Swing, swing, swing
From the tangles of
My heart is crushed By a former love
Can you help me find a way
To carry on again?
Dreams cast into the sky
I'm moving on
Sweet beginnings do arise
All American Rejects- Swing Swing
Review Responses:
nativewildmage- haha I knew you would like it. Lol. Thanks for reviewing and may the force be with you forever and ever!
sunsetpony- thanks a lot... I am really glad you liked it... thanks for reviewing )
ConfusedKnight- omg you're back! yay... I totally loved each and every one of your reviews.. and I know probably you've had a bunch of reviewers say this to you... but Fallen is deffinently the best story on fanfiction right now! It is awesome.. so major props to you... thanks for reviewing... I really appreciate it!
Misled Nymph- haha Juliette is here at my house and she says she will try and stop me from being so evil. loll...and I will put up a little tidbit about how jacqueline was arrested as an extra chapter... thanks for reviewing again!
Lady Sapphirea- you know chuck norris personally? lol that is pretty cool... No I just like putting up those stupid jokes because my reviewers like them... lol... thanks a lot for reviewing! you're awesome!
Pesche- haha.. I am pretty evil. I will admit that. your title ideas are pretty good... and I will deffinently put your ideas into consideration. thank you soo much for reviewing.
DreamlndxFantasy- haha I am just too evil. Unfortunately, Jonathan will not be in this chapter! haha gasp if you want to, but I didn't put him in. So kill me I dont care! haha.. excuse my crazyness.. I am mad tired and my editor is staying with me for three days so I am in between the stages of hyperness and exhaustion.. Lol... thanks for reviewing..
Erytha- oh, no, this is close to being done. I am splitting up her page and squire years. It is just too long at this rate. anyway.. thanks mucho for reviewing.. I appreciate it!
An angel on ice- haha wow... desperateness.. loll.. I don't know what the pairing will turn out... that is all I am going to say. Well, actually I do, but I am certainly not telling anyone... haha... thanks a lot for the review.. read on please!
On Top of Cloud9- haha you love me? Just for having Jzet and Jonathan share a little kiss.. haha.. yeah I know I am amazing just for writing that.. lol... anyway... thanks for the terrific review.. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Warning: Heart to Heart talk included in this chapter, do not vomit. I repeat do not vomit.
Dedication: To Irish People (like me) because it is St. Patrick's Day kids!!!! Luck of the Irish!
Disclaimer: I own nothing of this.
Shocked- it was a word that perfectly described how Page Jzeliette of Queenscove felt at the moment. It was not every day one of your best friends admitted his feelings for you and then kissed you. After all these years Jzet knew Prince Jonathan of Conte, she assumed his care and protection was out of brotherly love, certainly not the romantic type of love. After a few minutes Lee was finally able to bring Jzet out of her current stunned state.
"What's wrong with you?" She asked, concerned. "You act like you just saw the Black god."
Jzet shook her head in denial. "I'm fine." She said, and then took a deep breath. She decided to change the subject. "I think I'll start heading towards the mess hall. It's almost supper."
Lee looked at her oddly. Jzet figured that she knew something was amiss, but she would not question her excuse. "Okay then, I'll see you later."
Jzet bade farewell to her friend and then ducked out of the room, practically stumbling into the hallway.
She had to take only two steps, when a familiar voice asked from behind her, "Where do you think you're going, Queenscove?"
Surprised, Jzet turned on her heel to come face to face with her training master. She almost took off in a sprint in the opposite direction, but Jzet's long years of learning discipline through her Shang training, kept her feet glued to the ground.
She decided to play it dumb, even though she knew exactly what he wanted to discuss. "To the mess hall my lord," She did not make eye contact with the man in fear that she would begin to stammer. "Why do you ask?"
"I am not enjoying your act Queenscove." He replied coldly. "I was never a fan of the players at the theaters."
"Sorry to hear that, my lord." Jzet told him.
He gazed at her with hard blue eyes. Jzet knew he was beginning to grow annoyed at her evasion of the topic of interest- Rae.
"Follow me Queenscove." He ordered her. "We're going to have a nice, little chat in my office."
Jzet visibly gulped. She certainly did not like the sound of that. "Yes, my lord,"
She shuffled quietly behind her training master. Her head was bowed in submission, like a lamb being lead to the slaughter house. She knew she had to face Lord Padarig sometime, but he had caught her totally unprepared.
Once they reached his office, He opened the door and then said stiffly, "Go inside and make yourself comfortable."
Jzet obeyed and settled herself into the chair in front of his desk. She was beginning to sweat, as Lord Padarig made his way to his own chair. Was he going to dismiss her after her affair with Rae?
"You know why you are here, right Queenscove?" He asked wearily.
"Yes, my lord,"
"I am glad you know." He replied. His voice suddenly became stern. "Please, by Mithros, give me one reason to not dismiss you right here and now."
"I do not have a reason, my lord." Jzet admitted; her heart began to beat faster. She began to strain to keep her Yamani mask intact. "I disobeyed your direct orders on the subject of romance. I most likely have given you a negative opinion about lady warriors. And I have probably disappointment you greatly."
The training master studied her intently. He did not speak. The silence was unbearable for Jzet.
"Should I dismiss myself, my lord?" She asked, knowing there was no possible way he would let her stay after the affair with Rae. He was a teacher after all.
"Queenscove don't be such a fool." He told her coldly. "I am not going to dismiss you."
"My lord?" Jzet said, staring at her training master.
Lord Padarig sighed. "I was stupid to believe you would not involve yourself with a man." He explained. "You're eighteen Queenscove, much older than any page I have ever instructed. I could not expect you to keep a clean slate all four years you were here. Discipline can only take you so far. Sometimes our desires as men and women take over us." Jzet could see her training master turn slowly red. He was uncomfortable for talking about such an embarrassing subject in front of his student.
"But, my lord, it was with an instructor here." Jzet babbled. She did not understand how she could be let off the hook so easily. "I should have never got involved with him, even though we were old friends-"
"Another point I wanted to prove." He continued on, cutting her off sharply. "I knew the Shang Tiger was from the Yamani Islands. He told me in the interview we had." He began to rub his temples, as if a headache was coming on. "Later on, I assumed you probably knew him from your Shang training there."
Jzet nodded. "We trained together, my lord."
Lord Padarig nodded quickly, before carrying on. "It was quite foolish of me to think you would not rekindle any kind of relationship you had in the past."
"My lord, I-"
"Enough, Queenscove," Lord Padarig commanded her in a bellowing voice. "I am giving you a chance to start over and I damn well expect you to take it."
"Yes, my lord," Jzet replied, her head bowed low. She tried her best to try to hide the shame under her Yamani mask.
"I believe the only people who are aware of this incident, are the monarchs, the Provost Guard you told the story of that woman's murder, and I." the training master informed her. "And I want you to know Queenscove; by Mithros I shall not tell a soul of this. I swear." He picked up the look of uncertainty in her eyes. He was somewhat of a Conservative, after all. "You need to trust me on this one, Queenscove. I am your training master and I deserve to be trusted."
"I trust you, my lord." Jzet replied and she truly did believe him. He was an honorable man.
He continued on with his speech. "This information could permanently damage your reputation and the reputations of many other lady warriors." Jzet felt fear rise in her stomach. She had no thought of the reputations of the other numerous female warriors in the realm, only her own. She believed she would be the only one affected.
Of course not stupid, she thought. This was the kind of break the conservatives needed, so they could openly attack women warriors in Tortall. How could you be so dumb? How could you be so caught up in love to not realize the consequences of the relationship? These thoughts continued to swirl around her head.
"For your knowledge, the monarchs have also agreed to stay silent, along with the Provost Guard, who even agreed to take an oath of silence." Jzet breathed a great sigh of relief and sent a prayer of thanks to the gods. She would have to show gratitude that Provost Guard one day. He saved her a lot of trouble.
There was a long silence in the room, before Jzet finally decided to break it.
"I don't know what to say, my lord." Jzet said frankly. "I am just so grateful for what you have done for me. I appreciate it very much." She added sincerely.
"I am glad to here it." He replied with a much lighter tone than before. "But, just promise me one thing Queenscove."
"Anything, my lord," Jzet said. She would truly promise anything to the man, who just saved her reputation and gave her a new chance to start over.
"Please do not get involved with another man, while you are here at the palace." He sighed, on account of the awkwardness. "I know I have no business in your love life, but it would be in your best interest not to."
Jonathan's face immediately flashed in her mind. She swallowed hard. She knew a relationship with the prince would be impossible. He had to marry for the good of the country and that was it. This was just another reason not to get romantically involved with him.
"I promise, my lord." She said firmly.
He got up and led Jzet by the shoulder towards the door, to her great discomfort. Before he opened it to let her out, he paused.
"You will be a great knight one day Queenscove." He told her. Jzet almost blushed at the compliment. "I know the gods have plans for you." Jzet suddenly smirked, thinking of the dream god, Ganiel. "I just don't want you to throw away your future over such a terrible thing like that."
Jzet nodded, understanding him fully. "Yes, my lord,"
"The king told me about the prophesy." He added quietly. "You have a challenging path set out in front of you."
"I know, my lord." Jzet replied.
"I am glad you know Queenscove, but you still have to come to fact about how many people are counting on you to fulfill this prophesy. In fact, this whole country is counting on you." Jzet nodded. He took a deep breath, looked her straight in the eye and continued on. "I look at you now, Queenscove, a young girl that is striving to be a great warrior. To become a legend and fulfill an almost impossible prophesy. I look to your future and I have faith that you will become strong and powerful enough, to defeat this monster and the burden that has been put upon the world."
"You really think so, my lord?" Jzet was so surprised about his great confidence in her; she swore her mouth had to be wide open.
"Of course, you fool, or I wouldn't have said it." He retorted.
"Thank you, my lord," Jzet said, holding back a blush that was rising to her cheeks.
He clapped her hard on the back. "Anytime Queenscove, anytime,"
There was a long pause.
"Dismissed?" She questioned, breaking the silence.
"Dismissed." He returned firmly, a small smile touched his lips.
Jzet bowed and then scurried from the room. She left for the mess hall with a new found respect for her training master.
Jzet had managed to slink in and out of the mess hall without being seen by any of her friends. She had arrived late, on account of her chat with Lord Padarig. Her friends were already sitting at the table in the far corner, absorbed in their conversation. She decided not to bother them and took a seat by herself, in the corner, out of the vision of her friends.
Jzet ate quickly, practically stuffing the food down her throat. She then got up and returned her dirty silver ware and plate to the table next to the kitchens. Jzet snuck one last glance at her friends and then slipped out of the mess hall.
Once out, she did not feel like returning to her rooms to talk to Lee. Instead, she headed down to the indoor practice courts.
It was mostly deserted, except for two sparring knights in the middle of the ring. Jzet watched them intently exchange blows. They were pretty evenly matched, which made the spar rather entertaining.
Finally, it ended with the tip of the tall, blonde haired knight's sword resting on the neck of his opponent, a muscular, curly, brown haired knight. The two men clasped hands and then headed towards their water skins. Jzet continued to watch the two men as they greedily guzzled down their water, until they stopped, both satisfied.
Watching the two knights spar, put Jzet in enough motivation to got practice her Shang skills.
Jzet then walked over to a cloth, dirt filled dummy, which was in the far corner of the practice courts. She rolled up her sleeves and set to work, punching and kicking the dummy until her body became sore and soaked in sweat.
She finally stopped to take a break, a half an hour later, after many vigorous exercises that left her content with her work. Jzet sat on the ground and began to meditate. She let her breathing slow down, until it was steady once again.
"Having fun?" A man's voice asked, breaking her concentration.
Jzet's eyelids fluttered open immediately and she sprang up from her seat on the ground. She reflexively fell into her attack stance. The knight that was sparring before, the curly, brown haired one, stood there chuckling.
She suddenly recognized him. It was Sir James of Nond, the knight that saved her life a couple of months before.
"You," She murmured.
"Yes me," He returned with a grin. "Is this how you greet everyone?" He asked, referring to her attack stance.
Jzet immediately straightened up, slightly embarrassed. "No, I only greet people like this when they startle me, like you did."
His hazel eyes danced with mirth. He certainly was enjoying himself.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?" James asked, changing the topic. "I mean, I have been doing hand to hand combat since my page years and I am definitely not as good as you."
"I grew up on the Yamani Islands." Jzet told him, not wanting to reveal to him that she was a Shang.
"They teach you that on the Yamani Islands?" He inquired, flabbergast.
"Yep," She replied with a smirk.
"Well, I am never going there then." He said. "I would be the laughing stock of the whole country."
"Yamani's don't laugh." Jzet informed him, trying not to laugh herself. Wouldn't she look like such a fool then, if she burst out laughing? "They hide their emotions."
"Oh, so that is why you always have that blank face?"
"Yep," She responded.
"Oh, I thought it was just because you didn't like me." He said.
"Who said I did like you?" She teased.
He rolled his eyes. "Are you still a page?" He asked. "You're as old as me for Mithros sake!"
"Yeah, I am on my fourth year." She said. "I am almost done."
"Yeah, I remember those days with Lord Padarig." He grinned in his reminiscing. "Days I certainly would like to forget." He added. "How about the Yamani guy you were with last time? What ever happened to him?"
Jzet sighed. "We went our separate ways a few days ago." She did not want to tell this knight the details.
"Oh, that's too bad," He remarked with little display of emotion.
"Yeah, I can see you're devastated." Jzet shot back.
"Maybe I am secretly a Yamani and I am holding my true feelings back." He retorted. "So, eat that."
Jzet rolled her eyes. "You would be the worse Yamani ever."
"I beg to differ!" He cried. "I can be an excellent Yamani. Watch this!" He put on a blank face. "I am a Yamani and I kick ass in hand to hand combat. You better watch out. I'm coming for you."
Jzet laughed. "Wow, impressive, I'll give you five stars."
James bowed. "Thank you, thank you; you've been a wonderful audience."
The bell suddenly chimed.
"Well, I better get going." Jzet said regretfully. "It's been nice talking to you, sir knight."
"Nice talking to you fair lady." He returned with a smile.
Jzet rolled her eyes and then made her way back to her rooms, in higher spirits than before.
The next morning, Jzet rose from her bed early. Her Midwinter break was officially over and it was unfortunately time to get back to her regular schedule of Page training. Jzet knew this half of the year was going to be the hardest part of her four year. Jzet and the rest of the fourth years only had a few months until the big exams, which if they passed, would make them into Squires of the realm. Without a doubt, Lord Padarig would step up the training during these last months. She would not even be surprised if he added extra weights to their harnesses today.
Jzet got up and scooped up the clothes that lay at the end of her bed. They were set out by Lee the night before. Jzet got changed quickly and quietly, hoping not to disturb Lee, who was still fast asleep. She splashed cold water on her face and then slipped out of the room, without making a single sound.
She walked down the Page's Wing at a slow pace. She was in no rush. It was still pretty early. She doubted if even Brandon was awake from his slumber yet. Jzet finally reached the mess hall three minutes later with only two pages inside, Egan of Aili and Yurgo of River's Edge. Both boys were only in their second year and did not have any association with Jzet's group of friends. They paid no regard to her and continued on with their conversation.
Jzet shrugged and sat down in her usual spot. The cooks had not put the food out yet. It was still too early.
Bored, Jzet watched a few pages slowly trickle into the mess hall with weary expressions on their faces. Jzet smirked to herself. They were in for a long day.
Suddenly, Audrey's face caught her eye. The fourteen year old page was slowly lumbering into the mess hall, dragging a disheveled Brandon behind her. Madison and Kate brought up the rear with a look of crabbiness plastered on their faces. They apparently were not pleased with falling back to their normal routine. All of them were usually late risers on off days having to be dragged from their beds.
Audrey soon spotted Jzet and her face light up considerably.
"Jzet!" She cried, letting go of Brandon, who almost tumbled on to the floor. Audrey ran to the table, as fast as her feet could carry her. Soon, Jzet found herself in a bone crushing hug.
"It's good to see you too, Audrey." Jzet returned, grinning.
"Where have you been?" She demanded her arms crossed over her chest. "I haven't seen you for days!"
Brandon, Madison, and Kate finally reached the table. Apparently, they weren't in as much as a rush as Audrey was to see Jzet.
"How have you been doing?" Brandon asked, covering up a yawn.
"Um, okay, I could be better though." Jzet admitted.
Brandon shrugged. "You can't get everything." He mumbled. He was still obviously in his sleep mode, making him barely comprehendible and even slightly disoriented.
The pages sat down.
Audrey leaned over across the table and hissed, "So, what happened with Rae?"
Jzet inwardly sighed. She knew she could not keep the secret from her best friend forever. "He was really a Carthaki spy sent by Zulch." Jzet told her, keeping her voice low. "So, I killed him."
"Killed him?" Audrey repeated, shocked. Her eyebrows were raised considerably. "You killed him," She snapped her fingers, "just like that."
"Yep," Jzet replied, not faltering at all.
"But I thought you loved him!" She practically cried, causing Jzet to quickly put her hand over the younger girl's mouth.
"Shut up, do you want the whole world to know?" Jzet hissed.
Audrey cringed, upset about Jzet's harsh tone of voice. "Sorry," She said in a whisper. "It just came to a surprise to me."
Jzet nodded, as a sign of her forgiveness.
"So, what did the Rattler say?" Audrey asked.
"He found out about our relationship." Jzet said while glancing up at the training master, who was sipping his morning tea. "He was displeased, but let me off the hook, as long as I didn't do it again."
"Wow, the Rattler was that forgiving?" Audrey questioned. She was just as surprised, as Jzet had been.
"Yeah, well, he isn't as bad as he looks." Jzet commented. "He is actually a pretty nice man."
"Kearney would beg to differ." Audrey mumbled.
"Of course he would." Jzet shot back. "He was always getting in so much blasted trouble, that's why!"
While Audrey and Jzet were talking, Brandon, Kate, and Madison had gotten their food and finally returned.
"Are you two eating this morning?" Kate asked, dropping her tray with a clink onto the table. "Or are you going to continue to gossip like a bunch of court ladies?"
"I'm going." Audrey grumbled. "I just had to get things settled out first."
Jzet joined Audrey on the back of the food line. Her stomach began to growl ferociously, causing Jzet to curse at it silently. Behave! She scolded it mentally. Of course, her stomach did not listen and continue to rumble.
Once they returned to their table and got settled, the topic of Jacqueline arose.
"I am so glad that psycho bitch is finally gone!" Brandon ejaculated enthusiastically. Jzet sighed deeply. She decided not to scold Brandon on his foul language, at least for now. "I swear she made this place a living funeral."
"I still can't believe she was arrested for treason." Kate remarked quietly. "I wonder, what she did?"
Jzet shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She knew exactly what Jacqueline did, spy on the nation of Tortall. Jzet felt slightly guilty for selling out the girl, although she was sworn enemies with her. Jacqueline really had no control over her fate. Her parents had died, leaving her with a treasonous uncle, who probably manipulated her mind. There was a terrible punishment for treason, death. A thing, despite her terrible deeds, Jacqueline most likely did not deserve. She was just unfortunate for having such a rotten uncle. Jzet thought bitterly and then dejectedly stuck her fork into a small pile of sausage.
It was going to be a long day.
Jzet was in a dream, again. She seemed to be in a small room with a round table in the center. Shelves with scrolls covered the whole wall to her right. A giant map of the countries that existed around the Emerald Ocean was straight ahead of her, nailed to the wall.
It was quiet, the same quiet that existed before a deadly storm.
Suddenly, the door burst open and a furious looking Zulch, closely followed by Jacqueline's uncle, Nammir, stormed the room.
"One of my spies is dead and the other is arrested for treason! Gods curse them!" Zulch roared and banged his fist against the table. He pounded on it so hard that his dry skin began to crack and bleed. To Jzet's disturbance though, it immediately healed, leaving the skin unscathed. He turned to Nammir. "What is the meaning of this Nammir?"
"My king," Jzet could tell Nammir was trembling, "that girl eliminated my best spy. I am as distraught as you."
'What about Jacqueline? Doesn't even he care about her?' Jzet thought. His own niece was about to be sent to death.
"Those spies of yours got themselves caught and killed! They're pathetic!" Zulch shouted in fury. He struck Nammir with the back of his left hand. "How dare you send those two morons to spy for me?" Nammir staggered back.
"My king, I am deeply sorry." Nammir got down on his knees like a groveling idiot. "I will send better one's next time."
"There won't be a next time Nammir at this rate!" Zulch retorted; his red eyes shone dangerously.
"I will punish that fool, Rae, family for you my king and then I will send new and better spies to Tortall's capitol." Nammir promised. Jzet's mind immediately jumped to Aria. That monster was going to harm one of her oldest friends, even though she was Rae's wife. She had a strong desire to strangle Nammir right then and there.
"I am done with spying, you fool!" Zulch roared. "We are sending a declaration of war to that Tortallan King. I want war, now. My army is ready and we shall conquer!"
"Yes, my king," Nammir said obediently, whimpering slightly.
"I want it sent out as soon as possible," He barked, "with no delays." He added.
"Of course, my king," Nammir bowed low and then scampered out of the room.
Once Nammir was out of sight, Zulch took down a sword that was hanging above the map. He proceeded to take his anger out on the blade, by bending the metal with his bare hands.
"Tortall shall be destroyed!" He cried and threw the sword up in the air. Zulch's magic seized it and it shattered into a million pieces. The fragments flew everywhere, even puncturing Zulch's skin. The Fitrakis shrugged it off and the fragments that were embedded in his skin fell to the floor.
'So, it has begun.' Jzet thought bitterly.
Ha- I bet you thought my warning about the heart to heart talk would be Jonathan and Jzet talking. Nope, I am pure evil. So now, I will keep you waiting even longer to see how this whole love mess turns out. Oh and if you didn't get the dream thing, just for an FYI Carthak officially declared war on Tortall. Ha- I bet you thought my warning about the heart to heart talk would be Jonathan and Jzet talking. Nope, I am pure evil. So now, I will keep you waiting even longer to see how this whole love mess turns out. Oh and if you didn't get the dream thing, just for an FYI Ha- I bet you thought my warning about the heart to heart talk would be Jonathan and Jzet talking. Nope, I am pure evil. So now, I will keep you waiting even longer to see how this whole love mess turns out. Oh and if you didn't get the dream thing, just for an FYI Ha- I bet you thought my warning about the heart to heart talk would be Jonathan and Jzet talking. Nope, I am pure evil. So now, I will keep you waiting even longer to see how this whole love mess turns out. Oh and if you didn't get the dream thing, just for an FYI
A/N I just want to wish a happy saint patrick's day to everyone.. Irish or not.. I am Irish, so I shall be celebrating this great holiday! lol... Anyone from new york here... Can you believe it snowed today!?!? It's the middle of march for christ sakes! loll... Sorry.. It was just really annoying snow today because it hailed for like 7 hours today and didn't even cancell school... booo
Well, review please
Thanks,
Caiti and Juliette