When we were in the courtyard, I saw two men approaching. I knew them both instantly. The first was tall with brown hair and green-hazel eyes. I'd kind of run into him already. It was Baron George Cooper of Pirate's Swoop.
The second was easy to recognise. The red hair gave him away easily. It was Thom, Alanna's eldest son. Her was around three years older than me at twenty. He smiled at me and I couldn't help smiling back. Then I faced his father. I was a bit uneasy, especially after what happened the last time, when I'd thought I'd met him. Alanna nodded at me and smiled at me, to tell me it was all right. I smiled slightly back.
George hugged his wife, upon reaching her and gave her a quick kiss. "You finally came," he said smiling. Thom approached to give his mother his own welcome. He was now a full knight and had come back to his home, when he had learned they had been getting bandit trouble. Then George noticed me. "And you are?" he asked me.
I had no idea what to say. For one moment an image flashed before me, of George challenging me, a cruel expression on his face. I was struck speechless. "I.. I," I swallowed hard, fear plain upon my face.
Alanna guessed what had happened and came to my rescue. "This is Rachel Oaks. She came to Corus... to learn magic. Wait till you see what she can do."
"I look forward to it," George said, but I could see from his expression, he was wondering what had struck me dumb. But I couldn't explain, not there. How do you tell him that though, without him asking questions? I didn't want to have to find out.
Luckily though, Numair came up and dragged me off, muttering about something he wanted me to see. I followed him and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Thom looking at me curiously. I sighed. When would men stop staring at me?
"What is it?" I asked, as we reached one of the walls overlooking the sea.
"Look," he said, pointing out to the sea.
I did and gasped. "What is it?"
A rippling pool of orange was in the sky, a few inches above the sea. It was ever-changing. never staying the same way. For some reason the image of Roger flashed through my mind.
"George says it appeared when we came into the courtyard. I did some calculating and it seems it appeared the moment you came into the courtyard."
"It's connected to me somehow," I realised. "Roger," I whispered. "He's spying on me."
Numair nodded. "It appears so."
I took in a deep, shaky breath. "He's not going to give me up easily, is he?"
"No indeed. It appears my enemy cannot stay dead," Alanna said quietly, as she and George reached them. George was staring hard at me and I knew Alanna had told him the truth about me. In short, I felt relieved. I didn't like holding back the truth from people.
Then threads from the pool flung out and reached for me.
I screamed and got out of the way in time. Numair and Alanna were alert instantly and George tensed. But I knew I had to stop it, it wanted me, but I could not submit to the pool, for fear of losing my life. I quickly looked around. There was nothing to throw at it, and I doubted it would do much good anyway. I had to lose myself in the Element magic. But the sane part of my mind screamed at me to stop being so foolish. I ignored that part of my mind. It wasn't like I had a choice. I went deep inside myself. The sea-wind picked up and whirled around me, as I called on my Element magic. I had discovered I had wind and weather magic and I prayed I could do something. The wind centred on me and flung my cloak around me and scraped my hair back. I was oblivious to it all as my magic rose through me.
It escaped out of me as gold fire and I screamed in pain. I felt like I was on fire. Part of me wanted to stop this, wanted the pain to go away, but I gritted my teeth and then screamed again as a fresh pain coursed through me.
The gold fire lashed out at the orange pool, viscously. Anywhere it touched, the pool fizzled out. Then the pool screamed, as if someone was hurt and the pool faded away. The gold fire retreated back into me and I swayed. I'd gone too far. I moaned and collapsed.
*****
I woke up, rertreating from darkness, to find myself lying on a bed. I breathed in fresh air gratefully. I tried to move and discovered all of myself was in working order - but I was in great pain. I seem to be fainting a lot this year, I thought grimly. Then I was aware someone else was in the room with me. I sat up straight, ignoring the pain coursing through me and looked to my right and gasped.
Roger stood there, watching me quietly. He smiled when he heard me gasp and rose, gracefully, as if he had perfect control of his body. "Well," he said. "I didn't think I'd be meeting you in this world again. But it appears my plan failed miserably."
Anger immediately coursed through me, overpowering the pain. "You kidnapped me," I said quietly. "You killed my mother. You ruined my life." My voice was low and deadly. Roger glanced uncertainly at me. This was clearly not the reaction he had expected from me.
I somehow found the power to get off the bed and started to walk towards Roger, who backed away from me. "I'm not the best person to make an enemy of," I said, my voice still deadly. "I can harm you greatly Roger. I can do things that would make death seem a grateful escape."
Roger was still backing away, but seemed to have got some of his old confidence back. "You would never," he said, his voice full of triumph.
My expression stayed the same and I was silent. Roger had now begun to get very worried. This was clearly not what he had expected from me.
Then I said, "Try me." And he did.
I felt a pain, worse than anything I had ever experienced before all around me. It went through me, ignoring any barriers. I felt like I was burning alive, dying before my very eyes. I screamed, the noise carrying out of the room and through the halls. Dimly I heard a howl and something crashed against the door.
No! No! Fight back Rachel! I know you can! a female voice cried.
Somehow I knew that was Narcissi. Of course, I thought dimly. Of course she can talk. She's immortal after all. Faithful could. And so can she.
Narcissi flung herself against the doors again and this time she broke any of the magical barriers Roger had put on the door. She entered the room snarling, and launched herself at Roger, snarling. Roger yelled and tried to blast her. She dodged it easily and flung herself at him. He disappeared and she flew through where he used to be and landed on the floor. I dropped like a stone and she instantly turned and reached me, whining, checking to see if any damage had been done to me.
"Nar," I whispered. "How did you know?"
I could sense him immediately, Nar informed me. He is pure evil, so he sticks out like a sore thumb. He was easy to find, as I guessed he would try and harm you. Are you all right?
I nodded groggily and winced. "I just hurt a lot more I guess," I sighed. "Can I get up now?"
After what you've been through. I think not, the wolf replied. Go back to bed, she advised. The humans are coming.
Sure enough, George and Alanna rushed in, followed by Numair, Daine and Thayet.
"Are you all right?" Alanna asked anxiously. "What happened?"
"It was Roger," I whispered, the horror suddenly dawning on me. "He tried to kill me."
Alanna turned white and George paled. They had both met Roger before and knew what he could do.
"What did Nar do?" I asked.
She was lying on the ground one moment and then suddenly leaped up and howled, rushing to your rooms. When she couldn't get in she started flinging herself on the doors trying to break them," George said.
"She sensed Roger and tried to prevent him from killing me," I said, rubbing Nar affectionately. "If she hadn't, I'd be…" I trailed off. Thank you, I told Nar silently.
Well, I couldn't exactly let you die could I? the wolf said gruffly, but I could tell she was happy that I'd lived.
Alanna looked troubled. "He isn't going to give you up easily, is he?"
I shook my head. "I guess not. What do we do now?"
"Wait. Watch," Alanna said grimly. "There's nothing we can do. We can only wait for his next move."
*****
The next morning I was standing by the wall looking out at the sea, when Neal came up to me. I sighed softly, knowing what was going to happen.
He stood next to me. For a few moments, he didn't seem to be saying anything, only watching the sea. He appeared to be trying to sort out what he was going to say. Finally he began, "Rachel I -"
I cut him off, unable to bear with him going through with it. "Neal I don't like you," I said firmly. I'd rather us be friends. Please?"
Neal sighed. "I figured you'd say that. I haven't had much luck with this."
I smiled and patted his hand. "Someday you'll find the person for you. I guarantee it."
Neal brightened. "You think so?"
I smiled and nodded.
Neal nodded and said, "I got to go. Something Alanna wants to tell me again. She never lets me alone!"
I laughed and watched him walk away, hands in his pockets whistling. I knew we'd last long as friends.
*****
A week later, I saw a midnight black stallion race towards the castle. The rider's sapphire blue cloak flying out behind him. I watched as it reached the gates and dismounted. Then Numair called me away and I put it to the back of my mind.
Then half-way through my lessons a knock came at the door. Numair and I both looked up as Alanna walked in. She looked tired and old.
"What's wrong?" Numair asked.
"It's Prince Roald," Alanna explained. "He came today, to watch the Rider's training this year. He's in a bad temper."
That explained the rider. "But why did he come on his own?" I asked. When Alanna and Numair looked at me, I explained, "I saw him come this morning."
"It appears he wanted to come on his own and his parents finally agreed. Thank Mithros. I think George would have dropped dead to have more people come to this place again." She gave Numair a look and he immediately threw me out practically. I stared stunned as the door slammed shut in my face and I heard him and Alanna talking in low voices. Shrugging, I walked off, knowing they would explain to me sooner or later.
*****
That evening Alanna saw me on the wall. It had come to be my favourite place to come to, so I could be on my own. "Hi," she said. "Sorry, for throwing you out this afternoon."
"It's all right," I said, shrugging. "Why is Prince Roald in such bad humour? He seems irritated."
"He's angry at his parents because they have just promised him to the eldest daughter of the Yamini Isles. They didn't consult him first."
"And he doesn't like her or something?" I asked.
Alanna nodded, smiling dryly. "He doesn't like her at all, or love her. He tried explaining to Jon and Thayet, that he wanted to marry for love, but they wouldn't listen. All they're interested in, is a good match for Tortall 's benefit."
"That doesn't sound like them," I remarked.
Alanna sighed. "It's actually Thayet who wants him to marry her. She's eager for him to do a good match."
"But that isn't fair," I protested.
Alanna nodded. "Exactly. Roald's tried reasoning with her, Jon's tried, I've tried, everyone's tried. But she won't change her mind."
"Poor Roald," I said, shaking my head. "I'm so glad I'll never have to go through that."
"Uh huh," Alanna said. I was, at that moment looking down at the ground below the wall, so I never saw the thoughtful way she was looking at me, as an idea formed in her mind.
*****
The weeks passed. My eighteenth birthday came and went. I was unable to believe I'd spent almost four months here already. Going back to my old world, was quickly turning to a distant memory.
Then, one morning in late July, I was working in the stables, grooming Midnight. Nar was lying nearby, half-dozing, half-watching me. I hummed quietly as I worked. Then I looked up and saw Roald leaning on the wall, watching me, a grin on his face. Nar yapped and trotted over. She liked Roald and he grinned and rubbed her head. She then yawned and wandered off somwhere.
"Hi," I said, watching as he walked over to me. Somehow I was getting a fluttering feeling in my chest, which was stupid really as Roald was only my friend. "How're you?"
"Fine," he replied, but he looked troubled. I continued, grooming Midnight, while he seemed to be thinking over something. Finally he blurted out, "Rachel, why do you think a Prince should marry?"
I stooped in my grooming, staring at him in shock. "How would I know?" But I answered to the best of my ability to please him. "Well, for the good of Tortall, I suppose. And that you should love her. It'd be good, I suppose if you could find a girl that would be good for Tortall and you loved her. I know your father did," I added.
Roald sighed. "You just told me what everyone else has." Then he asked me, "Have you ever been kissed?"
"Uh, no why?" I asked, taken aback and uncomfortable with the direction this conversation was taking.
"Just wondering," he replied, nonchalantly. "Have you ever wanted to be kissed?"
"I don't know," I began, but Roald had already put his left arm around me and his other hand behind my head, tilting my face up towards him. Then he firmly pressed his lips on mine and gently kissed me. I was trembling, terrified. It was bad enough he was only a someone I'd known for only a shirt time, but he was also a prince!
Finally it ended and I shoved Roald away and ran off. "Rachel!" I heard him call. "Rachel!" But I just kept on running.
