Disclaimer: Not only am I penniless (all my money goes to gas and occasionally candy, which makes me happy because gas prices were down this weekend yay!!!!) but I don't own anything from Tortal, that concept is owned by the illustrious Tamora Pierce. (much as it pains me to change my disclaimer I have to 'cause gas prices rose again this week and now I'm sad… L oh well on to the A/N.)
A/N Okay I got a review on chapter two so now to write chapter 3… lesse, a plot… but first things first, forgot to put yer name in for chappy one so have some yummy imaginary internet donuts and a cookie Celestial Secrets. And FaithfuLightning can have some as well for the nice and happy second chapter review. I love reviewers and their words… now for the plotless wonder (working on that by the way… don't we all love 'character development'?)
"I came 'ere from Galla, b'fore that I don' know where I was… no un ever bothered ta tell me an' I wasn' really in a position ta fin' out."
George grunted a prompt for her to continue and she did without looking up. Magic glowed in the corners of Gill's eyes surrounding the thief in a truth spell.
"They took me there from m' home when Ah was 'bout six. From then to a couple moons 'go Ah…"
"Hold it, who is they?" George interrupted. Gill nearly forgot herself enough to glare at him for interrupting but years of habit won out and she kept her eyes fixedly on the ground in front of her.
"They is th' slavers from that place. They killed m' parents an' took m' brothers and me ta be their slaves. Ah dunno where ma brothers are … if'n they's ev'n alive. Enyway, ma mastah an' 'is friends was all magic men lak you.
"He mostly 'gnored us slaves. 'e on'y paid 'ttention to us when he wanted somthin'. An' when he did want som'thin' he didn' ask nice…" Gill's lower lip trembled and she had to fight back tears. Magic men didn't like that.
"You don't have to tell us about that if you don't want to dear," Eleni said softly. She crouched down beside Gill and smoothed her hair of her face, resting a comforting hand on Gill's back. Gill scuttled back away from the contact. She locked scared eyes on the woman.
"Why 're you bein' nice ta me?" she growled from a safe distance.
Eleni didn't reply she just shrugged and stood up, a sad look on her face.
"Continue if you please?" George prompted gently but firmly.
Gill nodded, "Th' Mastah was bad, but 'e wasn' the wors' uv 'em … an' 'e nev'r did 'nythin' untowar' er nuthin'. 'E was more 'nterested in 'is magic an' stuff. He didn' mind using us 'n 'is 'xperiments though. An' 'is friends didn' 'esitate ta do th' same.
"So, when I 'ad th' chance Ah ran. Foun' a boat an' 'id in it. Fetched up in Galla somewhere. From there Ah 'eaded fer Corus and then Ah met ya."
George stood silently for a moment. The corona of magic dissipated. Gill looked up as it left him. Eleni was watching her with a worried expression. George started pacing, "So you are a runaway slave?"
"Yeah," Gill replied with a touch of defiance. She winced at her tone. Magic men didn't like defiance. It didn't take too many lashings to figure that much out.
"That must be a longer story than it sounded like."
Gill shrugged.
"I suppose that means you aren't part of all this trouble then," George spoke softly and more to himself than anything.
"Wha' trouble sir?" Gill asked.
"Huh? Oh, right, you're new in town. The King was just coronated and there was some trouble…"
"You call an earthquake, the darkest of dark magic, assassins, the death of the shang dragon and attempted regicide 'some trouble'?" Eleni broke in.
Gill's eyes widened at that, "All that trouble happened? Here?"
Eleni nodded, "Yes dear. Alanna, the king's champion killed the king's traitorous uncle a few years ago in a duel, but her twin brother was a mage of surpassing strength. He brought Duke Roger, also a mage, back to life through the taunting of the duke's minions. After that the queen and king were killed in 'accidents' and Prince Jon was to be crowned. There was unrest in the city and the court, lots of people died and at the ceremony the duke and his minions attacked the king and his defenders. And all of the things I mentioned earlier happened… I'll tell you about it in more detail later, for now that's about enough."
"I just want to add that an upstart rogue, Ralon of Malven he used to be before he came to the court of the rogue, set out to take my place. He and his killed some close friends of mine… we have been struggling to survive with frayed nerves for weeks now. Everything has been mellowing out, but as you have probably realized, we're still a little tense. And there are fools about just looking to take advantage of the chaos.
"So that's why I made you come here girl. For my safety and that of my people. I am keeping you here for your safety. I take it you can't fight?"
Gill hung her head in shame, "he'd uv killed me if Ah 'ad a weapon."
"Alright, then I'll have to teach you. It isn't safe for a kid to go about on the streets defenseless."
"Why do ya care 'bout me?" she half-screeched, "Why can't ya jus' 'ate me, or 'gnore me lak e'ryone else?"
George flashed her a broad grin, "Because you are a street kid, and thus fall under the care of the rogue, who as of right now still happens to be me. Think of it as an duty thing if you can't just accept the fact that we've come to like you over the past couple of days."
Gill harrumphed and stood up, "I 'ope you two don' come up wit' 'nythin' else Ah need ta learn!"
"Oh, I almost forgot all about your grammar lessons!" Eleni said hastening to scoop up the materials she ha previously gathered. George smiled.
"I should be going now, I will see you two for supper and I think Alanna is coming…"
"We'll be glad to have you both dear," Eleni said and smiled at her son as he left with a half-bow and a flourish, "Alright, now down to business," Eleni said turning to Gill armed with school supplies.
Gill groaned, "Ah don' wanna learn… an' Ah don' wan' th' 'elp uv magic people."
"We aren't all the same girl, besides you will be easy prey on the streets at least until George approves your fighting skills."
Gill pouted but submitted to the lessons.
A/n okay so that was shortish but I do have an idea of where it's going and it's getting late and seeing as I haven't really slept in days and I've got a heap of English homework… read crime and punishment, write a 10 page paper about dairy products (me and my stupid topic choices) and a paper about Hedda Gabler …. I'll zonk out now (meaning sleep) right after I post this here thingy….