A million billion thank you's to my beta, Temptress! Love ya, Bryt! :-) The
List of Honor is at the bottom!! Hope you like this chapter!
A Whole New World
Chapter 2: The Newcomer
Mid-February
The manor of Pirate's Swoop, Tortall
In the twenty-first year of reign of King Jonathan IV and Thayet, his Queen
460 H.E.
"Callie! Callie, come here!"
Callie lifted her head and squinted up at the large manor above her. A small figure with red hair was waving to her-Alanna. Callie grinned and cupped her hands around her mouth. "I'll be up in a minute!" she yelled.
The doll-sized Alanna nodded and disappeared from Callie's vision. Callie frowned, wondering what the Lioness wanted that was so urgent to call her in from the beach. Callie had learned that, even though it was the same water that touched the Copper Isle's, she loved the ocean. She loved the sand, the salty taste of the water, and all the fish that swam in it. It was her favorite place to go and just think. Think about all of the happenings in her life-the birth of the innkeeper's baby, the Milson's house that had mysteriously caught fire last week, the death of a very treasured horse-everything that happened in the little town of Pirate's Swoop was her business.
Callie got up and dusted her knees off, her hair whipping in the sea breeze. She scowled and tied it back tightly with the leather tie she always used. It was unusually warm for mid February, and there was no snow. Once her full-legged breeches and thick wool cloak were sand-free, she kissed her hand and then touched it to the water. She felt a tingle go through her arm where she had touched the water and smiled. That had become something she enjoyed doing, just for the pleasure of touching the cool blue waves.
Callie turned toward the left and the path that would lead her to the drawbridge of her home. If someone had seen her four months earlier, when she had first arrived in the barrel, and seen her now, they would have had a hard time believing she was the same girl. She was not painfully thin anymore, and eating regularly had filled her out. Her bright blue eyes were even brighter, her hair thicker and more shiny than ever.
Callie walked up the path, stubbing her bare toe on a rock that hadn't been there moments before and cursing vividly. She was surprised at herself for a moment while she nursed her toe, but then laughed and realized she must have picked it up from the sailors that she saw regularly in the only inn at Pirate's Swoop: The Drunken Sailor.
The path came up on the outskirts of the village, to the left of the Drunken Sailor. Joanne, the innkeeper's wife and new mother, was hanging laundry on a line.
"Callie!" Joanne said warmly, spotting her young friend. "How're ya, dear?"
"I'm fine, thanks, Joanne," Callie said, but did not stop to chat. "I'm sorry, but Alanna needs me for something," she explained.
"Ah," Joanne said, nodding her head. "I know why! Her son, Sir Thom's back!"
Callie waved and began to jog, her brows knitted in thought. Alanna had mentioned a few times that she had a son who was knight, but Callie only knew her youngest: Alianne, who was sixteen and lived at home. Alianne had a twin, Alan, who was training to become a knight.
Callie had joined in on Alanna's training Alianne. Alanna had been sorely disappointed when Alianne had refused to become a knight, but had been training her in archery and fencing since she was able to hold the hilt of a sword. Alanna had been more than willing to teach Callie all these things, but since she did have a duty to the realm, their lessons together were not regular; so Alianne had taught Callie all she knew. They were now a fair match together in using a sword, but archery was not Callie's strong point.
She had reached the drawbridge, which was down, and she entered the inner walls. There, the whole family plus others were gathered around a man who was dismounting from his horse as she came up. Grooms rushed to take the black stallion while everyone crowded around the man. He removed his helmet and Callie had to restrain from gaping. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen, with dark red, curly hair, tanned skin, and a tall build, he definitely took after his father, but had his mother's face.
He smiled at them all and hugged them, but Callie stayed a distance behind. He shouted when he saw how his sister had grown, and hugged her tightly. Alianne turned and spotted Callie and gestured her over. Callie shook her head, embarrassed. Alianne shot her a confused looked and walked over.
"C'mon, Callie! I want you to meet Thom!" she called.
"Um-well, I suppose I could wait until, you know, everyone else he knows gets a chance to greet him-"
"Callie! Come here!" George called, beckoning her. He had gotten Thom's attention, and Thom looked over and locked his hazel eyes with Callie's sapphire blue one's. He smiled rather dazedly at her, and shook his head and turned to his father.
"Who is that?" he asked.
"Thom, this is the girl I wrote you about, the one from the Copper Islands!" Alanna said sternly.
Callie allowed herself to be dragged over to the handsome man by Alianne. "Brother dear, this is Callidora, but she likes to be called Callie, and Callie, this is my brother, Thom," Alianne said impatiently.
Callie smiled at him and he took her hand and kissed it. "Ma, you failed to tell me how beautiful she is," he said charmingly.
Callie blushed and looked down, suddenly aware of her dirty, bare feet and she blushed even more.
Alanna snorted. "I swear, Thom, you become more like your father every time I see you."
"And that's a bad thing?" George joked. "Come on inside lad and tell me about your first year as a knight."
Callie looked up and Thom grinned. "Sure, Da, but there's not much to tell."
"I'll see to dinner, you go ahead," Alanna said, ushering her husband and son to the door. When they had disappeared inside, Alanna turned towards Callie. She grinned, having a feeling that her son had knocked Callie off balance. "Come on, Callie."
"Er-yes, I think I'm actually going to go change my clothes, Alanna," Callie stammered.
Alanna smiled knowingly. "Just make sure your down in time for dinner. Oh and Callie-I had Maude make something for you-it's high time your parted with your breeches and told everyone that you were a girl."
Callie's eyes widened. "But I love my breeches!"
"I know you do, but I would be insulted if you didn't wear the dress I picked out for you," Alanna wheedled, knowing that it was the only was to get Callie to cooperate.
"Of course, Alanna," Callie said, glaring at her.
Alanna grinned in triumph and walked inside, whispering for Alianne to make sure she didn't try and get out of it. Alianne, sharing her mother's thoughts, readily obeyed and dragged Callie up the stairs and into her room.
"Alianne-OUCH, that HURT!" Callie shouted.
"Well, if you'd stop struggling I wouldn't have to hold you so tightly!" Alianne cried.
Callie glared at Alianne's hand, which was locked around her upper arm, but stopped struggling. "Why are you so anxious to get away from me anyway?" Alianne asked slyly.
"I-" Callie spluttered, her face rapidly turning crimson, "I've no notion as to what you're talking about!"
Alianne smiled to herself and nodded. They turned a corner and she opened the large oak door leading to Callie's bedchamber. There, lying on her bed, was the most beautiful dress Callie had ever seen.
The base was blue green silk with Yamani-style sleeves - long and rectangular. There was an overrobe next to it made of silver gauze. Alianne grinned and helped her into it. The gown itself was gorgeous alone, and with the overrobe Callie hardly recognized herself.
"You look great!" Alianne squealed, clapping her hands. Maude came in and ooh-ed over the dress and helped Callie to do her hair-simply brushed and shiny, falling to her waist. Maude shooed Alianne out so she could get dressed, and Alianne returned, looking much older than her sixteen years, in a gown of peach, her golden hair in slight curls. "She looks like a Yamani," Alianne remarked as she and Maude made last minute adjustments on Callie's dress.
"Is that a bad thing?" Callie asked nervously.
"She doesn't, Alianne! Her eyes are to light a blue," Maude said fondly, brushing a stray piece of hair away from Callie's face. "All right, I've done all I can do. You girls had best get moving."
Callie nodded, heart beating. She then took deep breaths, wondering why she was acting so nervous. It was just the family she had lived with for the past four months! So they hadn't seen her in a dress yet! So what if there was another person there-a very handsome person, Callie gulped-it didn't matter! He was still family!
~*~*~*~*
Thom sat into the chair to the right of his father, who was at the head of the long banquet table. He smiled gratefully, happy to be home.
"All right, Thom, lets here it. How was your first year as a knight?" His mother, Alanna the Lioness asked anxiously, having returned from the kitchen, leaning forward and placing her elbows on the table in a most unladylike way. But then, Thom reflected, had his mother ever been ladylike?
"Jantzon, my squire, was killed by bandits in a raid a few months back. Since then I have fought more bandits, but that is it. Nothing much to tell, like I said." Thom finished, leaning back in his seat.
Alanna sighed. "Well, I have a feeling that 'nothing much' is going to be a thing of the past soon."
"More trouble from Scanra?" Thom asked gravely, leaning forward attentively.
"Yes. Damn Maggur Rathausak, remember him? The one with nine clans under his rule last summer? Well, he's persuaded them to make him king," Alanna informed him.
"I heard that," Thom said thoughtfully. "I didn't know if it was true, thought."
George nodded grimly. "Jon's been in council with all his advisers for days now."
Thom cursed before the noise of a door shutting distracted the three. At the very end of the table and making their way up was Alianne, his sister, and Callidora, the young woman from the Copper Islands. Callie was wearing a dress the color of the sea, and when she came up close, Thom whispered, "Great Mother Goddess," hoarsely under his breath and jumped to his feet.
The dress clung to her curves, and her black hair was down to her waist. She was staring determinedly at her feet, refusing to meet his gaze. He walked around the table and her head slowly lifted up. Their eyes met, and she quickly turned crimson and averted her gaze.
Thom grinned and bowed. "Might I escort the lady to her seat?" he asked, holding his hand out.
Callie looked to him, her eyes wide. She nodded and hesitantly placed her hand in his. Alianne giggled, and her father jumped to his feet as Thom escorted Callie to the seat on his left. "Forgive him, my darlin' daughter, for his ignorance," George said formally, taking her on his arm and leading her to the seat next to Alanna. "He's just a bit-er-absorbed in other women."
Alianne laughed and sat gracefully next to her mother. "Too right you are," Alanna said with amusement, eyeing her son, who was pulling the chair out for Callie.
After seating Callie, Thom returned to his own seat and smiled at her. "I understand you like it here."
Callie's eyes lit. "I love Pirate's Swoop!"
George laughed. "And you know we love havin' you here, lass."
Callie blushed and studied her crystal goblet.
"And she spends more time at the beach then she does here," Alanna said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Why?" Thom asked curiously, leaning towards her.
"Well," Callie said, her eyes still focused on the goblet, "I-I don't exactly know why…I just feel like I belong when I'm in the water. And it's not just ocean water," she said quickly, looking at Alanna, "it's any type of water."
"Hmm," Alanna said, sitting back. "Sounds like elemental magic. But those Gifts aren't very common," she frowned.
"Should we have her tested?" George asked, looking at his wife intently.
"I've no doubt that Numair could do it," Alanna said thoughtfully. "He knows about elemental Gifts. But they are rare, so I'm not sure if one is actually living right now. But Numair would be the person to go to, of course."
"But-but I've never-I've only been able to make fire!" Callie exclaimed, forgetting herself.
Alanna turned to her. "Yes, but I'm positive you can do more. Sure, you might not have the Gift to heal, but you could be able to many other things…but you're right, George, we need to test her. It might be later rather than sooner, though," Alanna sighed as she removed her elbows so a servant could place a bowl of water in front of her and a towel.
Callie sighed internally and accepted the dish presented to her. She knew that Sir Thom was looking at her, but she was very uncomfortable under his gaze. He probably only thought she was nice looking. There was no chance he actually liked her, nobles didn't like commoners. It just wasn't done.
~*~*~*~*
Alianne stayed close to Callie for the next few days, observing her reaction to her older brother, Thom. Whenever he would enter the room (as he seemed to do quite a bit), Callie would look anywhere but at him, even though, Alianne thought, it was quite obvious that Callie knew Thom was staring at her and was still ignoring him completely.
After the fourth day or so, when Alianne was being dragged out of the greenhouse by Callie, she decided that she needed to do something.
It was obvious, by the disappointed look on Thom's face as Callie brushed him aside, that he was attracted to her. Alianne's mother had always sworn that her daughter had empathetic magic, for she had always been instantly able to tell when someone was sad or mad, and be able to help him or her. It wasn't lighting fires or healing, but to have the Gift of Empathy was not to be taken lightly, so Alanna had said.
Alianne's empathetic magic roared when she had seen the crestfallen look on her brother's face, and she felt quite irritated with the girl in front of her.
Alianne ordered herself to calm down; nothing good would come of being mad at someone. She decided, since it was very uncomfortable to be in the same room with the two and the rest of the household was beginning to notice it as well, that she should do something about it herself. After all, what was the use of empathetic magic if she didn't put it to work? Alianne assured herself as she wriggled out of Callie's grasp and massaged her wrist. She glared at the older girl. It was Callie who was acting so strangely, not Thom.
"Callie? Can we talk?"
"Yes, I suppose," Callie said, her voice tired.
"What's wrong?" Alianne asked, sitting down on a chair in the parlor next to her.
"I dunno. Let's go to the beach, want to? It always clears my head."
Alianne nodded and stood again. She followed Callie outdoors, through the inner walls of the manor, over the drawbridge, and down a path that had rarely been used until Callie came.
Callie skirted rocks like a pro, Alianne reflected as she narrowly missed tripping over a rock that jutted out, and must do this often. She walked right down the beach to a cluster of rocks. One stuck out so it was over the water.
Callie quickly removed her soft leather boots and rolled her full breaches up, and stepped into the water. She gave a sigh of relief and Alianne couldn't help but giggle. She followed Callie's lead and stepped into the water-and right back out again.
"Gods above, the water's frigid!" Alianne cried, sitting on the rock and tucking her feet under her.
"Mm, it feels good," Callie said dreamily.
Alianne had to suppress a scathing remark, and instead said, "all right, water woman, we need to talk. Why do you hate my brother so much?"
Callie's eyes popped open and she looked sharply at her friend. "I don't hate Thom. What makes you think that?"
"Well, I don't know, maybe it's because you aren't exactly friendly when it comes to him, like a minute ago, when he asked you very nicely if you wanted to walk on the beach with him later and you gave a very curt, 'no thank you', grabbed me, and left." Alianne said, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Callie glanced at her and perched on the rock. "I don't expect you to understand, so I shan't tell you."
"Try me."
Callie sighed. "He's two years older than me…there is no possible way that he actually has feelings for me."
Alianne could tell that she was definitely leaving something out, and she did have a feeling as to what it was, but she also had enough sense to tell that that was all she would get out of Callie and decided to not question her further. Instead she shrugged nonchalantly. "He does like you, whether you want to believe it or not. I know he really does want to be at least your friend."
"I will be friends with him, of course! But I thought that he-well," she blushed and stopped abruptly.
Alianne thought quickly. The only way she would ever get her friend and brother romantically involved was if Thom proved to Callie that he really did care for her. Alianne would have to hope that her brother had enough sense to do that. But, before that would happen, she had to get them to become friends.
"Well," she began slowly, carefully thinking about what she would say next, "I don't think that Thom likes you romantically, but I know he wants to be your friend, definitely."
Callie relaxed. "Good, then, as long as he doesn't have any of…those…feelings for me, then I will be glad to be friends with him."
Alianne smiled to herself and hugged Callie around the shoulders. "Well, then, lets go back up and be friendly! I know that you want to improve your archery skills, and Thom's a fair shot. I'm sure he'd be happy to er-tutor- you!"
"Great," Callie said, and she sounded truly happy. The two young women hopped off the rock and set off down the beach. "Oh!" Callie exclaimed as they were about to get on the path home, "I forgot to say goodbye!"
Before Alianne could ask, Callie had set off towards the water. She followed slowly, and the most astonishing thing happened. Callie pressed her fingers to her lips and touched the water, and her hand glowed a deep sea green. Alianne sucked in her breath. Callie returned, looking as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened, and Alianne fell into step behind her. She definitely had to tell her mother about that.
*puts on corny TV voice* Will Callie and Thom become friends? Tune in next time to find out! Only on fanfiction.net!
Oh, and if you would like me to email you when I update, tell me your addy when you review and I will!!
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A Whole New World
Chapter 2: The Newcomer
Mid-February
The manor of Pirate's Swoop, Tortall
In the twenty-first year of reign of King Jonathan IV and Thayet, his Queen
460 H.E.
"Callie! Callie, come here!"
Callie lifted her head and squinted up at the large manor above her. A small figure with red hair was waving to her-Alanna. Callie grinned and cupped her hands around her mouth. "I'll be up in a minute!" she yelled.
The doll-sized Alanna nodded and disappeared from Callie's vision. Callie frowned, wondering what the Lioness wanted that was so urgent to call her in from the beach. Callie had learned that, even though it was the same water that touched the Copper Isle's, she loved the ocean. She loved the sand, the salty taste of the water, and all the fish that swam in it. It was her favorite place to go and just think. Think about all of the happenings in her life-the birth of the innkeeper's baby, the Milson's house that had mysteriously caught fire last week, the death of a very treasured horse-everything that happened in the little town of Pirate's Swoop was her business.
Callie got up and dusted her knees off, her hair whipping in the sea breeze. She scowled and tied it back tightly with the leather tie she always used. It was unusually warm for mid February, and there was no snow. Once her full-legged breeches and thick wool cloak were sand-free, she kissed her hand and then touched it to the water. She felt a tingle go through her arm where she had touched the water and smiled. That had become something she enjoyed doing, just for the pleasure of touching the cool blue waves.
Callie turned toward the left and the path that would lead her to the drawbridge of her home. If someone had seen her four months earlier, when she had first arrived in the barrel, and seen her now, they would have had a hard time believing she was the same girl. She was not painfully thin anymore, and eating regularly had filled her out. Her bright blue eyes were even brighter, her hair thicker and more shiny than ever.
Callie walked up the path, stubbing her bare toe on a rock that hadn't been there moments before and cursing vividly. She was surprised at herself for a moment while she nursed her toe, but then laughed and realized she must have picked it up from the sailors that she saw regularly in the only inn at Pirate's Swoop: The Drunken Sailor.
The path came up on the outskirts of the village, to the left of the Drunken Sailor. Joanne, the innkeeper's wife and new mother, was hanging laundry on a line.
"Callie!" Joanne said warmly, spotting her young friend. "How're ya, dear?"
"I'm fine, thanks, Joanne," Callie said, but did not stop to chat. "I'm sorry, but Alanna needs me for something," she explained.
"Ah," Joanne said, nodding her head. "I know why! Her son, Sir Thom's back!"
Callie waved and began to jog, her brows knitted in thought. Alanna had mentioned a few times that she had a son who was knight, but Callie only knew her youngest: Alianne, who was sixteen and lived at home. Alianne had a twin, Alan, who was training to become a knight.
Callie had joined in on Alanna's training Alianne. Alanna had been sorely disappointed when Alianne had refused to become a knight, but had been training her in archery and fencing since she was able to hold the hilt of a sword. Alanna had been more than willing to teach Callie all these things, but since she did have a duty to the realm, their lessons together were not regular; so Alianne had taught Callie all she knew. They were now a fair match together in using a sword, but archery was not Callie's strong point.
She had reached the drawbridge, which was down, and she entered the inner walls. There, the whole family plus others were gathered around a man who was dismounting from his horse as she came up. Grooms rushed to take the black stallion while everyone crowded around the man. He removed his helmet and Callie had to restrain from gaping. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen, with dark red, curly hair, tanned skin, and a tall build, he definitely took after his father, but had his mother's face.
He smiled at them all and hugged them, but Callie stayed a distance behind. He shouted when he saw how his sister had grown, and hugged her tightly. Alianne turned and spotted Callie and gestured her over. Callie shook her head, embarrassed. Alianne shot her a confused looked and walked over.
"C'mon, Callie! I want you to meet Thom!" she called.
"Um-well, I suppose I could wait until, you know, everyone else he knows gets a chance to greet him-"
"Callie! Come here!" George called, beckoning her. He had gotten Thom's attention, and Thom looked over and locked his hazel eyes with Callie's sapphire blue one's. He smiled rather dazedly at her, and shook his head and turned to his father.
"Who is that?" he asked.
"Thom, this is the girl I wrote you about, the one from the Copper Islands!" Alanna said sternly.
Callie allowed herself to be dragged over to the handsome man by Alianne. "Brother dear, this is Callidora, but she likes to be called Callie, and Callie, this is my brother, Thom," Alianne said impatiently.
Callie smiled at him and he took her hand and kissed it. "Ma, you failed to tell me how beautiful she is," he said charmingly.
Callie blushed and looked down, suddenly aware of her dirty, bare feet and she blushed even more.
Alanna snorted. "I swear, Thom, you become more like your father every time I see you."
"And that's a bad thing?" George joked. "Come on inside lad and tell me about your first year as a knight."
Callie looked up and Thom grinned. "Sure, Da, but there's not much to tell."
"I'll see to dinner, you go ahead," Alanna said, ushering her husband and son to the door. When they had disappeared inside, Alanna turned towards Callie. She grinned, having a feeling that her son had knocked Callie off balance. "Come on, Callie."
"Er-yes, I think I'm actually going to go change my clothes, Alanna," Callie stammered.
Alanna smiled knowingly. "Just make sure your down in time for dinner. Oh and Callie-I had Maude make something for you-it's high time your parted with your breeches and told everyone that you were a girl."
Callie's eyes widened. "But I love my breeches!"
"I know you do, but I would be insulted if you didn't wear the dress I picked out for you," Alanna wheedled, knowing that it was the only was to get Callie to cooperate.
"Of course, Alanna," Callie said, glaring at her.
Alanna grinned in triumph and walked inside, whispering for Alianne to make sure she didn't try and get out of it. Alianne, sharing her mother's thoughts, readily obeyed and dragged Callie up the stairs and into her room.
"Alianne-OUCH, that HURT!" Callie shouted.
"Well, if you'd stop struggling I wouldn't have to hold you so tightly!" Alianne cried.
Callie glared at Alianne's hand, which was locked around her upper arm, but stopped struggling. "Why are you so anxious to get away from me anyway?" Alianne asked slyly.
"I-" Callie spluttered, her face rapidly turning crimson, "I've no notion as to what you're talking about!"
Alianne smiled to herself and nodded. They turned a corner and she opened the large oak door leading to Callie's bedchamber. There, lying on her bed, was the most beautiful dress Callie had ever seen.
The base was blue green silk with Yamani-style sleeves - long and rectangular. There was an overrobe next to it made of silver gauze. Alianne grinned and helped her into it. The gown itself was gorgeous alone, and with the overrobe Callie hardly recognized herself.
"You look great!" Alianne squealed, clapping her hands. Maude came in and ooh-ed over the dress and helped Callie to do her hair-simply brushed and shiny, falling to her waist. Maude shooed Alianne out so she could get dressed, and Alianne returned, looking much older than her sixteen years, in a gown of peach, her golden hair in slight curls. "She looks like a Yamani," Alianne remarked as she and Maude made last minute adjustments on Callie's dress.
"Is that a bad thing?" Callie asked nervously.
"She doesn't, Alianne! Her eyes are to light a blue," Maude said fondly, brushing a stray piece of hair away from Callie's face. "All right, I've done all I can do. You girls had best get moving."
Callie nodded, heart beating. She then took deep breaths, wondering why she was acting so nervous. It was just the family she had lived with for the past four months! So they hadn't seen her in a dress yet! So what if there was another person there-a very handsome person, Callie gulped-it didn't matter! He was still family!
~*~*~*~*
Thom sat into the chair to the right of his father, who was at the head of the long banquet table. He smiled gratefully, happy to be home.
"All right, Thom, lets here it. How was your first year as a knight?" His mother, Alanna the Lioness asked anxiously, having returned from the kitchen, leaning forward and placing her elbows on the table in a most unladylike way. But then, Thom reflected, had his mother ever been ladylike?
"Jantzon, my squire, was killed by bandits in a raid a few months back. Since then I have fought more bandits, but that is it. Nothing much to tell, like I said." Thom finished, leaning back in his seat.
Alanna sighed. "Well, I have a feeling that 'nothing much' is going to be a thing of the past soon."
"More trouble from Scanra?" Thom asked gravely, leaning forward attentively.
"Yes. Damn Maggur Rathausak, remember him? The one with nine clans under his rule last summer? Well, he's persuaded them to make him king," Alanna informed him.
"I heard that," Thom said thoughtfully. "I didn't know if it was true, thought."
George nodded grimly. "Jon's been in council with all his advisers for days now."
Thom cursed before the noise of a door shutting distracted the three. At the very end of the table and making their way up was Alianne, his sister, and Callidora, the young woman from the Copper Islands. Callie was wearing a dress the color of the sea, and when she came up close, Thom whispered, "Great Mother Goddess," hoarsely under his breath and jumped to his feet.
The dress clung to her curves, and her black hair was down to her waist. She was staring determinedly at her feet, refusing to meet his gaze. He walked around the table and her head slowly lifted up. Their eyes met, and she quickly turned crimson and averted her gaze.
Thom grinned and bowed. "Might I escort the lady to her seat?" he asked, holding his hand out.
Callie looked to him, her eyes wide. She nodded and hesitantly placed her hand in his. Alianne giggled, and her father jumped to his feet as Thom escorted Callie to the seat on his left. "Forgive him, my darlin' daughter, for his ignorance," George said formally, taking her on his arm and leading her to the seat next to Alanna. "He's just a bit-er-absorbed in other women."
Alianne laughed and sat gracefully next to her mother. "Too right you are," Alanna said with amusement, eyeing her son, who was pulling the chair out for Callie.
After seating Callie, Thom returned to his own seat and smiled at her. "I understand you like it here."
Callie's eyes lit. "I love Pirate's Swoop!"
George laughed. "And you know we love havin' you here, lass."
Callie blushed and studied her crystal goblet.
"And she spends more time at the beach then she does here," Alanna said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Why?" Thom asked curiously, leaning towards her.
"Well," Callie said, her eyes still focused on the goblet, "I-I don't exactly know why…I just feel like I belong when I'm in the water. And it's not just ocean water," she said quickly, looking at Alanna, "it's any type of water."
"Hmm," Alanna said, sitting back. "Sounds like elemental magic. But those Gifts aren't very common," she frowned.
"Should we have her tested?" George asked, looking at his wife intently.
"I've no doubt that Numair could do it," Alanna said thoughtfully. "He knows about elemental Gifts. But they are rare, so I'm not sure if one is actually living right now. But Numair would be the person to go to, of course."
"But-but I've never-I've only been able to make fire!" Callie exclaimed, forgetting herself.
Alanna turned to her. "Yes, but I'm positive you can do more. Sure, you might not have the Gift to heal, but you could be able to many other things…but you're right, George, we need to test her. It might be later rather than sooner, though," Alanna sighed as she removed her elbows so a servant could place a bowl of water in front of her and a towel.
Callie sighed internally and accepted the dish presented to her. She knew that Sir Thom was looking at her, but she was very uncomfortable under his gaze. He probably only thought she was nice looking. There was no chance he actually liked her, nobles didn't like commoners. It just wasn't done.
~*~*~*~*
Alianne stayed close to Callie for the next few days, observing her reaction to her older brother, Thom. Whenever he would enter the room (as he seemed to do quite a bit), Callie would look anywhere but at him, even though, Alianne thought, it was quite obvious that Callie knew Thom was staring at her and was still ignoring him completely.
After the fourth day or so, when Alianne was being dragged out of the greenhouse by Callie, she decided that she needed to do something.
It was obvious, by the disappointed look on Thom's face as Callie brushed him aside, that he was attracted to her. Alianne's mother had always sworn that her daughter had empathetic magic, for she had always been instantly able to tell when someone was sad or mad, and be able to help him or her. It wasn't lighting fires or healing, but to have the Gift of Empathy was not to be taken lightly, so Alanna had said.
Alianne's empathetic magic roared when she had seen the crestfallen look on her brother's face, and she felt quite irritated with the girl in front of her.
Alianne ordered herself to calm down; nothing good would come of being mad at someone. She decided, since it was very uncomfortable to be in the same room with the two and the rest of the household was beginning to notice it as well, that she should do something about it herself. After all, what was the use of empathetic magic if she didn't put it to work? Alianne assured herself as she wriggled out of Callie's grasp and massaged her wrist. She glared at the older girl. It was Callie who was acting so strangely, not Thom.
"Callie? Can we talk?"
"Yes, I suppose," Callie said, her voice tired.
"What's wrong?" Alianne asked, sitting down on a chair in the parlor next to her.
"I dunno. Let's go to the beach, want to? It always clears my head."
Alianne nodded and stood again. She followed Callie outdoors, through the inner walls of the manor, over the drawbridge, and down a path that had rarely been used until Callie came.
Callie skirted rocks like a pro, Alianne reflected as she narrowly missed tripping over a rock that jutted out, and must do this often. She walked right down the beach to a cluster of rocks. One stuck out so it was over the water.
Callie quickly removed her soft leather boots and rolled her full breaches up, and stepped into the water. She gave a sigh of relief and Alianne couldn't help but giggle. She followed Callie's lead and stepped into the water-and right back out again.
"Gods above, the water's frigid!" Alianne cried, sitting on the rock and tucking her feet under her.
"Mm, it feels good," Callie said dreamily.
Alianne had to suppress a scathing remark, and instead said, "all right, water woman, we need to talk. Why do you hate my brother so much?"
Callie's eyes popped open and she looked sharply at her friend. "I don't hate Thom. What makes you think that?"
"Well, I don't know, maybe it's because you aren't exactly friendly when it comes to him, like a minute ago, when he asked you very nicely if you wanted to walk on the beach with him later and you gave a very curt, 'no thank you', grabbed me, and left." Alianne said, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Callie glanced at her and perched on the rock. "I don't expect you to understand, so I shan't tell you."
"Try me."
Callie sighed. "He's two years older than me…there is no possible way that he actually has feelings for me."
Alianne could tell that she was definitely leaving something out, and she did have a feeling as to what it was, but she also had enough sense to tell that that was all she would get out of Callie and decided to not question her further. Instead she shrugged nonchalantly. "He does like you, whether you want to believe it or not. I know he really does want to be at least your friend."
"I will be friends with him, of course! But I thought that he-well," she blushed and stopped abruptly.
Alianne thought quickly. The only way she would ever get her friend and brother romantically involved was if Thom proved to Callie that he really did care for her. Alianne would have to hope that her brother had enough sense to do that. But, before that would happen, she had to get them to become friends.
"Well," she began slowly, carefully thinking about what she would say next, "I don't think that Thom likes you romantically, but I know he wants to be your friend, definitely."
Callie relaxed. "Good, then, as long as he doesn't have any of…those…feelings for me, then I will be glad to be friends with him."
Alianne smiled to herself and hugged Callie around the shoulders. "Well, then, lets go back up and be friendly! I know that you want to improve your archery skills, and Thom's a fair shot. I'm sure he'd be happy to er-tutor- you!"
"Great," Callie said, and she sounded truly happy. The two young women hopped off the rock and set off down the beach. "Oh!" Callie exclaimed as they were about to get on the path home, "I forgot to say goodbye!"
Before Alianne could ask, Callie had set off towards the water. She followed slowly, and the most astonishing thing happened. Callie pressed her fingers to her lips and touched the water, and her hand glowed a deep sea green. Alianne sucked in her breath. Callie returned, looking as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened, and Alianne fell into step behind her. She definitely had to tell her mother about that.
*puts on corny TV voice* Will Callie and Thom become friends? Tune in next time to find out! Only on fanfiction.net!
Oh, and if you would like me to email you when I update, tell me your addy when you review and I will!!
*cough* review, please.
List of Honor:
Miss julep: Thanks, I definitely will!
Loverofbooks: By email too! You rock! And I hope you liked this! Thanks for all the compliments! And I think I might have sent my reply to the wrong address, so please email me and tell me if you got it or not!
Starkitty: Thank you!
Aer: I would love to know who your suspicion is, although I doubt it's right…and I am really, seriously trying to make Callie not perfect…thanks for all the lovely compliments!
FlyingFire-Thanks for reviewing both of my stories! I apologize for the errors, and I hope that since I have a beta now, those won't be as common!
Hi: Thanks!
Azhure: Those were the highest compliments I have ever gotten, and don't you dare tell me that I'm a better writer than you, cause I'm definitely not! Your story is so awesome, and I can't wait to read more! Also by email, thank you!!
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By email:
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