Anya awoke from a jolt in the carriage. She managed to not fall, which sent a ripple of pain through her arm. It was still dark in the coach; the outline of Alec's sleeping form just visible. The sun was not yet risen, probably not due to do so for some time, and yet, they were moving.

So desperate to arrive in Arazia? Something is wrong.

She looked at Alec again, the jolt had not bothered him at all. Before standing, Anya glanced down at the floor. Old Gerdy lay on her back, soft snores coming at lengthy intervals.

Anya placed her feet carefully so as not to disturb the woman. She fumbled for a few seconds for her boots, not seeing them at first but then spotting a solid lump of brown poking out from under Gerdy's blanket. She couldn't yank them on, her side was too sore for that, instead she pulled gently, wiggling her toes and wishing her foot to shrink for but a moment.

Outside, the group walked briskly and she was able to keep up with the pace, besides for her discomfort. She trotted to the back of the coach and began searching in the storage compartment for her things. She found her coat, pulled it on and went looking for Thorn. She found her mare following the familiar rump of Hana with Irien perched in the saddle. Thorn danced slightly when Anya swung her self onto the horse.

"I see we're starting early."

"Wh-what...why..." Anya could hardly see Irien's face but the little light there was lit up the guardian's contours and eyes like fireflies. "Feeling better I see."

"I was wondering, what do you know about dream talking?" Anya ignored the questioning frown. She was perfectly fit to ride a horse at a brisk walk.

Irien turned in her seat, "How do you know about dream talking?"

"I've heard it mentioned once or twice."

She could not see it, but she could feel Irien eying her suspiciously, "It is the gift of the menfolk, and the merfolk only. Attempts have been made to learn the art, but failure is all we have achieved so far."

"So they can't teach us how to do it??"

"No one, besides the merfolk, can dream talk as far as we understand."

"But surely–"

"Why the sudden interest on such a haphazard subject?"

Anya bit her lip and looked away in case Irien could see her face better than she could see hers. "Well, who wouldn't be interested in it? It's fascinating." Never again am I risking such a question. I'll keep it for Tero.

Irien seemed to be satisfied with the answer.

"You will be called to speak with other guardians later today. They wish to talk to you about the attack."

Anya stiffened in her saddle. The last thing she felt like was talking to strange guardians, "Do I have to?"

A few moments passed before Irien answered"There is not choice."

"Well, what about now? Who must I talk to?"

"They will send for you when the time suits them, not whenever it suits you."

"Anya," Lady Dhanna's voice had Anya swiveling in her saddle. "I see you're awake, has Alec woken yet?" Lady Dhanna slowed the pace of her grey stallion, to walk alongside Thorn.

"He was asleep when I left the coach, but he may be awake now."

Lady Dhanna nodded and pulled her horse to a complete stop.

She looks worried. It's my fault. Alec would be well if not for my stupid suggestion...Anya you fool!

"She's been worrying about him all night. I suspect she's concerned he will stop breathing the way she checks on him. Not that he is in any risk of dying." Irien quickly added when Anya turned to face her. "I was worried about you too, but I did not see the necessity of...fretting."

"There was no need for you to. I suffered no injuries."

"Yes, you did. Your arm is injured and to quite an extent too."

"It is nothing. It hardly pains me."

Irien must have noticed her solemn tone and reached out her hand towards Anya's. "Do not blame yourself, Anya. This was no more your fault than it is the rest of us for leaving you without protection. In fact, it's more our own blunder that caused this than your challenge."

Dark rings shadowed Irien's ice blue eyes and the taut skin at the cheeks gave the thin face a skeletal appearance. Irien must have been worrying herself sick, even if she wouldn't admit it.

"Ah, the morning canter has begun. You will find our new pace rather challenging, especially for the horses. But, you may handle it better than others."

The horses in front of her sprang into a canter, Thorn waited obediently for Anya to instruct her to do the same. All through the day they alternated between a brisk walk, to rest the horses from the faster pace. Anya's side hurt even though Thorn's gait could have been considered smooth. The thought of returning to the carriage entered her mind, for a brief, annoying moment, but Anya refused to admit defeat. Especially with the odd stares she was receiving from the other travelers.

It was long past sunset when the group stopped for the night. The last remnants of light were starting to dissipate from the sky when Anya unsaddled and brushed down Thorn. Her thighs were sore from the day's ride and her arm throbbed as she lifted her possessions off Thorn's sweaty back. She was just about to find a spot to spread out her bed on the soft grass when Irien glided out of the corner of her eye.

"Come," was all she said. Irien led Anya to a small tent in the center of the camp. She opened the flap and indicated for Anya to enter.

"Are you not coming?"

She shook her head. "Alas, I cannot."

Hesitantly, Anya walked past her teacher and into the candle lit tent. Five guardians awaited her.

"Novice Anya, please, take a seat," an elegant, dark haired guardian spoke and flicked her hand towards a pillow on the mat.

"I would prefer to stand, thank you." All the gurdians in the tent murmured and shook their heads.

"And we would prefer you to sit." The dark haired woman fixed her unnaturally light eyes on Anya. She smiled too sweetly for Anya's comfort, and pointed towards the cushion again. Anya reluctantly sat down.

"Now, let us begin." The dark haired woman cleared her throat and looked around at her fellow guardians. "I am sure you know why you are here, Novice Anya."

Yes. "No, I am sorry, I don't. Am I in some sort of trouble?"

"You could say that." A man with no hair replied to her this time. His arms crossed in front of him as well as his legs. His dark eyes were fixed on her and thick brows furrowed and marred his large forehead.

"For what?" As long as I play the naïve fool, they cannot punish me. It was more reassurance than the truth.

"Do you not remember your stunt with another novice before the attack?"

Maybe I should pretend I have lost my memory. "I remember. Is that why I'm in trouble? Is it illegal for guardians to have fun?" Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

A stir ran through the five guardians. Some shook their head and others whispered with their neighbour. The lady with the dark hair, however, looked straight at Anya, her face controlled and centered.

"It may have seemed like fun and games to you, young novice, but we are beginning to suspect that it was this fun and games that warned the goblins of our approach, and some of us here think that someone needs to be punished for putting us all in danger. For irresponsible choices that endanger others. At this moment, that person is you and your friend, novice Alecsios."

Anya swallowed hard. She suddenly felt lost for words. "I...I am sorry but...it was just a..." no words came to her mind, so she shut her mouth.

"We are sorry too; a guardian's main responsibility is to protect others not place them in danger and unfortunately, we are left with no choice but to punish those that could threaten that promise. We never speak lightly, so when the nations of Hanarah asked us for protection we gave them our word to do so. We cannot risk going back on our words because of some foolish child."

"But I never meant to–"

"We understand that, and taking that into consideration the punishment will not be as harsh as it ought to be."

"Lady Shina, we must also consider the fact that she defended the other novices after her blunder." A guardian with a round face and widely set brown eyes leaned forward. "Surely we cannot punish her for showing such bravery at a young age?"

Lady Shina's eyes widened and slowly moved towards the other guardian, but instead of reacting aggressively she nodded in agreement, a murmur went through the guardians again. They dispersed after a while and returned their gaze to Anya.

"Novice Anya, we do not take mistakes lightly, and under normal circumstances our best judgment would be to cancel your training as a guardian." Anya's heart stopped, and she did not know whether it was out of despair of joy. "However, taking into consideration your obvious talent in the Will and your courageous performance the other day,"—talent in the Will?—"we will lessen that sentence: We have decided to withdraw your participation in the Choosing. It is severe, but in our opinion fair. Understand we cannot have a Keeper who is not responsible enough to behave when she is supposed to, and as for your friend – "

"Leave him out of this...it was my fault...please don't punish him. He's an excellent novice and if I hadn't manipulated him he would have done nothing."

"Manipulation!" the man with the bald head exclaimed. "Lady Shina, please. This young lady is no guardian – "

"Lord Akerus, I understand your concern, but a few bad traits are nothing that can't be fixed. She is still a child; the school should discipline her enough and, in time, rid her of her bad habits." She turned back to Anya, her face tranquil and cool. "If you have more to say, or have any objections please say them now. For after you leave this tent the decision will not be undone."

Irien is not going to be happy, but at least I am not going to be sent back to Tjorin. That would humiliate Irien even more than this...I had no chance in becoming Keeper anyway. Gods, help me. I don't want to disappoint her, or anyone for that matter. I wish that bald eagle of a man would stop staring at me like I was a goblin myself! Miserable git!

"I have nothing to say, Lady Shina." She said finally, lowering her head in respect.

"Thank you, child, your may leave then."

Anya slowly rose to her feet and turned on her heals. She left the tent in what she hoped looked like a calm, controlled manner, but when she saw Irien waiting for her outside the tent all that composure evaporated. She had been pacing up and down nervously from what Anya could tell but had stopped when Anya exited.

"And?"

"You were right."

"They didn't punish you?"

"Not exactly, they said they were withdrawing my...I am really sorry Irien...Lady Irein...I never meant to–"

"Withdraw what?"

"My participation in the Choosing."

Irien's facial expressions changed from curiosity to shock and then to anger.

"But they cannot do that. They have no authority or right to make that kind of decision! That decision is up to the elders or the Keeper herself. Not some low ranking guardians who think they have some sort of authority just because they ride at the front of the line. Damn fools!" Irien's cheeks were bright red, her eyes darted dangerously at the tent or near it and her knuckles bleached from her tightly clenched hands.

"Irien...I am sorry but–"

"Don't bel. You will participate in the Choosing, Anya, don't you worry. No matter what I have to do." She muttered under her breath but said no more.

Anya could not help but smile. "Who are you and what have you done with Lady Irien?"

Irien stiffened and frowned.

"That is the first time I have seen you lose you temper. In fact it's the only time."

"I have lost my temper before, I am sure of it." Irien repeated.

Anya pulled a face. "No, I think I'd remember if you showed me any sort of emotion despite disdain."

Irien stared at her, "I don't usually lose my temper, but that does not mean I don't have one. In fact, I am not a guardian you would want to mess with."

Anya raised her brows, "Really?"

A slow grin spread across Irien's features. "Come, we shall retreat for now, but only for now."

"Lady Irien, you disappoint me," Anya mocked. "You retreat from foes like those fools?"

"Careful novice," Irien growled. "Respect is still needed even if they are a bunch of blundering wool brains."