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One Small Slip in Time Chapter 2
Gareth felt as though he was in a dream. As he looked out the solid window of glass, he kept telling himself to wake up. Once again, he looked through the glass and shook his head. *This can't be happening. This can't be happening.* He kept repeating to himself, though the words seemed hollow.
On the other side of the glass there seemed to be a room that looked so much like the Duke Roger's rooms that it was unnatural. Just then, Roger walked into the rooms. Gareth started pounding on the glass, trying to get his attention. Roger looked up and walked over; his face was the picture of concern. When he was in front of the glass he grinned at Gareth.
"Can you help me?" gasped Gareth, praying that he could he him.
"No," was the calm reply, "Trapping you in my mirror wasn't an accident, you know. I personally think it was one of my greatest ideas. I called some men over to move this mirror to somewhere more private. I could shatter the mirror, but that would ruin all the fun. You get to see what is happening in the world, and hate yourself because you know you will never be a part of it again. Don't worry; you'll have company all too soon."
"What do you mean I'll have company? Who else are you going to murder like this?"
"You'll see. I won't trap anyone in the mirror with you, that's your special fate."
With that Roger grabbed a large black blanket and threw it over the mirror. Gareth slumped down on the ground, head in his hands. He felt the world lurch around him, but he didn't bat an eyelash. A part of him somehow knew that it was just the mirror being moved. Then a thought hit him; what did Roger want out of all this?
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Alanna trotted down the hallway after a grueling session at the practice courts. Jonathon was getting better and Roger hadn't made any noticeable attempts to take the throne. Part of her hoped that he had given up, but the rest of her knew that it wasn't true. All she could do was watch and wait. Alanna was mad that she was so helpless.
*At least I know that he didn't send that sickness to kill Jon. It's strange though, I haven't seen Duke Gareth for a few days. Is he sick?*
Alanna quickened her pace, the hair at the back of her neck prickling with anxiety. Something was not right; she could feel it in her bones. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't realize that she almost ran head on into a maid. Alanna gasped as the books that the maid was carrying toppled onto the ground.
"Sorry!" muttered Alanna, a flush of embarrassment creeping into her cheeks. She looked up and realized that the maid was a friend of hers. Her name was Anya.
"Squire Alan!" she remarked angrily "You should watch where you're goin'. Why are ya in a rush anyhow?" Alanna eyed the maid, her patience ebbing away like tide waters. Anger made Anya's dark cheeks flush and her eyes sparkle.
*So that's why men are crawling all over her.* Alanna thought to herself.
"Well?" Anya's foot was tapping briskly, a sign of her anger.
Alanna shook her head and knelt down to pick up the books. Anya's hand gripped her wrist and said "You still haven't answered my question."
"I was running late, that's all,"
"Pig tush, something's wrong and you jus' don' wanna tell me. I kin take it; I'm not a wimpy court lass. I'm a palace maid, born and bred, eavesdroppin' is all part of the job as well as doing some figerin' and some investigatin'. Spit it out."
"I just have a bad feeling, that's all. I can't explain it, it's just a feeling, and if I stay here talking to you, I really will be late." With that, Alanna handed her books to Anya, and went on her way. If she would have looked back, she would have seen Anya staring after her long after she had rounded the corner.
********************************
Alanna knocked on the connecting door to Jonathon's room and opened it. She looked around. Jon was sitting up in his bed, looking better but thinner. There were no healers running around, and the smell of herbs still lingered in the air. Jon smiled at her and waved her over.
"How are you feeling, Jon?" where the first words that popped out of Alanna's mouth.
"I'm fine, though I'm glad that there are no healers telling me what to do. They told me that this fever was the strangest one that they ever saw. It went away only after a few hours, though the healers wouldn't leave me alone for a few days. The strangest thing is, I dropped a lot of weight in only a day."
"Do you know where Duke Gareth is? I haven't seen him for a few days, since you got sick."
"Of course you haven't seen him, he went back home to Naxen. He said in his note that he needed a good rest and that he should be there for a few months. Father agreed and found someone to be the training master so Uncle Gareth could have a break. He left the morning I got sick, around dawn."
"Oh," was all Alanna said. She felt stupid. *I shouldn't be jumping to conclusions* Alanna told herself angrily, *I should have known that something like this should have happened. If he's so safe, why do I feel a sense of foreboding?* Alanna decided that it was time to pay George Cooper a visit.
***************************
Duke Gareth of Naxen had long sense grown accustomed to the world rocking. He had paced until he thought he feet would fall off, but no idea came to him. No daring plan of escape, and there was no way out, or was there? Gareth pulled himself to his feet and began to walk away from the glass. Ever sense he had found the glass he had never strayed from it. Now that he knew that Roger was up to no good, he decided that he should do whatever he could to help.
*Besides* he told himself *someone would notice I'm missing sooner of later, or would they? Roger is smart, and he plans well, surely he would have made up some excuse for his absence. He wouldn't make a stupid mistake like that. This was to well planned*
Gareth shook his head to clear out his morbid train of thoughts. He walked carefully down the colorless hallway and wondered how long he had been there. It couldn't have been more that a few days, but it felt like a lifetime. Gareth ran his hands over the wall and gasped as he realized that it was going over glass again. He looked up and swore.
He had walked in a complete circle! When he looked out of the glass he saw the same black cloth, or was it the same black cloth? We could have sworn on his life that he saw an object in the darkness; it looked like a small table. How long had the cloth been off? Gareth didn't know he was too caught up in self-pity and worry for his family to notice. Gareth then noticed how tired he was. There was nothing else to do, so he curled up in a ball and fell asleep.
****************************
Alanna whistled as she walked down the street. For once she was free of cares, at least for now. She needed to see George and talk about her suspicions with him. Maybe he would even help her confirm them. Or, she hoped, prove them wrong. Either way she got to see one of her best friends, and she was looking forward to that.
Alanna wandered aimlessly through the streets, not caring that the path she took would take her longer to reach the Dancing Dove. Alanna heard a sound behind her and froze. She spun and drew her sword at the same time. A small shadow appeared in front of her, and Alanna burst out laughing. It was only Faithful (A/N: I can't believe I almost forgot Faithful!), who looked fairly annoyed.
I You just had to go wandering off without meI drawled the cat I I went off for a few days to rest and you let your guard downI
"I let my guard down? What do you mean?"
I What I mean is that you didn't notice or investigate the Duke's disappearance, and you didn't heal Jonathon yourself. You just let two good clues slip away through your fingers. I
"Clues? Clues? What clues? Besides, the healers wouldn't let me near Jon, and the Duke is supposed to off at Naxen. There is no proof there of nothing."
I Believe whatever you want. I was all Faithful said, Alanna could tell be his tone that the subject was closed.
*Fine, be that way. Don't tell me something important that could affect the very fate of Tortall.* Alanna thought angrily to herself. *He's just a stupid talking cat anyway. What do I care about his opinion.*
Faithful chose at that moment to leap on her shoulders. Alanna shook her head, and chose a quicker route to get to the Dove. Hopefully George would have the answers that she needed. Hopefully he would be able to help her in some way. Hopefully he would help he prove the Duke innocent or guilty. The very fate of Tortall depended on it.
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A/N: That's all for now. I know it is kind of short, I'll try to write more next time. I still can't believe I almost forgot Faithful, he is such an important character and I almost forgot him. PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!! All you have to do is put a little note saying that you read my fic and like it. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Thank you to all of my reviewers.
One Small Slip in Time Chapter 2
Gareth felt as though he was in a dream. As he looked out the solid window of glass, he kept telling himself to wake up. Once again, he looked through the glass and shook his head. *This can't be happening. This can't be happening.* He kept repeating to himself, though the words seemed hollow.
On the other side of the glass there seemed to be a room that looked so much like the Duke Roger's rooms that it was unnatural. Just then, Roger walked into the rooms. Gareth started pounding on the glass, trying to get his attention. Roger looked up and walked over; his face was the picture of concern. When he was in front of the glass he grinned at Gareth.
"Can you help me?" gasped Gareth, praying that he could he him.
"No," was the calm reply, "Trapping you in my mirror wasn't an accident, you know. I personally think it was one of my greatest ideas. I called some men over to move this mirror to somewhere more private. I could shatter the mirror, but that would ruin all the fun. You get to see what is happening in the world, and hate yourself because you know you will never be a part of it again. Don't worry; you'll have company all too soon."
"What do you mean I'll have company? Who else are you going to murder like this?"
"You'll see. I won't trap anyone in the mirror with you, that's your special fate."
With that Roger grabbed a large black blanket and threw it over the mirror. Gareth slumped down on the ground, head in his hands. He felt the world lurch around him, but he didn't bat an eyelash. A part of him somehow knew that it was just the mirror being moved. Then a thought hit him; what did Roger want out of all this?
*************************
Alanna trotted down the hallway after a grueling session at the practice courts. Jonathon was getting better and Roger hadn't made any noticeable attempts to take the throne. Part of her hoped that he had given up, but the rest of her knew that it wasn't true. All she could do was watch and wait. Alanna was mad that she was so helpless.
*At least I know that he didn't send that sickness to kill Jon. It's strange though, I haven't seen Duke Gareth for a few days. Is he sick?*
Alanna quickened her pace, the hair at the back of her neck prickling with anxiety. Something was not right; she could feel it in her bones. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't realize that she almost ran head on into a maid. Alanna gasped as the books that the maid was carrying toppled onto the ground.
"Sorry!" muttered Alanna, a flush of embarrassment creeping into her cheeks. She looked up and realized that the maid was a friend of hers. Her name was Anya.
"Squire Alan!" she remarked angrily "You should watch where you're goin'. Why are ya in a rush anyhow?" Alanna eyed the maid, her patience ebbing away like tide waters. Anger made Anya's dark cheeks flush and her eyes sparkle.
*So that's why men are crawling all over her.* Alanna thought to herself.
"Well?" Anya's foot was tapping briskly, a sign of her anger.
Alanna shook her head and knelt down to pick up the books. Anya's hand gripped her wrist and said "You still haven't answered my question."
"I was running late, that's all,"
"Pig tush, something's wrong and you jus' don' wanna tell me. I kin take it; I'm not a wimpy court lass. I'm a palace maid, born and bred, eavesdroppin' is all part of the job as well as doing some figerin' and some investigatin'. Spit it out."
"I just have a bad feeling, that's all. I can't explain it, it's just a feeling, and if I stay here talking to you, I really will be late." With that, Alanna handed her books to Anya, and went on her way. If she would have looked back, she would have seen Anya staring after her long after she had rounded the corner.
********************************
Alanna knocked on the connecting door to Jonathon's room and opened it. She looked around. Jon was sitting up in his bed, looking better but thinner. There were no healers running around, and the smell of herbs still lingered in the air. Jon smiled at her and waved her over.
"How are you feeling, Jon?" where the first words that popped out of Alanna's mouth.
"I'm fine, though I'm glad that there are no healers telling me what to do. They told me that this fever was the strangest one that they ever saw. It went away only after a few hours, though the healers wouldn't leave me alone for a few days. The strangest thing is, I dropped a lot of weight in only a day."
"Do you know where Duke Gareth is? I haven't seen him for a few days, since you got sick."
"Of course you haven't seen him, he went back home to Naxen. He said in his note that he needed a good rest and that he should be there for a few months. Father agreed and found someone to be the training master so Uncle Gareth could have a break. He left the morning I got sick, around dawn."
"Oh," was all Alanna said. She felt stupid. *I shouldn't be jumping to conclusions* Alanna told herself angrily, *I should have known that something like this should have happened. If he's so safe, why do I feel a sense of foreboding?* Alanna decided that it was time to pay George Cooper a visit.
***************************
Duke Gareth of Naxen had long sense grown accustomed to the world rocking. He had paced until he thought he feet would fall off, but no idea came to him. No daring plan of escape, and there was no way out, or was there? Gareth pulled himself to his feet and began to walk away from the glass. Ever sense he had found the glass he had never strayed from it. Now that he knew that Roger was up to no good, he decided that he should do whatever he could to help.
*Besides* he told himself *someone would notice I'm missing sooner of later, or would they? Roger is smart, and he plans well, surely he would have made up some excuse for his absence. He wouldn't make a stupid mistake like that. This was to well planned*
Gareth shook his head to clear out his morbid train of thoughts. He walked carefully down the colorless hallway and wondered how long he had been there. It couldn't have been more that a few days, but it felt like a lifetime. Gareth ran his hands over the wall and gasped as he realized that it was going over glass again. He looked up and swore.
He had walked in a complete circle! When he looked out of the glass he saw the same black cloth, or was it the same black cloth? We could have sworn on his life that he saw an object in the darkness; it looked like a small table. How long had the cloth been off? Gareth didn't know he was too caught up in self-pity and worry for his family to notice. Gareth then noticed how tired he was. There was nothing else to do, so he curled up in a ball and fell asleep.
****************************
Alanna whistled as she walked down the street. For once she was free of cares, at least for now. She needed to see George and talk about her suspicions with him. Maybe he would even help her confirm them. Or, she hoped, prove them wrong. Either way she got to see one of her best friends, and she was looking forward to that.
Alanna wandered aimlessly through the streets, not caring that the path she took would take her longer to reach the Dancing Dove. Alanna heard a sound behind her and froze. She spun and drew her sword at the same time. A small shadow appeared in front of her, and Alanna burst out laughing. It was only Faithful (A/N: I can't believe I almost forgot Faithful!), who looked fairly annoyed.
I You just had to go wandering off without meI drawled the cat I I went off for a few days to rest and you let your guard downI
"I let my guard down? What do you mean?"
I What I mean is that you didn't notice or investigate the Duke's disappearance, and you didn't heal Jonathon yourself. You just let two good clues slip away through your fingers. I
"Clues? Clues? What clues? Besides, the healers wouldn't let me near Jon, and the Duke is supposed to off at Naxen. There is no proof there of nothing."
I Believe whatever you want. I was all Faithful said, Alanna could tell be his tone that the subject was closed.
*Fine, be that way. Don't tell me something important that could affect the very fate of Tortall.* Alanna thought angrily to herself. *He's just a stupid talking cat anyway. What do I care about his opinion.*
Faithful chose at that moment to leap on her shoulders. Alanna shook her head, and chose a quicker route to get to the Dove. Hopefully George would have the answers that she needed. Hopefully he would be able to help her in some way. Hopefully he would help he prove the Duke innocent or guilty. The very fate of Tortall depended on it.
******************************
A/N: That's all for now. I know it is kind of short, I'll try to write more next time. I still can't believe I almost forgot Faithful, he is such an important character and I almost forgot him. PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!! All you have to do is put a little note saying that you read my fic and like it. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Thank you to all of my reviewers.