Evvard of Genlith returned to his table at the head of the hall and sat down, arms folded, to wait for the Northwatch page to come and join him. His biggest hate as training master was what he thought of as babysitting. Having to deal with errant pages and squires who didn't take their duties seriously enough and felt the need to try and find adventure.

Evvard had often been accused of being too serious but he knew it was the only way to keep his charges in line.

((OOC - OMG! I completely forgot about this! I'm REALLY sorry, Ruth!! AHH!))

Gwynn clasped and unclasped her hands behind her back and took deep breaths (that really weren't working, as they were more like short breaths) as she walked hesitantly to Genlith's table. The page sighed uncomfortably. Why was SHE the first one to get in trouble? SHE couldn't help following Alexander and his group! How was SHE supposed to know they were going to end up killing (and being injured by) a bunch of theives?
The thoughts ran through Gwynn's miserable mind over and over again. Maybe she shouldn't have chosen Alexander and his group to hang around with. Gwynn almost screamed at her self. She could of slapped her self across the face again and again for thinking that. She would never dump Alexander just so she didn't get in trouble.
This thought gave Gwynn courage, and she raised her chin higher. The page trudged on to Genlith's table, and awaited his words calmly, feeling the ache in her shoulder from that night that seemed like so long ago.

Evvard of Genlith looked calmly down at the table where he had a number of papers, reports from the Marketplace incident. The captain of the watch had both praised the pages bravery and cursed them for their stupidity. As proud as he was of the page's sense of duty they're actions were breaking the rules and Genlith was a stickler for rules.

"Northwatch," He turned his clear blues eyes upon the page who was standing awkwardly beside his table, "how is your shoulder feeling? I hope it's not too painful."

Not really giving Gwynn time to answer, he continued, his voice low and even. "You are aware I'm sure of the rules relating to curfew so now you are going to enlighten me as to just how yourself and an assorted group of pages and," he glanced down at the report, "a trainee Rider came to find yourselves in the city after hours."

Gwynn gulped and averted her hazel eyes from the Master's. The page looked down at her feet, locks of copper hair falling over her shoulder. Why do I have to be the first to tell my story! I wasn't even the main person involved!
"I.." Gwynn paused and started again. "One night, I, I couldn't sleep. So I was going to go to the library and study." The page gulped again. Sweat made her copper hair stick to her pale face, and clammy hands clasped behind a stiff back. "I hear footsteps in the hall, and, and I followed them. It was Alexander.." Gwynn closed her eyes tight. She didn't want to place the blame on him. The page clenched her teeth and continued. "I, I followed him out a door that led into the courtyard. He saw me and asked if I wanted to come. I, I.." Gwynn couldn't admit the real reason she had wanted to come. "..said yes."
Gwynn took a shuddering breath. This was hard. "So I followed Alexander and Falik, I think it was, into the Dove. Meridan decided to join our group, and so did another page..I can't remember her name..I can't remember who decided to find the Theives either. But we found them and..and we fought them..and then the guard came." Gwynn stopped, hazel eyes still pinned to the ground.

"Hmm."

Lord Genlith rubbed his chin as the girl spoke. He knew exactly who was involved but he was curious to know why sensible pages such as Northwatch and Al Basiri has got caught up in this mess.

"As much as Rosewood's reputation preceeds him, he doesn't appear to have forced you at knife point in to the city, so again I'm curious as to why you decided to blatantly flout my rules, rules I'll remind you that are there to keep you safe in these dangerous times regardless of how much you think you are adequately prepared to take on the city. You're aware that pages have been sent home for less?"

Gwynn's face reddened, and the page kept her hazel eyes pinned on the floor. Her throat seemed to close. You're aware that pages have been sent home for less... Gwynn gulped. What if she was sent home? She would miss her friends terribly. Gwynn didnt want to live in Northwatch. She had to answer his question.

"Er..." Gwynn began. "I..they...they're my friends.." She continued weakly. "I..didnt want to let them down."

Genlith watched the page squirm under his questioning.

Two things impressed him, firstly her honesty in admiting that she'd freely followed the others and secondly her loyalty. There were some that would have concocted a story at the expense of their peers. It was not his way and it was not how the pages were taught. He was impresed by Northwatch, even if she was foolish.

"Northwatch, as much as I appreciate the sentiment, in future you will be advised to think through any foolish schemes, especially ones involving Alexander of Rosewood, before you get caught up in them. I am telling you this not because I feel the blame lies with you but because we are all responsible for our actions.

Things could have gone horribly wrong in the city and I do not relish writing to your family to explain that you were killed in a street brawl."

He stared at her for a long moment, enough to be uncomfortable for the Page.

"Your honesty however, is to be commended. Therefore I will not be sending you home, but that is your last bit of good luck used up. I WILL NOT tolerate flouting the rules, is that clear?"

Gwynn bit her lip. Hard. The page felt the metalic tang of blood, but didn't release her hold on the skin. She nodded, as a lump rose in her throat. Anger welled inside of Gwynn, and the page bit even harder onto her lip. I hate Sir Genlith. I can't beleive I got into this. I wish the idiot bloke would just send me home! I can't stand this any more! Gwynn held back furious tears and opened her mouth.
"Yes," Gwynn croaked, "Sir." She averted her hazel eyes, away from Genlith, and down to the floor again.

Evvard watched the girls reaction. She seemed very upset. He reminded himself that he wasn't here to babysit these youngsters but to turn out excellent Knights of the Realm.

However, a kind word occcasionally helped.

"Northwatch," He said earnestly, "You have the makings of an excellent knight. You have ability, I've seen that on the courts, but you also have integrity. It will serve you well. Dismissed!" He turned back to his papers.

A small, watery smile tugged at the edges of Gwynn's lips, and the page brought her hazel eyes to Sir Genlith's for a flickering moment.
"Thankyou, Sir." Gwynn answered, amazed. She hadn't..known that Genlith could be nice. The page bowed and stepped quietly away.