Here's the next chapter, Amanda and Elizabeth meet the King and get settled in the palace, what will happen next??
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Amanda and Elizabeth stared openly at the shops and vendors along the side of the road and those around them. Corus had a lot more to it than Amanda had ever imagined reading about it, and Elizabeth was just in awe that such a place existed.
The two friends talked quietly between themselves as they road behind their guides, taking all there was around them as fast as they could. Elizabeth took particular notice in a few young nobles who noticed her riding by, while Amanda wished they could stop so she could go look at Raven Armories.
The ride ended all too soon for the two young ladies, and swiftly they were given rooms next to the Baron's and Alanna's and told to freshen up before going to meet the King. The rooms they were given were a main room with two side rooms for bedrooms, and a bathroom coming off both of the bedrooms. They were all very nicely furnished, and Amanda and Elizabeth sat there talking about how this really could be.
"I can't believe we're inside of a book," sighed Elizabeth happily as she looked out their window, glad to be free of her parents at long last. "Think about it, absolute and complete freedom!"
"Elizabeth, maybe you don't realize something," whispered Amanda as she thought about all she had read in those books. "I know exactly what happens in this book, from who is killed to what battles will be fought to who is going to take who for their squire. Lady Alanna is here to come and take Neal of Queenscove for her Squire, then Sir Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak is going to take Keladry of Mindelan for his, and Joren of Stonemoutain will be put on trial, then he won't pass his…"
"Whoa! Hold up and try to explain what all this has to do with us," said Elizabeth in her usual manner. "All I know at the moment is we're in the palace and we have a purse of gold nobles to sell with no adults in charge and plenty of hotties out there for the taking."
"Elizabeth! With what I know I could have some killed and others saved as I wish! I know things about Lady Alanna, the one who brought us here, and her husband than most others don't know from the books I've read. I have a wealth of knowledge that could easily put us in charge!" exclaimed Amanda as she remember all the story lines from the T.P. books she had read back in their world.
"Ooohhh, blackmail," said Elizabeth evilly, that as right up her alley.
"Elizabeth, we don't know how long we're going to be here..."
"Hopefully forever," interrupted Elizabeth.
"Regardless of how long it is," continued Amanda. "We need friends within the court, so lets just see how this goes and play our cards from there."
"And no matter what happens, we hold the Ace," added Elizabeth as she began to go through her bags and finding face paint to put on. She brushed out her hair and made herself as presentable as possible for the King.
"Yeah, it's something like that…"murmured Amanda as she too went through her bags and tried to fix herself up a little bit.
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King Jonathan leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes wearily. "You mean we have guests from another world supposedly where this place only exists as a book?" he said in disbelief.
"That's what the girl said," replied George, leaning against the table. Alanna stood next to him, watching the king closely.
"I don't think they're lying, Jonathan," she said softly. "The one looked completely shocked."
"Especially when you said what your name was. She certainly recognized it, where ever she's from," added George teasingly.
"Go and get Neal and we'll get that squire thing over with first and then after that have the two visitors and Numair come with the two of you to my private library so we can sort this whole thing out," decided King Jonathan, settling back in his chair.
Alanna nodded, leaving quickly as her husband followed and did as they had been bid.
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"Goddess, I thought that boy would never get it through his head," sighed Alanna as she sat down in a chair 15 minuets later. "As much as I'd like to take Keladry as my Squire, there's no way that it could be made possible." George chuckled quietly as he watched her rise slowly out of her chair.
"C'mon, Lioness," he said cheerfully. "We need to get to the library for our other meeting, good King Johnny won't wait forever." She nodded and followed him out of the small study that had served as a the place where Neal had become Alanna's Squire, and otherwise was a chamber used by those who needed a quiet corner in which to do their work.
Their next stop: to pick up their guests.
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Amanda sat in a corner, writing in the small, blank book she had found in her bags. She might as well record what happened while she was here. She was just about three pages in to explaining her adventure when a knock sounded at the door.
"Can you get that?" called Elizabeth from her room where she was trying out all her new makeup at the vanity.
"Yeah, I got it," replied Amanda she walked towards it, opening it quickly. Outside stood the Baron and Alanna, looking rather hurried.
"Sorry for such short notice, but the King would like to see you now," said the Baron, smiling apologetically. Amanda nodded and grabbed her sword, heading for Elizabeth's room.
"Let's go, Liz, the King wants to see us," said Amanda as she walked in, looking over her friend quickly. Elizabeth had changed dresses and had applied some of the face paint and ear bobs found in her bags, giving her the look of the perfect noble's daughter.
"How do I look, Amanda?" asked Elizabeth innocently, though Amanda could see through that mask.
"Wonderful, like a devil in disguise," teased Amanda, grabbing her wrist and dragging her out the door. "Now lets go before the King decides he doesn't like us and has us thrown out."
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The four of them walked swiftly down the hall, the Baron and Baroness leading the way. The quartet soon found themselves in a large private library, filled with ancient books and big, over stuffed chairs. Seated in one of them was a tall, thin man with his back hair pulled back in a horse tail and wearing a black robe, and another man dressed in a fine tunic and hose and wearing a silver crown set with jewels sat beside him.
The taller one in the robes stood up when they entered, bowing low to Amanda and Elizabeth. "It is very nice to meet you two lovely ladies," he said kindly. "I am Numair Salmalin, the greatest mage in all of Tortal."
"Thank you, Mr. Salmalin," replied Amanda as she bowed low and Elizabeth curtsied slightly.
"Please, call me Numair," he said warmly. "This man behind me is King Jonathan 4th, the ruler of Tortal." Jonathan got up and bowed to the two ladies regally, and they in turn bowed/curtsied back to him.
"Please sit down," said the King, beckoning to four chairs beside the ones he and Numair resided in.
"Why don't you two tell us how you came to be here and what this nonsense is about Tortal being a book where you come from," said Numair once they had all been settled down.
"Ok, well it started after the sleep over for my 17th birthday…" About 45 minutes later, Amanda and Elizabeth finished their tale, telling all they knew and what had happened.
"So you did come from a world other than here," said George in awe.
"They aren't lying, I kept a spell on them the entire time," added Numair in disbelief.
"What sort of stuff did the books about Tortal say?" asked Alanna curiously.
"Well…" started Amanda slowly, not sure how to put it. "One series told of your road to becoming a knight, from leaving your brother Thom to go to the palace disguised as a boy to killing Roger of Conte at the end. Another told of the discovery of Daine the Wild mage and some of her travels, another of a group of four young mages that are trained together, and another the years Keladry spent as a page and squire…"
"So you could tell me facts about my life that no one else would know," said Alanna skeptically.
"Pretty much," said Amanda, glancing at her friend.
"Then
what happened to my white cat name Flash?"
"You never had a white cat named Flash, you had a black one name Faithful that you could talk to and had something to do with the goddess," replied Amanda instantly, drawing upon the reserves of her memory. "Faithful was killed by one of the court women connected to Thom, I believe, before you killed her."
Alanna just looked at her, not believing what she had just heard. "That's nearly impossible for you to know that…"
"Look, we just want to stay and live here," interrupted Elizabeth. "We don't know how we got here, and for all we know we could be sucked back by the same force that brought us here any second. The bags we have are loaded with gold nobles, and from what Amanda said we're set for a while."
"What do you think, Jonathan?" said Numair. "You must admit, it could be dangerous if we let these two lose on the street."
"We wouldn't tell what we know, even if you did," said Amanda quietly. "I give my word on that, and I don't go back on my word."
"Well, we don't have to worry about that," said the King lightly, "In fact, this works out just fine with me. I recently stripped a noble of his title and lands and the property has been standing free for a few weeks now and I promised the serfs I'd tell them who their new owner is by the end of this week. It's a fairly small fief, only with a few dozen acres of mountain woods and a few more of farmland at the base of the mountain with a small manor built into the mountain. It's called 'Woodshollow', and I think you two would fit in perfectly there. The people hunt the lynx and bears that live plentifully up there for their skins, it's famous for them."
"Would we be able to rename it if we accept?" asked Elizabeth. "Woodshollow is kind of boring…"
"It's yours to do with as you like, but you must rule it fairly or the peasants will revolt on you. But you may rename it as you wish and create a new crest for it as well as family colors. You will be the founding sisters of a new noble family," replied the King generously.
"Sisters?" asked Amanda. "You mean like I'd become her guardian or something?"
"If that is what you want," replied Numair. "And I take from that remark that you aren't actually related?"
"No, just best friends," replied Elizabeth, shrugging slightly.
The King got up and retrieved some parchment and a quill and ink quickly. He began to write a new document, starting with some official words and making some new changes in it.
"What will the conservatives say, my lord?" asked George quietly. "Won't they reject having two young women ruling that fief?"
"That fief was owed by the one among them that tried to revolt. I don't care what they say; it will go to these two. I'll say they've been faithfully serving the crown in secret for several years in espionage and as a reward I'm ennobling their family, consequently they are the only two members of it left alive," murmured the King and he continued to write furiously. "You, Amanda, will be the main one in charge because you are older and Elizabeth, you will be under her care until you marry or become 18 years of age. The fief will be inherited the first born of either of you upon your deaths, hopfully not for many years of course, and what do you want the fief colors to be?"
"Blue."
"And black."
"Fine, what about the crest?"
Amanda sat back for a minute, thinking seriously. "A sword that looks like mine crossed over a silver rose in front of a mountain, and at the bottom will be a paw print, preferably lynx. The fief will be called Lynx mountain, and I wish to go see it a soon as possible."
"Demanding, aren't we?" mumbled the King as he finished writing. "How much schooling do you two have?"
"I just finished my 11th year, and Elizabeth her 10th," replied Amanda, counting kindergarten.
"Do you wish to continue your studies?" asked Numair.
"We should, at least for a few more years," started Amanda, frowning slightly.
"Do we have to?" asked Elizabeth.
"You, Elizabeth, might want to go to the Covenant for awhile to get caught up on being a Lady," suggested Numair.
"Is there any way she could do that here?" asked Amanda quickly. "I'll go and visit the fief shortly, then I believe procession starts soon from what I remember, right? Then we'll both go since I think it's required and if possible she can take lessons on catching a husband from some noble women who would be willing to teach her."
"Do you always think fast on your feet?" asked the King.
"Often, yes," replied Amanda.
"It shows." He sighed, and thought about it for a minute. "Yes, that might work," he said at last, "I put both of you in Alanna's care when you're not with the court, and until you know your way around, I'd suggest you stick with her otherwise."
"I'll go introduce them to Lord Wyldon, it's lunch hour for the pages and squires and he'll make sure to get them some guides," said the Baron.
"You know he won't like you bringing in such lovely ladies to his mess hall, it'll distract his trainees," said the King, smiling slightly.
"My friend may distract them," said Amanda quietly, "And she may flirt with them as she wants. But if they touch either of us, they're dead."
"I told you she wasn't a Lady, Jonathan," said the Lioness, smiling brightly. She had a feeling that she and the elder of these guests were going to get along just fine.
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Lord Wyldon stood up in front of his pages and squires, frowning slightly. "These two are Lady Amanda and Lady Elizabeth of Lynx mountain," he boomed, getting the attention of those eating their meal. "The King requires that two of you shall show them around until they are familiar with their surroundings. Who wishes to volunteer?"
A dozen hands shot up, Amanda was sure it was because of Elizabeth, but Lord Wyldon scanned the crowd and spotted Keladry seated with her friends.
"Squire Keladry," he said formally. "Would any of your crowd wish to take these two around?"
"I believe Squire Cleon and Page Owen would like to, sir," she replied evenly, Yamani mask in place.
"Be nice to your guide," whispered Amanda as the two made their way forward. "If I hear you broke his heart for fun…"
"Why do you care?"
"He's one of the girl Squire's friends, and she can be a powerful enemy. I'd rather have her as a friend." Cleon offered her his arm and she took it, not really being sure what to do. Elizabeth accepted Owen's lightly, and he led her to the table where he sat next to Merric and Neal. Cleon led Amanda to the table, Amanda casting an eye about the room and looking any in the eye who looked at her.
"Is your fief new?" asked Owen when they were all seated. "I've never heard of a fief called 'Lynx mountain.'"
"We were ennobled just this morning, my sister and I," replied Elizabeth sweetly.
"Who is the head of your family?" asked Neal, thinking he would have heard of who ever it was.
"I am." Neal turned and looked at Amanda, eyes wide.
"But you're a girl, and not much older than I, I'm sure," said Cleon, speaking everyone's thoughts.
"A girl can rule as well as a boy, and I am the oldest in my family, making me its head," replied Amanda, slightly annoyed.
"I agree. Girls are just as good as boys," added Keladry calmly, mask still in place.
Elizabeth flirted with any who would let her during the meal as Amanda talked with Keladry about arms and fighting styles. "You know, for sisters you two are hardly anything alike," commented Neal.
"Amanda takes after our dad and I am more our mom," lied Elizabeth, saying the first thing she thought of.
"Then you knew your parents?" asked Cleon, thinking they were dead.
"For a little while," fibbed Amanda, trying to act confident.
"Would you two ladies like a tour?" asked Owen as the first bell of the afternoon rang out and most of the pages and squires began to clear the hall.
"Could we?" asked Elizabeth quickly, brightening up as she looked at Amanda with pleading eyes.
"I don't see why not," replied Amanda. "Lady Alanna said we didn't have to be back until dinner time…"
"You know Lady Alanna?" Neal interrupted.
"Yes. She's our 'guide' until we get used to the palace," answered Amanda. "Didn't she just recently take you as her Squire?"
"Yeah, but how did you know?" asked Neal incredulously.
"I know many things," laughed Amanda, enjoying the look on her face. Getting a sharp nudge from Elizabeth, she added, "Lady Alanna mentioned it before we came to eat."
"Shall we go or not?" asked Owen, turning the topic back to it's original one.
"Let's go," said Elizabeth. "We've got time to spare and nothing to do." Amanda agreed, letting Elizabeth get up from the bench quickly. The young squires who were free swarmed around Elizabeth, each offering her their arm and a tour around the castle. She let herself be led away by the group with a promise to Amanda to be back before long.
Keladry, Cleon, Neal and Amanda were the only ones left and they watched the group go for a moment before deciding what they would do. "Are you not jealous that you're younger sister is getting all that attention?" asked Cleon teasingly.
"Not in the least. Any who came near me I scared away with a glare and let them go to my sister. I hate acting giggly and stupid for a guy's pleasure, and any who expect me to are in for a shock," said Amanda with a sly smile.
"What do you know, another Kel with sharper tongue," observed Neal with his usual sarcasm. "Not that there's anything wrong with that," he added quickly when Amanda's smile disappeared.
"I never said there was, if anything I'd be honored that you think I'm like Squire Keladry," admitted Amanda to everyone's surprise.
"Call me Kel," said Kel, mask partially gone as she smiled, "And you're insane if you're honored to be known as being like me."
"Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder," quoted Amanda, "As is honor in most cases. It all depends on how you look at it."
"Not only is she like Kel she's got the mind set of Neal," remarked Cleon, "That could be scary."
"Let's give her a tour before it's too late," put in Kel, rising from the table. "I've got stuff to do and have to go by second bell."
"Getting ready for your new Knight Master?" asked Amanda before she could close her mouth.
"Yes in fact…wait a minute. How did you know that I have a Knight Master?" replied Keladry, hiding her surprise.
"Oh, new travels fast…"shrugged Amanda, acting indifferent as she mentally kicked herself for saying that. [I'll have to be more careful about what I say…] thought Amanda as she followed the other three out of the hall to begin her tour.
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Elizabeth was having the time of her life, trifling with the lads hearts as they all tried to out do the other in impressing her. They were at the practice courts now, and two of them were facing off with swords for her approval. A large man who looked like a mountain approached them unnoticed by her, as she was deeply absorbed in the fight.
"Who is this lovely lady?" boomed a voice to her right, getting her attention quickly. Merric, who was the one holding her arm at the moment, answered the man.
"Lord Raoul," he called merrily, "Might I introduce Lady Elizabeth of Lynx Mountain. Lady Elizabeth, this is Lord Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak."
"It is very nice to meet you," said Elizabeth, curtseying slightly.
"Likewise," replied Raoul, bowing his head. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and said, "I've never heard of Lynx mountain, would that be the new fief everyone's babbling about?"
"Yes, my older sister Lady Amanda is the head of our family," replied Elizabeth sweetly.
"How old is your sister?" asked Raoul curiously.
"17 of a few days ago." Elizabeth turned at the sound of cheering and saw one of the boys, Owen of Jesslaw standing over his defeated opponent.
"A young wench ruling a noble fief," sneered Joren from where he had been listening for a while. "Look what this kingdom is coming to."
"You'll take that back if you know what's good for you," replied Elizabeth coldly as she spotted Amanda and her three guides coming their way.
"Why is that, girly? Your big sister going to clobber me?" taunted Joren boredly as Raoul and some of the other Squires fought the urge to bash his face in.
"She ought to. Young men like you are what make a country look bad," said Elizabeth lightly, rolling her eyes as she did.
"What's going on here?" asked Neal as their group came between Elizabeth's and Joren's. Amanda noticed Elizabeth's flashing eyes and Joren's taunting grin, quickly piecing together what had happened.
"This young boy thinks he has the right to insult our family, dear sister," said Elizabeth coolly, looking at Amanda.
"Oh he does, does he," said Amanda as she stepped forward, looking Joren in the eye. "Think you can pick on my sister, who is smaller and weaker than you, eh? Well I'm not much smaller and certainly not weaker than you and let's see of you'll do that same to me." Joren froze slightly, not being used to Amanda's forward attitude, and equally unerved when he saw she had two different colored eyes. "What? Too scared? I thought as much." She turned on her heal and was about to leave when one of his friends jumped in front of her, sword drawn.
"I challenge you to a duel for insulting my friend so," growled Squire Garvey of Runnerspring.
"What? Joren can't even fight his own battles," mocked Amanda heatedly as she drew her own with an air of boredom. A round of snickers came from those beside her. "And even less so against a girl. But if you wish…"
"Can it, Garvey. I can handle this weakling on my own," scoffed Joren, drawing his weapon. "No girl, lady or not, can beat me and will get away with mocking me in such a manner." Owen and his opponent, who had been waiting for Elizabeth's approval, quickly got off the practice court and let the other two take their place.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" asked Neal as he took her cloak from her. "Joren's a trained squire, you won't stand a chance if you don't know what you're doing."
"Let her be, Neal," said Kel calmly. "If she wishes to fight Joren she will whether or not you stop her this time. And I don't think she'll get into anything that she couldn't handle." Amanda nodded her thanks, quickly sending a reassuring smile at Elizabeth before getting into position.
"You're going to wish you were dead when I'm down with you, wench," snarled Joren as he got into position.
"I seriously doubt that," replied Amanda, smiling slyly. The Squire who had been deemed the ref signaled for them to start, letting the two enemies battle it out.
Joren was good; there was no doubt to that. But Amanda was by far better, and her technique was nothing like anything they had ever seen. She stayed mainly on the defensive, but every few strikes she'd lash out fiercely with the anger that was built up inside, catching him off guard and scoring some points.
All in all she had accumulated a black eye from a sly punch and a few scratches from close calls here and there, but her opponent was much worse off than she. She had managed to blacken both eyes, break his nose, and bruise his left shoulder from a slap with the flat of her blade. She could've sliced off his whole arm, but that wouldn't go over well with most and a bruise would hurt him a lot longer too.
The two fencers continued to slash and parry their way across the court, having by now accumulated a large group of spectators. Alanna was there, Baron George in tow and the Knight Master of Joren's, Sir Paxton of Nod, right behind them. It was not often that one saw a lady fencing at court, especially not one who was the head of a house.
A shout went up from some; Joren was down in the dust with Amanda's sword point at his throat. "Not so tough now, are we?" she taunted angrily so only he could hear her. "What was that about me being sorry when you were done with me? I'd suggest you apologize before I carve my initials into your gullet."
"I'll never apologize to a lowly wench who thinks she's a noble," wheezed Joren, his breath coming ragged.
"Tut tut tut. Such nasty words," mocked Amanda indifferently. "I'd suggest you find someone else to pick on, Joren, because you will get no where fighting someone who has already beaten you." She sheathed her sword and turned on her heal, heading back to the sidelines, head held high. His Knightmaster ran out to help him to a healer, eyes filled with worry.
Elizabeth ran out onto the practice courts, giving her 'sister' a hug that about squeezed the life out of her. "Liz...can't breath..." she gasped, finally getting her to let go. The squires and pages gathered around, cheering loudly. Amanda ignored them and let Elizabeth do with them as she liked.
"You devil! I said you weren't a lady but that didn't mean you had to challenge a Squire to a duel to prove it!" scolded Alanna as she tried to heal Amanda's black eye when she got to her. Amanda pushed her hands away and looked at Elizabeth with a smile.
"We had a philosophical disagreement and decided to settle it with swords," argued Amanda.
"I think he won't be insulting your family anymore," added Neal as he came up with her cloak.
"What'll I do with you two sisters," said Alanna as she finally managed to heal Amanda, leaving her completely without any marks. "Go back to your guide like your sister has and don't get into anymore trouble until dinner."
"That shouldn't be too hard, provided that that moron and his crowd stays clear of us," said Amanda in a low voice as she put her cloak back on and repositioned her sheath on her hip.
Neal, Kel and Cleon surrounded Amanda being the only three who weren't around Elizabeth. "By the gods, I swear I thought you were going to be carved to bits back there!" cried Neal when it was finally quiet enough to hear each other speak.
Amanda laughed, completely stunned by the irony of the whole situation. "Like Kel said, I won't get into a situation I can't handle," she said sincerely. "Save your worry for someone who needs it, as I'm sure others will eventually."
"That fight was well fought, Amanda," said Kel respectfully.
"Thank you for saying so, Squire Kel," replied Amanda, "I respect your opinion greatly."
"Why do you act as if Kel is a goddess?" asked Cleon suspiciously.
"Because she has done more and overcome obstacles that not even the Lioness had to deal with. She has accomplished more and proven herself worthy of the title 'Squire' more than any other here has. That is why I respect her more."
Amanda watched Kel fight a smile for a few minutes, smiling herself because of it. [What do you know] she thought to herself [I embarrassed the lump…]
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Elizabeth walked through the halls of the palace, still surrounded with Squires and older Pages galore. Oh, what she would give to see some of the girl's at her school's faces right about now…
"Would you like to see the main library?" asked the Squire who had her right arm, a Leon of Lyndhurst, the eldest son of a wealthy and large fief.
"Yes, lets," said Elizabeth quickly, knowing her
'sister' would practically live there once she found out where it was. The
library was huge, covered from top to bottom with books bound in leather with
guilt edges. "Whoa…" said Elizabeth, eyes wide in awe.
"Nice place, right?" asked
Leon with a smile. "My cousin spends hours here when he's not on call with the
King's Own."
"Would your dear sister who beats up squires for fun like it here?" asked one of the squires, trying to make a joke of it.
"Actually, the funny things is she would…" mused Elizabeth among the laughter that followed. "She reads more than anyone I know."
"No kidding?" asked Leon. "We'll have to see if we can get her and my cousin together."
[Might be a good idea,] though ELizabeth to herself. [When I'm not busy with all these hotties around me...]
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Elizabeth went back to her rooms several hours later, surrounded by the few pages and squires who didn't have to go some place and still toying with their hearts shamelessly. She unlocked the door and bade her suitors good night, going inside and shutting the door before they could try to follow her in.
"I see you've finally decided to some back," said Amanda with a smirk.
"Yep, had to give the guys a break from drooling over me, you know," grinned Elizabeth evilly.
"I won't say a word..." sighed Amanda, a sign that she wasn't happy with the situation but wouldn't press it.
"What's this?" asked Elizabeth when she spotted a letter on the table next to Amanda.
"Our invitaion to the ball that's being hosted in our honor tomorrow night. You're boys will have to do without you for a day, you have to go get fitted for a new dress and I have to go find a nice suit that'll fit," replied Amanda, resting her chin on her hand.
"And this note right here?"
"An order of the King saying he'd like to see us as soon as we've eaten our meal in our rooms."
"Oh, we can skip that," shrugged Elizabeth, "Let's go now..."
"Sit down and eat," interrupted Amanda, putting down the papers she had been shuffling through, "It would certianly not be good if you passed out in front of the King because you hadn't eaten. I may not tell you what to do very often and I won't order you around, but you will eat."
Elizabeth growled at her but picked up the plate of food, some ham and potatoes, and ate enough to satisfy her 'guardian.'
"If you're done glaring daggers at the back of my head, are you ready to go?" asked Amanda teasingly as she picked up the papers she had put down earlier.
"What's that you're looking at?" asked Elizabeth.
"The family crest and our personal crests. Hope you don't mind, but I made yours while you were gone. Tomorrow they'll add our shield to the ones that line that hall in the front. "
"What's mine look like, then?"
"It's square with the silver rose in the front over a mountain with a paw print in the left corner and my sword in the right."
"And I'm assuming yours is the same with the sword and rose switched places?"
"Yep."
Elizabeth went to her room, quickly cleaning her teeth and brushing her hair. "You know," she said off handly. "I could get used to this sort of life."
[I'm sure you could...] thought Amanda as she got up and put her cloak back on. This was most definitely more her friend's day than hers.
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The King strode in front of them purposefully, brows knitted together and eyes stormily glaring. His wife, Queen Thayet, sat to the side, not sure of what to do in this situation because it had never happened before.
"Are you aware, Lady Amanda, of the disruption your little 'fight' caused?" asked the King at long last, his voice boiling with anger.
"She only did it because-"
"Hush, Elizabeth," whispered Amanda. "Let me take care of this." She rose and stood before the King, looking very repentive. "My deepest apologizes, my lord," she said, sweeping into a low bow. "I will not let my temper get the better of me in the future."
"You had better not if you wish to keep your newfound titles," sighed the King, settling down at Amanda's obvious sincerity. "Now for the more pressing matter at hand. Numair sensed the gift in both of you earlier, and I think I know what yours is in, Lady Amanda. Both of you must go to his chambers right now to find out what it is and to start instruction is using it."
"Yes, milord," the sisters said in unison, bowing/ curtsying low to the King. They left and were escorted by a page to Numair's rooms, also home to Daine, the Wildmage.
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"Just sit still and let me make sure I have this right," said Numair as he did the final tests on the girls. Amanda most definitely had fighting magic, and weapon she picked up she would know how to use and would easily be able to master it. But Elizabeth's was a little harder. It was sort of like levitation, where you make yourself float, but then again she could make other things float as well. Sighing, he quickly did what he had to and analyzed the info he got from it.
"Well, Ladies," he said slowly. "I know what your gifts are. Amanda, yours is obvious and it is the only way you beat Squire Joren this afternoon. But Elizabeth, I'm not really sure what yours is. I guess the best way to describe it is 'telekinesis.'"
"Sweet! You mean I can make things float in the air?"
"Yes, and from my tests it appears you've already done it once..."
"Oh yeah, when those morons where trying to clobber Amanda and I couldn't get off that horse! That was weird, but with everything else that has been happening I kind of forgot about it."
"Come and report directly to me in the morning, got it?"
"Yes sir, Numair," said Amanda as she walked out the door straight into Daine who was walking in. "Oh, sorry!"
"It's ok," said Daine with a smile. "You must be the two new ladies in court."
"The one and only," said Amanda. "We must be going, see you tomorrow!"
"Bye!"
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Amanda fidgeted nervously with the hem of her jerkin, having won the battle over what she would wear. She thought back to that morning's magic lessons and thought about how well they had gone to get her mind off her problem at hand. Elizabeth could now lift large objects with easy with her gift, and she had learned how to fight with a spear from a knight with in a few hours. Things were definitely looking up, until now.
"Presenting Lady Amanda and Lady Elizabeth of Lynx mountain!" yelled the crier, pulling the curtain back for them to walk through. Amanda walked first, followed by Elizabeth all the way to the thrones. She kept a mask of serenity on her face while doing her best not to screw up. Large crowds were definitely not her thing.
Elizabeth, on the other hand, was basking in the attention she got and winked at all the cute men who looked her way. They reached the thrones at long last and did their formal greetings to the King. "Ladies and Gentlemen!" he said loudly, getting the attention of all. "I want you to welcome these two fine ladies for whom we are celebrating tonight, a new fief and a new noble family!" Everyone cheered, and everyone must for the King, and the two ladies were quickly enveloped in a wave of people coming to greet them. Most had heard of Amanda's battle by now and wanted to say thank you for smashing his disgustingly beautiful face in.
The night went by smoothly, after an hour of meeting people Amanda slipped off to the gardens to be by herself while her radiant sister went on and danced with all the nobles for her. It was the start of a new life.
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Next chapter...someone else gets sucked in, what happens now?? Stay tuned and review please! I promise the nest chapter will have it's better moments than this one.