Hey Everyone! New Chapter!
Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce owns the setting of the Tortallan world, the names of the Mindelan adult family and a few names of minor characters that papered in her books. All other names, including Jascy, Riet, Keatin and Kitani belong to me, as does the plot and places not mentioned in any of Tamora Pierce's books.
Author's Note: The Tortallan-world Rangers are NOT to be confused with the two Ranger groups of Middle Earth (Tolkien), Jedi Knights (Lucas) or Shang Warriors (Pierce.) They are a completely different group, with much looser rules and regulations, and should not be read as any of the aforementioned groups.
Pronunciations:
Keatin is pronounced (KEE-Tin)
Kitani is pronounced (KIT-Are-Nee)
Chapter 2: Keatin, Ranger
Jascy spent the day riding south, stopping only to rest Dreamer so as not to maim her. Alone on the road and young, she knew she was a target for any bandits so she preferred to keep on the move.
Even with the dangers, there was a wonderful sense of freedom that Jascy breathed as they rode down the forest path. Everything was quiet and still, and every choice was hers to make. It was simply breathtakingly good.
As the sun began to set they rode into Queensgate, the halfway mark to Corus on the Great Northern Road. She chose a busy inn, preferring to remain unnoticed.
Jascy jumped off of Dreamer at the inn gate and gave her reins to the stable boy, who for all appearances was older than her. The door to the inn was heavy and took a bit of a shove to open. When it finally did, a blast of lively and uproarious noise hit her. People of all kinds on al errands abounded. Some ate, more drank, played cards and a few sat quietly in the darker corners, hoods up and faces turned away.
Keeping her hood up to hide her young face, Jascy strode up to the front desk.
'A room if you please, mistress,' She said confidently to the old woman behind the desk 'One night only, I leave tomorrow morning.'
'Of course,' the woman said, turning towards the kitchens 'Flo, a room for the lady, please.'
The servant girl looked about fourteen, her dress made for hard work and wear, not to flatter. Flo bobbed an awkward curtsey 'My lady, if you'll follow me I'll bring you to your rooms.'
'Thank you,' Jascy told her, and followed her up the stairs.
The room was pleasant, but Jascy was in a brooding mood. Leaving and locking her door, she pocketed the key and trod downstairs, remembering just in time to put her hood up.
Dinner was a quiet affair. She had a table to herself and a good meal. Jascy did notice a card playing man looking at her, but he regarded her with what appeared to be general disinterest. She was surprised when he walked over as she finished her meal.
'Lass,' he began 'You should take that hood off, you attract more stares with it on then with simply showing the inn your young face.'
Jascy eyed him warily, but her instincts told her he was a decent person. He looked about nineteen or twenty. His hair was a dark brown, his eyes a flashing green. A knife scar traveled from the middle of his left eyebrow to the outer corner of his eye. Slowly, she took off her hood.
'Nice to see you, lass, you're even younger than I thought,' He grinned and extended his hand, which Jascy took and shook firmly 'I'm Keatin Ulysses, Ranger. You'd be?'
'Jascanna of Mindelan, but call me Jascy. I'm traveling to Corus to become a page.'
He raised an enquiring eyebrow. 'Alone? Surely your family could spare a guard.'
Jascy shook her head. 'I wanted to leave before dawn, so I got no guard but no…family feuds either, I suppose you could say.'
'I'm surprised your family didn't want to let you go, what with your being related to the Protector of the Small, I expect.'
'Yes, Keladry is my aunt, but I've hardly met her,' Jascy's expression darkened 'It was my mother who had the problem.'
Keatin nodded, sympathising with her though he didn't really know her story. 'You don't look like page material to me.'
Jascy looked up at him. Was he saying that because she was a girl? 'Why?' She asked coolly.
He held up his hands in friendly defeat 'Hey, no disrespect intended. You just seem like a smart, adventurous, independent kind of person who wants to see the world and do great things. As a page, a squire, a knight…all you'll ever do is learn to take other people's orders and be a body in an army. You just don't seem to fit that bill.'
Jascy looked at him, her mouth twitching. He was right in many ways, but a page was the only option she had as a noble girl if she didn't want the convent.
He reached a hand into the pockets of his breeches, and took out a polished wooden token on a silver chain. Burnt into the wood were two crossed knives – the symbol of the Rangers.
'Well Jascy, I've taken a liking too you, so I'll do you a favour. If ever you get into any trouble with common folk, just show them this token. It'll tell them you're in favour with the Rangers,' Keatin smiled slightly evilly 'And nobody in their right mind messes with the Rangers.'
Jascy accepted it gladly and slid the chain over her neck, hanging it over her shirt.
Later that night, Keatin was in his rooms toying over indecision. The girl seemed smart and strong, and certainly she'd make a good Ranger within time. But should he tell Kitani?
'Skyfly!' He whispered to his pocket. A clear blob of a darking poked his head out. 'Tell Shinycloud to tell Kit about Jascy. Tell her I won't be in Corus until the day after Jascy, I've got business to finish off, but that I'll take her on if she agrees. Got that, Skyfly?'
The darking bobbed his head and proceeded to tell the excited Flick.
Thanks for reading! If you want to find out who Kitani is, then drop me a REVIEW please and I'll get the next chapter up quick! Thanks!
StarryEmeraldNights
