"Well. It's quite lovely to see exactly how my parents explain things to each other. I need to be going to meet Cal. I'll write back to them later and explain to my mother what really happened. Hmmm. That letter does not sound like her at all. I can't remember the last time she called anyone 'darling'. Oh well. No time to puzzle over it just now!" I thought as I walked back to my room. Once inside I went into the bathroom and washed my face. I looked at the faded bruise around my eye and grimaced. Brushing my hair as I went to my closet I selected a lightweight lavender robe. Very classy and still feminine. I quickly shed my day clothes and slid into the filmy robe. Tying the sash I whirled in front of the mirror admiring my reflection. Maneuvering past the sleeping Binks I began walking towards the garden. I saw Cal sitting in the center next to the fountains and rose bushes. I sat as delicately as possible so as not to tear the fragile garment.
"Wow. That's a really cute dress-robe-gown-thingy. That color looks uh nice. Yeah" he said sounding slightly embarrassed. I laughed aloud and smiled.
"It's a mock mage robe. You know the fashionable kind. Not the real kind." I paused, and then sensing his uneasiness, I started into, "What did you get for desert? I didn't get to finish my dinner."
"Let's see I got two pieces of chocolate cake and strawberries."
"OOH! I love strawberries! They're my favorite! Ooh and that cake looks divine." Cal smiled at my compliments and began rifling through the bottom of the basket.
"Oh Damn!" He muttered half to himself and half to me.
"What is it?"
"I forgot matches to light the candles. We'll have to go in or we'll be in the dark in a few moments!"
"I believe I can solve the matches problem or should I say the lack there of?" I snapped my fingers as I was talking and a flame ignited at the tips. Carefully touching each of my fingers to the candles that surrounded us in a circle.
"There we go. All taken care of. Shall we start?" Cal nodded his reply and served me a slice of cake with some strawberries. They were positiviely divine and I told him so. He merely nodded and kept eating. An uncomfortable silence stretched between us. Looking at Cal in the combination of moonlight and firelight, I felt as though a sparked had ignited within my soul. The eeriness of the moonlight cast a shadow on his face but the glow of the tiny fires burning illuminated his features. The soft expression in his eyes made my heart skip a beat. Something deep within me could not keep me from letting go of all my self control. I leaned in and kissed him on his cheek before standing up and leaving. When I looked back he had his head cocked slightly to the side, as if he wasn't quite sure what to make of me. I smiled with satisfaction and went to my dorm. Exhausted I fell asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow.
The next morning I awoke at dawn. Cursing loudly I remembered I was supposed to meet Cal and Brahm at the palace gates AT dawn I hurried about dumping milk into a bowl for Binks and rushing about the chicken with it's head cut off as I washed and pulled on my riding clothes. As soon as I managed to braid my hair I grabbed my pack and my cat. I stuffed Binks into the sling Daine got for me. Binks mewed his displeasure at his breakfast being rushed as I ran towards the barn. Brahm and Cal stood waiting. Brahm was holding Gwennie for me.
"Oops! Sorry I'm late I over slept." I said as I attatched my pack to Qwen and mounted up. Brahm and Cal did the same.
"Why couldn't you have taken 5 more minutes?" Cal groused at me. Giving him a puzzled look I looked to Brahm for instruction.
"Aww Cal's just mad cuz he and I had a little bet. He said 45 minutes late an I said only 40 so Cal lost a bit of money to me!" Brahm said with a hearty laugh. I smiled and nodded that I was ready.
"Lead fair and beautiful leader. Oops Brahm's leading. In that case lead on you old lump." Cal mocked teasingly. I gave him a shocked look and he gave up an exaplanation, "Brahm is my mother's husband's brother's wife's sister's husband's brother. So in some way we are related."
"Wow talk about connected." I said with a smile, enjoying the sunny morning.
We rode at a leisurely pace until we reached the walls of Corus.
"Wow! It's so beautiful!" I exclaimed as I looked around.
"Ain't you ever been to Corus, lass?" Brahm asked, eying me suspiciously.
"Nope. Never. Been to Yamini, the Bouldr Mountains, Caspirim Sea, and everywhere in between but to Corus. I must admit I'm rather excited too. What are we doing first, M'Lord?" I asked in joyful anticipation.
"Calm yourself lass. First we'll be finding an Inn to stay at. And then we'll get some lunch and go and register. We'll be staying at the Brahm Inn. It's owned by my sister so of course we'll get the best rates possible. Brahm Inn is located right next door to the Tournament Grounds. Shallow we go?" Cal and I kicked our horses forward gently. We rode through the crowded street, keeping watch of our possesions carefully, for lest you want you purse stolen you'd best watch each an every one of em. At last after picking our way through town we came to our destination.
"The Brahm Inn." Brahm said with a note of pride in his voice. "Come now give the stableboy your horses. This is a respectable joint so don't ye worry bout getting anything stolen. Flinch, there's a fiver with your name on it if you get our bags in while I talk with my sister. Callasandra! Come out and see your dear old brother, Brahm."
"Aiden You ass! Wot have I told you bout yelling in my Inn? It disturbs the guests!" A VERY angry female voice yelled from the kitchen. The next moment the door was flung open and out came a prim looking lady.
"Oh Callie, calm yourself and meet my newest tourney victim. Lady Callasandra of Brahm, this is Lady Page Tierney of Queenscove."
"How do you do?" I asked cordially, curtsying all the while.
"Ah there's no fluff and buff around here but if you three want to eat you'd best come in now while the food is hot."
"What's for eating Callie-Opia??" Cal asked. "We're related 'member? You needn't look so shocked. I joke around with my family."
"Hush that awful sound that comes out when you move you lips Cal. You'll scare the children! I made a roast chicken, smashed potatoes with gravy, fresh roles and butter. There are also greens if'n you're game enough to eat em and for desert I made creamed ice. Come, eat you look near famished. Especially you, Tierney."
We went in and ate. And ate. And ate until Brahm roused us from our chairs over to the Grounds. We got into the small line, with our purses and papers in our hands. Everyone else seemed utterly calm but not me. I was as nervous as a griffen around arrow makers, just waiting for something to happen.
"Next!"
"That's you Tierney." Cal said, urging me forward.
"Name and title?" a tired looking clerk asked me.
"Lady Page Tierney of Queenscove."
"Year?"
"First year page Sir."
"Rank?"
"This is my first tournament."
"Who's your sponsor?"
"Sir Aiden of Brahm and Lord Page Calvin of Greensboro."
"Right that'll be 20 please." Brahm handed me a 10 and I combined mine with it.
"Here are you papers, be here tomorrow at dawn for you first match against Demie Et Quart. That's all thanks." Then it was Cal's turn. All he had to do was give the clerk his 20 and a card that had his tourney information already on it. Once he was done we were free for the afternoon.
"BE careful; Cal watch over her. She's never been here remember." He said leaving to go back to the Inn, "AND NO BARS CALVIN!" Cal and I laughed aloud and then looking at each other went off to explore the town. I decided to make use of my free time so I began looking for gifts for my family.
"I wonder how Binks and Burnet are doing at the Inn."
"Well, if Callie hasn't killed Burnet I'm sure they're fine. I asked her to feed both of them so don't worry. What kinds of gifts are you looking for?"
"My mother collects power stones. You know the things you put in weapons to make them more powerful? I was hoping to pick her up a few. She only has Yamini ones cuz she can't find any of good quality. Know any place?"
"Yup. My mum collects em too. Follow me!" Cal dashes off leaving me to chase after him. When I finally caught up with him we were in front of a small dingy shop.
"This is it. No comments before you see his merchandise." He commanded. SO in we went. Inside many brilliant power stones lined the shelves. I picked out 12 shining stones that glistened in the light of the fading sun, paid for them and we left.
"We should be heading back so we can rest before dinner" Cal said. I agreed and we went back and I went up and collapsed onto my bed and fell into a dead sleep.
A/N: Sorry it took me so long, but it's near finals and I lost my disk so I had to start again. Questions? Comments?
~*AnnaBeth*~