My Notes: I'm happy! I got 9 reviews for the first chapter! I'm so proud of myself! And thank you ALL VERY MUCH for reviewing. I know I didn't ask for any, but I'm relieved that some people actually took the time to read and review this mediocre piece of work. I know I lied about having this chapter up soon, but it's almost Winter Break and the teachers seem to want to cram a whole quarter's worth of information into us and it's very stressful so that's my excuse; being dead tired when I'm finished with my homework. Yep. This chapter is frighteningly short, but it's 12:00 and I gotta go to school tomorrow so I can't make it any longer…
Disclaimer: If I were Tamora Pierce, which I am not, I wouldn't put this story up on the Internet where it will most likely be ignored for the most part. If I was Tamora Pierce I would be marveling at my own brilliance and writing stories with George/Me pairings. I am sad to say, though, that I am NOT Tamora Pierce and therefore, I formally disclaim everything in this story but the actual writing, which is mine.
ON WITH THE STORY!
George Cooper, King of Thieves, surveyed the room through half-closed eyes over a large cup of ale. He watched them, his people, as he watched them every night at the popular inn known as The Dancing Dove. Home, he thought, as he watched plunderers and assassins intermingle with the lower class of Corus. Taking a sip of the drink before him, George knew that these people, however disreputable and blade-friendly, would not betray him. He knew that they loved him as much as he loved them, and he knew that these men and women would risk their lives for him, despite the fact that many of them were scheming to relieve him of his position as Rogue.
But will that be enough? The pessimistic part of his mind asked, The Smiling Duke is gaining power. The Sweating Sickness is only the beginning; if he finds out that I know, or at least think I know, my followers and I might die sooner than planned. As the Rogue King finished his ale, he made a decision. George Cooper was not a coward, and would not suddenly become one because a relative of the King's might kill a few of his people, George included. George Cooper was not a fool either; he needed allies in high places if he wanted to survive. Both of these facts in mind, George stood and walked up the stairs to his rooms to write a letter.
Stefan,
The letter started,
I need a few parcels delivered to the city. Send along a list of times when the packages can possibly be delivered.
He left the letter unsigned, and as The Rogue he had good reason not to sign the paper; if it were ever intercepted, it would mean his head. Standing from the desk he had seated himself at, George opened the only window in the room and whistled quietly. The low, musical note rang through the air and a moment later a messenger dove glided into the room. Wasting no time in tying the letter to the dove's leg, the creature glided out almost as quickly as it had glided in. Closing the window again, George walked briskly from the room, hoping the "packages" could be sent soon.
Thom of Trebond watched sullenly as his sister learned magick, the scenes before him playing at a greatly exaggerated rate. He glared at the pool of water that the skrying bowl held, the water that showed him whatever he wished to see. Thom sighed slightly as he watched Alanna's Gift become more powerful by the day, soon becoming greater than even Master Si-Cham's own formidable magick. He watched her and her companion, the late Arram Draper, now known as Numair Salamin, eagerly learn new and more powerful spells. He sighed again and slouched on the stone bench he was seated upon. Turning from the bowl in shame, he surveyed his surrounding for perhaps the millionth time since his arrival. The Black God's domain was anything but comforting, a large space filled with nothing but black and the souls of the dead. He seemed to be alone at the moment, an uncommon occurrence in the underworld. Not even his own mother, or the woman who called herself his mother, dared to approach him when he was looking in on his still alive twin.
Turning back to the bowl, he waved a hand weakly over it and the water became clear again. Focusing on a face, Thom watched as slowly the person appeared in the bowl.
"Duke Roger of Conte" Thom rasped hoarsely, unaccustomed to using his voice.
"You will pay for the injustices you have done me. You will pay with what is dearest to you. The Throne. The Crown of Tortall will never be yours." With a laugh that sounded more like a cough, the pale youth waved his hand over the bowl once again and once again it went blank. Staring at the darkness before him, Thom wondered what he had done to deserve such a premature death at twelve years of age. True, he had never cared for much, besides his twin Alanna, but he had not been evil. Perhaps he had just been a future threat to the Great Duke. Well, Thom thought, preferring that to hearing his voice, He WILL pay. I'll see to it.
His musing was interrupted by the appearance of light, so bright that it burned the unfortunate youth's eyes, which were accustomed to darkness. Thom shrieked, shielding his eyes with his hands. When the brightness dimmed a little, Thom found himself staring at a large man. Perhaps the largest he had ever seen. He was clothed in golden Armour that seemed to fit him perfectly, and at his belt a sword hung, also bright, polished gold. The youth knew immediately who this was.
"Mithros" he breathed, falling to his hands and knees instantly. Mithros looked at the groveling boy kindly and turned Thom's head up to face him.
"My son," he rumbled, voice seeming to echo with power, "You have been wronged most severely. This Duke of Conte, who you have cursed at countless times, murdered you in cold blood. He murdered the Prince as well. This smiling Duke must be taught a lesson and you must help me do it." Thom wrinkled his brow in confusion,
"Sir, the prince was murdered? He died naturally, sir, of the Sweating Sickness. No one could save him." Mithros shook his head kindly,
"Who do you think SENT the Sweating Sickness? Can I count on your help or not?" Thom nodded dumbly, still processing the information that had been given to him. Suddenly things made much more sense. Like why the Duke was in Carthak at the time, and why the Sickness only struck the capital. Mithros smiled,
"Good." And with a bright flash of light, the two were gone, the only evidence of their departure an old wooden bowl and spilled water.
Cytosine: Thanks so much; I'm not really sure how it's turned out so far, but thanks for the positive comment! Yeah, Avril's evil…damn posers! Really? Oops…erm, I guess I should fix that…thanks for telling me!April: Yeah, probably, I'm not quite sure yet. You see; having Alanna afraid of her magic doesn't really work well with the plot I've cooked up so I just changed that for the sake of the story. Hopefully I come up with a reason for her phobia soon, but if I don't, I'm open to suggestions.
Keita: Yeah, I thought putting Numair in would be a nice coincidence for Alanna and it would save me the trouble of coming up with a whole new character. I can't make new characters very well. I'm trying to explain, its just that I'm not quite sure exactly what happened yet so I can't explain right now…I kinda confused myself when I was thinking up possible friends for Thom at the palace and I haven't been completely clear on what's going on since…heh…
(no name given): Five dollar chapter, eh? Thanks for the positive comment! I hope this is another five-dollar chapter, but I'm not sure…
Angel of the Storms: Thanks! It's actually my nickname…I don't like teddy bears…Numair's cool, he's one of my favorite TP characters…
Princess Amara of Conte: Yeah, his name is Arram…I forgot while I was writing the chapter, but I went back and fixed it so now it's all better! Lol. I hadn't thought about that, actually…I guess he is younger than her…but I'm changing his age for the story, I guess. Heh. You can tell I haven't read the books in a WHILE….I'm actually more of a A/G fan, and I already killed of Jon so it wouldn't work out that well…I could try to do some A/J stuff, though.
Xelena: Lol, I like ominous endings…yeah, Roger's gonna play a big part in this story, just not yet. Right now, I'm trying to explain what's going on to the other main characters in the story and how their lives are affected by Alanna's not being there.
Blue Roses: Wow…I'm speechless…thank you! I think there are a lot of better stories out there than mine, but thank you!
DivaLuna: Thank you, and you're welcome…that sounded weird….Lol.