Hello everyone again! Here is the second installment of the fanficiton that is probably not as important as that English paper you're supposed to be working on. Thank you for your time and support! Mojo wuvs his wittle readers!

Chapter Two: Excitement Arrives

Jane and Jester raced down the steps to the courtyard. The staff crowded on the pavement, forcing Jane to stand on her tiptoes to catch a glimpse.

"May I assist you my lady?" Jester crouched on the cobblestone beside her. Jane climbed on his shoulders.

Jester grunted as he stood. "Maggots, you're fat."

"I am not, you pansy."

"Ugh, just tell me what's going on so I can put you down..."

Jane scanned the situation playing out before her.

"Well it's got something to the merchant, he's having a fit about something..."

"What's our phony friend got up his arse today?"

"Language Jester, I'm trying to hear..."

Magnus Breech stood in the middle of the courtyard, wearing a ridiculous looking pea green satin tunic with rabbit fur trim; it made his mighty belly look twice as rotund.

"I demand an audience with the head of the guard!" He fumed, making sure everyone knew of his displeasure.

Jane saw Sir Theodore descending the castle steps towards the ruckus. The crowd parted, letting the senior knight pass.

"Good Morning Magnus," Sir Theodore said calmly, looking amused at the sight of the merchant's gaudy tunic. "Whatever is the matter?"

"Theft your knightship! I've been robbed!" Magnus Breech beckoned to his cronies, who forced a girl forward. "This wench is the perpetrator! And she refuses to relinquish my property!"

The girl looked about the same age as Jane, but the physical similarity stopped there. While Jane had long fiery hair and skin tanned from long days of practice, this girl was incredibly pale with short-cropped dark hair. She looked worn, but well kept and Jane could tell that she was certainly not about to take the merchant's accusations.

"I'll have you know, I am no wench," She spat at the merchant, her head held high. She then turned to Sir Theodore. "Sir, this man is trying to force me to sell something that is rightfully mine."

"What's going on Jane?" Jester grunted.

"The merchant's accusing a girl of theft. She's not taking his crap."

"Excellent! We must congratulate her later..."

Sir Theodore held up his hands for silence.

"Let's start with your name, my dear." He spoke slowly and carefully to the maid, trying to calm her.

"Orla, sir."

"And what business have you in Kippernia?"

"I'm looking for work, sir."

"Now, tell me what happened Maid Orla."

The girl looked nervously at the crowd then cleared her throat.

"I have been traveling for many days to cone work at the castle here. When I arrived in town I stopped to ask for directions. Unfortunately," she grimaced at the merchant. "I stopped at this snake's stall to ask. He rebuffed me and told me not to bother him, only to call me back when he spotted my pendant." She showed Sir Theodore a large teardrop-shaped disk of lilac colored sea glass, wrapped with intertwining bands of silver on a silver chain.

"What's it look like Jane?"

"Quite a beauty, I wonder where she got it..."

"Well that doesn't tell me anything."

"Hush up Bell Boy, I'm trying to hear."

"After trying to cover for just insulting me, this worm demanded I sell it to him. After I refused he made a scene and set his goons on me, going on about how I had stolen it."

Sir Theodore nodded, his face unreadable. It was the kind of face he used during training assessments when Jane couldn't tell if she were doing something horrible wrong or passing with flying colors. He turned to the merchant.

"Now Magnus, let's hear your side then."

"This wench came to my stall under the pretense of asking directions." Magnus Breech fumed. "She stole the necklace, Sir Theodore. Do you honestly believe that a street urchin like that," He spat in the girl's direction. "Would own something so dear?"

"It is questionable..." Sir Theodore mused.

"Please sir, you have to believe me!" The girl panicked. "It's the only thing I have left! It's worth more to me than anything else in the world!"

"Have you any proof?" The merchant sneered.

"I do."

The crowd turned at the sound of the soft, strong voice.

"It's Smithy!" Jane whispered loudly.

"Wha-" Jester jerked back, sending them backwards, tumbling across the cobblestone with a muffled "whump".

"Maggots!"

"Well this is a compromising position." SMACK! "Ah! Jane, that hurt!"

"Silence Bell-Boy, you will be dealt with later."

Smithy walked slowly towards Sir Theodore, carefully avoiding eye contact with the girl, who looked terrified of him.

"I made that pendant, years ago with my father. I gave it to Maid Orla as a gift. You'll see our family seal on the back."

Sir Theodore motioned for the necklace; the girl handed it over wordlessly. Sir Theodore flipped the pendant over, pressed into the silver were two crossed hammers with a crown above them and the initials "J. S." below. Smithy reached into the front of his tunic, drawing a brown leather cord from around his neck. He handed the cord to Sir Theodore, who examined the seal that hung from it. He smiled gently to Orla.

"It's a match."

The girl gratefully accepted her necklace back, giving Smithy a nervous smile. He nodded at her, bid Sir Theodore good day and walked back towards his forge. The crowd turned to face the merchant, who was nervously backing away, trying to come up with a witty escape route.

"Magnus," Sir Theodore said sternly. "I don't think I need remind you that the castle's business agreement with you is conditional."

"Of-of course," the Merchant was trying desperately to seem less conspicuous. The obnoxious tunic wasn't helping.

"Then I expect you won't take advantage of my services to terrorize innocent girls in the near future? Are we clear?"

The merchant nodded.

"Good, you are dismissed Master Breech."

The merchant needed no second warning, he took off surprisingly fast for one so beefy. Sir Theodore offered Orla his arm.

"Come my dear," he said gallantly. "It's time you met his highness."

Sir Theodore proved to be a very gracious host, showing Orla around the castle before bringing her to the throne room.

"You've come at an opportune time," Sir Theodore said as he opened the heavy wooden doors. "King Caradoc has been expanding the castle staff due to the prosperous few seasons we've been having."

Orla gaped at the high ceilings, the tapestries of rich colors, the long banquet tables with little vases of autumn asters and chrysanthemums, and the hundreds of candles adorning the chandeliers. At the far end sat a stately man with dark hair and quite an impressive goatee. He and a radiant blond woman were listening attentively to what appeared to be the court financier, who was pouring over a lengthy list of parchment.

"That's Milton Turnkey," Sir Theodore said quietly to Orla. "His daughter is my apprentice."

As they approached the king looked up, obviously eager to be discussing something other than finances.

"Ah, Sir Theodore!" He welcomed in a booming voice. "Who is this lovely creature you've brought to see us?"

"Orla Sinead," Orla said, curtsying. "I was hoping to find a job at the castle, majesty."

"Ah," The king turned to the financier. "Milton would you be a good chap and check on those grain orders for me? I'll finish the documents later."

"Of course your majesty," Mister Turnkey bowed low before exiting.

"Now," the king said. "What is your trade, Maid Orla?"

"I am an herbalist, sire; I'm also working on a mage apprenticeship."

"A mage! Where did you study?" King Caradoc exclaimed.

"I studied under Rivald of Themes, sire. But my apprenticeship has been discontinued due to an unfortunate accident."

King Caradoc nodded. "Ah, yes I heard about that. One of Rivald's potion's experiments went wrong, correct? Shame, he is quite the warlock. He must have quite the mess on his hands now, I heard he blew up half of South Themes."

Orla gave him a wry smile. "Yes, but luckily I do have my Intermediate Magyk License if there's anything to be done with small tasks. I can sew and cook a little."

"Hmmm," the King stroked his goatee, mulling it over, he turned to his wife. "What do you think dearest?"

"Have her work with Adeline, she always needs the help." The queen said gently.

"Right you are my sweet," The king smiled. "Sir Theodore will take you to Adeline Turnkey, she's our head Lady in Waiting and our Head of Staff. I'm sure she'll have something for you to do."

Orla curtsied once more. "Thank you your majesties. It's most generous of you."

As Orla was led away by Sir Theodore, Queen Gwendolyn laid her head on her husband's shoulder.

"She reminds me of a young self," the queen murmured. "Lost and alone in a strange place."

"Not lost any more." The king kissed his wife softly. "And never alone."

"Of course," The queen smiled letting her hand rest on her swelling belly. "Especially now, I've got a little friend to take with me wherever I go."

"Not much longer, dear heart," the king said, nuzzling his wife. "And you still look as beautiful as ever."

The queen let out a girlish giggle. "Caradoc! You cad!"

…

A note from Mojo:

Yes, yes, if you've enjoyed the shameless use of fluff, please tune in for our next installment. Apurrrrrrrrr.