Hey- um, well this is my first fanfic so please, be brutally honest.
Disclaimer: If you can recognize anything in my story, than it belongs to the wonderful and talented Tamora Peirce. If you don't recognize it, than it is most likely one of my own characters. And since pretty much every angle has been covered, if I borrowed any of ya'lls characters or ideas, please let me know ASAP! I really didn't mean to. Thanx.
Chapter 1: A Fresh Start
The three sat upon the stone walkway near the door of an inn- The Dancing Dove. They all wore simple cotton breeches and shirts, for it was just Midsummer the day before last. The weather would stay this warm for another moon at least...
The failing light meant rising shouts of mirth and merry from inside the tavern. All very thin, skin and bones really, the children talked quietly to each other and snacked upon a loaf of bread and a few apples they spent their day thieving. The youngest, a girl, kept her older brothers from causing too much of a riot. The Guard was about and alert, for the occasional disruptions- threats and fights- around the capital became more and more frequent. A few even talked about a new anti- monarch front that was developing and causing the trouble that kept many tense, and for the even more cautious, in their homes as much as possible.
"Will you two keep it down?" the worried girl pressed. "The Guard will come and question us again." She looked into their identical eyes. "Is that what you want?"
"Willow, we-", the largest of the three started, but soon rethought his remark. "Sorry. We'll calm down. It's just so hard. I mean, we finally made it to Corus!" He had a point. The spent six months traveling from town to village to fief to city, just to reach their final destination. They figured if it was anything like it sounded, they might just fit it, unlike everywhere else.
"You know, they could be nicer when they bring people in to question them." the oldest, quietist and middle- sized one thought out loud.
"Oh yeah- because it's good manners to be polite and proper when you're interrogating three young thieves." the girl called Willow sarcastically told him.
"Ah- touché`." The biggest one poked his older bother, named River. playfully.
"Who let you butt in Wind?"
"Me." There was nothing they could say to that. Wind was they most outspoken, and it often got them in trouble, especially with the law. He seemed to give himself supreme authority when it came to his siblings.
For a while they just continued talking. Anyone looking at them would just think, 'Three teenage pickpockets enjoying a days reward' Upon closer inspection, you see that the boys looked almost exactly alike, but for the one that was bigger, his hair was in waves, not curls. The girl looked like them too, and they all had the same raven-colored curls and the lavender eyes. They had their belongings- a few small saddlebags, two bows and quivers, and a tiny leather chest- out in the open beside them. The middle-sized triplet also carried daggers, but only an expert could have found them in his hiding places
'None of it is of real value so they feel free to leave it visible.' ,a bystander might conclude. But these children had their own, special reasons for being so nonchalant about their baggage
You see, anyone with the gift could sense, if not fully see, an aura about these triplets. It wasn't the gift, but a magical presence filled the air around them.
Wind, the biggest and middle- aged one, could move things with his thoughts, sometimes if he meant to or not. River, the oldest, could read anyone's mind. The girl, Willow, could see through things and saw perfectly well in the dark.
That's mainly why they came to Tortall, to Corus. Surely, in such a big city with so much diversity, they wouldn't mind three young kids with a secret. Would they?
These thoughts and similar ones ran through the teenager's minds the whole trip there. They took jobs where they could get them, slept wherever was dry, and ate when food was available (mostly it wasn't) on the harsh trip to the capital. They had no horses, so they earned money for food and board in places they stopped at. After about six months, they paid a peddler for provisions and three pairs of new boots,. then bargained with a wagon train headed for the city to let them join. They paid two silver nobles (about all the rest they had) for a place in the wagons at night and access to food for two weeks, the duration of the rest of the trip. They arrived that very morning, swiped bread, cheese, apples, and dried jerky, then took off to tour their new home. The cheese and most of the jerky was eaten for lunch, and now they finished off the bread and fruit. The remnants of the jerky was being preserved for breakfast. Then they would go find work.
Willow, the voice of reason, wondered, 'How will we find a place to sleep?' She decided to ask her brothers.
"Have either of you thought as to where we'll sleep tonight?" By the looks on their faces, they hadn't considered that.
"Got any money left?" ,River asked, turning out his pockets and discovering only a few coppers. The other two were only able to add three more coppers to his four.
"Not even a silver noble." ,Willow sighed.
"Barely half.", Wind stated.
"Well, we can't get a room anywhere for that...probably not even a place in a barn or stable.", River said.
"Then what are we gonna do?", Wind asked.
As if on cue, the door to the inn opened and accidentally bumped into their leather box. Light streamed into the dying twilight and three pairs of amethyst eyes, so used to the dimness, had to adjust.
Then a face peered around the door and saw the chest they had hit. "Gods! I'm sorry. I hope I didn't damage it." ,a soft feminine voice apologized. Their eyes had finally focused, but there was too much light around her face to make out any features. She stepped away from the door and it closed, then she got a better look at their chest. "Oh- I'm afraid I scratched the leather. Please, let me pay you for it." She reached for her belt purse.
Willow quickly responded.
"No- Lady, please! It is nothing- a tiny blemish."
"I insist." While she dug for a copper, the kids got better look at her. For, although she didn't dress it, (she wore simple breeches and a shirt- the same as they) something about this girl radiated power. Obviously a noble.
Her brown hair, is soft curls like theirs, fell to her shoulders and rested there. She had a round face, blue eyes, and a completely stubborn chin. She seemed familiar, but they saw so many people on the way to Corus....
She had produced three silver nobles and held them out to Willow.
"Lady- No! The chest itself is worth- well, a quarter of that! It's far too much!"
"Oh, please. Let me pay or-" She looked at the shape they were in."- at least let me buy you dinner." , she persisted.
"We've already eaten." ,Willow refused the offer. "Thank you, Kind Lady, for the gesture, but the trunk, and us, aren't worth so much trouble."
"I'm sure that's not true."
"No Lady, Willow's right." ,River spoke up. "That case isn't worth more than ..five coppers, tops."
"I meant about you three. What brings you to Corus?"
"How do you know we're travelers?" ,Wind chimed in, curious.
"Saddlebags. Normally, people don't carry their belongings with them everywhere they go. Plus you have that 'Just Traveled' look. I've done a bit of traveling myself. You must be tired. Where did you come from?"
The teenagers stared at this young woman who was rambling. 'She has to be some kind of noble.' , they simultaneously thought. 'Only nobles just mindlessly ramble like that.'
"Carthak, Lady. We came here because work was scarce." 'That was partially true', Willow said, then thought to herself.
"Oh- well. I apologize for that. I'm afraid I put that idea in Kaddar's head. I had the best intentions at heart at the time, when I suggested about freeing the slaves, but I'm afraid I overlooked that there would be a job shortage afterwards. I send my dearest apologies to all three of you."
They just gaped at this MAD noble.
"Oh, silly me! I'm Veralidaine Sarrasri. Please call me Daine ,though."
"The.....the WILDMAGE!" ,Willow stuttered.
"Who?" , Wind asked, then it hit him. "wait...........OH GODS! Minos, Mithros, and Shakith!" He looked around frantically until River grabbed his shoulder without even looking at him. Wind calmed down a bit, but still looked rather disoriented.
"Folks the likes of you should worry yourselves with our leather chest , my Lady." ,Willow persisted. "We appreciate it really we do, but I fear we must be going. It is getting rather dark and we need to find ourselves a place to sleep. Much thanks, Lady. We'll take our leave now." Willow and River began to gather their stuff. Wind still stood there, stupidly staring at Daine.
"Wind!" ,River snapped. "Take your quiver," He handed it to Wind who held it in his hands, and looked at it. ", and your bow, and bag and lets go." River took charge. Willow may talk to the superiors, and Wind may talk to equals, but River could get his siblings attention and keep it until he wished. (Or until Wind saw something shiny.)
They started to leave, but a new voice commanded their attention.
"Daine! What's going on?" , a rough, mans voice asked. "Who are your friends? Wait! Let me introduce myself. I'm Numair." They stopped and Willow came back looking a bit annoyed.
"We know all about you Master Saliman, and about Lady Sarrasri. And, frankly, we don't understand why two people who were strong and smart enough to bring down Orzone and his palace by bringing dead animal bones back to life and making fake people would want to talk to us. And if what I've heard on the way is true- Gods I hope not- me and my brothers would rather not talk to a person who survived the Divine Realms- The Sea of Sand, The Dragonlands, and a meeting with Chaos Herself. I am terribly sorry for my rudeness but my brothers and I have to start looking for a place to sleep tonight or we may not be awake enough to find work tomorrow." ,Willow lectured, then felt horrible about. She's not one to scold (Unless it was Wind) and she just yelled at a man who turned an enemy into an apple tree and a girl who has enough influence over the emperor of a country to make him release to slaves- a tradition in their country for thousands of years!
She realized the full extent of what she'd just done, dropped her things and got on her knees.
"Nobility, I-" ,she began, her old slave life taking over. "Forgive this unworthy one nobility. One knew not what one was doing. Be merciful please!" She pleaded for mercy, but looked only at their well- shod feet, for if she dared to look higher, they'd kill her on the spot for sure. (not that she wasn't dead already for that stunt she just pulled!)
"OK then, we forgive you." , the Giraffe- like mage answered. "Now, stand please." ,then he added in a whisper " we're making a scene."
She didn't stand but cautiously looked at his face. Even in the dim lighting, she could see every aspect of it, and nothing threatened punishment.
Ever so slowly, she gathered her saddlebag and quiver, then rose.
"You're........You're not going to punish my insolence?" , she stammered, disbelief enveloping her. Daine shook her head, throwing curls over her shoulder, then back again. " Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. We respect yours."
"But, I, um....well, we, uh-"
"Carthak goes upon a different set of rules than we do here." ,the Wildmage explained, slight smile in her face. "You know Numair?" ,she asked him. "I knew we made some folks nervous, but not that nervous." She giggled.
Willow began to understand that there was far more to this country on the way to Corus, but now she just couldn't get why two mages who bring down evil empires, would walk about like regular people. This would take some consideration. There was far more to these two than meets the eye.
She turned to look at River and Wind, only to discover them tucked down in a groveling position and showed no sign of moving. Even with her eyesight, she could only barely see their shallow, sparse breathing. They were terrified.
"Excuse me for a moment, Sir, Lady." She walked over to where he brothers cowered, grabbed one ear on each and stood them up, rather forcefully.
"Ow, Ow, Ow, Ow!" , they whined together, acting like two year old babies, rather than the fifteen- year- olds that they were.
"Are you INSANE?!" ,River asked , smacking her hand away and rubbing his sore earlobe. "They can have us arrested, whipped, probably killed, and you look them in the eye?"
"River, they aren't like Lady Sheera. They're..........different."
"Well obviously! Otherwise you wouldn't have live long enough to beg forgiveness." ,Wind piped up.
While they were talking, Daine explained to Numair what had happened and he replied with a laugh. That hearty chuckle is what turned all three around to face the 'different' nobles.
Numair and Daine then insisted on buying all of them a tankard of lemonade at the inn.
"Say yes. Whatever will make them feel better." ,River whispered. "That way, we may not get beaten."
"I'm telling you, they aren't like that. And if anything, we should be bribing them." ,Willow whispered in reply. "Yes, Nobilities. Whatever you wish." She accepted their offer.
"Please don't use that 'Nobility' nonsense. Friends don't bother with such formalities." ,Daine said.
The thought that two of the most powerful people in the universe wanted their friendship, and was offering theirs in return, was absolutely mind boggling for Willow, River, and Wind.
Numair held open the inn door, so the three carefully filed in behind Daine.
A few turned to stare at the friends of the Wildmage, but she just smiled and walked to a quieter corner of the tavern. Numair ordered lemonade for all of them from a young man called Geoff.
The three sat in amazement, answering the nobles' questions and just sipping on their tart lemonades occasionally, wondering if they would snap out of it in a moment and realize that it had all been an odd dream.
~Authors note~ so be honest. is this worth continuing? Even if I get only 1 good review, I'll know I have a fan and I'll add. so please click the blue box. also- flamers are ok, but I believe constructive criticism is more helpful. the title is also a work in progress, so any suggestions are more than welcome. thanx!
Disclaimer: If you can recognize anything in my story, than it belongs to the wonderful and talented Tamora Peirce. If you don't recognize it, than it is most likely one of my own characters. And since pretty much every angle has been covered, if I borrowed any of ya'lls characters or ideas, please let me know ASAP! I really didn't mean to. Thanx.
Chapter 1: A Fresh Start
The three sat upon the stone walkway near the door of an inn- The Dancing Dove. They all wore simple cotton breeches and shirts, for it was just Midsummer the day before last. The weather would stay this warm for another moon at least...
The failing light meant rising shouts of mirth and merry from inside the tavern. All very thin, skin and bones really, the children talked quietly to each other and snacked upon a loaf of bread and a few apples they spent their day thieving. The youngest, a girl, kept her older brothers from causing too much of a riot. The Guard was about and alert, for the occasional disruptions- threats and fights- around the capital became more and more frequent. A few even talked about a new anti- monarch front that was developing and causing the trouble that kept many tense, and for the even more cautious, in their homes as much as possible.
"Will you two keep it down?" the worried girl pressed. "The Guard will come and question us again." She looked into their identical eyes. "Is that what you want?"
"Willow, we-", the largest of the three started, but soon rethought his remark. "Sorry. We'll calm down. It's just so hard. I mean, we finally made it to Corus!" He had a point. The spent six months traveling from town to village to fief to city, just to reach their final destination. They figured if it was anything like it sounded, they might just fit it, unlike everywhere else.
"You know, they could be nicer when they bring people in to question them." the oldest, quietist and middle- sized one thought out loud.
"Oh yeah- because it's good manners to be polite and proper when you're interrogating three young thieves." the girl called Willow sarcastically told him.
"Ah- touché`." The biggest one poked his older bother, named River. playfully.
"Who let you butt in Wind?"
"Me." There was nothing they could say to that. Wind was they most outspoken, and it often got them in trouble, especially with the law. He seemed to give himself supreme authority when it came to his siblings.
For a while they just continued talking. Anyone looking at them would just think, 'Three teenage pickpockets enjoying a days reward' Upon closer inspection, you see that the boys looked almost exactly alike, but for the one that was bigger, his hair was in waves, not curls. The girl looked like them too, and they all had the same raven-colored curls and the lavender eyes. They had their belongings- a few small saddlebags, two bows and quivers, and a tiny leather chest- out in the open beside them. The middle-sized triplet also carried daggers, but only an expert could have found them in his hiding places
'None of it is of real value so they feel free to leave it visible.' ,a bystander might conclude. But these children had their own, special reasons for being so nonchalant about their baggage
You see, anyone with the gift could sense, if not fully see, an aura about these triplets. It wasn't the gift, but a magical presence filled the air around them.
Wind, the biggest and middle- aged one, could move things with his thoughts, sometimes if he meant to or not. River, the oldest, could read anyone's mind. The girl, Willow, could see through things and saw perfectly well in the dark.
That's mainly why they came to Tortall, to Corus. Surely, in such a big city with so much diversity, they wouldn't mind three young kids with a secret. Would they?
These thoughts and similar ones ran through the teenager's minds the whole trip there. They took jobs where they could get them, slept wherever was dry, and ate when food was available (mostly it wasn't) on the harsh trip to the capital. They had no horses, so they earned money for food and board in places they stopped at. After about six months, they paid a peddler for provisions and three pairs of new boots,. then bargained with a wagon train headed for the city to let them join. They paid two silver nobles (about all the rest they had) for a place in the wagons at night and access to food for two weeks, the duration of the rest of the trip. They arrived that very morning, swiped bread, cheese, apples, and dried jerky, then took off to tour their new home. The cheese and most of the jerky was eaten for lunch, and now they finished off the bread and fruit. The remnants of the jerky was being preserved for breakfast. Then they would go find work.
Willow, the voice of reason, wondered, 'How will we find a place to sleep?' She decided to ask her brothers.
"Have either of you thought as to where we'll sleep tonight?" By the looks on their faces, they hadn't considered that.
"Got any money left?" ,River asked, turning out his pockets and discovering only a few coppers. The other two were only able to add three more coppers to his four.
"Not even a silver noble." ,Willow sighed.
"Barely half.", Wind stated.
"Well, we can't get a room anywhere for that...probably not even a place in a barn or stable.", River said.
"Then what are we gonna do?", Wind asked.
As if on cue, the door to the inn opened and accidentally bumped into their leather box. Light streamed into the dying twilight and three pairs of amethyst eyes, so used to the dimness, had to adjust.
Then a face peered around the door and saw the chest they had hit. "Gods! I'm sorry. I hope I didn't damage it." ,a soft feminine voice apologized. Their eyes had finally focused, but there was too much light around her face to make out any features. She stepped away from the door and it closed, then she got a better look at their chest. "Oh- I'm afraid I scratched the leather. Please, let me pay you for it." She reached for her belt purse.
Willow quickly responded.
"No- Lady, please! It is nothing- a tiny blemish."
"I insist." While she dug for a copper, the kids got better look at her. For, although she didn't dress it, (she wore simple breeches and a shirt- the same as they) something about this girl radiated power. Obviously a noble.
Her brown hair, is soft curls like theirs, fell to her shoulders and rested there. She had a round face, blue eyes, and a completely stubborn chin. She seemed familiar, but they saw so many people on the way to Corus....
She had produced three silver nobles and held them out to Willow.
"Lady- No! The chest itself is worth- well, a quarter of that! It's far too much!"
"Oh, please. Let me pay or-" She looked at the shape they were in."- at least let me buy you dinner." , she persisted.
"We've already eaten." ,Willow refused the offer. "Thank you, Kind Lady, for the gesture, but the trunk, and us, aren't worth so much trouble."
"I'm sure that's not true."
"No Lady, Willow's right." ,River spoke up. "That case isn't worth more than ..five coppers, tops."
"I meant about you three. What brings you to Corus?"
"How do you know we're travelers?" ,Wind chimed in, curious.
"Saddlebags. Normally, people don't carry their belongings with them everywhere they go. Plus you have that 'Just Traveled' look. I've done a bit of traveling myself. You must be tired. Where did you come from?"
The teenagers stared at this young woman who was rambling. 'She has to be some kind of noble.' , they simultaneously thought. 'Only nobles just mindlessly ramble like that.'
"Carthak, Lady. We came here because work was scarce." 'That was partially true', Willow said, then thought to herself.
"Oh- well. I apologize for that. I'm afraid I put that idea in Kaddar's head. I had the best intentions at heart at the time, when I suggested about freeing the slaves, but I'm afraid I overlooked that there would be a job shortage afterwards. I send my dearest apologies to all three of you."
They just gaped at this MAD noble.
"Oh, silly me! I'm Veralidaine Sarrasri. Please call me Daine ,though."
"The.....the WILDMAGE!" ,Willow stuttered.
"Who?" , Wind asked, then it hit him. "wait...........OH GODS! Minos, Mithros, and Shakith!" He looked around frantically until River grabbed his shoulder without even looking at him. Wind calmed down a bit, but still looked rather disoriented.
"Folks the likes of you should worry yourselves with our leather chest , my Lady." ,Willow persisted. "We appreciate it really we do, but I fear we must be going. It is getting rather dark and we need to find ourselves a place to sleep. Much thanks, Lady. We'll take our leave now." Willow and River began to gather their stuff. Wind still stood there, stupidly staring at Daine.
"Wind!" ,River snapped. "Take your quiver," He handed it to Wind who held it in his hands, and looked at it. ", and your bow, and bag and lets go." River took charge. Willow may talk to the superiors, and Wind may talk to equals, but River could get his siblings attention and keep it until he wished. (Or until Wind saw something shiny.)
They started to leave, but a new voice commanded their attention.
"Daine! What's going on?" , a rough, mans voice asked. "Who are your friends? Wait! Let me introduce myself. I'm Numair." They stopped and Willow came back looking a bit annoyed.
"We know all about you Master Saliman, and about Lady Sarrasri. And, frankly, we don't understand why two people who were strong and smart enough to bring down Orzone and his palace by bringing dead animal bones back to life and making fake people would want to talk to us. And if what I've heard on the way is true- Gods I hope not- me and my brothers would rather not talk to a person who survived the Divine Realms- The Sea of Sand, The Dragonlands, and a meeting with Chaos Herself. I am terribly sorry for my rudeness but my brothers and I have to start looking for a place to sleep tonight or we may not be awake enough to find work tomorrow." ,Willow lectured, then felt horrible about. She's not one to scold (Unless it was Wind) and she just yelled at a man who turned an enemy into an apple tree and a girl who has enough influence over the emperor of a country to make him release to slaves- a tradition in their country for thousands of years!
She realized the full extent of what she'd just done, dropped her things and got on her knees.
"Nobility, I-" ,she began, her old slave life taking over. "Forgive this unworthy one nobility. One knew not what one was doing. Be merciful please!" She pleaded for mercy, but looked only at their well- shod feet, for if she dared to look higher, they'd kill her on the spot for sure. (not that she wasn't dead already for that stunt she just pulled!)
"OK then, we forgive you." , the Giraffe- like mage answered. "Now, stand please." ,then he added in a whisper " we're making a scene."
She didn't stand but cautiously looked at his face. Even in the dim lighting, she could see every aspect of it, and nothing threatened punishment.
Ever so slowly, she gathered her saddlebag and quiver, then rose.
"You're........You're not going to punish my insolence?" , she stammered, disbelief enveloping her. Daine shook her head, throwing curls over her shoulder, then back again. " Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. We respect yours."
"But, I, um....well, we, uh-"
"Carthak goes upon a different set of rules than we do here." ,the Wildmage explained, slight smile in her face. "You know Numair?" ,she asked him. "I knew we made some folks nervous, but not that nervous." She giggled.
Willow began to understand that there was far more to this country on the way to Corus, but now she just couldn't get why two mages who bring down evil empires, would walk about like regular people. This would take some consideration. There was far more to these two than meets the eye.
She turned to look at River and Wind, only to discover them tucked down in a groveling position and showed no sign of moving. Even with her eyesight, she could only barely see their shallow, sparse breathing. They were terrified.
"Excuse me for a moment, Sir, Lady." She walked over to where he brothers cowered, grabbed one ear on each and stood them up, rather forcefully.
"Ow, Ow, Ow, Ow!" , they whined together, acting like two year old babies, rather than the fifteen- year- olds that they were.
"Are you INSANE?!" ,River asked , smacking her hand away and rubbing his sore earlobe. "They can have us arrested, whipped, probably killed, and you look them in the eye?"
"River, they aren't like Lady Sheera. They're..........different."
"Well obviously! Otherwise you wouldn't have live long enough to beg forgiveness." ,Wind piped up.
While they were talking, Daine explained to Numair what had happened and he replied with a laugh. That hearty chuckle is what turned all three around to face the 'different' nobles.
Numair and Daine then insisted on buying all of them a tankard of lemonade at the inn.
"Say yes. Whatever will make them feel better." ,River whispered. "That way, we may not get beaten."
"I'm telling you, they aren't like that. And if anything, we should be bribing them." ,Willow whispered in reply. "Yes, Nobilities. Whatever you wish." She accepted their offer.
"Please don't use that 'Nobility' nonsense. Friends don't bother with such formalities." ,Daine said.
The thought that two of the most powerful people in the universe wanted their friendship, and was offering theirs in return, was absolutely mind boggling for Willow, River, and Wind.
Numair held open the inn door, so the three carefully filed in behind Daine.
A few turned to stare at the friends of the Wildmage, but she just smiled and walked to a quieter corner of the tavern. Numair ordered lemonade for all of them from a young man called Geoff.
The three sat in amazement, answering the nobles' questions and just sipping on their tart lemonades occasionally, wondering if they would snap out of it in a moment and realize that it had all been an odd dream.
~Authors note~ so be honest. is this worth continuing? Even if I get only 1 good review, I'll know I have a fan and I'll add. so please click the blue box. also- flamers are ok, but I believe constructive criticism is more helpful. the title is also a work in progress, so any suggestions are more than welcome. thanx!