Ch. 20
AN: Whew! I know I was supposed to have this out….2 or 3 days ago, but I got caught up in taking the ACT and other such shit. Sorry a/b that. Also, swimfreak, I really wish you would update your story more often. I miss it. Finally made it to 20! And to the BALL! Here you go, Liz D! what you've been waiting for! Of course, I think I'll dedicate this chapter to Liz D, b/c you're the one that's been so excited a/b this chapter. Minute Maid, you can have the next chapter. Maybe they'll get drunk, b/c it'll be chapter 21! Legal drinking age… at any rate, here we go:
Briar squeezed Sandry's hand slightly. They could hear the fanfare from the trumpets. This would be when everyone heard that she was Empress. Where was the announcement?
"Announcing: Lady Sandrilene fa Toren, Duchess of Emelan, Baroness of Summersea, Viscountess of Statdel, and Empress of Namorn!" a gasp ran through the crowd at the last title. This was her cue. Briar offered her his arm, and she took it. They shared a quick smile, and went down the stairs together.
Tris was in the midst of a very wobbly curtsy when Sandry came down the stairs. She lifted her head to get a peek at her dress. 'If I wasn't so in love with that Neal guy, I would fall in love with her right now! If I wasn't straight.' she thought to herself. Sandry certainly looked like royalty. 'Wait, she is royalty! She's more important than the Duke, even, I guess, more important than the King and Queen of Tortall. She's the Empress of Namorn!' Tris shook her head slightly at this realization. Sandry, her childhood friend, was a world power.
Daja, also, was in the midst of a curtsy, but hers was slightly more stable. She glanced at the train of Sandry's dress as she passed on her way to her seat. Daja smiled at the excellent silver work. That was her own creation, and she was proud. If only the Lioness would let her make her a new suit of armor, then Daja would be a smith in her own right!
Sandry stepped up to the raised area where she was to be sitting with the Duke. She turned, curtsied perfectly at everyone bowed, and sat down. Her eyes followed Briar's figure back to the buffet. She smiled; of course he would go for the food! Her eyes expertly scanned the crowd. There he was, the boy from the bees! Who was he? Her eyes narrowed in concentration, trying to place him. Wait, she knew him. 'It was somewhere else that we met, not here. Was it in Statdel? No, not there. Agar! We met in Agar! Three summers ago? Was it really that long ago? Yes, that's when it was.' She thought hard, why would he be here? She watched him step behind a potted plant. She mindspoke to Briar:
::Briar. Behind the potted plant, see what he's up to.::
::Sure thing, `Drie.:: Briar stepped stealthily behind the plant. The boy, or was he a man? had something in the palm of his outstretched hand. A bubble. ::Maybe a speaking spell?:: Briar asked Sandry. ::He's saying something…:: A figure bumped into his. Daine, the wildmage, was standing next to him.
"Excuse me, Daine? I've heard you can change just parts of yourself, into that of animals. Is this true?" Seeing her nod, he continued, "Could you change your ears into a cat's? Lady Sandry wanted me to listen to what this young'un was saying, only I can't make it out." She assented, and Briar saw her ears get fuzzy, then furry, then pointed. She quickly whispered everything that was being said to Briar. He passed it along to Sandry.
::Five guards at each door. I think, money wise, the Duke is doing well. We all know his niece is. The army is pitiful. We shall have no trouble, my lord, defeating this pitiful country.:: Sandry shuddered at the words. Briar quickly pushed his way through the crowd to Sandry.
"Care to dance, Sandry?" He asked, holding out a hand. She accepted it gratefully, and motioned to the orchestra for a waltz.
"This isn't good Briar. He's from Agar. His name is…something like Xangshe Parr, I think. Briar, I don't want to have him arrested here, at my ball, but—" Someone tapped on her shoulder.
"May I cut in?" it was Neal. His words were slightly slurred. No doubt he had been taking advantage of the excellent wine cellar her Uncle kept here. Briar, unsure as to whether or not he had a choice, hesitated slightly, but saw Sandry nod yes, and he acquiesced. Neal clamped his hand over hers, and drew her closer to him. His fingers dug into her skin.
"Neal, you're holding me a bit too closely. My dress is digging into me!" He only pulled her closer. She could smell alcohol on his breath. 'Oh no,' she thought. 'Just my luck to get saddled with a drunk.' She forced out a grin, and began to make polite conversation.
"Shut up." Neal told her roughly. "I think we both know exactly what we want out of this relationship." He started pulling her towards the door. Sandry, slightly confused as to what relationship he was talking about, stared at him with her mouth open.
"Pardon?" She asked, confused. He didn't answer, but instead clamped his mouth over hers. She struggled against him. He was holding her so tightly, and she was no match for him. She cursed all the weight she had lost with Madame Mossrig. Sandry could feel a few questioning eyes on them, she hoped someone would help her out of this situation. Briar was the first to act.
"Neal of Queenscove! I believe Sir Alanna requires your assistance now!" Neal shoved him away with a large hand. Briar bounced back, and closed his hand over the back of Neal's neck. His fingers tightened, and Neal, writhing under the pain, slowly sank to the ground. Briar let go once Neal was laying on the floor. He checked Sandry out to see if she was hurt. Satisfied that she wasn't, he turned back to Neal. Briar leaned down to help him up. A knife slashed out at Briar's arm.
"Damn it!" he shouted, loud enough for everyone to hear. He covered the wound with his other hand, cursing all the while. Sandry stepped over to Briar, helping him to slow the blood flow. Unbeknownst to him, she pulled one of his knives out of his boot. He wouldn't miss it, not under the care of the resident nurse. Neal was back on his feet, and roughly grabbed Sandry's arm.
"Come on." He stated blankly, dragging her along with him. Sandry refused to budge. He pulled her along more forcefully. She stood stock still.
"Come ON you bitch!" He shouted. A gasp ran through the crowd. Guards ran forward to Neal. He reached out and slapped Sandry across the face. "move your fucking ass!" He moved to strike her again, but a hand held back his fist. Sandry let out a breath as she saw Briar behind him. The guards were seizing Neal of Queenscove. Sandry wouldn't have any more problems from him, not tonight at least. Tris, standing near the door, watched the guards lead Neal out. Kel was standing near her. Seeing that she was about to follow them, Tris put a restraining hand on Kel's arm.
"Let them go, Kel. He's not worth it." Kel nodded slowly. Cleon walked up.
"Hello girls. Never would have expected ol' Neal to go ballistic, eh?" Kel chuckled softly. "If the orchestra ever starts playing again, I'd be very please if you would dance with me, Kel." Her face seemed to brighten considerably. Tris chuckled to herself, and went off in search of food.
After the incident with Neal, the rest of the ball was rather anticlimactic. Well, at least for the guests. That night was one of the best nights of Sandry's life. Once the final waltz has been played and danced, everyone bid farewell to Sandry, and her Uncle. The guests that lived near by left for their houses, taking some of the foreigners along with them too. Only the Tortallans actually stayed at the Duke's castle. Sandry, Briar, Tris, and Daja had decided to relax for a bit in one of the empty sitting rooms. Sandry rang for tea and soup, perfect, she claimed, after a late ball. They were all happily slurping various liquids when Tris stood up.
"I think I need to go to bed. I'm sorry, Sandry, but I just can't seem to concentrate on whatever you're saying!" Sandry smiled at Tris, telling her good-night. Daja, too, took her leave. Briar and Sandry sat in companionable silence for a few minutes. Then Sandry spoke.
"Briar." He looked at her. "I'm going to leave for Namorn in four days. You're still going to come, right?"
"Of course I am, Sandry! Why wouldn't I? " She shook her head.
"I don't know. Crazy me, I guess. Always worried about something, you know." They fell silent again.
"Sandry, I love you." Briar didn't know where those words came from. He had just blurted them out. He made a move as if to apologize, but Sandry got up and kneeled in front of him.
"Shh," she said, placing a long, graceful finger over his lips. "Not here. Come with me." And she pulled him up, and led him out of the room.
AN: I really don't like this chapter. I only like the ending. The idea for it, and kinda the dialogue, but not really (you'll see) came from a book by Phillip Pullman. I can't remember the title, I just remember what happened. Oh well. Sorry if this completely sucked ( I think it did). Once I got down to it, I didn't want anything to happen w/Neal, but I had foreshadowed it earlier, so I had to. And I only have a little bit till they go to Namorn, so whatever I do with the model house will be in the next chapter, as will the trip to Namorn. Expect that to be a really really long one. Expect it to take a long time to write. Maybe I'll get this thing back on track. I'm not too sure, but I'm kinda halfway thinking a/b scrapping this and starting over. I think this whole plot thing I've got going would be better as separate stories, instead of one huge saga. I'm not too sure…so tell me what you think when you review. I have a lot I want to do, but I'm not sure if it's too much for one lifetime, ya know? I'll think a/b it. I'll let you know what I decide sometime soon. At the moment, I am leaning towards scrapping this one. Oh, and just for good measure, damn al. I haven't talked to him in a/b a week, so damn him.
AN: Whew! I know I was supposed to have this out….2 or 3 days ago, but I got caught up in taking the ACT and other such shit. Sorry a/b that. Also, swimfreak, I really wish you would update your story more often. I miss it. Finally made it to 20! And to the BALL! Here you go, Liz D! what you've been waiting for! Of course, I think I'll dedicate this chapter to Liz D, b/c you're the one that's been so excited a/b this chapter. Minute Maid, you can have the next chapter. Maybe they'll get drunk, b/c it'll be chapter 21! Legal drinking age… at any rate, here we go:
Briar squeezed Sandry's hand slightly. They could hear the fanfare from the trumpets. This would be when everyone heard that she was Empress. Where was the announcement?
"Announcing: Lady Sandrilene fa Toren, Duchess of Emelan, Baroness of Summersea, Viscountess of Statdel, and Empress of Namorn!" a gasp ran through the crowd at the last title. This was her cue. Briar offered her his arm, and she took it. They shared a quick smile, and went down the stairs together.
Tris was in the midst of a very wobbly curtsy when Sandry came down the stairs. She lifted her head to get a peek at her dress. 'If I wasn't so in love with that Neal guy, I would fall in love with her right now! If I wasn't straight.' she thought to herself. Sandry certainly looked like royalty. 'Wait, she is royalty! She's more important than the Duke, even, I guess, more important than the King and Queen of Tortall. She's the Empress of Namorn!' Tris shook her head slightly at this realization. Sandry, her childhood friend, was a world power.
Daja, also, was in the midst of a curtsy, but hers was slightly more stable. She glanced at the train of Sandry's dress as she passed on her way to her seat. Daja smiled at the excellent silver work. That was her own creation, and she was proud. If only the Lioness would let her make her a new suit of armor, then Daja would be a smith in her own right!
Sandry stepped up to the raised area where she was to be sitting with the Duke. She turned, curtsied perfectly at everyone bowed, and sat down. Her eyes followed Briar's figure back to the buffet. She smiled; of course he would go for the food! Her eyes expertly scanned the crowd. There he was, the boy from the bees! Who was he? Her eyes narrowed in concentration, trying to place him. Wait, she knew him. 'It was somewhere else that we met, not here. Was it in Statdel? No, not there. Agar! We met in Agar! Three summers ago? Was it really that long ago? Yes, that's when it was.' She thought hard, why would he be here? She watched him step behind a potted plant. She mindspoke to Briar:
::Briar. Behind the potted plant, see what he's up to.::
::Sure thing, `Drie.:: Briar stepped stealthily behind the plant. The boy, or was he a man? had something in the palm of his outstretched hand. A bubble. ::Maybe a speaking spell?:: Briar asked Sandry. ::He's saying something…:: A figure bumped into his. Daine, the wildmage, was standing next to him.
"Excuse me, Daine? I've heard you can change just parts of yourself, into that of animals. Is this true?" Seeing her nod, he continued, "Could you change your ears into a cat's? Lady Sandry wanted me to listen to what this young'un was saying, only I can't make it out." She assented, and Briar saw her ears get fuzzy, then furry, then pointed. She quickly whispered everything that was being said to Briar. He passed it along to Sandry.
::Five guards at each door. I think, money wise, the Duke is doing well. We all know his niece is. The army is pitiful. We shall have no trouble, my lord, defeating this pitiful country.:: Sandry shuddered at the words. Briar quickly pushed his way through the crowd to Sandry.
"Care to dance, Sandry?" He asked, holding out a hand. She accepted it gratefully, and motioned to the orchestra for a waltz.
"This isn't good Briar. He's from Agar. His name is…something like Xangshe Parr, I think. Briar, I don't want to have him arrested here, at my ball, but—" Someone tapped on her shoulder.
"May I cut in?" it was Neal. His words were slightly slurred. No doubt he had been taking advantage of the excellent wine cellar her Uncle kept here. Briar, unsure as to whether or not he had a choice, hesitated slightly, but saw Sandry nod yes, and he acquiesced. Neal clamped his hand over hers, and drew her closer to him. His fingers dug into her skin.
"Neal, you're holding me a bit too closely. My dress is digging into me!" He only pulled her closer. She could smell alcohol on his breath. 'Oh no,' she thought. 'Just my luck to get saddled with a drunk.' She forced out a grin, and began to make polite conversation.
"Shut up." Neal told her roughly. "I think we both know exactly what we want out of this relationship." He started pulling her towards the door. Sandry, slightly confused as to what relationship he was talking about, stared at him with her mouth open.
"Pardon?" She asked, confused. He didn't answer, but instead clamped his mouth over hers. She struggled against him. He was holding her so tightly, and she was no match for him. She cursed all the weight she had lost with Madame Mossrig. Sandry could feel a few questioning eyes on them, she hoped someone would help her out of this situation. Briar was the first to act.
"Neal of Queenscove! I believe Sir Alanna requires your assistance now!" Neal shoved him away with a large hand. Briar bounced back, and closed his hand over the back of Neal's neck. His fingers tightened, and Neal, writhing under the pain, slowly sank to the ground. Briar let go once Neal was laying on the floor. He checked Sandry out to see if she was hurt. Satisfied that she wasn't, he turned back to Neal. Briar leaned down to help him up. A knife slashed out at Briar's arm.
"Damn it!" he shouted, loud enough for everyone to hear. He covered the wound with his other hand, cursing all the while. Sandry stepped over to Briar, helping him to slow the blood flow. Unbeknownst to him, she pulled one of his knives out of his boot. He wouldn't miss it, not under the care of the resident nurse. Neal was back on his feet, and roughly grabbed Sandry's arm.
"Come on." He stated blankly, dragging her along with him. Sandry refused to budge. He pulled her along more forcefully. She stood stock still.
"Come ON you bitch!" He shouted. A gasp ran through the crowd. Guards ran forward to Neal. He reached out and slapped Sandry across the face. "move your fucking ass!" He moved to strike her again, but a hand held back his fist. Sandry let out a breath as she saw Briar behind him. The guards were seizing Neal of Queenscove. Sandry wouldn't have any more problems from him, not tonight at least. Tris, standing near the door, watched the guards lead Neal out. Kel was standing near her. Seeing that she was about to follow them, Tris put a restraining hand on Kel's arm.
"Let them go, Kel. He's not worth it." Kel nodded slowly. Cleon walked up.
"Hello girls. Never would have expected ol' Neal to go ballistic, eh?" Kel chuckled softly. "If the orchestra ever starts playing again, I'd be very please if you would dance with me, Kel." Her face seemed to brighten considerably. Tris chuckled to herself, and went off in search of food.
After the incident with Neal, the rest of the ball was rather anticlimactic. Well, at least for the guests. That night was one of the best nights of Sandry's life. Once the final waltz has been played and danced, everyone bid farewell to Sandry, and her Uncle. The guests that lived near by left for their houses, taking some of the foreigners along with them too. Only the Tortallans actually stayed at the Duke's castle. Sandry, Briar, Tris, and Daja had decided to relax for a bit in one of the empty sitting rooms. Sandry rang for tea and soup, perfect, she claimed, after a late ball. They were all happily slurping various liquids when Tris stood up.
"I think I need to go to bed. I'm sorry, Sandry, but I just can't seem to concentrate on whatever you're saying!" Sandry smiled at Tris, telling her good-night. Daja, too, took her leave. Briar and Sandry sat in companionable silence for a few minutes. Then Sandry spoke.
"Briar." He looked at her. "I'm going to leave for Namorn in four days. You're still going to come, right?"
"Of course I am, Sandry! Why wouldn't I? " She shook her head.
"I don't know. Crazy me, I guess. Always worried about something, you know." They fell silent again.
"Sandry, I love you." Briar didn't know where those words came from. He had just blurted them out. He made a move as if to apologize, but Sandry got up and kneeled in front of him.
"Shh," she said, placing a long, graceful finger over his lips. "Not here. Come with me." And she pulled him up, and led him out of the room.
AN: I really don't like this chapter. I only like the ending. The idea for it, and kinda the dialogue, but not really (you'll see) came from a book by Phillip Pullman. I can't remember the title, I just remember what happened. Oh well. Sorry if this completely sucked ( I think it did). Once I got down to it, I didn't want anything to happen w/Neal, but I had foreshadowed it earlier, so I had to. And I only have a little bit till they go to Namorn, so whatever I do with the model house will be in the next chapter, as will the trip to Namorn. Expect that to be a really really long one. Expect it to take a long time to write. Maybe I'll get this thing back on track. I'm not too sure, but I'm kinda halfway thinking a/b scrapping this and starting over. I think this whole plot thing I've got going would be better as separate stories, instead of one huge saga. I'm not too sure…so tell me what you think when you review. I have a lot I want to do, but I'm not sure if it's too much for one lifetime, ya know? I'll think a/b it. I'll let you know what I decide sometime soon. At the moment, I am leaning towards scrapping this one. Oh, and just for good measure, damn al. I haven't talked to him in a/b a week, so damn him.