Seventy Days
Nikele-chan
Chapter Three: Week Three
AN- Thanks to the.ONE person who reviewed chapter two, UsagiAngel.
1.1.1 Day Fifteen
Now, about last night, it was wonderful, yet horrible all the same. I shall tell you all about the part before the trip. Tomorrow I will give you the rest.
I had dressed in my pastel pink dress, as I said I would, and headed off to the ball. My hair was long and black, and not styled. I left my eyes their natural deep brown. Allegra wore a sparkling sky blue dress with no sleeves. Her hair was blond, and I have managed to change it often. Risa and Lule were there, and they did grow up to be perfectly gorgeous and elegant. Risa was so happy to see me again! The best part came directly after our reunion. Trec came over to us. He asked if he might have met Risa somewhere before, and I was quite relieved to learn the two had been in love when they were younger. Risa was destined to be with him, and not myself. Allegra looked a bit disappointed, but immediately managed to make me dance with Lule. I've always liked him a bit, and I suppose it might have been something more if we didn't live so far apart. He is such a gentleman!
Anyway, I had snuck into a dark corner behind a tapestry to change when someone started to make an announcement. "We are afraid that a dangerous gang of kidnappers is arriving here this very moment!" the lord's voice rang out. "They wish to ransom the princess and all other guests! Try to escape!" He finished and there were screams and running and all sorts of frightened sounds. I changed my clothes to look like that of a servant, and my lovely silver and gemstones became worthless leather and pebbles. I messed my hair and made it a shade of light brown. It appeared to be sloppily cut at my shoulders. My eyes became a dull, lifeless hazel. My face became that of an orphan who had suffered her whole life. I managed somehow to make myself an inch or two shorted. I also gave myself a large, ugly birthmark on my left cheek. I ran into a certain passage and hid in a secret nook in a passage wall. It was a rectangular indentation in the wall, wide enough for my shoulders and quite deep. I did some beginners magic to build a stone wall over the opening once I was in it. I also set a ball of light in a small crevice. The reason I covered the opening is that dangerous kidnappers knew to run their hands along the wall where tapestries hung to check for hiding people. My hiding place was only five feet high, and did not show above the tapestry in front of it. I found this place while spying.
And, indeed, they did come running their fingers along the wall. I held my breath and did not move. They kept on, talking and barely minding the wall. The next thing that happened made my blood chill. I heard them shout and rip down a tapestry about three yards down. I heard feminine screams and then the girl was knocked out. I recognized the voice as Allegra's.
After a long time, I spread my senses out, careful to properly shield my presence. I found that the only nearby people were far down the road heading away. Then I noticed a faint trickle of the magic I knew as Lady Sanora's. I silently disposed of my light and then my wall, emerging from behind the tapestry. I followed my senses to my room, where I found Lady Sanora. She told me a password, and I knew it was she. I told her my password. We had written passwords on paper so if we changed we would know that the other was not an impersonator. We then burned the papers. I changed back to my normal looks. "We shall have to follow them, you know," she said to me. I nodded. I had known for a while. We packed one change of clothes each, as we could wash one while wearing the other. We could change the clothes to be whatever we wanted. I sewed my jewelry into the hems of my clothes. All my other clothes were greatly shrunk by Lady Saflora and also sewn in. She quickly taught me a spell so I could fly and be invisible at the same time. I learned it nearly immediately and we set off with our backpacks full of food and water. Fifty-five days.
Day Sixteen
Although in exile at Rint River, I have left it. I am not sure if I may be excused, but Lady says I shall be. Anyway, our trip was long and uneventful until we came across their campsite. We landed, still invisible. The hostages number approximately a hundred and fifteen. Unfortunately, the kidnappers had sorcerers with them. Lady identified them as the Ransomages. They are mostly mages, and they hold important people for ransom. They have managed to magically contain the hostages and disguise them as arrested peasants. Today we followed them again, and have found them settled at an old castle. It is the old summer palace of the current king's grandfather.
The Lenning Palace is an extremely large castle and the hostages are being kept in the dungeons. In a few hours, we plan on rescuing Allegra, Marisanna, and Lule. Then we'll go to the Priessa Palace, the central castle of Priessa. We will report the location of the Ransomages and then rescue the other hostages. We've already raided their food supply and have enough food for ten people round trip to the Palace. I must go now and prepare for our invasion. Fifty-four days.
1.1.1.1 Day Seventeen
I am very sad today and happy all the same. Here is the story of the raid.
Lady and I magically teleported into the dungeon where the ones we were to rescue happened to be. I was about to take Allegra while Lady was going to take Lule and Risa. I can only teleport with one other person. Lady can take two. At the last minute, Allegra insisted that she stay behind. Trec was very ill and also in the same dungeon. She insisted that I take him instead. After a short argument, I did. Lady went to return for Allegra, but unfortunately was too drained to make the return trip. She is now still in the dungeon.
I have cast the spell over Risa, Lule, Trec and myself so that we are invisible. Tomorrow morning, when I have regained my strength, I will add the spell for flying and we shall leave. However, I will need all my energy and cannot heal Trec until afterwards. I hate having to wait two days to leave. Lule will carry him when we fly because he is strongest. There is not much more to tell about today. We are staying in a wooded area a little ways away from the castle. Fifty-three days.
1.1.1.1.1 Day Eighteen
Today we set out after I cast the flying spell. We had to stop every half-hour for a rest. Each time, I healed Trec a bit. I am not yet halfway done, even after a whole day. A little after noon, Lule ended up carrying Trec and Risa carried me because I tried a little too hard in healing. We are camping now and Trec had at least regained consciousness. He has a raging fever and is very thirsty. Luckily, I can purify water with magic and I did so with the murky water from a nearby lake. Risa is up, spoon- feeding Trec and Lule cannot sleep. I am going to bed when I finish this entry. It is hard to sleep when I am so worried, but I know I need my strength more than the others do.
I managed to un-shrink some of my least favorite clothes. I changed two practice outfits into clothes for Trec and Lule. One of my modified dresses went to Marisanna. It takes very little power to change clothes. We had bread and soup for dinner, so that we did not have to make extra food just for Trec. Oh my, it's so sweet! Risa just sang Trec to sleep and kissed his forehead. Lule is smiling at them too. Trec smiled in his sleep. Fifty-two days.
1.2 Day Nineteen
It was decided this morning that Risa would take Trec to his home at Silver Meadow and then alert my family at Archer's Field of the problem. Meanwhile, Lule and I would continue on. And so we parted today. My parents will surely have heard of the kidnapping by now and are wondering about me. Risa will also send a messenger to her family. Lule and I have just started the fire and are cooking. I suddenly realized a few moments ago that I have passed the crossroads. Now I feel that although this moment is full of peace and tranquility, a long, hard battle is soon to be fought. And it will not be the only one. Lule and I are both consumed with worry and anxiety. I can see it on his face and hear it when he speaks. I have told him of my fears, and he said he also worries of the future. He is so dull and lifeless now that his sister is gone. Neither of us have a bad feeling about her, but we still have to worry. Neither one of us has a good feeling either. Fifty-one days. We arrive at the castle tomorrow.
2 Day Twenty
We arrived at the castle around noon. Apparently, they had gotten the news yesterday from one of Risa's messengers. We will sleep here tonight, but the whole army will follow us in the morning. At least we finally get to ride instead of fly. There is really nothing more to say, except that I have been given a sword and shield. I am a temporary member of the army, due to my experiences in exile. I am also pardoned of the exile for as long as this battle takes. I shall not have to make up the time, so long as I serve with the army. Lule has also been made a temporary member because he was part of his militia at home. I shall not be able to write much tomorrow, as there will be no time. Fifty days.
Day Twenty-one
We a still riding, but I have managed to write. We are only resting two hours for lunch, and ten hours for dinner, sleep, and breakfast. We are riding for twelve hours a day, just to arrive at our destination tomorrow night. I have never had this little rest before in my life. Lule is worried about his cousin, who is one of the boys held hostage. I had to sing him to sleep like Risa did for Trec so many nights ago. On pure impulse, I kissed his forehead just as she had done. I quickly left then, and so here I am. He is sleeping in one of the wagons and I am back on my horse, a stallion named Peppy. He is very strong and gentle. Must go now. Forty-nine days.
Author's Note: This is the fastest I've ever gotten a chapter done for this story. Peppy is really my cousin's horse. His actual name is Doc San Palo, and Peppy is his nickname. He's a Quarter Horse. I got sick of Trec so I stuck him with Marisanna, who is the same as Risa, for those of you who had trouble following that. Lule is obviously ending up with Sia (Adalissia). Sorry that so little happened, but I have to stretch the future events over seven more weeks. That's 49 more entries/days! If you have any suggestions, even if it involves putting Trec back with Sia, tell me in a review. I'll be glad to hear your advice. In fact, here's a poll.
If you like Trec + Adalissia, type T/A in your review.
If you like Lule + Adalissia, type L/A.
If you like Trec + Marisanna/Risa, type T/M or T/R.
If you want a different pairing, type _/_, replacing the blanks with the letters for the people, just like I did. If it's too confusing, write it out.
Adalissia = A Trec = T Marisanna/Risa = M or R Lule = L
2.1.1.1.1.1 Allegra = P (for princess) N = another new character
Nikele-chan
Chapter Three: Week Three
AN- Thanks to the.ONE person who reviewed chapter two, UsagiAngel.
1.1.1 Day Fifteen
Now, about last night, it was wonderful, yet horrible all the same. I shall tell you all about the part before the trip. Tomorrow I will give you the rest.
I had dressed in my pastel pink dress, as I said I would, and headed off to the ball. My hair was long and black, and not styled. I left my eyes their natural deep brown. Allegra wore a sparkling sky blue dress with no sleeves. Her hair was blond, and I have managed to change it often. Risa and Lule were there, and they did grow up to be perfectly gorgeous and elegant. Risa was so happy to see me again! The best part came directly after our reunion. Trec came over to us. He asked if he might have met Risa somewhere before, and I was quite relieved to learn the two had been in love when they were younger. Risa was destined to be with him, and not myself. Allegra looked a bit disappointed, but immediately managed to make me dance with Lule. I've always liked him a bit, and I suppose it might have been something more if we didn't live so far apart. He is such a gentleman!
Anyway, I had snuck into a dark corner behind a tapestry to change when someone started to make an announcement. "We are afraid that a dangerous gang of kidnappers is arriving here this very moment!" the lord's voice rang out. "They wish to ransom the princess and all other guests! Try to escape!" He finished and there were screams and running and all sorts of frightened sounds. I changed my clothes to look like that of a servant, and my lovely silver and gemstones became worthless leather and pebbles. I messed my hair and made it a shade of light brown. It appeared to be sloppily cut at my shoulders. My eyes became a dull, lifeless hazel. My face became that of an orphan who had suffered her whole life. I managed somehow to make myself an inch or two shorted. I also gave myself a large, ugly birthmark on my left cheek. I ran into a certain passage and hid in a secret nook in a passage wall. It was a rectangular indentation in the wall, wide enough for my shoulders and quite deep. I did some beginners magic to build a stone wall over the opening once I was in it. I also set a ball of light in a small crevice. The reason I covered the opening is that dangerous kidnappers knew to run their hands along the wall where tapestries hung to check for hiding people. My hiding place was only five feet high, and did not show above the tapestry in front of it. I found this place while spying.
And, indeed, they did come running their fingers along the wall. I held my breath and did not move. They kept on, talking and barely minding the wall. The next thing that happened made my blood chill. I heard them shout and rip down a tapestry about three yards down. I heard feminine screams and then the girl was knocked out. I recognized the voice as Allegra's.
After a long time, I spread my senses out, careful to properly shield my presence. I found that the only nearby people were far down the road heading away. Then I noticed a faint trickle of the magic I knew as Lady Sanora's. I silently disposed of my light and then my wall, emerging from behind the tapestry. I followed my senses to my room, where I found Lady Sanora. She told me a password, and I knew it was she. I told her my password. We had written passwords on paper so if we changed we would know that the other was not an impersonator. We then burned the papers. I changed back to my normal looks. "We shall have to follow them, you know," she said to me. I nodded. I had known for a while. We packed one change of clothes each, as we could wash one while wearing the other. We could change the clothes to be whatever we wanted. I sewed my jewelry into the hems of my clothes. All my other clothes were greatly shrunk by Lady Saflora and also sewn in. She quickly taught me a spell so I could fly and be invisible at the same time. I learned it nearly immediately and we set off with our backpacks full of food and water. Fifty-five days.
Day Sixteen
Although in exile at Rint River, I have left it. I am not sure if I may be excused, but Lady says I shall be. Anyway, our trip was long and uneventful until we came across their campsite. We landed, still invisible. The hostages number approximately a hundred and fifteen. Unfortunately, the kidnappers had sorcerers with them. Lady identified them as the Ransomages. They are mostly mages, and they hold important people for ransom. They have managed to magically contain the hostages and disguise them as arrested peasants. Today we followed them again, and have found them settled at an old castle. It is the old summer palace of the current king's grandfather.
The Lenning Palace is an extremely large castle and the hostages are being kept in the dungeons. In a few hours, we plan on rescuing Allegra, Marisanna, and Lule. Then we'll go to the Priessa Palace, the central castle of Priessa. We will report the location of the Ransomages and then rescue the other hostages. We've already raided their food supply and have enough food for ten people round trip to the Palace. I must go now and prepare for our invasion. Fifty-four days.
1.1.1.1 Day Seventeen
I am very sad today and happy all the same. Here is the story of the raid.
Lady and I magically teleported into the dungeon where the ones we were to rescue happened to be. I was about to take Allegra while Lady was going to take Lule and Risa. I can only teleport with one other person. Lady can take two. At the last minute, Allegra insisted that she stay behind. Trec was very ill and also in the same dungeon. She insisted that I take him instead. After a short argument, I did. Lady went to return for Allegra, but unfortunately was too drained to make the return trip. She is now still in the dungeon.
I have cast the spell over Risa, Lule, Trec and myself so that we are invisible. Tomorrow morning, when I have regained my strength, I will add the spell for flying and we shall leave. However, I will need all my energy and cannot heal Trec until afterwards. I hate having to wait two days to leave. Lule will carry him when we fly because he is strongest. There is not much more to tell about today. We are staying in a wooded area a little ways away from the castle. Fifty-three days.
1.1.1.1.1 Day Eighteen
Today we set out after I cast the flying spell. We had to stop every half-hour for a rest. Each time, I healed Trec a bit. I am not yet halfway done, even after a whole day. A little after noon, Lule ended up carrying Trec and Risa carried me because I tried a little too hard in healing. We are camping now and Trec had at least regained consciousness. He has a raging fever and is very thirsty. Luckily, I can purify water with magic and I did so with the murky water from a nearby lake. Risa is up, spoon- feeding Trec and Lule cannot sleep. I am going to bed when I finish this entry. It is hard to sleep when I am so worried, but I know I need my strength more than the others do.
I managed to un-shrink some of my least favorite clothes. I changed two practice outfits into clothes for Trec and Lule. One of my modified dresses went to Marisanna. It takes very little power to change clothes. We had bread and soup for dinner, so that we did not have to make extra food just for Trec. Oh my, it's so sweet! Risa just sang Trec to sleep and kissed his forehead. Lule is smiling at them too. Trec smiled in his sleep. Fifty-two days.
1.2 Day Nineteen
It was decided this morning that Risa would take Trec to his home at Silver Meadow and then alert my family at Archer's Field of the problem. Meanwhile, Lule and I would continue on. And so we parted today. My parents will surely have heard of the kidnapping by now and are wondering about me. Risa will also send a messenger to her family. Lule and I have just started the fire and are cooking. I suddenly realized a few moments ago that I have passed the crossroads. Now I feel that although this moment is full of peace and tranquility, a long, hard battle is soon to be fought. And it will not be the only one. Lule and I are both consumed with worry and anxiety. I can see it on his face and hear it when he speaks. I have told him of my fears, and he said he also worries of the future. He is so dull and lifeless now that his sister is gone. Neither of us have a bad feeling about her, but we still have to worry. Neither one of us has a good feeling either. Fifty-one days. We arrive at the castle tomorrow.
2 Day Twenty
We arrived at the castle around noon. Apparently, they had gotten the news yesterday from one of Risa's messengers. We will sleep here tonight, but the whole army will follow us in the morning. At least we finally get to ride instead of fly. There is really nothing more to say, except that I have been given a sword and shield. I am a temporary member of the army, due to my experiences in exile. I am also pardoned of the exile for as long as this battle takes. I shall not have to make up the time, so long as I serve with the army. Lule has also been made a temporary member because he was part of his militia at home. I shall not be able to write much tomorrow, as there will be no time. Fifty days.
Day Twenty-one
We a still riding, but I have managed to write. We are only resting two hours for lunch, and ten hours for dinner, sleep, and breakfast. We are riding for twelve hours a day, just to arrive at our destination tomorrow night. I have never had this little rest before in my life. Lule is worried about his cousin, who is one of the boys held hostage. I had to sing him to sleep like Risa did for Trec so many nights ago. On pure impulse, I kissed his forehead just as she had done. I quickly left then, and so here I am. He is sleeping in one of the wagons and I am back on my horse, a stallion named Peppy. He is very strong and gentle. Must go now. Forty-nine days.
Author's Note: This is the fastest I've ever gotten a chapter done for this story. Peppy is really my cousin's horse. His actual name is Doc San Palo, and Peppy is his nickname. He's a Quarter Horse. I got sick of Trec so I stuck him with Marisanna, who is the same as Risa, for those of you who had trouble following that. Lule is obviously ending up with Sia (Adalissia). Sorry that so little happened, but I have to stretch the future events over seven more weeks. That's 49 more entries/days! If you have any suggestions, even if it involves putting Trec back with Sia, tell me in a review. I'll be glad to hear your advice. In fact, here's a poll.
If you like Trec + Adalissia, type T/A in your review.
If you like Lule + Adalissia, type L/A.
If you like Trec + Marisanna/Risa, type T/M or T/R.
If you want a different pairing, type _/_, replacing the blanks with the letters for the people, just like I did. If it's too confusing, write it out.
Adalissia = A Trec = T Marisanna/Risa = M or R Lule = L
2.1.1.1.1.1 Allegra = P (for princess) N = another new character