Taking Flight: Chapter 4

One More Surprise

Disclaimer: The world of Shannara is Terry Brooks work.

Lilly woke as the first strand of sunlight flittered through her window and fell across her face. She lifted from the comfortable bed and smiled as she saw that the day was going to be a beautiful one, with clear blue skies and sweet warm breezes. Lillieanna got up from her bed and began to change. She got dressed in her new training clothes for today was the first day of lessons. Lillie quietly opened her door and walked down the small hallway leading to the front of the house, she stopped suddenly as she noticed that all of the bedrooms in the large cottage were empty. Lillie continued walking softly wondering where her family was. Just then she heard laughter flutter through the air from the kitchen. Lillieanna walked towards the kitchen smelling the wonderful fragrance of her mother's cooking. She slipped through the small opening which led into the kitchen and found her mother and her oldest sister sitting quietly at the table.

"Good morning sleeping beauty," her sister said with a smile, "I would have thought you would be the first one up today, but I guessed wrong."

Lillie looked puzzled, why was everyone awake already? Her mother saw the quizzical expression written on her face and she was about to explain when Lillie's father came inside through the back door and smiled at his young daughter, "Ah, Lillie, finally your awake! Come outside, there is another surprise awaiting you!"

"Father, I love your surprises and thank you very much for the gifts and the privilege to represent you at the weapons mastery, I will do you proud!" Lillieanna announced as she looked at her joyful father.

"I see the clothes are a perfect fit," Emulov said to her daughter as she hugged Lillie, "You will do all of us proud my little Lillie."

Lillieanna smiled to her supportive family as she followed her father outside. On the front steps of her home all of her sisters were sitting there giggling over a young man, whose back was facing Lillie. She almost smiled, but the small smirk vanished when the man turned around. It was Janish Kallan; the richest, most conceited, egotistical, vain man in the entire village. Lillieanna's sisters and all of the village's women craved the chance at marriage with him, but Lillie hated him.

Lillieanna had hated him ever since he had gained acceptance to become a Wing Rider over ten years ago. He had no idea how to handle a Roc, and his heart would not give him the capacity to care about anything, and yet he got the job. This angered Lillieanna more then anything, but it was not her place to say so.

Janish turned around and saw the fire of hatred in her eyes and said, "Ah, Lillieanna, what a pleasure to see you again!" he continued as if he enjoyed hearing himself speak, "I have come here to congratulate you and offer you the best wishes possible. It has been ever so long since I have seen you..."

As he continued to speak Lillie's patience was growing thin, but instead of back lashing, as she might have done if she would not disgrace her father, she simply allowed her mind to wonder. She was thinking about why Janish had really come, he was not one to make pleasant visits. She noticed the large bundle of flowers he carried, and she looked carefully at the leather faced, man in front of her, who was almost fifteen years her senior and a thought struck at her. He was growing older, but he had not chosen a wife yet... "NO!" Lillieanna shouted out loud.

Everyone outside looked at her in shock and her sisters began whispering the usual theory about her being crazy. Janish and her father smiled as they both understood that Lillieanna was not a dumb girl and that she figured out the meaning of this lovely trip.

"Lillieanna, I know this will be an astonishment, but I am in of a wife and I believe you would make an interesting addition to my family. I want you to be my wife, so of course the flowers are for you." Janish said as he thrust the bouquet in her hands, "I want us to marry as soon as possible, which means that you will have to cancel your training, so that you can devote yourself to being my wife. I was thinking we could marry on the back of my Roc, Erif. I'll be flying high! What do you think?"

There was only so much nonsense Lillie could take before she blew up. "First and foremost, I will NEVER marry someone, who makes me sick just to look at and I will NEVER marry someone who loves themselves so much there could be no more room for anyone else in that cold hate-filled heart of yours! Secondly, Rocs are not a possession and you should not have been given the right to fly. You can't even teach yourself to pick out your clothes, let alone to train a Roc! You are a moronic idiot!"

Jaws dropped and eyes popped as everyone, including some of the neighbours, who heard the screaming, gathered around. Her sisters were completely silenced by the stunning comments. Janish had a look on his face of pure heated loathing, but Lillieanna's father was laughing loudly, doubled over. Finally when Raleid had calmed himself down, he said "Well, Janish I told you she would never agree to marry you, but since you had to hear it for yourself..."

Janish Kallan puffed himself up and the look of utter disbelief was forced from his face. He reflected coolly, "Fine, Lillianna, I look forward to our lessons together. Ah, didn't I mention I'm the Weapons Mastery Instructor," Janish looked smugly at Ralied and then turned to Lillie, "See you this afternoon."

As Janish turned to leave, Lillieanna hugged her father and almost cried, but when Jansih turned back to give one last smug smile, his Roc, Erif, grabbed Janish by waist of his pants and took off flying. Janish Kallan was flying high alright, and he was sceaming too.

I'm still working on the story, but I hope you like it! Please review! Thanks a lot!