Rob: Alright. I think you get what is Tamora Pierces and what is Caila's -cough cough- er... Ms. Fonseca's... yeah.
Caila: In other news, who is in love with the movie Singin' in the Rain? Its the best movie of all time. I got the soundtrack AND the Special Edition DVD set for my birthday xD Which was the day that i published this fanfic. Thats dedication xD
Rob: Of course thats dedication.
Caila; Anywho, on with the fanfic! I explain in this chapter why Cai's like, attitude sorta changed xD I'm coo' like that. ANd on with the reading! And REVIEW PLEASE! The review box is so lonely, with only 13 reviews. You guys can do better xD
"So Alan, what would you suggest in way of disguises. I was thinking Carthakis." Alan shook his head at Neal.
"No, not all of us. Most of us don't know the custom's well enough. I'd say Bahzir. Cai, how many disguises could you make in three days?" She thought for a minute before asking,
"How many people are on the ship?"
"Yuki, the Knights, one squad of the Own, two Rider groups, and if you want, the sailors. That's… 25 people. 16 men, 9 women, I think." A weary Owen walked in.
"Add another to the total of women on this ship." He sighed, and gestured to the door where Daine stood. Her brown curly hair tumbled out of it's pins, and she wore a simple blue shirt and dark breeches. Waving enthusiastically, she walked over and sat next to Neal.
"Daine-"
"Flew on board as a seagull. Alanna brought my pack aboard earlier. You'll need my help to get Kel. Plus, I brought the sparrows with me," She said cheerfully.
"By the gods, does my mother enjoy sneaking people onto ships? If she wasn't the champion, I'd say she could make a profession out of it. Alanna. Professional Sneaker of People aboard ships."
Cai snorted. "Anywho Alan, about these disguises. I can definitely make them all. It would help if Daine just took animal form though. And I'd need to meet with everyone I'm making disguises for."
"That can be arranged."
"Plus, I'll need some sort of charm for each person to put the spell in. And not all of us will be Bahzir. That's too obvious. I figure, a few Tortallan's, a Carthaki, a Scanran, a few Yamani, and then more Bahzir. It's going to be a merchant ship, right?" Dom nodded. "Then this works fine. I'll do your disguises tonight into tomorrow, and then start on the rest of the crew. Could each of you hand me something you wear, like jewelry, so I can put the spells into it?" As each placed the object in front of Cai, they felt some sort of explanation was necessary. Alan took a chain off his wrist and placed it in front of Cai.
"From my sister."
"My mother gave it to me before- well, you know." Owen explained about a ring.
Neal pulled out a gold chain with a locket and dropped it carefully on the table, with Yuki putting down an identical one. "Anniversary gift." Yuki stated. Dom hesitantly pulled off a silver chain.
"Cai, could I get this back quickly?" She raised an eyebrow, and Dom said quietly, "Kel gave it to me last Midwinter." Neal guffawed, and said,
"What? Did little Dommykins just reveal his feelings for a certain Lady Knight?" Both Yuki and Alan elbowed him.
"Neal, we've known forever." He grinned.
"We know, but does the object of his affections?" Noting the misty-eyed look his cousin now sported, he gasped, "You told her! How did she tak-" Yuki hit his hand with her shusken. "Ow, really dear, was that necessary?" She sighed.
"Sometimes Neal, you can be so exasperating. I take it she took the news well, Captain?" Dom looked at her in shock. "Oh, I've known about her liking you forever. I'm glad you two finally talked, else wise I was going to have to do something about it on my own. Now, why don't we let Cai start on the disguises. Cai, when you have them done, we'll meet back here.
"Now gentlemen, and ladies," She smiled at Cai and Daine, "I have to talk to Sir Nealan about annoying his cousin." The men hissed in sympathy, and Daine clapped Yuki on the shoulder. Cai stood, and after saying good night to everyone, walked back to her room. She settled down on the bed, and laid out all the items that were given to her. Picking up Dom's chain, she noticed a tiny heart inscribed with the word Kel on one of the links. Smiling, she called up her gift, and got to work.
Cai felt someone lean her back on the pillow, and draw the blanket up to her chin, tucking it in around her. Her eyelids fluttered, and as she opened her eyes she looked into the worried face of Alan.
"Cai, did you finish all of the disguises?" Cai nodded, and pulled the blanket over her head.
"Please don't yell at me, Alan. I'll bring them to everyone in the morning."
He pulled the blanket away from her face. "Cai, you made six disguises. I'm not yelling. I'm amazed. You've been working for what, two and a half hours? Go to sleep."
"No, I'm hungry. Can I get some food?" Alan nodded, and rose.
"I'll get you the leftovers. Can I send Dom in? He was waiting outside."
"Of course." Alan left, and Dom walked in.
"Cai? Did you finish?"
"Yeah. Here you go." She handed him the necklace, and then remarked, "Did you notice the inscription?" Dom blushed, and said,
"I had that put on there." Cai raised an eyebrow.
"So you loved Kel, and did nothing about it?" He sheepishly nodded.
"I though she was in love with Faleron or Merric. And before that, I know she was in love with Cleon." Cai grinned.
"Oh really? Hmm, then I guess that talk we had about Cleon wasn't true… about how the entire time she still liked you." Dom blanched.
"What?"
"Never mind. And your plans for after we rescue her?"
"Why are you asking me this, Cai?" She patted his shoulder.
"Kel is my friend. And well, my cousin. I want to make sure nothing bad would happen to her."
"Well… when we rescue her, I'm going to court her formally, and-"
Cai interrupted him. "Dom, you're in the Own. It wouldn't be fair to Kel, if you courted. Dom shook his head.
"I didn't want to tell anyone this, but since you're not going to let me and Kel be together without knowing, I'll tell you." He cleared his throat before saying hurriedly, "Raoul wants me to take over as Commander when he retires next year, and the Commander can marry. That's why I'll court Kel. He says that I've had more experience commanding than Flyn, and that he'll still help me out."
"Oh, alright then. Now Dom, I need to show you the other disguise I made for myself. I want you to tell me if it's believable." Slipping the necklace over her head, she bit her lip as a tear formed on Dom's cheek.
"Please take the disguise off. I don't want to think of her that way." Cai immediately pulled the necklace off.
"Sorry, Dom." She hadn't know it would be so powerful. Taking her original disguise of Kel, she had coupled it with her memory of beatings, and created a bruised and battered version of Kel. A knock on the door broke the awkward silence, and Cai walked to the door, tripped over a boot, and then opened the door.
"Here's your food, Cai. So, can I see these disguises?" Cai shook her head, mouthed the word 'later', and ushered Alan in.
"Dom, can you give these to everyone else? Their names are on the handkerchiefs wrapped around them. Thanks. And I'm sorry about- well, you know." Dom nodded and walked out of the room. Cai sat back on the bed, and Alan sat next to her.
"Cai, your mood is completely changed? What happened?" She sighed happily.
"Let's just say that when we rescue Kel, there's going to be one very happy Lady Knight. And I'm not talking about your mother."
Alan grinned. "Well, m'dear, can you show me you disguise now?"
"Alan, just to reassure you, this is just in case everything goes wrong."
"Cai?" She slipped the necklace over her head, and Alan looked at her. "No."
"Too late Alan. I've already made up my mind. If something happens, I'm slipping a necklace over Kel's head, and I'm taking her place. That's why I need this disguise. And Alan, you'll need to take my magic away, if it comes to that." He shook his head. "Alan, I have to do this."
"I know, but I don't want you to." He pulled her over until she was leaning against him, and Cai put her head on his shoulder, saying,
"Good night Alan." Closing her eyes, she slowly drifted off to sleep. Alan leaned her back on the pillow, and Cai felt him brush her forehead with a feathery kiss. The corners of her mouth turned up in a smile, and she rolled over in her sleep as Alan gently shut the door behind him.
Cai tossed and turned in her sleep, nightmares and visions flashing through her mind. 'Kel walking through the streets, veiled and accompanied by guards… Kel sitting in a room, bound and covered in bruises…'
"So my dear," A voice Cai recognized as Daniel of Qimat said to Kel. She saw Kel spit on the man's face, and he laughed and stepped forward. Cai felt a tremor run through her body, but cleared her head and marched over to Qimat, dragging him away from the Lady Knight.
"Cai?" She heard Kel say in shock, and she glanced down at her hands to see them glowing slightly.
Interesting… she said to herself, before she happily punched Qimat in the face. Walking back over to Kel, she sat down next to her and patted Kel on the hand, the only part of her not bound or covered with cloth and bruises.
"Cai? Is that really you?" Cai nodded.
"Apparently so. Have you heard of this happening before?" Kel shook her head.
"But is it really you? You could just be one of Qimat's people, trying to get information out of me or something like that." Cai sighed.
"Let's see. What would only I know… er… I've got it! A few things, actually. Number one, you gave Dom a silver chain necklace as a Midwinter gift. Well, that the entire group knows. Scratch that. Um… I switched places with you for Roald's birthday party, and you and Dom went up with Cleon to Mindelan, but you were attacked by a group of men who had kidnapped me? I picked up Alan's boots from the wagon bed, told you there was a wolf crest on the heel, and you cut me free using a dagger from the right boot?" Cai kept babbling, but Kel motioned for her to stop.
"Don't worry. I believe its you. How did this happen?" Cai shrugged.
"I have no clue. But don't worry Kel, we're al coming to get you. Me, Alan, Neal, Daine, Owen, Yuki, and your lover boy."
"Dom? He's coming?" Cai laughed at the sight of Kel trying to cover her broad smile with her mask.
"Yes. Don't worry about it, we'll get you out of here. I'll send him to get you personally. Well, along with at least Alan. But I think Neal, Owen, Daine and Yuki might have something to say about it. So don't you worry." Cai felt immense pain on her arm, and knew that her body had rolled out of her bed. "Ouch. Kel, I have to go back. But where are you?" Kel thought for a second before replying,
"I think I'm at his brother's house. It's farther south, in a town called Eles, further than Daniel's home. I go outside with his sister-in-law and her guards every afternoon. To give me a bit of hope, I guess. They, the ladies, think I'm Lady Qiana, who they, Daniel and Matthew, think is you. So…"
Cai sighed. "Yes, I'm the Lady Qiana. But I really have to go now. We'll be in Carthak in two more days. " Kel nodded, and Cai vaguely heard someone opening her cabin door and saying,
"Cai? Wake up, Cai-"
"Then go, Cai." Kel hugged her, and whispered in Cai's ear, "Tell Dom I love him and miss him, and he'd better get me out of here soon or I'll make him tilt with My lord." Cai smiled, remembering her conversation with Dom earlier. "What?"
"Er, nothing, Lady Knight. I'll be back soon. If I can get the hang of this, I'll be back once I reassure some people that I'm alright. Good luck." She hugged Kel again, and stepped back. Screwing her eyes shut, she listened to the quiet for a few moments before opening one eye hesitantly. "I'm still here, ain't I?" Kel let out a strained laugh.
'I see you're trying out a new talent,' Cai heard in her head. 'Let me help.' Cai glanced helplessly at Kel, saying,
"We'll get you soon. And I'll tell him," before she disappeared.
Cai woke up to see Alan leaning over her.
"Hullo," She said shakily, before he picked her up and hugged her to him.
'Bring back my lady knight, Lady Cai.' Cai swore that the voice sounded like it was smirking. 'She put up with me, I'm helping her. Tell her the chamber says hello, and that I have another job for her when she gets back.'
"Of course I'll tell her. But she probably won't listen until this whole thing clears up."
Alan looked at her curiously. "What did you say?"
"I said that out loud, didn't I?" He nodded. "Just ignore it. It was directed towards the… whatchamacallit. That Chamber thing." He blanched.
"The Chamber of the Ordeal?"
"Yeah, that thing. Anyway, we have to go further south, to Eles."
"How do you know?"
She sighed, and told him, "I've been getting visions. The nightmare before I was kidnapped, that was one. And just now. Except this time I was there." Alan looked at her questioningly. "I punched Daniel in the face," she said sheepishly. "Could you tell me where Dom is? I have something to tell him." Alan rose and pulled her up with him.
"Here, I'll show you." He led her to the mess, where Cai saw Dom sitting at the table, fiddling with his necklace, and writing on a bit of parchment. She shooed Alan out, and sat next to Dom.
"Dom, I have a message from Kel." He paled.
"What-"
"To make a long story short, I've just spent the past fifteen minutes talking with her. She told me to tell you that she loves you, and misses you, and that you'd better go and rescue her soon or you're tilting with My Lord Raoul." He cringed, but smiled.
"Thank you for telling me. Is she alright?"
"She-"
"And don't lie."
"Well," Cai said hesitantly. "She's bruised and battered. I'm going to try and contact again when I go back to sleep." She rose and patted Dom's shoulder before walking out of the mess. Alan stepped in front of her and drew her close, saying into her hair,
"I'm staying with you tonight. You'll injure yourself before long." Cai grinned into his shoulder.
"Really? I remembering a certain knight complaining about a punch of mine." He laughed.
"You've changed, you do know that." She lifted her head from her shoulder and looked at his face.
"What?"
"Your attitude. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but you've changed a lot. You're not as shy. And I don't think you're tripping and falling out of windows half as much as you were before." Cai muttered,
"Oh, so you were watching me when I fell into the room that day we met?" He smirked.
"But of course. I was wondering who you were, and then I ran into Dom. Perfect reason to find out who you were, why you were in Kel's room, and why you were falling into Kel's room. But why did you change your attitude?"
"Hah," Cai said weakly, before continuing. "It's one of those things that's hard to explain… but I suppose you wouldn't take that as an answer?" He shook his head. "Thought not. Lets see… its more like, you were a complete stranger. It took me forever to trust Kel, and just as long to trust Dom… I've made remarkable strides with you." She grinned, and hit his shoulder. Noting the questioning look in his eyes, she said, "No, I wasn't beaten before. But my father is strict. He yelled a lot. I know he loves me in his own way, but I got to thinking that everyone would do that. You know, yell at me for what I was doing wrong. So I just became shy, and talked to everyone quietly, not drawing attention to myself." Grimacing, she said, "And look where it's got me. On a ship, bound for Carthak, with a bunch of crazed knights, a Yamani, a Captain in love, and a Wildmage." He laughed, and patted her cheek.
"I can understand. But why did you trust me more quickly than Kel and Dom?"
"I really have no clue. Could we leave it at that? I'm tired, and I want to talk to Kel again, if I'm able to." He nodded.
"Alright, and-" But he was interrupted by Dom opening the door behind them.
"Cai, you said you were going to try and contact her again. Do you think you could try and give her this?" He handed her the folded piece of parchment and said, "Please tell her I love her, I'll see her soon, and there is no way I'll tilt with My lord. I'll leave that honor to Meathead." Walking off, he was smiling broadly, and even Alan had to grin at the sight of him. Alan steered Cai to her cabin, shutting the door firmly before laying down on the bed and opening his arms.
"Go to sleep. Go contact Kel. I'll be here."
"Alan, get out of my bed." She grabbed a blanket from the small chest, and an extra pillow, and threw them both on the floor. Rolling him over, she pushed him out of her bed, and sat down. "Good night." As soon as she closed her eyes she fell asleep, and felt herself falling into Kel's cell.
"Hullo Lady Knight." Taking the seat next to her, Cai tripped over one of the chains, but managed to sit next to Kel without further mishap. She pulled the parchment out from her pocket, grinned, and handed it to Kel. "Brought you this. From your one true love." Kel happily took the letter and started to read it, blushing slightly. "He says he loves you, he'll be here soon, and that Meathead will have the honor of tilting against My lord." Kel grinned.
"Let's talk. I can read this later. Have you been alright?" Cai nodded. "Well, what have you done?"
"We went to Qimat, and Alan told Idania that I was his pregnant wife. Just to get us in. The nerve! And then he was yelling about how my mum must have been Idania. And I got really mad at him, but when I woke up it was really nice and then we left and I got mad because he wasn't letting me come to get you and so I snuck out, followed them, snuck aboard, and here I am. Oh, and the Chamber says hello and that they have a job for you when you get back. Whoever 'they' are." Kel looked at her strangely.
"Take a deep breath, and repeat that. Slowly." Cai sighed before she said it again.
"Cai, do you like Alan?"
"Er… why do you ask?" Kel laughed.
"Because when I asked you what you had done, all you did was talk about Alan." Cai started to argue, but said,
"Mithros. He can't leave me in peace, can he? He just has to discover I'm gone." Kel raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, and who would that be?"
"Our wonderful Sir Alan. Hold on one second, I think I've got the hang of this." She imagined herself back in her room, and found herself sitting on Alan.
"Cai, you sleepwalk, did you know that? You've already stepped on me once, and now you've sat on me. She glared at him.
"Fine. Sit on the bed, and make sure I don't sleepwalk. I'm going back to Kel now. Catch me." She drifted off, and felt Alan pick her up and put her gently on the bed, settling himself behind her.
"So anyway, Kel, why don't we discuss you and Dom?" Kel blushed. Cai started to laugh, but stopped as the door opened.
Here goes nothing, Cai thought, and she was invisible to everyone. The man who walked in was none other than Matthew of Qimat.
"Ah, Keladry, I thought I heard another person in here. I would be mistaken, no?" Kel shrugged. Cai walked over to where she stood and patted Kel on the shoulder. Whispering in her ear, Cai said,
"We'll come for you," Before disappearing. She woke up once she was inside her own body, and hit Alan on the head.
"I said sit on the bed, not lay down with me!" He laughed, and just tightened his arms.
"In the words of a very smart lady, I'll be here for you." Cai raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, and who said that?" He shrugged.
"I don't remember. Maybe my mother?" Cai lifted herself out of his arms and started to settle herself on the floor before saying,
"Hey! This is my room. You, out!" Alan tried to make himself look as forlorn as possible, but Cai just pushed him out of her bed and lay down on it. "Good night Alan. Close the door after you." Rolling over, she waited a few minutes, but didn't hear the door open, much less click shut. She tilted her head over to see the rest of the room, and saw Alan lying down uncomfortably on the floor, pretending to be asleep. His red-gold hair flopped over into his eyes, and Cai's fingers itched to straighten it. Alan cracked open one eye and noticed Cai staring at him intently. He let out a sigh, and then turned from side to side, by all appearances seeming to be having a nightmare, or at least trying to find a soft spot on the wood floor.
"I know you're awake, Alan," Cai whispered. "And I know you didn't listen to me. So now you'll have to suffer." She rolled back over again, only to tilt her head back to face the room when she felt someone breathing on her. Cai's nose brushed Alan's, and she started into his eyes.
I never realized it before, she thought, but his eyes have purple flecks. Slowly, Alan raised his hand to trace the lines her cheekbone and jaw made. Flinching a little at his touch, she whispered,
"I guess you could stay here, if you must." Breaking his gaze, she looked down at the blanket on the floor, and sighed. She patted the bed next to her. "But no snoring. All Thatcher's need to get their full amount of beauty sleep. Or Kolep's. I'm confused. And tired. Good night." Alan shook his head with silent laughter, and lay down next to her, pulling Cai into his arms.
Kel leaned back against the wall of the room, and smiled to herself. Reaching into her shirt, she drew out the folded piece of paper that was there and read it again.
Kel-
Alright, so I'm writing this to you now, because I need something to release my emotions. Figuring this will never get to you, and if it does I'll already have rescued you (because that's what I am, a strong gallant Commander-type who just lives to get you out of the messes you cook up. Might I remind you of Scanra?) , or I'll, quite ingeniously, have found a way to get this to you in your predicament. Where was I? Oh yes. Releasing emotions. I'd just like to tell you that I love you, and that if you die I'll be quite mad at you. Oh, and Raoul will be quite mad at you. And at me as well. He even told me so much. His parting words to me, as far as I can remember, were,
"Masbolle, bring her back in one piece. And she'd better have a good reason for abandoning me during the balls. And Dom, I will be quite mad if you don't bring her back."
Yes My dear, he did say that. He expects a thorough explanation as to why exactly you decided to go traipsing off to Carthak. I tried to explain that you had no choice, but he waved it off. So start thinking of acceptable reasons.
I suppose you could always tell him that you were running off to marry me. Which brings me to part 15 of my rambling. Or was it only Part two? I'm not sure. But Raoul asked me to take over as Commander of the Own. Not Knight Commander. Just Commander. And not Commander of just third company. Commander of the entire she-bang. Quite silly, since I'm not a knight, but that's not my good news. Me. Commander of the King's Own. Which means we could marry. Or I could at least court you, and be able to follow up on it. At the moment, I would pick either option. And leave the other open for discussion.
Of course, we could always marry first and then I could court you. I don't have a problem with that.
We're all doing fine. Neal is here with me (Alanna said he was going crazy in Corus and she had to drag him down here.) Owen still thinks everything is jolly. Including rescuing you. Or, I mean, draggin' you back to attend the balls with Raoul. Even though he and Buri are married, he still dreads the balls and the matchmaking mothers. He's convinced that none of them will remember he's married. I told him, they should take one look at the fierce K'Miri at his side and run away. Alan and Cai are seeming to do fine. We caught them in Alan's rooms a few hours ago. Nothing happened, at least I don't think anything happened, but a certain disgruntled knight terminated Meathead's listening spell before I could talk to him. Yuki snuck aboard with Cai, and Daine apparently snuck on board as well. After I write this, I'm just going to have another look around the ship, and make sure that we don't have any more stowaways. I've been reminding them all to eat their vegetables, Mother, so don't you worry. Just hang in there, and I'll be there soon to get you.
Cai just came and said she talked to you, and is going to talk to you again. I'm going to be able to get this letter to you anyway. You picked a good one there, Kel. She's worried about you, you know. Which is good, especially since- Well, I'll let her tell you that.
Much love, my Lady Knight, and Protector of the Small. And don't cringe at your nicknames. I know that's probably what you're doing right now. And don't try and throw anything at me. Or trounce me with your spear.
I don't want to lose you, just when I've found you. Come back to me. I promise, I'll let you play tricks on Meathead with me. Only think of what would happen if you weren't there to divert attention from me, and leave opportunities for me to escape! And I have a really jolly, in the words of Owen, trick to play on him that involves a bucket of mud and some hair dye… Meathead would go crazy without you there. So would I. And Raoul. And Buri. And Alanna. And Owen. And Yuki. And Shinko. And Roald. And Merric. Do I have to keep mentioning names? I would, but I can hear Cai outside the mess door. I have to get this to her now, before she tries to speak with you again.
I love you so much, my lady knight of Mindelan, my Protector of the Small, my Keladry… My Kel. I'll be there soon.
Dom
Grinning happily, Kel closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of a certain blue-eyed man.
