тнє ℓαυяєℓ fℓσωєяѕ NEW THREAD delete this please.

[.:A r i c a R e e:.]

Cant wait till the new charri is introduced >3<

[*ajayred*]

My blood seemed to freeze in my veins as my heart leaped in my chest. Slowly I turned, dreading what might happen.

Did he just call my name? Does he know it’s me? What if he does?

I questioned fearfully to myself. I Waited for something terrible to happen and thinking about what a terrible way it to be found out after getting so far. In the shadows of the carriage I saw Audrey had not moved, had not looked my way. He looked sound asleep; even his breathing was that of a sleeping person. A bit of the fear faded but lingered around me like the stench of a skunk. I had figured I might have heard things, the heat and stress getting to me, perhaps. That thought didn’t last long as Audrey started to mumble.

“No…I doughnut…wants to marry her…mhg….” Audrey mumbled out. “No, no, no, no.” He repeated.

“Are…you kidding me?” I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to be relieved or even more worried.

“I wanna marry...A peacock….” He muttered.

I let out snicker and saw a few scattered herbs on the ground; I had just assumed they put him to sleep while I was gone. That was only one of my close calls-false alarms. I let myself laugh the worry off as I walked over to the others and seated myself next to Henry. The day had gone by surprisingly fast, and bill was still yet to be seen, at the time I didn’t see the problem. The sun was going down and the lightening bugs began to glow as the stars began to show as well as the moon. The air had cooled a considerable amount and sleep was getting harder to avoid as a bowl of warm rabbit stew was handed to me.

“Thank ya’ “I smiled as I took the delicious smelling stew from Serret.

The first spoon was good, the second was even better. Avery was a surprisingly good cook, on some things that is; most of the time Avery took the cooking over on the missions and with good reason, being the best cook in our small group. I savored the stew as I watched the rest of the purples, pinks and oranges from the sky darkening into the dark night blue. As a girl I would have said it was beautiful randomly, as a boy though, I admired it silently while eating. My brothers would sit with me outside and mock me about how girly I was saying the sky of all things was pretty. They would have never agreed to me doing such a thing as joining a rebellion as a man, matter of fact, they would probably hog tied me and strung me up into a tree until I vowed to stop the nonsense.

But…they aren’t my real brothers. Part of me reasoned coldly.

But they were my real brothers, and all ways would be, blood or not…They would be the only brothers I knew. Times like this made me wish I had never even looked up at the sky.

“Hey, Rence are you alright?” Henry said leaning forward looking at me with brotherly concern.

“I’m fine. Just some old memory came up somehow.” I gave the best reassuring smile I could manage and put an empty spoon in my mouth.

Realizing my bowl was empty I passed the bowl to Avery who put it in the wash ben.

“Alright, I’m going to welcome dreamland. “ I spoke through a yawn as I stood and walked to a small tent I had set up earlier in the day. I hadn’t gotten a dream, but a nightmare instead.

I stood in front of Audrey, sword in hand and scowl in place.

“You are so stupid to think you could pull this off!” He laughed.

“You’re so stupid to hide this from us!” Serret said as he walked from behind Audrey. Then Ida, Ross, Tate, and everyone I was deceiving walked out from fog.

“Liar, faker, hurt her, throw him out!” They yelled.
I tripped and hit the ground and it suddenly turned into water. I sunk down and down, reaching out struggle for air just inches out of reach. Chains reached from the darkness bellow and wrapped around my legs and pulled me farther down, took hold of my arms and waist. I screamed silently, as I was dragged down into the darkness. My knees hit bottom and the water was gone, the chains still wrapped around me, holding me down on my knees with my arms at my sides. Wet mossy stone and rancid stench was my welcome.

“You tried so hard…to fail so painfully.” A voce echoed.

A man stepped out, downing a leader knight garb. His mismatched eyes bored into mine as he took slow, ominous steps closer to me. Darkness slowly began to consume me while I began to struggle against the chains.


“You are such a pathetic child…” He spat to the side as if to prove his point. “Mixed blood and status….disgusting!” he knelt and took hold of my chin. “I should sell you to the mines…or maybe some Carpsainis noble…pretty penny for those icy blue eyes and blonde hair. Such a rarity now.”

“Take your hands off that child!” Snapped a woman’s voice.

“And who dares say that to me?!” The man with the mismatched eyes snapped.

I couldn’t turn to see who, as my body had frozen. The voice was familiar…

“Ah...” worry filled his raspy voice. “Lord Slivrin…”

My eyes widened, that voice, it was my fathers. I forced my head to turn and stared at my father and mother, standing over the younger me.

“I am adopting this child.” He simply said and before the knight could protest he tossed him a piece of paper and picked the young me up and walked away with my mother.

The knight tossed the paper down and glared at their backs while the younger I simply stared at him, dazed.

“I don’t want your money!” He yelled and turned to me, his hand swinging my way.

My own scream woke me up and sat upright in snap. I was panting and clutching my chest. That was the third time I dreamt about that man. Each time I woke up my head felt like a hammer was took to it and I felt like crying like a child. That was, however the first time I screamed myself awake. Each time, I could only remember his strange mismatched gold and blue eyes and that spiteful glare. I stood up and walked out of the tent, having gone to bed in normal clothes.

“Did you find a scorpion for something?” Ida prodded.

“No…I was a nightmare.” I admitted while yawning and stretching my arms in the air.

“You scream like a girl.” She commented, an inside joke of hers.

“How old did you say you are again?” Henry asked.

“Ah… I’m …” I paused as a lump formed in my throat. I had actually forgotten the age I said I was. SO I figured I could just get one lie off my chest just in case. “I’m sixteen, to be honest….” I somewhat mumbled.

“Whaaaat? I thought you are fourteen” Avery arched his brows.

“Well, I was embarrassed, I mean what sixteen year old boys do you know look like me? It was easier to say I was younger…” It was hardly even a lie.

“Ah…well bill is hear, and Ross N Tate got back from scouting, we are going to move Audrey.” Serret said.

“Oh, okay where is bill I would like to talk to…” I trailed off as Serret and Henry both pointed to second carriage.

I nodded once and made my way over to the carriage and upon turning the corning; I spun on my heel and tucked my lips between my teeth. “Oops…” I said.

“Nah, He was already done.” Bill said as he tired Audrey’s hands back behind his back. “I strictly said limit water during the trip; I hope you didn’t have to hold it long.” Bill said giving the scowling Audrey a hard smack on the back.

“I wanted to ask you something, about that.” I pointed Audrey.

Audrey seemed annoyed and ready to bite me through the cloth in his mouth but of course, if my dance partner turned out to be totally different person, including gender I’d be furious too.

“Ah yes what‘s it about?” He asked holding said brat by his elbow.

“I would like to talk about it without him…” I pulled a just-do-it look.

He gave me a similar look and placed his hands on Audrey’s shoulders, shoved him down next to a tree and tied him to it. He waved his hand at me and started to walk, knowingly I followed. We walked until out of ear shot of the others and he looked at me with a just-spill-it look.

“What are you planning with him, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“I figure a ransom would be useless. So I want to turn him on our side and place him in as a spy for the Cymatilus king’s weak links and what not. It is much more complex then that, but that is the just of it.” Bill said nonchalantly.

“Ah…well I guess that would work, but there is something you need to know…He was my ex-fiancé back when I was Lara. I don’t care about him more than anyone else. I barley even know him actually, but I figured you should know. “I added quickly.

He stared at me for a moment, let out snort and nodded. “Girl, the trouble you put yourself in.”

“I know…” I groaned.

We had not spoken very much on the way back to everyone else. Every now and then I would catch him glancing at me. I dealt with it until it bugged me too much and I let a question leak. “Why do you keep looking at me?”

“Ah…you look like someone I once knew. Or what she would look like, she is gone now.” He answered serenely and I wasn’t sure why.

“Oh...” I answered simply as we approached the others.

“Load everything up; we are moving the cargo again, this time to a more solid place!” Bill said clapping his hands to get the needed attention.

Everyone one got up and start folding down tents and loading things in the carriage, The fire was snuffed, watered and scattered across the ground and strong herbs placed around to mess with any dogs nose that was sniffing us out. For once I would be happy to leave behind the black and red of the sanguis forest. It being the largest foresting in the center of the three kingdoms, and most citizens in the blue country were banned from entering; it was a relatively safe place to be for us. We finished packing quickly and piled in the carriages. Ross and Tate had gone back to the main base to watch over it for Bill and so it was really just me, Bill, Avery, Ida, Henry and a hostage. It was always something strange when I was involved, it was almost laughable. Actually, it was laughable, so I started to laugh at almost anything. I believe it had to do with the burning drink in the canteen Henry passed around.

“What are you laughing at now?” Avery said like a curious mother to a child.

“This group, so mismatched its funny.” I stated seriously before I snorted and sniggered again just thinking about it.

“This is going to be a long ride, no more for him, Henry.” Bill said rolling his bright eyes.

The Ride was just that. Long. It was without problem and that almost annoyed me. Everyone behaved perfectly fine, Avery included. No one complained or fussed or started a fight of any kind and it felt somewhat strange. The only reason could be Bill’s presence. He seemed to carry this air that said listen-or-die at the same time he wasn’t cruel, rude or without reason. He explained what was needed clearly; he joked and had a fair tempter. Actually, he was a lot like my father. I was comforted by that fact. At this point we were in the center of a town and I had seen quite a few shreds of red hanging in the windows and doors of houses.

“What’s going on here?” I asked turning to Bill.

“This is a rebellion town; we are in the old territory of the red king. The blue kingdom had taken it over, but some rebel towns still stand. This one is relatively new…this could cause problems. I want to keep going, but the horses are tiring and the sun is falling, so we will rest here for a night or two. Serret, go ahead and find us an inn.”

Serret nodded and galloped ahead on his nameless horse, dust flew up behind him even more then before from the ruckus in the town. It was a somewhat dingy town, somewhat poor but afloat. Few homes and shops looked ran down, but most seemed in fair shape. As the sun began to fall, people began locking up windows and taking the red cloth from view. Women took their children indoors while the men locked up their homes. We waited on the side lines moving at a slow pace until Serret rode back and waved us to follow. We did and found ourselves at a small inn. Henry and Serret were sent back with the horses in the barn to watch over them and the carriages; namely the bratty cargo.

“Laurence, why don’t you go and sleep back there too, I didn’t have enough money for another room. And Serret won’t pay much attention to the cargo. ” Bill told me right as I began unloading my things.

“Ah, but I thought….fine.” I stopped while I was ahead as I watched Bill’s expression shift.

I took Onyx’ reins and led her to the barn where she could be cared for and moseyed up to Audrey’s own little inn carriage and hopped in the back. I leaned over and looked at the supposedly sleeping boy. Then he turned and threw his head up into my chin, which knocked me back. I clutched my chin and gave the blackest expression I could to him for a moment before he lunged at me, hands no longer bound and gag pulled from his mouth. I don’t know how he managed it, but he did and so I was left struggling with him. Thankfully he didn’t seem to know where we were and didn’t bother screaming.

“Stop it! Last time I warn you!” I said harshly as took a hand full of his hair and pulled.

He was atop of me, smashing my face while he leaned over struggling to reach the dagger I suspect fell out of someone’s pocket, or maybe he stole it, I didn’t know. I almost couldn’t believe his survival instincts. He wore a black cold expression that could rival the ice king’s. I let go of his hair and took the back of his head and jerked down hard and fast, which brought his head down on a chest to the side of me. He fell to the side clutching his head and rolling back and forth. I was sure the carriage was just short of rolling away with the ruckus going on, I was also sure Serret, Henry and Ida were getting a good laugh out of it. I pounced on him, taking his hands behind his back and bounding them with several pieces of rope and cloth lying around the carriage. I bound his feet despite the struggle and got a kick to the chest, which earned him a kick to where ever I kicked him. It was dark, so I wasn’t sure. I do know however it must have hurt because he was singing soprano. I pushed him back to his spot and tied him to a latch on the Carriage walls.

“Now if you had been a nice little boy, I would have let you run on a longer leash. But you just had to go and do that. I outta hold your food back.” I said with a dangerously sweet expression, black feelings swirling in my eyes.

I think I saw him shudder at the coldness I was trying to push onto him. I also realized he wasn’t wearing the gag and yet said not a word.

“Didn’t want to draw any attention?” I asked sitting cross legged in front of him. “I mean they are probably already out their laughing their mouths off.” I leaned back on one arm.

“I…that’s right. I didn’t want to get anymore out here to fight with.” Audrey admitted turning his head away from me, shame written on his face.

“Oh don’t tell me you’re ashamed you lost.” I grinned.

“What? No way could I be ashamed of losing to a boy younger and smaller than me, none the less one that looks like a female. “He scoffed. Still keeping his eyes off me, he seemed to be more accepting of his defeat.

“Well, too bad. Think of it this way I work in a rebellion you stay at home, go to parties and flirt with girls. Of course out of us I’d win.” I shrugged, suddenly wanting to get back at him for all the trouble he caused me. Was that so bad? Maybe.

“I do not, and it does not excuse my losing to a person like you! “ He snapped and turned red, seeing his error.

“I don’t get it, are you trying to make it worse on yourself? Just admit I sound stronger and thus put no shame on you losing.” I gave a lopsided grin, finding his struggle amusing.

“You are not!” He retorted.

“So, if I was weaker and won, doesn’t that put even more shame on your head?” I asked rubbing my chin, already knowing it would bruise.
“What? No! I was captured and without food and water, weakened from the stress.” He answered, more so trying to convince himself.

“Yeah, sure alright, if that helps you sleep at night. We tried to offer you food and water by the way. And do you really want to marry a peacock?” I stared.

He apparently remembered whatever dream he had that time and dropped his head.

I couldn’t help it, I busted out laughing.

“It is not funny and aren’t you supposed to not talk to me like a good guard?!” He barked at me.

“What? Why would I do that? This is so much more fun. But ya know I think I would like to sleep anyway.” I said and pushed myself up to the wall. “If you even try anything, I will pound you into a coma. I’m gettin’ tired of your tricks.” I said seriously as I leaned back and closed my eyes.

“Yeah, defiantly not a girl…” Audrey whispered, not expecting me to hear I suspect. I kicked him on the shin anyway.

“No duh.” I grumbled and drifted into a light sleep. I was vaguely aware on the scuffling of Audrey, yet not enough to open my eyes and check.


We stayed at the inn for two more days following that night; the days consisted of getting storable foods and trading out carriages to avoid getting tracked, as well as recruiting in secret. On the second day I had gotten lost and led back to the inn by a young girl with the pretties and strangest eyes I have ever seen, they looked like white opal, with the specks of color fading and mixing, the oddest part was she had no pupils. She also had long silky brown hair which got curlier at the tips; the side had been pulled back and braided in the center. She carried a quiver full of arrows at her hip, bow over her back and a short leather leash for her large white dog. He was about thigh high, sleek white fur and a fluffy tail that curled over its back, long square muzzle and medium green eyes. A truly handsome dog and from what the girl said, protective over her, but he seemed fine with me. She was obviously willing to be a rebel; her red bandana screamed that, though when I offered she refused me kindly and left me at the inn.

After a while of boredom I walked into Audrey’s carriages (that’s what i called it since he stayed there) and sat down right in front of him, he would act like a brat every now and then, but he seemed to be coming around.

“You want something to eat?” I asked pulling some fresh blackberry bread, still warm and wrapped neatly in paper.

“I don’t want your nasty poor food.” He snorted.

Slowly I unwrapped it, brought it close to my nose and sniffed. “Mhm, so good…blackberry bread, fresh and still warm…” I mumbled and took a small bite. I tossed my head back and sighed.

He glanced my way and started to glare, but his face soon softened as he stared at the bread.

“If you want some, just say you want some of my filthy pheasant food.” I said and leaned forward and waved it in front of his nose, giving him a tantalizing look, and sniff.


I could practically see him drool as he let out his nod of defeat and spoke. “I want the stupid…bread…” he grumbled.

Deciding not to keep torturing the poor highborn, I stuffed it in his mouth and untied his hands. Without even noticing he moved his hands up and started to eat the bread or rather scarf it until he remembered I was there and started to eat much calmer. It reminded me of a stray dog who at first ate fast and felt the need to slow down and growl at the person handing it the food.

“Hmm, the highborn eats like a vagabond when hungry. You only went five hours without food.” I arched a brow. “Is that long for a highborn? “ I asked. “What tiny weak stomachs you have.”


“This is the first food not consisting of meat and heavy gravy and grease. And no, it is not at all long for a noble.” He rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, okay. “I said not at all sounding convinced. “Don’t get used to it; soon you will be stuck with jerky and gravy for a while again.”

I moved up to my knees and pulled a red clothe from my pocket and pulled his wrist over to me. At first he protested, but my glare sparked a memory of what happened last time he tried to fight me stopped him in his tracks as I tied the strip around his wrist.

“You’re going to get a bath at the bathhouse with Serret, and then we are going to get you some new clothing. You reek.” I stated and stood holding out my hand to him. “Don’t bother running, or telling people you are, this is a rebel town without organization, they will hurt you and if they know you aren’t with them, well it won’t be pretty. “

He slowly took my hand and I helped him stand. He hasn’t moved very much sense he was captured but that was his fault. He kept trying to escape.

“I advise you to stick close to me and Serret. These people don’t like many new comers and they can pick a cymatilain out like a bloodhound. “I continued and threw him a tan cloak, which he pulled on.

I pulled my cloak over my eyes and ruffled my bangs a bit. I had gotten strange looks and it didn’t take long to realize it was because of my eyes. It was also the reason Bill had me sleep out in the carriage with Audrey until he settled the matter with the inn keeper. It kind of hurt to be coupled in with the cymatilain people, and truth be told it wasn’t even the people of the kingdom, it was the king who ruled it who earned my hate. Yet, I seemed to earn the hate of those I don’t even know, simply because my eyes are different from their warm golden and brown eyes. I knew I had both Rulitian and cymatilain coursing through my veins, but I didn’t blame anyone for their blood line, why should they blame me? I didn’t fight it though. I would only prove them wrong. We got to the Bathhouse with no problems and no speaking between ether of us. I supposed it was a good thing and I handed him off to Serret while I went off to get him a second change of clothing that didn’t stand out so much. I browsed as little as I could for the cheapest clothing and soon had what was needed; I figured he had feet about as big as Serret, so if the boots don’t fit at least Serret will get some new boots. I stuffed the clothing in one of my satchels and tied the strings of the boots together and hung them on the other.

“Buying for a lovely lady?” A woman said at the stall I was standing at.

Unconsciously I had been standing in front of a stall of scarfs and Jewry. I was about to shake my head no but an interesting piece perked my interest. I smiled and picked up two bracelets that there tied together with a single piece of cotton cloth. They were simple brass cuffs with crisscrossing engravings on the edges. What I liked about them most was the smooth red oval shaped jasper stones in the center of each. I guess it was a girl thing to think they were pretty and the boy thing to think it would sure hurt someone if someone swings their hand their way while wearing them.

“How much?” I asked eyeing them carefully, they were well crafted.

“Hm…for a good boy like you, I would say twenty illos?” The older woman purred.

I sighed and placed them down, after buying Audrey’s things I was doing good to have half that. The woman, seeing my disappointment tapped the cuffs.

“Maybe if you could run errand for me, I could bring the price down to maybe…fifteen?” She asked.

“Bring it down to ten, call it one errand and I advertise your shop?” I bartered.

“I suppose I can agree to that.” She shrugged her hunched shoulders and eyed my hands as I dealed out the amount of illos and laid it in her hands.

I rolled up my sleeves, placed the cuffs on and pulled my puffy sleeves back over them. No need broadcasting them to the world. I walked around the town to kill time, waiting for the boys to finish. It was a peaceful place most of the time, every now and then a blue knight would show their face on the outer ring of tow, but never came closer to the town for fear of being mobbed. It was understandable, it seemed a moderately safe town to be in for the time being, but according to the towns people the knights began to show up more and more, and some thought it was because of us. There was a possibility it was true and we all knew it. We could cover our tracks, not make them disappear. We weren’t sure what would happen if we were found by any of the cymatilain knights, the people could ether try and hand us over or harbor us stubbornly. I begged for the later when I saw one knight walk into the town downing blue and silver and ignoring ever dirty look thrown at him. Every scrap of red had been hidden, all except my red cloak. I had quickly ran from his view, after turning a corner I pulled the cloak over my shoulder and stuffed it in one of my two satchels. I ran to the bathhouse using as many corners and alley ways I could find to avoid the knights eyes.

My heart dropped when I reached the bathhouse. Audrey and Serret stood in front of the very knight I wanted to avoid. “Oh know…don’t do it...don’t be stupid…” I whispered.

I clenched my jaw and watched as Serret acted nonchalant and Audrey jittery. The man seemed indifferent and with whatever Serret said, left them behind. Once he was far enough away, I ran up to them and pulled the boots hanging on my satchel and took out the clothes and slammed them to Audrey’s chest.

“Change.” I said simply and looked to Serret. “What did he say?”

Audrey blinked and walked back into the inn while Serret looked down at me.

“He was just asking if the bathhouse was worth a visit and asked why the brat was wearing such nice clothing that was so worn out.” Serret crossed his arms. “I told him it was a good place to bath and he got a rough bachelor party.”

“Ah…okay well that went better then I thought it would.” I furrowed my brows.

“Now you go and get Audrey before he runs for it. “ He pointed.



I turned and started walking, paused and arched a brow at him. “Why me?” I said looking back at him. It was the men’s side of the bathhouse and I did not fancy a visit.

“Because it was you who made him go in while you talked to me!” he snapped.

“You could have gone in and made me wait!” I retorted. “You would be just as responsible!”

“What? That isn’t fair!” Serret growled.

“Yeah, well you aren’t ether.”

“How do I even put up with your stupid arguments?” Audrey said walking out in his new clothing, still holding his old.

“Toss those somewhere you don’t need them now.” I said completely forgetting the argument. I was then only left to ponder if he was smart for coming back without us watching or stupid.

Audrey furrowed his brows and looked at his messy wrinkled dirty dress clothes. “Can’t I just have one of the washer women clean them? That’s their job isn’t it?”

My brow twitched and I crossed my arms looking at him. “If you want to keep any of your clothing clean, you can wash it yourself.”

“That’s stupid. Women need something to do, what a better thing then chores?” Audrey retorted.

“How did it even come to this?!” I snapped. “Just toss your stupid clothes. And if you want to stay clean you can wash your own in the river.” While you’re at it, drown.

“You are so bratty.” Audrey responded and tossed his clothing to a man on the ground, the clothes obviously too small for him.

The man picked them up and ran off, bare foot and dressed in rags.

I didn’t let Audrey continue and I started walking in the way of the inn. “We better get going. “

Both boys followed along with grunts of annoyance, but I didn’t care. Half way back to the end we came to a large crowd, yelling and screaming. Dust has been stirred in the air and voices blended together so we had no idea what was going on.

“Hey pick me up!” I said to Serret. “Just cup your hands.” I added.

Slowly he did so, lacing his fingers together, turning his palms up and lowing just enough I could put my foot in his hands. I held onto his shoulders and he rose me up so I could see above the crowd.

Passed the waving crimson flags, the raised pitched forks, swords, and screaming, marched a sea of blue and grey. They banged their chest plates with their fist, sounding off their war song as they approached. Some of the blue and grey soldiers came in from other sides of the town, surrounding it. The air was becoming heavy and suddenly the sea of men split and a man riding on a black and white horse came forward.

“We are commandeering this town!” Bellowed the man with the blue and gold eyes.

[*ajayred*]

Whoo!! 5,387 words guys! to celebrate this milstone, i will answer 3, yeas 3 questions about the characters, scene or kingdoms and post the answers on the first post! The most interesting questions will be answered ^_^ send in your question in PM.

[.:A r i c a R e e:.]

Hmm.... i think we've talked about all that ive wondered about... So i don't think i have have any questions o-O

[*ajayred*]

Ask anyway for the reader, ree ^v^ just remember anything to big a spoiler may not be answered.

[.:A r i c a R e e:.]

Ask anyway for the reader, ree ^v^ just remember anything to big a spoiler may not be answered.

Heres one! What about giving us some history on Audrey? -suspicious faced-

[*ajayred*]

Chapter 15


I could hear the clank of dropping hearts in half the crowd and for a moment, all was silent. Their roars of fury didn’t lessen though, no they raised in volume and anger. The shouts of protest from both ends stunned me, chilled my body like I was doused in ice water and for just a moment I was in a slave market staring at my father. My body started to shake and the image was gone, Serret’s face filling the gap left behind.

“Wake up Laurence! Audrey ran into the crowd! Help me find him, now!” Serret bellowed in my face.

I shook myself to awareness and turned to the crowd, eyeing the mob as I assessed the situation. The knights where outnumbered, but the knights had more armor, weapons, and skills. Audrey was likely heading to the leader of the knight to expose him, then us, gluing us into this mess even more. Well that was not going to do at all. I shoved my way into the crowd; I pushed people out of my way and elbowed some until I saw Audrey nearing the knight.

“Get….out of my way!” I yelled and many people seemed to move. Sure I was also jerking people back by their collars and avoiding knights, but I was moving ahead with more ease regardless.

“Kyran!” Audrey somehow yelled over the crowd.

Just as he was about to step in view, my hand flew out, catching the hem of his shirt. It slipped from my grasp and he left the crowd. I stayed just behind a line of people watching, panting and fearing the worst. I couldn’t simply go out and take him back then!

“Un-uncle Kyran!” Audrey said urgently, walking up to the lead knight. “I am here! “He hollered.

I saw this so called uncle Kyran look at Audrey with contempt in his eyes. I couldn’t see Audrey’s expression but I did see his body tense, his fist clench and his resolve weaken.

“Young lord Audrey! What are you doing here?!” Kyran called not out of concern or worry, but out of distain and the want to endanger him.

These people hear about the royal family all the time, they knew their names, they knew the titles, he knew it would get him killed. It was then things took the turn for the worst and the mob leaped at the chance presented. It didn’t matter their town was being taken; they had a chance to get revenge on the member of a royal, a royal with the bloodline that ruined lives. People pounded past my shoulders. When I finally started to move my feet, I nearly had them slip out under me due to the flood of people. I couldn’t understand the words of please that slipped from my own lips because of their ranting and the blood roaring in my ears.

“While they are busy!” hollered the leader, Kyran.

Suddenly the crowd thinned, their blood lust lessened with the need to protect what was theirs, yet already taken. Still people remained; ready to take out their hatred on a boy who did nothing to them.

“Please stop!” I begged one last time.

They were deaf to my please, as well as Audrey’s as they began to strike him down. He began to fight; he didn’t cower like they wanted him to, he fought like he did when he wanted to escape us. Holding them off didn’t last, he stumbled back from a punch, and hands gripped his elbows to hold him in place while one man pulled out a knife.

“Stop, don’t do it!” I bellowed out.

The fear and adrenaline drove me forward faster, but not fast enough.

I watched the knife tear over his torso, the red stain his shirt and lastly I watched them let him go and fall to the ground. I reached out; taking the assaulter by the collar of his shirt and jerking him harshly back so that he fell to the ground. I reached into the crowd and took hold of abakced
young man and swung him in front of me and thrust him into the crowd, knocking some back.

“Why?!” I raged at them.

When a woman ran at me holding a dagger I took hold of her wrist, pulled the knife from her hands and swung her back into the crowd. My eyes burned with fury, I clenched tighter to the dagger and pointed it at the crowd, backing up to Audrey.
“What has this man done to deserve your fist and swords?!” I yelled out atop my voice. “Back off! Go before I become a cut-throat like the rest of you foolish people!” I growled out as deep as I could make my voice.
I pulled out my sword and held up the dagger, showing I could fight close up or keep them at arm’s length. They stepped back and I placed my sword back in the scabbard and dagger in my belt. I rolled him onto his back, hooked my hands under his armpits and started to drag his dead weight quickly across the street. My shoulder and back screeched in agony, but I didn’t care. The pain must have put him out, but I feared he already lost too much blood. I went into the nearest inn and tried to drag him upstairs, I was so glad he wasn’t as big as Serret. I wondered in my crazed mind how strange this must look; a woman in men’s clothing carrying man upstairs into a room. The stories he would tell his children… I went into the nearest open door and laid him on top the bed as gently as I could –given he weighed more than me, my shoulders where in pain and he was out like a wet candle- and ripped his shirt open, cringing at the jagged wound. I ran to the door and bellowed.

“I want a needle and thread, alcohol too now!!” to anyone who would listen, hoping the owner of the inn would hear and ran back to Audrey.

I looked around the room for anything else I could to help, all while telling myself I was saving him because he was innocent, he doesn’t deserve this treatment and it wasn’t like he was as bad as the king due to his blood. I tore the off his shirt, crumpled it and pressed it to the jagged slash below his ribs.

“Hurry!” I demanded and a woman stumbled into the room with a basket.

“Hold him down.” Her voice was commanding, her eyes firm. She nearly shoved me out of the way when she came through the door and passed me to the side of the bed.

I pulled out half the contents of the basket, silk thread, a bottle of corn whiskey a few sewing needles, one of them bent into curve. I threaded the curved needle, grabbed a bowl from the basket, poured in some whiskey and placed the needle and thread in it for a second and handed it to her.

“Do you know who this is?” I asked her suspiciously.

“No, I was too busy watching my young’un when people started ta scream.” She answered somewhat uncertainly and began cleaning the wound.

I looked out the window for a second and turned my attention back to Audrey and the woman. I got to the other side of the creaking bed and leaned over, pressed my hands to Audrey’s shoulders and pressed him down on the spring bed.

“He may wake up, “she warned me and lifted the bottle of shine to her mouth, took a swig and sprayed it on his wound. That was one disgusting way to preserve alcohol I supposed.

Sure enough, he leaped up howling. I shoved him down and let the woman continue patching him up under my watchful eye. Once I was sure she wouldn’t do anything to Audrey aside from patching him up, I tried to talk him into a calmer state. His mind was delirious with pain, and so the conversation switched fast. His eyes would be clear for a moment, glaring at me while he tried not to faint from the pain. I gotten stitches before, and I know they certainly don’t tickle. I didn’t pay much attention to the act of sowing him up, I just kept my eyes on Audrey, glaring him down like a disapproving father, or mother in my case. I not-so-gently helped him to sit up while the woman wrapped his torso.

“Alright…It is done, you can apply some healing salve to the minor wounds, and I will bring it up in a bit.” Said the woman as she stood, dusting off her dress as she had been on her knees next to the bed to stitch him up.

“Thanks, Ma’am…” I said my thanks opened the door for her and she had left.

I turned to Audrey, torn between scolding him for his mistake and simply leaving it alone. I leaned toward scolding, because facing the facts I was angry, I was still jittery with the left over adrenaline.

“What were you thinking?” I asked calmly, turning to look at him.

He sat on the bed, feet on the ground and hand over his wrapped torso as he furrowed his brows. His already disheveled dark brown hair sticking to his forehead, almost long enough to shadow his eyes. He turned his face away from me and scowled at the window.

“I was captured and saw an escape.”

“But you didn’t see the mob of rebels?”

“That wasn’t on my mind at the time!”

“Well it should have been! This isn’t just about losing you because you are valuable, you could have lost your life! Ya you know that thing beating in your chest, it could have stopped today.” I narrowed my sapphire eyes.

“Yeah?” he said tilting his head narrowing his violet eyes. “Well maybe it would have helped, one less royal to take down right?”

“Don’t take death so lightly. Keep in mind, I had saved your highborn rear-end and I could have let them beat you to death!” I clenched my fist at my side.

“What does it matter? It is already ruined, I was captured by the enemy, I was betrayed by my uncle and I was saved by a stupid boy.” He shook his head and I was shaking with anger. “Why didn’t you just let me die?”

He couldn’t be grateful, he couldn’t thank me, and instead he pouted and took death as light as bee sting. I don’t know what happened but I couldn’t stop.

“Saved by the likes of me? And what is wrong with that?” I asked stepping closer to him.

“Look at yourself!” He said as if it explained it all. “You are just a guttersnipe playing the hero, a boy no older or wiser then me.” He crossed his arms. “I bet your parents gave you the name Laurence just to make you sound more appealing.”

“It’s Lara.” I replied taking one more step closer.

“What?” he asked growling with confusion.

“Lara, that’s my name. What? You didn’t think a normal guy has the guts to do everything I did, do you?” I leaned over and stared at him with a mildly amused, yet dark expression. “A man couldn’t manage half the things I did. I am a woman.” I was no longer forcing my voice to be deep, but I made sure it was laced with venom.

He stared at me for a moment, shocked and shook his head slowly. “No, you are a boy at the least. Woman are not taught how to fight, they are not supposed to be strong. Nice try though.” He said but stared at me with clear uncertainty.

I stared at him, stunned by his denial, I wasn’t sure if it was my acting skills or apparently boyish face, but he really seemed to believe I was a boy, even after saying so many times I was like a girl. I started to laugh, wondering how anyone could really be so stupid, or so stubborn to deny the fact a woman could save their life and subdue them several times.

“Fine then, think what you want.” I shrugged. “Not like it matter’s, ether way crushes your pitiful pride.” I added.

When I thought about it that was all I wanted; to knock his pride down a notch or two. I couldn’t stand to hear him whine about what girls can do and can’t do. But even so, letting that slip was a stupid thing that could still get me in trouble.

“What now….?” Audrey asked, standing to his feet and walking to the window, peering down. At the thinning crowd.

“We’re going to wait it out here, and regroup with the others.” I said then added”I need to know one thing. You called that man uncle Kyran…what’s your relationship with him?”

“He is just that, my uncle on my mother’s side, why do you only ask about my relatives now?” His voice rang with suspicion.

“Because he sure looked like he wanted you dead.” I answered putting my satchels on the bed and looking myself over for wounds. “If that is true, then we can’t let him know you lived.”

I glanced over at Audrey and like most people would do, he did not deny such a thing. He turned to me with an expression that said he had known deep down, but didn’t want to see it. My mother would show me that face all the time.

“I somewhat knew he would do a lot to earn a higher position in the family, but he never showed me resentment or said unkind words to me. I would only catch him glaring we me.” Audrey sat on the window seal, leaning his head to the glass and staring out.

“So, no denying he wants you out of the picture, but now I ask out of my own curiosity…why? Shouldn’t he hold a higher spot then you?” I probed.

“In my family, the first son of the eldest child, male or female gets much more privileges and often takes over duties of other members, one of those being my Uncle. And just to clear something up, the king is my mother’s Uncle.” He seemed dull, blankly staring out the window.

I hadn’t learned much about the royal family tree, but I was sure the others in the rebellion had, so I left that information behind and probed further.

“I see, so Kylan is your mother’s brother, or the king’s brother?” I asked trying not to let myself get confused.
“Kings brother.” He answered curtly.

I sat down on the bed and flopped back. “Okay, so whose side of the family has the eldest son tradition?”

“My fathers, he is also quite a bit older then my mother.” He replied solemnly. “I don’t have many duties, matter of fact I don’t even know what they are. I was only given one.”


“So what was your first duty after getting in your family position?” I asked, placing my hands under my head.

Audrey scoffed. “Marrying a girl my family picked because of their interesting circumstances.” This seemed to ignite him, and I had gotten weary. “Found out later the king just thought it was a good idea and mother talked father into it. The girl was so immature she ran into the forest the same night the proposition was made.”

I felt my heart speed; I regretted asking that question and didn’t know how to stop him.

“Found out later she also ran away when her mother died, they haven’t found her, for a while people thought they seen her, but it turned out to be a boy….” He paused but didn’t stare at me.

I was mentally screaming at my own idiocy. Had I never said I was a girl, gave him my nickname, he’d have never come near the answer. For a moment I was still, silent only listening and glancing at him every now and then to make sure he wasn’t eyeing me.

“Her name…It started with the letter L. Lacy? Lorene?” He scratched rubbed the back of his head and wrinkled his forehead in deep thought. “Maybe Lauren…” He looked at me and my heart leaped.

Oh my words please don’t get any closer! Don’t use a sudden burst of brain power! I had thought.

He shrugged and looked out the window, letting it go. I released the breath I hadn’t realized I held. I knew I was an idiot, but I also knew I really had to start thinking certain things through better.

“Laurel. That was her name.” He stood and looked at me. “Or should I say your name?” He said stepping closer to me. “Did you really think I would be that stupid?” He mused.


“My name is Laurence, if you are referring to when I called myself Lara; it was to crush some of your pride. It didn’t work, and I don’t know anything about this run away girl. “

“You can’t play that now. I knew you were a woman. It was easy to see, with your smaller frame, nagging, and overall ignition at everything I said about woman. I know men who would be annoyed, but I could just see the threats dancing behind your eyes.” He smirked, clearly amused by the show he apparently wrote the script to.

[Moonblaze-Angel]

Awesome, but more!

[katomorakwarrior]

Okaaaaaaaaaay.
Tut. Tut. Bad Lara. Not a smart move.
But continue.
I'm still enjoying your story.
More please.

[*ajayred*]

okay guys, chapter. 16 is done, but getting it where i can post it will take a take or so ^.^