Disclaimer: I own… nothing. I'm sure that even some/most of my ideas are cliché. But I try!
Also, I apologize if any of my characters are out of character. I guess I can't refrain from making them some parts of them mine. Tell me if it gets too bad, but I really hope it won't!
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It was the middle of the afternoon when Kel and Neal reached Garat. The outskirts of the city were disgusting, rank with poverty and illegal activities. However, once the center of the city was entered, the atmosphere was completely different. The buildings changed from dirty wood to clean stone, and trade prospered in the streets. Inns were starting to get ready for the nighttime rush, and both Neal and Kel earned winks from women whose low-cut dresses clearly diverged their profession.
Neal wasn't quite able to smother his laugh after the fourth woman glanced provocatively at Kel. "They seem to be showing quite an interest in you, dear squire. I guess they're just attracted to the new men in town."
Kel shook her head in exasperation, which sent her horsetail flying. "They'd have quite a surprise when they tried to bed me. It does seem somewhat ironic though, going from being the slut to being chased by sluts." There she sighed. "I suppose I'll have to get out the skirts and dresses that were packed for me. They don't seem to be used to females being clothed in breeches."
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Kel's point was further proven when the Innkeeper also mistook her gender.
"Young masters," the graying man bowed. "It'll be two rooms for ye then? Are ye expectin' company?" He leered at them.
Neal looked down his nose at the man before proclaiming in a lofty voice. "I would appreciate it if you didn't imply these filthy things in the hearing of my niece."
Kel hid a smile as she watched his eyes pop. He peered at Kel again. "Yer forgiveness ma'am. We don't see many lady folk here in Garat. They aren't attracted to the… social scene, and um…"
He trailed off. Kel felt bad for the disgruntled man and extended her hand. "It's quite all right Mister. My Uncle Neal gets protective of me sometimes. And now that we're traveling he's even more concerned with my safety. I'm Ela."
The man shook her hand before turning to Neal once more. "You're travlin'? Are you lookin' for work here in Garat? I could try t' help ye, if I jus' knew your profession."
"I'm a healer, but we're not planning on staying in Garat. We plan to continue on to the capital. What we really need are those two rooms…"
"Oh of course. Lira here'll take ye t' yer rooms. Jus' call if ye need somethin'." Kel and Neal followed the maid up the stairs.
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Kel examined herself in the mirror as she smoothed the front of her dress. It was a simple dress, made of light green cotton. Small leaves were embroidered on the neckline and at the skirt's hem. It clung to her torso, but wasn't indecently low or tight. She had let her hair fall over her shoulders. On the whole she thought, she was unremarkable, pretty, but someone to be forgotten right away. Perfect.
A pounding on the door roused her, and she went to open it, shaking her head at her own silliness. What am I doing? Preening like I was trying to dress up for someone. Preening like a girl. She opened the door to Neal, who was exchanging words with the passing chambermaid. He took a few steps while still looking behind him, and managed to miss the fact that he had stepped on a towel. He slid a few feet before catching himself by grabbing the wall, and glanced ruefully at Kel.
At the sight of her his mouth dropped open, and he accidentally let go of the wall. Down he fell, while she looked on, astonished. Why is Neal being so clumsy all of a sudden? He sprang up, brushing himself off, trying to recover his dignity.
"So, uh, are you ready to go?" Neal offered Kel his arm.
"As you wish Uncle."
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Kel and Neal proceeded to the pub while formulating a plan. Neal was to pump information from the gamblers and bargirls, while Kel worked on the servers, maids, and other bar-goers. They split up at the door, and went their separate ways, Neal to the dice tables and Kel to the bar.
As Kel walked over to the bar, she observed the scene in front of her. Men's drinks spilled over as their mugs clanged raucously together. In one corner, shouts sounded as die rolled and money traded hands at rapid speed. Bargirls shoved their low-cut necklines at, and cuddled on the laps of the wealthier men, the occasional pair departing to a more private room. On another side, servers waited on groups of people that were talking loudly. And at the bar were clustered all the solitary visitors. Kel received many smiles from the males. Some of the lustful looks were veiled, some-not so much. Maybe unremarkable wasn't quite the adjective…
Kel tried to smile back as she sat down. She turned to the server and ordered a mug of ale. She wasn't planning on actually drinking the ale, alcoholic beverages had a very bad effect on her, but she needed a reason to be in the bar. She tossed the server a silver coin and then concentrated on the conversations going on behind her.
"So he says to me, 'you're even prettier without your clothes on and" ….. "Can you believe she threw me out, and I'm" ….. "And the rooster wasn't anywhere near the amount he charged me plus" ….. "He took the man's purse and knifed him before I could turn around."
Worthless. Kel listened for an hour, and she heard nothing of interest. Giving up, she turned to see how Neal was faring. She wasn't sure how much information he was getting, but he looked happy. He held a cup of die with one hand, and had the other arm wrapped around a smiling bargirl.
Well, what do you expect? part of her mind asked. He hasn't seen a decent girl in months. He has to take advantage while he can. That of course made sense. But something about it didn't feel right to Kel. She's so dirty. How can he be attracted to her? She's stupid and flimsy and… She cut herself off. It was Neal's decision, and she didn't know why she cared. She wasn't… She couldn't be… No, of course she wasn't jealous. Was she?
Kel frowned at herself and turned back to the bar. He's just researching. And even if he isn't, I'm going to let him have fun. I am. She picked up her drink and took a sip. Ugh, it was not a quality brew to say the least. I'm happy for him, I'm happy for him, I'm hap-
"Hi. What's a pretty young girl like yourself doing here at this time?" Kel felt a hand at her waist, turning her around, and smoothed over her shocked face. There was a man, and he was flirting with her. Unremarkable indeed.
"Well, I was stranded by my uncle. And I'm not that young." She smiled.
"Oh. Apparently your uncle is shirking on his responsibilities, leaving you unattended."
"He knows I can handle it. We've been traveling in Scanra for long enough. And it is at war."
"Very true. Hopefully the violence will stop soon. And then you can settle down. With me." He jiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"Yeah? So is there a plan to finally defeat Tortall?" Kel saw some possible information here.
"Sure there's a plan." Kel leaned forward, intent. "Kill all of them. They're idiots anyway."
"Oh. Yeah." Worthless.
The man continued to ramble on, not noticing Kel's disinterest and single word answers. As his smile grew wider, his hand started slipping down, moving lower than her back.
She tried to pull away, but he tightened his grasp. "Oh, no. You're coming with me. And I wouldn't recommend struggling."
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Neal moved his knee, which was going slightly numb under the weight of the girl. Yes she was pretty, and he had enjoyed the attention at first. But now she was just getting heavy. And though she seemed to have plenty of things to talk about, none of them were particularly interesting to him. He glanced over at where Kel was standing, talking to a large blonde man. I hope she's getting some information. Damn she looks good in that dress.
The bargirl noticed the direction of his gaze. "Oh, yeah the Lord. Isn't he a handsome one? And such a good general. All the girls were fawning over him until… Are you okay?"
Neal suddenly roused from his stupor when he heard the words 'Lord' and 'general' coming out of the girl's mouth. Quickly he stood up, with the girl toppling off his lap. "Wait, who is he?"
"The warlord. Maggur's nephew, Burgad. He's a brilliant general and he's dangerous. Some say he's insane. His troops are waiting for him just north of the city. They're on some special mission." She giggled. "One of the girls said he mentioned something about being on the way to the city of Casr. Strange though, there's not usually any armies stationed there. I wonder what's going on… Hey!"
He left abruptly. He had his lead, but Kel was being hit on by a crazy warlord whose hand was currently residing on her butt. We need to get out of here. We need to get out of here now. We need to go to Casr, and get there before Burgad. And I need to get Kel away from him.
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Kel was about to scream when Neal suddenly appeared beside her.
"Well my dear niece, I hope you've had your fun, but now we have to go. It's way past your bed time."
Kel scowled at him, playing the rebelling niece while silently thanking him. "I don't have a bed time." She turned to the other man, noticing his murderous expression. She smiled flirtatiously. "I'm sorry, but I have to obey my uncle. But maybe we'll meet again.
Neal was worried. The warlord looked like he was about to punch him. And with a man like that, a punch would probably hurt. A lot. "I really do apologize. However, we are on our way to Casr." He ignored the hard look that Kel shot him. "Maybe you'll see her again."
Burgad smiled slightly, then took Kel's hand and kissed it, holding it for a long time. Finally he sighed and released it. "Till next we meet, my lady." He bowed, and walked away.
Neal grabbed Kel and they hurried out of the pub. He couldn't tell who was more eager to get out of there, him or Kel. He knew the guy was a psychopath. She had just had her ass grabbed by him. Not a good situation. But at least now we have a lead.
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A/N: Well I hope it was ok. At least there's a plot developing! And there's more fluff to come, I swear. You gotta have the fluff! Again, many many many thanks to my reviewers. I love you guys tons and tons and tons! Everyone else, review review review! I beg on my knees. But there will be no shoe/feet kissing. That's just gross. Hehe. Hugs and Kiss till next time!
PrincessPeach