The dining room was already filling with its first batch of Blade students and a handful of the trainers. Tiene looked for Lexie, the girl who befriended her the first day she arrived, but there was no sign of her yet. Fortunately for Tiene, some of the others who joined in that day were there and shouted her over. She readily went to sit beside them. "Good morning, everyone," she smiled. "I'm sorry, but I didn't catch all your names last time."

"No worries," said one of the boys, "you have more names to remember; we only have yours, and it isn't exactly a hard one to recall. I'm Keeaen Redfeather, from Tranquillien."

"Hello, Keeaen," Tiene smiled. It was good to have someone in the group who also came from Quel'thalas. He went on to introduce five others in the group. A human, Zachery Alston, from Stranglethorn, a couple of night elves, Thil'las Dawnflower, he came from Auberdine in Kalimdor along with Shenyssea Windswift from Darnassus. There was a dwarf, Emmek Steelfall, from Loch Modan and his cousin Tishleen Stonegem, she came from Thelsamar. That left Lexie, of course, the other human in the group - wherever she was - but Tiene already knew she came from Lakeshire in the Redridge Mountains.

Being unfamiliar with some place names, Tiene was astonished when they told her how far some students had travelled. It seemed this was a favoured guild indeed. They looked up as a rather tired looking Lexie appeared. She was adjusting a scarf around her neck and yawning as she approached the table. Tiene smiled at her and budged along on the bench to allow her to sit beside her.

A moment later, she noticed Sauren taking his seat at the centre table. His eyes were scanning the room, searching. Once he found Tiene, he smiled warmly. She smiled back.

Lexie noticed the exchange and looked glumly down at her plate. Tiene leaned down to see her face. "Are you alright, Lexie?" she asked.

"Yes. Just tired."

"Didn't you sleep well?"

Shenyssea and Tishleen tittered, and Tiene looked at them questioningly. They suddenly adopted straight faces. She turned back to Lexie. "Are you okay for training then?"

"I'm fine!"

Tiene backed off. Lexie had made it clear she wanted to be left alone.

As the trays of food arrived at the tables, the students delved in and engaged Tiene in conversation. Five of them were also new starts, although they had come about a week before Tiene. Lexie, had been here about three months, Keeaen told her quietly, but she preferred to hang out with the newbies. "Truth is she's struggling with areas of the training", he whispered. "But, Lexie has been a great help to us, showing us where things are and giving general advice on how to survive as a new member."

It seemed Lexie had done helping Tiene for the time being, however, because she wasn't for looking, let alone speaking to her today.

The students were told they would receive their schedules once breakfast was over. Lexie had previously warned the others the first few days were making sure they were fit by having them perform various exercises, chores and obstacle courses. They had heard that some of the obstacles were daunting, so some of the group were nervous. Tiene, however, couldn't wait to get started.

Brett walked into the room, carrying a satchel.

Shenyssea was excited by this. "It is the mail," she explained. "I should have a letter from home."

Tiene was excited too, although she didn't dare hope too much, considering she had only been here two days, well a day and a half really - but a surprise she got indeed, when not one, but two letters were delivered. She recognised Inaris' handwriting on one, and although the other was unfamiliar, she knew it came from Camnath. She looked around and saw that everyone had something - everyone except Keeaen.

He could tell by her expression that she felt terrible for him. "Oh, don't worry about it Tiene. I got one yesterday. All's good." He munched on some bread and jam.

She smiled. She debated which letter to open first, and opted for Camnath's one.

My sweet Tiene

She subconsciously clasped her heart and sighed. Her companions noticed, and all made a cooing sound. She blushed, then read on.

I started to write this letter a week before you left so that I would have everything marked down that I wanted to say. I wanted to send it to you as soon as you left for the Crimson Blade. I have re-written it a hundred times though because I am just not very good at trying to say what I want to tell you. So please forgive me if this comes across a bit patchy, as it is written over a few days.

Tiene smiled, oblivious others were still watching; and in particular, the pair of dark brown eyes at the top table.

I want you to know that I was spell-bound from the first day I saw you. I do not possess courage when it comes to expressing how I feel, and I know it took me some weeks to even speak to you, but I am so grateful that you did what you did that day in class as it gave me an excuse to talk to you. Not that I needed a reason, I mean, but - well, there I go already, babbling nonsense.

I will try to keep on track here. That day you were teaching me how to stealth, and I kissed you, I apologise if I acted clumsily, or offended you. I just so wanted to kiss you and thought it was a perfect time as no-one else would see. But, I felt I might have upset you, and so I am sorry. I did not mean to offend.

A feeling of sadness overcame her to think he felt he had offended her. She 'awed' under her breath and sniffed a little.

I am so happy that you want me to go to Rhonin and Vereesa's wedding with you. I was not expecting that. Your family are also so lovely in allowing me to accompany you. I hope I do not embarrass you, or myself for that matter.

I count down the days until you leave. Not because I want you gone, understand -

She laughed, imagining his panic fearing he might 'offend' her again.

- but because I am going to miss you so much. So very much indeed. I feel you are part of me Tiene, and if that sounds a bit dramatic then so be it, but it is true. I talk about you all the time to Faealle; I am sure she runs to hide from me now because you are all I talk about.

It is now the night of the wedding, and we have just returned from it. You looked beautiful, like a dream. I was so proud to be your partner for the evening. You most definitely outshone Vereesa.

I was so mad, however, when that damn (please excuse the language) Dar'Khan interrupted us on the beach. I swear, one day - But enough of that, this letter is to convey my feelings of love for you, not of my anger towards him.

She gasped. Camnath felt love for her! She was so overcome her eyes welled, tears of happiness brimmed. She used the letter from Inaris to fan the tears away and continued reading.

Shouts from the doorway announced that all new starts were to gather in the courtyard near the stables. She looked up, then back at the letter, then up at the doorway again. She did not want to stop reading. Maybe she could squeeze in just a few more words.

I have some news of my own, however, which I want you to know. Today I received a letter from -

"Firefury! Move it!"

She looked up, startled. The scary red-haired trainer was glaring at her. Tiene swallowed, folded up Camnath's letter and together with Inaris' one, pressed them inside her tunic, next to her heart.

Sauren watched in silence as he chewed on a hot buttered croissant, the butter dribbling down his chin as he saw where she secreted the letters. He grabbed his napkin and dabbed his chin clean. She scrambled out from behind the table and headed towards the door, where the trainer, Ylwen Sagescribe, stood glaring at the young blonde. He tilted his head to listen, as he heard Tiene's voice pipe up.

"If you don't mind, my name is Tiene. I do not like people calling me by my surname." Then she marched past an incensed if not slightly bemused trainer, out towards the courtyard.

Sauren laughed out loud, nearly choking on his croissant. He coughed and took a drink. Seemed Louvel Nottley had quite an impact on her yesterday. He smiled again at the nerve of her speaking to Ylwen in that manner. Ylwen was a top-class trainer, but she terrified some of the students with her severe persona. Not so Tiene, it appeared.

His eyes crossed the room to Lexie, who was still seated, staring at him hotly. He could tell she was fuming because his focus had been on Tiene. He sat back in his chair and continued the eye duelling. She tried to stare him out, but once his eyes darkened, she averted her gaze and followed the others outside, securing her scarf as she did so.

"Come on, Melton!" Ylwen shouted at Lexie as the girl ran out last. Tiene caught the trainer's eye and dared to scowl at her. The red-head glared back. "Eyes front, Firefury!" She smirked as she saw the trainee's shoulders rise in a huff. Who her parents were mattered not to Ylwen, the girl was here to train the same as the rest of them, and she would not afford her special treatment.

"Right then, all you fledgelings. If you think this is going to be easy, or exciting or, Elune forbid, fun, then you are gravely mistaken. It is, for this morning at least, going to be hard work, dull and boring. This afternoon will be hard work also; maybe not quite so dull or boring but by then your arms will think they have fallen off. Start cleaning the stables from top to bottom. I want them so clean that the horses have to wear blinkers to go in." The result was predictable.

"Whit?"

"You're kidding!"

"I want my dad's money back!"

"Madoran's beard! Ah dae this at hame!"

Except for - "Okay, let's get to it," Tiene said, sighing. In she went and picked up a pitchfork. Father warned her it would be tedious at times and involve things that it would probably take the rest of her life to work out its relevance. Ylwen was bemused. The last one she thought would accept it, was the 'golden girl' herself.

Tiene believed if she worked hard and got this over with she could return to reading her letters. Gagging a few times from the stench, she nonetheless managed to clean out all the used straw and deposits, before she hauled fresh bales and started forking out the new bedding. She had cleaned all the stall sides and started on the brasses, leather girdles and saddles.

The others kept complaining throughout the morning, but she just put her head down and got on with it. Once she filled the feeders, sorted the blankets for the horses, her task was complete. But boy! She stank!

The others were still working away. Everybody wanted the horrible job to be over, so she went to help. Appreciative smiles were awarded her, all except Lexie, who shooed her away, saying she could manage.

"Have I done or said something to offend her?" she asked Tishleen.

"Huv ye no' sussed it oot yet?"

"What?"

"She's jealous o' ye."

Tiene looked at the dwarf female. "What? She seemed happy to meet me the other day. Why is she jealous?"

Tishleen stopped what she was doing. "Well, yer a Firefury! Practically rogue royalty and ye've got a room next tae the boss-man himsel'."

"And royalty cleans up horse poop, right enough," Tiene smirked with a tut.

Tishleen chortled. "Aye, yer feet are firmly on the ground onyway, Tiene."

"I'll ask to be moved in with the girls. Maybe she will feel better about me then..."

"Whit?" Tishleen's cousin Emmek piped up. "Dinnae be daft! Take a' the perks when yer gi'en them, ah say. That's whit ma pa says onyway, take the gid and cast oot the bad."

"I don't like her being upset with me though; she was so nice to me when I arrived."

"Ah widnae let it worry ye. It's hur problem, no' yours."

Tiene supposed they were right and with a shrug, continued helping her new friends.

Ylwen came in to inspect their work. "Not bad for fledgelings' first attempt," she said.

"We have to do this again?" Shenyssea groaned.

"Every day for a week," Ylwen replied, grinning.

The company sagged, Tiene included. Lexie, however, knew the drill, as she had been doing this for a few weeks now.

"The clothes you are wearing just now will do for tomorrows bailing out, but now all go freshen up and change. We don't want you stinking out the dining hall for lunch. Fifteen minutes to freshen up, then down to the dining hall."

It had been a quick morning at least, although exhausting. Tiene was looking forward to freshening up. She climbed the stairs slowly, her limbs aching a little from working the stable. Once in her rooms, she peeled off her boots and clothing, careful to put her letters on her bedside table, then washed thoroughly. She felt better once she did that and picked out clean clothes. Reckoning she still had a few minutes before she had to be back at the dining hall, Tiene unfolded Camnath's letter and continued from where she left off.

I have some news of my own, however, which I want you to know. Today I received a letter from a rogue guild in Kalimdor, the Sigil of Shadow. They have accepted me as one of their recruits. I leave for Ashenvale day after tomorrow.

She lowered the letter. That meant he was going the next day! Her heart sank. Kalimdor! Why could it not have at least been on the same continent? She felt disheartened, even more so as his words confirmed what she had been thinking.

...The bad news about this, of course, is that I may not always be home when you return for a visit. I did try for a couple of guilds in Eastern Kingdoms, but they were both to capacity so, I have no option but to accept this one, Tiene. All I can say is, you will be in my thoughts and dreams every day and night.

I will write to you once I have arrived in Ashenvale.

Take care of yourself, my sweet lady and - I love you.

Camnath.

She felt the sting of tears. A knock came to her door. She folded the letter, and curbing a sniff, she went to answer the door. Sauren stood in his black leather armour and a long cape. He smiled when she opened the door, but his face suddenly expressed concern when he saw her unshed tears.

"What is the matter, Tiene?" he asked. Then he saw her clutching her letters. "Not bad news, is it?"

She swallowed and fought to keep the tears at bay. "Not as such. Not really, but, well..." she sighed. "Camnath is going to a guild over in Kalimdor."

"Camnath?"

"The boy I was with at the wedding."

"Oh! You and he are - courting?"

"Not officially no, but we are very fond of each other and I think he will ask to court me." She found it odd that she could tell Sauren this so easily, but then he was so nice to her.

"Well, I'm sure he will do well, and he will write regularly no doubt."

"Yes, I suppose."

He lifted her chin and wiped away the tear that threatened to fall. "Worry not Tiene. I will try to make sure you two see other when possible. Let me know when he is going home, and hopefully, we can arrange for you to go home at the same time. I cannot guarantee it, but we will try."

She managed a smile. Sauren was very considerate.

"Now," he leaned in to whisper, "I better get you down to the dining hall before Ylwen has a fit. I am going away for a few days so thought I would say goodbye before I left." He ushered her out the door and led the way downstairs.

"Anywhere special?" she asked, feeling a little better for having spoken to him.

"Just business, Tiene. Boring really, but needs must. I have assigned Brett to oversee things in my absence. " He repeated his farewells as they approached the dining hall, but suddenly turned back and said, "By the way, I have requested something to be left for you on my seat in the dining hall after your lunch."

"Oh? What is it?" she asked.

"Later, Tiene. You will know when." He winked, and with a flash of those perfect teeth, he then crossed the courtyard to the newly cleaned out stables. A beautiful black mustang was saddled up for him, and he mounted it effortlessly.

He turned to one of his men and said, "Ah, the reliability of the rogue network!" he chuckled. "Good work, Don. He has to go to Kalimdor. Definitely no distractions now."

He turned and waved to Tiene who had reached the doors of the dining hall and was still watching him. She waved back, then clutching her letters, went in for lunch.

She approached the same table she had been seated at for breakfast and chanced a look where Sauren usually sat. He told her after lunch, and she would know when. She shrugged, none the wiser and joined her new friends at their usual spot.

Lexie was still glaring at her, so Tiene sat between Thil'las and Tishleen. Inaris' letter took her attention while they were waiting on the food to be brought through.

Baby sis

Trust this finds you in a good mood and already leading the Crimson Blade.

She couldn't help but smile. Inaris! Always one to jest and tease.

I think you will be receiving a letter from lover-boy soon too. He came over when we got home to check you had arrived safely. He is smitten with you, Tiene. So that you know, I approve. You have my permission to marry him and have lots of babies.

Again she smiled, almost laughed, had it not been tinged with a little sadness at the knowledge Camnath was going so far away.

Nothing to report just wanted to wish you well and say we all love you and you make us so proud.

Inaris (whistling your favourite tune)

A shadow loomed over them all. Brett came to enquire how they had all fared after this morning's training. They all had their say, explaining how much they were not looking forward to repeating the process. He laughed, and his chortle, infectious, had them laughing too.

All except Lexie. Brett noticed the girl's sombre mood. He also knew the cause. Suddenly, he felt Tiene's eyes on him. Smiling, he looked at her and to keep her curious mind at bay, he commented on the letters in her hand. "Family?" he inquired.

"Yes," she replied, not mentioning the one from Camnath for fear she might cry. "Who do I ask for some parchment and a pen, Brett?"

He leaned down, so the others did not hear. "There should be some in your room Tiene, but I will ask the maids to take some more up for you." He did not like broadcasting the fact she was in the main tower next to Sauren's rooms, even though he realised news would have spread around the grounds like wildfire by now.

"Thank you, Brett."

"And a little advice," he spoke to them all again, "don't eat too heartily just now. You will be running around the grounds this afternoon, and it will be a race, so you don't want to end up with a stitch in your sides or throwing up."

They all thanked him for the tip. All had a simple sandwich and a piece of fruit.

Once more they were called to the courtyard by scary lady, Ylwen. They waited as she made sure there was an even number, then she stood in front of the group.

"Right, time for fun!" She looked around the group. Not one smile was evident. Enthusiastic, she noted sarcastically. "Around the grounds are eight markers that have the Crimson Blade emblem on them, like so..." she showed the group a small banner with the guild's logo. "Four of the markers will be on blue stands, the other four on red. The object of the game, obviously, is to return all four emblems with the colour allocated to your team - within forty-five minutes. The first team back will be proclaimed the winners."

"What's the prize?" Zachery shouted.

"Prize?" Ylwen asked, amusement in her eyes.

"Yes! There is always a prize for winners," he said.

"I would have thought it was obvious, Alston." Scary trainer purred.

"Erm. No!" the boy replied, uncertain.

Ylwen's lips curved, and Tiene could see the little fangs glistening as she smiled. "The prize is another two hours training with me before you finish for the day."

The group all muffled their sniggers and grumbles.

"Erm, so...no prize then?" Zachery wanted to clarify.

"Correct!" Ylwen said with finality. "You will be split into groups of four. This exercise will also indicate how well you work together as a team."

She drew an imaginary line between them. Inwardly, Tiene groaned; she was in the same team as Lexie. On a positive note, she had Emmek and Thil'las to count on. Their group were assigned the red emblems.

"Good, we have Lexie! She will know where the markers are," Thil'las whispered to the other two teammates.

Lexie looked at him sideways. "They put them different places every time, stupid!"

"Oh!" The elf's eyes narrowed, but he did not comment further.

Tiene thought Lexie was very rude to the night elf but supposed at least she was speaking to him.

"Alright," Ylwen called out. "After the first peel of the cathedral bells, you start. And remember you have forty-five minutes. Even if you do not find all by the time we sound the gong, you must return here."

They all waited, each team ready for the 'off'. The first peel of bells sounded and... eight bodies stood - rigid. Emmek looked at Tiene, who in turn looked at Thil'las and Lexie. "A plan wid be a gid idea ah think," the dwarf suggested.

"Yes." Tiene looked around before looking back towards her teammates. No-one spoke.

The other team had taken off towards the stables. Tiene doubted there would be an emblem there as they had just spent all morning cleaning it from top to bottom. "Okay," she said, trying to sound as if she knew what to do. "Four emblems... four turrets. We split further into two groups and search two turrets each."

"They have done that before," Lexie said, unimpressed.

Tiene was just pleased the girl spoke to her again; she didn't care that it was a scathing response. "Maybe that's how they want you to think, so you don't get them so easily, no?"

Lexie shrugged.

"Well, there isn't an awful lot of different places for them to hide them, which would be accessible to new initiates. So perhaps they have to resort to some repetition." Thil'las offered.

"Okay, then. Are we agreed?" Tiene asked.

"Aye, we ur," Emmek agreed. "Ah'll go wi' Lexie."

"Let's do this!" Tiene said, and then they were off running. Thil'las and Tiene taking the north turrets and the other two the south.

The plan paid off; both parties found one emblem. Thil'las' located one on a small balcony, Lexie found another at the entrance to the turret next to a large chest.

Tiene and Thil'las raced to the next tower and up the spiral stairs. Reaching the top, they were a bit deflated to find it had not resulted in the same good fortune. She glanced down and saw the blue team running towards the turret she and the night elf had just left. They carried no emblem, so that meant there was nothing in the stables; or at least no blue one had been there. They would search the stables as a last resort.

Looking across at the final turret she caught sight of another emblem. It was on the spire at the top. How on Azeroth were the team meant to get that? She wondered and nudged Thil'las, pointing to it.

He nodded. "We better get over there," he said. He put his thumb and middle finger in his mouth and let out the most ear-piercing of whistles. Tiene clamped her hands to her ears, shrinking away. "Sorry," Thil'las said, then pointed over to the turret again. "They heard it, though."

"I think the whole of Capital City did!" Tiene smiled. Looking across to their teammates, they pointed to the emblem. Emmek and Lexie confirmed it with a 'thumbs-up', then descended the stairs. As they went down, the blue team came up. Tiene noticed they now had one emblem. It seemed the red side was faring better at least.

They raced out through the courtyard and into the turret where Emmek and Lexie were waiting at the top. As they reached the top step and onto the balcony, they heard a yell. They tore around and found Lexie pointing down. Emmek was swinging by his britches from an iron rod protruding from just below the floor of the balcony.

"What are you doing down there?" Thil'las shouted.

"Well ah'm no enjoyin' the bloody view, that's fer sure!" Emmek replied, notably embarrassed.

"He insisted I give him a leg up onto the roof to get the emblem," Lexie said while trying to suppress a giggle.

In one way, Tiene was happy to see Lexie more like her old self, but a tad distressed for the subject of her humour.

"The daft wee bugger slipped and disappeared over the rail." Lexie glanced over. Emmek was still swinging in mid-air. "It's a good job you've got a big arse for such a wee man," she shouted.

"Ah'll big erse ye, ye cheeky mongrel!"

Lexie giggled. "Well, how we going to get him back up? It's not as if he can jump down; he'd kill himself."

"Can you hold my feet?" Tiene asked the elf. He nodded.

"You're not thinking of going over to get him are you?" Lexie said.

"Well, we can't leave him, Lexie. Teamwork, remember?"

Lexie shrugged. "Well don't you end up suspended as well or we'll end up with only one member left. Me!"

"And how do you come to that conclusion?" Thil'las asked.

"Cos you'll go after her next, then that will be the three of you over the side, and there's no damn way I'll be trying to get you."

"We could always just throw you over now!" Thil'las' eyes darkened.

Lexie stepped back from the edge. Tiene was finding the whole situation highly amusing, but time was against them, and she needed to get Emmek back up.

Tiene stepped over the rail, and putting her feet through the bottom of the rails, waited for Thil'las to grab hold of them. Once he confirmed he had a good grip, she let her weight pull her forward, and she swung down towards Emmek. She was only an arm's length from the dwarf. "Can you reach up?" she said.

"Aye, but ah'm awfy hefty for all ah'm short, lass."

"And I'm stronger than I look, so reach up!"

Emmek took a couple of attempts before he managed to lock hands with her. He was surprised by how strong a grip she had.

"Now, you are going to have to climb up me, Emmek," Tiene explained.

"Whit!"

"Climb up me."

"But, that's a bit, risky, lass."

"For which one of you?" Lexie shouted down, laughing.

"You hawd yer wheesht, Lexie. 'Twas you that got me here in the furst place!"

"I beg your pardon, you insisted! Not my fault your chubby hands can't hold on."

"Well you had better be able to hold on this time Emmek," Tiene said, starting to feel a bit woozy as blood rushed to her head. "Now climb! I don't care where you grab me, just get up before I pass out!"

Emmek started his ascent, trying to be as gentlemanly as possible. As he reached her calves, Lexie bent over the rail and helped haul him up. "Daft bugger!" she scolded.

Thil'las told Lexie to take one of Tiene's ankles, and he would help pull her up with his spare hand. Tiene swung back and forth until she had enough momentum to pull herself up at the waist. The sudden change of direction made her nearly puke, but Thil'las was strong, and he pulled her up and over the rail.

"Thank you," Tiene gasped, starting to feel a little better. "Now, how we going to get that emblem?"

"Same way we tried before, but one of us that can keep a grip this time," Lexie said. They all looked at the night elf. He agreed, and within a second he was lobbed onto the roof, scaling its apex and snatching the emblem. He carefully made his way down.

"Well done, Thil'las," Tiene said. "How do you think we are doing for time?"

"Possibly, ten minutes?"

"Let's move then."

The group ran down the stairs as they heard shouts from the courtyard; the blue team had only one emblem to collect too.

"Ony ideas?" Emmek shouted down through the group.

"Library? It's nearest anyway. Worth a look?" Lexie suggested.

"Two teams again then. We'll check the dining hall as it's next in line."

"Okay!"

Tiene and Thil'las headed for the dining hall. They stopped at the door. The last lunch sitting was almost over, and the room was emptying. Tiene looked around. The hall was huge.

Then she remembered. Could Sauren have possibly given her the location of one of the emblems? She bounded up the two steps of the platform where the top table was and swiftly moved along to the centre seat. As she pulled the chair out, there it was, along with a blue one. Oh, naughty boss! She smiled to herself.

She grabbed the red one, tucked the seat back under and ran to Thil'las. "Give the others the signal Thil'las," she said, holding up the emblem. Quick as a flash, the night elf gave out his piercing whistle. Moments later, Lexie and Emmek arrived.

The blue team came running towards the dining hall just as the red team ran across the courtyard to where Ylwen stood. They made it in time and no more. Ylwen sounded the gong as the blue team appeared, their faces showing defeat.

Ylwen smiled. She wasn't so scary when she did that. "Well done all of you, especially the red team. You almost lost a member too..." she said eyeing the dwarf. "You worked well together, though. Five minutes then, and then we'll see how you fare with the training dummies."

With the blues congratulating the reds, the teams plonked themselves down in the dry dirt, to catch their breaths.

Tiene looked at Lexie and gasped. The girl was talking to Emmek and did not see Tiene's shocked expression, to begin with, but she glanced around and caught Tiene staring at her neck. Her hand flew to her scarf, and quickly she adjusted it.

"What happened?" Tiene asked, pointing to Lexie's neck.

"Nothing," Lexie replied. "I have - an allergic reaction to another one of my scarves, is all." She looked away from Tiene and immediately engaged in conversation with the others.

Tiene wasn't an expert on allergies, but she was pretty sure those marks on Lexie's neck looked awfully like bruises in the shape of fingers. She thought it best not to press the matter as Lexie had been so dismissive about it, plus she was just back on speaking terms, so she didn't want to lose that again. In time, perhaps she would find out.

Only a few minutes later and the group moved to the training dummies. After a demonstration, they were given wooden daggers and had to perform the various moves used when attacking an enemy.

For Tiene, this was easy as she was already familiar with most of the hits; however, it was more an illustration of how they performed after the morning's physical tasks. Their stamina was in question here, this being why their first day involved more grafting than it did the slick manoeuvers of the assassin. The trainees' limbs were seriously feeling the effects.

After dinner, tired but happy, Tiene ascended the stairs to her rooms. She slipped on her night-shift then crawled under the luxurious throws on her bed. Hugging her letters close, she just had time to plant a kiss on Camnath's name before she fell into a deep sleep.

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Thank you for reading !!!

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