor and you'll make for a fine warrior ere long," Berne told Ceileigh after one session. He nodded at her pawns, who were across the practice field, striking at wooden men. "You'll be quite the force, come the day you really learn to fight as one."

"What can you tell me about pawns?" she asked Berne. "I'd never even heard of them before leaving Cassardis, and now I'm in charge of them apparently."

"Nobody knows a lot about them, but I'll tell you what I do know," said Berne. "Collectively they're called the pawn legion, or myrmidons, and they come from an unknown place called the Rift. Most people think they're strange. They're…not quite human, they don't have the same will or spark that drives us. I've heard they have no feelings and can't act of their own volition, but I don't know. They seem to learn and can make at least some decisions in battle. Battle seems to be their strong suit - they mostly hire themselves out to others as sellswords."

Ceileigh digested the information and then asked, "Do they all need to be taught like these ones?"

"They seem to come with varying levels of skill. Your main pawn, your companion, is…bonded to you, I guess you could say. He will stay closely matched with you, learning and gaining strength as you do. You may have to switch the others out, hiring stronger pawns anew when the time is right," said Berne. "I don't know how you go about it exactly, but I know you have to approach them about a contract. It's not their place to approach you."

"I see. That explains why Leandor seems to be doing so much better than Rook at training. Not that Rook's bad," Ceileigh said, feeling disloyal. "But he's not as good as Leandor; he seems to have hit a plateau." And no wonder no pawns have even talked to me, she thought.

That evening after training, Ceileigh took Rook aside and told him the news. "I really appreciate everything you've done for me," she said sincerely. "But I have to keep the most skilled team I can at all times during my journey."

"I understand, Arisen. May our paths cross again," he said calmly, then simply turned and walked away.

Wow, maybe they really don't have any feelings, Ceileigh thought. I wonder where he'll go now.

"We better get to bed," she said to Leandor. "A week of training over and I'm beat."

"Yes, master," he replied, obediently following her to the tent.