The Galla Chronicles - Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I don't own The Song of the Lioness Series, The Immortals Series, or the Protector of the Small Series. Tamora Pierce owns 'em all, you know that. Now would you IRS people stop bugging me? God, this is the same thing like with the Harry Potter. Goddess, go away!
A:N/// So, here's the second chapter. We left off in the small library, where Lana, Kel and Cleon are talking. Lana will reveal the plans for Galla and Tortall, Alanna talks to Jon about it, and Kel and Cleon share a moment. Goddess, I hate when I babble like that. It picks up from the last three paragraphs in the last chapter, with Lana speaking.
*~ * ~ * ~ *
"Lady Keladry, if you please, is your king going to be here soon? It has been a hard and toilsome journey, and I wish to get out of these garments in something more desiccated, if its not too much trouble."
Kel bowed cordially and nodded. "King Jonathan will be here soon, if Neal has any sense in him whatsoever. Do not worry, if you are an ambassador from Galla, you will be treated with the utmost care. What exactly caused you to come here? True, we have made attempts with Galla in the past to establish peace, but they have all fallen through. Why now? And with Tortall?" At this, Lana smiled.
"All in good time, Lady Knight. All in good time."
In an impromptu fashion, King Jon, Neal, and the Lioness rushed into the room. "What's this about a Gallan ambassador? I had received no notification of this!" King Jon voiced loudly. "A proper inclination is usually in order before ambassadors come, and-" Impetuously, he glanced at Lana. His eyes wrinkled in mystification as he scrutinized her. He noted her presence appreciatively, and raised his eyes to meet hers. "Kind lady, are you the ambassador from Galla?" She nodded appropriately, as he moved forward to meet her. "Excuse my pert remark then, Lady, but why are you here without notice? There has not been word from Galla in months. Its not that I'm unhappy about this new development, I'm just surprised, that's all. First, though, introductions. I am Jonathan of Conte, King of the region of Tortall. Who might you be?"
Lana studied him carefully, judging him. "Your Highness, I am Sir Melana of Cris. I have come here in the presence of my king to set a situation before you," she explained carefully and cautiously.
"What situation do you speak of Sir Melana?" Jon responded just as tentatively.
"My people are being constantly bombarded by Scanran attacks," she started slowly. "They are piercing through our borders, eating them away little by little. There is little we can do to stop them, as our style of fighting is very different than theirs. We don't not sneak about in the darkness and kill villagers and their children in the blood of night to accomplish our purposes. Ever since the rule of His Highness, King Andrew the third came into power, our people have been decent and fair. Even to the Scanrans, we have made no endeavors to strike their country. They have burned dozens of the border villages to the grounds, our people are dying-" She clenched her hands into fists and gritted her teeth together. She closed her eyes tightly and did not open them until she regained her composure. "Its wrong, your Highness," she spat with a passion. "It's been impossible to contact you through carrier messengers; the Scanrans have been patrolling our borders to make sure of that. To send the king himself would be too dangerous, he was too precious to us to loose. I had expertise in covert operations. I was also one of the most skilled fencers in court and superior with a bow. Also, the fact I was a woman set some of the Scanran patrols off base when they saw me. Therefore, I was the most logical choice for this mission. I ask for your help, Highness, to stage one final blow at the Scanrans. One that will strike them at the very heart of their empire." Lana looked up at the king with pleading eyes that danced like flames in the hearth of the fire. (A:N/// I was so just thinking of the Buffy Musical right then. Spike's song was so sweet! lol) "Please, your highness," she solicited.
King Jonathan of Conte let out a deep sigh. "All right then. What's your plan?"
~ * ~ * ~ *
Kel found Cleon in his room, reading up about Galla. Ever since Lana had revealed her true intentions, he had been interested in foreign affairs, chiefly among Tortall, Galla, and Scanra. Cleon looked up at her entrance. "Teardrop! Come, come, sit down and be the sunshine in this cold, long day," he declared as he patted the spot next to him. Kel closed the door behind her and sat down next to him. "So, how are you daydream of my heart?"
"Oh, the usual. I can't believe how bad things are between Galla and Scanra. If things really are as she expresses them to be, I'd hate to be on border patrol right now. Poor Owen. He'll have to go up there with Wyldon and fight those inhumane brutes."
"Ah, well, at least he'll get to see a bit of action," Cleon said softly to her. He turned to face her and found himself staring straight into those deep green-hazel eyes.
"I think we'll be seeing enough of those moments soon enough. If King Jon resolves to go to war with Scanra, we'll have no choice but to fight. And you see how those Scanrans brawl. They take advantage of the innocent and the weak. They fight dirty, like the Tusaine did in the Tortall-Tusaine War. They kidnapped the Lioness to get to King Jonathan, did you know that?"
"I don't believe I did," Cleon answered. "Kel, please stay safe during all this. It's going to be hard and vicious, all of it. And for some reason, I don't have a good feeling about that Lana. It's unbelievable, true; she is perfect in practically every aspect. She's a knight, which means she has some kind of personality, and beautiful, of course not as beautiful as you though, joyful." Kel snorted in an unladylike nature, and stroked a callused finger across his cheek. "I don't understand. It feels -" He paused to think his statement out before he said it. "It feel like she's hiding something from us."
Kel smiled and brushed a strand of hair away from his face. "Everyone hides something, Cleon. Secrets are a cherished thing by some people."
Cleon sighed and held her close to him. "I know, love, but it seem like something more. Something that is imperative to all this, but she won't tell us. Almost as if she's afraid of it." Cleon shrugged and rested his cheek against hers. "Hey, did you know that the princess of Galla was supposed to marry Prince Liam, but the engagement was broken?"
Kel lifted her eyebrows in surprise. "Really? I never knew that the prince was betrothed to the princess of Galla. When did they break it off?" she inquired.
"Around a year ago. Found it in this book here," he explained, holding up the book he had been reading.
"Hmm, yes the book," Kel said sarcastically. Cleon held her closer and tugged at her playfully.
"Now, glory of Tortall, lady of the gods, and queen of my heart, were you teasing me just there?"
"You figure it out."
~ * ~ * ~ *
"I don't like it Jon," Sir Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau, the Lioness, and the King's Champion, stated with distaste. "Why didn't they come sooner if things were that bad? They could have found anyone to sneak fortuitously out of Galla. I suppose it may have been hard, but most certainly attainable. I just don't like it Jon." Jon made a step towards her and looked at her with soft eyes.
"Alanna, did you see the girl? Did you see how she said it with such - passion," he emphasized. "No one could lie so well as to say it so earnestly. She believed what she said, and you could tell it. Alanna, Lioness, why would she lie? Galla has never been on so bad terms with us that they would trick us. I've heard allegations from some of my spies in the north. They say the place is full of bloody carnage. They were in one of the border villages of Galla at the time."
Alanna raised an eyebrow quizzically at him. "When did you send the spies up there? You never told me of sending any spies." Jon frowned slightly, and looked up at her.
"I believe it was around three months ago," Jon said reflectively. "I'm not too sure. It was only initially a menial job, really. It proved its worth in the long run, though. Some low class soldiers and two or three knights scouting out foreign terrain; it's a classic way to learn enhanced information on your enemy without losing important people." Alanna postulated this for a moment and dismissed it.
"Still, they cold have come to us earlier. It would have been easier for both of us if they had," Alanna stated.
"True, it might have. But still, the Gallans have their pride to think of. Liam and Princess Sari breaking it off was a hard blow to take for both sides. And now for them to ask for help, after what Sari did to him, it must have been a very difficult decision to make. We were still friendly with the Gallans since the rule of King Andrew had come to pass, but when Sari was found bedded with another man, it hurt our relationship. Gallans have also been found to have a quality very familiar to you - stubbornness," he said with a grin. Alanna scowled at him and pulled away to sit on a nearby chair.
"You just feel sorry for the girl," Alanna rebutted, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Maybe so, but I feel that she is speaking the truth." He moved closer to the wall and leaned against it. "It's funny how she's a lady knight, like you and Kel. I wouldn't have thought that anyone else would have one, at least not this early. She says she's of twenty-one years of age, which means she started two years before Kel. Do you see it as odd that they followed our example before we did?"
Alanna crossed one leg over the other, thinking. "It is rather odd, Jonathan. There was no Gallan decree that a lady could be a knight, at least not recently. Maybe hundreds of years ago, but nothing modern. And the fact that she completed her knight-hood training implies that she would have to be better than some of the boys she prepared with. She's probably not someone to be tangled with, that's for certain. And if King Andrew selected her specifically for this mission, wouldn't that mean they have close ties with one another? Obviously, he trusts her with his life, since his and his peoples' lives may depend on this mission. What do you think is going on between the two? Maybe an adopted daughter? Or a court favorite?"
Jonathan sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "I honestly don't know, Lioness. She hasn't told us much about herself except for her mission. I believe that she has had an arduous journey, and is tired in account of that. There will be more questioning tomorrow, but for now, let her sleep." Alanna dropped it, and got up off her chair.
"Jon, how is Liam doing? I know you said he's never been the same since Sari, but really, is he any better?" Jon moved closer to his Champion and frowned.
"He's well - better, I suppose. His ordeal of knighthood is in a few years, and he's been training harder than ever now. He never spoke much to begin with, so I can't tell what he's feeling. His mother's better at that anyway," he told her.
Alanna frowned slightly and let sympathetic eyes grace Jon's face. "Do you want me to talk to him? I could, you know."
"Lioness, he's my son. Worry about your own little ones," Jon expressed softly. Abruptly, he smiled. "Go to sleep, my Champion. Tomorrow, we will answer some questions. But for now, get some sleep. Take Lana's example, would you?"
Alanna chuckled and walked to the entranceway, patting him on the shoulder as she walked past him. "Goodnight, Jon," she whispered as she slid gracefully out the door.
"Goodnight, Lioness," he murmured back as he slipped his clothes off and went to bed.
A:N/// So that was Chapter 2! Yay! I'm done! What, with midterms finally over and Midwinter break coming up, I'll have a lot of free time on my hands soon, so expect more frequent chapters. (hopefully [!]) Next chapter: We find out more about Lana's past and Kel and her practice fencing. Lana also has to go to a ball, since Midwinter is still going on, and meets the gang. Well, until then, R&R!!!
P.S. Thank you to my reviewers! Keep them coming!
Disclaimer: I don't own The Song of the Lioness Series, The Immortals Series, or the Protector of the Small Series. Tamora Pierce owns 'em all, you know that. Now would you IRS people stop bugging me? God, this is the same thing like with the Harry Potter. Goddess, go away!
A:N/// So, here's the second chapter. We left off in the small library, where Lana, Kel and Cleon are talking. Lana will reveal the plans for Galla and Tortall, Alanna talks to Jon about it, and Kel and Cleon share a moment. Goddess, I hate when I babble like that. It picks up from the last three paragraphs in the last chapter, with Lana speaking.
*~ * ~ * ~ *
"Lady Keladry, if you please, is your king going to be here soon? It has been a hard and toilsome journey, and I wish to get out of these garments in something more desiccated, if its not too much trouble."
Kel bowed cordially and nodded. "King Jonathan will be here soon, if Neal has any sense in him whatsoever. Do not worry, if you are an ambassador from Galla, you will be treated with the utmost care. What exactly caused you to come here? True, we have made attempts with Galla in the past to establish peace, but they have all fallen through. Why now? And with Tortall?" At this, Lana smiled.
"All in good time, Lady Knight. All in good time."
In an impromptu fashion, King Jon, Neal, and the Lioness rushed into the room. "What's this about a Gallan ambassador? I had received no notification of this!" King Jon voiced loudly. "A proper inclination is usually in order before ambassadors come, and-" Impetuously, he glanced at Lana. His eyes wrinkled in mystification as he scrutinized her. He noted her presence appreciatively, and raised his eyes to meet hers. "Kind lady, are you the ambassador from Galla?" She nodded appropriately, as he moved forward to meet her. "Excuse my pert remark then, Lady, but why are you here without notice? There has not been word from Galla in months. Its not that I'm unhappy about this new development, I'm just surprised, that's all. First, though, introductions. I am Jonathan of Conte, King of the region of Tortall. Who might you be?"
Lana studied him carefully, judging him. "Your Highness, I am Sir Melana of Cris. I have come here in the presence of my king to set a situation before you," she explained carefully and cautiously.
"What situation do you speak of Sir Melana?" Jon responded just as tentatively.
"My people are being constantly bombarded by Scanran attacks," she started slowly. "They are piercing through our borders, eating them away little by little. There is little we can do to stop them, as our style of fighting is very different than theirs. We don't not sneak about in the darkness and kill villagers and their children in the blood of night to accomplish our purposes. Ever since the rule of His Highness, King Andrew the third came into power, our people have been decent and fair. Even to the Scanrans, we have made no endeavors to strike their country. They have burned dozens of the border villages to the grounds, our people are dying-" She clenched her hands into fists and gritted her teeth together. She closed her eyes tightly and did not open them until she regained her composure. "Its wrong, your Highness," she spat with a passion. "It's been impossible to contact you through carrier messengers; the Scanrans have been patrolling our borders to make sure of that. To send the king himself would be too dangerous, he was too precious to us to loose. I had expertise in covert operations. I was also one of the most skilled fencers in court and superior with a bow. Also, the fact I was a woman set some of the Scanran patrols off base when they saw me. Therefore, I was the most logical choice for this mission. I ask for your help, Highness, to stage one final blow at the Scanrans. One that will strike them at the very heart of their empire." Lana looked up at the king with pleading eyes that danced like flames in the hearth of the fire. (A:N/// I was so just thinking of the Buffy Musical right then. Spike's song was so sweet! lol) "Please, your highness," she solicited.
King Jonathan of Conte let out a deep sigh. "All right then. What's your plan?"
~ * ~ * ~ *
Kel found Cleon in his room, reading up about Galla. Ever since Lana had revealed her true intentions, he had been interested in foreign affairs, chiefly among Tortall, Galla, and Scanra. Cleon looked up at her entrance. "Teardrop! Come, come, sit down and be the sunshine in this cold, long day," he declared as he patted the spot next to him. Kel closed the door behind her and sat down next to him. "So, how are you daydream of my heart?"
"Oh, the usual. I can't believe how bad things are between Galla and Scanra. If things really are as she expresses them to be, I'd hate to be on border patrol right now. Poor Owen. He'll have to go up there with Wyldon and fight those inhumane brutes."
"Ah, well, at least he'll get to see a bit of action," Cleon said softly to her. He turned to face her and found himself staring straight into those deep green-hazel eyes.
"I think we'll be seeing enough of those moments soon enough. If King Jon resolves to go to war with Scanra, we'll have no choice but to fight. And you see how those Scanrans brawl. They take advantage of the innocent and the weak. They fight dirty, like the Tusaine did in the Tortall-Tusaine War. They kidnapped the Lioness to get to King Jonathan, did you know that?"
"I don't believe I did," Cleon answered. "Kel, please stay safe during all this. It's going to be hard and vicious, all of it. And for some reason, I don't have a good feeling about that Lana. It's unbelievable, true; she is perfect in practically every aspect. She's a knight, which means she has some kind of personality, and beautiful, of course not as beautiful as you though, joyful." Kel snorted in an unladylike nature, and stroked a callused finger across his cheek. "I don't understand. It feels -" He paused to think his statement out before he said it. "It feel like she's hiding something from us."
Kel smiled and brushed a strand of hair away from his face. "Everyone hides something, Cleon. Secrets are a cherished thing by some people."
Cleon sighed and held her close to him. "I know, love, but it seem like something more. Something that is imperative to all this, but she won't tell us. Almost as if she's afraid of it." Cleon shrugged and rested his cheek against hers. "Hey, did you know that the princess of Galla was supposed to marry Prince Liam, but the engagement was broken?"
Kel lifted her eyebrows in surprise. "Really? I never knew that the prince was betrothed to the princess of Galla. When did they break it off?" she inquired.
"Around a year ago. Found it in this book here," he explained, holding up the book he had been reading.
"Hmm, yes the book," Kel said sarcastically. Cleon held her closer and tugged at her playfully.
"Now, glory of Tortall, lady of the gods, and queen of my heart, were you teasing me just there?"
"You figure it out."
~ * ~ * ~ *
"I don't like it Jon," Sir Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau, the Lioness, and the King's Champion, stated with distaste. "Why didn't they come sooner if things were that bad? They could have found anyone to sneak fortuitously out of Galla. I suppose it may have been hard, but most certainly attainable. I just don't like it Jon." Jon made a step towards her and looked at her with soft eyes.
"Alanna, did you see the girl? Did you see how she said it with such - passion," he emphasized. "No one could lie so well as to say it so earnestly. She believed what she said, and you could tell it. Alanna, Lioness, why would she lie? Galla has never been on so bad terms with us that they would trick us. I've heard allegations from some of my spies in the north. They say the place is full of bloody carnage. They were in one of the border villages of Galla at the time."
Alanna raised an eyebrow quizzically at him. "When did you send the spies up there? You never told me of sending any spies." Jon frowned slightly, and looked up at her.
"I believe it was around three months ago," Jon said reflectively. "I'm not too sure. It was only initially a menial job, really. It proved its worth in the long run, though. Some low class soldiers and two or three knights scouting out foreign terrain; it's a classic way to learn enhanced information on your enemy without losing important people." Alanna postulated this for a moment and dismissed it.
"Still, they cold have come to us earlier. It would have been easier for both of us if they had," Alanna stated.
"True, it might have. But still, the Gallans have their pride to think of. Liam and Princess Sari breaking it off was a hard blow to take for both sides. And now for them to ask for help, after what Sari did to him, it must have been a very difficult decision to make. We were still friendly with the Gallans since the rule of King Andrew had come to pass, but when Sari was found bedded with another man, it hurt our relationship. Gallans have also been found to have a quality very familiar to you - stubbornness," he said with a grin. Alanna scowled at him and pulled away to sit on a nearby chair.
"You just feel sorry for the girl," Alanna rebutted, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Maybe so, but I feel that she is speaking the truth." He moved closer to the wall and leaned against it. "It's funny how she's a lady knight, like you and Kel. I wouldn't have thought that anyone else would have one, at least not this early. She says she's of twenty-one years of age, which means she started two years before Kel. Do you see it as odd that they followed our example before we did?"
Alanna crossed one leg over the other, thinking. "It is rather odd, Jonathan. There was no Gallan decree that a lady could be a knight, at least not recently. Maybe hundreds of years ago, but nothing modern. And the fact that she completed her knight-hood training implies that she would have to be better than some of the boys she prepared with. She's probably not someone to be tangled with, that's for certain. And if King Andrew selected her specifically for this mission, wouldn't that mean they have close ties with one another? Obviously, he trusts her with his life, since his and his peoples' lives may depend on this mission. What do you think is going on between the two? Maybe an adopted daughter? Or a court favorite?"
Jonathan sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "I honestly don't know, Lioness. She hasn't told us much about herself except for her mission. I believe that she has had an arduous journey, and is tired in account of that. There will be more questioning tomorrow, but for now, let her sleep." Alanna dropped it, and got up off her chair.
"Jon, how is Liam doing? I know you said he's never been the same since Sari, but really, is he any better?" Jon moved closer to his Champion and frowned.
"He's well - better, I suppose. His ordeal of knighthood is in a few years, and he's been training harder than ever now. He never spoke much to begin with, so I can't tell what he's feeling. His mother's better at that anyway," he told her.
Alanna frowned slightly and let sympathetic eyes grace Jon's face. "Do you want me to talk to him? I could, you know."
"Lioness, he's my son. Worry about your own little ones," Jon expressed softly. Abruptly, he smiled. "Go to sleep, my Champion. Tomorrow, we will answer some questions. But for now, get some sleep. Take Lana's example, would you?"
Alanna chuckled and walked to the entranceway, patting him on the shoulder as she walked past him. "Goodnight, Jon," she whispered as she slid gracefully out the door.
"Goodnight, Lioness," he murmured back as he slipped his clothes off and went to bed.
A:N/// So that was Chapter 2! Yay! I'm done! What, with midterms finally over and Midwinter break coming up, I'll have a lot of free time on my hands soon, so expect more frequent chapters. (hopefully [!]) Next chapter: We find out more about Lana's past and Kel and her practice fencing. Lana also has to go to a ball, since Midwinter is still going on, and meets the gang. Well, until then, R&R!!!
P.S. Thank you to my reviewers! Keep them coming!