A/N: well here we are again, another chapter. Sorry it took so long; school is so not easy. I still have homework to do. Mostly civilization though and a little psychology too. I don't think teachers under stand that I have an out side of class life. *Sigh* well here you go,…
Disclaimer: well I own every thing, :) but if you do want to borrow some one don't be afraid to, I really don't mind the thought. :) Ok well here you go chapter 4
SS: The Page Years: Ch 4 - Knights.
The hallway was bright with lamplight, casting a yellow glow over the hall. Cori walked at a slow pace, not really wanting to get to the ball but knowing he had to.
A cocky smiled played his face, his thoughts turning to the Princess, Poor Princess, well at least I'm not the only one who will be suffering.
He, like every one else in court, knew the princess hated balls, almost more then she hated wearing dresses.
His tight fitted blue jerkin looked bright despite the dark hall. He ran a hand through his dark hair, letting the waves fall perfectly back into place. Knee high boots covered dark blue breaches, the boots leaving a gentle click on the cold stone floor.
Up ahead the ballroom doors were open, heavy wood doors swung to the side to reveal a large room clad in bright colors. Well here goes nothing.
He strode through the double doors and was met but a servant carrying a tray of glasses. Taking one, he thanked the servant and looked around for the King and Queen.
Over in the center of a large crowd stood the king and queen, both smiling their court smiles. Cori walked over to them, not even noticing the looks he was getting from the young court ladies. He bowed low to show his loyalty asking, "where is the Princess?" he looked around trying to spot his great duty.
Mark smiled. "Ah, late I assume, I believe she may have forgotten about the ball, you'll have to keep a good eye on her tonight." The king laughed at that and then motioned to the door through which Siren had just entered…
***
I hate this, I hate this, I hate this… she chanted over and over again as she walked into the big ballroom, why me? Gods I hate this! She growled as she spotted her knight guard and then began a hasty walk to the corner of the room, praying no bubble-brained males came seeking a dance.
Miserably she sat on the hard cushion's place along the wall bench that ran the length of the wall.
Happy pairs danced across the floor, actually looking happy to bet there. The room was big and around the ceiling hung cloth in beige and violet. The tables that spanned the wall next to the bench were filled with rich looking foods and many different pastries.
A servant approached her while she had been looking around, he gestured to the glasses on the tray and she took one. Ball style drink, called punch more formally I think. Yum… her sarcasm was more then apparent.
Siren had been so busy staring into the punch glass; she hadn't even notice Cori's arrival. "Is the punch telling you good secrets Princess?" he laughed and she looked up startled. "Oh, it's you. It has wonderful secrets to tell, one's I much prefer to the secrets shared by the court." She gave a half smile and added, "any real reason you came to disturb my quiet peace?" His dazzling blue eyes danced with mischief.
A smile spread across his face. He held out his hand for her to take the universal gesture for you want to dance. She groaned, but took his hand. He pulled her to her feet and led her to the dance floor. Peach-cream dress fell perfectly about her as they began to dance. She was vaguely aware of all the looks the jealous court ladies were giving her. She rolled her eyes, why do they like him? What am I missing?
She looked up at the knight meeting his gaze. He smiled wolfishly, she replied with a scowled. "Did you really think I would let you hid in the corner forever? Besides you have to be shown off so you may be chosen to become a wife." He finished and gave her a twirl so she had a harder time retorting. When she came back from her twirl she glared at him, "I don't need a husband, nor do I want one and any that dare try will get a rather unpleasant surprise." She stated, her eyes turning a delicate orange. He shook his head and laughed. "I've no doubt of that." His eyes were still much to alight with humor making her miserable.
When the music finally ended she had hoped to sink back into the walls, but much to her dismay, people had noticed she was there.
Boy after boy, man after man found their way over to dance with her. The night ran on, her limbs growing sorer then they had already been.
After forever she was finally able to disappear out the big open doors into the garden. The garden led to the beginning if the rose maze and consisted of long flat beds of high growing flowers, along with beautiful weeping willows draped far away from the flowers so as not to kill them by cutting off their light.
She stood in front of one of many rose bushes. Bright white blossoms spurted out of the tangled mass. Gingerly she touched one of the flowers, running delicate fingers over the pure petals, so into her thought on escape she didn't notice the tall elegant knight leaning softly against the archway into the garden.
"A fitting place to find you princess, among such beautiful flowers, they pale in comparison to you, however." His voice was flowing and held authority underneath it.
Siren turned to face the man, a sickly sweet smile spread over her face. "Hello good Sir. I did, not see you their, my apologies." She held her fake smile but secretly hit herself for even having to pretend to care. Another courtier I suppose. Great now I'll never escape. Inwardly she sighed not letting it show through.
He pushed off from the archway and walked forward to take her hand, he bowed low over it and said, "allow me to introduce myself, I, am Prince Joshua White." He kissed her hand then straitened. Even better, a prince…I want to go to bed, now. Not later. Now. She forced herself to smile, "my dear Prince, wonderful to meet you." She nodded to emphasize it.
He smiled, his smile true. "My dearest princess, I'm honored to finally meet such a strong and independent woman, might we sit?" he motioned to the bench that sat behind her, she silently cursed the people who made it.
Sitting she could tell this might take awhile.
***
Cori glanced around the room over the court lady's shoulder, where is she, gods did she escape already? I really am getting slower, I'll have to work on that… his thought trail off and when the dance ended he politely excused himself and headed to the garden door, if she was still about she would be out there, hiding.
He walked through the door and was approaching the gardens first archway when he heard voices. One he knew immediately to be the Princess, the other an unknown male.
He slowed as he walked, walking like he was out for a stroll. He walked through the archway and they both came into view, the Princess and the Prince of Gore, Joshua White. Gore was the land that sat next to Non-Avaloo, an unfriendly place filled with court lies and masks, he knew it well. The Prince was not one of Cori's favorite people to say the least.
Cori's eye's turned cold upon seeing the Prince. He approached and bowed to the royalty, "your majesties, wonderful night out isn't it?" he faked a smile.
Siren looked up at Cori, wondering what was wrong with him. She didn't say anything though as the two knights stared at each other.
Finally Josh stood and said, "yes it is a wonderful night, but I fear I may be needed elsewhere," bowing he added, "my dear princess, till next time." He straitened, "Sir Steele." Briskly he walked away, back through the arch and out of site.
Cori's look changed immediately once josh was out of reach, his posture relaxed and he slumped into a seat on the bench next to siren. "A failed attempt at escape I assume, or where you purposely flirting with the prince?" he gave her a inquiring look and she scowled, "how could you even ask? Flirt with him, gods help me should I ever be tempted." She looked at him, and he still looked unimpressed. "From where I was standing the gods should have be standing behind you," his implying that she was flirting with the Prince of Gore made her angry, she through her hands up. "What in the black gods name are you talking about, I was not flirting with him." she made a noise and turned away, so her back was to him.
He sighed; I always manage to piss her off. She stood and began to walk away, he jumped up to stop her, "where do you think your going?" he raised an eyebrow and blocked the archway with his big form.
She looked at him, but didn't say anything. He sighed, "you'll owe me for letting you leave. Seeing as how I have to cover your ass." He smirked and she smiled back and whispered "whatever" then quickly disappeared down another pathway that would lead her to the hall closest to her bedroom.
***
Off in the ballroom the prince sat thinking about Siren Porter. Very nice, she would make a wonderful queen. But that damn knight guard of hers I don't like him, and by the looks of it he doesn't like me much either. It will be harder to get to her with him around. I'll just have to get rid of him…
A/N: well hello, I have a question, (don't hurt me this is going to sound dumb) what exactly is a Beta reader? Because I have only a small clue and would really like to know what one really does and how that whole thing works. I get the basics but well I'm confused. So if anyone would like to humor me and answer my question I would be most grateful…know on to thanx.
Faithful: I am sorry about the Adrian thing, I just happen to love the name, but never fear he won't be evil forever, for a while yes, forever, no. I really love Joren but my friends have no clue who he is so they don't get my references to him. *Sigh* I plan on buying my friends Tamora Pierce books for their birth days, then they will understand me. :) Thanx for the review. –Siren
The Dark Lady Adrienne: I really love elves, but they're so cute, I can't help it. Thanx muchly for the review –Siren
Min (The Blind Assassin): it is kinda cool, but hard to write. Making up the past for a character is way harder then I thought. And after I know what happened I have to try and explain it, not an easy job. But I'm glad people like it. :) I love Cori, my dream guy. :) Both Siren and Cori are imaged after what I really want in life. Siren because she can do anything she sets her mind to and Cori because, well, he's the type of guy I'll probably end up with. (Because I'm to much like Siren for my own good.) Well thanx for the review, till next time- Siren
Larzdinn: to say the least I am a horrid speller, privet probably does but once again can't spell, all gods know I love my spell checker :) I finally finished lady knight, I had to win a video game to get it, my brothers, being evil, bet me that if I won parasite eve 2 I could have Lady Knight. Let's just say it took awhile. Now I have school keeping me from writing, evil teachers, giving me homework. I think there just against me this week, last year I don't recall having so much work. People warned me gr.12 was hard but no I didn't listen, why would I? Ah well found out the hard way I suppose. Thanx so much for the review, I hope you aren't to bogged don't by your own homework:) –Siren
PS: you're still my longest reviewer:)
That girl: yup Adrian is kind of a Joren. And the training area and palace are very much the same as Tortall's. I laughing at Cori and Siren is fun, isn't it? :) I should go, I have a ton of stuff to do tomorrow. Thanx again for the review, till later –Siren
A/N: thanx muchly to everyone that reviewed and for those that read please review, I wanna be able to put your names up here to :) well I have to go, two other stories to write another chapter to. *Sigh* and homework to do. Till later-Siren