Well that was obvious. As they approached, I launched my dart with my left hand at one of my would be assailants and quickly stepped in to engage the ...ther. Dad had always said "do unto others before they do unto you".One down and the other closing fast, I noticed that his sword, while big and heavy, was poorly made. I quickly decided to end this farce of a fight and blocked his sword with the edge of mine. Clean cut at the hilt, I ran past him and back handed his head off his shoulders. Showy. "Mandas had grabbed him by the arm and dragged him towards a secluded corner. "Just what is the meaning of this?" he hissed. "I have been waiting several moons to corner Lady Sashalla and..." I am terribly sorry, my Lord!" the Runner simpered. "But you have a Farview from Oceanus!"Mandas clenched his jaw. "Go back and tell that so-called Emperor that he will have to wait until..." It is not him, it is the commander of our forces that we dispatched to Oceanus." The what... ? Why is he calling. I stilled. “You will do,” she said abruptly, “Back to your duties.”She wriggled out from under me, walked to the door, slid back the bolt and strode away down the corridor.I scrabbled to get dressed and hurried downstairs.She was in the kitchen, “Oh do hurry up Bessie,” she complained.“Madam?” I queried.“Go away Hanson you have done enough,” she chided. “Fetch a warm towel and wipe me girl.”Lady Margaret sat with her skirt raised and knees spread waiting for the maid to wipe her quim and. "Haven't you ever wanted to be tested?" asked Brianna."Well I was due to be tested once I returned to the academy, but we both know how that worked out," said Aric with a rueful smile."I think you should be tested," said Brianna."What brought this on?" asked Aric turning to look at Brianna, suddenly listening very closely to the conversation."Is it because my twenty third season is coming up in a couple months and you are worried I'll be too old to use magic?" Aric joked."No," said Brianna.