(AT LAST! It took me forever to get this chapter up, I had to analyze George's speech patterns first hehe...Wild Magic helps lots...that and mybeta editor is NEVER on AIM...Whatever...please R/R, I'm begging!)
With a sigh, Dan stepped out of the cover of the forest. They would have gone into the city, he thought. He followed along far enough behind to not be seen and once Lys and Alanna had gone into the Dancing Dove, he stood leaning against the wall outside. This would take some doing, but he was going to get in. He watched as the sun set and snuck around the back. He grasped the sides of the building carefully and pulled himself up onto the window ledge. Inside, curled up asleep on the floor was Lys. He knocked on the window quietly, trying to get her attention.
Lys awoke with a start, something or someone was at the window. She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes, and stared blankly at the closed window. A boy stood there, he was trying to get her attention but she couldn't see who it was in the dark. She walked closer and realized who it was suddenly.
"Dan?"
She opened the window and he climbed in.
"Come on."
He grabbed her wrist and started pulling her towards the window.
"N-no...I ain't goin' back, Dan. This be where I belong. The Goddess sayed so, Ma sayed so."
"So, ye'd'ruther stay here with these folks what you don't even know than to go back home?"
"Scanra ain't my home no more, it ain't been since Da..."
"Ye ain't still upset bout that...ye're such a girl..."
Lys glared at Dan and pushed him towards the window.
"I be a girl, Dan, an' if ye can't handle that, ye'd best be goin' back to Scanra!"
Alanna tossed in her sleep and Lys shoved Dan out the open window. He hung on to the ledge and then dropped down to the street below in a controlled fall. Lys lay back down on the floor and curled up, trying in vain to return to sleep, visions of Dan calling her and beckoning her filling her mind.
Dan looked up at the once again closed window and cursed under his breath, apparently he'd be staying in Corus a little longer than he had planned. Muttering to himself the whole way, he walked back around to the front of the inn and walked in the door, hoping both to find a warm place to stay the night and perhaps a job worthy of his talents since his stay had been lengthened indefinitely. Every country has a Rogue, he thought, and every Rogue needs bright, young thieves in their court. He sat down in front of the fire and stared into it. A man walked up beside him and sat down.
"Evenin', lad, what're you doin' all by your lonesome in a place like this?"
"I were lookin' for me friend, sir. But she ain't gonna come back home wit me...she found herself a new home, she did."
"And you were hopin' to get yourself a job so you could stay round these parts for a spell and keep an eye on the lass."
"Aye...how'd ye know?"
"Just a guess. Listen, lad, I'll give you a shot, I'll guess you was lookin' for work with the Rogue, am I right?"
"Aye..."
"I ain't the Rogue, but I can help you. I need able bodied lads who can listen well, sneak about and nick things an' ne'er get caught."
"I can."
"Have you got a gift?"
"I ain't, I've got the sight."
"Perfect." A smile crossed the man's face, "Sneak into the castle tomorrow 'round high noon. If you can find me, the job be yours."
"Of course, sir."
"An' no more of this sir nonsense, I ain't no gentleman, I work for a living. You can call me George."
Lys tossed and turned all night and when the sun shone in the window, she felt as if she hadn't slept all night. Alanna was already sitting on the edge of the bed, her things all packed and her riding breeches on once again.
"Ready to go?"
"Aye, Ma."
"Everything alright?"
"Yes'm, I had a dream bout a friend, that be all."
Faithful rubbed up against Lys, purring softly. Lys reached down and patted him on the head.
"We'll be arriving at the Swoop later on today. I just have to—"A knocking on the door interrupted Alanna. "hmmmmmm..." She stood slowly and opened the door wide enough to see out into the hall. "GEORGE?"
"Some greetin', Lass."
He grinned at Alanna and stepped into the room. He pulled Alanna into his arms and kissed her. Lys' eyes widened as she watched this unfold and then she spoke quietly.
"Ma? What're ye doin'?"
George jumped clear up into the air and stared at Lys.
"What'd I miss this time, Lass?"
"I found Lys, or really I should say she found me, up in Scanra."
George's mind was whirring; Lys was back, from Scanra no less, at the same time as a lad with a strong Scanran accent appears seeking means to stay in the area to keep an eye on his friend...his friend who just happened to be girl, a girl who had found her home. The lad was Lys' friend.
"Ma, who be he?"
"He's your da, Lys. Which reminds me, George, Who's running the Swoop right now, if you and I are here?"
"Thom o' course."
"Of course...Lys and I'll be heading there today. We'll ride straight through and make it by night fall."
"Sounds like a plan, Lassie, good luck to you."
"And you'll be doing what?"
"Testing a new lad, o'course."
"New lad?"
"Aye, he's got the sight and seems to have a thief's way about him."
"Good luck, and come home soon, Laddybuck."
"I will, Lass, I will."
George kissed Alanna again and then left to go to the palace. Alanna began to cart her packs down to the stables and gestured for Lys to follow.
"Ma, why'd ye say he be my Da? Da be...in Scanra."
