The whole truth and nothing but the truth
Stop me if you've heard this one before
The whole truth is nothing but a good excuse
So long as you don't torture me with my past
Let's be honest; a secret silenced is a secret safe
Miami, Miami, Miami
Well every hour on the hour
(every hour on the hour)
You have to, you just have to trust me
Whoever I was then,
I can't ever be again
Reminders, they are not reluctant
So stop me if you've heard this one before
Sideways blinders,
I can't find a way (around a way) around..
Miami, Miami, Miami
Well every hour on the hour
You have to, you just have to trust me
Whoever I was then,
I can't ever be again
The faith you found I never felt (never felt)
The terror held in wedding bells
And comfort in there's no one else
The truth be told I'm never gonna know
Taking Back Sunday- Miami
A/N no review responses this chapter... just kind of upset...
IMPORTANT NOTICE BELOW
A/N I just want everyone to know that I am disapointed in the amount of reviews I recieved for the previous chapter. I actually wanted to wait until I recieved a few more reviews, but I was unsure if I would even get any. I do hope you review this chapter because I already have chapter 34 ready and I want to post it ASAP. And I am really tired of people who put stories on favorites and stuff and don't even bother to leave a review (I am sure many writers on fanfiction feel the same way).
Thanks, Caiti (who is not a happy girl at the moment)
Oh and MUCH thanks to the people who actually bothered to leave a review:
stagflower13
DreamlndxFantasy
Misled Nymph
An angel on ice
Angee De Michels
Lauren (thanks for tips)
emeraldi
jamie lynn
GinaStar
I love you guys!
Disclaimer: I own nothing..
The weeklong feast of Midwinter, which celebrated the rebirth of the sun, soon fell upon Jzet and the other Pages at the palace. On the plus side for the pages it meant there was no classroom work for the week. On the downside though, they had to go through the stressful days of serving at the many banquets during the week.
This Midwinter for Jzet meant two things. One, she got to spend more time with Rae than usual. She got few chances to see the Shang Tiger during the rest of the year because of her training and studies. Jzet wanted to get in as much time with him before she had to leave in June hopefully with a knight master. The second thing was that Jonathan would be returning from Fort Zhail. She was dieing to see her friend for the past month. During the past few weeks, she was counting down the days until the holiday began in anticipation to see her friend.
Jzet spent the first afternoon of Midwinter frantically getting ready for the big feasts that were ahead that night. Audrey, Brandon, her, and the other fourth year pages, because of their seniority, were serving the most important people in the realm this year. There was no doubt Jzet and the others were nervous. Even the first year pages seemed calmer than they did.
After taking a soothing, warm bath Jzet was ready to get dressed. All pages were required to wear a crimson tunic and brown breeches as their uniform for that night. Jzet found her garb already laid out neatly on her bed by Lee. She got dressed quickly and then spent the next half hour nervously standing in front of the mirror. She didn't want one flaw in her appearance that night.
A sharp knock on her door brought her back to her senses.
"I'll get it." Lee shouted from the dressing room, where she was getting dressed herself. She was donning a dress with Queenscove colors of emerald green and white. She was going to attend a palace servant Midwinter party after the banquet that night, was over.
"Jzet you have a visitor." Lee called from the front door. "Should I let him in?"
"Of course, I'll be right there." Jzet hurried to the front door as quickly as her feet could carry her.
She could not believe her eyes when she saw Jonathan standing before her. He looked even taller and more muscular than the last time she laid eyes upon him. His dark brown hair was combed neatly to the side and his blue-grey eyes seemed to smile when he looked at her.
"Jonathan…" She breathed. "You're back!"
He grinned. "It's good to see you Jzet." He said.
They immediately hugged right after his words.
"You got so tall." She gawked.
"No, you're just short." He teased.
Jzet playfully punched him. "Shut up,"
They laughed together and then a short silence fell between them.
"Come in, come in," Jzet said breaking the silence. "Are you going to be staying long?"
They both sat down in chairs that Lee set out.
"No, not too long," He told her, "I still have to say hello to my family."
"Jonathan!" She exclaimed sharply. "You should have seen them before me."
"I know, but I just wanted to see if you were okay." He explained. "I was worried about you, especially with that Zulch guy trying to kill you."
Jzet sighed and smiled warmly. "Thanks Jonathan,"
The bell suddenly chimed.
"Mithros, I have to be in the kitchens before the next bell." Jzet remembered.
Jonathan got up and smoothed a wrinkle out of his silk tunic. He seemed disappointed. "I'll see you after the banquet, if I get a chance." He told her. "I want to say hello to everyone else too."
Jzet got up too, to see him out the door. "That will be good." She opened the door. "Audrey and Brandon will be pleased to see you."
Jonathan chuckled silently to himself. Jzet seemed to have stirred up old memories inside the prince. "Bye Jzet,"
They hugged and then she watched Jonathan stroll down the Page's Wing until he was out of sight.
Jzet sighed, as she went back into her room and flopped down on her bed. She laid there for a few minutes until Lee interrupted her.
"Shouldn't you be going?" The maid asked, her brown eyes peering at her intently.
Jzet perked up and made her way to the doorway.
Lee tapped Jzet on the shoulder and held out her sheath, which contained her newly polished dagger.
Lee smirked. "Forgetting something?"
"Oh, wow, thanks Lee," Jzet replied, hiding her slight embarrassment behind her Yamani mask. What kind of knight forgot her weapon?
"Yeah, well next time try not to have your head in the clouds." Her maid told her. "The Prince will talk to you later. Best not daydream about your future conversation now."
Jzet scowled at her maid, slightly embarrassed. Without saying another word, she strapped her sheath onto her belt and then stalked out of her rooms, making her way towards the kitchens.
A flustered Master Oakbridge awaited her there. The Master of Etiquette looked ready to explode from so much stress. His face was as red as a tomato and sweat was visible on his forehead.
"Queenscove you're late." He barked.
"Sorry Master Oakbridge," She apologized.
He waved her apology off. "Never mind that right now, you're assigned to table fourteen. Get going!"
Jzet bowed, deciding to be respectful towards her teacher for once. She actually felt sorry for him.
Jzet entered the banquet hall astounded by the beautiful decorations. Evergreens draped from the banister of the main staircase and flowers decorated each table. She took a deep breath inhaling all the wonderful smells. It felt as if she was riding through a forest.
She soon met up with Audrey, who was coming back to the kitchens from serving her table.
"Who do you have?" Jzet asked.
"Conservatives," She spat, pretending to gag. "All they were doing was grumbling about how I should go to the convent."
Jzet shrugged. "Maybe you'll have someone better tomorrow night."
Audrey sighed wistfully. "I can only wish." A crash from the kitchens and the shouts of Master Oakbridge caught their attention. "I should get going."
"Yeah me too,"
"Good luck," Audrey wished.
Jzet then made her way towards table fourteen, her hands shaking with anxiety. She prayed to Mithros that she wouldn't get some grouchy old conservative. The water bowl she carried began to spill slightly onto the floor, but she paid no heed to it and continued on to table fourteen.
There were two men and two women sitting around the small circular table. Two of the table's occupants, a young man and an older woman, had intriguing flaming red hair. The woman's hair though, was turning slightly grey from old age. The other man, who appeared older than all the table's members, had brown hair streaked in grey and seemed to have lively hazel eyes. The young woman was stiffer than the other three individuals. She had long curly blonde hair and deep brown eyes.
Jzet approached the table and took a deep breath. "Hello, my lords and lady's, my name is Jzet of Queenscove and I will be your server tonight." She bowed towards the nobles, careful not to spill anymore water onto the floor than she already had.
"Ah…" The older woman began, "the daughter of Nealan," She chuckled. "You look just like him."
Jzet felt herself shift uncomfortably on her feet. "Uh, thank you my lady, would you like to dip your fingers in the bowl?" She asked, trying to change the subject.
The woman ignored her. "Please tell me you are not such a Meathead like your father, though." She then sighed. "That would break your poor mother's heart."
Jzet looked at the woman intently, trying to figure out who this older woman could be. She just couldn't lay her finger on it.
"Don't mind me asking, my lady, but what is your name?" Jzet asked.
"This lass, is Alanna the Lioness." The older man told her, his eyes twinkling. Jzet could tell he was laughing inwardly.
Jzet became flustered. How could she not recognize the lioness? "Sorry, my lady, I didn't recognize you with your…"
"Grey hair?" Alanna asked, grinning sharply. "Yes, that's definitely new,"
Jzet blushed, her Yamani mask seemed to deteriorate completely, and she handed the water dish out to the four nobles, who each quickly dipped there fingers into it.
"Thank you Queenscove," Alanna called out, as she scurried away.
Jzet let out a deep breath when she finally entered the safe haven of the kitchens.
"You look like you just saw a ghost." Brandon remarked, following her into the kitchen. "Who do you have?"
"Alanna the Lioness," Jzet replied.
"You should be happy then!" He exclaimed. "At least you don't have Lord Fredrick of Haryse. He is Tortall's chief justice and boy is he a weird one. He asked me if I had a cousin who was in the Provost's Dogs."
"Do you?" Jzet asked.
"No, and that's why he is just weird." Brandon said with a sigh.
She rolled her eyes. "Well, good luck, I have to get back to the Lioness." Jzet told him regretfully.
As she walked away with the appetizer Brandon called out, "Farewell!"
Jzet proceeded to turn around and gave her friend a dirty look.
She continued back to table fourteen where the Lioness seemed to be waiting for her arrival.
"Ah, you're back Queenscove." She said, grinning. "Let me introduce you to my husband, George Cooper," The older man bowed his head in inclination, "my son, Sir Alan of Pirate's Swoop," Then the younger man seated next to George with the copper red hair spoke, "How'd you do?" And then Alanna continued on speaking and said, "and this is Alan's wife, Abby."
"Pleased to meet you," Jzet returned.
"While you were away, we were discussing your father's squire years with me." Alanna commented. She laughed. "Those were some of the worst and most entertaining years of my life."
The whole table burst out into laughter and Jzet then proceeded to finish giving out the rest of the appetizers. She did not know what to say.
The rest of the night proceeded in laughter about her father and by the time the banquet hall cleared out to enter the ball room, Jzet was exhausted.
She soon returned to her room, deciding not to wait for the prince, and fell asleep.
For the next five days Jzet waited on the Lioness' and her families table. By the sixth night she was clearly wiped out.
As Jzet was returning to her room on the last night of the Midwinter feasts Rae snuck up on her.
"Surprised to see me?" He asked, smiling.
"Yes," Jzet told him. "But, I certainly am happy to see you."
"Good," He said. "Do you want to join me in the gardens?"
"Rae, the gardens will be filled with other nobles." Jzet protested. "Someone might recognize me."
Rae rubbed her shoulders, letting the tension release from them. "I have a secret spot, just you and me."
Jzet sighed and smiled. "Fine, but I will kill you if we get caught."
He kissed her softly, "There will be none of that." He grabbed her hand. "Let's go."
Rae led her out into the dazzling gardens, which seemed to sparkle in the moonlight. She stopped a moment to admire the sight, before Rae gave her a sharp tug and continued to guide her through a maze of hedges until they reached an old wooden bench, which had vines wrapped around the legs of it.
They both sat down and looked up at the star-filled winter night sky.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Jzet asked with awe.
"Not as beautiful as you," Rae replied flirtatiously, grinning.
She punched him playfully. "You tell such wonderful lies, Rae." She grinned at him. "You could be a player."
"I don't lie." He kissed her hard on the mouth. "I only tell the truth."
"I love you Rae." Jzet told him.
"I love you too, Jzet." Rae kissed her again. "Forever and always," He pulled out a small velvet box, causing Jzet's green eyes to become wide. "Jzet when you become a knight and the war is over, will you marry me?"
Jzet gasped, as he opened the box to reveal a stunning diamond ring. It was like nothing she had ever seen her in her life. It was truly beautiful.
She looked into his grey eyes and smiled. "Yes, I will marry you Rae." With those words they kissed deeply and it seemed to Jzet hours before Rae spoke again.
"I will wait for you those four long years while you are with your knight master." He promised. He then whispered and stroked her face softly. "I will always love you."
They had a long passionate kiss and then reached for each other's belt buckles. They spent the rest of the night on the ground.
That night Jzet, clearly exhausted, returned to her rooms very late. As soon as her head touched the pillow, she instantly fell asleep.
Jzet found herself in a dark room. As her eyes adjusted to the lack of light she could make out a bed and a woman sleeping in it. She approached the bed slowly and saw that it was Gosha sleeping peacefully.
Jzet, curious, took a look around the room. Gosha had a portrait on the wall of a young looking man, who appeared solemn, but Jzet could see the smile in his light blue eyes. 'I wonder who he is.' Jzet thought, studying his face closer. She soon lost interest and began to make her way towards Gosha's desk, which faced the window. On top of it were scrolls and two silver pendants. One pendant was the shape of a heart with the initials G.P. and H.Y. inscribed in it. Jzet knew Gosha's last name was Pawhlak, but the initials H.Y. were a mystery to her.
A few minutes passed in total silence until Jzet heard a loud thump coming from down stairs. Shortly after, the shattering of glass echoed through the household. Jzet saw Gosha begin to stir at the loud noises.
Footsteps were heard coming up the stairs. She felt nausea seize her stomach and fear filled her body. She could not function. She could not move.
Jzet knew that the end for Gosha was near. This was what Gosha warned her about, her own death.
She could now see light from a candle shine through the bottom of Gosha's bedroom door. The light suddenly disappeared and the door knob turned slowly.
The figure had a cloak on. His face was covered in darkness.
He drew a dagger silently and gradually approached Gosha's bed.
Jzet held her breath. She knew she was powerless.
The man removed his hood and then proceeded to thrust the dagger upon Gosha's chest. The older woman screamed, as the dagger became lodged in her chest.
Jzet longed to help her. Gosha's screams began unbearable.
Gosha tried to rise from her bed, dagger still stuck firmly in her blood covered chest, but she soon collapsed, dead.
The man turned to exit the room and Jzet saw his face.
Instantly, a scream erupted from her mouth and disbelief flooded her body.
'It couldn't be true,' she thought. 'It just couldn't.'
Yeah a cliff hanger... Don't kill me...
This next chapter shall change the story permanently... and depending on how many reviews I get asap... is when I shall post it... So you have your challenge...
Sorry if I sound mucho pissed... because I am...
Sincerely,
Caiti (who is mad)
and Juliette (who is not mad... and she probably still loves you guys lol)
So review!