I just want you to know, this is the third time I've started this chapter and the second time I've written it all the way through. I haven't updated do to the fact that the chapter erased itself about 1/4 of the way through, then locked itself up the moment I finished it completely. So there, it's my third start and second time through. Besides, you're getting 29 too as a bonus so I wouldn't be complaining too hard right about now.
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"Hold these," said Libby as she handed Artman a pair of ice skates, multiplying her own pair several times until there were enough for everyone in the group.
"Why?" asked Artman, looking oddly at the skates he had been given a few years ago by some fort personnel or other.
"We're going ice skating of course, dummy," she replied crispy, smiling cutely as she did. "Come on, bunnies! You're coming too!!" They all obediently hopped into her travel bag and settled in, waiting for her to pick it up next.
"We are not!" replied Artman stubbornly. "Or at least I'm not. I'm staying here and reading up on some stuff, thank you kindly."
"No you're not," replied Libby quite simply, pulling out her mallet in a threatening manner. "Artman, I'd come if I didn't want to become a flat pancake of a mage like you're about to be."
"Ok!" he said, dropping the book he had just picked up and scooping up the skates before scurrying on outside. "I'm going!"
"That's a good boy!!"
"How are the others going to know about it?" asked Artman, falling in step behind her as he usually did.
"They just will," replied Libby trustingly. "Now shut up and stop asking stupid questions!"
"Great..."
"I SAID SHUT UP!" *-_-
"...yes, ma'am..." 0.o;;
They reached the lake outside of the palace just as Alyse and Lyssa arrived there as well, Amanda already waiting by the edge with a concerned look on her face. "Hey, Libby," said the noble lady calmly, knowing everything was alright just by the look on her friend's face and relaxing some.
"Hello!" she replied cheerfully, putting the pack she had been carrying on her back on the ground. Or rather the two feet of snow that covered the ground.
"What's going on?" asked Lyssa, panting slightly from running all the way from the practice courts. "The message said it was important and to hurry..."
"We're going ice skating!" explained Libby, flipping the pack upside-down and dumping out several pairs into the snow. "Go on, grab some and get skating!" She took her own pair and sat on a log, attaching them over her boots carefully.
"Hey, guys," said Jon as he and Sarah came from the direction of the stables. "What's going on?"
"We're going skating," explained Amanda quite simply. "Unless, that is, you're too afraid to go..."
"I'm not afraid of anything!"
"Then get a pair and put them on."
"Urg....but....I..."
"Chicken."
"Am not!" Jon grabbed a pair and started to put them on, redoing the lacing several times before he got it right. Libby put a pair on each of her bunnies as well, a skate attached to each paw before she set them lightly on the ice and let them go from there.
"What's up?" asked Vixen as she, Mouse, and Allie arrived on the scene. "Wait... are those bunnies..."
"Skating time!" said Sarah, interrupting her train of thought.
"Oh no..."
Elizabeth and Kyle arrived just about that time, Jennifer not far behind as they were all informed of the group activity and ordered to put on the skates by a rather ticked off looking Artman. His theory was that if he had to suffer, they did too.
Libby so gracefully whirled and floated across the ice that one might think she was dancing instead of skating as her friends moved about around her. Elizabeth and Kyle skated as one, holding hands the whole time. Vixen and Mouse skated on either side of Allie as they supported her and kept her from falling on her butt. Alyse and Lyssa skated amiably with Jennifer as Amanda raced around the lake as fast as she could, taunting Jon to do the same but he kept tripping and falling on his butt before he could catch up to her at all. Sarah was doing some simple tricks of her own, and her and Libby went back and forth to see who could do them the best.
Vixen had gotten free and was racing around with Amanda when she narrowly missed Jon who was sprawled on the ground from another fall. "Hey! Watch it!" he yelled, narrowly missing getting his fingers cut off.
"Watch it yourself and don't fall in front of me!!" replied Vixen angrily, turning to shake her fist at him. That was a mistake. *WHAM* *THUMP*
"VIXEN!!" Amanda pushed herself out of the snow and threw a ball at her friend, hitting her square in the face as she pulled herself up as well.
"Hey!" The two began trading insults, snow balls, and hunks of ice from where they sat as Kyle and Elizabeth came by, laughing at the pair.
"Play nice, girlies!" called Kyle, laughing all the more as he did.
Amanda and Vixen traded looks before each grabbing a large chunk of ice and sliding it at Kyle with the perfect aim. Both of his skates were knocked from under him and he went down hard, taking Elizabeth down on top of him before she even realized what was going on. The pair already on the ice laughed as they sat there in amusement.
"Ha!"
"Gotcha!"
Elizabeth sat on Kyle's stomach, looking around herself in confuse. "How did I..."
*gasp* "Eli...zabeth..."
"Yes, Kyle?"
"Can you... *gasp*...get off me...?"
"Oh!" Elizabeth immediately got off him as Jon went by, smiling proudly when he slipped and felt face first into the ice.
*SMACK* "Ow..." He got up, holding his bleeding nose in his hands. "WHY ME?!?!?!"
Amanda and Vixen got up and went to his side, one giving him a handkerchief and the other hauling him to his feet when Libby (who had been gathering speed for a backwards trick) lost control and careened into his back at 70 miles an hour.
*BAM*
*WHUMP*
*SMACK*
*CRASH*
*WHAP*
*SMASH*
*THWAP*
*BANG*
*POW*
*THUMP*
....*groan*....
Libby sweated as everyone glared up at her from the pile they had all landed in, her bunnies all discarding their skates and running for the cover of her bag. "Oops..."
"Get her!!!!"
"Eep!"
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Jon held Onua's mount's head as she dismounted, hitching the mare up to the post as he felt the snow slip over the top of his boots. "What are you doing here?" asked Sarah as two others lightly dressed came up behind Onua, boys about the same age with very similar looks. "Usually you come and visit us every week, but you were just here two days ago..."
"I've brought you two you need to meet," explained Onua, motioning to the two behind her. "Come on, let's go inside before you're new helpers catch a cold."
"New helpers?!"
"I said you were getting some, didn't I?"
"Well, yes, but..."
"Just go inside, Jon."
"Alright..." They all crowded in the small outer room around the fire, warming themselves as Sarah passed around mugs of fresh coffee from the pot.
"Now who are these two?" she asked, motioning to the boys with her free hand.
"This is Cor and Dar, the sons of a fairly well-known horse breeder in the south," explained Onua as she sipped her warm drink. "They're twins, as you can see, and very good with working with horses. They're too young to go into the Riders just yet, so work like this will be good for them until they can."
"How long have you worked with horses?" asked Sarah as she refilled each of their mugs, inspecting them closely. They couldn't be more than 13 or so, Dar with dark brown hair and deep green eyes that shone in the firelight; his brother just a shade lighter than he in color but both with a deep tan from working outside in the sun for long periods of time.
"Oh, pop's had us around them as long as I can 'member," replied Dar with a shrug. "We done our work with them when he tell us to, and just ride around on some of the unbroken ones when he don't."
Cor grinned boyishly. "Yep, got us some awards from ridin' 'em unbroked like that."
"Almost got ya killed, too," added Dar under his breath.
"I knew what I was doin'!"
"Sure ya did..."
"Boys!" snapped Onua, getting their attention once more.
"We ain't boys, we is young men!" objected Dar in a high and mighty voice. "Pop said so since we got ourselves a job now."
"You are boys, and boys you will be until I say otherwise," growled Jon in a low voice. "I'm a young man, you are not."
"And he still acts like boy too, most of the time," added Onua with a teasing grin.
"Hey!"
"Ha, she got you too," said Cor slyly. "Ain't so tough, now are yous?"
"Why you little-"
"Hey!" Jon let Sarah push him back in his chair as Onua bopped both boys none to lightly on the head. "Behave, all of you."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Alright."
"Fine."
"Now, you two will stay with them and get to know them before you head up north to the stables," said Onua firmly, putting a hand on each boy's shoulder. "I better not get any news of you two stirring up trouble, alright?"
"Yes, Onua."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. I'll be by later to check on you all, alright?"
"Ok," said Sarah, helping the woman get back into her winter clothes. "We'll take care of them. Or at least I will anyways."
"I'll take care of them," growled Jon. "I'll take care of them so well you'll never hear from them again."
"Jon!"
"Alright....sorry..."
"Is it always this cold up here?" asked Cor, rubbing his hands together for warmth.
"It's colder where we're going soon for part of the time," replied Sarah with a smirk.
"You, brother, I think we're screwed," said Cor, the color draining from his face.
"I think you're right..."
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Jennifer knocked on Roberto's door as the sun began to set, quickly bustled into the warm, glowing room where everyone waited. "Jenny!" cried Chelsea, giving her a hug around the enlarged midsection of her body.
"Chelsea," said Jennifer in excitement. "You're....pregnant!"
"Yep," she replied, smiling radiantly as she exchanged hugs with her husband warmly. "Isn't it wonderful??"
"It is," replied Jennifer, smiling warmly as she hugged her friend again. "You look great, really."
"Thanks."
"Jenny!!" Jennifer knelt down and greeted the two little girls, both of them much taller than she remembered them being and older looking as well. After all, she had been in exile for quite some time...
"How's that boyfriend of yours doing?" asked Roberto, giving her a seat at the kitchen table as he and Chelsea finished cooking the meal.
"Sean?" replied Jennifer. "Oh, he's doing fine. Do you want any help? I mean, I could do something to help things move along faster..."
"Stay put," said Chelsea firmly. "Tonight you are our guest, not our worker or our tenant who is living in our loft. As such, you will not do a thing and let us do all the work."
"If you're sure..."
"We are."
"Alright, then..." Jennifer sat at the table and played with the girls as Chelsea and Roberto finished the meal, understanding why she couldn't help this time. It hurt her, in a way, that she would never completely be a part of their family again, but they all understood that life goes on and things change with time.
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"Hey, Kel," said Alyse, coming up beside the squire in the hallway two days before her ordeal.
"Oh, hello Alyse," greeted Kel pleasantly. "I trust you and your family have been well?"
"Yes, Lady Amanda and Lady Elizabeth are both fine," replied Alyse calmly, bowing as she did. "I trust you and Lord Raoul are doing fine as well?"
"Yes, thank you," replied Kel.
"You're worried about your Ordeal, aren't you Kel?" asked Alyse with a knowing look.
"Hm?" Kel looked at Alyse in surprise. "How did you...?"
"You're being overly polite and formal," Alyse pointed out lightly. "The only time you do that is when something is bothering you."
"I am a little nervous," admitted Kel in shame. "To have you, a Yamanis, notice it shows how bad it really is though..."
"I have not lived among the Yamanis for many years," Alyse reminded her gently. "I have picked up many of your western ways in the process living with my cousins as I do. I wouldn't worry about it too much if I were you."
"That is true," admitted Kel with a frown.
"Your ordeal will be fine," said Alyse firmly. "I believe in you, Amanda does, Raoul does, and several others you have never even met. We have faith in you, Kel, you will pass your ordeal."
"Thank you," said Kel with a small smile, bowing as she did. "I must be going now, Lady Alyse, but thank you again for your words of encouragement. They are what I needed to hear."
"I know."
Alyse watched as Kel walked down the hallway. [There goes one of the finest knights to come in all of Tortall] she thought to herself as she did. [Now if only everyone else would realize it as well..]
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Vixen walked confidently down the halls of the palace, on her way to finish up some business with Amanda when someone's hand caught her arm and held her in place for a moment. "Excuse me?" she said pleasantly, reaching for a knife as she turned to see who it was. "Would you mind removing- Oh. Hey George, Alanna."
"Hello, missy," he replied with a twinkle in his eye.
"Vixen," said Alanna pleasantly, exchanging nods and a smile with the Queen of Thieves.
"What are you doing wandering the halls of the palace, Vixen?" asked George accusingly. "You wouldn't be trying for a few bits of gold, would you?"
"No," replied Vixen honestly. "Me and Mouse gave our word as friends of Amanda's to behave while we're in the palace. As for Allie...we can usually control her between the two of us."
"Then what are you doing here?" asked Alanna, raising and eyebrow teasingly as she did. "Joe would not be pleased to hear that you've picked up a noble suitor on your many trips to the palace..."
"I haven't," said Vixen flatly, glaring at the couple. "I'm seeing Amanda to work out some last minute details, alright?"
"Alright, missy, you know we're just giving you a hard time," said George, shaking hands with her as he did.
"I know," replied Vixen sullenly, giving him a half-hearted glare but knowing she couldn't do more than that. Really, George was too nice to hate him for too long, as long as you weren't his enemy that is.
"Tell Joe I said hi," said George, hearing the second bell as it went off from the tower nearby.
"I will," replied Vixen with a grin. "He'll want to see you before we go, so you might want to stop by the Dancing Dove before then."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"We'll be seeing you," said Alanna, leading her husband in the direction they had been going earlier. "Keep yourself out of trouble, Vixen."
"I will."
"Bye."
"Bye."
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Lyssa sat on her bed with her things partially packed around her, noting how peaceful and tranquil things felt here at the palace. It was like a dream, a dream far displaced from the frenzy and fear up on the boarder. Her men and women were up there right now fighting for this country, but here it felt like such slaughter shouldn't even be happening.
It was too peaceful, too quiet. The only noise came from the servants or the town or the animals or soldiers training to be sent north. No battle crying ringing in the air. No one crying or screaming as they died. No foul smells of the dead that had been buried the day before. Nothing.
It wasn't that she liked the war, or that she wanted it to drag on, she just felt that like if part of the country were at war, all of it should feel like it, not just part. It made it seem like the north was an entity all its own.
Oh, but you couldn't forget that Tortall hadn't 'officially' declared war yet, they were just defending their boarders from hoards of raiding parties. Raiding parties with huge metal machines to back them up. Yeah, they weren't at war and she was a monkey that was being led around by a clown in the middle of a graveyard.
"Idiots," she muttered as she heard some other freshie crack a joke about how untrained and barbaric the Scanrans are. He would be one of the first to fall if he continued to underestimate them like that. Doing such was a fatal flaw, his hubris would be his end. She had seen them fight, and had fought them herself. They were skilled in combat, in raiding and in ambushes. Just not in siege tactics and such. Still, such things an army could learn and Tortall would be in trouble if the Scanrans did.
She would be there soon enough, fighting side-by-side with her Riders and soldiers once more. And until then, she would enjoy this peace.
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Kyle sat before the King semi-nervously. He had to explain everything right now so the King could back it up later, so his fake death wouldn't be discovered by the authorities.
"Alright," said the King, setting aside the documents he had been signing. "What is it that you're going to do, Baron?"
"I'm renting a carriage," explained Kyle carefully. "A very old, rickety one with the wheels set to fall off at a certain point. My driver is going to jump from the vehicle at a certain point down the road, then I will jump as well just before it goes over the edge into a swirling riving below where most of it will never be found again."
"And why are you doing this again?" asked the King, frowning at how reckless the young Baron was. "You could die pulling this stunt, Baron Kyle!"
"I know," he replied calmly, a steady look to his face. "But, I don't need the fief. The Lady Mage has said we aren't staying here forever, so what need to I have of such riches when any family and home I would have I would leave behind? Martin practically runs the fief as it is, and I know he and his family will take much better care of it than I ever could."
"That is very true," admitted the King with a nod.
"Also, I love Elizabeth but I know she's not going to leave her sister's or her friend's side when they need her help," went on Kyle with a small grin. "So, I sneak up north with our horse friends and presto! I get to spend time with her and work as a servant for my keep."
"That is true as well."
"Also, while I'm up there I'll be able to help Daine with her reports and spying. Such a job will be of great help to the boarder, won' it?"
The King nodded understandingly. "You are a young man of great ideals, Kyle," he said solemnly. "Don't even lose them. I wish you luck on your journey ahead."
"Thank you, sire."
"And thank you."
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"Go to sleep already!" cried Elizabeth, sticking her head out into the main room where her weary sister paced back and forth across the room while checking things on some lists she had.
"I can't," replied Amanda in exasperation.
"You know she's going to make it anyways," argued Elizabeth irritatedly. "If you know she's going to make it, and everything will be ok, then why are you so freaking worry about it?!"
"You don't understand," growled Amanda, picking up her lists and things and retreating back into her rooms.
"I don't care, either," shot back Elizabeth. "Fine, don't sleep, I don't care, just stop making noise so the rest of us can!"
"Fine!" Amanda sighed as she shut her door and looked at the papers in her hands. Kel would be entering the chamber right now, and she already knew what the ordeal would be. The first bell of the morning hours rang out lonely in the silence. It was going to be a long night...
**dawn**
Amanda stumbled out of her rooms, heading through the hallways and meeting a few others from her group along the way. Alyse, who was coming out of her room at the same time, then Lyssa who spotted them in the halls. Vixen was waiting for them out in front of the temple, her face covered by a hood but Amanda still knowing her by her half-hidden eyes.
"Come," she said to the three of them, leading the way in. "Let's get ourselves some seats before they're all gone." They sat towards the back away from the door, the place soon becoming packed with others who wanted to see if the girl squire had failed her ordeal or passed to become a knight. Libby found them there and joined the group, all waiting anxiously to see what would happen.
"It's odd," said Alyse, toying with her fan nervously. "I know she will walk through those doors and be fine, yet I can't help feeling just a little bit anxious..."
"It's different when you're apart of the story, rather than just reading it," added Vixen under her breath, her hands fiddling with the hem of her cloak.
"A lot different," added Amanda quietly. "So many things...we could've changed the course of history if we'd wanted to, you know. We knew what was coming up until now, we could've used those things to our advantage."
"But we didn't," Lyssa reminded her quickly. "Maybe that's what sets us apart from others, the reason the book chose us over all the rest."
"The fact that we wouldn't mess with the past?"
"The fact that we would use our talents and positions to help it along rather than to tear it down."
"Oh..." The Chamber's door swung open, revealing a weary Kel who stood just inside the doorway for a moment before she seemed to be pushed out into the light, a great cheer rising from the crowd as everyone rose to their feet to see. Raoul helped her out of the temple and to her rooms after making sure she was alright.
"It is done," said Alyse, a placid look on her face.
"Now begins the next of our journey," sighed Vixen.
"But now we don't know what's going to happen next," Amanda reminded them solemnly. "In a way, I'm scared..."
"Knowing the future, it was like a security that we could hold onto," added Vixen. "That everything was so predictable in this unpredictable world."
"And now that security is gone," said Lyssa grimly.
"But now we also have each other," Libby pointed out quickly. "I think that, though the future is unclear, and our time here limited, we will survive. It is like Lyssa said, we were put here because we would use our talents to help this place progress along, not to destroy it completely."
"It worries me still," admitted Amanda slowly. "Even if we will be together, I do not know now when the Scanrans will strike nor where. We did not know that much before, but we knew not to expect much. Now, it is like a game that just got a whole lot harder..."
"Harder, yes," replied Vixen, meeting her friend's eyes. "More unpredictable as well, but we will prevail."
Libby sighed, looking out the window to the now risen sun. "We have to..."
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Libby stood out in the snow impatiently, wrapping her cloak around her even more as she shivered from the howling winds. "Aw, come on!" she cried. "I said I've been here before. I'm the healer mage, remember? The one who left all the bunnies behind..."
"Sure you are," muttered the young man guarding the door. "And I'm a little boy with measles who needs to be healed."
"That can be arranged you know," growled Libby threateningly.
"Whoop-dee-do..."
"Arthur! Let that woman in at once!" yelled someone from inside. "That's the famous Brazir mage who came and left us all those wonderful bunnies for the children to care for!"
"Uh..."
"Hm." Libby threw the young man a triumphant smile as she made her way inside, muttering something about young guards who didn't know their place as she passed the headwoman of the orphanage. That boy wouldn't be getting any food tonight...
"Welcome," said the woman quickly, bowing as she did. "Please, I apologize for the wait. Arthur is headstrong and stubborn, as well as fairly thickheaded of course, I hope you aren't too cold from your time in the weather..."
"Nothing some hot soup and a place by the fire wouldn't cure," replied Libby quickly with a smile, being ushered into a large room with a gigantic fireplace on one wall and children everywhere. They quickly surrounded her with their joyous cries, showing them the new bunnies that had been born and the ones that had belonged to her originally quickly coming to greet here through the crowds.
"Now now, children," said the headwoman sternly. "Let her warm herself by the fire, then you may come and see her but only a few at a time."
Libby was treated like a noblewoman as they took her wet cloak and gave her a warm blanket as well as a padded chair by the fireplace. Dinner was served to her specially made with everything still warm from the oven, and a small cushion and meal was provided for Pinky who had accompanied her on her journey there.
The children came up a few at a time to show her their bunnies, each one getting some attention from their old owner and a thorough checkup to make sure all was well with them. Pinky would greet each one as well by touching noses with them and holding a conversation in their own special language. She was a great-great-grandmother to some of these bunnies. To one she was a grandmother and a great-great-grandmother because her mother had been her daughter and her father her great-grandson. But then again, bunny family ties tend to be pretty jumbled up...
All in all, it was fun, cute, and very warm.
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Sarah and Jon walked along the streets of Corus with Dar and Cor right behind them, the two boys shivering in their cloaks as they were unused to the weather and snow that surrounded them. "Yuppies," muttered Jon as he heard their teeth start to chatter, burying his head deeper into his scarf and kept on walking.
"There it is," said Sarah after awhile, seeing the Dancing Dove right up ahead to their right.
"You're taking us into that rundown dump?" asked Dar in wonder. "Why are you doing that?"
"Our friends live there," replied Sarah tightly. "I would not call it a rundown dump if I were you, especially once we get inside."
"Why, is the owner going to knife me or something?" Both boys laughed.
Sarah sighed and rolled her eyes. "He just might..."
They went inside and stood by the door, at medium sized and built woman from a table in a corner waving them over to her. "Who's that?" asked Cor as the woman sat back down in a large, ornately carved chair that looked more like a throne.
"That would be Vixen," replied Jon slowly. "Be nice to her, she's in charge of this place."
"In charge?" said Cor in surprise. "We ought to tell her how bad this place looks, then."
"It's supposed to look bad," said Jon in exasperation. "That way people will leave them alone!"
"Why would they want to be left alone, are they running from the law or something?!" demanded Dar. "It doesn't make sense!"
"Just shut up and walk."
"Who's your friends?" asked a young woman sitting on the arm of the throne next to the woman who was in charge. Her long brown hair was held back in a braid, and if it weren't for the sword at her side one might think her to a stable worker in her dusty jerkin and patched pants.
"This would be Cor and Dar," said Jon, taking a seat beside Sarah as the two boys stood between them. "Our two new helpers for up north."
"Great," muttered the woman in mock exasperation. "More people to keep track of..."
"Boys, this is Vixen and Amanda," said Jon, motioning to each one with his hand. "That guy beside Vixen is Joe, and the three on the other side of Amanda are Elizabeth, Allie, and Mouse. That woman beside Sarah is Libby, and the man with her is Artman."
"Hello," said Artman, shaking hands with the boys.
"Hello," they replied together.
"They look a bit young to be helpers," observed Amanda lightly. "How old are these to young 'uns?"
"Old enough," retorted Dar, glaring in her direction. "What're you so nosy about, hm? Not like you're in charge of us or nothing."
"Shows how much you know," replied Amanda in a low voice.
"I'd pay her more respect than that, boy," said Elizabeth, glaring at him slightly. "That would be my sister you're talking to, there."
"So what?" replied Dar sarcastically. "It's not like she's a noble or...oh...." He caught sight of the signet ring Amanda had taken out from under her shirt and started toying with immediately regretting his words. "My...my apologies, Lady Amanda....had I known..."
"I love being a noble almost much as I hate it," murmured Amanda, shaking her head as she put the ring away.
"Oh, and by the way," piped in Cor. "Who keeps this place in shape 'cuz they ain't doin' their job. The outside looks horrible..." Cor trailed off when he saw the fire flare up in Vixen's eyes.
"See, I'm a noble and that's a well and good," said Amanda lightly, smiling wickedly as she did. "But I have to abide by the laws. The woman you just insulted is Queen Vixen of the Rogue. And you are standing in her palace."
"What was that about my home?" asked Vixen in a low growl, glaring at the boy menacingly.
*gulp* "N...nothing....milady..."
"That's what I thought."
"You're really getting off to a rough start, aren't you?" asked Jon pityingly.
"They're just like you, Jon, they always have their foot in their mouth," commented Libby out of the blue.
"Oh, you're going to let her talk to you like that?" asked Dar with a smirk on her face.
"As a matter of fact I am," replied Jon quite simply. "You see, I've learned that it's very painful to pick fights with certain people in this group, seeing as the rest will merely smack you down without asking anything at all. You two better straighten up before it happens to you too."
Cor and Dar exchanged nervous looks. "Right..."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Sean and Jennifer sat down at the table the waiter had showed them to, Sean taking both menus and setting them to the side as he said he already knew what they were getting.
"You're not getting something really weird, are you?" asked Jennifer suspiciously as she took a sip of her drink.
"No, no," replied Sean quickly. "You'll like it, I promise. The cook's a friend of mine from school, and he said he'd make us his special which isn't on the menu as a favor."
"Oh, that's cool."
"Yeah, one of the definite pluses of going to school with almost every young chef in Corus: getting excellent meals at reduced prices."
"Not that you use these reduced meals all the time, right?" asked Jennifer with a hint of teasing in her voice.
"It wouldn't matter much price wise," admitted Sean with a lopsided grin. "But the favors only come on special occasions."
"Then I'm special enough?"
"Most definitely special enough. Not to mention beautiful, smart, funny, an excellent cook, kind, sweet, gentle, and a bit feisty at times..." Jennifer just blushed and looked down at her hands, fiddling with them nervously as Sean drew something out of his pocket. "Here," he said, handing it to her from across the table. "It's for you...since you'll be leaving soon..."
"Sean, you didn't have to," she said slowly, hesitating slightly.
"I know," he replied quite simply. "But...I wanted to..." Jennifer took it and opened the bow slowly, seeing a silver charm bracelet sitting there amidst the silk cloth that kept it safe.
"Wow..." She took it out and studied each charm carefully. There were six cats, two humans, and a chef's hat in all. Each cat was created to represent one of her six, and man like Sean, the woman like her, and the chef's hat like the one she wore all the time when she cooked. "Sean...how in the world did you ever...."
"There's a metal mage who came through that my father knows a little while ago," explained Sean slowly. "He was that funny-looking guy in the gray robes that kept following you around that one day, and created this from what he saw."
"Wow...I mean, this is amazing...thank you..."
"It's something to remember us by," said Sean softly. "I don't know what it is, Jen, but I have a feeling in my gut that you're going up there and I'm never going to see you again. Not because you'll die or never come to see me but because you're going home, and you're never coming back."
"Sean," said Jennifer softly. "You, you don't know that..."
"Except for I do."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Alyse shuffled quickly along the halls of the palace, her kimono making soft swishy noises as her padded feet were silent across the floor. Her arms were piled high with supplies and lists she needed to check over again, the stack threatening to topple a few times as she fought to defy gravity by keeping it upright. She rounded a corner at top speed when she hit something rather solid, gravity taking over from there and everything she had been holding onto scattering to the floor in clumps everywhere.
"Sorry about that," said the young man as he helped her back to her feet. "Really, I didn't see you-...Lady Alyse?"
Alyse glanced up, her hands straightening her kimono as she realized who it was. "Faleron..."
"I trust you've been well," he said formally, helping her pick up her fallen things quickly as he tried not to meet her eyes.
"As well as can be expected," she replied softly, keeping her eyes downcast as well. "I'm sorry for bumping into you like that, I really should be more careful..."
"No, the fault is mine," he insisted firmly. "I should've have been watching where I was going." They both fell silent, each thinking their own thoughts as Alyse finished piling up her things in her arms and turned to leave. "Alyse," said Faleron, freezing her in her tracks. "I....um, thank you."
"And thank you," she replied, giving him a small smile before heading back towards her rooms. It was the last time she would ever see him, and she left that day without any regrets.
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Vixen went back and compared all the many lists and charts that swamped her desk, Mouse making the final copies of everything across the table from her. "You're sure these figures are right?" asked Vixen, flipping through the pages hurriedly with a frown. "Some of them seem a little...high..."
"They're right, I've checked everything myself," replied Mouse with her head about three inches from the paper she was writing on. "Stupid candle, I'd give anything for a decent lamp right now..."
"I can bring up and oil one from the main room if you want."
"Could you?"
"No problem."
"Thanks."
"Queen Vixen," said Joe, opening the door suddenly with a few of the thieves she had chosen for the squad that would come north right behind him. "These fine thieves have come to me claiming they need new cloaks for the long journey north."
"Let me see the cloaks," said Vixen, shooting Mouse a look that kept her from putting in her two cents worth. "Come on, out with them now, you lazy bunch of sewer slugs."
The thieves knew the names were only in jest and pulled out their cloaks with ease, showing her the tears and rents in them that had obviously been made by a dagger fairly recently. "See, milady?" said one of the young men solemnly. "Tis full of holes, and no time to take it to the tailor to be fixed and mended properly."
"Yes, you're right. I have just the thing," said Vixen, smiling wickedly all the while. The thieves brightened, sure they were to get new, warm cloaks. "Joe, get me Wort, that old fellow upstairs."
"Yes, ma'am," he replied, a small grin on his face. The thieves looked amongst themselves in confusion. Wort? Who was Wort?
"Master," said a little, bent over fellow with pointed ears as he trotted like a proud puppy into the room. "What is it Master requires of Wort, hm? Perhaps a new tunic or cloak you can only trust with Wort to make?"
"Thank you, but no Wort," said Vixen with an amused look on her face. "Wort, take a look at these cloaks. Do you think you could mend them all by tomorrow?"
Wort took the one from her hands and muttered to himself as he inspected it closely. "Hm...torn, they is....Wort can fix tears, of course...hm, nnn.....uhnnn, mmm....is only small tears, nothing Master should worry about....hm, made with daggers and blades, they were, yes, Wort can tell...Wort can have these fixed for you by tomorrow..."
"Good," said Vixen, looking at the thieves. "Tears made by daggers, hm..."
"Thank you, milady, for your generous gift," said one of the thieves quickly, bowing low as she did. "With all due respect, we must be going now."
"Of course," said Vixen, waving them away quickly. "Make sure you're packed ahead of time in case we must leave early."
"Yes, milady."
"That was interesting," said Joe, looking at the old man as he wandered back to him room in the attic with the capes slung over the back all the while muttering to himself about the tears and how kind his Master was. "Did you want something?"
"Could you get us a lamp so Mouse can see what she's doing?"
"Sure thing."
"Thanks."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
"You're sure you want to do this?" asked Amanda, standing across from Lyssa inside the ring on the indoor practice courts. "I mean, I don't want to hurt you or anything..."
"Just shut up and fight," said Lyssa with a good natured grin. "If I get hurt, Libby will heal me, right?"
"Of course," piped up Libby from the sidelines.
"Alright..." Amanda did a few quick stretches before going into a loose form that depended more on speed than strength. Lyssa took her own and attacked, charging head on to test Amanda's bounds. The noble ducked and dodged her way around the attacks, ignoring the openings she saw and concentrating mainly on wearing her opponent out to nothing.
"Fight me, for crying out loud! Stop dancing around you pussy!" cried Lyssa, getting frustrated with Amanda's lack of aggression. *WHAM* "Ow..."
"Are you alright?" asked Amanda, helping her to her feet carefully. "I thought you'd see that one coming..."
"I'm alright," replied Lyssa roughly, rubbing her soar backside from where she had landed since Amanda had swept her feet right out from under her. "Come on, let's go again."
"You're sure," said Amanda, a doubtful look on her face.
"I'm sure," replied Lyssa, a determined look on her face.
"Ok..."
Lyssa didn't attack directly head on this time, she came in low and began and series of fast punches and kicks, concentrating all the more as Amanda managed to block or dodge everyone. It continued on like this, Amanda letting her push her to the side of the ring as she waited patiently for her turn to come. Lyssa saw her opening and drew her fist back, lunging forward with all her strength when... *poke*
Amanda stood behind Lyssa as she toppled to the ground from losing her balance, shaking her head sadly as she did. "You swung to high," she stated lightly. "I ducked right under it and it only took a tap to knock you forward on your face. Very bad form, my friend, very bad-" *BAM* "....that kinda hurt..."
"That was the point," growled Lyssa, lying there looking at her friend who she'd knocked down while she was talking.
"That was also a low move, even for you."
"Gee, thanks, it served it's purpose though..."
"I guess so. Slowpoke."
"Show-off."
"Goofball."
"Uptight noble."
"Am not."
"I'm not a goofball."
"You are a cheater."
"Eh, I can take that."
"Alright....goofball cheater."
"Hey!"
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Kyle sat there in his rough clothes as the carriage clattered down the path at an usually fast pace, the scenery change telling him it was almost time. The coach saw his cue up ahead and knocked twice on the baseboard, jumping seconds after that and leaving Kyle alone with the galloping horses in the unstable craft. He swung open the door and watched as the ground whizzed by, seeing the turn up ahead where the road became a cliff.
He had to jump now or lose his life going over the edge with the pile of wood on wheels that was somehow still standing. Closing his eyes tight, Kyle leapt away from the carriage right before the turn and rolled away into the woods, hearing the scream of the horses as they lost their load over the lip of the cliff and was torn free from the harnesses by the force.
Rolling down a hillside there, Kyle finally came to rest by a small creak, getting a drink from it before heading out back towards the palace at a slow pace that let his soar muscles regain their strength and his racing heart slow itself some. He had never felt such an adrenalin rush in his life, and didn't want to ever again.
He began to lope through the forest, sticking to the moss and the rocky stream banks when he could so as to leave as few footprints as possible. Not that anyone would be tracking him, but he didn't want to leave a wide-open trail for some fool to find later on and spoil the surprise.
His death would be mourned by all, and Martin would come to accept the ennoblement that Kyle had willed to him ever so graciously. What would he do if some idiot suddenly stumbled across his hiding place the day of his funeral and uncovered him as a fraud to all?
Kyle saw the road he had to cross up ahead a few hours later, knowing he was half way there. He should make it by dawn, if were fast enough, and if not he would lay low in the woods until the next night. He had food and water enough to last until then.
Next Stop: Rider's facilities.
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Elizabeth and Allie giggled incessantly as they walked together down the snow-laden streets of Corus, each holding a purse full of gold in their in their pouches and daggers up their sleeves. "So, where are you taking me today?" asked Elizabeth, motioning to the alleys and side streets her friend tended to inhabit rather than the main roads.
"Just to some shops of my friends," replied Allie with a sly smile, leading her to a narrow alley on their right. They went into a shop with dirty windows and an old, rotting door, scents of leather coming from inside as they paused outside the door.
"You're sure this place is alright?" asked Elizabeth doubtfully.
"Wait 'till you see the owner," said Allie with a wicked smile. "Jaxer, you in there?"
"Well, look what the wind blew on in, my favorite sex kitten," said someone in a rich baritone voice, a young man coming from the back rooms of the hot shop. He wore only a tight pair of leather pants and a scrap of a shirt, holes ripped and torn in it everywhere that showed his ripped muscles to no end. With an afternoon shadow and semi-long hair that fell in locks around his face, he was gorgeous. "How's it been, honey?"
"Alright," replied Allie, giving him a sexy smile. "Unfortunately, I can't stay long, honey. This is my friend, Elizabeth."
"Nice to meet you," said Jaxer, sending her a saucy smile.
"Same here," replied Elizabeth with a slight tilt of her chin.
"You're here to pick up some more of the usual, then?" asked Jaxer, turning his attention back to Allie.
"In a way," replied Allie slowly. "Liz wants a look at what you've got. She might be needing some of your...wares....sometimes soon."
Jaxer grinned slyly. "Of course. Right this way, miladys." He led them behind the counter to a room in the back where the walls were covered in leather toys. Handcuffs with fuzzy insides, thongs to tie people with, whips, masks, leather outfits....it was a temptress' dream come true.
"I've died and gone to heaven," was all Elizabeth could say, staring up at the many goods, some of which she could only imagine what they were used for, with a hungry look in her eyes.
"Prices start at three gold nobles," stated Jaxer formally as he held up a simple, unadorned collar and leash. "All the way to several hundred." He motioned to a dominatrix outfit that she would've bought on the spot had she the chest to pull it off nicely. "Where would you like to start." Elizabeth wandered over towards the whips and thongs.
"Oh, I think this area will do just fine..." She and Allie left the shop an hour later, a few bags heavier with their purchases in their arms and the purses somewhat lighter.
"Where to now..." said Allie to herself, scanning the alley as she made her decision and led Elizabeth to a small stall where the woman sold mainly perfumes and incense type stuff. "Hello, Hellan. Get in another shipment this week?"
"Of course, youngling," said the old mage who ran the stall with a thin smile. "I see you've come for your usual purchases."
"Actually, it's more for a friend of mine than me," said Allie quickly. "The stuff you gave me last time was quite potent, and will last at least another week yet."
"Good good, who is your friend?"
"Name's Liz," said Elizabeth, exchanging nods with the woman. "What is it I would want to see here, Allie?"
"Get the incense out," said Allie to Hellan with a grin. "You will have her gold soon enough."
"If you are so sure, child..."
"I am." Elizabeth smelled the incense as it burned, feeling herself become rather sleepy but also rather aroused...
"I'll take it," the moment she realize what was happening and snapping out of her semi-trance. "Geez, that's powerful. I don't suppose you'll tell me how to make it, will you?"
"Not a chance," replied Hellan firmly. "A noble a stick."
"Give me ten." They traded the money for the incense and Elizabeth looked in her purse. "Uh oh, I'm all out."
"Let's go back to the palace and you can get some more," suggested Allie with a grin. "I think Amanda is willing to get you out of her hair for another twenty nobles or so."
Elizabeth grinned thoughtfully. "I think you might be right..."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Artman looked at the Master Mage and the ring of protection he had created in the snow, giving him an area where he could work magic without possibly harming others in the process. "Are you sure this will work?" asked Artman, glancing at the target before him.
"The tests will show what it is you are doing wrong with your gift to blow yourself up all the time instead of your intended target," explained Numair for the hundredth time. "Please, Mage Artman, this is for your own good and the safety of those around you..."
"Alright, alright," said Artman crossly, focusing on the wood block on the stand. He called on his gift slowly, drawing upon it's power as he sought to create the whirlwind in his hands, slowly saying the words to the spell and increasing the power until he let it go with a shout, the whirl wind flying towards the block, hesitating, then flinging itself back towards Artman with a vengeance. "AHHHH!!!" Everything in the protective circle was burned to a crisp except the wood itself, standing there in the middle like and untouchable god as Artman continued to fry.
"Ouch," said Numair as he winced at the sight of the burn Artman, backing up as the boy wheezed out some soot and ashes from his lungs. "Um, this is really sad, you know that?"
"What, you can't fix it?" asked Artman in alarm.
"No," replied Numair quite simply. "The only reason you've been having these problems is because you're pronouncing them wrong. The sealing words, at least, that is. Look here, see this spell? It is the one you just used."
"I know," said Artman in irritation. "I can read, you moron. What has that got to do with me and pronunciation of words? And why is it sad? What's that supposed to mean, hm??"
"It's sad because you shouldn't be making this mistake at all," replied Numair sharply. "Look, see that symbol over the 's'?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"You're pronouncing it like a 'Ssss' sound, but when it has this little swishy mark over it, it makes a 'Sht' sound instead. See?"
"Oh..." Artman sat back, letting the information work it's way into his pea-sized brain before he tried to speak again so it didn't get lost along the way. "Trystan never told me that..."
"There was probably a reason for it," said Numair kindly, putting his books away and picking up his wards as Artman tried the spell again on the block. The wood burnt itself away completely, leaving Artman untouched for the first time ever. He then ran around in circles burning everything in sight, yelling something about being the Master of the Flame or something like that. "And I think I just found out why..."
"I am Lord of the FLAMES!" cried Artman, creating a giant inferno around himself in the forest.
"Try Lord of the FLAMERS!!" yelled back Libby, malleting him so hard on the head that all the flames disappeared. "Gees, Numair, I just had him trained to be all obedient too. Now I have to go back and do it all over again..."
"Uh, sorry," replied Numair as he watched Libby drag her unconscious partner through the burnt parts of the forest back to the palace and their rooms. "Goddess help us all..."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
"You're back," said Jon in surprise as Onua entered the stables he and Sarah took care of while they were there for her. "Why so soon? It's only been two days..."
"I have something for you," explained Onua, holding up a sealed document in her hands. "By the way, how are the boys?"
"Chatter boxes who are constantly putting their foot in their mouth," replied Jon, rolling his eyes as he did. "We introduced them to part of the group and it was a disaster, they couldn't seem to keep their mouths shut if their lives depended on it."
"I see," said Onua lightly, handing him the document with a wicked smile on her face. "I knew you and them would get along just fine, you have so much in common..."
"Gee, thanks. What's this?"
"Open it and see, dummy." Onua looked at him in exasperation, sighing as she did.
"Alright..." Jon opened the envelope and pulled out a set of documents, reading over them quickly, then going back and reading over them again to make sure what he had read was right. "You're giving me Mandie?! Why?!"
"Why not?" asked Onua with a shrug. "She won't work with us, Jon. She can't be ridden, she'll pull a cart but only you can get her hitched and ready without getting your fingers bit off. She's fixed on you like you're her family or something, probably since you fed her and all when she was a colt, so now she's yours."
"Basically, you're dumping her on me because you can't use her," said Jon flatly, pointing a finger accusingly at her.
"Yep," replied Onua with a coy grin. "Not a bad deal, you see? She'll be your pack horse going up north, and then she can do work for you around the stables that you can't use the other mounts for."
"She can't be ridden," argued Jon. "She's as useless to me as she is to you, really."
"Just take the freakin' horse and let it be," said Onua in irritation. "You'll find a use for her, if only a guard for the stables at the most."
"Wonderful. And if she decides to kill my two assistants?"
"That's your problem now, she's your horse and they're your assistants, Jon. I'm not replacing either if they get lost broken or killed."
"Thanks for the help, Onua, and your generous gift," ground Jon through his teeth, shooting her a poisonous glare.
"You're quite welcome as always," she replied with a sweet smile, nodding as she did. "Take care of her, Jon, she's your horse, after all."
"Yeah, right," he muttered, rolling his eyes again as she did.
"I don't see what you're complaining about," said Dar as he tumbled out of the hayloft from above. "A horse is a horse is a horse, you can always find something for them to do."
"Not this horse," replied Jon with a frown. "And what are you two doing up there anyways? You're supposed to be back in your room!!"
"We got bored," said Cor, coming down from the loft as well. "And we are not chatter boxes with our foot in our mouth! That would really hurt, you know, and I try to avoid pain at all costs."
"Argh..." Jon whacked himself in the forehead, wishing darkness would come as the twins continued to argue back and forth. Why him???
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Jennifer and her six cats padded silently through the barn, stopping occasionally to greet this mare or that gelding that they recognized. "Hello, Fern," said Jennifer softly as she gave Alyse's horse a lump of sugar. "That's a good girl, yes it is." They moved on down the line, looking for one mare in particular.
Jennifer was giving Elizabeth's horse a slice of apple when something clamped onto her sleeve, looking at her reproachfully with big green eyes. "Alright, alright," said Jennifer, giving Jewel some of the apple as well. "I didn't forget about you, Jewel. Here, have some sugar too. That's a good girl..."
She opened the stall and walked into it, getting one of the combs from it's hook and brushing down her horse's coat until it was a shiny chestnut brown that glowed it's many colors in the fading afternoon light.
"That really is a beautiful horse," commented someone from behind her, causing Jennifer to whirl around.
"Lady Alanna!"
"Just Alanna or Lioness will do," said the King's Champion, checking Jewel's eyes and teeth with a practiced hand. "A fine horse indeed. How did you come across her?"
"A gift from a friend," replied Jennifer respectfully. "Unlike these ruffians who follow me around regardless of if I feed them or not."
"Cats are always good companions to have," said Alanna lightly, picking up Tigress and setting her on her shoulder. "They are excellent hunters and guards people for you, and more loyal to their masters than most people think."
"They have gotten me out of more than one bind," admitted Jennifer with a shrug. "They are the first real family I had here, too."
"I'm glad to hear that," said Alanna, setting Tigress back down on the ground. "Excuse me, miss, but I must be going now."
"Of course, Lioness," said Jennifer, bowing slightly. "Hopefully we'll have the chance to talk more later."
"Perhaps." Alanna left back the way she'd come, leaving Jennifer to watch her for a moment before clambering up into a loft with her cats and giving them bits of catnip from her pocket.
"Sorry, no more," she said softly as they tried to search her pockets, poking their paws and heads in them to make sure they were empty. "Not that you need anymore, you six are already wound up enough as it is."
She watched them prance and pounce through the straw together, wrestling each other to the floor and nipping at each other playfully. "Kittens..."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Alyse and Daine both sat cross-legged on the floor as Ronnie bounced back and forth between the two, speaking in excited little yips to the Wildmage of Tortall.
"A whole litter already?" replied Daine in surprise, looking at Alyse who was across from her.
"Had I known, I would've gagged and bound him in my room," said Alyse quickly. "I didn't find out until the pups were even born."
"What a sly fellow you're growing up to be," teased Daine, scratching Ronnie behind the ears. "What else have you been up to since your last visit here?"
Ronnie went over the few Scanran attacks, the fun he head cavorting through the village streets or along the halls of the fief with other dogs, how worried he had been when Alyse disappeared with Levi to go and retrieve Amanda before she killed herself, and all sorts of other things.
"He's become quite a fine hunter," observed Daine when Ronnie told her of the rabbits and birds he'd caught.
"Yes, and he always shares it with me as well," said Alyse with a grin. "He helped me track game in the forest, too, before the Scanrans started their raids and it was safe to do such things."
"Several things have become unsafe since the Scanrans began to attack once more," added Daine, her face growing more serious. "Even having Kyle's help when we reach the north, I do not know just how effective our spies will be..."
"Let's hope they are enough to give us at least some warning most of the time," said Alyse with a grim look on her face.
Daine sighed sadly. "Yes, let us hope."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
"You wanted to see us, milady?" asked Yana as she showed herself at the door to Vixen's room, the Queen of Thieves beckoning for her to come in quickly.
"Yes," replied Vixen nervously. "Take a seat, if you will."
"Thank you."
"Mama Mouse!" cried Kara, clambering up into Mouse's lap with a huge smile on her face.
"Hey Kara," replied Mouse, giving the girl a quick hug before settling her down so she could listen as well.
"We found a way to clear Kara's name," said Vixen after a few moments of silence. "A legal, safe way that will have Isis hanging from the gallows and Kara back in her fief where she belongs."
"But how?" asked Yana, frowning as she did. "It would have to go to one of the highest courts? Oh, I know, you got some rich merchant who owes you one, don't you? That's fine. Who is it?"
"It's not a rich merchant," replied Vixen carefully. "Or even a merchant at all. It's a noble..."
"A noble?! What are you trying to do, forfeit our estates entirely?!" cried Yana as it sunk it. "Nobles, regardless of who they are, always want something!"
"Not this one," said Mouse quickly. "She-"
*RUMBLE* "I is hungry!!" announced Kara suddenly, her stomach's growl echoing around the room.
"So you are," said Vixen in surprise, blinking a few times as she tried to gather her scattered thoughts. "Wow...that was really random..."
"Some say something about being hungry?" asked Joe as he opened the door suddenly.
"Kara is," said Mouse, picking up the child and depositing her in Joe's arms. "Take her downstairs and feed her something, alright?"
"Ok!!"
"Now," said Mouse quickly. "Back to what we were talking about..."
"No nobles, no," said Yana, shaking her head defiantly as she did. "I won't have it, not at all. You're willing to put me and Kara's lives into some pussy's hands who've never been dirtied before with real work, but I'm not. You've probably never even met the rat before."
"Actually, I have," replied Vixen with a small grin. "As have you. She tends to frequent this place recently, as of late, though few know who she really is."
"Really?" asked Yana in surprise. "Who?"
"You know that common-looking woman with the sword, Amanda?"
"Yes?"
"Her official title is Lady Amanda of Lynx Mountain, head of the fief," said Vixen lightly. "She doesn't act it, I know. But that's what makes her perfect for this. She can say she met you through frequenting one of the inns in town to get away from the palace, and wanted to help your cousin regain her titles."
"And she'll do it for free?" asked Yana carefully. "No bargains, no strings, no nothing?"
"She's even paying for the advocate, and you won't owe her a thing win or lose," replied Vixen amiably. "I trust her with my life, Yana. I wouldn't suggest this to you if I didn't think it had an excellent change of succeeding, you know that."
"I do," replied Yana slowly, looking out the window as she did. "She seems nice enough, somewhat temperamental at times and a little rough around the edges. Alright, we'll go."
"Thank you," said Vixen, a look of relief washing across her features. "Amanda is well known in court and won't steer you wrong, I swear."
"If you're sure," said Yana, hesitating one last time.
Vixen met her gaze squarely. "I am."
"Then it's settled," said Yana with a small grin. "Me and Kara will be set to go whenever she is ready."
"Preparations are already underway," replied Vixen. "I'll let her know immediately."
"Alright. And Vixen?"
"Yes, Yana?"
"Thanks."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Lyssa and Alyse walked down the halls of the palace, each discussing the things they had left to do before they could leave for the north. "It's January already," murmured Alyse more to herself than her friend.
"I know," said Lyssa, trying to decide which ones she wanted from the list of recruits in front of her. "So little time, so much left to do. What I wouldn't give just to be able to drop most of it and just go back right now so I could help my friends..."
"I know how you feel," said Alyse quietly. "Sometimes, I'm afraid we'll come back and the fief will be gone. But we can't think of things like that, we have to have faith that they will stand until we return."
"What have you and your group have left to finish before you can go?" asked Lyssa, giving up on the list and stuffing it back in her pouch after folding it up neatly into a little square.
"Amanda has supply counts to do, so there will be enough food to get us north," listed Alyse slowly. "Elizabeth has some lose ends of her own, but I'm not sure what. She refuses to tell me for some reason, and because of that I think I'd rather not know. Vixen and company are fairly set, though they could use a few extra supplies here and there. Amanda will handle their weaponry and clothing needs once we're there, but other than that they are fine. Jennifer could pack up and leave at a moment's notice since she only has a few things to begin with."
"Which reminds me, where is that girl staying anyways?" asked Lyssa quickly. "She's always either in town or here visiting her horse."
"She lives at the Dancing Dove right now," said Alyse quickly. "But only stays there for meals and sleeping. Most of her time is spent with Sean since she'll be leaving him this next month, possibly for good."
"I see."
"What about you?" asked Alyse, turning the tables slightly. "What do you have left to do before we leave?"
"I want to save up enough for a new bow," admitted Lyssa lightly. "The ones they provide are good and all, but I want one of my own from Raven Armories. Thos things are awesome and last forever. Then there's the list that I can't seem to get through of recruits I'm supposed to choose from. We get forty of them, and there's 150 in all. I get first picks too, which makes it even tougher."
"Too many choices?"
"You have no idea."
"I always was glad I stayed away from the Commanders jobs," said Alyse teasingly. "I just fight along side them. No paper work, no orders, I just fight." She smiled all the more, knowing how much her friend hated keeping track of people and paper work.
Lyssa stuck her tongue out at her friend "Ah, hush..."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Kyle relaxed as he let his spirit float out above the room he was hiding in, catching a ride on a falcon that came by right then after exchanging a few words with the winged brother of the sky.
He was hiding in Sarah and Jon's back room, a small space that could only fit his bag, a small nightstand, a cot, and a chair. He himself could barely stretch out fully on the cot, his feet touching one wall and his head the other. It was most uncomfortable, but he knew better than to complain since he was in hiding after all.
The falcon soared over the Rider stables with a thin layer of dirty snow covering everything, Kyle spotting Sarah and Jon with his excellent sight as they instructed their new helpers on some horse chores they needed to learn. Kyle smiled to himself, those boys could talk the leg off a mule and be more stubborn then one as well.
His course changed, taking him over the back of the palace where others practiced their archery despite the chilly weather and the snow. Lyssa and Alyse where there trading bows once more, the Yamanis long bow at least two feet above the Commander's head and Kyle laughed in spite of himself as he watched.
The falcon then veered away towards Corus itself, zipping his way along the streets using the warm currents from fires and such to keep himself aloft. They passed by Liz and Allie, coming by for another round or two as he watched them make their 'purchases' along the back allies of Corus. He was sure he would find out what it was they were buying later on...
They passed the Dancing Dove as Vixen and Mouse came out with Amanda, only the latter noticing the strange falcon and nodding to him slightly before following the other two to a shop they wanted to show her. He almost ran into Artman moments later who was carrying a bundle or two for Libby, dropping them in surprise. Kyle laughed as he was malleted repeatedly by Libby for his blunder before moving on.
Still, there was one last person he had to see...ah, there she was. Kyle glided gracefully overhead as Jennifer galloped through the fields, enjoying time with her horse the same way Kyle did with his hawks, falcons, and eagles.
He began to feel himself slip away, knowing it was time for him to go. 'Thank you, winged friend,' he said gratefully. 'Perhaps we can fly some more another day.'
'Perhaps,' replied the falcon, a glint of humor in his eye. 'May your flights be strong and the winds in your favor, two-legger.'
'And the same to you, brother. Thank you.'
Kyle slid back into his body as he felt his heart beat return to normal, a refreshed feeling in his bones. He loved to fly.
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Yana and Kara entered the Inn Amanda had directed them to meet her at, a fairly respectable one where she could be seen with the Advocate as they made their plans. They were ushered to a table in the back, the servant saying they were expected as he showed them to a secluded area where two people sat.
Yana recognized Amanda as she rose to her feet, shaking hands with the older woman and giving Kara a quick hug before telling them to take a seat. "I never knew you were a noble until Vixen told me," commented Yana lightly, noting that Amanda wore clothes that were nicer than her usual garb.
"I try to break the mold when I can," replied Amanda with an amused smile. "Yana, this is Master Advocate Jarad."
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss," he said, rising to his feet and bowing to her slightly. She returned the gesture with a slight smile and took her seat.
"Master Advocate Jarad is well known in the Tortallan court system," explained Amanda carefully as the servants began to bring food for them to eat. "He will serve you will in this case, I think."
"Miss, if you could tell me everything that's happened I think it would be best if we started there," said the Advocate, taking out sheets of paper and a quill pen. Yana took a sip of the tea that had been poured for her and launched into her story, telling him everything that had happened from the beginning up until a few months ago when she had found some 'friends' to live with in Corus. Amanda distracted Kara the whole time with little games and stories, enjoying her time with the little girl as Yana took care of her business.
"And that is everything that happened," she said an hour later, sighing heavily as she did. Digging up the past was something she never enjoyed.
"Are you sure?" asked the Advocate, glancing over his notes. "These noble's names you've given me and the Rider's papers from your death, they can identify you and are certifiable?"
"I'm positive they will," replied Yana firmly. "Everything you have there will help you."
"And those who helped you get free?"
"They wish to remain unknown, and I will respect that wish as they did save my life," replied Yana, trying to make them sound noble rather than people who were running from the law.
"If you insist," said the Advocate, gathering his things together and rising to his feet. "Lady Amanda, Yana, thank you. I will contact you when the trial is set and Lady Amanda will arrange for you to arrive there on time."
"Alright."
## A week and a half later ##
Amanda sat beside Yana and Kara in the courtroom, Vixen, Mouse and Allie all along the back wall where they couldn't be seen. Master Advocate Jarad stood beside them as he waited for the proceedings to begin, his case of notes and evidence beside him.
Lady Isis and Master Advocate Muirgen of Sigis Hold sat on the bench for the accused, talking back and forth as they did. Yana was about to say something rather nasty in their direction when Duke Turomot stuck a bronze disk with a polished granite ball. Everyone rose for the prayer to Mithros, then sat in a rustle of cloth.
"Let the record show that Lady Isis, a high noble, is being accused of the crimes as follows. Master Hayward."
Clerk Hayward rose, a scroll held out in front of him with the charges written on it. "Lady Isis is hear by charged with murder of her brother, sister-in-law, and other various commoners on her fief; giving false witness at the time of her last testimony; embezzling her late brother's estates; and attempting to murder her two nieces Yana and Karalee (daughter of the late brother and sister-in-law) as well."
"If I may speak, my lord Duke, " said one of the men who sat beside Lady Isis as he rose to his feet gracefully. Turomot nodded sourly. "I am Garta of Gartahalls, steward for Lady Isis and her properties here in Corus. Seeing as she is unable to testify for herself in the court of law, Master Advocate Muirgen of Sigis Hold is here to serve on her behalf."
"I know Master Advocate Muirgen," said Turomot as the man rose to his feet and bowed low. "He may speak as required."
Garta sat. The Master Advocate stpread his hands, jeweled rings accenting his movements. "My lord Magistrate," he said in a regal voice. "The fact we are even here today is a jest in itself. You are accusing this fine noblewoman based on the testimonies of a fake and a seven year old girl who probably can't even write her own name. And they are accusations of murder and injustice, such things as this fine woman has claimed to never do. You have no real evidence, everything is based off the word of mouth of an individual who could easily be bough off. Look who is supporting their cause, the renegade Lady herself from the north!"
"Objection, lord Duke," said Master Jarad as he rose to his feet quickly. "You cannot bring in who supports others cause into the case and have it placed in the records. I request that it be struck from them now and henceforth Master Muirgen must be limited in these matters."
"Request granted," said the Magistrate, banging the granite ball on the copper disk. "Proceed."
Master Muirgen's face faulted. "You cannot be serious..."
"I am and it will hold," retorted Turomot. "Now proceed!"
"Yes, lord Duke." The Master Advocate licked his lips nervously, collecting his scattered thoughts for a moment. "Yes, as I was saying, there is no hard evidence in this case and any that might appear to be as such could have been easily altered or bought off by a friend of the woman's. I rest my case there, Lord Magistrate."
"Thank you, Master Advocate Muirgen," said Turomot as he reached for the heavy book beside him. "Despite your eloquent words, Lady Isis is still found guilty under the court of law. Master Advocate requested an investigation instead of a full trial, and we consented to it based on the evidence he present to us. We managed to capture one of her many 'guards' who work for her and he confessed to everything, even to being the one to put the poison in her late brother's food several years ago."
"That's an outrage!" cried Master Advocate Muirgen, rising to his feet quickly. "I was never even permitted to see-"
"Because it would have made no difference at all!!!" roared Turomot, rising to his feet angrily. "Lady Isis, you had a nice little cover-up for your deeds, but Mithros has used it against you and now it will be your undoing! Lady Isis is now stripped of her titles and lands and sentenced to death by hanging as it required in Section 12, Chapter 3, paragraph 13 in the Law of Tortall book. Her estates, lands, titles, and accounts shall all be inherited by Lady Karalee, who shall be guarded by Lady Yana until she reaches the proper age to assume her duties. Let it be recorded that this is the final sentencing of Lady Isis. Guards, take her away!!" Turomot pounded twice on his copper plate with the granite ball as the once proud lady was dragged screaming and kicking away. "Dismissed!"
"Very well done," said Amanda, shaking hands with Master Advocate Jarad and handing him his final pay. "You will take care of these two as promised, correct?"
"Correct, Lady Amanda," replied the man with a smile. "I would not dare go against your wishes."
"Rightly so." Amanda turned to the three in the back and nodded, they would make sure Yana and Kara were taken care of for her. She turned back to the young lady beside her who still could not believe all that had happened in the short amount of time. "Congratulations Yana, Kara, you won."
"Not without your help, though," replied Yana, shaking hands with her warmly. "Is there anything, anything at all I can do for you?"
"Just take care of her, and help her grow up into the kind of noble she should be," replied Amanda softly. "She reminds me of my brother, and that's all I would want for him."
"I understand." Amanda nodded and hugged Kara one last time before walking out the door, a satisfied smile on her face the whole way. Helping people wasn't such a bad thing, even if it did mean a couple hundred nobles out of her pocket.
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Libby, Lyssa, and Vixen enjoyed a game of dice together in Vixen's room, no cheating this time as they were only playing for chocolate candies and everyone was just generally having a good time.
"So, everyone is set?" asked Vixen as she tossed the dice and came up with a six. She growled and gave up her chocolates slowly. "Or at least mostly, I hope?"
"With only a few weeks left until we leave, duh," replied Libby with a quick shake of her head. "Our things are going to take up more room than usual, though, due to the large amount of fire books Artman has collected in the last week alone. I swear that boy's gone nuts since he found out how to control his power..."
"But you're still in control over him, right?" asked Lyssa with a teasing smile.
"Absolutely!" cried Libby, holding up a mallet as she struck a heroic pose. "He's all mine!!"
"Are you sure?" asked Vixen, an eyebrow raised.
"More like a puppy that is forced to follow me around rather than anything else," added Libby, realizing what that sounded like. "Ew...no, never like that..."
"Good, you scared me there for a second."
"You know what would be awful," said Lyssa out of the blue, looking up at the ceiling with her head tilted slightly to the side.
"What?"
"If, because we don't know when we're leaving, we were just suddenly sucked back out of the blue right before we left and all our efforts and plans for helping in the north were for nothing."
"Except that's not going to happen," said a voice above their heads, everyone looking around quickly.
"Who's there?" asked Vixen quickly, unsheathing her knives as Lyssa went for her short sword and Libby her staff.
"Just little old me," said Trystan, materializing in the chair at the table that was free and picking up the dice lightly as she began to shake them in her hands. "Lucky number four, number four..."
"What's that about it not happening?" asked Libby quickly. "What do you know about our trip north that you're not telling us?"
"Hm? Oh, yes, your trip north," the Lady Mage tossed the dice and watched then roll, frowning when they landed on five. "Drat. Oh, well. The trip, yes, you will have mission to complete while you're up there. In this realm you must always complete a mission before you can return home."
"What do you mean, this realm?" asked Lyssa suspiciously. "And what mission is it that we must complete?"
"You'll find out both later, for I am unable to tell," replied the Lady Mage with a wink. "All I'll say is that one mission was to retrieve a goat for it's owner and another created the Dominion Jewel. Literally, it could be anything."
"Great," muttered Vixen, rubbing her forehead with her hand. "That's ever so helpful.
Trystan smiled as she picked the dice back up and rolled again, blowing on them this time. "Isn't it? Lucky fours, lucky fours..." She rolled the dice and smiled as it came up on a 2 and a 2. "It's all in the wrist." With a quick motion she gathered up all the candies and vanished from sight. "Ciao."
Vixen's eye twitched as the other two stared in horror. "She so did not just take all the chocolate..."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Sarah held Onua's mare's head as the Stable Manager of the Riders dismounted quickly, forty some horses on lead lines behind her obediently. "Hello," she said, greeting them with her usual warm smile.
"You finally decided to stay away for more than a week," said Jon as if he were surprised, shaking his head mockingly.
"I had to, had to go pick up these beauties here," she said with a smile, taking off her riding gloves and untying the lead lines from her saddle. "Dar, Cor, go let these lose with the others in the pen, will you?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"How many are there?" asked Sarah in amazement.
"Hm, 46 in all," said Onua, counting on her fingers for a moment. "Yep, 46 exactly."
"And they are...?"
"Your new herd, plus what's left of the old one."
Sarah face faulted as Jon did some quick adding in his head. "Hang on, that's 46 new ones plus 35 olds ones and Mandie....that's 82 horses, Onua!"
"You're expecting us to take a herd that big all the way up to the north without some sort of trouble?!" demanded Sarah, having found her voice once more.
"Yep," replied Onua with a small grin, handing them their pouch of gold for the week. "Have fun!"
"Good grief..."
"You know," commented Jon as they watched her ride out of sight. "As much as she's helped us and all over time, sometimes I just want to strangle her."
"I know exactly how you feel..."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Jennifer smiled as she felt the heavy pouch of coins Amanda had given her, allowing her to buy some new clothes for the first time in a long time. She had one dress besides all the pants and shirts Sean had passed down to her and she would keep some of them, but several were getting too ratty to wear and she didn't want to embarrass herself at the fief.
Lalasa's shop glowed in the gloomy weather, all the windows alight from the lamps that hung in them and the sign over the door illuminated by the light from the street. Jennifer went inside and closed the door quietly behind herself, hearing the bell twinkle regardless and the young woman behind the counter turn to her with a curious look on her face.
"Can I help you, miss?" she asked kindly, seeing the nervous look Jennifer had on her face.
"Yes, I need some new dresses," replied Jennifer slowly. "Just plain ones for work and such that still look nice."
"Of course," said the woman. "I am Lalasa, owner of this shop. Come, I will help you find something you like." She pulled out a book of drawings and pictures she had accumulated over time, finding a style that was suitable for Jennifer's work and price range and would look stylish on her.
"Wow, that was easy."
"Do you have an idea of what sort of fabric you want?" inquired Lalasa as she went and ran her hand along several bolts that lined the walls. "Something serviceable, breathable since you're in the kitchen, and as well as flattering would do."
"I really have no idea," said Jennifer with a shrug. "I'm just a chef, not a seamstress."
"I see. What do you think of this weave here? Light enough for your kitchen work, it can be washed like normal clothes, but still very warm none the less..."
"I suppose that might do..." Jennifer spent the rest of the day there choosing the fabrics and colors, very happy with her choice and glad she was finally getting something new.
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
"So, your gift works through your fans rather than with them?" asked Numair as he and Alyse stood outside by the Archery practice targets. "Show me."
Alyse shrugged. "As you wish..." She did a few of the short blasts, then one of the light-pattern attacks. "You see? I could not do them without the fans."
"And you've only used these fans?"
"That is correct."
"That...interesting...as well as very odd." Numair scratched his chin, inspecting one of the fans closely. "Hm, nothing out of the ordinary here. No runes, special ink, stone or metal in lays, the paint is normal, the silk of normal quality. Nothing should make these fans different from any other set..."
"Except for the fact that they were given to me by the Lady Mage," Alyse pointed out quickly, taking it back and flipping it calmly in her hands.
"Yes, that is very true," admitted Numair with a wry grin. "She probably did something to it, a spell or magic solution that coats it so thinly that I can't detect it. What ever it is, keep these fans safe for I can tell you right now they are most certainly one of a kind."
"I know," replied Alyse with a small smile as she thrust it back into her obi and started the walk back to the palace at a slow shuffle. "I will."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
"Goodbye, Auntie Allie," said Kara as she gave Allie a hug, Allie returning the gesture before waving and heading back inside.
"She's really bothered by the cold," explained Vixen as Yana gave her an odd look, nodding as she understood. "Later, squirt. You take care of your cousin, you hear? I don't want to hear of you getting into trouble or anything. Just remember: You may not always see us or hear us, but the Rogue will always be here, watching you and keeping you safe."
"Yes, Auntie Vixie." The two hugged, Kara going to Joe's arms next as Vixen and Yana clasped hands.
"Thank you," said Yana, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. "And thank Amanda again for us, too. She's done more for us than I dreamed was possible."
"She has a way with doing that somehow," admitted Vixen with a light shrug. "I will. Take of yourself, and of her. If you ever need anything, do not hesitate to come to us. Here." Vixen took off her pendent, the one that meant friend of the Rogue. "Use it if you ever need to, for anything, understand?"
"I understand," replied Yana, taking the pendant and slipping it over her head. "When Kara is old enough, I will pass it on to her."
"Thank you."
"Mama Mouse!" cried Kara, flinging herself around Mouse's legs before she picked the small girl up into her arms.
"Kara," said Mouse quietly. "Kara, I want you to listen to me very carefully, alright? I love you, and so does everyone else here. Just because you have to go away and not live with us here does not mean that we don't want you to stay but that it is best for you if you go, ok?"
"Ok." Kara buried her head in Mouse's shoulder. "Will I ever see you again, Mama Mouse?"
"Probably not," replied Mouse softly, hugging the child close. "But I'll never forget you. Promise you'll never forget me and my friends?"
"Promise." Mouse handed Kara to Yana, exchanging looks with the woman.
"You take care of her," whispered Mouse quietly.
"I will," promised Yana. The two of them climbed in the waiting carriage, quickly bearing them out of sight forever. Forever from their presence, at least, but never from their hearts or their minds.
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Lyssa strode down the halls of the palace, her list held firmly in hand. She had finally finished her decisions. She was admitted into the King's chamber, taking a seat before him after bowing deeply as she waited for him to finish his task at hand.
"Can I help you, Commander?" he asked regally, leaning back in his chair.
"Yes, these are the forty I want to take with me to the fort," said Lyssa quite simply. "I need your stamp of approval to begin."
"Yes, I see," he said, glancing over the list quickly. "List approved, Commander, here." He took out the wax and heated some up, dripping it on the parchment and stamping it with his ring before handing it back to her quickly. "There you go, signed and ready to go."
"Thank you, sire," she said in surprise. "When will I be allowed to leave?"
"As soon as the passes have opened up, when your friend's caravan is headed the way," replied the King quickly. "If that is all?"
"It is."
"Then good day, Commander."
"Good day, sire."
And with that, she got up and left.
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Kyle soared lazily over the roads from the north that headed into the city, the hawk he was flying with having a nest near there and not wanting to stray far from it for fear it might be attacked. Something caught his eye in the distance and he zeroed in on it, coaxed his feathered friend to fly closer when he realized what it was.
A courier, riding a half-dead mare that probably hadn't had a decent break in days wearing Lynx Mountain colors and bearing their crest on his cape. His face was haggard and drawn, bags under his eyes telling of nights with no sleep and days without a decent meal or bed to sleep in. He probably hadn't even washed since he left the fief, if there was any fief left to speak of at all.
"Oh no." Kyle bid the hawk goodbye and flew back into his own body, quickly working out the kinks before heading into the main room recklessly. "Boy," he said, pointing at Dar quickly. "Fetch Jon or Sarah at once, it's an emergency."
"What, you're going to have a baby?" asked Dar sarcastically as he continued to eat. "Oh, wait, I know, the world is coming to an end."
Kyle picked the boy up by his collar, his feet three inches from the floor. "Go get Jon before I toss you out in the snow without a cloak and lock the door, understand?"
Dar licked his lips nervously. "Yessir."
"Good. Now go." Dar dashed outside and brought back Jon immediately, who had been familiarizing himself with the herd at that point.
"What's wrong?" he asked when he burst in the door.
"Go warn Amanda and Liz," said Kyle quickly. "There's a courier not thirty minutes away heading towards the palace from their fief. If his expression and the state of his horse have anything to do with it, my guess would be bad news."
Jon froze. "The fief has been overrun?!"
"I don't know!" retorted Kyle quickly. "That's why you must warn them, so they can be there when he arrives!"
"Alright, I'm going," said Jon, grabbing his nicer cloak and heading out the door. Kyle went back into his 'room' and leaned against the wall, sliding all the way to the floor as he rested his head on his knees. All he could do now as hope the message would get to the sisters in time...
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
Amanda and Elizabeth waited in the courtyard for the courier with Levi, the older of the two sisters leaning against the wall calmly while her sibling twisted her handkerchief into knots that would make a rope dizzy. Levi paced back and forth the length of the wall, pausing only occasionally glance up at the two before resuming his dreary walk.
"Here he comes!" All three looked up at the call, Levi rushing forward to grab the mare's head while Amanda helped the exhausted man dismount, recognizing him immediately.
"Lou," she said holding a water skin to his lips. "Lou, drink this. It will make you feel better."
"Mmm..." The older man drank of the water for several minutes straight, Levi leading the horse away to the stables while Amanda sat the courier down and waited until he could speak. "Milady..."
"Take your time," said Amanda quickly, Elizabeth standing next to her quietly. "What news do you bring, Lou? Does Lynx Mountain still stand?"
"Lynx Mountain stands as tall as the palace itself," replied the man sorrowfully. "It's the headman who doesn't. Grandfather, he fell ill right after you left and refused to rest. It ate at his heart and strength until he is little more than a shadow of what he was, the healer says he's only got two weeks or so at the most left."
Levi and Amanda's eyes met, knowing exactly what they must do. "Let's go," said Amanda, heading to her rooms quickly. "I want two horses saddled and ready to go in an hour, we're leaving then."
**An Hour Later**
Amanda sat on her mount as Levi finished tying down the last of their things on his horse, the courier given his rooms to rest in until he was well enough to return home.
"You can't go!" argued Elizabeth hotly. "Not like this, not with a storm coming on and other dangers out there on the road."
"Liz, this man has given his life to helping us survive where others wanted us to fail," said Amanda quite simply. "I must go to him." Elizabeth opened her mouth to argue some more but Alyse pulled her back, silencing her with a single look.
"Try not to kill yourself," the part-Yamanis said solemnly. "We will follow you as soon as we can."
"Of course," said Amanda, clasping hands with them one last time as they road out of sight. "Goodbye, and take care!"
"Mithros help them," whispered Alyse quietly, closing her eyes as she did. "The passes aren't even fully open yet, and the storm will hold them up even more."
"Then why did you let her go!" demanded Elizabeth angrily. "You know she could die out there from a hundred different things. Why?!"
"Do you see that man there?" asked Alyse, a hint of anger in her own voice. "He risked his life to come and tell her, and tell us, the news. By himself, he faced the cold and the ice and the danger to warn your sister and Levi in time. Amanda has to repay that, to make the sacrifice he made worth something. She has a debt with that man and Grandfather that she must take care of, and this is the only way to do it."
"It's still not fair!"
"I never said it was," replied Alyse, seeing the riders vanish completely from sight. "It never will be. It's just the only way..."
*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*~~~@~~~*
The original was better, I'm sure. I just don't remember what all it said...yeah. Hope you enjoyed it, it drove me crazy and I better get some sympathy here for sticking with it this long!!! Reviews are loved and appreciated as usual. Please, I need some before I have a nervous break down here. Now go read your bonus chapter that I was so kind to do.
~Crosseyedbutterfly~