Fidelem {Faithful, trustworthy}

The clattering of swords could be heard throughout the room as the girls practiced with blunted swords. Arya stood across her opponent, a girl with black wavy hair whose name she didn't know. Based on the blows they had exchange –rather the lack of exchange Arya could tell that she wasn't at ease holding her blade. This made it very easy for Arya to expose an opening as soon as she saw it.

"You're back is completely exposed." Arya said as she held the blade closely to her back.

It had been a quick fight but nevertheless exhausting as they were both panting heavily. Arya took this moment to glance around the room the see the progress of the other girls. It was at this moment that a distraction in the form of Lady Zelie appeared. She strode through the room and everyone quieted down in respect. There were an occasionally rattling of swords but it disappeared almost immediately when Madame Kenna gave them a sharp look.

"Lady Zelie," Madame Kenna said, "To what do we owe the pleasure of your company?"

Lady Zelie nodded once to Madame Kenna in respect before speaking in her soft, commanding tone. "I was hoping to get a word with one of your students."

"Depends on who it is," Madame Kenna jokingly said.

Lady Zelie allowed a small smile to form her face highlighting her soft features. Arya knew that Zelie had only utmost respect for Madame Kenna and would oblige in whatever she told her to do. After all, it was Madame Kenna who trained Lady Zelie when she was younger. Zelie had told Arya countless number of times about how lucky they actually were to have her as a teacher in the Narvian academy. She might be old and a bit stern but she was one of the most respected swordswoman in the entire Kingdom.

Lady Zelie's gaze landed on Arya and she gave her a slight nod. This was all the indication Arya needed to know that she would not be returning to this class. She placed the sword back on the wall and made her way towards Lady Zelie.

Madame Kenna noticed the exchange with faint amusement. "Are you trying to rob me of one of my prized students?"

Lady Zelie going along with the light banter replied, "Of course not. I could not bear to do something so horrid to you."

It was refreshing to see this relationship between Madame Kenna and Lady Zelie. Arya herself knew how stressful it could be with constant spotlight. Zelie had duties to the Academy as well as well as the Kingdom which is why she would have to make multiple trips between the palace and  the academy.

Madame Kenna nodded satisfied with her answer. "Very well, you may take her if you must."

Lady Zelie looked at Arya and motioned towards the door. Before she left she could swear she heard her saying, "Yasmin do block you stomach. You don't want your internal organs ripped out, would you?"

Arya almost rolled her eyes and when she exited out of the room she couldn't help herself, "you could not resist yourself could you?"

Lady Zelie grinned. She seemed to be in a good mood. "I wouldn't be a good headmistress if I didn't help with the improvements of my student, would I?"

As they made their way up the stairs and entered Zelie's quarters her mood seemed to change slightly.

"Is everything all right?" Arya asked gruffly.

Zelie shook her head slightly and pointed towards her desk. There were maps, scrolls and parchments scattered everywhere. Arya approached the desk with caution and glanced over. The table was covered with a massive map of Kalvaria. There were markings with ink blotches across the parchment. Arya could identify some of the cities highlighted: Kathoria the capital, Dzfrah where the girls academy was, Evenna in the north near the Alpanch Mountains, Monique the most southern city bordering the country of Haxovola, and Caydeh near the Blackwood Forest. However, the one that had the most annotation was a city named Xuthviy. It was almost parallel to the Narvian Academy however located in the west.

"What is this for?" Arya questioned.

"I need you to do something for me." Zelie said.

Arya curtsied. "Your wish is my command, princess."

Zelie smiled slightly. "You faithfulness does not go unnoticed Arya. I believe you will be perfect for the task. After all, you have been travelling with me across Kalvaria many times on that swift stallion of yours."

"What exactly must I do?" asked Arya.

Zelie pointed to the city of Xuthviy, "that is your destination."

"What lies there?"

"The boys Narvanian Academy and my twin brother Prince Zander," Zelie said before pointing to the place. "However, you must make as stop here as well as my father is requesting updates on the Heres Gladii tournament. This will be perfect as your journey to the palace will act as your cover. People will see you as just another messenger instead of a spy."

Arya understood what Lady Zelie was telling her. She was meant to spy on the boy's academy. "What must I record with my vision there?"

At this time, Lady Zelie let out her mischievous smile. Arya had only seen it a couple of times when she was particularly pleased with what she had done or caused trouble to her brother and father. "Your task will be to retrieve information about how their participants are training. Figure out their skill level and what techniques they are using. Also, see if you can weed out the competition and weak links. Knowing my brother he will have plenty."

So this was a scouting mission, Arya though. She didn't expect anything less from Zelie who was determined to win.

"How must I gain entrance the academy?"

Zelie pointed to different places around the academy. "These are perfect places for scouting. However, if need be, present my brother with this scroll. He will let you stay as a guest in the academy."

From within her robe, Lady Zelie handed Arya two scrolls: one with red ribbon and the other with a gold one. Arya knew that the red one was for the king because of the seal etched upon it. "When shall I take my leave?"

Zelie shook her head slightly. "Do you know what your name means in Latin?" she asked.

Arya shook her head indicating no.

"Fidelem Amicum," she said quietly, "meaning faithful friend."

Her gaze penetrated Arya. "I know you would prefer to do this yourself, but I cannot simply allow that. You must have two companions whom I have already chosen this morning."

Arya knew better to protest but something must have reflected on her face.

"It is not that I don't believe in you, because I do. But Lord forbids, something happened to you, I would never be able to forgive myself." Zelie finished.

Arya didn't say anything but Zelie seemed to understand. She took out her sword; an emerald encrusted blade fit to perfection and lightly tapped it on Arya's head. "Go forth Fidelem Amicum; your companions await you outside. If anyone gives you trouble, show them Queen Marie's necklace and you shall be fine. Our prayers are with you."

Arya stood up from her curtsey before giving Lady Zelie one last glance. Both scrolls were held in her hand as she made her way outside. Two women stood there, both in complete contrast of each other.

The first woman was a guard of the Narvian Academy. She was slightly more rounded but nevertheless still had skill with her blade. Her forehead had wrinkles as if age had descended upon her more quickly then she had expected.

The other companion was youthful as a teardrop. Her short, fierce red hair shimmered in the sunlight making it seem like it was a blazing fire. Her brown eyes were wide and youthful but they held something deeper inside of them. The look of youth but the knowledge of an elder, Arya though.

"Fidelem," they both said as she approached.

The surprise on Arya's face said it all. "My name is Arya."

The red haired one answered, "Lady Zelie told us to call you Fidelem so nobody is able to recognize you."

Arya gave a slow nod before making her way past them to go to her dorm.

This time, the guard interrupted her. "Do we come with you?"

Arya held out her hand. "No, I shall be back. I simple need a few minutes to gather my things before we can make our way. Await me in the stables."

Both women nodded and left leaving Arya to her own thoughts. As she went into her room, her gaze swept across locating the things that she would need. She carefully put Anaz in the sheath and the scrolls into a leather pouch. She then made her way to the kitchen and received some cheese, and bread from the cook. She filled the canteen with water, as much as they would be able to travel with. The rest of their food would either come from the wild or an inn if they traveled thus far.

When she arrived at the stables, the red haired girl and guard were already saddle up on their horses. Arya wordlessly handed them the separate bags. She mounted on Eclipse and they all started on their journey. Most of the land was barren from the Academy throughout Dzfrah. It was only when Arya started seeing the landscape change, that she knew they would be approaching the Blackwood Forest. Under normal circumstances, from Dzfrah through Caydeh was the closest way to the castle but Arya didn't want anyone to know where exactly that had come from. Going through the Blackwood forest meant they had come from the south, Monique.

When they arrived within the forest, they slowed down their horses to a light trot to not disturb the other animals within the forest. It was during this time when Arya learned much about the two women. She didn't talk to them, but they were talking amongst themselves.

She learned that the red haired one was Silvia and she had just recently arrived from a foreign country. Her uncle had sent her, claiming the Narvian Academy was the best in the land. She learned that she had come from a family of three children and she was the eldest. She was quite accomplished in archery, or so she said. Arya knew that soon enough her skills would be tested when they would have to hunt. They had stopped for a light meal before quickly getting back onto their horses. The woods would be must safer than the barren land.

"When are we going to stop?" the red haired woman or rather Silvia asked.

"Soon," Arya shortly replied.

Arya knew that the horses needed a break and she wasn't someone to be cruel to animals. They needed a drink and from experience, Arya knew there was a spring nearby. Only, she wasn't sure exactly where it was since it had been years the last time she had gone through the woods. She kept her eyes peeled looking for any temperature or vegetation change. After about half an hour, Arya noticed something that caught her attention. The grass seemed moister as Eclipses hooves began to sink deeper.

Both women didn't question Arya as she silently followed the trail that she had found. A few more minutes and they had arrived at the spring. The two women's face seemed to light up as they realized they would be getting a break. Arya almost snorted. If she had done this alone, she would have been half a day away from Kathoria rather than the two day journey they had remaining. Eclipse drank deeply and neighed. Her horse sure was happy that he would get rest.

"Drink up," Arya said to Silvia and the guard, Bianca.

She drank as well, cupping her hands to gather the water before holding it against her lips. After quenching her thirst, she filled her canteen. When both jobs were accomplished, she led Eclipse back into the forest area. Nightfall would be upon them soon, it was better they found shelter lest they be eating by wolves. Not that Arya wouldn't be able to protect herself from the wolves, she just wasn't sure about the other two women.

She tied Eclipse to a nearby tree with rope and opened the pouch to look for more. Delicately, she started tying the knots together forming a trap. When she was done, she placed her trap beneath the grass in hopes that an animal would graze by.

When she returned to the site, she spoke quietly to Silvia. "Do you think you will be able to catch any game tonight?"

"I'll scout the land," she replied as she picked up her bow and arrow.

Arya studied her as she left them. Her footsteps were light, which was to be expected since her height was about Arya's shoulder. Short, quick people were able to sneak around. Going back to the matter at hand, Arya began to collect wood, sticks and stones to light a fire.

Bianca was standing stiffly unaware of what she should do. "Do you need any help?"

Arya turned her head indicating a no, "Although you could gather pine needles and big leaves for us to sleep on."

Arya had packed blankets but they wouldn't be enough for the cold hard ground. Bianca nodded and made her way into the forest leaving Arya to her own thoughts. As Arya was kindling the flames she felt Silvia approaching behind her. She could tell based on the quick footsteps. Arya turned around and saw that she was holding a couple of squirrels.

Arya wordlessly took them out of her hands and started skinning them. Silvia followed her example and started skinning the other two. Together they let it roast over the fire. Around this time, Arya saw another figure approaching. It was Bianca holding leaves and needles. They all took a little bundle from them and started preparing their own beds. Arya handed them the blankets, and they draped them over the makeshift beds.

The squirrel seemed cooked enough so the three of them divulged into their meals. They had bread and cheese remaining so one could almost say that it was a feast. Once again, it was Bianca and Silvia talking amongst them while Arya listened.

"How did Lady Zelie allow you to come on this trip?" Bianca asked.

"Well actually, I volunteered. She needed someone who had skills with the bow and I was there." Silvia replied.

It made sense. Zelie would have seen the further that Arya would need an archer as she was not good with the bow and arrow.

Silvia then turned her questions to Bianca. "So how long have you been a guard at the academy?"

Arya took careful note that Bianca's cheeks became warmer than they had been mere minutes ago.

"I'm not an actually guard. More like one in training as I haven't been able to pass the test allowing me to be considered an actually part of the Kalvarian armed forces."

Zelie really did do her planning carefully, didn't she? A woman who had not been able to pass her test was probably due to the lack of confidence she might have. By sending her on this journey, her confident would be boosted. A part inside of her actually respected Zelie even more if that was possible.

"I'll take the first watch," Bianca said.

Normally, Arya would have taken the first watch because it was the darkest in the first quarter of the night. But she understood the Bianca wanted to be alone and didn't need anyone with her. This would also boost her confidence if Arya just let so she nodded and retreated to her makeshift bed. The night sky shone brightly with twinkling stars lighting the way. It felt peaceful here. She could hear the hoot of an owl, the howl of a wolf. With the cries of the animals, Arya drifted off to a light sleep.

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This week was crazy. Noelle, author of Slow Dancing promoted Beneath the Sword. I couldn't believe it! Anyways, Arya's going to spy on the boys academy! So what did you guys think of this chapter? The introduction of Silvia and Bianca? Lady Zelie's mischievous planning? Please vote and comment because I would love to hear your thoughts. Even if it is just a word. :)