Disclaimer - I do not own Tortall or any other places, characters or events
associated with Tamora Pierce's novels. Any characters not from the novels
belong to me.
This just started out as a sudden brainwave. It may not at first bear any relevance to the existing stories about Tortall, but it will do after the first chapter or so. All that's left to say is, I hope you enjoy it! ^_^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Revenge - A Familiar Tale
Chapter 1 - And So It Ends
The only noise at that hour in the morning was the gentle clop of small hooves, as the families two horses and flock of sheep were released into the pasture. Zachary leaned on the high pasture fence, and watched the sun creep over the distant roofs of Corus, the capital city of Tortall. From this point, he could see for miles around. It was his favourite spot to think, and he was doing a lot of thinking at the moment.
*What can I get her? Just a few more weeks and I could have bought her that doll she wanted from Garek's. I need to get her something decent. The Mother knows she deserves it.*
He leaned forward on the fence, his head buried in frustration:
"Oh why couldn't I be a noble? Then I could get everyone what they want with room to spare! It's not fair that those people in the palace feast every night, while others lie homeless and beg beneath the walls of the grand houses."
His grouching was silenced by the sound of pounding feet, and a white blur came streaking across the farmyard to skid to a halt before him.
"Brother! Guess what?!"
Zachary pretended to be deep in thought at the question, and looked the speaker over. As unlike him as possible, her wavy blond hair fell loose past her shoulders. She was tall and thin to the point of frailness, already up to his shoulder though she was five years younger than him. He was very short for his age, and his black hair was cut in the short commoner style. He too was thin, though he had the impression of wiry strength, and could surprise people with his relentless stamina so unlike others of his build. He looked at his little sister with pride. She was a lady already, even more so than the nobles.
"You know, Sally: I really can't remember." He gave a sly grin.
Her face crinkled into a childish expression of annoyance "Don't be stupid, Zachary Kareh! You know fine well its my Birthday tomorrow!"
He laughed and placed calming hands on her shoulders. "I know I know. Don't get mad."
She continued to glare at him, though he could see the beginnings of a smile cross her mouth. He realised he needed to add something:
"I was just planning the surprises! It's going to be the best Birthday ever!"
She relaxed, and laughed. Her blue eyes startlingly bright in her pale face.
"'Course it is! Mary is making a cake right now, I peeked through a crack in the door!"
"Naughty girl. Go on and get washed, a soon-to-be seven year-old has to be clean!"
She giggled and ran back across the yard, her plain dress flapping about her thin legs. Zachary stop a pang of worry for his sister. Last season there had been a bout of very bad weather, and Sally and his father had been caught out in the worst of it. His father had wrapped his own cloak round her to keep her alive, and had staggered down the Great Road with her in his arms. When they found him, he was dead and gone, Sally barely alive under the snow-covered cloak. It took many weeks, but finally she was well again. Still, the chilly air hadn't helped matters, and all were inclined to watch her carefully.
He had always admired her, but recently she made him so proud. She had never complained, no matter how hard their life or how bad the situation. She relinquished the chance at an education at the Convent to stay and help their mother on the farm, and all through her illness her only comment was "When can I get up and help mama?" Eventually they had to give in and take her into the kitchen, giving her small tasks to do.
That's why he wanted her Birthday to be extra special. He had undertaken the job of selling the farm's products at Corus market, and he carved little pieces of his own at home, selling them too so he could raise a little extra money. Usually this money also went on the family's upkeep, but he did have a few coins saved, and he planned to get his sister a great present. The three figurines he had carved recently should help too, and it was market day today.
A yell of "Zack! Breakfast!" interrupted his thoughts and he turned and went into the farmhouse.
It was a small two-storey building with just two rooms on each floor. Fires burned in every one during the cold weather, and the kitchen was warm and cheerful when Zack entered, leaving the door open just a little too long.
"Get that door shut 'fore we all freeze!"
His mother was a commanding woman, her black hair now streaked with grey. Muscular arms used to years of labour now worked at laying out a huge dish of porridge on the table.
The door shut, she motioned impatiently for him to sit down: "Mary's busy today so we all have to get a move on. 'Soon as you're finished, get the stuff to market. We need you back before nightfall t' see to the animals."
He nodded understanding and tucked into his breakfast. Mary entered quickly, carrying a huge covered dish from the cold store. She had been a friend of the family and their cook/babysitter for a long as he could remember, and had stayed with them ever since her own family was killed by robbers.
"It's ready now. I'll put it somewhere safe."
Giving a pointed look at Sally, Mary put the huge dish on a high shelf, then sat down with the family to enjoy their breakfast. The meal over, Zack made his excuses and went to fetch the cart.
The family's horse Max, was a huge chestnut, capable of pulling immense loads. He waited patiently as Zack loaded the cart, and then set off at a steady pace towards Corus.
The gentle bumping of the cart kept Zack alert, and he looked with interest at the few people arriving on the Great Road. He left the farm only once a month, and had only done so that regularly since his fathers death. The sights of the city were still fresh and exciting to him, and though he was nervous about meeting so many people, he always took time to stare with wide eyes at the bustle of the city.
"This day is going to be interesting." He thought, looking round.
He couldn't have been more right.
*******************
The day passed quickly, as it often does when you are having a good time. Zack sold all of his farm produce, and even two of the figures he had carved got a decent price. The afternoon shadows were lengthening, when he decided to pack up and hunt for a present for his sister. Leading Max through the narrow streets, he looked into passing stores, and peered over shoulders at stalls, sometimes disheartened at the high prices. Keeping an eye on his purse, he flinched away from rogues, and walked swiftly past the rowdier taverns. Eventually he saw a sign for a craft store. Tethering Max to a post, he walked further down the alley to the window, where a small fair headed doll of wood and cloth caught his eye. He was figuring out the prices, and realising that he could afford the doll, when a blow to the back of his head dropped him to the ground.
"Take his money!"
Zack was battered and trampled as he vainly tried to stand. His jacket was torn open and his purse taken. Crying tears of rage, he fought but to no avail, as the men took a whip to Max and rode the cart away.
"Leave him with me." A menacing voice commanded.
Zack felt himself being hauled upward by a strong hand. He stood on his feet, swaying and with blurred vision. He could vaguely make out dark brown hair, and brilliantly blue eyes, then his vision faded altogether.
The voice said: "He is the one. It is ended."
A sharp pain in his chest, and then he died.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's vague, I know. I'm sorry =( It does get better (more action!), I just had to introduce everyone, as you do. Anyway if anyone spots the connection between Zachary and the rest of Tortall's characters I'll give them a muffin. The clue is his name. Actually I think it is too obvious but we'll see.
Please review! I respect and encourage constructive criticism!
This just started out as a sudden brainwave. It may not at first bear any relevance to the existing stories about Tortall, but it will do after the first chapter or so. All that's left to say is, I hope you enjoy it! ^_^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Revenge - A Familiar Tale
Chapter 1 - And So It Ends
The only noise at that hour in the morning was the gentle clop of small hooves, as the families two horses and flock of sheep were released into the pasture. Zachary leaned on the high pasture fence, and watched the sun creep over the distant roofs of Corus, the capital city of Tortall. From this point, he could see for miles around. It was his favourite spot to think, and he was doing a lot of thinking at the moment.
*What can I get her? Just a few more weeks and I could have bought her that doll she wanted from Garek's. I need to get her something decent. The Mother knows she deserves it.*
He leaned forward on the fence, his head buried in frustration:
"Oh why couldn't I be a noble? Then I could get everyone what they want with room to spare! It's not fair that those people in the palace feast every night, while others lie homeless and beg beneath the walls of the grand houses."
His grouching was silenced by the sound of pounding feet, and a white blur came streaking across the farmyard to skid to a halt before him.
"Brother! Guess what?!"
Zachary pretended to be deep in thought at the question, and looked the speaker over. As unlike him as possible, her wavy blond hair fell loose past her shoulders. She was tall and thin to the point of frailness, already up to his shoulder though she was five years younger than him. He was very short for his age, and his black hair was cut in the short commoner style. He too was thin, though he had the impression of wiry strength, and could surprise people with his relentless stamina so unlike others of his build. He looked at his little sister with pride. She was a lady already, even more so than the nobles.
"You know, Sally: I really can't remember." He gave a sly grin.
Her face crinkled into a childish expression of annoyance "Don't be stupid, Zachary Kareh! You know fine well its my Birthday tomorrow!"
He laughed and placed calming hands on her shoulders. "I know I know. Don't get mad."
She continued to glare at him, though he could see the beginnings of a smile cross her mouth. He realised he needed to add something:
"I was just planning the surprises! It's going to be the best Birthday ever!"
She relaxed, and laughed. Her blue eyes startlingly bright in her pale face.
"'Course it is! Mary is making a cake right now, I peeked through a crack in the door!"
"Naughty girl. Go on and get washed, a soon-to-be seven year-old has to be clean!"
She giggled and ran back across the yard, her plain dress flapping about her thin legs. Zachary stop a pang of worry for his sister. Last season there had been a bout of very bad weather, and Sally and his father had been caught out in the worst of it. His father had wrapped his own cloak round her to keep her alive, and had staggered down the Great Road with her in his arms. When they found him, he was dead and gone, Sally barely alive under the snow-covered cloak. It took many weeks, but finally she was well again. Still, the chilly air hadn't helped matters, and all were inclined to watch her carefully.
He had always admired her, but recently she made him so proud. She had never complained, no matter how hard their life or how bad the situation. She relinquished the chance at an education at the Convent to stay and help their mother on the farm, and all through her illness her only comment was "When can I get up and help mama?" Eventually they had to give in and take her into the kitchen, giving her small tasks to do.
That's why he wanted her Birthday to be extra special. He had undertaken the job of selling the farm's products at Corus market, and he carved little pieces of his own at home, selling them too so he could raise a little extra money. Usually this money also went on the family's upkeep, but he did have a few coins saved, and he planned to get his sister a great present. The three figurines he had carved recently should help too, and it was market day today.
A yell of "Zack! Breakfast!" interrupted his thoughts and he turned and went into the farmhouse.
It was a small two-storey building with just two rooms on each floor. Fires burned in every one during the cold weather, and the kitchen was warm and cheerful when Zack entered, leaving the door open just a little too long.
"Get that door shut 'fore we all freeze!"
His mother was a commanding woman, her black hair now streaked with grey. Muscular arms used to years of labour now worked at laying out a huge dish of porridge on the table.
The door shut, she motioned impatiently for him to sit down: "Mary's busy today so we all have to get a move on. 'Soon as you're finished, get the stuff to market. We need you back before nightfall t' see to the animals."
He nodded understanding and tucked into his breakfast. Mary entered quickly, carrying a huge covered dish from the cold store. She had been a friend of the family and their cook/babysitter for a long as he could remember, and had stayed with them ever since her own family was killed by robbers.
"It's ready now. I'll put it somewhere safe."
Giving a pointed look at Sally, Mary put the huge dish on a high shelf, then sat down with the family to enjoy their breakfast. The meal over, Zack made his excuses and went to fetch the cart.
The family's horse Max, was a huge chestnut, capable of pulling immense loads. He waited patiently as Zack loaded the cart, and then set off at a steady pace towards Corus.
The gentle bumping of the cart kept Zack alert, and he looked with interest at the few people arriving on the Great Road. He left the farm only once a month, and had only done so that regularly since his fathers death. The sights of the city were still fresh and exciting to him, and though he was nervous about meeting so many people, he always took time to stare with wide eyes at the bustle of the city.
"This day is going to be interesting." He thought, looking round.
He couldn't have been more right.
*******************
The day passed quickly, as it often does when you are having a good time. Zack sold all of his farm produce, and even two of the figures he had carved got a decent price. The afternoon shadows were lengthening, when he decided to pack up and hunt for a present for his sister. Leading Max through the narrow streets, he looked into passing stores, and peered over shoulders at stalls, sometimes disheartened at the high prices. Keeping an eye on his purse, he flinched away from rogues, and walked swiftly past the rowdier taverns. Eventually he saw a sign for a craft store. Tethering Max to a post, he walked further down the alley to the window, where a small fair headed doll of wood and cloth caught his eye. He was figuring out the prices, and realising that he could afford the doll, when a blow to the back of his head dropped him to the ground.
"Take his money!"
Zack was battered and trampled as he vainly tried to stand. His jacket was torn open and his purse taken. Crying tears of rage, he fought but to no avail, as the men took a whip to Max and rode the cart away.
"Leave him with me." A menacing voice commanded.
Zack felt himself being hauled upward by a strong hand. He stood on his feet, swaying and with blurred vision. He could vaguely make out dark brown hair, and brilliantly blue eyes, then his vision faded altogether.
The voice said: "He is the one. It is ended."
A sharp pain in his chest, and then he died.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's vague, I know. I'm sorry =( It does get better (more action!), I just had to introduce everyone, as you do. Anyway if anyone spots the connection between Zachary and the rest of Tortall's characters I'll give them a muffin. The clue is his name. Actually I think it is too obvious but we'll see.
Please review! I respect and encourage constructive criticism!