A/N Ok hopefully this will work, sorry about the earlier upload of this chappie.
A/N Oh my goodness I'm evil and I apologize profusely. I had writer's block. But this is an extra long chappie (over 2,000 words). I'm sorry it has almost been two months ::hangs head in shame:: I have become obsessed with the band Rooney. Go to www.rooney-band.com and check them out they are awesome. Last weekend I also read all three of the Princess Diaries books between 5:00 on Friday, and 9:30 PM on Saturday, and the third one really depressed me (everything works out for her by Christmas of her freshman year), because I can really relate to Mia (besides for the whole princess thing), and everything friggin works out for her. Not alas for me, but it will I hope. My bio lab partner totally saved my butt today too because I forgot my binder, and we had 2 labs due today, and he let me copy his answers. When I got home today I ate about 10 brownies then fell asleep, and when I woke up I wrote this chappie. Not that any of you really care but oh well. Albatross, I love that word, it might be my favorite. It is a big white bird which is supposed to bring good fortune to ships. I'm encouraged that some people read my A/N (though after reading this one you will probably stop because it was just ramblings).
THE WEBSITE IS UP!!!!!!!!!!!! There are still some problems, but they will be fixed. The address is posted under the homepage place in my bio (writing the address into here was causing problems). Check it out. Be sure to sign the guestbook! I want feedback.
Asphodel: Sorry it took so long to update. I don't think Jon will be pleased if he ever finds out that Zira's the cat. The website's up.
cytosine: I'm glad you liked the scene with Zira and Jasson. Thanks for the review.
Dragonwing5: Thanks for the review.
Mystic Illusions: I'm glad you found my story! I'm also glad that someone appreciates my cliffies. Thanks for the review
Luna0520: The picture of the dress is on the website. So go to it, and you will find not only that one but many more. Jelico is a misspelling of the word Jellicle, I was stupid and didn't look it up before I started writing, Jellicle cats are in T.S.Eliot's poem Song of the Jellicles, which was later used in the musical cats (I prefer it in poetry form). As to my A/N they can get confusing because I write them with the review window open side by side with what I'm writing. So I reply directly to what was written in the review.
Exroomie: I hope you have a great time in NH. Miss you.
IvyDragon: Thank you so much for letting me use your drawings on my website! Thanks for the review.
Jarka Ruus: Thanks for the review.
Lady Anislyn: Hehe I like how you worked Albatross into the review. Thanks for the entertaining review.
Socialdistortion: I'm glad you think it's original! That is the best complement! Thanks for the review.
Drunken Little Monkey: Interesting. Very interesting.
LilyFireheart: Kouré is Greek for maiden, so kouré would just mean any maiden, the Kouré of Antitheos is the Maiden of Antitheos, so the princess. When Falkin is referred to as the kouros of The Kouré, it means that he is the princess' young man. So it is a term that depends on the person that it is referring to. Zira could also be the kouré of King Lari, because she is his daughter. I love Neal too, I'm glad that you liked that scene with him. Thanks for the review.
The 1-year anniversary of the story has just passed! I want to thank everyone who has read it! I'm amazed I have over 300 reviews! Thank you so much everyone. In chapter 28 you will get your reward for reading.
Chapter XXVII: Stars
Zira smiled down at the light silk pantaloons that covered her legs. They were so comfortable compared with the coarse heavy materials that the Tortallians uses for their breeches. She looked over at Neal ill at ease on his mare, sweat pouring down his pale face. Zira kicked Roos into a slow trot, and turned to Shae to laugh at Neal with her. But Shae wasn't by her side. Zira tore off the dark spectacles, which covered her eyes and desperately looked around for her before remembering that Shae was still in Tortall.
It had been hard to convince the King to allow Zira to leave the palace, but both Thayet, and Jasson pushed so hard that Jonathan finally gave in and told Neal he could go, and take Zira too. This, though, was not for free; Jonathan had to keep something as collateral, so that he could be sure of Zira's return. He chose Shae. Zira and Shae had been born on the same day, and since that day had never spent more than a couple hours apart. Now the place by Zira's side was empty. She shivered, and even with Neal there she felt alone. She composed another letter in her mind, and looked around her. The air was dry, and she could taste dust on her tongue, yet it was all familiar to her. Every rock was so ingrained in her psyche that she couldn't tell where her body ended and the ground began. A nagging sorrow tugged at her heart, but also for the first time in years she was truly at ease. She relaxed into her surroundings, and turned back to Shae. Again Zira's nerves were on edge when there was no dark skinned companion by her side.
~*~
Falkin stood on the walls of the camp. He had been there for over a month. Two weeks ago Neal's letter, announcing that he and Zira were coming, arrived. Followed by one written by Zira. Since then he spent much of his time surveying the landscape for his love, and his friend. The rest of his time was spent learning Antithean. He had become fully conversational in the sing-songy language. Now he was waiting to for Zira so he could show off. His eyes strained at the horizon and finally on the forty-sixth day of waiting he saw tiny silhouettes against the grey sky.
He ran down to the ground, and watched as the forms grew larger. Then one of the horses broke away from the group, and headed towards him at full gallop. As it came closer he saw Zira bending low over her horse's mane, her long braid thumping heavily on her back to the rhythm of the gait. She reined her mare up right in front of Falkin and threw herself into his arms. He smiled, and she looked up into his eyes. He removed a pince-nez from her face, and she laughed, at the questioning look he gave to the spectacles.
"I didn't want the whole country to know that their princess has returned, or I never would have made it here," she said smiling. "They hid my eyes. You see the lenses have been blackened by smoke, but you can still see through them." Falkin laughed and handed the spectacles back to her. Zira, though, put her hands on either side of his face, and kissed him gently. When they separated Falkin looked down at her and carefully said in Antithean grinning,
"I am so happy you have come, Zirabehti." Zira laughed in surprise, and replied.
"Your accent is horrible," but before she could go on Falkin's lips covered hers, and it was a little while before she could speak again. Being with Falkin again almost made her forget that half of her was still in Tortall, almost. When they could breathe again, she took up Roos' reins and walked into the encampment with Falkin. All of the people lined the streets. They stared at her with wide eyes, and slowly all lowered their heads respectfully for their princess. Tears gathered at the corners of Zira's eyes, and she smiled sadly at her people. When they came to the central square of the camp Mustafa was waiting. He smiled, and walked up to Zira. He kissed her on the forehead, then bowed his head. Zira reached out and lifted his chin.
"I have come," she said clearly, and the spell was broken. People raised their heads to look at their beloved princess. One by one the children of the encampment walked up to her, with some small gift, and she would touch them gently and look into their sorrowful eyes.
Falkin watched this quietly, and he knew that he would never be able to tell her that these same children, who now looked so gentle, were the ones who a few months ago tried to kill him. He also now for the first time really understood why they tried to kill him. He looked around at the people in the square; one girl caught his eye. It was Kiké; he hadn't seen her since she had saved his life. She was standing next to a severe looking woman, and had a veil covering her short-cropped hair. He smiled at her, but her eyes were lowered. He had tried to see her during the month when he was waiting for Zira, but the family she was staying with would not allow it. There was something broken about the way her eyes fixed on the dust at her feet.
~*~
When Neal finally arrived in the square Zira was practically buried in a small mound of gifts. Zira looked at him, and smiled. She beckoned him forward, and began talking to the people in Antithean. Neal walked up and stood between Zira and Falkin, he leaned over to Falkin, who smiled in greeting.
"What in the Dark Realms is she saying about me?" Neal asked Falkin, who grinned in response.
"She is saying that you are, a friend, and that you are the Green Mage who saved Antithean soldiers," he replied. "Apparently you are quite the celebrity in Antitheos."
"Great," Neal said, pushing his brown hair out of his face, "at least they don't want to kill me because I fought in the wars," Falkin became serious his eyes fixed on Zira.
"Don't mention that you were Alanna's squire. She is not revered here, and you could get into trouble because of that." Neal nodded, and turned his attention to a lame man who was hobbling up to him. The man bowed his head then, took Neal's hand.
"My name is Chiraz, and though you may not remember me, I shall never forget you. You saved my life, and for that I am eternally grateful to you." Chiraz's deep voice was barely accented as he spoke the words. Neal looked into his eyes, and smiled.
"I do remember you, because you replied to me in Common. I am sorry to see that my work was imperfect though," Neal said gesturing, at the cane that Chiraz gripped in his hand.
"No, no," Chiraz said smiling, "I am grateful for the deformity you left me with, because of it I can pursue the world of the intellect instead of the fields, and plow. Anymore energy spent on my poor wound also would have taken away from those that truly needed your gifts. I survived, and that is because of you." Mustafa stepped forward.
"I wish I could provide a feast in honor of our guests, but unfortunately the fields have not been giving, but if you will come to my tent I will refresh you, and you may have a small repast." Zira looked over at Neal suddenly remembering.
"Mustafa, you will find at the gate six carts pulled by oxen. Two have cases of grain, three have vats of water, and one has seed corn. Every one shall have water, and food tonight, and tomorrow we shall begin planting." Mustafa looked at his princess with tears in his eyes.
"Zirabehti Kouré, you have brought hope to our people. We all thank you."
~*~
After they had eaten, and all of the people in the camp had paid their respects to Zira, the three foreigners retired. Falkin though sat outside his tent looking up at the stars, they were so clear in this country. Light footsteps approached him, and he looked up to see Zira. She was dressed in white, and her long black hair was down, heavily covering her bare shoulders.
"Aren't you tired," he asked her, but she shook her head, and sat beside him.
"Traveling doesn't tire me," she said, "and I wanted to see you without being surrounded by hundreds of people." She looked up into his eyes. Then began to cry. Falkin wrapped his arms around her, rocking her back and forth, and kissing her hair. "It has been so long since I've seen you," she said when she had calmed. "It feels right with you here." Falkin laid her head in his lap.
"I missed you so much while I was here waiting for you," he said. Zira smiled, and her tears sparkled amber in the moonlight. She pointed at the sky.
"That," she said, "is the Traveler's Joy." Falkin looked up at the starry sky. The stars were so numerous.
"Which one?" he asked. "That one?" he pointed. She wrapped her callused hands, around his and moved it so that it pointed at the Unmoving star.
"It is part of the constellation the Eagle, you see it is the eye." She moved his hand in a rough bird-like shape, following the path of the stars. They lay there looking up at the sky, taking joy in just being together. Finally Zira fell asleep, and Falkin gently lifted her, and carried her back to her tent.
~*~
Niaussi pointed at the map with his knife, his dark face concentrated on the small square that represented the border station.
"We will need to attack hard, but once we take the fort we will have water and food for the village," Niaussi looked at the intent faces surrounding him, some were barely older than children. Not an ideal army for attacking one of the most important of Tortall's strongholds, but they were desperate, and they had nothing to lose. Niaussi rolled up the map, and sent his band of rebels to their tents. He sighed, and sat on the rush mat he slept on each night. It was a reckless movement, but it was all that they could do. The people were starving.
He left the tent, and walked to the cliff that looked down on the fort. It was in the distance, but he could see light coming from the small window of the commander's office. He spat. Even if they were not successful they would take a few Tortallians with them. That was all that mattered. He had nothing else to live for. He thought of his sister. Where was she, what was she doing, across those lines, serving their princess. He hoped she was just biding her time, like him, and when she heard that the war was started again she would attack from inside the palace, and come and join him. Return to her country of birth.
~*~
Inside the fort Tobit was writing Shae. He sighed and laid down his pen. He was worried. If war started again he knew what side he would have to be on, and his spies were certain that the village on the other side of the border was preparing for war. He knew that if he went in now, and wiped out the village it would prevent the uprising, and the war. It even would probably result in less Antithean casualties, but he couldn't do it. He would never be able to face Shae again after that. Jonathan would be in the right to declare war against Antitheos if the people rose again, though. Tobit longed for his days as a page and squire. It was so much simpler then, he could be friends with both sides, see things from both sides, without the knowledge slowing him down, and putting both sides at risk. He ran his fingers through his hair. He hated these times; he hated not knowing what to do. How to solve it. He blew out the candle, and lay down on the bed, but didn't sleep.