Wolf then reported to Lady Jane, an instructor, and chaperon, for further lessons in etiquette. She was a short woman with black hair and wore a dress patterned on the standard uniform, the only woman or girl Wolf had seen at camp who wore one.

Lady Jane taught him the proper way to bow, to set a table, the difference between a Mister and a Sir. He learned the difference between a Miss, a Mrs., a Lady, and Lady Knight. He learned when to use Ma'am and Sir, and how to address a lady depending on whether they were wearing a dress or trousers.

Wolf went to his tent, washed up, and put on his best uniform. He borrowed a page's formal cap and went off in search of the Wolverine. He found her in the stables wearing riding clothes and grooming Cloud, her horse. He approached ten feet of her, stopped and turned so he faced at a right angle to her, and stood quietly. She ignored him until she had finished grooming the stallion and saw to his feeding.

She approached the page and asked, "What is your message?"

Wolf bowed to the woman; "Lady Knight, I carry greetings from my master, Sir Raven, and bear invitation to dine with him in such a manner as one Knight would expect to be entertained by a fellow Knight. That such an adventure should be pleasant; this page is to accompany My Lady at the time of your choosing."

The Lady Knight replied, "Inform your master that the Lady Knight wishes to arrive promptly at six o'clock."

"He shall be informed. He also would know what time this page should arrive to escort you."

The Lady Knight smiled thinly. "I will be ready at five forty-five. You are dismissed to return to your master."

"Thank you, My Lady." With a deep bow, he excused himself and retreated at a respectable pace then ran to return to Raven's tent.

The tent had been transformed. It had been cleaned to a spotless condition. The table small and simple had been covered with a cloth with two candles in the center. Red carefully set the table, making sure both settings were equal.

The Raven stepped out from the sleeping part of his tent, dressed up in a military uniform that showed off his excellent physique. Red immediately took Wolf to the back chamber and straightened him out. She gave him a pages dress tunic that had the Raven's symbol embroidered on it and combed his wild hair.

She showed him the food that had been prepared. There were fresh salad and fruits, small cakes, cooked vegetables, and best of all, two rabbits cooked in a sauce with wild onions. Red quickly showed Wolf his duties for the evening.

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It came time for Wolf to go escort the lady, Knight. He made his way to her tent where he encountered page Hildegard who bore the Wolverine's symbol. He quickly explained that he had been sent to accompany the Lady Knight, to dinner. Hildegard disappeared into the knight's tent and in about a minute the page reappeared and announced' "The Lady Knight Wolverine." The Wolverine stepped out.

She appeared magnificent looking. She wore a blue dress with long sleeves and a white sash, from which hung a sheathed long thin dagger, held by silver chains. Her hair had been un-braided and spread across her back.

Wolf dumbstruck at the sight of the lady he beheld, finally managed to bow and speak, "My Lady, I am here to accompany you to my master's tent."

"Well spoken," she replied.

Wolf held out his right arm, which she took with her left hand. Together they left the woman's camp and took a meandering route to the men's camp. While walking she asked about his past, particularly about his foster parents. She then explained that her title did not come lightly, but had been earned by skill in combat, her good deeds, and her knowledge in arts and science. She explained that to be a knight, one had to be very good at what one does, and had to consistently work for the good of others. She told him, it's not only hard to become a knight, but it's also a hard life with little reward.

They arrived just at six, to find Red standing watch outside Raven's tent. Wolf announced, "Lady Knight Wolverine to see Sir Knight Raven." Red bowed then disappeared into the tent. She promptly returned and announced, "Sir Knight Raven."

The Raven appeared from the tent and promptly bowed, whereupon the lady curtsied. The Raven then took her left hand and led her into the tent, followed by Red then Wolf.

Inside the tent, the Raven let go of her hand, turned to face the Wolverine, and announced, "I propose a toast." Wolf placed wine glasses in their hands and Red carefully filled them with wine. "To the flag of our country"

"To the flag of our country," she repeated. They both took a sip of wine.

She raised her glass and toasted, "To our school, and the children in our charge."

"To our school, and the children in our charge," he repeated, and they again sipped their wine.

He then invited her to sit at the table. Wolf held the chair for her as she sat down. The Raven sat down with similar assistance from Red.

Red and Wolf then went to the backroom, and returned with the first course of the dinner, a salad, which they served. Wolf offered them oil and vinegar for salad dressing.

The next course consisted of hot steamed vegetables, followed by the main course of rabbit and onions. The meal finished with a spicy ginger raisin cake and dry white wine. Red and Wolf then cleared the table and placed on it a platter of fresh fruit for the rest of the evening.

Wolf handed Sir Raven his lute, Red produced her six holed flute, and together they played some quiet after dinner tunes. The Lady Wolverine joined in with a surprisingly beautiful soprano voice. To end their recital, they sang a couple of mildly bawdy tunes, for the amusement of the pages whom they knew, were gathered in the darkness outside the tent.

At the end of the evening, Wolf accompanied the Lady Knight back to her tent, where he bowed and bid her good night.

"Tell Sir Raven we must do this again soon."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"You are excused." With that, he and his earlier etiquette faults were forgiven.

When he returned to Raven's tent, Red had returned the tent to normal. She informed him, "The Raven is asleep. I think what he would tell you, is this, around people you must give them the respect their title commands. They've earned it. It makes people feel good, and it commands respect for themselves."

"I think I see what you mean. Why don't you always use titles with the Raven?"

"When we are alone we are more familiar. The Raven is somewhat easy about that, it's his way. Don't ever make that mistake around other knights, especially the Wolverine. She didn't get her name for being easy, and she is a stickler for details. You need to get some rest; we have a busy day tomorrow."

They separated to go to their tents. Behind the curtain of his sleeping chamber, the Raven smiled and then went to sleep.

At his tent, Wolf's mates peppered him with questions, mostly about the Wolverine.

It turned out that everybody took self-defense lessons from the Wolverine, even the grownups. The boy found out she had a reputation for perfection in fighting as well as manners.