HERE IT IS!! TAKE IT!! *ducks pointy objects thrown at her by readers and
characters who are mad about the cliff hanger* Hey! I apologize for the
cliffy, it wasn't intentional, it just turned out that way. Go on and read
it now and NO MORE THREATENING THE AUTHOR IF YOU'RE A CHARACTER OR I MAY
CHOSE TO NEVER UPDATE AGAIN!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!! That is all, thank you.
That, and thank you, whoever it was (sorry, I forgot what your sign in name was!!) for telling me that I've been spelling Rogue wrong, I appreciate it.
Oh, and one more thing, { } That signifies a flash back, ok?
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Vixen stood in the middle of the ring of her followers facing Xavier, her new pole-arm from Mid-Winter in her hands and her sisters and friends at her back. Xavier stood in front of her holding a curved sword that was stained with old blood. Behind him were the thieves who had decided to join with him, and would be losing all their fingers by Vixen if he lost.
"Do you still insist with challenging my rule?" asked Vixen coldly, her eyes focused solely on Xavier. "I'll only take three fingers if you back out now."
"Why bother when I can keep all of them and have your throne?" he sneered back, his lips curling into a cruel smile.
"Then begin." Xavier leapt forward with the speed and agility of a cat as Vixen moved out of the way and blocked his sword with the end of her pole. "You'll have to do better than that."
"Oh trust me," said Xavier with a grin. "I'm just getting started." The two circled around each other, each looking for some opening the other might give. Mouse, Allie, and Joe watched from the sides, spread out so they could help her if someone else tried to interfere like last time. Joe was a nervous wreck, and the two sisters weren't much better off either. They knew Jeremy had been on Griffin's bane and his judgment clouded by his anger. Xavier was perfectly fit and a much better fighter than Jeremy ever had been. They had a reason to be worried this time.
Vixen was holding her own, but it was apparent to both sides that the competitors were fairly evenly matched and it would a struggle for either to win. Xavier tried to over power her, but almost ended up getting knocked over himself (Vixen hadn't spent plenty of time at the gym back home for nothing...).
Vixen tried to used the length of her weapon to get through his guard, but that didn't work either. He just blocked her with his wide blade and sent a dagger flying at her head. Tricks and games, was it? Well, two could play at that game.
She caught it and sent it back at him, grinning at the surprise in his eyes. He came to his senses just soon enough to not get sliced open, but his shirt had a long tear in it from the close call. "Hey!" he cried. "That was my favorite shirt!"
"Oh, stop acting like such a sissy," growled Vixen as she charged as him, her eyes flashing with a cold fire. She drove him back a few feet, but he came back by kicking dust in her eyes and blinding her for a few moments.
He laughed as she swore loudly and wiped her eyes with the back her sleeve, trying to figure out where he was. She barely moved out of the way as his blade slashed by her head and took a few curls with it.
"You so did not just cut my hair!" screamed Vixen as she took out a few hidden blades and let them fly. Two trapped his sleeves to the wall and the third thudded right between his legs. Xavier dropped his weapon and tried to tear free, ignoring the fact that he had just about lost his manhood.
"Fool," growled Vixen as she held one of the blades to his throat, the crescent shape flashing in the light. "Stupid fool..." A movement to her right caused her to look away for a split second. A young girl of 10 or 12 threw herself over Xavier, crying loudly as she put herself between Vixen's weapon and Xavier's body.
"I won't let you kill my brother!" the girl cried, hugging Xavier closely and refusing to budge from the spot. Vixen was stuck. She couldn't take this innocent girl's life, but how does one go about telling someone that young that their brother that they have to die?
Vixen let lose a torrent of colorful words that nearly matched Trystan's when she was mad as she stared at the two. Mouse and Joe joined in with her for a few minutes, and Allie tried to drag the poor girl away.
"No! No!" screamed the girl, her cried ringing over the silent room other that Vixen, Mouse, and Joe's swears. "You can't kill him! He's all I've got left!"
Vixen growled and motioned for two of her bigger guys to come forward. They restrained her as she took out on her knives and cut off all the fingers on his left hand. She then cut an 'R' into his left palm as a warning to others and told him to get out.
"If I ever see you again, I'll kill you without a second thought," she snarled, glaring at him and his sister as she used strips of her skirt to stop the bleeding of the stumps of his fingers.
"I'll remember that," spat Xavier, his voice dripping with venom. "You're no Queen, and one day the Rogue.."
"One day, as in now, that tongue of yours will get you into more trouble that you can handle," cut in Joe as he cut him loose of the wall. "Leave while you still have your life and be grateful of your sister."
"You haven't heard the last of me!" yelled Xavier as he and the girl were shoved out of the door into the street.
"I don't doubt that..." replied Vixen under her breath as she was lifted up on the shoulders of her Rogue and taken to her table, it was good to be the undisputed leader again...
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Amanda walked out of her tent, stretching her legs as she carried a very LARGE pile of paper work with her. "Done at last, done at last, thank God I'm done at last," she murmured to herself as she tried to work the kinks out of her back as took a long draught of the juice Elizabeth had left for her after breakfast.
The clatter of hooves pulling up in front of her tent caused Amanda to look over, and she got a rather big surprise. Grandfather and Levi were here, riding in as if they were expected.
"Hello, you two!" she greeted warmly, very glad to have gotten done with all the work they had sent her. "I just now finished with everything you sent me, it took me three days and nights straight, but I did it..."
"What are you talking about?" asked Grandfather as he dismounted and bowed to her formally in case anyone was watching. "I had Levi send you those papers to look over so you would know what was going on, but they were all copies of the originals, and I filled out and filed those myself. There was supposed to be a note in there saying not to worry about that and saying we were coming to visit."
"What note?" asked Amanda, getting very annoyed. "There was no note and I just wasted three days filling out the whole thing, plus I had no idea you were coming."
"Oops, I knew I forgot something," murmured Levi sheepishly as he shrank behind his dad and hoped Amanda would stay in a good mood. She just turned around and stalked back into her tent. Inside, she removed her over tunic and grabbed her sword before heading back out and to the practice courts.
"Stay out of my way for awhile or I might beat you instead of my opponent," she growled as she pushed past them, her face a mask of cold fury.
Grandfather looked at Levi, who had turned rather pale in the past few moments for some reason. "Boy..."
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Alyse hurried as fast as she could in her long kimono, passing the practice courts as she caught a glimpse of a familiar noble lady coolly flipping a knight in hand to hand combat with an impassive face. It reminded her of something that had happened not to long ago...
{Amanda and her were outside with several others after marching band, and Hewitt had come up talking about how he was a good fighter after having beat Mike in the locker room.
"Mike's a pansy," growled Amanda, being very angry after the band director had done something at practice. "Even Elizabeth could beat him if she wanted to."
"So what? Are you saying I can't fight?" He ran at her without another word and was quite surprised to find himself staring at the sky as he landed flat on his back.
"Yeah, that's pretty much it," Amanda had replied before she had walked away to where her ride was waiting.}
Alyse snapped back to the present as Yuki tugged on her sleeve impatiently. "Come one, Alyse, we have to go!"
"Wait a sec, who's that over there?" Alyse pointed to the lady who now had her back to them.
"Dunno, one of the ladies in the court, you've probably seen her around," said Yuki hurried, continuing to pull Alyse along. "We're going to be late if we don't get moving!"
"Oh, alright! I'm coming!"
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Sarah opened a letter she had received that day from Mouse telling her about what was going on with them in Corus, and it wasn't the news she had been expecting.
Sarah and Hewitt,
it had read
We have a bit a situation going on down here. New peoples are pouring in everyday, and Brenna's a little nervous. She had some jerk challenge her the other day, and she barely made it through alive. He's gone for now, but be sure to get rid of this the moment you're done reading it so no one else finds out.
We've got some other problems and may have to come visit you soon. Would you mind if we asked you to room a few of our younger members for awhile? We promise they'll behave and won't take anything. Let us know soon, and come by if you're in town.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Mouse, Allie, and Brenna
"John, come read this," said Sarah, sticking her head in his room. He looked up from the fishing net he had been fixing and took it from her, scanning it quickly.
"Go burn it and write a reply," he said shortly, sighing slightly. "We can keep three or four in the house and maybe ten in the loft in they'll behave."
"Then it's alright with you?"
"I guess so, they are our friends, and they'd help us if we were in trouble..." (What do you know? He actually does have half a heart...maybe...)
"Ok, I'll do that right now," replied Sarah, throwing the letter and the envelope in the fire. "Sarge was right, wasn't he?"
"Yep, but life had been getting a little boring, and I need some excitement or SOMETHING around here or I just might go insane..."
"I think that already happened, John."
"Oh, just shut up."
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Amanda sat with her back on the fence post as she gulped down some water and tried to calm down, she had easily beaten five or six guys in a row, and the seventh had sent her flying. It was the Shang Horse, though, so she didn't care that much since he was a good friend of hers.
"Amanda? Can we talk now?" asked Grandfather as he came around the corner, his son right behind him. "Or do you still need some more time?"
"I'm still mad," said Amanda coolly, her eyes narrowing slightly, "But go ahead and talk, I won't do to you what I just did to several others."
"So I see," sighed Grandfather, sitting down beside her. "I apologize for the mix up, and I promise it will never happen again. But there is a more important matter at hand. Levi? Get over here." Levi sat slowly beside his dad, keeping an eye on Amanda as her sword as he did.
"I won't spit you through the middle," said Amanda, sighing in exasperation. "I would've already done it if I really wanted to."
He just nodded and relaxed slightly, motioning for his dad to go on. "Anyways, Levi is going to be taking my place as your steward in a few years, and I think it would be a good idea now if he got familiar with court now since he will probably visiting it often if your stead," went on Grandfather, trying to see how she was taking it, but her face was expressionless. "So, since we have the Progression right now, and he needs some sort of experience with social events..."
"You want me to keep him with me for the rest of the time, right?" asked Amanda, pushing off the fence as she rose to her feet. "Fine, just make sure he knows his basic orders before hand because if he horrible embarrasses me...."
"I assure you, Amanda," said Grandfather sincerely, a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth, "He knows what to do, he was with me most of the time when our old master sent us to court, he just needs practice without me being around to guide him very step of the way."
"Good," replied Amanda, a glint of slyness in her eye. "He could come in handy...have the guy in charge give you tents near ours and come back to report to me before supper, and we'll start his 'practice' there." [Oh my goodness] she thought to herself as she walked away. [What am I getting myself into...]
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Jennifer had the day off since she hadn't had on since the beginning and they were about to head back to the palace so the monarchs were feeling a bit nicer than usual. She had agreed to go with Sean to visit his sister since they were in her hometown, and off they went to they fields on the far side of the small fief.
There they came across a small cottage and a fenced in coral that stood beside some of the most beautiful fields Jennifer had ever seen. A strong, sweet voice drifted to them from on the wind, and in the middle of a flock of sheep they could see a head peeping up now and then as the sheep moved around to graze on the sweet grass.
"Stephanie!" called out Sean, running through the sheep and pouncing on the sandy head in the middle with a boyish grin on his face. He went sprawling as a hand flew up and pushed him over the body that lay on the grass. Jennifer followed him, trying not to laugh as he stumbled to his feet.
"Oh sure, you try to tackle her and see how you feel then," he retorted, trying to get his eyes to focus.
"One small difference there, I didn't," said Jennifer smugly, a small smile playing across her face.
"You brought a friend this time," said the voice that had been singing only moments before. "She's right, but then again you never were one to learn very quickly." A tall young woman of about 20 or 21 rose to her feet, long hair the same color of her brother's and eyes as blue as the sky. "Hello there, I'm Stephanie. What's your name?"
"I'm Jennifer," replied Jennifer, walking up closer to sit next to her. Tigress suddenly popped up out of the grass and pounced on her lap, meowing loudly. "What are you doing here? I thought I closed you up in the tent!" Four other meows told her the others were loose too, and she sighed as the four growing kittens climbed on her from all sides.
"Who are these?" asked Stephanie, her eyes dancing with mischief.
"These, you could say, are my family. Their names are Caramel, Tigress, Snickers, Chocolate, and Snowball," replied Jennifer, letting them wander around for a bit. "I could've sworn I shut the tent so they couldn't get out..."
Sean whistled innocently as Tigress came up to him, jumped on his lap, and stared him in the eye, seemingly accusing him of something. "What!" He cried, putting the cat down on the ground. "I didn't do anything! Tigress just sat in front of him, tail swishing back and forth as she stared him down into oblivion. "All right! All right! I let them out, I thought Stephanie would like to meet them."
"All you had to do was ask, silly," replied Jennifer, cuddling Caramel and Snowball in her arms. "I don't mind bringing them with me, I just wasn't sure if your sister liked cats, that's all."
"I love all animals," replied Stephanie as she played with Chocolate and Snickers. "But I'm not quite as fond of human company most of the time."
"Is that why you're a Shepard?" asked Jennifer, looking at the older girl curiously.
"I guess so. Sean's more of the people person, which reminds me, how did you two meet?"
"She's my boss," explained Sean, flashing a grin.
"Oh, then you're the one who took pa's place."
Jennifer laughed nervously. "Yeah. Um, sorry about that..."
"No, it's alright, we needed a reason to get him to retire from Processions anyways," said Stephanie, letting Snickers chew on her finger gently. "So how do you like working with this thick headed sibling of mine?"
"Hey!" said Sean, throwing a tuft of grass at her. "I happen to be very smart, my teachers..."
"Were all deaf, blind, and half witted," cut in Stephanie, shaking her head, "It's amazing you learned to do anything at all."
Sean shrugged. "I can cook."
"Every person in our family can cook other than ma, moron."
"Yeah, well, at least I'm carrying on the family tradition."
"Go ahead, it's not like I want to anyways."
"SEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" A little, sandy haired boy with bright green eyes ran up, waving his arms happily. Sean grinned.
"Chris!" he cried. "What are you doing here?"
"Visiting sissy, but ma and pa said I could stay until you come! Why didn't you say you were coming here? I wouldn't have walked all the way to your tents and- oh! Kittens!"
He went and greeted the kittens one by one, only taking notice of Jennifer when she scolded Tigress for trying to scratch him. "Who are you?" He said bluntly, as little kids tend to do. "Oh, you must be-mmph mnm mnhphft." Sean had placed his hand over his little brother's mouth and was looking very nervous.
"What was that for?" asked Jennifer as she pried his fingers off the poor boy's mouth.
"He said you were pretty and very sweet in his letter to ma and pa," said Chris bluntly the way little kids tend to (he was only 7) as he took refuge her, knowing she wouldn't let him hurt him.
"I'm pretty, am I?" asked Jennifer as she let the smaller boy sit in her lap. Sean went bright red. "What do you think, Chris?"
"I think he's right, and you're kittens are really nice too," replied Chris cheerfully, picking up Chocolate and burying his head in the cat's fur. Sean walked away quickly as Stephanie tried her best not to laugh, and only let it out the moment he was out of sight.
"HAHAHAHAHAAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!" She laughed until she cried, the tears flowing down her face as Jennifer and Chris watched her from the side.
"I think she's cracked," said Chris decidedly, turning back to the kittens.
"I think you're right," replied Jennifer, giving the girl an odd look.
"I'm fine," gasped Stephanie as she tried to breath. "Really, I'm ok, let me explain something here. Sean has had girl friends before and all, it's just none of them have ever really liked Chris or listened to what he says. Needless to say, he repeats everything ma and pa talk about, and sometimes they forget that he's around when they're talking."
"So he actually wrote that about me?" asked Jennifer in disbelief.
Stephanie shrugged. "It's hard to say, he writes about a lot of people, and Chris doesn't always get his facts straight," she explained with a grin. "Still, he's never brought a girl along to visit me before, either he wants to be on your good side or he thinks you're special."
"I think it's both," interjected Chris, getting the girls attention. "I saw you stand up to that bug scary man at the gate when he wasn't careful with the food for the banquet. He was so surprised!"
"You stood up to Freddy?" said Stephanie in surprise. "He's a monster, I tell you, most of the women refuse to work with him because he's a sly one..."
"I just have some connections, that's all," explained Jennifer, remembering when she mentioned she was a good friend of Commander Lyssa's and he had obeyed her immediately after that.
"Must be some pretty good ones..." The three of they stayed there and continued to talk until sundown when Sean reappeared and said the people from the kitchens were looking for them.
"See ya!"
"Yeah, Jenny, I hope you can come by and visit again soon!"
"So do I, bye Chris!"
"By, Jenny and her kittens!"
"Meow!"
"Prrr!"
"Hisssss!"
"Meow!"
"Roew!"
"Be good, Tigress. Hey! None of that!" Sean laughed as he helped her unhook the cat's claws from her shirt, small holes showing where they had been. "Tigress!"
"Meow?"
"Don't give me that innocent look, you little devil."
"Meow, meow?" Tigress leapt from Sean back to her shoulders and curled around them like a scarf. "Prrrr."
"Good grief."
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Lyssa was called to Coram's tent that night, and wondered calmly what it could be about. The day had been pretty dull, with Jennifer missing from her kitchen and all the matches being canceled for the day. She strolled over in that general direction, but wasn't in any real hurry until she saw it up in the distance and noticed two familiar horses tethered outside it.
Her pace picked up, and as she neared it she could hear Coram's rough laugh mingling with two other voices. She pushed open the tent flap only to be swept up in a flurry of hugs and greeting by Danielle and Eric who had just arrived in the camp.
"Oh my goodness, guys, what are you doing here?" cried Lyssa as they sat down at the table in Coram's tent with him and Rispah.
"Pa said it's time for me to learn to be a lady and be introduced to court," replied Danielle excitedly. "Isn't it great? I'm to stay until I find a husband so we'll get to see each other more often.!"
"Excellent," replied Lyssa, grinning widely. "How about you, servant boy, why are you here?"
"I'm here to learn how to deal with those at court for Coram and Rispah, Lady Commander," he replied, giving her a mock bow.
"Even better," said Lyssa, winking at Coram and Rispah, "I get to teach you how to dance with all the noble ladies without drooling all over yourself..."
"Hey!" cried Eric, going a bit red, "No one said anything about dancing..."
"She's just teasing, Eric," chuckled Danielle as she tried to get herself under control. "No one expects the stewards to dance with anyone other than their ladies and maybe their lady's daughters or friends if they wish him to."
"Whew," sighed Eric, wiping his forehead with a sleeve, "That's a relief..."
"Who said I won't ask you to dance, Eric?" asked Rispah, and evil gleam in her eye.
"What?!"
"Hehehehehe!"
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Kyle and Daine were working with one of the hawks again, getting him used to the feeling of flying in the bird's head as it wheeled around up high in the sky. An unfamiliar voice brought him suddenly back to the present, disrupting his thoughts and causing the hawk to change directions suddenly.
Daine was talking to two people he thought he had seen before, but wasn't sure. One was a girl of about 17 dressed like a Brazir and a boy of about 20 beside her dressed like one also. Both were deeply tanned, but the boy's hair was fairly light brown, which was unusual for a sand person, and had a goatee of sorts.
He was sure he had seen them before, but before he could scrutinize them further, Daine began to scold him. "You scared poor Brightfeather by pulling out that fast," she said tersely as she soothed the hawk that rested on his shoulder.
"Sorry, buddy," apologized Kyle sheepishly, giving the bird some strips of meat from his pocket. "I won't do that again, I promise."
"You need to learn to concentrate no matter what, but since you're in this world at the moment let me introduce my visitors. This is Artman and Libby, the Shamans from the Brazir Tribes," said Daine more gently, not one to stay mad long. "Libby and Artman, this is my new student of sorts, Kyle, who is the son of Baron Emery."
"It's nice to meet you, Kyle," said Libby, smiling brightly as she held out a hand for him to shake.
He did, and replied, "It's nice to meet you too Libby, Artman. Sorry to be rude, but I need to get back to my studies..."
"Go right ahead," said Artman, shrugging his shoulders. "We know what it's like to be in training for something."
"Yeah," added Libby, wrinkling her nose. "Sorry about that."
"See ya later, then."
"Yeah, later."
Kyle walked back to the rock he had been sitting on, taking the hawk with him as he prepared to enter it's mind once more...
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Libby watched him walk away with an odd look on her face. "I feel like I've seen him before," she said as they went to speak with the King about something.
"Yeah, me too," murmured Artman. He shrugged. "They said he was the son of a Baron, we've probably seen him at a ball or something."
"I don't know," said Libby, her brow as wrinkled as she tried to remember where she had seen him before. "Something about him is very different..."
{Libby entered the band room just in time to catch the back of some guy walking out the other door. Amanda was standing next to her band locker as Elizabeth sat in hers and giggled loudly.
"What's she so happy about?" Libby had asked, nodding at Elizabeth.
"She's daydreaming about her 'new' boyfriend," replied Amanda, rolling her eyes. Elizabeth would never change, and this guy was the newest of her 'boy toys,' and the third one this month. She was the female version of a player, and proud of it too.
"What's his name, Amanda?"
"I'm not sure...it started with a 'K', hang on and I'll think of it..."}
"LIBBY!"
"What?" she asked, looking around her confusedly.
"I've been trying to get your attention for the past five minutes and you just stood there like you were in some sort of trance. Are you ok?" asked Artman testily, very aware that they were late to speak to the King.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Then let's go!"
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Vixen sat at her throne uneasily. They had had three more Scanra refugees come in today and swear allegiance to the Rogue before they went to the back corner and sat with those who had sided with Xavier. There must've been 15 or 20 of them by now, and she wasn't sure if she liked having them around that much.
They were all tall and huge, with bulging muscles and charms that reacted to Allie's powers. Mouse could still control them, but just barely. Things were not looking good, and to top things off all were skilled thieves and weapons persons.
Mouse sat beside her and sipped at a tankard of ale quietly, keeping a watchful eye on things as she made sure everything stayed under control. Old Bart still worked at the bar, but he had a couple strong fellows helping him who kept blades stashed under the counter in case of any trouble. All she had to do was signal them, and the entire rogue would be armed and ready to fight in a matter of minutes.
Joe sat beside her, his chair closer than normal as he spoke in hurried whispers. There were reports of more thieves pouring in over the boarder in search of new homes and better prospects. Some of the other outlying towns were having trouble with the new competition, and were requesting help that they couldn't afford to give.
Things were not looking good.
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Elizabeth walked into the ball room of the fief of Kingsreach, Levi by her side as she did. It was his first ball, and his first chance to meet his majesties. She glided gracefully down the carpet and listened to the herald present her to the King and Queen, going down in a curtsy when they did. Levi bowed, his manners impeccable as his presence was explained by Elizabeth and expressed his greetings to the monarchs.
"Not bad," whispered Elizabeth as they walked away, heading for the wall where most of the stewards stood or sat.
"I was scared out of my mind," admitted Levi, sighing loudly, "I'm glad it's over with, though. Where's Amanda, again?"
"That's Lady Amanda out in public," Elizabeth corrected him. "She's 'sick' again, something must be going around..."
"Or she's using the simplest excuse not to wear a dress, right?" asked Levi, keeping his voice low.
"Yeah, that's pretty much it. Go over there now, and keep an eye on me. If I motion for you, come right away. If not, stay there until I head for the door to leave at the end and meet me there, ok?"
"Alright, until then."
"Until then."
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Kyle stood in a corner sipping some punch dully, the last name on the list had been a dud and he had just now gotten rid of her to one of his friends who would take anyone. He spotted a mischievous steward on the far wall about his age and walked in his direction, figuring he might as well have someone to talk to.
"Hey," said the guy when Kyle sat next to him, his gray eyes twinkling cheerfully. "Can I help you?"
"Just wanted someone to talk to," replied Kyle, shrugging as he settled in. "I'm Kyle, what's your name?"
"Formally, Steward Levi of Lynx mountain...."
"My sincerest regrets, good man," cut in Kyle, on his face a look of horror.
Levi chuckled. "I see you've met my boss, Lady Amanda..."
"Unfortunately, yes. How did you manage to stay alive this long?"
Levi laughed again. "She's really not that bad, you know," he replied, shaking his head. "I guess meeting her as one's employee and as a potential suitor is two completely different things, right?"
"Exactly. But seriously, she must chew you out every time you step out of time," said Kyle with a shudder.
"Not really, I forgot to send a note saying she didn't have to fill out all the papers because it was already done, so she did. Then when she found out, she took her anger out on some guys on the court instead of me. I'm just lucky I guess."
"Lucky is right..."
"Then again, I have connections. My dad is her present Steward, and it is important that they stay on good terms."
"True. Then you don't mind working under her?"
"Not really, she's better than a lot of the ladies, and her sister's really nice too."
"Where are they? I haven't seen Lady Amanda yet and I've never met Lady Elizabeth..."
"Lady Amanda isn't feeling well, and Lady Elizabeth is over there somewhere, I'm not exactly sure, but she is there..."
"She likes to disappear like her sister?"
"Yeah, but generally for different reasons from what I understand..."
"Oh, one needs to be careful around her?"
"If you're a guy."
"I'll remember the warning. It was good talking to you, Levi."
"You too, Kyle. See you later."
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Jennifer sat in the back of the wagon with Sean, her legs dangling over the edge as the Procession traveled onto another town, her cats crawling all over them both and playing in the small space they had.
"It was nice meeting your sister," tried Jennifer, trying to keep the conversation going. "And your brother too." They had so far avoided talking about that subject unless it was about his siblings and not what one of them had said...
"Yeah. I miss them sometimes...it must be sad being an only child and not having any parents."
"Sometimes, it is. But I have a family right here," replied Jennifer, indicating the cats next to them. "That and Roberto's family."
"Who's he?" asked Sean, his eyes flashing green for a moment. (hehehe...flashes of green, flashes of green...sorry about that....)
"My employer back in Corus," explained Jennifer, grinning as he visibly relaxed. "You weren't jealous, were you? Let me tell you, he's not competition, he's got a wife and two kids. They're my other family."
Sean went red, scratching his chin nervously. "Well..."
"Hey guys," said a voice near by, interrupting them for the moment and saving Sean from a lot more embarrassment.
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Lyssa had seen Levi and Jennifer talking in the back of kitchen wagon and had opted to go talk to them rather than listen to Coram and Rispah rattle on about something. She had just called out to them when she say Sean go red and almost turned around.
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" she asked suspiciously as Jennifer smiled and Sean went even redder.
"Naw, how've you been?" asked Jennifer, handing Lyssa her favorite kitten, Tigress, to pet.
"Pretty good, where were you a few days ago? I was bored out of my mind out of the whole day," countered Lyssa, letting the cat ride on her shoulder.
"Meeting Sean's older sister and younger brother," explained Jennifer, grinning even wider. "We had fun, but sorry we left you hanging like that."
"Oh really? It's alright, I got by somehow."
"Lyssa! There you are!"
A young man and women came riding over to them, looks of concern on their face. "Coram and Ris said you had just disappeared and were getting worried," said the guy, scolding her lightly. "You know better than that, high and mighty commander."
"Oh hush, Eric," said Lyssa shortly. "You see where I am, so good tell those two you found me."
"Yes, mi'lady," he replied pertly, giving her a fake bow before riding away. The woman with him laughed and went ahead to ride beside Lyssa.
"This is my friend Lady Danielle," said Lyssa to Sean and Jennifer, who nodded politely. "Dani, this is Sean and Jennifer, two of the best cooks in all of Tortal."
"Nice to meet you, Lady Danielle," said Jennifer politely.
"Call me Dani," replied Danielle. "I like it better."
Sean nodded and said, "So you know this bruiser on a horse who beats grown men and commands the best garrison there is?"
"Unfortunately, yes," replied Danielle, faking her sadness. "'Tis quite tragic indeed." She sniffed before dissolving into helpless laughter.
"No, what's tragic is that the moment I put on a dress, guys still insist upon putting me on a pedestal," retorted Lyssa as she gave Tigress back to Jennifer. "You'd think they'd learn..."
"So where are we going next?" asked Sean as snow began to fall, the first one of the season.
"The last fief, and then back to Corus for a month or so," replied Jennifer, counting off the days on her fingers. "We should get there about three days before mid-winter."
"Then about a week left on the road?"
"If it doesn't snow too much."
Sean opened his mouth up like a little kid and caught a snowflake on his tongue. "I love the snow, so I don't care how much it falls."
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Sarah and John were inside their small home with Onua, who had dropped by with some supplies for the oncoming snow.
"We need some more supplies, Onua," said John as he went over it all, thinking about what might be happening very soon. "Some, um, friends of ours and family may be coming to visit..."
"You mean those three girls who came and visited you that one night," said Onua bluntly. "Sure, how long are they staying?"
"It may not just be them, and we aren't sure how long," explained Sarah slowly, "You see..."
"Sarge was right, wasn't he?" said Onua accusingly. "Those three were thieves, weren't they?"
"Yeah, they were," admitted Sarah softly. "Remember my story? Well, they got dropped in Corus and became thieves, and now Brenna, one of the girls, is the Queen of Thieves and is having some problems. They might need to lay low or put a few others here for awhile, and we agreed to help."
"You're going to be harboring thieves under my roof?" asked Onua levelly, her face completely unreadable.
"Yeah..."
"Fine just don't tell anyone else about it."
"Agreed."
"Since when does Onua knowingly let bad people have anything to do with her?" whispered John to Sarah.
"Since I met you two," said Onua, who had very good hearing.
"Hey!"
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
The King, who hadn't been able to speak to the them before because they came so late, was now ready to talk to them and waited for them to settle themselves in the room that was serving as his office at this last fief.
"Comfortable?" he asked, sipping some water patiently.
"Very, sire," replied Libby, munching on some grapes.
"Thank you, sire," added Artman as he adjusted the cushion under him. "What was it you needed to talk to us about?"
"Well, things are getting worse on the Scanra border, as I'm sure you've heard, and we may be needing some help out there soon..."
"Would you like us to go now and help the men?" asked Libby, offering out of the politeness.
"Not yet," replied the King thoughtfully. "I need you two in reserve in case of an emergency. Just keep your things partially packed when we get to the palace, and I might have you go right after mid-winter when the passes open again."
"Then you want us to be on stand by."
"Exactly."
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Amanda and Elizabeth rode back to Corus a few days ahead of the Procession, Levi with them, in hopes of beating all the bustle and hustle when they arrived. They had a good plan at that, things would be crazy in a few days and most would wish they had done that as well.
Levi stared in awe at the palace as it rose above the city, sort of set on a hill above everything else with all of its grandeur and majesty making it almost shine in the young man's eyes. "Wow..." whispered Levi, turning red when Amanda had to wave a hand over his eyes to get his attention. He got a room next to theirs, and quickly settled in before getting a tour of the huge place.
They showed him the gardens, the stables, the forest, and where the Riders and the King's Own stayed, where the kitchens and the pages quarters were. The grand ball room, another smaller ball room, a hug dinning room, the throne room, some libraries, the class rooms, the practice courts and the servant's wing. He got so lost that he couldn't remember where any of it was, but was glad they had showed him anyways.
"So this is the palace," he murmured as they went back to Amanda and Elizabeth's rooms where dinner was waiting for them. "Entirely bigger and better than I ever thought it could be."
"It looks nicer than it did before because they took the time when no one was here to make a whole bunch of repairs," said Amanda matter of fact-ly. "It wasn't this nice last time I was here."
"Yeah, they've really taken care of any flaws this place may've had," agreed Elizabeth, chewing on some celery thoughtfully. Amanda sighed and picked up the package that had been in the room they had arrived, resolving to open it right then and there. Inside was a beautiful mahogany lute, with silver strings and a painted body.
"Oh my goodness," whispered Amanda, eyes wide as she lifted it out of the box onto her lap. She tuned the strings and played a few cords, loving the ringing sound they made.
"That's just like the one you saw in that shop back at the fief," said Elizabeth as she took it from her sister to play it. One thing both of them could do was play many instruments from their own world, and guitars were no exception. A lute in basically a mini guitar, and can be played much in the same manner.
"It is the one I saw in the shop back at the fief," said Amanda suspiciously as she saw the sign of the maker on the neck of the lute. Levi whistled innocently as Amanda began to pluck out an Irish sounding tune she had picked up from a friend a while ago.
"Levi, you wouldn't happen to know where that instrument came from, would you?" asked Elizabeth, her voice dangerously low.
"Who me?" he asked innocently, suddenly noticing the murderous glint in her eyes. "It's from dad, he knew you liked it and would assume it's from a suitor."
"I'll have to thank him in my next letter," said Amanda lightly as if they had just been talking informally about something. "It is a very nice lute, and will enjoy learning how to play new songs on it here."
"And pa said it would be a piece of cake to fool them," muttered Levi to himself.
"What was that?"
"Nothing..."
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Alyse settled into her old room right next to Princess Shinko's a few days later, glad to be back in the familiar surroundings. Her fans were still tucked snugly in her obi, and her outer kimono of light green with gold fern leaves printed on it brought out the green flecks in her eyes.
She put the lucky Yamani cats she had gotten from others on a shelf over the fireplace, and her glaive went in a stand next to the wall. Small bottles of ink for writing were stacked neatly on her desk, and beside the stack of paper she kept ready to reject any invitations to balls or parties. She always went with Faleron now, and not everyone knew it yet.
Ronnie took his place in the small basket beside her bed and made it was just to his liking before he barked impatiently and Alyse lifted him up to her shoulder. There he settled down pertly and waited to see where she would go.
Her new collection of belt knives went in a drawer, with one already hidden in her obi, and her personal stash of Yamanis tea went with it. Her tea set went on a tray on a table, and her small bag of clothes was set on the bed for the maids to unpack and put away.
"What say we go and see what the others are up to," suggested Alyse to her small dog as she made her way to the door. It was the start of another day at the palace, and for once, Alyse was glad.
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Kyle had been at the tail end of the Procession, and now stood gaping at the huge palace before him, his jaw actually hanging open as he looked up over it's many towers and peaks.
"It's not polite to stare, boy," the Baron rebuked him teasingly. Kyle turned red and closed hi mouth, trying to regain some of his composure. It didn't work.
He looked around and noticed others were doing the same thing he had, only their masters or parents not telling them to stop staring so they learned by embarrassment. He recognized one of them, and decided to do some teasing of his own.
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Lyssa has been looking quite dazedly at the palace with Danielle and Eric when a familiar voice brought her out of it. "You do know it's impolite to stare, Commander Lyssa." She whirled around and saw Kyle standing there, looking very smug as she regained her composure, unlike him she was able to do it too.
"Well, if it isn't the noble fencer," she said lightly, getting her friends attention. "I'd like you to meet someone. This is Eric and Danielle, two of my good friends."
"It is nice to meet you," said Kyle, bowing slightly, with that same smug look on his face. Danielle wanted to slap it right off him, but couldn't because he hadn't given her a reason to yet.
"A rematch later, if you don't mind," said Kyle out of the blue, knowing what she would know what he meant.
"Of course, down at the practice courts as soon as I can figure out where they are," agreed Lyssa, never one to turn down a challenge.
"What's he talking about, 'a rematch' asked Eric jealously as Kyle walked ever so confidently away.
"Oh, we fenced a few weeks ago..."
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Jennifer walked with Sean to Roberto's house, her bags and things with her as they made their way through the crowds to the house Jennifer had lived in for what seemed like so long ago.
She knocked on the door and was greeted by an ecstatic Roberto who enveloped her in a fatherly hug, only to be replaced by Chelsea, and then the two little girls who clung to her waist. To Sean, it looked like she had a family, even though she wasn't really related to them. He held her cats in a carrier on his back, and at that moment they began to meow loudly.
"Looks like you have some new friends," said Roberto as he eyed Sean and the carrier in his hands. "Come on in and sit down so you and introduce us."
"Everyone, this is Sean and my cats. Sean, this is Roberto and his wonderful family."
"It is very nice to meet you, Sean," said Roberto sincerely, shaking his hand. "Though I didn't think little Jenny would come back with five cats and guy to boot!"
"What did you think I'd come back with? A dirty apron and news of other fiefs?" asked Jennifer pertly.
"You know what I mean, Jenny," replied Roberto, grinning widely, "It is good to see that you are safe and well, and will be staying here for awhile before you must leave again."
"She's a tough one, you don't need to worry about her," said Sean, rolling his eyes.
"I take it you work in the kitchens too," said Chelsea, trying to hide her smile.
"Yeah, and let me tell you something, those guys don't dare stand up to her when she's in one of her moods."
"You mean the one where if it isn't right she'll jump at your throat? I had her do that to me in the kitchen once."
"I did?" asked Jennifer, looking rather confused.
"Yeah, when we were in the King's kitchen too in front of the servants, a lesser man would've fired you, but I just laughed."
Jennifer looked at the floor sheepishly. "Sorry, didn't know I was that mean in the kitchen..."
"Don't be," Sean assured her. "It's what makes you such a great chef."
"Other than the fact she can turn out pies that melt in your mouth," added Chelsea.
Sean smiled. "Don't I know it."
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Libby and Artman were sent out almost the moment they arrived at the palace, and went to help the King's Own against eh Scanra's. Their next set of adventures will be put in the next chapter because, in their world, it took about two weeks ride to reach the front lines and that's about when the next chapter starts, thank you.
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Vixen snuck out the back door of the Dancing Dove and hurried over to Roberto's place. He was just leaving to open his restaurant, and beamed when he saw her coming.
"Good friend," he said, as that is what he was supposed to call her in public. "How are you? What can I do for you?"
"I'm alright, but I'm afraid I'm in a bit of a position," said Vixen softly.
"What is it?" asked Roberto, looking worried.
"Last mid-winter, me and my friends got drunk, which was stupid because we all could've been ambushed and killed. Could you cater for a small group of us at your restaurant secretly and then let us sleep there until morning?"
"Sure, what night?"
"Mid-winter's eve."
"I'm taking a meal to another noble's house that night, but my helper cook is here and will cook for you instead, is that ok?"
"That's just fine."
"We'll be seeing you on mid-winter's eve then."
"Mid-winter's eve."
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Daine and Numair came by the ranch two days before mid-winter with evil glints in their eyes, something that made John suspicious as they also had something in a bag with them as well.
"What are you two doing here?" asked Sarah, not noticing the sly look that passed between the couple.
"Onua said you hadn't had a day off yet..."
"And since there's a pond near by..."
"And we have extra skates..."
"We're taking you ice skating!!! (Ok, ok, so I know it's a little OOC for Numair to go ice skating, but just bear with me here, ok?)
"We're what?" asked John as he was dragged out the door with Sarah right behind them.
"Going ice skating, silly," said Daine, handing him a pair from the bag. He held them like they were miniature aliens for a second before he tried to give them back to Daine, protesting loudly.
"Oh no, wait a sec. I don't ice skate..."
"Neither do I, boy," cut in Numair, his eyes gleaming wickedly. "But if she's forcing me to come, you have to too."
"I'm not going," said John firmly, planting his feet inside the door. "You can't make me come if I don't want to."
Daine just grinned at Numair, who grinned back and twitched his fingers, sending John about three feet in up in mid-air. He hung there, his mouth hanging open as he tried to move back down but found he couldn't. Numair twitched his fingers again, and they began to walk to the pond with John floating behind them.
"Are you coming, Sarah, or does Numair need to carry you too?" called Daine.
"I'm coming," chuckled Sarah, following John with both of their skates in her hands (John had dropped his when Numair had made him levitate).
"Will you put me down!" cried John, finally getting over his shock.
"Not until we get to the pond," replied Numair, "Then it will be easier to stop you if you try to run off."
"Great...just great...." John continued to grumble the whole way there, but stopped when Numair threatened to seal his mouth shut for good. (Isn't magic a great thing? I wish we could do that in the real world...hehehehe)
They reached a small pond that had frozen over with about a foot of ice and was now perfect for ice skating. John was put down and ordered to put on some skates while the other three removed their boots and put on a pair as well. Daine went out and tested the ice first, gliding along gracefully as Numair stepped cautiously out onto the ice and did his best to stay upright as he went after her. He didn't get very far. About four steps later he slipped and fell on his butt, a very painful experience to say the least.
John laughed from where he sat, the skates on his feet but having no intention what so ever to use them. Sarah got out there and did alright, managing to keep her balance and get a pretty good speed going as she did.
"Get out here Johnny boy, and let's see how well you can skate," challenged Daine, having a great time racing along as fast as she could.
"Yeah right, and fall flat on my face? I don't think so," retorted John, not noticing the look that passed between Daine and Numair until it was too late. "What the... AAAHHHH!!!!!!"
Numair lifted him onto the middle of the pond and set him there, giving him the choice of staying there until the spring time came and he could swim to shore, or getting up and skating like a man back to the edge. He opted for the latter, and got up unsteadily on his feet as Daine skated next to him incase he fell. He took a few step forward, gliding gently, when he realized it wasn't as hard as it looked.
"Hey guys! I'm actually-" 'Whump!!" "Ow..." Sarah skated over and peered at his face, seeing his eyes dilate suddenly.
"John? John are you there?"
"WHY THE HECK IS IT ALWAYS ME?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!"
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
It was the day of Cleon's Ordeal, his name had been drawn first, so Amanda stayed clear of Kel's rooms since she wouldn't be back until later that evening. She knocked gently on Kel's door and waited for an answer, hearing the handle turn as the door opened from the inside.
Kel came out, wearing a dress of all things, looking kind of worried and a little sad for her normally placid face. "Mind if I come in?" asked Amanda, tilting her head slightly.
"No, I need someone to talk to anyways," said Kel with a shrug, letting her into the main room that connected hers to Raoul's.
"How was your day?" asked Amanda, remembering exactly what had happened in the book. Raoul had granted Kel the day off, and she had spent it with Cleon in town since he had to face the chamber that night. "Any thing happen while I was busy?"
"My lord gave me the day off," said Kel as she sat down, setting up the chess board like she always did.
"What did you do with it?"
"Oh, you know, hung around and got some stuff done..."
"Sure ya did." Kel's head snapped up, eyeing Amanda suspiciously.
"Were you spying on me?" she asked quickly.
"No, but everyone knew who's Ordeal it was today, and neither of you could be found after lunch so I figured...well, that and you're wearing a dress..."
Kel blushed and nodded her head, Amanda wasn't stupid and since she knew everything it wouldn't be hard for her to guess what had happened. "Are we playing chess or not?"
"Sure." Amanda made the first move, white as always, with one of her pawns. They must have been playing silently for a half an hour when there was a knock at the door, breaking Amanda's concentration.
"I'll get it," offered Kel, her normal mask back in place. Someone burst in the moment the door was open, pushing past a surprised Kel to stand before Amanda, his eyes blazing with accusations.
"What did you just leave me there like that?" cried Levi. "It took me 2 hours to find my way back to our rooms and another hour to figure out where this place was by Liz's directions! Why in the world did you pull a stunt like that?"
Amanda, forgetting that Kel was there for the moment, furrowed her brow and replied, "First of all, do not use that tone of voice when speaking to me, mister. You forget who's in charge here. And when did I leave you somewhere? You've stayed in your rooms all day...oh yeah, you went with me to the tailors. Oops, well at least you're still alive..."
"Hold up a second here," cut in Kel, looking very confused. "Amanda, who is this guy and why is he here?"
"Oh, sorry about that Kel," replied Amanda, shooting murderous looks in Levi's direction. "This is Levi, my Steward's son and Steward in training at the moment. Levi, this is Squire Kel whom you'd better apologize to for just bursting in here like that."
Levi hung his head and mumbled, "Sorry about that."
"That's ok," replied Kel, looking at Amanda oddly. "Why are you here, though?"
"Well, Amanda left me at the Tailors, so I eventually got back to the hall where our rooms were and found out from Elizabeth that she had gone to the stables, and they told me to look here, so here I am."
"That still doesn't explain why you're here," growled Amanda, trying to control her temper. "Why did you follow me instead of hanging with Liz or staying in your rooms?"
"Because it's boring in my rooms with nothing to do and Elizabeth had some other Squires hanging around her so I decided to find you. No offence to your sister, but I'd rather take your tongue lashings than watch her flirt."
"I don't mind if you stay with us," said Kel with a shrug. "We're playing chess, you want to take the next match?"
"Sure." They must've played for another hour or two when Raoul came in and was introduced to Levi. He then joined and they had a tournament of sorts, with Kel about to win it all in the final game against Amanda when yet another knock sounded at the door.
It was Prince Roald, Princess Shinkokami, Inness of Mindelan, Buri, Neal, Yuki, Jerel of Nenan., Owen, Faleron, and Alyse. All had cakes, fruit, jugs of cider, and other things to eat and drink. Levi was introduced to them by Raoul, and Amanda had her back to most of them as she tried to get out of this trap that Kel had set for her. She had said hi, but not really noticed any of them personally.
"Amanda, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine," said Faleron proudly, leading Alyse forward. "Her name's Alyse, and she's from the Yamanis Islands.
"Alyse? I had a friend named Alyse once," replied Amanda thoughtfully, not looking up and her face hidden from Alyse's view. "How do you spell your name?"
"A-L-Y-S-E."
"No way!" Amanda turned around quickly. "Alyse?"
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Alyse had agreed to come along with the others to help entertain Kel (even though her and Cleon's relationship was supposed to be a secret) because Faleron was supposed to be there. Upon arriving, the noble lady sitting at the table had looked familiar, but she really couldn't be sure...
"Amanda, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine," Faleron had said proudly, her back to them as she tried to win a game of chess. "Her name's Alyse, and she's from the Yamanis Islands."
"Alyse? I had a friend named Alyse once," the girl had said thoughtfully, her voice ringing recognizably. "How do you spell yours?"
Alyse had shifted the plate of cookies she held from one hand to another. "A-L-Y-S-E."
"No way!" the girl had replied, turning around quickly. Alyse had seen those eyes before, one green and one blue... The plate of cookies had dropped from her hands and lay smashed on the floor except for Faleron diving for them and making- just barely that is. "Alyse?"
"Amanda?" Alyse's eyes got huge as she recognized her long time friend and fellow marcher. "I can't believe it's you..."
"You'd better believe it," said Amanda, her face breaking into a wide grin as she got up out of her seat. "It's so good to see you." She hugged the younger girl warmly as the rest of the group watched them oddly in surprise. "I haven't seen you for, what has it been now...a year and a half? Maybe even more."
"So you got pulled in too, huh?" whispered Alyse, her eyes dancing as Amanda quickly gave her a short nod. Faleron stepped forward, puzzled, and asked, "So, you have your memory back now, Alyse?"
"Your what?" asked Amanda, whipping around to look Alyse in the eye. "When did you lose your memory?"
"After I last saw you," replied Alyse, winking at Amanda so she would understand.
"This is really weird," said Yuki calmly from the crowd. "You've been with us so long that I can hardly imagine life without you. Yet now that you know who you really are..."
"Does this mean you have to go back home?" asked Faleron softly, his eyes turning big and puppy like. Amanda laughed as Alyse hurried to assure him that she wasn't going anywhere.
"Elizabeth is with me," said Amanda quietly when Alyse had turned back to her. "Anyone get pulled in with you?"
"No, all I have is my dog-"
"And boyfriend," added Amanda, grinning slightly. "Who would've thought? You a Yamanis Lady and Me a noble."
"Don't nobles have to wear dresses?" asked Alyse teasingly.
"Yep, and I hate every minute of it."
"It's good to know you haven't changed."
"Excuse me, but can we get a complete explanation here?" asked Neal sarcastically, earning himself a whack from Yuki's fan. "Ow! I just want to know what's going on!"
"Let me explain," said Amanda, motioning for Alyse to go along with whatever she said. "Alyse is my cousin. Her father was a Yamanis and her mother a Tortallan, who was my aunt and my mom's sister. I saw her briefly a year and a half ago and haven't seen here since. Since it had been three years between our last two meetings, I wasn't worried and I figured she and her friends hadn't made their ship..."
"What do you mean, 'their ship'?" asked Faleron, scratching his head.
"Well, the ship they were supposed to take back to the Yamanis was reported to have been sunk by a storm, and since I got a letter from one from one of them I figured everything was ok..."
"That still doesn't explain what happened between then and now," replied Raoul smartly.
"I don't remember that time, but I do remember my past now," replied Alyse with a shrug. "So, I'm the cousin of a noble and a lady in waiting to the Yamanis Princess, that is who I am now and my past really doesn't matter, right?"
Faleron gave her one of his 'special smiles' and nodded his head. "You're right," he replied, "It doesn't matter at all."
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Lyssa spent the majority of her Mid-Winter with her friends and the Queen's Rider's, who invited her to become one of their Captains. Lyssa turned them down for the moment, but kept their offer in the back of her mind as time went on.
For Mid-Winter, she got a beautiful new bow and quiver full of arrows from her employers, a charm bracelet from Dani with mini weapons on it, a whip from Eric as a joke, and more fudge from Jennifer for her and her friends to share.
The balls were great, and the banquets even better, yet through it all she couldn't help but miss some of her old friends...
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Kyle had a better time than he thought he would hanging around the palace, meeting new ladies, and flirting with Lyssa's friend Dani. (He didn't get anywhere, but it was fun none the less.) He had his rematch with Lyssa, but she sent him flying. She had been taking some lessons from the Lioness and had become so much better that her barely stood a chance against her.
From his Father he received a new horse for Mid-Winter (by this time Daine had taught him toe ride fairly well). A beautiful tan gelding with white stockings and a no other markings than that. He also got piles of ladies 'gifts' (small favors in hopes of winning him over which he gladly burned in his fireplace. Free fuel, right?) and a few small gifts from some other friends.
His time was great, and his future looking even greater by the day, but somehow her couldn't help but feel that he was seriously missing something from his old life...
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Sarah and John didn't exchange gifts, they just had another dinner with Onua, Sarge, Penny, Daine, and Numair one night. (With John and Numair fighting as always, and John coming out on top.) Things were cool with them, and they couldn't ask for much more, but still worried occasionally about their thieving friends and how it might involve them in the future...
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Amanda, Alyse, Elizabeth, Levi, and Faleron exchanged gifts at a special dinner with just the five of them two nights before Mid-Winter and had a great time as well. Alyse had been re-presented to the court as Amanda's cousin and now noble lady of Lynx mountain as well as third in line in case something should happen to the two sisters.
Amanda gave Elizabeth a new mini cross bow that mounted on her arm (the old one had busted one day for some reason) as well as a quiver of darts to go with it. She gave Amanda, as a joke, a pregnancy charm in the shape of a lynx paw print (they were the only two who knew about it, though) and Amanda wore it always just because it came from her.
Alyse got Faleron a Yamanis lucky cat, and he got her silver figurine of a small dog very much like Ronnie. Alyse got Amanda and Elizabeth (since it was on short notice) two fans like the ones she carried, and they gave her a place in their home and new nobility. (Give 'em a break, they're busy gals!)
All in all, they all had a great time, and later exchanged stories about everything that had happened since they had seen each other back in the other world. They agreed others could be there too, but decided not to try and find them since it seemed fate was going to bring them together anyways in the end. Might as well enjoy total freedom while they had it, right?
Levi did get the sisters and their new cousin something for mid-winter, it was a parchment forever sealing them to his service as their steward of their fief after his father's death or retirement until his own death. It was the best he could do, not being very wealthy and lacking the time to actually go out buy things.
Good times, good friends, good events, and a good future. Yet still, they had a feeling that very soon they would be doing a whole lot more...
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Mouse and Allie had known something as up from the time Vixen disappeared for a while, up until now when she gave them instructions to meet them somewhere with Ratina in a few hours. She had left, and now they were talking about the presents they were going to give her as they wrapped them up.
"Do you like these bracelets I got for her and Levi?" said Allie slyly, her eyes glinting mischievously. They were hemp bracelets with a small dragon charm imbedded in each. "I got the charms from Madame Cooper and the hemp braiding I did myself. They're called soul charms, and when they stop being so oblivious to each other the eyes will change to the same color. See how one's blue and the other red? They'll go purple and that way we'll know when they've finally gotten together, even if they don't tell us."
"Very clever, Allie," said Mouse in surprise, "I got her a beaded pouch and him a new dagger, he needs one since his last one broke in half and he hasn't told Vixen to get a new one from our store of weapons."
"You're so unoriginal."
"I'm just practical, so leave me alone!"
Vixen, who had gone on ahead, had just arrived at Roberto's restaurant and was getting ready to meet his assistant for the first time. She knocked on the door with the special code Ratina had given her, and it was opened by a sandy-haired youth with green eyes.
"Are you Roberto's helper?" asked Vixen quickly.
"Are you the main guest of the group who's coming here tonight?" replied the guy with a grin.
"I thought Roberto said his helper was a girl."
"She is, I'm just helping her. Come on in." The guy (who was Sean) led Vixen back to the farthest private room where she and her group would be served, then to the kitchen to meet the chef herself.
"Jenny!" called Sean leaning against the door frame leading to the kitchen she was using. "One of the thieves have arrived!"
"Hang on, I'm coming!" called a familiar voice back. Vixen smoothed her hair and tired to smile, the pressure of the last few days hitting her pretty hard. A small red-head came around the corner, raising her head as she wiped her hands on her apron...
"JENNIFER CHRISTOPHER?????" cried Vixen loudly, her mouth hanging open in surprise.
"Brenna?" asked Jennifer quietly, squinting her eyes slightly. "I barely recognize you-" She was cut off as Vixen picked her up and gave her a huge bear huge, squeezing the life out of the small girl.
"Oh, gods, it's good to see you," whispered Vixen when she put her down, staring into her eyes as if to make sure it was her and she wasn't just dreaming.
"It's good to see you too," gasped Jennifer, glancing over to see a very confused Sean looking at the oddly. "Brenna-"
"I go by Vixen now," said Vixen quickly, cutting of her off on accident.
"Oh, foxy lady."
"Oh hush."
"Hm. Anyways, this is my friend, Sean, who agreed to help me tonight." She stopped here and looked at Vixen oddly. "I'll have to explain things to him, won't I?"
"Probably," agreed Vixen, shrugging. "But guess what? Mouse and Allie are with me and are going to be here soon. And guess what else? I'm the Queen of Thieves."
"YOU??????"
"What? Don't look so surprised, Jenny."
"Have you told anyone the truth yet?"
"No, but I have caught up with Sarah and Hewitt-"
"They're here too?"
"Yep, and are working some other place with horses. I'll tell you about it later."
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE???????" Sean, who had been standing there in shock for the past few minutes, had finally gotten his tongue back and just let everything explode out in one statement.
"Look, we'll explain everything tonight," said Vixen quickly. "It'll make more sense when the others are here..."
"So you have some you'll have to tell too?"
"Yeah, we managed to get by about Hewitt and Sarah, but I think they won't just let it slide this time..."
Needless to say, there was another loud round of greetings when Allie, Mouse, Joe, and Ratina got there, and Jennifer and Sean were invited to share dinner with them. The thieves apologized for not brining them gifts too when they exchanged presents, but since they had just found each other five minutes ago it was forgiven quite easily.
Vixen got Joe a hemp choker that Allie had braided for her (the kind guys where here in our world) with a black opal in it she had out some of her gift into to help him become a better thief and fighter. He got her a short sword with a dragon as the handle, the blade coming out of his large mouth with fangs and the hand guard, and it's tale further down holding a white opal spelled for certain things. It would never break, fall from her grasp, or if she were grievously wounded it would help stop the flow of blood long enough for her to get help and live.
Allie and Mouse gave them the presents that were mentioned earlier, Allie giving hers so the other didn't notice that the bracelets matched. It was great evening, but after supper they sat in a circle on the floor, and Vixen began the story of the truth of how they got there and who Sarah and Hewitt and Jennifer were in comparison to that.
She must have talked for a half an hour when Sean got up and left suddenly, Jennifer going after him as quickly as she could. Joe would've left, but stayed as he sat there with a hand on her shoulder. [How could this be] he thought to himself as it went on [She's not from my world...]
Ratina was shocked, and could barely find words enough to speak when it was over so she didn't even try. Joe didn't say anything for awhile, until he at last said, "Do you have to return home someday?"
"I don't know," replied Vixen slowly. "We're slowly meeting others from our world, and it's hard to say what may happen in the future." She stopped there and looked him in the eye. "I'd understand if you wanted to leave the Rogue for us lying to you like that."
"I didn't give the nickname Vixen for nothing, Queen," he replied softly. "I'm not going anywhere."
Sean and Jennifer came back in then, hand in hand as they sat down and he put his arm around her gently, Whatever he had been mad about before was gone, and apparently they were closer because of it.
This Mid-Winter, they didn't get drunk and fall all over themselves, this time they cleared their conscious and met new people and old friends alike. Vixen realized she had a close friend in Joe (yes, she's still oblivious), Jenny may've found more in Sean (no one's really sure since we don't know what happened in THAT scene...) and the three sisters of the Rogue had to write to Sarah and Hewitt to tell them about this latest development in their journeys through Tortal....
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*Sighs* Yeah, I know I've done better chapters, and the next will be the best in the world to make up for it, really. Things are starting to pick up and time's gonna fly as our favorite Americans in Tortal are thrown a few more loops and maybe a jump or two in the next chapter of A Twisted Tortallian Tale.
Now, on a more personal note, there's something I'd like to do real quick here.
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Libby!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday to you!!!
And many more....!
Yeah, that's right. It's Libby's Sweet 16th Birthday this next Monday on March the 4th of 2002. Please wish her a happy birthday in your reviews and I'd like you to know this chapter is dedicated in her honor. Thank you.
~crosseyedbutterfly~
That, and thank you, whoever it was (sorry, I forgot what your sign in name was!!) for telling me that I've been spelling Rogue wrong, I appreciate it.
Oh, and one more thing, { } That signifies a flash back, ok?
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Vixen stood in the middle of the ring of her followers facing Xavier, her new pole-arm from Mid-Winter in her hands and her sisters and friends at her back. Xavier stood in front of her holding a curved sword that was stained with old blood. Behind him were the thieves who had decided to join with him, and would be losing all their fingers by Vixen if he lost.
"Do you still insist with challenging my rule?" asked Vixen coldly, her eyes focused solely on Xavier. "I'll only take three fingers if you back out now."
"Why bother when I can keep all of them and have your throne?" he sneered back, his lips curling into a cruel smile.
"Then begin." Xavier leapt forward with the speed and agility of a cat as Vixen moved out of the way and blocked his sword with the end of her pole. "You'll have to do better than that."
"Oh trust me," said Xavier with a grin. "I'm just getting started." The two circled around each other, each looking for some opening the other might give. Mouse, Allie, and Joe watched from the sides, spread out so they could help her if someone else tried to interfere like last time. Joe was a nervous wreck, and the two sisters weren't much better off either. They knew Jeremy had been on Griffin's bane and his judgment clouded by his anger. Xavier was perfectly fit and a much better fighter than Jeremy ever had been. They had a reason to be worried this time.
Vixen was holding her own, but it was apparent to both sides that the competitors were fairly evenly matched and it would a struggle for either to win. Xavier tried to over power her, but almost ended up getting knocked over himself (Vixen hadn't spent plenty of time at the gym back home for nothing...).
Vixen tried to used the length of her weapon to get through his guard, but that didn't work either. He just blocked her with his wide blade and sent a dagger flying at her head. Tricks and games, was it? Well, two could play at that game.
She caught it and sent it back at him, grinning at the surprise in his eyes. He came to his senses just soon enough to not get sliced open, but his shirt had a long tear in it from the close call. "Hey!" he cried. "That was my favorite shirt!"
"Oh, stop acting like such a sissy," growled Vixen as she charged as him, her eyes flashing with a cold fire. She drove him back a few feet, but he came back by kicking dust in her eyes and blinding her for a few moments.
He laughed as she swore loudly and wiped her eyes with the back her sleeve, trying to figure out where he was. She barely moved out of the way as his blade slashed by her head and took a few curls with it.
"You so did not just cut my hair!" screamed Vixen as she took out a few hidden blades and let them fly. Two trapped his sleeves to the wall and the third thudded right between his legs. Xavier dropped his weapon and tried to tear free, ignoring the fact that he had just about lost his manhood.
"Fool," growled Vixen as she held one of the blades to his throat, the crescent shape flashing in the light. "Stupid fool..." A movement to her right caused her to look away for a split second. A young girl of 10 or 12 threw herself over Xavier, crying loudly as she put herself between Vixen's weapon and Xavier's body.
"I won't let you kill my brother!" the girl cried, hugging Xavier closely and refusing to budge from the spot. Vixen was stuck. She couldn't take this innocent girl's life, but how does one go about telling someone that young that their brother that they have to die?
Vixen let lose a torrent of colorful words that nearly matched Trystan's when she was mad as she stared at the two. Mouse and Joe joined in with her for a few minutes, and Allie tried to drag the poor girl away.
"No! No!" screamed the girl, her cried ringing over the silent room other that Vixen, Mouse, and Joe's swears. "You can't kill him! He's all I've got left!"
Vixen growled and motioned for two of her bigger guys to come forward. They restrained her as she took out on her knives and cut off all the fingers on his left hand. She then cut an 'R' into his left palm as a warning to others and told him to get out.
"If I ever see you again, I'll kill you without a second thought," she snarled, glaring at him and his sister as she used strips of her skirt to stop the bleeding of the stumps of his fingers.
"I'll remember that," spat Xavier, his voice dripping with venom. "You're no Queen, and one day the Rogue.."
"One day, as in now, that tongue of yours will get you into more trouble that you can handle," cut in Joe as he cut him loose of the wall. "Leave while you still have your life and be grateful of your sister."
"You haven't heard the last of me!" yelled Xavier as he and the girl were shoved out of the door into the street.
"I don't doubt that..." replied Vixen under her breath as she was lifted up on the shoulders of her Rogue and taken to her table, it was good to be the undisputed leader again...
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Amanda walked out of her tent, stretching her legs as she carried a very LARGE pile of paper work with her. "Done at last, done at last, thank God I'm done at last," she murmured to herself as she tried to work the kinks out of her back as took a long draught of the juice Elizabeth had left for her after breakfast.
The clatter of hooves pulling up in front of her tent caused Amanda to look over, and she got a rather big surprise. Grandfather and Levi were here, riding in as if they were expected.
"Hello, you two!" she greeted warmly, very glad to have gotten done with all the work they had sent her. "I just now finished with everything you sent me, it took me three days and nights straight, but I did it..."
"What are you talking about?" asked Grandfather as he dismounted and bowed to her formally in case anyone was watching. "I had Levi send you those papers to look over so you would know what was going on, but they were all copies of the originals, and I filled out and filed those myself. There was supposed to be a note in there saying not to worry about that and saying we were coming to visit."
"What note?" asked Amanda, getting very annoyed. "There was no note and I just wasted three days filling out the whole thing, plus I had no idea you were coming."
"Oops, I knew I forgot something," murmured Levi sheepishly as he shrank behind his dad and hoped Amanda would stay in a good mood. She just turned around and stalked back into her tent. Inside, she removed her over tunic and grabbed her sword before heading back out and to the practice courts.
"Stay out of my way for awhile or I might beat you instead of my opponent," she growled as she pushed past them, her face a mask of cold fury.
Grandfather looked at Levi, who had turned rather pale in the past few moments for some reason. "Boy..."
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Alyse hurried as fast as she could in her long kimono, passing the practice courts as she caught a glimpse of a familiar noble lady coolly flipping a knight in hand to hand combat with an impassive face. It reminded her of something that had happened not to long ago...
{Amanda and her were outside with several others after marching band, and Hewitt had come up talking about how he was a good fighter after having beat Mike in the locker room.
"Mike's a pansy," growled Amanda, being very angry after the band director had done something at practice. "Even Elizabeth could beat him if she wanted to."
"So what? Are you saying I can't fight?" He ran at her without another word and was quite surprised to find himself staring at the sky as he landed flat on his back.
"Yeah, that's pretty much it," Amanda had replied before she had walked away to where her ride was waiting.}
Alyse snapped back to the present as Yuki tugged on her sleeve impatiently. "Come one, Alyse, we have to go!"
"Wait a sec, who's that over there?" Alyse pointed to the lady who now had her back to them.
"Dunno, one of the ladies in the court, you've probably seen her around," said Yuki hurried, continuing to pull Alyse along. "We're going to be late if we don't get moving!"
"Oh, alright! I'm coming!"
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Sarah opened a letter she had received that day from Mouse telling her about what was going on with them in Corus, and it wasn't the news she had been expecting.
Sarah and Hewitt,
it had read
We have a bit a situation going on down here. New peoples are pouring in everyday, and Brenna's a little nervous. She had some jerk challenge her the other day, and she barely made it through alive. He's gone for now, but be sure to get rid of this the moment you're done reading it so no one else finds out.
We've got some other problems and may have to come visit you soon. Would you mind if we asked you to room a few of our younger members for awhile? We promise they'll behave and won't take anything. Let us know soon, and come by if you're in town.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Mouse, Allie, and Brenna
"John, come read this," said Sarah, sticking her head in his room. He looked up from the fishing net he had been fixing and took it from her, scanning it quickly.
"Go burn it and write a reply," he said shortly, sighing slightly. "We can keep three or four in the house and maybe ten in the loft in they'll behave."
"Then it's alright with you?"
"I guess so, they are our friends, and they'd help us if we were in trouble..." (What do you know? He actually does have half a heart...maybe...)
"Ok, I'll do that right now," replied Sarah, throwing the letter and the envelope in the fire. "Sarge was right, wasn't he?"
"Yep, but life had been getting a little boring, and I need some excitement or SOMETHING around here or I just might go insane..."
"I think that already happened, John."
"Oh, just shut up."
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Amanda sat with her back on the fence post as she gulped down some water and tried to calm down, she had easily beaten five or six guys in a row, and the seventh had sent her flying. It was the Shang Horse, though, so she didn't care that much since he was a good friend of hers.
"Amanda? Can we talk now?" asked Grandfather as he came around the corner, his son right behind him. "Or do you still need some more time?"
"I'm still mad," said Amanda coolly, her eyes narrowing slightly, "But go ahead and talk, I won't do to you what I just did to several others."
"So I see," sighed Grandfather, sitting down beside her. "I apologize for the mix up, and I promise it will never happen again. But there is a more important matter at hand. Levi? Get over here." Levi sat slowly beside his dad, keeping an eye on Amanda as her sword as he did.
"I won't spit you through the middle," said Amanda, sighing in exasperation. "I would've already done it if I really wanted to."
He just nodded and relaxed slightly, motioning for his dad to go on. "Anyways, Levi is going to be taking my place as your steward in a few years, and I think it would be a good idea now if he got familiar with court now since he will probably visiting it often if your stead," went on Grandfather, trying to see how she was taking it, but her face was expressionless. "So, since we have the Progression right now, and he needs some sort of experience with social events..."
"You want me to keep him with me for the rest of the time, right?" asked Amanda, pushing off the fence as she rose to her feet. "Fine, just make sure he knows his basic orders before hand because if he horrible embarrasses me...."
"I assure you, Amanda," said Grandfather sincerely, a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth, "He knows what to do, he was with me most of the time when our old master sent us to court, he just needs practice without me being around to guide him very step of the way."
"Good," replied Amanda, a glint of slyness in her eye. "He could come in handy...have the guy in charge give you tents near ours and come back to report to me before supper, and we'll start his 'practice' there." [Oh my goodness] she thought to herself as she walked away. [What am I getting myself into...]
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Jennifer had the day off since she hadn't had on since the beginning and they were about to head back to the palace so the monarchs were feeling a bit nicer than usual. She had agreed to go with Sean to visit his sister since they were in her hometown, and off they went to they fields on the far side of the small fief.
There they came across a small cottage and a fenced in coral that stood beside some of the most beautiful fields Jennifer had ever seen. A strong, sweet voice drifted to them from on the wind, and in the middle of a flock of sheep they could see a head peeping up now and then as the sheep moved around to graze on the sweet grass.
"Stephanie!" called out Sean, running through the sheep and pouncing on the sandy head in the middle with a boyish grin on his face. He went sprawling as a hand flew up and pushed him over the body that lay on the grass. Jennifer followed him, trying not to laugh as he stumbled to his feet.
"Oh sure, you try to tackle her and see how you feel then," he retorted, trying to get his eyes to focus.
"One small difference there, I didn't," said Jennifer smugly, a small smile playing across her face.
"You brought a friend this time," said the voice that had been singing only moments before. "She's right, but then again you never were one to learn very quickly." A tall young woman of about 20 or 21 rose to her feet, long hair the same color of her brother's and eyes as blue as the sky. "Hello there, I'm Stephanie. What's your name?"
"I'm Jennifer," replied Jennifer, walking up closer to sit next to her. Tigress suddenly popped up out of the grass and pounced on her lap, meowing loudly. "What are you doing here? I thought I closed you up in the tent!" Four other meows told her the others were loose too, and she sighed as the four growing kittens climbed on her from all sides.
"Who are these?" asked Stephanie, her eyes dancing with mischief.
"These, you could say, are my family. Their names are Caramel, Tigress, Snickers, Chocolate, and Snowball," replied Jennifer, letting them wander around for a bit. "I could've sworn I shut the tent so they couldn't get out..."
Sean whistled innocently as Tigress came up to him, jumped on his lap, and stared him in the eye, seemingly accusing him of something. "What!" He cried, putting the cat down on the ground. "I didn't do anything! Tigress just sat in front of him, tail swishing back and forth as she stared him down into oblivion. "All right! All right! I let them out, I thought Stephanie would like to meet them."
"All you had to do was ask, silly," replied Jennifer, cuddling Caramel and Snowball in her arms. "I don't mind bringing them with me, I just wasn't sure if your sister liked cats, that's all."
"I love all animals," replied Stephanie as she played with Chocolate and Snickers. "But I'm not quite as fond of human company most of the time."
"Is that why you're a Shepard?" asked Jennifer, looking at the older girl curiously.
"I guess so. Sean's more of the people person, which reminds me, how did you two meet?"
"She's my boss," explained Sean, flashing a grin.
"Oh, then you're the one who took pa's place."
Jennifer laughed nervously. "Yeah. Um, sorry about that..."
"No, it's alright, we needed a reason to get him to retire from Processions anyways," said Stephanie, letting Snickers chew on her finger gently. "So how do you like working with this thick headed sibling of mine?"
"Hey!" said Sean, throwing a tuft of grass at her. "I happen to be very smart, my teachers..."
"Were all deaf, blind, and half witted," cut in Stephanie, shaking her head, "It's amazing you learned to do anything at all."
Sean shrugged. "I can cook."
"Every person in our family can cook other than ma, moron."
"Yeah, well, at least I'm carrying on the family tradition."
"Go ahead, it's not like I want to anyways."
"SEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" A little, sandy haired boy with bright green eyes ran up, waving his arms happily. Sean grinned.
"Chris!" he cried. "What are you doing here?"
"Visiting sissy, but ma and pa said I could stay until you come! Why didn't you say you were coming here? I wouldn't have walked all the way to your tents and- oh! Kittens!"
He went and greeted the kittens one by one, only taking notice of Jennifer when she scolded Tigress for trying to scratch him. "Who are you?" He said bluntly, as little kids tend to do. "Oh, you must be-mmph mnm mnhphft." Sean had placed his hand over his little brother's mouth and was looking very nervous.
"What was that for?" asked Jennifer as she pried his fingers off the poor boy's mouth.
"He said you were pretty and very sweet in his letter to ma and pa," said Chris bluntly the way little kids tend to (he was only 7) as he took refuge her, knowing she wouldn't let him hurt him.
"I'm pretty, am I?" asked Jennifer as she let the smaller boy sit in her lap. Sean went bright red. "What do you think, Chris?"
"I think he's right, and you're kittens are really nice too," replied Chris cheerfully, picking up Chocolate and burying his head in the cat's fur. Sean walked away quickly as Stephanie tried her best not to laugh, and only let it out the moment he was out of sight.
"HAHAHAHAHAAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!" She laughed until she cried, the tears flowing down her face as Jennifer and Chris watched her from the side.
"I think she's cracked," said Chris decidedly, turning back to the kittens.
"I think you're right," replied Jennifer, giving the girl an odd look.
"I'm fine," gasped Stephanie as she tried to breath. "Really, I'm ok, let me explain something here. Sean has had girl friends before and all, it's just none of them have ever really liked Chris or listened to what he says. Needless to say, he repeats everything ma and pa talk about, and sometimes they forget that he's around when they're talking."
"So he actually wrote that about me?" asked Jennifer in disbelief.
Stephanie shrugged. "It's hard to say, he writes about a lot of people, and Chris doesn't always get his facts straight," she explained with a grin. "Still, he's never brought a girl along to visit me before, either he wants to be on your good side or he thinks you're special."
"I think it's both," interjected Chris, getting the girls attention. "I saw you stand up to that bug scary man at the gate when he wasn't careful with the food for the banquet. He was so surprised!"
"You stood up to Freddy?" said Stephanie in surprise. "He's a monster, I tell you, most of the women refuse to work with him because he's a sly one..."
"I just have some connections, that's all," explained Jennifer, remembering when she mentioned she was a good friend of Commander Lyssa's and he had obeyed her immediately after that.
"Must be some pretty good ones..." The three of they stayed there and continued to talk until sundown when Sean reappeared and said the people from the kitchens were looking for them.
"See ya!"
"Yeah, Jenny, I hope you can come by and visit again soon!"
"So do I, bye Chris!"
"By, Jenny and her kittens!"
"Meow!"
"Prrr!"
"Hisssss!"
"Meow!"
"Roew!"
"Be good, Tigress. Hey! None of that!" Sean laughed as he helped her unhook the cat's claws from her shirt, small holes showing where they had been. "Tigress!"
"Meow?"
"Don't give me that innocent look, you little devil."
"Meow, meow?" Tigress leapt from Sean back to her shoulders and curled around them like a scarf. "Prrrr."
"Good grief."
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Lyssa was called to Coram's tent that night, and wondered calmly what it could be about. The day had been pretty dull, with Jennifer missing from her kitchen and all the matches being canceled for the day. She strolled over in that general direction, but wasn't in any real hurry until she saw it up in the distance and noticed two familiar horses tethered outside it.
Her pace picked up, and as she neared it she could hear Coram's rough laugh mingling with two other voices. She pushed open the tent flap only to be swept up in a flurry of hugs and greeting by Danielle and Eric who had just arrived in the camp.
"Oh my goodness, guys, what are you doing here?" cried Lyssa as they sat down at the table in Coram's tent with him and Rispah.
"Pa said it's time for me to learn to be a lady and be introduced to court," replied Danielle excitedly. "Isn't it great? I'm to stay until I find a husband so we'll get to see each other more often.!"
"Excellent," replied Lyssa, grinning widely. "How about you, servant boy, why are you here?"
"I'm here to learn how to deal with those at court for Coram and Rispah, Lady Commander," he replied, giving her a mock bow.
"Even better," said Lyssa, winking at Coram and Rispah, "I get to teach you how to dance with all the noble ladies without drooling all over yourself..."
"Hey!" cried Eric, going a bit red, "No one said anything about dancing..."
"She's just teasing, Eric," chuckled Danielle as she tried to get herself under control. "No one expects the stewards to dance with anyone other than their ladies and maybe their lady's daughters or friends if they wish him to."
"Whew," sighed Eric, wiping his forehead with a sleeve, "That's a relief..."
"Who said I won't ask you to dance, Eric?" asked Rispah, and evil gleam in her eye.
"What?!"
"Hehehehehe!"
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Kyle and Daine were working with one of the hawks again, getting him used to the feeling of flying in the bird's head as it wheeled around up high in the sky. An unfamiliar voice brought him suddenly back to the present, disrupting his thoughts and causing the hawk to change directions suddenly.
Daine was talking to two people he thought he had seen before, but wasn't sure. One was a girl of about 17 dressed like a Brazir and a boy of about 20 beside her dressed like one also. Both were deeply tanned, but the boy's hair was fairly light brown, which was unusual for a sand person, and had a goatee of sorts.
He was sure he had seen them before, but before he could scrutinize them further, Daine began to scold him. "You scared poor Brightfeather by pulling out that fast," she said tersely as she soothed the hawk that rested on his shoulder.
"Sorry, buddy," apologized Kyle sheepishly, giving the bird some strips of meat from his pocket. "I won't do that again, I promise."
"You need to learn to concentrate no matter what, but since you're in this world at the moment let me introduce my visitors. This is Artman and Libby, the Shamans from the Brazir Tribes," said Daine more gently, not one to stay mad long. "Libby and Artman, this is my new student of sorts, Kyle, who is the son of Baron Emery."
"It's nice to meet you, Kyle," said Libby, smiling brightly as she held out a hand for him to shake.
He did, and replied, "It's nice to meet you too Libby, Artman. Sorry to be rude, but I need to get back to my studies..."
"Go right ahead," said Artman, shrugging his shoulders. "We know what it's like to be in training for something."
"Yeah," added Libby, wrinkling her nose. "Sorry about that."
"See ya later, then."
"Yeah, later."
Kyle walked back to the rock he had been sitting on, taking the hawk with him as he prepared to enter it's mind once more...
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Libby watched him walk away with an odd look on her face. "I feel like I've seen him before," she said as they went to speak with the King about something.
"Yeah, me too," murmured Artman. He shrugged. "They said he was the son of a Baron, we've probably seen him at a ball or something."
"I don't know," said Libby, her brow as wrinkled as she tried to remember where she had seen him before. "Something about him is very different..."
{Libby entered the band room just in time to catch the back of some guy walking out the other door. Amanda was standing next to her band locker as Elizabeth sat in hers and giggled loudly.
"What's she so happy about?" Libby had asked, nodding at Elizabeth.
"She's daydreaming about her 'new' boyfriend," replied Amanda, rolling her eyes. Elizabeth would never change, and this guy was the newest of her 'boy toys,' and the third one this month. She was the female version of a player, and proud of it too.
"What's his name, Amanda?"
"I'm not sure...it started with a 'K', hang on and I'll think of it..."}
"LIBBY!"
"What?" she asked, looking around her confusedly.
"I've been trying to get your attention for the past five minutes and you just stood there like you were in some sort of trance. Are you ok?" asked Artman testily, very aware that they were late to speak to the King.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Then let's go!"
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Vixen sat at her throne uneasily. They had had three more Scanra refugees come in today and swear allegiance to the Rogue before they went to the back corner and sat with those who had sided with Xavier. There must've been 15 or 20 of them by now, and she wasn't sure if she liked having them around that much.
They were all tall and huge, with bulging muscles and charms that reacted to Allie's powers. Mouse could still control them, but just barely. Things were not looking good, and to top things off all were skilled thieves and weapons persons.
Mouse sat beside her and sipped at a tankard of ale quietly, keeping a watchful eye on things as she made sure everything stayed under control. Old Bart still worked at the bar, but he had a couple strong fellows helping him who kept blades stashed under the counter in case of any trouble. All she had to do was signal them, and the entire rogue would be armed and ready to fight in a matter of minutes.
Joe sat beside her, his chair closer than normal as he spoke in hurried whispers. There were reports of more thieves pouring in over the boarder in search of new homes and better prospects. Some of the other outlying towns were having trouble with the new competition, and were requesting help that they couldn't afford to give.
Things were not looking good.
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Elizabeth walked into the ball room of the fief of Kingsreach, Levi by her side as she did. It was his first ball, and his first chance to meet his majesties. She glided gracefully down the carpet and listened to the herald present her to the King and Queen, going down in a curtsy when they did. Levi bowed, his manners impeccable as his presence was explained by Elizabeth and expressed his greetings to the monarchs.
"Not bad," whispered Elizabeth as they walked away, heading for the wall where most of the stewards stood or sat.
"I was scared out of my mind," admitted Levi, sighing loudly, "I'm glad it's over with, though. Where's Amanda, again?"
"That's Lady Amanda out in public," Elizabeth corrected him. "She's 'sick' again, something must be going around..."
"Or she's using the simplest excuse not to wear a dress, right?" asked Levi, keeping his voice low.
"Yeah, that's pretty much it. Go over there now, and keep an eye on me. If I motion for you, come right away. If not, stay there until I head for the door to leave at the end and meet me there, ok?"
"Alright, until then."
"Until then."
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Kyle stood in a corner sipping some punch dully, the last name on the list had been a dud and he had just now gotten rid of her to one of his friends who would take anyone. He spotted a mischievous steward on the far wall about his age and walked in his direction, figuring he might as well have someone to talk to.
"Hey," said the guy when Kyle sat next to him, his gray eyes twinkling cheerfully. "Can I help you?"
"Just wanted someone to talk to," replied Kyle, shrugging as he settled in. "I'm Kyle, what's your name?"
"Formally, Steward Levi of Lynx mountain...."
"My sincerest regrets, good man," cut in Kyle, on his face a look of horror.
Levi chuckled. "I see you've met my boss, Lady Amanda..."
"Unfortunately, yes. How did you manage to stay alive this long?"
Levi laughed again. "She's really not that bad, you know," he replied, shaking his head. "I guess meeting her as one's employee and as a potential suitor is two completely different things, right?"
"Exactly. But seriously, she must chew you out every time you step out of time," said Kyle with a shudder.
"Not really, I forgot to send a note saying she didn't have to fill out all the papers because it was already done, so she did. Then when she found out, she took her anger out on some guys on the court instead of me. I'm just lucky I guess."
"Lucky is right..."
"Then again, I have connections. My dad is her present Steward, and it is important that they stay on good terms."
"True. Then you don't mind working under her?"
"Not really, she's better than a lot of the ladies, and her sister's really nice too."
"Where are they? I haven't seen Lady Amanda yet and I've never met Lady Elizabeth..."
"Lady Amanda isn't feeling well, and Lady Elizabeth is over there somewhere, I'm not exactly sure, but she is there..."
"She likes to disappear like her sister?"
"Yeah, but generally for different reasons from what I understand..."
"Oh, one needs to be careful around her?"
"If you're a guy."
"I'll remember the warning. It was good talking to you, Levi."
"You too, Kyle. See you later."
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Jennifer sat in the back of the wagon with Sean, her legs dangling over the edge as the Procession traveled onto another town, her cats crawling all over them both and playing in the small space they had.
"It was nice meeting your sister," tried Jennifer, trying to keep the conversation going. "And your brother too." They had so far avoided talking about that subject unless it was about his siblings and not what one of them had said...
"Yeah. I miss them sometimes...it must be sad being an only child and not having any parents."
"Sometimes, it is. But I have a family right here," replied Jennifer, indicating the cats next to them. "That and Roberto's family."
"Who's he?" asked Sean, his eyes flashing green for a moment. (hehehe...flashes of green, flashes of green...sorry about that....)
"My employer back in Corus," explained Jennifer, grinning as he visibly relaxed. "You weren't jealous, were you? Let me tell you, he's not competition, he's got a wife and two kids. They're my other family."
Sean went red, scratching his chin nervously. "Well..."
"Hey guys," said a voice near by, interrupting them for the moment and saving Sean from a lot more embarrassment.
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Lyssa had seen Levi and Jennifer talking in the back of kitchen wagon and had opted to go talk to them rather than listen to Coram and Rispah rattle on about something. She had just called out to them when she say Sean go red and almost turned around.
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" she asked suspiciously as Jennifer smiled and Sean went even redder.
"Naw, how've you been?" asked Jennifer, handing Lyssa her favorite kitten, Tigress, to pet.
"Pretty good, where were you a few days ago? I was bored out of my mind out of the whole day," countered Lyssa, letting the cat ride on her shoulder.
"Meeting Sean's older sister and younger brother," explained Jennifer, grinning even wider. "We had fun, but sorry we left you hanging like that."
"Oh really? It's alright, I got by somehow."
"Lyssa! There you are!"
A young man and women came riding over to them, looks of concern on their face. "Coram and Ris said you had just disappeared and were getting worried," said the guy, scolding her lightly. "You know better than that, high and mighty commander."
"Oh hush, Eric," said Lyssa shortly. "You see where I am, so good tell those two you found me."
"Yes, mi'lady," he replied pertly, giving her a fake bow before riding away. The woman with him laughed and went ahead to ride beside Lyssa.
"This is my friend Lady Danielle," said Lyssa to Sean and Jennifer, who nodded politely. "Dani, this is Sean and Jennifer, two of the best cooks in all of Tortal."
"Nice to meet you, Lady Danielle," said Jennifer politely.
"Call me Dani," replied Danielle. "I like it better."
Sean nodded and said, "So you know this bruiser on a horse who beats grown men and commands the best garrison there is?"
"Unfortunately, yes," replied Danielle, faking her sadness. "'Tis quite tragic indeed." She sniffed before dissolving into helpless laughter.
"No, what's tragic is that the moment I put on a dress, guys still insist upon putting me on a pedestal," retorted Lyssa as she gave Tigress back to Jennifer. "You'd think they'd learn..."
"So where are we going next?" asked Sean as snow began to fall, the first one of the season.
"The last fief, and then back to Corus for a month or so," replied Jennifer, counting off the days on her fingers. "We should get there about three days before mid-winter."
"Then about a week left on the road?"
"If it doesn't snow too much."
Sean opened his mouth up like a little kid and caught a snowflake on his tongue. "I love the snow, so I don't care how much it falls."
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Sarah and John were inside their small home with Onua, who had dropped by with some supplies for the oncoming snow.
"We need some more supplies, Onua," said John as he went over it all, thinking about what might be happening very soon. "Some, um, friends of ours and family may be coming to visit..."
"You mean those three girls who came and visited you that one night," said Onua bluntly. "Sure, how long are they staying?"
"It may not just be them, and we aren't sure how long," explained Sarah slowly, "You see..."
"Sarge was right, wasn't he?" said Onua accusingly. "Those three were thieves, weren't they?"
"Yeah, they were," admitted Sarah softly. "Remember my story? Well, they got dropped in Corus and became thieves, and now Brenna, one of the girls, is the Queen of Thieves and is having some problems. They might need to lay low or put a few others here for awhile, and we agreed to help."
"You're going to be harboring thieves under my roof?" asked Onua levelly, her face completely unreadable.
"Yeah..."
"Fine just don't tell anyone else about it."
"Agreed."
"Since when does Onua knowingly let bad people have anything to do with her?" whispered John to Sarah.
"Since I met you two," said Onua, who had very good hearing.
"Hey!"
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
The King, who hadn't been able to speak to the them before because they came so late, was now ready to talk to them and waited for them to settle themselves in the room that was serving as his office at this last fief.
"Comfortable?" he asked, sipping some water patiently.
"Very, sire," replied Libby, munching on some grapes.
"Thank you, sire," added Artman as he adjusted the cushion under him. "What was it you needed to talk to us about?"
"Well, things are getting worse on the Scanra border, as I'm sure you've heard, and we may be needing some help out there soon..."
"Would you like us to go now and help the men?" asked Libby, offering out of the politeness.
"Not yet," replied the King thoughtfully. "I need you two in reserve in case of an emergency. Just keep your things partially packed when we get to the palace, and I might have you go right after mid-winter when the passes open again."
"Then you want us to be on stand by."
"Exactly."
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Amanda and Elizabeth rode back to Corus a few days ahead of the Procession, Levi with them, in hopes of beating all the bustle and hustle when they arrived. They had a good plan at that, things would be crazy in a few days and most would wish they had done that as well.
Levi stared in awe at the palace as it rose above the city, sort of set on a hill above everything else with all of its grandeur and majesty making it almost shine in the young man's eyes. "Wow..." whispered Levi, turning red when Amanda had to wave a hand over his eyes to get his attention. He got a room next to theirs, and quickly settled in before getting a tour of the huge place.
They showed him the gardens, the stables, the forest, and where the Riders and the King's Own stayed, where the kitchens and the pages quarters were. The grand ball room, another smaller ball room, a hug dinning room, the throne room, some libraries, the class rooms, the practice courts and the servant's wing. He got so lost that he couldn't remember where any of it was, but was glad they had showed him anyways.
"So this is the palace," he murmured as they went back to Amanda and Elizabeth's rooms where dinner was waiting for them. "Entirely bigger and better than I ever thought it could be."
"It looks nicer than it did before because they took the time when no one was here to make a whole bunch of repairs," said Amanda matter of fact-ly. "It wasn't this nice last time I was here."
"Yeah, they've really taken care of any flaws this place may've had," agreed Elizabeth, chewing on some celery thoughtfully. Amanda sighed and picked up the package that had been in the room they had arrived, resolving to open it right then and there. Inside was a beautiful mahogany lute, with silver strings and a painted body.
"Oh my goodness," whispered Amanda, eyes wide as she lifted it out of the box onto her lap. She tuned the strings and played a few cords, loving the ringing sound they made.
"That's just like the one you saw in that shop back at the fief," said Elizabeth as she took it from her sister to play it. One thing both of them could do was play many instruments from their own world, and guitars were no exception. A lute in basically a mini guitar, and can be played much in the same manner.
"It is the one I saw in the shop back at the fief," said Amanda suspiciously as she saw the sign of the maker on the neck of the lute. Levi whistled innocently as Amanda began to pluck out an Irish sounding tune she had picked up from a friend a while ago.
"Levi, you wouldn't happen to know where that instrument came from, would you?" asked Elizabeth, her voice dangerously low.
"Who me?" he asked innocently, suddenly noticing the murderous glint in her eyes. "It's from dad, he knew you liked it and would assume it's from a suitor."
"I'll have to thank him in my next letter," said Amanda lightly as if they had just been talking informally about something. "It is a very nice lute, and will enjoy learning how to play new songs on it here."
"And pa said it would be a piece of cake to fool them," muttered Levi to himself.
"What was that?"
"Nothing..."
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Alyse settled into her old room right next to Princess Shinko's a few days later, glad to be back in the familiar surroundings. Her fans were still tucked snugly in her obi, and her outer kimono of light green with gold fern leaves printed on it brought out the green flecks in her eyes.
She put the lucky Yamani cats she had gotten from others on a shelf over the fireplace, and her glaive went in a stand next to the wall. Small bottles of ink for writing were stacked neatly on her desk, and beside the stack of paper she kept ready to reject any invitations to balls or parties. She always went with Faleron now, and not everyone knew it yet.
Ronnie took his place in the small basket beside her bed and made it was just to his liking before he barked impatiently and Alyse lifted him up to her shoulder. There he settled down pertly and waited to see where she would go.
Her new collection of belt knives went in a drawer, with one already hidden in her obi, and her personal stash of Yamanis tea went with it. Her tea set went on a tray on a table, and her small bag of clothes was set on the bed for the maids to unpack and put away.
"What say we go and see what the others are up to," suggested Alyse to her small dog as she made her way to the door. It was the start of another day at the palace, and for once, Alyse was glad.
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Kyle had been at the tail end of the Procession, and now stood gaping at the huge palace before him, his jaw actually hanging open as he looked up over it's many towers and peaks.
"It's not polite to stare, boy," the Baron rebuked him teasingly. Kyle turned red and closed hi mouth, trying to regain some of his composure. It didn't work.
He looked around and noticed others were doing the same thing he had, only their masters or parents not telling them to stop staring so they learned by embarrassment. He recognized one of them, and decided to do some teasing of his own.
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Lyssa has been looking quite dazedly at the palace with Danielle and Eric when a familiar voice brought her out of it. "You do know it's impolite to stare, Commander Lyssa." She whirled around and saw Kyle standing there, looking very smug as she regained her composure, unlike him she was able to do it too.
"Well, if it isn't the noble fencer," she said lightly, getting her friends attention. "I'd like you to meet someone. This is Eric and Danielle, two of my good friends."
"It is nice to meet you," said Kyle, bowing slightly, with that same smug look on his face. Danielle wanted to slap it right off him, but couldn't because he hadn't given her a reason to yet.
"A rematch later, if you don't mind," said Kyle out of the blue, knowing what she would know what he meant.
"Of course, down at the practice courts as soon as I can figure out where they are," agreed Lyssa, never one to turn down a challenge.
"What's he talking about, 'a rematch' asked Eric jealously as Kyle walked ever so confidently away.
"Oh, we fenced a few weeks ago..."
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Jennifer walked with Sean to Roberto's house, her bags and things with her as they made their way through the crowds to the house Jennifer had lived in for what seemed like so long ago.
She knocked on the door and was greeted by an ecstatic Roberto who enveloped her in a fatherly hug, only to be replaced by Chelsea, and then the two little girls who clung to her waist. To Sean, it looked like she had a family, even though she wasn't really related to them. He held her cats in a carrier on his back, and at that moment they began to meow loudly.
"Looks like you have some new friends," said Roberto as he eyed Sean and the carrier in his hands. "Come on in and sit down so you and introduce us."
"Everyone, this is Sean and my cats. Sean, this is Roberto and his wonderful family."
"It is very nice to meet you, Sean," said Roberto sincerely, shaking his hand. "Though I didn't think little Jenny would come back with five cats and guy to boot!"
"What did you think I'd come back with? A dirty apron and news of other fiefs?" asked Jennifer pertly.
"You know what I mean, Jenny," replied Roberto, grinning widely, "It is good to see that you are safe and well, and will be staying here for awhile before you must leave again."
"She's a tough one, you don't need to worry about her," said Sean, rolling his eyes.
"I take it you work in the kitchens too," said Chelsea, trying to hide her smile.
"Yeah, and let me tell you something, those guys don't dare stand up to her when she's in one of her moods."
"You mean the one where if it isn't right she'll jump at your throat? I had her do that to me in the kitchen once."
"I did?" asked Jennifer, looking rather confused.
"Yeah, when we were in the King's kitchen too in front of the servants, a lesser man would've fired you, but I just laughed."
Jennifer looked at the floor sheepishly. "Sorry, didn't know I was that mean in the kitchen..."
"Don't be," Sean assured her. "It's what makes you such a great chef."
"Other than the fact she can turn out pies that melt in your mouth," added Chelsea.
Sean smiled. "Don't I know it."
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Libby and Artman were sent out almost the moment they arrived at the palace, and went to help the King's Own against eh Scanra's. Their next set of adventures will be put in the next chapter because, in their world, it took about two weeks ride to reach the front lines and that's about when the next chapter starts, thank you.
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Vixen snuck out the back door of the Dancing Dove and hurried over to Roberto's place. He was just leaving to open his restaurant, and beamed when he saw her coming.
"Good friend," he said, as that is what he was supposed to call her in public. "How are you? What can I do for you?"
"I'm alright, but I'm afraid I'm in a bit of a position," said Vixen softly.
"What is it?" asked Roberto, looking worried.
"Last mid-winter, me and my friends got drunk, which was stupid because we all could've been ambushed and killed. Could you cater for a small group of us at your restaurant secretly and then let us sleep there until morning?"
"Sure, what night?"
"Mid-winter's eve."
"I'm taking a meal to another noble's house that night, but my helper cook is here and will cook for you instead, is that ok?"
"That's just fine."
"We'll be seeing you on mid-winter's eve then."
"Mid-winter's eve."
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
Daine and Numair came by the ranch two days before mid-winter with evil glints in their eyes, something that made John suspicious as they also had something in a bag with them as well.
"What are you two doing here?" asked Sarah, not noticing the sly look that passed between the couple.
"Onua said you hadn't had a day off yet..."
"And since there's a pond near by..."
"And we have extra skates..."
"We're taking you ice skating!!! (Ok, ok, so I know it's a little OOC for Numair to go ice skating, but just bear with me here, ok?)
"We're what?" asked John as he was dragged out the door with Sarah right behind them.
"Going ice skating, silly," said Daine, handing him a pair from the bag. He held them like they were miniature aliens for a second before he tried to give them back to Daine, protesting loudly.
"Oh no, wait a sec. I don't ice skate..."
"Neither do I, boy," cut in Numair, his eyes gleaming wickedly. "But if she's forcing me to come, you have to too."
"I'm not going," said John firmly, planting his feet inside the door. "You can't make me come if I don't want to."
Daine just grinned at Numair, who grinned back and twitched his fingers, sending John about three feet in up in mid-air. He hung there, his mouth hanging open as he tried to move back down but found he couldn't. Numair twitched his fingers again, and they began to walk to the pond with John floating behind them.
"Are you coming, Sarah, or does Numair need to carry you too?" called Daine.
"I'm coming," chuckled Sarah, following John with both of their skates in her hands (John had dropped his when Numair had made him levitate).
"Will you put me down!" cried John, finally getting over his shock.
"Not until we get to the pond," replied Numair, "Then it will be easier to stop you if you try to run off."
"Great...just great...." John continued to grumble the whole way there, but stopped when Numair threatened to seal his mouth shut for good. (Isn't magic a great thing? I wish we could do that in the real world...hehehehe)
They reached a small pond that had frozen over with about a foot of ice and was now perfect for ice skating. John was put down and ordered to put on some skates while the other three removed their boots and put on a pair as well. Daine went out and tested the ice first, gliding along gracefully as Numair stepped cautiously out onto the ice and did his best to stay upright as he went after her. He didn't get very far. About four steps later he slipped and fell on his butt, a very painful experience to say the least.
John laughed from where he sat, the skates on his feet but having no intention what so ever to use them. Sarah got out there and did alright, managing to keep her balance and get a pretty good speed going as she did.
"Get out here Johnny boy, and let's see how well you can skate," challenged Daine, having a great time racing along as fast as she could.
"Yeah right, and fall flat on my face? I don't think so," retorted John, not noticing the look that passed between Daine and Numair until it was too late. "What the... AAAHHHH!!!!!!"
Numair lifted him onto the middle of the pond and set him there, giving him the choice of staying there until the spring time came and he could swim to shore, or getting up and skating like a man back to the edge. He opted for the latter, and got up unsteadily on his feet as Daine skated next to him incase he fell. He took a few step forward, gliding gently, when he realized it wasn't as hard as it looked.
"Hey guys! I'm actually-" 'Whump!!" "Ow..." Sarah skated over and peered at his face, seeing his eyes dilate suddenly.
"John? John are you there?"
"WHY THE HECK IS IT ALWAYS ME?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!"
@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@
It was the day of Cleon's Ordeal, his name had been drawn first, so Amanda stayed clear of Kel's rooms since she wouldn't be back until later that evening. She knocked gently on Kel's door and waited for an answer, hearing the handle turn as the door opened from the inside.
Kel came out, wearing a dress of all things, looking kind of worried and a little sad for her normally placid face. "Mind if I come in?" asked Amanda, tilting her head slightly.
"No, I need someone to talk to anyways," said Kel with a shrug, letting her into the main room that connected hers to Raoul's.
"How was your day?" asked Amanda, remembering exactly what had happened in the book. Raoul had granted Kel the day off, and she had spent it with Cleon in town since he had to face the chamber that night. "Any thing happen while I was busy?"
"My lord gave me the day off," said Kel as she sat down, setting up the chess board like she always did.
"What did you do with it?"
"Oh, you know, hung around and got some stuff done..."
"Sure ya did." Kel's head snapped up, eyeing Amanda suspiciously.
"Were you spying on me?" she asked quickly.
"No, but everyone knew who's Ordeal it was today, and neither of you could be found after lunch so I figured...well, that and you're wearing a dress..."
Kel blushed and nodded her head, Amanda wasn't stupid and since she knew everything it wouldn't be hard for her to guess what had happened. "Are we playing chess or not?"
"Sure." Amanda made the first move, white as always, with one of her pawns. They must have been playing silently for a half an hour when there was a knock at the door, breaking Amanda's concentration.
"I'll get it," offered Kel, her normal mask back in place. Someone burst in the moment the door was open, pushing past a surprised Kel to stand before Amanda, his eyes blazing with accusations.
"What did you just leave me there like that?" cried Levi. "It took me 2 hours to find my way back to our rooms and another hour to figure out where this place was by Liz's directions! Why in the world did you pull a stunt like that?"
Amanda, forgetting that Kel was there for the moment, furrowed her brow and replied, "First of all, do not use that tone of voice when speaking to me, mister. You forget who's in charge here. And when did I leave you somewhere? You've stayed in your rooms all day...oh yeah, you went with me to the tailors. Oops, well at least you're still alive..."
"Hold up a second here," cut in Kel, looking very confused. "Amanda, who is this guy and why is he here?"
"Oh, sorry about that Kel," replied Amanda, shooting murderous looks in Levi's direction. "This is Levi, my Steward's son and Steward in training at the moment. Levi, this is Squire Kel whom you'd better apologize to for just bursting in here like that."
Levi hung his head and mumbled, "Sorry about that."
"That's ok," replied Kel, looking at Amanda oddly. "Why are you here, though?"
"Well, Amanda left me at the Tailors, so I eventually got back to the hall where our rooms were and found out from Elizabeth that she had gone to the stables, and they told me to look here, so here I am."
"That still doesn't explain why you're here," growled Amanda, trying to control her temper. "Why did you follow me instead of hanging with Liz or staying in your rooms?"
"Because it's boring in my rooms with nothing to do and Elizabeth had some other Squires hanging around her so I decided to find you. No offence to your sister, but I'd rather take your tongue lashings than watch her flirt."
"I don't mind if you stay with us," said Kel with a shrug. "We're playing chess, you want to take the next match?"
"Sure." They must've played for another hour or two when Raoul came in and was introduced to Levi. He then joined and they had a tournament of sorts, with Kel about to win it all in the final game against Amanda when yet another knock sounded at the door.
It was Prince Roald, Princess Shinkokami, Inness of Mindelan, Buri, Neal, Yuki, Jerel of Nenan., Owen, Faleron, and Alyse. All had cakes, fruit, jugs of cider, and other things to eat and drink. Levi was introduced to them by Raoul, and Amanda had her back to most of them as she tried to get out of this trap that Kel had set for her. She had said hi, but not really noticed any of them personally.
"Amanda, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine," said Faleron proudly, leading Alyse forward. "Her name's Alyse, and she's from the Yamanis Islands.
"Alyse? I had a friend named Alyse once," replied Amanda thoughtfully, not looking up and her face hidden from Alyse's view. "How do you spell your name?"
"A-L-Y-S-E."
"No way!" Amanda turned around quickly. "Alyse?"
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Alyse had agreed to come along with the others to help entertain Kel (even though her and Cleon's relationship was supposed to be a secret) because Faleron was supposed to be there. Upon arriving, the noble lady sitting at the table had looked familiar, but she really couldn't be sure...
"Amanda, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine," Faleron had said proudly, her back to them as she tried to win a game of chess. "Her name's Alyse, and she's from the Yamanis Islands."
"Alyse? I had a friend named Alyse once," the girl had said thoughtfully, her voice ringing recognizably. "How do you spell yours?"
Alyse had shifted the plate of cookies she held from one hand to another. "A-L-Y-S-E."
"No way!" the girl had replied, turning around quickly. Alyse had seen those eyes before, one green and one blue... The plate of cookies had dropped from her hands and lay smashed on the floor except for Faleron diving for them and making- just barely that is. "Alyse?"
"Amanda?" Alyse's eyes got huge as she recognized her long time friend and fellow marcher. "I can't believe it's you..."
"You'd better believe it," said Amanda, her face breaking into a wide grin as she got up out of her seat. "It's so good to see you." She hugged the younger girl warmly as the rest of the group watched them oddly in surprise. "I haven't seen you for, what has it been now...a year and a half? Maybe even more."
"So you got pulled in too, huh?" whispered Alyse, her eyes dancing as Amanda quickly gave her a short nod. Faleron stepped forward, puzzled, and asked, "So, you have your memory back now, Alyse?"
"Your what?" asked Amanda, whipping around to look Alyse in the eye. "When did you lose your memory?"
"After I last saw you," replied Alyse, winking at Amanda so she would understand.
"This is really weird," said Yuki calmly from the crowd. "You've been with us so long that I can hardly imagine life without you. Yet now that you know who you really are..."
"Does this mean you have to go back home?" asked Faleron softly, his eyes turning big and puppy like. Amanda laughed as Alyse hurried to assure him that she wasn't going anywhere.
"Elizabeth is with me," said Amanda quietly when Alyse had turned back to her. "Anyone get pulled in with you?"
"No, all I have is my dog-"
"And boyfriend," added Amanda, grinning slightly. "Who would've thought? You a Yamanis Lady and Me a noble."
"Don't nobles have to wear dresses?" asked Alyse teasingly.
"Yep, and I hate every minute of it."
"It's good to know you haven't changed."
"Excuse me, but can we get a complete explanation here?" asked Neal sarcastically, earning himself a whack from Yuki's fan. "Ow! I just want to know what's going on!"
"Let me explain," said Amanda, motioning for Alyse to go along with whatever she said. "Alyse is my cousin. Her father was a Yamanis and her mother a Tortallan, who was my aunt and my mom's sister. I saw her briefly a year and a half ago and haven't seen here since. Since it had been three years between our last two meetings, I wasn't worried and I figured she and her friends hadn't made their ship..."
"What do you mean, 'their ship'?" asked Faleron, scratching his head.
"Well, the ship they were supposed to take back to the Yamanis was reported to have been sunk by a storm, and since I got a letter from one from one of them I figured everything was ok..."
"That still doesn't explain what happened between then and now," replied Raoul smartly.
"I don't remember that time, but I do remember my past now," replied Alyse with a shrug. "So, I'm the cousin of a noble and a lady in waiting to the Yamanis Princess, that is who I am now and my past really doesn't matter, right?"
Faleron gave her one of his 'special smiles' and nodded his head. "You're right," he replied, "It doesn't matter at all."
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Lyssa spent the majority of her Mid-Winter with her friends and the Queen's Rider's, who invited her to become one of their Captains. Lyssa turned them down for the moment, but kept their offer in the back of her mind as time went on.
For Mid-Winter, she got a beautiful new bow and quiver full of arrows from her employers, a charm bracelet from Dani with mini weapons on it, a whip from Eric as a joke, and more fudge from Jennifer for her and her friends to share.
The balls were great, and the banquets even better, yet through it all she couldn't help but miss some of her old friends...
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Kyle had a better time than he thought he would hanging around the palace, meeting new ladies, and flirting with Lyssa's friend Dani. (He didn't get anywhere, but it was fun none the less.) He had his rematch with Lyssa, but she sent him flying. She had been taking some lessons from the Lioness and had become so much better that her barely stood a chance against her.
From his Father he received a new horse for Mid-Winter (by this time Daine had taught him toe ride fairly well). A beautiful tan gelding with white stockings and a no other markings than that. He also got piles of ladies 'gifts' (small favors in hopes of winning him over which he gladly burned in his fireplace. Free fuel, right?) and a few small gifts from some other friends.
His time was great, and his future looking even greater by the day, but somehow her couldn't help but feel that he was seriously missing something from his old life...
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Sarah and John didn't exchange gifts, they just had another dinner with Onua, Sarge, Penny, Daine, and Numair one night. (With John and Numair fighting as always, and John coming out on top.) Things were cool with them, and they couldn't ask for much more, but still worried occasionally about their thieving friends and how it might involve them in the future...
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Amanda, Alyse, Elizabeth, Levi, and Faleron exchanged gifts at a special dinner with just the five of them two nights before Mid-Winter and had a great time as well. Alyse had been re-presented to the court as Amanda's cousin and now noble lady of Lynx mountain as well as third in line in case something should happen to the two sisters.
Amanda gave Elizabeth a new mini cross bow that mounted on her arm (the old one had busted one day for some reason) as well as a quiver of darts to go with it. She gave Amanda, as a joke, a pregnancy charm in the shape of a lynx paw print (they were the only two who knew about it, though) and Amanda wore it always just because it came from her.
Alyse got Faleron a Yamanis lucky cat, and he got her silver figurine of a small dog very much like Ronnie. Alyse got Amanda and Elizabeth (since it was on short notice) two fans like the ones she carried, and they gave her a place in their home and new nobility. (Give 'em a break, they're busy gals!)
All in all, they all had a great time, and later exchanged stories about everything that had happened since they had seen each other back in the other world. They agreed others could be there too, but decided not to try and find them since it seemed fate was going to bring them together anyways in the end. Might as well enjoy total freedom while they had it, right?
Levi did get the sisters and their new cousin something for mid-winter, it was a parchment forever sealing them to his service as their steward of their fief after his father's death or retirement until his own death. It was the best he could do, not being very wealthy and lacking the time to actually go out buy things.
Good times, good friends, good events, and a good future. Yet still, they had a feeling that very soon they would be doing a whole lot more...
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Mouse and Allie had known something as up from the time Vixen disappeared for a while, up until now when she gave them instructions to meet them somewhere with Ratina in a few hours. She had left, and now they were talking about the presents they were going to give her as they wrapped them up.
"Do you like these bracelets I got for her and Levi?" said Allie slyly, her eyes glinting mischievously. They were hemp bracelets with a small dragon charm imbedded in each. "I got the charms from Madame Cooper and the hemp braiding I did myself. They're called soul charms, and when they stop being so oblivious to each other the eyes will change to the same color. See how one's blue and the other red? They'll go purple and that way we'll know when they've finally gotten together, even if they don't tell us."
"Very clever, Allie," said Mouse in surprise, "I got her a beaded pouch and him a new dagger, he needs one since his last one broke in half and he hasn't told Vixen to get a new one from our store of weapons."
"You're so unoriginal."
"I'm just practical, so leave me alone!"
Vixen, who had gone on ahead, had just arrived at Roberto's restaurant and was getting ready to meet his assistant for the first time. She knocked on the door with the special code Ratina had given her, and it was opened by a sandy-haired youth with green eyes.
"Are you Roberto's helper?" asked Vixen quickly.
"Are you the main guest of the group who's coming here tonight?" replied the guy with a grin.
"I thought Roberto said his helper was a girl."
"She is, I'm just helping her. Come on in." The guy (who was Sean) led Vixen back to the farthest private room where she and her group would be served, then to the kitchen to meet the chef herself.
"Jenny!" called Sean leaning against the door frame leading to the kitchen she was using. "One of the thieves have arrived!"
"Hang on, I'm coming!" called a familiar voice back. Vixen smoothed her hair and tired to smile, the pressure of the last few days hitting her pretty hard. A small red-head came around the corner, raising her head as she wiped her hands on her apron...
"JENNIFER CHRISTOPHER?????" cried Vixen loudly, her mouth hanging open in surprise.
"Brenna?" asked Jennifer quietly, squinting her eyes slightly. "I barely recognize you-" She was cut off as Vixen picked her up and gave her a huge bear huge, squeezing the life out of the small girl.
"Oh, gods, it's good to see you," whispered Vixen when she put her down, staring into her eyes as if to make sure it was her and she wasn't just dreaming.
"It's good to see you too," gasped Jennifer, glancing over to see a very confused Sean looking at the oddly. "Brenna-"
"I go by Vixen now," said Vixen quickly, cutting of her off on accident.
"Oh, foxy lady."
"Oh hush."
"Hm. Anyways, this is my friend, Sean, who agreed to help me tonight." She stopped here and looked at Vixen oddly. "I'll have to explain things to him, won't I?"
"Probably," agreed Vixen, shrugging. "But guess what? Mouse and Allie are with me and are going to be here soon. And guess what else? I'm the Queen of Thieves."
"YOU??????"
"What? Don't look so surprised, Jenny."
"Have you told anyone the truth yet?"
"No, but I have caught up with Sarah and Hewitt-"
"They're here too?"
"Yep, and are working some other place with horses. I'll tell you about it later."
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE???????" Sean, who had been standing there in shock for the past few minutes, had finally gotten his tongue back and just let everything explode out in one statement.
"Look, we'll explain everything tonight," said Vixen quickly. "It'll make more sense when the others are here..."
"So you have some you'll have to tell too?"
"Yeah, we managed to get by about Hewitt and Sarah, but I think they won't just let it slide this time..."
Needless to say, there was another loud round of greetings when Allie, Mouse, Joe, and Ratina got there, and Jennifer and Sean were invited to share dinner with them. The thieves apologized for not brining them gifts too when they exchanged presents, but since they had just found each other five minutes ago it was forgiven quite easily.
Vixen got Joe a hemp choker that Allie had braided for her (the kind guys where here in our world) with a black opal in it she had out some of her gift into to help him become a better thief and fighter. He got her a short sword with a dragon as the handle, the blade coming out of his large mouth with fangs and the hand guard, and it's tale further down holding a white opal spelled for certain things. It would never break, fall from her grasp, or if she were grievously wounded it would help stop the flow of blood long enough for her to get help and live.
Allie and Mouse gave them the presents that were mentioned earlier, Allie giving hers so the other didn't notice that the bracelets matched. It was great evening, but after supper they sat in a circle on the floor, and Vixen began the story of the truth of how they got there and who Sarah and Hewitt and Jennifer were in comparison to that.
She must have talked for a half an hour when Sean got up and left suddenly, Jennifer going after him as quickly as she could. Joe would've left, but stayed as he sat there with a hand on her shoulder. [How could this be] he thought to himself as it went on [She's not from my world...]
Ratina was shocked, and could barely find words enough to speak when it was over so she didn't even try. Joe didn't say anything for awhile, until he at last said, "Do you have to return home someday?"
"I don't know," replied Vixen slowly. "We're slowly meeting others from our world, and it's hard to say what may happen in the future." She stopped there and looked him in the eye. "I'd understand if you wanted to leave the Rogue for us lying to you like that."
"I didn't give the nickname Vixen for nothing, Queen," he replied softly. "I'm not going anywhere."
Sean and Jennifer came back in then, hand in hand as they sat down and he put his arm around her gently, Whatever he had been mad about before was gone, and apparently they were closer because of it.
This Mid-Winter, they didn't get drunk and fall all over themselves, this time they cleared their conscious and met new people and old friends alike. Vixen realized she had a close friend in Joe (yes, she's still oblivious), Jenny may've found more in Sean (no one's really sure since we don't know what happened in THAT scene...) and the three sisters of the Rogue had to write to Sarah and Hewitt to tell them about this latest development in their journeys through Tortal....
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*Sighs* Yeah, I know I've done better chapters, and the next will be the best in the world to make up for it, really. Things are starting to pick up and time's gonna fly as our favorite Americans in Tortal are thrown a few more loops and maybe a jump or two in the next chapter of A Twisted Tortallian Tale.
Now, on a more personal note, there's something I'd like to do real quick here.
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Libby!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday to you!!!
And many more....!
Yeah, that's right. It's Libby's Sweet 16th Birthday this next Monday on March the 4th of 2002. Please wish her a happy birthday in your reviews and I'd like you to know this chapter is dedicated in her honor. Thank you.
~crosseyedbutterfly~