Chapter 17:Goodbyes
Adalia was sitting on Kula's bed, watching her friend pack.
"Why are you packing? You haven't got a knight master yet…"
Kula sat up and looked at her friend, and then sighed, "If I get a knight master, I want to be ready straight away. There is no point delaying what I will have to do anyway, because you know very well that even if I don't get a knight master, I'll still have to move into the squire's wing."
Adalia sighed. "I know. Don't be so – disheartened. I think that you are going to have an offer pretty soon." She finished this with a devious smile plastered on her face.
"What –" Kula asked, catching the hint.
"Oh, don't mind me." Adalia said grandly, and with that, she stood up and gave Kula a fleeting hug, then ran out of the room, laughing.
"Oy! Come back here!" Kula jumped after Adalia.
Adalia led Kula through the palace, alternately slipping into secret passages that she had come to learn, those that would bring her out just in front of Kula. When she was outside the rooms that she had been aiming for, she slipped inside, making sure that Kula saw her enter.
She gave a bright smile and thumbs up to the occupant, and then jumped clear out of the second story window, landing softly on her feet, before continuing on.
Or at least that was what she planned to do. Just after she had landed, a shout of "Hey Adalia!" stopped her in her tracks.
Knowing the voice, she turned around slowly, a sheepish grin on her face. "Um… hi Rye. I have a perfectly good reason for being here."
He chuckled as he caught up to her, "Don't bother with excuses – I asked the Lioness where I might find you and she said you'd be 'dropping by' here very soon."
"Fine then, but lets just get away from here!" And with that, Adalia ran off, Rye on her heels.
After about five minuets, Adalia slipped into a small garden, under a tree. Rye followed silently. Adalia flopped onto the ground, back leaning against the tree, and put her hands behind her head.
"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Adalia asked casually.
Rye fell down beside her, mimicking her posture, and then said, "Well, I really wanted to say goodbye."
At this Adalia's eyes flew open in shock and she turned to scrutinise Rye, "Why would you be saying that?"
Rye opened his eyes and looked straight into Adalia's purple; "I have to go with the Riders and Own for a few months. There are some immortals that are causing problems, and they need me to find them." He said with a sigh.
"How long will that take?" Adalia asked, still shocked.
"About three – maybe four months." Rye ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
"Well, just promise you don't get yourself killed. If you do I will never forgive you." Adalia said sarcastically, but with a thread of seriousness in her voice.
Rye lent over and gave her a fleeting hug, and then kissed her on the forehead. "I wouldn't dream of it."
He leapt up and walked away, leaving Adalia to wonder at the unfamiliar tenderness of his touch.
"When did he get so…weird?" She muttered to herself, confused.
She was bored, so that is how she ended up with her sword, following complex drills. She was practising in her favourite spot - the roof above the page's rooms.
With a flourish she ended what had to be the tenth sword drill she had done and realised with a start that it was grey outside. Muttering to herself, she vaulted the small fence and swung down into her bedroom. She quickly splashed water on her face and ran a brush through her black hair, then sprinted out of her room, heading towards the mess.
Slipping in, she thanked the gods that Lord Padraig had not arrived yet, and sat down next to Kula.
Kula had a dreamy smile on her face as she regarded Adalia. "I guess you know who offered to take me on as a knight master today?"
"I might." Adalia said slyly. She could see that Kula wanted to tell her anyway.
"The Lioness! She said that since I had the Gift for healing, she would teach me to be a knight at the same time as training me in my gift – just like she did for my Da!" Kula gushed excitedly. "And she is going to be going out next year with the Own, as well as visiting Pirate's Swoop!"
"I know. And I think it's fantastic!" Adalia informed her. "Charlie, have you found someone?"
"You mean has someone found me… and yes. Lord Raoul decided he would take me on – I don't know if it was for my Ma or me, but it would seem as though he has become interested in my squire years." Charlie replied, excited. He then said apprehensively, "Ma says I'll be flying in the jousting practise."
Adalia laughed, "You're mum survived, and you will as well. You have the same cool head in battle. Anyway, I bet he would be forced to take a squire at the end of next year regardless; he's probably just doing it this year to avoid being ordered to next year by the King."
The other four looked at her suspiciously, "Why?"
"Well, I 'happened to overhear' that there is going to be another Grand Progress in the year after next. It is time for the monarchs to once again venture out of their grand palace and do a census of Tortall." Adalia said elegantly.
The others just stared at her. "How the heck would you know when they are planning to do it? All everyone knows is that it will be sometime in the next five years!" Kula whispered, shocked.
Adalia scratched her chin and said thoughtfully, "There are merits to being a crow."
"Fine. But lets promise not to talk of this again. It could get you into way bigger trouble than if Lord Padraig discovered you strung up his underwear." Dameon said, nervously looking around.
They all nodded, and then continued eating, thinking of the impact this would have on their squire years.
At the end of the meal, Lord Padraig got up and announced, "All squires please pick up their trays and move to the Squire's table." He gestured towards a long table, which at that moment held about ten squires, varying in age from 15 to 17.
All the pages applauded and cheered their friends that crossed the mess, triumphantly joining the squires.
As Kula and Charlie sat down at the table, Adalia leaned closer to Kaden and Dameon, "And then there were three…"
The boys nodded. Suddenly Kaden looked distressed, "Oh no!"
"What?" Adalia and Dameon asked together, worried.
Kaden grabbed Dameon. "We are stuck with – her!" At this he pointed a shaky figure at Adalia.
All of a sudden Dameon burst into laughter, and Kaden couldn't resist joining in.
Adalia's purple eyes were sparkling. They are lucky I am feeling in a laughing mood…
She couldn't help but smile as she informed him, "Oh, I am truly sorry to inform you… but you've been stuck with me for years. How did you not notice?"
"Oh, and you look soo sorry." Dameon turned to Kaden, "But she's right. I think I remember something about a violent temper…"
"Oh, yeah! And someone being impatient." Kaden responded, furrowing his brow like he was trying to remember something.
"OH! And someone who sleeps in!" They said together, identical grins on their faces.
"Of course. Pick the bad traits to remember." Adalia grumbled, playing at being hurt. "You wound me so deeply."
Kaden looked at his friend, and then put his fingers to his temples, "Wait – there's more! She is a good friend, very loyal…"
"…And funny…"
"…And interesting, kind, compassionate, selfless…"
Adalia cuffed the boys softly, and then pretended to brighten, "Why thankyou! That makes me feel much better!"
They all broke out into louder laughter, and then deposited their dinner trays, heading back towards their rooms.
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Very early the next morning, Adalia slipped out of bed, threw on some clothes, and splashed her face with water.
Even though she had planned to wake up at this time, it didn't stop her being in a black mood, cursing in Kyprish when she stubbed her toe on the side of her trunk. Glancing out the window, it was still mostly black outside.
She threw on an extra coat and approached her window. She vaulted out and landed squarely on her feet, then trotted off towards the Rider's barracks. Spotting a lot of Riders mulling about, she searched for one particular person. She spotted Commander Buri and Lord Raoul in a corner, and even though she wasn't looking for them, she walked in their direction, looking for a certain someone.
Threading through the horses that were in her way, and asking others to move, she scanned the crowd.
She smiled cheerfully when Rye caught her eye, and it took her a few moments to reach him through the chaos of the early morning departure. She could still see Riders exiting the stables, leading two of the mountain ponies each, which were so good over the tough terrain.
When Rye saw her, he jumped off Diablo. "I didn't think you got up until absolutely necessary." He joked, stormy eyes sparkling.
"I made an exception. I thought it would be poor of me not to bid goodbye to a friend." Adalia told him, and then yawned.
He chuckled, "even so, I think you are more asleep than awake."
"You may be right there." Adalia admitted. She reached out to pat Diablo, and addressed the horse. "Keep an eye on him for me." Diablo whickered an affirmative, and Adalia turned back to Rye.
"Goodbye. And Good luck." She told him, careful to look cheerful, instead of miserable that she wouldn't be able to see him for months.
"Thankyou." There was a flurry of movement, and the two noticed that Buri had signalled the Riders to mount and get ready for immediate departure.
They turned to each other, and Adalia jumped forward to give him a hug. She felt him stiffen in surprise for a moment, but then he drew her into his arms, comforting her. Suddenly they broke apart, and Adalia stepped out of the way while Rye jumped back onto Diablo.
She waved at him while he rode out next to Buri. She couldn't help thinking that this might be the last time she saw him. She had to brush away a few tears errant that had leaked out, and then ran back to her room. The light was now grey, and she took a tremendous leap up into her room.
This was the time that she would usually practise with Kula, but the problem was that now she had moved into Alanna's rooms she was short a partner – and teacher.
Cursing her stupidity, she hefted the glaive that had been Kula's last midwinter gift. Adalia then slipped out of her window, this time heading for the roof.
I can't believe it! It's like she has turned me into a morning person! Adalia observed bitterly, while performing a complicated pattern dance, twirling the deadly weapon around at a high speed.
An hour later, she slipped back into her room, storing the glaive, and then rushed towards the mess, gathering a sleepy Dameon and Kaden on her way.
As they sat down, Adalia swept her eyes over the squire's table, and didn't see Kula or Charlie.
"Hey. Where do you think they are?" She asked the two.
They turned around and looked over the table, then Kaden said, "Charlie said that the Own were going Immortal hunting as well. The Lioness went too. Hey! That means we won't have her for swords training!" He ended excitedly.
"Don't get too excited." Adalia dryly informed him, "My own Evil Personal Shang has decided to fill in for the Lioness this year while she is away."
"The Falcon?" Dameon asked.
"Who else?" Adalia muttered darkly, playing with her food.
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Next Chapter: Darkings
Disclaimer: I am not TP
I hope you enjoyed it. I know it's sad that Rye had to go, but they wont stay out of contact for long, so please try not to murder me!