Sorceress
Disclaimer: TP owns everything.
A/N: I finally managed to get hold of Beka Cooper: Terrier. It's really good! Do read it if you haven't!
But now, onto the story . . . . . . .
Chapter Five:
Sari wandered the desert for many days, drinking from oasis' and resting when she felt the need. She still felt numb, as if the events of the past few days hadn't actually happened. Often she stumbled along without purpose, playing her mother and fathers final hours over and over in her head.
On the fourth morning since her departure, Sari found a largish oasis, and decided to bathe. She took off her veil and overdress, and popped into the cool water. She floated peacefully in the water for an hour or so, until she heard the sound of approaching hooves. She hurriedly clambered out of the oasis, grabbed her dress and flung herself behind the largest bush she could find.
The sound got closer, until an armoured Knight and his Squire approached. The Knight dismounted, and his Squire hurriedly took the reins and led the Knights and his own horses to drink. The Knight removed his helmet and Sari was able to see him properly.
He was fairly tall, with shoulder-length black hair and mischievous eyes which darted around the oasis. He spoke briefly with his Squire, his words impossible for Sari to hear, then began to remove the rest of his armour. He set it down and approached the water.
Sari's eyes followed him, and all too late realised that she had left her veil on the ground near the water. The Knight picked it up, and quickly spoke to the Squire,
"Squire!"
The Squire ran forward.
"Yes, my lord?"
"We have company. Search the surrounding area with me."
"Of course, my lord. May I ask what sort of company?"
"A woman, Feln, a Bazhir woman."
Sari froze as the Knight and Feln began to search the area. Feln walked slowly but within a minute was standing directly in front of where Sari was hiding.
"My lord! I think I've . . . . ."
Sari stood up and, acting out of instinct, threw her hands out to the side. A stream of magic (to her eyes) flowed in front of herself and Feln, who froze in his spot. The Knight, seeing that Sari was obviously gifted, approached carefully.
"Now, see here mistress," he began. "Release my Squire at once!"
Sari said nothing and the Knight continued to approach until he was standing directly in front of her.
"Release my Squire!"
Sari's arms began to shake, and she stammered, "I – I – I, I don't, k, k, know how!"
The Knight's eyes brightened for a second, and then he breathed heavily.
"An untrained gift," he murmured. He reached out to gently hold her wrist. "It's ok," he said. "I'm gifted too."
Slowly, as if he feared for his life, the Knight helped Sari to pull her magic back into her body. The magic barrier holding Feln released, and he fell to his knees. Sari drooped to the ground, unconscious.
The Knight bent, and picked her up. To Feln, he said,
"Make camp here. We will wait with her until she recovers."
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The Knight, Aaron of Tirragen, was on his way back to his home with Feln when he found Sari lying on the ground, he told her when she had regained consciousness.
"Truth be told," he said. "I'm glad for the diversion. My father is so rough at times."
Feln and Sari grinned at each other.
"What is your father like?" Aaron asked Sari.
A dark cloud descended on Sari's face. She looked at Aaron and Feln, and saw that they were looking at her with concern, so she told them her short, sad, story.
When she was done, Aaron smiled gently at her. "You are most welcome at Tirragen, Mistress Sari, if you so wish. I'm sure it would amuse my father to no end to find that his youngest, most irritable son was keeping company with a beautiful Bazhir maiden."
Sari smiled back at him, and returned her attention to the cup of water in her hand. Aaron winked at Feln, then sipped from his own cup.
Sir Aaron spent a week at the oasis, allowing Sari to recover from her magical experience and to begin to teach her the basic rudiments of magic, including fire and some healing.
At the end of the week, Feln assisted his knight master to dress in his armour, then clambered onto his own warhorse, swinging Sari up behind him. They began to journey towards Tirragen.
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A/N: So this was just a bit of a filler chappie. More to come soon, I promise! Please R&R, this is nearly finished, I think maybe 3 or 4 more chapters, and I'd love some reviews! Thanks!
