Chapter6: Kings and Clarinets
Ok, the disclaimer is the same as usual. All canon's and settings are Tamora Pierce's. But I OWN FI! Its about the only part of the fic I DO own other than the plot. Anyway, her is the relatively small thanx section
Smiles-a-lot, there is more to come, and soon don't worry. Cassidelia, glad you like Toy Story too! Mandi_girl, Faithful is not the main part, sadly, but he will have a couple of things to do. And Magelet, thanx for being the first person to review my story. I glad all of you like it, as Fi and her story are my pride and joy at the moment. Chapters 7, 8 and 9 will come soon
Fiona and Kel stood outside the history teacher's rooms. Fi was about to knock again when a grizzled middle-aged man came to the door. Both females bowed before Kel said, "It is nice to see you again Sir Myles. May I present Fiona. She is the newcomer." Pushing Fi forward, Kel stood back.
Myles smiled at the girl, "I'm glad to meet you young lady. Please, come inside."
Fi walked through the doorway. Inside she recognised Alanna and the Wildmage. She mouthed a thank you to Daine who winked back. By the table stood two men. The tallest was looking at her with dark eyes. His long black hair was streaked with grey and pulled back tightly into a horsetail. Fi assumed that this must be the mage Numair Salmalίn. The other, shorter, man finally stopped talking and looked up when he realised that he had lost the attention of his listeners. He too had black hair but also had a beard. He had quite stunning blue eyes and Fi didn't need anymore to know who this was. She bowed again, this time lowering herself further, " Your majesty, I am honoured to meet you." She said in a shaky voice. She knew now that the books told the truth, King Jonathan was the most handsome man she had ever seen!
The king smiled, " I wondered how long it would be before I met the most talked of person in my court," he remarked, "And I must say that whoever made up the rumour that you had orange eyes, purple hair and green lips has utterly mistaken."
Fi laughed with the rest of the people assembled, relaxing now that she was more at ease with her knew king. A new voice came from the door, making Fi spin around to see a K'miri woman, "The gossip is nearly as bad as when Alanna revealed that she was female," the copper haired woman blushed at the memory. The woman talking, who Fi guessed was Onua, carried on, " Anyway, I think you had better just get to the point Jon, it's hard enough to explain as it is."
"I agree" came a meow from the chair to Fi's far right. Faithful had obviously made his own way here.
"Thank you Onua, Faithful. Now lets get to business" Jonathan said, clapping his hands, "Myles if you would explain as you did before."
*****
Whilst the spymaster talked, Numair put into his role of the meeting. He was supposed to probe Fi for the extent of her Gift and to see if she had other magics. Reaching inside he used a part of his black coloured fire to change his vision to one that detected magic types. With this he saw the Lioness glowing Violet, the king giving off blue light and Onua shining red. The K'mir was also threaded with copper fire as was Daine, who had a particularly large amount. Looking to Fi, he saw something unusual. Her essence, like all humans, was a white fire. Surrounding that was a blue-grey fire. Fi was obviously one of many Gifted, including Alanna, whose Gift colour matched that of their eyes. From what he could tell, Fi's moderately sized Gift was mainly healing with a little bit that could be used for Seeing. But it was nothing special. No, it was something else that made Numair have to try hard to keep his face blank. Fiona held another fire within her. Like wild magic, it curved round the veins and arteries coming to a sort of spring round the outside of her Gift. However, unlike wild magic, this fire was not copper but a blinding white colour, dappled with violet lights. The mage felt that he should know this magic, as he was sure he had met it before.
Myles drew to a close, "So we think that you are this prophesised one mentioned in the 'Seer's prophecy'."
"And am I Master Numair?" asked Fi. She had felt her power probed gently because her necklace, ring and dagger all started to hum gently, as if for a warning.
Numair blinked. He wasn't used to un-introduced people knowing his name right off, nor was he used to people feeling him probe them, " You have a moderately sized, blue-grey Gift with which you can do a little Seeing. It's mainly for healing though. You also have another magic within you, which is similar to wild magic in the way it runs in your blood to a spring at your centre. It isn't the same though. I will find out what it is. I think I already know it but..."
" But where or when from." finished Fi
"Exactly so." replied the mage
Jonathan sighed, " I believe that, seeing as Fiona has a healing Gift, she should start studying from a healer immediately," he then looked at the black robe mage beside him, " Numair, could you try to find out what this magic is. And Keladry,"
"Yes majesty?" inquired the younger of the two lady knights.
"Are you planning on staying in the palace?"
"Yes highness."
" Then could you remain Fiona's escort around the palace please, she won't know the way round for a while. For now, I bid you all good night." With this, Jon stood and left the room.
Alanna rose, yawning, " Come on then youngster," she said, placing a hand on Fi's shoulder, "Lets get some sleep. We need to find you a trainer in the morning. I'd teach you myself, but as Champion, I'll probably be out fighting soon."
"Lioness, I'm honoured for the sheer thought of it. Come on Faithful, let's get some sleep." Said Fi, lifting her cat and walking back to her room. Once changed for bed, the girl placed her new jewellery and dagger under her pillow before waves of exhaustion hit her.
*****
She woke to the sound of tweeting birds. It was just after dawn and Fi was always grumpy when she woke up early. She tried her blanket over her head but it didn't block of the noise. Frustrated, Fi got up and strode to the window, flinging back the shutters, "Ruddy lot of musicmakers, that's what you birds are! I'll show you real music!" Fi turned to a small black case and sat on her bed. Putting the case on her lap, she pushed the parts inside together. Reaching in to her packs once more she drew out a small strip of wood, which she placed on her instrument. Looking over her clarinet she smiled. Walking over to her window again she shouted, "Listen and learn small ones!" before putting the instrument to her mouth. She played through 'Für Elise', a piece she knew by heart. Once finished she realised that there was a sparrow sitting on her shoulder. Holding out an index finger she watched as the female flew to it. The bird had a pale white spot on its head.
" I'm pleased to meet you Crown. I'll make sure I provide food." The sparrow replied to this with a peep.
" Did you like my music then?" asked Fi. Crown peeped again and moved her head in a sparrow nod. She then left with the rest of her flock out the window.
*****
Fi dressed and washed before turning back to her music. She found classical, jazz and even her book of chart hits there as well as a piece of paper containing 3 bars of strange notes. Fi knew these must the distress call Shakith spoke of, so she left this well alone. At some point many hours later, a knock came at her door. Opening it she found Alanna with a young man in his early twenties, who though taller than the Lioness, Fi thought he was probably a little smaller than Kel. Green eyes were sparkling under brown hair. Fi thought he was quite handsome, though not enough to match King Jonathan.
"Fi this is Neal," said Alanna, "He is to introduce you to your teacher, his father."
"Duke Baird! He's the one who is to teach me!" Fi was quite shocked. She had only expected to be handed over to a lower level healer, not to the main one!
Neal bowed, "Lady Fiona, I..."
"It's Fi. I have no noble blood in my veins!"
"Fi then. Do you wish to begin now, or this afternoon?"
"Now will be fine Neal. Are you going to come too Alanna?"
The woman nodded, "I believe I am expected to be there also. His grace will surely find some use of me. Let's go. You lead Neal."
With that the three people left. Fi shut the door but forgot to lock it. Faithful rolled hi eyes and mewed an un-naturally low note. When the lock clicked, he trotted to catch up with the small group.
Continued in Chapter 7......