Disclaimer: Nothing is mine except Jim and the plot. Hmm, what a
descriptive disclaimer this is.
"Welcome to my humble abode," said the man in the middle. Well, Jim thought the voice came from him. "My name is Maggur Rathhausak and you have just entered the greatest and most powerful realm of all the Eastern Lands: Scanra."
Although Maggur had intended to scare the living daylights out of this pathetic child, all he got was a very thoughtful look on the youth's face.
I know that I've heard these names from somewhere before but I just can't put my finger on it, thought Jim as he stared off into space. But Jim's thoughts were rudely interrupted when the giant-like thing punched him in the gut with his fist, knocking the wind out of Jim and bringing him to his knees, gasping for air. "What…the…hell…was…that…for?" Jim asked between taking breaths of precious air.
"That was for not answering the questions that you are asked," Maggur replied, a hint of anger in his voice. "You would do well to do what is expected of you around here."
"I was only thinking about…about…" Along with Jim's air, his train of thought had been derailed by the giant's "more powerful than a locomotive" fist. "What was the question again?"
"I asked what is your name." Maggur had acquired a very sharp edge to his voice, and his hand was gripped firmly around a scimitar at his waist.
Now Jim was worried. It sounded as if this guy would kill a man for having the wrong name. Thinking fast, Jim searched his memory for a name that would let him save his skin. "My name is…Claw." I hope he buys it.
Maggur bought it, but not at full price. "Good, I was hoping to find someone with a name that suggested potential, but you are going to have to prove it." Seeing the look of terror on the boys face, he decided to add, "but don't worry, you do not have to take that test, quite yet. You need not worry about the test of your strength until we are ready to take down Tortall." There's another name that is on the tip of my tongue. Jim relaxed, but just a little. His attention was starting to drift towards the Nothing Man, (A/N: spoilers are great, aren't they?) until Maggur once again grabbed Jim's attention. "Well unfortunately, our little talk must end. You now have a month's time to prepare for your journey to permanently stay here, and to learn how to give respect to people that could kill you without a second thought." Yikes!
"Inar." Maggur looked like he was now talking through Jim instead of to him. "Inar, I think that we have overridden Gainel long enough, it is time to send him back."
"Yes, my lord" replied someone from behind Jim, who was now wrapping Jim in a strange red mist. The last thing that Jim heard as he whirled around to see a menacing figure creeping up on him was, "Blayce, come, we have work to do concerning Inar's infernally hard to find ruby, and also, we must discuss my plans for taking the throne." Then Jim's attention was again affixed upon the person who now stood in front of him. He has only one eye! Jim thought as he jumped with surprise to a height of about 5 feet into the air…and landed on a carpeted floor.
"Oomph," grunted Jim. Feeling carpet against his face was one of the most relieving feelings in Jim's life. Jim stayed there on the floor of his bedroom thinking about what just happened. Holy crap. I could have sworn that was real. That Maggur guy sure scared the hell outta me. I mean geeze, what kind of guy keeps a giant under his control? But I know that I've heard those names before, he thought as he furrowed his brow. Maggur…Scanra…Tor-TORTALL! That's it! That's where I recognize all of these names; they're from Lauryn's stupid books! I don't think that my dream was real, but just to be sure I'm going to read those books for myself. With that decided, Jim stood up and crawled into bed, falling immediately into a dreamless slumber.
***
3 weeks later
"'I dub thee Griffin,' she whispered, running her fingertips along that elegant blade. 'We have work to do.'"
Jim had been reading Lauryn's books nonstop for the past 3 weeks, and he now had an idea as to what he was getting into. He now knew who Maggur Rathhausak was, and the little man, and Inar Hadensri. Apparently, Inar had survived his battle with Numair Salmalín, and had successfully returned to Scanra. Jim came to the decision that, if he should be pulled back to Scanra, then he would escape and make his way to Corus, the capital city of Tortall, and warn King Jon and Queen Thayet. He found Maggur to be a very nasty person, and didn't want anything to do with him. But little did Jim know that his opinion would be swayed by the one person he knew to not want Tortall to have another enemy.
A/N: Well, there's chapter two. Send in your reviews! PLEASE! Do you people want this story to continue? Even if you don't READ AND REVIEW ANYWAYS!!! Oh, and btw, go to http://www.sff.net/people/tamora.pierce/kel4.htm for a nice surprise.
"Welcome to my humble abode," said the man in the middle. Well, Jim thought the voice came from him. "My name is Maggur Rathhausak and you have just entered the greatest and most powerful realm of all the Eastern Lands: Scanra."
Although Maggur had intended to scare the living daylights out of this pathetic child, all he got was a very thoughtful look on the youth's face.
I know that I've heard these names from somewhere before but I just can't put my finger on it, thought Jim as he stared off into space. But Jim's thoughts were rudely interrupted when the giant-like thing punched him in the gut with his fist, knocking the wind out of Jim and bringing him to his knees, gasping for air. "What…the…hell…was…that…for?" Jim asked between taking breaths of precious air.
"That was for not answering the questions that you are asked," Maggur replied, a hint of anger in his voice. "You would do well to do what is expected of you around here."
"I was only thinking about…about…" Along with Jim's air, his train of thought had been derailed by the giant's "more powerful than a locomotive" fist. "What was the question again?"
"I asked what is your name." Maggur had acquired a very sharp edge to his voice, and his hand was gripped firmly around a scimitar at his waist.
Now Jim was worried. It sounded as if this guy would kill a man for having the wrong name. Thinking fast, Jim searched his memory for a name that would let him save his skin. "My name is…Claw." I hope he buys it.
Maggur bought it, but not at full price. "Good, I was hoping to find someone with a name that suggested potential, but you are going to have to prove it." Seeing the look of terror on the boys face, he decided to add, "but don't worry, you do not have to take that test, quite yet. You need not worry about the test of your strength until we are ready to take down Tortall." There's another name that is on the tip of my tongue. Jim relaxed, but just a little. His attention was starting to drift towards the Nothing Man, (A/N: spoilers are great, aren't they?) until Maggur once again grabbed Jim's attention. "Well unfortunately, our little talk must end. You now have a month's time to prepare for your journey to permanently stay here, and to learn how to give respect to people that could kill you without a second thought." Yikes!
"Inar." Maggur looked like he was now talking through Jim instead of to him. "Inar, I think that we have overridden Gainel long enough, it is time to send him back."
"Yes, my lord" replied someone from behind Jim, who was now wrapping Jim in a strange red mist. The last thing that Jim heard as he whirled around to see a menacing figure creeping up on him was, "Blayce, come, we have work to do concerning Inar's infernally hard to find ruby, and also, we must discuss my plans for taking the throne." Then Jim's attention was again affixed upon the person who now stood in front of him. He has only one eye! Jim thought as he jumped with surprise to a height of about 5 feet into the air…and landed on a carpeted floor.
"Oomph," grunted Jim. Feeling carpet against his face was one of the most relieving feelings in Jim's life. Jim stayed there on the floor of his bedroom thinking about what just happened. Holy crap. I could have sworn that was real. That Maggur guy sure scared the hell outta me. I mean geeze, what kind of guy keeps a giant under his control? But I know that I've heard those names before, he thought as he furrowed his brow. Maggur…Scanra…Tor-TORTALL! That's it! That's where I recognize all of these names; they're from Lauryn's stupid books! I don't think that my dream was real, but just to be sure I'm going to read those books for myself. With that decided, Jim stood up and crawled into bed, falling immediately into a dreamless slumber.
***
3 weeks later
"'I dub thee Griffin,' she whispered, running her fingertips along that elegant blade. 'We have work to do.'"
Jim had been reading Lauryn's books nonstop for the past 3 weeks, and he now had an idea as to what he was getting into. He now knew who Maggur Rathhausak was, and the little man, and Inar Hadensri. Apparently, Inar had survived his battle with Numair Salmalín, and had successfully returned to Scanra. Jim came to the decision that, if he should be pulled back to Scanra, then he would escape and make his way to Corus, the capital city of Tortall, and warn King Jon and Queen Thayet. He found Maggur to be a very nasty person, and didn't want anything to do with him. But little did Jim know that his opinion would be swayed by the one person he knew to not want Tortall to have another enemy.
A/N: Well, there's chapter two. Send in your reviews! PLEASE! Do you people want this story to continue? Even if you don't READ AND REVIEW ANYWAYS!!! Oh, and btw, go to http://www.sff.net/people/tamora.pierce/kel4.htm for a nice surprise.