Hiya peepsies!!! Sorry I took so long with this chappie. My muse has been on vacation, and then I wanted to work a bit on Gem Three, my otra fic. But I have this week off (then the next weeks' a class vacation) so I'll get a few chappies done soon.
Props to my reviewers!! *golf clap*
White Wolf
dreamon@yahoo.co.uk (Well, I'd love to review your fic, but what's your penname on ff.net?)
Anastazia Silverwind (lol-well, here's your update, Ana!)
Read 24/7 and More
WildMage (Err…It's a good idea, but I don't want to confuse ppl by change the POV suddenly…)
*blushes* Yay!! Lots of reviews!!! Anyways, on with the story. I'm too lazy to write a disclaimer today, so here you go.
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A flurry of sounds broke through the room as Alanna's announcement reached Cenzi's ears. Chairs pushed back suddenly clattered to the floor with a clatter. Gasps, disbelieving noises and "what?"s sounded through the room.
A stern looking balding man stood up and yelled "QUIET!!!" After everyone began to shut up, he turned to the King and said, "Majesty, would you please explain?" Even though it was a question, the man made it sound like a command.
Jonathon consented. "All right, Wyldon. So Alvis, you all know him, the Mithran priest who's in charge of the temple. He was working on a spell- not just any spell, but one to become invisible. But something went wrong, to put it in short. He didn't achieve invisibility, but instead Roger's back, and Alvis is gone forever."
"Where is Roger now?" demanded a familiar voice. Cenzi peeked through the hole and, sure enough, it was Kel.
The Queen sighed, and smiled. "Always in the moment, Kel." A few chuckles floated around the room, and Kel blushed and grinned. Then the Queen became serious again. "He came in a few days ago- arrived at the palace."
Mutters ran through the room.
"He ordered a footman to lead him to an empty room, than stunned him."
Alanna grinned wryly. "Dirty and vicious as ever."
There was a slight pause, then a soft knock on the door. Jonathan turned halfway around, so he was facing the door, and Cenzi. "Who could that be…?"
Alanna ventured up the door, and quietly laid a hand on it. With a sharp movement of her wrist, the door flew open to reveal a terrified footman with the Lioness' blade at his throat. *I'd be scared too,* thought Cenzi with admiration at the Lioness' quickness.
Alanna removed her blade, but the courier still looked scared stiff. "I—I—I" he stuttered. "F—found this out—outside." He thrust forward a rolled up piece of parchment. Holding the roll was a black band with a strange red-orange gem in the middle.
"Di—did someone d—drop it??"
Jonathan was up, and studying the parchment before Cenzi realized it. *He's quick for 70."
(A/N- if anyone could tell me how old Jon would be 12 years after Lady Knight, I'd be very grateful. I'm just guessing for 70. Thanks!)
Jonathan also stood next to a furious looking Lioness. Now he had the paper in his hands. He now looked as it he was in a glaring battle with Alanna. Cenzi hoped Alanna would win.
She did, but Jonathan just looked down at the paper and ignored her. She obviously was fuming as the King opened the scroll, being careful not to break the band or jewel as he slid it off the parchment. He opened the scroll carefully, then his eyes widened with surprise.
"What is it?" exclaimed a man somewhere in the room. Cenzi was too busy studying Jonathan's face to look at who it was.
The King was pale. His mouth slowly opened, and he began to chant something off the paper.
With the stone,
A defender shall be chosen.
But if they fail,
Tortall will fall into ruin and despair.
All will fall into darkness and terror,
Everything you will lack.
This is what will happen if your champion fails,
The realm's old enemy is back.
The room fell into a silence. No one seemed to know what to say. Alanna made the first move. She gently took the stone from Jonathan, and examined it. The noise started up again, and the room became a madhouse.
"SHUT UP!!!"
Everyone complied. People settled into their seats and quieted down. Alanna again gently looked at the stone. Near Cenzi, a big man with curly night-black hair put out his hand. Alanna tossed the stone, and the man caught it safely to look at it.
"What do we do with it?" He questioned in a deep voice.
"'With the stone, a defender shall be chosen,' " reminded Dom, who was sitting next to Kel. He held out his hand, and the big man lobbed it to him. Dom grabbed it from the air, and studied it. He held his hand out to Kel, who reached over to it.
As soon as she touched it, the stone exploded with light, and Kel limped, faint, in her chair.
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Heehee. Another cliffie!!! Next chappie up soon, but it'll mysteriously be up even SOONER if you review. Hah, I'm so evil *malevolent laugh*. Oh no!!! I used a vocab word!!! Gah!!! *dies*
~ladyknight
