Chapter 12
After all those messy 'how have you been dear's?' and 'what's going on in the Court's?' finished, Shelaya left Binx to tell George and Alanna the news and went out to re-discover Pirate's Swoop.
She sighed as she walked along the stone corridors. She knew Pirate's Swoop very well. Ever since George had helped her with her job ( they had met up a few months later) Shelaya had gone for regular visits, it was almost like a second home, besides the Court.
She did not know what Alanna and George had told the Baron Sir Myles, but ever since that day, she had never seen him again, even if it was by accident. She figured that he had forgotten her, which was good since she didn't need complications.
Clasping her hands behind her back, walking with a bounce to her step (which was something automatic now, it helped her move in any direction quickly), Shelaya breathed in the fresh seawater breeze through the many windows of the corridor that lit the place.
Climbing up a flight of stairs, she reached the observation deck, though it wasn't quite as empty as she had wished.
Leaning on the wall and looking out to the sea, was Sir Keladry, who looked extremely lonely.
Shelaya suddenly felt enormously charitable and softly walked up to the knight, leaned on the wall next to her and took a deep breathe.
"The air's nice isn't it, my Lady?" She softly commented. Giving Keladry a sideways glance.
"Don't call me that, it's Kel, and yes, the air's nice." Kel gave her an answer with a voice just as soft. Shelaya looked at her again, her face was as smooth as stone, but her eyes were troubled waters.
"Troubles?"
"Yes, but you need not try comforting me, I'm fine." Kel told her bluntly.
Slightly indignant, Shelaya spun around and leaned on the wall, her back to the sea, facing Shelaya.
"Ehem, just because you're a knight doesn't mean you've lost all feeling. You're tough alright," Shelaya ran her eyes over Kel's muscular arms, "But, you're still a woman with emotions, no difference."
Kel straightened up and looked into Shelaya's eyes, which were partly in shadow. Her eyes ran down Shelaya's length ending at her feet and then back. "I see Lalasa has been making your clothes."
Shelaya felt a slight popping in the air, and a feeling of release. Her eye's creased with laughter and twinkled.
"She's told me a lot about you," She didn't add that she never knew what Kel looked like until she had seen her in the office. "You're very well known, you know that, there're lots of girls who talk about you in the streets, wanting to be like you."
Kel leaned again on the wall and sighed, "Yes, but not exactly, my life wasn't as easy as it looks, hard work was my mantra."
Shelaya raised her eyebrows though it wasn't seen "Of course, you don't gain muscles like that in a day." She was very envious of Kel's muscles, and she told her so.
Kel laughed and they both lapsed into an easy silence.
"So were your parents thieves as well or…?"
"Hardly." Shelaya chuckled. "I don't even know my parents, and I think I can safely say that they were not thieves."
Kel looked at her quizzically.
"Are you sure you want to know my life story?" Shelaya asked her, slightly grimacing.
"Do you trust me enough to tell it to me?" Kel shot back.
Shelaya chuckled "Now you're what I call a good 'verbal sparring partner'"
Kel smiled, obviously knowing what she meant, since her once-upon-a-time page sponsor happened to be a Nealan of Queenscove. King of Argument.
So Shelaya began her tale, or what she knew of it, it really began when she first came to Corus and she explained all the bits that weren't important, and Keladry listened, sometimes with eyes wide open, sometimes with great interest and sometimes with pity.
And when she had finished, the two young ladies were seated on two chairs looking out at the sunset that was viewed from the perfectly positioned observation deck.
Kel sat back and commented absently. "Well, you've certainly had a full life."
"So…what ails you?" Shelaya still wanting to know what was wrong with the great Lady Knight.
" I guess I can trust you." Kel felt a great surge of liking to this girl, as if she was no stranger, like she had known her all her life. "It's…a tale that has happened to many women around the world, throughout the ages…the missing of one's love." And Kel proceeded to tell her how she felt, there were a lot of "I miss him's" in the telling, and many "I hope he's okay's", there were numerous "I love him so much's" and "I wish I could see him again's".
Kel's Yamani calm was slowly disintegrating, until her eyes welled up with tears.
She gulped, and quickly pulled back with the tears.
"Cleon of Kennan" Shelaya said, for absolutely no reason. "So…he's as nice as they say he is." And for another absolutely no reason: "My friend picked his pocket once, not oozing with money that one."
Kel looked up with her and gave her a wavery smile, not at all angry with the thievery, since that was her job. "No, he isn't…I hoped he's doing okay, he wants to get enough money to…" She bit her lip.
"…Get married?" Shelaya asked her.
Kel just nodded her head "I don't want to go into it" She managed with a whisper.
"My lips are sealed Lady Knight," She told her with an extravagant bow and sweeping Hideous off her head.
Kel chuckled, feeling much better.
Her eyes suddenly lit up with interest. "So, tell me, what's a Rogue's Knife?"
(A/N: Should I leave it at that? - Naw…I feel sorry for all of you…I'll keep goin')
Shelaya opened her lips to speak-
"-Let me explain m'Lady, Shelaya 'ere is much too modest an'won't give credit were it's due."
The two women scrambled to their feet, though Shelaya was already up at the voice's first syllable.
"Binx! That was quite rude" She gave him one of her brooding stares, that usually scared people.
He put his hands up in surrender "No need t'kill me Shelaya, love, I just 'rrived when m'Lady 'ere asked what a Rogue's Knife was," He flashed Shelaya a melting smile and focused his attention on Kel. He grabbed a nearby stool, motioned for them both to sit and sat himself down.
"Ye see m'wonderous Lady Knight, our red-'eaded Shelaya 'ere is a prize fer the king 'imslef. A Rogue's Knife, is basically th'king o'thieve's bodyguard on (ye may call 'em) 'Special Occasions'.
"Now wha' a Rogue Knife actually does, (since they're so honoured), is stand on th'King's right 'and side, and no other safety fer th'king may stand close. Th'Rogeu Knife's suppowsta be absolu'ely 'th'best'.
"The reason fer the Rogue Knife is, on these special occasions, th'King is not suppowsta show disrespect t'th'other guests by 'oldin' a knife in 'is 'and and watchin' every other person to see if they're dangerous or spies. So th'Rogue Knife is actually an extension of the King 'imslef, 'e is trusted by th'Rogue with th' King's life.
"That's th'grea'est honour in th'Cour' of The Rogue, because ye see, unlike normal royalty, th'King doesn't need bodyguards t'stand around him, 'e can look after 'imself, an'because of the rarety of needing bodyguards, everyun s'wishing t'be th' Rogue Knife and protect th' King.
"There's also another vain reason fer th'Rogue Knife. Th'King likes to show 'is visitors that 'is people are perfect. So the Rogue Knife is also there t'show off, when the King tell's him…er… her to. They're like peacocks, offcourse the showin'-off is more like showin' 'er skills an'all, if ye get m'drift.
"Th' Rogue Knife was introduced after th' "Retired George Cooper" left. I don't know why though, all I know is tha' only th' best ca'look after the Rogue. There 'ave never been any girl Rogue Knives, because men are usually be'er, with their muscle an'all, and there were never really tha' many girls on Field. So , it's a big honour on Shelaya, it's like th' 'quivalent of bein' th'Lioness fer a day, but be'er, 'cause there's no one else guardin' th'King but ye. It's nerve wrackin', but I reckon 'tis absolu'ely fun." He sat back smiling.
Shelaya was watching the sun creeping down to the horizon "Thanks for the documentary Binx."
But Kel was absolutely interested. "So, what's the occasion?"
"Th'Rogue Ball o' course"
"But then, if she's so important, why has she come here shouldn't she be getting ready or something."
"Ah well….Shelaya 'ere was feelin' very restless, so th'King sent her on this errand, t'invite My Lord Baron the Retired George Cooper." He grinned at Shelaya.
There was a line between her eyebrows.
"What's wrong lass?"
She turned to both of them. "Mika was speaking to me yesterday. He heard through the grapevine, that…that...My Lord was inviting The Raven to the Ball."
Binx sat up straighter "That's poppycock! And what would Mika know, 'e's a second rate gatherer!"
"What?" Kel mumbled, knowing that she'd be ignored.
Binx turned to her slightly and muttered from the side of his mouth "Information gatherer, m'lady, Mika's an information gatherer, information gatherer's are a cousin to spies… not strictly speaking."
"No, I heard it from other's too, and they're letting a few Free Thieves in too, to get them back on the Court's side." She chewed her bottom lip. "I know there's going to be an attack, I know it, though I'm not sure I'll be enough to hold them off. And you know that no ones allowed weapons in the room, so that visitors are not offended, no one's going to be able to help me."
(A/N: 'The Raven' and the 'Free thieves' are not going to be explained in the story line, because it takes so long, so at the beginning of the next chapter I'll put in a brief summary of what and who each is. In the story itself, I'll probably just say that Shelaya told Kel what they were.)
"You'll do fine, love, let's not worry m'Lady Knight 'ere about thief problems." He glanced at Kel who was trying to follow their conversation. "We shouldn't worry 'er at all"
When she tried to protest that she wasn't worried, Binx grabbed her arm and put it in the crook of his "M'lady, 'tis time to sup, allow me to escort ye to yer room t'dress and meet us down stairs."
Kel smiled gently, he offered his other arm to Shelaya who shook her head.
"I'll watch your backs," She told him with a smirk. He had the decency to blush. When Kel asked why he did so, he replied by telling her that it was really his job to watch Shelaya's back.
As they walked out of the observation deck. Shelaya said brightly "No worries, old chap"
They reached Shelaya's rooms first, she turned and grabbed Kel's arm, holding both her hands around Kel's right forearm, and Kel did the same. The looked into each other's eyes as if saying: well met, friend. Both sets of eyes crinkled around the edges.
Just as Shelaya walked into her room Binx managed to slip a comment "Dress nicely Shelaya, Pirate's Swoop has many guests t'night, mayhap ye can catch yerslef a nice old chap."
Kel chuckled softly "Oh, he got you there"
She closed the door in their laughing faces, good-humouredly, and heard Binx roaring with laughter outside "And don't wear Hideous"
"Why not?" She murmured with a smirk.
(((((((((((((((((
( A/N: Mmmmm….I think I'm gonna call my hat Hideous...heheheh...Once again thank you everyone for those sweet reviews that let you keep goin' if not for yourself, then for the ones who want it. Thankyou *roses shower everyone*. You're all so damn sweet….*begins to break down and cry* 'thankyou' *is led away crying and clutching her Oscar lady*.Silence.
*Turns around and laughs wickedly at the sympathetic audience* "Mwehuhahahahahahahhahahahahha". You know, it's a miracle that I wrote such a sober chapter when I'm so incredibly hyper…=P)
After all those messy 'how have you been dear's?' and 'what's going on in the Court's?' finished, Shelaya left Binx to tell George and Alanna the news and went out to re-discover Pirate's Swoop.
She sighed as she walked along the stone corridors. She knew Pirate's Swoop very well. Ever since George had helped her with her job ( they had met up a few months later) Shelaya had gone for regular visits, it was almost like a second home, besides the Court.
She did not know what Alanna and George had told the Baron Sir Myles, but ever since that day, she had never seen him again, even if it was by accident. She figured that he had forgotten her, which was good since she didn't need complications.
Clasping her hands behind her back, walking with a bounce to her step (which was something automatic now, it helped her move in any direction quickly), Shelaya breathed in the fresh seawater breeze through the many windows of the corridor that lit the place.
Climbing up a flight of stairs, she reached the observation deck, though it wasn't quite as empty as she had wished.
Leaning on the wall and looking out to the sea, was Sir Keladry, who looked extremely lonely.
Shelaya suddenly felt enormously charitable and softly walked up to the knight, leaned on the wall next to her and took a deep breathe.
"The air's nice isn't it, my Lady?" She softly commented. Giving Keladry a sideways glance.
"Don't call me that, it's Kel, and yes, the air's nice." Kel gave her an answer with a voice just as soft. Shelaya looked at her again, her face was as smooth as stone, but her eyes were troubled waters.
"Troubles?"
"Yes, but you need not try comforting me, I'm fine." Kel told her bluntly.
Slightly indignant, Shelaya spun around and leaned on the wall, her back to the sea, facing Shelaya.
"Ehem, just because you're a knight doesn't mean you've lost all feeling. You're tough alright," Shelaya ran her eyes over Kel's muscular arms, "But, you're still a woman with emotions, no difference."
Kel straightened up and looked into Shelaya's eyes, which were partly in shadow. Her eyes ran down Shelaya's length ending at her feet and then back. "I see Lalasa has been making your clothes."
Shelaya felt a slight popping in the air, and a feeling of release. Her eye's creased with laughter and twinkled.
"She's told me a lot about you," She didn't add that she never knew what Kel looked like until she had seen her in the office. "You're very well known, you know that, there're lots of girls who talk about you in the streets, wanting to be like you."
Kel leaned again on the wall and sighed, "Yes, but not exactly, my life wasn't as easy as it looks, hard work was my mantra."
Shelaya raised her eyebrows though it wasn't seen "Of course, you don't gain muscles like that in a day." She was very envious of Kel's muscles, and she told her so.
Kel laughed and they both lapsed into an easy silence.
"So were your parents thieves as well or…?"
"Hardly." Shelaya chuckled. "I don't even know my parents, and I think I can safely say that they were not thieves."
Kel looked at her quizzically.
"Are you sure you want to know my life story?" Shelaya asked her, slightly grimacing.
"Do you trust me enough to tell it to me?" Kel shot back.
Shelaya chuckled "Now you're what I call a good 'verbal sparring partner'"
Kel smiled, obviously knowing what she meant, since her once-upon-a-time page sponsor happened to be a Nealan of Queenscove. King of Argument.
So Shelaya began her tale, or what she knew of it, it really began when she first came to Corus and she explained all the bits that weren't important, and Keladry listened, sometimes with eyes wide open, sometimes with great interest and sometimes with pity.
And when she had finished, the two young ladies were seated on two chairs looking out at the sunset that was viewed from the perfectly positioned observation deck.
Kel sat back and commented absently. "Well, you've certainly had a full life."
"So…what ails you?" Shelaya still wanting to know what was wrong with the great Lady Knight.
" I guess I can trust you." Kel felt a great surge of liking to this girl, as if she was no stranger, like she had known her all her life. "It's…a tale that has happened to many women around the world, throughout the ages…the missing of one's love." And Kel proceeded to tell her how she felt, there were a lot of "I miss him's" in the telling, and many "I hope he's okay's", there were numerous "I love him so much's" and "I wish I could see him again's".
Kel's Yamani calm was slowly disintegrating, until her eyes welled up with tears.
She gulped, and quickly pulled back with the tears.
"Cleon of Kennan" Shelaya said, for absolutely no reason. "So…he's as nice as they say he is." And for another absolutely no reason: "My friend picked his pocket once, not oozing with money that one."
Kel looked up with her and gave her a wavery smile, not at all angry with the thievery, since that was her job. "No, he isn't…I hoped he's doing okay, he wants to get enough money to…" She bit her lip.
"…Get married?" Shelaya asked her.
Kel just nodded her head "I don't want to go into it" She managed with a whisper.
"My lips are sealed Lady Knight," She told her with an extravagant bow and sweeping Hideous off her head.
Kel chuckled, feeling much better.
Her eyes suddenly lit up with interest. "So, tell me, what's a Rogue's Knife?"
(A/N: Should I leave it at that? - Naw…I feel sorry for all of you…I'll keep goin')
Shelaya opened her lips to speak-
"-Let me explain m'Lady, Shelaya 'ere is much too modest an'won't give credit were it's due."
The two women scrambled to their feet, though Shelaya was already up at the voice's first syllable.
"Binx! That was quite rude" She gave him one of her brooding stares, that usually scared people.
He put his hands up in surrender "No need t'kill me Shelaya, love, I just 'rrived when m'Lady 'ere asked what a Rogue's Knife was," He flashed Shelaya a melting smile and focused his attention on Kel. He grabbed a nearby stool, motioned for them both to sit and sat himself down.
"Ye see m'wonderous Lady Knight, our red-'eaded Shelaya 'ere is a prize fer the king 'imslef. A Rogue's Knife, is basically th'king o'thieve's bodyguard on (ye may call 'em) 'Special Occasions'.
"Now wha' a Rogue Knife actually does, (since they're so honoured), is stand on th'King's right 'and side, and no other safety fer th'king may stand close. Th'Rogeu Knife's suppowsta be absolu'ely 'th'best'.
"The reason fer the Rogue Knife is, on these special occasions, th'King is not suppowsta show disrespect t'th'other guests by 'oldin' a knife in 'is 'and and watchin' every other person to see if they're dangerous or spies. So th'Rogue Knife is actually an extension of the King 'imslef, 'e is trusted by th'Rogue with th' King's life.
"That's th'grea'est honour in th'Cour' of The Rogue, because ye see, unlike normal royalty, th'King doesn't need bodyguards t'stand around him, 'e can look after 'imself, an'because of the rarety of needing bodyguards, everyun s'wishing t'be th' Rogue Knife and protect th' King.
"There's also another vain reason fer th'Rogue Knife. Th'King likes to show 'is visitors that 'is people are perfect. So the Rogue Knife is also there t'show off, when the King tell's him…er… her to. They're like peacocks, offcourse the showin'-off is more like showin' 'er skills an'all, if ye get m'drift.
"Th' Rogue Knife was introduced after th' "Retired George Cooper" left. I don't know why though, all I know is tha' only th' best ca'look after the Rogue. There 'ave never been any girl Rogue Knives, because men are usually be'er, with their muscle an'all, and there were never really tha' many girls on Field. So , it's a big honour on Shelaya, it's like th' 'quivalent of bein' th'Lioness fer a day, but be'er, 'cause there's no one else guardin' th'King but ye. It's nerve wrackin', but I reckon 'tis absolu'ely fun." He sat back smiling.
Shelaya was watching the sun creeping down to the horizon "Thanks for the documentary Binx."
But Kel was absolutely interested. "So, what's the occasion?"
"Th'Rogue Ball o' course"
"But then, if she's so important, why has she come here shouldn't she be getting ready or something."
"Ah well….Shelaya 'ere was feelin' very restless, so th'King sent her on this errand, t'invite My Lord Baron the Retired George Cooper." He grinned at Shelaya.
There was a line between her eyebrows.
"What's wrong lass?"
She turned to both of them. "Mika was speaking to me yesterday. He heard through the grapevine, that…that...My Lord was inviting The Raven to the Ball."
Binx sat up straighter "That's poppycock! And what would Mika know, 'e's a second rate gatherer!"
"What?" Kel mumbled, knowing that she'd be ignored.
Binx turned to her slightly and muttered from the side of his mouth "Information gatherer, m'lady, Mika's an information gatherer, information gatherer's are a cousin to spies… not strictly speaking."
"No, I heard it from other's too, and they're letting a few Free Thieves in too, to get them back on the Court's side." She chewed her bottom lip. "I know there's going to be an attack, I know it, though I'm not sure I'll be enough to hold them off. And you know that no ones allowed weapons in the room, so that visitors are not offended, no one's going to be able to help me."
(A/N: 'The Raven' and the 'Free thieves' are not going to be explained in the story line, because it takes so long, so at the beginning of the next chapter I'll put in a brief summary of what and who each is. In the story itself, I'll probably just say that Shelaya told Kel what they were.)
"You'll do fine, love, let's not worry m'Lady Knight 'ere about thief problems." He glanced at Kel who was trying to follow their conversation. "We shouldn't worry 'er at all"
When she tried to protest that she wasn't worried, Binx grabbed her arm and put it in the crook of his "M'lady, 'tis time to sup, allow me to escort ye to yer room t'dress and meet us down stairs."
Kel smiled gently, he offered his other arm to Shelaya who shook her head.
"I'll watch your backs," She told him with a smirk. He had the decency to blush. When Kel asked why he did so, he replied by telling her that it was really his job to watch Shelaya's back.
As they walked out of the observation deck. Shelaya said brightly "No worries, old chap"
They reached Shelaya's rooms first, she turned and grabbed Kel's arm, holding both her hands around Kel's right forearm, and Kel did the same. The looked into each other's eyes as if saying: well met, friend. Both sets of eyes crinkled around the edges.
Just as Shelaya walked into her room Binx managed to slip a comment "Dress nicely Shelaya, Pirate's Swoop has many guests t'night, mayhap ye can catch yerslef a nice old chap."
Kel chuckled softly "Oh, he got you there"
She closed the door in their laughing faces, good-humouredly, and heard Binx roaring with laughter outside "And don't wear Hideous"
"Why not?" She murmured with a smirk.
(((((((((((((((((
( A/N: Mmmmm….I think I'm gonna call my hat Hideous...heheheh...Once again thank you everyone for those sweet reviews that let you keep goin' if not for yourself, then for the ones who want it. Thankyou *roses shower everyone*. You're all so damn sweet….*begins to break down and cry* 'thankyou' *is led away crying and clutching her Oscar lady*.Silence.
*Turns around and laughs wickedly at the sympathetic audience* "Mwehuhahahahahahahhahahahahha". You know, it's a miracle that I wrote such a sober chapter when I'm so incredibly hyper…=P)