Kari Kaiba ~ Not sure yet, and ur welcome. And thnx 4 reviewing & glad u
liked it & I know it's weird. LoL.
Luv*a*lot ~ OMG ur review was hilarious! I was laughing so hard when I read it cuz it just seemed so funny! Yes, it was the 26th when I got it so THANK YOU!! LoL I know the chapter was different but it just seemed . . . nice to have a funny chapter in somewhere, so yeah . . . And yes I really liked Cyra, and I really want you to update and for those who are reading this . . . READ CYRA!!! It's good! Okay and what else?? Oh! New story? Cool! For what? And . . . ok, glad u like the twists, I have a bunch more I'm gonna throw in at ya guys . . . and LoL, I thought that the "want tea?" part was the best part ~ LoL ~ and YES! I am sooo TOTALLY satisfied with ur review as a present! It was my longest and funniest present!! Thank you, you are AWESOME!! (Wow, that was a LONG response, and most of it was just jumbled up together . . . oh well) Oh, and BTW, u were my 100th reviewer!!! How cool is that??!
Dorkeegirl168 ~ Cool! U really think so?? Hehe, I'm so happy! Yeah, I think Cordelia's cool! Hehe, wait for a while, I think Cordelia might just pop up (later on) in the story. Hmm, interesting how most Chapter 15 reviewers commented on her. Interesting . . . yep and new outlook to Lord Donovan, huh? I thought it was new . . . I mean, how many bad guys that u know would really be that dumb?? And yes, I'll take ur vote again (seriously!) LoL, and thanks for reviewing!!!
Babyjayy ~ Thank you; I luv being unpredictable!! It's just so much more fun to read!! (Not to mention write!)
Sheba, Queen of ~ THANK you! And, don't worry, you were only one day late with the "Happy Birthday", but that was perfectly fine because 1) you were considerate enough to remember and mention it and 2) because everyone in school said "happy birthday" a day late, too! (But that was because we had a snow day on my B-day . . . Yay!) As for the Lela romance thing, most people so far have voted Ted, because . . . well, I don't know, they just have! But don't worry, if u like James, (as do quite a few others), I'm gonna make him (and those who like him) happy soon enough!
Stormcloud ~ Thank you, and I'm so glad that u also enjoyed the humor in that chapter! And I'm very happy about the way the ending came out *beams proudly* so to have u mention that is fantastic! Thank you for reviewing!
Butterflygrl ~ Wow! Thank u for the really nice review! That was so sweet ^- ^ I'm so happy!
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
We ghosted through the hallways, silent and careful. We didn't want to run into the guards again.
All along the way, James kept sneaking glances at me, until finally, exasperated, I said, "What?!"
"Where'd you learn to fight like that? I thought you never knew how to use a sword until Ted taught you."
I pondered that. How HAD I accomplished that?
"She's got a natural flair for sword fighting. Not unusual, but not many are born with such talent." Ted stated matter-of-factly.
I should have been proud, but the way he said it, it didn't really sound like a compliment - more like stating simple facts.
"Wait here a minute." Ted said suddenly. He shot through a door to our right, disappearing into its depths. He returned a few moments later, panting, as if he'd been running, but his eyes glittered with secret triumph.
When I asked him what he had been doing, his only response was, "Later, Lela." He stopped, looking horrified, for a minute. "I meant, Your Highness."
I glared at him. "Don't you dare call me that, Ted!"
He shrugged. "Well, you are, aren't you?"
I sniffed huffily and didn't speak to him any more after that.
Finally, after a while of walking with our breaths held in fear of being discovered missing, we managed to find our way outside. By random guessing, maybe, but nevertheless, we were outside, away from Lord Donovan. There were no more meetings with guards or anyone else, to our great relief.
"Hmmm, interesting manor he has," said Ted, musing, as he looked at it from the outside. "He's got way too many hallways, if you ask me. And way too many rooms."
"Not to mention dungeons," James said darkly.
"We have to get away from here." I said urgently. "He's going to find us missing soon."
"Did anyone else besides me think that was the weirdest escape and kidnapping in all the history of Kyrria?" James asked.
I agreed wholeheartedly. The entire thing just didn't seem real.
"Oh!" Ted said suddenly. "I forgot." He pulled a small box from his pocket. The fairy trinket. Silently, he handed it to me.
"Oh! Thank you so much! I totally forgot them when I - I -" I faltered, not wanting to remember my idiocy in walking out of camp.
"Your welcome." Ted said, without even looking at me.
"Wait! What about the - book?" I asked.
Ted looked puzzled. "What book?"
"My - the one I had with me - it was bound in leather, old-looking . . ." I tried to explain.
"Oh - that. It's in the box." Ted informed me.
I opened the box, silently calling upon my fairy book. It was there. So was everything else.
I gave Ted a hug. "Thank you!"
"It was nothing." Ted mumbled, although he was blushing. "It was just lucky that I put everything away in the box before the guards walked into the camp."
"S-so . . ." James said, "What do we do now?"
"Besides get out of here?" I shot back. We were walking now, towards the village, where we would probably seek help.
"Yeah, after that."
"Well," Ted mused, "I could go to the village and pick up some supplies or whatever we need, and you two can wait for me here."
"Why?" James asked. "We want to stop Maydria, right?"
Ted was grinning. "I think you answered your own question. Why? Because we need to stop Maydria. And we have to find her, and defeat her, and only then will the royal family be safe. So walking into the village won't help much. We need to stop the problem at its heart. We're going after Maydria."
"Shouldn't we warn my - the royal - the king and queen?" I said. I was still unused to addressing my parents as anything other than that, but I had forgotten Ted already knew my identity.
Ted gave me a strange look. "Well, I guess so . . ." he said slowly. "You guys - you can go back to the palace and warn them. I'd go after Maydria, though. Just because you warn the royal - your parents - doesn't mean that they'll be safe, or that Maydria will stop her conquest."
"And HOW are we supposed to find Maydria?" I asked.
Ted, grinning, pulled out a map that he had hidden, and showed it to us with a flourish.
"Where'd you get this?" James asked, completely astonished, as he looked at the detailed map of all the villages and towns.
"Stole it. I'm a thief, remember?"
"No, you're not." I corrected, "You're a noble, and nobles don't steal."
"You would know." Ted muttered. Then, he added, "Your Highness."
I slapped him.
He stared at me, taken completely by surprise. James looked shocked as well. I wasn't usually like this.
There was an unsettling silence.
"S-so . . ." James said, rather uncomfortably, "Um, you stole it?"
Ted nodded, still looking at me.
"That's what you went into the room for?" James asked.
"Yes. And the map shows everything. We can find Maydria - no problem."
"Won't we need knights and people trained for fighting?" I queried. "I can ask for knights at the palace."
"Wouldn't it be easier for just a few people, though?" James countered.
"Won't Lela need protection if she's princess?" Ted asked.
I glared at him. "Didn't I protect myself well enough back there with the guards attacking?"
He didn't answer that question. "But it would endanger Kyrria if you were killed or injured or anything happened to you . . ."
That was the last straw.
"You know what?!" I exploded finally. "I'm sick of being treated like royalty, all right?! I HATE being a princess!! I can't even meet someone who will treat me like a decent human being and not a doll! I thought you were different! But you're all the same!! All of you!!"
I spun on my heel and stalked away. I didn't want them to see the tears in my eyes. I didn't want them to know how much it had hurt that Ted couldn't even take me seriously.
I hated being royalty.
James followed me, as I knew he would. "Lela, he's just trying to be cautious. He's right, you know. We can't have you dying or anything. It's too risky."
"You too?" I said, sounding choky. I felt disappointed and totally betrayed. James was supposed to understand! "Can't anyone see that I'm trying to be normal? That I'm trying to live a normal life?? I hate who I am!!"
James was quiet. Finally, he sighed. "Fine. Be that way."
He turned and walked back over to Ted. They were discussing something in low voices. I couldn't hear, but I didn't care what they were saying, anyway.
A few minutes later, James came back. "Ted went to get supplies and stuff," he told me.
I didn't answer him.
I heard him sigh, and then he said firmly, "Okay, Lela. He's gone, and you are going to tell me what is bothering you."
"No I'm not."
"Yes you are," he insisted, sounding so like his stubborn self that I just had to laugh, despite my tears.
"I don't know. Ted did say that he killed someone, but he didn't say who. And I said that he lied to me, but I just lied to him even more, by hiding my identity. And I don't know how Ted feels about that. He hasn't even said anything beyond "Your Highness". I mean, I would understand if he's mad, but he doesn't say so. Or even act like it. And to top that all off, now we have to go after Maydria, who is an evil rampant fairy. And . . ." I trailed off.
"And you want to go home?" James asked gently.
I looked down. I would never admit it, but I was beginning to miss the palace - and my family. But I couldn't admit that to James, because I HAD decided to leave.
"Lela, if you want my opinion, you really should apologize to Ted."
Oh, great. Just what I wanted to do, I thought sarcastically.
Too bad he was right.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
Ted came back about fifteen minutes later, carrying a bunch of supplies. James and I were waiting for him in a hidden part of the woods. We had decided that this would probably be the last place that Lord Donovan would look for us if he found us gone. He would be expecting us to be in the village.
"So, everything set?" Ted asked with feigned cheerfulness.
James cast me a look. I sighed. So much for pride. "Um, Ted, can I . . . talk to you for a second?"
"Why not." Ted agreed. "I think we really DO need to talk."
James gave me an encouraging grin and melted off into some other part of the forest.
I took a deep breath. "Ted, I'm really sorry. For lying and . . . everything. I just didn't want you to think of me as anyone but myself."
"And why would you think I wouldn't?" he said, sounding hurt.
"Because . . . because . . . I don't know, because no one else treats me like a person instead of a princess!" I said, frustrated.
"You don't like being a princess?" he asked softly.
I shook my head and said vehemently, "No way! I want a normal life! I'd do anything to not be a princess."
"Okay, then, Lela, everything is forgiven and forgotten between us." He said, grinning.
I was grateful that he used my name again, not my silly flowery title.
James reappeared out of nowhere, grinning. "Now that wasn't so hard, was it Lela?"
I made a face at him. Ted grinned, and then he sobered again. "Um, I have to apologize too . . . for, um, keeping stuff . . . from you guys . . ."
"You mean about the thing where you killed someone?" James asked curiously. "Lela said it, not me," he added hastily when Ted looked at him.
"Yeah . . . well, it was a guard. I just know that a few months ago, some person tried to attack me, for no particular reason. I assumed he was a guard, because he was wearing a uniform of one. And we kinda fought for awhile with swords, and I cut him, and I think he died after that."
"You THINK?" James queried.
"I don't know." Ted admitted. "I ran away."
"Why would he just attack you though?" I asked. "Or does that have to do with the whole noble thing?"
"I don't know." Ted said again.
James shook his head. "This entire thing is way over my head."
"Too complicated." Ted agreed. "But what about you guys?"
James and I exchanged a glance, and then we told Ted everything. We kept no secrets this time, because sometimes, secrets are hard to keep.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
When - finally - everything was cleared up between all of us, we decided to leave.
Of course, we all had doubts.
Maybe what we were doing was foolish. Maybe we should have gone back to the palace instead. But we didn't - we went on, to fulfill our quest, which was to completely destroy Maydria.
We would be the ones to help save Kyrria. So, following the map that Ted had stolen, we set off towards Maydria's castle.
Nobody saw the shadow that slinked behind us, silently following.
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Luv*a*lot ~ OMG ur review was hilarious! I was laughing so hard when I read it cuz it just seemed so funny! Yes, it was the 26th when I got it so THANK YOU!! LoL I know the chapter was different but it just seemed . . . nice to have a funny chapter in somewhere, so yeah . . . And yes I really liked Cyra, and I really want you to update and for those who are reading this . . . READ CYRA!!! It's good! Okay and what else?? Oh! New story? Cool! For what? And . . . ok, glad u like the twists, I have a bunch more I'm gonna throw in at ya guys . . . and LoL, I thought that the "want tea?" part was the best part ~ LoL ~ and YES! I am sooo TOTALLY satisfied with ur review as a present! It was my longest and funniest present!! Thank you, you are AWESOME!! (Wow, that was a LONG response, and most of it was just jumbled up together . . . oh well) Oh, and BTW, u were my 100th reviewer!!! How cool is that??!
Dorkeegirl168 ~ Cool! U really think so?? Hehe, I'm so happy! Yeah, I think Cordelia's cool! Hehe, wait for a while, I think Cordelia might just pop up (later on) in the story. Hmm, interesting how most Chapter 15 reviewers commented on her. Interesting . . . yep and new outlook to Lord Donovan, huh? I thought it was new . . . I mean, how many bad guys that u know would really be that dumb?? And yes, I'll take ur vote again (seriously!) LoL, and thanks for reviewing!!!
Babyjayy ~ Thank you; I luv being unpredictable!! It's just so much more fun to read!! (Not to mention write!)
Sheba, Queen of ~ THANK you! And, don't worry, you were only one day late with the "Happy Birthday", but that was perfectly fine because 1) you were considerate enough to remember and mention it and 2) because everyone in school said "happy birthday" a day late, too! (But that was because we had a snow day on my B-day . . . Yay!) As for the Lela romance thing, most people so far have voted Ted, because . . . well, I don't know, they just have! But don't worry, if u like James, (as do quite a few others), I'm gonna make him (and those who like him) happy soon enough!
Stormcloud ~ Thank you, and I'm so glad that u also enjoyed the humor in that chapter! And I'm very happy about the way the ending came out *beams proudly* so to have u mention that is fantastic! Thank you for reviewing!
Butterflygrl ~ Wow! Thank u for the really nice review! That was so sweet ^- ^ I'm so happy!
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
We ghosted through the hallways, silent and careful. We didn't want to run into the guards again.
All along the way, James kept sneaking glances at me, until finally, exasperated, I said, "What?!"
"Where'd you learn to fight like that? I thought you never knew how to use a sword until Ted taught you."
I pondered that. How HAD I accomplished that?
"She's got a natural flair for sword fighting. Not unusual, but not many are born with such talent." Ted stated matter-of-factly.
I should have been proud, but the way he said it, it didn't really sound like a compliment - more like stating simple facts.
"Wait here a minute." Ted said suddenly. He shot through a door to our right, disappearing into its depths. He returned a few moments later, panting, as if he'd been running, but his eyes glittered with secret triumph.
When I asked him what he had been doing, his only response was, "Later, Lela." He stopped, looking horrified, for a minute. "I meant, Your Highness."
I glared at him. "Don't you dare call me that, Ted!"
He shrugged. "Well, you are, aren't you?"
I sniffed huffily and didn't speak to him any more after that.
Finally, after a while of walking with our breaths held in fear of being discovered missing, we managed to find our way outside. By random guessing, maybe, but nevertheless, we were outside, away from Lord Donovan. There were no more meetings with guards or anyone else, to our great relief.
"Hmmm, interesting manor he has," said Ted, musing, as he looked at it from the outside. "He's got way too many hallways, if you ask me. And way too many rooms."
"Not to mention dungeons," James said darkly.
"We have to get away from here." I said urgently. "He's going to find us missing soon."
"Did anyone else besides me think that was the weirdest escape and kidnapping in all the history of Kyrria?" James asked.
I agreed wholeheartedly. The entire thing just didn't seem real.
"Oh!" Ted said suddenly. "I forgot." He pulled a small box from his pocket. The fairy trinket. Silently, he handed it to me.
"Oh! Thank you so much! I totally forgot them when I - I -" I faltered, not wanting to remember my idiocy in walking out of camp.
"Your welcome." Ted said, without even looking at me.
"Wait! What about the - book?" I asked.
Ted looked puzzled. "What book?"
"My - the one I had with me - it was bound in leather, old-looking . . ." I tried to explain.
"Oh - that. It's in the box." Ted informed me.
I opened the box, silently calling upon my fairy book. It was there. So was everything else.
I gave Ted a hug. "Thank you!"
"It was nothing." Ted mumbled, although he was blushing. "It was just lucky that I put everything away in the box before the guards walked into the camp."
"S-so . . ." James said, "What do we do now?"
"Besides get out of here?" I shot back. We were walking now, towards the village, where we would probably seek help.
"Yeah, after that."
"Well," Ted mused, "I could go to the village and pick up some supplies or whatever we need, and you two can wait for me here."
"Why?" James asked. "We want to stop Maydria, right?"
Ted was grinning. "I think you answered your own question. Why? Because we need to stop Maydria. And we have to find her, and defeat her, and only then will the royal family be safe. So walking into the village won't help much. We need to stop the problem at its heart. We're going after Maydria."
"Shouldn't we warn my - the royal - the king and queen?" I said. I was still unused to addressing my parents as anything other than that, but I had forgotten Ted already knew my identity.
Ted gave me a strange look. "Well, I guess so . . ." he said slowly. "You guys - you can go back to the palace and warn them. I'd go after Maydria, though. Just because you warn the royal - your parents - doesn't mean that they'll be safe, or that Maydria will stop her conquest."
"And HOW are we supposed to find Maydria?" I asked.
Ted, grinning, pulled out a map that he had hidden, and showed it to us with a flourish.
"Where'd you get this?" James asked, completely astonished, as he looked at the detailed map of all the villages and towns.
"Stole it. I'm a thief, remember?"
"No, you're not." I corrected, "You're a noble, and nobles don't steal."
"You would know." Ted muttered. Then, he added, "Your Highness."
I slapped him.
He stared at me, taken completely by surprise. James looked shocked as well. I wasn't usually like this.
There was an unsettling silence.
"S-so . . ." James said, rather uncomfortably, "Um, you stole it?"
Ted nodded, still looking at me.
"That's what you went into the room for?" James asked.
"Yes. And the map shows everything. We can find Maydria - no problem."
"Won't we need knights and people trained for fighting?" I queried. "I can ask for knights at the palace."
"Wouldn't it be easier for just a few people, though?" James countered.
"Won't Lela need protection if she's princess?" Ted asked.
I glared at him. "Didn't I protect myself well enough back there with the guards attacking?"
He didn't answer that question. "But it would endanger Kyrria if you were killed or injured or anything happened to you . . ."
That was the last straw.
"You know what?!" I exploded finally. "I'm sick of being treated like royalty, all right?! I HATE being a princess!! I can't even meet someone who will treat me like a decent human being and not a doll! I thought you were different! But you're all the same!! All of you!!"
I spun on my heel and stalked away. I didn't want them to see the tears in my eyes. I didn't want them to know how much it had hurt that Ted couldn't even take me seriously.
I hated being royalty.
James followed me, as I knew he would. "Lela, he's just trying to be cautious. He's right, you know. We can't have you dying or anything. It's too risky."
"You too?" I said, sounding choky. I felt disappointed and totally betrayed. James was supposed to understand! "Can't anyone see that I'm trying to be normal? That I'm trying to live a normal life?? I hate who I am!!"
James was quiet. Finally, he sighed. "Fine. Be that way."
He turned and walked back over to Ted. They were discussing something in low voices. I couldn't hear, but I didn't care what they were saying, anyway.
A few minutes later, James came back. "Ted went to get supplies and stuff," he told me.
I didn't answer him.
I heard him sigh, and then he said firmly, "Okay, Lela. He's gone, and you are going to tell me what is bothering you."
"No I'm not."
"Yes you are," he insisted, sounding so like his stubborn self that I just had to laugh, despite my tears.
"I don't know. Ted did say that he killed someone, but he didn't say who. And I said that he lied to me, but I just lied to him even more, by hiding my identity. And I don't know how Ted feels about that. He hasn't even said anything beyond "Your Highness". I mean, I would understand if he's mad, but he doesn't say so. Or even act like it. And to top that all off, now we have to go after Maydria, who is an evil rampant fairy. And . . ." I trailed off.
"And you want to go home?" James asked gently.
I looked down. I would never admit it, but I was beginning to miss the palace - and my family. But I couldn't admit that to James, because I HAD decided to leave.
"Lela, if you want my opinion, you really should apologize to Ted."
Oh, great. Just what I wanted to do, I thought sarcastically.
Too bad he was right.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
Ted came back about fifteen minutes later, carrying a bunch of supplies. James and I were waiting for him in a hidden part of the woods. We had decided that this would probably be the last place that Lord Donovan would look for us if he found us gone. He would be expecting us to be in the village.
"So, everything set?" Ted asked with feigned cheerfulness.
James cast me a look. I sighed. So much for pride. "Um, Ted, can I . . . talk to you for a second?"
"Why not." Ted agreed. "I think we really DO need to talk."
James gave me an encouraging grin and melted off into some other part of the forest.
I took a deep breath. "Ted, I'm really sorry. For lying and . . . everything. I just didn't want you to think of me as anyone but myself."
"And why would you think I wouldn't?" he said, sounding hurt.
"Because . . . because . . . I don't know, because no one else treats me like a person instead of a princess!" I said, frustrated.
"You don't like being a princess?" he asked softly.
I shook my head and said vehemently, "No way! I want a normal life! I'd do anything to not be a princess."
"Okay, then, Lela, everything is forgiven and forgotten between us." He said, grinning.
I was grateful that he used my name again, not my silly flowery title.
James reappeared out of nowhere, grinning. "Now that wasn't so hard, was it Lela?"
I made a face at him. Ted grinned, and then he sobered again. "Um, I have to apologize too . . . for, um, keeping stuff . . . from you guys . . ."
"You mean about the thing where you killed someone?" James asked curiously. "Lela said it, not me," he added hastily when Ted looked at him.
"Yeah . . . well, it was a guard. I just know that a few months ago, some person tried to attack me, for no particular reason. I assumed he was a guard, because he was wearing a uniform of one. And we kinda fought for awhile with swords, and I cut him, and I think he died after that."
"You THINK?" James queried.
"I don't know." Ted admitted. "I ran away."
"Why would he just attack you though?" I asked. "Or does that have to do with the whole noble thing?"
"I don't know." Ted said again.
James shook his head. "This entire thing is way over my head."
"Too complicated." Ted agreed. "But what about you guys?"
James and I exchanged a glance, and then we told Ted everything. We kept no secrets this time, because sometimes, secrets are hard to keep.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
When - finally - everything was cleared up between all of us, we decided to leave.
Of course, we all had doubts.
Maybe what we were doing was foolish. Maybe we should have gone back to the palace instead. But we didn't - we went on, to fulfill our quest, which was to completely destroy Maydria.
We would be the ones to help save Kyrria. So, following the map that Ted had stolen, we set off towards Maydria's castle.
Nobody saw the shadow that slinked behind us, silently following.
*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*