Disclaimer: evn tho I wished I did, I don't own ne of the characters here
except 4 a few lyk the ones ive made up lyk Kiara.
A/N: hope u lyk this chapter n remember 2 R+R at the end!
~*CHAPTER FOUR*~
Kiara practiced with the sword in all the free time she could get. She had only told Sir Myles, Marek and George about Lightning. She wanted to get better with the sword before she told her friends and Lord Wyldon. She also showed Crystal her sword and her mare sniffed the sword eagerly like she knew it or something like that. Kiara thought that this was very weird but forgot about the next day and kept on practicing. The sword felt so light in her hand as she swung and swerved and spun with it that the sword felt like it wasn't in her hand.
This is gonna be good in a duel or war, thought Kiara and then added grimly, if I'm ever gonna be in war.
Still, she kept on practicing and sometimes fought with Marek and George when she saw them and always won.
When Kiara had first told George and Marek about Lightning, they had kept silent. Late at nights at the inn, they had discussed about the possibilities of how she could've taken the sword out. They're weren't many possibilities apart from either she had a gift stronger then anyone in Tortall or she was Alanna's daughter. Both weren't likely so in the end they had stopped talking about it.
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Alanna paced about in her room at the palace. All day and night when she wasn't on duty or anything like that, she had thought about Kiara and her former sword, Lightning. It's not possible, she kept on thinking to herself but it had been done.
George entered the room. Alanna walked over to him with her eyes locked onto his.
"What is it, darlin'?" said George uneasily.
"You're going to tell me everything about Kiara, George, absolutely everything you know about her. And you're not going to miss a thing. Sit on the bed over there and tell me," Alanna's voice very commanding. George wondered if she was using her gift on him.
"Uh, love, are you sure you want to know? I mean-,"
"I know you know more to her than anyone else. I saw her pull Lighting out! Lightning! So you're going to tell me everything you know. Now."
So with that, George told her the whole story of how Marek had found her and raised her 11 years ago by the river and how she wanted to be a knight to find out who her parents were. He told her she was a great swordsman, a natural and how she was really good with a dagger and a great pickpocket.
"And she has a really powerful gift, more powerful than Kuri and me. Oh, and she's a wildmage. Interestin' isn't it?" George said at the end of telling Alanna about Kiara.
"Hmmm. then how come she has purple eyes exactly the same shade as mine and black hair?" asked Alanna, silently adding to herself, which is exactly like Jonathon's.
"That's the thing. I dunno, darlin'. Neither me nor Marek could find an answer to that one. Well, at least one that's possible, that is," replied George.
"Rumours. People are already saying again that I slept with Jonathon and had Kiara even with the facts that Kiara cannot be my daughter. They- they just ignore the facts. It's as plain as the noses on their stupid faces!" started Alanna, her temper rising.
"There, there," replied George, " Don't start ye temper. You know what? I think we should go back home and take care of Thom and the twins. What do you say? We can ask Jon if we can leave next month." Kissing George, Alanna said yes.
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"Sword lessons, second years, you start learning how to fight with a sword today," grinned Lord Wyldon. Since Kiara's second year, Lord Wyldon had finally stopped singling Kiara out though now he ignored her and only paid attention to her when she was in trouble or hurt. Very rarely he complimented her by saying, "Good."
Better than nothing, thought Kiara.
"Because none of you know how to block or attack only by a toddler, I'm going to show you how."
Kiara decided to keep silent from telling him that she already knew how to wield a sword and that she had one of her own.
"Now, here is a man who's very good with a sword. His fighting days are over, I regret to say but here is none other than the old Guardsman Coram Smythesson. He won't be teaching you, I'll be doing that but he will be assisting me. He'll be watching all of you and he'll tell you if you're doing anything wrong when I'm not. And if you want to know, he, uh, taught the Lioness how to fight with a sword," Lord Wyldon said the last sentence with difficulty, Kiara noticed.
She smiled at Coram. She knew who he was being the husband of George's cousin, Rispah. He had taught her the simplest of moves with an old, battered sword that she had found when she was seven.
Lord Wyldon taught them the basics. She had been paired with Merric, Neal, and Esmond in these practices and had knocked the practice swords out of their hands very easily. They had all envied her and if Lord Wyldon had noticed that she was very good, especially for a second-year, he said nothing. Coram congratulated her every time he passed her as he corrected her year mates when they were doing something wrong. Kiara felt very pleased.
Two weeks had passed and Kiara was unmistakably the best swordsman. One evening Sir Myles had invited her to talk.
"Kiara, the whole palace had heard how good you are with a sword. A practice sword. Don't you think it's about time you told them about Lightning?" he asked gently.
"Well, I wanted to ask you about it but I how am I going to tell my Lord?"
"I can't really help you in that. Why don't you tell him at the beginning of the next lesson?"
"Hang on, what if I tell Coram first? He can break the news to my Lord and after that, I'll tell Neal and Roald and them!" Kiara thought that this was a very good idea but she waited for Myles' reply.
"I guess, that's a good idea but Coram will definitely be shocked. After all, he did raise Alanna and he was there when Alanna had finally defeated Roger. I suppose that's the best suggestion since telling my Lord first thing will be hard."
Kiara smiled at that. "Good. Then that'll be what happens."
Then, out of the blue, Myles asked, " Kiara, when you, uh, found Lightning, was there, uh, anyone with you? Like anyone in the room before you?"
Kiara stared at him, confused. "No," she began slowly, " I think there was someone in the room before me, but they left when I entered. I mean, if someone was in the room when I was, then they would've told the rest of Tortall, right?"
"I- I guess so," Myles replies, sounding unsure, " Well, it's getting late. I think you should go back to your room and think about what you're going to say to Coram, don't you think?" he smiled at her.
Kiara thought his sudden change of topic was weird. But she agreed with me as it was getting late. "Well, I guess I'll see you next time. Bye, Sir Myles."
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"Uh, Coram? Can I have a word with you?" Kiara asked. It would be OK. She had gone over what she many times last night.
"Sure, Kiara. What is it? Do you want t' ask if ye can fight with a harder opponent? I won't blame ye if ye do," Coram suggested in a kind voice.
Kiara gripped the Lightning's hilt tightly. She had brought it with her just for today to prove herself if anyone doubted her. Luckily, no one had noticed it.
"No, it's nothing like that. It's - it's that I have a sword, Coram. A proper sword. One that's perfect for me and - and -,"
"That's great! Let's see it," Coram had cut her off, " Don't be shy." Kiara looked at him. She looked down at her hand. She was covering the hilt so Coram couldn't see what the sword was like. Slowly, she put it in Coram's outstretched hand. Coram stared at it and dropped it. He was speechless. Kiara knew this would happen. She quickly picked it up and put it back in his hand.
"How - how - how did you get this?" Coram whispered still staring at Lightning. Kiara took a huge breath, " Coram - I pulled it out of the Gate of Idramm and I've been practicing with it since the beginning of the year. Myles, George and Marek know about it." Kiara waited.
"You - you pulled it out?" Coram was still in shock.
"Yes. I don't know how it happened. It just happened. I was wondering if you could tell my Lord since I don't want to be the one to do so," added Kiara shyly. After 10 minutes when Lord Wyldon had finally called for them, did Coram wake up out if his trance.
"Of - of course. But ye can't just simply explain yerself by saying ye just pulled it out of the ground!"
"I'll think of that when it happens, Coram," replied Kiara evenly.
"Very well then. Here - take Lightning back, " he gave it back to her, " ye to come with me."
Kia followed Coram to Lord Wyldon. As she got closer and closer, she wondered if this was a good idea. But it was too late.
"Ah, Coram, good. I was wondering if you think its time to teach them-," Lord Wyldon stopped as soon as he noticed Kiara, " What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with the lads?"
Kia shifted under his gaze. "My - my Lord. I-I, uh -."
"My Lord, what Kia wants to say is that she has a sword of her own and I think ye should see t' it as she already knows what the lads are learning. I taught her me self the basics," Coram had cut her off which to Kia was glad he had done.
"You have a sword? Let me see it," Lord Wyldon's voice was normal like he had guessed all along. Kia looked at Coram. He nodded. Slowly she withdrew Lightning and showed it to Lord Wyldon. He just stared.
"Mithros, girl - speak up. How did you get this sword?" Wyldon's face was very confused and shocked.
Kia thought quickly. "I - I just found it my Lord." It was a lame reason, but it was better than telling the truth.
" You just found it? Girl - tell me the truth. If you just found it then."
"My Lord, I just found it one day while I was walking through the city in the summer," Kia thought this was alright and Lord Wyldon took her word for it even though he didn't believe her. He knew that he'd get no other answer.
"Can you wield it?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Then let's see how good you are with - with this sword. I'll get one of the older lads here. By Mithros, if you wound any of them you'll have a week's detention."
"Yes, my Lord," Kia couldn't answer anything else. She couldn't question any of his orders.
Lord Wyldon looked around the courts. His eyes were thoughtful as he looked for a worthy opponent. In the end, he finally chose Joren.
Just my luck, thought Kia, I'll take him out slowly. Joren smirked at her as he came closer.
"Does my Lord really think you need someone as good as me to be your opponent? I guess he wants to show you how much of a girl you are," said Joren as they took up their positions. Everyone in the court had stopped practice to see them. Kia's friends gaped at her as they saw Lightning. Suddenly, a short redhead had entered the courts. Violet eyes stared at violet eyes and then Kia gulped. This was not what she had expected. The Lioness nodded at her as if she knew everything. Kia turned to look at Joren to keep her mind on the match.
"Ready!" began Lord Wyldon," and go!"
Kia started attacking with the best drill she could do with Lightning. As she started the Crescent Moon drill, Joren clumsily blocked her attacks. As this kept going, with Joren slowly starting to lose, Kia thought it was time to end this as it was taking to long. Joren was slow with his blocks so as soon as Kia saw an opening and disarmed Joren making his sword fly many feet away. Joren stared at her with anger as he slowly walked back to Lord Wyldon.
"The girl obviously has some talent, wouldn't you say Wyldon? After all you've only taught her for 2 weeks and she already disarmed a fourth-year. She won the duel," said Alanna as she smirked at Lord Wyldon. And with that, she left.
A/N: well that's the end of this chapter! Its pretty long. Well, I hope u liked it and didn't get bored with it! Plz R+R!! THANX!!!!!!!!
A/N: hope u lyk this chapter n remember 2 R+R at the end!
~*CHAPTER FOUR*~
Kiara practiced with the sword in all the free time she could get. She had only told Sir Myles, Marek and George about Lightning. She wanted to get better with the sword before she told her friends and Lord Wyldon. She also showed Crystal her sword and her mare sniffed the sword eagerly like she knew it or something like that. Kiara thought that this was very weird but forgot about the next day and kept on practicing. The sword felt so light in her hand as she swung and swerved and spun with it that the sword felt like it wasn't in her hand.
This is gonna be good in a duel or war, thought Kiara and then added grimly, if I'm ever gonna be in war.
Still, she kept on practicing and sometimes fought with Marek and George when she saw them and always won.
When Kiara had first told George and Marek about Lightning, they had kept silent. Late at nights at the inn, they had discussed about the possibilities of how she could've taken the sword out. They're weren't many possibilities apart from either she had a gift stronger then anyone in Tortall or she was Alanna's daughter. Both weren't likely so in the end they had stopped talking about it.
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Alanna paced about in her room at the palace. All day and night when she wasn't on duty or anything like that, she had thought about Kiara and her former sword, Lightning. It's not possible, she kept on thinking to herself but it had been done.
George entered the room. Alanna walked over to him with her eyes locked onto his.
"What is it, darlin'?" said George uneasily.
"You're going to tell me everything about Kiara, George, absolutely everything you know about her. And you're not going to miss a thing. Sit on the bed over there and tell me," Alanna's voice very commanding. George wondered if she was using her gift on him.
"Uh, love, are you sure you want to know? I mean-,"
"I know you know more to her than anyone else. I saw her pull Lighting out! Lightning! So you're going to tell me everything you know. Now."
So with that, George told her the whole story of how Marek had found her and raised her 11 years ago by the river and how she wanted to be a knight to find out who her parents were. He told her she was a great swordsman, a natural and how she was really good with a dagger and a great pickpocket.
"And she has a really powerful gift, more powerful than Kuri and me. Oh, and she's a wildmage. Interestin' isn't it?" George said at the end of telling Alanna about Kiara.
"Hmmm. then how come she has purple eyes exactly the same shade as mine and black hair?" asked Alanna, silently adding to herself, which is exactly like Jonathon's.
"That's the thing. I dunno, darlin'. Neither me nor Marek could find an answer to that one. Well, at least one that's possible, that is," replied George.
"Rumours. People are already saying again that I slept with Jonathon and had Kiara even with the facts that Kiara cannot be my daughter. They- they just ignore the facts. It's as plain as the noses on their stupid faces!" started Alanna, her temper rising.
"There, there," replied George, " Don't start ye temper. You know what? I think we should go back home and take care of Thom and the twins. What do you say? We can ask Jon if we can leave next month." Kissing George, Alanna said yes.
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"Sword lessons, second years, you start learning how to fight with a sword today," grinned Lord Wyldon. Since Kiara's second year, Lord Wyldon had finally stopped singling Kiara out though now he ignored her and only paid attention to her when she was in trouble or hurt. Very rarely he complimented her by saying, "Good."
Better than nothing, thought Kiara.
"Because none of you know how to block or attack only by a toddler, I'm going to show you how."
Kiara decided to keep silent from telling him that she already knew how to wield a sword and that she had one of her own.
"Now, here is a man who's very good with a sword. His fighting days are over, I regret to say but here is none other than the old Guardsman Coram Smythesson. He won't be teaching you, I'll be doing that but he will be assisting me. He'll be watching all of you and he'll tell you if you're doing anything wrong when I'm not. And if you want to know, he, uh, taught the Lioness how to fight with a sword," Lord Wyldon said the last sentence with difficulty, Kiara noticed.
She smiled at Coram. She knew who he was being the husband of George's cousin, Rispah. He had taught her the simplest of moves with an old, battered sword that she had found when she was seven.
Lord Wyldon taught them the basics. She had been paired with Merric, Neal, and Esmond in these practices and had knocked the practice swords out of their hands very easily. They had all envied her and if Lord Wyldon had noticed that she was very good, especially for a second-year, he said nothing. Coram congratulated her every time he passed her as he corrected her year mates when they were doing something wrong. Kiara felt very pleased.
Two weeks had passed and Kiara was unmistakably the best swordsman. One evening Sir Myles had invited her to talk.
"Kiara, the whole palace had heard how good you are with a sword. A practice sword. Don't you think it's about time you told them about Lightning?" he asked gently.
"Well, I wanted to ask you about it but I how am I going to tell my Lord?"
"I can't really help you in that. Why don't you tell him at the beginning of the next lesson?"
"Hang on, what if I tell Coram first? He can break the news to my Lord and after that, I'll tell Neal and Roald and them!" Kiara thought that this was a very good idea but she waited for Myles' reply.
"I guess, that's a good idea but Coram will definitely be shocked. After all, he did raise Alanna and he was there when Alanna had finally defeated Roger. I suppose that's the best suggestion since telling my Lord first thing will be hard."
Kiara smiled at that. "Good. Then that'll be what happens."
Then, out of the blue, Myles asked, " Kiara, when you, uh, found Lightning, was there, uh, anyone with you? Like anyone in the room before you?"
Kiara stared at him, confused. "No," she began slowly, " I think there was someone in the room before me, but they left when I entered. I mean, if someone was in the room when I was, then they would've told the rest of Tortall, right?"
"I- I guess so," Myles replies, sounding unsure, " Well, it's getting late. I think you should go back to your room and think about what you're going to say to Coram, don't you think?" he smiled at her.
Kiara thought his sudden change of topic was weird. But she agreed with me as it was getting late. "Well, I guess I'll see you next time. Bye, Sir Myles."
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"Uh, Coram? Can I have a word with you?" Kiara asked. It would be OK. She had gone over what she many times last night.
"Sure, Kiara. What is it? Do you want t' ask if ye can fight with a harder opponent? I won't blame ye if ye do," Coram suggested in a kind voice.
Kiara gripped the Lightning's hilt tightly. She had brought it with her just for today to prove herself if anyone doubted her. Luckily, no one had noticed it.
"No, it's nothing like that. It's - it's that I have a sword, Coram. A proper sword. One that's perfect for me and - and -,"
"That's great! Let's see it," Coram had cut her off, " Don't be shy." Kiara looked at him. She looked down at her hand. She was covering the hilt so Coram couldn't see what the sword was like. Slowly, she put it in Coram's outstretched hand. Coram stared at it and dropped it. He was speechless. Kiara knew this would happen. She quickly picked it up and put it back in his hand.
"How - how - how did you get this?" Coram whispered still staring at Lightning. Kiara took a huge breath, " Coram - I pulled it out of the Gate of Idramm and I've been practicing with it since the beginning of the year. Myles, George and Marek know about it." Kiara waited.
"You - you pulled it out?" Coram was still in shock.
"Yes. I don't know how it happened. It just happened. I was wondering if you could tell my Lord since I don't want to be the one to do so," added Kiara shyly. After 10 minutes when Lord Wyldon had finally called for them, did Coram wake up out if his trance.
"Of - of course. But ye can't just simply explain yerself by saying ye just pulled it out of the ground!"
"I'll think of that when it happens, Coram," replied Kiara evenly.
"Very well then. Here - take Lightning back, " he gave it back to her, " ye to come with me."
Kia followed Coram to Lord Wyldon. As she got closer and closer, she wondered if this was a good idea. But it was too late.
"Ah, Coram, good. I was wondering if you think its time to teach them-," Lord Wyldon stopped as soon as he noticed Kiara, " What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with the lads?"
Kia shifted under his gaze. "My - my Lord. I-I, uh -."
"My Lord, what Kia wants to say is that she has a sword of her own and I think ye should see t' it as she already knows what the lads are learning. I taught her me self the basics," Coram had cut her off which to Kia was glad he had done.
"You have a sword? Let me see it," Lord Wyldon's voice was normal like he had guessed all along. Kia looked at Coram. He nodded. Slowly she withdrew Lightning and showed it to Lord Wyldon. He just stared.
"Mithros, girl - speak up. How did you get this sword?" Wyldon's face was very confused and shocked.
Kia thought quickly. "I - I just found it my Lord." It was a lame reason, but it was better than telling the truth.
" You just found it? Girl - tell me the truth. If you just found it then."
"My Lord, I just found it one day while I was walking through the city in the summer," Kia thought this was alright and Lord Wyldon took her word for it even though he didn't believe her. He knew that he'd get no other answer.
"Can you wield it?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Then let's see how good you are with - with this sword. I'll get one of the older lads here. By Mithros, if you wound any of them you'll have a week's detention."
"Yes, my Lord," Kia couldn't answer anything else. She couldn't question any of his orders.
Lord Wyldon looked around the courts. His eyes were thoughtful as he looked for a worthy opponent. In the end, he finally chose Joren.
Just my luck, thought Kia, I'll take him out slowly. Joren smirked at her as he came closer.
"Does my Lord really think you need someone as good as me to be your opponent? I guess he wants to show you how much of a girl you are," said Joren as they took up their positions. Everyone in the court had stopped practice to see them. Kia's friends gaped at her as they saw Lightning. Suddenly, a short redhead had entered the courts. Violet eyes stared at violet eyes and then Kia gulped. This was not what she had expected. The Lioness nodded at her as if she knew everything. Kia turned to look at Joren to keep her mind on the match.
"Ready!" began Lord Wyldon," and go!"
Kia started attacking with the best drill she could do with Lightning. As she started the Crescent Moon drill, Joren clumsily blocked her attacks. As this kept going, with Joren slowly starting to lose, Kia thought it was time to end this as it was taking to long. Joren was slow with his blocks so as soon as Kia saw an opening and disarmed Joren making his sword fly many feet away. Joren stared at her with anger as he slowly walked back to Lord Wyldon.
"The girl obviously has some talent, wouldn't you say Wyldon? After all you've only taught her for 2 weeks and she already disarmed a fourth-year. She won the duel," said Alanna as she smirked at Lord Wyldon. And with that, she left.
A/N: well that's the end of this chapter! Its pretty long. Well, I hope u liked it and didn't get bored with it! Plz R+R!! THANX!!!!!!!!