Hey everyone! Sorry it took a little while to post but I've been having tons of marching rehearsals to prepare for the first football game of the season. Not to mention that I've had loads of homework and a flute audition coming up. I also should be getting my permit this week which I am so excited about. I'll probably be running through the halls acting like a maniac after I get it. Anyways… thanx so much for the reviews – I was actually skipping around the house after I read them (granted no one was home at the time). I'm gonna try to update about once a week hopefully.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot because the rest belongs to Tamora Pierce. And on with the story…
Raoul led the way as Kel and the others scrambled to grab another roll. Everyone was silent as they wound their way through the castle; the tension rising as they all tried to determine what had put Raoul into such a frenzy. Does this have anything to do with the animals panicking before dinner? Kel thought feverishly. And why didn't Raoul tell me anything when he came to fetch us? Surely a quick briefing would be alright so that we're not just walking into the unknown here.
"Jon?" Raoul asked at the door they had just stopped in front of.
"Come in," the king replied. Assembled in the conference room were many of the most important people in the kingdom. Kel looked around in slight awe as she saw that the king had also gathered up Duke Gareth of Naxen and his son, Duke Baird, the Lord Provost, Buri, Thayet, Daine, Numair, Lord Wyldon, and Myles.
The king took a deep breath before saying, "Let's begin then. I know that you all are wondering why I called you here on such short notice. The reason why I – Numair, can you please secure the room from any eavesdroppers?"
Numair looked startled from the sudden change of topic. He recovered quickly as his black magic filled the room making the mood more ominous.
"Thank you. Now, as I was saying, the reason why I called you here today is to discuss a crime that happened today. We've…" Jon cut off. He seemed to be finding it increasingly difficult to continue. Thayet reached over and held her husband's hand for encouragement.
This seemed to work as Jon continued, "We've just discovered that the Dominion Jewel has been stolen." Murmuring broke out all around Kel as she stood shock still. Who stole it? Was it an inside job? What were they going to do about it?
Jon held up a hand for silence. The angry whispers fell short as the king continued, "While I know this is a stressful situation, we must remain calm. If the rest of the Tortall was to find out about this, they would get scared. People do crazy things when they are scared and don't think they are safe. I trust all of you to keep this to yourselves. I called you here today to ask of you where you think we should go from here. I am asking you now to give me but a few moments of your time so that I can give you whatever information that I know." Jon looked around as he finished. Solemn but loyal faces looked back at him.
"I was informed that something was amiss when at around sundown Daine came to tell me that the country's animals were deeply disturbed. They had all clamored towards her looking for comfort. They had sensed that the land was somehow tainted and different. It didn't feel right to them. Daine managed to calm them down as Sir Myles, Duke Baird, and my Lord Provost all helped me try to get to the bottom of it all. After a short discussion, we agreed that the Dominion Jewel might have a glitch in it. I strolled down to retrieve it when I noticed that it wasn't there."
Jon paused before continuing, "I hurried back to the conference room where Daine and the others were waiting for me. I immediately told them what happened and asked Daine to see if the animals had seen any trace of someone hurrying away from the castle. An eagle had seen three hooded men galloping away on horses. He had been so scared though that he hadn't been able to tell us even in what direction they were traveling. He did mention though that one man's sword had some sort of jewel on it because it glinted in his eye in the fading sun. That is all that I know. I'm now asking for everyone to voice their opinions on what we should do about this."
A few moments of silence suffocated the room as everyone tried to absorb the news they just received. Merric was the first to speak. "Why don't we just send the Own after these rogues? These men wouldn't have a chance against them."
Raoul replied, "You can't just send the whole kingdom's army out at random when we are not at war. What'll happen when everyone in Tortall sees them leave? It'll create a panic. They will think we are at war or in trouble and we must not allow panic to spread."
"Right, because of course we aren't in trouble…" Gary muttered under his breath which earned him a stern glare from the Knight Commander.
"Nobody would panic though if there was just a squad that went from the Own or the Riders," Onua commented.
"But how would a squad by itself be able to find the rogues? There would be so much ground to cover. They couldn't possibly know which way to go," Thayet pointed out.
"Not if Daine went with. The animals can sense when the Dominion Jewel is near; that's why there's been so much more wildlife in the past few years," said Numair.
"Daine?" asked Jon. "Would you be willing to do that? It's really up to you. I can't force you to go on a potentially dangerous business. We don't even know what we're up against."
"I'll do it, Your Majesty. I'll help out in any way I can if it means calming down the animals," Daine replied.
Nodding, Jon said, "Thank you. I think we will need to send a squad of the Own instead of the Riders since they are more accustomed to battle situations. Raoul, do you have anyone in mind?"
Kel's stomach lurched as Raoul glanced her way. He wants me to go. A few jousts in a tournament are all well and good but reclaiming the Dominion Jewel is something that the Lioness should be doing – not me.
"I think, Jon, that Dom's squad would be very well equipped to head out. Many of the others don't have the experience that his has, and those that do are out doing border patrol or other duties," Raoul said, still staring at Kel though now there was a glint of amusement sparkling in his eyes. "Plus, it will be excellent training for Lady Kel. I am confident that she will do well."
You are a bad man, Kel thought as she glared back at Raoul.
"Very well. Are you both willing to take on this task?" Jon turned to them and asked.
Dom gave a curt nod. Kel turned to her king and replied, "Your Majesty, I don't think that I am the right person to be going on this mission." She gazed firmly into his startlingly blue eyes that fleetingly reminded her of someone else.
"Nonsense Mindelen. You've been in battle situations before and know how to keep your head. You might even be a better choice for the job than the Lioness though she's in no condition to go anyway," Kel's former training master imputed.
"You'll be great, Kel. Please come," Dom added for her ears alone.
A warm shiver ran down Kel's spine as Jon looked towards Kel for a response. She sighed before answering, "I will do this, Your Majesty."
"Good, we will need a mage to go with you as well. Just because one man had a sword doesn't mean they don't know how to do magic. Rumors of trouble would start going around if Numair went so it will have to be someone else," Jon said as he looked around the room.
"Well," Neal drawled. "Seeing as though Kel and my dear cousin will probably pine without me, I think I better come as well." Kel was able to keep a straight face at that though others in the room weren't including the Queen who quickly covered her smile with one hand.
Myles smiled and inquired, "What will the palace do to find out what is going on? If this group suddenly gets ambushed or lost, how are we supposed to know?"
"I'm sure the Darkings would be more than happy to help," Daine pointed out. "Some will go with us and some can stay here at the palace."
Jon nodded. "I believe that is everything then." He turned to Dom, Kel, Neal, and Daine. "The plan is to use the animals to follow the pursuers. Catch up with them as quickly as you can and get the Jewel back. Bring them back alive if you can, I know I would like to question them on how they found out where the Jewel was kept and how they got past the security measures. Raoul, did I forget anything?"
Raoul casually responded, "Try not to get yourselves killed as it's such a pain trying to hire new people to the Own."
Dom replied, "As long as Meathead here doesn't screw up, I think we'll manage."
Or as long as I don't mess everyone up, Kel anxiously thought.
"Alright, servants will pack what you will need and ready your horses. There's still a few hours left before daybreak so I suggest you get as much sleep as you can until then. Mithros bless." Jon finished.
Recognizing their dismissal, everyone got up and drifted towards the door. What have I just gotten myself into? Kel sighed.
All right, that's it for this chapter. I'll try to get the next one up sometime this weekend but I might not be able to because I have to get my homecoming dress on Friday, go to a college on Saturday for a band field trip, and finish up a vocab project for history on Sunday. I'm also supposed to have a non-alcoholic tequila party this weekend lol. See ya!