Chapter 26: Exhibitions

Adalia had successfully avoided Kel with her diversion, and was catching her breath while lounging against the board listing the knights and squires that were to be jousting when she heard an extremely familiar voice.

"Ady!"

Her head shot up and she saw Rye standing only a few metres from her. She had kept in contact with him during the almost eight months since she had departed with Kel, due to her darking, but they hadn't seen each other in that entire time.

Her eyes wide, she couldn't speak. She guessed that now she was older, something had changed within her. Seeing the almost seventeen year old in front of her, she noticed how handsome he was. Unkempt dark brown hair fell about his face, falling into his stormy grey eyes, which were glittering with something that made her feel… tingly. He was grinning broadly, and seemed to get over his shock first, and strolled over to be standing in front of her.

She was still in a state of shock, Adalia looked up into his face. He grinned and said, "What? Surprised to see me? I'm hurt. You should have known I'd be here."

This broke the spell on her and she scoffed, "No, I don't think I could miss the fact that you're here. I was alerted by your smell. I've have been meaning to tell you how much you stink." Her eyes dancing, she crossed her arms.

His mouth was hanging open. He was staring at her in pretend shock.

Adalia laughed at his look, and jumped up to hug him. When they touched, she shivered agreeably. Never had that before…It seemed Rye's pride was mended when she hugged him, and he returned it warmly.

After savouring the feeling of Rye's arms around her, she looked up into his eyes and grinned mischievously as she broke from his protective hold. His face turned to a pout. "What? I don't get a kiss?"

She was still very close, and her mouth fell open at the audacity of that statement. Quickly it turned into a sly grin, "Have you been good?" She teased him, and started to walk away.

Just as she had been expecting, he followed her. He slung a hand around her waist and pulled her close to him. He looked into her violet eyes searchingly and whispered, "I missed you."

Adalia wrapped her hands around him and raised her face to his, "And I you." The next second she found her lips on his. A thrill ran through her like fire, and it left her breathless. After long moments they broke apart. Adalia was half dazed with passion, and as she looked into stormy grey eyes she could see that Rye was in a similar state. He had a smile playing across his lips as he looked at her face, and she could feel one on her own.

I hadn't realised the extent of how much I missed Rye until I saw him standing in front of me. Adalia thought, surprised at the feeling that he gave her. Seeing him again, she was surprised at the strength of her attraction to him. We are extremely good friends, discounting the…err…the fact that I…love him. Adalia was shocked that when she thought of Rye, that was what described her emotions. I don't know how to deal with loving someone. I guess I'll just have to see how this goes.

As this revelation hit her, she was also very aware that there were at least ten people in the vicinity that had seen her and Rye kissing. She knew that very soon she would worry about this, but right now she didn't care. She could tell that Rye didn't either. She winked at him; bringing them both out of the daze they seemed to be stuck in. "Walk with me."

She slid her arm around his waist, and he draped one over her shoulder, and they started walking. Adalia sighed. If she could spend more time with Rye, then she would be content. She felt Rye watching her, but she couldn't help but be bothered by the looks they were attracting. "Everyone is going to know about this in about five minutes." She said brightly, although there was a bitter part to her words.

"Just forget about it, Ady. You'll be ok." He grinned as she looked up into his face unbelieving. "They are scared of me. I'll do something big, and they will be so scared they will shut up." He said this in a grand voice, and Adalia couldn't help but laugh.

"No, I'm sorry to say I don't think you'll be able to do that." Adalia said sorrowfully, when she could master her expression.

He cocked an eyebrow and gazed at her questioningly. She gave a wolfish grin, "I think I will be the one to do something about this, my young mage. It's already planned for tomorrow."

He was interested, and kept looking at her. Her expression turned to sheepish, she didn't want him to worry about what she was going to do tomorrow. "Umm…"

She was saved from explaining when Charlie and Kula came around the corner. She felt herself turn slightly red as they both raised their eyebrows. That's when she remembered Rye's arm over her shoulder and her own around his waist. She tried to extricate herself from his arm, but he tightened his hold. She raised her eyebrows at him, but he pretended not to notice.

Damn damn damn. Adalia glared at Rye, but he was in the process of greeting her friends. They turned to her, and it looked like Kula was trying not to laugh. "Hi. Wonderful seeing you here." Adalia said sarcastically.

"We wanted to know what the meeting was about." Charlie said after a glance at Kula, which told him she wouldn't be able to talk without laughing.

"Basically? Stuff about convincing Tusaine not to go to war with Tortall."

The three stared at her in shock. Kula abandoned her amusement, and said, "What?! I didn't think it was that bad. How are they going to do it?"

Adalia bit her lip. This question brought her back to what she didn't want to tell either of them.

"With a little help." She said evasively. She suddenly saw how she could get them to go away, and cringed inwardly at the conversation she would inevitably have to have with her friends next time she saw them. "Well, since you know, can we get a little privacy?"

She mockingly raised her eyebrow at Charlie, who was obviously itching to taunt her. She turned around and dragged Rye with her.

That day was pleasant for the both of them. They just walked around, talking about Adalia's missions with the Own, as well as Rye's various activities, which included lessons with his father, visits to the City of the Gods and various missions with the Riders. They also stole several kisses, usually in nooks from which they couldn't be seen.

They parted when Adalia realised that she had to go to the marshalling point for serving, and both walked off with grins plastered on their faces.

When Adalia walked in the hall, she saw all her friends glance up at her with large grins and a not-so-good gleam in their eyes. She turned around and walked right back out.

She heard Kula laughing as she calmly walked away, but the boys ran out after her. Daniel and Nathan, the oldest of the group, grabbed one of her arms each and lifted her bodily, carrying her back into the room.

"Come on, Adalia. You can't let your knight master down." Dameon said mockingly.

"I hate you all." Adalia said furiously, giving them a death glare. She was satisfied when they visibly quailed – it must be unnerving due to the colour of my eyes – although they did not stop teasing her about her relationship with Rye. "Nothing has happened." She said bluntly.

"Sure." Nathan said, "We believe you." Adalia whacked him on the head.

The only thing that consoled Adalia was that this was not unusual behaviour – the times that the boys discovered either of her friends was in a relationship, they would taunt them as well. Adalia shook her head and said sorrowfully, "I pity any woman who gets stuck with any one of you."

They were unable to respond, because at that precise moment the Master of ceremonies swept in and started to order them about.

Throughout the serving, she kept hearing snippets of the court lady's conversations, all of which were bad for her. Countless times she heard phrases like "whore." Adalia decided that she couldn't care less what they said, because for once her relationship was real and not imagined. The only thing she hated were the glances her friends threw at her – they made her feel like reconfiguring their faces, because each time she felt herself turn pink.

As the Master of Ceremonies dismissed them to go eat, her friends swarmed around her. "With friends like you, who needs enemies?" She muttered heatedly. Kula patted her hand consolingly, while the boys kept asking her irritating questions, which she ignored.

They were almost to the door when Adalia snapped. She turned on them and glared, "SHUT UP!" They all gulped, but Daniel said, "And why should we do that?"

Adalia gritted her teeth. In a flash, she was brandishing her sword, "Next person to say anything about my choice in men can meet me on the practise courts."

They all instantly went white. Adalia thought that it was Dameon who started it, but quite suddenly they all ran away. Kula was laughing, and Adalia had a satisfied grin on her face. "Finally! I have reminded them why they never picked on me when I was a page!"

Kula shook her head, "It's a lesson I don't think they will need to be reminded of a third time."

---------------------------------------------------------

The following day at noon, Adalia was lounging on a seat that had an excellent vantage point; she could look into the stands. The exhibition matches were almost finished, and her exhibition that was meant solely to discourage Tusaine from going to war with Tortall was fast approaching. The crowd were cheering for the two knights who were facing off with swords. It was a large audience.

She grinned amusedly at an anxious Kel, who was gripping a bow. She had taken Adalia's mocking words to heart, and had insisted that she be one of the archers.

Kel was tense, and couldn't understand how a person who was about to be shot at could be relaxed. "Are you sure you can do this? It's not too late to back out."

Adalia glanced at Jon, who was sitting next to the ambassador from Tusaine. The man was on the fat side, and seemed impatient for some reason. Adalia knew this was because he had been told that there would be a unique exhibition after the swords match. Everyone seemed expectant, and she was glad that no one knew what she would be doing until she was doing it. She couldn't imagine causing her friends to worry; she knew they still would, but at least it wouldn't be for very long.

"Kel, I'll be fine. It's not like I have a death wish." Adalia reassured her.

Suddenly the sword was yanked out of one of the knight's hands, and the match was finished.

Adalia grimaced. This was the start of the few moments that she had not been looking forward to. She didn't want her friends to be frightened for her. She glanced at them. They were in a group, conversing excitedly amongst themselves. No doubt about the match. Rye was with them as well.

Kel took a big breath, and then they walked out onto the field. The crowd quietened some, inspecting the lady knight and her squire. And then the announcement as to what this was going to be rang through the crowds, amplified by magic.

"Squire Adalia of Pirate's Swoop will be catching arrows, shot by the Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan and Masbolle, as well as Sir Kingsley of Baintly from Tusaine."

The crowd went silent for a second, and then she heard mutters of "catching arrows? That's impossible!"

Adalia bit her lip and chanced a glance at her friends, all of which were white. They were obviously trying to digest the words. She could see Rye fall into his seat. She caught his eye. He was pleading with her silently; she understood that he was begging her to say the announcement was wrong. She shook her head to say no, and then smiled at him reassuringly. She knew he wasn't reassured. She'd have to remind him she had said she would be the one to do things to freak people out enough that they would leave her alone, once this was finished.

Kel and the other archer stopped walking at one end, and after they all bowed to the King and Queen, Adalia walked calmly to the opposite side of the field. When she reached it, Kel and the man had their bows set up, with two servants holding an armful of arrows for both archers.

Kel had the arrow on the string, even though she was obviously thinking she was insane for doing this.

Adalia nodded slightly to tell Kel to fire.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The crowd in the stands were waiting with baited breath. Adalia's friends were telling themselves that the King and Queen, not to mention the Lioness, would hardly consent to Adalia being killed, although it didn't calm them. Both archers were set up, and the crowd watched intently as Adalia stood at her side of the field, relaxed and alert.

They watched as Adalia gave a small nod and Kel fired the first arrow. The man shot immediately after her; both set fresh arrows to the string and shot steadily, arrow after arrow, until they had exhausted all the extras held by the servants.

Adalia caught them all with grace and ease, snatching the arrows from the air as if she had all day to do so.

After the first arrow, the crowd collectively looked on in awe. After the next few, they began cheering the girl on. Nothing like this had ever been seen before. People had caught daggers, but never had anyone seen a person catching arrows.

Kel wiped her forehead after she had finished, clearly relieved. Adalia gave her thumbs up and gathered all the arrows in a bunch, and trotted over to the knights. She handed the arrows to the servants, who looked at her with eyes as wide as dinner plates, and then turned to shake hands with Kel and the foreign knight Kingsley. She noticed that the man was white, in much the same state as the servants. Kel, on the other hand, was just relieved that she hadn't killed her squire.

The three turned and bowed to the King and Queen, who were in much the same state. Adalia noticed with amusement that the ambassador seemed to be sweating, as well as twisting a cloth in his hands. That was a classic sign of nervousness.

The Royals inclined their heads, and Adalia and the two knights exited the field.

Kingsley walked away, and Adalia followed Kel around the stands. They were intercepted by Adalia's friends, who threw themselves at her. After checking to make sure that she hadn't been hurt, they stood in front of her. "Never do anything like that again!" Rye said fiercely.

Adalia flinched, but retorted, "What? I'm ok aren't I?"

Kula punched her arm and said, "Yes, but the thing was you knew what you were going to do and didn't tell us! What would have happened if you'd been killed? You could have at least told us."

Adalia looked guilty, "Sorry, but I didn't want you guys to worry for ages. This way, you only had to worry for a few seconds. I also didn't want you to try to stop me." She said the last to Rye. "It had to be done. I think I may have successfully put Tusaine off starting a war with Tortall."

They still looked slightly angry, but they had to agree with her logic. They gave her quick hugs, and then the squires went off for a bit of swords practise, as did Kel. When they had gone, Adalia turned to Rye. He still looked mad, but she rushed towards her and enveloped her in a tight hug.

There were many people who were exiting the stands that saw them, but they didn't even hear mutters about their 'improper' behaviour. Very soon after he hugged her, he let go to look at her sternly. "Don't ever frighten me like that again, Ady."

She nodded and grinned weakly. Indicating the crowd, she said, "Told ya I'd put people off talking about me…or at least about my reputation. No doubt now they may just talk about how I can catch arrows, with any luck."

He grinned weakly and hugged her again. They wandered away from the stands, and Adalia got him to forget about her exhibition by teasing him.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Around noon that very same day, Adalia was lounging in her tent, intent on completing a task set by Kel. It was part of the work the Knight had given her for causing her so much worry when volunteering to catch arrows, and she still expected the squire to complete it.

It was cold, and she was wrapped up in a blanket, scowling at the Logistics and Supply work that she had to do. "Kel gave this to me because she didn't want to do it herself." She muttered, annoyed.

"Curse her good sense. But now I am stuck with the head ache." Adalia muttered, half in irritation, half out of amusement that her knight master hadn't decided to do this sooner.

"I can give you something for that." An amused voice said from the entrance to her tent.

Adalia looked up and smiled at the visitor. Her grandmother was entering the tent, a very satisfied smile on her face.

"Yes please. That would be perfect." Adalia said delightedly, discarding the papers and jumping up to give Alanna a hug.

The Lioness hugged her back, "That was a great job you did, Ady. The ambassador high-tailed it back to Tusaine. Do you have any more tricks in your arsenal that I should know about?"

Adalia stayed in the embrace for a while longer, and then sat down on the floor, pulling Alanna down as well. She grinned teasingly, "Oh, grandma, you know better than everyone that my arsenal is unlimited."

Alanna shook her head, violet eyes glinting in amusement. "That's true. But that isn't the only thing I wanted to talk to you about. I've heard that you and Rye have been spending a lot of time together recently."

Adalia turned pink at this, and then said, "I really like him."

To Adalia's surprise, Alanna grinned and nodded, "I was wondering when he would tell you how much he likes you."

Adalia turned a deeper shade of red.

Alanna laughed, but sobered quickly. "How serious is this?"

Adalia tried to answer truthfully, "I like him, and we've been friends for ages. I don't think I'm ready to…" Adalia's voice ran out this was extremely embarrassing.

Alanna observed her granddaughter, and decided to save her from saying it, "Bed him?" She suggested. Adalia nodded, looking everywhere but at her grandmother. She was extremely uncomfortable; I wish that I did not have to talk with my grandma about this…

Alanna picked up papers that had been scattered when Adalia jumped up to greet her. She wasn't looking forward to this, but she knew that the girl needed to talk to someone. "You know what happens?" Adalia nodded furiously. "Good. One time is enough to get you with child. I suggest you get a charm against pregnancy, just in case you get carried away."

Adalia was thoroughly red by now, but she knew there was sense in her grandma's words. She nodded and hugged her grandma, "Um, thanks."

Alanna patted her on the back, "Love isn't a bad thing. I was once told that love eased an otherwise difficult path."

She kissed Adalia on the forehead, and then produced a present. It was extremely small. She pressed it into Ady's hand and said, "Word is Raoul and Kel are making a getaway tomorrow morning, against the very likely chance that Jon thinks twice about letting them exit the progress. Happy Birthday, for two days from now."

Alanna put down the neat pile of paper, leaving Adalia to process 'The Talk' that she had just endured. After a few moments, she glanced down into the object that was in her hand, and smiled ironically. It was an anti-pregnancy charm, on a very long chain. At least I don't have to go buy one from the healers… Goddess! I hope I never have to have a talk like that again!

She rested a cold hand against her burning face, and then slipped the charm over her head. It tucked into her breastband, so no one would even know she had it on.

After the red faded, Adalia returned to attacking the work set by Kel. She wouldn't get much chance to do it while they were travelling, and she knew that her knight master would leave before the crack of dawn, if only to travel with Raoul.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

That night she met up with her friends and said goodbye, as did Charlie. They both didn't want to, but knew it would be stupid to go and say goodbye at whatever time they stole away during the night/early morning.

Rye walked Adalia to her tent, and they shared one of those breath-taking kisses that left Adalia feeling all tingly. She stared after his retreating back, wishing that he could come with them. Her only consolation was that with Midwinter approaching, the Progress would end in about a month, and the Royals would return to Corus. Adalia could see Rye when she went back for the celebration.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: NOT TP.

PLZ R&R, all comments appreciated.