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question. ‘Nay. It would be impossible, even for the strongest man.’
    â€˜Be that so?’ Tory asked. ‘Watch and learn.’ She knelt on one knee before the logs.
    A hush came over the camp as Tory closed her eyes, breathing deeply to concentrate and centre herself. She joined her hands in prayer position, then tested her aim, bringing the side of her hand to rest on the middle of the target. Focus , her mind instructed as she raised her hand. With her eyes fixed on her point of contact, Tory let loose a mighty cry and brought her hand down towards the great hunk of timber. The inconceivable force behind the blow split the wood down the centre.
    The knights were aghast for a second before they broke into a round of applause.
    â€˜Bravo,’ cried Cadogan, giving her a standing ovation.
    â€˜Most impressive,’ agreed Madoc.
    Tory was oblivious to their adulation as she raised herself to face Brockwell, pointing to the splintered wood. ‘That could have been thy skull.’
    Brockwell stared at it blankly, knowing he would have trouble accomplishing the same feat with an axe. He approached Tory, taking hold of her hand to inspect it. ‘Not even a scratch,’ he informed the others.
    At this moment, Tory felt his resolve changing. He seemed to take a softer stance, appearing weary and confused. On this note Tory thought it best to take her leave. ‘Gentlemen,’ she nodded.
    â€˜Tory,’ Maelgwn called for her to wait for him. ‘Where art thou going?’ he asked as he reached her.
    His gentle tone made her realise she had no idea. ‘To sleep, I suppose. Where doth thou want me?’
    The question brought a shy smile from them both, and Maelgwn waved towards to his tent.
    â€˜Where art thou going to sleep?’ Tory pointed to the Prince, their grins even broader.
    â€˜In my tent,’ he replied, walking off in that direction.
    â€˜I see.’ She considered the option of sleeping outside with the rest of the drunken party but decided the odds for survival were far better inside. She turned to find Maelgwn already waiting with the flap held open for her.
    â€˜The men have not seen a good-looking woman since last winter,’ he informed her, just in case she was still debating the option.
    â€˜That’s a lot of hormones,’ she commented as she reached him.
    Whistles sounded from around the fire as Tory disappeared into the tent. Maelgwn motioned for them to quieten down but like any other young, single male, he was enjoying every minute of it.
    The Prince followed her in and invited her to sit on the fur rug.
    Surely I have been enough entertainment for one night. Tory was a little worried as this was obviously where he slept, but with a degree of hesitancy she sat down.
    â€˜Thee never answered my question.’ Maelgwn removed his cape, spreading it on the ground to sit upon. ‘Could thee teach me thy way of battle?’
    â€˜I doubt thee would have the time or patience. It be more than a way of battle, it be a way of life, a state of mind.’ She prodded her backpack to find a soft spot to use as a pillow and leant back on it, too tired to discuss the matter further.
    â€˜Please Tory, I would like to try. I have good need of thee.’
    His tone was so heartfelt that Tory sat up again.
    â€˜If thou hast nowhere else to go, come back with us to Mon. It would not seem so at a glance, but I am a wealthy man, thee would be well taken care of,’ he told her quite definitely, considering that perhaps he could have put it another way.
    â€˜Art thou offering me a job?’ Tory could hardly believe it, her first night in a new time zone and she’d already found employment.
    â€˜Aye, that be it!’ He jumped to his feet, relieved that she’d found a way to describe exactly what he wanted from her. ‘Thee could be my …’ he clicked his fingersin search of a suitable title, ‘…adviser! Thee