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Samantha hadn’t meant to offer love or even friendship to the young woman of Noble. The words just felt right to her and when Vio looked at her with misty eyes she knew her instincts were true.

“Gwaynn’s a lucky man,” Vio said softly, then jumped as another knock came at the door. Samantha patted her hand gently then rose and answered the door once more. Tar Kostek waited patiently and smiled at her.

“Hello Samantha. Are Vio and Gwaynn here? We’re going to start our morning run.”

“Gwaynn is out inspecting the Scar,” Vio answered, suddenly appearing behind Samantha.

“Well then, shall we go?” Kostek asked and both women could see his carefully concealed disappointment. “Would you care to join us?” He asked Samantha suddenly. She snorted a laugh and placed a hand on her belly.

“I’m afraid I’m not in much condition to run,” she said.

“A walk-run then. Exercise would do you good,” Kostek said persuasively.

“Well…” Samantha hesitated and was actually far from

tempted.

             “Yes,” Vio interjected excitedly. “Please join us,” she added and grabbed Samantha’s bad arm. Samantha expected her to jump back in alarm at her mistake, as nearly everyone did, but Vio showed no signs of anything out of the ordinary and just looked hopefully at her. Surprisingly Samantha found that she liked Vio just as much as she liked her cousin Van. They both seemed to be exceptionally open and kind people.

              “Alright, I’ll go,” Samantha added impulsively, not wanting to let the two people before her down. “I’ll just get dressed. It won’t take a moment.” She made to close the door, but Vio surprised her again and slipped back inside, while Kostek coughed and moved down the hall.

              “I’m glad you’re going,” Vio said. “Do you need any help?”

              “No,” Samantha answered, holding up her wounded arm. “I’m getting used to only having one hand.” And to prove her point Samantha wriggled out of her night dress quite gracefully despite her handicap.

              “Oh!” Vio said softly again…gazing at Samantha’s naked belly. “How far along?”

              Samantha looked down and patted her belly. “Just over seven months the doctor thinks, though Van thinks I’m farther.”

              “Van!” Vio snorted. She couldn’t get over the respect everyone paid her flighty cousin…Van…a doctor. It was an odd thought for someone who’d known him only as a squirrely boy.

              Samantha tilted her head. “Van saved my life you know,” she said and held up her arm. “He cut the rest of this off and sealed the wound before I bled to death.”

              “Van?” Vio asked finding it hard to believe.

              Samantha nodded her head. “Van.”

              “Maybe he’s right. You are getting big,” Vio added and Samantha smiled.

              “Your belly isn’t the only thing that grows when you’re pregnant,” Samantha commented. “These get big as well,” she added and lifted one breast with her hand and then giggled and slipped on her shirt.

              “Oh!’ Vio answered with a timid smile of her own.

              “And Gwaynn is sure enjoying the fact,” Samantha commented and with practiced ease pulled on a pair of trousers.

              Vio blushed and then let out a high pitched giggle that surprised both girls. They looked at one another for a moment then burst out laughing all over again. They left the room smiling and laughing all the way to the courtyard, making several guards and Tar Kostek wonder just what they were up to.

ǂ

              Gwaynn returned with Lonogan, happy that the area to the west of Manse seemed to be free of any threats. There was also no activity out on the plains as far as they could see. As he rode past the western bailey he spotted Vio, Tam, William and a few other students from Noble milling along the very edge of the Scar a little farther to the east. On impulse Gwaynn turned his mount and rode out to meet them.

              Vio saw him coming and skipped away from the others to greet him. She was smiling happily as he approached.

              “Good morning Vio,” he greeted, relieved that she seemed to have shaken off the melancholy that surrounded her after the battle.

              “Hello Gwaynn. I’m sorry you missed our run this morning,” she said coming close to his horse and looking up at him with those dark eyes of hers. “But perhaps we could spar later…I’d like that,” she added and placed one small hand on his knee.

              Gwaynn smiled, feeling slightly uncomfortable. Instinctively he glanced about for Samantha, realizing her tendencies toward jealousy. “I’ll try,” he added as William and Tam came over.

              “She’s coming!” Tam said excitedly, pointing farther down the Scar. Gwaynn looked up and spotted two figures approaching. It took him a few moments to recognize the smaller of the two as Samantha, who was running very slowly next to his old master, Tar Kostek.

              “I can’t believe she’s doing so well,” Tam exclaimed with wonder and though all of the students of Noble finished their runs over a half hour previous, Samantha’s delicate condition was readily apparent.

              Gwaynn made to go to her, but Vio read his intentions and reached up to grabbed the reins.

              “Let her finish,” Vio said then added. “She’s remarkable.”

              Gwaynn looked down, surprised and pleased at the praise coming from Vio. “Yes, she is,” he agreed and dismounted, absently handing the reins to William, who took them with a grin.

              Gwaynn walked forward with Vio at his side. Tam and William trailed excitedly behind. They all watched patiently as Kostek and Samantha slowly approached.

              Samantha was still a hundred yards away when she noticed Gwaynn and smiled and she continued to smile all the way to the finish. She reached the group at little more than a walk, but she was dripping with sweat, her hair hanging darkly from her scalp. She was breathing hard as she stopped by Gwaynn and bent slightly at the knees.

              Gwaynn patted her wet back and felt her heat. “Keep walking, it will help you cool down,” he said and after a moment she straightened and began walking. She reached out and took hold of Gwaynn’s hand as she went.

              “I’m….” she began but couldn’t catch her breath enough to finish for several long minutes. “I’m going…to be an archer again,” she finally said and squeezed Gwaynn’s hand. Her hand was still slick with sweat as he returned the pressure.

              “How?” He asked, confused.

              “Tar…Tar Kostek, when he was a boy, knew an old one armed Tar, who fashioned a specially designed bow. The bow itself is attached to a thick wooden shaft that has a cup on the end made of wood and leather. The cup will fit over my forearm,” she said quickly catching her breath. Gwaynn could feel the excitement radiated from her. “He says he can make me such a bow,” she finished then turned and smiled so brightly he couldn’t help but get caught up in her enthusiasm, though he tried not to think of her rejoining the fight.