The Inn and the Stranger
Kally rode through the night, not stopping until it was near morning and she entered a town. She stopped at the first inn she saw, not caring what sort of people were in it. She just wanted a room so that she may sleep and gather her weary strength for the trip back to Corus.
"A room, if you please, and please draw a bath and send up breakfast in an hour, if you can." She asked the fat, rosy-cheeked man at the counter.
"A room ya say, with breakfast and a bath? Milady knows what she wants." He smiled a welcoming smile at Kally, who smiled a weak one back, just before feinting and falling into someone's arms . . . . .
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Princess Kalasin awoke in a biiiig room, not one that she had ever seen before. Then she remembered the inn and the night before and Father . . . Kally sat up in the bed.
"I see your up," said a strong, masculine voice form behind her. She looked around to see a man standing behind her. He was tall, with broad shoulders and just gorgeous. No other word could describe him. And from the way he walked, he looked like he had perfect balance. Thank you Alanna she thought for that piece of knowledge.
"Just who are you?" She asked the stranger.
"I'm Ricardo of Cop . ."
"Of where??" asked Kalasin, "Copper Isles?"
"No, no, no, no. I'm from a fief in um Scanra, Cop-Copellia. Yeah. I'm Ricardo from Copellia." He looked at her, Kally grinned back. "And where are you from miss feinting princess??" he asked with a smirk.
"I'm uh Kally from well, nowhere. I just travel around, it's great to be free." She looked up to see if he had believed her. He looked serious enough.
"Well Kally from nowhere, may I take you to dinner? You slept through breakfast and lunch, though I'm not surprised, you look as if you haven't slept all night, and you feinted do to not eating,"
"I-I did??" Yikes! I hope he doesn't think I'm a skinny little twig afraid of gaining weight she glanced up at him, oh well, if he does, I'll have to prove him wrong.
"Yes, I'd love to have dinner with you," I never thought I'd say that without being forced. Kally thought, surprised at herself.
"Well then, I'll come get you in an hour," Ricardo answered as he walked to the door.
"See you then," Kally called after him. When he was out of sight, she dropped backwards onto the mattress. Ooooooh, he's sooo cute. She closed her eyes and fell back asleep, dreaming about dinner with Ricardo.
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"When will you be leaving the Rat's Hideout?" asked Ricardo as he ate his share of the duck they had ordered.
"The Rat's Hideout? Is that what they call this place? If I knew that, I think I would've reconsidered staying," Kally answered, sipping her drink.
"Well, It's Hound's place and he decided on the name, I think he named it as a joke, everyone who knows him, knows that there isn't a rat anywhere near his place."
"That's a relief," Kally replied, grinning.
Ricardo smiled back. "So when?"
"When what?" Kally asked, snapping out of the dreamworld she was in. (dreaming about a certain someone sitting across the table from her . . )
"When are you leaving?"
"Oh, right. Umm I'm not sure. Probably tomorrow morning, I'm going to Corus. What about you?"
"Your going to Corus?" he asked.
"Yes . . ." Kally answered slowly. "Why are you going to?"
Rick nodded his head vigorously, "Yes."
"You are?" Kally said, excited. "That's excellent!"
"Will you give me the honor of escorting you there, milady" Rick flashed a heart-stopping smile at her.
"Why of course, young sir. I would be honored." She smiled back.
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The ride was pretty uneventful, the company stayed over night at another Inn. Kally noticed that the company was pretty big for a fief in Scanra, but she shrugged it off. It didn't matter as long as she was with Ricardo. Once Kally's sensible side attempted to tell the princess about how angry her father will be when she gets home and how silly this boy is, how her father will never ever allow his daughter to marry anyone but Jethro, but of course, Kally had fallen head over heals over him, so nothing could change her mind.
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"We can stop at a good friend of mine's on the way to Corus." Rick was saying to a riding captain. I wonder who that could be? The only other fief that I know of near here id Lady Alann- Oh No! Wait, how could Ricardo from Scanra know Alanna? A small fief in Scanra no less. No, he can't know Alanna; he must mean a small fief near here
"I'm sure they will be happy to see us," he was saying.
"Rick? Where are we staying the night?"
"Ah, milady, that's a surprise." He said with a grin.
Kally bit her lip, a good surprise I hope.
They kept riding through lunch, and the area began to seem more familiar to Kally. Maybe a little too familiar for her liking. Oh no, we are going to Alanna's! I guess I have to face Father some time or another.
"Okay Rick, where are we going? Time to tell me."
"Na ah ah. My lips are sealed."
"Ri-ick," Kally complained, "Just a tiny hint," to assure me that it's not Alanna's she added to herself.
"Nope, you'll just have to wait," he said and rode ahead.
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"Here we are!" said Rick, motioning to a big castle, The Pirates Swoop.
Kally tried to keep her fear inside. "Wow, how do you know Alanna and George?"
Rick looked a little puzzled, "I well, used to work for George, but I gave that up after I was given a fief,"
Kally swallowed, "Oh,"
"Are you upset by this?" asked Rick, confused. "We can find someplace else if you'd rather not stay here,"
"No, no. It's fine," Kally forced a smile, "Lets go inside," Kally said, riding ahead of him, "I'll race you!"
He grinned, "No fair you got a head start!" he called, catching up.
Kally looked back at Rick, then looked forward, to see her Alanna standing in front of her.


Told ya it would be longer. R E V I E W ! ! Please!