Hey. I'll warn you know, I'm in an odd mood at this point, so I don't know how this is going to turn out. Hopefully on the sane side and not too, um, odd for your taste. Thanks to those who reviewed, I appreciate it. This would've been up soon, but ff.net was down, thus giving me no motivation to write what so ever. Now READ!
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Libby sat inside her tent, fiddling with her hair nervously as her bunnies hopped around before her. The air was tense, and Artman sat a ways away trying to study from a book he had picked up awhile ago.
"What is it?" he asked after fifteen minutes, his annoyance showing in his voice.
"Well, I...."
"Out with it!"
"Gees," sulked Libby, turning around. "You don't have to be so mean about it...."
Artman sighed. "Sorry...I am trying to get something done here-"
"I wanted to ask you about Veety."
"Veety as in Matt Veety?
"No." Libby rolled her eyes as if it were obvious. "The horse Veety we found a few days ago, you moron."
"Oh, yeah....what about him?"
"Dom said he could help us find the people who sold it to him." Libby sat and looked at him as if he should know what she was going to say next.
"...so?"
"You're impossible sometimes, Artman," she sighed. "So, maybe we can use what clues we have to trace it back to someone from our world."
"You do realize how weird that sounds, 'our world'."
"Well....it is our world. Just like this is their world. You know we don't belong here, Artman."
"Yeah...yeah..."
"So we need to find our friends as soon as possible."
"Libby, we've been here for more than three years now, how much longer do you think it will take? It's not like they're just gonna fall out of the sky and land on our laps like in some movie." Artman paused for a minute, glancing up over his head. "Dang, that almost always works...."
"Baka," said Libby, shaking her head. "I think we need to jump at the first chance we get and head to the castle. He had to have gotten it somewhere near there, right?"
"Yeah, so?"
"So, I'll have him draw me a map just in case we aren't with him when we go to the castle, and we'll track down these people, just in case they are from our world."
"Fine, you go do that," said Artman. "I'm going to read this while you do, it has some more techniques I can use."
"Party pooper," said Libby, sticking her out tongue at him. "Fine, I will go get the map, but see if I ever let you use it."
"What? It's not like you'll ever go out on your own and look for these people."
Libby stood with her hands on her hips, glaring angrily. "Want to bet?" She picked up her pack and headed for the door, causing Artman to drop his book in alarm.
"Not really..."
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Vixen looked around her tavern, trying to figure out when it would be the best time to make her announcement would be. She glanced beside her, noting Joe's still empty seat, and decided she might as well wait until the person she was going to make the announcement about was present.
"What's the fuss about?" asked Allie in a low voice as she came down and took her usual seat to Vixen's left. Karalee sat primly in her lap, reminding her of the work that still needed to be done. They had yet to plan how to get into the fief, and some of the thieves of the area were already checking out what entrances and exits the place had without being noticed.
"Wait and sec and you'll see," replied Vixen, a small smile on her face. "It's going to be a surprise for once, you don't know what's going to happen for once."
"I do," said Karalee, a huge smile on her face. Vixen's smile disappeared, a frown quickly taking it's place.
"What do you think is going to happen?" asked Allie, and before Vixen could stop her the answer came gushing out.
"She's going to meet and handsome prince and marry him, making him her King and then they'll live happily ever after, 'cause that's what all Queens do eventually!" Kara practically lit the room with her smile, so proud of herself for having figured it out before even her Auntie Allie could.
"Wha-a-a-t???" Vixen's jaw dropped like a stone.
"So you are going to do that?" asked Allie slyly, a subtle smile dancing on her face. "Who's the lucky guy?"
"Joe, of course!" sighed Karalee dramatically. "He looks like a prince he's so handsome."
"Why thank you," said Joe as he sat down next to Vixen, Mouse following him close behind. "So, Vixen, do I have to go get all dressed up for the wedding now?"
"I won't say what I was going to if this doesn't stop right now," she growled in his ear so only he could hear, a toothy grin on her face.
"Yes, dear." He immediately turned into the subdued version of his personality and nodded to her respectively.
"Why's she threatening him already?" Mouse whispered to Allie, knowing just by look what had just happened between the two.
"You'll see." Vixen pounded her cup on the table, quickly getting everyone's attention. Things were slow this time of day, so she didn't have to worry about any interruptions from others and quickly went on with what she had to do next. Standing firmly on her feet, she took out a small knife and threw it across the room at a dart board, letting it quiver in the center as the room went completely silent of any noise at all.
"I have something I need, as well as want to say," she said quietly, making sure they didn't make a sound so they wouldn't miss what she was saying. "You've been a good court, but a Queen is not enough to lead a group of...noble folks like yourself." This evoked laughter from several of the old-timers and a few snickers here and there from the younger folk. "You need a King too, I'm not always gonna be around, if from illness or being locked up, it doesn't matter. I'd let my sister's take care of it, but since none of them can be Kings but can only fill the roll of 'Duchess' or 'Baroness'..."
This got smiles from Allie and Mouse, who were listening closely to what she had to say. "I give the title to Joe, who has been the biggest help I've had since I came here."
"Was that in bed or out?"
"Shut up, Paul," she said menacingly, recognizing his voice instantly. "Barkeepers aren't that hard to find, you know."
"Yes, ma'am." He just grinned and went back to work, ignoring the glare she darted at his head. If looks could only kill...
"He's to get the same respect as me and my sisters," continued Vixen, not that anyone dared get up in his face now because he was close to her. "And has the same power over you I do, understand?"
"So, what, are you two married and going to have a kid or something?" called someone else, "Or is it just the kid and no getting married?"
"Be glad I'm in a good mood today," growled Vixen, eyes flashing good naturedly, "Or this court would be reduced in size greatly."
Joe just got up turned her so she was facing him, kissing her soundly before pulling her back to her seat. "Does that make it official enough?" he asked, a small smile on his face.
"I don't know," replied Vixen evilly, "Maybe you should try it again...."
"Sure, with pleasure."
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Alyse walked unhurriedly down the halls of the huge mansion, making her way to the practice grounds inside it's walls. Wearing one of Amanda's tunics and pants, she could've easily passed for a Rider on leave except for the Yamanis bow and quiver of arrows she carried with her.
Quickly setting up a target for herself, she walked about 30 paces back and began to shoot, doing her best to hit at least the inner rings of the target. She got going at a good pace and soon finished with the arrows in her quiver, forcing her to put down the bow and go pull them out.
"Not bad, for a Yamanis bow," said a voice behind her, causing her to turn around slowly. There stood two young men who were from the garrison, both of which had a healthy respect for her cousins and women in general.
"It's easier to shoot a recurve," said his friend, nodding his head. "Would you like to try one?"
"I have one, thanks," replied Alyse with a small smile. "But I prefer to shoot with this one most often."
"Why?" asked one of the men, frowning with puzzlement. "You can't shoot as well and it's too heavy to pull it back very far, meaning you can't concentrate as much on shooting." Alyse sighed and shook her head, pulling the bow up quickly and rapid-firing three arrows that all landed solidly in the center.
"Not necessarily..." Both young men just looked at the target, amazement in their eyes. The younger of the two smiled recovered first and smiled cockily, walking over to her before his friend could stop him.
"So what'd you do, reduce the pull weight on it?" he asked confidently, knowing she had to have done something too the bow. "Come on, you can tell me, I won't share your secret."
"There's no secret," replied Alyse with a shrug. "I didn't anything to the bow since it was given me. I have gotten new strings since then, the original one wore out , but that was it."
"Lemme see it," he said, holding his hand out. Alyse carefully handed it to him, and he almost dropped it from it's unexpected weight. "Whoa!" He held it up and took an arrow from her quiver, quickly putting it to the string and trying to draw it back. It took him three tries the pull weight was to great, and event then his arm was shaking from the exertion as he tried to hold it steady. "Ahh....never mind...." He put the bow down, cheeks red with embarrassment as his friend laughed at him from the fence.
He got up and brought his bow over, having offered to let her use it in the first place, and said, "How about a bit of a competition, aye? Just three shots, the one closest to the center wins."
"Ok," agreed Alyse, nodding her head. "I'll try. This is my first time shooting for a couple of months. I might not be as good as usual..."
"That's fine," said the man, stringing his bow and getting his quiver ready. "None of us have since the snow kept us in until now. Then you're fine with us each have three arrows and the closest to the center wins?"
"Fine by me."
"Ladies first."
"If you say so." Alyse picked up her bow and shot at the target still from 30 paces away, hitting it just inside the inner ring.
"Nice shot." The man picked up his bow and taking aim. His hit right inside the bull's eye, turning to Alyse cockily. "Let's see you beat that with your long stripy bow."
She just nodded and shot her arrow, shooting another right after it. The first hit directly in the center, the second splitting it up the middle. "How's that?"
Both young men just looked at the target, their jaws hitting the floor. Alyse smiled and picked up her quiver, heading inside. "Boys..."
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Amanda sat in her study, tuning a set of pan pipes she had gotten from a friends a while ago. "Play me a G again, Liz," she said, matching her pitch with that of Elizabeth's lute. "Ah, there we go."
"I don't see why you even bother with that," said Elizabeth with a small grin. "You know you're a brass player to the bone. Low brass, for that matter."
"Yeah," replied Amanda ruefully, nodding her head. "But I like playing higher winds sometimes, just to remember and stuff. Three years of high winds is not something one forgets easily."
Elizabeth shrugged and started to play a sequence of cords, one Amanda had taught her sometime ago. Her sister then began a counter melody that had an Irish sound to it without being nasal or bag-pipe like. The tune itself was called 'The Rakes of Kildare', and was one of their favorite pieces off of a CD called 'Irish Dreams II'. What would've made it perfect was a fiddle player as well, but they didn't know one so they would just have to do without.
Elizabeth went into a key change without telling Amanda, letting her figure out the new pattern on her own. "Rat," growled Amanda, a small smile on her face. She went up as well, quickly finding the new notes and settling into her usual pattern before branching out and trying some new things.
Levi walked in, trying to figure out where the music was coming from. He stopped and stared, completely mesmerized by it. Alyse came up behind him and tapped his shoulder, effectively breaking the spell.
"Are they always this good?" he asked, eyes as big as saucers.
"Don't know," she replied, shrugging. "They played baritones back home, huge brass instruments on the other end of the scale. I know Amanda played a flute, which has a similar range to a panpipe, but I didn't know Liz played any stringed instrument."
"They were musicians before?"
"Yeah, me too. I played clarinet."
"But I thought..."
"You didn't think we were working all the time, did you?" asked Alyse quickly, realizing what was going through his mind. "We had to have some source of fun."
"You call playing an instrument fun?" He grimaced as he remembered his dad forcing him to go it bagpipe lessons.
"Would it be fun if Amanda taught you?" asked Alyse, a sly smile on her face. "Or would she be too distracting?"
Levi turned around and left, his face beet red, as Alyse stood there and enjoyed the music, chuckling quietly to herself.
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Kyle helped his servant pack his things, Martin being back at the fief making sure everything was running smoothly. "A letter for you, sir," said a page, sticking his head in the door.
"Thanks," said Kyle, flipping him a noble. "Go on, I'll find someone else to run the return message."
"Yes, sir." Kyle didn't recognize the seal as he broke it open, pulling out a letter of plain paper covered in a lady's handwriting. He scanned it, then read it over more carefully as he realized it wasn't a love letter. It was from his neighbor to the west, and this is what it said:
Baron Kyle of Crescent Hollow, greetings and good tidings to you.
My sincerest regrets upon hearing of the death of your father, the late Baron Emery, and I hope you are doing well despite this tragedy. I too recently lost my brother and his family, leaving me with his fief and inheritance, and it has come to my attention that you have been using some of my family's land for the past several years without our permission at all. I know you're at the palace right now, but I was hoping you could come and visit me here so we could discuss this matter further and decide if you wish to buy the property or vacate it, and how much my family will be reimbursed for it's use. I speak of the meadow right on the line of our property where you keep your sheep and goats, it is ours, not yours, but law and I wish to have this settled immediately. I thank you for you cooperation.
Lady Isis of Knoxfort
"That land's always belonged to pop!" exploded Kyle, his face turning red as he stomped over to his desk. "Who does this lady think she is anyways? The monarch of nobles or something?"
"She's lady Isis of Knoxfort," said his servant in a tone of boredom as he took the letter from him and scanned it quickly. "Everyone knows as she loves is money and her looks."
"So you think this is nothing more than a ploy to get more land and increase her wealth?"
"I'm sure it is, milord. I would go to meet her, but be careful that you don't let her trick you into more, sir."
"I won't," said Kyle, grinning like a maniac. "Trust me on this one, I won't."
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Jennifer rode bareback behind Stephanie, quickly making their way to the summer hut that they would live in for the next 7 months. They had one day to go and repair anything before the herd would arrive the next day, and then they would be on their own out there until the first winter snows late next fall.
"What all do you think will need to be fixed?" asked Jennifer, hanging on tight as Stephanie urged her mount to a swift canter.
"The fence for sure," she replied steadily. "There were some holes in the hut from last year, and a plank or two on the roof may need to be replaced."
"That's all?"
"It will still take all day, trust me. Sean always had to come and help me before, and he couldn't make it this year so its a good thing you just signed on for good."
"Yeah, I guess so." They stopped by the front gate and dismounted quickly, tying the horse up there. "I'll carry the extra planks and you the mallet, ok?"
"Ok." They went around and smashed each board of the fence with the mallet, replacing those that shattered and leaving the ones that held firm. As soon as that was done they went to the gate and checked the hinges and posts, taking care that everything was still secures.
"Ready to tackle the hut?"
"Sure, I guess so." They walked around the whole thing, checking the planks on the outside and chinking any holes with a special caulking mixture when they found one here or there. The sun was high in the sky by the time they had finished that, and they decided to sit down and have a quick rest and meal before they went inside and on the roof.
"You holding up alright?" asked Stephanie as she gulped down some bread and cheese at a good rate, taking a swig of water to wash it down.
"Yeah, I'm fine," replied Jennifer, giving her a small smile as she ate just as much as just as fast a rate. Soon after, Stephanie pulled out a ring of keys and unlocked the small door that lead into the hut, dusting cobwebs out of the way as she walked in and checked out the place. There was some signs of water damage under holes the snow had made in the roof, but other than that it was whole and just needed a good cleaning.
"You stay in here and clean up while I go and replace some boards on the roof as well as some thatch, ok?"
"That's fine."
"Don't forget the fireplace in the back, it has to be scrubbed out before we can cook in it tonight."
"I'll be sure to remember that."
Both young women worked until the sun was almost below the horizon, marking the end of the day that had just passed. The roof was fixed, the inside clean, and now all there was left to do was to unpack. Both groaned as they dragged their packs to the house, dumping those with clothes in them by the hooks they would hang them on, and the ones with the dishes and cookware by the fireplace on the side with the well.
"I'll make the beds if you go and cook dinner while you put the dishes away," offered Stephanie. Jennifer nodded and went over to the well, drawing up a fresh bucket of water. Stephanie got out the huge mats and stuffed them with fresh straw, setting them to one side and pushing the table to the other. She laid out blankets on them, making sure she got the right set on each mat, then threw a package on Jennifer's that she had received in the mail a few days ago but had forgotten to give to her until then.
"What's that?" asked Jennifer, pointing at it as she set the food on the table for dinner.
"That package? Don't know, it came in the mail for you a couple of days ago, but I forgot to give it to you. Why don't you open it?"
"Ok." Using a knife she slit the seals and opened it up, carefully removing an object from the wrappings. Unwrapping the paper, she held up a silver goblet to the firelight. It over the carvings, showing the sun, the moon, and the stars and they glowed in the sky. "Whoa..." A note fell out from the inside of the cup, six words written on it:
Happy Birthday,
Vixen, Joe, Mouse, Allie
"Looks like your friends from Corus didn't forget," murmured Stephanie. "But my brother did, how odd..."
Jennifer looked at the cup closely, a smile playing on her face. "Oh well, he's a guy, I'll forgive him *this* time."
Stephanie smiled, starting on the roast pork and greens she had cooked. "He'd better be glad of it to."
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Lyssa ran down the line of the wall, her bow and quiver on her back and a short sword in her hand. "Keep up the volleys!" she yelled, ducking as another shower of arrows came over her head. "I'm taking some extra quivers to those up in the trees on the platforms."
"You can't commander!" cried one of her captains. "We've already got five wounded and one dead from trying to do it!"
"They need arrows to defend themselves," said Lyssa coldly as she reached the line that went from the fort to the first of the platforms. "Cover me, if you can." The man nodded numbly, picking up his bow and watching as she strapped another seven quivers to her back. "Let's go!" She sprinted along the bridge-like apparatus, ducking and dodging arrows the moment the Scanrans spotted her.
"Ahh!!" The man who had been covering her went down with an arrow in his shoulder, and Lyssa mentally kicked herself for not having more than one back up incase of something like this. She just made it to safety as one of the ropes snapped, sending her sprawling onto the platform.
"Hey," panted Eric, taking the quivers from her. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?"
"Shut up," she growled in reply, going and checking on one of the three who were up there, a girl of 20 who had gotten an arrow in the leg. "How are you feeling?"
"Weak and useless," she growled, trying to reach for her bow.
"Stay," commanded Lyssa, "I'm taking your place here." She sent a quick message by the pigeon that they kept there to one of her captains to take over for her, that she wouldn't be coming back until things settled down for good and that he needed to get arrows to the other three platforms before they ran out and became living pincushions.
"What's the look on things, Eric?" she asked, taking her place beside him and stringing her bow as quickly as she could.
"They're letting up now, like last time, but I can't tell if they're going to regroup or go run back to the boarder."
"About how many?"
"Enough for three raiding parties left." She nodded and took aim, taking one less Scanran from their groups. "Here they come!" All four of them quickly raised their bows again, waiting until several of the Scanrans were in range before shooting. Inside the fort, a couple of squads got mounted and suited up, charging out the front gate the moment the Scanrans turned around and started to flee back into the forest.
"Chase them only to the forest!" yelled Lyssa over the noise of everything. "Be careful, it maybe a trap!" She quickly scrambled down the rope ladder that she lowered from the platform, leaving the other four to deal with getting the injured one down on a stretcher. "Report, Captain!" she yelled as she ran back along the bottom of the wall on the outside, hurrying through the gate with the Captain right behind her.
"They're running, we're chasing," he replied with shrug. Her horse was ready for her when she got a ways inside, the grooms having guessed her intentions. "They're only going a little ways within the forest, then coming back when all signs of the Scanrans are gone."
"Good, I'm going out to join them."
"Yes, ma'am." Lyssa shook her head a she road out, this was the second frontal attack since last month, and the fifth time they had fought with the Scanrans since her assignment here. Things were really picking up around here, keeping them on their toes and all. She just hoped it didn't pick up so fast that things would get out hand...
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Sarah road around bare back on a mare they named 'Sugar' for her sweet nature, following the herd around as they galloped the fields. There seemed to be a whiff of spring in the air as new grass began to grow, and even the older horses in the herd acted like colts.
"John come on and join us!" called Sarah, seeing him sitting on the fence by himself. Offbeat, the one horse he got along with, split off from the herd and trotted over, clamping gently on his pant leg and tugging him towards everyone else.
"Ok, ok," he consented, mounted Offbeat with ease from practice. "I'm coming, just hold on a sec." Before he could get properly settled, Offbeat shot off towards the herd, who were making their way to the back pasture at a fast pace. John's heart beat raced, matching that of Offbeat's hooves it seemed.
"Great, isn't it?" called Sarah as they drew near, racing through the tall grasses with ease. "I love horses."
"I don't love 'em," replied John with a wry grin. "But this is still pretty cool." His heart soared as Offbeat jumped over a log, giving him the feeling he was flying through the sky.
"Yeah you do," said Sarah. "You're just too 'manly' to admit it."
"Gee, thanks," he said sarcastically. "You're a real help." He smiled despite what he said, laughing as Offbeat made another jump. "You know, maybe all this is worth it."
"All what is worth what?"
"All this." He moved his hand around, motioning to the area around him. "The work, the hardships, having to learn everything over-"
"Getting yanked from our families and most of our friends."
"Yeah that too. Maybe it is worth it just to have times like this, you know? It would be cool if we could get together with those thieves in Corus when they're not being chased by the law or some other enemy, but that's alright. Brenna- I mean Vixen said there might be more of us here other than Jenny who's in exile, and maybe we'll all meet up someday. I mean, that's better than what we had back home, right?"
"At times, yeah," replied Sarah, nodding head as the herd moved back to the front fields. "I do miss going to Chilie's a 1 a.m. or so, but that's ok. Staying up that late at a tavern in Corus is almost as good, right?"
"Yeah, free ale if you go the right places. Can't argue with that."
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Artman sat in his chair tensely, the chess competition wasn't until May but he and Kel had agreed that the one who lost wouldn't take part in it when it came. He was determined not to lose, but the way things were going right now he didn't have an icicle's chance in hell of winning.
Kel's hand paused between her rook and castle, trying to figure out which one to use. [Not the rook] pleaded Artman silently, trying to remain calm [Not the rook, not the rook, anything but the rook...] Her hand strayed towards the castle, bringing him a ray of hope, only to dash it by picking her rook and moving it closer to his King.
"Checkmate. Good game, Artman."
"Yeah, you to," he ground through his teeth, getting up and walking over to the hut they had built him that he shared with Libby. Pushing the cloth that served as a door away, he stumbled over the bunny jump rope, which was lying in the middle of the floor, and fell down in a heap. "Oh, Libby! Of all the times...!"
"What?" she asked, looking up from the book she was reading on healing magic. "What did I do now?"
"You left the jump rope out again, just as I told you not to. And look what happened, I tripped and fell!!"
"But you never-"
"You know, you're so irresponsible at times. Why, of all the people to be stuck with it had to be you!"
"I could say the same thing!" cried Libby, getting up and stomping over to him. "You're one to speak, I didn't forget your birthday three weeks ago, never remember it later on, and then stomp in there and blame you for something you were never told not to do and yell at you for no reason at all!!"
"Oh yeah! Well I....I...." Artman stopped and folded his arms in frustration, standing there in disgust as he tried to remember when her birthday was and if he had forgotten it that year. ".....women!"
"Fine, if you think women screw up so much, you can forget about this one because I'm not talking to you again until you come crawling back to me on your hands and knees for saying that!!" She stormed out of the tent, heading for the mess tent.
"Fine, be that- hey!" He looked to the floor, seeing Pinky Jr. peeing on his boot. "Why you long eared rodent..."
Libby's head stuck back in the door, fangs that appeared out of nowhere bared at him. "And leave my bunnies alone!!!"
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Mouse and Allie walked along the dreary roads, a steady drizzle effectively soaking everything around them. Karalee skipped between them, her hand clamped onto Mouse's and a small cloak covering her face from anyone who might look at them. Allie kept her head bare and wore a dress that was actually very decent, the person they were going to visit worthy of some respect. Mouse had on her usual bartender dress and an old cloak, the hood pulled up to keep her head dry.
"There it is," she said, pointing to a shop to their left. "Come on, Kara, it's nice and warm in there.
"Yes, Mama Mouse."
They went inside and took of their cloaks, hanging them by the door. "Who is it?" called a voice from the back.
"Me and Allie," Mouse called back, leading Kara to the back of the shop. "We have someone we want you to meet."
"I'll be right out in a minute, dears."
"Alright." Kara and Mouse sat down at the table as Allie prowled around the shop part, looking at the herbs and charms with her enhanced vision from the charm she wore.
"I wonder what all these do," she said, picking up one shaped like a heart.
"You can find out later," said a lady in her late mid ages as she came out from behind the counter. "It's good to see you two again, Mouse and Allie, George has told me of some of your latest adventures."
"Thank you, Madame Cooper," said Mouse, bowing slightly.
"Who's that, Mama Mouse?" asked Kara, pointing at Madame Cooper.
"A friend who's going to help us," said Mouse, taking her hand.
"So you did get saddled with a kid," said Madame Cooper, coming over and touching her face. "Tillie was over here a few days ago gossiping about that and other tidbits about your sister, but I wasn't sure what all she was saying was true. You know how it is with her sometimes..."
Mouse and Allie nodded understandingly. Tillie was the Rogue gossip, a good thief who knew what to say and what not to but a gossip none the less. There was always this or that happening that was partially hidden, and Tillie thrived off of getting that information any way she could, even if it meant lying to others.
"Yeah, we've been stuck with her," replied Allie.
"We wanted to know if you could look her over, make sure she's healthy and all," said Mouse, pulling Kara closer. "Since neither of us have ever had children or raised one, we don't to look for."
"Sure. Come here, dear." Kara walked slowly to Madame Cooper, who put her hands on Kara's temples and told her to close her eyes. "Will this hurt?" asked Kara, frowning slightly.
"No," replied Madame Cooper, a smile on her face. "It may tickle a bit, though. Just relax, I promise not to hurt you." She did, and began to glow softly as Madame Cooper used a simple spell to check over her health signs.
"How is she?" asked Mouse when they broke the spell, Kara coming back quickly and sitting on Mouse's lap.
"Healthy and fit as can be," replied Madame Cooper with a shrug. "You must me doing a good job from what I can see."
"We're trying," sighed Mouse.
"It's hard, isn't it?" asked the older woman, giving both sympathetic looks as both nodded tiredly. "Don't worry, it can't get any harder than it is right now." She got up as they started to leave, putting their cloaks back on.
Allie chuckled slightly, getting up and following Mouse who was heading for the door. "Hmph, that's that you think."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Alyse walked to Amanda's study with some books in hand, intending to put them back on the shelf and choose some more before heading bed. She was surprised to see Levi already sitting by the chess board with the pieces set up before him and a sad look on his face. Amanda had gone to bed hours ago with a headache and fever, having caught the flu bug that had been circulating around lately.
She sighed and quietly put the books back the shelf, going and standing next to the board. He was so engrossed in his own world that he didn't realize she was there until she picked up a piece and moved it on the board, waiting for him to move one of his pieces next. Neither one said a word as the game started, Alyse losing rapidly but glad to do something for the son of the man who had helped her and her sisters so much.
"You don't play very often, do you?" asked Levi as he cornered her King, ending the game completely.
"No, but you looked like you needed someone to talk to," replied Alyse, giving him an odd look.
"Thanks." He reset up the board and let her go first, moving his castle after she did. "This was the first night since you've all come here that Amanda didn't play chess with me," he said out of the blue, putting his head in his hand. "I guess I'm just so used to it, that I didn't realize how much that I had begun to depend on it until it was gone..."
"What did you depend on it for?" asked Alyse curiously. "I mean, she didn't pay you to do it, its like you got anything if you won, so why?"
"At first, just to learn more about chess, she knew what she was doing and it was a challenge for both of us to counter the other's 'special' move," replied Levi with a shrug. "Later on, to hear her tell her stories of what had happened on the Procession when I and my father weren't there. Then, just to get to know her. She talks a lot about you and her sister, you know, you both mean a lot to her."
"She's family," said Alyse with a smile. [Which isn't an entire lie] she added to herself [Being band family and all...] "So, you depended upon getting to know her better by playing chess with her. Why is that important to you?"
"Why do you ask questions that you already know the answer to?" he replied, giving her a sheepish smile. "I don't need to answer that, and you know it too."
Alyse shrugged, taking out his queen. He smiled in reply and corned her King in a checkmate. "Then be glad, Levi, because I think she plays chess for much the same reason."
"I was hoping you'd say that."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Kyle and Martin rode up to the Knoxfort fief, passing through the same town with the tavern that Allie had been at no more than three weeks ago. The head servant that had talked to the thief let them in the gate and took their mounts, giving another servant instructions on where to take them.
Kyle was boiling underneath his calm exterior, and Martin hoped he could keep him under control enough to not seriously offend the powerful lady. Some offense could not be helped with what Kyle was going to say.
"Sit here and wait, sirs," said the servant, showing them into a well-decorated drawing room. "Her ladyship will be here shortly."
"Thank you." They sat down and waited, another servant coming and serving them tea and juice.
"She'd better hurry up," growled Kyle quietly, gripping the armrest of his chair hard enough to leave marks in the fabric.
"Easy, easy," said Martin, trying to call down his master. "You can't blow up at her until she makes an unreasonable demand, alright?"
"Yeah, whatever, just-"
"Sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen," said a beautiful lady at the door of the room, her demeanor cold as ice and just as hard. She curtsied to them, and both got up and bowed before sitting back down and waiting for her to speak. "Thank you for coming today, Baron Kyle. I trust you are well?"
"Yes, thanks you, Lady Isis," replied Kyle dully. "But if we could skip the pleasantries and get right down to business...?"
"Of course." She pulled out a scroll, a map of her lands as of 150 years ago. "See? Our property lines are over that field, not at the edge of it. My great-grandfather-"
"Sold the land to our family three years later," said Kyle, pulling out an old contract. "We've already paid for it and owe you nothing, Lady Isis."
"But we have to record of that sale," explained the Lady. "All the maps show it being ours..."
"Maybe because you had them all re-drawn that way," said Kyle accusingly. "All I know is that this land is ours, and you will stay off it, nor will you receive a penny of this 'compensation' you demanded."
"I think you're being very unwise, Baron," said Lady Isis, her voice frigid with a hint of anger. "I have many powerful allies...you don't want them as enemies."
"As do I," replied Kyle. "Some of them more powerful than they seem. Regardless of what you say, unless you pay me for the land, you can never have it."
"You will regret this," said Lady Isis, rising quickly and heading towards the door. "I hope our next meeting is one of settlement, Baron."
"This is settled," said Kyle, rising as well. "I have land, it doesn't belong to you, simple as that."
"But the map-"
"Is proved wrong by this contract which is perfectly legal." Kyle and Martin walked out the door, stopping a little ways down the hall. "Good day, Lady Isis."
Lady Isis watched them walk down the hall to the door to leave, her eyes as hard as diamonds and bright with rage. "It maybe a good day for you today, Baron Kyle," she growled, turning and heading for her mage. "But it will end all too soon, that I swear..."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Amanda walked down the hall, still somewhat out of it from the medicine Grandfather had given her and trying to catch up on her work. She walked in Elizabeth's room thinking it was her own and kept flipping through her papers, heading for where her files were kept in her room. She tripped over a chair and fell on her knees, looking around herself in surprise.
Elizabeth flew out of her room, surprised to Amanda kneeling there looking around herself in amazement trying to figure out what was going on. "I could've sworn, but how did, but ...oh whatever..." She looked up, smiling wryly. "Hey, Liz, sorry about that. I can't get anything right while on this stuff."
"Why don't you get back to sleep?" asked Elizabeth, shooing her to the door. In her cloudy mind, Amanda didn't notice Elizabeth's rumpled clothes or the pair of boots that were too big for her sitting by the door. "You look like you need it after all."
"Elizabeth, honey," came a voice from her room. "Where did you go? I'm waiting."
Amanda's fog disappeared, her head snapping up quickly. Her eyes were clear as she looked at her sister disapprovingly. "Elizabeth..."
"What?" she asked, "Its not like we're doing anything, I'm still fully dressed, aren't I?"
"Yeah, but for how much longer?"
"Amanda..."
Amanda sighed, shaking her head. "Promise you'll let the poor boy keep some sense of dignity and moral."
"Its that Duke's middle kid," she said with a shrug. "If I did that he'd make me marry him, I do make sure of these things Amanda. Besides, he's only fun for making out and stuff. "
"Right...."
"I'm being serious here!"
"Fine, whatever." She left the room, shaking her head as she did. Levi found her in her study, staring out the window.
"What's bugging you?" he asked, taking the files from her limp hands.
"Don't ask."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Jennifer walked into the hut that she and Stephanie shared, having just returned from taking the goats to the south pasture. Her feet had just gotten inside when a green and blonde streak slammed into her, making her sit down hard on the wood floor.
"Jenny!!!"
"Chris???"
"He just came in today," explained Stephanie, coming from the fire to stand next to them. "He'll be for two weeks, then he has to go back."
"Oh, fun."
"Yeah."
"Where's the kitties?"
"They're outside watching the herd," explained Jennifer. Her cats, all full grown as of sometime ago, did really well keeping the herd in line, and even had the three head males kept in check when she had to go do something. "I'll go put them in the pen and then they can come in and play with you, ok?"
"Ok!"
"Where's he going to sleep?" asked Jennifer quietly. "There's really no more room on the floor..."
"With me on my mat or with you on yours," explained Stephanie. "He always slept with me before, but seeing as how you've become his favorite, you get to put up with his snoring and kicking instead of me."
"Oh no..."
"Oh yeah. You'd better go get started on dinner and I'll go take care of the goats, he's gonna be hungry the moment he's done with those cats and I am now."
"Fine..."
**two weeks later**
Chris waved goodbye to them as he walked back to the fief, his ride awaiting him there. Jennifer sent Tigress along with him, giving her specific orders to make sure he was safe and then return to the hut. Things had gone well, with Chris just attaching himself even more to Jennifer.
He had gone every other night sleeping next to her on her mat, having spent the other time with his sister. Where ever he slept, the majority of cats slept and Stephanie had complained more than once about waking up to find one on her face. Chris had just hugged her and given her puppy eyes, which she just could not resist at all, and said he was very very sorry and it wouldn't happen again. She had sighed and said it wasn't his fault, hugging him back gently.
All it all, it had been a fairly good week and they had enjoyed having him around for awhile. There was just one problem...
"Hey, Jennifer?"
"Yeah?"
"How's our supplies for this month holding up?"
"Um, they're gone. He ate enough for both of us for two weeks while he was here."
"Oh crap..."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Lyssa walked into the meeting, seeing Elizabeth and Levi sitting there already and the General not there yet. "Hey," she said, giving them both a smile.
"Hey," they both replied, smiling back in reply.
"Did you get a notice from the Queen asking to back off the General?" asked Lyssa, lowering her voice and leaning over the table at them. "I did."
"Yeah," replied Levi, remembering Amanda going off into some language for a few minutes as Elizabeth looked on with a smile on her face. She had told him it was a mixture of French and Spanish, but she couldn't be sure exactly what she said. "Lady Amanda agreed to somewhat follow what she asked her to do. Her and Elizabeth were ordered to lay off, not me or Alyse. So we have permission to lay it on him as thick as we like."
"Really?" asked Lyssa, raising her eyebrows. "Maybe I aught to find someone to bring with me who would be willing to talk him down a few times...."
"Good afternoon," said the General, walking in the door with a smug look on his face. "I trust you've all faired well since the last meeting we had." Noticing Amanda was not there *again* he added, "So, what is your sister's excuse this time? Forging weapons? Trying to catch herself a husband for once? I thought she was a tactical mastermind, why isn't she here?"
"Lady Amanda caught the bug that has been going around this week and has been very sick," said Levi evenly, giving him a frosty stare. "She was going to come herself this time, but my father forbid it when her temperature started to climb once more this morning."
"I see," said the General, feeling somewhat guilty. "Well, then, lets carry on. Any reports, Commander Lyssa?"
"More Scanran attacks," she said, shaking her head regretfully. "I've lost five more good men and women. This last one hit us hard, they had at least 5 raiding parties with them. There's been some more reports of those huge metal things from our scouts supposedly, but none of them got a clear look and there's no telling if it was just an illusion or for real."
"That's not good," said the General, rubbing his chin, "Have you sent word of this to the King?"
"Yes, a few days ago. But still, you never know..."
"Yes, I know. What about you, Lady Elizabeth? Anything happening up in your area?"
"A traveling family was ambushed," said Elizabeth. "That's it. None of them were killed, but their possessions were stripped from them and were beaten badly. We almost lost one from internal bleeding, but the healer was able to keep him alive."
"That's never good," said the General, shaking his head sadly. "Then you'll both just keep you eyes open and hope for the best, right?"
"Have our orders changed?" asked Levi smartly. "Then that's what we'll do."
"Make sure you check with the towns every now and then. Not all of them have nice, big walls like yours Lady Elizabeth," said the General tightly.
"Yes, sir," said Levi, giving him a mock salute. The General got up and left, bidding them all goodbye. Lyssa broke up laughing the moment he was out of sight, tears coming to her eyes.
"Priceless," she gasped, trying to remain sitting as Levi grinned at his work. "Truly, that was priceless."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
"Sarah!" yelled John, coming out of the house. He walked around the barn, hearing the sound of paper being quickly shuffled as he rounded the corner. "Sarah? Where are- what are you doing?"
She was sitting on an upside down pail with her back to the wall, some younger horses playing around her and a stack of paper on her lap. He snatched one of the sheets away before she could stop him and found a sketch of the horses rolling in the grass.
"You did this?" he asked, sitting beside her on the ground.
"Um....yeah..."
"Its good."
"....thanks."
John smirked. "Maybe we could sell them to the towns folk who live just up the road, *Miss Artist*."
"Thanks for you support, John," said Sarah sarcastically, taking her drawing back. She went back to her drawing of Mandie and kept working.
"Quite welcome, always a pleasure to be of help," he replied teasingly, rising to his feet and giving her a mock bow. "Is there anything else I can do for her ladyship?"
"Yeah, bug off for awhile."
"As you wish." He took a few of her finished drawings and slipped around the corner before she could protest. Leafing through them, he came across one of Mandie that captured her spirit and character on paper, as if such a thing were possible. Her mane and tale flew in the wind, her neck arched and her feet pranced in the dust. It was perfect.
John quickly went inside and stuck it in his room, taking the rest and bringing them back to her. "Here you go."
Sarah shuffled through them. "Where's the one of Mandie?"
"What one of Mandie?" replied John innocently.
"John..."
"Alright, alright...I took it. Can I keep it?"
"Yeah, all you had to do was ask."
John frowned. "Its not like they're worth anything..."
"John!"
"Ok, so maybe they are, but..."
"Just apologize, John."
"Sorry."
"You're forgiven."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Libby sat in her tent by herself with her bunnies, Artman having gone off on some mission to the another town a few days ago. She was still not talking to him, except when necessary, and was now waiting patiently for the birth of Rose's babies.
"Come on, girl, you can do it," she cooed, gently stroking her on the head. Rose whimpered painfully, her eyes oddly sad. "Don't worry, everything will be just fine...Rose seemed to nod and closed her eyes, struggling to push the living things inside of her out into the world. Libby watched as she gave birth to four baby bunnies, each one popping out right after the other. "Ohh! How sweet!"
Libby dried them off and set them near their mom, looking them over for any injuries or abnormities. There was a girl who looked exactly like her mom, so she named her Rose Jr. and put a leather collar on her with her name on it. Besides her, there were 2 boys and one girl. The other girl was white furred with pink eyes, giving her the name Fuchsia.
She struggled with names for the boys for a moment, trying to decide what to name them. One of the boys was unusually small, so she gave him the name 'Chibi' for his petit stature. The other she looked at for a moment, then decided to call him 'Chan' for the fact that he would be a friend to his little brother, or at least hoped he would.
"There you go," she said, giving them their collars as well and feeding Rose a bit of lettuce. "See, Rose? That wasn't so bad." Rose just nibbled her lettuce and rolled her eyes, seeming to say [Let's see you pop out four kids and be ok!]
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Vixen and Joe sat in the main room of the Dancing Dove early in the morning, waiting for things to pick up a little. There was a bust of the Lord Provost's home planned for the night, plus a few other minor jobs that needed to be pulled off. All they had to do for now was wait for everything to fall into place...
"Morning everybody!" said Karalee as she bounded down the stairs and plopped down next to Vixen.
"Morning," she replied, giving the smaller girl a smile. At least she didn't whine and grumble in the morning, even though she did have more perk than Vixen thought was humanly possible.
"Hey," said Mouse, following her down soon after. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and sat down, taking her time as she did. "Oh, and by the way, Happy Birthday." Vixen was turning 19 that day, and had had a party a few days ago for it.
"Have fun last night?" asked Joe.
"Tons," muttered Mouse, throwing something across the table. "There's your cut, and not a noble more."
Vixen grinned as she counted the coins in the bag. "That's just fine. Where's Allie?"
"She won't be up for awhile, she had to use a large part of her gift keeping the guards off of us. Seducing is less noticable than singing at times, and there seemed to be a lot of those times last night."
"Oh, ok. I'll send Paul up with some stuff to wake her up later. The run went well, though?"
"Other than that, yeah. Hopefully things will go better next time."
"Yeah, hopefully."
"Don't look now, but George just walked in," Joe whispered in Vixen's ear, winking at her. "He's making his way over here, and doing a good job at not being seen."
"How did you notice him, then?" asked Vixen barely above a whisper.
"I'm just good a noticing his tricks."
"Right."
Paul was setting their plates of breakfast down when a man covered in a brown cloak appeared beside Joe, his face completely covered. "Have a seat, George," said Joe, keeping his voice low. "We'll get you a plate of grub, too, if you want."
"That's alright, lad," said George, partially showing his face with a grin. "I've already eaten. It looks like you've done well since I last saw you, Queen."
"Aye, I have," she replied with a shrug. "I couldn't have done it without these ones, though, they are the world to me."
"So I see," agreed George, noting the fact that Joe had his hand on top of Vixen's and was still living at that point. "Has much changed since last time?"
"Vixen has a boyfriend in the Rogue," said Mouse before her sister could stop her, a teasing smirk on her face.
"Is that so?" asked George, raising his eyebrows. "He's a lucky lad, whoever he is, you aught to be jealous, Joe."
"Yeah, I'd have to be crazy not to be." Joe gave Vixen a kiss on the cheek, turning to George triumphantly.
"So, is this little one yours?" asked George, pointing to Karalee.
"George..."
"I know, I know," he laughed. "I couldn't help it really. I stopped by Mum's shop the other day, she told me about this little one. What's her story?"
"She's Lady Isis's niece," said Vixen in a soft voice. George's eyes got huge as realization of what she said sunk in.
"You mean the lady of fief Knoxfort??? The one who's brother died recently from an unknown disease?"
"Yeah, this is his daughter," replied Mouse, putting an arm around Kara. "His wife managed to escape a few months ago and join the Rogue without letting her true identity slip out very far. She unfortunately was tracked down and killed by some assassins, but we managed to save the girl."
"That's too bad," sighed George shaking his head. "A lass as young as that aught to have a mother and a father."
"We're doing the best we can," said Mouse a bit defensively.
"I'm sure you are," he replied. "But the Rogue is no place to raise young children like her. Thieves generally raise their young outside this place until they're old enough to join themselves."
"But that can't be helped at this point," Vixen pointed out. "She's attached to Mouse and the rest of us, to give her a new home would not be a wise choice at this point."
"Besides," added Mouse, "We can protect her here. Assassins don't dare try their luck at the Dancing Dove, its filled with those who would want revenge."
"True, true...so what are you going to do now? She's nobility, and rightful heir to one of the richest estates at that. Her aunt would kill her if she knew she were still alive..."
"We realize that and are trying to come up with a plan," said Vixen, shrugging her shoulders. "First we have to free her nurse from the fief's dungeon. She's the key to getting Lady Isis in trouble, she knows everything that has happened and has a clean record as far as being a servant and all."
"Still, you have to have someone who is willing to bring it before the higher courts..." George chewed on his lip for a second, worry crossing his face. "I can't do it, I promised the King I'd completely cut off ties with the Rogue the moment I became a noble, and that obviously hasn't happened..."
"Don't worry," said Vixen, shaking her head. "We'll find someone. We need to find someone to vouch for a friend too so she can return from hiding, but it can wait. As long as no one tried to take her away from us, everything can wait for a few more years if it has to."
"Are you sure?" asked George. "The King can't exactly strip me of my titles and lands for no reason, that and he fears the Lioness, so I can do this for you if you want me too..."
"We have to get the Nanny free first, she's the key to everything at this point," said Vixen. "If we need help then, we'll send word to you, ok?"
"Ok." George checked the position of the sun and got up, pull his hood to cover his face once more. "Thanks for the up date, I'll come by and check on you next time I'm in town." And with that the former King of Thieve vanished into the growing crowds outside the front door.
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Alyse threw the ball for Ronnie once more, watching as it rolled out her door into the hall way. Sticking her head out, she saw him chase it into Amanda's study at full speed.
"Oh no..." She ran for the door, stopping short as she heard something fall and crash. Walking slowing into the room, she noticed a vase Amanda had been given by one of the other fiefs was in pieces on the floor and Ronnie was sitting beside it with the ball in his mouth, his tail wagging happily. "Ronnie, no! Look what you did, Amanda's gonna kill me..."
She started to gather up the pieces, stopping when she heard steps coming down the hall. The jingle of keys confirmed her suspicions that it was Amanda and she hastened to finish cleaning it up, hoping her cousin wouldn't notice. Shoving the pieces under the couch, she took the ball from Ronnie and tossed it lightly for him, sending him chasing it back out into the hall.
"Hey," said Amanda, glancing up from her stack of papers that she was looking through.
"Hey," replied Alyse, trying to act as normal as possible. "What are you doing?"
"Just looking over these for Grandfather," shrugged Amanda. "He keeps having check more and more of the work for him instead of just doing it himself."
"Oh."
Amanda dumped everything on her desk, writing a quick note on the page on top. "There, that's done, now what's next..." She scanned the room, thinking something odd about it. "Hey, wasn't there a vase there?" Alyse shrugged, not trusting her voice. "I'll have to ask Grandfather about it. He probably just had it moved to be cleaned..." Ronnie ran back in, sniffing under the couch and digging out the pieces Alyse had hidden there.
"Ronnie!" growled Alyse, slapping herself on the forehead. "Of all the times..."
"So, did he knock it down?" asked Amanda, giving Alyse a smile.
"Yeah, sorry about that..."
"Thanks, boy," she said, bending down and scratching him behind the ears. "You just got rid of one of the ugliest things on earth for me."
"You mean, you wanted to break it?" asked Alyse, looking rather puzzled.
"Yeah, that fellow just south of us gave it to me, and I just put it on a shelf for safe keeping until I decided what to do with it. He came over to visit and saw it, so I couldn't get rid of it after that. I put it in here in hopes of someone knocking it over and breaking it, and thank goodness he did."
Grandfather laughed from the doorway, looking somewhat more worn than when Alyse had first arrived and leaning heavily on a staff, but other than that fit as a fiddle. "So that's why you always said it was better off there," he sighed, laughing some more. "I could've had it disposed of if you'd asked..."
"Yeah, but now I can honestly say it was broken by accident," replied Amanda shrugging, heading towards the door. "I have to go check on some other things. Bye!"
"Bye, Amanda."
"Good bye, Lady Amanda."
"You sure are a smart dog, Ronnie," said Alyse as the dog came over and licked her hand. "And a lucky one at that. Want me to throw the ball for you again?" Ronnie jumped up, nodding his head as he barked. "Ok, boy. Fetch!!"
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Kyle and Martin sat in Kyle's office, eating their lunch on the balcony. "So, what now sir?" asked Martin, his papers and files for the case that was sure to come all in order. "We've talked to the Lady and done what we could to secure our position, are you going to go back to the palace or stay here for the summer?"
"I'll stay here and head back late fall," replied Kyle, nodding his head.
"I'd advise you to do so, sir," said Martin, agreeing with him wholeheartedly. "They can't come around and harass the servants while you're here, and it's puts you on the local court's good side if they don't have to wait for you to arrive for a case."
"Maybe I'll invite someone to come and visit while we wait," mused Kyle, looking out over his lands. "I know the King said the ladies of Lynx mountain would have their hands full with the Scanrans attacking and all, but maybe they'd like a short break..."
"You really want to meet the younger of the two, don't you?"
"Yeah, Lady Amanda said she was interested in me, and that's always a good thing. Besides, if she's as proud and stuck up as the rest, at least I'll have her sister and cousin to hand around with until they leave."
"You've met her cousin?"
"Yeah, a sweet girl who's cute but taken."
"She's the one that was with the new knight, Faleron?"
"I think so."
"He died recently."
"Oh, well, she still won't be going after anyone for at least a year, and she's not really my type anyways."
"Start writing," said Martin handing him some ink and paper. "The sooner you ask, maybe the sooner they'll come."
Kyle took the materials from him, smiling slightly. "You're right, I'll do it right now."
**two weeks later**
Kyle held a letter in his hand, scanning it quickly. Their reply had sure come fast, maybe they would be following it shortly. A few lines in, his face fell, relaying the news to Martin who stood waiting patiently near by.
"They aren't coming, sir?" he asked, sounding disappointed.
"No, they're too busy at the moment. She, as in the other sister, said they're coming to the palace, though, as soon as the harvests are in for the year. I'll get to meet the younger one then."
"I'm sorry sir. I know you were looking forward for something to do."
"Yeah, so am I."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Amanda sat on top of the tower, laying back on her outer tunic that she had rolled up into a pillow. The stars twinkled silently over head as a soft breeze blew past her face, filling her senses with the smells and sounds of the forest she was high above. She had hours ago played chess with Levi as Elizabeth and Alyse sat a little ways away, talking about some of the dresses they had seen at the last ball. She had escaped up here to get away from their gossip, having very little interest in it what so ever.
The door in the floor creaked open, catching her attention quickly. "Hey," said Levi as he came up the ladder, shutting the door behind him. The warm breeze caught his hair and tugged at it playfully, scattering it every which way.
"Hey," she replied softly, scooting over to make room for him. "What are you doing up here? It's almost midnight."
"Elizabeth and Alyse sent me up here," he said softly, almost as if he spoke any louder it would shatter the peace and serene that surrounded them. "They got worried and wanted me to make sure you're alright."
"I'm fine," she replied.
"They also asked where the key to the tower was-"
"They what?!" Amanda heard a familiar 'click' and pushed Levi out of the way, jumping through the open door in the floor and heading for the new door and lock she had installed just a few weeks ago in the tower room at the top of the stairs. She pulled on it, hearing the bolt stop it from opening at all.
"Did they lock it?" asked Levi calmly, looking in through the hole.
"Yeah, we're stuck here until morning when Grandfather will come looking for us," growled Amanda.
"I told you to install a two sided lock on that," he teased, helping her back up through the trap door.
"I never thought someone would take advantage of it like this and I never need to lock it anyways while I'm in here. There's really nothing that I do up here that needs to be hidden." She unrolled her outer tunic and pulled it over her head, the night getting chilly all of a sudden.
"So," he said, lying down beside her and looking at the stars as well. "As long as we're stuck here, I want to know what your reply was to Baron Kyle's request."
"You mean of us going and visiting him for a few weeks?"
"Yeah, that one."
Amanda smirked. "What do you think I replied, Levi?"
"Oh....then you're going?"
"No, silly." She turned and gave him a small smile. "We're staying here. If he's in that much of a hurry to meet my sister, he can come and see her here."
"Did you invite him to come and visit?"
"No, he'll come if he really wants to and if he wants to wait he can meet her this winter at the palace."
"Oh, ok."
They stared at the stars some more, each lost in their own thoughts and reveres for awhile. "Hey, Levi?" asked Amanda after awhile, breaking the silence that had hung between them. "Do you know any constellations here?"
"Yeah. See that one over there? The set that looks like a four pointed star with the center being that huge, bright one."
"Yeah."
"That's called 'Mithros's Star' or 'The god's Star.' There's a story behind it of how Mithros use it for something, but I can't remember it all. It's a symbol up north that we use for courage and strength."
"Cool. Any others?"
"Yeah, the one that looks like a bear on its hind legs is Ursa."
"The one to the right of Mithros's Star?"
"Yeah."
"Let me guess, it's the guardian of the bears that roam this mountain."
"Yep. And the one on the other side is Gato, the guardian of the lynx on this mountain."
"Cool." Amanda stared at the constellations, putting them in her memory for later on. Maybe she could find some stories behind them in the library tomorrow when she was let free of this tower. She sat up suddenly, her back going stiff and the wood planks getting too cold to lie on.
Levi sat up as well, scratching the back of his head nervously. "Hey Amanda?" he asked slowly, scooting a bit closer. "I was wondering, do you remember the competition?"
"Haven't we had this conversation before?" she asked in reply, turning to face him. "I think at least two or three times..."
"Twice." He cleared his throat, wondering how to put this. "The I keep getting interrupted-"
"Or losing your nerve, nothing interrupted you last time," cut in Amanda, smiling teasingly. "But, go on. I want to know what you keep trying to ask me."
"Um, ok, so you remember the competition?"
"Yeah."
"And that I beat you?"
"Of course."
"Then you agree that...um..."
"You want something for winning?" asked Amanda, turning out to face the town below. "Name it. As I said the first time, you deserve it for fighting so well and giving up the prize and all..."
"I didn't really want to kiss Elizabeth," he said softly. "She's nice and all, but I don't like her that way, it wouldn't be fair to either of us. I entered to test myself against you, not to swap spit with her."
"I'm glad to hear it. Now, what do you want as your prize?" He turned and sat with his back to her, shifting nervously around as he muttered something she could not hear. "Well? I can't hear you, Levi."
"I said....I said I wanted....a....akissfromyou...." He tensed in the silence, waiting for the blow or sharp yell that was sure to come any moment. But ...neither ever did. He felt her slide over next to him, putting her arm around his waist. He opened his mouth to protest that she didn't have to do this, but was stopped when she kissed him on the lips, just enough to let him know this was something she wanted to do, not forced to. He put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as her hands linked around his waist.
Levi looked down at her, surprised to see her face completely blank other than a small smile, her eyes closed as her head rested on his chest. He was going to say something, but stopped and decided he would just have to thank her sister when he saw her in the morning, despite the fact he had had no part in planning this at all.
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Sean came walking up the path to the hut, a sheepish look on his face and a pack on his back. His sister came and greeted him at the gate, whispered something is his ear. "I know," he said softly in reply. "Is she free? I have some plans for us today."
"What are you will to pay for it?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest and blocking his way. "That means I take the two herds out by myself, no help at all, that's not an easy job, Sean."
"I know. Here." He put a box in her hands, smiling brightly. "Enjoy." She opened the box to at least two dozen caramel candies
"Take her, she's yours for the day," said Stephanie immediately, getting out of his way and tasting one of the candies. "Mum's?"
"Yeah. She can't cook a meal to save her life, but boy can she make caramel candies that melt in your mouth."
"I know. You'd better hurry if you want to catch her, bro, she'll be finishing the dishes any second now."
"Thanks." He bounded up the path, somewhat in a better mood than when he had arrived. His sister had been fairly easy going, and easy to persuade to let him have his Jenny for the day, maybe Jenny wouldn't be too mad for him forgetting about her birthday until now, almost a month later. "Jenny?" he called as he burst in the door. "Jen-ny!"
"Sean?"
"Your Prince Charming has come to rescue you from a day of hard work and toil!" said Sean regally, sweeping down into a bow. She gave him a hug and kiss before pulling back and looking him in the eye.
"What do you mean, save me from hard work?" she asked, going and picking up her pack and staff. "I have a herd to take care of now."
"You have the day off," said Stephanie, sticking her head in the door. "Sean's paid me for it, so get out of here before I change my mind!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Jennifer dumped her things back on her cot and followed Sean out the door.
"Thanks again, sis!"
"No problem, little bro. Just be good!"
Sean smirked. "I will....some what..."
"Sean!"
"I know, I know." He took Jennifer's hand and led her off down a small path that went to one of the back fields. "We're going some place where they'll never find us so no one gets the wrong idea," he explained as she have him a questioning look. "Not that I don't love you or anything, but they all still think you're a guy, and I don't want to get any rumors started, so..."
"I understand," said Jennifer, squeezing his hand. "My friends in Corus, they still haven't found someone who could take it before the King?"
"No," he replied. "They have someone who they can fall back on if they have to, they said, but they'd rather not use this source if they can help it."
"That's ok. I'm really starting to like it here anyways."
"I do have some interesting news from them, though."
"Really? What?"
"Allie and Mouse got saddled with a kid."
"They *what*???"
"They got stuck with a kid. There's some huge story behind it, but I couldn't get it out of them before I left. You'll have to ask them about it later."
"I'll be sure to. When are we arriving at this 'special place' of yours?"
"Right now." Sean pulled back some tall plants on the side of the path, revealing a cave of sorts. He led her in to it, quickly coming out the other side to the edge of a cliff. Below them was a river rushing along its banks through a thick forest that went of forever.
"Wow..."
"Yeah. I found it a couple of years ago when I was visiting Stephanie, and decided to save it for a special day when I might need somewhere to go."
Turning around to face him, Jenny asked teasingly, "So you think I'm special enough?"
"Definitely special enough."
"Thanks."
"Does this make up for the birthday I missed?"
"Maybe if we had some food..." Sean reached behind a rock and pulled out a basket brimming with things to eat. "And something to sit on..." He produced a blanket and spread it out, helping her sit down on it. "And maybe an actual birthday present to go with it all..." Sean pulled out a box and tossed it to her, sitting down beside her.
"Does that make me forgiven?"
Jennifer kissed him on the cheek. "Yeah, it does." She opened the box to reveal a set of papers, the legal documents to a horse that they had at the fief. "You didn't..."
"I did. The other horse you rode to Sarah and John's place was set free and no one can find it now, and Stephanie mentioned something about you liking this particular mount at the fief....they said they can keep her there until the next supply run is sent out to the hut, ok?"
"But you got me the best mare they had," protested Jennifer as she looked over the papers. "She's a beauty, and I love her sweet nature and all....but are you sure you could afford something like this?" Sean nodded, smiling brightly.
"Don't worry, its been taken care of. All you have to do is name her."
"Didn't she already have a name?"
"Yeah, they called her 'Jewel' because she was the best mare they had, but you can rename her if you want..."
"I'll keep it Jewel," said Jennifer, nodding her head. "It fits her nicely."
"As you wish." They spent the rest of the day together there until the sun set, eating, drinking, and enjoying the other's company among other things.
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Lyssa and Eric walked along the wall top and passed each other for the third time, both of them taking a double duty of guard for that night. Midnight had passed a few hours ago, and soon the sun would be rising from the East in a few hours to bring them all another day.
Lyssa passed above a side gate and stopped, hearing something creak below her. She stuck her head over the edge, being careful that she was hidden from view. One of her men, a northerner by birth, had unlocked the gate and left it open a crack, slinking back to the garrison.
She quickly slid down the ladder, hurrying to close the gate once more when an arrow whizzed out of know where and struck her in the arm. "We're under attack!" Lyssa bellowed as the man who had opened up the gate came running back, his bow ready and another arrow aimed at her heart this time. "Sound the alarm! We're under attack!"
Eric jumped from the top of the wall as Scanrans came swarming to the gate, trying to get past Lyssa who was hacking at them with her good arm and her sword as best her could. The traitor who had opened the gate came running at them from behind, trying to kill them both with one arrow when he was stopped by a spear from a guard. A huge bell in the center of the yard went off, another one of the men who had been on guard duty ringing it for all he was worth.
"Are you alright?" Eric asked her as soon as there were enough men out and fighting to fend off the Scanrans, allowing them to fall back and rest. "That looks like a nasty wound..."
"Not really," she grunted, snapped off the shaft and pulling out the head. "It just went though muscle, no bone. Help me bind it up here." He did, ripping off strips from his cloak, and just finished when one of the Captains ran up to report the status.
"The Scanrans are on the run, ma'am, do we go after them?"
"No. I want the wounded tended to, then get that crystal Sir Raoul had us purchase and go around checking everyone. If anyone is caught having helped that man or having known what was going to be done, I want them hanging from the gallows before tomorrow night!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
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Sarah and John shuffled through the large stack of mail they got, separating the junk from what was useful. "Another offer to go work somewhere else. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. A bill for that last shipment of hay, we'll forward it to Onua. A bill for the healer's appointment when you got sick. A bill for that leather we ordered saying to come pick it up and pay for it. Yadda yadda yadda... oh, here's a letter from Tanner and Anne. It appears they've met up or something."
"Read it," said John, gulping his coffee as he filled out a form for a raise from Onua. "We haven't heard from them for months."
"Ok."
Dear Sarah and John,
How are you? We hope you're both doing well, and wish we could say the same for us. Tanner's family was attacked this spring, along with the rest of their village, and he is now the only one left alive from the house he was staying in. He came and found me in a village just a few days away and my father gave him work until he could get back up on his feet. We were wondering if you still need someone to work for you after we left and if you do if he and I could come back and work there once more. I need to raise the money for the cost of joining the Rider's and the equipment they use, and he just needs it to live.
Thanks!
Anne and Tanner
"Do they want their old jobs back?" asked John, glancing up from what he was doing.
"Yeah something like that."
"Let them come. This summer will be busy with Onua coming and taking us somewhere else to get more replacements for the herd. We'll need someone to stay here anyways and look after things while we're gone."
"Ok." She sat down and pulled out a piece of paper, taking out a pencil and envelope as well.
Dear Anne and Tanner...
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And that, my friends, is chapter 21 of A Twister Tortallian Tale. Some new plot twists, no? Anne and Tanner are coming back, a love interest that I've been bugged about for quite awhile has finally started, and the Scanrans are starting to attack more. Where will they strike next and who will be their victim? Or will they attack at all? Hm? I don't know yet, so don't bother asking me. Please, don't forget to review because you all love me or at least pretend you do and I enjoy reading them so much!
Ciao!
~crosseyedbutterfly~