Disclaimer: Throughout this story: I do not own any characters that you may
see or anything else that have appeared in Tamora Pierce's books!!!!!
Author's Note: Hey all! This is my first fic., so, bear with me. This first chapter may seem a bit boring, but it'll get way more interesting, guaranteed! I have a lot of plans for it. R&R please! Constructive criticism welcome! O, and, here's a better summary:
Summary: Years after the reign of King Jonathan III and Queen Thayet, Tortall has not changed much. However, the enemies at their borders are forming secret alliances; their goal: to see the downfall of the prosperous Tortall. They build bases where they can meet and create new creatures of destruction. At the same time, a young girl by the name of Leya, finds herself homeless and an orphan. So, she sets forth to the city of Corus and uses some of the money that she inherited to begin a new life.and soon enough, she finds herself both staging as a noble and a spy for Tortall.will she ever be able to bring her life under control???
Leya sighed in contentment, glad for the rest away from all the bustle of midday. Leya's horse, a large black colt, ambled around nearby, lipping at the tender new shoots of grass that had appeared almost overnight. It was a rare time of peace, and the two were happy to seize the opportunity to come to the shaded grove. A brook babble through the center of the valley, its voice a soft whisper in the early springtime. The tree nearest it was a large, sweeping willow with branches and leaves that bent to touch the ground and send ripples through the water. A small, cove-like area was created near the trunk of the ancient tree, its veil of leaves and limbs able to shield the two inside it from view.
Leya was an ordinary teenager of fourteen, just old enough to be working on the family farm. Her skin was dark from working out under the merciless glare of the sun. Various calluses dotted her hands from working with leather and farming tools. Golden eyes were set in a face of subtle beauty, with soft full lips, a stubborn chin, and a delicate nose. She kept her nails short so that it was easier the clean the dirt out from under them and they didn't break. She was about average height, closer to short than tall. Locks of dark brown, almost black, hair framed her face and brought out the color of her eyes to a distinguishing sharpness; however, her hair cascaded half-way down her back and was usually tangled and knotted. It took her forever to brush and clean it when she did. Usually she wore it in a horsetail to keep it out of her way, though usually two locks of it fell down to frame her face. Her slender figure was kept due to the work that kept her in shape and granted her strength as well.
Yes, she may be a farmer's daughter, but a rich farmer's daughter. Her father's farm was the most prosperous in the land, with the most fertile soil and the best crops all year 'round except in the winter season. Her father's name was Theron, an unusual name that had come to be known to most. Her mother, Juliana, was a doctor of sorts, though not referred to as a doctor. She was a village healer, using methods that had been passed down from generation to generation of her family. It was rumored that Juliana had magical origin, but that would lead us in a completely different direction.
Leya's colt was prized among the nobles, a horse of such grand magnificence, that even the King and Queen had offered to buy him (for their son, the Prince), offering an amount of money that most commoners would leap at. However, Leya herself had chosen this colt from a horse breeder that had been passing through the village one summer. He had been shunted and rejected till she took him into her care, and he prospered under Leya's careful guidance. When he had bought the horse, her father had promised that the colt was completely Leya's responsibility, and he would not involve himself in affairs concerning it, unless, of course, she asked for advice or a helping hand. He was special to Leya, and she would never give him up, even to the King and Queen. However, they kept their offer open, even when she told them she would not sell him.
He was built like a runner, and ran like one too, having yet to be beaten, but he was also the best jumper in the land. He could easily sail over any obstacle set before him, and they had yet to discover the a height he could not bound effortlessly over.
He was a black horse with a pure white star resting upon his forehead and a silken mane and tail. Slender limbs lead to solid hooves that did not require shoes, arching neck led to a head of pure elegance, tender nostril and dark, soulful eyes placed carefully on the sides of his head. Cupped ears swiveled in all directions, a horse with such a spirit that it can never be broken. In a way, he had chosen Leya to be his owner, fighting the control of almost anyone else to rode or tried to work with him. He was very partial to those few humans he chose to be his friends, and usually they were people that Leya favored as well. This incredible beast was dubbed 'Shamir', a name that was given only to those who were said to be so close to the gods they were almost gods themselves (though only Leya's villiage upheld this custom). The 'ir' on the end of a name was what represented this, and a horse such as Shamir deserved it above all others.
"Hey, Dreamer Girl!" a voice shouted, shattering the quiet that had engulfed the land. Shamir whinnied in happiness outside the cover of the tree, his hoof beats heard when he cantered off to greet the newcomer.
Grumbling to herself, Leya got up and pushed aside the veil of leaves to see who it was, gingerly stepping out into the sunshine. When she saw who it was, a grin spread over her face. "Hey!" she called back, running to catch up with Shamir.
A boy sat mounted on chestnut horse with a flaming red mane and tail, waving to her. He was barefoot, wearing a white shirt and dark brown breeches, his black hair tousled from the wind. He was much taller then Leya, around two years older than her, about sixteen. His eyes were a deep, hypnotic green, as unusual as Leya's own golden ones. As she approached, he waved again. "Would you do me a favor, kind stranger," he teased, "and get this crazy horse away from me?" Leya glanced over at Shamir and rolled her eyes.
Sham was prancing around the new horse, gingerly touching his muzzle to the newcomer's and then shying away. She smiled slightly and walked over to him, placing one hand on top of his nose and the other underneath, meeting his gaze squarely. "Stop acting like a silly colt, you know better!" Sham snorted softly, blowing hot air on Leya's wrists. She released him, and he stood still, as though waiting for her next command. "So, what do you want, Raphael?" Her attention had turned back to the boy.
Raphael grinned. "I was wondering if you would accompany me to see the new foal over at the boarding barn, gentlelady. I hear he's a sight to see."
Leya made a mental note to help her friend into the lake by shoving him next time they passed for calling her a "gentlelady". "Yeah, sure."
She reached up and grabbed a handful of Sham's silky mane and swung up onto his broad back. Leya rode Sham without a saddle or bridle, for that was the way in which she had first trained him. He responded to gentle taps on the withers to direct him and a soft kick to make him move forward. "Race ya!" Leya called to her friend and asked Sham for a gallop. He responded with powerful, ground-eating strides, carrying her away from Raphael and his horse.
"Cheater!" Raphael yelled at her back, kicking his horse, Bonfire, into a gallop, knowing he would never be able to catch the wonderful Shamir.
A/N-Sooo.that's the first chapter.I'll have the second one up pretty quick here. Also, this may turn to a PG-13.maybe.and there will be some romance for sure in it later.for now, it's pretty PG. As you may have guessed, I'm a major horse lover, but I promise I will try not to get too carried away with the horse stuff. Read & Review plez! ttyl!
Revised A/N-OK, I changed her description paragraph so she's hopefully not as perfect as she once was. What do ya'll think? If you see something that I missed where a reference is made to her perfection, let me know so I can change it! Read & review everyone! Let me know if she's still too perfect!
Author's Note: Hey all! This is my first fic., so, bear with me. This first chapter may seem a bit boring, but it'll get way more interesting, guaranteed! I have a lot of plans for it. R&R please! Constructive criticism welcome! O, and, here's a better summary:
Summary: Years after the reign of King Jonathan III and Queen Thayet, Tortall has not changed much. However, the enemies at their borders are forming secret alliances; their goal: to see the downfall of the prosperous Tortall. They build bases where they can meet and create new creatures of destruction. At the same time, a young girl by the name of Leya, finds herself homeless and an orphan. So, she sets forth to the city of Corus and uses some of the money that she inherited to begin a new life.and soon enough, she finds herself both staging as a noble and a spy for Tortall.will she ever be able to bring her life under control???
Leya sighed in contentment, glad for the rest away from all the bustle of midday. Leya's horse, a large black colt, ambled around nearby, lipping at the tender new shoots of grass that had appeared almost overnight. It was a rare time of peace, and the two were happy to seize the opportunity to come to the shaded grove. A brook babble through the center of the valley, its voice a soft whisper in the early springtime. The tree nearest it was a large, sweeping willow with branches and leaves that bent to touch the ground and send ripples through the water. A small, cove-like area was created near the trunk of the ancient tree, its veil of leaves and limbs able to shield the two inside it from view.
Leya was an ordinary teenager of fourteen, just old enough to be working on the family farm. Her skin was dark from working out under the merciless glare of the sun. Various calluses dotted her hands from working with leather and farming tools. Golden eyes were set in a face of subtle beauty, with soft full lips, a stubborn chin, and a delicate nose. She kept her nails short so that it was easier the clean the dirt out from under them and they didn't break. She was about average height, closer to short than tall. Locks of dark brown, almost black, hair framed her face and brought out the color of her eyes to a distinguishing sharpness; however, her hair cascaded half-way down her back and was usually tangled and knotted. It took her forever to brush and clean it when she did. Usually she wore it in a horsetail to keep it out of her way, though usually two locks of it fell down to frame her face. Her slender figure was kept due to the work that kept her in shape and granted her strength as well.
Yes, she may be a farmer's daughter, but a rich farmer's daughter. Her father's farm was the most prosperous in the land, with the most fertile soil and the best crops all year 'round except in the winter season. Her father's name was Theron, an unusual name that had come to be known to most. Her mother, Juliana, was a doctor of sorts, though not referred to as a doctor. She was a village healer, using methods that had been passed down from generation to generation of her family. It was rumored that Juliana had magical origin, but that would lead us in a completely different direction.
Leya's colt was prized among the nobles, a horse of such grand magnificence, that even the King and Queen had offered to buy him (for their son, the Prince), offering an amount of money that most commoners would leap at. However, Leya herself had chosen this colt from a horse breeder that had been passing through the village one summer. He had been shunted and rejected till she took him into her care, and he prospered under Leya's careful guidance. When he had bought the horse, her father had promised that the colt was completely Leya's responsibility, and he would not involve himself in affairs concerning it, unless, of course, she asked for advice or a helping hand. He was special to Leya, and she would never give him up, even to the King and Queen. However, they kept their offer open, even when she told them she would not sell him.
He was built like a runner, and ran like one too, having yet to be beaten, but he was also the best jumper in the land. He could easily sail over any obstacle set before him, and they had yet to discover the a height he could not bound effortlessly over.
He was a black horse with a pure white star resting upon his forehead and a silken mane and tail. Slender limbs lead to solid hooves that did not require shoes, arching neck led to a head of pure elegance, tender nostril and dark, soulful eyes placed carefully on the sides of his head. Cupped ears swiveled in all directions, a horse with such a spirit that it can never be broken. In a way, he had chosen Leya to be his owner, fighting the control of almost anyone else to rode or tried to work with him. He was very partial to those few humans he chose to be his friends, and usually they were people that Leya favored as well. This incredible beast was dubbed 'Shamir', a name that was given only to those who were said to be so close to the gods they were almost gods themselves (though only Leya's villiage upheld this custom). The 'ir' on the end of a name was what represented this, and a horse such as Shamir deserved it above all others.
"Hey, Dreamer Girl!" a voice shouted, shattering the quiet that had engulfed the land. Shamir whinnied in happiness outside the cover of the tree, his hoof beats heard when he cantered off to greet the newcomer.
Grumbling to herself, Leya got up and pushed aside the veil of leaves to see who it was, gingerly stepping out into the sunshine. When she saw who it was, a grin spread over her face. "Hey!" she called back, running to catch up with Shamir.
A boy sat mounted on chestnut horse with a flaming red mane and tail, waving to her. He was barefoot, wearing a white shirt and dark brown breeches, his black hair tousled from the wind. He was much taller then Leya, around two years older than her, about sixteen. His eyes were a deep, hypnotic green, as unusual as Leya's own golden ones. As she approached, he waved again. "Would you do me a favor, kind stranger," he teased, "and get this crazy horse away from me?" Leya glanced over at Shamir and rolled her eyes.
Sham was prancing around the new horse, gingerly touching his muzzle to the newcomer's and then shying away. She smiled slightly and walked over to him, placing one hand on top of his nose and the other underneath, meeting his gaze squarely. "Stop acting like a silly colt, you know better!" Sham snorted softly, blowing hot air on Leya's wrists. She released him, and he stood still, as though waiting for her next command. "So, what do you want, Raphael?" Her attention had turned back to the boy.
Raphael grinned. "I was wondering if you would accompany me to see the new foal over at the boarding barn, gentlelady. I hear he's a sight to see."
Leya made a mental note to help her friend into the lake by shoving him next time they passed for calling her a "gentlelady". "Yeah, sure."
She reached up and grabbed a handful of Sham's silky mane and swung up onto his broad back. Leya rode Sham without a saddle or bridle, for that was the way in which she had first trained him. He responded to gentle taps on the withers to direct him and a soft kick to make him move forward. "Race ya!" Leya called to her friend and asked Sham for a gallop. He responded with powerful, ground-eating strides, carrying her away from Raphael and his horse.
"Cheater!" Raphael yelled at her back, kicking his horse, Bonfire, into a gallop, knowing he would never be able to catch the wonderful Shamir.
A/N-Sooo.that's the first chapter.I'll have the second one up pretty quick here. Also, this may turn to a PG-13.maybe.and there will be some romance for sure in it later.for now, it's pretty PG. As you may have guessed, I'm a major horse lover, but I promise I will try not to get too carried away with the horse stuff. Read & Review plez! ttyl!
Revised A/N-OK, I changed her description paragraph so she's hopefully not as perfect as she once was. What do ya'll think? If you see something that I missed where a reference is made to her perfection, let me know so I can change it! Read & review everyone! Let me know if she's still too perfect!
