A/N: What can I say? Its been a hectic couple of weeks. I tried to make this one a bit longer as a sorry. So please read and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I wished upon a star that I could own this, but then I told someone. Not only did they laugh at me now it won't come true. Darn. Well, I DON'T own this world and many of the characters but a few I do.
I know the beginning is a bit confusing.
x...:...x
Liam closed the book biting his lip. He felt bad, sitting in his room when people down in the city were being hurt. It sat wrong in his chest as if he should be doing something but, alas, he'd been confined to his room.
Only a few days ago, delegates from . . . what had they said again? Ah, yes, Karucia. They wore red and black uniforms with a silver horse rearing on the left breast. That alone had surprised him. He remembered thinking, Red, black and silver . . . where have I seen that color scheme? Then it struck him as he remembered the bracelet.
For a split moment he thought perhaps this all had something to do with the bracelet. Had it been something important in Karucia? If so, why did Arra have it? And supposing, also, that it was important in Karucia how long had it been missing and how did they track it to Tortall?
But talk about the bracelet never came. The delegate's words brought both relief and confusion:
(flashback)
He bowed low. The man had asked for a formal meeting with the King and Queen of Tortall. "I represent Karucia in this meeting," His tone bordered on being informal. "I apologize for being so straight forward but I come in serous business that cannot be put off."
Jonathan and Thayet nodded for him to continue and he did: "We have reason to believe that our Princess Semarra is here in Tortall. King Emereth would like his daughter back at home in Karucia."
"What has led you here?" King Jonathan questioned.
The delegate gave a small smile. "We would know. And further more our Princess has been pinpointed to this area, Corus."
(end of flashback)
Liam rubbed his temples slowly. He felt sure if he tried he could piece together . . . something, he wasn't sure exactly what but there was something there. He just wasn't sure he wanted to know. But still there sat that need, that want, to know. It was almost a competition of wanting to know and fearing what the knowledge would do.
He sighed.
Liam wasn't sure what exactly his father had said but he'd caught word that he'd said something to the effect of, "Your princess isn't here, I assure you."
That apparently had made the delegate angry, or frustrated for he left without a pleasant look on his face.
All of it raised too many questions. The questions themselves couldn't be identified, only as a swirling of confusion. Or maybe he didn't want to put words to them.
Liam lifted the bracelet again from the table which sat in one of the farther corners of his room. Looking at it brought only the relief that Arra would be coming back at all. Somehow he knew she didn't speak falsely when she promised. A sudden thought hit him. Had Arra always been shrouded in such mystery? Had he just now noticed this about her? Or had the mysteries just sprung from the ground like a weed?
The days that passed after the delegate came seemed what could be best guessed as peaceful but looking back perhaps they were eerie. Liam didn't know when exactly it started or when it was official they were under siege but it most definitely had started and there was no turning back.
Karucia stormed their coast on a combination group of fast boats and large sturdy ones. From there they did not even pause but leaked onto land and stormed their city before Tortallans fully realized what was happening. Their magic chewed away at the brunt of Tortallans attempt of counterattack pushing them back to defenses. Jonathan even called most of the people in the lower city who could make it to the inner walls. Their mages were tricky with their spells.
A war with Karucia may not have been impossible to win but it certainly wouldn't be easy.
Why were they doing this? For one princess? Yes, wars are often started over things like that. Liam shook his head as to rid himself of that thought.
xXx
Arra smiled to Tortall's capital in the distance. They'd be there by nightfall most likely. The mountains had never been her favorite land form and seeing them scale down to hills before flattening out into long striding prairies was calming. Cobalt flew ahead with a high-pitched sound so they would recognize she was leaving.
"Arra, how about we stop here for a while. Lunch?" Joel asked. Arra nodded her agreement. They stopped and stayed near a clump of trees.
Cragwey had sent along some food for the journey and their threesome appreciated it.
Arra had asked, carefully, if Rekha wanted to come with them to Tortall to learn more healing and then she could come back if she so wished but the young healer declined. She said that in the time it took her to learn all there was to know who could tell what would happen to her city? It had been worth asking.
Arra ate slowly realizing she wasn't very hungry and it seemed Joel noticed too.
"Is your shoulder bothering you?"
Arra shook her head. Though her shoulder still ached and pounded at times that wasn't what bothered her. It was something else. Something she couldn't name. Lianne cleaned up what was left of their lunch, not at all complaining. Arra stood from the ground and just as they were about to mount and head off again she caught the sound from the air first. Screeching.
A blue form could be seen racing towards them. The sound that spewed from it caused ringing in the ears. What is the matter with him? Cobalt flew so hurriedly that when he tried to stop his claws dug into Ghost's flesh. The usually calm mare bucked and cried out almost hitting Arra. She flipped back out of the immediate danger.
She glanced to the side of her to see Joel readying a bow.
"Joel, I know you are not going to shoot my horse! I know you weren't even thinking it!" Arra growled.
"She's gone mad!"
"She's been hurt you half-wit!" Arra yelled to him. Joel lowered the bow.
Ghost still thrashed around and Arra noticed that Cobalt was fighting his claws free. Arra took a chance she was sure no one in their right mind would. She swung onto Ghost's back then continued the motion curving to the front of her neck. Arra grabbed two white ears and pulled down to the ground. Ghost's breathing still came hard but her moving had stopped.
Untold, Lianne pulled Cobalt free. As soon as that was done he soared up into the air before coming back down calmer.
"Thank you Lianne." Lianne nodded as Cobalt landed neatly on Arra's gloved hand. She hasn't spoken much lately, Arra thought before turning to the large bird. His dark beady eyes were held wide. She whispered, "What is it Cobalt?"
In answer he screeched louder than he usually would this close to her and held out a hastily tied note on his leg. She plucked it off and and let him fly away though he only went as far as the saddle on Ghost's back. The mare looked back at him and huffed.
Arra opened the scrap of paper and knew instantly it was written in haste, though it was still legible:
Come quickly
Trouble
Liam
Arra didn't let the shock and fear penetrate too far into her system before shooing Cobalt to flight, jumping on Ghost and kicking off without warning. Joel looked to Lianne. "We better hurry, that mare of hers is very fast."
Lianne smiled.
When they finally caught up Arra told them quickly what the note said. At that Lianne too seemed more inclined to be haste.
They made it to the outskirts of Corus right as the sun rested on the horizon. Red, black and silver filled Arra's vision till the name spilled over her lips. "Karucia."
Tents in those colors littered the land and flags were raised in the lower city. Wha- She couldn't even finish the question in her thoughts she was so frozen in surprise. She almost missed Lianne's question.
"Arra, what are we going to do?"
"Ride through when the sun goes completely down." She answered, finally getting her throat to work.
Lianne shook her head. "No," Her eyes were pleading. "We should go now."
Arra didn't try to hide her surprise. Had those words really come from Lianne? A smile found its way to her face. "All right. I was more thinking for your sake anyways. We'll have to try and pass by them quickly. Lianne you stay in between Joel and I, got it?"
Lianne nodded. Joel too nodded. They set off, no more words really needing to be said.
Most of the Karucians were either going to bed or there already but they were smart enough to have a night shift ready to take the place. Arra watched as some tried to get at least one small nick in before they went speeding off but she was careful and even kicked a few away. She ignored the pain in her shoulder at such a jostling quite consciously. Lianne listened, thankfully, and stayed in between the two Shang.
They reached the gates to the city where they were let in though not without plenty of convincing. The thing that really changed their minds was when Lianne became furious at them. Secretly, Arra was slightly proud.
They slowed not one whit until they reached the actual palace. Arra sighed and let her poor exhausted mare be taken away by trusted stable hands and made her way inside, packs and all, with Joel and Lianne in tow. Word spread quickly that the Nameless Shang had returned.
A servant was there to meet them; she smiled a little tightly, "Princess Lianne, we've missed you around the Palace," She turned to Arra, "welcome back, your rooms are still in tact and you," She has spotted Joel, "we'll find something for you."
"We don't have time! What is going on?" Lianne demanded.
"His Highness says it is being taken care of in the best possible way right now. He would like you to get some rest and you'll be informed in the morning." She said in a memorized way. Arra nodded feeling the weariness in her bones and her shoulder started to ache again. Maybe I'll go to the healer first. She nodded slowly to herself.
Joel almost ran after her but was caught by the servant. "I'll show you to your room." He searched the immediate space around him but Lianne had left swiftly and Arra was nowhere to be seen.
After the healing her shoulder felt immensely better for it. It still ached dully but that could not be avoided. Too tired to do anything of any importance Arra made her way to her rooms. She opened it to find it the way she'd left it, empty. Arra didn't know how, but she made it to the other side of the room with the bed snugly in the corner and collapsed on it. So deep in sleep was she, she didn't notice the knocking on her door.
oOo
Arra awoke as if it had been any other day. She yawned, stood and stretched. She walked over to a basin full of water and washed her face scrubbing it. It wasn't until she was nearly finished her mind fully woke up, jolted to life. And she remembered everything.
The Karucians that littered just outside the city.
Who knew what they would do?
Then just a few thoughts later another thing hit her. I brought Joel here. It was like a clashing of different lives. Too different and she had hoped they would never have had to meet. On one hand she had the boy from her childhood, the one who loved her. She knew she could never really love him in that way, the way he wanted. On the other hand she had the Prince, who . . . who had captured her.
We'll see, we'll see. Don't get ahead of yourself, take things as they come when you can.
Arra dressed and opened the door to leave. She was swept up and swung around, the door closed in the movement. She laughed and hugged him back. Liam whispered huskily, "I missed you," before he spread kissed from her neck leading a trail across her face and finally landing on her lips.
She smiled against him and she knew he smiled back. Arra pushed herself away, her hands on his chest, to get a breath. "I missed you, too. And you'll be happy to know I brought your sister back safe and sound."
"I knew you would," Liam paused and Arra took the time to look into his hazel eyes. "Did you hear? They say another Shang is here too."
Arra sighed. "Yes I know, he came with me." Liam looked slightly shocked. "Thats Joel, I've told you about him before."
Liam nodded his eyes a bit shaded. "Well, my father has a feeling you will want to know what exactly is going on—I know Lianne does—so I volunteered to bring you to him to fill you in." As an afterthought he added. "I'm sure he won't mind if Joel comes."
"Except I don't know where the servant led him." She ducked her head in shame. I just left him so suddenly. She rubbed her forehead. Liam noticed and said nothing.
He smiled. "I'm sure I could figure out where he is . . .like possibly down this hall." Liam's tone was vague and Arra shot him a suspicious look. He only shrugged.
Down the hall they went. The couple caught up on the last few weeks. Arra would have given a less detailed version of her story but Liam prodded until he received the whole story. "What I would give."
"To what? Be bitten by a hurrok. Oh no, maybe its to have your life on the line!" She was grinning.
"Yes . . .and no. To be able to do that and know I'll live. To . . .to be able to take that much time from your life to leave like that. Or maybe that is your life and your taking time off to be here," He smiled. "I am incredibly jealous Lianne went."
Arra snorted. Liam grabbed her arm. "This is the room."
Once again she raised her brow but knocked on the door nonetheless. Joel answered, thankfully fully clothed. His eyes lit. "Arra! Good morning." He made a motion to give her a kiss. He skimmed her lips before she stiffened and turned away flicking her eyes to Liam. Joel noticed this and gave an easy smile, one Liam tried to return and succeeded for the most part. "Forgive me I hadn't seen you."
Arra moved in, "This is Prince Liam, he'll be, ah, escorting us to--"
"My father will be informing you all on the present problem in Tortall, well your allowed to come if you want. Its perfectly understandable if you don't." Liam said smoothly.
"I'll come." He said instantly his eyes flashed something Arra couldn't read. When did this happen? I remember when I could read him like a book.
Arra could feel the tension all the way down each and every hall, though Joel seemed perfectly calm. Liam was the source of worry. His movement looked smooth as any trained princes' should but she could tell he was rigid. Please Liam don't jump to anything. Let me explain. Please wait for me to be able to tell you. In conversation his voice wasn't cold but it certainly didn't hold the same secret warmth it had before.
oOo
"They continue to say things about finding their princess. They say she's here, in Corus, but we have no idea what their talking about." King Jonathan said.
Arra sat on a balcony she'd found, hand over her mouth. She couldn't remember how she got there, she had just wandered until she decided to settle down. They've found me. They've finally found me. I think I knew they would but . . . here it is staring me in the face!
Arra took two deep breaths. A sudden realization hit her. She could run, she could leave now and the Karucians would probably lose sight of her again. She could become someone else again. Someone new. For a split moment she saw, she saw that there were roads but they didn't apply to her. She could come and go as she pleased. Arra shook those thoughts away. It was wrong. If she did that the Karucians wouldn't just leave and she'd be leaving Tortall with nothing but a problem.
Choice.
Then I choose—
There sounded a long exhalation of breath. Arra turned around; it was Liam. A shine in his eyes she hadn't seen before told her too much but it faded away, "Don't cry."
"Hm?" Arra reached up and found her cheeks wet.
Liam sat down beside her. She reached out but he shook his head. He's very calm. I know I wouldn't be in the same position. "Who-who exactly is this Joel?"
Arra caught all of the undertones to that question and let out a sigh of her own. "Like I've said before we've known each other for a very long time. I was six and he was already eleven the first time I ever met him. I won't go through every detail but . . ." She paused. "I wasn't sure when it really happened but one day out of the blue he told me that he liked me, more than he thought was normal. For . . . years I tried to like him the same way if only for him. I cared for him—still do—but I couldn't ever love him the way he wanted." She paused again. She'd finally said it aloud. Joel loved her.
"I've tried and tried to give him any way to understand that, hopefully without hurting him too badly. I know he'd not stupid, he's very bright, but he always seems to be dim-witted when it comes to this, or maybe he just turns a blind eye."
Liam stayed quiet even when he was sure she was done. Arra noticed his fist unclench though, which she took to be a good sign. "Its was just hard. Jealousy is never a good thing I understand but . . ." He turned his hazel gaze full on her. "I know its silly but . . . he can kiss you Arra and if anyone knows nobody cares! I want to kiss you, kiss you whenever I please and not have some big court looming over me."
Arra's heart trembled. She knew that before her explaination that hadn't been his only problem but part of it had been solved. She reached out, and this time he let her; Arra pulled him to her and let his head rest under hers. He wrapped his arms around her thin frame and she raked her fingers through his thick black hair. "Liam." She sighed.
I know. I know I've got to tell him. Tell him everything. Then I'll tell his parents and do what I need to do.
From their point on the balcony the sliver of a moon could be seen clearly against the star embedded sky. Arra knew what would come next but put it off for just a while. The pressure of Liam's body was reassuring; he was real. Just a bit longer. Just a few more moments let me indulge myself.
x...:...x
A/N: Just four more days of school then I'm off for a week! (THANKSGIVING YAY!) I'll try to work on more chapters but I make NO PROMISES!
This story is turning out to be a lot longer than I planned . . . I'm pretty sure (like 99.9) that this WILL NOT end at chapter 30. I'm not sure if thats good or bad but I'm trying not to rush the story too much and for what I've got planned ending it at chapter 30 might be rushing it just a wee bit.
REVIEWS are appreciated.