First, lemme just say this may be a boring chapter (i apologize...) but the next one will be better I promise, and i hope to try to finish it tonight actually ^_^
Cal guided Lissabelle out of the tent and into the autumn sunset where a group of seven people sat around a campfire, eating and talking amongst themselves.
Cal: Just wait here a minute, Lissy.
Lissabelle: Oh, alright...
He left his guest among the others and headed towards his mother.
Juliette: She's awake... That's good.
Cal: Yes, it's wonderful. She seems fine, now. But...but she has nowhere to go...
Juliette: Oh, that's a shame...
Cal: Yes...It is...
Juliette: You've meddled again, haven't you?
Cal: Meddled? Me? Never!
Juliette crossed her arms and eyed her son with pursed lips.
Cal: Okay I meddled. Could she join us?
Juliette: Join us....?
Cal: ....To the north?
Lissy sidestepped a few times until she could clearly hear their conversation.
Juliette: You know, Cal, you mean well, but sometimes you can just be stupid.
Cal: But she needs help!
Juliette: And I know that, but you need to talk with me about these things first!
Cal: So you'll let her come?
Juliette: Well of course, I can't just leave a poor little girl on the street! But from now on, tell me before you make changes in our plans.
Cal: Thanks, Mum. You're the best!
He gave her a hug, then walked back up to the new girl.
Cal: You're officially a member of our little convoy!
Lissabelle: Oh, that's great! I'm really glad you're doing this for me...
Cal: Always glad to help.
He smirked, making Lissabelle smile back brightly.
Cal: So, would you like to meet everyone?
Lissabelle: Sure, I suppose so.
Cal: Well, this is my mum, Juliette Mitchell.
He pointed to the stout, older woman, who waved and smiled.
Juliette: Glad to see you're feeling better, darling.
Cal: Those two girls over there are Katie and Chloe. Inseperable best friends since they were practically born...
Katie was tall and thin with a wave of golden curls and Chloe was shorter and slender with straight red hair. They both appeared to be in their late teenage years.
Cal: That couple over there is Tanya and Michael. They're engaged, of course, you probably noticed the huge rock on Tanya's finger...
They were both in their early twenties, their relationship still obviously passionate as Michael gazed fixedly into Tanya's clear green eyes. He was a strongly-built man with bleach blonde hair while his fiancee was small and frail with pale skin and dark hair.
Cal: That girl over there is Janette. She doesn't say much...
The young woman was in her late teens as well. She just sat there in the shade by herself, reading a thick book. Her eyes were a chestnut brown and her coal black hair was tied in a bun behind her head.
Cal: Last but not least, this kid over here is Anthony. Watch out for him.
Anthony was around Cal's age, but you could tell he was much more mischeivous and immature. His dark brown hair was falling in his face covering his dark blue eyes as he sat there telling stupid jokes to Chloe and Katie, who tried their best to ignore them.
Cal: There are four others covering the other side of town, but we'll meet up with them once we get to Saraid.
He cleared his throat as he nudged the new girl up to the crowd.
Well, everyone!
He spoke up, finally getting everyone else attention.
Cal: This is Lissy. She's going to be traveling with us. Now be nice and try not to kill her.
The princess's eyes widened as he made the comment, but he just nudged her with a smile.
Cal: Kidding, of course. They wouldn't hurt a fly. Cept maybe Anthony...
Chloe: Hi, Lissy!
The red-head waved over to her with an ear-to-ear grin.
Katie: Wanna come sit over here?
The princess looked over to the girls, then to Cal, who nodded in approval.
Cal: Go ahead. You're going to be seeing a lot of them for a while. Better start making friends.
She grinned, then walked over to them, turning back to see Cal's smirk one last time, then blushing as she sat down.
Aidan: You settled, back there?
He asked Jessina, who was under the bench of his carriage, hidden by a large trunk so the guard wouldn't see as they passed through the gate.
Jessina: As settled as I could be if I were in a suitcase!
Aidan: Do you want to get out of here or not?
Jessina groaned.
Jessina: Why are you helping me, anyway? I thought you wanted to marry me?
Aidan: No, my cousin wanted me to marry you. I just went along with it because...well... I don't know. That was before I knew how sarcastic and obnoxious you were....
Jessina: Oh, gee, thanks.
Aidan: Anyway, now I just want you to help your sister get away, fast. I want you to flee the country. I know how you were originally from the north, so I'd suggest that you cross the northern border into the country of Adria. The army can't just go storming in there, so you'll be safe.
Jessina: Alright.
The two were quiet as they approached the gate.
Guard: Leaving so soon, your highness?
Aidan: Oh, no. I'm just off to browse the marketplace while I'm still in town.
Guard: Oh, I see. Enjoy!
Jessina's heart raced as she heard the gate begin to move upward.
Jessina: (Finally free...)
Michael: A full house?
Tanya's fiancee threw his cards down onto the table as Lissabelle collected the chips in the middle of the table.
Michael: You sure that you've never played poker before?
Tanya: Yeah, you've won nearly every hand!
Lissabelle: Really, I've just learned...
She was blushing bright red as Anthony dealt the cards once again.
Anthony: She's probably cheating...
Lissabelle: Oh, I would never, I swear...!
Anthony: Chill, chill, I'm just joshin' ya...
Cal: Well, I guess I should turn in before Lissy steals any more of my money...
Chloe: Dumb beginner's luck...
Lissabelle giggled.
Cal: Night, all!
Everyone mumbled goodnight as they threw their cards at the dealer.
Lissabelle: Goodnight, Cal.
Cal: Goodnight, Lissy.
He took one last look at Lissabelle, still with the smirk on his face, then retired to his tent.
Katie: Ooh... What was that, now?
Katie stood up and walked over to the newest addition to their group.
Chloe: Hm.... I wonder...
Lissabelle: What are you talking about?
Katie: We've never seen that look on Cal's face before.
Lissabelle: So...?
Chloe: So.... We've known Cal since...well... since he was practically born.
Katie: We know when something's up.
Chloe: And something's up.
Lissabelle: And...?
Katie: Well...Um... You see, when Cal was...I think... nine... Anyway, when he was nine, before he started going along on the caravan, just his mother and father went. Well, one night, when they were all sleeping, someone tried to rob Juliette's store. She sells jewelry, so it was the most expensive store we have of course. Well, Cal's father heard and he jumped up and grabbed his sword. The two fought for a long time, but eventually, the robber stabbed him square in the heart and got away with nearly half of their wares.
Lissabelle: Oh my goodness... That's terrible...
Chloe: Isn't it?
Katie: Yeah... Well, ever since then, Cal's been training. Now he's one of the best duelists in the country. He's sworn that if something like that was ever to happen again, he would end it.
Chloe: He's more like our bodyguard then a salesman.
Katie: Yeah. But he's usually been too busy training to ever...um...fall for anyone...
Chloe: And the way he's been treating you... Well, let's just say that he doesn't treat everyone like that.
Lissabelle: But he seems to be acting normal...
Katie: Oh yeah? The way he's been smiling at you?
Chloe: How he followed you around like a lost puppy? He didn't start playing poker till you did...
Katie: Oh, and he didn't leave your side all day while you were out cold.
Lissabelle: Well, maybe he was just worried about me...
Both girls: Maybe...
They began to walk away slowly.
Chloe: Just think about it....
With smiles, the two headed into their own tents, leaving Lissabelle in astonishment.
-PREVIEW!-
Mikona: Puu! I'm here to help Starlite give a preview for her next chapter!
What's this? Jessina's free! YAY! This is a cause for celebration! And looks like Cal's dreaming of his childhood.... Who's that little girl that asks to play?
Next time, Chapter 6, The Little Girl in Pink!
Mikona can't wait!
Mikona: Puu! I'm here to help Starlite give a preview for her next chapter!
What's this? Jessina's free! YAY! This is a cause for celebration! And looks like Cal's dreaming of his childhood.... Who's that little girl that asks to play?
Next time, Chapter 6, The Little Girl in Pink!
Mikona can't wait!
