* Avis' POV*

"That was so easy." I scoffed as Jacklyn and I made our way towards lunch. Only two classes a day, awesome!

"What was that? How did you do that so fast?" Brighton asked, catching up to us.

"That's stuff we learned in kindergarten." Jacklyn said rolling her eyes.

"That's amazing." He said, staring at us in awe.

"Take a picture, buddy. It'll last longer." I said smirking. This just made him confused. Dang. I've always wanted to say that cheesy line to somebody, and when I finally get the chance, they don't understand it! My life sucks. Jacklyn smirks at my failed attempt.

"Nice try kid." I shove her shoulder.

We enter the lunch hall and before we could sit down to eat Baron Arald enters and all the wards stand quickly. We follow their example and wait for the Baron to speak.

"Sorry to interrupt, but you all have received an amazing opportunity. For the first time, the craft masters are allowing you to tour their facilities, and see if it is something you are interested in. Denise here will show you around." Denise appears from behind him. Cool, no lessons. We all stand and follow the woman.

"We finally get to see the kitchens!" Lesley squealed. Arielle glared at her, holding her chin up higher.

"The diplomatic services are much more dignified." Arielle said to her sister. Jacklyn and I held down our snickers. I'd much rather work with the battle horses. I miss my horse, Blaze, a lot. Yes, I did name my horse after Ranger Gilans horse. Don't judge.

"I'd like battle school!" Jacklyn teased. The two girls stared at her in horror, but I burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Jacklyn challenged.

"You in battle school. That's funny. I feel like you'd give up ten minutes in!" I exclaimed. Jacklyn smiled.

"True. Maybe I should go for scribe school." She said.

"That depends on your handwriting." I said.

"My print is perfectly fine!" She exclaimed.

"What about your cursive?" I asked. Her face fell.

"Never mind." I chuckle and she glared at me.

"Like you could do better?" She teased.

"I can do both, and calligraphy. I just don't like to. I have wrist problems, and if I write for more than half a page my wrists seize and I can't move them. It sucks with school." I explained. Arielle and Lesley stared in horror, but Jacklyn shrugged it off. It's not that big of a deal, and Jacklyn seems to realize that.

We make our way down a grassy slope after we exit the court yard. In the distance I can see an arena, several large buildings, and a couple horses grazing on a pasture. Several minutes later we enter a large stable. Students were grooming horses and cleaning out stalls as the wards made their way through.

"This is where we train the battle horses." Denise stared. No duh lady. Way to state the obvious.

"May we ride them?" Lesley asked, her voice filled with excitement.

"You have not been trained, child. Battle horses will not let a simple ward atop them. You need skill to ride a horse." Denise mocked. I rose an eyebrow. I have been riding horses since I was two years old, so I don't remember what it feels like to not ride horses.

"What if we are trained?" I questioned. Denise perked up her eyebrow.

"These horses are not for little girls, Avis." She said. I glanced at Jacklyn, who was trying not to smirk.

"Denise? Let the girl ride." A gruff voice came from the door. I spun around in search of the voice to find a tall man in riding clothes and knee high boots.

"Master Ulf... she is but a ward!" Denise said. He rolled his eyes and turned to me.

"Get on the horse, girl." He said, gesturing towards the bay gelding that had just been saddled up. I gave Jacklyn a nervous glance before walking towards the horse. I climbed atop a stool to help me mount, I'm a short person, and swung myself into his saddle. I took the reins from Ulf and casually walked the gelding out. He responded to me quickly and efficiently, more than I can say for my own horse.

"Take him about the loop." Ulf announced. He followed me out of the barn and the rest of the ward ran after him. I nodded my understanding and urged the gelding into a trot, then a gallop. Soon I was at a full canter, running around the track. The wind whipped about in my hair and I felt free. Mom never let me ride without a helmet if she caught me. She would be having a heart attack if she could see me now. The track was shorter then I thought as the barn came quicker than expected. I set him back into a trot before pulling him to a full halt. I dismounted and handed his reins off to a stable hand.

"Quite a skilled young lady, Denise." Ulf said thoughtfully. Denise was red in the face and scowling my way. Jacklyn gave me a big thumbs up, grinning.

"Well, she is quite new to the ward. Baron sent her to me last night." Denise explained. She didn't like being made a fool.

"Where did you learn, girl?" Ulf asked.

"My family has horses, I've been riding since I could walk." I announced. Brighton and Jacklyn looked like proud parents, beaming as I explained.

"Your parents taught you well. Alright children, I think that's all the time for today." Ulf said. He ushered them out and Denise scoffed in disbelief.

"The nerve of that man." She mumbled under her breath. Jacklyn and I were both close enough to hear and grinned. "Off to battle school, now." She said. The boys seemed to perk up at the announcement.

"Are you secretly a fantastic swordswoman as well?" Arielle said spitefully. I rose an eyebrow.

"I have spared a bit. My dad gave me fencing swords a couple years ago." I answered. Brighton laughed, causing Arielle to go red on the face.

"Admit it, Arielle, they are more skilled then you." He said chuckling. She quickly walked away. "Now the two of you should behave in here. I can't have Sir Rodney thinking I'm friends with hooligans if I want to be accepted." He said. Jacklyn and I looked at each other with a deceitful look.

"No promises." Jacklyn said smirking.