"Does Paislee know about what you do?" I asked. It was the only thing I could think to ask.

Kol shook his head. "No, I'm afraid she's a bit too delicate to know the full extent of what goes on in the lower city. In her world everyone is kind and nothing ever goes wrong. I wouldn't want to ruin her kind view of the world."

"Why is your past such a secret from everyone?" I asked. I had so many questions now. He seemed to have gone to great lengths to make sure that no one knew the extent of what had happened to him. He had even debated about telling me.

"Knowledge can be dangerous. There are people who would try and use my past against me. Some may even go as far as Ghant to fin Bria and I can't take that chance. Bert and Addison could also be in danger if the story got out. I have done my best to keep their involvement in the lower city a secret."

"And what of Christian," I started. Kol's face darkened and I almost didn't continue. "What does he think of your place in the lower city?"

I could see the muscle in his jaw clench and unclench before Kol finally answered. When he did speak his words were harsh and clipped. "Prince Christian knows nothing of me or my operation. There is no place for him with me or any of my people."

"Why do you dislike him so?" I had never seen Kol be so outwardly opposed to Christian before. "He isn't as bad as you think. He is actually quite lovely to spend time with. Maybe if you just gave him a chance you would find he has changed. I heard that you two used to be friends. If you would only speak to each other then you could be friends again."

Kol grinned weakly at me. "No, Ebb, we cannot ever be friends. You like him though – perhaps as more than a friend."

I blushed and turned away. He was right of course. Christian's kiss had been in the back of my mind ever since the ball. It was so wonderful and perfect that I could not help but wish for something more than just simple friendship. I did not understand how anyone could not like him, especially Kol who had grown up with the prince. They both seemed set in disliking each other though, and it didn't seem like that would change anytime soon. Whatever must have happened between them must have been really bad for them to both hold such a grudge against each other. I imagined that Christian might have been offended at Kol's sometimes brash and roguish behavior. That was just who Kol was though and if their two personalities clashed then maybe it was better for them to not be at each other's throats all the time.

"I would like you to meet Argie." Kol suddenly said. "If you are not expecting to get whisked off by your prince charming, I would like you introduce you to her. She will like you, I'm sure. Even though I told her not to, Bert has told Argie all about you from what I have told her and since she met you at the ball."

"Who all have you been telling about me?" I inquired. At this rate there wouldn't be a person in the city who wouldn't know who I was.

"I only told Bert about you after our little run through the alley ways. She had wanted to know where I was that day and she is relentless when she wants to know something. She had me tell her the story nearly four times with all the questions she asked. Then when she found out about the bell tower she wanted to know everything about you. I should have known to keep my mouth shut. Anything Bert knows is almost immediately relayed to Addison and then to Argie. She is a terrible gossip." Kol shrugged. "I don't so much mind her talking to Addison, but I wish she wouldn't tell Argie so much. That woman is too intuitive for her own good. She can read a person easier than she can read a book, it seems."

"And do you want her to read me?"

Kol wrinkled his nose and smiled fully now. "No, silly, I want her to meet you, like I said. Whatever she deduces about you will just be a bonus. So what do you say? Can I pull you away from your prince for one day or will he miss you too much?"

"Christian and I were not planning on doing anything tomorrow. In fact I have not been spending nearly as much time with him as you seem to think. My stepsister, Giselle, has been clinging to him recently. I haven't really gotten to see him since we went to the fairy blacksmith." I added sadly. I was missing him and all the while Giselle was at his side.

Kol lightly tapped my nose with his finger. "Cheer up, Ebb. The surest way to make him jealous is to have him see you spending time with me. If you want I will make sure that he knows that I am taking you into the lower city tomorrow. That will bring him around. A handsome prince cannot resist saving fair maidens from scoundrels like me."

I laughed. "Christian did become a bit territorial when he found out that you and I were friends. He told me that you were nothing but trouble."

"How kind of him to say such a thing," Kol joked. "Now that you know all about me, shall we return to the tournament and you can tell me all about you."

I took his proffered arm and together we left the shade of the tree. "There's not much to tell really. I've spent my entire life in Lyscos. It's a small town and this is the first time I have ever travelled far from it."

"Do you have any other family besides your stepsisters?" Kol prodded. It seemed he was done talking about his past and was now intent on learning about mine.

I nodded. "My mother and stepfather live in Lyscos. His name is Samuel Kingston and he is a business man. Giselle and Victoria are his daughters."

"Why aren't they here with you in Pharyss?"

I shrugged. Kol had told me so much about his past that I felt I should be honest about mine. "Samuel thought that it would be good for us to do something on our own. He and mother stayed in Lyscos. They say they are too old for such celebrations. Sometimes I wish they were here to keep my stepsisters in check."

We slowly walked back around the arena past entertainers and peddlers. "Your stepsisters do not seem very pleasant to be around. How can you possibly stand it?"

"Victoria seems to be improving. She is spending much of her time with Prince Hector, and I think he is being a good influence on her. I hope he is being a good influence anyway. She has not been so quick to get angry recently as she has in the past." I thought about it for a moment then added, "I think she puts on her act enough around Hector that she is starting to act that way normally now."

"If anyone could change your stepsister for the better it would be Hector. He is as good a man as they come and will make a wonderful king one day. I think he could make anyone good if he spent enough time with them." Kol remarked.

I looked at Kol who was looking ahead. "So you like one brother and think he will make a good king one day but you shun Christian?"

"Yes," he said simply.

We walked on and looked everywhere on the tournament grounds. We returned to the knights' tents and spoke to a few about how the joust had gone. We saw other groups performing various songs and plays for the amusement of the people. One troupe even did magic where they made a rabbit disappear into thin air. I bought a sugar stick from one of the vendors and ate as we walked. Kol found someone to paint his face with a green lightning bolt for his friend Marc. I laughed at the bolt that went over one black eye and down the side of Kol's face. We returned to the arena in time to see the winners awarded with their prizes. Sir Marc was not one of the three men who won the joust. Christian's favorite, Byron Galway, was the archery winner. I looked to the royal box and saw the prince standing and cheering for him as Byron stepped up to accept his prize. Giselle was right next to him, also cheering. Victoria, Hector, and Brockton were exchanging money and random baubles that they had bet. It looked like Sir Brockton has made good on his earlier bet and even brought Hector his chicken. The three of them were having a hard time trying to get the thing to sit still and in the back Marge was laughing heartily at their efforts. For a moment I wished to be up there with them and not down in the crowds with Kol, but if I did spend the day up there in the royal box I would have missed out on seeing the rest of the tournament grounds, meeting Sir Marc, and learning more about Kol.

I said goodbye to Kol after the final prize was awarded. I promised him that I would meet him tomorrow in the square if he promised that we would not be chased through the streets of the lower city. He had laughed and gave his word. Tomorrow he would take me to the Scrolldart Tavern to meet his friend Argie. I was excited and anxious to meet her. She sounded like an interesting person but I wondered how truthful Kol had been when he said she could read people. I didn't know how I felt about someone who could know me so easily.

Over half way through the story and I am still introducing characters! That's right the end of the story is coming and it will not be at chapter 150 or even 100 like I thought before. I'm pretty sure this story will have about 70-80 chapters. I wish I wasn't so close to the end, but I do hate it when a story drags on longer than it needs to.