Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own any of TP's characters, but I do own Lana and Varyna.
A/N: Like I said last chapter, do not hesitate to tell me when I'm wrong. I had NO IDEA of how long King Roald was ruler of Tortall, so I made up a number based on Jon's and Alanna's approximate ages. If anyone knows the exact length, please let me know and I'll change it.
CHAPTER 4
Stefan the hostler found Prince Jonathan in the nobles' hall with his friends, Sirs Gary and Raoul, eating a quick lunch before they went out to the practise courts. 'Yer Highness' Stefan greeted him as he handed Jonathan the note and left.
Jon opened the letter and read –
Come and see me as soon as you can,
I have someone here you must meet.
G
Jonathan frowned, for George rarely made requests such as this of him – to ride into the city and meet him during the day.
It must be important if he wants to see me straight away.
'Sorry guys, I'll have to catch up with you later.' He said as way of explanation to his friends, and left them to change into his 'Johnny' clothes, and then saddle his horse.
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George looked over the young woman sitting in front of him, from his relaxed position in his chair. Her almost black curly hair falling to the middle of her back, ordinary hazel eyes and olive skin made her pretty to look at, but it was her full lips and bright smile that made her strikingly so. And her figure, George thought to himself as Lana stood to take off her coat. Tall with nice curves, yet toned – her arms have definition. This one looks after herself.
Lana noticed George surveying her, and said without thinking 'Have a nice look?' She then at least had the grace to blush as she sat back down.
Temper too, George added to himself, just like my Alanna.
'Sorry.' Lana said quietly.
'You keep fit, I can tell by your arms.'
'I have to,' replied Lana 'you have to maintain a strict level of fitness in the Army.'
George suddenly uncrossed his arms and leant forward in surprise. 'You're in the Army?' he asked, astonished.
'Yes, I'm a driver in the 9th Combat Service Support Battalion.'
'A what? Driver?' George couldn't hide his confusion. 'What's that?'
As soon as George's eyebrows knitted together, Lana had realised her mistake. Of course, he doesn't know what a driver is because they don't have cars! This is going to be harder than I thought…I'm going to have to explain every aspect of my life to these people.
'A driver…' Lana sighed 'god, where do I begin? I guess I should start by telling you that where I come from, life is VERY different. People don't ride around on horses, or carry swords on their hips. To get from place to place there is a machine we use called a car, or automobile…' Lana trailed off, explaining the workings of cars, and from there went on to tell George about her job and how different her Army was to the one he knew. Lana was just as interested in what he had to tell her about life in Tortall as he was in her life.
'Mithros…it's all so bizarre! These machines, these cars, can really go faster than a galloping horse at full speed?' George was fascinated.
Lana laughed at his enthusiasm and found she was enjoying telling him about life, as she knew it. 'Yes, but they can be dangerous too, if you use them irresponsibly. There are all sorts of different things we use in our everyday lives. Technology has advanced way beyond anything you could possibly imagine. Your life is…' Lana struggled to find the right word without offending him, 'supremely simple in comparison to ours.'
George was eyeing her mobile phone again and worked up the courage to ask about it.
'This? It's a mobile telephone, it allows you to talk to someone -anyone with another of these- anywhere in the world.' As she flipped it open, she realised that it had no signal, which didn't surprise her in the least. Someone who WAS surprised by her actions was George, for he didn't expect the contraption to open. She turned it to face George, and he gasped at the colourful photo of Lana and her friend on the screen.
'It's-it's you! Is that a painting?' He asked, mesmerized by what he was seeing.
'No, it's a real picture. Look, I'll take one of you.' And with that, Lana flipped the phone around and took a picture of a bewildered George. She laughed when she saw it, but not as hard as George when she showed him his own face.
'I can't believe it! It's me! Mithros, is that what I look like?' At this he laughed some more, until he asked how you could talk to someone with it.
As Lana was explaining the mechanics of it, she was interrupted by a knock at the door. George got up and opened it to admit one of the most handsome men she had ever seen. Tall, coal black hair and the bluest sapphire eyes…Jonathan Conte. So, the Prince is like something out of a fairytale…classically handsome. I should have known. Except that moustache, she added as an afterthought, it's like something out of a 1980's disco movie!
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'Jon, thank you for coming so soon. I hope you weren't too busy?'
'No, George. Gary, Raoul and I were just going to get in some practise. But you're note sounded important.' At this, he nodded in acknowledgment to Lana.
George closed the door. 'I thought it was important that you meet this young lady straight away. But let me introduce you. Prince Jonathan of Conte, meet Lana Darnelli of Almedaide.'
'Of where?' said Jonathan
'Adelaide' Lana corrected, suppressing a giggle.
'Adelaide? That's not in Tortall' It was a statement, which suddenly caused suspicion to flare in his eyes. Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see George trying unsuccessfully to hide a smirk.
'No, Jon, but I think you'll be extremely interested in where she says she's from.' He's really not helping the situation, thought Lana.
As the Prince turned to her expectantly, Lana sighed. Here we go again…
'Your Highness,' Lana started nervously, 'I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but I think I've…gone back in time. I'm from a country called Australia, and my Aunt sent me here to give you this.' She handed him the envelope, which he looked at but didn't open. It seemed like he was considering the politest way to escape. Then he looked at George, who nodded and said 'I believe her.'
'You've…gone back in time…?' At his Jonathan looked at her clothes, her bag, and the phone on the table. 'How far back in time?'
This was a response Lana was not ready for. His ease in believing her story shook her. How was she to know how far back in time she had travelled? I didn't pay that much attention in history class! 'Err…well…I'm not really sure. What year is it?'
Jonathan frowned at her. 'It's the 22nd year of the Reign of King Roald, the Peacemaker – my father.'
'22nd year…oh …hmm…well that doesn't really help me. I'm from the year 2005, you see.' She waited with bated breath for their reactions, and she wasn't disappointed.
'2005!'
'Great Mithros! Is that even possible?' exclaimed Jonathan.
'I'll show you proof if you like. I was born in 1983, here – this is my driver's licence and proof of Identification. Everyone carries something like this.' And she handed the small card to Jonathan who examined the picture and writing on it in bewilderment.
'Look, George, it's her. And look at this tiny script, each letter so perfect and…Great Merciful Mother, it says it right here, look!'
'Date of birth, 8th day of September 1983! Well I'll be, looks like we've got ourselves a real time traveller, Jon! But you know we're going to have to keep this quiet.'
Jonathan looked like he'd come out of his stupor. 'Yes, of course, absolutely. If people hear of someone like you, they'll either want to flout you like a dancing bear or they wont believe a word you're saying and they'll charge you with blasphemy.'
'Well I certainly don't want that. All I want is to go home…I just don't know how.' Lana felt like she was going round in circles.
Jonathan looked surprised. 'You have no Gift?' At Lana's shake of the head he continued 'Wait.' He then reached out his hand and took hers, and the air around their intertwined fingers shimmered a bright blue. Lana felt a tingly sensation rush through her hand. As Jonathan pulled away he had an odd look upon his face. 'Hmm…you're right, but it's strange. You feel all…foggy. I've never felt that within someone before. But then, how did you get here if not by magic? Only sorcery, and powerful sorcery at that, could have managed it.'
'Yes…I mean, no I don't have the Gift as you call it, but I think my Aunt did, and she's the one who sent me. She just didn't tell me how to return, except to say that I'll find a way on my own.' I hope she's happy Lana thought bitterly. At the look on her face, the men both looked uncomfortable, until it looked as though the prince had a revelation.
'We'll have to ask Thom. He's the strongest mage in Tortall. If anyone will know a time travel spell, he will.'
'No, Jon, I don't think that's a good idea. I know he's Alanna's brother and all, but, and pardon me for sayin' so, but with his Grace the Duke back an' all…well, I wouldn't be trustin' him with something like this.'
Lana furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, but they seemed not to notice.
'Yes, you're probably right. Roger'd be all over her like a rash. I guess I find it hard to trust him now, even if he says he has no powers anymore.'
'What are you talking about? Who are these people you speak of? Lana wanted to be part of this conversation – it was her they were talking about after all.
'It's too long a story to tell you now, but Roger is my cousin and he used to be a mage himself – a very powerful one, and well now…suffice it to say he lost his powers.' Jonathan shuffled uncomfortably, moving his weight from one foot to the other.
'Alanna's due back any day; we'll have to ask her. I'm sure she'll know of someone or somethin' to help us.' George said, recovering first from the awkwardness of the Prince's words.
Lana's relief at George saying the word 'us' couldn't have been plainer, but her look was soon replaced by more confusion.
'Alanna? Who is that? You mentioned the name before too, George.'
'Ah well, Alanna is…' and he trailed off, not knowing quite what to say. This time, it was Jonathan who came and saved the situation from more awkwardness.
'Alanna is a Knight, and George is courting her.' He couldn't hide his amusement at George's obvious embarrassment. 'She's been away on an errand for her father Sir Myles, but is due back any day. She's well travelled and I'm sure she'll know of someone who can help. '
'Right. But…and I don't mean to insult anyone here, but can I trust her with my story?' Lana was the uncomfortable one this time, asking such a question of the Prince. But his simple answer washed her fears away.
'I would trust her with my life.'
'As would I,' added George, 'and she's been through a lot, our Lioness, so I doubt whether much surprises her these days.' George thought about the temper he saw quickly flare in the girl earlier, and said with a cheeky grin, 'Besides, I have a feelin' you'll like her.'
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As if noticing it for the first time, Jonathan opened the letter he still held in his hand. 'This must be important if you have come so far just to give me this.' He said as he moved around to an empty chair. Lana and George joined him at the table. Jonathan sat reading to himself quietly, while George amused himself with Lana's phone, and she watched the Prince for his reaction. As he finished reading, he looked inside the envelope once again and pulled out what were obviously some photographs. Although Jonathan didn't know that.
'Bright Mithros…' he breathed as he took in what he was seeing, 'these are pictures of real things?' he asked Lana. George raised his head in interest, and she stood and came around the table to look over Jonathan's shoulder.
'Yes…these are pictures of real places.' They were photos of the towns washed away and destroyed by the floods. You could see all sorts of things floating in the waters – random household artefacts, parts of cars, but most shocking were the bodies floating and moving with the currents. Where Aunt Varyna got these from I'll never know thought Lana, but was impressed nonetheless. These, together with the letter, had definitely made an impact on Jonathan, and right then she knew that he would do whatever he could to change it. My work here is done. Now all I can do is wait.
Please please review! I want to know what you think! Next chapter Lana will get to see what Palace life is like, and will meet the Lioness.elspethana