The Chronicles of the Disreputable Dog
Disclaimer:
I own only those that sound unfamiliar, the rest belong to Garth Nix and his brilliant mindWarnings:
Infatuation"That is the Wallmaker relict, or their last creation, or their child…"-Abhorsen on Mogget from Sabriel pg. 372 paperback edition.
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Part One:
Seven MeetingsChapter Seven: Northwards to the Mansions of Aunden
It was utterly silent when Kibeth's eyes opened. The room was silent and dark. What time is it? She asked herself. She suspected it was near dawn as a glimmer of light could be seen through her thick forest green curtains. She sighed and blinked slowly trying to shake away her weariness.
To early for the living souls to roam she concluded gruffly and fell back hard on the pillow. But her exhaustion made her head a little light and instead of landing on her pillow her head fell on the wood of the bed. Whoever did not sleep at this time would have heard a loud thunk and a high-pitched yelp.
"Blast," she snarled rubbing her head, now fully awake to her distaste. "How in Hell did that get there?" Kibeth growled and glared at the innocent headboard.
She approached lying down once more and successively made it to her silk pillow without another bump. Kibeth closed her eyes and prayed to the Charter for sleep to take her.
It was silent and she was near to unconsciousness, until a chirp came from outside. Then another chirp; and another. And it seemed to Kibeth that fate didn't care much for her and sent, instead of sleep, a serenade of sparrows and other songbirds she did not care to name. Kibeth's eyes shot open and her body sprang up, fully awake. Now what? It asked her, waiting for her command. Kibeth was about to cast a spell of sleep on herself in zero point five seconds but thought wiser, as she probably wouldn't wake up for a good long while.
Kibeth whimpered like a child and walked to her boots. Stuffing them on crankily and heading for her door. She turned the knob and looked to the side at a mirror. Her eyes were grumpy with the lack of comforting sleep and her hair. Well, her hair didn't look all the greatest. She growled angrily and combed her hair with her fingers quickly pulling the knots in her haste, which caused her to flinch, then tied it up in an acceptable bun with a black ribbon almost invisible in her equally black hair.
To her surprise as she reached the bottom of the stairs, quite a few travelers were awake. Talking quietly to one another, to tired to make an effort in their conversations to speak loud enough.
Kibeth closed her eyes slowly and opened them, still wondering why she was down here in the first place and sat at the bar tapping her fingernails to the wood.
"Can I get you something miss?" It was the same girl as before. Her blue eyes were soft and innocent. Her falling golden curls gave her a timid maiden look from a fairy tale; just waiting for her prince to rescue her.
"Just water, thank you," Kibeth replied lazily, laying her cheek in her palm staring into oblivion as the girl retrieved her water.
The maiden set the goblet down in front of her and smiled nervously. Kibeth smiled in return and sipped her water, the cold sensation flooding her warm tongue and throat.
The maiden was still watching her. "Umm," Kibeth mumbled, she didn't want to be rude.
"I'm sorry," the maiden stuttered nervously. "I'm so terribly rude, my name is Mirelle, I was wondering…are you a traveler?" Mirelle was blushing furiously, she must be extremely young; around seventeen or sixteen.
Most people that do come here child are, indeed, travelers.
She thought. "I am,"Mirelle fluttered her doll-like lashes in embarrassment and looked down. "What about that man from before, is he from here, or does he travel with you?"
Kibeth's eyebrows rose in amusement and said, "You are quite taken with him aren't you?" A smile curled on Kibeth's lips as she watched the girl blush even more. She was use to this. Belgaer was a very handsome man, and had a lot of female admirers. Saraneth had the same problem, as the Abhorsen, he had many darling youths infatuated with him.
"Well, uh… I-I" Mirelle sputtered shyly. Kibeth broke out in an even broader grin. "Yes, I am." She said quietly. "You were lying when you said he was your concubine. I know it. You're too beautiful to need a concubine. So please tell me, is he your lover?"
Kibeth was taken aback at her bold words. She didn't think the petite doll was capable of such courage. "That's quite a personal question Mirelle," Kibeth said blinking.
More people were spilling into the tavern, and the volume went up a bit. Kibeth waited for Mirelle's answer but saw that her gaze was elsewhere. She followed her eyes and turned around.
"Kibeth," Belgaer had woken up and was garbed in his usual fashion of dark breeches and equally dark boots and a shirt. His black cloak was in hand and he walked towards Kibeth in his unbearable strides right to her side.
"My love," he whispered. "Ranna is waiting outside the town with horses, come." His hand massaged her shoulder as he spoke. Kibeth glanced at Mirelle and a stab of sorrow hit her, she was absolutely smitten. Kibeth nodded, and decided that Mirelle will forget about Belgaer and find someone else. It was only a childish obsession after all.
"Let's go." They walked out of the tavern, excusing themselves past the flooded tables, Kibeth did not look back.
"Ranna had to leave earlier, didn't want to attract too much attention, it's not often the King of Belisaere walks in Chasel. Anyway, we are heading for Mt. Aunden still; Saraneth will be there along with Mosrael…hopefully." Belgaer turned his attention to the streets in front of him. Chasel was a town right by the river; many merchants and peddlers were already setting up their vendors providing fresh fish and other useful things.
"Why Mt. Aunden? Why not Saraneth's house? Surely Astarael would not want to take her child. It's far to dangerous, even if they are both skilled with the bells," Kibeth asked curiously.
"The child is old enough to stay in the house by himself. I visited him just a couple of months ago, he was seven years old, he should now be eight. I missed his birthday, again." Belgaer said all this quietly, his dark eyes to the ground as he walked.
"You still must be very proud of him." Kibeth smiled against the sorrow she wished to show, her previous questions could wait.
Belgaer chuckled as he drew his cloak around him and said, "Lets just say Yrael takes after me more than Astarael. Actually, he probably has his own entirely different personality compared to Astarael and I." He mused.
"Yrael will help you finish the Wall when he is older then?" Kibeth asked curiously kicking a small pebble with her boot as she walked.
"If he has skill in creation and craftsmanship," a grin formed on Belgaer's face as he continued. "I don't think he will though. He should have started young; he'll probably just follow in his mother's footsteps. But I will need an heir to help me with the Wall and fellow Wallmakers, to succeed after me." His eyes sparkled as he grinned at her.
Kibeth laughed and nudged his shoulder with her fist. "I will have no children this year Belgaer, Lord of the Wallmakers," Belgaer grabbed her shoulders and held her playfully, his nose touching hers as Kibeth continued, "Not now, maybe in a couple years…if I love you enough." She concluded in jest. He smiled broadly and his breath came warmly on her cheeks. Belgaer placed a kiss on her lips, and smiled again. He sighed as he let go of her and they continued walking to the approaching gates of the village where Ranna awaited them.
"Bear me a child when you will my dear, I love you still." Belgaer finished as he laced his fingers in hers.
Ranna sat atop a mighty white mare polishing his sword with an old rag. He wore his deep red cloak and an equally red tunic with brown leggings. His golden head was bowed as he sat, eager in his work at hand, he did not notice them approach.
"Horses?" Kibeth said in disgust.
"Yes, horses." Belgaer confirmed, Ranna had heard them and sheathed his sword in its scabbard, his blue eyes following the couple.
"I forgot you don't like horses Kibeth," Ranna said in his naturally sweet tone.
"It's not that I don't like them," Kibeth eyed her chestnut steed with a weary stare, "I just think I can make just as fine progress walking with my own two legs rather than rely on a large beast like a horse."
Ranna smiled. "You won't be saying that when we leave you here because of your stubbornness."
Kibeth glared at Ranna as she pet the horse at her side. Its breathing was steady and comfortable under her hand. She stroked the mane and twirled it in her fingers.
Belgaer mounted already and said, "Very well Kibeth we'll meet you at Mt. Aunden in about two weeks, as opposed to riding which will only take about two days."
Kibeth rolled her eyes and reluctantly mounted her stallion. Grumbling and mumbling like her normal self.
"Lovely," Ranna said as he dug his heels into the white mare's sides. The horse spurred into action as it galloped off followed by Belgaer and the unwilling Kibeth.
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It was dusk when they reached the mountain range of Aunden; Mt. Aunden being only a day and a half away. "We have to leave the horses here, we cannot take them in the mountains." Ranna declared as he dismounted and directed his faithful mare back. Kibeth and Belgaer did the same and looked at the paths ahead of them.
"I don't like hiking." Belgaer complained flatly.
"And I don't like horses, but I had to ride anyway." Kibeth snapped.
Ranna smiled. "Well, I don't mind either so let us go already, for I want to just get there."
They began to hike the rocky path, the sun departed and the moon's luminous glow lit their path fairly. They didn't need to stop often, for their strength was long and endurance great. Kibeth didn't mind walking, in fact she preferred it to riding; but she had to admit that the boredom was endless when walking long distances.
"Should we camp and reach Aunden in the evening? Or continue through the night and reach the mansions at dawn?" Ranna asked curiously scanning the fields of mountains before the company of three.
"I think it would be best to camp. I do not know these paths well enough to trust my steps. We might lead ourselves off a cliff. I don't have the bright gaze of Ranna." Belgaer informed as he let off the burden of his pack.
"I agree, after all, I am tired." Ranna said with a yawn as he too discarded his pack.
Kibeth blinked slowly, she was tired. She walked slowly over to Ranna and Belgaer's side and disposed her pack to the side. The rocks under her boots made her feet sore. As soon as she reached the mansions of Mt. Aunden, she decided, she was going to take a hot, well-deserved, much needed, bath. Belgaer was already sitting his back propped up on the side of cliff and he sighed. Ranna sat and hummed as he always did. A comfortable, sweet tune, she felt Charter marks of in his voice. Charter marks of sleep and rest. Kibeth never knew if he did it on purpose or if his gentle voice uttered the marks without his knowing. His melody ceased and Kibeth's eyes shot open without her knowing.
"Sit down Kibeth; you look troubled." Ranna said tenderly. She looked at the duo that sat at her sides. Ranna was looking at her with his bright eyes and Belgaer was just staring into the dark void of the valley before them, he looked vexed.
"Sorry," Kibeth said quietly as she sat next to Belgaer, leaning against him for warmth. His arm found its way around her and brought her closer, stroking her cheek as Ranna started a new tune. That's when Belgaer's nuzzled his face to hers and spoke in a hushed whisper, "Sleep well tonight my love." He set a warm and affectionate kiss on her temple and buried his nose into her hair.
Kibeth's eyes wandered to Ranna, who lay on the ground looking up at the stars singing softly as he gazed by himself. Why was his heart so light? Does he ever feel anger, regret, and sorrow? Kibeth of course knew he had to feel those things. He was a human being. She loved him in a way she couldn't describe. She loved Saraneth for his strength, Mosrael for her wisdom, Astarael for her good intentions, Dyrim for his high spirits, and Belgaer for his returned love. Ranna was a mystery; did she love him as she would a sibling? No. She felt content in his embrace not proud and brave. Ranna stared back at her, how long had their gaze met and stayed? She asked herself. Ranna smiled his pure and sweet smile, almost noble and winked at her. Kibeth couldn't help but let her mouth curve upwards.
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A/N:
Whee! Long chapter-ish. I hope you wonderful reviewers liked it! Sorry for the delay, I had many end of school year events to brush up on. Holidays are here! You know what that means? Why, it means more updates! Read and review mine and I'll read and review yours! When time is available…