(( and now for another chapter, Thank you as always my reviewers, your reviews are much wanted and appreciated. Thank you Travelling Mord Sith, I do try.))
Sage woke up with the early morning light streaming through the slight gap in the curtains, he looked over to Shey who was still sleeping, with a soft smile Sage detangled himself gently from Shey and quietly pulled on fresh clothes, he could here a someone moving round the outer room. Frowning he padded over to the door and went out. It was that same damned servant as before, the one that always kept coming to clean the rooms early in the morning not matter what Sage had said or done, he kept coming back. He would really have to do something, but he didn't want to get the man into trouble for doing his job. As he walked out into the main rooms the servant, Kiro was kneeling on the floor picking up some papers he had appeared to knock off the table. He looked up startled when he saw Sage standing there or more to the point leaning on the door frame. "Sorry Lord, I caught them, they slipped" the man spluttered an apology Sage waved a hand to stop the apology "Accidents happen" he said with a smile, "Besides they are only letters so no harm done" Sage stood and went to pick up the last of the letters, Kiro moved out of the way. When all was set to rights Kiro moved to the door.
"I'll come back later Lord" He said with a nervous bow and then he left. Sage was sure that he was still scared from that first meeting, he had tried to tell the man that he hadn't meant to scare him so, but the servant looked at though he hadn't believed him. Not that Sage could blame him, many servants were scared by nobles, generally not on purpose but there was always some who liked the aura of fear around them.
Looking for and finding his boots he pulled them on. He walked to the window and opened the shutters, looking out he saw that the day promised to be good, blue sky and a few white clouds. He decided to go to the practise yards and train with the men at arms for a while or if not them the Own would welcome a chance to fight with him. Not bothering with the sheath for his unique sword he carried it in his hand. He left a note on the table for Shey telling him were he had gone, he unlocked the outer door and then left only stopping to close and relock the door. Sage walked through the almost deserted palace, not many nobles were awake at this time of the morning, only servants and merchants, pages and some squires. As he walked many people would stop and talk to him for a few minutes, many more would simply call a greeting as they passed. He was liked by many people, he took the time to talk to the ordinary people and find out about them and how they were. Finally he made it to the practise yards, seeing who was out this early in the morning he smiled when he spotted some of the Own on the far side of the grounds. He drifted over to them slowly and sat on the fence to watch them whilst they fought each other. These men were expert fighters at what ever weapon they chose, mainly swords but some went for other weapons, like long daggers or knives, spears and the odd axe. He watched as they fought each other, with jibes and comments. Then Halid, one of the newer men, pulled off a block against his opponents sword blow. That made Sage laugh. It was one that Sage had been teaching them. The opponent took off his helm and shook out his hair. It was Domitan, the look on his face was priceless, because even though Sage had taught them some moves they were rarely used. Dom shook hands with Halid and the turned to Sage.
When Sage was ready he tied his hair up using the braids to secure it in a knot. Then he drew he sword and tossed aside the sheath. He walked out on the open ground and faced up to Dom, they both saluted and then stepped back from each other. Dom circled round Sage one way and then the other, swinging his sword in fake attacks testing Sages guard, Sage didn't disappoint. He swung his own blade in blocks timed so that he made Dom think that he wouldn't block in time. "Don't worry old man, I'm still faster then you" Sage told him. Swinging his blade just in time to block an over head swing.
Dom smiled showing his teeth "Then I wont hold back on you Boy" he replied.
Sage didn't have time for a reply as Dom stepped up his attacks and thrusts looking for a way in, Sage speeded up as well, turning Dom own attacks on himself from time to time, Sage ducked under thrusts coming close to the other mans sword to make an attempted blow, stopping short of a hit he would pull back and resume trading blows. After a long time of this, they both reached a dead lock at the same time, Sage had moved his blade for a strike at Doms neck at the same time Dom moved for the same blow. They stopped dead blades at each other necks. "Truce" Asked Sage "Truce" Agreed Dom. Both of them carefully moved their swords away from the other. They shook hands and then they went for drinks. By the time they reached the fence two others had taken their place on the grounds. Sage thrust his sword into the ground and sat down next it. He took the water bottle offered by Dom and drank from it. Halid came over cleaning his own sword, his face was lit up he had not see Sage fight before. "Sirs that was amazing!" He told them sitting on the fence. "I have never seen fighting like yours before" Halid told Sage.
"Neither will you unless you go to his home land" Dom told the solider. "A truly unique style" Sage grinned and wiped the sweat from his eyes. That fight had been trying, he still couldn't fight with his right arm as well, it was still stiff. Dom knew this and made sure that he attacked Sages right side twice as much as his left, so he could lean to adapt and compensate for any loss of movement and it was working well. He would now be able to hold his own in a proper fight again. "Sirs can I ask something please" Halid asked.
"Ask away" Sage said stretching his legs out and reaching down to touch his toes, with a graceful ease that made Dom cringe. As Sage's forehead touched his knees. Halid asked.
"Why did you call Dom an old man, you are the same age aren't you" Halid asked.
Dom let out a laugh, "Well sort of" He said. Seeing Halids confused look. Dom laughed harder. Sage sat and poked Dom in the leg.
"Don't be mean tell the poor boy" He told him.
Dom calmed down enough to talk, "We are the same age and then I am one year older, depending where you are. You see, Sages people only start counting when the child is two in our counting, one in theirs, it all to do with the season the child is born in, in Sages country their seasons are nearly twice as long as ours" "So here I am twenty six, back home I am twenty four nearly twenty five" Sage said standing with a smile. He patted Halid on the shoulder he was trying to work it out, "Don't" warned Sage, "you'll get a headache".
Halid was shouted by one of the other men and so he had to go. He bowed quickly and then left shaking his head. Sage gave Dom a hand up and then they walked off to the mess for something to eat. More people were around now so the que for the food was building, they stood in line talking about the fight and different weapons.
Back in the palace. Shey had woken to find himself alone, he pulled on his clothes and wandered into the main rooms, despite the servants that cleaned it in the morning it was still a mess. Shey guessed that Sage had sent them away again, he smiled Sage hated strange people in his rooms no matter when. He caught sight of the letters he had left on the table the night before, they had been moved, as if knocked off the table and then put back on again in any order. Whilst he was sorting out the letters he caught sight of the note that Sage had left for him. He knew it was from Sage before he even read it, Sage was the only person that Shey knew of who wrote so terribly and with such a scrawl. He read the note quickly.
Woke up, you were sleeping, didn't want to wake you.I am at the practise grounds, will come back later when you are awake.
Sage.
Shey scrunched up the note and put it in his pocket. He wandered around the room tidying it. When all was set to rights he went for a walk along the walls, he didn't bother with breakfast, he closed the door and set off looking at the big clock as he climbed the stairs to the wall he saw that it was nearly mid day. He had slept late. Well he always did, Sage was the one who was up with the dawn. As he reached the top of the wall he saw that no many people were about. Perfect a quiet walk, he set off along the top of the wall nodding to the guards that were up there. He did use to talk to them, but a new sergeant had shouted at them, so now he waiting until there off duty. Reaching a corner of the wall he sat on it his legs over hanging the side. Below him was the forest, it was lovely this time of year all the trees were greens and browns. He looked down at the trees not really seeing them, his mind was wandering playing over all things that he had to do. He sang an old tune to himself as he thought.He caught sight of a messenger riding up towards the palace fast. The messenger threw himself from the horse and fled into the palace. After a long while a servant came out of the palace running for the barracks of the Kings Own. Commander Raoul was not far behind strapping on his sword. Shey swung his legs round to the other side now he could see that the whole of Riders and Own barracks were a hive of activity. Shey had a feeling that something big was happening. But it didn't involve him so he stayed on the wall watching it all. He saw two companies of The Own ride out followed by three of the Rider groups. Things settled for a while. Shey decided to go for a look and see what the fuss had been about. On his way through the palace he encountered Sage, Myles and Jon coming the other way. "Shey we need your help" Jon said his voice serious. "If I can" Shey said looking to Sage for a clue about what they wanted. But his face was angry, as if he didn't want something to be asked or happen. Shey looked to the King waiting, but instead of telling him, Jon motioned for them to go into a side room. Sage went in last and closed the door waving his hand silver fire sped from his hands to cover the room, ensuring no-one outside would be able to hear what was being said inside the room.
Sage then sat on the window sill not looking at Jon or Myles. Jon stayed standing but Myles sat down he looked weary. Finally Jon explained what was happening. "You cant go back to the Copper Isles" Jon told Shey. "Whoever is using you as cover for leaking information has just tried to kidnap the man we sent in your place last night." Shey sat straight this was bad, that meant that this other person knew about him and what he was doing. "What will you tell" he began looking at Myles. Myles knew straight away what Shey was asking about "It will be dealt with. The rulers had people killed last night or so I am told, players and musicians that had allegedly been singing songs about how bad they are at ruling." Myles looked at Shey, "You will be among them and he will be told" Shey nodded numbly he didn't know what to say, he would miss that old man in a strange way. He had been nice. "Shey" Myles said gently "you cant ever go there again as yourself, you understand that don't you" Shey nodded. "We need you to go with the men tomorrow, they are going to the refugee Camp Greenlands, we know that Magar has a spy in there but we cant find them and it would be unethical for us to make all the refugees submit to truth tests" Shey nodded that was true. "So Myles has told me how good you were, so I would like it if you went there and helped us to find this spy." Jon paused "Also it would mean that the spy who is hiding behind your arrivals would have to find someone else" Shey nodded again it made sense in a way, people would look if someone made clear about when the attacks happened and he didn't want to be on the receiving end of a mob.
"I will go if I have to" he told Jon and Myles.
But instead off looking happy they both looked sheepish, as if there was something else that neither of them wanted to ask. It was Sage who turned from the window and stood, he still looked angry, but he had a visible restraint on himself.
"What they are not saying and what they want me to, is that they want us to have a big public argument about you leaving for this camp, resulting in you leaving in temper" Sage said his face flushing. "A lovers tiff" He added in Talasan. With a angry hand gesture. Now Shey could see why Sage was angry, not because he was being sent away, well maybe that played a part, but the fact that Jon and Myles wanted them to have public argument. Sage hated shouting or arguing private things in public.
Shey suddenly stuck on a idea, he caught Sages eye and gave him a small nod. Sage turned away if Shey wanted to go then he would have to let him, he knew it would be selfish to make him stay.
Unaware Jon and Myles only saw Shey nod in what they thought was agreement, "You leave tomorrow until then we will leave you in peace" Jon said. He turned to go but had to stop when he reached the door. Sages spell was still in place. He coughed slightly Sage waved his hand with out looking at either of them and silver light shrank back and down. Jon went to say something but Myles caught his arm and pulled him out of the door. Shey followed them and after a moment Sage to.
Sage stalked along behind Shey twirling his braids a sign that he was angry. He knotted the end of one and un-knotted it as he walked. Outwardly all would think he was calm but Shey knew otherwise. Sage didn't say a word until the outer door was locked behind them. "Sage I have to go" Was the first thing Shey said. Sage said nothing his back to Shey. "That I don't mind, I know it would cruel and selfish for me to want you to stay with me all the time, but I only just got you back again, and to make it a public argument" Sage turned, ranting his out his pent up anger. He stopped when Shey laughed. Shey walked over to him and laid his hand on Sages.
"Who said we were to argue in common"! He said in Talasan a smile on his face. Sage stood thinking then he smiled "And if we argue in Talasan, No one would understand us" He said switching languages half way through his sentence. Shey simply smiled. "I think it would be a good idea if you were to do a little drinking over the situation" Shey said turning back to room and moving away to look for his bags.
Sage left with out a backward glance making sure to slam the door as hard as he could the guards at the far end of the corridor took one look at Sages face and tried to pretend that they weren't there. Sage stalked off down the corridor and stopped for a moment outside the main hall, the servants told him that the King was in attendance but not the queen, she was feeling slightly ill due to being with child. The servant was about to announce Sage but he stopped the man with a shake of his head. He stalked into the room, looking like he was pretending to feel, angry and a mess, his hair was loose and tangled from him twisting it. His clothes weren't untidy just informal. Jon raised an eyebrow to him and Sage deliberately ignored him making sure people saw. He sat at the table furthest from the king, he was sitting with men at arms, this didn't bother the men but it set all the other nobles talking, how Sage was slighting the King in such a public way. Sage spent the night in all appearances drinking. This worried some of his friends including Numair. Sage had never drunk this bad and never in public. After the King had gone Numair walked down to Sage. "What are you doing" The other Mage asked sitting down next to Sage. "Appearing to be drunk" Sage slurred back, "All part of our wonderful kings plots, I am playing my part and tomorrow all will watch." Numair looked to the now empty chair were Jon had been sitting. He knew that something would happen and it wouldn't be good, not one little bit good.
As the night wore on, Sage was seen to be drinking more and more, finally he dismissed the servants took the wine bottle and staggered back to his room shouting at and slurring to the guards in Talasan and common. Finally he collapsed onto his bed with a sigh.
Early next morning Shey looked over his horse one last time. Happy the horse was fine. Shey tied on his bags and walked his horse into line with other that would go out to Camp Greenlands. Then he turned and walked the horse out into the waiting yard, many of the other people who were travelling to the camp were there also waiting for the few last people. A sudden quiet at one end of the yard started, quickly it spread through the people, Shey turned round, the reins in one hand. His stomach flipped it was Sage, looking like, well, looking like hell. His clothes were the same ones he had on yesterday they looked as if they had been slept in, and Shey thought that, that was likely. Sages hair was a terrible mess, it hung lankly round him, making his face paler and his eyes were bloodshot with huge bags under them. Sage lent on a wall as if standing was hard. People moved out of the way quickly, Sages face showing anger and pain. "So you leave me then?" Sage asked quietly his voice carried fine though. Shey gripped the reins of his horse making it skitter, with shaking hands he tied the horse to a post and then turned back to Sage, who was waiting for answer.
"Please Sage, don't make this any harder" he said his voice shaking.
"Who for you or me, I mean its not as if I meant nothing" came the cruel reply. Sage stood, swayed and then wobbled down towards Shey.
A Ostler ran from the yard to find Jon or Numair or someone this looked as though it could be bad, halfway to the castle he almost ran into Numair, "Master Numair, its Master Sage, he's drunk, Shey" The Ostler stuttered. Numair nodded.
"Go and find Jon, he should know about this". Numair commanded. The Ostler ran off at full tilt and Numair carried on to the waiting yard, he could hear, Sage voice raised. As he rounded the corner and walked into the yard. The people had parted with Sage and Shey in the centre, Sage was blazing with Mage fire, but Shey was standing his ground, they argued in Talasan with the hand gestures Numair would have guessed them to be angry, but as he could understand what they shouted. He had to stop himself from laughing, true they were using raised voices. But they were actually having a conversation about what they would do later. Then they went onto discussing nobles and there scandals. Jon came hurrying down with Alanna behind him. From the look on Jons face this was not what he'd had in mind. Sages Mage fire dimmed and then went out. Shey said something. Numair nearly choked trying not to laugh, he had just said something rude about Jons expression. Sage turned and saw Jon, he made a gesture to him and then to Shey. "Well then go, its over" Sage shouted in common at Shey and then turned and stormed out of the yard. The people moved back from Sage. Shey moved away as if hurt, he turned to his bags for a while. Sage paused for a second by Numair.
"Don't tell please" He asked in Talasan with a look to Jon.
"I wont" Numair said looking at Jon. Then Sage stalked off.
Shey rode to the gate on his horse, people were tip toeing around him now. They had guessed what the fight was about. Just before they went through the outer gate he half turned and saw a figure standing on the topmost battlements, they were dressed in black and had long braids. "See you soon dear heart" He said to the Sage in Talasan.
Sage stood and watched Shey ride out, he saw the man turn and say something he was too far away to see or hear but he could guess what Shey had said. The wind blew his hair and clothes. A tear rolled down his face. Steeling himself he turned and left the battlements. He walked to his rooms passing Jon on the way.
"What was that" Jon asked. And when Sage didn't stop he called "Where are you going".
Sage kept on walking, he called over his shoulder. "That My Lord King was what you asked for an argument and now I am going to bed" With that he entered his rooms sealed them with a spell and fell into his bed for a real sleep.
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