If I remember correctly, this is a fairly emotional chapter. And a fairly emotional chapter needs a fairly emotional song...

Song for this Chapter: The Scientist (live at Nokia Theatre) → Natasha Bedingfield. Yes, yes, it's the song originally by Coldplay. But I LOVE Natasha's acoustic version. It's both motivational and emotional—a perfect match for this chapter.

Disclaimer: too cool for disclaimers…

Chapter 36: Peace Ball Part 2

Romeli stared at the long oak table for what seemed like an eternity, as everything pulled together into one piece. The only reason she was even serving dinner tonight was because Maggur wished to show all of her Tortall friends that he was her.

Anger began to boil up from the depths of her chest, and the corner of her lip twitched as she continued to walk, pretending to be unfazed by the whole situation. But Maggur—he had turned her into his puppet, and a foolish one at that. The damn bastard.

The feeling of all of their eyes on her made her feel insecure. Her stomach seemed to lose its boil as she thought of her friends. They were only feet away from her, she could see their chests rise and fall, the ripple of cloth against their skin, it was a bitter feeling. There was still lingering fury that Maggur could even think of putting her through this nightmare.

She set a plate down gently in front of Maggur, and another in front of Jonathan. She didn't dare look into his eyes—she couldn't anyways. Just the thought made her heart skip a beat, being so close to someone that made her think of home. She sensed that he too, was in some sort of daze, as he sat back in his chair, looking ahead of him, his hands in his lap, fingering the napkin he had set there.

Romeli walked quickly as she bit her tender lip. Insult after insult came rushing through her head, and she gladly shot them back at Maggur with malicious thoughts. This just wasn't right, she sighed as she picked up two more platters with shaky hands. No one should be put through this.

The room seemed so silent, and she knew they were watching her every move. The temptation to just look up and set her eyes on the people she loved grew multiplied until she couldn't take it anymore. She lifted her eyes slowly, almost hesitantly, to the table ahead of her.

The first thing she saw was pools of dazzling green eyes as she met James' stare.

Her step faltered weakly, but she quickly covered it up and continued to walk to the table. She held her head high and attempted to still her quivering chin by clenching her jaw tightly. She hadn't seen him in so long. And that look, Lord, it seemed to just sink right into her. It dove right through all the walls that she had put up since she left Tortall. She felt so exposed by his eyes, her truths once again open to him. And she didn't mind at all.

She set down two more platters and again and again delivered more until at last all of the plates had been served.

She walked quickly back to the door to the kitchens, blinking away tears of anger, loss, emptiness. She didn't know which emotion dominated her the most, and she didn't care either.

Romeli entered into the kitchens, her sight blurred heavily by the bitter tears in her eyes. She quickly wiped them away and sniffed quietly, trying to conceal her moment of exposure. She bit her lip to keep her chin from trembling as she focussed her mind on the white washed wall ahead of her.

There was a soft touch of a hand on her shoulder. She flinched and quickly turned around, catching the eyes of Tante. Inhaling quickly, she dried her eyes, embarrassed to find herself caught in such a vulnerable position.

The cook clicked her tongue as she grasped the girls shoulder and shook her head. "Darling, what's wrong?"

Pursing her lips, she looked down and quickly wiped away the rest of her tears. "Nothing…," she choked out. A cringe expressed the distaste for how weak her voice had suddenly become.

Tante put her hands on her hips and looked the girl sharply. For the short woman that she was, the look of a robust warrior wore well on her. "Sure looks like something."

Romeli bit her lip and sighed shakily, wringing her hands uncomfortably under the woman's heavy stare. She looked up, and Tante's eyes slightly softened when she found the girl nearly shaking with anger. "The king has been so gracious as to have me serve for my own family and friends," Romeli said tightly, her words full of more hate than she would have liked to expose. "He…he just wants to brag to them that he's broken me."

Tante ran her tongue around her teeth as she stared at the girl. The feeling of the warm and yet aged hand on Romeli's shoulder, calmed her down somewhat. Tante grasped her shoulder tightly and shook her a bit, as if to cheer her up.

This only made Romeli slightly annoyed. She wasn't an ant in an ant farm, something to be freely shaken just to see move.

Tante seemed to care hardly of the girl's annoyance. She didn't even seem to notice. "That is very cruel of him, indeed," she replied with a nod. "But crying about it never does any good. Why be weak and vulnerable when you can use these situations for the better?"

A new respect for the woman aroused in her as she looked into the cook's weary eyes. Perhaps…perhaps she was right. When were the times in her life that weeping followed with a positive outcome? Emotions always had the habit of shrouding the decision of actions, and Romeli was in absolutely no position to let emotions give her away now—not after she was so close. In fact, she should be grateful that she could even see them, despite how difficult the position of their meeting may be.

Romeli looked up at Tante with raised brows as a small smile melted through her lips. No…it wasn't a smile—it was a cunning grin. Suddenly, thoughts began to race through her, spurred on by the moment of opportunity that Maggur had so graciously given her. "You wouldn't happen to have a pen and pad on you?" Romeli asked slowly.

A knowing grin grew on the woman's aging face. She never took her eyes off of Romeli as she reached into her apron and pulled out just what was needed, as if she knew it would have a calling role today. "Make it short and sweet, Dearie," Tante said with a wink. Romeli was again left alone as the cook turned on her heel and walked back to her scrumptious work.

Romeli stared at her oddly, wondering if the woman was even on Maggur's side at all. It certainly didn't seem that way. Picking up the pen and pad, she began to write her message.

When finished, she folded the small paper in half and looked around keenly. Now, how the heck am I supposed to give this paper to them?

A grin grew on her face as her gaze fell on the solitary cart steaming with fresh platters of food. The best way of course, was to hide it where only the victim of said food could possibly know it was there.

But first, she thought as she stared at the paper, we are in need of a little magic. Perhaps doing such a thing would be risky, especially when she knew Maggur had a firm grip on her abilities, but at the moment she hadn't the slightest temptation to care.

She looked around with an acute squint, taking in her surroundings just to check if there were any unwanted observers. Coming to the conclusion that the area was clear, she quickly applied a warding spell to keep the note from getting soggy by the food, and a detection spell so that the victim of the note would sense it was there. A small emerald spark from the tip of her finger was the only sign that she had done anything at all.

She figured she was to give the note to James. At first her father seemed to be the most probable, but there was always the risk that he would not be able to keep it quiet throughout the dinner, despite him knowing the difficulties. James seemed to be just the person to keep calm and collective. He also had the Gift, so he would sense her magic, and be able to hide the note discreetly. It seemed to be the right choice.

Slipping the note into one of the steamy platters, now dripping in burning condensation, and taking note of just which platter it was (she wouldn't want to accidentally place it in front of Maggur now would she), she put her hands on the cart once again and rolled it out of the kitchen and into the spacious dining hall.

A pang of emptiness once again came over her, but she pushed back her emotions instead with a determined will and picked up two of the platters. She would just have to fight, there was no choice, really. Duties came before emotions, and this was as much of a duty as any of their other plans to get her out of here. It was not the time to be roped down by feelings when efficiency was key. Maggur had to be convinced by her act.

She set down the two platters gingerly in front of the two royal diners, ignoring their thanks in fear of letting her emotions show. To say the least, shrouding her own feelings was never something she was particularly good at. She bit the inside of her cheek and swept her green bangs away as she walked quickly back to get more plates.

She returned quickly, hoping that perhaps if she thought hard enough time would just skip over the next fifteen minutes. Or perhaps I could just knock myself out, she thought with a hint of a smile. Dubbing such an idea as stupid, she stared at the two platters (one holding the hidden note), and strolled the rest of the way to the table.

A distant force settled into her heart and pulled at her repeatedly. Her brows furrowed as her eyes flashed a slightly annoyed look. She felt suddenly violated, like the atmosphere around her had been disturbed. She panicked, thinking maybe the note was not such a good idea after all, and despite her might she couldn't help but look up.

No, this feeling was not violating, she thought as she swallowed hardly, staring at the two pools of green that stared back at her.

Romeli couldn't blink, couldn't move, couldn't do anything. It hurt to see him but not be able to touch him. Her heart ached at the sight of his eyes, and the fact that she was forbidden to talk to him, and tell him everything was fine.

In situations like these, one always has to put their mind before their heart. Such an act is doubled in intricacy when placed in such a setting, and she found even her strength lacking in what was needed for her to continue. She expected to find herself dropping her platters to put her arms around him. It was painful to hold herself back.

She hadn't seen him in so long.

In fact, the emptiness that had always been apparent ever since she had entered this hard-hearted country hadn't really been apparent until now. For some reason she had never noticed how hollow she had become without him, not until now. The feeling of home seemed to seep out of his emerald eyes, and that alone made her feel content for the moment. And just for a split second, she finally felt free.

The sound of someone's voice in the distance brought her back into reality. She blinked and everything came back to her. She stepped back quickly, clearing her head as she set the platters down ungracefully and went back to get more.

She felt his eyes on her the whole time, making her shiver. He was so close, just three steps to the left and she would be in his arms. Her breathing was shallow, making her heart ache. She could picture herself touching him, talking to him, giving him a hug and just crying into his shoulder, but she couldn't. Not yet.

He would be there for her, she knew he would. He had always been there for her, she could feel it from the look in his soft emerald eyes. Oh how she wanted to just talk to him, and nothing more. Even just looking at him for a second longer would make her forget all her worries, her fears, her pain.

It was only when she noticed that the cart was empty that she realized that she finished and had done the job at all. She grabbed the cart with sweaty palms and rolled it back into the kitchen.

Walking back she noticed something rustle in the corner of her eye. She looked over, and her eyes caught the one-way tapestry that she, D'mitri, and Maryann had hidden in.

That moment seemed so long ago…

She blinked, obviously seeing things. There was the tip of a shoe poking out of the bottom, only slightly ruffling the elegant folds the cloth was designed to create.

Romeli cracked a small smile. It was obviously Maryann, she could sense it. Walking closer to the kitchen door that was in turn closer to the tapestry, she gave the cloth a small wink, knowing that the spy was watching her.

Her heart raced as she walked into the kitchen with her head high. The pain inside felt like her heart had been torn to pieces, and yet she was smirking. A congratulations was in order for a job well done.

Such a thought left her lighter than before. She was suddenly excited for what lay ahead of her. Though she hadn't the slightest clue what would happen to her in the future, or even if she had a future at all, she knew that more adventures were in store.

And if she died…? Well…she would die with a bang.

Numbness settled over her in a way that she hadn't the heart to explain. Or perhaps she just didn't care. She felt nothing, no pain, just an increased breath as blood rushed through her scarred body. She felt like a spy, on a mission and only a mission, fearless, emotionless, determined, strong, daring and confident.

She always wondered why Maryann kept holding on; why she lived her life as a lie and why she chose to always be undercover or in danger. At first she thought it was for her country. That might have been a factor, but now she knew: it was all for that rush.

Romeli grinned and shook her head. Romeli the spy, she thought with an inner laugh. What a sight that would be.

But hey, I'll do my best, she told herself, staring at nothing particular. I'll succeed in this mission no matter what it takes.

She froze when she felt a tap on the shoulder and turned around to meet Tante's friendly eyes. The old woman stared at her with a bright grin. "You did an absolutely wonderful job. King Maggur thanks you for your services and you may go back to your room."

Romeli nodded with a relieved smile as Tante pat her on the back and walked away. Serving dinner was quite the adventure. Would she ever want to do it again though?

…of course not.

With that she gave a final look around the room before walking out the door.

OOO

The room was small for so many people to be in; especially because of what they were talking about: Romeli.

"I cannot believe him!" voiced Numair throwing his arms up in the air. His face was red; either in anger or pain, even he did not know. There were lines of worry on his face that were not there before.

Jonathan clenched his jaw as he silently ushered the man to calm down. His eyes, just like everyone else's were full of weariness and worry. He held up his hand for peace.

"This man has obviously done a lot to one of our most respected people of Tortall, and this we can not forgive him for. Yes, it is hard, so very hard for us to see her this way, but we have to put our feelings to the back of our heads. Getting her out is much more important now. Only after we succeed in this, will we let our emotions go."

There were a few nods of silent agreement.

"How am I supposed to see my daughter like this?" choked out Numair, his eyes were weary and glazed over. "Tell me, how am I supposed to live in the same castle as a man who probably raped her." His eyes were down and his hands in tight fists.

There was a tension in the room that was only worsened by the silence and many uneasy glances.

"We don't have proof that he actually did, Numair," Jonathan quietly pointed out.

"But did you see the scars?" asked Numair incredulously. "And that outfit?! It's like he's turned her into a sex slave!" His voice cracked unwillingly as his raw and hurt voice echoed throughout the room.

Jonathan sighed, at a loss for words.

"Those scars," whispered Laloria, among the silence of the mourning group. "I always knew the future for her would be hard. But what did she do to deserve that? What's the use?" Romeli's sister bit her lip as her throat tightened.

"You are all forgetting one thing," said a voice coming from the corner of the room. Until then James had chosen to be quiet, but as they broke into yells of outrage, he decided to speak up. His face was dark within the shadows but his voice remained serious. Knowing that he got their attention, he walked closer to the group.

"This is Romeli we're talking about," he started, his face now visible in the candlelight. "Do you think she would just give up like that? Do you think Maggur would just break her? Because if you do, then you must be talking about someone else, because that's not the Romeli I know."

"Anything could have happened while she was here, James," said Alanna as if she too was trying to convince herself that what she said wasn't true. "It's been two months since her capture..."

James stared at her deeply as he put his hand in his pocket and took out the note. "She gave me this during our little meal."

Both Daine's and Numair's eyes widened. "Read it," Daine said desperately, her eyes on the parchment. "Please."

James gave a small smile before unfolding the paper and reading it aloud.

"My Friends,

As you can see, I may not be in the best state, but please do not worry, you did not come her to mourn and be in pain, you came here to complete a mission, and that's what I am doing now. You see, I met a fellow spy for Tortall who has become a great friend. We have found many things and done many things. I pretend to be broken only to make our acts less suspicious and my obedience more convincing. I must admit that I have witnessed things of great loss while here, and I have been punished in the process, but it is over now. You came here to succeed in this mission, and for me, only think of that. I'm okay and safe though it may not look it. Now, let's get me out and perhaps we can rejoice in Tortall again.

Best of luck and love,

Romeli"

James folded the paper back up and tucked it back into his pocket.

There was silence for a long while as everyone let the words sink in.

"Well…this sure changes things," stated Alanna simply, breaking the hesitant silence. The tension seemed to mellow itself out of the air.

"Indeed it does," said Jonathan, his voice sounding thoughtful. "What do you say is our next move?"

"Get her the heck out of here," said Numair hardly. His complexion had gained must of its color, though his knuckles had turned white.

"We know that," said Keladry dryly, speaking for the first time. "But we need thorough steps.

Gareth, who had been writing furiously until now, put down his quill and spoke up. "She said in the letter that she had been working with a spy. We need to find who this spy is, and how to contact him."

Jonathan nodded. It seemed like the best and only thing they could do in their situation. They could not take action until they had more contacts and more information. "Does anyone know who this spy is?"

Conrad stared. "Yeah, just like he told you Maryann is a double agent."

James's eyes widened as everything began to click. It all made so much sense now, the letter, Maryann spying. "I know who the spy is," he said. The room grew silent and everyone turned to him with disbelieving looks.

"And what else is up your sleeves, young squire?" asked Gareth with a curious grin.

James ignored the comment and turned to Alanna, looking at her steadily. "When Alanna and I went to our rooms, we talked to a Tortallan Spy. He said she was doing okay and that she was receiving help from a spy. I believe this spy is Maryann."

"What?!" yelled Neal, Jonathan, and the Salmalin family a the same time.

"Impossible," said Jonathan shaking his head. "She's the one who turned her in."

Alanna glanced back at James and grinned with a nod, obviously coming to the same conclusion as her squire. "No, Maryann is definitely the one helping her."

"My Gods, you better give me an explanation," said Numair shaking his head with open eyes.

"She's a double agent," explained Alanna. "Apparently her position was so secretive that not even my husband could tell me. She was our cook who and undercover head spy of Scanra—in reality, she's a spy for Tortall. I'm guessing she is high-ranked and well respected. It seems like she's been doing this for years. I would be surprised if she wasn't helping Romeli."

Daine nodded comfortably. "This is all wonderful news, but how do we get a hold of her?"

Alanna grinned. "Oh…she'll find a way. Spies always do."

Jonathan nodded curtly. "Well, it's settled then. Through Maryann, we will collaborate with our spy forces and get her back. Until then, we celebrate."

"Celebrate what exactly?" asked Keladry slowly. It hardly seemed like the time to celebrate.

Jonathan grinned. "Keladry my dear, this is a Peace Ball, after all."

OOO

Romeli, being the curious procrastinator that she is, never actually went straight back to her room. After being surrounded by mouthwatering food for more than an hour and serving it to a group, she herself had grown quite hungry. In fact, it took but five steps for her stomach to growl, and five more to walk herself back into the kitchens.

Tante grinned when she saw the young girl again, obviously expecting her.

"I knew you'd be back," the old woman said as she wiped her hands on her stiff apron.

Romeli looked at her sheepishly.

"Come now," said Tante grabbing her arm with warm hands. "I made you a special meal, you look starved to death." The old cook brought her over to a counter that had a steaming plate of chicken, sweet potatoes, peas, anything you could ever want in a meal.

"Go on then," said Tante, ushering her to sit. "Eat up before it cools."

Romeli hesitated, a little bit shocked. She sat down confused and picked up a fork, an odd look on her face.

"What's the look for, girl," Tante demanded with her hands on her hips.

The feeling of the cook's eyes boring down into her made her want to squirm. She put down her fork once again and turned towards the woman.

"You already made a meal for me," she started slowly. "How did you know I would be back?"

Tante made sure to sigh particularly loudly before answering. "And here you had me all caught up in suspense wondering what was on your mind," she said shaking her head with a laugh.

Romeli opened her mouth to apologize, but Tante held up her hand to stop her.

The old stubby woman pointed at her with a knobby finger all knowingly as she cackled. "They always come back, Dearie."

"What do you mean…?" she asked suspiciously. She wasn't some kidnapper, was she?

Tante sighed again. "And here I thought you were smart." Romeli glared at her, making her laugh. "Well think about it, darling. You serve food for an hour without getting any yourself. You'll obviously be hungry. They all come back."

Romeli's stomach growled emptily. The whole conversation was forgotten just as quickly as it had begun as she turned back to her steaming food. "Well…whatever…," she whispered as she stared at her food and picked up her fork. "Must…eat…"

Tante's trademark cackle cracked through the air as she gave her an 'oh too amused' look. She then left her to her wonderful food as she walked to the sink to clean pots.

Romeli gratefully dug in.

OOO

"You are one sly spy, you know that?" pointed out Romeli as she lazed on her couch starting up at the white washed ceiling.

Maryann laughed as she pulled at a lose thread on the matching armchair. "I try," she said with a foxy grin.

Romeli rolled her eyes and tucked her feet up next to her, propping her elbow on the armrest. "Mmmm…but…how did you like my act?"

"A little rough around the edges," said Maryann. She smiled when Romeli nodded in agreement.

"You have no idea how much I wanted to kill that son of a—."

"Hey now...," said Maryann shaking her finger. "You can't just call him bad words without me joining in, now can you?"

Romeli looked over at her friend with a tired grin and shrugged. "Well I guess not."

Maryann nodded, the look in the spy's eyes made it visible that she noticed the girl's weariness.

It had been a long day of course—a tiring one for anyone. Even though she might have been portrayed as invincible at times, the girl that never got fazed by anything, her stay had proven opposite. Her emotions had been stretched more than anything else, and sometimes even turning to strength wasn't enough.

Romeli leaned her head up against the back of her chair wearily and closed her eyes. Her chest rose and fell silently and shallowly, a little smile quirked on her lips.

"So," the girl started, her eyes still closed. "What's our next step?"

Maryann leaned against the chair and sighed quietly. She had been pondering the answer to that question for a time now.

"Well. There's only one thing we can do now o' course," said Maryann devilishly. Her eyes stared at the girl levelly, dangerously.

Romeli peeked her eyes open and brought her head up a little. Deciding this required too much work, she settled back down contently. "And what would that be?"

Maryann grinned. "It's about time we get you out of here."

Romeli's head snapped up. "Now?"

"Of course not," the spy snapped back. She stood up and got a piece of parchment from out of her pocket. "We have a bit of work to do first."

OOO

Light is a hard thing to find in the darkness that swallows the dungeons in an infinite wisp. What little light there was cast sharp and unfriendly shadows on the stone walls. The corners bathed in a pocket of shadow, creating the essence of a labyrinth.

King Maggur created the dungeons to intimidate, and it did a fair job.

Maggur also meant for the underground levels of the palace to be private, and as he sat comfortably on a worn leather sofa, a small candle the only light near him.

"Dinner went smoothly," stated a warm alto voice from across the room. The figure leaned forward, his face warmed by the candlelight.

Maggur examined his nails, his lids lowered elegantly. "It would seem so," his voice trailed off carelessly.

"Perhaps," agreed Fredrin, eyeing his King. "But do you trust her?"

Maggur rested his arm on the armrest. "One would like to believe that people who are captured are doused in fear. They would do whatever you ask with no question. But of course you have to break them…and breaking them is hard. Romeli…she does seem broken."

Fredrin looked up at him shocked.

Maggur eyed the younger man. "But…she is not broken. And I don't trust her a bit."

Fredrin pondered the King's words as he nodded subtly. "By the sound of it, you have a plan."

"Partially," confessed Maggur. "What I do know is that Tortall wants her out of here, and they're going to do whatever is takes. I do not know what or even when they will be executing their plans, but my best guess is soon."

Fredrin shook his head. "They can't get her out, they'll kill her."

"Depending solely on spells with this girl is foolish, Fredrin," Maggur snapped. "Not even she knows the full extent of her powers. Do you think a couple spells will stop her? We must always prepare for the worst."

Fredrin opened his mouth to speak, but Maggur rose his hand to silence him.

"We need to get her away from them at all costs, keep her guarded. We must not make it seem obvious, so she does not notice. This way she will be doing things she does everyday. Worst comes to worst and she does come to escaping…we shoot her down—and she doesn't get up again."

Fredrin's brows rose up. "Highness, do you really think that's—."

Maggur rose his hands again and spoke to him in a calm whisper. "Having something dead is better than not having it at all and having it in the hands of the enemy, Fredrin."

OOO

The two crouched over the round maple coffee table as Maryann held the paper in front of them.

"But where do we even start?" asked Romeli looking up at the spy through her sweeping bangs. "I mean there are—."

Maryann looked at her to tell her to shush, which she did so quickly. "The first thing that we need to do is enable more freedom. We already know what the spells are thanks to Maggur's habits of over-organization. Now we just need to get rid of them."

"Well…the Blood Spell is gone, which was the bulk of our worries. Now we have the detection spell, and the bondage spell."

Maryann nodded. "This shouldn't be too much of a problem; they are both fairly simple spells. Of course, the bondage spell does carry some issues."

Romeli sighed and looked up at her. "Like what?"

"There is a potion involved. And then there is the person you are bonded to."

"Maggur."

"Precisely," nodded Maryann. "He will serve as a problem. In fact, it would hardly surprise me if he is preparing for a few plans of his own. Either he is completely convinced that you are broken and is going to use you for his own pleasure…"

Romeli winced, and Maryann gave her a sympathetic nod.

"…or he is suspicious of you and is hiking his security up another notch."

"Either way it's bad," whispered Romeli to herself. "What do we do about him?"

Maryann looked at her steadily. There was no smile on her face, or a wily sparkle in her eye like normal, and that alone made Romeli's fears rise.

"You don't mean…" Romeli shook her head.

"Romeli it's the only way," said Maryann. "And you should be the one to do it. After all he's done to you, he deserves it."

Romeli nodded, but her fears and the distant look on her face did no fade. "I knew I would have to do it. And I wont regret doing it either. He's hurt me in a way that will be with me forever." The girl turned to her friend. "I'll do it, I want to do it."

Maryann nodded. "Good." The spy clasped her shoulder. "No worries, his death will be nice and quick. Maggur can't resist a nice drink for going to bed. Killing him alone should get rid of the personal binding spell, but you also have to destroy the legal spell that designates you as a slave of Scanra. That can be destroyed by an incantation after Maggur is dead."

"And the detection spell?"

"That's another simple incantation. I'm not exactly positive on what it is, and once it is taken off of your collar, it may set an alarm. I will have to look deeper into its factors tomorrow when I have a meeting with Maggur."

Romeli nodded and yawned tiredly. "We're close," she said smiling. Maryann grinned and pat the girl on the back.

"You've come a long way, but this next week will be the hardest. Be prepared for it. There is no way you will be able to get out of here without raising an alarm, and that is when the real danger starts. Our Tortall friends will be posted at the ready during your escape. The complexity of this mission is mind boggling even to me, and it will take a couple days for things to smooth out. Until then, get as much sleep as you can, and for Goddess' sake, be careful."

Romeli nodded and smiled as the spy stood up. "G'night Maryann," she said yawning.

Maryann saluted with a grin and walked out of the room.

It was going to be a long week indeed.

HOLY CRAP NEXT CHAPTER IS AWESOME. GO READ IT. NOW.

Replies:

The Inebriated Lion-Minion: thanx, sorry it took so long. And I'm glad I didn't die. Haha.

Nanook1844: oh yes, I love goldfish too. Though I haven't had any in a long time. And hmmm…I never thought of her as a Severus Snape, but I guess in ways they can relate. Her personality is mostly inspired by Captain Jack Sparrow, as you might be able to tell. Yea well…if she knew what 'it' was right away, then…there goes half of the chapters. Lol. and yes…I am the wondrous Moose of the eastern realm.

Katsuko-princess and thief: yea I hate reading cliffies, love writing them tho. sorry bout the wait chika.

HitomiNagaisa: oh lords, Moose poo. Lol. This review actually made me write faster, I almost died in fear. Haha. Yes, Romeli and James are sooo gonna get together. Next chapter is going to be I think a little fluffy at the end. Lol

Rough and tumble: no you may not kill me. I typed this all up in one day, so hopefully that's pretty good. Thanx, I love writing cliffies.

George Bassy: yes, but cliffhangers are fun to write. nope. I didn't feel bad at all. ta means goodbye hun. Lol

Juliet: thanx sorry bout the wait tho.

Jen: well don't fall out of your seat lol. And it gets worse trust me. Thanx, I really appreciate it eee.

Arianne: haha. Yea…I hope this story gets really long, I just had to take a break for a few reasons, but I'm back again and that's what counts. Yep…it would be pretty fun with all that coldness going around. I should make Alanna complain a lot. Alanna and James did travel with the others. I'm sorry, I don't think I made it very obvious. I think I'll be adding in George later, but he isn't really as main of a character. As for Ryoku, she'll be back in the story when we get to Tortall.

Mangoskin93: thanx, im soo sorry bout the wait tho.

Captain Cheese: haha. Yup, you were the only person who liked D'mitri. Awww…well I'll invite you to one of my movie nights. Lol. haha. Oh, I love fish too. Salmon is my fav. Of course she'll be rescues…hopefully. Lol..the fluff comes later m'dear. Eww…what? Alanna/James? You sick sick girl, you. Lol. actually, I did know someone named conrad, he was a counselor at camp. Lol.

Kuyaga: o' suck it up!! Lol. just you wait kuyaga, just you wait.

Aravilui: oh yea…well it was more of Romeli's reaction, but James is coming up, and with some fluff as well. At some point.

X17SkmBdrchiczxx: yea…it's fun to type about people in torture lol. jk jk. And I love writing the funny parts. James and Alanna was just a little break away from all the darkness.

Misled Nymph: well someone is indecisive. Lol. lmao. Whoops typo. Im too lazy to edit. Sorry about not updating. Lol

Lillycat: (wince) I'm sorry sorry sorry. lol. I did it as soon as I could, it'll be faster next time.

Akira Shinaichi: Well I haven't really been on fanfiction lately, but I read whatever it is you're up to as soon as I can. Just gotta keep with the story m'kay? Lol

Silver-star-0: yah…I hate me too. Lol. this one is kinda short too, but it's all I could do. It'll get waaaayyy better next chapter, you have NO idea.

Mwa ha ha

Until then my little frying pans,

Moose