Cora's P.O.V.

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The next day was my first day of battle school, and I was excited. Horace was too. Will had found out last night that he is Halt's apprentice. I was happy for him, but Horace made fun of him.

My exact words were, "Would you like me to do to your face what I did to Rodney's?"

"No! I'm good!" Horace laughed.

When we got to battle school, all I heard was, "That's the girl that hit Sir Rodney! Don't want to tick her off."

We started drills the next day. Horace and I were better than normal. We excelled with the sword and I could tell. There was also something wrong with him. He was upset about something, but we never get any time to talk, and I can't believe I am saying this, but I miss Will and George.

Right after lunch, I walked past a group of three second year apprentices. They said something about torturing the ward brat and I said, "Excuse me?"

"What?" one asked.

"What did you just say?"

"Don concern your pretty little self with it." he replied in a failing attempt to flirt.

"I would like to know what you said." I said firmly.

"We were just talking about the new ward brat, that's all. Like I said, there is no need to concern your pretty little self with it." he said, stepping closer. I punched straight forward with my left, and hooked with my right. His face was twice as bad as Rodney's,  and he was dazed for a moment.

"That's my brother, you jack***!!" I yelled, storming away to find Horace.

I found him standing in the creek with a rock above his head.

"Horace! What are you doing?" I asked him.

"The second years have been picking on me, and I continue to listen because I thought it was normal." he said, confused.

"No it isn't! Put the rock down and come on you idiot."

The next day, I was taken to Rodney's office.

"You wish to speak with me sir?"

"Yes. The second years. What happened? They say you hit him for no good reason."

"No good reason!? I punched him because the three of them have been bullying Horace since we got here and Horace won't stand up for himself because he thinks it is normal!"

"That is all I needed to know, thank you. By the way, you and your brother have amazing sword skills. You will do great things some day."

"Thank you, sir." I started to walk out.

"And Cora, one more thing."

"Yes sir?"

"A letter came in for you from the scribe school. The sender said it was urgent." He smiled as he handed it to me.

"Thank you."

When I left, I went to find Horace. Even thought I probably shouldn't read this with him, I will anyways.

The bullies were beating him up again, but he was fighting back.

"Hey, Scram!" I yelled, and they were gone. Then Horace turned to me.

"Did you do that to his face?"

"Yes, and I got a letter."

"From who?"

"Some one at the scribe school. Take a guess."

"George."

Dear Cora,
      I was just writing to say hi and ask how battle school is going. I'm talking a lot now, and Alyss complains that now the issue is getting me to shut up. I've heard that a lot of the guys there flirt with you, and that last time one tried, you punched him. Good, he probably deserved it. I haven't heard from Will, but Jenny is planning a picnic during the Harvest Festival. She wants you and Horace to come with empty stomachs. I'm prettt sure Horace won't have a problem with that, but don't tell him I said so.
      I really miss you and hope to see you at the picnic this weekend.
Sincerely,
          George

"Really? Don't tell him I said so. Really?" Horace exclaimed.

"We are going to the picnic, right?"

"Duh! It's food!"

"Jenny's food."

"Even better."

The next day happened to be the Harvest Festival. Rodney came to talk to me at breakfast, because I was sitting by myself again.

"Where is that brother of yours? "

"He's already done eating, and he's avoiding the second years."

"Any plans for today?"

"Yes, I'm going to a picnic later."

"With a certain someone?" he asked mischievously, meaning George.

"Horace and I are meeting up with our old ward mates, and Jenny is suplying the food."

"Ahh, I see. What was that letter about?"

"George was inviting us to the picnic."

"Ok, well, I won't hold you up any longer. Have fun."

"Thank you."

An hour later, Horace and I arrived to find Will the only one there. I ran up to him to hug him, and Horace just shook his hand. I noticed a small, shaggy pony standing by the tree.

"Is he your's?" I asked Will.

He smiled and said, "Yes, his name is Tug. Don't try to ride him though."

"I wasn't planning on it. Here comes George!"

I ran to him to hug him too, and he didn't mind either.

"George, you do realize I had Horace read your letter with me, right?"

"Oh well." George laughed, still hugging me.

When Alyss and Jenny arrived, I hugged them to. I just didn't run to them like I did for Will and George.

While we ate, I sat by George so we could talk about how school was going.

Horace kept glancing over at us for some reason.

Finally, when we were all done eating, we went our separate ways. Horace hung out with Jenny, and Alyss went with Will.

George and I were just walking around the festival, talking. Then I saw the three second years. They walked over to properly introduce themselves.

"I'm Alda, this is Byrn and Jerome. We thought we'd come introduce ourselves and apologize for starting off on the wrong foot." Alda said, shaking my hand, as well as the other two. George tensed up beside me.

" I'm Cora. Horace and I are twins." I said, a little creeped out.

"And who is your friend?" Byrn asked, eyeing George suspiciously.

"This is George, one of my very best friends from the Ward. He is in scribe school."

"Well, you don't say very much, now do you George?" Jerome said, shaking his hand.

"I talk when I want to." George said icily.

"Well, you were talking fine before we came over here." Alda replied.

"Well, see you at battle school, Cora." Jerome said, waving and smiling at me as they walked away.

"That was creepy." I said.

"Creepy, or down right agitating?" George muttered angrily.

I just smiled up at him, and got a smile back.

"I just ignore them anyway, so don't worry about it."

"Ok," he replied, putting an arm around me.

We talked about how scribe school was going for him, and he asked how battle school was, and I told him it was ok.

Then he asked, "Who were those idiots anyway?"

"They bully Horace, but Alda was the one who flirted with me, but that's not why I punched him. I punched him for messing with Horace."

"Oh, so the rumors are true."

"Yes."

It was starting to get dark, so I assumed it was around eight or nine.

"I should probably be getting back to battle school now." I said.

"I'll walk you there."

"Are you sure you won't get in trouble?"

"I'm ok unless I'm late tomorrow morning, but I won't be so we're ok." he replied.

When we were walking back, we got to the gates, and I said, "Good night George, see you soon."

I went to turn around and go inside, but he stopped me and turned me around. Then he just kissed me, and when I moved away, I blushed and was glad it was dark.

When I went intothe dormitory, Horace was still awake. I told him I would explain in the morning.