Chapter Eleven: Disgraced!

The party of riders had spent the past week or so traveling, and were recently out of the desert. The group was coming up on Port Legann, which wasn't far from Pirate's Swoop. They were currently in a small town, trying to find an inn to stay at, as the sun was going down. Nicholas turned to Carly

"Hey Carly" Nicholas said "Do you think we are far enough away from the tribes that it would be alright if we...went back to our old habits?"

Carly had a pretty good idea as to why he was asking her this question "Yes" she said "We left the desert two days ago"

"Finally!" Nicholas said. He grabbed the reins of Kirsten's horse, pulled her in close to her, and kissed her. Caden did the same with Kaiya.

Carly bit back laughing when she saw the looks on Shakil and Zahara's faces. Nicholas and Kirsten soon broke apart, as did Caden and Kaiya.

"They kissed...in public!" Shakil said "And your sisters seem pleased! It is dishonorable for women and men to touch in public. It is disgraceful!

Carly bit back a smile

"What is amusing, Carly? You're sisters are being disgraced right before your eyes" Zahara said

"Shakil, Zahara, we're not among the Bazhir anymore. It isn't considered disgraceful for men and women to touch and kiss in public. In fact, it is quiet common.

"Common?" Shakil said, his eyes wide

"Well...yes" Carly said

"You see" Kirsten said "Outside of the desert, it is considered wrong by some if you don't touch the man or woman you are in love with...as long as you are in a relationship with them"

"It is?" Shakil and Zahara asked

"Yes" Kaiya said "Caden and I are getting married, and at the wedding, we will be kissing. In front of everyone"

"Everyone?" Zahara asked

"Everyone" Caden said "And we will do so proudly"

Shakil turned to Carly "If I was to kiss you now-"

"-It would be totally and completely acceptable" Carly finished

Shakil reached out for the reins of Hasana, pulling Carly close. He leaned over to kissed her, but swiftly broke away before he was even a inch away from her lips.

"I'm sorry. I just don't feel right. I feel like I am disgracing you"

Carly gave him a smile "That is fine. I understand completely. Just because my sisters show their love in public, doesn't mean we have to."

"Are you sure you don't mind? I can try again if you-"

Carly shook her head "It will make the times you do kiss me or hold me all the more special, because we'll be alone"

Shakil smiled at her "Thank you"


Caden and Kaiya focused on each other while Kirsten and Nicholas focused on each other. This left Carly, Zahara, and Shakil to focus on the map and finding them an inn or tavern to spend the night in.

Many young men were eager when Carly stopped the group to ask if they knew of a good inn to stay at. However, they were more interested in flirting with Zahara then helping Carly.

"Why do the boys keep stopping to talk to only me?" Zahara asked

"Because you are beautiful" Carly said "They see very few full Bazhir women, and you are one of the more beautiful women. Also, boys here like a little mystery, and your veil gives you that sense of mystery."

Kirsten finally started paying attention "Then let's put it to use. The next time we stop to ask for an inn, Zahara asks

They didn't have to wait long. A boy soon came over to flirt with Zahara. She asked him about a place where the group could stay, and he personally led them to a great little inn with plenty of rooms available at a reasonable price


"How many beds do you have in each room?" Kaiya asked the innkeeper as they were checking in.

We place two beds in each room, but if you wish, for a small extra fee, you can have a mattress brought up to a room" the innkeeper said

Nicholas, Caden, and Shakil had left Kirsten, Carly, and Zahara to supervise the stable hands dealing with their mounts and some of the other workers handling the baggage.

Kaiya turned to the guys "Would one of you mind sleeping on a mattress, rather than a bed?"

"I can sleep on a mattress" Shakil said "I don't mind"

"Three rooms right by each other please. And have one of the rooms have a mattress brought up to it" Kaiya said

"How long will you be staying?" the innkeeper asked

"Just tonight. We're headed to Pirate's Swoop" Kaiya said. The innkeeper told her how much the rooms would cost, and how much extra the mattress was. Kaiya agreed the price was very reasonable, and paid the man.

After everything was unpacked, the group went down to dinner. There were some serving boys, stable hands, and other young male workers who flirted with Zahara, Carly, Kaiya, and Kirsten. Zahara slid away from the attention, and tried to disappear. Kirsten didn't get a chance to respond, because Nicholas grabbed her hand, showing off the engagement ring on her finger, saying "See the ring? She's taken". With Kaiya, Caden wrapped and arm around her, and the men backed off, seeing he was in very good shape. Carly just ignored the flirting and gave the flirters no attention at all. The flirters quickly were bored by her, and left.

A few serving girls and maids came and flirted with the three guys. Shakil just politely turned the girls down, saying he already had a lady, and he was perfectly happy with her. When girls flirted with Caden, he played along for a bit until Kaiya grew tired of his games and hit him. Then, he quickly told the girls he wasn't available. Nicholas didn't get a chance to react to the flirting, because Kirsten flashed her ring in their faces while saying "See the ring? He gave it to me. So go away"

Eventually, the innkeeper came over and told both the male and female workers if they didn't get back to work, they would be fired. There was no flirting from the inn's staff after that.

Once they were done with their dinner, drinks, and dessert, they spent a little while talking

"Zahara, you have to get use to the flirting. Boys will find you attractive, and they will want to get you flirting back with them"

"But I am not use to men coming up to me and flirting with me!" Zahara protested "And I know nothing about how to flirt back with them!"

Kirsten stretched her hand across the table, and patted Zahara's hand gently "Meet us in the room Kaiya and I are sharing once we go back upstairs. While the men find a way-that doesn't involve girls- to keep themselves busy, Kaiya, Carly, and I will give you some serious flirting lessons"

"Believe me" Kaiya said "You'll need them. Boys in the Riders flirt like crazy. Especially when you are a training with them. I can also tell you the usual pick-up lines they try, and teach you a way to reject them without crushing their spirits too much"


Attention, Reviewers!

Due to the fact that I was just writing about them, I am asking for pick-up lines! And I mean the cheesy pick-up lines! If you have heard them on TV, received them, given them, or heard a friend talk about them, I want to hear them! Or, you can make up a special pick-up line just for this story Do that, and you might see your pick-up line in later chapters!


Review Reply

ElvenPrincess69: I am glad you liked the chapter. I just wrote the part when Shakil asks for permission, and it was fun to write it. However, you all have a few chapters to go until you see that part. Yeah, Three cheers for Carly's demons! Hip-hip Horray! Hip-hip Horray! Hip-hip Horray!

dares to dream: Yeah, there is no Wizard of Oz in this story, and I think that might be just a little TOO much Randomness to work in. Don't ever apologize for being in a crazy mood. My motto is this: "In order to be fun, you must be crazy. All normal people are too boring." I actually wrote in the whole 'of this hadn't happened...' bit on a whim, so I am glad you enjoyed it. You are part of a long line of people who are waiting for Dom and Kel's reaction, and I'll tell you what I told them...you have a few more chapters to go before you see that!

inktounge58: I'm glad it was a good explanation. Yes, Yeah for Zahara and Shakil! As to is Zahara going to get rid of her viel and Shakil's reaction to northern customs, you have to wait. You also have to wait for Dom's reaction.

xxTunstall Chickxx: Thanks! All I will tell you about Raoul and DOm's part in Shakil asking to court Carly is that I was just writing that chapter (you have a few chapters before it, sorry!) But I had so much fun writing it! I can't wait until it is time to post it. I know that makes you want that chapter even more, and that makes me evil, so insert evil laugh here I am glad you weren't expecting Zahara to be a rider. I love it when I can surprise me readers.

middnightblue33: I am glad you liked the chapter! Thanks for reviewing

spazzysassyangel: Thanks!