Twisted Tortallian Tale

by crosseyedbutterfly

Me and some pals get sucked into Tortal, but why?? *Chapters 1-11 reloaded with errors fixed. Others will be shortly!*

11.

Here's part 11, and there's something I'd like to explain real quick before you go on. Please don't skip over this; it is something you need to know.

The character Lyssa only knows Amanda from her world (as in earth), the others she's only heard of from Amanda and at the moment assumes she's the only one from her world there. So the cook named Jennifer she met was the same Jennifer who's from her world, but doesn't realize it at the moment, ok?

The character Kyle only knows Elizabeth, Vixen, and Sarah because they took a class together that year. So if he meets one of the other characters other than those three from his world they will NOT recognize one another.

The rest know everyone else at least as an acquaintance, and would recognize him or her given the chance. Sorry I didn't mention this earlier, my apologies. Now read!

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Amanda and Elizabeth sat side by side as they awaited the arrival of their dinner partners. The fief they were at now was hosting a banquet, and they had been invited (much to Amanda's displeasure) and they were to be accompanied by the fief's eldest sons.

A blond haired boy with green eyes and a curly-haired brunette with gray eyes bowed to them gravely before they took their seats across from them. "Good evening, ladies," said the blond seriously; as if his very reputation depended on the way he spoke to them. "I am Sir Patrick of Isis grove; and this is my younger brother, Sir Nate of Isis grove. Whom might you be?"

"I might be about to burst out laughing, and I might want to see him get thrown in the mud," whispered Elizabeth to Amanda so the brothers couldn't hear. Amanda elbowed her quietly and shot a glare at her before she politely replied, "I am Lady Amanda of Lynx mountain, and this is my sister Lady Elizabeth of Lynx mountain." She was under orders to be on her best behavior because this was a very powerful fief, one that was not to be messed with.

Sir Patrick stiffened noticeably. "Did you say 'Lynx mountain'?" he asked softly, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Why yes," replied Elizabeth icily, not liking his look. "Is there something wrong, Sir Patrick?"

"Why no, dear lady," ground Sir Patrick through his teeth. "You'll have to excuse me for a moment." He got up and left quickly, heading at top speed for the table where his father sat.

"Serves him right," said Sir Nate, grinning evilly. "The little prick..."

"What serves him right?" asked Elizabeth eagerly, being quite fond of secrets.

"Oh, nothing..." Amanda was watching the rather animated conversation going on between the father and son at the moment.

"Tellmetellmetellme..."

"Oh, all right," the young man conceded, hoping Amanda wasn't as dangerous as he had heard. "My brother is a conservative and is thoroughly miffed that pa put him with the only fief run completely by women." He glanced at Amanda, who was grinning rather smugly at the moment. "I'll warn you though, if pa makes him stay, he'll make the night rather unenjoyable for all of us..."

"Great," growled Elizabeth when she noticed he was walking back, "And you're forbidden to unleash that tongue of yours against him, sis."

"Great indeed," replied Amanda, trying to think of ways to get out of this. "Let's just hope he won't be too cruel or I'll have to disobey our dear King once again..."

"Don't waste your time, dear lady," said Sir Patrick rather rudely as he came up once more. "Two cousins of mine are in town and have requested to be seated with you. I agreed to switch, and they're coming over here right now."

"Oh no, you didn't Patrick..."

"Come on, Nate, our dates await us," said the older brother, dragging his younger sibling away.

"Oh crap..." whispered Elizabeth when they saw their dates. It was Sir Rick and Sir Henry, two morons that worshiped the ground she walked on.

"I take it tonight's going to be worse than we thought?" muttered Amanda as she pasted a very fake smile on her face.

"Much worse..."

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Alyse sat at the same banquet on the other side of the hall with her back to most of the people. With her were Lady Haname, Yuki, the Princess Shinkokami, Prince Roald, Faleron, and two other knights she hadn't met before.

"Having a nice time, Alyse?" asked Faleron as the knight to his left tried too woo Lady Haname and the one on his right was staring opening at the lovely Yuki who hid most of her face with a fan.

"Better than some of my friends," replied Alyse, pitying Yuki and Lady Haname.

"I think their majesties are getting along just fine," commented Faleron, trying very hard to make conversation. Alyse glanced at the couple and smiled, the ice had long since been broken between the two, and now it was hard to see them apart.

"That's true," she sighed, and was shocked to feel a small wiggling bundle jump on her lap. "What the...?" She scooted back and saw an innocent looking Ronnie sitting primly on her new kimono. "Ronnie..."

"What's the matter?" asked Faleron, noticing that she was looking at something. Alyse lifted the small dog onto the table and sighed slightly. She had tied him up in the tent, and apparently he chewed through the rope and decided to look for her.

"Why can't you stay out of trouble?" scolded Alyse gently, letting Yuki scratch the pup behind the ears. "I leave you alone for just a minute..."

The pup barked and jumped out of her hands, running of into the crowd. A shriek, followed by a 'CRASH!' let them know the pup was already casing more trouble. "I'll go get him," offered Faleron, followed by the two knights who hoped to win the favor of the Yuki and Lady Haname by retrieving the dog.

"Ronnie!" called Faleron, getting weird looks from the people near by. "Ronnie where are ...oh , there you are." He picked up the dog, which was now covered in pudding and flour, and shook his head regretfully. "What have you done, pup? Well, let's go get you cleaned up before we go back." He carried Ronnie out of the room, being sure not to get himself covered in the stuff as well, and managed to get out of sight before a furious chef rushed out from the kitchen, howling.

"Where's the dog!" he cried, eyes wide with rage. "Where's the stupid pooch who dared ruin my masterpiece?!!"

"Get back in here, Walter!" cried a voice from the kitchen. "Just because it is ruined does not mean you are done with your work!"

"Yes, Madame Jennifer," sighed the Chef, glaring at the nobles in the room. "When I found out who let the pooch go free..."

"Walter, I mean now!" The man meekly went back into the kitchen, the astonished servants and nobles let the silence hang about them for a few moments before someone burst out laughing, and the rest soon followed quickly.

"Oh, my goodness," sighed Alyse through her hand as she tried to get herself under control. "That poor guy..."

"Alyse, I think it's time to teach that dog to obey before he gets us into trouble," said Yuki in a stage whisper, winking as she did. "Who knows what could happen..."

"Oh, like, maybe say he upsets one of the most famous chefs on this planet?" asked Roald calmly, keeping his face straight.

"Yeah, something like that," agreed Alyse. In Yamanis she added, "At least it got rid of those two rather annoying knights."

"For a while anyways," agreed Yuki in Yamanis as she watched the two crawl under tables (much to many nobles annoyance) in their search for the 'missing' dog.

"I love that dog of yours," said Yuki calmly, her mask back in place.

"So do I," replied Alyse as she spotted Faleron coming across the room with Ronnie wrapped in a small blanket. "So do I..."

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Jennifer was also at the banquet, but was working in the kitchen as she and two others turned out masterpieces for the King and his nobles to dine on. "Ah!" cried Walter with happiness as the rather eccentric chef put the final touches on a tray of puddings that were going to go out any minute.

"Be careful with that," warned Jennifer as she quickly put the top on a pie and put it in an oven while checking on two others and removing one to cool. "If you drop it..."

"I never drop anything," bragged Walter as he walked to the door. He was about to hand it to the serving man outside, when a streak of gold tripped him up and sent it flying through the air. Walter watched in horror as the dish that had taken him an hour to perfect landed upon the small dog, which had stopped on top of a bag of flour as he pertly licked himself clean.

"AARRRRRRGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" cried Walter as he ran at the dog, a long butcher knife in his hand. The dig barked and ran, streaking through the door into some noble's arms before Walter could follow. He ran out the door of the kitchen and began to scream rather loudly at the nobles sitting out there.

Jennifer sighed and went to the door, being sure that she couldn't be seen from the outside. "Get back in here, Walter!" she ordered, not wanting to waste any more time than they had to cleaning up this mess.

"Yes, Madame Jennifer," he called back, but when he didn't return immediately, she leaned out the door.

"...who let that pooch go free..."

"Walter! I mean now!" ordered Jennifer. She may be only 5' tall, but she could be a menacing sight when she wanted to be. He came meekly back into the kitchen and went back to work, explaining to a servant why his tray would be empty when he went to his majesties this next course.

[Oh boy] thought Jennifer as she took another pie out and put one in its place. [This is not exactly what I bargained for when I took this job...]

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Lyssa sat beside Ripshka and across from Coram as she tried to stop herself from laughing. The cook who had just ran out from the kitchen looked as mad as anything, but had apparently been quelled by another little cook name Jennifer who was in charge...it was just too funny!

"I guess you found that fairly amusing," said Coram lightly as he watched her with an odd look.

"That was Jennifer, that one who's as short as I am with red hair, who just yelled that guy back into line," she gasped, practically wheezing for air. "I just find it hilarious that someone so innocent looking can have such a sharp tongue."

"What can I say, us red-heads have quite a temper," said a voice behind her. Lyssa turned around and saw a pair of purple eyes staring curiously back at her.

"Hello," said Lyssa as she twisted around in her chair. "I don't believe I've met you before."

"No," replied the purple-eyed red head lazily. "You haven't. But I've heard a good deal about you already. I'm Alanna of Oula and Pirates Swoop."

"So you're the one Coram refers to occasionally," said Lyssa as she nodded her head.

"What? He hasn't been spreading rumors about me, has he?" asked Alanna as she winked at Coram and hugged Ripshka affectionately. She took a seat next to Lyssa as leaned back in her chair comfortably, purple eyes sizing the young lady up one more. "Well, at least you aren't taller than me..."

"Mind telling me what you're talking about?" asked Lyssa, her eyes partially closed, as she tended to do sometimes. "And you don't need to rub my shortness in, I'm perfectly aware of it."

Alanna laughed gruffly, breaking into a warm smile as she did. "Coram wrote me about you a few months back, and I've hoped to get a chance to meet you since then. You're helping me and a few others by taking this job."

"Helping you do what?"

"Prove women are good for more than having kids and keeping a house clean," replied Alanna as she looked around the room for someone. "There's a girl named Keladry of Mindelan whose the first girl page in over a century. That they know is a girl, that is." She stopped looking and shrugged her shoulders. "I can't see her right now, but she's doing the hardest part of any of us. Putting up with males all by herself just so she can prove a point."

"That's not so hard," said Lyssa with a shrug. She was used to dealing with guys after marching band and winter guard. That and going to a public school. "I dealt with guys on a day to day basis where I come from."

"Oh really?" said Alanna, leaning forward slightly. She knew she had heard something about this from someone else...but it escaped her at the moment... "Coram never did tell me where you were from..."

"That's because I never found out," cut in Coram. "Where are you from, Lyssa?"

"Well...I..." 'CRASH!!' A servant looked rather sheepish as a tray of food landed face down on their table.

"I- I'm so-so sorry..." stuttered the man as he tried to clean up some of the mess. Lyssa and Alanna both were covered in a lovely layer of gravy, and both Coram and his wife were covered in it too.

"It's alright," said Alanna as she waved him away and got up from her seat. "It just gives me a reason to leave early, thank you Mithros."

"I take it you still dislike formal functions all the time, lioness?" said Coram lightly as he wiped as much of the gravy as he could off and started to the doors rather calmly. Most of the spectators watched and were anticipating a famous Alanna temper-explosion, but it never came. She was in too good a mood at finding that Lyssa was not some ditz with a sword to let something like this ruin it.

"So, when did you say the squad from Trebond would be arriving?" Alanna asked Lyssa when they were outside the dinning hall.

"Sometime this week," she replied, trying not to drip all over the place.

"Excellent, I look forward to seeing how you've done with the men," said Alanna formally, bowing low as she can near the door to her room. "Until later, Commander Lyssa..."

"My friends call me Lyssa," said the younger woman with a grin. "I'd prefer it if you did too."

"Then, until later Lyssa?"

"Yeah, whatever you say, lioness."

Alanna watched Lyssa walked casually down the hall to the door that led outside (it was quite near her tent). This was definitely working out better than she had hoped...

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Trystan sat with her head in her hands, wishing she could just quit. She had barely managed to make that servant trip and douse them with gravy in order to stop the line of conversation. That and making Alanna forget about the similar speech she had heard from Elizabeth a few months earlier.

"Mithros, I swear if it weren't for the fact I've unlimited power..."

"You'd what?" asked a breathy voice around her, circling in her head eerily.

"Can't you people just leave me alone for one minute?!" cried Trystan, throwing her hands up in exasperation.

"Sorry," came the voice again, this time not circling around and leaving her alone. Trystan went back to work while muttering something under her breath about annoying little brothers who couldn't keep their noses out of other's business...

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Libby and Artman were also at the banquet and were sitting beside the King and Queen as the guests of honor, getting to really talk to the monarchs for the first time since their arrival.

"So tell me, Shaman Artman," said the King formally. "What tribe of the Brazir are you from?"

"We really don't have a tribe," replied Artman lamely, trying to act innocent.

"That would explain why I don't have a feeling that I know you already," murmured the King. When he got odd looks from the pair he added, "I'm the Voice of the Brazir."

"Oh," said Libby, her eyes getting as big as saucers, "Then you're the one Trystan told us about!"

"Who's Trystan?" asked the King, getting interested.

"Our teacher," replied Libby quietly, hoping he wouldn't ask any more questions about her as Artman kicked himself mentally for letting her say anything at all.

"Then you have had formal training?" said the King, leaning back in his chair, "How long have you been at it?"

"4 years," lied Artman, using the lie-covering spell Trystan had taught them. "More or less."

"I see," said the King, turning to his wife who tugged on his sleeve. "What is it dear?"

"Do you think they would be willing to help us with the Scanra problems?" she asked quietly, sensing their power some how. "Surely any mage on our side would most definitely be a bonus."

"Would you like to help?" asked the King, turning back to the mages, knowing already that Artman was a fighter mage and Libby was a healer mage, both which were very handy in a battle. "It is entirely up to you."

"We would be more than honored to help you," said Libby, seeing Artman wasn't going to say it regardless of what Trystan had ordered them to do. "When would we be going?"

"Oh, probably not until we send out Lord Raoul's squad since you know him and his men the best," replied the King thoughtfully. "Would that be alright with you?"

"Sure," said Artman, shrugging a shoulder. "Whatever is fine." [Stupid rules] he growled inside, hiding his anger at Trystan and this game she was playing with them. [If only I could refuse, or enlist someone's help...] Artman sighed and went back to the conversation at hand. Whether or not he liked it, he was here and there was little that could be changed at this point. Little that could be changed at all...

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Kyle sat beside a rather obnoxious young lady as the end of the dinner drew near, waiting solely for the moment he could take his leave and leave her far behind. He had long since scratched this one's name from the list, and was now bored out of his mind.

"Oh, can you believe all the scandalous things that are happening now a days?" said the girl snottily, who was know as Della of Naxen (The duke's daughter). "Women running their own fief and trying to act as knights..."

"I see nothing wrong with it," said Kyle cruelly, hoping to make her as mad as possible. "Women can be every bit as strong as men. They have their advantages, you know."

"Like what?" asked Della sarcastically. "There's absolutely nothing good about women who dirty their hands with unnecessary work in my opinion."

"What if your opinion is wrong?" asked Kyle wickedly. "You are smaller than me and could probably slip through a crack to safety or climb through a hole much easier than I would because of that. It would be easier for you to evade an archer because you are smaller, and creeping through shadows would be a cinch being so light weighted and such."

"Yes, but those who become knights become shaped like a tree trunk," retorted Della, not liking how he was turning this conversation against her.

"Hey, just because you're not a thin slip of a girl doesn't mean that you aren't any good. That trunk figure probably comes from muscles. Muscles that help her survive and such."

"Why are you defending her? Or any of them for that matter?" asked Della snobbishly. "They're all goody-two-shoes with nothing better to do than try to be something they're not."

"That's better than slandering those who aren't around to defend themselves," replied Kyle smartly. "That's why I'm defending their pride for them, Lady Della."

"I see," said Della coldly as her father beckoned for her from across the room. "I'm afraid I must be going. I'm terribly sorry to leave so soon..."

"I'm not," snorted Kyle as he got up and went to go speak to his father. "Oh, trust me. I'm not."

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Sarah and Jon had gotten up just after dawn like they always did, and were now letting themselves be led around the streets of Corus by Penny and her good friend Silas.

"How much longer before we have to go back to the ranch?" Jon asked Sarah, having not talked to Onua that morning.

"About a week or so, it depends on how well the new recruits react to their mounts," replied Sarah, stopping briefly to look at a set of boots at a tanner's stall. Her own had gotten pretty beat up since they were the only shoes she had, and they would need to be replaced soon.

"Forget about those," said Penny, steering them in another direction. "We can get better ones at the palace for free."

"Cool," said Sarah, shrugging slightly. "Where are we going now?"

"To a healer a few streets over. She's got the best supply of healing herbs at the lowest price, and she's really nice too," replied Silas with a grin. "That and maybe we'll run into her son."

"Why? So he can teach you to lift someone's purse without them noticing?" asked Penny in a cross voice.

"No, I've already learned to do that," said Silas as he held her purse up in one hand.

"What! Give that back right now!" Silas was a good six inches taller than Penny and taunted her with it until Sarah nudged John in the ribs.

He sighed as he swiped at the purse, getting it easily out of the younger man's grip before handing it back to Penny. "Be nice, you guys," scolded Sarah as Silas began to protest.

"It was only a joke..."

"Not a very nice one," retorted Penny.

They reached the shop about then, a small little thing tucked in between a few other buildings. 'Madame Cooper' read the sign over the door, and Silas opened the door as he motioned for them to follow him.

"Madame Cooper!" called Silas as he strolled confidently into the shop. "Are you here, Madame?"

"In the back, Silas!" a voice called from the back. "I'll be out there in a minute!" Sarah and John took this chance to look around the shop; noticing the many small vials that lined the shelves behind the counter, the small charms that hung from pegs in the wall, and the packets of tea and herbs that were piled into bins in a corner.

"Hello, Silas, Penny," said a tall woman with dark eyes and hair. Her skin with tanned, but not from being out in the sun. The only sign of her age was a silvery strip of hair right next to her left eye. "What can I do for you?"

"The usual, Madame Cooper," said Silas as he pulled his own purse out of his belt pouch. "The set of healing herbs, a pound of each, and a few charms spelled to stop one from bleeding very much."

"That'll be 20 gold nobles," said Madame Cooper as she pulled the asked for items onto the table. The way everything was already prepared told the visiting pair that Silas and Penny came here regularly for things. "Who are your guests?"

"This is Sarah and Jon," said Penny as Silas counted the money out of his belt purse. "They're the stable people for the Rider's who stay at that ranch between here and that other city."

"It's very nice to meet you," said Sarah politely as Jon just nodded slightly.

"Like wise," said Madame Cooper with a warm smile. "I hope to see you again later, then?"

"If we ever have a chance to come back to town," said Sarah with a grin. She liked this lady. John walked out after Penny and Silas, dragging Sarah with him as they exchanged good-byes.

"See? Told you she was nice," said Penny brightly as they strolled through the crowds back to the Palace and the Rider's facilities.

"I liked the shop," commented Sarah as they went. "It was pretty cool looking."

"Yeah, I guess so," shrugged Jon. "Hey, what's that place over there?" He pointed to a well-kept building with a bright sing over the door that read 'Dancing Dove.'

"That place?" asked Silas. "That's a bar/inn that's over run with thieves. That's the last place you want to go on a dark night with a pocket full of cash."

"Oh," said Jon, feeling something pull in his heart. He wanted to go in there and look around for a while, but he could wait until tonight when he had to go do some business for his other boss. He would wait...

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Vixen stood in the stable of the Dancing Dove, speaking softly to her gelding as she groomed him and saddled him up for a ride. "I've missed riding you, Solaris," she whispered to the gelding as she cinched the final straps and gave him the apple he had been trying to reach in her pocket for sometime.

She swung up into the saddle with ease, only taking the time to check her weapons and get settled before they set out into the streets of Corus. They were soon free of the crowds and she set their course for a large meadow just outside of the city limits.

Solaris went into a fast gallop the moment she spotted it, and Vixen gave her free reign to go where she wished. She loved racing over the meadows and down the rolling hills, jumping over logs and small ravines that came in her way. Splashing through the streams and laughing like a child, she was having the time of her life.

A figure dashed in out of the corner of her eye, causing her to stop Solaris quickly. The Gelding snorted in frustration at having been stopped so quickly, but hushed as Vixen gave him a lump of sugar from  her pocket. The figure came closer, and she recognized the red mare before she saw the rider's.

She spurred Solaris into a gallop, goading Joe to race as she took off over the open countryside. "Come on buddy," she whispered into the gelding's ear. "Let's make him eat dust."

Solaris seemed to catch her spirit of daring and raced even fast than before, kicking up a cloud of dust and letting Vixen's spirit soar. She loved all this, loved the pounding of the hooves and the wind against her face, and wished beyond everything in the world that this feeling would never end.

But it did. With a sigh, she noticed Solaris's sweat-soaked flanks and pulled her into a slow walk. They came across a small brook, and Vixen dismounted to take off her horse's bridle so he could get a drink and take a rest.

Joe finally caught up with her, his own red mare soaked with sweat and ready for a drink. Solaris was sitting and grazing quietly by now, almost completely rested from her race earlier. She rebounded rather quickly for a horse, and Vixen was glad for that.

"You look like you just took a trip flying," remarked Joe dryly when he finally plopped down next to her.

"I did," replied Vixen softly as she watched the clouds above. "Oh yes I did..."

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Trystan sat in her tent, taking a break as she reviewed everything that had happened lately. She was supremely happy with herself, but no one who lived around her (The other mages that had helped with Libby and Artman's training) knew why.

"At last," she murmured to herself, "At last, things begin to come together..."

And who said that a mage's life doesn't have its high points?

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Jon had left the Rider's place right after the evening meal, taking the cart of skins with him. All he had to do was go find the fur-trader's stall and exchange all this for the prearranged price, then go find the net maker and buy as many nets as he could with them.

The local tanner had paid for his share of fish with skins, and since a fisherman has few uses for leather, Jon's boss usually sold it and used it for nets in Corus. Since John was already going to be there, it seemed like a good idea just to combine that trip into one for him as well.

Less than as hour later, Jon was walking through the streets with a purse of gold tucked into his belt and the cart gotten rid of. Soon the sun would be completely gone, but upon passing the Dancing Dove, he got the same feeling as he had the last time and decided one drink wouldn't hurt anything.

Now, from the time he had come to Tortal he had changed in appearance quite a good bit, and even Sarah sometimes didn't recognize him. He had a goatee of sorts, his hair was fairly long, and because he had worked out side so much he had a tan. The work had caused him to drop whatever extra weight he may have had, and had gained it back with solid muscle that could be seen from under his shirt.

He walked into the Dancing Dove and took a table in the back, asking for a tankard of ale from the barkeeper before he did. A few turned and looked at him for a moment, but when it was apparent he wasn't going to cause any trouble they ignored him and went back to their conversations and games. The last thing he remembered after that was taking a few sips of his drink and then seeing a familiar face...

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Mouse had been working the bar all day, and had seen the young man with the goatee walk in. He looked very familiar, but it really didn't matter because she learned from her sources that he was loaded with gold. That was all that she really cared about.

Getting Allie's attention, she sent her after the young man and had her take him up stairs. Vixen was in their room when she did, Mouse coming in soon after. "Another victim?" she asked lightly, sharpening a few dull blades while she had the chance.

"Oh yes," said Mouse with a grin. "He's loaded, or so Alleycat says. If he's lying..."

"He's not," said Allie as she opened the guy's pouch, removing several double-heavy nobles from it. "There must be around 300 nobles worth of gold here..."

"Nice," said Vixen with a grin. "That'll certainly help with costs around here."

"That's for sure," said Mouse as she counted it out to make sure. "Does he have anything else of value here?"

Allie used her gift to get an answer out of him and shook her head. "He's only got the gold, which is enough for me."

"Let's have some fun with him," said Vixen with an evil glint in her eye.

"Like what?" asked Mouse.

"Like shave his goatee and give him a hair cut," replied Vixen. "That could happen while you're drunk and we can't get in trouble for hurting him."

"Do you want to use my razor?" asked Joe from the door.

"Sure..."

A few minutes later the guy had lost his face hair and a few inches from his regular hair. "Oh my..." whispered Vixen, her eyes going wide.

"What is it?" asked Allie, getting worried.

"Take a good look at him, who is it?"

"I'm looking...oh dear."

"What?" asked Joe nervously, "Is he some sort of ax murderer or something?"

"Not exactly," replied Allie, sitting down hard. "You said others from there could come here, but I didn't think we'd run into any..."

"Other's from where?" asked Joe. "What is she talking about, Vixen?"

"I'll have to explain later," said Vixen as she told Allie to cut her link the guy. She then got a cup of water and splashed it in the guy's face.

"What the- Where- What-??!!!" he spluttered, trying to come to his senses.

"Easy, Hewitt," said Allie, catching him from falling over. Vixen took and put a chair across from the now-drenched John (who they called by his last name) and sat in it.

"Who are you?" asked John, getting a little worried.

"Your fairy god-mothers," said Vixen tiredly. "Take a good look Hewitt."

"Hey! How do you...Brenna? Mouse? Allie?" His eyes got really big. "Oh brother..."

"Yeah, I couldn't have said it better myself," said Vixen quietly. "Is there anyone else with you?"

"Just Sarah. She's back at the palace..."

"Then you got in good with the King?"

"No, we have a job as stable hands for the riders."

"Oh."

"Vixen? Why did he just call you 'Brenna'?" asked Joe confusedly, refusing to be ignore.

"'Vixen'?" asked John with a smirk, "Wait until Sarah hears that one..."

"Brenna's my old name," Vixen explained to Joe quickly. Turning to John she added. "And if you give me any grief about my new name..."

"Whoa! Isn't Amanda the one usually threatening me?"

"Only because you purposely pick fights with her."

"Bite me."

"I don't want rabies."

"Whatever. What are you guys doing here anyways? I heard this place was over run with thieves."

"What do you think we are?" asked Allie with a grin. "That and we all have gifts now."

"You mean magic?" asked John, his mouth dropping to the ground.

"Yep. And there's one other thing you should know. I'm the Queen of Thieves."

'Thump!' "Uh oh, I think you scared him Vixen."

Vixen nudged the prone form on the floor with the toe of her boot. "Oh well, we can catch up when he gets back up." She got the pitcher of water from the table and held it over his head. "Which will be right now."

"Here we go again..."

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Alyse sat with Faleron on a fence, watching some horses race over a plain for the favor of some lovely ladies on the other end. Yuki and Lady Haname had been pulled into that group, and were now waiting  calmly for the winner to reach the finish line.

"I wish I could race," said Alyse wistfully as she watched a brown gelding that reminded her of Dudley, her horse back home, win that round.

"Is it something you remember from your old life?" Faleron asked her, knowing as well as the others that she had amnesia. Or at least that's what they thought it was, in reality she just hadn't told anyone she was from another world.

"Yeah, I guess so," she replied vaguely. "I just like to ride them, though."

"Why don't you race?"

"I don't have a horse of my own," said Alyse sadly. "I haven't for awhile now. I've just been borrowing ones from the palace, and I would feel horrible if one of them were hurt because I ran it too hard..."

"Why don't you get one now?" said Faleron as he jumped off the fence. He helped Alyse down then led her to the stables. "A new friend of mine has a horse he's looking to get rid of, and maybe it would fit you fine."

"Let's hope," said Alyse excitedly, letting him take her away from the races. They got to the stables and met a young man there, with dark brown hair and blue-green eyes that were laced with silver.

"Hello Faleron," said the young man with a grin. He was dressed as a rich noble's son, and the signet ring on his right hand proved it to be true. "Anything I can help you with? I'm supposed to meet the Wildmage at the edge of the forest in a few minutes."

"Hey Kyle, I'd like you to meet Alyse, she's one of the Yamanis ladies and is interested in the mount you told me you were selling."

"The feisty mare that was a gift from the Brazir? For her?" asked Kyle incredulously. "That horse is not meant for a lady."

"Let me see her," said Alyse in perfect Common, much to Kyle's surprise. He had spoken to Yuki a few days ago and had noted her accent. This one, however, could've passed as a Tortallan if not for her looks.

"As you wish..." He strode to a back stall and opened it up, admitting her into the confined space. Inside was a Brazir mare, tall for one, but still graceful and fine-boned. She was a thoroughbred from that region, gray from the tip of her nose to her hindquarters with white stockings and a fern shaped leaf on her forehead.

"She beautiful," whispered Alyse as she rubbed the mare's nose gently. "What's she called?"

"Feisty, but you can rename her if you like," said Kyle, realizing he was wrong about her. The mare was completely subservient to this young lady, and it would be heartless of him to keep them apart. "You can have her for free."

"Free?" asked Alyse, hiding her surprise. "But Faleron said you were selling her..."

"Yeah, I know," said Kyle, scratching his neck. "But it's not like I need the money, and she obviously likes you better than she likes me. Go ahead and take her, it would be wrong to charge you for something I don't want."

"Just consider it a really late birthday gift," said Faleron lightly as he got a saddle and bridle from a groomsman.

"It could be an early one at this point," said Alyse wryly as she quickly saddled the mare up, ignoring the two stares centered on her. Apparently neither had seen a lady saddle a horse before, or if they had it hadn't been done this quickly.

"How many more races are they doing today?" Alyse asked as she swung herself up into the saddle, glad for the fact that she wore light breeches under her kimono.

"At least two or three," said Faleron as he checked the position of the sun. "If we hurry maybe more."

"Let's go then," said Alyse as she guided her new horse out of the stall. Faleron trotted beside her to keep up. "See you later, Kyle. And thanks again, she's wonderful!"

"No problem!" called Kyle back, closing the stall door as he watched them disappear into the crowd. "See ya!"

Faleron ran up to the guy who was in charge of the races and entered Alyse's name, going to join Lady Haname and Yuki in the crowd as they watched. "What should I name you?" said Alyse as she gave the mare an apple she took from a near-by barrel. "Dark gray and a few markings, the one like a fern..."

"Calling all racers for round three!" yelled the judge in a nasal voice. "Jarel, Evan, Carlos, and Alyse!" The four of them took their spot at the starting line.

"What's a girl doing here?" whispered one of the racers. "Women don't race."

"They do now," replied Alyse evenly, keeping her eyes on the judge. The flag dropped and off they went, the course being two times around a track marked by stakes then across a line where the judge stood.

"Go Alyse!" yelled Faleron, his voice being joined by Yuki's and Lady Haname's who cheered as much as any Yamanis dared to without looking inappropriate.

The Brazirian mare was faster than she looked, and Alyse didn't have to do much urging to make her fly. She left two of them in the dust, and was soon fighting for first place with Evan who was on a white stallion with black markings. Alyse's mare was lighter and could handle the broken terrain very easily, but Evan's was stronger and had more stamina.

Back and forth, back and forth, one would pull ahead only to be falling behind seconds later. "Come on, girl," whispered Alyse to her mare. "I know you can do this..."

Evan on the other hand was flogging his beast with a whip and using the spur to make him go faster. "Come on, you stupid horse! Beat these wimps!" he growled loudly, using the whip even more. His horse began to baulk from the lashings and reared up high enough to throw Evan into a puddle of mud.

Alyse crossed the finish line in first before she turned back around the road to where Evan was lying in the mud. "You know," she said gently. "Maybe if you didn't whip your horse he wouldn't throw you."

"Yes, my lady," said Evan heatedly, bowing his head as he did.

"That was great!" cried Faleron, running up to see her once she had ridden back to the finish line. Yuki and Lady Haname followed a little more calmly, taking their time as they did.

"Thank you," said Alyse meekly as she dismounted from the sweat-soaked ____ with ease. "I couldn't have done it if you hadn't gotten me the horse."

"What is her name," asked Yuki as she and Lady Haname patted its head gently.

Alyse smiled, teeth flashing in the sun. "Fern."

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Kyle walked out of the stable and ran into his father, being too busy looking at 'the list' to notice anything else. Six of the twenty names were scratched off, and he had figuring out which one to see next when he went tumbling head-over heals backwards.

"Careful there, boy," cautioned Baron Emery as he helped his adopted son to his feet. "You need to keep your eyes up to walk."

"Sorry, sir," he sighed as he dusted himself off.

"I notice you finally got rid of Feisty, how much?"

"I gave her away, she was practically created for that girl and I didn't want her to not be able to afford it. Just giving it to her was easier." He thought about it and added, "She was pretty nice, and Faleron's a lucky guy."

Baron Emery nodded, then shrugged. "Yes, but you can't change the fact that you still aren't spoken for unless you keep looking."

"Yes sir." He went back to looking at the list and came across a name that looked halfway normal. "Lady Amanda of Lynx mountain."

"Oh, yes," said the Baron as if recalling some distant event in time. "A real fighter, very pretty, not a knock out but her strength makes up for what ever she lacks in beauty. She'll debate anything under the sun, I got a chance to speak to her at a ball once and she has a sharp tongue for one so young. She has a younger sister, whom I haven't met yet and that's why her name isn't on the list. However, their fief is a rich one regardless of how small it is and to rule both theirs, and mine well. Let's just say we'd have more gold than the King!"

"Shall I get it arranged to be her dinner partner at the next dinner?" asked Kyle, hoping this one wouldn't be as obnoxious as the last.

"No, she hates social functions. Invite her over for a formal dinner in our quarters with one of your friends, the date of his choice, and of course me. That way she has to dress up, but will hopefully be in a better temper than the last time I met her."

"If you think that'd be best..."

"I know it would."

"Ok." He left quickly, thinking he was late for meeting the famous Wildmage at the edge of the forest. He reached it just as she did, panting slightly as he had been hurrying.

"I see both of us have had a busy morning," said Daine cheerfully as she sat down on a boulder near by.
            "Yes, I have," admitted Kyle as he began to get his breath back. "Now what was it you wanted to speak to me about?"

"Well, Kyle, you have something called Wildmagic."

"I have WHAT???"

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Amanda and Elizabeth sat inside the Queen's tent, watching as she demonstrated some things for Elizabeth. It was her final etiquette lesson, and Amanda was only there because the Queen had asked her to come.

"I heard that Baron Emery and his son invited you for a formal dinner tonight," said the Queen as she watched Elizabeth try it then. She was doing remarkably well for having never attended the covenant.

"Yeah, I think I'm going to fake a cold to not go," said Amanda in a bored voice, suddenly realizing something. "Hey! How do you know?"

"Word travels fast," said Thayet with a wink. "That and I have connections..."

"Right," replied Amanda shortly.

"You should go."

"Why?"

"Because he's a very nice young man who has an interest in you," replied Thayet, keeping an eye on Elizabeth as she now formally served tea to two ladies who were with them at the moment.

"More likely he was ordered to by his father in order to get at the fief." Seeing Thayet shrug, she sighed in exasperation and growled, "Oh, alright. I'll go if you want me to."

"Can I have a go at him after tonight?" asked Elizabeth wickedly.

"You can give him to the dogs for all I care."

"At least I don't have to order you to go this time," said the King from the door of the tent.

"I take it you would have?" said Amanda with an eyebrow raised. "Is it just me or do you really try to control my life?"

"Yes, and no. I would have made you go because you need to find..."

"A male to secure the fief. I know, I know, I know!"

"And I'm not trying to control your life, I'm looking out for your interests."

"My interests are fine with me and my sister alone. Now if you'll excuse me." Amanda left quickly, leaving Elizabeth with the King, Queen, and the ladies who were helping with her etiquette education.

"How'd I do?" she asked when she had finished.

"Excellent dear," said Thayet warmly. "You've learned amazingly fast..."

"What can I say? I'm an amazing person," replied Elizabeth with a shrug. "Can I go now and track down Amanda?"

"Sure, but remember to remind her of her dinner with the Baron's son!" called Thayet after the leaving young lady. "If she forgets..."

"I know," called Elizabeth over her shoulder. "I'll remind her."

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Lyssa helped Jennifer in her outdoor kitchen as the crowd rushing for lunch came through. Her usual helper was down with a cold, and she needed help during meal times like this one. Breakfast wasn't as bad, the crowd was spread through the morning, and the evening meals were sometimes served in the banquet hall and then she would have all the help she could ever need.

"What's on the menu?" asked Lyssa as she tied on an apron and washed her hands real quick.

"Cold cuts with fresh bread and raw vegetables," replied Jennifer as she sliced thin strips of ham off a huge slab on the table. "Cheese and fruit as well with pitchers of water on the table."

"Are those taken care of by that runner boy who works under you?"

"Yeah, all we have to worry about is the food." Jennifer handed her a knife and a basket of vegetables to be skinned and cut. "Let's move, those nobles don't like to wait for their meal."

The rush lasted about an hour, and that meant non-stop chopping, granting, pealing, stacking, and basically serving for the two young ladies. At last the surge of bodies began to thin out and they were able to take a break for a while.

"What say we grab some lunch ourselves?" suggested Lyssa as she eyed the pile of left over food hungrily. Making food and not actually getting to eat it whets ones appetite. In other words (for those of you who need things simplified) they were starved.

Taking a seat behind the counter, they chatted somewhat for a while until Lyssa took a look at the sun and kicked herself. "I'm sorry to have to leave so soon, but if I don't I'll miss the archery competition," she said hurriedly as she took off the apron and grabbed the bow and arrows she had stashed in a corner. "Bye!"

"See ya!" called Jennifer after her, "And thanks for the help!"

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Libby and Artman ate lunch with the (supposedly)prestigious mage Numair and his partner (she's not exactly his girlfriend) Daine the Wildmage. She had arrived later, having been speaking to some youth about possessing a hint of wild magic and apologized for her arrival.

"It's alright," said Libby happily. "I just wanted to meet you. We've heard all about you two from people in the King's Own and other nobles who we've met."

"Thank you very much," Daine happily, her mood rocketing through the roof. The young man she had spoken to had been slightly aggravating, but then at the same time she supposed she had been the same way when she had first heard that she had wild magic, but still...

It was good to be among fellow mages. Especially ones that thought very highly of you. "So what sort of mages are you?" asked Numair, even though he had already heard it from the King.

"I'm a fighter mage and she's a healer mage," said Artman, biting down on a sandwich he had made of cold cuts and fresh bread.

"How interesting," murmured Numair, "Complete opposites of the others. Are you two related to the other?"

"No," said Libby, shaking her head, "We've been good friends for a while now." [Real good friends] she added mentally with a grin.

"I sensed your gifts from a ways away. Are aware of just how much power you posses?" Numair asked them, getting rather serious.

"Yeah we are," replied Artman calmly. Trystan had told them that their gifts combined would rival Tortal's Dominion Jewel because it was necessary for something in the future.

"Then I'm glad you're on our side," said Numair confidently. He wasn't sure if he would come out on top in a mage-battle with this young man, and that was saying something.

"I heard you can heal animals," said Libby to Daine after a long silence. "How do you do it?"

"Oh, well I..." She went on to explain the exact procedure in the simplest terms she could (Libby wasn't exactly a biology major) and then they compared it against healing humans as Libby did.

Artman and Numair got into a discussion about whether opals or jewels could hold more power, and Artman was really sticking by opals. He had seen what a few opals could do from Trystan. Numair had seen what the Dominion Jewel could do, and wasn't budging an inch either. This lasted for 3 hours until the girls dragged them apart. It was certainly an interesting day...

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Lyssa had arrived at the practice courts in time for the competition and signed in just minutes before the booth closed. She strung her bow and tested the string, getting it stretched out and herself warmed up to go.

She and this other girl were the only females out of the 20 some contestants, and she was one of the Yamanis. Lyssa went and had a word with one of the men from the Trebond garrison who was also in it while waiting for it to start, finding out the latest news and little tidbits she should know.

"Will those in the first group step up the line?" called the judge, coming out from the booth. That was Lyssa's cue, so she went up and stood on the line accordingly. "Each archer will have one arrow that must strike the target in front of them. You miss you're out, you hit it you go on, ok?"

She nodded slightly and notched an arrow to her string. "Archers, fire!" She aimed and let it fly, watching with satisfaction as she hit the inner ring. Three in her group were knocked out, and the other 4(including her) went on.

This went on, and in the second group was the Yamanis girl who was talked about as a tomboy. She was using a long bow, and was very good with it too. She hit the target just outside the center, and had the best hit of her group.

"What do you know, some decent competition," murmured Lyssa to herself. Not that some of the guys weren't good, but she was sick of the snide remarks and looks she got sometimes.

"Hey, what's your name?" asked Lyssa as she walked up to the girl after her round was over.

"Alyse," replied the girl, "And you are?"

"Commander Lyssa of the Trebond garrison formally, Lyssa to my friends."

"And which am I to use?"

"Well, I certainly hope to have you as a friend, Alyse. Us girls got to stick together, right?"

"Second round!" called the judge, interrupting their conversation. "1st group and 2nd group will combine for this!"

"May the best girl win?" asked Lyssa, holding out her hand.

"May the best girl win, Lyssa," replied Alyse, shaking it firmly. The competition went on and they both placed a respectable 3rd and 4th place over all (which was which I'm saying...)

"Want to go shoot some more at one of the private courts?" offered Lyssa as they walked away from the place where they had competed with their bows. "I'd like to try that bow, if you don't mind that is."

"The fact that it's taller than you doesn't bother you?" asked Alyse with a small smile.

"Not at all," replied Lyssa with a grin. She was about 5' 2" or so, and the bow had to be at least 5 1/2 feet tall. Alyse was 5' 8", so it was the perfect height for her. They found one that was empty and traded bows as they shot together and talked some while doing it.

"You know, you remind me of someone," said Alyse as she looked at the smaller girl. They were the same age, but Alyse was obviously taller than her. "I just can't place who."

"Most people said I was a lot like this one girl back home," said Lyssa with a shrug, "And it would be a miracle if you ever met her." She drew the string back to her ear and took aim.

"What was her name?"

"Well..." 'Snap!' Alyse's bowstring snapped, leaving Lyssa with a lovely welt on her arm. "Owww!"

"That shouldn't have snapped," said Alyse as she looked at the string for a moment. "I just changed it yesterday...oh well. Let's get you to the healer."

"No, I'm fine," lied Lyssa as she tried not to wince. "It just hurts some..." [AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!] she thought mentally as she bit her lip to the point of bleeding. Her right arm felt like it was on fire it hurt so much. The string had acted like a whip when it hit her, doubled the strength because it came from a bow.

"If you're sure..."

"When am I ever?"

"I wouldn't know."

"That's true." *wince*

"You're going to a healer, now."

"Oh, fine."

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Trystan frowned slightly as she watched the pair go visit Dr. Baird at his tent. She  hadn't wanted to hurt Lyssa, it was one of her last resorts though. And those two weren't know they were from the same world for a while yet. Why was life so complicated for her? One minute she was on top of the world, the next she wondered if she might go insane.

Whoever said a mage's life was easy was lying.

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Amanda had gone to the stables as soon as she had escaped the Queen's tent and had grabbed some lunch as she did. She visited with her horse, Moonshadow for a few minutes before she found someplace comfortable to be alone. Sitting in the loft, she pulled out a small black book from her vest and a small pencil as well. In it was a complete account of everything she had done here so far, and with the anniversary of her first year here coming up in the next few weeks, it was getting pretty full. She figured she'd wait until her birthday, and then get another one. At least if it lasted that long...

She opened it to the first blank page and began to scribble down everything interesting that had happened that day. It was a habit now, and a good one at that. She didn't want to ever forget about all this.

Someone walking into the stable made Amanda snap it closed and put it in her vest quickly. What was also in there was the account of how they got there, and if someone found it and read it, it would not be good.

Peaking over the edge she saw a familiar light-brown haired girl with freckles and an ugly dog at her feet. "Keladry!" said Amanda happily as she swung over the edge and landed beside her.

"What- oh it's just you," said Kel as she tried not to show her surprise. " I didn't know you were in here."

"What do you mean it's just me?" said Amanda, trying to act hurt. "I'll have you know..." Peachblossom snapped at her suddenly, sufficiently shutting her mouth for the moment.

"Hey!" said Kel sternly as she put Raoul's mount, Amberfire, back in his stall. "None of that, ok?"

"How've you been, Kel?" asked Amanda, hopping onto the edge of Hoshi's stall instead of Peachblossom's. The mare just eyed her and accepted the carrot she had left over from her lunch calmly.

"Alright, I guess. I keep busy with my Knight-master, he doesn't exactly sit around you know."

"So I've heard. What are you doing around this time tomorrow?" asked Amanda as an idea formed in her head. If she remembered correctly, Kel was about to get her second kiss from Cleon very soon.

"I should have some free time because Raoul will have finished jousting and I'll have nothing to do for most of the morning," replied Kel, pausing in the cleaning of some tack as she did.

"Great! You want to see if Neal, Owen, and Cleon want to go and spar for a while in the practice courts? I haven't had a good bout in awhile, and I need to keep up with the rest of you." Amanda had watched Kel closely and noticed how she seemed to start at Cleon's name. "How does that sound?" When Kel didn't answer, she waved a hand in front of the younger girl's face to bring her back. "Hello, earth to Kel."

"What! Oh, sorry about that," said Kel, ducking her head as she tried to hide her embarrassment. "Guess I zoned out a bit there."

"A bit?" asked Amanda, raising an eyebrow. "What's wrong? One of the guys do something?"

"Hmm? Uh, no. I'm fine, just a little tired, that's all."

"Yeah right," snorted Amanda as she jumped off the stall and sat so she looked Kel right in the eye. "One of them did something. Now let's see, I'm guessing it was Cleon..." Kel's eyes widened slightly as she tried to keep her mask in place.

"What makes you say that?" she asked testily, looking away.

"Yep, definitely Cleon," replied Amanda as she moved to a more comfortable position. "Now what could Cleon do that would make you this, well, upset I guess but it's not really that is it?" Kel didn't reply, she just kept on cleaning the tack. "Hmm, let's see. What could it be...he kissed you, didn't he?" Kel dropped the tack and was visibly gaping at Amanda as the older girl pretended not to notice. "Probably around mid-winter or you wouldn't be this in control about it..."

"Hold up a sec," said Kel, pushing her bangs out of her eyes. "How did you know this?"

"I know what I know because I know," said Amanda with a shrug. "What can I say? I'm a good guesser. Now, back to your problem, I'm right aren't I?"

Kel didn't reply, she just picked the tack back up and got back to cleaning it. Amanda sat there and patiently waited for the younger girl to open up, knowing she would eventually. Several minutes later, Kel sighed and hung her head.

"Why are you still here?" she asked. "Don't you have to be somewhere by now?"

"Not until tonight for dinner," said Amanda with a grimace. "I have to go dine with Baron Emery and his son."

"But there's no banquet."

"Personal dinner." *shivers* "I'm not really looking forward to it."

"So I see."

"Are you willing to speak now?" asked Amanda as she settled into another position. "I know I'm right, I'm just not sure what you think of it all."

Kel sighed and spilled, telling her about it all as Amanda sat there listening attentively. "And I have no idea what to do," she finished with a sigh.

"Well, dear friend," said Amanda softly. "You have a rats nest of problems and I really can't help you. You have to decide what to do in your heart."

"Whoa, back up here. Aren't you the one who hates males?" asked Kel with a grin.

"I don't hate males at all," corrected Amanda with rueful grin of her own. "I just don't get along with many of them, that's all. There are a few who are good for friends and all, but a dog named love has ran up to me with big eyes and begging me to take it in before it savagely bit me three times now  and like heck if I'm going to let it do it again."

"Three times?" asked Kel in amazement. "You can't be that much older than me."

"You're right. I'm not," replied Amanda, "I'm almost 18, but where I come from you start looking at guys early and marry late."

"How can you look at guys if you're at a covenant?" asked Kel. "Unless you're training to be a knight..."

"Not exactly," said Amanda with a frown, "You see...

"AMANDA!!!" came voice all of a sudden, causing the older one to scrabble to her feet. "There you are! If you don't hurry up you'll be late to dinner!" It was Elizabeth, and she didn't look too happy.

"See ya, Kel. And good luck!" called Amanda as she was dragged away. "Remember what I said."

"I will," replied Kel, getting back to work. "Oh, trust me, I will..."

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Kyle was dressed in his best clothes, the ones that had thread magic in them to attract girls his age to him, as he waited in the outer chambers of his room. Sir Otto, a new knight; and his date, Lady Grace, waited with him as Baron Emery came out into the main room.

"Well my boy, looks like she..."

"Did what?" asked Amanda from the doorway, standing there proudly as Kyle came and offered her his arm. She took it and he escorted her into the chamber they had set up for the supper, a small table with five settings set at it.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting," said Amanda as she took her seat.

"Not at all," Kyle rushed to assure her, being very surprised with what he saw. He had spotted her a few days earlier dueling at a practice court, and the dirty, sweaty person he saw then was not the one he saw now.

Amanda took care to smooth her dress of any wrinkles as she settled herself for dinner, just because she disliked this sort of stuff did not mean she didn't know how to make herself look very lovely when she wished to (or was ordered to by a rather insistent sister...)

"May I introduce Lady Grace and Sir Otto," said Kyle politely as he motioned for them to take a seat.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," said Amanda calmly.

"As it is to meet you," said Sir Otto as he helped his date by pulling out her chair for her. "And I must say, you do look stunning tonight."

"Thank you, Sir Otto," she replied. "And I must say you look very well yourself." [If I have to keep making small talk like this, I'm going to go insane...] thought Amanda as the introduction stuff got real old real fast.

"What's this? The rouge Lady coming and eating at my table?" asked Baron Emery mockingly as he sat down on her other side.

"Oh yes, Baron Emery," she said, her voice light and teasing, "I must say, I haven't missed you very much."

"Ah! You injure me, fair lady," said the Baron, acting as if he were having a heart attack. "Please be kind to an old man who rarely has any fun in life."

"Rarely has fun?" asked Amanda cynically. "I believe you have plenty of fun making young women mad at you and bating others into debates until you realize you're beat and nothing can be done about it."

"Yes, that is true," agreed the Baron. "But I've only been beaten once."

"Correction, Baron. This would make it twice."

Kyle hid a smile as the Baron admitted defeat again and Grace giggle prettily. She had met Amanda a few months before and had found her cutting remarks to be quite entertaining when they weren't aimed at her.

"I see your tongue is still as sharp as your sword," murmured the Baron as he sipped some of his wine.

"What else would you expect, Baron?" asked Amanda in feigned politeness. "That I had been tamed?"

"No, one could not hope that the impossible could be accomplished..."

"Correction again, Baron Emery, its not impossible just very improbable," said Amanda with a smirk as she began to politely pick at her meal. She always ate before going to one of these things incase she didn't like the food or if dinner came later than was expected.

"I give," said the Baron with a smirk of his own. "I'm willing to bet my entire estate that you will be tamed by one who's the exact opposite of you."

"Oh really. And who may that be?"

"Well, Kyle here is the exact opposite of you."

"Except I'm not going to marry your son."

"Really?" Amanda gave the bewildered and embarrassed Kyle a good once over and turned back to the Baron.

"Yep." Amanda sipped her glass of water for a moment, watching as the two other guests did their best not to laugh. At last she sighed and said, "Why am I really here, Sir Kyle? Baron Emery? I carry a sword at my side and a sharp tongue in my mouth, I can beat most guys in a fair fight, and I despise acting 'lady like.' My reputation is well known, so you can't say any of this is new to you. So here's my one question, why?"

Kyle burst out laughing, something he had been holding back for a while. "Dear Lady Amanda, you are certainly something else and because you're so forward I'll answer you honestly. My father gave me this list." Kyle pulled it out of a pocket and let her see the names on it, taking out a pencil as well. "I have to at least talk with every girl on this list, and you're the first I've met with a brain that works."

"Dumb blondes?"

"Worse. Dumb blondes who think they're smart." *shudders* "Still, I think you and I would get along better as friends, than as lovers."

"My point exactly."

Baron Emery sighed and scratched his head, knowing he had failed. "Lady Amanda, I had hoped to find an adopted son who could tame you, your children will certainly be interesting enough. But it seems that isn't going to happen. I apologize for dragging you here and making you act lady like, knowing well that you hate it with a passion."

"That's alright, Baron," said Amanda with a smile. "Truth be told, I haven't had a good war of the wits for a awhile since the King forbade me to do it at royal functions, and this has been a chance to sharpen my skills for the next time I need them."

"Sharpen them any more and you may kill someone my talking," said Kyle wryly, trying not to smile.

"If it gives you any hope, Baron Emery, my sister had an interest in your son and if he doesn't find a wife by the end of the list you could let him come and meet her."

"Sounds good to me, Lady Amanda," said the Baron with an evil glint in his eye. "Until next time then?"

"Until next time." She turned to Kyle and added, "You're alright for a guy, and I wouldn't mind just being friends with you, deal?" She held out a hand.

"Deal." Kyle shook her hand awkwardly, not being used to this sort of lady. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." And with that, Amanda was gone.

"Interesting girl, isn't she?" asked the Baron as the two other dinner guests finished their meal. "It's a good thing I'm a progressive or there's no way she'd come."

"What? So she can battle wits with you and make a fool of me?"

"You needed a humbling experience. If you didn't notice, the thread magic won't work on her."

"Yeah, why was that?"

"Let's just say she has a gift of her own..."

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Libby and Artman were in their tent with a map spread out on the floor between them. They were trying to figure out where they should go first, trying to find their friends and all.

"Maybe we should start in Corus and work our way out," suggested Libby. "That way we could have a home base and continue to come back when we need to."

"And be close enough to come running every time the King calls for us?" said Artman sarcastically. "I don't think so. Let's get a place in some small town and start from there."

"How will we make money?" asked Libby, frowning slightly. "The King has offered us steady jobs at the palace."

"Then we may never have a chance to search at all!" cried Artman in frustration. "No matter what we do there's something standing in our way, and I'm really getting sick of it!"

"Hey!" cried Libby, rising to her feet. "It's not like either of us chose this life, we've been put here to do something and we will find a way to do it. I want my friends back home with us when we return!"

"Stupid Mage! Stupid mission! Stupid everything! I hate it all!" cried Artman in exasperation. "The next time I see that lady I'll-"

"Is something wrong in here?" asked Daine as she stuck a head in the door. Artman shut his mouth and Libby turned away. "I heard some loud voices from outside..."

"We're fine," said Libby, pasting on a fake smile and turning to face her new friend. "We're just a little grouchy, that's all."

"If you're sure everything's ok..." said Daine, not really believing them, but not wanting to butt in their personal business either.

"We're fine," sighed Artman as he rubbed his forehead, he was getting really bad  headache right then. "Everything's just fine."

"Then I'll see you tomorrow."

"Sure, whatever."

"Bye."

"Bye," called Libby, biting her lip when she looked at Artman. "Need some help there?"

"Know how to get rid of a headache? Or maybe it's more like a migraine at this point..." Libby just rested a hand on his forehead and took away the pain, putting some sleep-inducing stuff in there as well. "Thanks...zzz...zzzzz....zzzz....."

"Night Artman," she whispered, putting a blanket over him before she slipped out the door to go use the latrine. It had been a very long day...

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Mouse, Allie, and Vixen had agreed to go and meet Jon at the Rider's place with Sarah a week after they found each other at the Dancing Dove. Jon had been given all his money back (much to Vixen's annoyance) but at least they'd get to find out what all had been going on since things had first started.

Vixen had been forced to explain things to Joe, and he still wasn't sure he believed it all. If it weren't for the fact John had showed up, he wouldn't have at all.

"Jon!" called Vixen when she spotted him in the horse pasture where he said he'd be. "Where's Sarah?"

"Right here," said voice before they saw a figure get up from beside a tree. "Is it really you guys?"

"Of course, Sarah," said Vixen as she smiled and hurried up her pace a bit, Mouse and Allie following. "Who else would it be?"

"Well Jon said something about fairy god-mothers..."

"Oh, hush." There were the usual hugs and exclamations and all that that happens when old friends (or enemies when you're generally talking about Jon) meet up for the first time in a long time. However, since this chapter is so long already, I won't go into it.            At last they sat down around a fire the pair had going near by and related their tales to each other. "You let yourself get bit by a horse?" asked Mouse mockingly. "And I thought Liz was the only who dared to try to bite you."

"Naw, she stopped when Amanda told her I had rabies," replied John, looking at the scar it had left him with. "At least I didn't kill anybody."

Vixen frowned. "Hey, it's not like I wanted to. It was that or let some other maniac take over."

"What? And let the Rouge fall apart? I don't see why not, there's enough trouble on the streets without you causing more," grumbled Jon.

"Hey! Be nice, ya'll," said Sarah, the always calm (more like sedated though) mediator in the group. "At least we're together. Now, if both of us are here, what are the chances of someone else having been brought here?"

"Pretty good, actually," said Vixen with a sigh. "You say that Amanda and Elizabeth left to go to the school before you did? Well, they weren't there when we got there, and both of their lockers were still the way they had been the night before."

"Yeah, I noticed that when I came in before you did," admitted Sarah. "So you think they're here somewhere?"

"Probably, I mean if it has something to do with the book that Elizabeth got her as you say, then everyone who touches the book-"

"Actually, I think it's closed it," corrected John.

"Whatever it is, if it is connected with the book, there could be 20 or 30 people in Tortal from our world right now. Nowhere did it say '1st 15 or 5 people only."

"She's got a point," said Allie glumly. "What are we to do until then?"

"Wait and see what happens, I guess," mused Mouse, "I seems like we were supposed to meet up with you two, maybe we'll see the others with time."

"I guess," sighed Vixen, getting up to leave. "We need to go get back to the Dancing Dove. Here's our address." She handed Sarah a slip of paper rolled up real tight. "That's not where we live, but it will get to us if you address it to me by my old name. Keep in touch and we'll see you around." Mouse and Allie got up and followed her out after calling some goodbyes of their own.

"That was certainly an interesting reunion," murmured Allie as they got farther away.

"Yeah it was admitted Vixen with a chuckle. "It certainly was..."

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

Sarah and Jon had only been sitting out there for a few more minutes when Onua and Sarge joined them, worry creasing their faces. "Who were those three?" asked Sarge before he sat down, towering over them.

"Friends of ours from our own world, turns out we aren't the only ones who got sucked in," said Jon sarcastically.

"Really?" asked Onua in amazement as she sat next to Sarah. "Then there are others here like you?"

"Yeah, we're just not sure how many. Brenna, one of those who were here, seems to think there may be many from our world. We don't know how many, but the way things seemed to fall into place for us to meet...."

"It was a million in one chance, right?" asked Onua as Sarge continued to frown, though he was sitting now at least. "Are you going to keep in touch with them?"

"Yeah," said Sarah, holding up the rolled up paper, "She said send a letter to this address and they'd get it. That and we'll probably go visit them next time around."

"Then they are leading respectable lives like you in Corus?" asked Sarge. "Because I could've sworn that one looked like the girl who took my pouch the other day..."

"Hehe...really? What a coincidence...." trailed off Jon. This was going to be harder than he thought.

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

A single candle and a small fire still burning in one of the stoves only lighted the small out door kitchen. Jennifer had had a very early dinner, and being up late had given her an urge for something to munch on. Right now she was heating up some milk and a few rolls over the fire she had left burning and a small bit of cold apple pie sat on a plate beside her. She was in her nightgown with a shawl to keep out the cold, though it was fairly warm that night, and barefoot since her tent was so close by.

"Mew...." She looked at her feet and saw a small kitten standing bravely before her, a and she could see a few others sitting in the corner watching to see what would happen to him.

"Hello there," she whispered, bringing the caramel-striped cream kitten into her lap. It was a little boy, just maybe a month or two old still so small that he fit in one hand in she held him the right way. The rest came scampering forward when she let him have some of her snack, their bones showing how underfed they were.

She fixed them a plate and set in on the ground, putting half of her milk in a dish for them as well. Two of the 5 were gray stripes on cream fur, the one caramel striped boy, two calico, and one that was white from the tip of it's nose to the end of it's tail. All of them, except the caramel striped where girls, and since they didn't have a home she decided to take them in.

"Snowball for the white one, Caramel for the boy, Snickers for the calico with brown ears and Chocolate for the one with black ears, and what should I call you gray kitten?" She reached out to the pet the gray cat and nearly got swiped with a set of claws. "Definitely not something cuddly," mused Jennifer as she contented herself with petting the other four. "How about Tigress?" The kitten just mewed and kept on eating until she was full.

Jennifer got her own snack and finished it quickly, dousing the flames and heading to her tent just outside the kitchen so she'd be able to get up and cook in the morning. The five kittens went with her, Caramel laying on her pillow and Snowball, Snicker, and Chocolate warming her feet. Tigress took a corner of the bed away from her but near enough to her siblings in case they needed her help. All in all, it was good night, and Jennifer had found a new family.

*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*

There you go, part 11. And now here's something I've been meaning to do for a while. That's right, I'm doing and 'Thank you,' thing for this bit of writing I've done.

First off, I'd like to thank the characters personally for their support and such.

Elizabeth~ Thanks for being a good character with all your special little quirks (even if they are all associated with guys...). You've let me have free reign almost in your character, and I am grateful for that.

Amanda~ The person I think I've tortured the most so far...er....sorry I guess if it is possible to apologize to one's self...

Sarah~ You just kind of are who you are in this piece, thanks a billion!

John~ To the person I've tortured the next most, I'm not going to sorry 'cause I'm really not, but thanks for the way you let people laugh at you! That and for reviewing, that's more than I can say for some whom I won't mention...

Brenna (a.k.a. Vixen)~ You're a great Thief girl! Thanks for the help you've given me with certain parts were I was stuck and for every time you've reviewed! (That and printing it for those who don't have the internet!)

Mouse~ Thank you for not killing me when I called you squeakums and for throwing you in here without really telling you why. Even though you have to get it from someone else to read it, you're comments still mean a lot and I appreciate them.

Allie~ I just let you be you and your part rocks anyways! Thanks for giving tips on what you should do and for keeping me smiling when I'm down.

Alyse~ You let me throw you in there without anyone with you, yet you're the one with the fan club! Thanks for letting me put you in here, your reviews, and for helping me when I'm stuck!

Libby~ Thank you for just being you! You give me so many ideas for chapters just by talking to you and most of the time you don't even know it! I lover your reviews *huggles* Keep 'em coming!

Artman~ I don't think you've even read the story at this point, but that's ok because you're letting me mess with your life anyways. Thanks!

Jennifer~ Ok, so it was a little mean to let those thugs slug you, sorry! At least you got to cream them with a frying pan, right? Thanks for your reviews and comments and for the ideas you gave me for future scenes.

Lyssa~ Even thought I can't see you everyday like the others, and we only get to talk occasionally, thanks for letting throw you in there at a last minute notice and for being so good about it when I reminded you the other night. Thanks!

Kyle~ Thank you, I guess, for letting you put me in there, sort of anyways...

Next, I'd like to thank certain reviewers for their comments and such, especially those who've been with this story since chapter one!

Dani B.~ You've been a great help and I really do appreciate the way you support this story with your uplifting comments. You've reviewed the most chapters, and I don't have to bug you like I do some of the characters to go and read it, thanks.

World History Friend W/H/F's little bro~ Thank you for you support, mostly just in face to face comments but the reviews help too! Thanks!

Shea T. Peregrine~ You were the first to review, and thanks for  it even if you haven't read this since then.

Jarana Hill~ I hope this was enough to satisfy the insatiable bookworm inside you, if now keep reading and maybe it! Thanks.

Hyperchick88~ You've reviewed a few times and I like reading your comments, keep 'em coming! That and Thanks for saying I had the only sucked in version that you liked! That always means a lot to an author.

 Leafdarking~ Thanks for your reviews, see? I didn't stop writing, I wouldn't do that to such loyal fans! Thanks for the comments!

Saturn's Hikair~ Thank you for sympathizing with Amanda, trust me when I say you are one of the few who do instead of falling out of their chairs with laughter.

Alexia Goddess~ Thank you for saying this was the only decent one of its kind, I do try to make it a notch above the rest (not on purpose, it just sort of turned out that way with all the great help I had!) Oh, and sorry that it's not and RPG, but wait to the end and there'll be almost something as good there…

Georgiana~ I hope you've read more fanfic (some probably better than mine) and have enjoyed them. Thanks for the comment, it come at a good time!

For the rest of you who reviewed and I just happened to not mention your name, thanks as well. A story is only as good as its reader make it, and you guys rock!

~crosseyedbutterfly~