~*~*~*~ Forget the Past ~*~*~*~
Disclaimer: It's short and sweet-I don't own 'em, so don't sue me.
A/N: Hi again!! Thank you soooooooo much to all of my reviewers-as usual, notes are at the bottom! BTW, I think I'm going for the record for most A/Ns in one chapter. ^_^ Oh, and when an animal is talking, these little thingies will be around it:*blah blah. Sry if that makes things more confusing, but I was confusing myself!! I switch POVs a lot in this chapter, but I'll try to make it clear. Aaaaan sry (again! ^_^) bout all the Daine/Numair fluff. I just think they make such a cute couple!!! Enjoy!
Chapter Three: Meet the Wildmage (and the Stork Man)
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Completely forgetting about the royalties at the front of the caravan, Belle stared at this young woman. She looked to be about 20, from what she could tell. (A/N: I have no clue if Daine is really this old, but I can't find my copy of Squire. I also don't know if Numair was traveling with Daine during the Great Progress, but just pretend that she is.) The smoky brown hair was pulled back into a messy horsetail. She was riding a plump steel gray mare. Beside her was a very large man-not fat-with dark hair. Even from afar, there seemed to be a great power simply radiating from him. He seemed to be watching his riding companion.
After a moment, she turned and spoke to him.
Turning her attention closer to the front of the procession, she saw a very large man with curly black hair riding on an equally large horse. Riding near him was what appeared to be a girl a little younger than her. (A/N: And that would be…^_^) The black-haired man was leaning over in his saddle toward a female companion: she was shorter, slender, and redheaded. Riding next to her was a young man-he must have been about 20. (A/N: [Yet another. Hehehe.] *GASP* Who could those ppl be?!?!) She knew the two older people; they were obviously Sir Raoul (A/N: Is that how you spell it?) of Golden Lake and Mallory's Peak and Sir Alanna of Pirate's Swoop, the King's Champion. And that girl next to Golden Lake must be the Mindelan (A/N: Spelling?!?! Arrrrgh!) girl who was his squire. She had no clue who the young man was-he looked far too old to be a squire.
Then Belle was distracted again by the calls of the birds and squirrels, which were added to by the cats and dogs on the streets. She was still trying to figure out what some of them were saying when her thoughts were interrupted by the high-pitched call of a herald.
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(NUMAIR'S POV)
Mithros, the animals were loud. He suspected that they were greeting Daine, and when he glanced over at her, he knew he was right from seeing the grin she was unsuccessfully trying to hide. Just looking at her made his pulse speed up. She had pulled her hair back into a sloppy horsetail about a quarter of an hour ago. Since then, curly wisps of hair had escaped from the leather thong to frame her delicate face. It made him want to kiss her right then and there.
When Daine looked over and caught him staring at her, she asked jokingly, "What, do I have something on my face?"
"No, magelet, (A/N: I love that nickname!!) I was just stunned by your haphazard beauty," he teased quietly.
Daine blushed, making her look even more inviting. To try and put his mind on the matter at hand, Numair looked up at the rapidly-approaching castle. It wasn't that far away now. He could see straight up to the courtyard, where two people-a man and a young woman-stood away from the rest of the crowd that he assumed were servants and lesser officials. It was likely that these two were Lord Jared and his daughter. At the time, Numair couldn't remember her name, but as they got close enough for him to see her face, he could make out slight bruises marring her neck and her forearms. She certainly did not look happy to be included on the little rendezvous.
Now as they rode through the castle gates, Numair could feel a growing aurora of power. He wasn't sure what it was, but it felt distinctly familiar. He looked over at Daine.
"Do you feel that?" he asked.
"That power that feels like my Wild Magic?" she questioned.
That was it! That power felt familiar because it was Wild Magic. But who was it coming from?
His thoughts, along with somebody else's, we're interrupted by the high-pitched cry of a herald.
(A/N: Yes, I know that the two different POVs like totally clash with each other. It sounds kinda weird to me making them end with the same phrase, but kinda cool too. I can't make up my mind! =P)
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(NORMAL POV)
(A/N: Ok, I got no clue how this is supposed to go, so I'll make it short.)
"His Majesty King Jonathon of Conte and his queen, her Majesty, Thayet of Conte," screeched the harold.
The king and queen stepped forward, as did Belle's father. Jared bowed to the Jonathon and Thayet, and they nodded acknowledgement.
"Crown prince Roald of Conte, and his betrothed, Princess of the Yamani Isles, Shinkokami," he continued.
A younger replica of the king stepped out in front. The herald's introduction was unnecessary. The black hair and blue eyes were enough evidence. However, the girl trailing behind him was different. Much different. She had shining black hair, like her intended's. But Belle could see the fear in her dark almond-shaped eyes. It was an emotion she knew well. But Belle couldn't figure out what the princess was so scared about. She would become a queen someday! That sounded exciting…and it was obvious that the villagers of Ravensloft already loved her, as they had been cheering her for the last quarter of an hour. For a moment, the girl wondered what it would be like if there were people who would cheer her on like they were for Shinkokami. Watching the way that the prince slipped his hand into hers and looked at her comfortingly, it was evident that the princess made friends easily. Again, Belle wondered what it would be like to have friends like that. Friends that stood by you no matter what. Friends that didn't desert you the moment they learned your darkest secrets.
When Belle's mind came back to the present, the young couple were retreating back to their spaces behind the king and queen.
Then her father spoke. "I trust that your trip was safe and uneventful…"
Goddess, could he make himself seem any more boring??, she thought sarcastically.
"…and I would like to introduce you to my daughter," her father droned.
Belle jumped. She hadn't been told about this! But judging from the look on her father's face, she was to walk up beside him and curtsy to the king and queen.
Trying to steel herself against the anxiety she could feel building up in her stomach, Belle walked up to stand beside him.
"My daughter, Isabelle of Ravensloft."
Belle walked to stand slightly in front of her father, and almost tripped when she sank down into a deep curtsy. She cringed inwardly.
Don't worry about it. I've seen worse, remarked a tiny, tinny voice.
Why, thank you for salvaging my wounded pride…, she thought cynically. And than an instant later-Wait, who was that?!
The voice sounded again,Me! Down here! It sounded like the voice was inside her head, as it did when she talked with Demon. But the fact that she couldn't see who she was talking to frightened her a little bit.
But before she had a chance to seek out the owner of the voice, she realized that had already been in the curtsy for far too long. She could feel her cheeks beginning to burn. Hastily, she rose, almost falling over again on her ascent. As good manners dictated, she glanced up modestly through her lashes at the royal family. But she didn't see their acknowledgment to her, because the tall man and the dark haired young woman were peering at her from around the royalty's shoulders', studying her with such intensity she could almost feel her knees turn to jelly.
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At the opening banquet that night, Belle was stuck sitting next to her father, who, in turn was sitting next to the king, who was sitting at the head of the table on the dais. She felt like she was under constant surveillance-especially by her father. Across from her father, on the king's right, was the queen, and next to her was her son and his betrothed. The first time she glanced up at the prince, he smiled politely at her. But the second time, the smile was almost one that could be shared between friends.
Friends?? Ha-I haven't even wanted a friend in that last year!, she told herself.
On Belle's left was the fire-haired King's Champion, and then Sir Raoul. It didn't take eyes to see that both nobles were not enjoying the party.
Farther down the main table was that tall man. He had been introduced as a "Numair Salmalin"-one of the realms greatest mages- and his companion as "Veralidaine Sarrasri", the Wildmage. Belle didn't know what in the world a Wildmage was, and she was still clueless as to why they had been staring at her earlier.
I probably had something on my face, she thought disgustedly.
No, there was nothing on your face, said a familiar voice.
She glanced around discreetly, trying to find the source, and jumped when she saw a mouse sitting in her lap. She wanted to ask it if it was him that had been talking to her earlier in the courtyard, but she didn't know how to do it without alarming the other guests. She didn't even want to think what her father would do if he caught her "talking" with a mouse.
Warm breath near her ear make her start again. She snapped her head around to the left and there was the Lioness.
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(ALANNA'S POV)
Alanna was wracking her brain for an excuse good enough to get her excused from the banquet. She was about to give up (A/N: Alanna the Lioness??? Give up??? *gasp* ^_^) when she happened to look to her right where Lord Jared's daughter was sitting. When everyone was being seated, she didn't look any happier than Alanna felt about getting stuck at a feast all night long. But now, she seemed to be very interested in the folds of her satin ivory gown. The gown was a little loose on her, but the azure lace and embroidery did match her eyes, and made the gown look more acceptable.
Oh great-just what I need when I'm trying to think of a way to get out of here, getting feminine thoughts.
When Alanna looked closely, she could see there was something moving among the overlays of satin. It took her a moment to figure out what it was. When she did, she grinned, and leaned over toward the girl.
A second later, the girl whipped around to face her, golden hair flying. Alanna had to grin at the frightened look on the girl's face.
"Your name's Isabelle, right?" she asked in what she thought was a gentle voice.
Slowly, as if she were expecting something very different from a question, the girl nodded. "Yes, my lady-"
"Alanna," was the firm correction.
The girl had looked a little frightened when Alanna first spoke to her, but now she was positively terrified.
"Alanna," she repeated obediently, "but my old friend from the convent used to call me Belle."
Hmmm. "Old" friend. Wonder what that means. Wait a minute-she said her name was Belle??
Belle. Alanna almost choked at the completely feminine name. To keep from grinning again, she said, "Belle. That's a very pretty name." Mentally, she was gagging. "Did you find a friend?" she asked, nodding toward Belle's lap.
Belle blushed madly and quickly looked down. "Oh, him…umm…," she looked nervous all of a sudden, and kept on glancing up at Alanna as though she expected a blow. "I just met him earlier in the courtyard-I mean, I saw him, not met him, because you can't meet an animal, right? That's just plain silly, because animals can't talk, and we can't talk back. That's certainly not what I was doing…," she trailed off into silence, and Alanna began to wonder what the mouse was really doing in her lap.
"Well, that's not entirely true," Alanna contradicted, "I have a very good friend who can speak with animals, heal them, and even shapeshift."
"She has the gift, right?" the girl asked almost sullenly, like she wished she could end the whole conversation.
"No, she has Wild Magic."
Belle looked like she was putting two and two together, and then queried, "Is she the person that was introduced as the Wildmage?"
"Yup, that's her-Daine."
"Does she really talk to animals?" Belle asked almost excitedly, leaning forward. "She makes friends with them?"
"Well, I suppose, yes."
The girl looked awestruck and sank back into her seat, stroking the mouse with a forefinger.
Maybe I should talk to Daine about this girl. I don't even know what in Mithros' name she was rambling on about, but who knows?
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(NORMAL POV)
After the last course was served, Lord Jared stood up and announced that there would be dancing and desserts in the adjacent room for all who cared to enjoy them. Belle scowled.
Of course that means, "Go, or else!". All she wanted to do was go back to her room and go to sleep. She couldn't even choose who she danced with.
It's not like there's anyone I want to dance with, anyway, she thought moodily.
A scraping of chairs and murmured conversations dictated the movement of the company to the ballroom. The king and queen lead the way, and the rest of the top table followed. After they had descended the dais, the rest of the room trailed after them.
Once they were all in the ballroom, the music began to play, floating loftily over the heads of the guests. But for Belle, it went in one ear and out the other as she picked her way through the crowd trying to find her favorite secluded window seat. It was the next best thing to escaping, as the doors were practically barred with servants and squires serving refreshments. Quite a few squires looked her over if she passed them, because they knew her as the Lord's daughter, but only two or three did so appreciatively.
The girl was getting annoyed. If she didn't hurry and hide somewhere, her father would probably make her dance with some old noble who was looking for a young bride. She shuddered at the thought.
Belle knew she was getting near when she noticed the crowd beginning to thin. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, her father appeared in front of her. She panicked, and didn't see that she was standing in front of the very place she was looking for. The problem was, four people had already claimed it as their own: a very tall man, a dark-haired, slender young woman, a redheaded woman, and a large, disgruntled-looking man.
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(DAINE'S POV)
Daine felt like telling Numair to shut up. She rarely did, but he had been rambling on all day about the strange power he had felt, and then when he thought he had felt the magic of someone conversing with an animal, and supposedly it led to the lord's daughter, he had almost gone bananas. (A/N: Hehehe-I love saying that. But I don't even know if they had bananas…) All he was talking about now what how he might be able to trace the power to its owner, who the owner might be, and so on.
But suddenly, to her joy, he stopped his antics and looked around. His eyes lit on something.
He exclaimed quietly, "It's her! The power we were feeling was coming from her!" He started forward, but stopped when he saw the scene in front of him.
The rest of the group, seeing his reaction, looked in the direction in which he was staring.
Lord Jared had gripped his daughter's wrist in his hand and held it out to the side. He seemed to be yelling at her, but taking care to keep his voice low enough that it couldn't be heard over the music and laughter. His daughter looked ready to cry, but was trying desperately not to let the tears spill.
None of the four spoke, but continued watching.
Suddenly, he raised his hand and hit her full across the face, once, then twice. After a moment, the lord let go of her so suddenly that she staggered backward.
After she regained her balance, she walked straight towards the window seat they were all gathered around, with her head down. The moment she reached the wall next to the seat, she leaned her back against it, still not noticing her audience.
Lifting her face slightly, she pulled a handkerchief out of her sleeve. As she wiped at her eyes with it, she finally seemed to realize she was being watched. Her head jerked up, and her eyes were wide with something. It looked like fear and…distrust? Her gaze slid over each person there, and then as she began to descend into another curtsey, Numair walked forward, and took a gentle hold on her arm.
"Master Salmal-" she began, but Numair cut her off.
"We need to talk to you, please, Lady Isabelle. Now." The girl had little choice, as Numair nearly dragged her outside, beckoning for Daine, Alanna, and Raoul to follow.
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A/N: Yea! I did absolutely nothing today and I am so glad I got up another chapter before I have to leave!!! Whoa! I think that's the longest chapter I've written so far! =P Now I gotta count up how many A/Ns I have…*drumroll*…11! I thought I had more than that…oh well!! ^_^ Okay, remember the "darkest secrets" part? Well, I have a couple of ideas for Belle's secret. *evil grin* But I wanna know what y'all think it should be. So pleeze, pleeze, pleeeeeeze review!!! Oh yeah, and eventually, Belle will fall in love with somebody, I'm just not sure who. So tell me what you think!! I think I finally got in some of the plot on this chapter…I think I have a problem with too many details! ;) Beach time in…*countdown*…4…3…2 days!! Yea!! I'll be thinking of y'all!
Thanx to:
Keita: Unfortunately, no Demon in this one =( Hehehe. I'm glad you like my fic!! No one's ever called my writing excellent before!! It's inspiring!!! *giggle, giggle* Hope you liked it! Please keep reading!! ^_^
M'cha Araem: Daine is like our little heroine! ^_^ I like Demon, too. I based him off Cloud, who I think is just too cool!! *giggle* You're right about Daine's hair-I should have said smoky-brown or something like that. Geeze-gray hair on Daine does not promote good images. ;) And about Jane-she's kinda like Lalasa (I think that's how its spelled.) when she first comes to work for Kel-shy, no self confidence, and she's young. Of course, mean old grannies like Marcia think they know everything, and plus they've been like brainwashed by Jared. But goddess, I hope you don't die of suspense! You were my first reviewer!! Please keep reading! I hope you like this chapter!
Larzdinn: Us jello-luvers have to stick together! *high five* *hits self in head* Oops, I kinda had an o.d. on Vanilla Coke today. ;) Hehe, I love your little winking face- ^_~-that is sooo cute!! Yea! I'm so glad you liked the chapter-I hope you like this one, too. I think I might have gone a little overboard on the details this time, though! I find Jared so incredibly easy to hate-don't u?? Kinda like Deila…but I won't get into that now. And then there's Demon-so easy to laugh at. =^) Yes, I'm trying to fix Belle's "perfectness", I don't like it either. It makes her seem too preppy and shallow. But I haven't gotten the chance to describe Belle how I would like to yet. See, I need to do that when she's actually trying to impress someone, so she's all gussied up and everything. That's like when you describe the dress, the makeup, the haie…yada, yada, yada. But that will be soon, I promise you! I'm glad somebody noticed my format style…I can remember giving up on reading some stories cuz they're all jumbled together, so I made sure mine was readable! Thanx for reading and reviewing!!!
Faithful: Isabelle is one of my fav names too! I was really struggling between Cassandra (Cassie-I love that nickname too!) and Isabelle. But in the end, Isabelle won out cuz in French, Belle means "beautiful". And since in the story Belle feels anything but cherished and good-looking, it thought it would be a nice contrast. I'll try to work in Belle's mother-I wanted to do that this chapter when she was talking with Alanna, somehow, but the chance never came up. I'll get it in soon! Thanx for reading and reviewing!!! ^_^
Nanook992: Why, thank you!! By the way, I think your penname is soooo cute!! ^_^ "Great!", "Awesome!"-wow- I feel inspired!! Hehehe. ;) I hope to write the next chapter while I'm at the beach, and then upload it when I get back. Thanx for reading and reviewing!!!
Until next time,
~IrishRose~