A/N: I know my notes typically go at the end. The bulk of them will be there – this is simply a message from me asking for any of you who generally skip the notes to read the ones at the end of this chapter. There's some very important information there. Thanks!
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Unknown
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It was funny; for someone who did a lot of sitting around in her room waiting for something to happen, Lianne found that when such behavior was forced upon her, it was really, dreadfully boring.
It felt like ages since Lianne had first awoken, and she had not discovered much in the idle time. Among the vaguely relevant information she had gathered was that her window faced west; the sun had inched into view some time before, and was now sinking out of site over the far horizon. The only other useful new knowledge was something Lianne could only guess. The windowpane was not at all frosted and only moderately cool when she pressed her hand to it. The climate here – here being, she very much believed, the Copper Isles – was much warmer.
She had discovered a great many others things during her last few hours of isolation, but somehow Lianne doubted knowing how many cracks were in the ceiling, or where on the wall the cream colored paint was a slightly darker shade, was going to help her much in the long run.
In the time spent not learning anything useful, Lianne compiled a mental list of things she would absolutely have to find out. The date, for one thing; she knew a very good ship, making no stops, could travel from Tortall to Lombyn Island, which she was almost positive was nearest, in about a week, so she certainly had been sleeping at least that long. To be logical, she probably had been sleeping even longer, considering the time it would take to get to a port from Corus. As near as she could figure, Lianne hadn't been conscious for near two weeks, at the very least, and this unnerved her greatly. It took powerful magic to keep someone in a stasis that long. Lianne had seen healers do it for the very sick or injured while they recovered, and on every occasion, the healer had come out looking much worse for the wear. She wasn't sure she wanted to imagine what it had taken to keep her unconscious.
Lianne couldn't help but wonder what was going on at the palace. She knew it probably would have taken them a bit of time to realize she was gone. It had been around midday when Hiresh had – had what? She wasn't entirely clear on what had happened, actually, other then recalling the turning around to leave – so Lianne assumed that by that evening, or the next morning at breakfast by the very latest, someone would notice that no one had seen her. Maybe they're already on the way to come get me, she hoped, wherever I am.
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January 28, 463 H.E. - 23rd year of the reign of King Jonathan IV and Queen Thayet
Corus, Tortall
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The difference in the palace, now that Hiresh was gone, was really remarkable, and Jasson couldn't have been more thankful for the change. The tense atmosphere that had heralded his arrival was thankfully gone; even Liam and Lianne, both having been absolutely no fun at all when the prince had been hovering around, had returned to relative normality. Not that Jasson was currently speaking to Liam.
It had been Lianne who had finally told him the full story of why Hiresh made everyone uneasy. At first, he had been angry with her too, especially since she had only actually given him the full story about three minutes before asking him to keep Hiresh well away from her whenever he could. Eventually, Jasson had gotten over it. After all, Lianne had only found out herself a few hours before. Liam, he was a totally different story. Jasson was sure he'd be angry for at least the rest of the week. Possibly longer, he'd have to see how it went.
It was for this reason that, when it came time to decide who to visit with during the free hours he could no longer spend in the city, Lianne was Jasson's obvious choice.
"I don't see what you like about this so much. It's boring."
Lianne did not look up from her book. "I don't recall locking the door. I'm sure you could get out if you tried hard enough."
Unable to resist making a face in her direction, he pushed himself up from the armchair he had deposited himself in when he had arrived and began pacing around the room irritably. "But there's nothing to do. Can't you read later?"
"This is a very good part," Lianne said, turning a page. "I want to see what happens next."
"You've already read that one; you know perfectly well what happens!" Jasson snapped.
She sighed. "Why don't you go find Liam? I'm sure he'd be much more interesting."
"Fat chance."
Now she did look up, one finger holding her place as she raised her eyebrows at his tone. "You two haven't made up?"
Jasson folded his arms and leaned against the wall behind him, frowning at her. "I don't have anything to make up for, I'm sure you recall."
"He told me that he apologized to you yesterday."
"Well, yeah," he shrugged, "But he wasn't sincere at all. I bet he was just doing it so you'd stop telling him to talk to me."
This wasn't entirely accurate. In fact, Jasson had to admit, it wasn't accurate at all. He braced himself for the exasperated scolding he'd probably receive when Lianne inevitably saw right through him.
It didn't come.
"That's not like him," she said instead, more concerned than annoyed, to Jasson's confusion. "Do you suppose he's mad about something else as well?"
Jasson, somewhat unsure if he was being set up, didn't say anything.
"I'll talk to him about it when I see him," Lianne went on, looking to her book again. "Honestly, I don't think I can handle the two of you bickering for another day."
Jasson stared at his sister for several moments, completely bewildered. Normally she'd have a comment for him if he told her that he hadn't done anything on a particular day, which wasn't usually even a lie, so much as laziness and a hesitance to relay the events of the entire day. Her lack of response to this was very unusual.
Huh, he thought. That's interesting.
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Unknown
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Lianne was just beginning to wonder if it was possible to quite literally die of boredom when a series of clicks caught her attention. She looked up sharply, just in time to see the door open slowly and Hiresh step inside the room, eyes settling on her quickly.
"Ah," he smiled. "You're awake."
For a moment, Lianne could simply gape at him, astounded by the nonchalance with which he had greeted her. When she finally managed to bypass the overwhelming shock, she shut her mouth with a soft snap and stood quickly, arms instinctively folding across her chest in a protective manner.
"The dress suits you," Hiresh said, looking her over in a manner Lianne found extremely discomforting. "I thought it would."
"Where am I?" she asked, knowing she was being extremely rude and not caring even a little bit. "What day is it?"
Hiresh crossed the room, shutting the cabinet door, which Lianne had left slightly ajar. Lianne, for her part, shadowed his movements in the opposite direction and did her very best to keep herself as far away from him as she possibly could.
"Jerykun Island, if you absolutely must know. And it is the 3rd of February, not that I can see why it matters."
"That's impossible," Lianne stared at him, "No ship is that fast."
His polite smile grew smug, and he allowed himself a briefly, humorless chuckle. "Perhaps none you have in Tortall are. You'll find a great many things are different here, Lianne."
"Don't call me that."
"I'm sorry I didn't have time to have your room better prepared for you," Hiresh said, ignoring her completely and glancing about at the bare surroundings. "I'll see what I can do about some distractions for you. Books, perhaps. I can't let you leave just yet, of course. I didn't go to all this trouble to have you run off."
"I won't have to," she replied, raising her chin in defiance. "My father will not take this kindly. People will come for me, soon I expect. You clearly didn't think this through."
His dark eyes focused on her, seemingly amused. "Oh, I disagree. And seeing as, of the two of us, I am the only one even remotely aware of what's happened in the last several days, I think you'll have to agree I am clearly the better judge."
"You're completely mad," Lianne said, slowly shaking her head with the realization. "Bringing me here could easily mean war and you don't even care."
He moved towards the door again, nonplussed. "Perhaps for other people; I think you'll find a great many rules do not apply to me."
Lianne scowled at his back as he opened the door, raising her voice slightly. "They'll come for me, and for you too, you know. And they'll burn this entire building to the ground to find you."
Hiresh glanced over his shoulder, eyebrows raised in a most skeptical manner. "Don't be ridiculous, Lianne. This building is made of stone."
He left, locking the door behind him, and Lianne stood very still, looking at the spot he had been standing in for quite a long time.
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A/N: Attention – please read this before reviewing! There are some very important things I have to say this go around.
-Starting this chapter, there are probably going to be a lot of questions that don't have answers right away, and small clues eventually leading to much bigger pictures. A lot of things are going to be revealed in very small parts, as the characters slowly gather information, but I hope some of you can put the pieces together before they do! All I ask is that if you do put a plot point together, you don't spoil it for everyone else in a review. For example, if through very careful reading, you realize Hiresh is actually an evil bunny overlord set on world domination, please don't leave a review along the lines of "Wow, I can't believe Hiresh is a crazed rabbit!" It ruins the surprise for everyone else. I'd be more than happy to talk about anything you've pieced together if you email me; I promise to reply!
-Also, a note about the timeline in this chapter, and probably the next one or two, as well: Both of Lianne's scenes take place on the same day, February 3rd – the interlude with Jasson back in Tortall actually takes place several days before. For the narrative's sake, we'll be jumping around a little bit. I hope it won't be too confusing. I'll try and get everyone back into the same time frame ASAP.
That's all – as always, thank you to everyone who has reviewed. 43 reviews – wow! You guys are the best.