There are some things that can be forgotten in the heat of the moment, like the training Britta worked so hard at. She could work as well as ever, but now whenever her eyes met Ed's she felt as though she was sharing a secret with him. They were, but not one that should give her the feeling she got when she saw into his eyes.

The guilt probably should have been worse, but as winter came to end and almost a year had passed since training started they were working harder than ever. They had final tests coming up that everyone worried about. Britta knew that she and Diana should probably leave after they'd gotten payment for the year's work, yet somehow she still wanted to do well in the tests. She wanted to find out more about what they were training for. She wanted to be selected as one of the final few.

The Fox sometimes took her and a few other of the better ones on separate training sessions. It sometimes surprised Britta how far she had gotten and that she was included in this group. Ed wasn't and she was relieved, one headache she didn't have at that time at least.

She spent far too much time thinking about him. She decided. Things would never be okay with Diana when she had... whatever it was she had... with Ed going on and she wanted her sister back. She wondered at what it was she felt when she and Ed locked eyes. Somehow, she knew he had not meant to kiss her in the woods and also that neither of them truly regretted it. She feared what she felt for Ed because it was unknown to her. She was certain she didn't like or love him as anymore than a friend, so the boiling in the pit of her stomach when they had touched had shocked her. She usually found herself massaging her temples and telling herself she would sort it out later.

The moment The Fox declared a camp in the woods to build on survival skills everyone was pleased. They would form groups of with whichever weapon users they choose. Timidly, Diana approached Britta and the two of them joined up.

"Friends again?" Asked Diana.

"That or whatever we were before." Said Britta thoughtfully. They were closer than normal friends and it was nice having someone who knew her as well as they knew themselves, although Britta was finally sure they were very different.

Eventually Ed joined their group too, so did Neal who practiced archery, and Thom and Clyde who both used a sword. They were allowed to choose whichever supplies they thought they would need for the stock piles. Their group was to leave in three days' time which gave them the Sunday and Monday morning to pack when they weren't in training. The six of them chose two tents, the smaller one was to be used, conveniently, by Britta and Diana. It was Thom who suggested this, and with his quiet, mysterious nature, Britta wouldn't be so surprised if he knew; there were secrets hidden in his dark brown eyes that no one would ever know.

It was Ed that confused her most. She had not gone near him again, but she wanted to. Britta decided she liked kissing, just not the complications that went with it. She didn't have the reservations that came with being brought up as a noble woman, but she had those which involved Diana and herself. It couldn't last, she knew, but she would confront it soon enough.

"As you've told yourself many times before." Said Faithful snidely.

"Oh, stop it." Britta told him.

That Sunday Britta wasted no time in getting all their gear together. She herself commissioned new clothes. She had never been well-fed at the Abbey and now she had better food and finally Neal could no longer annoy her about her height as she was about as tall as him. As well as her new height she had wiry muscles of hard use, they didn't stick out, but now her arms and legs were sculpted, and her curves held no softness.

She got better clothing all around, and new shoes, she handed her old ones in, so they could be washed and reused. In the end the group decided to hunt for most of their food. Britta admitted to knowing some herb lore and so most of what they took ended up being sleeping gear and cooking gear that they distributed between them.

Diana had a small longbow that she used as opposed to a cross bow. Britta could barely draw it, which made her appreciate the strength her sister had in her arms.

They were ready by the time it was time to go.

A few other groups were leaving at the same time, but only as many as there were people to watch them.

"I wonder who is watching us?" Asked Clyde, looking over his shoulder exaggeratedly.

"Maybe Micah." Suggested Neal playfully.

"Don't go putting those ideas in our heads!" Said Ed with a shove. Neal dodged and tried to trip Ed up.

"We'll have no energy by the time we reach the end of the trail." Said Thom into Britta's ear.

Britta laughed "They'll have no energy. I'll bet they'll be up all night telling scary stories too."

Thom grinned and they both watched as big Clyde pushed through them and broke them up. The walking could have been harder in Brittas soft shoes. Stones bit into her feet, but she ran bare foot every morning and so the skin there was tough. They walked until nightfall through the bush until they reached a good camp spot near dark. Britta had taken note of land marks through the day, and knew she'd never forget the big tree where they had decided to sleep.

Their camp spot was a nice one. There was a stream just down the hill that they could get their water from; water bags were already empty from the long day of walking. And a sizeable flat patch at the edge of the trees. She and Diana got to work setting up their own tent. Britta struggled with the thick sheet of canvas but Diana had taken more note of the instructions to set it up. They had their ground sheets and beds made up ready to sleep in, in time to help the others. It was not long before they decided that a swim was in order, and Britta and Diana busied themselves collecting fire wood. Notably, Thom did not go swimming, but Ed and the others did.

I think he knows. She told Diana.

What's the harm? She answered.

Both of them were disappointed that their secret was going to pieces, but Britta, strangely, did trust Thom.

Should I confront him? She asked.

If you like. Said Diana, deciding her twin was right.

She sat with Thom on the river bank while Diana was hunting for game. Looking him over carefully she saw that months of training with a sword had given him hard, visible muscles which gave him impressive shape and made Britta a little envious. She turned her gaze back to his dark brown eyes and instead of asking, simply said, "You know."

Thom had been enduring her inspection with a slight hint of amusement before then, but he met her eyes gravely.

"An educated guess." He said.

"Present your evidence." Britta said, wanting to know for sure. As he spoke of how he'd noticed their lack of swimming and mannerisms she noted his educated language and the single, silver ring on his middle finger. She wondered what might make a man of his status leave. "Well," Said Britta once he was done, "I think you pretty much guessed exactly right."

Thom smiled, a little sadly, "yes, I thought I had."

A fish was caught in time for dinner and the twins found enough greens to put with it. They didn't have to use any of the dried 'just in case' food they had brought with them. Britta slept comfortably on the thick bed roll once she fell asleep, which did take some time. She was awake for what felt like hours pondering over Thom, wondering why he was at the training camp and not continuing any life he'd had before. and woke up at her normal time. She kept her exercises to a pattern dance and quick run from which she collected plants for breakfast at the end.

She was proud to have breakfast ready with a small, wild, pig that Diana had shot in her morning practice. She and Diana got called a hundred types of crazy by the men, and despite her denial Britta was tired, just didn't complain about it. She fed the scraps of meat to a small falcon. Curiously she tried to talk with it.

Hello there!

Talk in head?

Something some people can do, I thought I'd say hello, since you're enjoying the meat so much.

Only young. Hard to hunt, go fast but not catch.

If you come along there will be plenty of scraps to feed on, maybe I can help you to hunt?

Humans not fly.

No, I guess you're right. But if you follow along at least you'll learn to hunt on a full stomach. Then she went to help pack up camp.

Cat will not hunt me? The falcon asked.

Britta looked at Faithful, who had been riding quietly on her shoulder for the trip so far.

"You won't, will you?" She asked allowed in a tone which told the cat exactly what his answer should be.

"Fine." Said Faithful, eyeing the bird. "Hardly a mouthful anyway."

You'll be safe from this cat. Britta promised the falcon.

She spotted the grey bird following them through gaps in the canopy as she walked. She decided to call it Quicksilver, as animals didn't name themselves as humans did. The walking was much more uphill. Even still following the trail walking was hard. Britta had built up endurance in her running, but this was different and she ached by the end of the day. Both Diana and Neal went off to find some meat to eat. A rabbit was promptly skinned by Ed and put in a pot.

Everyone again went for a swim and Britta found a quiet spot up stream. She listened until she was sure no one was around and then stripped off and washed. She upheld her promise to Quicksilver, who liked her new name, and fed her before sleeping. Waking up proved more difficult and she splashed water in her eyes. It was still cold, but warming up now it was spring.

Britta always felt surprised when she realised it was almost a year since they had left the Abbey and come here. It had been a long year, and now she was close to turning Seventeen. She had changed a lot. The Britta at the orphanage was more self-conscious, as much as she tried to hide it. She wanted to be a pretty noble woman with an easy life. But when was the last time she had thought of such things? Now she felt that being dressed as a girl was more of a disguise. She had become stronger, and learned to better control what she said. If the Britta of a year ago had been kissed by Ed she would have made more of a fuss. She would have downgraded him with her sharp tongue and she would feel much worse. She realised if she was as good at apologising as she was starting arguments she could finish this awkwardness off. But all she wanted was for things to be explained.

The next day she knew they were heading back from the loop track. Camping had been uneventful until her morning climb. She saw smoke rising once again. She also knew that no other groups should be in the area.

"There's smoke!" She called as she came down.

Suddenly, an idea forming in her mind she called Quicksilver.

You're a good, fast flier. If I get you something extra good tonight will you have a look at who is in the smoke?

Fly! Quicksilver chirped quickly.

She was a good flier, Britta thought, as she flew away. Graceful and at home in the sky. She watched until the young bird had dipped down nearer the trees to get a closer look and then returned to her friends to tell them what was going on.

By the time the discussion was over Quicksilver was back. She pressed an image into Brittas head. She saw men in leather, weapons in easy reach, eating over a fire. The wood was mainly dry, but eyes as sharp as Britta's from so high up could see it. She persuaded them to go have a look.

"Move lightly!" She told them. She was no commander, and quickly Thom found this his job.

"Hide the insignia on your clothes. We don't know who they are."

Moving quietly, even Neal's complaining cut off, they made their way to the smoke. Britta was comfortable whispering Thom the directions Quicksilver gave her; he didn't question her source and it was nice to have someone that seemed to trust her like that.

They didn't stumble onto the camp, instead, sent Britta, who was light on her feet, forwards to gather information.

She walked forwards as silently as she could manage and climbed quickly up a tree, so she could be above their heads. People didn't look up quite so much as they looked around themselves.

"The Night Falcon better stop this madness. The northern tribe won't have the whole of Dereges trying to hunt us too."

"Micah better listen, though I suppose even his father won't mind if we kill him."

"Plan B" One reminded the speaker.

"I like plan B better."

"We'll have to bring in more to get the whole training camp if we do."

"That would be a waste."

"Necessary." One grunted.

Britta had heard enough. Clearly this was a scout group, or possibly a test. She came back, green eyes almost shining through the shroud.

"They aren't good." She whispered.

Diana climbed a tree, Neal on the other side, so they could get clear shots of the camp.

"There aren't many of them." Thom had said. "Only a few more of them than us."

Suddenly, Britta turned and scanned the trees.

"Fox." She hissed. "Come out and tell us if we're really supposed to do anything." Somehow she knew he was there.

She caught him nodding. "Think of it as a test." He told her firmly. "Don't let any escape." Britta knew he wouldn't help them unless they really needed it.

"It's real." She told the group.

"Trust them to think of a way to get us to risk our necks." Said Neal, drawing his sword.

Thom had the rest of them spread around the camp. They had probably stopped because they were waiting for a scout to come back and tell them the situation. They wouldn't go into enemy territory without knowing what was coming up. The archers would shoot those who separated out. Then the dagger fighters would go under what secrecy they had left. When the game was up Thom and Clyde would come in. They didn't have their armour but they would fight using other techniques that would guard them better.

Diana and Neal shot when given the signal. Diana, pale as per usual because of the height, was otherwise calm. She shot the first man easily, one who was down getting water. Her hands shook as she aimed again and the realization sunk into Britta too. They were going to kill men. The second time Diana shot she hit the man in his collar bone. An arrow of Neal finished him off.

Britta moved in at Thom's signal. She was quick, and the men had weapons at their side. Britta knifed one through the back and yanked her dagger out. She didn't stay still to watch him fall. She realized two things, in the quick second it took for her to find her next target. The First, was that her job in the fight, would never be fair. The second, was that she would have time enough later to feel guilty for felling defenceless man.

She saw another, he had time to call a proper alarm this time, even as she ducked his sword and slit his throat. The game was up and people flooded in. She knew from the thuds that Diana and Neal were hitting those on the outskirts with arrows, Thom and Clyde were quick to move in. Ed fought too, but Britta slid out behind people, coming up behind.

Stabbing people in the back was not something she thought of as fair. But the Fox's words rang in her head. She got one, and then his companion turned to face her. He was ready with his sword and had already taken Britta's training armour into account. She cut off what was going on around her and focused on him. She already knew the others were kept busy.

He tried first to lunge at her. She ducked and came up behind him in a heat beat. She had a dagger ready in one hand, the other sheathed and throwing knives loosened. She parried his next attack, and noted his strength. She couldn't take any attacks head on, as much as he tried to get her to. When he cut the blade down she rolled, coming back up with her dagger. She sliced his arm, but he swung his sword around to cut her back. It was a shallow cut; her chest binding had fought off the worst. He barely needed a moment to recover and her dodge was slower than it should have been. She didn't have time to get a hit in as she moved away.

He was quick and kept her moving. Sweat dampened her brow and she couldn't wipe it away. As she darted in again she caught his sword on the arm. She switched hands and parried his next attack. He leaned forwards and forced his weight on her, pushing her down. She realised he was unbalanced. If she could get a hit in, he might go down. She made one last push up, and then dipped low and sliced at his leg. He stumbled and then attacked again with vigour. Now his stance was upset and she used the moment he took to rebalance to swipe at her brow, rather than attack. It would do no good to attack when she could barely see.

The next few minutes were a flurry of fast manoeuvres, each trying to attack the other. Her movements stayed coordinated, but she couldn't get in any attacks of her own. She lurched backwards as he cut forwards. Britta took another step and launched her dagger at him. It hit his firmly in the arm and just as she had planned embedded itself deep. He roared in pain, and switched his sword. He was slower with his other hand; now she was at an advantage.

She attacked in earnest, metal on meatal as she used her other dagger. She never stopped moving, keeping up with him. He was tiring, but all those hours practicing meant she was enduring. With all the unpredictability of The Fox she leapt, landing on his chest and driving her knife into his throat. There was a gurgle as his body still tried to breath, then he swayed and fell. Britta jumped off and landed clumsily, the adrenaline of the fight was already wearing off. Now the most difficult thing was realising there was more to be done.

Ed was down, she saw his strong form on the ground. Thom still directed them, between pants while he fought another man. There was no more, she realised. And then fought to stay standing. She could see the red of blood standing out against the trampled ground. Wearily she put out the fire, kicking dust over it.

She looked the whole area over. The Fox had caught any men going for help. Diana and Neal had done a good job picking men off; arrows had felled as many as swords and knives had. She saw Clyde's long bladed marks on two of the men. Thom's on two more. The ones with less of an injury had been felled by the precise hit of a dagger. Britta felt no pride in what she had done.

Thom finished off the last man in a desperate lunge. No one had the energy to help him now the fight was over. The Fox strode business like between them, ordering them to eat. Diana knelt beside Ed, bandaging his wound. Britta's own back ached deeply but she helped drag the dead into a pile and light them. All of their group were alive, if not ok.

Clyde swayed where he stood. Thom was pale and Britta could tell he was hurt. The archers were fine, and set up camp, searched the area for any information. Britta led Thom to a tent when it was set up and made him sit down. Britta could smell blood all around her and stumbled to the back of the camp, vomiting up any food she'd eaten recently. She retreated to semi-consciousness to ignore the pain. Her movements were mechanical. She wiped her mouth as she walked back to Thom. Britta stripped off his shirt and found the cut near his stomach. It was not deadly, but she rummaged through her pack to find herbs to use.

She roughly cleaned out his cut and applied a stinging salve made of ginger. She pulled out bandages and wadded some up over it before wrapping them around. She would have to get Diana to tend to her own cut later.

Her sister was quick to come away from Ed. She too, had him in his bed roll, unclothed as she treated the cut right down his side. Diana led Britta away a small distance, before Britta sat down. Diana had all the things she would need and cleaned out the cut while Britta gritted her teeth against the sting. Diana bandaged it up and gave her a clean shirt.

"Britta." She began. Britta already knew what was coming. "You could have died today!" Diana continued, "maybe we should leave before we do."

"We'll see." Said Britta, knowing even now that she had no intention of leaving. "We need to talk to Ed first."

Diana nodded, gulping. "Don't get angry at me, Britta, but I think I do really like him. He's just unstable right now."

"Exactly why we need to talk to him. You know what happened between us." Dianas face shadowed over, but Britta knew now she didn't feel as Diana did for him.

She had kissed him. Or at least he had her and although she had enjoyed it and Diana knew, they both knew that Britta was happy without a man in that sense.

"Not now. He looks as though he needs the rest." Said Britta.

Diana's eyes trailed to the tent where he was sleeping and nodded in agreement. She held out her hand and Britta helped her up.

"Soon." She promised.

***

I've gotta admitt, the chapter names are pretty cool