*Avis' POV*

My nose tickled and I groaned, squinting at the brightness of dawn. Well it's not that bright, but it felt like it. Suddenly I let out a sneeze and watched as a spider flew off my nose by the jerking motion my head made. Letting out a scream, I stood and rubbed my nose until all remnants of spider germs were free from my face. Jacklyn bolted up, staring at me in horror.

"What's wrong!?!" She asked.

"There was a spider on my face!" I exclaimed. Suddenly tent flaps were being pulled back and voices called out to ask if I was alright or if the murder had let any blood. Wow, thanks for the consideration guys.

"It's just a spider, Avis!" Jacklyn said laughing. I glared at her.

"But it was on my face!"

"Go back to sleep!" Some grumpy old ranger called.

"I can't possibly sleep now. My adrenaline is going which will make me jittery for about an hour." I said. Jacklyn rolled her eyes.

"Well then go fetch water from the stream. Put that adrenaline to work." Jacklyn said. I nodded, agreeing with her. Don't get me wrong, spiders are fine. From about twenty yards away from me. But one on MY FACE!?!? That's where I draw the line, thank you very much. Grabbed the two leather buckets and made my way towards the stream a little ways from camp. Several rangers were mulling about, not being able to return to sleep after my scream. Oops.

After a five minute walk, I reached the stream. I sat down on some rocks and played with the water, wetting my hands. Birds chirped all around me in the trees and there was a slight chill in the breeze. It was beautiful. From my experience, I'd say it was about five in the morning. At home I'd be leaving for school right now.

The soft pad of boots sounded right behind me. I whipped around, coming face to face with Gilan.

"That was impressive." Gilan said. I rose an eyebrow.

"What?"

"I typically can make it all the way to the person before they discover me." He commented.

"Did you just praise me?" I asked incredulously. He glared at me.

"I wouldn't say praise. More like noted." He said. I smirked.

"Noted for what? Looking for an apprentice, Gil?" I teased. The glare returned.

"If I was, it wouldn't be you. The bond between master and appreciate is firm, and I can't have an apprentice I don't trust." He said. Ouch. Well that was harsh. What have I done to make him not trust me?

"Ah, but you'll put in a good word for me with Lady Pauline." I said in a matter-of-fact tone. He rose an eyebrow, something he clearly inherited from his master.

"Why would I ever place such a burden on Lady Pauline?" He asked.

"She likes me! So does Ulf! I have a chance in both, you know." I said. Gilan's eyebrows knitted together. Something shone in his eyes, sparking up a smile.

"Good with horses are you?" He asked. I shrugged.

"I know a bit, why?" I asked. I had the inkling I knew where this was headed.

"It takes impeccable skill the ride Blaze." He said. I smirked.

"Oh really? And you don't think I'm good enough?" I asked. He chuckled.

"Oh I know you're not good enough." He said. I grinned.

"Led the way, Gil. I have a ranger to prove wrong." I said. Gilan scoffed and led us back to camp, the water momentarily forgotten.

Back at camp, everyone was up by now. Will and Jacklyn eyed me curiously as I entered the clearing with Gilan. Gilan made his way over to Crowley, smirking the whole time. I scurried over to Jacklyn and Will, a huge grin plastered on my face.

"Gilan bet me I can't ride Blaze. I'm gonna prove him wrong!" I announced. Jacklyn grinned while Will gave me what sounded like a depressed sigh.

"You won't be able to ride her, Avis." He said. "Rangers horses have-..." I cut him off.

"I don't want to hear it Will! Just because I'm a girl or I'm young and from another country doesn't mean I'm not a good horsewoman." I said, secretly I smirked, playing up the naive girl.

"But Avis-" I shook my head, not letting him finish his sentence. Jacklyn looked ready to burst with laughter.

"Attention Rangers!" Crowley called out. The rangers gathered around their commandant, ready to hear his words. "Ranger Gilan had an announcement." He said. "Give him your undivided attention and follow what he says." Crowley had that mischievous glint in his eyes. Gilan nodded his thanks to Crowley and took the spotlight.

"Miss Avis and I this morning made a bet. Would you all please join us in the horse clearing?" Gilan asked. I noticed Halt eyeing Gilan suspiciously as we all made our way to the clearing. Brighton caught up to us as we walked.

"Avis, what is going on?" He asked.

"Just a bet, Nothing big." I said. Jacklyn grinned and Brighton.

"This will be good. Let's get front row seats. Good luck Avis!" Jacklyn took Brightons wrist and pushed through the crowd of rangers.

"Front and center, Miss Avis!" Gilan announced. A path was cleared for me and I made my way towards the smirking ranger. He had Blaze by the bridle and was stroking her gently. Gilan handed the reins to me and stepped back, gesturing for me to take charge. I held myself confidently, nodding my thanks to him. All the rangers took several steps back as I placed my left foot in the stirrup. I took a hold of the saddle and pulled myself up with ease. Gilans Blaze was slightly shorted than my Blaze. I situated myself in the saddle, placed my fingers in the right spots on the reins and then turned my attention to the eager rangers. They were staring at me, waiting. Just waiting.

"What? Is there something in my hair?" I asked, feigning panic. Gilan suddenly looked horrified.

"Blaze?!? Is there something wrong?" He asked. All the rangers shuffled about uncomfortably, eyeing their own horses.

Nothing's wrong, just that you should know better than to bet.

I chuckled at Blazes response and Gilans reaction. He looked from me to his horse, then back to me.

"Make her canter." Gilan demanded. I shrugged and turned her around, easing my knees slightly and placing pressure on her ribs. Blaze let out a small whinnie and did as she was told. We looped around the herd, the air rushing all about us. I reined her in once we were near the rangers and set her at a walk. Finally I halted her next to her master. I dismounted and patted her neck, kissing her nose briefly.

"You were saying, Gilan?" I asked, an innocent look on my face. Gilan looked absolutely baffled, running up to Blaze and checking her over for wounds.

"Impossible!" Crowley said, suddenly his shock became laughter.

"You sure did prove Gilan wrong! The young ones always do." Crowley said. Gilan rose an eyebrow.

"What's that suppose to mean?!?" Gilan asked. Crowley shrugged.

"I don't know." Gilan groaned and pointed at Brighton, the only person who didn't know about the passwords.

"Get on her. Take her around the clearing." Gilan demanded. Brighton compiled, not quite understanding what all the fuss was about. He mounted, not noticing as Blaze tensed. Suddenly she sprung up into the air, kicking out her feet and going berserk. Brighton flew from the saddle, landing on his back with a groan.

"What is wrong with you!?!" Gilan demanded from his horse. He gestured for me to get back on. She was still. I dismounted. He looked at Jacklyn. Jacklyn shrugged and made her way towards the mare. She took the reins from Glian and kissed Blaze's forehead, muttering something.

"What pretty Brown Eyes you have." Jacklyn whispered. I smirked as I heard it, but Gilan was too furious to hear anything. Jacklyn climbed atop Blaze. She was still. Gilan groaned in frustration.

"Is it like this with all our horses?" Sam asked. The nearest horse to the crowd was Abelard, so Halt called him over. Perfect. Jacklyn dismounted Blaze and mounted Abelard with ease. He was still, eyeing the crowd with wonder. Halt's eyes widened, taking on the same horrified look as Gilan.

"Well, it was fun, but I'm hungry and I saw some porridge back at camp." I said. Jacklyn dismounted and the two of us began to walk back to camp. The crowd parted to let us through, watching in awe as we casually left. As soon as we entered the forest, am eruption of voices filled the air.

"Is she sick!?!?!?!" Gilan voice demanded to know. Jacklyn and I laugh, laughing so had I was pretty sure I was on the verge of abs. Yes it was that kind of laugh. You know what I'm talking about. Once we had composed ourselves, we ran back to camp, filled with the joy of baffling the rangers.

***

I know it's been forever! Sorry! I was stumped for a while and school has been hectic. I literally go to school, come home, do homework and go to bed. Highschool is just plan stupid. It's ...it's just stupid. I'll leave it at that. Any who! Fun fun, hope you liked it! Love you all!

~Avis