A/N: I'd like to entitle all (well most) of the alcohol to my friend Jade Drake. And to those who thought she was twelve when she was having romantic thoughts- she was thirteen as it said in bold letters and she's older in wisdom if not age. Besides they marry sometimes at the age of 15 so I seem to think that they mature faster than we do today. And sorry I haven't put this up sooner but I have been a little busy with too many things
It gets sorta PG-13 in this chapter in a spot.
Chapter 4: A Little Bit of Alcohol Goes a Long Way
1year 9months after arrival at the Convent/ May13- Alanna's 14th
It was a warm May night and the Painted Bird was full of drunken laughter. Alanna and Arianna had snuck out of the Convent to go celebrate Alanna's 14th birthday at the Bird. Arianna was a little nervous because it was her first time going down to the Inn for drinking. Since it was Alanna's birthday Arianna was paying for everything. So far Alanna was on her third screwdriver (A/N: for those who do not know what a screwdriver is, it is Vodka and orange juice mixed) and was getting just a little tipsy (Hint, hint nudge, nudge,sarcasm). Arianna had had just finished her first margarita and was about to order a pina colada when Alanna finished her screwdriver and (with the encouragement of the Rouges who knew she were also drunk) went to play cards. Arianna decided against the pina colada and went to make sure Alanna didn't get too carried away- unlike Arianna, who could hold her alcohol very well, Alanna got very drunk very easily; a lightweight. Arianna squeezed in between people and got to Alanna in the center of the group surrounding the card table. Arianna grimaced when she saw what card game Alanna was playing. She was, with four others, playing a version of Slap Jack (A/N: and yes it is Slap Jack). The rules of the game were to slap the jacks when they came up, but if you slap the wrong card you drink a shot of rum and depending on how many shot of rum you had by the end of the round you had to pay the winner- one shot, one piece of copper etc. Also if lost the game, by not having any jacks, you took a shot and paid. It was just a lovely game for Alanna to be playing.
When Alanna realized Arianna was there she ordered a margarita.
"Hey, what do I look like; a damn maid" Arianna replied to her request
Alanna looked her up and down. "You look close enough to me"
Arianna exclaimed and lightly hit her "And you're drunk"
"I meant normally."
Arianna just went to the bar "Hey, Dirk, Give me a margarita for Lady Alanna and make it virgin." The barkeeper just grinned. "Also a pina colada for me"
When Arianna returned half the rum bottle was gone. Arianna set down the virgin margarita in front of Alanna who tasted it and whined "Hey, there's no alcohol in it. I want that" and pointed at the pina colada.
"This," Arianna replied sweetly, rattling the tankard. And the chugged it all down in one gulp to the laughs of the tavern members. "Ooops, all gone"
Alanna just glared at her "Humph"
"Oh, Alanna I really don't think you need anything more to drink," came Shylock's sweet, flippant voice from the stairs. Alanna's heart flip-flopped. He just leaned his slender form against the stairwell wall. "You've had quite enough" he said smoothly.
'Damn he looks good. No, no bad Alanna. I can't like him. But he just radiates with wonderfulness. No! No! No!' Alanna fought an emotional battle. 'So lovely, just gorgeous in his own, special way only I can see. Hmmmm,' she dreamily to herself. 'Such a nice body'. Realization struck her like a brick. 'I really like him. I really do, it's not just lust. And I just realized it. Gods I'm stupid,' she was mentally disgusted at her own stupidity.
Arianna's voice roused her from her mental stupor. "I have to agree with you there Shylock," Arianna was smiling. "She's had three screwdrivers and who knows how many shots of rum," She proclaimed. "Just think of the hangover she'll have tomorrow." That roused a laugh out of every one, even Alanna.
"Arianna," Shylock said quietly in her ear. "With your permission can I take Alanna to go get her birthday gift? It wouldn't be suitable to be given down here." Arianna looked skeptical. "Don't worry, it's nothing like that. Beside if it was, why would I ask your permission first?"
'Not that I haven't thought about it,' thought Shylock innocently
"You'd ask so I wouldn't be suspicious that you'd do any thing," replied Arianna sniffed. (A/N: hey I just figured out a favorite word- malicious. Don't ask.)
"Yes, but then if I didn't ask and just took her into my room you'd be even more wary of me and then where would I be."
Arianna laughed jovially. "Fine you win. Go and take her to get her gift."
Alanna followed Shylock up the stairs wonder what her precious present was. As the came to Shylock's door he asked, "Can you close your eyes, I want this to be a wonderful surprise." Alanna obeyed. Shylock took her hand ('Ooh, I wonder what this is' Alanna thought happily to herself) and led her in to the room. ('That spoiled my good thoughts.' Alanna mentally sulked.) He let go of her hand and she heard stuff being moved about in the room. The shuffling stop and Shylock said "Open your eyes."
She opened her eyes, "Oh glory" she exclaimed as she saw that Shylock held a sword. It was in a dark metal sheath with a crystal the size of a small plum embedded into the top of the hilt. Alanna took the sword from Shylock and pulled it out of its sheath. The sword was thin and light but had a broadsword's double edge; the hilt fit perfectly in her palm and it was the perfect weight and length. It fit her perfectly in every way possible.
"Shylock how did you get this, it must be custom made, I…" Alanna asked.
Shylock cut her off with a laugh, "Actually I found it at a good second hand armory. It may be second hand, but I only glanced at it and I immediately thought of you. I must have been Fate if you say it. The owner of the place said it was found near barony Olau in some ruins, so it must be pretty old. I had to clean it up a little but other than that, it was used very little. I really hope you like it." Alanna looked up into Shylock's dark, sensitive face and saw something that frightened her but at the same time made her tingly with happiness. He was looking at her with a passionate fondness she had never seen before.
She looked away from his face, speaking softly "I love it, it's wonderful." She felt him slouch with disappointment. "I really do like it" and with that she looked at his face again and gave him a friendly hug him to make him feel better. Later she wondered where she missed her common sense, but now she, Alanna, turned her friendly hug into an impassioned fiery embrace. Shylock started a bit but then relaxed and put his arms around her too, holding her firmly, stroking her now shoulder length hair. They stood for a few moments in a warm silence. Shylock was just starting to really enjoy this and about to go further, but then Alanna, coming to her better senses, broke the silence.
"Stop, cease and desist for one moment." She forced herself (it was really quite hard for her) to let go of Shylock. "I shouldn't be doing this. It only happened because of my drunkenness is taking over my judgment... I..I.."
Shylock looked taken back. "I thought you liked what we were doing because you started it."
Alanna sat down on the bed. "I did like it, but it shouldn't be happening, it's not right, even though I think I love you." She sharply in took her breath at what she just said. 'Damn it, I promised my self I would never tell him. Stupid drunkenness.' She slapped herself mentally- and quite hard too, and put her head in her hands.
Shylock looked like a fish out of water.
Alanna laughed dryly- at herself and at Shylock- then took a deep breath. "I liked you from the first time I saw you, a lot more than called for. I thought it was just lust so I pushed the feeling away and tried my best to forget about it. Every time I saw you I had to push the feeling away. But tonight I realized- after so damned long- that it was more than lust." She hung her head and laughed ironically. "You want to know the real reason I pushed the so-called lust away." She looked up at Shylock, smiling sardonically. "I'm afraid of love, funny isn't it? I can't explain it any better so just except it as an explanation."
Shylock listened to Alanna contemplatively. 'I never knew or would have guessed she felt that way. Damn, this makes my life even more complicated. It was ok when I liked her because I knew I could never have her. But now, she likes me back, and that makes it harder to resist her.'
"Please say something. I can't stand the silence." Alanna's shaky voice broke his thoughts.
"Ok, but I might sound stupid," he teased, the sobered up. "I think you were pretty brave saying what you did."
"Only as an explanation for my out break of thought," replied Alanna in a matter of factly voice.
"Still I wouldn't have been able to say it even as an explanation. For me there is only one way." Shylock looked directly into Alanna's eye and both their hearts swelled with fiery keenness. "Don't be scared."
He lightly pulled Alanna off the bed and drew her close to him. She was mesmerized. Using his fingers he gently lifted her chin to have her look at him. They looked into each others eyes both pair alit with an understanding love. As Shylock leaned down to kiss her, Alanna put her arms around his neck and pulled her self closer to him. He kissed her slow at first - to make sure she was fine with what he was doing- then a bit faster and with even more enthusiasm than before. Lips were pressed together trying to equal the passion felt by the two. Soon she let his tongue into her mouth. In and out it went caressing the inside of her mouth. They stood for who knows how long, just taking in each others love and passion, kissing like they never wanted to be separated. And in their minds that was how it was going to be- never apart. She started to nibble on his ear and he started to kiss her neck. Both of them sighed loudly with pleasure. They started leaning towards the bed, but Alanna stopped before they could not stop from falling onto the bed.
"Not yet. We only just met, remember," Alanna teased. Shylock looked mockingly sad. Alanna laughed, "We might want to get back to the rest of the party. People will wonder what happened."
She took a step forward towards the door and fell over her own feet. Shylock chuckled.
"I must be drunker than I thought" Alana expressed her amusement then whispered under her breath "Stupid drunkenness."
Shylock heard and hid a snort of laughter. "Alanna, why don't I help you down to the common room?" Alanna just pouted and grudgingly accepted. They headed out the door side by side, Alanna clinging to Shylock to hold her self up. Half way to the stairs Alanna remembered she had her present in Shylock's room and told him so.
"Shall I escort my lady fair to go get it," asked Shylock.
"No, I'll be fine but please inform any one who asks, that we were testing out my present."
"And I'll tell them that you had to use the privy as an excuse for your absence when I return with out you."
"Thank you." Alanna replied. She kissed him and walked back to the room, stumbling every few steps and walking sideways into the walls all while singing to her self. Shylock just gave a soft laugh as he watched her go. 'She's so gorgeous' he thought merrily with a mental dreamy smile on.
Arianna saw and heard Alanna coming down the stairs with a thunk and thud here and there and walked to meet her.
"Gods, what took you so long," Arianna asked Alanna as she stumbled off the last step of the stair well.
"It's not entirely my fault," said Alanna. "It's just that I wanted to try out my new present." ('Which isn't totally a lie,' Alanna reflected. "Shylock is a lovely present'). Then Alanna showed Arianna her sword.
Arianna whistled. "It's sweet. I hope it works really well for you," she smiled.
"Thanks." Alanna smiled back.
"So what you going to call it."
"I don't know, but I'll think about it. But for now I think we'd better go back to the Convent and get at least a few hours of sleep."
"Sure why not."
They both headed towards the door and only Alanna looked back to give Shylock a very sweet smile, before heading out into the night. Arianna noticed.
"Oh, Arianna, do you think I could have that hang over remedy in the morning," Alanna asked absentmindedly as she staggered down the street, holding on to Arianna for support who stumble with the extra weight, while trying to keep up right her self. "I think I'm going to need it."
"So am I," Arianna muttered under her breath to herself. "Sure it I'll be ready," she answered to Alanna. "But not by me," she said to herself, as her head started pound fiercely. Alanna didn't hear; she was to busy staring at the stars overhead and being in LaLa land with Shylock.
Alanna woke to a bright room filled with sunlight and a headache she wouldn't wish to inflict on her worst enemy. She tried to sit up but stopped as her head began to hurt even worse and the room had started to spin. When the room settled, she looked around and saw Cynthra standing beside her bed waiting patiently and looking very cheerful.
"Where's Arianna?" Alanna mumbled squinting as the room brightened.
"She's still sound asleep; looks like she had more to drink than you last night." Cynthra responded brightly. "Well I hope you enjoyed your self last night."
"Yah, I had fun." Alanna started to smile but stopped as it made her head give a painful throb. "That little sneak, only letting me have a certain amount of liquor then drinking more while my back was turned," Alanna complained with feigned anger.
"Okay… So what dress do you want to wear today?"
"I'll take my midnight blue one."
Cynthra handed over the hangover remedy that she had been holding and went to go get the dress out of the closet. Alanna drank the remedy in one gulp to not taste its bad flavor and sat blissfully back to let the herbs help her headache.
"Here you go and if you don't mind I'll go wake up Arianna," Cynthra said and left. When she left Alanna could actually get out of bed with out her head making her lie down again.
Arianna woke to sounds coming from the next room. Her head hurt like it had been pounded on for hours by a very hard rock. 'Hey I've had worse,' Arianna told herself remembering one to many nights she was at the tavern in Cymry's Ridge. Her head still hurt a lot. She was just about to ask her self what had happened last night when she remembered. Before Alanna had gone up stairs with Shylock she had only two drinks, which was nothing compared to previous drinking times. Right after Alanna had disappeared up the stairs with Shylock Arianna ordered a screwdriver and drank it slowly. After ten minutes had gone by Arianna was worried because how frickin' long did it take to get a present. Also there were many things Shylock could do to Alanna. Arianna was mistrustful about Shylock; she felt he was hiding something and that if it was found it would have a dire consequence. After those thoughts came through, Arianna had started drinking drink after drink after… drink? She would have never guessed she was a nervous drinker. Well you learn something new each day 'How many were there'? She worked hard to remember and was rewarded; she had had, after the screwdriver, a few shots of vodka; juice and tequila; some (who knows how much) gin; a wine cooler; a pina colada; and a last Long Island Ice Tea (A/N: which is basically a hard liquor mixer, with very little tea involved, lucky she didn't get alcohol poisoning). 'Damn lucky I didn't pass out cold. My limit is usually only six, that was um… um… ten. Gods I must have been really worried. Nothing I can do about it now. I'll just have to be more careful next time.' She was just about to get up when her door opened and Cynthra came in bright and sunny, as normal. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, it will hurt like hell. What do you remember of last night"?
"Uh, I don't know," Arianna replied screwing up her face, trying to think. "The last thing I remember was me and Alanna leaving the Inn, I don't remember even coming home."
Cynthra just laughed. "Well let me fill you in. I was waiting in your room for you when you came home; because I knew you make sure Alanna was in bed so she could sleep off her drunkenness. I wanted to talk to you about that night's events. You came in looking sort of tired, but otherwise you looked fine. You mumbled something about hangover remedies for the morning and went to sit on the bed, but," she looked amused, "you never made it that far. The ground and your head sort of wanted to meet, and gravity made it happen. If you're too confused right now, in simpler words, you passed out cold. I thought something was wrong, but I examined you with my Sight and you looked fine. So I lifted you on to your bed and you muttered something about no more drinking. I guess you had one to many drinks last night, eh." Cynthra's face was crinkle up with laughter. Arianna just scowled at her. "Here, I think this belongs to you more than any body." Cynthra handed her the hangover remedy and went to the door. "Oh, just to let you know, there is only 40 min until breakfast". Then she left Arianna scrambling to get ready for the day.
1year 10 months after arrival at Convent, June, both 14yrs
One night on a mid-June eve the three trouble makers of the Convent were in a secret room practicing their magical techniques. Cynthra was drilling on them on all they had been taught so far by her, which was quite a lot. Even though Cynthra was only fifteen she knew a lot more than even Alanna's or Arianna's first teachers had. It was quite amazing; she drilled them like the Convent Daughters, but was nicer and was actually understandable. She acted like she had the wisdom of the priestess of the Crone.
Right now Cynthra was almost done with their review. All they had left to review was mental defense and offense; all types of physical layered shields, which there were about 7 or more types; complex combative magic's; and working with elements at higher levels. They had already gone over fire throwing, lightning bolt attacks, thread magic, healing, smaller shields, elemental magic, talking with animals, moving objects, out of body travel and other telepathy, transforming items, mind reading, fortune telling, mental contacting and speaking, and candle magic. There was a scale magical ability going, from least power to most power, Apprentice; Journeyman; Advanced; Master; and Adept. From Cynthra's point of view Alanna and Arianna were at a high Master level, with out a doubt. She also thought that they were almost to the Adept level, but wasn't sure. That was the reason she was giving them a test. Alanna and Arianna both knew that it was a review. They didn't know the truth: this was a test to see if they could claim the respected Adept level recognition and that, through Cynthra, another Adept was watching them do the examination. The Adept that Cynthra was contacting was the same one that had taught her how to use her Sight. She was very lucky that the Adept was a person she had known forever; her brother-Aries
He had always been there for her and helped her when she thought she was seeing things when she was 4 years old. Magic ran in her family's line and everyone got tested at the age three. She was the only one in her family who had been tested for magic and supposedly not had any. After that she started seeing elemental beings, both good and evil.
The evil ones started to play nasty little trick on her and getting her in trouble. When she told her parents that it wasn't her fault and it was the beings' fault, they just told her she was imagining things. It got worse as the year wore on. The evil beings started playing cruel and nasty jokes that got her in big trouble many a times. It was very hard for a 4 year girl to be told she was imagining things and that everything was being blamed on her, when it really wasn't. Young ones are so easily influenced. Finally the evil ones played the most malicious ruse imaginable for a four year old. One of them possessed her and made her go around the castle and destroy anything she could reach, which were thankfully very few things. When the evil one left her she saw what it had made her do and started crying. She ran out of the castle and in to the giant horse meadow behind the castle. She went to her secret spot that was somehow protected and no evil ones could reach her. It was the only place she could be comforted by the good beings and not be scared of the evil ones. She stayed there even when it got dark, she ignored her hunger and wasn't cold because of a blanket she had brought there a long time ago. After awhile she got tired from the crying she had done and fell asleep.
Young Cynthra awoke to the morning sunrise. By now her stomach was really hungry and she hadn't brought ant food with her. She was very surprised when she found berries, nuts and bread sitting besides her. She ate them at a record pace. Then she relaxed, listening to the high pitched strange language of the good beings all around her. All of a sudden Cynthra tensed up, she heard footsteps. She tried to hide, but there wasn't anywhere decent to hide well. The person belonging to the footsteps entered her little sanctuary. It was her brother Aries who was 18 and just made a knight.
"Cynthra, Come on out I'd like to talk to you," Aries said tenderly when he saw her crouching down, trying to hide. She shook her head. "Come on sweetie, please, I'm worried." She reluctantly crawled up to Aries and he picked her up and into his lap. "Now, tell me why I have found you here instead of at home". Cynthra burst into tears and told him the story of every thing, from after the person who tested her left, until now. Aries listened carefully. When she finished Aries exclaimed sympathetically "Oh, honey, I'm so sorry. I feel ashamed for never getting to help you because I was away for such along time. Now let me explain. What you're seeing is real, and not your imagination like our parents' think."
Cynthra sniffled, one of her chestnut curls falling in her face, "You mean the little people I see are really there"?
Aries smiled at her. "Of course they are, but only special people can see them, and you're one of those very special people."
"Can you see them, Aries"? Cynthra asked curiously pushing her hair out of her eyes.
"Yes, I can. I was blessed just like you." Aries and Cynthra smiled at each other. "You and I are the only people in our family that are blessed with this gift. It's called the Sight. It consists of many things. Me, I can see magic, see the little people, and tell if people are God-touched."
"How come you got magic training if you're just like me"?
"The only difference between you and me is that I also have the Gift that our parents have and got trained to use it. You didn't get trained because you don't have the Gift. The people who tested you only look for one thing and you didn't have it. But what you do have is something just as special, even if people don't know you have it. And since I'm going to be staying here for awhile I will teach you how to use your special Sight."
"How do I know you're not just tricking me into believing you"? Cynthra asked, putting a scowl on her sunny face.
Aries smiled. "Well how else do you think I found you?" Cynthra opened her mouth to say something but he cut her off. "This place is very well hidden. The only reason I found it was because the little people told me. They knew you'd be wanted and told the only other person they trust." That seemed to convince her that he was not lying. Seeing that she was in a cooperative state Aries asked "So do you think you can go back to the castle now"?
Cynthra scrunched her nose and replied, "I don't want to but I guess I will." She looked up at him, "But only if you carry me."
He just laughed and picked her to go home.
He had taught her how to use her Sight and also let her watch his magic lessons. Both those together had given her the knowledge of a person who was much older. Looking back now it all seemed sort of stupid, but if you really think about it, she was only 4.
Snapping back to the present she ordered "Alanna, Arianna that's enough for the night we'll pick up on Thursday."
Both students gladly stopped what they were doing; throwing thing at each other's shields. They didn't say a word as they all left the room. Cynthra knew that they were tired from the work.
'So Aries, do you think they'll pass the examination." Cynthra asked her brother who had been watching every test that had been given.
"I think they will. You've taught them very well in the time you've had them. They're both very powerful. It's good you trained them, they wouldn't have been able to get as good of training anywhere else," Aries replied.
Cynthra blushed. "Thank you. That is high praise coming from you."
She yawned; the day was catching up to her. "Brother I have to let you go, I'm really tired. Night."
"Goodnight, Cynth."
July, 1yr 11months after arrival at Convent- both 14 yrs.
Alanna was sweating after a hard bout against three of Shylock's friends- all at the same time. Shylock had been doing this a lot lately, supposedly to 'broaden her horizons in fighting'- as her love, Shylock, put it. It was good exercise but it tired her out. She looked at Shylock with the question 'can we quit now' in her eyes. Shylock looked her up and down looking smiling with a mischievous look on his face. She read his look and gave him her puppy dog pout, not wanting to fight any more
"Yes I think it's about time we all quit, it has been tiring for every one," Shylock replied to Alanna's look.
Shylocks friend left the arena wearily.
"I think you actually tired them out." Shylock said to Alanna smiling. Alanna just scowled at him,not believing him. "Seriously, they were actually looking tired. Now I'd like you to come up to my room where you can then relax". Alanna smiled blissfully.
They walked up the back steps that lead to the rooms above the tavern. When they got in Shylock's room the first thing Alanna did was grab the water pitcher and drink strait out of it.
"Alanna that's highly un-proper, I thought you were actually learning to be Lady not some tavern whore. Though if I just met you and I had no idea what you were I would mistake you for one", Shylock mocked.
Alanna was offended but pleased with her self, but still she tackled Shylock knocking them both to the floor, she ended up sitting on his abdomen. She punched him lightly in chest. "While I may look like a whore and sometimes act like one," Alanna scoffed punching him on the chest and arms, "I am not. I am a Lady of noble blood who should not be sleeping and messing around with the likes of you. My family name goes all the way back Book of Gold, y… ". She never got to finish her sentence because Shylock, whom she was sitting on, flipped over so he was on top of her holding her wrists so she couldn't finish giving her loving punches.
"Yes, you've known this forever, yet you slept and 'messed around' with me and are only bringing the fact up now?" Shylock replied poking fun at her almost speech.
Alanna sighed, feigning indifference toward him. "Yes I have known this, and still I broke all those stupid rules about Ladies and their virtue all for my love for you." She smiled affectionately at him
"Those rules were meant for breaking in the first place. If anyone deserves to not live under any of those rules, it's you." Shylock replied solemnly. 'Also I shouldn't have to live under those laws of the Disas'. They restrict my love towards Alanna. It's not fair for either of us, having to comply with all these rules.'
"Thank you, Shylock that's really sweet." She gave him a quick kiss. Shylock just smiled adoringly at her.
Shylock got up of Alanna and pulled her up to him. "Now what I wanted you up here for is that I needed to tell you that you are not my student any more. You've completed your training. You don't need me to teach you. You proved that tonight, holding off three attackers and coming out in good shape. I would still like you to come on the same days so I could still see you." He smiled "But if you don't want to, you don't have…" Alanna shut him up with a kiss.
"Are you brain dead. I'd come see you every night if I could. But then Arianna would get to suspicious and maybe tag along to make sure I don't do any thing naughty. Well if she knew what I'd already done, she'd have me in chains and forbid me to ever see the sun shine and we don't want that to happen now do we"? Alanna kissed him again. "Do you know how much I love you?"
"No, but I would be glad if you would show me." Shylock replied cheerily.
"I'm sure you would," Alanna replied dryly, before pouncing on him and knocking him on to the bed where they enjoyed a very warm, sleepless night together.
A/N: Once again I'm sorry it took me so long. And, jeez, this is a long chapter, though not as long as ch.2, but still 12 pages. Please review- hope you enjoyed it.