We Only Want The Rice To Make Rice Wine!
Author's Note: Hello to all those in Fan Fiction Land! And how are you today? Well, glad/sad to hear it! Anyway, on with the chapter! (I don't judge distances well, so keep that in mind!)
Rating: PG-13. Probable swearing, some romantic moments. We'll leave it at that.
Genre: General-Romance-Humor-Action
Disclaimer: All of the characters and places belong to Tamora Pierce. The plot is ours!
ArgumentsMyles stood over a large desk that was covered with a large map, pointing out a route. "So, you can easily leave from Port Caynne," he began, before he was quickly cut off.
"Blue Harbor!" the Lioness cut in.
"Port Caynne will have a ship leaving for the Yamani Islands in two days, Alanna."
"But, Blue Harbor has one leaving in three days, and we can easily make our way there in two!"
"Port Caynne would be easier, Alanna," Jon argued.
Alanna glared at him, something she was accustomed to doing. "Blue Harbor would be faster! It's much closer to the Islands anyway!"
"Alanna, let it rest. You will be leaving for Port Caynne at noon!" Jon commanded.
Alanna gave him her worst look, and narrowed her eyes. "Highness, if you want your son back, then we need to get to the Islands as soon as possible, and the fastest way is through Blue Harbor."
"Alanna," the king said, challengingly.
"Jonathan," she replied, equally sharp.
***
At the back of the meeting room Kel and Neal sat with Yuki, whispering.
"She hates sea travel," Neal whispered to Kel, who grinned.
"But Shinko and Roald left from Blue Harbor!" Yuki said, quickly.
Neal and Kel nodded understanding.
"I suppose we'd better bring that up," Kel reckoned. Neal and Yuki nodded agreement and pushed Kel forward toward the older knights, mage, and others. She turned back to glare at them and then was suddenly talking to George of Pirate's Swoop.
He leaned close and she told him that Shinko and Roald would have probably left through Blue Harbor. He nodded, thanking the Crooked God. Less sea travel!
"Sir Keladry has brought something to my attention," George said.
All eyes turned to Kel and then back to George.
"The kids probably would have gone through Blue Harbor anyway, and if we go through Blue Harbor, we can board an unchartered, and make our way to the Yamanis with less suspicion," he explained. And it will mean less sea travel!
Alanna grinned at George as if to say 'I knew I married you for a reason!'
Jon shook his head in defeat. "Fine. You will leave for Blue Harbor at noon. Supplies are being prepared, I suggest you go prepare your mounts. I'll have word sent to Domitan and Cleon. Hopefully they can be ready by noon." Jon shook his head and dismissed them.
***
Kel fed and watered Peachblossom and then prepared his tack, saddling him with expert speed and precision. Neal was grooming his mount, and grumbling about going off and fighting. Lerant was watering Raoul's mount while Raoul was mending a tear that had recently developed in the tack. Alanna and George were saddling their mounts, while Numair was fighting with a saddle. Finally, a hostler stole it from the mage and saddled the mare.
Cleon and Dom were still nowhere to be found, so Kel set to readying Cleon's mount as Lerant began tending to Dom's.
A voice behind Kel made her jump.
"Leave that to me, my sunrise!" Cleon said, grinning.
"Cleon!" she exclaimed, happily, hugging the knight. "Where have you been all this week?"
He shook his head, in disgust. "I've been absolutely swamped under organizing forces to protect our border from Scanran renegades! Can you believe it Kel? They put me in charge of a platoon!"
Kel laughed. "That's wonderful, but you still could have torn yourself away from all of it to visit me."
"You know I tried, my pearl," he replied, taking the saddle from her.
***
The road to Blue Harbor was pleasant. Kel had forgotten how much she enjoyed riding with the Own, and while this wasn't the same, her favorite people were still here. Neal romancing Yuki and joking with her and Dom, Dom caught between riding with Raoul and with Kel and Neal, Raoul laughing and talking to the Lioness and George, Numair grumbling about something, while clearly lost in though, and Lerant riding a pace behind Raoul. All together, the ride to Blue Harbor was much pleasant then the voyage from Blue Harbor.
***
Numair quickly jumped out of the way as Alanna bolted to the edge of the ship to vomit, George behind her, holding her head in his large hands. Things were a mess about the small ship, and Numair needed to get away from all of it. He ducked into his cabin and pulled out a book, which he quickly found he had already read. No…that wouldn't do. He wanted something to occupy his time, something to amaze the passengers about the rocking ship….
***
A/N: There! Okay, chapter done! Hope you liked it!!!!!!