I want to thank all the people that reviewed with their wonderful ideas. And I'm using ideas from Mrs. Dom Masbolle, Crazy Cat Lady No.1, Esmeralda01 (loved your ideas), and Iggytheicyiguana. But to the rest, who did review, look for your ideas in later chapters. And to makeup for the short chapter last time, this chapter is going to befairly long.


Previously:

They came back to where Dom and Luc sat. Alanna announced. "Neal will no longer be the sole judge in this contest. I will also be a judge. The rules are fairly the same. With a few exceptions, first I will at anytime in the competition be able to over rule Neal. Second, you both need to forget most of the crap Neal told you. Third, you can't have any help in this competition. It's every man for himself. So everybody agrees?" Alanna paused for politeness' sake, but Luc didn't know. And he was about to say no when Alanna glared at him. The glare was the most evil thing every, it made little kids cry and kings squirm.

Luc knowing when he was about to lost a fight, held up his hands. Alanna continued, "So everybody agrees. Good. Now the first test will be……"


Chapter 9

"……saving Kel from a high place. I know what you thinking."

Neal interrupted, "That you're a crazy old hag."

Dom nearly busted out laughing from Neal's stupidity. What a meathead. What was he thinking? Luc who didn't know Alanna that well even knew that he was in big trouble. Neal didn't realize what he had said until he said it and gulped. He turned to look at Dom's sniggering face and Luc's face which clearly said you're dead and you dug your own hole. Finally he glanced at Alanna.

Alanna was glowing purple with anger. She said calmly. "Neal, I am going to finish talking with these boys then I'm going to go after you. I already warned you once that it would be unfortunate if the groom couldn't make it to his own wedding. I'm telling you hide and hide well, because you do want to go to your wedding in one piece right."

Neal ran for all that he was worth, and people that he pasted were asking what's that whimpering sound. Alanna chuckled evilly. Dom and Luc gave a nervous laugh before Alanna grabbed them.

The refugees, soldiers, and all were amused at the spectacle of the fiery Lady Knight dragging the warriors nearly a foot taller than her. Finally they arrived at Alanna's quarters. Dom thought that he had been in here entirely too many times for his liking. Luc thought what the hell have I gotten myself into.

Alanna started, "Okay, where was I before I was so rudely interrupted. Oh, yes the first task is to save Kel from a tall place. I think I know what you're thinking. How is Kel going to end up at a tall place? Well, that is not your concern. Your concern is to save Kel before your rival does. Also, Kel can not know about this competition. Got it?"

Dom and Luc nodded.

"Now I know you're excited so I'll arrange the task for tomorrow. So meet me at the watch tower at 9 am sharp. You can go now."

Both men sprinted away from the 5"2 knight as if she were evil personified. Dom said, "May the best man win."

Luc replied, "Good luck, you're going to need it."

Dom spitted out, "Stuff it, kitty-cat."

Luc glared at him. Then stalked off in the direction of the practice grounds. Dom turned around to head to his quarters, when he heard sniveling. Dom knowing that sound by heart knew who it was. "Alanna, I found Neal. He's hiding in the corner."

Alanna sprinted out of her room to find Neal. While Neal ran like a coward, but then again who wouldn't? "Come here my pretty. Come here, Nealan. I promise that I won't hurt you."

Dom laughed; at least something good had come out of this. Neal's screams intensified so much that they could be heard by the farmers out of the fort. Then, came silence. Finally, a evil chuckling could be heard. People everywhere started to get goose bumps when they heard that sound.

Owen and Merric bumped into Dom while he was making his way. Merric said gravely. "I never thought I'd see the day that Neal would be so demoralized. It's saddening. Even I would never wish her upon him."

Owen replied, "Well, I think it's kind of jolly. I mean Alanna isn't going to bother us. And I mean Neal had it coming to him. So what do ya say that we play some tricks and what not."

Dom responded. "Not now. But I'm sure the third is up to something for Raoul's wedding. I'm sure they'll let you in on the trick."

Owen and Merric went along their jolly way. While our blue-eyed sergeant was thinking about a certain hazel-eyed knight. And what he would do to get her love.


Kel woke the next morning at dawn feeling depressed. She felt like staying in bed today. Kel thought I mean why not? I deserve a rest day. So she snuggled into the pile of blankets to sleep the morning away. But unfortunately, Kel was woken up a short time later by banging.

Kel remember the last time somebody was banging on the door. And had the feeling that the person at this door would bring nothing but trouble. So she shouted. "Go away. I'm taking a day off."

The door started to glow purple. The door swung open and Alanna walked in like she did this everyday. Kel growled, "I told you to leave me alone."

Alanna paid no heed, and looked around at Kel's room. The room's décor was a mixture of Yamani and Tortall culture with weapons hanging up everywhere. The only thing that saved it from looking like a man's room was the bright array of colors and designs. "Nice room you have here."

"Thank you, but I must insist that you state your business and leave," said Kel with her Yamani calm.

"Oh no. The only way I leave is if you go with me. So the thing is that I want you to come with me to scout the surrounding area in the watch tower. Unless you're scared?" Alanna deliberately taunted Kel.

Kel got up from the bed and immediately started dressing. With in minutes, they were head up towards the watch tower. The clock struck 9 when they arrived. Luc and Dom were already there. Alanna discreetly winked at them. "Kel, why don't we look at the view from here."

Alanna had deliberately picked a part of the railing were it was old and rusted. Alanna started to talk. "Oh look….there….no there.…… what about there…. Maybe….. oh look over there." Gesturing wildly, Alanna ACCIDENTLY hit Kel towards the railing. They railing creaked under Kel's weight and gave way.


Dom and Luc were right there when it happened. They both reacted towards Kel, but trying to knock the other out of the way. Kel ignored their out stretched arms and pulled herself on to the platform again. Alanna mouthed to them to see her later. "Kel, are you alright? I'm sorry I knocked you off. Let's go back down. I'll make it up to you. But first I need to see your injuries."

Kel insisted that she was fine, but Alanna wouldn't hear of it. Kel went down the stairs first, and Alanna followed close behind. Except before she left, she gave Dom and Luc one last glare.

Luc turned towards Dom. "Didn't that go well?"

Dom replied, "I couldn't have hoped for a better outcome. I mean neither of us won the test and Kel didn't want our help. Alanna's going to kill us. So yeah it's going well."

Luc nodded. Against his best intentions to hate the guy, Luc could help but like Dom. And the feeling was returned. "Say, Dom. Why don't we get drunk?"

"Sounds like a hell out a plan. I'm in."

The two went about their way without any idea of what was in store for them.


Alanna finally put Kel back to bed to rest. She went in search of the two numbskulls that couldn't even do one thing right. She finally found Dom and Luc in one for the many bars that seemed to have set up over night. Steadfast had now become a blooming town.

Luc and Dom were drunk. Alanna dragged them back to her room where she threw water on them. Dom and Luc came out of there stupor to face Alanna. Before there could flee she shut the doors and windows. "Sit." They sat.

"Good. But that's about the only thing you did right. I mean I give you guys' one easy test and what do you do? You blow it. I set it up for you. For one of you to past the test, but does that happen. No."

They offered a weak sorry.

"Sorry isn't good enough. That's it, for punishment and to get you sober you're going to do a pie eating contest. And one of you better win. And when you're done with that report to me."

Dom and Luc left to sign up for the food contest. What else could they do, for Kel and for fear of Alanna. The man at the food sign up was a portly man with a Viking mustache. "Oh. How good it is for should strapping young men to sign up for the contest. Between you and me, these contest are lady attractors. I won one of these contest and I found my wife. Anyway, you two are just in time the contest starts now."

While Dom and Luc took their seats on the stage, the portly fellow that they had talked to early was announcing the rules and so on. Finally kitchen maids came out with the meat pies and begun the contest. Fairly soon it dwindled down the Luc, Dom, 2 other men, and 1 lady.

They were on their 9th pie when one of the men fell face forward into his pie and started to snore. The other man puked on his 12th pie. Dom then stopped for fear that he would burst. The lady and Luc had just finished their 15th pies, when it was announced that there was only one pie left. Luc waved frantically for it. The maid put it in between them.

They both reached for it. Luc got to it. Dom was ecstatic that Luc had gotten the pie. "I know you can do it Luc. Just eat that pie and we're free from Alanna."

Luc looked at the pie, then looked at his opponent. The lady was a slim attractive red head. She gave him a sad smile. The portly fellow announced the prize for winning the contest was 5 gold nobles. Finally Luc cut the pie in half and gave one half to the red head, who offered him a radiant smile.

The action causes people to aww. Dom fell to his knees and started to mumble. The two finished and were award their titles and prizes. Luc nobly gave the money to the red head. Dom said. "She gave you one smile and you give her half of your pie. Geez, I hate to think what would happen if she gave you more than a smile. I really want to hate you but I can't."

"Same here. So are you ready to face the wicked witch."

"As ready as I'll ever be."

"Then let's go."


The first test isn't finished. I have another part because it's too long. It's going to be good I promise. Review and I'llupdate faster.

ILoveIt09