Hey!
Fate of Destiny- Hiya! Thank you for reviewing! Definitely gonna use the bull idea, probably in the next chapter so never fear! Hope you like this chappie!
EclipseAzNGTX- New reviewer! Hey! Thank you for the review! Hope you think this is alright!
Jamara rose early in the morning, quickly pulled on her clothes and stepped out in to the chilly air. Breathing deeply she wandered towards the stables to greet the horses.
"Hello gorgeous" she cooed at one who nuzzled her hand in return. Laughing softly she offered the apple out of her pocket which the horse took eagerly and munched contentedly. Jamara turned when she heard the grumbling of the other neglected horses and quickly emptied her pockets of all the fruit she had taken form the kitchen until every steed was satisfied. Turning away she jumped and quickly dropped into a fighter's stance when she saw a person in the shadow created by the early morning light.
"Okay, okay it's only me!"
Briar detached himself from the shade with his hands raised. Jamara dropped her fists and straightened before turning away from the plant mage to stroke the horse nearest to her.
"What are you doing here" she questioned
"Just watching"
Jamara glanced at him and scooped up a discarded brush and began to groom the horse. Briar walked over to stand by her and watched her careful hands. The brush slipped and clattered to the floor. Blushing Jamara scooped it up and placed it with the other brushes.
"So what do you think of Niko's idea, about us joining the parade?" asked Briar studying her face.
"Errmm" stuttered Jamara taking a step backwards.
There was a huge crash as the princesses' foot caught in some rope lying on the floor and she stumbled sideways in to an empty stall's door before coming to rest inside when it gave way.
"Ouch"
Trying not to laugh Briar approached the pair of feet which were currently sticking out of the stalls door.
"What's the matter with you?" he asked failing to keep the chuckle out of his voice.
"It's your fault you're making me nervous and when I'm nervous I'm clumsy!"
"Why am I making you nervous?"
"You're watching me too closely"
"Being a princess you should be used to being watched closely"
"Yeah well I'm not" she retorted struggling out of her awkward position.
Briar grasped her hand and hauled her upwards. Forgetting about the rope still tangled round her foot Jamara tried and failed to stand up right. Tripping she fell forward and was caught by Briar who also stumbled but managed to stay standing.
Still clutching Briar to keep herself from falling yet again Jamara shook the rope from her foot and stood. Unwrapping their arms from each other they heard Sandry in the yard calling them.
"Come on then" Jamara said turning and starting out of the stable door. She managed to stop before she walked in to the wall next to it and calmly stepped in to the sunlight.
Sandry smiled when she saw Jamara walk out of the stable and hurried over.
"Niko says we might as well get started on a routine to do in the parade" she called as she approached.
Glancing over Jamara's shoulder she saw Briar and motioned for him to hurry up. Linking her arm through the Acro-mages she steered her round the side of the inn and to a small patch of grass next to the woods which ran round three sides of the building. Niko already stood there talking with Daja and Tris.
"Right" he started "I think since Briar, Jamara and Briar are the most agile they should do the most complicated moves while Sandry would help with the more simple ones."
Sandry nodded but Briar seemed unsure.
"What kind of complicated moves?"
Niko grinned "You're not the only ones Lark gave lessons to" Niko noticed Jamara's puzzled glance. "Lark is one of the teachers back at Discipline cottage and used to be part of a traveling show as an acrobat" he explained.
Rubbing his hands together Niko looked at Sandry's skirts and frowned.
"I don't think you can do this in those"
Sandry glanced down and nodded.
"I'll be back in a minute"
Sandry descended the stairs a few moments later and back outside to be greeted by the sight of Jamara struggling to balance on the shoulders of Daja and Briar.
"Jamara use your magic to make yourself lighter" Niko called
"Oh yeah"
Jamara stopped wobbling and Daja's and Briar's pained faces looked relived.
"Right Sandry you're going to stand on Jamara's shoulders" explained Niko
"I'm what?"
"All you have to do is climb up and Jamara can help you"
"I don't know whether I can balance myself and someone else at the same time" called Jamara. "I haven't had much practice with my magic being on my own all the time"
"Well you're going to have to practice balancing by yourself then"
Jamara nodded and slowly released the magic she had used to keep herself balanced. She seemed surprised when she didn't fall.
"You catch on quickly" Niko smiled.
"Right Sandry if you use Daja and Briar's knees to push yourself up, that's it."
Sandry, with a little help from Jamara, twisted herself up and was soon crouched on the Acro-mages shoulders.
"Now stand up"
Sandry looked pale and nearly choked when she realized what she needed to do.
"It's alright" coaxed Jamara "I've got you"
Sandry slowly straightened her legs and prized her fingers from the mages shoulders. Grinning she stood and raised her arms above her head as Niko and Tris applauded politely. They were joined by Stephanie who had just woken up.
"What are you doing?'
"Practicing for the parade" Tris replied
"Why?"
"So we can be with you all the time" called Daja, who had taken an instant disliking to the girl.
"Why?"
"Because someone is trying to sabotage the festival by hurting you so they can get to Jamara" answered Sandry
"Oh" replied Stephanie looking confused.
The four mages continued practicing through the afternoon until it was time for supper. After they had eaten Jamara suggested that she go to the temple to see if she could find any clues there. Niko agreed and soon Jamara was wrapped up in her cloak and hurrying down the main road to the huge temple in the centre of the city.
She climbed the few stairs which led to the huge oak doors. Jamara was hit by a pang of sadness as she felt the life which had once coursed through the wood when she placed her hand on it to push the door open. Stepping in to the building she was awed at the sight of it. The colossal roof arched over her head and seemed to disappear in to the distance. She slowly walked down the centre of the temple and listened to the echoing thud of her boots on the marble floor.
Eventually she reached the other end of the room and was mesmerized by the sight of the sunset streaming through the huge arched window. She was so distracted that she failed to notice the plank of wood swung at her head soon enough and it caught a glancing blow on her forehead as she ducked. She was slightly disorientated but shook it off in time to block the next attack. She dropped and swept the legs out from underneath her assailant. He crashed to the floor but flipped himself up again.
"What do you want?" she asked as they circled each other.
"I thought you were smart" he sneered
"I didn't ask you what you thought, I asked what you wanted"
"I don't want you"
"Well then who does?"
"My boss"
"Why?"
"Just think how much power is inside of little old you" he teased "You and all your friends. How tempting do you think that is to some one like my boss?"
"I don't know, what's your boss like?"
"Ambitious"
"Well what's his ambition?"
"The same as every power hungry mage, to gain power"
Jamara darted quickly and showered him with blows he was not expecting. Forced backwards he raised his arms to block her. Seeing he was not going to win he grasped a nearby candlestick and swung at her. Jamara ducked but the man aimed a kick at her side. The Acro-mage was still in pain from the blow to her head earlier and her reflexes were slower so the blow connected with her side and she was flung to the floor. Taking this opportunity the stranger fled out of the temple.
Gasping, Jamara clutched her side and used an alter to hoist her up right. She made her way out in to the early night and groaning slightly she began to walk to the inn.
What seemed like hours to the princess but was really only minutes later Jamara staggered through the door and collapsed in to a chair by her friends.
"What happened to you?" shrieked Sandry hurrying from her chair to Jamara's side.
"Another one of the mages people"
Jamara stood up and began to remove her cloak but Sandry did it for her and gently pushed her back in to the chair.
"You rest" she commanded
"I'm fine; it's just a bruised side and forehead"
"You're forehead is bleeding" Sandry informed her
"Fine it's just a cut forehead and a bruised side" Jamara insisted but Sandry was already on her knees with a bowl of water and a cloth.
Jamara sighed but let Sandry bathe her head and coat it with a foul smelling lotion and a strip of bandage.
"Let me see your side"
Too tired to argue Jamara obeyed and raised her shirt to show rapidly coloring flesh. Sandry sighed and rubbed in yet another lotion.
"There"
"Thank you"
Jamara lowered her shirt and rested her head on her hand.
"So what happened?"
Jamara told them how she had been attacked and the information she had gained.
"I think that the mage wants to strip our magic from us" she concluded "He would then be extremely powerful and could probably take over wherever he wanted"
"But why is he trying to sabotage the parade?"
"To perform the spell to strip our magic he would need the temple and probably need to do it on the day of the offering to the gods"
"So if he sabotaged the parade the temple would be free for him to use"
"I think so"
"Well then we just have to stop him sabotaging the parade" said Briar
"You make it sound so simple"
"Well I believe Briar can protect me" came the voice of Stephanie as she smiled at him.
The group ignored her and carried on discussing the parade.
"I have arranged so you will be right at the front of the parade near Stephanie" Niko was saying.
"Brilliant, just to make me more nervous" Jamara sighed
"You can't be nervous, you'll kill us all!" cried Briar, laughing
Jamara narrowed her eyes at him but was smiling as well. She glanced over towards the door and froze. Her eyes widened and she suddenly dove behind Briar's chair.
"What are you doing!?"
"There by the door" she hissed
The group turned and studied the two men which had just walked in. They were dressed in breeches and shirts with heavy boots. They also wore light armor on their arms and torsos and both had swords by their hips. Their eyes scanned the room before they stored over to the inn keeper and began speaking to him.
"Their from my father" Jamara hissed
Niko stood and murmured "Briar, I'm going to distract them, try to get Jamara out of here"
"Why Briar?" asked Stephanie loudly
Niko hushed her "Because he is taller and can shield her"
Stephanie sighed and turned away. Niko strode across the room and joined the innkeeper and the two soldiers.
Meanwhile Briar had risen from his chair and was pulling Jamara up from her crouching position.
"Just act naturally"
They both turned to face the way out to the yard and made sure that Jamara was protected from view.
"Just pretend we're going for a walk or something" he whispered
"I'll come and find you when they have gone" mumbled Daja
Briar draped an arm round Jamara and bent down so it looked like he was talking to her but was really covering her face from the far side of the room. They headed for the door and had nearly reached it when a shout rang out.
"Hey!" called one of the armed men as he walked across towards them.
Briar panicked and turned but the soldier wasn't heading for them. His eyes were fixed on some one behind them. Briar turned and sighed.
"Stephanie" he murmured
"What is she doing!" she hissed back
"Getting you found if we don't hide!"
The soldier was getting closer and Jamara was in danger of being seen. Panicking, Briar glanced around before pushing Jamara towards a wall and pressing his face next to hers as if whispering in her ear.
The soldier had reached Stephanie and seeing that she wasn't who he was looking for was apologizing.
"I can't believe he thought I was her!" Jamara whispered harshly and felt Briar snort with laughter. "Has he gone?'
Briar twisted his head, nodded and stepped back slightly. They quickly moved away from the wall and finally made it out of the door. As soon as they were out in the night air they broke in to a run and headed round to an alley where they could see the front of the inn. Breathing a sigh of relief, Jamara winced and slid down the wall of the alley.
Remembering her injuries Briar asked: "Are you going to be alright for the parade?"
"Yeah, it's 3 days away and I'm a quick healer" she replied with her eyes closed.
Briar stepped over and sat down next to her and closed his eyes too.
"Thank you"
"Your welcome"
Jamara smiled and fell asleep, resting her head lightly against Briar's shoulder.
Whoa! Don't ask where that came from cause I have no idea! I wasn't planning on doing anything like that. I know its probably not very good cause I wrote it all in one go and it is now errrr .. ten past three in the morning. So, review please! Even if you just tell me that you have read it I will be happy.
Thank you!
Fate of Destiny- Hiya! Thank you for reviewing! Definitely gonna use the bull idea, probably in the next chapter so never fear! Hope you like this chappie!
EclipseAzNGTX- New reviewer! Hey! Thank you for the review! Hope you think this is alright!
Jamara rose early in the morning, quickly pulled on her clothes and stepped out in to the chilly air. Breathing deeply she wandered towards the stables to greet the horses.
"Hello gorgeous" she cooed at one who nuzzled her hand in return. Laughing softly she offered the apple out of her pocket which the horse took eagerly and munched contentedly. Jamara turned when she heard the grumbling of the other neglected horses and quickly emptied her pockets of all the fruit she had taken form the kitchen until every steed was satisfied. Turning away she jumped and quickly dropped into a fighter's stance when she saw a person in the shadow created by the early morning light.
"Okay, okay it's only me!"
Briar detached himself from the shade with his hands raised. Jamara dropped her fists and straightened before turning away from the plant mage to stroke the horse nearest to her.
"What are you doing here" she questioned
"Just watching"
Jamara glanced at him and scooped up a discarded brush and began to groom the horse. Briar walked over to stand by her and watched her careful hands. The brush slipped and clattered to the floor. Blushing Jamara scooped it up and placed it with the other brushes.
"So what do you think of Niko's idea, about us joining the parade?" asked Briar studying her face.
"Errmm" stuttered Jamara taking a step backwards.
There was a huge crash as the princesses' foot caught in some rope lying on the floor and she stumbled sideways in to an empty stall's door before coming to rest inside when it gave way.
"Ouch"
Trying not to laugh Briar approached the pair of feet which were currently sticking out of the stalls door.
"What's the matter with you?" he asked failing to keep the chuckle out of his voice.
"It's your fault you're making me nervous and when I'm nervous I'm clumsy!"
"Why am I making you nervous?"
"You're watching me too closely"
"Being a princess you should be used to being watched closely"
"Yeah well I'm not" she retorted struggling out of her awkward position.
Briar grasped her hand and hauled her upwards. Forgetting about the rope still tangled round her foot Jamara tried and failed to stand up right. Tripping she fell forward and was caught by Briar who also stumbled but managed to stay standing.
Still clutching Briar to keep herself from falling yet again Jamara shook the rope from her foot and stood. Unwrapping their arms from each other they heard Sandry in the yard calling them.
"Come on then" Jamara said turning and starting out of the stable door. She managed to stop before she walked in to the wall next to it and calmly stepped in to the sunlight.
Sandry smiled when she saw Jamara walk out of the stable and hurried over.
"Niko says we might as well get started on a routine to do in the parade" she called as she approached.
Glancing over Jamara's shoulder she saw Briar and motioned for him to hurry up. Linking her arm through the Acro-mages she steered her round the side of the inn and to a small patch of grass next to the woods which ran round three sides of the building. Niko already stood there talking with Daja and Tris.
"Right" he started "I think since Briar, Jamara and Briar are the most agile they should do the most complicated moves while Sandry would help with the more simple ones."
Sandry nodded but Briar seemed unsure.
"What kind of complicated moves?"
Niko grinned "You're not the only ones Lark gave lessons to" Niko noticed Jamara's puzzled glance. "Lark is one of the teachers back at Discipline cottage and used to be part of a traveling show as an acrobat" he explained.
Rubbing his hands together Niko looked at Sandry's skirts and frowned.
"I don't think you can do this in those"
Sandry glanced down and nodded.
"I'll be back in a minute"
Sandry descended the stairs a few moments later and back outside to be greeted by the sight of Jamara struggling to balance on the shoulders of Daja and Briar.
"Jamara use your magic to make yourself lighter" Niko called
"Oh yeah"
Jamara stopped wobbling and Daja's and Briar's pained faces looked relived.
"Right Sandry you're going to stand on Jamara's shoulders" explained Niko
"I'm what?"
"All you have to do is climb up and Jamara can help you"
"I don't know whether I can balance myself and someone else at the same time" called Jamara. "I haven't had much practice with my magic being on my own all the time"
"Well you're going to have to practice balancing by yourself then"
Jamara nodded and slowly released the magic she had used to keep herself balanced. She seemed surprised when she didn't fall.
"You catch on quickly" Niko smiled.
"Right Sandry if you use Daja and Briar's knees to push yourself up, that's it."
Sandry, with a little help from Jamara, twisted herself up and was soon crouched on the Acro-mages shoulders.
"Now stand up"
Sandry looked pale and nearly choked when she realized what she needed to do.
"It's alright" coaxed Jamara "I've got you"
Sandry slowly straightened her legs and prized her fingers from the mages shoulders. Grinning she stood and raised her arms above her head as Niko and Tris applauded politely. They were joined by Stephanie who had just woken up.
"What are you doing?'
"Practicing for the parade" Tris replied
"Why?"
"So we can be with you all the time" called Daja, who had taken an instant disliking to the girl.
"Why?"
"Because someone is trying to sabotage the festival by hurting you so they can get to Jamara" answered Sandry
"Oh" replied Stephanie looking confused.
The four mages continued practicing through the afternoon until it was time for supper. After they had eaten Jamara suggested that she go to the temple to see if she could find any clues there. Niko agreed and soon Jamara was wrapped up in her cloak and hurrying down the main road to the huge temple in the centre of the city.
She climbed the few stairs which led to the huge oak doors. Jamara was hit by a pang of sadness as she felt the life which had once coursed through the wood when she placed her hand on it to push the door open. Stepping in to the building she was awed at the sight of it. The colossal roof arched over her head and seemed to disappear in to the distance. She slowly walked down the centre of the temple and listened to the echoing thud of her boots on the marble floor.
Eventually she reached the other end of the room and was mesmerized by the sight of the sunset streaming through the huge arched window. She was so distracted that she failed to notice the plank of wood swung at her head soon enough and it caught a glancing blow on her forehead as she ducked. She was slightly disorientated but shook it off in time to block the next attack. She dropped and swept the legs out from underneath her assailant. He crashed to the floor but flipped himself up again.
"What do you want?" she asked as they circled each other.
"I thought you were smart" he sneered
"I didn't ask you what you thought, I asked what you wanted"
"I don't want you"
"Well then who does?"
"My boss"
"Why?"
"Just think how much power is inside of little old you" he teased "You and all your friends. How tempting do you think that is to some one like my boss?"
"I don't know, what's your boss like?"
"Ambitious"
"Well what's his ambition?"
"The same as every power hungry mage, to gain power"
Jamara darted quickly and showered him with blows he was not expecting. Forced backwards he raised his arms to block her. Seeing he was not going to win he grasped a nearby candlestick and swung at her. Jamara ducked but the man aimed a kick at her side. The Acro-mage was still in pain from the blow to her head earlier and her reflexes were slower so the blow connected with her side and she was flung to the floor. Taking this opportunity the stranger fled out of the temple.
Gasping, Jamara clutched her side and used an alter to hoist her up right. She made her way out in to the early night and groaning slightly she began to walk to the inn.
What seemed like hours to the princess but was really only minutes later Jamara staggered through the door and collapsed in to a chair by her friends.
"What happened to you?" shrieked Sandry hurrying from her chair to Jamara's side.
"Another one of the mages people"
Jamara stood up and began to remove her cloak but Sandry did it for her and gently pushed her back in to the chair.
"You rest" she commanded
"I'm fine; it's just a bruised side and forehead"
"You're forehead is bleeding" Sandry informed her
"Fine it's just a cut forehead and a bruised side" Jamara insisted but Sandry was already on her knees with a bowl of water and a cloth.
Jamara sighed but let Sandry bathe her head and coat it with a foul smelling lotion and a strip of bandage.
"Let me see your side"
Too tired to argue Jamara obeyed and raised her shirt to show rapidly coloring flesh. Sandry sighed and rubbed in yet another lotion.
"There"
"Thank you"
Jamara lowered her shirt and rested her head on her hand.
"So what happened?"
Jamara told them how she had been attacked and the information she had gained.
"I think that the mage wants to strip our magic from us" she concluded "He would then be extremely powerful and could probably take over wherever he wanted"
"But why is he trying to sabotage the parade?"
"To perform the spell to strip our magic he would need the temple and probably need to do it on the day of the offering to the gods"
"So if he sabotaged the parade the temple would be free for him to use"
"I think so"
"Well then we just have to stop him sabotaging the parade" said Briar
"You make it sound so simple"
"Well I believe Briar can protect me" came the voice of Stephanie as she smiled at him.
The group ignored her and carried on discussing the parade.
"I have arranged so you will be right at the front of the parade near Stephanie" Niko was saying.
"Brilliant, just to make me more nervous" Jamara sighed
"You can't be nervous, you'll kill us all!" cried Briar, laughing
Jamara narrowed her eyes at him but was smiling as well. She glanced over towards the door and froze. Her eyes widened and she suddenly dove behind Briar's chair.
"What are you doing!?"
"There by the door" she hissed
The group turned and studied the two men which had just walked in. They were dressed in breeches and shirts with heavy boots. They also wore light armor on their arms and torsos and both had swords by their hips. Their eyes scanned the room before they stored over to the inn keeper and began speaking to him.
"Their from my father" Jamara hissed
Niko stood and murmured "Briar, I'm going to distract them, try to get Jamara out of here"
"Why Briar?" asked Stephanie loudly
Niko hushed her "Because he is taller and can shield her"
Stephanie sighed and turned away. Niko strode across the room and joined the innkeeper and the two soldiers.
Meanwhile Briar had risen from his chair and was pulling Jamara up from her crouching position.
"Just act naturally"
They both turned to face the way out to the yard and made sure that Jamara was protected from view.
"Just pretend we're going for a walk or something" he whispered
"I'll come and find you when they have gone" mumbled Daja
Briar draped an arm round Jamara and bent down so it looked like he was talking to her but was really covering her face from the far side of the room. They headed for the door and had nearly reached it when a shout rang out.
"Hey!" called one of the armed men as he walked across towards them.
Briar panicked and turned but the soldier wasn't heading for them. His eyes were fixed on some one behind them. Briar turned and sighed.
"Stephanie" he murmured
"What is she doing!" she hissed back
"Getting you found if we don't hide!"
The soldier was getting closer and Jamara was in danger of being seen. Panicking, Briar glanced around before pushing Jamara towards a wall and pressing his face next to hers as if whispering in her ear.
The soldier had reached Stephanie and seeing that she wasn't who he was looking for was apologizing.
"I can't believe he thought I was her!" Jamara whispered harshly and felt Briar snort with laughter. "Has he gone?'
Briar twisted his head, nodded and stepped back slightly. They quickly moved away from the wall and finally made it out of the door. As soon as they were out in the night air they broke in to a run and headed round to an alley where they could see the front of the inn. Breathing a sigh of relief, Jamara winced and slid down the wall of the alley.
Remembering her injuries Briar asked: "Are you going to be alright for the parade?"
"Yeah, it's 3 days away and I'm a quick healer" she replied with her eyes closed.
Briar stepped over and sat down next to her and closed his eyes too.
"Thank you"
"Your welcome"
Jamara smiled and fell asleep, resting her head lightly against Briar's shoulder.
Whoa! Don't ask where that came from cause I have no idea! I wasn't planning on doing anything like that. I know its probably not very good cause I wrote it all in one go and it is now errrr .. ten past three in the morning. So, review please! Even if you just tell me that you have read it I will be happy.
Thank you!