"Oh Gods! Mighty Mithros!" Kalasin whispered to her reflection in the
mirror. Her normally long, jet black hair was now at shoulder length and
had tinges of red hair-colouring in, her hazelnut brown skin was now,
thanks to a lot of make-up and powder, just a very light brown. She could
do nothing about her eyes or her long dark eyelashes though. She was
wearing black riding breeches and a dark shirt. Over those, she wore a very
plain, black, short tunic. On her feet were riding boots, and thrust into
her belt was a small dagger. After a lot of thought she had decided that
she needn't pretend to be a boy as Alanna had, because where she was going
took both girls and boys. But she changed what she looked like anyway so
that she wouldn't be recognised as the princess. Now, as she looked in the
mirror, she could hardly recognise herself!
She glanced over at her elegant, four-poster bed and the small package that lay bundled up on it. Taking a deep breath, she walked steadily towards it, hoisted the pack (it contained food, change of clothes and other necessities) onto her back then slipped out of her bedroom door. She couldn't risk walking all the way through the palace and being discovered by anyone so she made the quick trip to the Queen's Riders headquarters and stood for a moment in front of a wall. She examined it closely then discovered the brick that was a small bit out of place, she pushed it aside. It opened a hole in the wall just big enough to climb through. This had been a secret passage that Daine had used when she wasn't able to sleep indoors and wanted to go and stay with the horses and the palace animals. You wouldn't know it was there unless you were looking for it.
Clambering through the hole Kalasin tried to remember exactly where the passage came to an end. She was soon to find out though. She kept crawling along the little tunnel and suddenly there was a solid block in front of her. She pushed it aside and jumped into the outside next to the royal stables as quietly as she could. She took great care to replace the block then turned and nearly ran towards her horse, Majesta's stable. As she slipped inside Majesta snorted and pawed the ground nervously. After reassuring Majesta that it was only her, Kalasin quickly tacked her beautiful strawberry roan up and led her out into the darkness of the front of the palace. She mounted up and urged Majesta to a trot. The quicker she got out of there the better.
She rode without stopping until the sun was rising slowly up over the hills. When the dawn was over and the first sounds of day were coming from the town Kalasin pulled Majesta over to the side of the path where a small clump of trees were hiding a little stream. She dismounted expertly and led Majesta to the water where the mare could drink and cool down. Kalasin sat down and opened her little pack. Inside she found some bread, cheese and a waterskin, provisions she had left herself. She ate quickly; made sure Majesta was fed properly, then they were on their way again. In about ten minutes, they reached Corus, Tortall's busy capital city. Riding through the town Kalasin felt even angrier at Jon for never letting her be a part of this huge place of excitement. Jon had always told her that you never knew the sort of people who would be hanging around there.
Kalasin sighed angrily, what a hypocrite her father was! The Lioness Alanna had told her that Baron George, (her husband) had been the king of thieves and rogues in Tortall and that she and Jon used to visit him all the time in his inn where all the rogues met. They had made friends with the rogues and got to know them and now her father was telling her to keep away from them! So of course, 'Little Perfect Princess Kalasin' wasn't allowed to ever go into busy cities.
The city was jam-packed with people. People buying and selling, people laughing and yelling and even people who just went there to talk to their friends. On every side, there was a market or a stall selling the most unusual things. Some were normal like fish or clothes but others were selling little potions or daggers right in broad daylight! Kalasin rode until she got to a little clearing in the pathway. In front of her stood a huge, well-kept inn. She was alert and excited but suddenly all that was knocked out of her when she heard a voice exclaim, "Princess Kalasin???"
She froze and turned around slowly, stooping a little and keeping her eyes down at the dusty road. She gave a quick glance up and saw to her disgust that it was Joren of Stone Mountain a horrible page and Kel's worst enemy. "Oh no, I thought you were someone else. But she's a lot prettier than you." He said when he saw her properly then he turned and strode off in the opposite direction. Kalasin stood fuming, her heart beating wildly. How dare he say such a thing to anyone? And without even a word of apology too! She swore that she would make Joren of Stone Mountain pay when she went back to the palace...if she went back to the palace.
Suddenly Kalasin felt extremely alone and helpless. She had no idea where to go or what to do and she would never reach the training place of Shang warriors...wherever it was. Turning around she caught a glimpse of a young handsome boy about her age wearing the loose, white, cotton outfit of a Shang novice! He caught her eye and grinned, white teeth flashing against copper skin, his coal-black eyes sparkling with mischief. She felt herself smile back at him but as quick as an eel escaping a fisherman's net...he was gone! "Oh Gods!" Kally muttered and dived into the crowd in search of her new friend.
****************** Okay I hope you guys liked that chapter. I'll post another a.s.a.p. but for now just PLEASE REVIEW! I'm trying to get as many reviews as possible! Well Bye!
******************
She glanced over at her elegant, four-poster bed and the small package that lay bundled up on it. Taking a deep breath, she walked steadily towards it, hoisted the pack (it contained food, change of clothes and other necessities) onto her back then slipped out of her bedroom door. She couldn't risk walking all the way through the palace and being discovered by anyone so she made the quick trip to the Queen's Riders headquarters and stood for a moment in front of a wall. She examined it closely then discovered the brick that was a small bit out of place, she pushed it aside. It opened a hole in the wall just big enough to climb through. This had been a secret passage that Daine had used when she wasn't able to sleep indoors and wanted to go and stay with the horses and the palace animals. You wouldn't know it was there unless you were looking for it.
Clambering through the hole Kalasin tried to remember exactly where the passage came to an end. She was soon to find out though. She kept crawling along the little tunnel and suddenly there was a solid block in front of her. She pushed it aside and jumped into the outside next to the royal stables as quietly as she could. She took great care to replace the block then turned and nearly ran towards her horse, Majesta's stable. As she slipped inside Majesta snorted and pawed the ground nervously. After reassuring Majesta that it was only her, Kalasin quickly tacked her beautiful strawberry roan up and led her out into the darkness of the front of the palace. She mounted up and urged Majesta to a trot. The quicker she got out of there the better.
She rode without stopping until the sun was rising slowly up over the hills. When the dawn was over and the first sounds of day were coming from the town Kalasin pulled Majesta over to the side of the path where a small clump of trees were hiding a little stream. She dismounted expertly and led Majesta to the water where the mare could drink and cool down. Kalasin sat down and opened her little pack. Inside she found some bread, cheese and a waterskin, provisions she had left herself. She ate quickly; made sure Majesta was fed properly, then they were on their way again. In about ten minutes, they reached Corus, Tortall's busy capital city. Riding through the town Kalasin felt even angrier at Jon for never letting her be a part of this huge place of excitement. Jon had always told her that you never knew the sort of people who would be hanging around there.
Kalasin sighed angrily, what a hypocrite her father was! The Lioness Alanna had told her that Baron George, (her husband) had been the king of thieves and rogues in Tortall and that she and Jon used to visit him all the time in his inn where all the rogues met. They had made friends with the rogues and got to know them and now her father was telling her to keep away from them! So of course, 'Little Perfect Princess Kalasin' wasn't allowed to ever go into busy cities.
The city was jam-packed with people. People buying and selling, people laughing and yelling and even people who just went there to talk to their friends. On every side, there was a market or a stall selling the most unusual things. Some were normal like fish or clothes but others were selling little potions or daggers right in broad daylight! Kalasin rode until she got to a little clearing in the pathway. In front of her stood a huge, well-kept inn. She was alert and excited but suddenly all that was knocked out of her when she heard a voice exclaim, "Princess Kalasin???"
She froze and turned around slowly, stooping a little and keeping her eyes down at the dusty road. She gave a quick glance up and saw to her disgust that it was Joren of Stone Mountain a horrible page and Kel's worst enemy. "Oh no, I thought you were someone else. But she's a lot prettier than you." He said when he saw her properly then he turned and strode off in the opposite direction. Kalasin stood fuming, her heart beating wildly. How dare he say such a thing to anyone? And without even a word of apology too! She swore that she would make Joren of Stone Mountain pay when she went back to the palace...if she went back to the palace.
Suddenly Kalasin felt extremely alone and helpless. She had no idea where to go or what to do and she would never reach the training place of Shang warriors...wherever it was. Turning around she caught a glimpse of a young handsome boy about her age wearing the loose, white, cotton outfit of a Shang novice! He caught her eye and grinned, white teeth flashing against copper skin, his coal-black eyes sparkling with mischief. She felt herself smile back at him but as quick as an eel escaping a fisherman's net...he was gone! "Oh Gods!" Kally muttered and dived into the crowd in search of her new friend.
****************** Okay I hope you guys liked that chapter. I'll post another a.s.a.p. but for now just PLEASE REVIEW! I'm trying to get as many reviews as possible! Well Bye!
******************
