All of you people saying, "I thought NessieandJake4ver wrote this story." You're right. I changed my name so that it goes with Tamora Pierce's stories.

Okay peoples. I am really sorry this is so late but my beta is too busy and after waiting for days I received an email telling me to find a new beta. Anyway. If any of you would like to beta this story, I need help with plot and canon. For now, here's chapter 3.

Thank you to everyone that reviewed, it really helps me write.

*wakes up from a 10 year coma* Am I Tamora Pierce?

No you're Bex.

Shoot. *goes back into coma*

Chapter 3

As I wandered followed the twists and turns of the Lower City streets, I thought about what I was going to do. I had to get an audience with the King and Queen. I wandered through the streets and looked at the signs around me. Thinking that someone might help me, I headed into a bar named The Dancing Dove. The bar was crowded with boisterous men drinking ale. I walked through the crowd to the bar. I asked the man standing there whom the person in charge was and he looked me up and down. "Depends on whose asking."

I paused, I couldn't just say, Nellie. I had to respond. The first name that came to mind was Luc's. "Nellie of Pirates' Swoop."

To say his brow rose would be an understatement. His brows disappeared into his hairline. He frowned and grabbed my arm. He pulled me with him as he headed up the stairs and through a door to a dark room. He dropped my arm and bowed. "George. This girl here claims to go by the name Nellie of Pirates' Swoop. D'ya want me to get rid of her?"

A voice came from the shadows. "No. Leave her here. I'll deal with her."

The man left and another man came from the shadows. He had messy hair and bright hazel eyes that seemed to notice everything around him. He leaned against the table that stood in front of me. He stared at me with unblinking eyes and I started to fidget. Finally he spoke. "Where did you hear that name?"

I jumped. "It's my name sir."

His fist hit the side of my face. I felt my brow split and blood trickled down my cheek. "I know you're lying girl. Where'd you hear that name?"

My chin rose, I wouldn't let him see how scared I was. "I told you already. If you didn't hear me, get your ears checked. Now unless you have an actual reason for my being here, I'll be on my way." He blocked the door. I scowled at him. "Why do you care about the stupid name anyway? You know what if you'll let me go I'll tell you." He nodded so I continued. "It's not my name. I traveled from Galla with a guy and that's his name. Ok? Can I go now?"

He didn't move from the door. "What was this guy's name?"

I rolled my eyes. "Luc of Pirates' Swoop. Can I go now?"

"How did you meet Luc?"

"Like I'd tell you." I scoffed. How stupid did this guy think I was?

He stepped aside to let me through the door but grabbed my arm. "Next time you go into an area that you don't know, don't use an actual person's name. Someone might know the person."

I smirked at him. "Next time you meet with someone you don't know, don't carry thirteen concealed weapons under your clothes. Someone might be able to sense them." I traced the almost invisible line of a dagger on his forearm. His shocked expression followed me as I walked down the stairs and out the door onto the street.

I made my way to an alley. I leaned against the wall and wiped my brow with a strip I tore from my tunic. I had been dabbing at the cut for about ten minutes when I saw a figure approach me. When I looked at the face, I recognized Luc. His eyes were full of concern. He took the cloth from where it was pressed to my brow and gasped. "What happened to you?"

I laughed bitterly. "I made a new friend."

"I'm serious. Who did this?"

"I went into a building to ask for help and the people there didn't take a liking to me." I looked down in shame.

"What was the name of the place?"

"The Dancing Dove."

At his sharp intake of breath, I glanced up. His face showed anger, though at whom I was not sure. He stood up suddenly and his fists clenched. My breath caught in my throat. What was he gonna do? "I'm sorry. I must go. I will see you around." His voice was tight and soon he was running off to god knows where.

My cut clean, I continue exploring the labyrinth that was Corus. I walked through a busy market with stalls on each side. Some stalls sold ornate objects that had no obvious purpose but others sold useful things like food and clothes. Looking down at my travel worn clothes that were out of place in this extensive city, I headed over to a pleasant looking woman selling women's clothes. I smiled. "Hello. My name is Nellie. What is your name?"

She grinned, "Nellie's a fine name for a pretty lass like thee. Name's Lorenia Kensley. What can I offer you on this fine day?"

I looked over what she had. Looking up I asked, "What is the best quality you have for a small sum?"

She smiled and picked out a black tunic with green hem and a pair of green leggings. The green matched my eyes and yet it was a simple outfit, not overly extravagant like some of the other outfits offered in the stalls adjacent to Lorenia's small booth. "I love it! I need three tunics and two pairs of leggings. Please."

She tsked at me. "Young girl like you needs plenty of outfits to attract the young gentlemen. I have much more that would suit you." She held up a bunch of tunics and leggings. I had to admit. They looked good.

"I don't know. I really don't need that many." My resolve wavered. "Maybe just one more outfit."

She laughed. "Of course. Now. I can hem these to fit you. It's only a copper per item more." For the next hour I was measured and cloth was pinned. "Now. This will take a while to complete. I can deliver it to your house. Where do you live?"

I looked down. "Nowhere."

She took pity on me and allowed me to stay with her in her small home with her for the night. The next day I thanked her and left. Before I headed out onto the street she hugged me. "You're welcome here anytime."

I headed out the door thinking of how lucky I was to have found a friend in Lorenia. Heading back into the busy portion of the city, I admired my new outfit. The black of my hair blended with the tunic, making Auntie's feather stand out. I spun in a circle and laughed freely, not caring what the people around me thought of me. A figure stood towards the side of the crowd watching me. I walked over. "Hello Luc. How are you?"

He looked me over and a wide smile spread over his face. "It suits you." He shook his head. "I am well. How are you? Your brow seems better."

"Yes thank you for helping me. Where did you have to go so suddenly?" His face darkened and I quickly added, "If you don't mind my asking."

He scowled. "The Dancing Dove."

I gasped. "Why would you go there?"

He looked down at me apologetically. "George is sorry for jumping to conclusions. You see, I know him and he thought that you were a threat to me. I explained things and he sends his deepest apologies."

I scowled and fingered the still sore cut on my brow. "Tell him I don't accept. How am I to look presentable when I look like I came from a bar brawl? How do you know George anyway?"

Luc paused then continued, "Friend of a friend. We became close friends."

I was confused. "There seems to be too much of an age difference for you to be close friends."

Smirking, Luc started walking, forcing me to follow. "A lot of people assume that."

I shook my head and grinned. Luc glanced over at me. "So George says you could tell how many weapons he had with him. Did you really or is he lying to me?"

I grinned widely. "You have six knifes hidden under your clothes."

Mouth agape, Luc stared at me. "How did you do that?"

I smirked. "Why should I tell you?"

He scowled at me then looked at the position of the sun. "I have to go. I'm late."

He left and I continued walking. I wandered through the city for hours before heading to the market that evening. I heard a commotion ahead. A horse was rearing with an old woman on its back. She fell off and landed a few feet away with a sickening crunch. A young child ran towards her. "Mama!" She shook the woman's shoulders. "Wake up mama!"

The horse ran off and crowd blocked my view. Suddenly I saw the girl get pushed to the side. She looked around and sat against a nearby wall. I walked closer to her and heard her whisper, "Mama's fine. I'll wake up and she'll be ok. I'm sleeping."

She looked to be around ten years old. She wouldn't survive alone in the city. I looked back to the crowd surrounding the body then back to the girl. I sat down next to her; she didn't even look up from where she was staring at her lap. A single tear slid down her cheek and she looked up at me. "She's gone isn't she?" I nodded. "I'm sorry."

She threw herself into my lap and started sobbing. I held her for hours as she cried herself dry. Soon it was getting dark. I set the girl down and stood up. The girl followed me down the street. I looked down at her. "Where's your father?"

"He left two years ago."

That left me with a problem. As little as I wanted to be responsible for a child, I couldn't leave her by herself. If I figured out where she lived, I could find someone to take her. "Where do you live? I'll take you home."

She led me through the worst part of the city to a small building that was falling apart. This was no place to leave a young girl. I had to take her with me. I helped her gather the little she had, and then I led her away. We were soon at Lorenia's. I knocked on the door and was greeted by a warm smile for me and a worried glance for the girl hiding behind me. I quickly explained. "I was walking through the marked when I saw a woman get killed by her horse. This is her daughter; she doesn't have anyone. Her name is…" I realized I didn't know her name. "What is your name?"

"Adeline. Addie."

Lorenia crouched down and looked at Addie, "How old are you?" Holding up seven fingers, Addie hid shyly behind me. "Seven? Well Addie, would you like to stay with me?" Addie shook her head frantically and grabbed my arm. "Would you like to stay with Nellie?"

Grinning widely, Addie nodded her head. "Yes." She looked up at me. "Can I?"

I looked helplessly at Lorenia who simply smiled at me. I nodded. "Of course you can." I hope I don't regret this.

This is shorter than chapter 2 but it seemed like a good stopping point. I don't really know where Addie came from and I don't know where she's going but I was just randomly writing stuff and she appeared.

At the moment I have a bad case of writer's block… I'm also staying with my grandparents who have every second of every day planned. Therefore, I have no idea what I am going to do for chapter 4. If you have an idea review or pm me and I will possibly use it.

As always, REVIEW!

-AmethystEyes0