The forest seemed to continue on and on as Tsu led Gosha to the Monastery. The one near his home town was nowhere near this big, seeming more like just a bunch of trees rather than an actual forest, now that he had been traversing one.

They paused every now and again to make sure they were not followed. Tsu said everything was clear each time, but Gosha still couldn’t shake the feeling that someone like Ralphas could jump out at them any minute.

Tsu didn’t speak more on any of the subjects he had brought up before their rest. Just implying “You’ll know in good time,” as if not knowing something ever actually helped anyone. Gosha was just left to mull about everything on his own.

He wondered how Meg was doing, how his grand-father was doing, and the rest of the village. He hoped trouble had not landed on their lap after he had fled. Surely news had passed on that he was spotted in Crossing and his village was safe from the wrath of the Gemteks.

Tsu halted his horse and moved into a deeper path of trees.

“Boy,” he said as he glanced around to make sure no one was near, “This is as far I go.

“I dare not show my face near the Monastery. As Ralphas pointed out, they are after me. And they won’t hesitate to try and capture me. Now, they won’t do anything to you, lad, even if you mention me. Even if Ralphas brings up the fact that you, yourself, are a wanted criminal at the moment. They won’t raise a hand.

“You just need to remember a few things.

“Firstly, you make sure they know that Tsu has delivered you, and believes you have potential. That will get one foot in the door as they close it. Even if they want to capture me, they still trust my judgement, and if I recommend someone to them, they won’t be taking it lightly.

“Secondly, tell them you’ve been tested and are attuned to Water. Since Water is rare they will leap at the chance to have you come along. They won’t be all that much help in training you to begin with, but that doesn’t matter. They can still help with regular things, like swordsmanship. But eventually you’ll have to find someone who knows Water moves, to teach you.

“Lastly, but just as important as the others. Do not, under any circumstances, make them aware you are a Gen’ral. They will take even more advantage of you if they know this, than they would in any other circumstances. You need to try and get it under control. Somehow you need to find a way to practice, but even I am not help in that.”

Tsu sighed and laid a gauntleted hand on Gosha’s shoulder. Gosha nodded back at him.

“Thank you, Tsu,” he mumbled, “You were a stranger to me back at the Tower. But I am alone in the world now, and I was prepared to take no part in it anymore. But, you, you have pulled me back from the brink. You have given me worth again, and for that I am truly grateful.

“As my way of saying how much this means, I will do what I can in the Monastery to make you proud,” he smiled weakly at Tsu.

Tsu was trying to hold back a few tears of joy he felt, since in recent times people had not spoken to him in such a way.

“I will keep in touch,” Tsu managed to say, “but just keep following this trail, and you’ll come to the Monastery. Just don’t take no for an answer.”

With a final clap on the back Tsu gave Gosha’s horse a small kick and sent it on it’s way. Gosha grabbed on tightly, still not too used to riding, as the horse round the trail itself and carried him along. He looked over his shoulder by Tsu was now out of sight.

The trees suddenly broke and they entered a large clearing near the edge of a small lake. All around the lake the trees stopped short and bare ground led up to the waters edge. A number of animals were drinking, but as soon as Gosha came from the trees they took off at top speed into their hiding places.

He scanned the shoreline and found what Tsu had wanted him to find. Halfway around the lake rose a walled off compound, several buildings rising from within. They were varied, one with a spire, another a domed top. The gate was facing the area he was, and the walls continued out into the water, a pier visible behind them.

The gate currently stood open and several people were waiting out front. Within the gate itself stood five figures, four of them shining brightly with their polished armour while the last was covered in a heavy white cloak. Just outside the gate two other figures stood, their horses a little way off, as they approached the gate.

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Gosha gave his horse a little kick, trying to get closer to the gate. As he neared the other horses one of armoured men raised a hand towards him and everyone turned to face him. He was close enough now to see that the two figures approaching the gate were Ralphas and Densin. A sneer shot across Ralphas’ face as he saw who it was and he turned back to the figures in the gate, waving a dismissive hand his way.

Gosha dismounted and left his horse with the others and also approached the gate, but he kept a wide berth around Ralphas. The guards within the gate were more impressive now that he could see them clearly, their armour resplendent with a white tabard showing the symbol of a rose wilting over and looking rather depressing.

Looking at the person who was standing in the middle Gosha could now tell it was a woman, and that the heavy cloak was covering her armour. The wilting rose was clearly shown in the middle of the cloak too.

They all looked closely at him, except for Ralphas who was refusing to look his way. The woman stepped forward and embraced Ralphas, breaking the tension that had been building since he had arrived.

“It is good to see you Ralphas,” her voice sounded like that of a mother talking to her son, “It is good to see you again. Though you do look a little worse for wear.”

She grabbed his cheeks between her hands and twisted his face around to have a look at a few marks that were showing.

“It’s nothing,” he snapped back, “Lady Terse, please restrain yourself.”

He pulled himself away from her grip and moved over to Densin. Standing behind him he rested his hands on Densin’s shoulders.

“Lady Terse, I have come to bring you a new student.”

“Oh, Ralphas, you’ve been fighting again haven’t you? Who was it this time?”

“A new student, Lady. I brought a new student.”

“And who are these two lively chaps?” she said indicating both Densin and Gosha.

“That,” Ralphas thrust a hand towards Gosha, “I have nothing to do with that! I bring before you a new student, right here.”

“You should take better care of yourself, dear Ralphas. We wouldn’t want any harm to befall you,” Gosha noticed that she let a sly wink out his way as he could see the anger in Ralphas start to well up from the bottom of his neck to the top of his head like a wave of red.

“FINE!” He shouted, “Tsu trapped me in a burning building! While he was trying to help a criminal no less!”

Laughter sounded from behind her as the four guards we now holding onto each other and slapping their knees in fits of hysterical laughter. One of them moved over to the edge of the gate to hold himself up, as he was close to toppling.

“How many times has he one upped you now, Ralph?” One of them called out.

“Who is keeping count? Certainly not I!” he said with a flourish in an attempt to diminish his embarrassment.

In a serious tone Lady Terse replied, “That’s at least the fifteenth time you have returned her after losing a fight with Tsu. It is unbecoming of a Knight to face so many defeats. Next time, bring him here,” her eyes had lost their laughter and a piercing gaze was now stabbing into Ralphas.

He gulped and nodded, “Yes, ma’am.”

“Anyway,” she shifted her demeanour back to the more jovial persona, “Who are these two?”

“As I was saying before, Lady, this is a new student I have brought to you. His name is Densin and he is rather skilled in the use of the Fire arts. His weapon use is not up to scratch, but that is why they train.”

Densin stepped forward from Ralphas’ grasp, glanced over at Gosha, and then gave an extremely deep and formal bow to the woman before him. Gosha now heard him speak for the first time.

“It is such a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Terse,” his speech was as formal and fluid as his bow was, “Sir Ralphas has been telling me so much about you and the Knights, and I am eagerly awaiting instruction. I hope I can do my Sir proud and become a Knight myself.”

Lady Terse signalled for him to rise and then looked over at Gosha.

“And you boy? You come to our door step of your own will?”

“Um… no… um… sorry. Sorry, I’m new to this,” Gosha watched as Ralphas sneered as he stumbled over his words. He puffed out his chest and continued, “Tsu brought me here. Said I needed to make it clear her was recommending me.”

Ralphas rolled his eyes and Lady Terse looked back at him with a stern finger, “You’re fight with Tsu was about this?”

“In a way,” he muttered as he looked at the ground, avoiding her gaze, “But the boy is a wanted criminal. The Gemteks have wanted posters for him everywhere.”

“You know that matters not one wit here. I do not care your background, as long as you have a recommendation and can prove your worth you will be allowed to stay.”

“Um, there was more,” Gosha said, hoping he had not interrupted her.

She swung back to him with a smile, “Yes, deary?”

“He tested my element a few Clocks ago, and he decided I was attuned to water.”

A string of expletives left Ralphas’ mouth as Lady Terse’s smile grew to stretch from either side of her face.

“Is that so? That is indeed interesting…. Uh?” She motioned with a hand for him to say something.

“Gosha, ma’am,” he then attempted to give a bow much as Densin had but looked awkward doing to.

Lady Terse now moved between the two young men and took each of them by a shoulder and began leading them into the Monastery.

“Welcome, my new Squires, Densin and Gosha. I am more than happy for both of you to enter our school and learn how to be a Knight.”

“Fine then,” Ralphas seemed a little dejected now that the focus was off him, “I’ll just try and find Tsu and bring him back then?”

Lady Terse looked over her shoulder.

“You do that, and don’t return without him.”

The two boys were led into the compound, and the gates closed behind them.