p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN-US"I did it! I'm back again. If anyone is still reading this thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me. /span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Although they retired early Kel had a late night, consoling the worried princess and planning with Yuki after she fell asleep. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US""We have to do something! We can't leave her on her own."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"So Kel, Yuki, and Haname spent the night making plans. The next morning arrived too soon, as Kel, Sanna, V and Aron, began their morning spar. Warming up first and then slowly building up. Practicing with all of their weapons and then finally beginning to work with their swords. They had been magically dulled to prevent fatal injuries, although they were confident in their abilities, they weren't reckless. Mistakes happened even with trained warriors and they wanted to prevent any injuries./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The four moved in an intricate pattern as they spared, never staying in one spot for very long. Their swords became blurs, soon followed by their bodies. Sanna and Aron dropped out almost at the same time, letting Kel and V spar for real. Sanna and Aron began to work with knives and hand-to-hand. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Since the first time they spared both Kel and V had gotten drastically better. Trusting the others skill, they began to incorporate moves that in a battle they would never risk. The ground although quite smooth still was bound to have divots, one unlucky step by V was all it took for him to be on the ground and a sword resting at his neck. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The pair grinned as Kel pulled V up, brushing themselves of, they were surprised to notice a crowd had formed, and had begun to clap. The spectators lingered hoping for more action, but soon left as the group started to pack their stuff. A few stayed however, Yuki and Haname being two of them. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The other three were an interesting group, the two men towering over the much shorter red-head. The one on the left had dark black hair and eyes that gleamed in the light. His eyes were framed by feminine eyelashes. The man in the middle was a little bit shorter than his other companion yet still was a considerable height. His plain brown hair complemented his simple dress. His eyes were a hazel color that glinted with mischief. The woman in the middle, had royal purple eyes that contrasted her red hair. Her plain garb matched the two men's, and although the shortest of the bunch she radiated power. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Kel recognized the woman, how could she not, for the longest time that's all she wanted to be. Kel's friends also recognized the red head from all of Kel's stories. The man in the middle looked familiar to Kel yet she couldn't place it. The last man was also a victim of Kel's daydreaming, Raoul/spanspan lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Kel's face through all of this remained emotionless, showing no recognition. Yuki and Haname greeted their company and introduced the triad. /span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';""Sir Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau, Raoul of/spanspan lang="EN-US" Goldenlake and /spanspan lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Malorie's Peak, George Cooper of Pirate's Swoop may I present Ria Foster, Veronica Albescu, Farren and Lo Beckert. They are close friends of the princess and serve as translators if needed"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';"Kel and the group bowed in the traditional Yamani form, the Tortallan's followed their example. /span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';""Your skills are admirable for one so young" Raoul remarked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';"They nodded in acknowledgement and thanks. Alanna stepped forward and extended her hand Kel and V/span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';""I would love to spar with you in the future"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';"Kel shook her hand and tapped her hand on V's motioning him to do the same. In a split-second V followed Kel's lead and shook the lady knights hand bowing over it as he did. /span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';""We would be delighted lady knight"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';"They bowed and were led to their rooms for a bath. The trio left as well following Raoul to his quarters. Purple fire escaped the knight's fingertips the moment the door was closed. The three sat in silence for a moment, thoughts racing through their heads. George broke the science by sighing a sound soon replicated by the other two members in the room. /span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';""Who are they?" Alanna finally asked. It was the question that had brought them here. /span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';""They were introduced at court yesterday, yet they aren't nobles, even by Yamani standards. Translators…that doesn't make sense the princess spoke perfect Tortallan when we spoke last night, and seemingly has had no problems communicating since then." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';"George had no problems pocking holes in their stories. Having spent 9 years as the King of the Rouge, he learned to tell when people were lying to him. Since then stating a spy network that spread into Carthak and other neighboring nations, you learn a few things. /span/p
div style="mso-element: para-border-div; border: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"
p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"span lang="EN-US"Raoul nodded and added more points to their growing list of questions, surrounding the four friends./span/p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN-US"I feel bad so I won't end it there/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN-US" /span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The unsuspecting group bathed and redressed in more acceptable clothing, Kel and Sanna dressed in kimonos and the two cousins in traditional men's clothing. The four friends spent the rest of the day following the princess and her handmaids around. Despite the clothing all four of them had weapons hidden in sleeves, boots, and for Kel and Sanna fans gifted to them by the princess. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The day passed quite uneventful, which for the Yamani delegation was a relief, the second day was a success. That night the princess was invited to a private dinner with the King and Queen, that only Kel was able to attend, as she was the most Yamani acting and was close friends with Shinko. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Dinner was quite boring, as the tension between the prince and princess was evident in the air, Kel attempted to start a conversation with Shinko but failed. She didn't want to appear overzealous, so she refrained from commenting further. The queen held a conversation with Shinko, about learning to use a glaive and the king attempted to talk to his son. This left Kel to her own thoughts. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"This was the first time she had seen the people that had crushed her dreams. They were the reason she didn't want to be here. And although she had excepted and enjoyed her position now, it could never ignore the king's actions. His decree destroyed all hopes of equal treatment with knight training. It was unfair, and she could do nothing about it. But this was for another time, her role now was the most important and she couldn't be distracted by old wounds. She would think on it later. Desert was served and Shinko polity excused herself. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Kel lead the princess back to her rooms allowing her mind to clear. Laying restless in bed Kel decided to go on a walk. Although it was the middle of the night, it was by no means dark. Torches lighted every hall and corridor, she slipped out of her room and into the hallway careful not to wake her companions. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Her first stop was the stables, Kel had missed her horse. After spending years working with her, the distance felt weird, promising to return soon with treats she departed, promising herself to ride Kiah as soon as time allowed. Her walk continued through the winding corridors of the palace until she found herself in the pages wing. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The pain of what could have been was to much in one day, as Kel ran, she ran as far away as possible until she heard a cry of help. /span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US""No, please no!"/span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US""Scream as loud as you want bitch, the palace is asleep, no one will hear you"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN-US"Dun…dun…duh and yes, I'm going to be that mean. I hoped you enjoyed that chapter, it's a little longer than the last one. I don't know when I'll write next but hopefully soon. /span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN-US"If you have any ideas on characters or plot, please let me know I would love to hear feedback!/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN-US"See you soon :0/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Although they retired early Kel had a late night, consoling the worried princess and planning with Yuki after she fell asleep. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US""We have to do something! We can't leave her on her own."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"So Kel, Yuki, and Haname spent the night making plans. The next morning arrived too soon, as Kel, Sanna, V and Aron, began their morning spar. Warming up first and then slowly building up. Practicing with all of their weapons and then finally beginning to work with their swords. They had been magically dulled to prevent fatal injuries, although they were confident in their abilities, they weren't reckless. Mistakes happened even with trained warriors and they wanted to prevent any injuries./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The four moved in an intricate pattern as they spared, never staying in one spot for very long. Their swords became blurs, soon followed by their bodies. Sanna and Aron dropped out almost at the same time, letting Kel and V spar for real. Sanna and Aron began to work with knives and hand-to-hand. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Since the first time they spared both Kel and V had gotten drastically better. Trusting the others skill, they began to incorporate moves that in a battle they would never risk. The ground although quite smooth still was bound to have divots, one unlucky step by V was all it took for him to be on the ground and a sword resting at his neck. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The pair grinned as Kel pulled V up, brushing themselves of, they were surprised to notice a crowd had formed, and had begun to clap. The spectators lingered hoping for more action, but soon left as the group started to pack their stuff. A few stayed however, Yuki and Haname being two of them. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The other three were an interesting group, the two men towering over the much shorter red-head. The one on the left had dark black hair and eyes that gleamed in the light. His eyes were framed by feminine eyelashes. The man in the middle was a little bit shorter than his other companion yet still was a considerable height. His plain brown hair complemented his simple dress. His eyes were a hazel color that glinted with mischief. The woman in the middle, had royal purple eyes that contrasted her red hair. Her plain garb matched the two men's, and although the shortest of the bunch she radiated power. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Kel recognized the woman, how could she not, for the longest time that's all she wanted to be. Kel's friends also recognized the red head from all of Kel's stories. The man in the middle looked familiar to Kel yet she couldn't place it. The last man was also a victim of Kel's daydreaming, Raoul/spanspan lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Kel's face through all of this remained emotionless, showing no recognition. Yuki and Haname greeted their company and introduced the triad. /span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';""Sir Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau, Raoul of/spanspan lang="EN-US" Goldenlake and /spanspan lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Malorie's Peak, George Cooper of Pirate's Swoop may I present Ria Foster, Veronica Albescu, Farren and Lo Beckert. They are close friends of the princess and serve as translators if needed"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';"Kel and the group bowed in the traditional Yamani form, the Tortallan's followed their example. /span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';""Your skills are admirable for one so young" Raoul remarked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';"They nodded in acknowledgement and thanks. Alanna stepped forward and extended her hand Kel and V/span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';""I would love to spar with you in the future"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';"Kel shook her hand and tapped her hand on V's motioning him to do the same. In a split-second V followed Kel's lead and shook the lady knights hand bowing over it as he did. /span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';""We would be delighted lady knight"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';"They bowed and were led to their rooms for a bath. The trio left as well following Raoul to his quarters. Purple fire escaped the knight's fingertips the moment the door was closed. The three sat in silence for a moment, thoughts racing through their heads. George broke the science by sighing a sound soon replicated by the other two members in the room. /span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';""Who are they?" Alanna finally asked. It was the question that had brought them here. /span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';""They were introduced at court yesterday, yet they aren't nobles, even by Yamani standards. Translators…that doesn't make sense the princess spoke perfect Tortallan when we spoke last night, and seemingly has had no problems communicating since then." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New';"George had no problems pocking holes in their stories. Having spent 9 years as the King of the Rouge, he learned to tell when people were lying to him. Since then stating a spy network that spread into Carthak and other neighboring nations, you learn a few things. /span/p
div style="mso-element: para-border-div; border: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"
p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"span lang="EN-US"Raoul nodded and added more points to their growing list of questions, surrounding the four friends./span/p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN-US"I feel bad so I won't end it there/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN-US" /span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The unsuspecting group bathed and redressed in more acceptable clothing, Kel and Sanna dressed in kimonos and the two cousins in traditional men's clothing. The four friends spent the rest of the day following the princess and her handmaids around. Despite the clothing all four of them had weapons hidden in sleeves, boots, and for Kel and Sanna fans gifted to them by the princess. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The day passed quite uneventful, which for the Yamani delegation was a relief, the second day was a success. That night the princess was invited to a private dinner with the King and Queen, that only Kel was able to attend, as she was the most Yamani acting and was close friends with Shinko. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Dinner was quite boring, as the tension between the prince and princess was evident in the air, Kel attempted to start a conversation with Shinko but failed. She didn't want to appear overzealous, so she refrained from commenting further. The queen held a conversation with Shinko, about learning to use a glaive and the king attempted to talk to his son. This left Kel to her own thoughts. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"This was the first time she had seen the people that had crushed her dreams. They were the reason she didn't want to be here. And although she had excepted and enjoyed her position now, it could never ignore the king's actions. His decree destroyed all hopes of equal treatment with knight training. It was unfair, and she could do nothing about it. But this was for another time, her role now was the most important and she couldn't be distracted by old wounds. She would think on it later. Desert was served and Shinko polity excused herself. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Kel lead the princess back to her rooms allowing her mind to clear. Laying restless in bed Kel decided to go on a walk. Although it was the middle of the night, it was by no means dark. Torches lighted every hall and corridor, she slipped out of her room and into the hallway careful not to wake her companions. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Her first stop was the stables, Kel had missed her horse. After spending years working with her, the distance felt weird, promising to return soon with treats she departed, promising herself to ride Kiah as soon as time allowed. Her walk continued through the winding corridors of the palace until she found herself in the pages wing. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The pain of what could have been was to much in one day, as Kel ran, she ran as far away as possible until she heard a cry of help. /span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US""No, please no!"/span/p
p class="Dialogue"span lang="EN-US""Scream as loud as you want bitch, the palace is asleep, no one will hear you"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN-US"Dun…dun…duh and yes, I'm going to be that mean. I hoped you enjoyed that chapter, it's a little longer than the last one. I don't know when I'll write next but hopefully soon. /span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN-US"If you have any ideas on characters or plot, please let me know I would love to hear feedback!/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN-US"See you soon :0/span/strong/p