Heyy, sorry I have been so busy that I haven't found the time to update. I don't know how to say sorry enough, but I do have one teensy-weensy little complaint. According to my status, this story has been looked at 219 times. That isn't much, but…it is enough that I should have at LEAST 6 reviews. Want to know how many I have? 1. 1!!! Thank you to Kathy, who made that review!!!

And people, I know Kathy did not look at my story 219 times.

Other than that, I like where this story is going. Not to mention I wish I had Cecile's powers! (Really, I do!!!!)

And, without further ado, here is chapter four the long awaited!

Cecile's POV, of course.

The day started as it had the morning before, with one exception. I ached all over! I never realized how hard riding straight for 2 nights, and sleep on only 2 days worth of ground. My back ached, my head ached, my legs felt like lead, and my pinkies were about to fall off. (Don't ask, I don't know. Gripping reins hurt!)

I slowly tacked Cricket, ate an apple from my bag, brushed through my hair, cleaned my face, and changed. When I was done I looked at Cricket sadly. I really didn't want to ride her today. I looked down at my legs. I had been riding in soft breeches the day before, but now I had taken out thicker ones. 'Maybe they will help?' I wondered. Cricket stamped impatiently. Unlike me, she seemed to like the riding and riding and sleeping by day and eating grass instead of oats.

"Ugh. Girl, let us walk a bit, shall we?" I asked, and then grabbed Cricket's reins and led her to the road. It was early, and the sun was still out. It was quickly fading, and the sky was a wonderful shade of dark blue.

"Hgmmmmm." Cricket blew out her nose, and trotted for a step, stopped, trotted, stopped, and then looked at me.

"Naughty animal." I said as I climbed on to her. "Always have to get your way." She took off, a fast trot banging me this way and that, never letting me sit still. "Ouch, ouch, ouch!" I whispered as she hit parts of the road that swerved or if she violently lurched forward. I halted her now and then, to get a drink or to stretch. It was around twelve when I started to see signs of a village.

"Let me see." I heard someone say quietly from a bush. I whirled Cricket, and saw two little heads hide back into the bush.

"Who, who…are you?" I asked, my voice quivering.

"Well, I am Leah, and this loud mouth is Daniel." A girl of about ten walked out, leading another ten-year-old child who looked sullen. Daniel was a boy with dark blonde hair, freckles, and a short nose. He was around 4'9, which is pretty short for a boy. The girl, on the other hand, was tall with tanned blonde hair, and the same short nose. They must be twins, or at least very close cousins.

"I am not that loud. You just are a hog for space." Daniel said mulishly.

"Well, I have to go." I said in a hurry. I wandered about on streets for about an hour before coming to a checkpoint. Here there was a wall. Or, at least, I thought it was. Craning my neck and squinting against the dark, I saw that it was the castle. The Castle of Corus. I wasn't sure I wanted to go in, but I was also wandering how I had gotten so far without realizing it. I let Cricket lead, as she wove back in to the crowds that were slowly going home. Most of the nicer-looking people headed to the castle, while merchants and beggars headed to shabby looking houses or pubs.

'I don't want a pub!' I thought as I glanced around for someplace to go. Being out on the streets in Corus was bad, especially at night. I glanced at the sky. It was already black, and many stars were out.

"When did the sun go away?" I wondered, knowing it couldn't have been just a few moments before. "Why, I must have been riding for hours without noticing!" I muttered.

"Hey, do you want to bunk with us?" It was Leah, towing Daniel again.

"Where do you…bunk?" I asked. They laughed at my face.

"We live in the orphanage that Queen Thayet opened." Daniel said.

"Yes, we do. And there is a small barn there, if you want to." Leah added.

"Um, sure. But, I don't think I am an orphan." I told them, not daring to get off my horse until we were safe from all the beggars and no-bodies that were wandering the streets.

"Oh, I am sure they won't mind." Leah said as she led Cricket to one of the bigger houses on this street. Outside hung a sign proclaiming "Queen Thayet National Orphanage." We walked by, and to a small building off of the main one. There we unsaddled Cricket and placed her in one of the four stalls. Two other were filled with dozing horses, and the fourth was empty.

"Come. I bet they still have some dinner." Leah said, and slipped in through a side entrance.

The Next Day

Last night the owners of the orphanage did happen to have some extra food, which Leah, Daniel, and me ate greedily. This morning they had rolls and a little fruit, along with the chicken they had had last night. I ate a roll, but didn't feel like eating any more.

"Why aren't you eatin'?" A small boy with red hair asked me as he grabbed a piece of orange off of my plate.

"I am not hungry." I said quietly to him.

"You talk funny. Like 'em big people at da castle." He told me.

"I c'n talk like you." I said in my old lilt.

"Well, yeah!" The boy said and laughed.

"Makin' friends?" Asked a taller, red haired girl. She seemed about twelve, and the boy seemed around six. "This be my brother, Wee Brain." She said and the boy laughed and poked her.

"Th' names John." Said the boy proudly. "Like th' King." He smiled at me.

"Yeah. And my names Jess." Said the older haired red headed girl, while rolling her eyes at her little brother.

"Hey, Jess." Leah said, popping up with Daniel and sitting next to her. Despite their age difference, both girls seemed to like each others company, and Daniel sat down across from a boy to my left, who looked around nine.

"What are you going to do today?" Daniel asked me.

"I am not sure. But, I guess go out and look for work." I said, and smiled sheepishly. "Though, I won't be very good at things like bargaining or selling."

"Well, maybe you could be a waiter?" Asked Daniel. Leah slapped him.

"The only waiters around here serve at pubs, and she doesn't want THAT!" Leah said.

"No! I don't want to serve at a pub!" I exclaimed, maybe a bit too loudly.

"Don't worry, I am sure you will find something." The nine year old said to me.

"Aw…you 'ittle suck up. Chuck'll do anything for a g'rl." Said Jess, and stuck her tongue out at him.

"Will not!" Shouted Chuck.

"All right everyone calm yourselves before we are punished with more work." Leah said, and that was the end of it. 'For now' I thought.

Though this place was no Pirate's Swoop, it had a homey feeling to it. More than the streets did, anyway. Besides, I felt that I liked this form, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to rest my magic. All the nightly I had done at Pirate's Swoop had been tiring. And it is hard picking different forms.

"How long you be staying?" Asked John.

"As long as I can." I replied, and hoped it was true.

I know I haven't updated in forever, but yeah. Sorry. Anyway, I am going on a cruise for a week so even if I do update it might be lousy. Wait, that is right! I only have 1 review! So, let us see…. 4 reviews. Yup. Wont' update till I get 4 reviews. 4! Not three, not two…I already have one, but FOUR!!!

Until next time!