Holding Me Back
I do NOT own any of Tamora Pierce's characters, if I did, I would be a whole lot richer. However, I do own my character Mialei, steal her and I will fed you to my pet dragon.
Chapter 1: I'm a warrior, not a babysitter!
" Don't you see now that you're the one holding me back?--Buddahead
A young woman, clad in the clothing made of animal furs and skins entered the main hall of the palace. Her long coal black hair was in a thick braid down her back, with a feathery hair piece hanging at the base of her braid. Her sapphire eyes were on the floor as she sinked into a repecting kneel as she acknowledged King Roald and Queen Lianne. The king smiled then spoke. " You may rise, Mialei. What have you to report?" He said in a commanding tone, typical of him. Mialei rose to her feet then spoke. " Your people are uneasy my lord, they believe that the Tusaine are going to attack... although from what I have gathered, they aren't making any moves just yet." She said as she fingred the claw on a pendant around her neck. The King furrowed his brow as he pondered what she had reported. " You are dismissed.. but if you are ready, I have a new assignment for you." He said as she kneeled again. " I am ready to serve, my king." She said as she rose to her feet and waited to find out what she was to do next. " I need you to guard my son.. If the Tusaine army is indeed massing, I want to make sure he has a competant bodyguard. Go now." he said she she bowed again before leaving.
" Great... I get a guarding assignment... what a joke... I am a warrior not a babysitter!" She said with an annoyed grumble as she ran promptly into someone. She yelped as she fell back, hitting her head on a table. "Damn it.. watch where you are bloody going!" She yelled then went pale as she looked into the face of Prince Jonathan. " Forgive me.. I was not paying attention... are you alright?" He asked, helping her up. " Forgive me Highness.. I..err.." She muttered in reply, figuring she would be catching hell for this one. Jonathan's eyes twinkled in amusement. " Its quite alright, its not everyday that a pretty girl runs into me." He said, smiling flirtatiously at her. Mialei didn't say anything, she was taken aback. " Since when am I am pretty girl?" She wondered to herself, her cheeks a bright pink. " I know you... you work for my father.. Eagle Eyes I think is what father calls you... but I believe thats kind of a crude referenace to a lady.. so may I have the pleasure of your name?" He said, giving her a looking over and smiling his approval. " M...Mialei, Highness." She said, annoyed at herself for being so flustered. " Why is he making me feel so nervous?" She mused, as she dusted herself off.
Jon watched her do so. " So Mialei... I was wondering... would you like to come join my squire and my other friends for dinner? I personally would love to hear of your travels." He said, pleading to her silently with his eyes. She let out a small sigh then smiled. " Sounds fun, I'm game." She said, hoisting her bow over her left shoulder. Jonathan smiled and lead her to his study, a large table set up in the center of the room. Jonathan greeted his friends and then introduced them to Mialei. " This is Lady Mialei, she works for my father." He said, pulling out a chair for her and she sat down, on her left was the Prince and on her right was Sir Raoul of Goldenlake. " Hello." She said, finally over her numb shock from earlier. Alanna, aka Alan, raised an eyebrow as she looked to her knight master. " A female wairror? she asked, rather shocked, being women were always sent to the convent... well noble ones at least.
" Hey Jon... you and her kinda look alike." Raoul commented as he knawed on a turkey leg.
" Where do you get a hairbrained idea like that?" Jon repiled, raising a coal eyebrow. " He's Raoul, what other reason does he need?" commented Gareth of Naxen the younger, aka Gary. " Hey now..!" Raoul retorted, pretending to look offended. A laugh resounded from around the table as Raoul slumped slightly in his chair. " For once Jon... I am going to have to agree with Raoul... you both DO look alike." commented the Prince's squire. Jon sighed and shot Alanna an annoyed glance, which he got right back. Mialei cleared her throat and began to tell a tale of her earlier days, fighting pirates at Port Legann. The entire group listened intently, Jonathan and Alanna in particular.
She finshed her tale then took a sip of her mead and stood up and worked a cramp out of her left leg. " Most facinating story, Miss Mialei." Gary commented as he too stood up and streched. Raoul was merely watching the woman, an odd feeling of butterflies in his stomach. " What's wrong with me?" he wondred to himself as he also stood up. " well its been a hoot buddies, but I am bushed, catch you all tommorrow. Nice meeting you Miss Mialei." he said as he left the room. " That was odd... Raoul was fine just a few moments ago..." Alanna mused aloud, looking at her other friends. Mialei shrugged. " He is a knight, perhaps he just was exsuasted from patrol or something." the woman chimed in as she retieved her weapons from a rack in the corner of the room and exited as well, leaning against the outside of the room. " now.. how to go about this assignment..." She mused silently as she then walked to her rooms in the servant quarters and fell into a fitful sleep.