The thing with fighting, is that there is a lot to be done after the actual fight. With the adrenaline gone everything goes slowly. The Fox briefly helped them, and then melted off into the wood, leaving behind an allowance for them to stay an extra night until they could get back. Diana and Neal did all the hunting that night while Britta stayed behind.

She did a better job of fixing up wounds and made sure everyone was fine. Clyde, pale but ok, had left to just behind the tent. She suspected that he was doing just what she had. Been sick from the sight of their first fight.

She followed and held his head as he emptied his stomach.

"I did the same," she told him wearily.

"It's tradition." He joked, warily, wiping his mouth on his sleeve.

Britta shrugged. "As much a part of the fight as, well, as the fight itself." She answered, pulling her daggers out and trying to scrub the blood off them. She had washed her old clothes too and put on fresh ones. But even now the battle clothes were dry and clean, she still thought she could smell blood.

Clyde soon moved off again, sitting down river and giving his sword another scrub.

Britta moved back inside the tent. Thom was still sleeping soundly. Ed also had his eyes closed, but, like at the abbey, she could tell he was coming close to waking. Finally he opened his eyes and met Britta's own.

"That's a little creepy you know?" He croaked.

Britta rolled her eyes.

"Where's Diana?" Ed asked.

"She'll be back soon. Why?" Britta asked.

Ed shrugged. "I imagine her to be a bit more sympathetic."

"Well you'll see her soon. We need to talk."

Ed groaned. "You going to interrogate me now?" He asked.

Britta cracked her knuckles and gave him her best glare. Then she smiled. Ed reached up a hand to stroke her face. Britta let herself lean into the caress for one second and then stopped his hand with her own.

"This, is what we're going to talk about." She said.

Ed bit his lip. "You want, me to choose between us." He stated.

"You don't have to choose any of us." She said, we just want a choice.

"Will you be offended?" Ed asked softly.

"If I'm honest-"

"Oh dear." Ed interrupted.

Britta sent him a glare. "If you weren't injured I'd smack you." She threatened. "If I'm honest I don't think I want to keep this going. Maybe I do like you. A little bit."

Ed snorted.

"Or I liked kissing you. Is that the same thing? No. It's not. It really isn't. But Duane-Diana and you, I can see that already; it will last between you."

Ed sighed, "You give up too easily." He said mournfully.

"I haven't given up on our friendship." She said. "And remember, Diana and I? We're completely different people." She was glad to say that aloud.

Diana walked in and Britta smiled at her.

So the interrogation begins. Britta told her.

"We wanted to sort this out properly Ed." Said Diana firmly. Britta knew her sister was terrified of his answer before she had asked the question.

Ed sat up so he could be at eye level with Diana. His blanket draped on his lap and he pulled it back up.

"You know." He stated. "this would be a lot easier if I was wearing something."

Diana shook her head, looking at Britta. "We both want to know now." She said.

Ed took a deep breath and the playfulness disappeared from his eyes.

"When I first realised that you were girls it was strange, strange to know that you were doing as well as any of us men-" Britta bristled "But you both did better than us all. Diana, when I found out, what we did, I didn't think. And Of course I was confused. I don't know why I went with you too Britta, I am used to having my way with girls, I guess and I didn't realise what I was doing. I don't have the answers you want, I don't know my reasons as well as I should but, well, Diana, I like you a lot, and I don't want you to think my mistakes mean more then, well, then..."

Diana had pushed herself forwards and hugged him. Britta grinned as her sister made up with him and she didn't feel the anger in her chest. Maybe she would always like Ed, in a sense, but she preferred being friends. Diana swiftly apologized as she left again to finish her work. As Britta turned to limp out after her Ed grabbed her hand.

"You're the better kisser!" He whispered playfully.

Britta frowned, before realising he was joking. "Yeah well, Diana's had more practice." Britta was jokingly referring to Clem, though she never really knew what had happened between them.

Ed stiffened and Britta laughed. Was he jealous over that? She did really hope they'd be happy together, but she was careful to steer the conversation away from Clem before she left.

All of them walked back in the direction of camp the next day.

Britta woke up later than usual, still feeling stiff. She got Diana to help her re-bandage her back and re-apply the salve. They ate cold meat for breakfast along with a few greens before setting out. It should only take half a day to get back.

Britta swallowed the last of her breakfast and got up with the rest. Stretching she caught a glance of Quicksilver above them. It seemed the falcon had adopted her and did not intend to leave any time soon now she was providing food for it.

Their group was, understandably, the last back at camp. They were sent straight to Micah's office. Micah, was sitting behind a desk littered with reports. He looked tired, and slightly annoyed; he was glaring at a small russet cat.

Britta was about to call out for Faithful when she thought better of it.

Faithful what are you doing? She internally yelled.

Reading. Faithful said, with a twitch of his tail.

Since when did cats read? Britta asked.

Be nice, I found out some interesting information. Faithful hissed

You should leave before you get in trouble, I'll talk to you later.

Faithful leapt out of the window, flicking his tail at her as he left. Britta sighed in relief. Micah was talking to the rest of the group.

"The Fox has given me a report already, this fighting will go in as a mark for your tests. You all did exceedingly well, so I gather." He said. His eyes fixed on Britta suddenly. "You will get a run down on what will happen during these tests by your instructor and have the rest of this week to work on strengthening your weak points. I expect you are tired. You can go now."

With his abrupt dismissal they filed out. Britta went straight back to their small cabin and opened the door wide. Four days was the longest they had been away from it in almost a year. She opened the windows, trying to dispel the musty smell.

Faithful crept up behind her and she quickly spun around.

When did you get back to camp?

A few hours ago.

Why suddenly rush ahead? Britta asked.

Proper food. Faithful said.

What? The mice here better than the ones out there? She asked.

Actually Micah fed me a bit too, granted, I had to steal the food off his plate a few times until he got the message but he seems to understand that I eat raw meat and not cooked at least.

Britta rolled her eyes. Of course. So what was this information? She asked.

I was reading through his files and found out about someone called the Night Falcon. Sound familiar?

I've heard of him. Is he like, Micah's father? She asked eagerly.

If he is he doesn't seem very affectionate. Faithful deadpanned.

What was he saying?

In all the letters he was asking when the recruits would be ready. He had to have meant the training camps. He said the 'others' were getting impatient and he wanted to make his move by midsummer.

Britta thought carefully. There has to be a way to find out. She complained to Faithful.

Winding her hands through her hair she thought carefully.

They were recruiting people that wouldn't be missed by families; this organization wasn't something the Emperor planned; they came from over the mountains; they might be planning on over throwing the emperor.

But for what? Why? Who was in charge?

Britta bit her lip. So many questions. And how did you escape?

Faithful made a face. I acted cute. He said. You should try it some time, it works.

Not gonna happen. Britta told him firmly.

There had to be other ways of finding things out. If she was among the best, surly she would find out something. She hoped that they got picked on the examinations as she wanted to know more, and that seemed the best way to do that. Sealing her resolve, she made up her mind to pass them and do well enough to get picked.

She spent all that week pouncing on anyone who could show her how to do things. She made sure Diana did the same. Her sister needed no persuading. Britta focused completely on her tasks and spent all Sunday practicing. She knew she was fast, and the real fight during camp helped her a lot. She knew what it all felt like to do it for real.

Faithful was bent on picking at her skill, always giving her some form of negative feedback. When she was too slow; when she missed a target; when she let her attention waver slightly. She could curse and praise him at the same time.

That Monday she brought the morning after drink down to the training area as usual. She waited Micah to get up and this time made an effort when he stood up, ready to spar.

She was ready for the first swing of his sword. She could tell where he would go for. She moved faster than she had before, reading the signs of a strike before he moved. His speed was incredible, as usual, but she lasted longer, she tired after he did, she was surprised to find. Still, he had her on the ground soon enough.

Britta waited until he had acknowledged his win. Then she sprang back up and hooked his sword out of his hand and had her dagger pressed against his throat in the blink of an eye.

His ice blue eyes looked her over and she drew herself away from him self-consciously.

"That was cheating, had that been real I would have slit your throat." He said.

Britta shrugged. "Yeah but you didn't, so I saw an opening." She was feeling proud of herself having seen that new angle.

Micah sighed. "You just threw honour out the window Bren."

"I'm using a dagger, I'm a rouge, I'm licensed to be under handed" She said crossing her arms.

"Don't come to rely on that strategy." Said Micah, somewhere between cool and amused.

"Don't worry, there's better ones out there, but playing dead seems to work pretty well when your opponent has years more experience. Sir." She said, trying to be polite.

Micah smiled at her, "fine, but don't use the same trick twice." He muttered.

Britta grinned and picked up the medicine, "I'll be getting back to camp." She said.

"Nervous?" Micah asked.

Britta nodded.

"Don't be." Micah said lightly.

"Anxiety drives me more than pride." Britta said shrugging.

"I beg to differ; you always seem to need to get the last word in." Micah answered.

"Or I just like ending pointless conversations." She said, turning around to leave.

Behind her she heard Micah laugh and realised she just proved him right. Sighing she left back to her cabin. She couldn't just win, could she?

The morning was spent with a brief from The Fox:

"These tests are something that decides which position you will be put into in the fighting force. Dagger fighters will most likely become scouts, or even spies. We have practiced tracking and deception before this, you may get more training if you are picked to be put in the lead roles." He scanned them all with his brown-amber eyes. "Those who get a good position will have the honour of getting a name. Like one of us, and animal that represents you; I am the Fox because I have been known to keep to myself and fight with my mind as well as my body. It is an honour to get one of these names."

"To get to that point, however, you must pass these tests. You will be put in teams to test your strategy, fight those of another weapon and possibly one of your instructors also. We will monitor you closely. Know that if you are picked it is because you have worked hard and you deserve it."

"This morning we will go around each of you and discuss your weaknesses that we have noticed. We hope you have spotted them already and are working on them because tomorrow we truly begin."

The group started out muttering anxiously. Britta sidled over to Ed. "What do you think your weakness will be?" She asked him curiously.

Ed shrugged, "Probably speed or something maybe reactions, I seem to do better in the pattern dances than I do when it comes to actual fighting."

Britta nodded and turned her attention to the trainers again, smiling when she saw the Fox heading her way. Despite the fact he knew her secret she now knew it was safe with him. She stood straight under his gaze.

"You have done very well during this time, Bren." He said her name in a mocking tone. It gave nothing away, but she knew he was reminding her he knew she was a girl. "I have been watching you, you are skilful, and I am pleased with you. You have learnt to work around your lack of strength, and your speed is good; you can go fast and still think in between moves. You strategize as you fight as well. I think you have a good chance of getting picked; and I don't say that to everyone. The best way for you to improve is with more experience."

Britta nodded as he left to speak with Ed, taking his information into account.

For the rest of that week each day ended in frazzled exhaustion and she only wanted to sleep. She did less in the mornings, trying to make sure she would be alert when the tests came. She did her best in all of them, but it was the last one she was the most worried about.

They would be opposing someone else of a similar skill level. They started in pairs, the winner of each going on to the next fight. The marks from this would play a big part in the end results.

Britta won the first fight after her opponent slipped and was too slow to recover. She won her second after a short fight, winning easily. Her third and fourth went much the same. She had to fight Ed on her fifth, and managed to put aside the fact that he was her friend, though he didn't seem to be able to forget that she was a girl. She didn't give him the chance to go easy on her, and after the fight was over she felt she had won fairly.

At lunch she sat with everyone while she ate. She brought her food over, stretched her aching limbs and sat down. She didn't miss the way Diana and Ed held hands, discreet as it was. Smiling slightly she relaxed until it was time for the fighting to continue.

She got up to the finals. Her against Jenkins, once again. They both stood in a circle marked on the dusty ground, forcing them into close contact. She grimaced and looked him over. He gave her a sinister smile which told her he had something up his sleeve. She smirked right back at him, giving him a look which set him off-kilter as it was such a powerful expression. The Fox called for the fight to begin. Britta was being watched by the whole of the camp, it felt. She had watched Diana in archery shooting so perfectly at still and moving targets and the best sword fighters duelling in a blur of silver metal.

Stepping lightly she stood in front of Jenkins, crouched in a fighting stance.

She let him make the first move; she had endurance which she knew by now he couldn't match. He lunged forwards and she parried his strike. He came up underneath and she leapt back. She could feel everyone watching them still, but she saw only him. She knew when he was going to move and thwarted him every time.

His speed was still as deadly as she remembered, and she hated it. Although smaller and better at dodging he caught her again. Steel screeched against steel as their daggers clashed. Gritting her teeth she stayed standing under his weight. He had a foot in place so she couldn't drop and roll. Thinking she let his dagger slide closer, easily. His guard dropped and she pushed back with all her strength. Her dagger slid off his and she darted away.

Note to self, never get caught in that again.

She let her instinct take over her actions as she looked for some flaw in his skill. In an invented low swing she caught his ankle and only just avoided his own knife catching her in the arm. He was off balance now, both of them panting. Another few moments of circling before she launched herself into the offence.

Blades a blur she cut him back, he stepped over the edge of the circle before he countered. Now each was vying for the attack, swiftly Britta was finding new ways to combine offensive and defensive tasks. She was aware he was off balance and was finding a way to exploit that. A breath of air hissing through her teeth she tried to shake the sweat off her brow. It was creeping down, and she was worried it would constrict her eye sight.

Her feet moving constantly as if she was in a dance; she darted closer, and then out again. Squinting from the moisture in her eyes she quickly swiped it off and moved forwards. She pushed him back when their blades met, and she darted back, sending a dagger flying. End coated with chalk it hit him above his heart.

She stepped back, while the Fox declared the mark as fatal. She'd won. She managed to stay standing for a short amount of time before sitting down quickly. The Fox nodded at her, eyes giving away none of the results. She was congratulated by her friends before collapsing on the bed of her cabin, half delirious that all the tests were over at last.

Diana came in not much longer. Sending Britta a half apologetic look Ed followed behind.

What are you going to be doing? Asked Britta

Just talking, really. It's been a tiring day for all of us.

How did archery go?

I got into the finals, a small slip up when we had to climb to reach our target but otherwise pretty good. You?

I won.

Think we'll get in?

We get the results Sunday afternoon, we'll just have to find out.

She looked up to see Ed looking at them.

"How are you doing that?" He asked.

"What?" Asked Britta, innocently.

"You're like, communicating in front of me but I can't tell what you're saying."

Diana shrugged. "I don't know what you mean." She said, every bit as innocent as Britta.

Ed just nodded.

Oh so he buys when you say it. Britta told her grumpily.

Diana just smiled, doesn't he remind you of Fee?

With a small difference in gender.

You know what I mean. Diana answered.

Britta feel asleep stroking Faithful with their soft talking in the background.

The next morning both of them washed in the stream and changed into their good clothing. Today was the day they would find out the results.

Britta combed out her hair, ignoring the length. Tying it back with a strip of leather, she stood up and smoothed out her clothes. She and Diana were both ready to go and wait with the rest for their results.

Faithful, who had been hanging back as the girls splashed in the water, leapt back up onto Brittas shoulder. Diana looked them over.

"You know," She said, "Your eyes are exactly the same shade of green." She said. "Like deep water or a forest."

Britta grinned and heard Faithful meow.

"Well I am a gift from the gods."

"Arrogant thing." She muttered, but wasn't inclined to disagree with him.

Everybody gathered together and stood facing the point where the training instructors stood. Britta twisted her fingers in her belt loop as they were looked over. Micah stood on the rock at the centre of camp, flanked by the other trainers. He greeted them all with a nod.

"As you know, today we find out you're results. You have all trained hard and if you did not get picked, then I assure you, you will still be vital to our progress. I know you are wondering why you are needed so much, and you are, for a problem we cannot all see." He looked them over with those cold blue eyes.

"We are fighting a problem before it reaches the Empire. Over the mountains, there are many tribes, all fighting. We need to unite them before they destroy what's over here. But there will be other missions too, we are the protectors of the empire, after all." At that, Britta heard Thom laugh quietly.

"I will see some of you afterwards to give you your jobs."

Quickly, he begun to fire names out from a list, and each went to their place. Britta still held onto that hope that she would be called up afterwards. She sent Ed, who was in her group, a shaky smile. He gave her a thumbs up and bounced on the balls of his feet as Micah dismissed them.

Britta had packed all her things, and was sitting with Faithful and Quicksilver each nearby. Diana found them each food every morning as practice for herself. Now, Diana sat beside her, both of them quiet, waiting.

Then came the knock on the door. Britta sent the animals scampering under the bed, as Diana opened it up. A messenger, dressed in plain clothes brought them to Micahs office.

Micah nodded at them both.

"I have chosen the other groups, but this one is among the most important. Bren and Duane, you are both strong fighters and have done exceedingly well in the tests. I have chosen you, as you work well together, as long range and close range-"

"Who will be using the sword?" Britta interrupted. Diana elbowed her and Micah sent her a calculating look. "Sorry." She muttered.

"As I was saying, you work well in a group. You will meet me the day after tomorrow, I will be working with you for this mission. As you may be aware, you get another day off before we start work again."

Britta felt a jump in Diana's mood at this.

"You will get new gear in time for the trip, I trust you are both happy with your mounts?"

He dismissed them when they nodded and Britta ran out to the stables to explain everything to Thunder and Hoshi.

You will be alright, won't you? She asked the old girl.

Hoshi snorted.

I have always been fine.

I got picked for one of the missions. Britta said, trying to spark interest.

I am very proud of you. You are my foal that I have watched grow up this year.

Britta smiled, in a strange way, Hoshi was her mother.

I'll take you out on a ride tomorrow. She said, and then turned to Thunder, and explained what was happening.

He just nickered and let her leap up on his back. They rode for a while before Britta got back to the cabin. Softly, she knocked on the door and went in when there was no answer. It wasn't hard to guess where Diana might be.

She cleaned her face in the small basin and lay down on her bed. Pulling the blankets up to allow Faithful to snuggle up beside her. Quicksilver perched on the headboard. As she shut her eyes, she felt her sister's excitement filter through.

She grimaced as she couldn't stop it from entering her mind. Her sister was sharing a private moment with someone she loved. Making a memory she would take with her on the rough journey ahead.

***

Omg I didn't realise how close together everything happened... oops... but yeah, stuff is actually gonna happen now C: