A/N: Please accept my 1000 apologies for making you wait. I'm having difficulty juggling three stories at once, so I'm warning you in advance that the next chapter may not come out in a while. I want to get at least one of my stories out of the way before I concentrate on the other two.
[...] means they're speaking in Scanran. It's really bothersome to put in every beginning of a conversation that they're speaking it.
Oh and, does anyone remember if King Maggur knows Common? Because in this story, I'm going to assume he doesn't since I don't remember if he does or doesn't.
Responses to reviewers:
Lara Roberts: Thank you! At least I know one reader hints some romance. Otherwise, why would I bother putting this story in the romance section???
Lady Atalanta: Haha, actually, I never knew what Alias was when you mentioned it until I asked my brother. He gave me the weirdest look and asked where I had been. @_@ I'm sorry that I don't watch much TV! T_T
Protector of the Small: Hee hee, I hafta admit, I like that coupling too.
zella: Thanks for sticking with me for two chapters. It may not be much to some people, but it means alot to me. Thanks!
Numair's Magelet: Of course. I'm not one of those people who just leave their stories unattended... although I tend to do that for a week or so... haha... ^^;;
......... : You know I seriously counted how many periods you put in for like a minute but I kept losing count, so I just copied and paste. Wonder why I didn't do that in the first place... ANYWAY, thanks for your compliments! I will also be eagerly trying to finish another chapter! ^^
SO, let's get on with it!
-----------------------------
One by one, the nobles were announced as they floated past the doorman and down towards the open court. Calming her nerves, Kel thought of the serene lake and struggled to smooth her appearance. As she stepped up to the man, she whispered into his ear, ignoring his look of surprise. Hurriedly sweeping her way down the steps, she managed to submerge into the crowd as he announced, [Katherine of the Melnikov clan.]
[Did he say Katherine? Of the Melnikov clan?]
[Hmph, I guess the rumors were true then.]
[Where _is_ she, anyway?]
Kel drifted past many of the dancing nobles and graciously accepted a glass of wine before subtly dumping its contents into a plant pot. She inwardly smiled at the nobles' twittering whispers and took a seat at a corner of a banquet table, partially hidden from sight. However, from her point of view, she was able to see all.
One by one, she politely turned down dancing invitations and she sighed, loading her plate so that it would seem that she would be too busy eating to dance. That done, her eyes sweeped the crowd in search of King Maggur; after all, it was his masquerade ball and he was bound to attend.
[Pardon me, but would you rather not indulge in dancing like the other court ladies?] a deep voice questioned in an amused tone.
[Ah, so you've seen past my charade of eating?] Flicking her eyes to the side, she observed a slightly built, though rather bulgy blonde-haired man ordained in obviously royal clothing. Hastily, she got to her feet, and managed to curtsy gracefully, all the while saying, [Your majesty, I am honored by your presence.] Inwardly, she winced; she sounded like one of those twitless court ladies in Tortall.
A hand tilted her head up and he said gently, [I have not seen the likes of you before in my courts. What is your name?]
Arranging her features so that her lips slightly trembled as she gazed down at the floor, she said softly in a pitch higher than usual, [Katherine of Melnikov, Highness.] She made an effort of swallowing in order to show that she was hesitating on what she was about to say. [Beg your Majesty's forgiveness, but may I request so brazen a demand?] She shivered, not from the cold, but from the way he caressed her cheek before dropping his hand.
[Speak.]
Clasping her hands behind her like a chided school girl, she said, [Your Highness knows of my tragedy and it was during those long years in which I've longed to seek your audience. Now I come to request shelter within your kingdom, for I have no where else to go, no home to live in.] She signed, hoping she pulled off the helpless damsel in distress act.
His eyes unreadable, he said, [Your clan's loss is deeply felt, but of what use will you be to me?] He lazily smiled at her, as he traced the side of her neck to the end of her shoulders. [I am willing to house you if you are willing to... cooperate.]
Kel pretended to have no notion about what he meant. [I speak Tortallan, though, with a bit of a heavy accent. Father also taught me how to use weapons and that knowledge has saved me from many predicaments.] Taking a deep breath, she proposed, [Mayhaps your Majesty requires a protector? Though you have your means of securing alliances, there may be one or two rebels who will try their luck in slewing your Highness.]
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his blue eyes calculative. [You would make an excellent spy; you could keep an eye on the royal courts on what extent their loyalties lie.] King Maggur was no fool. If he took in this homeless girl, she would be so grateful to him that she would lay her life down for him. In fact, she was already proposing to do so. He smiled. [Your plan is a good one, Lady Katherine. Consider it done.]
She sweeped another cursty. [Thank you, your Majesty.]
-----------ONE MONTH LATER----------------
"Have you found him yet?" she hissed. Her window was strewn open, looking out upon the gardens as her sparrows peeped dismally at her. Rubbing her temples, she whistled for Jump and he slunk out of hiding from the shadows. "What about you?" At his whine, she sighed. "Nari, scatter your flock into their positions and keep searching. He's alive. I know he is," she said fiercly.
Looking down at the panting Jump, she smiled ruefully at the dog's questioning cock of his head. "Isn't the explanation that he's my friend good enough?" He barked; somehow she felt like he was laughing at her. With a wave of her hand, she shooed him off.
'Is it?' The annoying, reasoning voice in her head said. 'Or is it so much more than that?'
Refusing to answer it, Kel gathered her skirts and swept out of her room. Before, a messenger had relayed the message that King Maggur requested her presence. Venturing past the various doors and hallways, she stopped before a large, elaborately-designed door and rapped smartly upon it.
[Come in.]
Closing the door behind her, Kel curtsied before turning her head up. The sight before her almost caused her to stumble; at King Maggur's right knelt Neal. His hair was a dirty mess as were his clothes; they revealed tears where an obvious whipping had sliced through his skin as his wrists and feet were bound in chains. Blood heavily stained his clothes and continued to drip to the floor.
She put up a scornful face. [A Tortallan?! What is he doing by filthying your Majesty's presence?] She sneered at Neal. [Dirty rat. Your kind ought to have been burned like they did to my home.]
Neal's head snapped up, his eyes clouded with fury. "How dare you defend a monster like him?"
"Shut your mouth, you common peasant," Kel sneered with a heavy accent. At Neal's widening eyes, she added, "Oh, are you suprised I can understand you?" She sniffed. "Tortallans. Stupid as pigs and just as dirty."
King Maggur mildly chided, [Peace, lady.] He smiled. [Though I can not understand the language, I assume you two were exchanging heated barbs. He often mutters in that infernal language of his.] He kicked Neal's side, causing him to buckle over in pain, Neal's lips tightly closed to prevent any noise from escaping.
Turning to Kel, King Maggur said, [I'm off to a meeting with some fellow... leaders. Though I would normally request your presence as my protector, your information about them has been sufficient enough; my guards can handle the rest.] He prodded Neal with his slipper-covered foot. [As my trusted spy, only you know of this being's presence. He is my bait in luring Keladry of Mindelan into Scanran.] His eyes blazed with deep hatred. [Because of her, my war is failing.]
Kel grinned knowingly. [And your Majesty plans to slew her in an act of revenge.]
He strode to her, gently touching her lip with a gloved finger. [Do not miss me too much.]
She cast her eyes to the floor, not acting to show her discomfort at his touch.
[Keep an eye on this... boy.] With that, he left the room.
Kel was alone with Neal. Twirling a strand of her blonde wig, Kel pursed her lips as she studied Neal who stared back with equal earnest. Turning her heel on him, she clicked out into the hallway, but into the infirmary. Knowing her way around, Kel snatched some cloth strips, a towel,a basin of water and a jar of healing salve. Returning to the room, she wordlessly placed her materials onto the floor.
Breathing heavily, Neal said through bleary eyes, "If your going to kill me, do it now."
"Can you take off your shirt?" Kel asked instead in a heavy accent.
Neal looked at her with disbelief. "W, what?"
She sighed. "Don't fight me; it'll only hurt." Gently, she stripped off his bloody shirt. Dipping a small towel into the basin of water, she squeezed the water onto his back, then lightly wiped off the blood, ignoring his hiss of pain at the contact. Kel gulped; her heart ached at his pain and she longed to hug him and tell him it was all going to be okay.
But that would ruin the plan.
Instead, Kel scooped some healing salve onto her hand and began to plaster it over the wounds. She didn't notice that her hands were trembling until she felt Neal's intense look as he gazed at her from over his shoulder. Kel whispered, "Does it hurt?"
Equally quiet, Neal replied, "Not really." After a moment of silence, he said, "I thought you were devoted to King Maggur." He didn't keep the disgust out of his tone.
"Lift your arms." He obeyed and she began to wrap the bandages around him. Once she was done, she noticed that his hands were dripping with blood as well. Taking her already bloody towel, she washed it out within the pink-colored water and gently washed his hands. Rubbing salve upon it, her hands began to shake, while she whispered, "That awful monster..." She bound his hands as well with the cloth strips. Seeing his hands tighten around hers, she stifled a small chuckle. It was just like Neal to comfort her when she was supposed to be helping him.
His eyes were unreadable as he loosened his grip. "I don't exactly know what to make of you."
Kel raised her brows. [Nor I with you. For all I know, you probably relay everything I tell you to Maggur.] She had switched to speaking in Scanran.
Neal smirked ironically. [Touche. As it is, I am in your debt, Lady. What may I do for you in return?]
Kel smiled crookedly. [For starters, your name.]
[Nealan of Queenscove. And yours?]
If only it was that simple. Kel knew Neal and he was known for letting details slip, which was the reason why Kel had not yet revealed her identity to him. For now, she was satisfied with his whereabouts; all she had to do now was to get him out. That, and find the other captives.
[Katherine of Melnikov.]
A/N: Reviews are nice.
[...] means they're speaking in Scanran. It's really bothersome to put in every beginning of a conversation that they're speaking it.
Oh and, does anyone remember if King Maggur knows Common? Because in this story, I'm going to assume he doesn't since I don't remember if he does or doesn't.
Responses to reviewers:
Lara Roberts: Thank you! At least I know one reader hints some romance. Otherwise, why would I bother putting this story in the romance section???
Lady Atalanta: Haha, actually, I never knew what Alias was when you mentioned it until I asked my brother. He gave me the weirdest look and asked where I had been. @_@ I'm sorry that I don't watch much TV! T_T
Protector of the Small: Hee hee, I hafta admit, I like that coupling too.
zella: Thanks for sticking with me for two chapters. It may not be much to some people, but it means alot to me. Thanks!
Numair's Magelet: Of course. I'm not one of those people who just leave their stories unattended... although I tend to do that for a week or so... haha... ^^;;
......... : You know I seriously counted how many periods you put in for like a minute but I kept losing count, so I just copied and paste. Wonder why I didn't do that in the first place... ANYWAY, thanks for your compliments! I will also be eagerly trying to finish another chapter! ^^
SO, let's get on with it!
-----------------------------
One by one, the nobles were announced as they floated past the doorman and down towards the open court. Calming her nerves, Kel thought of the serene lake and struggled to smooth her appearance. As she stepped up to the man, she whispered into his ear, ignoring his look of surprise. Hurriedly sweeping her way down the steps, she managed to submerge into the crowd as he announced, [Katherine of the Melnikov clan.]
[Did he say Katherine? Of the Melnikov clan?]
[Hmph, I guess the rumors were true then.]
[Where _is_ she, anyway?]
Kel drifted past many of the dancing nobles and graciously accepted a glass of wine before subtly dumping its contents into a plant pot. She inwardly smiled at the nobles' twittering whispers and took a seat at a corner of a banquet table, partially hidden from sight. However, from her point of view, she was able to see all.
One by one, she politely turned down dancing invitations and she sighed, loading her plate so that it would seem that she would be too busy eating to dance. That done, her eyes sweeped the crowd in search of King Maggur; after all, it was his masquerade ball and he was bound to attend.
[Pardon me, but would you rather not indulge in dancing like the other court ladies?] a deep voice questioned in an amused tone.
[Ah, so you've seen past my charade of eating?] Flicking her eyes to the side, she observed a slightly built, though rather bulgy blonde-haired man ordained in obviously royal clothing. Hastily, she got to her feet, and managed to curtsy gracefully, all the while saying, [Your majesty, I am honored by your presence.] Inwardly, she winced; she sounded like one of those twitless court ladies in Tortall.
A hand tilted her head up and he said gently, [I have not seen the likes of you before in my courts. What is your name?]
Arranging her features so that her lips slightly trembled as she gazed down at the floor, she said softly in a pitch higher than usual, [Katherine of Melnikov, Highness.] She made an effort of swallowing in order to show that she was hesitating on what she was about to say. [Beg your Majesty's forgiveness, but may I request so brazen a demand?] She shivered, not from the cold, but from the way he caressed her cheek before dropping his hand.
[Speak.]
Clasping her hands behind her like a chided school girl, she said, [Your Highness knows of my tragedy and it was during those long years in which I've longed to seek your audience. Now I come to request shelter within your kingdom, for I have no where else to go, no home to live in.] She signed, hoping she pulled off the helpless damsel in distress act.
His eyes unreadable, he said, [Your clan's loss is deeply felt, but of what use will you be to me?] He lazily smiled at her, as he traced the side of her neck to the end of her shoulders. [I am willing to house you if you are willing to... cooperate.]
Kel pretended to have no notion about what he meant. [I speak Tortallan, though, with a bit of a heavy accent. Father also taught me how to use weapons and that knowledge has saved me from many predicaments.] Taking a deep breath, she proposed, [Mayhaps your Majesty requires a protector? Though you have your means of securing alliances, there may be one or two rebels who will try their luck in slewing your Highness.]
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his blue eyes calculative. [You would make an excellent spy; you could keep an eye on the royal courts on what extent their loyalties lie.] King Maggur was no fool. If he took in this homeless girl, she would be so grateful to him that she would lay her life down for him. In fact, she was already proposing to do so. He smiled. [Your plan is a good one, Lady Katherine. Consider it done.]
She sweeped another cursty. [Thank you, your Majesty.]
-----------ONE MONTH LATER----------------
"Have you found him yet?" she hissed. Her window was strewn open, looking out upon the gardens as her sparrows peeped dismally at her. Rubbing her temples, she whistled for Jump and he slunk out of hiding from the shadows. "What about you?" At his whine, she sighed. "Nari, scatter your flock into their positions and keep searching. He's alive. I know he is," she said fiercly.
Looking down at the panting Jump, she smiled ruefully at the dog's questioning cock of his head. "Isn't the explanation that he's my friend good enough?" He barked; somehow she felt like he was laughing at her. With a wave of her hand, she shooed him off.
'Is it?' The annoying, reasoning voice in her head said. 'Or is it so much more than that?'
Refusing to answer it, Kel gathered her skirts and swept out of her room. Before, a messenger had relayed the message that King Maggur requested her presence. Venturing past the various doors and hallways, she stopped before a large, elaborately-designed door and rapped smartly upon it.
[Come in.]
Closing the door behind her, Kel curtsied before turning her head up. The sight before her almost caused her to stumble; at King Maggur's right knelt Neal. His hair was a dirty mess as were his clothes; they revealed tears where an obvious whipping had sliced through his skin as his wrists and feet were bound in chains. Blood heavily stained his clothes and continued to drip to the floor.
She put up a scornful face. [A Tortallan?! What is he doing by filthying your Majesty's presence?] She sneered at Neal. [Dirty rat. Your kind ought to have been burned like they did to my home.]
Neal's head snapped up, his eyes clouded with fury. "How dare you defend a monster like him?"
"Shut your mouth, you common peasant," Kel sneered with a heavy accent. At Neal's widening eyes, she added, "Oh, are you suprised I can understand you?" She sniffed. "Tortallans. Stupid as pigs and just as dirty."
King Maggur mildly chided, [Peace, lady.] He smiled. [Though I can not understand the language, I assume you two were exchanging heated barbs. He often mutters in that infernal language of his.] He kicked Neal's side, causing him to buckle over in pain, Neal's lips tightly closed to prevent any noise from escaping.
Turning to Kel, King Maggur said, [I'm off to a meeting with some fellow... leaders. Though I would normally request your presence as my protector, your information about them has been sufficient enough; my guards can handle the rest.] He prodded Neal with his slipper-covered foot. [As my trusted spy, only you know of this being's presence. He is my bait in luring Keladry of Mindelan into Scanran.] His eyes blazed with deep hatred. [Because of her, my war is failing.]
Kel grinned knowingly. [And your Majesty plans to slew her in an act of revenge.]
He strode to her, gently touching her lip with a gloved finger. [Do not miss me too much.]
She cast her eyes to the floor, not acting to show her discomfort at his touch.
[Keep an eye on this... boy.] With that, he left the room.
Kel was alone with Neal. Twirling a strand of her blonde wig, Kel pursed her lips as she studied Neal who stared back with equal earnest. Turning her heel on him, she clicked out into the hallway, but into the infirmary. Knowing her way around, Kel snatched some cloth strips, a towel,a basin of water and a jar of healing salve. Returning to the room, she wordlessly placed her materials onto the floor.
Breathing heavily, Neal said through bleary eyes, "If your going to kill me, do it now."
"Can you take off your shirt?" Kel asked instead in a heavy accent.
Neal looked at her with disbelief. "W, what?"
She sighed. "Don't fight me; it'll only hurt." Gently, she stripped off his bloody shirt. Dipping a small towel into the basin of water, she squeezed the water onto his back, then lightly wiped off the blood, ignoring his hiss of pain at the contact. Kel gulped; her heart ached at his pain and she longed to hug him and tell him it was all going to be okay.
But that would ruin the plan.
Instead, Kel scooped some healing salve onto her hand and began to plaster it over the wounds. She didn't notice that her hands were trembling until she felt Neal's intense look as he gazed at her from over his shoulder. Kel whispered, "Does it hurt?"
Equally quiet, Neal replied, "Not really." After a moment of silence, he said, "I thought you were devoted to King Maggur." He didn't keep the disgust out of his tone.
"Lift your arms." He obeyed and she began to wrap the bandages around him. Once she was done, she noticed that his hands were dripping with blood as well. Taking her already bloody towel, she washed it out within the pink-colored water and gently washed his hands. Rubbing salve upon it, her hands began to shake, while she whispered, "That awful monster..." She bound his hands as well with the cloth strips. Seeing his hands tighten around hers, she stifled a small chuckle. It was just like Neal to comfort her when she was supposed to be helping him.
His eyes were unreadable as he loosened his grip. "I don't exactly know what to make of you."
Kel raised her brows. [Nor I with you. For all I know, you probably relay everything I tell you to Maggur.] She had switched to speaking in Scanran.
Neal smirked ironically. [Touche. As it is, I am in your debt, Lady. What may I do for you in return?]
Kel smiled crookedly. [For starters, your name.]
[Nealan of Queenscove. And yours?]
If only it was that simple. Kel knew Neal and he was known for letting details slip, which was the reason why Kel had not yet revealed her identity to him. For now, she was satisfied with his whereabouts; all she had to do now was to get him out. That, and find the other captives.
[Katherine of Melnikov.]
A/N: Reviews are nice.