Thanks to everyone who reviewed this! Responses to reviews are at the end
of this chapter.
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The next morning, Anna poked Mikael in the side until he groaned and woke up. "For Goddess's sake, what is it?!?" He pushed her away and drowsily got out of bed. "I mean, come on Anna... it's way too early to be up."
"I always wonder why I'm such a morning person and you aren't." She made sure he was up before turning away. "We're alike in most other ways."
"I'm not the one who's crazy," he murmured as he pulled on a shirt and pair of breeches over his nightshirt. "Now, tell me why you're in here. It had better be something important, like Mithros himself asking to see me, or else I'm gonna kill you..."
She shook her head solemnly. "Oh, it's more important than that." She bounced over to him and grabbed his hand. "I'm packing to leave for the palace silly! Come on and help me!" She commenced to pull him through the door that connected their rooms.
"Ok, ok, I'm coming..." In his sleep-induced haze, he didn't comprehend his twin's words until a second later. "What!?" He dragged his feet to a stop, forcing his sister to spin and glare at him "You're packing? But then... when do you leave?"
She looked down at the floor. "Tonight." She looked up, and he saw tears in her eyes. "You could always come to the palace with me," she said hopefully. "You could become a knight like me, and we'd protect the land together!"
He looked away. "I just can't." Since he wasn't watching, he didn't see her wipe her eyes on her sleeve. "I know that the Shang have never allowed someone with the Gift before, but mom was the first female knight in like forever." He grabbed her hand. "Maybe we're just a family destined to be trying new things. It seems like that sometimes." He smiled, knowing she could sense how nervous he was.
"Yeah, sometimes it does..." Anna smiled too. "Now, come help me pack my things." After he nodded, she opened the chest at the foot of her bed and took out some clothes. "Now, what should I take?" She commenced to stuff what was needed into one of the two saddlebags on her bed.
Mikael helped her fold up some boy breeches and shirts, and then they went through the rest of her possession, deciding what she would need. "You do know this will be the first time we've been separated for a long time," he said softly as he packed her dagger and sharpener into her other saddlebag. "The longest we've ever been away from each other was two weeks..."
She turned and looked at him. "Yes, I know..." She whispered the next part so quietly that Mikael had trouble hearing her, even though she was within a foot of her. "I'm afraid Mikael; I'll be the only girl in a group of twenty boys..." She looked up at him, tears gleaming in her eyes. "I'll be all alone."
"No, you won't." He went over and hugged her, wiping away her tears with his hand. "I'll be with you always, even if we're not really together." He held out his hand, and a ball of green fire appeared above it. She put her hand on his, and a ball of purple flame appeared next to his. They mixed, becoming a purple-greens globe.
Mikael put his forehead against hers. We have been together since we were born; we will be together until we die. Do not worry; I will always be able to talk to you, like this, mind-to-mind. If any of the others are mean to you, tell me and I'll come and stop them.
She smiled through her tears. I know. I'm just being silly. I'll become one of the best knights ever, like mom is!
He smiled and withdrew his hand, breaking their globe. "I know you will." He turned back to the mess they had made while packing for her. "Now, what will we do with this mess before mom and dad see it?" They hurriedly began to clean up.
-
At the royal palace in Corus, a woman was bowing to the king on his throne. Her iron gray curls framed her weathered face. Although she only wore an undyed pair of breeches and jacket, she gave off an aura of power. On her gloves was the Shang symbol, as long as a picture in the shape of a wildcat. She said, "Majesties, Alanna of Olau and Pirate's Swoop sent me a messenger bird today; it appears one of her children wishes to learn the way of the Shang." She looked up at the two on their thrones. "They requested me to come see the boy. I beg your leave of court."
The man on the main throne smiled warmly at her. "Long it has been Eda Bell since you, or any Shang warrior, needs my approval to travel as they please. I shall never forget how your student Liam saved my life all those years ago." He stood up, his sapphire-blue eyes sparkling. "Your companion Hakuin has agreed to torment the pages in your absence. Unless the Queen disagrees..." he looked at the women on the other throne, who shook her head, "I have no problem with you leaving."
"Thank you sire." She rose, and bowed. "It is not that long a ride to Pirate's Swoop, but I would like to leave as soon as possible." Bowing again, she began to leave the room.
The king's voice called her back. "Eda... you do know that the boy has the Gift?" When she nodded, he said, "Never before has your order even considered allowing someone with the gift to learn the way of the Shang. Why now?"
She thought carefully before answering. "Liam was more of a son to me than my own. He was arguably the best Shang master in this time; no other Dragon has lived even as close to as long as him. He gave Alanna, the boy's mother, a chance to learn, even though she was too old and had the Gift." She smiled. "He feared magic above all else. But yet he saw something special in Alanna and taught her anyway. If she had been admitted as a child, something tells me she would outrank me by now. I think that any child of hers should have that same chance, and even with the gift, could become one of the greatest Shang warriors of all time. Do I have my leave, majesty?"
He nodded, and she left court. Turning to the queen, Jon said, "Alanna seems to bring more change in her lifetime than most do in centuries."
Thayet smiled and nodded. "Few others would have the bravery to suggest half of what she has." She looked at the door that had just closed behind the Shang Wildcat. "Her children are special, like Eda said. One a sorcerer, one a knight, and one a Shang warrior." She murmured, "They shall bring much more change in their lifetime than she did in hers..."
-
Thom looked up from his work at the City of the Gods. One of the teachers saw this and cam over immediately. "Is something the matter Thom?" She looked over his shoulder. "Your work seems excellent. As usual."
"No mam, nothing is the matter. "When she walked away to check on other students, he began to scribble with his quill again. He had just sensed magic like his own, but yet not. By now he knew that his little brother and sister were using their magic again.
Combined, their magic is very powerful, he thought. One day soon, they shall shake the very foundations of this very world...
Smiling, he put his thought back into his work. If I continue to work, maybe by then I'll have achieved my Mastery and can come along for the ride.
-
Anna rode on her gentle mare to the top of the hill and turned back to look again at Pirate's Swoop. The sunset appeared behind it on the cove, giving it a glowing aura. She could sense Mikael inside, wishing her luck and farewell."
George rode up silently behind her. He softly inquired, "Are you ready kit?"
She smiled her bravest at him "Yes dad." She clucked to Midnight, her pure black mare, and she began to trot down the hill. "Let's go."
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Wow... that chapter seemed long, but it was not that big... I'll update soon, so for now just keep reviewing!!! Here are my responses to those reviews I got: ~
~
Flaming Knight: The other two's names are Alan and Alianne. Alianne actually has her own book, Trickster's Choice, you should read it, it's very good. Alianne (better known as Aly) wants to be a spy. Alan goes to page-knight training. I shan't say anymore for the purpose of not spoiling the book for you, because it is one of the best yet. Keep writing, change their names to the proper ones if you wish. Ta!
~*FlamingKnight*~
-Did you know that Trickster's Queen is coming out soon? It's the sequel to Trickster's choice; I'll be getting the first soon, and that one when it comes out.
Lia Latem: Great story so far. Please keep writing. By the way, the twins were Alan and Alianne (Aly for short)
-Thanks, but I like them better as Anna and Mikael... this is a separate story, but thanks anyway!
Malicious Indignance: This was good! i haven't even read the series and i like it! it's really well written, too. you use good words. and descriptions.
i knew you'd have potential. :)
your friend,
Claire
-Hello Claire. Thanks! Now if you told me your REAL log-in, I'd be happy...
Pansgod: You didn't read TRICKSTERS CHOICE did you? Oh well. good story!Update it soon!
-Nope, I'm buying it soon.
liveandletlive: Nice! Sounds promising! Continue!
-Thank you! The best thing I can hear is support, as this is really only my first real story/fic. ~ ~ Thanks again to all of you!!!
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The next morning, Anna poked Mikael in the side until he groaned and woke up. "For Goddess's sake, what is it?!?" He pushed her away and drowsily got out of bed. "I mean, come on Anna... it's way too early to be up."
"I always wonder why I'm such a morning person and you aren't." She made sure he was up before turning away. "We're alike in most other ways."
"I'm not the one who's crazy," he murmured as he pulled on a shirt and pair of breeches over his nightshirt. "Now, tell me why you're in here. It had better be something important, like Mithros himself asking to see me, or else I'm gonna kill you..."
She shook her head solemnly. "Oh, it's more important than that." She bounced over to him and grabbed his hand. "I'm packing to leave for the palace silly! Come on and help me!" She commenced to pull him through the door that connected their rooms.
"Ok, ok, I'm coming..." In his sleep-induced haze, he didn't comprehend his twin's words until a second later. "What!?" He dragged his feet to a stop, forcing his sister to spin and glare at him "You're packing? But then... when do you leave?"
She looked down at the floor. "Tonight." She looked up, and he saw tears in her eyes. "You could always come to the palace with me," she said hopefully. "You could become a knight like me, and we'd protect the land together!"
He looked away. "I just can't." Since he wasn't watching, he didn't see her wipe her eyes on her sleeve. "I know that the Shang have never allowed someone with the Gift before, but mom was the first female knight in like forever." He grabbed her hand. "Maybe we're just a family destined to be trying new things. It seems like that sometimes." He smiled, knowing she could sense how nervous he was.
"Yeah, sometimes it does..." Anna smiled too. "Now, come help me pack my things." After he nodded, she opened the chest at the foot of her bed and took out some clothes. "Now, what should I take?" She commenced to stuff what was needed into one of the two saddlebags on her bed.
Mikael helped her fold up some boy breeches and shirts, and then they went through the rest of her possession, deciding what she would need. "You do know this will be the first time we've been separated for a long time," he said softly as he packed her dagger and sharpener into her other saddlebag. "The longest we've ever been away from each other was two weeks..."
She turned and looked at him. "Yes, I know..." She whispered the next part so quietly that Mikael had trouble hearing her, even though she was within a foot of her. "I'm afraid Mikael; I'll be the only girl in a group of twenty boys..." She looked up at him, tears gleaming in her eyes. "I'll be all alone."
"No, you won't." He went over and hugged her, wiping away her tears with his hand. "I'll be with you always, even if we're not really together." He held out his hand, and a ball of green fire appeared above it. She put her hand on his, and a ball of purple flame appeared next to his. They mixed, becoming a purple-greens globe.
Mikael put his forehead against hers. We have been together since we were born; we will be together until we die. Do not worry; I will always be able to talk to you, like this, mind-to-mind. If any of the others are mean to you, tell me and I'll come and stop them.
She smiled through her tears. I know. I'm just being silly. I'll become one of the best knights ever, like mom is!
He smiled and withdrew his hand, breaking their globe. "I know you will." He turned back to the mess they had made while packing for her. "Now, what will we do with this mess before mom and dad see it?" They hurriedly began to clean up.
-
At the royal palace in Corus, a woman was bowing to the king on his throne. Her iron gray curls framed her weathered face. Although she only wore an undyed pair of breeches and jacket, she gave off an aura of power. On her gloves was the Shang symbol, as long as a picture in the shape of a wildcat. She said, "Majesties, Alanna of Olau and Pirate's Swoop sent me a messenger bird today; it appears one of her children wishes to learn the way of the Shang." She looked up at the two on their thrones. "They requested me to come see the boy. I beg your leave of court."
The man on the main throne smiled warmly at her. "Long it has been Eda Bell since you, or any Shang warrior, needs my approval to travel as they please. I shall never forget how your student Liam saved my life all those years ago." He stood up, his sapphire-blue eyes sparkling. "Your companion Hakuin has agreed to torment the pages in your absence. Unless the Queen disagrees..." he looked at the women on the other throne, who shook her head, "I have no problem with you leaving."
"Thank you sire." She rose, and bowed. "It is not that long a ride to Pirate's Swoop, but I would like to leave as soon as possible." Bowing again, she began to leave the room.
The king's voice called her back. "Eda... you do know that the boy has the Gift?" When she nodded, he said, "Never before has your order even considered allowing someone with the gift to learn the way of the Shang. Why now?"
She thought carefully before answering. "Liam was more of a son to me than my own. He was arguably the best Shang master in this time; no other Dragon has lived even as close to as long as him. He gave Alanna, the boy's mother, a chance to learn, even though she was too old and had the Gift." She smiled. "He feared magic above all else. But yet he saw something special in Alanna and taught her anyway. If she had been admitted as a child, something tells me she would outrank me by now. I think that any child of hers should have that same chance, and even with the gift, could become one of the greatest Shang warriors of all time. Do I have my leave, majesty?"
He nodded, and she left court. Turning to the queen, Jon said, "Alanna seems to bring more change in her lifetime than most do in centuries."
Thayet smiled and nodded. "Few others would have the bravery to suggest half of what she has." She looked at the door that had just closed behind the Shang Wildcat. "Her children are special, like Eda said. One a sorcerer, one a knight, and one a Shang warrior." She murmured, "They shall bring much more change in their lifetime than she did in hers..."
-
Thom looked up from his work at the City of the Gods. One of the teachers saw this and cam over immediately. "Is something the matter Thom?" She looked over his shoulder. "Your work seems excellent. As usual."
"No mam, nothing is the matter. "When she walked away to check on other students, he began to scribble with his quill again. He had just sensed magic like his own, but yet not. By now he knew that his little brother and sister were using their magic again.
Combined, their magic is very powerful, he thought. One day soon, they shall shake the very foundations of this very world...
Smiling, he put his thought back into his work. If I continue to work, maybe by then I'll have achieved my Mastery and can come along for the ride.
-
Anna rode on her gentle mare to the top of the hill and turned back to look again at Pirate's Swoop. The sunset appeared behind it on the cove, giving it a glowing aura. She could sense Mikael inside, wishing her luck and farewell."
George rode up silently behind her. He softly inquired, "Are you ready kit?"
She smiled her bravest at him "Yes dad." She clucked to Midnight, her pure black mare, and she began to trot down the hill. "Let's go."
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- ~-~-
Wow... that chapter seemed long, but it was not that big... I'll update soon, so for now just keep reviewing!!! Here are my responses to those reviews I got: ~
~
Flaming Knight: The other two's names are Alan and Alianne. Alianne actually has her own book, Trickster's Choice, you should read it, it's very good. Alianne (better known as Aly) wants to be a spy. Alan goes to page-knight training. I shan't say anymore for the purpose of not spoiling the book for you, because it is one of the best yet. Keep writing, change their names to the proper ones if you wish. Ta!
~*FlamingKnight*~
-Did you know that Trickster's Queen is coming out soon? It's the sequel to Trickster's choice; I'll be getting the first soon, and that one when it comes out.
Lia Latem: Great story so far. Please keep writing. By the way, the twins were Alan and Alianne (Aly for short)
-Thanks, but I like them better as Anna and Mikael... this is a separate story, but thanks anyway!
Malicious Indignance: This was good! i haven't even read the series and i like it! it's really well written, too. you use good words. and descriptions.
i knew you'd have potential. :)
your friend,
Claire
-Hello Claire. Thanks! Now if you told me your REAL log-in, I'd be happy...
Pansgod: You didn't read TRICKSTERS CHOICE did you? Oh well. good story!Update it soon!
-Nope, I'm buying it soon.
liveandletlive: Nice! Sounds promising! Continue!
-Thank you! The best thing I can hear is support, as this is really only my first real story/fic. ~ ~ Thanks again to all of you!!!