Author's Note: Dear awesome readers, thank you for your patience for this chapter. I had to deal with reality for a while and I'm glad to be back! Thank you for your reviews )

Chapter 6: Advanced Dancing

"San...tana"

Santana groaned and turned her head to look up at Quinn. The blonde was staring down at her in shock and Santana noticed a smaller brunette clutching Quinn's arm, her eyes wide with horror.

"Eh... Q? What are you doing here?" drawled Santana trying (and failing) to get up from her slumped position against the wall.

The sound of her voice snapped Quinn out of her daze.

"Wh... What am I doing here?!" spluttered Quinn kneeling down in front of Santana, helping her to prop herself up in a sitting position against the wall. "What happened to you?! Who did this? How did you get in here?"

"The window..."

There was a pause.

"What?"

Santana nodded at the only open window on the other side of the kitchen. "I came in through there."

Quinn covered her face with her hands and let out a frustrated huff. "Sann that is not what I meant… tell me"

Santana managed a grin, wincing from the pain that it caused her. The little brunette behind Quinn was wringing her hands looking torn between saying something and listening to Santana's story.

"Biff and his gang did this."

Quinn looked up at that and fixed her with a stone cold gaze at the mention of the boy's name.

"Tell me more."

Santana looked up to the ceiling, recalling the events that led her to her current situation.

"When word got out that you left, Biff and his gang of idiots did not waste any time. They knew our hideout was in a prime location and they wanted it for themselves. So they followed me back the night before and ambushed me when they confirmed that I was alone."

Out of the corner of her eye, Santana noticed the little brunette who was enraptured with her story, sitting herself down next to Quinn and placed a calming hand on Quinn's forearm as Quinn was gripping her fists so hard with anger that her hands had begun to shake. It was such an instinctive move that both girls were unaware of that gesture and yet it immediately had calming effects on the blonde as she slowly relaxed her grip.

"It was four against one. I gave it as good as I got Q," chuckled Santana. "Most of the bloodstains you see aren't mine."

"I tried to escape and managed to knock one guy out but two of them held me down and Biff was able to beat me without any worry of retaliation," Santana winced. "He even tried to strangle me towards the end but I managed to give him a good kick in the balls and ran away. I went into hiding and I didn't know where to go or what to do. I wasn't safe on the streets and no one would take me in especially if they knew that Biff is on the lookout for me. Then I figured, what about hiding out on castle grounds? I managed to sneak in easily into the outer court when it became dark but there weren't many places to hide and I needed food and a place to recover so I scaled the wall separating the outer and inner court. I hid for a while and observed my surroundings and managed to sneak into the kitchen to get some food. I must've dozed off when you found me."

"You… you made entering the castle sound so easy," whispered the brunette next to Quinn, looking scandalized.

Santana shot her a look. "I'm Santana Lopez, midget. I can do anything. Besides, there are actually plenty of weak spots around the castle walls and it was easy to guess the pattern of the guards on patrol."

"I'm going to make him pay for this. Him and anyone that was involved." The two brunettes looked at the blonde who was staring at Santana's injuries, her face a mask of cold fury. Santana grimaced. 10 years old or not, it was hard to handle Quinn when she descends into her Ice Queen mode.

"Quinn, we need to focus on how to get Santana the treatment she needs without causing any uproar in the castle. Any thoughts of revenge should take place after we solve this problem," scolded Rachel, tapping Quinn on the arm.

Santana gaped as she watched the chastised looking blonde nodding meekly as she received her scolding.

"Look," continued Rachel "We have to think of something before…"

Everyone froze when a whistling sound that was increasing in volume drew nearer to the kitchens. Rachel recognized it immediately.

"Tanaka is coming."

Quinn shot a panicked look at Rachel and grabbed her by her arms.

"Sorry princess"

"Wh…" Before Rachel could say anything, she was shoved behind a barrel and a bunch of sacks were thrown over her, hiding her from view.

Not wanting to abandon Santana, Quinn held her position and braced herself for the worse.

Moments later, the kitchen door rattled open as a burly guard strolled in whistling and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the two girls by the fireplace. His eyes caught sight of Santana and his face morphed into a scowl. "You have some explaining to do."

xoxoxo

"Anything interesting today to report Sir Richard?" asked Sue leaning back into her armchair at her desk, pushing aside a pile of paperwork that she had just finished reading through.

The man who was clad in black as usual, was stretched out on another armchair by the fireplace, legs propped up on a stool. He looked up from his gaze into the fire, dazed as he brought himself back to reality.

Sue casually surveyed her office, waiting for his answer. Often times, Sir Richard could be found here keeping her company during the nights when sleep was evasive for the both of them, for different reasons. Sue is a female commander of the King's Guards, knights and army. Although peace throughout the land has prevailed for decades, there was always plenty of work to be done. Sir Richard on the other hand avoided sleep as much as he can to avoid the monsters of his past that visit him in his dreams that he wakes up from screaming and drenched in sweat. He made sure that his living quarters were isolated from the rest of the guards to avoid disturbing their peace. Sue, who knew the true story behind his recurring nightmares as she was present when the real events had happened, had allowed him access to her office whenever he feels the need to escape from his personal monsters.

"My new apprentice is probably sneaking out into the library together with the princess as we speak."

Sue looked over at Sir Richard, startled.

"And you know this because…?"

Sir Richard grinned and lifted his arms, reaching towards the ceiling in a languid stretch before settling back into the armchair, propping his chin on his fist.

"The little princess persuaded my otherwise obedient apprentice during combat training this morning," he smiled. "They have yet to know of my ability to read lips."

Sue raised an eyebrow. "And you did not think to stop them?"

Sir Richard waved his hand dismissively. "You and I both know that the princess has been sneaking out of her room the moment she discovered the acoustics of the great hall. It would be good for her to have a companion at least, someone of her age who is more capable than most of her peers."

"You've only spent a day with Quinn and you already think that highly of her?"

Sir Richard snorted. "Surely I can't be the only one who has heard about her encounter with Azimio Adams... other than the fact that she rescued the princess from a kidnapper."

"Word travels fast in this castle," commented Sue wryly.

A sharp rap on the door interrupted their conversation.

"Enter," said Sue.

Sir Tanaka strode in followed by one downcast looking girl who was propping up a badly injured one that was openly glaring at the knight.

"What do we have here?" said Sue eyeing the newcomers as they stood in a row before her desk. Her gaze paused shortly on Santana who was leaning against Quinn for support, her breathing shallow from her injuries but her eyes were still burning with defiance.

"A delinquent and a trespasser, Commander" said Sir Tanaka, puffing up importantly, eager to see what sort of punishments the girls would have to endure. He was an unpleasant man who took delight in seeing others in trouble and he had a special dislike for the blonde newcomer who had stolen his chance at rescuing the princess and be recognized as a hero.

"Report," ordered Sue

Tanaka launched into a dramatized version of the event off how his instincts had alerted him that something was amiss that night and through his deductive skills, he soon discovered the trespasser hiding in the kitchen, aided by the blonde newcomer.

Sue listened quietly, noting the reactions of the two girls as Tanaka told his story. Quinn had visibly paled when she entered Sue's office and realized that Sir Richard was present and her shaky grip around the injured brunette's waist conveyed her distress of being here, as she stared at floor, not wanting to make any eye contact with her mentor or the Commander. A few times the brunette had angrily opened her mouth to interrupt but was held back by the looks that Quinn had shot her.

"Therefore, I highly recommend that we should expel this traitor from our midst and punish the intruder for daring to set foot in the castle," finished Tanaka with a flourish, smiling expectantly at Sue, waiting to hear her agreement. Sue tapped her desk thoughtfully as she went over Tanaka's story in her head. Quinn continued to stare at the ground while the brunette, bristling with anger was glaring at Tanaka with her good eye and teeth bared. If it wasn't for her injuries and Quinn's arm holding her back, Sue was certain that the brunette would have attacked the smug-looking knight.

"Quinn"

Quinn's head snapped up in attention and the brunette stopped her glaring at Tanaka for a moment to look at Sue.

"I would like to hear your version now."

"What?! Commander... my report should be enough to…" sputtered Tanaka taking a step forward and halted when Sue glared at him.

"You had your chance to speak Sir Tanaka and that time is over. Quinn, begin. Tell us how you came about to find this intruder"

Quinn opened her mouth, her mind racing to find ways to leave Rachel out of her story.

"I wanted to go to the library tonight and took a shortcut through the kitchens. When I was there, I heard Santana groaning near the fireplace. I didn't know how she managed to enter the castle and she was badly injured but before I could do anything, Sir Tanaka found us there."

"Lies! You helped her in! I…" Tanaka began to rant but stopped midway when he met the icy glare of Sir Richard who had not made a sound or moved from his place by the fire since they entered Sue's office.

"Then tell us, Santana, how is it that you with those injuries, managed to enter the castle, undetected and with no assistance from the inside?" asked Sue, arching an eyebrow at the glowering girl.

"T'wasn't that hard," muttered Santana. "There's a blind-spot at the wall on the western side of the castle. I just hid and observed the pattern of the guards on duty and when night fell, I scaled the wall and managed to keep out of sight until I passed out in the kitchens when I was searching for food."

Sir Richard let out a low whistle. "You scaled the wall with those injuries?"

"Impossible," spat Tanaka.

Santana glared at the knight.

"I've snuck into harder places before. Thanks to your pathetic guards they made it possible for me to sneak in half-blind and injured," she sneered at Tanaka.

Tanaka's hand moved to his sword and Quinn instinctively stepped in front of Santana to shield her, forgetting about her own fears.

"Enough!" commanded Sue sharply. Everyone froze in their spots, even Sir Richard who was already halfway across the room with his sword drawn.

The silence was broken by someone banging on the door and a familiar voice was heard.

"Commander Sue! Please let me in. I can explain everything!" cried Rachel from outside the office.

Sir Richard sheathed his sword and strode towards the door and opened it abruptly, causing Rachel to stumble in. Without missing a beat, she launched into her version of the events that happened before anyone else could speak.

"I persuaded Quinn to go to the library with me tonight. I knew she liked books and I wanted to show her how grand our library was. We were taking a shortcut through the kitchens when we heard a noise. I was terrified at first but then we found out that it was Santana who was making those noises. If she hadn't made a sound, Quinn and I would've walked right past her without realizing she was there. She's been beaten up badly by the boys in the streets and before we could do anything, Sir Tanaka arrived on the scene and Quinn hid me to probably save me from getting into any more trouble with Daddy. Ohh please don't punish Quinn!" She looked at Sue with pleading eyes.

Sue heaved a tired sigh.

"Tanaka, go back to your barracks. I will deal with the girls accordingly. We need to have a talk about the discipline of the sentries tomorrow"

Tanaka opened his mouth to protest and decided against it as he glanced warily at Sir Richard who had made his way over to stand beside the girls. He nodded curtly, the dark expression on his face displaying his thoughts on the whole matter and strode out of the room.

Sue returned her focus on the three girls standing before her.

"I'll make this short and quick so Sir Richard can take her to the healer," she said, nodding at Santana who was leaning heavily on Quinn.

"Princess, your father will be informed of this incident and you are to have a guard stationed at your door. No more sneaking out from this time forth," said Sue, ignoring Rachel's gasp of horror.

"Quinn"

Quinn flinched. She's going to get expelled. She would never become a knight. She will never see Rachel again.

"As much as Sir Tanaka wants to see you gone, you are not getting expelled. Sir Richard will see that you are punished accordingly."

Quinn felt her knees go weak with relief and glanced over at Rachel who smiled back, temporarily forgetting about her own punishment.

"As for you Santana…daughter of…?"

"Lopez. Maribel Lopez," said Santana through gritted teeth.

Sue paused at that, her widened eyes betraying her shock. Even Sir Richard raised an eyebrow and was looking at the young Latina.

"Pirate Queen and the Captain of Poseidon's Dragon? That Maribel Lopez?" asked Sue disbelievingly.

Santana snorted and winced as she reached into her shirt to pull out a silver ring that was tied around her neck with a long leather cord to keep it out of sight. She dangled it in front of Sue and the side profile of the skull with a rose where the ear would be, reflected the firelight. That symbol flew high on the mast of the notorious female pirate's ship, feared by all who've seen it.

"Don't get too excited. She left me this when she abandoned me years ago. I have not seen her since," she said dismissively although Quinn who was well aware of Santana's past could tell that it was still a sore subject for her friend to talk about from the way Santana's voice had cracked when she mentioned being abandoned by her mother.

There was a pause and Sue began to chuckle causing the rest of the people in her office to stare at her warily.

"Maribel's daughter. Here. That explains a lot. Of course she would manage to successfully break into the castle," muttered Sue to herself, tapping her fingers on her desk.

"Very well," said Sue, giving her desk a sharp rap with her knuckles as she made up her mind. "You," she pointed at Santana with her finger, "Will stay here from now on; in the Academy, as an apprentice."

Quinn and Rachel gaped openly at the Commander while Santana began to splutter.

"Wh... what?! No... I refuse... No way in hell am I going to become a knight."

"You are not in a position to refuse," said Sue coldly. "It's either that or be hanged for trespassing the royal castle grounds."

Santana opened her mouth to protest but nothing came out as she realized what she said next would determine whether she lived or die.

"Besides," said Sue gleefully, "I have a better idea for your education here, something more suitable for someone of your skills." She paused for a moment. "Once healed, report yourself to Cassandra July. You are to become a 'dancer'."

xoxoxoxox

Quinn padded along quietly behind Sir Richard as they left the infirmary. An unconscious Santana was being taken care off by one of the healers who was on night duty. She was brought in by Sir Richard who swept her up into his arms before she hit the ground after Sue relayed further information on Santana's future in the Academy.

"Who would've thought the 'Advanced Dancing' class didn't actually involve dancing," muttered Quinn to herself.

Advance Dancing was actually an exclusive training program for the kingdom's spies and assassins. A darker, grittier world compared to a knight's. Talent was spotted amongst the students at an early age upon their first year at the Academy and these students were recruited into the program. Bound by a blood oath, they are forbidden to allow anyone to discover the truth behind Advance Dancing. Only a few people in Commander Sue's inner circle knew the truth behind the Advance Dancing program, Sir Richard included. Rachel being the future ruler of the kingdom had the right to know while Quinn would eventually take the blood oath as well, together with Santana to preserve her silence.

"You have a big secret to keep little one," rumbled Sir Richard as they neared the barracks.

Quinn nodded silently as they paused outside the barrack's entrance.

"You will be reporting to the stables in the morning and the kitchens at night for the next two weeks as punishment for leaving the dormitory past curfew," said Sir Richard looking down at Quinn.

"Yes sir." Quinn felt a wave of relief. These punishments were small compared to what she thought was in store for her.

Sir Richard nodded and turned to leave but stopped when he felt Quinn suddenly grab the edge of his sleeve.

"I just… wanted to say thanks. For uh… for being on our side when Sir Tanaka became angry. Grownups have never stood up for me or Santana before," she said quietly.

Sir Richard frowned as he recalled the way Sir Tanaka reached for his sword when Santana had goaded him. He reached out his hand and patted Quinn on her head, smiling gently at his apprentice, his cold gaze melting.

"Don't mention it Cub. You better go and get some sleep. It's going to be a long day for you tomorrow," he said before he withdrew his hand and turned to walk away.

"Good night Sir Richard," said Quinn to his retreating back and he waved in acknowledgement.

Quinn then quietly snuck into the barracks and snuggled into her bed without waking anyone up. The adrenaline that was coursing through her earlier had left and she felt exhausted by the turn of events. Despite her punishments and the brutal training that she knows that Sir Richard will be doling out tomorrow, she could not help but release a happy sigh into her pillow. Santana is here. Rachel is here. She was not made to leave the Academy. Her dream to be a knight is still within reach. With those thoughts to fall asleep to, for the first time in a long time, Quinn fell asleep with a smile on her face.

End of Chapter 6

Author's Note: Get ready for the time skip! As always, reviews are highly appreciated ;)