Mages Council

Chapter 2

Dislaimer: I'M NOT TAMORA PIERCE. enough said. All flamers are used to vandalise public property.

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Ariel wasn't suprised at the amount of boys that offered to lead her to the mess hall. River had often told her that she was a 'treat'. Ariel hated it. Most of these boys only liked her because she was pretty. She wanted to find someone who liked her for her personality. Looking at the pages, she finally decided to walk with the older one. He looked like he was the closest to her age. Maybe he wouldn't be as lovesick as the rest. She left with him, as Numair and Daine ran to inform the king of the new arrival.

As they walked, she learned that the boys name was Nealan (or Neal), he was a fourth year, and he was the oldest page in living memory, having given up a career at the college to become a knight. She also learned that the current King and Queen of Tortall were perhaps the most contraversial when it came to politics, changing laws and the rights nobles had on their lands. She also politely answered questions about herself, including where she came from (Jirajen), and how old she was (17). What she refrained from telling him was how she had broken Numairs shields, and how she had gotten there, telling him that she would explain later, after her probable meeting with the monarchs. The walk had calmed the two sets of magic in her and her eyes settled as green.

Many pages were in the mess hall as they arrived, having gotten there early. As they entered, all conversation stopped. The training master stood at his table.

"Lord Wyldon." Neal whispered to her.

"Queenscove, what is this?"

"She's a new arrival, sir. A mage. She hasn't met their majesties yet, and she was hungry. I request that she be able to eat here for tonight."

Wyldon considered it for a moment. "For tonight, and tonight only." He said firmly. He sat down. Neal bowed, and led Ariel to a table, as he fetched her some food. She ate only a small amount, worrying Neal, who informed her that for a girl her size, she should eat more. She smiled, and ate a little more.

"Satisfied?"

"Better."

The door opened and the rest of the pages came in. They got their food, and most swarmed over to the table. Neal introduced them as they came. Ariel nodded to each, but kept out of the conversation. Eventually, the table filled and the other pages went elsewhere. Neal reintoducted them.

"Merric of Hollyrose." He pointed to a red haired boy.

"Seaver of Tasride." A black haired boy.

"Owen of Jesslaw." A boy a little younger than the others.

"Prosper of Tameran." It went on. Ariel fixed names to faces in her mind, and she shook each boys hand as he was introduced. Finally, the table was finished and Neal decided that they were all she needed to know for the time being, telling her that he would introduce more at breakfast. He struck up a conversation with Merric.

"Where's Kel? I wanted her to meet Ariel."

"We stopped by her rooms and Lalasa told us she was sick, and that Lord Wyldon had been informed. She had already eaten and gone to bed."

Neal nodded. "Maybe we should stop by again later. I may be able to help."

Merric shook his head. "Lalasa said she'd been seen to."

Neal sighed. "Alright."

Merric turned to Ariel. "How do you like the food?"

"It's a lot better than what I get at home. My watchdo- my maid isn't a very good cook. She burns soup."

All of the boys around her, except Neal, smiled. Evidently, he had caught that slip of tongue. "Of course, I can't do much better. I was once told that with my cooking skills, I could burn water." There were more laughs. Ariel smiled. Across the hall, some boys swooned, including the beautiful blond one. Wyldon, if he saw them, ignored it. Ariels smile slid off her face. The boys stopped swooning. Ariel stood. "I think I've had enough to eat."

Neal made a face at the boys on the other side of the room and tugged her back down onto the bench. "Ignore them. That's Joren and his crowd. You might want to stay away from them. They're dangerous."

Ariels smile wasn't pleasant this time. "If they try anything, they're in for a big suprise." The boys around her twitched as her eyes began to change colors again. She saw their twitch and looked at Neal. He tapped beside his eyes with one hand. Ariel got what he meant. She closed her eyes for the count of ten. When they re-opened, they were once again green.

"I'm sorry about that. I can't really control it. I hope you don't find it disgusting."

The pages rushed to assure her that they didn't find it gross at all, they just weren't used to it.

Ariel was just settling back into the conversation when the doors opened and Numair, accompanied by Daine, entered, closely followed by a black haired couple. Everyone stood. The couple headed for Wyldons table, where they sat and conversed quietly.

Numair motioned to Ariel. She stood, her face tight, as a few memories took hold. Neal saw her face go pale.

"Are you OK?" He whispered.

Ariel just nodded her head, unable to answer. Numair motioned again. Ariel forced herself to move. As she moved away, Neal stood. A second later, Ariel stumbled. Neal caught her. He set her upright, while his friends sniggered.

"Are you sure that you're ok?"

Ariel muttered something.

"What?"

"They look like - like - someone out of my past. That's all." Her voice was barely audible.

He looked at her. Her face was too pale and her eyes were flicking back and forth between colors again.

"I'll go with you." He steadied her as she began to walk.

She glanced at him. The concern on his face was real. She leaned against him as they moved toward the doors, leaving behind a table of snickering boys. Neal glared back over his shoulder at them as they left.

Numair opened his mouth as they came closer, but refrained from saying anything when Daine spoke into his ear. He looked at them again.

"You may come,"He informed Neal. "But be quiet."

Neal nodded. Ariel smiled gratefully at Daine. Unconsciously, her fingers laced with Neals. He glanced down and away, but didn't try to remove her hand. Daine hid her smile with a hand. They continued on.

Ariel studied the couple more closely as they got closer, and noted a lot of difference between them and her former slave masters. Their faces weren't cruel, and their eyes did not give the impression of dark, cold wells. She decided that they didn't remind her of her past, after all. Their faces were too kind, and too pale to be jirajaens anyway. She smiled at them as they got closer.

The woman spoke first. "Page Nealan, attached yourself to another already?" Her voice was light and teasing, with a musical tone to it. Ariel decided that she liked her.

Neal spoke in a way that told Ariel that he knew these people personally and very well. "Yet another, your Majesty."

Ariel froze. Neal looked at her. "What is it?" He asked in a whisper.

Ariel looked up at him. He noted that her eyes were wide. "They're the king and queen!"

He smirked. "They don't look like it, do they?"

Ariel shook her head, but raised her eyes to meet those of the king. He looked her over, and nodded to her.

"Pleased to meet you, Ariel Godborn."

Ariel curtsied. "Your Majesties."

The king stood, motioning Lord Wyldon, The Queen, Numair, Daine, Ariel and Neal to follow. After giving apologies to the pages, he led them from the room.

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Kel explained to an irrate Lalasa that no, she did NOT want supper, and informed her that she was fine. After much bargaining, Lalasa agreed to inform Lord Wyldon that she was sick. When she came back, she had an odd expression on her face.

"I'm told that there is a new mage in the palace. A female, very pretty. And with Master Nealan, apparently."

Kel made a face at her. "I don't want to talk about it." She informed her maid. Lalasa smiled.

"As my lady wishes."

Kel groaned, and after eating the apple Lalasa had brought for her, threw herself on the bed and contemplated this new mage until she fell asleep.

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Sorry for taking so long people, but I've got exams now...groans but I got no reviews for this yet, so...If you do read this, PLEASE PLEASEPLEASE Review.