A/n: Thank you to all u reviewers (u know who u r!) I loved ur reviews! I
WAS kinda disappointed that I didn't get the 10 reviews I wanted, though.
Oh, well! Hope u all like this chapter!
babyjayy: Yes, I'm updating . . . wait till these chapters start getting really good!
Aviastar: Good . . . I'm writing more . . . cliffhangers ARE better, aren't they?
dorkeegirl168: Thanks so much! Ur review totally made my day! I'm glad u think that! *glows with pride*
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
"Hey, you. Pick that up." A local bully said, his dark beady eyes gleaming wickedly. Ted bent down with a sigh. Why did these people always have to pick on him? As he straightened with the book, one of the bully's cronies knocked into him.
"Hey, you klutz. You dropped it again," taunted the first boy. Ted gritted his teeth. He wanted to punch them, but they outnumbered him always. He was the loner, the one no one was friends with. Simply a source of entertainment for the local bullies.
He handed the book to the boy, and then silently left to his classes, fuming to himself.
Ted lived in an orphanage in the town of Frell. He had lost both his parents when he was only five years old, and no one had ever bothered to tell him why. He had heard some of the older boys talking once, about his parents - they said that his parents were both thieves and bandits, and had been caught stealing. They had been executed by nobles.
Safely around the corner, Ted leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. He had only the vaguest memories of his past - an elegant room with a high ceiling, a middle-aged woman fussing over him, and then a man, dressed in a noble's clothes, speaking with an angry voice. His next memories were then of the orphanage, where he had spent the last 11 years.
The orphanage was a squat brick building, not fancy, but not all shabby looking either. It was supported and funded by the King and Queen, Charmont and Ella. They had dormitories, classrooms, a courtyard to practice archery and sword fighting, a hospital ward, and kitchen.
Ted had lived there since that fateful day, when the messenger had come into the room, announcing that his parents were dead.
"Get to class, kid." Said an older kid, jostling past him. Ted scowled; he didn't care if he was late to class, even though it meant detention. Then, he remembered that if he got detention, he would miss his swordsmanship class, and if there was one thing that Ted liked most, it was swordplay.
Sighing, he trudged towards class.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
"James, any idea where we're going?" I asked when it was obvious that we had been walking for an hour. It was late, but since it was spring, the day was still rather bright.
"Yeah . . . um, I think we have to go a little farther," he replied, his mind obviously elsewhere.
"And where will we be staying the night?" I asked in exasperation.
"Local inn. We have only a few more miles to go to reach the town of Frell." He answered.
We walked along, silently, until a little while later, we heard the talk and laughter and bustling noise of a village. As we stepped out of the woods, my eyes widened. I had never seen Frell at dusk, when the merchants were all talking and trading and wrapping up the day's sales. Every time I had gone, it was either with my mother or father, but I had never been alone or with only James.
James was ahead, so I hurried to catch up to him. He stopped at the door of an inn, the Unicorn Inn. He waited until I caught up (I was busy watching all the merchants selling their wares), and then we both walked inside.
Good choice. This was a modern, comfortable inn, with no bars or drinking allowed. James asked for two adjoining rooms, while I wandered around, not meeting people's eyes (I couldn't risk being recognized).
We got our rooms, which were across the hall from each other (that was the best the inn could do), and we ordered for our food to be brought upstairs.
The serving maid who brought up our food was very chatty. "Hello, little miss. Where are you aiming to travel to?"
"Oh, my friend and I are just going on a little trip." I lied. To tell the truth, I hadn't realized until just now that we didn't exactly have a destination. How stupid.
At that moment, James burst in. "Hey! I found a cool . . ." he trailed off as he saw me talking to the serving maid. She quickly dipped a curtsy.
"So, um, anyway . . ." he said a little uncertainly, "I . . ."
"Found a cool store." I cut in with a warning glance in the maid's direction.
"Uh, right." He said. He sat down on the chair near the desk in my room.
The maid served us, and then went back downstairs. "So, what DID you find?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
"A really cool place where we could stay. I mean, I ran away to get a job that I like, so I could try being independent. And there's a lord who needs someone to teach his son archery!" he beamed.
"So you want to teach archery" I asked, raising my eyebrows.
"Um, yeah. I love archery." He frowned as he realized I didn't look exactly enthusiastic. "What's wrong?"
"What about me? What am I supposed to do?" I asked instead.
"I don't know." His frown deepened. "That's why I didn't want to bring you along. You belong at the palace."
"I'll find something to do." I answered. I didn't want him to think I was useless.
"I hope so."
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
Ted groaned as the bell rang, shattering his weird dream. Time to get up. The other boys in his dorm were all groaning and mumbling also about the bell. Stupid bell.
He stumbled out of bed and bumped into another kid. "Hey, watch it, thief." The other kid muttered.
Ted's eyes flashed. He hated it when the other kids all called him "thief" because his parents were thieves.
Not a great start to the morning.
The bully who had taunted him the day before also lived in the orphanage. His mother had died when he was only a few years old, and his father had left him. That made him very sour and surly to all the other kids.
"Thief. I need the mathematics book. Give me yours." He said to Ted at breakfast. Ted rolled his eyes, but, not able to do anything, handed him the book.
"Perry, just leave the kid alone." A girl said, disgusted, from the other table.
"Aww, how sweet. The thief has a GIRL to stick up for him." Perry said. All his cronies guffawed stupidly. Ted glared at them and proceeded to ignore them.
"You gonna ignore me?" Perry asked threateningly.
"Yes," replied Ted.
"You wanna fight me?"
"Sure. Practice courts today. One on one, swords. If I win, you have to back off, and never bother me again. You win, you can do whatever." Ted said. He was sick of Perry and his gang, and now he was actually going to DO something about them.
Perry considered, and then nodded with an evil grin. "Fine. Get ready to lose."
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
Early the next morning, I was already awake and dressed, reading my fairy book. There was a note from Mandy:
Lela,
Don't worry, I haven't told your mother or your father. They understand that you want a little time for yourself, but they are still worried about you. Take care of yourself; drink your tonic, and be careful. Come home soon,
Mandy
I flipped through the other pages. There was also a note in Mother's diary. I read it quickly.
Dear Diary,
Lela has run away, I think. I'm worried about her, but I'm sure she can take care of herself. I remember when I was younger; I did the very same thing, except I was running away from finishing school. Lela is an independent young girl, though stubborn, and I'm sure she will come back soon. Char is frantic, almost - it's hard to persuade him not to send a search party out for Lela. He doesn't understand that maybe our only daughter only wants some privacy. Charles is distraught - he keeps on repeating that he should have taught Lela everything about weaponry and defending herself. He seems to think she will be in trouble. I have faith in her. I know she will be safe. I'll write more later - Lord something of somewhere wants to talk to us about some problem.
~ Ella
I was glad mother and Mandy had faith in me.
At that moment, there was a knock on my door. I crossed over to the door and peeked out, and saw James.
"Hey." He greeted me. "Are you ready to go?"
"Not really." I mumbled. But I was up anyway, and had no idea of what else there was to do. "Fine. But go where?"
"Cut through Frell, pick up supplies, and go directly to the lord's manor." James replied.
I rolled my eyes. "James, you really want to go through with this?"
He nodded. "Yeah, so hurry up and let's go."
We had a light breakfast in the inn, and then went and packed our stuff. Soon, we were ready to go.
"Do you know where the manor is?" I asked.
"Yep - outskirts of Frell."
"And how far away and how long it takes to get there?"
"Not that far and an hour or two."
We passed by the marketplace and picked up some food and supplies, and proceeded on our way. As we passed by a large brick building, someone crashed into me. Both of us went tumbling to the ground.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
"Sorry!" gasped a voice that sounded vaguely familiar. The person who collided into me quickly got up and backed away.
I looked up. Golden-blond hair, chocolate brown eyes - Ted!
"Ted?" I gasped.
He stared at me, recognition dawning on his face. "Lela?"
"What are you doing here?" Both of us asked at the same time.
"Wow. Glad you share brain waves. Now - mind introducting us, Lela?" James asked wryly.
I blushed. "James, this is Ted. Ted, my best friend, James."
Ted gave James a cool nod. "I remember you."
"Um -" James began. At my encouraging nod, he rushed on. "Ted - I'm sorry for being rude before. It was just - I don't know. I was being way too protective of Lela, and she was missing from the ball and everything, and people were looking for her, and I was worried about -" he stopped abruptly. "Well, never mind about that, just I'm sorry about before. I wasn't really thinking."
Ted nodded and gave him a warm smile. "Apology accepted. But - why are you guys here?"
"To have an adventure." I replied instantly.
Ted gave me a strange look. "An adventure?" he repeated.
"Yes - have fun. Get away from -" Now it was my turn to stop. "- from nobles." I finished lamely.
Ted's eyes clouded over. "I see."
"What are you doing here?" James asked, switching subjects.
"I live here."
"What?!" I asked, startled.
"My parents died when I was five." He explained.
"Oh," was all I could say. "Sorry."
"It's not your fault." Ted told me. "Um, guys, I gotta go. I'm in a rush."
"Go where?"
"Practice courts. I'm dueling a bully who is basically my enemy, and I need to beat him on the courts to prove I'm better. If I'm late, counts as me forfeiting."
"Can we watch?" I asked before James could say anything.
"Uh - okay." Ted said hesitantly.
He dashed around the brick building, which I found out was the orphanage. James and I exchanged glances, and then followed.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
Ted skidded into the arena, out of breath. Perry looked up. "Oh, so the thief finally decides to come."
"Shut up." Ted snapped, angry now. "Let's just get on with it." He picked up a sword from the weapons room. They were, of course, all blunt-tipped, and the blade was dull.
The two began to circle each other warily, while Perry's gang and a lot of other people crowded the arena, searching for seats to watch.
Perry struck first. He lashed out with the practice sword, swinging it in a wide arc. Ted ducked and retaliated with a strike. Perry just managed to get his sword up in time to block the other boy's blow. The two fought for a few minutes, neither gaining nor losing.
Finally, Ted got tired of playing around. He tried a feint to the left. Perry went for it, and Ted quickly cut to the right. A thrust, twist, and Perry's blade was flying through the air.
Cheers broke out in the crowd - everyone was cheering for Ted, except those in Perry's gang, whom all looked sulky that their leader had been defeated.
"Wow he is good." James breathed. "Better than the pages and even the knights."
Perry glared at Ted. He was in a horrible mood.
"I win." Ted told him. "You can't bother me - or anyone else - ever again, unless you want to get beaten up in front of everyone again."
The bully stalked out of the arena, and Ted gave the audience a mock-bow, grinning.
"Come on." Perry muttered to his sullen gang. "Let's get out of here. Leave the thief to his only chance at glory."
"Oh, and Perry?" Ted called out. "Don't call me thief!"
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
"Wow! That was the coolest!" I exclaimed when Ted came over to James and me. "I wish I could do that with swords."
James glanced at me and burst out laughing. Ted looked puzzled. "What's so funny?"
"Lela is - um - a girl. And she wants to learn swordplay instead of stitching, archery instead of embroidery, and defending instead of dancing." James managed to say.
"So?" Ted still didn't get it.
I sighed. "I'm a noble, Ted. Noble-born girls aren't supposed to learn those things. I know - I want to say "so?" to them too, but they don't listen. They all think I'm crazy."
"I don't." James pointed out.
"Well, if you did, you wouldn't be here anyway; you'd be in a grave. I'd kill you." I replied with a grin.
"Not if you can't fight."
"So? I'll attack you with . . . sewing needles!" I answered, grinning at the ridiculous image of me doing that very thing.
All of us laughed.
"So Ted," James said suddenly, "where are you supposed to go now?"
Ted glanced around and lowered his voice. "I'm supposed to be back at the dorms, in my classes, but every night, without anyone finding out, I've been able to sneak into the village and walk around for at least an hour or so without anyone knowing. So, you guys want to meet somewhere tonight, at . . . at 6?"
I nodded. "We have . . . an errand to run. We'll meet you by the marketplace at 6."
James nudged me. He coughed, and it sounded remarkably like "Char". I suddenly remembered that I was running away, and my father would be trying to look for me. I couldn't risk going to the marketplace.
"Um - on second thought - why don't we just meet here?" I suggested.
Ted nodded, "Okay. Here at 6. See you then." He dashed off.
James turned to me. "So - are we going to risk going to the lord's manor? Or what?"
I thought quickly. "You go. I'll wait for you. Meet me at the edge of the woods when you're done. If I'm late, then wait for me."
James nodded and sped off.
I sighed. I had a long time to waste away.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
"Lela!" James cried as soon as he saw me. I was pacing by the woods, lost in daydreams of me actually fighting with a sword, or bow and arrows, or a spear, or whatever weapon. James' cry broke my train of thought as he raced towards me. I noted instantly that he was pale and worried. He was biting his lip as he tried to catch his breath.
"What?" I asked, worried that something awful had happened.
"Hold on - let me catch my breath - I'll tell you everything."
*****Flashback*****
The lord was outside, talking to a man, dressed in expensive black leather. James, not wanting to be seen overhearing, ducked into the trees. From there, he could hear everything.
"Where is the princess?" the lord asked coldly.
"I don't know, sir, we couldn't find her. We think she ran away," answered the guy in the black leather.
"You let her escape?! I sent you to do the job a week ago! You failed me!" The lord screeched.
"Sir, the man I sent lost his weapon on the way to the palace. He didn't know until later, as he was kidnapping the princess. The boy - the noble - foiled the plans by appearing. We couldn't risk anything else so soon, and the parents were somehow informed. They put a guard of five men on her. We tried again late last night, but she wasn't there. The guards were all in their posts, outside her room - but she was nowhere to be found."
"Find her. The plan shall not fail." The lord said his voice as cold as steel.
"Yes, sir. What of Theodore Lexian Mildred of Bast?"
"He is now Theodore of Frell. And he will be brought to me. I must settle what started 20 years ago. He is the only one that stands in my path."
"Yes, sir. And - pardon me for asking, but - how do you keep your spies in court from being discovered?"
The lord laughed. "Oh, that. Queen Maydria has complete control over everyone she wants on her side. Her magic is powerful enough for all of us, and once she becomes ruler of Kyrria, I - and all those who are loyal to her - will be honored and gain even more power. She has her ways. You DO know that she stopped the prince from crossing Kyrria's border. She has placed him under a powerful spell, so that he will only do what she bids him to. She has sent him on to the palace, and he is reporting to her what goes on in the palace."
Black-leather bowed. "Yes sir. It is an honor to serve the gloried Queen Maydria. I shall not fail this second time."
*****End of Flashback*****
I felt suddenly very weak, and sat down to keep from collapsing to the ground in a heap.
"What were they talking about?" I managed finally.
James sighed. "I think they were talking about you."
"Tell me something I DON'T already know."
"Well - uh - I think that they were talking about Darren - Prince Darren of Ayortha."
"I was right." I whispered. "I KNEW I shouldn't trust him!"
"But who's Theodore?" James asked, wrinkling his forehead in concentration. "And who's this 'Queen Maydria' that they're talking about? And what IS their plan?"
"That's what we have to find out." I answered grimly.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
"Um, are you guys alright? You both look really pale." Ted commented as we met him at 6 where we were supposed to meet.
James and I exchanged glances. Should we trust Ted? James gave me a look that said, "You're the princess. I follow your orders".
I decided not to tell Ted. But I had some questions for him. "No, we're fine." I lied.
"Okay . . ." I don't think he believed us, but as long as he didn't ask questions, I was grateful.
"Hey, Ted, do you happen to know a "Queen Maydria" from anywhere?" I asked.
A frown crossed his face as he mused over that question. "No." he said finally. "I think I remember that name from somewhere - I don't know where. But it definitely DID NOT have the title of "Queen" when I heard it."
At least it was something. "Okay . . . Ted, do you know a Theodore of Frell?"
He stopped abruptly and stared at me.
"What?" I asked, startled.
He regarded me, and then said the one thing I hadn't expected. "I AM Theodore of Frell."
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A/n: Ooh! A cliffhanger! So, what's going to happen? You're not gonna find out till u review! BTW, thanks to all those who HAVE reviewed! You're the best!! *~*~AryaWinds~*~*
babyjayy: Yes, I'm updating . . . wait till these chapters start getting really good!
Aviastar: Good . . . I'm writing more . . . cliffhangers ARE better, aren't they?
dorkeegirl168: Thanks so much! Ur review totally made my day! I'm glad u think that! *glows with pride*
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
"Hey, you. Pick that up." A local bully said, his dark beady eyes gleaming wickedly. Ted bent down with a sigh. Why did these people always have to pick on him? As he straightened with the book, one of the bully's cronies knocked into him.
"Hey, you klutz. You dropped it again," taunted the first boy. Ted gritted his teeth. He wanted to punch them, but they outnumbered him always. He was the loner, the one no one was friends with. Simply a source of entertainment for the local bullies.
He handed the book to the boy, and then silently left to his classes, fuming to himself.
Ted lived in an orphanage in the town of Frell. He had lost both his parents when he was only five years old, and no one had ever bothered to tell him why. He had heard some of the older boys talking once, about his parents - they said that his parents were both thieves and bandits, and had been caught stealing. They had been executed by nobles.
Safely around the corner, Ted leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. He had only the vaguest memories of his past - an elegant room with a high ceiling, a middle-aged woman fussing over him, and then a man, dressed in a noble's clothes, speaking with an angry voice. His next memories were then of the orphanage, where he had spent the last 11 years.
The orphanage was a squat brick building, not fancy, but not all shabby looking either. It was supported and funded by the King and Queen, Charmont and Ella. They had dormitories, classrooms, a courtyard to practice archery and sword fighting, a hospital ward, and kitchen.
Ted had lived there since that fateful day, when the messenger had come into the room, announcing that his parents were dead.
"Get to class, kid." Said an older kid, jostling past him. Ted scowled; he didn't care if he was late to class, even though it meant detention. Then, he remembered that if he got detention, he would miss his swordsmanship class, and if there was one thing that Ted liked most, it was swordplay.
Sighing, he trudged towards class.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
"James, any idea where we're going?" I asked when it was obvious that we had been walking for an hour. It was late, but since it was spring, the day was still rather bright.
"Yeah . . . um, I think we have to go a little farther," he replied, his mind obviously elsewhere.
"And where will we be staying the night?" I asked in exasperation.
"Local inn. We have only a few more miles to go to reach the town of Frell." He answered.
We walked along, silently, until a little while later, we heard the talk and laughter and bustling noise of a village. As we stepped out of the woods, my eyes widened. I had never seen Frell at dusk, when the merchants were all talking and trading and wrapping up the day's sales. Every time I had gone, it was either with my mother or father, but I had never been alone or with only James.
James was ahead, so I hurried to catch up to him. He stopped at the door of an inn, the Unicorn Inn. He waited until I caught up (I was busy watching all the merchants selling their wares), and then we both walked inside.
Good choice. This was a modern, comfortable inn, with no bars or drinking allowed. James asked for two adjoining rooms, while I wandered around, not meeting people's eyes (I couldn't risk being recognized).
We got our rooms, which were across the hall from each other (that was the best the inn could do), and we ordered for our food to be brought upstairs.
The serving maid who brought up our food was very chatty. "Hello, little miss. Where are you aiming to travel to?"
"Oh, my friend and I are just going on a little trip." I lied. To tell the truth, I hadn't realized until just now that we didn't exactly have a destination. How stupid.
At that moment, James burst in. "Hey! I found a cool . . ." he trailed off as he saw me talking to the serving maid. She quickly dipped a curtsy.
"So, um, anyway . . ." he said a little uncertainly, "I . . ."
"Found a cool store." I cut in with a warning glance in the maid's direction.
"Uh, right." He said. He sat down on the chair near the desk in my room.
The maid served us, and then went back downstairs. "So, what DID you find?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
"A really cool place where we could stay. I mean, I ran away to get a job that I like, so I could try being independent. And there's a lord who needs someone to teach his son archery!" he beamed.
"So you want to teach archery" I asked, raising my eyebrows.
"Um, yeah. I love archery." He frowned as he realized I didn't look exactly enthusiastic. "What's wrong?"
"What about me? What am I supposed to do?" I asked instead.
"I don't know." His frown deepened. "That's why I didn't want to bring you along. You belong at the palace."
"I'll find something to do." I answered. I didn't want him to think I was useless.
"I hope so."
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
Ted groaned as the bell rang, shattering his weird dream. Time to get up. The other boys in his dorm were all groaning and mumbling also about the bell. Stupid bell.
He stumbled out of bed and bumped into another kid. "Hey, watch it, thief." The other kid muttered.
Ted's eyes flashed. He hated it when the other kids all called him "thief" because his parents were thieves.
Not a great start to the morning.
The bully who had taunted him the day before also lived in the orphanage. His mother had died when he was only a few years old, and his father had left him. That made him very sour and surly to all the other kids.
"Thief. I need the mathematics book. Give me yours." He said to Ted at breakfast. Ted rolled his eyes, but, not able to do anything, handed him the book.
"Perry, just leave the kid alone." A girl said, disgusted, from the other table.
"Aww, how sweet. The thief has a GIRL to stick up for him." Perry said. All his cronies guffawed stupidly. Ted glared at them and proceeded to ignore them.
"You gonna ignore me?" Perry asked threateningly.
"Yes," replied Ted.
"You wanna fight me?"
"Sure. Practice courts today. One on one, swords. If I win, you have to back off, and never bother me again. You win, you can do whatever." Ted said. He was sick of Perry and his gang, and now he was actually going to DO something about them.
Perry considered, and then nodded with an evil grin. "Fine. Get ready to lose."
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
Early the next morning, I was already awake and dressed, reading my fairy book. There was a note from Mandy:
Lela,
Don't worry, I haven't told your mother or your father. They understand that you want a little time for yourself, but they are still worried about you. Take care of yourself; drink your tonic, and be careful. Come home soon,
Mandy
I flipped through the other pages. There was also a note in Mother's diary. I read it quickly.
Dear Diary,
Lela has run away, I think. I'm worried about her, but I'm sure she can take care of herself. I remember when I was younger; I did the very same thing, except I was running away from finishing school. Lela is an independent young girl, though stubborn, and I'm sure she will come back soon. Char is frantic, almost - it's hard to persuade him not to send a search party out for Lela. He doesn't understand that maybe our only daughter only wants some privacy. Charles is distraught - he keeps on repeating that he should have taught Lela everything about weaponry and defending herself. He seems to think she will be in trouble. I have faith in her. I know she will be safe. I'll write more later - Lord something of somewhere wants to talk to us about some problem.
~ Ella
I was glad mother and Mandy had faith in me.
At that moment, there was a knock on my door. I crossed over to the door and peeked out, and saw James.
"Hey." He greeted me. "Are you ready to go?"
"Not really." I mumbled. But I was up anyway, and had no idea of what else there was to do. "Fine. But go where?"
"Cut through Frell, pick up supplies, and go directly to the lord's manor." James replied.
I rolled my eyes. "James, you really want to go through with this?"
He nodded. "Yeah, so hurry up and let's go."
We had a light breakfast in the inn, and then went and packed our stuff. Soon, we were ready to go.
"Do you know where the manor is?" I asked.
"Yep - outskirts of Frell."
"And how far away and how long it takes to get there?"
"Not that far and an hour or two."
We passed by the marketplace and picked up some food and supplies, and proceeded on our way. As we passed by a large brick building, someone crashed into me. Both of us went tumbling to the ground.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
"Sorry!" gasped a voice that sounded vaguely familiar. The person who collided into me quickly got up and backed away.
I looked up. Golden-blond hair, chocolate brown eyes - Ted!
"Ted?" I gasped.
He stared at me, recognition dawning on his face. "Lela?"
"What are you doing here?" Both of us asked at the same time.
"Wow. Glad you share brain waves. Now - mind introducting us, Lela?" James asked wryly.
I blushed. "James, this is Ted. Ted, my best friend, James."
Ted gave James a cool nod. "I remember you."
"Um -" James began. At my encouraging nod, he rushed on. "Ted - I'm sorry for being rude before. It was just - I don't know. I was being way too protective of Lela, and she was missing from the ball and everything, and people were looking for her, and I was worried about -" he stopped abruptly. "Well, never mind about that, just I'm sorry about before. I wasn't really thinking."
Ted nodded and gave him a warm smile. "Apology accepted. But - why are you guys here?"
"To have an adventure." I replied instantly.
Ted gave me a strange look. "An adventure?" he repeated.
"Yes - have fun. Get away from -" Now it was my turn to stop. "- from nobles." I finished lamely.
Ted's eyes clouded over. "I see."
"What are you doing here?" James asked, switching subjects.
"I live here."
"What?!" I asked, startled.
"My parents died when I was five." He explained.
"Oh," was all I could say. "Sorry."
"It's not your fault." Ted told me. "Um, guys, I gotta go. I'm in a rush."
"Go where?"
"Practice courts. I'm dueling a bully who is basically my enemy, and I need to beat him on the courts to prove I'm better. If I'm late, counts as me forfeiting."
"Can we watch?" I asked before James could say anything.
"Uh - okay." Ted said hesitantly.
He dashed around the brick building, which I found out was the orphanage. James and I exchanged glances, and then followed.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
Ted skidded into the arena, out of breath. Perry looked up. "Oh, so the thief finally decides to come."
"Shut up." Ted snapped, angry now. "Let's just get on with it." He picked up a sword from the weapons room. They were, of course, all blunt-tipped, and the blade was dull.
The two began to circle each other warily, while Perry's gang and a lot of other people crowded the arena, searching for seats to watch.
Perry struck first. He lashed out with the practice sword, swinging it in a wide arc. Ted ducked and retaliated with a strike. Perry just managed to get his sword up in time to block the other boy's blow. The two fought for a few minutes, neither gaining nor losing.
Finally, Ted got tired of playing around. He tried a feint to the left. Perry went for it, and Ted quickly cut to the right. A thrust, twist, and Perry's blade was flying through the air.
Cheers broke out in the crowd - everyone was cheering for Ted, except those in Perry's gang, whom all looked sulky that their leader had been defeated.
"Wow he is good." James breathed. "Better than the pages and even the knights."
Perry glared at Ted. He was in a horrible mood.
"I win." Ted told him. "You can't bother me - or anyone else - ever again, unless you want to get beaten up in front of everyone again."
The bully stalked out of the arena, and Ted gave the audience a mock-bow, grinning.
"Come on." Perry muttered to his sullen gang. "Let's get out of here. Leave the thief to his only chance at glory."
"Oh, and Perry?" Ted called out. "Don't call me thief!"
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
"Wow! That was the coolest!" I exclaimed when Ted came over to James and me. "I wish I could do that with swords."
James glanced at me and burst out laughing. Ted looked puzzled. "What's so funny?"
"Lela is - um - a girl. And she wants to learn swordplay instead of stitching, archery instead of embroidery, and defending instead of dancing." James managed to say.
"So?" Ted still didn't get it.
I sighed. "I'm a noble, Ted. Noble-born girls aren't supposed to learn those things. I know - I want to say "so?" to them too, but they don't listen. They all think I'm crazy."
"I don't." James pointed out.
"Well, if you did, you wouldn't be here anyway; you'd be in a grave. I'd kill you." I replied with a grin.
"Not if you can't fight."
"So? I'll attack you with . . . sewing needles!" I answered, grinning at the ridiculous image of me doing that very thing.
All of us laughed.
"So Ted," James said suddenly, "where are you supposed to go now?"
Ted glanced around and lowered his voice. "I'm supposed to be back at the dorms, in my classes, but every night, without anyone finding out, I've been able to sneak into the village and walk around for at least an hour or so without anyone knowing. So, you guys want to meet somewhere tonight, at . . . at 6?"
I nodded. "We have . . . an errand to run. We'll meet you by the marketplace at 6."
James nudged me. He coughed, and it sounded remarkably like "Char". I suddenly remembered that I was running away, and my father would be trying to look for me. I couldn't risk going to the marketplace.
"Um - on second thought - why don't we just meet here?" I suggested.
Ted nodded, "Okay. Here at 6. See you then." He dashed off.
James turned to me. "So - are we going to risk going to the lord's manor? Or what?"
I thought quickly. "You go. I'll wait for you. Meet me at the edge of the woods when you're done. If I'm late, then wait for me."
James nodded and sped off.
I sighed. I had a long time to waste away.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
"Lela!" James cried as soon as he saw me. I was pacing by the woods, lost in daydreams of me actually fighting with a sword, or bow and arrows, or a spear, or whatever weapon. James' cry broke my train of thought as he raced towards me. I noted instantly that he was pale and worried. He was biting his lip as he tried to catch his breath.
"What?" I asked, worried that something awful had happened.
"Hold on - let me catch my breath - I'll tell you everything."
*****Flashback*****
The lord was outside, talking to a man, dressed in expensive black leather. James, not wanting to be seen overhearing, ducked into the trees. From there, he could hear everything.
"Where is the princess?" the lord asked coldly.
"I don't know, sir, we couldn't find her. We think she ran away," answered the guy in the black leather.
"You let her escape?! I sent you to do the job a week ago! You failed me!" The lord screeched.
"Sir, the man I sent lost his weapon on the way to the palace. He didn't know until later, as he was kidnapping the princess. The boy - the noble - foiled the plans by appearing. We couldn't risk anything else so soon, and the parents were somehow informed. They put a guard of five men on her. We tried again late last night, but she wasn't there. The guards were all in their posts, outside her room - but she was nowhere to be found."
"Find her. The plan shall not fail." The lord said his voice as cold as steel.
"Yes, sir. What of Theodore Lexian Mildred of Bast?"
"He is now Theodore of Frell. And he will be brought to me. I must settle what started 20 years ago. He is the only one that stands in my path."
"Yes, sir. And - pardon me for asking, but - how do you keep your spies in court from being discovered?"
The lord laughed. "Oh, that. Queen Maydria has complete control over everyone she wants on her side. Her magic is powerful enough for all of us, and once she becomes ruler of Kyrria, I - and all those who are loyal to her - will be honored and gain even more power. She has her ways. You DO know that she stopped the prince from crossing Kyrria's border. She has placed him under a powerful spell, so that he will only do what she bids him to. She has sent him on to the palace, and he is reporting to her what goes on in the palace."
Black-leather bowed. "Yes sir. It is an honor to serve the gloried Queen Maydria. I shall not fail this second time."
*****End of Flashback*****
I felt suddenly very weak, and sat down to keep from collapsing to the ground in a heap.
"What were they talking about?" I managed finally.
James sighed. "I think they were talking about you."
"Tell me something I DON'T already know."
"Well - uh - I think that they were talking about Darren - Prince Darren of Ayortha."
"I was right." I whispered. "I KNEW I shouldn't trust him!"
"But who's Theodore?" James asked, wrinkling his forehead in concentration. "And who's this 'Queen Maydria' that they're talking about? And what IS their plan?"
"That's what we have to find out." I answered grimly.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
"Um, are you guys alright? You both look really pale." Ted commented as we met him at 6 where we were supposed to meet.
James and I exchanged glances. Should we trust Ted? James gave me a look that said, "You're the princess. I follow your orders".
I decided not to tell Ted. But I had some questions for him. "No, we're fine." I lied.
"Okay . . ." I don't think he believed us, but as long as he didn't ask questions, I was grateful.
"Hey, Ted, do you happen to know a "Queen Maydria" from anywhere?" I asked.
A frown crossed his face as he mused over that question. "No." he said finally. "I think I remember that name from somewhere - I don't know where. But it definitely DID NOT have the title of "Queen" when I heard it."
At least it was something. "Okay . . . Ted, do you know a Theodore of Frell?"
He stopped abruptly and stared at me.
"What?" I asked, startled.
He regarded me, and then said the one thing I hadn't expected. "I AM Theodore of Frell."
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A/n: Ooh! A cliffhanger! So, what's going to happen? You're not gonna find out till u review! BTW, thanks to all those who HAVE reviewed! You're the best!! *~*~AryaWinds~*~*