~~~~~
Neal and Rob walked along the halls of the palace, their arms
full of shirts,
tunics, breeches, and boots, (but no hose!!) So what was up
with those
bruises on Marco's face? Neal asked, trying to sound
nonchalant.
Rob immediately got defensive, What do you mean, What
was up'?
Anything could have happened, it's not like you've
never gotten a bruise.
But we both know that it wasn't just anything. I
could sense through
my magic that those weren't normal bruises. He wasn't
just hurt physically.
Fine, we don't like to talk about it, I don't
know why, we just don't
though... But his dad... Rob trailed off, gazing intently
at the boots he was
carrying. His dad hits him, not all the time, but often
enough. I've seen it,
once I was over at his house and his dad had him up by the throat
against the
wall. I'm serious, he was like three feet off the ground.
he paused, then
added, softly, You're right. It's not just
physical.
I guess my healing Marco kinda took his pride.
Neal said. After Rob
agreed they walked in silence for a while. Then Neal's eyes
lit up and he
turned to Rob, What if we got the Shang Horse to teach him
to defend
himself. Not attack at all, just so he won't get hurt?
Rob smiled, It's worth a try.
~~~~~
Luisa nervously made her way out onto the practice courts. She
saw
the Wildcat across the way, practicing. She moved with such
amazing
muscular grace that the girl was hesitant even to approach her.
But she
steeled her nerves, ran her fingers through her short auburn hair
and walked
across the court.
Um, Ms. Bell, er, Your Wildcatliness.. um.. I just
arrived here this
morning under pretty unusual circumstances, you see, I'm
from another
world, and in my world we have a thing called karate, which is a
lot like
Shang fighting. I'm considered pretty good at that, and if
it wouldn't be too
much trouble, I'd like to train with you. She finished
and held her breath,
wishing with all her heart that the Wildcat would accept.
Of course it will be a lot of trouble, and of course I
accept. She
answered wryly, Now take off those silly sandals and let's
see what you can
do.
~~~~~
Raecla and Kel lay on the grass outside of the palace, staring
at the
clouds and sunbathing. She had furnished Kel with a tank top,
shorts, and
shades, all in all, the effect was quite impressive.
You said you read about Tortall in books, do you mean
like history
books or geography books or what? Kel asked.
Raecla couldn't help but let out a small laugh, No,
novels actually.
Yeah, novels. You see, in my world, in Italy, Tortall
isn't considered
exactly, well, real. It's just a thing in books.
And how much exactly is written in these books?
Kel asked, feigning
disinterest.
More than you want to know, my pretty! she replied
with an evil grin
and cackle. Returning to her normal voice, And I also have
another
wonderful invention to introduce you to! with a flourish
she produced a
bottle of Coke from her pack, Coca Cola, sorry, we were all
out of Pixie.
As they sat, enjoying the Coke and sun, Raecla asked, So
what do you
think of Neal? Do you like him?
Of course I like him, he's one of my best frie....
then catching the
gleam in the other girl's eye, No, not that way. He's
just a friend.
And a certain red-haired gentleman? she inquired
innocently.
Kel got flushed, I don't know, he's called me all
those names for a
long time now, but he still treats me like one of the guys.
Sometimes I see
him looking at me, but I have no idea what that look on his face
could mean!
I can't -- Yes, I like him. She finished determinedly.
Well that works out fine then. Raecla said
satisfiedly
What's that supposed to mean?
Nothing, nothing at all! She answered airily.
Hey! what do you think of it so far? I'm also posting an Italian dictionary thing, so not everybody will be lost. It just kind of takes away from the story, having it all in the middle and stuff, but none of it's difficult, and none of it's essential. Please r/r or e-mail me at sonnet421@literati.co.uk and tell me what you think! I don't care if they're comments or flames or what. And also, I haven't read Page yet, so just bear with me. What do you think should happen next?
~Adoracia
