The Galla Chronicles - Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I don't own any TP books, although I do own the plot of this humble fanfic. I own Lana, and Benjamin (he's the new character) and King Andrew. Kel, Alanna, Cleon :), and all the other characters belong to Tamora Pierce. Duh. : P
A:N/// This chapter is the fight between Kel and Lana. They have quite a few surprises of their own, and the fight goes on for a while. Also, one midwinter ball finally happens in this chapter. Time to stop babbling now.
Kel suited up easily; she was in the perfect attire for fencing. Lana took no time at all cleaning her blade, polishing its glistering surface with an old cloth. In a matter of seconds, they were both ready for the showdown. Whispers had risen that the two female knights were to fence, and a small crowd had gathered in the background. They were unnoticeable to Kel and Lana however, as they took their places at either side of the court.
"Good luck, Sir Keladry," Lana said, a smirk perpetually implanted on her face.
"I'm sure I'll need it, fighting against you," Kel shot back. "This will be a refreshing change. Most of the boys I fence against can't even hold their sword right."
"I'm sure." Lana held up her sword, in the signal to go. The two circled endlessly, amid the rowdy cheers from the throng of people that had enclosed them in a fairly open circle. Lana charged first, her blade missing Kel's shoulder by inches. Kel backed away speedily, parrying Lana's attack with an aggression of her own. She moved on the offensive, Lana blocking blow for blow.
"She's good," Kel thought, sweat rolling off her forehead mercilessly. "I wonder how long she'll be able to keep it up. Or visa versa. Just pay attention, Kel. Just-"
"Yahhh!" Lana howled in victory. She brought her sword down onto Kel's shoulder. It had enough momentum to pierce Kel's muscle. Kel steadily swerved to the right of the gleaming knife and placed her hand on the flat side of her own sword. Thrusting upward, she stopped Lana's offense.
Her breathing arduous, Lana spoke. "Not bad, Mindelan." Kel withdrew her blade from hers.
"Not so bad yourself," Kel riposted. "Shall we continue?"
"Of course," was the only response she got from the misty eyed advisory that stood before her. Before Kel had the chance to breathe, Lana was upon her. She feinted to the left, intending to mar Kel in her forearm. Kel veered away, intending to save energy by using plain movement to avoid attacks. Lana returned by making great, neat sweeps toward Kel, keeping her balance perfectly. Kel, unable to evade her descents anymore, parried with her sword, bringing it up to block. The tone of the crowd had intensified; wild salutes could be heard for both knights. Kel moved onto the offensive, until she saw her opening; Lana's left flank was unprotected. Hastily, she oscillated her blade in the direction of Lana's side. Lana saw the blade coming and her hand made a quick transit to her belt hilt, where she pulled out a dagger. Twisting the dagger, she caught Kel's weapon and spun it out of her hand, her own sword forgotten in the dirt. Kel stared at the dagger in Lana's shaky hand in
approbation and bafflement. She breathed unsoundly; it echoed through her ears with the sound of tens of thousands of animals charging toward her. The tumult was dead silent, looking for a response from either of the two fighters. Lana stood in her spot, unwavering, respiring heavily as tiny droplets of water rolled down her skin. Her clothes clung to her body, stiff and worn.
Slowly, Kel drew her own dagger from her belt hilt. The crowd's cheer was deafening; it cut through Kel like a knife. Lana nodded in approval, and spoke:
"I misjudged you, Kel. I didn't suppose you would be this resourceful." Kel made swift strides, encircling the older knight.
"Some people do. It usually isn't to their benefit, though," she breathed, putting on her Yamani face. Lana twirled her dagger in her callused fingers.
"I know that now. On with our skirmish, then?" Lana's tone was more of a statement then a question.
"Of course," Kel replied, edging closer to Lana with every step. Lana smiled when Kel was within steps of her.
Then, she struck.
Lana's dagger swept sideways, meeting Kel's at midpoint. She alternated sides and struck there, Kel blocking a second time. Unexpectedly, she grabbed Kel's wrist and flipped her over onto her back. Kel recoiled, using the momentum of the fall to propel her backwards and upright, although dropping her dagger in the process. Kel searched for it, and saw it glimmering in the dust twenty meters away. "Twenty meters too far," Kel thought. She looked into Lana's eyes, Lana looking back. Without a word, Lana dropped her dagger, putting her hands up defensively and setting her body into a crouch. Kel raised an eyebrow, and did the same. The two ran for each other, Kel sending the first punch. Lana ducked and dropped below, reaching for Kel's leg to trip her. Kel jumped up, avoiding Lana's attack, and went down with a strong kick. Lana jumps backwards, and a foggy gray light formed in her palm. Without warning, she flung it straight at Kel.
Kel's eyes widened as the ball of magic hurtled toward her. She dropped to the ground, falling on her back, to avoid the blast. Lana came up in front of her and kneeled down on Kel's stomach. "Give up, Kel," she rasped, a warning apparent by the tone of her voice. Kel raised her hands above her head, and Lana shakily got up. The crowd moaned slightly at the loss of their warrior, but was happy to see a good fight.
"I didn't know you had the Gift," Kel gasped. Lana smiled unexpectedly.
"You should be ready for anything, Kel. If I was a true enemy, I wouldn't have given you the choice of giving up." Lana gave Kel a hand up. "Nevertheless, it was an excellently fought combat. I commend you. Not many would be able to last so long, at least not of the warriors I've fought." She held up a hand for Kel to shake. She took it, grinning as she did.
"We should do this again, then." Kel smirked.
"Most definitely."
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
"What? She beat you? How?"
"Cleon, it was no big deal. She beat me fair and square; there's nothing I can do about it. Now, pass me that hair pin, would you?" Kel asked Cleon, unperturbed.
"You could have a rematch," Cleon said matter-of-factly as he brought the pin from her dresser to her. He moved smooth hands onto the backs of her shoulders, massaging them gently. Kel reached for the pin in his hand, but he pulled back playfully.
"Come now, Cleon, I have to get ready for the ball. Tomorrow's the last day of midwinter, and everyone always looks the nicest the last two days," Kel protested. Still, Cleon backed away.
"You can have it - if you say something to me." Kel rolled her eyes plaintively, and shook her head.
"What do you want me to say?" she asked quietly. Cleon's face turned bright, and he grinned at her.
"Tell me you love me." He gave a crooked smile, and raised an eyebrow in amusement.
Kel smiled right back at him. "You tell me first."
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
The Midwinter ball was grand; decorations hung from the ceiling, food was in bountiful amount, and everyone was having a good time. Even Raoul, commander of the King's Own, who usually hated this sort of thing, was having his fair share of dances with Buri. It was a night of festivities, laughing, eating, partying, and all around having a good time.
Except for Lana.
She loathed social events; they caused the fall of men in her opinion. She was expected to come; it was her duty as ambassador of Galla to attend any major events that occurred in the country she was supposed to be making peace with. But how she *loathed* social events.
Lana had watched Kel and Cleon come in together a while back; they were a nice sight for her weary, lonely eyes. Lana laughed at herself; she was but two years older than Kel, and even younger than Cleon was, and she was speaking as if she were an old woman. Eleni had been there as well, with her husband, Sir Myles of Olau. Even they had found each other. After the death of Eleni's husband, she had not had the sense to get out for some while. Myles was good for her, Lana had decided. She had gotten a few invitations to dance, but after she turned down every one of them, word must have gotten around that she did not wish to dance. She sat on a mildly comfortable windowsill, watching the couples dance.
"M'lady," a voice broke through her calm reserves. "Would you care to have this dance with me?" Lana was able to answer without even looking at the man.
"I don't wish to dance, kind sir. I am tired and weary, and am not capable now of entertaining you well with a dance." Lana moved her gaze to the window, where she watched the rain patter softly on the outside glass.
"Oh, but I insist, lady," the man replied. Lana turned sharply to him, about to say something vicious. Instead, she froze. The man standing in front of her was in his forties, maybe, with brown hair and hazel eyes that penetrated her. His mouth was curved into a tiny smile as he held out a hand to her. "And so I repeat myself, lady. May I have this dance?"
Lana smiled and shook her head. "Of course, George." Baron George Cooper of Pirate's Swoop laughed and picked her up. They moved silently to the dance floor and swayed with the music. They were reserved for what seemed like a long time, until George broke the silence.
"Mother told me you were back," George said softly. "Things not working out in Galla? I hear from Alanna that you're under attack from Scanran raiders. It's that bad that you have to ask us for help? I would have thought the Gallan military would be able to handle a few raiders."
"It's move than a few raiders," Lana shot back angrily. "They have these- these metal things! They're as hard as swords, but don't break when we use even our mages on them! Part of the reason we went to Tortall was because you have the two most powerful mages in all the Eastern Lands with you, Numair Salamin and Alanna the Lioness. We figured that maybe a more powerful mage was in order to stop them." She twisted her face in disgust. "Revolting creatures, they are. Don't even look human. Or immortal for that, either. They're just - I can't even begin to describe it. And the Scanrans who created them are no better." She sighed in defeat, downtrodden, and glanced down at her feet. George smiled at her sympathetically. Her whole country was placed on her shoulders, and she could do little but report the facts to others, who would do the job that she couldn't on her own. He reached down and touched her cheek tenderly.
"Love, don't worry. This will all be sorted out soon. And when it is, you'll have to show me your place in Galla. S' it big? No, forget that notion; nothing will ever be big enough to contain you, Lady." She smiled at his remark, but suddenly came to the realization that another pair of eyes was watching her. She slid her vision behind George to see a young man staring at her. He was in his twenties, easily. Chestnut hair and icy sapphire eyes defined his face, and high, rosy cheekbones gave contrast to his figure. He was tall, not too muscular, but handsome all the same. He was wearing the clothes of a noble. She found herself returning his gaze, enraptured with him, until she realized George was speaking to her.
"Huh? What, George? I'm sorry, I lost my concentration for a moment. What were you saying?"
George wrinkled his nose in annoyance. "I said, do you think the Tortallan mages will be enough to stop those metal things you were talking about?"
"Um, I suppose so," she replied swiftly, gazing over his shoulder again to watch for the man. When she did, he was gone. Her expressions deceived her, and George noted her confusion.
"What's the matter, lass? Catch the glance of a handsome young man, maybe? It's not so impossible, you know." George made a sarcastic grin at her, much to her displeasure.
"Shut up, you big dolt, no one's going to be captivated by my ugly self." George looked at her in surprise.
"What are you talking about, lass? You think you're ugly? Nay, you have more beauty than some of the court ladies in here that actually try to do something with themselves to make them look pretty." Lana glared at him, exasperated, and let out an annoyed sigh.
"Excuse me, fair lady, kind sir, but may I cut in?" a voice came from behind Lana. She swirled around to see the man she had been so infatuated with standing there, looking coolly at George and smiling. George smiled back, and said, "Of course." He winked at Lana before trudging up to his wife. Lana turned to the man and swallowed uncomfortably. He was as handsome close-up as he was from a distance. His smile boasted straight, white teeth, and his hands were callused.
"Care to dance?" he asked plainly.
"Well, all right," Lana answered timidly, holding up a hand for him to take. He led her to a private section of the dance floor, amid the twinkling eyes of George, who was smiling devilishly.
"Pardon my bluntness, but who are you?" Lana asked when they had begun dancing. The man chuckled at this, and his eyes shimmered brightly.
"Well, my dear, my friends call me Ben," he replied, amusement lining the expressions of his face.
Lana raised an eyebrow. "And am I your friend? You've never met me before, at least not to my knowledge. And Ben what? Sir Ben? Duke Ben? What shall it be?" He contemplated it for a while, and answered.
"Well, I hope to be your friend. No, we've never met before, and I am Sir Benjamin of Fall's Peak. In Galla? I'm sure you've heard of it." Lana nodded in resignation, and crossed her eyebrows quizzically.
"How did you get across the border? It was nearly impossible for me, even if I did have the disguise of being a woman on my side."
"I have my connections on the other side," he remarked frankly. "My father was Scanran." Lana furrowed her eyebrows.
"But your allegiance is to Galla?" she asked accusingly. He simply smiled.
"Of course it is."
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
That night, Alanna fell into a deep sleep next to her husband, George Cooper. So deep a sleep that she did not hear her husband slip out of bed and into the entrance hall. There, he scribbled a quick note, and headed out the door. He traveled into town on horseback, and entered the Dancing Dove when the only ones awake were the drunken old men. A few greeted him, some clapped him on the back, and others nodded a simple welcome. George climbed up the stairs to his cousin's room and opened the door, where Rispah was sleeping. Silently, he left the note on her bed stand, climbed back down the stairs, uttered a farewell to a few old friends, and made his way back to Pirate's Swoop.
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
A:N/// That's chapter four for you, folks. Hope you enjoyed reading it. Do you like the whole mystery with George and Lana and Rispah and all them? Tell me if you do. Personally, it has to be there, because... well, actually I can't tell you, on account that I'll ruin the surprise. Don't you just love those surprises? Makes life more interesting, in my opinion. Next chapter: More of the cryptic but handsome Benjamin, who just happens to conveniently have a Scanran father and connections with Scanra... Alanna and George talk, and I'll incorporate Jon into there somehow. I haven't really thought of how yet. Every chapter, I'll also unravel a little of Lana's past too, so pay attention to details. I might have more K/C, or maybe a little more of Neal, I'm really not sure. Please R&R, and give me feedback! I really appreciate when people review, it makes me more motivated to write, even when I'm at a loss for words. Until next chapter!
*~Kaori~*
Disclaimer: I don't own any TP books, although I do own the plot of this humble fanfic. I own Lana, and Benjamin (he's the new character) and King Andrew. Kel, Alanna, Cleon :), and all the other characters belong to Tamora Pierce. Duh. : P
A:N/// This chapter is the fight between Kel and Lana. They have quite a few surprises of their own, and the fight goes on for a while. Also, one midwinter ball finally happens in this chapter. Time to stop babbling now.
Kel suited up easily; she was in the perfect attire for fencing. Lana took no time at all cleaning her blade, polishing its glistering surface with an old cloth. In a matter of seconds, they were both ready for the showdown. Whispers had risen that the two female knights were to fence, and a small crowd had gathered in the background. They were unnoticeable to Kel and Lana however, as they took their places at either side of the court.
"Good luck, Sir Keladry," Lana said, a smirk perpetually implanted on her face.
"I'm sure I'll need it, fighting against you," Kel shot back. "This will be a refreshing change. Most of the boys I fence against can't even hold their sword right."
"I'm sure." Lana held up her sword, in the signal to go. The two circled endlessly, amid the rowdy cheers from the throng of people that had enclosed them in a fairly open circle. Lana charged first, her blade missing Kel's shoulder by inches. Kel backed away speedily, parrying Lana's attack with an aggression of her own. She moved on the offensive, Lana blocking blow for blow.
"She's good," Kel thought, sweat rolling off her forehead mercilessly. "I wonder how long she'll be able to keep it up. Or visa versa. Just pay attention, Kel. Just-"
"Yahhh!" Lana howled in victory. She brought her sword down onto Kel's shoulder. It had enough momentum to pierce Kel's muscle. Kel steadily swerved to the right of the gleaming knife and placed her hand on the flat side of her own sword. Thrusting upward, she stopped Lana's offense.
Her breathing arduous, Lana spoke. "Not bad, Mindelan." Kel withdrew her blade from hers.
"Not so bad yourself," Kel riposted. "Shall we continue?"
"Of course," was the only response she got from the misty eyed advisory that stood before her. Before Kel had the chance to breathe, Lana was upon her. She feinted to the left, intending to mar Kel in her forearm. Kel veered away, intending to save energy by using plain movement to avoid attacks. Lana returned by making great, neat sweeps toward Kel, keeping her balance perfectly. Kel, unable to evade her descents anymore, parried with her sword, bringing it up to block. The tone of the crowd had intensified; wild salutes could be heard for both knights. Kel moved onto the offensive, until she saw her opening; Lana's left flank was unprotected. Hastily, she oscillated her blade in the direction of Lana's side. Lana saw the blade coming and her hand made a quick transit to her belt hilt, where she pulled out a dagger. Twisting the dagger, she caught Kel's weapon and spun it out of her hand, her own sword forgotten in the dirt. Kel stared at the dagger in Lana's shaky hand in
approbation and bafflement. She breathed unsoundly; it echoed through her ears with the sound of tens of thousands of animals charging toward her. The tumult was dead silent, looking for a response from either of the two fighters. Lana stood in her spot, unwavering, respiring heavily as tiny droplets of water rolled down her skin. Her clothes clung to her body, stiff and worn.
Slowly, Kel drew her own dagger from her belt hilt. The crowd's cheer was deafening; it cut through Kel like a knife. Lana nodded in approval, and spoke:
"I misjudged you, Kel. I didn't suppose you would be this resourceful." Kel made swift strides, encircling the older knight.
"Some people do. It usually isn't to their benefit, though," she breathed, putting on her Yamani face. Lana twirled her dagger in her callused fingers.
"I know that now. On with our skirmish, then?" Lana's tone was more of a statement then a question.
"Of course," Kel replied, edging closer to Lana with every step. Lana smiled when Kel was within steps of her.
Then, she struck.
Lana's dagger swept sideways, meeting Kel's at midpoint. She alternated sides and struck there, Kel blocking a second time. Unexpectedly, she grabbed Kel's wrist and flipped her over onto her back. Kel recoiled, using the momentum of the fall to propel her backwards and upright, although dropping her dagger in the process. Kel searched for it, and saw it glimmering in the dust twenty meters away. "Twenty meters too far," Kel thought. She looked into Lana's eyes, Lana looking back. Without a word, Lana dropped her dagger, putting her hands up defensively and setting her body into a crouch. Kel raised an eyebrow, and did the same. The two ran for each other, Kel sending the first punch. Lana ducked and dropped below, reaching for Kel's leg to trip her. Kel jumped up, avoiding Lana's attack, and went down with a strong kick. Lana jumps backwards, and a foggy gray light formed in her palm. Without warning, she flung it straight at Kel.
Kel's eyes widened as the ball of magic hurtled toward her. She dropped to the ground, falling on her back, to avoid the blast. Lana came up in front of her and kneeled down on Kel's stomach. "Give up, Kel," she rasped, a warning apparent by the tone of her voice. Kel raised her hands above her head, and Lana shakily got up. The crowd moaned slightly at the loss of their warrior, but was happy to see a good fight.
"I didn't know you had the Gift," Kel gasped. Lana smiled unexpectedly.
"You should be ready for anything, Kel. If I was a true enemy, I wouldn't have given you the choice of giving up." Lana gave Kel a hand up. "Nevertheless, it was an excellently fought combat. I commend you. Not many would be able to last so long, at least not of the warriors I've fought." She held up a hand for Kel to shake. She took it, grinning as she did.
"We should do this again, then." Kel smirked.
"Most definitely."
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
"What? She beat you? How?"
"Cleon, it was no big deal. She beat me fair and square; there's nothing I can do about it. Now, pass me that hair pin, would you?" Kel asked Cleon, unperturbed.
"You could have a rematch," Cleon said matter-of-factly as he brought the pin from her dresser to her. He moved smooth hands onto the backs of her shoulders, massaging them gently. Kel reached for the pin in his hand, but he pulled back playfully.
"Come now, Cleon, I have to get ready for the ball. Tomorrow's the last day of midwinter, and everyone always looks the nicest the last two days," Kel protested. Still, Cleon backed away.
"You can have it - if you say something to me." Kel rolled her eyes plaintively, and shook her head.
"What do you want me to say?" she asked quietly. Cleon's face turned bright, and he grinned at her.
"Tell me you love me." He gave a crooked smile, and raised an eyebrow in amusement.
Kel smiled right back at him. "You tell me first."
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
The Midwinter ball was grand; decorations hung from the ceiling, food was in bountiful amount, and everyone was having a good time. Even Raoul, commander of the King's Own, who usually hated this sort of thing, was having his fair share of dances with Buri. It was a night of festivities, laughing, eating, partying, and all around having a good time.
Except for Lana.
She loathed social events; they caused the fall of men in her opinion. She was expected to come; it was her duty as ambassador of Galla to attend any major events that occurred in the country she was supposed to be making peace with. But how she *loathed* social events.
Lana had watched Kel and Cleon come in together a while back; they were a nice sight for her weary, lonely eyes. Lana laughed at herself; she was but two years older than Kel, and even younger than Cleon was, and she was speaking as if she were an old woman. Eleni had been there as well, with her husband, Sir Myles of Olau. Even they had found each other. After the death of Eleni's husband, she had not had the sense to get out for some while. Myles was good for her, Lana had decided. She had gotten a few invitations to dance, but after she turned down every one of them, word must have gotten around that she did not wish to dance. She sat on a mildly comfortable windowsill, watching the couples dance.
"M'lady," a voice broke through her calm reserves. "Would you care to have this dance with me?" Lana was able to answer without even looking at the man.
"I don't wish to dance, kind sir. I am tired and weary, and am not capable now of entertaining you well with a dance." Lana moved her gaze to the window, where she watched the rain patter softly on the outside glass.
"Oh, but I insist, lady," the man replied. Lana turned sharply to him, about to say something vicious. Instead, she froze. The man standing in front of her was in his forties, maybe, with brown hair and hazel eyes that penetrated her. His mouth was curved into a tiny smile as he held out a hand to her. "And so I repeat myself, lady. May I have this dance?"
Lana smiled and shook her head. "Of course, George." Baron George Cooper of Pirate's Swoop laughed and picked her up. They moved silently to the dance floor and swayed with the music. They were reserved for what seemed like a long time, until George broke the silence.
"Mother told me you were back," George said softly. "Things not working out in Galla? I hear from Alanna that you're under attack from Scanran raiders. It's that bad that you have to ask us for help? I would have thought the Gallan military would be able to handle a few raiders."
"It's move than a few raiders," Lana shot back angrily. "They have these- these metal things! They're as hard as swords, but don't break when we use even our mages on them! Part of the reason we went to Tortall was because you have the two most powerful mages in all the Eastern Lands with you, Numair Salamin and Alanna the Lioness. We figured that maybe a more powerful mage was in order to stop them." She twisted her face in disgust. "Revolting creatures, they are. Don't even look human. Or immortal for that, either. They're just - I can't even begin to describe it. And the Scanrans who created them are no better." She sighed in defeat, downtrodden, and glanced down at her feet. George smiled at her sympathetically. Her whole country was placed on her shoulders, and she could do little but report the facts to others, who would do the job that she couldn't on her own. He reached down and touched her cheek tenderly.
"Love, don't worry. This will all be sorted out soon. And when it is, you'll have to show me your place in Galla. S' it big? No, forget that notion; nothing will ever be big enough to contain you, Lady." She smiled at his remark, but suddenly came to the realization that another pair of eyes was watching her. She slid her vision behind George to see a young man staring at her. He was in his twenties, easily. Chestnut hair and icy sapphire eyes defined his face, and high, rosy cheekbones gave contrast to his figure. He was tall, not too muscular, but handsome all the same. He was wearing the clothes of a noble. She found herself returning his gaze, enraptured with him, until she realized George was speaking to her.
"Huh? What, George? I'm sorry, I lost my concentration for a moment. What were you saying?"
George wrinkled his nose in annoyance. "I said, do you think the Tortallan mages will be enough to stop those metal things you were talking about?"
"Um, I suppose so," she replied swiftly, gazing over his shoulder again to watch for the man. When she did, he was gone. Her expressions deceived her, and George noted her confusion.
"What's the matter, lass? Catch the glance of a handsome young man, maybe? It's not so impossible, you know." George made a sarcastic grin at her, much to her displeasure.
"Shut up, you big dolt, no one's going to be captivated by my ugly self." George looked at her in surprise.
"What are you talking about, lass? You think you're ugly? Nay, you have more beauty than some of the court ladies in here that actually try to do something with themselves to make them look pretty." Lana glared at him, exasperated, and let out an annoyed sigh.
"Excuse me, fair lady, kind sir, but may I cut in?" a voice came from behind Lana. She swirled around to see the man she had been so infatuated with standing there, looking coolly at George and smiling. George smiled back, and said, "Of course." He winked at Lana before trudging up to his wife. Lana turned to the man and swallowed uncomfortably. He was as handsome close-up as he was from a distance. His smile boasted straight, white teeth, and his hands were callused.
"Care to dance?" he asked plainly.
"Well, all right," Lana answered timidly, holding up a hand for him to take. He led her to a private section of the dance floor, amid the twinkling eyes of George, who was smiling devilishly.
"Pardon my bluntness, but who are you?" Lana asked when they had begun dancing. The man chuckled at this, and his eyes shimmered brightly.
"Well, my dear, my friends call me Ben," he replied, amusement lining the expressions of his face.
Lana raised an eyebrow. "And am I your friend? You've never met me before, at least not to my knowledge. And Ben what? Sir Ben? Duke Ben? What shall it be?" He contemplated it for a while, and answered.
"Well, I hope to be your friend. No, we've never met before, and I am Sir Benjamin of Fall's Peak. In Galla? I'm sure you've heard of it." Lana nodded in resignation, and crossed her eyebrows quizzically.
"How did you get across the border? It was nearly impossible for me, even if I did have the disguise of being a woman on my side."
"I have my connections on the other side," he remarked frankly. "My father was Scanran." Lana furrowed her eyebrows.
"But your allegiance is to Galla?" she asked accusingly. He simply smiled.
"Of course it is."
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
That night, Alanna fell into a deep sleep next to her husband, George Cooper. So deep a sleep that she did not hear her husband slip out of bed and into the entrance hall. There, he scribbled a quick note, and headed out the door. He traveled into town on horseback, and entered the Dancing Dove when the only ones awake were the drunken old men. A few greeted him, some clapped him on the back, and others nodded a simple welcome. George climbed up the stairs to his cousin's room and opened the door, where Rispah was sleeping. Silently, he left the note on her bed stand, climbed back down the stairs, uttered a farewell to a few old friends, and made his way back to Pirate's Swoop.
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
A:N/// That's chapter four for you, folks. Hope you enjoyed reading it. Do you like the whole mystery with George and Lana and Rispah and all them? Tell me if you do. Personally, it has to be there, because... well, actually I can't tell you, on account that I'll ruin the surprise. Don't you just love those surprises? Makes life more interesting, in my opinion. Next chapter: More of the cryptic but handsome Benjamin, who just happens to conveniently have a Scanran father and connections with Scanra... Alanna and George talk, and I'll incorporate Jon into there somehow. I haven't really thought of how yet. Every chapter, I'll also unravel a little of Lana's past too, so pay attention to details. I might have more K/C, or maybe a little more of Neal, I'm really not sure. Please R&R, and give me feedback! I really appreciate when people review, it makes me more motivated to write, even when I'm at a loss for words. Until next chapter!
*~Kaori~*