Amanda awoke to a pair of brown eyes staring down at her. She tried to sit up but instead groaned audibly as she found her body unwilling to comply.
"Easy there," a calm voice directed as a gentle hand helped her sit up slowly.
"What happened?" Amanda croaked. "Last thing I remember was the fireworks and then..." She trailed off as she began to take in her surroundings. The calm voice belonged to the man kneeling beside her. Behind him stood a tall woman, red curls tumbling to her shoulders. From the tip of her boot protruded a dagger hilt. They were in what appeared to be a dirt alley surrounded by dirty brown buildings. Amanda gulped turning back to the man. "What happened?" She repeated quietly.
"I'd hoped to ask you the same thing. See we was minding our own business walking down the street when BOOM, a blinding light appeared and went. In its place was you unconscious like."
"Lass do you remember anything?" The woman asked concerned, taking a step forward.
"No I haven't the foggiest." A look passed between her two helpers unseen by Amanda. "Who are you? So I can thank you properly?"
"I'm Rispah and this here is Lightfingers. I must say I've never seen an outfit like that before." Amanda's eyes baulked as she began processing this information. Looking up at her rescuers she noticed that both wore tan shirts tucked into loose pants. On their hips brown belts carried what appeared to be a leather purse and an assortment of daggers. Breathing deeply Amanda asked the question she'd been dreading.
"What year is it?"
"431 human era." Replied Lightfingers slowly frowning. Amanda paced trying to collect her thoughts. She paused to glance between the man and woman who stood watching her uncertainly. "This can't be possible." She muttered to herself.
"What can't?" Demanded Lightfingers.
"It's scientifically impossible."
"Young one you've yet to give us your name." Rispah prodded gently.
"Are you Rispah...Queen of the Rogue?" She whispered.
"Perhaps and you are?"
"My name is Amanda Danne and I need to speak with his majesty." She answered slowly, watching their reactions.
"Well that can be arranged Mistress Danne but first where are your lodgings? Mayhap you should change into something more appropriate?" Replied Rispah.
"I fear I am a long way from home. I have nought but what I carry and no current lodgings." Amanda answered uncertainly.
"We can fix that easily. Come with me and I'll see to a room for you. Lightfingers if you'll go inform...his majesty?" Turning to walk away, she glanced back seeing that Amanda had yet to move. "If you want a roof over your head you'll come with me lass. It's not far."
Amanda shook her head and caught up to Rispah, exiting the alley and entering the stream of people making their way around the marketplace. Amanda struggled to keep pace with Rispah, her head turning to take in all around her. She saw individuals from all walks of life, guessing occupations based on the subject's clothing. The streets were crowded with vendors displaying everything from skewered meat to hanging fruits. One stall boasted the city's best supplier of cloth; another claimed they stocked the best remedies for all sorts of ailments. She missed nothing from the children running underfoot to the pickpockets making their way through the crowd. Amanda stopped, marvelling at the man who juggled five daggers with ease. Laughing, Rispah dragged the girl away and back into the heart of the crowd.
"You'd think you'd never been to Market Day before the way you're acting." She commented as she deftly weaved in and out of throngs of people.
"Market Day at my university is slightly different to this." Amanda replied.
"An educated lass? His highness will take a liking to you. Now here we are." Rispah towed the woman through a set of doors. Inside, the room was filled with the noise that accompanies the lunch hour. Looking around Amanda took in the serving bar, the fireplace and raised platform near it, and the various corridors that diverted off the main room. Rispah led her down one of these and up a set of stairs to a closed door off the main hallway. Opening the door she led her into a small room that held a bed, a table and chair, and a smaller room that held a washbasin and rack.
"You can stay here until we get you back on your feet. I'll see to it that some clothes are brought your way. The privy is down the hall to the left and you saw the main hall. You can breakfast and dine there under my charge but you'll have to cover your own lunches. When you go for a meal just let Old Solom know that I'll pay for it later. Now his majesty will see you in an hour. Did you want to join me for lunch now, my cover today?"
"No thank you, I'll settle in here. Just one question...is this the Dancing Dove?" She asked hopefully, fingers crossed unseen behind her back.
"The very same. Be downstairs in an hour, we'll be by the fireplace." With that Rispah left the room, closing the door behind her. Amanda collapsed onto the bed and started giggling. Her wish had come true. Sighing she rolled out and looked over herself in the mirror. Her hair was a mess, and her makeup had run. Her clothes were a little crumpled and covered in dry dirt, which she was able to brush off. She emptied her bag on the bed and sorted through it. Her copy of the novel was intact so she placed it on her bedside table. She pushed aside her wallet and other rubbish and selected a hairbrush, pins and mascara. Returning to the mirror she looked at her reflection again. Humming quietly to herself she set to work brushing out the tangles as she prepared to meet the King of the Rogue.
