Greetings once again, from your favorite author crosseyedbutterfly! I know some of you enjoyed the last chapter, others are on strike *pointedly glares at Libby who's still sitting on her in hippie clothes and chanting* but, hey, I guess I'll keep writing anyways. To those of you who keep correcting me on mistakes from the second chapter, I know I put the wrong person who killed Faithful, I'm just too lazy to change it!!! Go on, now, read the chapter!

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Kyle sat depressively in his chair behind the desk, staring at the piles of paper work that were looming before him ominously. Things had not been going badly lately, the fief was the least of his worries, but things hadn't been that great, either. Since the death of his adoptive father, young ladies (and even some older widows) had been making him offers of marriage and such as if he were some fat lamb that just had to be coaxed over, then slaughtered for a meal once he was caught.

The fief had been prospering as always, not helping his situation much. The field harvest the last year had been too much for them too hold, as well as the orchard harvests and the vegetables brought in from the gardens. Cellars and barns were practically exploding with food and they were still selling extras they couldn't use. The woods had been teaming with game, stocking the larder very well, and the animals had multiplied in number so much that his father had built another barn to house them all.

All this was good for the people who lived on his lands and towns, as well the neighboring fiefs who may not be doing so well, but still.... he wished people would stop treating him like a trophy and more like a person.

Martin walked in, looking over a calendar of sorts. "Baron," he said respectfully, "You have that ball you were invited to tonight. Are you going or not? Sir Gordon wishes for you to meet one of his daughters."

Kyle groaned. He had fulfilled all his duties but one, just this one simple thing and could make his life heaven or hell. But still, his lands had no direct heir, all his family back on earth and the Baron the last person of his family's lineage. He was supposed to have some distant cousins in the south, but the details were sketchy and he didn't want to hand over the property to complete strangers.

"Baron?" asked Martin, waiting for an answer. "Are you-"

"I'm not going," cut in Kyle, waving his hand. "I have a headache, and I've met the girl, she's got the personality of a dead fish."

Martin hid a laugh behind his hand and nodded, leaving the room. "As you wish, Baron Kyle. I shall tell Sir Gordon's messenger that you are sick."

"Thank you, Martin." Kyle leaned back in his chair, wondering what he was going to do next. His options: stay here and continue to be bombarded by requests, or go to the palace and be of service to the King for awhile. For once hearing the King lecture about getting married and having an heir opposed to staying here didn't sound so bad...

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Vixen walked into Mouse and Allie's room, seeing them set up a dummy she had created awhile back to teach the young one's to pickpocket. "What are you doing?" she asked, scratching her head, "There's not much that it can be used for..."

"We're teaching Karalee some thieving skills," explained Allie as she would to a young child, rolling her eyes. "Since we are related to the Queen of this organization called the Rouge."

"Yeah, have you heard of it?" asked Mouse sweetly. "It's a band of organized thieves, you know."

"Shut up," growled Vixen, taking a seat near the window.

"What's she mad about?" whispered Kara to Mouse, watching as she put bells all over the dummy.

"Nothing, dear."

"Oh, ok. Then why's her face turning a funny shade of red and purple?"

"I don't know, why don't you go ask her?" Mouse smiled slyly as she said this, putting some jewelry, a gold dagger, and some coins on the dummy.

"Ok." Kara skipped on over to Vixen, saying, "Aunt Vixie, why is you face such a funny color?" Her eyes got all huge and puppy dog like, so soft and sweet they could melt a block of ice with ease. "Please tell me, I just want to know."

"Don't worry about," sighed Vixen, relaxing back into her normal skin color. "Stop the puppy eyes, now."

Kara smiled, giving Vixen a hug. "Yes, Aunt Vixie."

"Come over here, Karalee," said Allie, doing some final checks on the dummy.

"Yes, Auntie Allie?"

Allie sighed at the girl's name for her, but merely replied, "I want you to take everything of value off the dummy without making any of the bells or noisemakers ring."

"Huh?" A look of confusion spread across the girl's face, making her look like a puppy with her head cocked to the side.

"Like this," said Allie, removing the bracelet from the dummy with disturbing a single bell. "See? If you don't make the bells ring, it means the person probably wouldn't notice it if it were real."

"Oh! Ok." Karalee went up the dummy, looking at it for a second. "Which one should I take off first?"

"Which ever one you want, dear," said Mouse, sitting in a chair to watch. "Just take your time, ok?"

"Yes, Momma Mouse." Kara chose the watch and slipped it out of its pocket, quickly unclipping the chair with light fingers. She then lifted the coins from the pouch and the dagger from its sheath, still no bells ringing. The necklace was higher up than she was and she got up on her tip toes to reach it from the back. Her fingers undid the clasp, and she almost had it off in her hands when it slipped and fell down the front, setting off several of the bells.

"Oops," said Kara, hanging her head. "I guess I'm not the good at it after all."

"Are you kidding me?" snorted Allie. "That was better than most folks do on their first time who are older than you are. Your hands are so small and dainty that it's easy to slip them into pouches and pockets."

"But I missed the necklace..."

"So?" asked Mouse, "Personal jewelry is harder than pouches of coins or even watches and chains. They're too high up for you to reach, really, and most people can tell when their necklace is moving. It takes a very skilled person indeed to pull that one off."

"I've done it," bragged Vixen, a cocky smile on her face. "Many times."

"Yeah," muttered Allie. "Off of half drunk nobles who find themselves pulled in here."

"What was that?" demanded Vixen, looking around the room.

Allie and Mouse looked at each other before looking at Vixen, complete innocence covering their faces. "Nothing..."

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Sarah sat down to breakfast, that weeks mail that she had picked up the day before in her hand. There was something from the O'Malley's saying that their daughter deserved a higher pay since she lived there and did more work. Sarah figured that any extra work the girl did was to pay off her board and meals so she tossed it in the fire. Then there was a note from the McAlester family saying their son deserved more pay because he did as much work as the other one and didn't live there. Sarah tossed that one too, knowing they were just pleas for money.

She picked up the last letter, noting the address. "John!" she called over her shoulder. "We've got a letter from our Rogue friends."

"You have friends in the Rogue?" asked Julia, eyes getting huge. "Aren't they thieves..."

"Yeah," replied Sarah with a shrug, "But they're nice ones. Just don't say anything about it, ok?"

"Yes ma'am."

"What do they want?" asked John, walking in the room. "To send some more to come and live with us awhile?"

"I don't know, I haven't read it yet-"

"Then hurry up and read it!"

"Fine, fine, ok. Just chill, John."

"Sorry..."

"Anyways:

Sarah and Hewitt,

How's it going? Not a whole lot's happening here right now, just the usual this and that. You know, a job here, lifting this or that, nothing too special. Anyways, we do have some interesting news. Mouse and Allie found this kid that some noble wants dead and turns out her mother was one of my thieves. They get to raise her now, until we decide what to do with her, and it's really funny to watch them. Mouse is, of course, the responsible one who tries to teach her some morals in between all of the thieving activities, and Allie's trying to turn her into a mini copy of her. Scary, right? Let me know how things are with you guys, and come visit us next time you're in town.

See ya,

Vixen, Mouse, and Allie

"Allie is helping raise a kid?" said John incredulously. "I'm definitely scared now beyond all imaginable reasoning. That's like putting me in charge of something. It's just not good idea."

"Yeah, but she's got Mouse and Vixen to help her," Sarah reminded him.

"Oh, that just makes all the difference, doesn't it?" asked John sarcastically. "I know of only a few people their age I would trust with little kids, and they are not among those few at all."

Julia eyed them nervously as Sarah laughed and got out some paper to write a reply.

"Right...."

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Lyssa watched as a messenger road through the gates, stopping and dismounting before her. She motioned for one of her men to bring him a drink and waited for him to gulp it down, he would talk when he was ready.

"What's this?" she asked when he handed her a sealed envelope with Commander Buri's and the Queen's seal on it.

"A message from Chief Commander Buri, ma'am!" said the man, saluting her smartly. "What reply shall I give to the Commander?"

"Hang on and let me read it," she replied, her breath forming clouds in the cold air. "Eric! Bring this guy some hot cider, will you?" She broke the seals and scanned the letter with ease, a small smirk playing on her lips. "Tell the Commander that I'll do my best not to have anymore problems, but as for the other party they'll have to speak for themselves."

"Yes, ma'am," said the messenger, swinging up in to the saddle. "Is there anything else you'd like me to relay to the Commander?"

"Yeah," said Lyssa, leaning against a post in the ground. "If they do not stop annoying me there will be pain. He will be ground into the dust, regardless of rules or regulations."

"Yes, ma'am." He galloped out the gate, Eric crunching up behind her in the snow.

"What was that all about?" he asked, pointing at the letter. "I know you're not that happy about something, your eye is twitching again."

"Commander Buri told me to lay off of the stuff with the General," said Lyssa lightly, handing him the letter. "Apparently he's been sending her regular complaints about our 'inappropriate behavior' around him. Of course, neither of us has complained to her about his actions because we just suck it up and bear it."

"So, what's gonna happen?" asked Eric, throwing the note and the envelope in the fire.

"Sine we don't complain, all she can assume is that it's our fault and that I'll be replaced if something isn't done about it." Lyssa shrugged, heading back to her rooms. "All I know is that next time he does something I'm reporting him without a second thought. If he wants to fight dirty, well, more than one person can play at that game."

"And you don't give up that easily, do you?" asked Eric, stopping at her door.

"Never."

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Elizabeth walked down the halls of the large fief, heading in the opposite direction of her usual paths. She peaked in a large room, making sure Levi was still busy with the tasks she had given to him an hour ago. He checked every piece of equipment in the first of the three armories, cleaning those that needed it and sending certain ones to be fixed or checked by the smithies below. Less than halfway through, Elizabeth estimated she had an hour or so left.

Perfect. Heading back the opposite way, she hurried into Amanda's study and shut the door quickly, no one would bother them without knocking. Alyse sat by the fireplace, reading another book from the library, but she wouldn't interfere with her plans and might even help in them, Elizabeth concluded. Now all she had to do was be rapidly point blank with her sister, something she could do very well.

"Amanda?" she asked, seeing her looking out the window with an odd look on her face. "Can I ask you something?"

Amanda stayed facing the window, shrugging her shoulders. "Sure."

"Do you approve of relationships outside of you status?"

"Hm, I really don't care. Why?" She looked at her sister, suspicion in her eyes. "Who do you like now?"

"No, it's not for me," explained Elizabeth. "But if you don't care about status, then you wouldn't find anything wrong with, say, a Lady and her servant getting together, would you?"

"I guess not," replied Amanda, obviously thinking about something else. "Why?"

"Are you in love with Levi?" Elizabeth kept her face straight as Amanda spun around, her face, an odd mixture of disbelief and confusion.

"....say what?"

Elizabeth allowed herself an evil smile. "You heard me, sis, are you or are you not?"

"Uh...no. Why would you ask me such a thing?" Amanda was completely focused on what her sister was saying now, putting things together quickly. "No, Elizabeth, I am not-"

"I know you're not right now," said Elizabeth, rolling her eyes. "But you do like Levi, right?"

"Of course I like him as a friend," replied Amanda, going over to her desk. "We're good friends, in fact."

"Just good friends?" asked Elizabeth evilly.

"Just good friends," replied Amanda, glaring at her.

"What about friends with benefits?"

"No."

"You said you didn't mind losing to him," pointed out Elizabeth. "You spend more time with him than me some days. He's always the one who helps you with the work or goes riding with you..."

"Is this a plea for attention?" cut in Amanda, putting a hand on Elizabeth's shoulders. "You know I'm not ignoring you, if that's what you're getting at. And have you been spying on me?"

"She has," said Alyse from her spot on the couch, hiding her smile.

"Liz..."

"Will you stop trying to change the subject?" retorted Elizabeth, pushing her hand away. "I'm asking you a question here."

"And I answered it," replied Amanda. "Anything else for you before I go get back to work?"

"You said you didn't disapprove of relationships out of status," said Elizabeth. "You should try for it."

"For what?"

"For him."

"Elizabeth, his father is trying to set him up with someone else," said Amanda slowly, making sure Elizabeth heard every word. "He is resisting, but I will not interfere with that."

Elizabeth had heard that argument before. She smiled. "Then you do like him, don't you?"

Amanda immediately backpedaled. "That's not what I said-"

"But you hinted it! You hinted it!" Elizabeth leaned forward, knowing she had her cornered. "Why do you care so much if he's engaged or not? How do you know all this stuff period?" She saw Amanda trying to make an escape for the door and trapped her feet with her gift, leaving them stuck to the floor.

"Wha- Elizabeth! Let me go now!"

"Not until you admit to it. I know you do, I know you to well for you to lie your way out of this one, Amanda."

Amanda just glared back, concentrating her gift on getting herself free.

*knock**knock* Elizabeth released Amanda, sending her falling to the floor. "Come in," she called, frustration obvious in her voice.

"Hey," said Levi, opening the door quickly. "I-" He stopped when he saw Alyse sitting there trying to not laugh, Elizabeth giving Amanda the oddest look, and Amanda sitting on the floor near his feet with her back to him.

"What are you staring at?" Amanda snapped when she turned around to see whom it was. She rose to her feet, ignoring her sister and cousins snickers as she did. "I'm out of here." Pushing past Levi, she disappeared into her room and slammed the door.

"What was that all about?" he asked, looking back at Elizabeth and Alyse.

Elizabeth smiled sweetly. "Oh, nothing..."

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Levi had left soon after and Elizabeth had gone off in search of some other poor soul to torture. Alyse set down her book and looked into the fire as she thought about the last few minute's events quietly.

She agreed with Alyse, Amanda wasn't telling the truth. She thought back to that night she had heard Grandfather and Levi talking loudly, thinking there was no one else to hear them as they debated Levi's future...

***flash back***

"Son! You have to get married some day, without a son or a daughter to carry on tradition, you'll be forced to choose a nephew or niece to take your place. That's not an easy decision to make, trust me."

"What would you have me do?" asked Levi in disgust, shaking his head. "Marry the first pretty face that'll have me in the street? I want to wait until I find the perfect person, father. I know others have their parents arrange marriages for them, and everything eventually turns out alright, but I would rather marry someone I love."

"Levi, I'm not that young anymore," sighed Grandfather. "I don't have much longer, you and I both know it."

"Don't say that dad! You'll be fine, you always are."

"A man knows when his time is, son. My is soon. I want you to be settled down before I go." Grandfather had paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. "Is there no one, son. No one who has caught your eye or your heart?"

"Well, there is..."

"Who? Who is it, son?"

Levi waited for a second, trying to find the right words. "I...I can't really tell you, father..."

"Why not?" Grandfather's voice had a ring of hope. "Does she know of your feelings?"

"I think so....I'm not sure though. I'm never able to bring it up around her."

" Too shy?"

"....I guess."

"And you won't tell me who?"

"I will if I ever get a positive answer out of her," replied Levi, "All I'm doing now is waiting."

"Then, son, wait until your heart's content."

***end flashback***

Everything made sense now, or at least better sense than it had before. Alyse smiled evilly, now all they had to do was get the two together...

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Artman stood inside the small message room, waiting for the mage to finish the note the King was sending him. "What does he want?" he asked the moment the mage opened his eyes, waiting impatiently for his answer.

"The King wishes for you and the female Brazir mage to go and meet the Third Company at this spot to help them set up their fort," said the mage, handing Artman a scrap of paper with some scrawled directions and a map on it. "Is there anything you wish to say to the King?"

"No, sir. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Artman hurried out the door to bump into Libby, who was pacing impatiently.

"That took long enough," she muttered. "What does he want this time?"

"We're to go meet Raoul, Kel, and their crew at this spot," said Artman, giving her the scrap of paper.

"Oh! We'll get to see Dom again," said Libby, getting all starry eyed. "He is so cute sometimes..."

"Stop day dreaming and come on," said Artman, pulling her down the road to where their horses were waiting. "We have to go, remember."

"Oh yeah...Dom....cute..." Pinky popped her head out of the bag and watched as they went down the road. "Dom...very cute..."

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Jennifer shifted nervously behind Stephanie as she knocked on the double doors at the end of the hallway again, having been called there for some reason. "Relax," whispered Stephanie, smiling at her. "He probably just wants to tell us its about time to leave for the summer months."

Jennifer rolled her eyes. "Sure it is..."

"Come in," said the reedy voice once more, and there was the man in the corner again just like he had never moved at all. "There you are Stephanie, Jen, I have a question for you."

"Yes, sir?" said Stephanie, bowing low.

"How would you like to take on another herd?"

"But, sir, I can't manage another on my own."

"That's why we're going to hire someone else to help you, fulltime for the summer and next winter if we can."

"Who?"

"You're friend, Jen. How would you like that, Jen? To work full time? Your herd would be of some goats I was just given as a present from a friend. What do you say, would you accept the job?"

Jennifer just nodded, smiling at Stephanie. "Sh- he accepts, sir," said Stephanie, bowing low. "When will his pay begin?"

"Right now, with a bonus for his hard work this winter," said the old knight, throwing her a purse of coins. "Thank you, ladies, you may leave now."

"Thank you sir," said Stephanie, bowing again. Jennifer bowed as well, and walked out of the room after her. Stephanie waited until the door was shut before looking at the coins and shouting, "YES!!"

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Kyle got up early one morning, wondering why his body was telling him to get up and get dressed. He didn't have any meetings, it was Friday so he didn't have to go do the inspection thingy of the fief. Visitors never came until after lunch...

Then it hit him. He got up out of bed as quickly as possible and began to dress himself, putting his head in the basin used to wash his face in the morning. Grabbing his riding boots and cloak, for in March it was still a bit chilly, and headed for the door, dropping by the kitchen for a meal on the go before heading for the court yard, he was one his way to Corus.

He knew what his duty was, to find a wife and marry her and have an heir, but he didn't really feel like it right now. Maybe traveling about the country side when he felt like it and going and visiting what few friends he had would help. He could always go and drop in on Danielle and Derick, who he had been staying in touch with. They had the new baby, and seeing the new tyke would be something to do away from the palace.

Sure, he would have to do what the King asked him to when he was at the palace, and would have to spend time with ladies who were annoying and full of themselves, but it sure beat hanging around here. Besides, he could always take long fishing and hunting trips and there were the taverns were he could hand out in Corus.

Getting married may've been the last thing the Baron had asked him to do, but it didn't mean that he didn't have to take his time about it.

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Vixen and Joe walked down the road arm in arm, Vixen wearing the dress she had 'arrived' in and Joe dressed in a nice tunic and pants she had gotten him awhile back. It was their day on the town. Allie had teased her nonstop until the couple had left that it was their first date, and Vixen had just about used the hide-knife she was carrying on her dear sister.

"So, where shall we go?" asked Joe as they wandered through the crowds. "There's the main shopping district, which has a weapons area, and then there's the side shops where are the restaurants are, and Madame Cooper's shop..."

"Joe?" interrupted Vixen, giving him an odd look.

"Yeah, Vixie?"

"How about you just surprise me and not tell me where we're going until we get there?"

His eyes suddenly lit up with an idea. "Ok!"

"Wait a sec," she said, stopping in the middle of the street. "What did that little light bulb mean?"

"What's a light bulb?" asked Joe, suddenly getting confused.

Vixen sighed. "Why did your eyes light up like that?"

"Oh, I can't tell you that. Then it'd ruin the surprise," replied Joe, taking her arm and leading her down the street. "Trust me, you're going to love this place."

Vixen shrugged, still not convinced. "If you're sure."

"I am."

They continued down the roads, taking some short cuts through this alley or that walk way until they ended up before this shop with its window shuttered and a lone dragon on the sign. "Is it open?" asked Vixen, studying the sign.

Joe glanced at the window. "Yep, lets go in." He pushed open the door, letting it swing creakily on its hinges to show her what was behind it. The shop was a small, dark, and entirely decorated with dragons. There were paintings of dragons, sculptures of dragons, dragon jewelry and dragon weapons.

Vixen's eyes were as huge as baseballs as she took everything in. "Is this where you bought those-"

"Yep."

"And the-"

"Yep."

"What about the-"

"Probably."

"Wow."

She could not believe it. She simply could not believe it. This was a dragon lovers paradise, it really was. Everything was so life like and real that you thought it was going to leap from its perch or picture any second. She picked up a candle holder and studied it in silent awe, this was truly a piece of art.

"Do you like it?" he asked, a note of hope in his voice.

"I love it."

"Great."

"Who's out there?" asked a rough voice from the back.

"It's just me, Onyx."

"And who's 'me'?" asked the rough voice again, a tall man with long hair and dark skin coming out a door behind the counter. "Oh, it's you Joe. Need something else for that girl you're trying to impress."

"That would be difficult considering the girl is standing right here," said Vixen over her shoulder from a corner of the shop, intently studying some rings. "How much for these?"

"Two noble apiece," Onyx said to her, turning to Joe he added in a lower voice, "You're right, she was worth it."

"I'll take these two," said Vixen, bringing two rings that were shaped like dragons to the counter. One had red eyes and scales and the other blue. She figured since Mouse and Allie didn't have anything like this yet, she would get it for them since she was here now and had the means of paying for it. "Thanks."

"No problem, little lady," said the man, taking coins from her. "It's always a pleasure to meet one of Joe's friends."

"The names Vixen," she replied, glaring at him slightly. "Use it." What really bugged her was when he just laughed and Joe dragged her from the shop as quickly as he could. "Does he know who I am?" she growled, letting him lead her down the street.

"No, because then he'd never let you anywhere near his store," replied Joe. "Onyx doesn't trust thieves, for good reasons too. As long as we don't steal from him, he doesn't have to know the whole truth, right?"

"Fine..."

He started walking down the street again, leading her through the crowds to goodness knows where, and picking up some extra cash here and there along the way. "It's a good day to be a thief," observed Vixen as she passed him another noble's purse.

"And a bad day to not," added Joe, stowing it away with a shake of his head. "Oh, here we are." He led the way through a small alley, stopping by an oriental door and knocking three times.

"Who's there?"

"Joe the fencer."

"Well, what are you waiting for? An invitation? Get in here boy!!" Joe smiled and opened the door, leading her through the back door of a busy Yamani's restaurant she had seen from street.

"Hey Yoshi!" he said shaking a small, bent over man's hand. "A table for two in your best area, if you would."

"Just because you haven't showed for so long and are always asking for something when you do, I aught to not do it at all," said the man teasingly. "But since you are an old friend of the family..."

"Grandpa! Stop yakking his ear off and get him to a table," came a sharp command from where all the delicious smells were coming from.

"Aunt Zoe! Can you get yourself out of that steam hole long enough to come meet someone?" called Joe through the door, a smile on his face.

"No, dear, things are hopping like crazy around here. I'll come and visit you later, ok? Grandpa will tell me where he seats you."

"Ok." They followed the wizened old man out to the tables, getting one in a back corner that let them observe everything around them and not be seen very well.

"How do you know these people?" asked Vixen, finding out there was so much about Joe that she didn't know.

"Well, George wasn't originally going to have me join the Rogue, he said there was too much upper class in me for that. So, he sent me to work here and let me sleep in one of the thieves' rooms on the floor. I started working here when I was 7, having been friends with a boy who was their son and got me hooked up, and quit when I was 12 and George figured that I wasn't ever going to return to society and a law-abiding citizen, I had to much thief in me by then."

"Whoa."

"Yeah."

"Hey sweetie, the usual?" said an older lady, giving them a warm smile.

"Yeah, thanks." Joe leaned back in his chair, putting an arm around Vixen. "So, what do you think?"

"It reminds of a place I ate at back home," she replied, giving him a look so he would know what she meant. "But that one was Japanese, not Yamanis."

"Maybe Yamanis is my world's version of Japanese," said Joe in a lower voice so no one but Vixen heard him. The lady appeared moments later, a huge tray in her hands that she set before them.

"Enjoy."

"Thank you."

"You're quite welcome, sweetie." The lady winked at Vixen and disappeared around the corner.

Vixen was in heaven. There was sushi and meecrob and Chinese dishes like lomaine and fried rice and a bowl of egg drop soup and little egg rolls....the list went on and on.

"You like?" asked Joe, picking up a pair of chopsticks.

"Yep." They dug in with a will, quickly polishing everything off between the two thieves. It was indeed the perfect first date.

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

Sarah worked outside with Julia and Roan, working quickly to repair the fence so that the horses could be let back out into the fields once more. They looked up to the clattering of hooves, seeing both Julia's and Roan's families come riding up the lane.

"Quick," she said to Julia, pushing her into the tall grasses where she couldn't be seen . "Get to the barn without them seeing you, that way I don't get yelled at."

The families, which had been coming from different directions, shouted insults at each other as soon as they were within range.

"Is the reason you're so ugly is because you're mum loved to do something with dogs?"

"And your dam with a rat if she did!"

"Are you saying my mother is a rodent?"

"You said it, not me."

"Imbecile!"

"Moron!"

"Thieving Merchants!"

"Soft, no good nobles!"

"You cheat people through high, unfair prices!"

"That's better than cheating through heavy taxes! At least they get something in return!!"

"You're drunkards and lazy folks with nothing to do but take what isn't yours!"

"Better than low-life people who think they're better than everybody else just because of their birth."

"Cowards!"

"Yellow bellied chickens!!"

"ENOUGH!!!" bellowed John from the door. Silence reigned, the only sound coming from the horses. "I don't care what you're doing or how high and mighty you both are, this is my land and you'll stop this while you're on it! Now, is that clear or do I have to have you all arrested for trespassing?"

"Yes, sir."

"Aye, sir."

"Good. Now, what do you want? You first, Sir McAlester."

"Thank you, John. It isn't proper for our son to be working with a Merchant girl. We ask that you fire her at once or send her elsewhere."

"Is there any other reason than the fact that she's a Merchant?"

"No, sir."

"Request denied. She works as hard as your son and lives here right now, I will not send her away just because you want me to."

"But John-"

"No buts, Sir McAlester. She stays here, working with your son until I'm given a good reason to get rid of her."

"Fine..."

"Now you're turn, Mr. O'Malley."

"My granddaughter doesn't need to be working with no dirty noble's son, he'll try something on her, I know he will!"

"Pa's right," added Julia's father, "My daughter needs to be kept away from a dirty boy like that! Who knows how many hearts he's broken!"

"Are you saying my sons a cheat?"

"He learned from the best."

"Why you-!" Both sides had their swords and daggers out in a heartbeat, and the whole think would've exploded if not for the fact that John took out a crossbow and pointed it at them.

"All of you leave now! If you want to fight, do it on your own land on your own time, now go!" Both sides glared at him, making like they were going to ignore him. He shot an arrow between the two, eyes flashing with anger. "Now." And for once, both sides obeyed.

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

Lyssa and Eric were eating dinner when the mail arrived, one of the runners bringing her a stack of letters. "Who sent you stuff?" asked Eric, watching her shuffle through it.

"Orders, General, a note from Alyse, orders, etc....oh, here's one from Dani."

"Read it, I want to know how things are going with the new baby." He leaned over her shoulder as she broke the seal and scanned what the letter said:

Dear Lyssa,

I'll drop the Commander part since you told me to last time. How are you and Eric? Derick, the new baby and I are all fine. It's a she (I have a little baby girl!) and we named her Ivalynne after some Commander's mother, I wonder who that is? We're going to call her Ivy for short, and she's absolutely adorable. You have to come visit her next time you're given leave to come visit the palace.

Things around the fief are busy, very soon we'll have to get ready for the Spring planting, and Derick has been given completely control over the harvest of the fields and gardens this year. His father says its good practice and leaves him more time to be with his grandchild. It's his first one too, none of Derick's younger siblings are married yet, and one or two are still trying to earn their shields.

There's nothing much else to say, so I'll wait your reply and hope you're both still safe.

Love,

Lady Danielle

"Does that satisfy your curiosity?" asked Lyssa teasingly when he had finished reading over her shoulder, leaving her in peace.

"Yep, thank you!" He took his empty tray and headed back to the washers.

"You're welcome," muttered Lyssa, putting the letter and the rest of the mail in her pocket. "I think."

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

Amanda walked out of her room, hurrying down the halls as she put on thick leather gloves and apron. She was late for helping the blacksmiths again, and this time it was just because she'd forgotten about it as well. They were teaching her to forge and repair weapons and armor, things they would need in the months to come as more reports of Scanran activity came in.

Elizabeth and Alyse caught her as she came out of her room, attaching themselves to either side of her. "Where are you going?" asked Elizabeth, her voice entirely innocent.

"To forge like always," replied Amanda, her mind somewhere else.

"Doesn't Levi work there too?" asked Alyse innocently.

"Yes, he does," replied Amanda shortly, seeing what was coming this time. "Don't you two have something better to do with your time than to bug me?"

Elizabeth smiled evilly. "Nope, this is a very constructive thing to do with our time. Why won't you go out with him?"

"Elizabeth, we've already been through this..."

"You never gave her any straight answers," Alyse pointed out, a small smile on her face. "Maybe that would help her understand."

"Straight answers aren't in her vocabulary," said Elizabeth. "Now, I talked to Grandfather and he says he doesn't know whom it is Levi likes. He won't tell his own father, so how do you know that its not you?"

"She doesn't," put in Alyse as Amanda started to open her mouth. "She just won't admit it."

"I refuse to possibly put any relationship he has in jeopardy regardless of my personal feelings," replied Amanda as she spotted the forge door up ahead. She slapped her hand over her mouth when she realized what she had said and quickly ducked in the back door of the forge, leaving the other two behind.

"We got her to admit it," gloated Elizabeth happily as she and Alyse went back down the hall. "Stage one complete. Now all we have to do is talk to Levi..."

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

Alyse bundled up in a thick cloak over a couple layers of clothes and went outside, taking Ronnie with her. He had stayed small enough to fit in her lap and be carried around in her arms, but she could no longer walk with him on her shoulder and standing up he was as tall as her knee. His golden fur gleamed in the sunlight as she opened the door, letting him out ahead of her.

There was still a good foot or so of snow on the ground, but it was melting fast and they weren't supposed to get anymore that year. Ronnie romped and played as Alyse walked along slowly, admiring the beauty of the landscape, and throwing a snowball for Ronnie every now and then.

Her boots, which went up to her knees, kept her legs dry and warm as she waded through some deeper pockets of snow, scooping up some here and there. Ronnie raced by her feet and she tossed it up in the air, watching as he caught it in his mouth, only to have it fall to pieces. The cold didn't seem to bother him at all.

"Who's a good boy, huh?" she asked as she scratched him behind the ears. "You are, yes you are, you good boy you..." She lead him back inside and dried him off, letting him run free through the halls as soon as she was done. She didn't know what she would do without her dog.

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

Artman and Libby road up to the exact spot the scrap of paper had marked, seeing several King's Own and about five Rider Groups scurrying around to set up the fort that would protect them. "Hey, Raoul, Kel," said Artman, swinging down from the saddle of his horse.

Libby rode up beside him and took his reigns, getting off of her horse too. She road side saddle and it was a bit harder to get down. "Hi Raoul and Kel!"

"Hello again, Brazirian Mages," said Raoul teasingly. "You're two days late, you know."

"Yeah, sorry," said Libby, making a face. "We had some problems along the way, some folks needed us for this or that..."

"That's alright," said Raoul, shrugging his shoulders. "But we need to get this fort put up before the Scanrans decide to come raiding."

"Good point." They spent the rest of the day working, Libby helping with the planning stages and healing those who hurt themselves, and Artman blasting down trees and helping to build the fort walls themselves.

It was dinner time by the time Libby got a chance to talk with the two again as she sat down next to them with her plat of food and some fresh vegetables.

"What are those for?" asked Kel, pointing to the veggies.

"My bunnies."

"You have bunnies??"

"Yep." Libby opened her bag and out popped Pinky, Pinky jr., Dusty, Rose, and Iforget (yep, she still hadn't come up with a name for him). "These are my bunnies." Seeing Rose's swollen belly, she added, "And I think they're about to multiply again."

"Joy," muttered Artman, sitting next to her. "That's exactly what we need, more bunnies."

"Think about it this way," said Raoul with a grin, "You get to be a father without having the kids."

Artman rolled his eyes. "I'd rather not."

"Aw, aren't they so cute," purred Libby, completely absorbed in her little furry friends. "Rose-chan will be having little bunnies, and there'll be little bunnies around to play with again! They'll be so adorable and sweet..."

Kel and Raoul sweated as Libby continued with her daydream, cooing over her fuzzy friends. "Right..."

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

Jennifer trotted after Stephanie to the barn, eager to see the new herd that was to be given to her. A pen had been set up next to the area that held Stephanie's sheep, filled with braying goats. There were three young males, and an older one who looked like the boss, several females and one head female that was huge and bossy. Not even the head male dared to stand up to her as she went around the pen, doing this or that.

"Hey, there," said Jennifer, filling her hand with grain and holding it out to the head female goat. "How are you?" The goat ate from her hand, immediately calm and settled down.

"She likes you," said Stephanie, scratching the goat behind the ears. "The last herd master who had her called her 'Lady', and the head male was called 'Duke'. I'm not sure what the others were called...."

"The three males are Mo, Curly, and Larry, and the nine other females are Umi, Fuu, Hikaru, Akane, Tira, Chocolate, Presea, Calindina and Emmeraude," said an accented voice behind them. A woman in her fifties or sixties came and stood next to them, her uniform showing she was from another fief. Her skin was darker than most, and her hair was solid black despite her years.

"Hey, Kasumi, coming to say good bye to your herd?" said Stephanie, shaking hands with the other woman.

"Yeah. Is this the fellow that's taking over my spot?"

"Yeah, this is my helper, Jen. Jen, this is Kasumi, a Yamanis who came here several years ago and has worked with these goats for, what, 20? 30 years?"

"27."

"Impressive," admitted Jennifer, keeping her voice a note lower than usual. "Why are you quitting now??"

"Retirement. I'm getting too old to be doing this anymore, and these guys and gals need someone more spirited than I to watch them."

"Oh, ok."

"Where are you going to stay now?" asked Stephanie. "Surely you haven't made enough to live off of forever..."

"The boss guy is giving me another job of watching his barnyard animals that don't roam around in the summer. So the pigs and the chickens and the geese, you get the idea."

"Yeah, we do."

"Well, young ones, take good care of my old herd and I'll be seeing you later," said Kasumi, heading out the door into the cold.

"Bye."

"Yeah, thanks for your help."

"You're quite welcome."

"Now," said Jennifer, facing back towards the herd. "What were their names again?"

Stephanie shrugged. "Like heck if I know."

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

Kyle looked around his room as the palace, sighing as he got to work unpacking his things. Hopefully it would be a long time before he had to pack up his things and go, he hadn't stayed in one spot for more than a month at this point, and was actually getting tired of traveling.

Someone knocked on his door, interrupting his train of thoughts. "Come in," called Kyle, shaking the wrinkles out of a tunic.

The King and the Queen walked in, both wearing very casual clothes and concern covering their features. "Baron Kyle," said the King, bowing slightly.

"Your majesty," said Kyle in surprise, quickly bowing. "Your Highness. I was not expecting to see you until later tonight."

"That's alright, Baron Kyle," said the King, waving for him to have a seat. "We need to talk about some things. How have you been since your father's death?"

"A bit sad and lonely for awhile, but I was able to keep things under control," admitted Kyle, shrugging his shoulders. "People keep bugging me, but I'll be alright."

"Good to hear that," said the Queen, focusing her clear eyes on him. "But what about the promise you made to your father when he died? I already asked Martin about it, and he said that you did."

"What about it?" asked Kyle, getting up and turning back to his work.

"Are you going to keep it or not?"

"Am I going to get married and have an heir? Yes, if I keep the fief, I will eventually."

"What do you mean 'if you keep the fief'?" asked the King, leaning forward suspiciously. "You aren't thinking of giving it away, are you?"

"No," said Kyle, shaking his head. "It's just that, well, I have a feeling my past may catch up to me real soon..."

"Your past?" asked the Queen looking puzzled. "You mean like your old family and friends?"

"Yeah. Sort of."

"Don't worry about them," said the Queen. "Now, do you have an particular young ladies in mind?"

"Not really," replied Kyle. "I've met one who can think for herself and she's out of the question."

"Let me guess," groaned the King. "The renegade Lady Amanda."

"Yep. I heard her sister is interested in me, though..."

"Lady Elizabeth? She's a very sweet girl," said the Queen carefully. "You should try to meet her."

"I might," admitted Kyle, shrugging again."

"Snap out of it, Kyle," said the King, shaking his head. "You're acting more like it's your doomsday we're talking than your wedding. Your future."

"Sorry," muttered Kyle. "It's not something I can really get excited about."

"You should try," said the Queen, "You could find the perfect woman, fall in love, raise a family..." Seeing Kyle roll his eyes, she added, "It really does happen, you know."

"What ever you say, your majesty," muttered Kyle, thankful as they walked out his door. "Sure it does.."

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

Allie rode into the small town that surrounded the fief, her mare shaking her mane irritatedly. It had been steadily drizzling since mid-morning, and it had been pouring the day before. She had been traveling for three days now, and hadn't had a dry ride since she left Corus.

She stopped before an Inn and flipped a coin to the stable boy, giving him the usual threats to make sure he took care of her mount. Walking in the front door, the buzz in the room died down for a second as everyone looked her over, then turned back to their normal business.

"I know they say April showers bring May flowers, but why the heck is it raining in March," she growled as she lifted off her hood and took a seat at the bar. Her cloak was completely soaked, and her clothes were damp as well.

"What can I get you?" asked the barkeeper, giving her a wary look.

"I don't care as long as it's hot," replied Allie, starting to shiver.

"Come have a place here by the fire," invited a group of men and women who figured she was harmless enough. "It's warmer here than it is there."

"Thanks," said Allie, getting up to join them. The barkeeper came over and gave her a mug of hot coffee and bowl of soup, saying it was on the house. "Maybe you all can help me," she said after she had answered their questions of where she was from and why she was here. "I need some information on the head of the fief here."

"Shoot," said one of the men. "I'm the head servant of the fief, I know everything that happens, and if it weren't for the pay I would've quit a long time ago."

"It's a lady who's in charge now, right?"

"Yeah."

"How'd she get that position? Is she the daughter of the last guy or something?"

"No, she's the sister of the last guy. He died sometime ago of a sickness, and his wife and daughter disappeared recently. She took over the whole place, said she had inherited it from the dead family members, and if the wife and kid are dead than she did it. The only problem is no one ever saw any bodies..."

"Then they think that the two of them are being held somewhere in the fief?" Allie leaned forward, getting fairly interested here.

"No, someone proposed this and she paid to have a truth mage come and test her. She checked out alright, as far as not knowing where the wife and kid were, what had happened to them, and such. But still, she could have paid for them to be hunted down and killed, I wouldn't put it past her. She loves only herself and money, and will do what she can to preserve both."

"Does anybody know what the wife and girl looked like?" asked Allie, hoping the descriptions would match up. "Just out of curiosity, you know."

"I did," said an older boy with curly hair. "My sister, she was her nurse and a good friend of the wife. The kid was a girl of about six or seven, all bouncy and full of energy with light brown hair and a smile that rarely left her face. The mother had light brown hair like her, long and straight. Both had fair skin and blue eyes, though they'd look green sometimes depending on the light."

"Do you have names to go with these descriptions?"

"Yeah, Yanalee and Karalee."

"I see," Allie rose from her spot, taking the empty dish and mug over to the counter. "Thank you, sir, do you have a room for the night?"

"Aye, down that hallway over there. Last door on your left."

"Thanks," said Allie, going back over to the group. "Thanks for the help. I just have one more favor to ask." She pulled out a heavy bag of coins, letting in jingle in her hands. "Can one of you get me into the fief tomorrow? I just want to do some looking around."

"I will," said the same boy who had given her the names and descriptions.

"Good." Allie dropped the pouch on the table. "For your cooperation and silence, good friends." She went to the room given to her and locked the door, getting ready for bed. This whole thing may not be as hard as she thought.

**the next afternoon**

Allie drifted along in the shadows of the walls, her cloak almost making her invisible. The boy had let her in that morning as promised, even giving her a copy of his keys plus a few more. He had something against the Lady, she knew that, she just didn't know what. Maybe she would be able to figure it out later and use it to her advantage..

She had roamed all over that place, hiding when others came past and often times doubling over her own trail. Right now she was exploring the lower levels, her next stop should be near the dungeons if this place had any to speak off. Seeing a door to her left with iron bars across it and a hall behind it, she opened it quickly with one of the keys and went down its length, noting the several stalls it held.

One near the end, a hand poked through the bars, its pale flesh making Allie's skin crawl. She crept up closer, almost jumping out of her skin when the hand moved and retracted back into the stall.

"Who's there?" asked a thin voice, weak with hunger and thirst.

"A friend," replied Allie, coming around so the person behind the bars could see her. "Please, stay quiet. If I'm caught, we're both dead."

"Of course," whispered the faint voice, barely audible in the silence. "Did Yanalee send you? I knew she wouldn't forget me..."

"Yanalee is dead," said Allie softly. "But I know where Karalee is, she is safe. Are you her old nurse?"

"Yes, how did you...?"

"Your brother, he's the one who let me in here."

"He doesn't know where I am."

"I will tell him. What do you know of this lady's plot? Why are you behind bars?"

"She killed him with a poison, one that took forever to work and left no traces of itself behind."

"Who? The guy who was in charge before?"

"Aye, her brother. She then tried to kill Yanalee and her daughter the same way, but I overheard her plan and helped them escape."

"But they caught you?"

"I was the one who set the whole thing up."

"I see."

"She sent men after them, one came back and was killed the next day. She said dead men don't tell stories."

"I know of him, we let him live to bring the news back. You didn't believe what he said?"

"I didn't know. All I knew was that they killed him, it was done down here."

"Oh." Allie could hear some fast footsteps approaching. "I have to go. I'll come back and help you, it may take awhile though, ok?"

"Fine, just protect Kara. She's the only one who can save this place now."

"I will." Allie quickly padded down the halls, ducking in the shadows and crevices when she had to. She slipped out a side door and found her mare, mounting her quickly. Turning, she saw the boy who had helped her before.

"What news of my sister?" he asked hopefully.

"She is alive, but not well, I will be back soon with help," she said, turning towards Corus and galloping away with what she had learned.

Vixen was not going to be happy about this.

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

Sarah felt like banging her head on the table when she saw the two families riding towards the house once more, shouting insults at each other as they did. Everyday now the two sides would come and bicker over this or that as they tried to get the other one's kid fired from the ranch.

"Not again," groaned Sarah, not sure how much more of this she could take. "Not now, not again..."

"What is it?" asked John, looking up from the diagram he was studying. Glancing out the window, he groaned and reached for the crossbow, which had been receiving more use in the past couple days than in the entire time they had lived there.

"You have to choices," she told Julia and Roan, who were sitting across from each other repairing tack. "One: you tell your parents the truth and deal with what happens next. Or two: you completely split up and one of both of you leave so we can have some peace and quite. I know you two love each other and all, but this is getting out of hand here. I really don't know how much more we can take."

"I can't period," growled John. "You're gonna have to settle this, Sarah, or I'm gonna bust some fool's head off out there."

Sarah sighed. "Fine..."

"Wait a sec," said Julia, getting up suddenly. "What if we did a combination of the two."

"What?" cried Roan. "You mean you want us to split up?"

"No," she replied, "What if-"

"JULIA O'MALLEY!!!!" thundered a voice from outside. "Come out of that shack away from that boy right now!!!!"

Sarah motioned for her to remain where she was and went outside, taking the cross bow with her. "What do you want, you two?" she snarled, not even bothering to mask her feelings. "Both of my helpers are busy right now repairing harnesses and such that we'll need later on and can't be disturbed. Is there anything you'd like me to do for you since they can't?"

"I want you to fire Roan McAlester for coming onto my daughter!" cried Mr. O'Malley, raising a sword above his head. "I saw how close they sat last time we came here!" Sarah shook her head. Last time the four of them had been repairing some leaks in the roof off the shack when the two parties had come. Julia wasn't exactly fond of the height without having a guard rail or anything, so Roan sat closer to her than normal to help her relax.

"He was just making sure your daughter didn't fall off the roof, sir," she spluttered, considering shooting the man with the bow for a second.

"Why would some stuck up noble care about the well being of my daughter if he wasn't getting something out of it?" scoffed the man, acting very superior for one who knew so little.

"Has it every occurred to you that your children *might* get along when you aren't around?" she asked, perching on a railing.

"Get along?" repeated Sir McAlester, as if he was speaking another language, "My son and that harlot get along?! NEVER!!!"

Sarah just sighed and shook her head, walking back towards the door. "Leave. Now. I can't take anymore of this. I try to reason with you, and you call me a liar, so leave."

"But I haven't ever-"

"Now is not the time to be arguing with me," cut in Sarah, her eyes flashing maniacally as she leveled the crossbow at his chest. "Just go."

"....yes, ma'am."

The groups road off, arguing as they did. She went back inside to see that Julia's things were packed and John was giving then money as well as instructions. "-be sure that you don't stop until you reach it. I've got some connections in Corus at the Dancing Dove, go there and give them this. I'd only stay a day or two there, then head back into the country side and try to find some place to work so you can get settled down. This will help if you're careful with it and don't spend it to fast."

"What's going on?" asked Sarah, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, we made up a quick plan to deal with this whole thing and such since you obviously can't take anymore of this either," replied John, giving her a reassuring smile. For some reason she didn't feel very reassured...

"So, what is this plan?" she asked, sitting down and putting the crossbow on the table before her.

"Easy. I give them a letter from us to our pals at the Rogue, send them to Corus with enough cash to keep them going for awhile, and then let them lose out in the country side in the opposite direction. Maybe Vixen and them have some connections that could land these two a job," explained John, drumming his fingers on the table. "See? I can come up with a decent plan when I want to."

"What do you two think?" asked Sarah, turning her attention to the teens who were standing before her.

"Um ,well..." started Julia, unsure of what to say. "We'll miss you two....and the ranch...but..."

"We want to be free of our parents," said Roan, shrugging his shoulders. "I'd love to tell them if they would just listen..."

"But they won't because they're caught up in their little blood feud," John finished for him. "So, we give you the means to escape and you go. We'll even give you two horses from the small herd we have here, ok?"

"Says who?" demanded Sarah. "We can't just do that, they aren't ours..."

"Remember Sarah?" he said slyly, winking at her. "Two of the other horses got loose and we never found them, right?"

"Whatever."

"So..." said Roan, looking nervous. "When do we leave?"

"How about now?"

**later that night**

Sarah looked at her room, which she hadn't occupied for some time now, and sighed. Those two families weren't going to be happy when they found out what had happened the next day, but they figured with a crossbow apiece, and maybe a short sword for backup, they should be able to explain everything before someone was killed. Or at least they hoped they could....

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

Lyssa sat outside, talking with some of her captains, when a messenger shot over from the gate, panting loudly. "A lady, asking for entrance to see you, ma'am," he said as soon as he could, waiting for her reply.

"Did she give a name?"

"Lady Alyse of Lynx mountain."

Lyssa smiled broadly. "Let her in and bring her to me."

"Yes, ma'am."

"You're dismissed," she said to the ladies and gentlemen around her. "I've got a visitor, so we'll finish this discussion later. It's not anything that can't wait for tonight."

"Yes, Commander."

"Aye, ma'am."

"Oh, and send Eric to me. He knows her to."

"And old lover of his?" asked one of the men, an amused smile on his face.

"Hardly," laughed Lyssa, shaking her head. "She just knew his as a friend through me."

"Oh, ok. I'll go get him."

"Thanks."

Lyssa sat back down on the bench and kicked at the slush with her boot. Soon the snow would be gone for good, already several plants had begun to sprout through the snow and some days it was warm enough to wear just a heavy shirt and tunic. Right now it wasn't, though, and she hugged her quilted jacket closer around herself.

"Here's the Lady," said the messenger, bowing low. "Sub-Captain Eric, said he is sorry, but he can't make it." Lyssa nodded, giving him permission to leave, and he did as fast as he could.

"Hey Alyse," she said when the messenger was gone, seeing her fine horse by her side. "Where's little Ronnie?"

"Ronnie, who's not so little anymore, is back home with my cousins. He didn't want to run beside me in the snow. How've you been, Lyssa?"

"That's Commander Lyssa, to you," replied Lyssa teasingly.

"Then you have to call me Lady Alyse, Commander."

Lyssa rolled her eyes as Alyse smiled smugly. "Alright, truce Alyse?"

"Truce."

"Good. What are you doing here?"

"Eh, got bored. Thought I'd come and visit you."

"Bored? With your cousins?"

"Well, not bored really. Between my cousin trying to set her older sister up with the steward's son and the chaos that ensures, it's never really boring, I just needed a change of scenery."

Lyssa arched her eyebrow. "Your cousin is doing what to her older sister?"

Alyse shook her head with a smile. "Don't ask, it's a huge mess and somehow or another, I got dragged into it."

"Oh..."

"Yeah."

"So," said Lyssa, hoping she wasn't touching on too delicate a subject. "How've you been holding up with Faleron's death?"

"Better," replied Alyse right away, looking her straight in the eye. "I miss him, and I always will, but I know he wouldn't want me to cry over him forever. I have to move on and live my life without him."

"Oh, ok. You're good, then?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Would you like to see around this place?" offered Lyssa, figuring it was better than just standing here out in the cold.

"Sure, it may come in handy some day, you really never know. Do you have a place I could put Fern out of the cold? I don't think she wants to walk all over this place with me...."

"We'll make the stables our first stop an settle her in there." They walked off and quickly for Fern a stall, leaving her there to rest while Alyse saw the rest of the fort. There were the garrisons for the common soldiers, she saw Lyssa's room and study, they visited the mess halls and got a snack, then walked around the top of the wall, and so it went on. As dark fell, Alyse headed back over to the stables.

"I'd better go," she said as she watched the sun and saddled Fern up quickly. "I'm supposed to be back before dark."

"You won't make it," replied Lyssa, shaking her head. "Sorry, I should have told you to leaver earlier. Do you want me to have someone ride with you?"

"No, I'm good," said Alyse, showing her the fans she always carried. "I doubt anything would happen. I'll see you later, ok?"

"See ya, bye." Lyssa watched as Alyse road out through the gates, waving to the retreating form until it was entirely out of sight...

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

Amanda sat at her desk at midnight, wishing she had stopped playing chess with Levi earlier than she did. Alyse had arrived home later than expected, but that was ok. She was a big girl and could take care of herself. The only problem was that she had needed her approval on something, and the hold up had caused a back-up in her work. That's why she was here, now, at midnight trying to finish everything that was needed for the next day.

Grandfather slipped his head in a short while later, seeing that she was still sitting there. "Lady Amanda," he said softly, hoping no one else would wake up.

".....zzz......."

"Lady Amanda?"

"....zzz...."

He sighed and shook his head. Were he a younger man, he would pick her up himself and carry her to her room. Unfortunately he had already tried that once....she had dropped on the floor and he had thrown out his back last time she fell asleep working, he wasn't about to try it again. He grinned as he leaned back on the door frame and thought about it, she had said something in some language he didn't understand, but he was pretty sure it wasn't a very nice thing to say.

"I finished taking care of everything down stairs, dad, I'm going to bed," said Levi, appearing by his father at the door. Seeing Amanda asleep at the desk, he smiled and waited for what he knew was coming next.

"Just one last thing. Carry her to her room after I give her a whiff of this stuff," said Grandfather as he pulled a small vial out of his pocket. He put it under Amanda's nose and waited a few minutes, shaking her shoulder to make sure it had taken effect. She didn't stir, and he motioned for his son to pick her up. "Just go lay her in her bed and tuck her in, she won't remember a thing in the morning."

Levi hoped his face wasn't turning red as Amanda snuggled closer in his arms. "Yes, sir."

"Oh, and Levi?"

"Yes, dad?"

"Behave."

Levi smiled devilishly and shifted her around to make it more comfortable. "Yes, sir, I will." Grandfather smiled in return and looked at the stack of papers on the desk, shaking his head. Now all he had to do was finish all of this for her...

Levi opened her door slowly, making sure it didn't squeak as he noiselessly entered her room. Opening the door to the room with her bed, he quickly pealed back the covers with one and hand and set her down, pulling off her boots before pulling the covers up to her chin. He was about to leave when something stopped, and he turned around to study her for a moment.

She looked, relaxed for once. Not to mention harmless....and kinda sweet. She looked innocent, maybe even naive. He sighed and shook his head as he left, too bad she wasn't really like that when she was awake too...

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

Alyse walked to her room with a plate of left over pizza in hand, having taken it before Levi could gobble it down. Amanda had had the oddest urge to make some when she got up in the morning and had finally coaxed Levi into trying some. He was now shoveling down enough to make even the biggest eater sick, it was like he was trying to make up for all the years he hadn't had any.

Ronnie barked, and she fed him a bit of meat off it, making him stand on his hind legs to get it. She walked into her practice room and shut the door, making sure he didn't follow her in. Taking out her fans, she chewed on some of the pizza and spun them around lightly, warming up her hands. When they were ready to go, she made them glow and focused on the patterns she would make with them, the pictures they would burn into the air.

She saw one that particularly fascinated her and continued to do it over and over, burning the image into her eyes as if she would never seeing anything but it again. Her eyes snapped and she yelled something in another language, thrusting the image forward with her hands. It flew towards the wall and burst through it, the image's outline going entirely from one side to another.

"You know, Alyse," said Amanda seriously after she had come running to see what the yelling was about, "I did say you could do whatever you wanted to your room, but this is a little over the top. Maybe I should just close off this room next to you so you can safely use that wall for target practice."

"Thanks," murmured Alyse, turning away in embarrassment. "I'm really sorry about that..."

"No, it's ok," said Amanda waving her hand. "The house is still standing, no one's hurt, and you can what you've learned against the Scanrans when they show their faces. Albeit, there's a hole in a wall, but that room was just a guest room and we'll move everything in it to another room, ok?"

"Ok."

"Just give me a heads up next time you're practicing," said Amanda, shaking her head. "You scared a year's worth of living out of me with that yell."

Alyse just laughed.

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

Libby had finally tracked down Dom and was walking with him through the camp, big stars in her eyes. "So, how busy have you guys been since we left?" she asked conversationally, petting Pinky who she was carrying with her.

"Oh, not that busy," he admitted. "There was some repairs on this, and repairs on that, we had to completely go through everything and replace any pieces that were in bad shape, but not much more than that."

"I wish my life had been that simple," admitted Libby with a sigh. "Things have been crazy since we left, what with these bunnies that we sort of picked up and running every which way to help people. There've been some close calls, and we're both lucky to be unhurt."

"Well, with your healing talent-"

"I've never used it on either of us," cut in Libby, giving him an odd look. "Ever. It's like we're immune to this stuff, like nothing can hurt us at times. Artman, he's rushes straight into a mob of Scanrans, fried them all, and came out without a scratch."

"Whoa."

"Yeah."

"Is this your horse?" asked Libby as he stopped by a dark brown gelding with white markings on his forehead and fetlocks.

"Yeah, he's a bit ornery at times, just like that guy told me he would be, but we get along fairly well anyways. All it takes is a bit of sugar, and he'll do anything for you," replied Dom, giving the gelding a lump of sugar as he did.

"What's his name?"

"Veety." Libby was sure she didn't hear that right the first time.

"Come again?"

"Veety. As in V-e-e-t-y. Veety."

Libby's eyes got huge. "How'd he get that name?"

"Oh, the guy at the ranch that the King and Queen keep for extra horses named him that, it was after some friend the horse reminded him of." Dom gave her an odd look as Libby's face went from disbelief to pure joy.

"No way! Can you tell me what his name is? Was there anyone else with him? What did he look like??"

"Whoa! Hold up here and I'll try to answer your questions. Problem is I haven't been there for well over a year now. Let see, there was another person with him, a girl about his age I think. They were both in their late teens at the least, he had this goatee for awhile, but I seem to remember him shaving it or something. I can't really remember his looks past that. What was his name again?" Dom struggled through his hazy memory for awhile, but eventually gave up. "I dunno. I tell you where you can find them when you go back to Corus."

"Really? Thanks, that would be the hugest help in the world."

"Why do you want to find this guy?" asked Dom, his face all puzzled.

"Well, we're trying to find some of our old friends from a long times ago," partially lied Libby. "We grew up together, and one of them had that name. So if I can find the person who names a horse after him, then maybe I can find him. Or someone who knows him."

"Oh, I see." Libby thought about it for a second and started to head back to where she and Artman were sharing a tent.

"I gotta go tell Artman this, ok? I see you later, bye."

"Oh, ok. See ya."

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

Jennifer and Stephanie walked around the crowed market place, a hat shoved over Jennifer's hair to hide it's growing length. She had refused to cut it again, and was now wearing it in a low pony tail when she couldn't hide it under a hat.

"You do know Sean's birthday is in a few weeks, right?" asked Stephanie, giving her a teasing grin.

"A few weeks? I didn't know that."

"Well, it is and since you're so close to him you can help me pick something out to give him," said Stephanie, walking over to a vendor.

"I'd better get him something too," said Jennifer, thinking back to what he had done for her on her birthday. "I owe him for a lot of things."

"I think you repay him enough when ever he comes and visits, Jen," murmured Stephanie so only Jennifer could hear. Jennifer went red and ducked her head, wishing her hair was down so it would hide her blush.

"What are you getting him?" asked Jennifer, changing the subject quickly.

"Probably something practical that he needs," replied Stephanie. "Mom and dad aren't exactly rich, and he doesn't usually buy things that he needs as in regard to things he wants."

"Oh. So that would be...?"

"Probably a new cloak or a pair of nice boots. Nothing cheap and flashy, something that will last him for a long time."

"What about that?"

"Hm, you mean that set of boots right there?"

"Yeah, they're his favorite color of leather, from the looks of things not to expensive, and as you said something he needs."

"Ok." The boots were soon bought and packed up, ready to be given to him on his next visit. "What about you? What are you going to give him?"

"Something I saw earlier. Come on over here." She lead Stephanie to a stall with fine tunics, picking up a blue one that matched Sean's eyes perfectly. There was a neat border around the bottom and shoulders in varying colors of blue that melded between lighter and darker shades.

"You like?" asked the sales person. "It go well with this shirt, sir." He picked up a blue silk shirt and shimmered all the colors that were in the border. "Looks very good together. Make good present for friend."

"Yes, thanks," said Jennifer, hoping she had enough. "How much?"

"Twenty gold nobles."

"Ten," said Stephanie, taking over the bargaining.

"Ten? I lose money then. I take 17."

"12."

"You mock me.16."

"13."

"15. No lower."

"13 and silver noble, no more."

"Deal." Jennifer fished out the money and paid the man, taking the shirt and tunic from him with a smile.

"Thanks for the help," said Jennifer. "How did you know that that's exactly how much I had left?"

Stephanie shrugged in surprise as they headed back to the fief. "I didn't."

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

Ahh, it's done! Yes, you have now read chapter 20 of Twisted Tortallian Tale, and its still far from the end. I'm sorry if there are more mistakes than usual, I didn't have time to give it a read through as it was finished as 9:30 at night, and I wanted to get it loaded, otherwise you would've had to wait another day.

Hope you enjoyed it, still no birthdays to report, and hopefully next chapter will be up in less than two weeks. Hope your summer vacation is great, and please don't forget to review!

Thanks to Zurzip for saying that you loved my story at the end of The Taming of the Rose (which I would suggest reading) that means a lot.

Oh, and Libby, you can't protest anymore so I better get a review from you!!! We had a deal, remember?? Thanks!