Is General Aleyn young? Is he hot? Is he gonna try and kill Vistra and realize that she's the most beautiful thing on two feet and fall madly in love with her? (I hope not)
And MagixPawn strikes again. No, General Aleyn is not young. (remember, he does have a son who has lived long enough for him to deem as utterly useless). And yes, he is gonna try to kill Vistra. And any sweeping off his feet that Vistra will be doing will involve a sharp blade, not her looks.
Are Vistra and Danel together or do they just fool around?
If by 'fool around' you mean intimate with one another in a sexual way, then no. The farthest they've gotten is touching (and no sexual touches either, but hugs and etc.), although Danel has tried to steal a kiss or two.
Does Nathan feel the same way about slavery as Vistra? If he does, can he use his rank (and Kenric's) to help Nobles' Bane?
Even though Nathan does feel the same way, he isn't suicidal enough to go about as a vigilante. And Nathan has no rank, only his wife does (and a very little at that). I would have to say that the only way a noble could effectively help is if they are very high in class status, have connections, or if they have a lot of money.
Isn't there some tracking spell that nobles' mages can use to track Axe by the magic he used at the jails and all? Haven't the nobles already tried to trap Vistra and company by setting up a fake hanging, and waiting for Nobles' Bane to show up and magically capturing them or something? If so, will we hear about it? If not, why not? What do the monarchs think about Nobles' Bane?
All of these questions are addressed later (geez, you *points finger at specific reader* are always the one guessing certain aspects of my plot). General Aleyn will toughen up on catching Nobles' Bane in a couple chapters. He hasn't yet, because he was arrogant enough to think that they weren't that much of a threat. But now he's starting to worry. And you will meet the monarchs soon.
Will there be any spoilers for the Protector of the Small Series?
There hasn't been in the parts that I've already written. And I'll make sure I keep the spoilers out for the rest of the fic. *smile*
What's General Aleyn got against Nobles' Bane? And is Ra'kaul the name of his fief? And what did General Alyen mean about 'getting rid of her'?
It's nothing entirely personal, like Lauryn, unless you count his injured pride. But he's a very powerful person (practically rules the country in the stead of the manipulative King Duane who was mentioned last chapter), and he doesn't like ruffians going about and ruining things. And Ra'kaul is the name of his fief, yes. And by 'getting rid of her [his wife]', he means he killed her. Of course. But being the considerate man he was, he made it seem like some accident.
How do you keep your characters straight?
I try to stay organized: I maintain a list of all my characters (even those single time appearing ones like Aarc) with whatever description/character that they've been given. (and there are more characters to come, too)
Author's Note: It's my birthday! On the twentieth! I'll be eighteen (Gads, eighteen already). Thanks to Larzdinn and Farah (aka: The Birthday Fairy) who already wished me an early b-day! Now, onto my relevant things. Oh, and for the reviewer who asked: I take all questions from reviews; I do not make them up. Hmm… I like this next chapter. It's got action in the beginning, and ends with Danel and Vistra on a more mellow note.
8. A Sweet Lullaby
Nobles' Bane: Chapter 6
There was a soft thud from somewhere behind him.
He turned, a frown on his face. "What are you doing, Char--"
Vistra struck, slinking out of the shadows and shoving her knife hilt deep into the soldier's side where his armor could not protect him. He groaned and slowly slid to the ground. Vistra pushed him over to the side, laying the soldier on top of his fallen comrade. She quickly freed her knife, wiping the blood off on the soldier's own sleeve.
"Jade is in position by the western stables. I've got two sentries down over here," she said as she straightened.
"Russet is in position on the north square. Two more soldiers down on my side."
Although he did not say anything, Vistra was able to feel her connection with Danel through the pin. He was…what was he doing?
"Cobalt?' she called.
And it came to her. He was laughing, that was laughter she was feeling through his end of the pin.
Danel chuckled. "Cobalt is in position by the southern shop. Five soldiers down."
She raised an eyebrow at this. "Five, Cobalt? And how did you manage that?" Soldiers often traveled and worked in pairs. Not odd groups of five.
"Let's just say that it was their lucky day," Danel said with another laugh.
She shook her head, and she knew that he could feel her exasperation through his own pin.
"Everybody intact?" Axe asked softly.
He wasn't asking about the soldiers, of course.
"I'm fine," Vistra reassured.
"No scratches over here," Danel seconded.
"Make sure we keep it that way," Axe replied.
"You ready, Bile?"
Bile turned his head and snorted at her.
"Wait for the drop," Vistra whispered into her collar.
She felt Danel and Axe confirm her order through the pin. They didn't speak.
Vistra watched as a mounted soldier who was obviously in charge raised his hand. When he dropped it, the man at the switch would pull the lever. And the platform right under the two men, each of their necks held by a thick rope, would drop away.
At best, their necks would snap immediately at impact. At worse, there would be rope burn and slow strangulation.
The mounted man dropped his hand; the man by his side reached for the lever, giving it a vicious pull.
There was a sudden whisk in the air. A moon disc was flying, flying…cutting into the ropes and dropping the two men through the bottom of the platform.
An arrow shrieked through the air, stabbing the man at the lever in the heart.
Vistra snapped out with her whip; the horse that the mounted soldier rode went crazy, bucking and kicking with sudden ferocity that could only be caused by fear.
There were shouts amongst the soldiers, but it was too late. Danel had already leapt into the fray, a couple more of his moon discs whirring through the air. Axe stood firmly in his own position, picking off soldiers one by one with his arrows.
Bile leapt forward, just as eager to get into battle. When he reached the mounted soldier's horse, he nipped the gelding on the butt, spurring him into more bucking and rearing. The soldier on his back finally lost his grip on the reins and slipped out of his saddle, and Bile jumped forward and started to cheerfully stomp down on the fallen man.
Just as good as an armed man, Axe had always said about Bile. Sometimes even better than one.
Vistra winced and shook her head. "All right, Bile, enough."
He snorted, pausing to stamp one last time before taking her to the platform.
The fighting was already over. With nine soldiers down before they had let themselves be known, more than half of the soldiers were already taken care of. And with Bile so easily stomping down on the leader, the rest of the surviving soldiers had fled, if, indeed, there were any.
"You boys took all the fun," she muttered.
"So sorry," Danel's cheerful voice came through her pin.
She pulled herself atop the platform and peered down into the pit the two victims had dropped into. By the looks of their red, scratched hands and fingers, they'd been trying to get themselves out from under the platform unsuccessfully.
"Need some help?" she asked, reaching down with a hand.
"Aye, that would be nice," one of the men grunted.
"And tell your friend with the flying blades," the same man said to her after they were both up on level ground, "to cut the rope before the platform is dropped. It would save us from a harsh landing."
She laughed. "I'll make sure he gets your message."
~*~*~
"Ouch! Watch where you're poking that thing!" Danel whispered to her.
"What? Oh you mean this?" she asked, jabbing him in the chest with her other elbow.
"Remind me never to lurk in the dark with you again. My ribs can only take so much."
"Oh? Would you rather be outside keeping Bile company?"
He cleared his throat. "On second thought…"
"Hush!" she whispered, squeezing his arm. "If you wake the sleepers up--"
"What'll they do? Hit us with their joyful cries? Stab us with their effusive thanks? Knock us over with--"
"Hush!"
Keeping one hand on the wall and one in front of her, she continued to step forward.
She cursed when she jabbed her knee onto a table leg.
She heard Danel chuckle quietly. "We could have just asked Russet for a little light--"
"No!"
It was an argument they always had while making their rounds to the homes in randomly chosen villages. Danel would ask for light, and she would refuse him. He knew, just as well as she, that they couldn't risk lights and drawing attention to themselves.
She reached into her pocket, pulled out a gold coin, and then set it on the table. She turned to Danel, careful not to hit her knee this time. "All right then. On to the last house."
He took her hand, and they snuck out of the house. Only to sneak into the next one over. But this time, Danel didn't need to ask for light. It was already provided for.
A little girl, perhaps six or seven, stood by the door entrance, staring at the two of them and holding a small lantern. "Hello," she said.
Vistra blinked. "Hello." She and Danel stood quietly, both of them surprised at being caught by such an expected person.
The girl looked her and Danel up and down, studying their black clothing and colored sashes. "Are you Nobles'--"
"Shhh." Vistra placed a finger over her lips, motioning for silence. "We don't want to wake your parents."
The girl, eyes wide, nodded.
"Here." Vistra held out her hand and when the girl opened hers, she placed a gold coin in it. "A present. Don't tell your parents until dawn."
The girl smiled. "Sort of like a secret?"
Vistra nodded. "Sure."
"Between you and me?"
"Between you and me," she agreed.
The little girl snuck a glance at Danel. "And him too?"
Vistra found it hard not to smile. "And him too."
The little frowned, as if to think about. Then she smiled, and the smile seemed to light up the room in a way that even the lantern could not.
"What are you doing awake at this time of night?" she asked softly.
The little girl glanced around almost fearfully. "I thought I heard something outside and was afraid. Will you tuck me in?" she asked hopefully.
Danel glanced at her; she ignored him. "Sure."
The girl took her hand and led her to her room. Danel followed behind her, his footsteps barely audible.
Once she was warmly settled underneath her covers, she smiled at them. "Thank you."
Vistra found herself smiling back. "You're very welcome."
The little girl closed her eyes, but Vistra found that she was reluctant to leave. Her legs felt heavy and she couldn't look away from the innocent little girl who lay inside her covers.
"Jade--" Danel started to say.
She silenced him by placing a hand over his lips. And then she opened her mouth and softly started to sing:
"Sleep, my child
Sleep, my babe
I will protect you
And keep the nightmares away…"
Danel stirred at her side, and he decided to join her for the well-known verse, weaving his deeper voice around hers.
Dawn may seem far
And the night an endless cloak
But I will always be here
And safety will always be near…"
The girl sighed as their song reached an end, but she did not open her eyes.
Vistra leaned down over the little child and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Sweet dreams," she said quietly. "And stay safe. Be safe."
She let Danel slowly pull her out of the girl's room and then her house.
Danel swung a light arm around her shoulders. "If she remembers your song in the morning, she will also remember that you are quite female."
Vistra shrugged. "That's all right. I don't care."
He turned his head to look at her, catching her gaze with his light hazel eyes. He gave her shoulder a light squeeze. "You are such a softie, you know that?" he teased her softly.
She snorted and waved a hand at Axe, who stood alone at the road with their horses by his side. "Tell that to the soldiers we killed earlier today. I'm sure they wouldn't agree with you."
He laughed. "Of course not. But they don't know you like I do."