Punk: Hi there! Woot yeah for us we finally loaded another chapter! Ok I do have a good reason for not uploading, you see my crazy partner who is helping write this story has decided that she loves Numair too much to continue with this story, Horrible I know. I have tried every thing to change her mind and she wont listen so unfortunately after I have loaded all of the chapters that we have finished, Which in the long run is quite a lot, I will have to end it open ended. Sigh, soooo sad. Oh well, hope you enjoy!
The next morning Daine walked into the dining hall. Just before she entered, something ran into her. "Oh, sorry Daine, wasn't looking where I was going," Neal said as he helped her up. "It's OK," Daine said, "I'm kind of used to it by now." Neal laughed. "Well, let's go eat," Neal said.
He opened the door and was surprised at the site in front of him. It was a huge food fight and in the corner were Ron and Kel laughing, chucking food and dodging it.
At the dais were King Jon and Queen Thayet hiding and occasionally a biscuit would fly out from their refuge. Roald looked as if he was trying not to take part in such immature games, but as the front of his tunic got barraged by eggs he dropped all pretense of honor and threw a piece of sausage across the room. The more reserved of the nobles had already fled the scene, but the younger palace dwellers were in the middle of all the action.
Eventually, the excitement calmed down. Daine and Neal went over to Ron and Kel. "So, how did this start anyway?" Neal asked. Kel and Ron looked at each other and burst out laughing. "In other words, they started it," Ran said with his hands back behind his head.
Neal shook his head, then looked at Kel. "I'm so proud!" he said. Kel grinned, "I know, I had a couple of good teachers," she said looking from Ron to Neal. "Stop it, you're making us blush," Ron said jokingly. Kel rolled her eyes and slugged Ron playfully.
Oooh, very nice, Daine thought, Varice will be speechless… Varice… Daine looked across the hall and saw that Varice had been drenched in jelly, the Siren busy licking it off. "Disgusting," she said, "and what a waste, too." I wonder if Numair thinks they're still together, she thought. You know what they say, if they'll cheat with you, they'll cheat on you. She smirked at that comment.
"Hey Daine, there's another Shang demonstration and rumor has it that you can test your skill on the Shangs. There's also to be a tournament for whoever wants to join. Want to go?" Kel asked. "Sure," Daine said, "Neal?" "Yeah, I'll come." They then started out for the training ground.
"Damn, its crowded," Ron said as he looked for a place to sit. Spotting a seat rows away from the arena, they found another near it with two spots. Kel and Ron went to the two seats, then asked, "Where are you two gonna sit, that's practically the only seat left!" Kel looked around while Ron talked to them, but to no avail, that was the last place.
"Oh, I'm sure Daine can sit in Neal's lap. He won't mind," Ron said evilly. Daine looked up at Neal to see that he was blushing slightly and grinned inwardly, then tried to look innocent. "I can just stand if you want," she suggested. "Oh no, it's OK Daine," Neal said quickly, "It's just kind of hot out here, that's all."
Kel hid a smile again and exchanged knowing glances with Ron. "Are you sure? If it's too much trouble I can stand, it's not a problem at all," she finished. "No no, I'm sure," Neal said hastily. "All right, alright… after you," she said motioning to the seat. The previous night replayed in her head as he pulled her onto his lap again. She smiled at the memory.
The demonstrations were actually interesting. The free fights came and went and then it was the tournament. The rules were you could give up, be out of the ring for more than 10 seconds, or being down for 10 seconds. If it was a weapon round it was the first to draw blood.
"Alright, how is everybody today?" and announcer said as he came out onto the ring. "We have all of our contestants except for 3. Now the people in these three groups that I'll name agree on who should represent you in the tournament. Servants, Knights, and the Own. Decide now." Five minutes later three people came up onto the stage to announce their choices.
"Well, alright, lets do servants first and representing the servants, Lalassa. Lalassa, who have you chosen?" "We have chosen Ran, the stable boy," she said clearly. "Alright Ran, come on up," said the announcer. As Ran walked up hands on the back of his head, people started laughing. "You are being represented by a shrimp," someone from the crowd shouted.
"Well, then, next the knights." Lord Wyldon stood up and said with much disbelief in his voice, "Nealan of Queenscove." Neal was shocked, but then he closed his mouth and walked on up.
"Last we have the Own." Raoul with a big smile on his face said, "Ronald Kyprioth." "It's Ron!" Ron yelled back at Raoul as he walked up. This would definitely be interesting, he thought.
"Well, OK, now for the first round it'll be Neal vs. Dom and now they choose their weapons." Neal picked up a sword. I can't believe I'm doing this, he thought. He walked into the center of the ring. "I'm not going easy on you," Dom said deadly. Neal gulped, "Nice to see you too," he said. "OK, ready, go," the announcer, Bob, yelled.
Dom rushed at Neal with a heavy glaive in hand. Neal stared in shock. When did he learn how to use a glaive? Neal thought as he listed all the possible ideas and only 15 seconds before Dom was going to run him through did he realize that he had to move. And he did, and guess what, Dom kept on going right off the ring. Falling on his head and knocking himself out.
"Neal is the winner," Bob said while holding up a dazed Neal's arm. That was it? he thought. Daine and Kel cheered for their friend, amazed at his luck. "I thought he was in a but of trouble there for a moment," Daine said to Kel. "You and me both," Kel replied rolling her eyes and laughing.
"Next", the announcer Bob yelled," is Ran and Shang Dog." "Hahaha, you are gonna get your ass kicked," said the same rude fellow who had made the shrimp comment earlier. Ran stopped and turned around, smirked and flipped him off then continued on his way to the ring.
He continued," Why the hell would anyone ever pick fucking street rat scum like you to represent them. They must have been high or something, or maybe they got paid, you servants will do anything for some money. Not that I'm complaining I had a pretty good time with one of your low life frieds though of course it did cost. You got good service here, even have your own prostitutes."
Ron smirked shaking his head, " He should have kept quiet." Seconds later a gasp was heard from the crowd around the man, A knife was lodged into the seat millimeters (I mean millimeters) away from his crotch.
The man's face was pale and he looked as if he were about to faint. Ran dusted off his hands, smirked and continued on his was to the ring, turning around one to stick his tongue out at the man he left shaking in his seat.(wooohooo that was fun don't ya think?)
Ran finally reached the ring. The Shang smirked, "He is right you know and not only about getting your ass kicked." Ran smirked back, "See what happed to him? He was drunk, you have no excuse for your words," he shrugged, " So you'll have the same treatment, except this time I won't miss." His smile grew, "Good thing I have good aim since it's so small a target."
"READY START", Bob shouted. The Shang seemed unshaken by the comment, but stood as if waiting for a far more painful attack. They circled each other warily, Ran moving with equal fluidity to match that of the trained and conditioned Shang. The audience whispered amongst themselves, anticipating the first strike.
The Shang lunged pretty damn fast too but to the Shang and audiences surprised missed Ran by a mile, he looked side to side trying to find him he couldn't even feel his presence anymore. "HEY BITCH, LOOK UP DUMN ASS!" Ran yelled gleefully and the Shang did, well almost did because by the time he started Ran had already scissor kicked him square in the face.
"Damn" Neal thought, " that kid can defiantly get some air." Ran landed and put one foot on the unconscious mass while making the peace sign with his fingers. "And Ran is the winner" Bob said unbelievingly, his shock was also shared through out the stadium. Well of course that is except for four people (the four that we know and love so much).
The other matches went on with out much problems except for when Ron accidentally hit his opponent to hard and gave him a few broken ribs (there was a lot of swearing involved) and at the end of the first round only Neal, Ran, Ron, the Shang Siren were left. Ron, Ran, and Neal went back up into the stands to talk to Kel and Daine during the break.
"Wow, that was great, guys!" Daine congratulated them as they came back to the seats. Ran and Ron replied in unison, "Of course it was!" Kel also offered accolades, though reluctantly at first. "Yeah, meathead, although you looked pretty scared, I must admit that… well… you survived, and somehow managed to win. I'm actually impressed," she said, patting him on the head like a dog. He ducked out from under her head but accepted her congratulations.
"And Ran, you were amazing. I had no idea you could do that. And way to go with the guy in the crowds… Caught everybody's attention, that's for sure! I think they were scared you'd take it out of the ring, again!" Daine said laughing. Ran blushed and grinned, then said, "Aww, it was nothing more than I'd usually do. The way he was shaking though… yeah, that really made it worth the effort." Ron smacked him lightly on the back of the head, waiting for Kel to say something to him.
"Any praise for me? I'll take a criticism as well," Ron said with a questioning look on his devilishly handsome face. Kel blushed slightly, which was saying something (yamani mask, remember) and looked down. (A/N: Devilishly handsome? LoL) Daine grinned inwardly and Neal giggled, both of them enjoying watching their friend squirm.
After she regained her composure, Kel said coolly, "You were good too." "That's all I get? Come on, even squirt got better than that, I need something here!" Ron said indignantly. "Well, do you expect me to be gushing when you crippled your opponent?" she replied calmly. "Hmm… let's see here… yeah!" "Well, I'm not. That was… cruel and unusual. It was just a Shang… Harmless sparring was what this was supposed to be. He isn't an enemy, you know," she said hotly.
"Come now, children, no reason to fight," said Neal, feeling very odd in the position of elder that Kel usually assumed. They each sent an icy glare his was, and he was silenced as Daine began to giggle helplessly. "They say the more you fight, the more you get along," she said to Neal who still looked hurt.
"Woooooo rewind, stop, play you think I did that on purpose, cause I really didn't mean to. I didn't realize that he wouldn't be able to block it and just incase you failed to notice I WAS, "harmlessly sparring" I wasn't trying at all! I'm sorry you took me so seriously when I asked for some more praise, but it was a joke if I might put a word in for my defense."
"Fine, fine, you were good, all right? Is that enough for you or must I bow down and build an idol to appease your ego? Hmm? What must I do to make the great Ron happy, eh?" Kel said trying to ignore Daine, Neal, and Ran who were all snickering off to the side.
Ron smiled and walked up closer to Kel with a predatory smirk. She slightly stepped back not liking the feelings that were going through her body. See that Ron leaned down and put his face inches from hers, " Do I make uncomfortable?" he asked with mock innocence. "You wish," she said, her voice not quite as confident as she hoped for.
They were still for what seemed like an eternity before anyone made a sound. "Eeew, come on, get a room you two!" said Ran who seemingly materialized in between them. "That's just wrong…" Ran said, shuddering. Kel blushed again and Ron cleared his throat. Daine and Neal exchanged knowing glances then, remembering what happened the night before they blushed as well. Ran looked around their group. "Well, aren't you all awkward today?" he said, looking at them each suspiciously.
"Anyways Ron are you ready to go against me, cause I don't want you going easy on me. You did know that we're opponents in the semifinals right?" Ran looked at Ron who's head seemed to be somewhere else, "Obviously not "he stated out of breath.
"Wait" Neal said looking at Ran, "That means I'm against :gulp:" "Me" an arrogant voice said from behind the group. Everyone turned, "Well if it isn't the Shang Siren, said to be better than the Shang Dragon before him, the best in the world at this point, am I not correct?" Ron asked coldly "And why may I ask do you grace us with your presence?" He said while bowing mockingly.
"I see you have your little whore with you" he said nodding to Kel. "Well my, my if Kel's a whore think what you "fair" Varice is." Ran snickered and Ron continued "I don't think there are any words to describe how low she would be." "Matches you perfectly", Neal stated cheekily. "And you," the Siren said turning his attention to Neal, "don't expect such an easy victory this time. I can guarantee I will prove to be more difficult than your last opponent."
Varice came over to dote on her beaux and looked disdainfully on the group around her. "So all that is left in this pitiful competition is from our own little… well, from this group," she sneered. "That hardly leaves you any competition. We should have plenty of time to rest before the real festivities start up tomorrow," she said hanging all over him. Then she caught Daine's eye and glared at her.
Neal stepped closer to Daine and again lay his hands on her shoulders. She breathed deeply assumed a stance preparing for another verbal war. The tension grew between them, but Daine had finally adapted and air of offense that made the impending fight even more dangerous. The Shang, looking a little scared, decided to break it off. "Come Varice, let's go while we are still on break. I need to rest up just on the off chance that I must be in the ring more than a moment or two," he said snidely. "Sir Nealan, until then." They both left with the group of five behind them glaring daggers at their backs.
"Bye," Ran waved good naturedly, still with the fake smile on his face he asked sarcastically' "Well isn't he such a nice and civilized fellow, I mean especially with the way he hit bellow the belt with that Kel thing", Ran put his elbow on Ron's shoulder, which mind you was quite a long stretch, "I proud of you, ya came back wit' some pretty good stuff. You have done very well young padawon," Ran said to Ron while bowing Yamani style. Ron took a swing at his head good naturally, which Ran ducked under.
Kel looked almost as angry as Daine did, and both Ron and Neal looked a little scared. As they calmed down they started to discuss their plans some more with more motive than ever. "Is there anything we're forgetting? I mean, we have the outfits, we have the plan… we have the anger," Daine counted off. "All you need is the moment to crush her," Ran emphasized crush by slamming one of his fist on to the palm of his other hand.
"So I guess it's all set," Neal said trying to lighten the mood which at least got Daine back to the reality with no tied up Varices and extremely sharp implements for her use. Kel was still slightly mad and there was something nagging at the back of her mind that was really annoying.
A voice came right next to her ear snapping her out of her frustration " If you keep your face in that position it might stay that way". ' Woa how did he get there he was talking with ran on the other side of the isle ' Kel thought. "Well it would still probably look better than your dirty one." She replied to Ron. "Oooh, that hurts… really, Kel, you're breaking my heart hear," he said dramatically. "How do you expect to make it through the entire night tomorrow if you can't even look at my face?" Kel looked him straight in the eyes. "I think we'll find a way to manage," she replied with a smirk. "Yeah maybe if you wash it. ' Neal said under his breath earning a kick in the shins from Ron.
Ok here I will try to answer some questions, Uhhh well NQ stands for Nealan of Queenscove or however you spell it, And we, now I, am trying to work on the Paraghraphs so if you could tell me how they are it would rock.