"Can't you wait for someone to respond before you barge in?" she said irritably.
He ignored the remark, and put his hands on her shoulders. "Can't you tell me what's wrong? I've found you twice in tears since last Thursday. What happened?" M
Adric hugged her around the shoulders. "I'll go with you. We can go tonight if you like."
Francis turned as he put her arms around her. "Thank you, Adric," she managed to say, holding back tears.
Keane sat at the Dancing Dove, not sure what to do about anything. He knew he should proceed with
the assassination of each mage, but there was the girl to take care of first. And Francis
Things ended up taking care of themselves. Emily, appearing from the shadows, walked slowly to his
table. When he finally looked up and acknowledged her, she proclaimed loudly, "I challenge Keane
Stith's position as King of the Rogue, here, before the members of the Rogue."
Keane stood up according to the custom. "I, Keane Stith, King of the Rouge, accept that challenge."
The Dancing Dove was instantly silent. The two thieves stripped themselves of all weapons except a
knife to each. Emily took off her dark cloak and prepared to fight.
Adric and Francis slipped out of the palace in dark cloaks, hoping to blend in with the night. They
quickly made their way to the Dancing Dove, Francis leading.
She paused outside the door, trying to banish her last doubts. Adric slipped his arm around her. "Come
on," he said quietly. "Let's go face this King."
Francis opened the door, and blanched at what she saw. The tables and chairs that usually occupied the
whole of the main room had been pushed aside to make a small clearing. In that clearing two figures
were fighting.
"What's happening?" Adric asked her quietly, not wanting to disturb the relative silence of the onlookers.
"It's Emily, the girl who was planning to challenge Keane."
He nodded, intent on what was happening.
Keane's breath was ragged, his movements slower than his adversary's. He knew this was a fight he
would lose. Then, in a burst of speed, Emily tripped him, and they rolled, each fighting to get on top of
the other. It was the young woman who succeeded. She landed on his back, pulled up his head by his
hair, and held her knife to Keane's throat.
He looked around desperately, knowing that he had lost his title and his life with it. Then he saw
George's daughter standing near the door.
"Francis," he moaned. Then Emily killed him.
Francis's face held the horror she felt at seeing the Rogue killed. Then she closed her mouth, accepting
that Keane had died, and his treachery with him. Catching Emily's eye, she nodded, then slowly knelt.
Adric did as well.
Slowly every member of the Rogue knelt to pay homage to their new Queen.
Emily looked over them all. Then, with a clear voice, she said, "Now, we must undo what Keane did.
We have a University to free."
~Aurianna Silver~
Francis sat, wating for a reply. She was obviously not at her best, she was pale, and her eyes dark and
troubled.
"I'll tell Jon, then." Her mother said, quietly, obviously worried. Francis had just explained to her what
had happened the night before with the Rogue. The Lioness had just returned from her mission in order
to advise Jon with the situation at hand.
Francis got up to leave. Alanna held her wrist, holding her back for a minute. "Francis, don't do this to
yourself," Francis looked up at her mother, with the same troubled eyes, that she couldn't make seem
happier.
Alanna held her eyes for a minute, "There is nothing more you can do," Alanna said quitely Francis
pulled away, leaving the room. Alanna followed her out, making her way to Jon, with what Francis had
told her about Keane.
He was not thinking in the least of Scanra, or mages, or collaboration with the Rogue, just about Francis. How could he help not being worried sick about her. Just in these two weeks, she was pale, but otherwise the same. She had lost some weight, and withdrew herself to her rooms as often as possible. When she did come out, she was more quiet than usual, but she other than physical appearance, seemed normal. Only, she would not interact in the slightest with the people who knew her well putting. Adric had only seen her, but when he tried to talk with her, she escaped quickly. She did the same with her parents, and anyone else who knew her well. When he came to her door, she would poke her head out, to see what he wanted, and then close it again.
Finally, the meeting was over, and he was free for a while. He headed directly to Francis' rooms, "Francis!" he knocked on the door.
"What!" She yelled back through the door, clearly irritated.
"Can I come in?" He called back.
"Not now, Adric." She replied.
"Then when?"
"Later." was her simple answer.
Francis!" He was frustrated. "I'm coming in, whether you like it or not," He did go in. She was sitting on her bed in a shift. Adric blushed, turned around while she slipped on a dressing gown. "What's wrong with you, huh?" he yelled his back still to her "You're, You're . . ." He stopped and looked at her, she did not react. "Francis," he said, more gently "you have to let us help you, you can't withdraw from everyone, like this, you can't just sit." he finished, not knowing what else to say.
She wouldn't reply. He sat down next to her.
"Well?" He asked, confused at her silence.
She shattered, then and there. Her sobs were quiet, but she shook violently. Adric didn't know what to do, so he held her firmly, hushing her.
"Stop it, Francis, stop," She continued to sob, but the shaking slowly ceased.
Francis was embarrassed by her sobbing, and wiped her eyes, sitting up and away from him. "I'm fine now," She stammered.
"No, you're not, I'm not leaving, until I'm sure you'll be ok."
She didn't argue. But she kept away.
"No one can cope on their own, Francis, even you need someone to help you."
"I trusted him, I-- I was a fool." She looked away from him. "Francis, it's not your fault," he said "Why shouldn't you have trusted him?"
She shook her head, sighing, "and then he . .. she . . killed him."
He held her again, and she leaned up to kiss him. When he pulled away, and shook his head blushing a bright red "You shouldn't have done that, Francis." But he knew he wanted it.
"You, you have clouded judgement right now, and you're -- you're not over what happened." He finished awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck, to cover embarrassment.
She didn't say anything, but leaned on him. He wanted to kiss her again, but knew it was wrong at that point in time. It would hurt her, not help.
~Deanna
Francis sat in the circle of his arms for a long time, just sitting and thinking. She knew he was right about everything. She needed his help, and he was willing to give it. She also trusted him, and knew she could trust him. "Adric," She said, "you are right, I do need help, and I'll be willing to take yours." It took a lot for her to say that. "Good, because whether you were willing or not, I was planning on helping you," He replied. She laughed, really smiling for the first time in weeks.
Adric's ordeal was two days later. Francis was really worried about him. She felt guilty; he had spent a lot of time with her, and she felt as if he should have been focus more on the upcoming event than on her. But he felt he was ready when time came, and Francis assured him too. She tried to act completely independent, so he could focus more on his Ordeal, and it seemed to work. But Adric came out well. He stumbled out, and people helped him immediately. He looked at her, but didn't see her. Francis had to use all her energy to keep from crying out. She felt as if he was gone, not there, that he had left her! Her hands were clenched into fists, her nails were digging into her palms, and her eyes were shut. When she finally regained control of herself, she opened her eyes, and saw him look at her, and acknowledge her there. She let out her breath, and smiled. Then he was gone. His official ceremony of formality was at sunset. It was short, and soon, they were all off to bed.
"Francis?" he called as he came in "Yes?"
"Look what I found while I was going through my things," He held a card that she recognized immeadiately, as card she had made him for his 9th birthday, when she was 7.
"My goodness, Adric, I remember this," She laughed at the card, "do you remember when I gave it to you?" She asked him, "Yup, I remember,It was right after we had pulled off a prank we thought we could never top."
"but we did," Francis laughed again, "When we put ants in your brothers' bed, and he had a lady with him that night," they both were laughing by then.
They continued reminiscing on various events that they had shared until well after midnight, when they had both fallen asleep. Adric fell asleep leaned up against the bedboard, and Francis was curled up in the corner of the bed, asleep as well.
When they woke, it was already morning, and, as Francis observed by the light of the window, well past the time that they should havebeen asleep.
"Great Mithros, I better get moving," Adric exclaimed, heading through the door. "See you later Francis,"
"Bye,"
As Adric was coming out of her rooms, his cousin Benjamin, Gary's son, was also coming down the hallway, "Well," he said, "Its about time you two got together, I thought it would never happen" Adric blushed, "Its not what it looks like, Ben, I just fell asleep there last night,"
Uh huh, sure."
Adric ignored him. "So, where are you headed?" He asked Benjamin, "Your father has called an emergency meeting," Ben said, When they were all situated in the conference room, Jonathan announced,"Well, we have a problem," his face was grave, "Scanra isn't backing off, this means, war."
~Lana~
It was late at night. Adric knocked furiously on Francis's door. "Francis, it's me, Adric, open up." He
got no answer. "NOW, Francis!" The door creaked open. "What is it?" Francis asked. "What's the
matter?" Adric sighed, and stepped into the room. "Sorry," he mumbled. "Francis, I--" he took a deep
breath. "Francis, we're going to war with Scanra. The initial force rides to the Scanran border tomorrow
morning. As a new knight, I'm in the initial force." It had taken a lot of guts to tell her that. Adric
impatiently awaited Francis's response.
"No," Francis whispered. "Adric, you can't. I need you." She put her arms around him. "Francis, I'm
sorry," Adric said. "I can't tell you how much I don't want to leave... But I have to, " he finished. He
dipped his hand into his pocket, and pulled out the birthday card Francis had made for him nine years
ago. ''I'm coming back," Adric said. "But just in case, could you hold this for me? I mean, well, you
know..." his voice trailed off. He couldn't say it. "I love you, Francis," he whispered.
She stood on tiptoes and kissed him. He stared into her face. He knew it was time. Still holding on to
Francis, Adric stepped backwards and closed the door.
The palace bells rang. It was twelve noon. Francis stirred. Had she really slept this late? She turned
over. Adric was gone.
It never occured to Francis that what she was planning on doing might be dangerous. She never thought
about what war actually meant. She was going to Adric. That was the important thing.
A few hours later, Francis stood in front of the mirror. Her breasts were bound. She wore the clothing
of a common foot soldier. Princess Kalasin stood behind her. "There aren't many people left in the
palace," Francis remarked as she pulled on her boots. "Francis, you're sure you want to do this?'' asked
Kalasin.
"I have to find Adric, Kally." Francis was determined to join the young prince at the Scanran border.
Kally was the only one she could trust.
"Alright. I'll be riding down with Duke Baird in a couple of days. ''Don't worry," said Francis. I'll find
you.'' Kally smiled, and gave her a hug. "You're like a little sister to me," Kally whispered. "Don't get
yourself hurt.'' Francis hugged her back. "I'll try," she promised.
Francis adjusted her hood, and ran out of the room, toward the stables.
Now that Francis was settled in, she set about finding Adric. But information was hard to come by. Though they couldn't be more than a few miles apart, it seemed that Francis and Adric were in different worlds. After a few days of questioning the other men about the noble's forces, they decided she was crazy, and kept away. This was fine with Francis. She didn't want to be noticed.
She had been at the border for a week. Kally was somewhere, but Francis now saw that it would be to
risky to hunt her down. Instead, she took to taking long rides in the evenings, to be alone, and to search
for Adric.
She had gone on three or four of these rides, and was beginning to lose heart, when she passed by a
small camp, about two miles away from hers. The tents seemed deserted, until she heard a soft rustle
nearby. In front of one of the tents was Adric, cleaning his sword. "Addie?" she whispered, hardly
believing her eyes. Adric did not look up. "Please, Ben," he said in an unusually tired voice. "I've got
enough problems right now." "Adric?" she said, in a louder voice. She jumped down from her horse and
ran up to him. Adric stared, obviously confused. Kneeling, Francis pulled down her hood. "Francis?"
Adric whispered. "Francis?" he bellowed. "What are you doing here? By the Goddess, I'll--" Francis
clamped her hands firmly over Adric's mouth. "Stop that," she ordered.
"I know it's dangerous, but I'm here, and I'm not leaving. Got that?" He nodded. She took her hands
away. He smiled at her, and got to his feet. Love filled his eyes. "Well," he said, pulling her up. "As long
as your here, you better come inside We have to figure out what to do. I have a feeling that if Papa finds
out your here, we'll both wish that we'd never been born."
~Sella
The next morning, Francis awoke to someone shaking her slightly. "Francis," Adric whispered. "Bad
news."
Francis blinked as her eyes adjusted to the brightly lit tent, "What bad news?"
"Your mother and some others rode in last night," Adric said. "What!?" Francis said, now wide awake.
"If she finds out…we'll be skinned alive!"
Adric laughed softly, "Same if Papa finds out…which I think he has."
"As if things can't get any worse! Next thing I know, you'll say that Da's here and he knows what's going
on! Or that Ma is going to walk right through that door and see us!" Francis said. When Adric didn't say
anything, Francis assumed the worse. "She already knows!" Adric nodded, "Papa found out first. He
came in this morning and found us. I had a…cozy chat with him and your mother. They weren't
pleased…to say the least."
"Well, I'd best get up. Ma will probably want to strangle me," Francis said, and got her clothes.
A little bit later Francis walked to a tent and called, "Ma?" "Come in," came the harsh reply.
Francis went in to find her mother cleaning her sword. When Alanna looked up, she put her sword
down and stood. Her violet eyes were brutal, her face holding a grim expression. She glared at Francis
for a moment then softened her gaze…just a bit.
"What possessed you to come here?" Alanna asked, her voice harsh. "Did you think you'd be a hero?
Francis remained quiet for a few moments; then said, "I don't know why I came. I don't want to be a
hero, not yet.
Alanna looked at her, then, her voice soft, asked, "Then why'd you come? To be with Adric?"
Francis looked at her mother, surprised at the new angle Alanna had chosen, "I guess that's the reason."
"Francis, you're not thinking clearly." Alanna sat down on the cot, patting the space next to her. Francis
sat down. "Your mind is clouded with what you think is love. You won't know what love is till your
older." Alanna smiled. "I didn't figure out what love was until I was nineteen. You're confusing love with
grief and anger. DON'T make the mistake of losing your chance to do what you want with your life."
"Did you figure out what love was when you met Da?" Francis inquired softly.
Alanna smile ruefully and hugged Francis around the shoulders. "Yes, I did. I was ten when I met your
Da, but it took me nine years to figure out he was the one I truly loved. I mixed up emotions and made
such a mess with my life from when I was seventeen till I was eighteen. It was your Da that helped me
see what I really wanted. D'you know what I mean?"
Francis nodded, "You mean you made a mess when you and King Jon were lovers?"
"I wouldn't put it THAT way, but yes. Being involved with Jon was maybe the worst thing I've ever
done. I hurt your Da when he realized I love-liked," Alanna corrected herself, "someone else. You'll
make the same mistake sometime in your life. No one EVER goes through life not making that mistake.
Maybe Adric is the one for you, but then again, he may not be."
"You aren't angry then?" Francis asked.
"No, not really. I was just surprised. Can you blame me?" Alanna asked.
"No, you thought I was messing my life up some way," Francis said.
Alanna nodded, "Now shoo. If you want to fight here, I can't stop you. Just don't get yourself killed. I'd never forgive myself if you did."
Francis nodded, gave her mother a kiss, and left, running to Adric's tent. Two male voices arguing made
her stop before going in. One was older, one was younger.
"But, Papa!" Adric was saying. "I love her, and she loves me. Isn't that how you and Mama feel about
each other?"
"Yes, of course. I just don't want you getting hurt. Francis is a lot like her mother in many respects.
Same temper, same skills, same-"
Jonathan said, but Adric cut him off.
"Francis may have some things like Lady Alanna, but Francis ISN'T her mother! She's her own person
and…Papa, why don't you want me to be happy?" Adric asked.
Jonathan sighed, "I want you to be happy, yes. I also hope that you'll do things I never got a chance to
do. I don't want you to be tied down at such an early age."
"You let Roald get married when he was young," Adric pointed out. "Your right, but that's different.
He's the oldest," Jonathan said.
"Is it also different because she's Lady Alanna's daughter?" Adric asked, his voice hard.
"That has something to do with it," Jonathan said.
"You can't stop me from seeing her, you know. It's not fair that I have to suffer because you and Lady
Alanna don't get along all that well.Can't you just put that-" Adric was saying.
"Adric?" Francis called. She didn't want him getting into deeper trouble because of her.
"Come in," Adric said. When Francis did come in, she saw Adric was glaring at his father who was
returning the glare equally as hard.
"Ma said that it was fine with her as long as don't do anything stupid. Well, that's what she said," Francis said.
"Alanna WOULD say that," Jonathan said, and left.
"What's wrong with him?" Francis asked, going to Adric.
"I don't know. Would you mind if I kiss you?" Adric said hugging her tightly.
"I'd be hurt if you didn't," Francis replied and tilted her face to his. He kissed her softly, then
passionately.
~*~*~*~* DestinyC18
