3. The Touch Legend: Consequential Relocations This is insane. Purely insane. What? We just come waltzing in here and meet a blue-haired guy who introduces us to a grizzly ‘professor’ who gives us implants of some sort. Okay, fine. But tell me this... what is with this city? I’ve traveled and seen quite a few cities in my life but never have I seen a city that gleamed like so-- actually, I have, but that was the Black City and an entirely different scenario altogether. But this city! Even the smallest dwellings were as huge as the temples in Corus. It was unbelievable. It was unlike anything I had every seen or been in. But then again, I had never been inside a Old Ones’ metropolitan before. ~~~ I am-- or was at any rate-- the King of Tortall. His Royal Majesty, the Voice of the Tribes and all that stuff. No. I’m Jonathon of Conte’. And I’m currently feeling a little under-the-weather. All right, that was an understatement. I’m rather pissed off. On the outside I look as I usually do, understanding and friendly. But I guess on the inside I’m a little temperamental at the thought of being in another time with days and weeks maybe even months to wait before I can go home. It was the youngest of our little squad who suggested we keep tabs on our thoughts and write it all down. So that’s what this is, my little account booklet of what is happening. Enjoy. ~~~ King Jonathon of Conte’ the VI, The Touch, Subsequent to Post-Beginning: "And this is the Interim Apartments. You will be staying here for the remainder of your... visit." the Old One called Diago pointed out a moderate building in front of us. "Just walk straight in and ask for as many rooms as you want, the secretary shouldn’t ask any questions." he turned to face us. "This is good-bye then, I have work elsewhere to do." I stepped out and held out my hand. What else was I supposed to do, a handshake was pretty much the only greeting and farewell contact I know of. Diago stared at me and then my hand, taking a step backwards. Casting us all an apologetic look, he explained, "It’s forbidden in the laws of my people to come in any physical contact with outsiders. That includes handshakes." he shrugged, "It’s the law. So don’t take offense if some Old Ones-- especially the elderly, don’t approach you." I nodded, knowing that the other four were doing the same at my side. Nodding to him, I muttered a curt farewell and started for the doors of the apartments. Inside was covered in luxurious carpeting and flat metal paneling with plush couches placed almost haphazardly about the room and a large wooden desk at the end of the room. We approached the desk and Alanna asked for four rooms, one for each excluding Numair and Daine who shared. The woman at the desk said nothing but handed us each a card with a number on it. Apparently we needed the card to access the rooms. We exited to the left, ascending a large, twisting staircase. ~~~ I’m sure that how we made it to our rooms is not needed in the description, so I shall just skip it and move on to when I entered my room. My patience is wearing thin and I have no time to write about how we walked to our designated quarters. ~~~ I closed the door of my room and looked around. It was more opulent than my room in the palace, but that is to be expected. There was one large bed in the center, surrounded by large, cushy pillows and carpeting. Curtains surrounded my bed in silk and I also spotted a bowl of candies beside it. The whole North and East walls were nothing but windows, giving me a great view over the city. I yawned, and, looking out the window, I saw that the sun was setting. I was so tired from the day that I knew nothing but the pillows meeting my face. ~~~ I awoke the next morning to Alanna peering down at me, raising one of the numerous pillows to hit my face with. I vaulted up and pushed away the pillow before she decided to strike with it. "What is it?" I asked wearily, rubbing my head to rid it of the sudden headache. "We’re exploring the city since there is nothing better to do. Kel went off already, Numair went to talk with Professor Lit, Daine went to the menagerie, and I want to check out the blacksmith’s." she shrugged, "I figured I should find out what you’re doing and tell you so you don’t freak out about our absence." "How thoughtful of you." I said dryly and then shook my head. "I’ll join you, I have nothing else to do." I sighed gustily, "I suppose I should do what’s fit for me like everyone else is doing but there is no way that I’m going to chat politics with these people." "You’re not entirely based on politics, Jon." Alanna told me as we headed down the large stairway. We stopped near the middle of the lobby because there was a large desk covered in food that I supposed was for our breakfast. I gathered up some breads and we went on our way. "Yeah, right." I changed the subject, "When do we start dumping our Gift powers into the Professor’s capsule?" "Today." Alanna prompted and we headed out the doors of the apartment. First we headed for the Professor’s area, trying to ignore the stares. Sure, I’d been stared at before, but that was different, they had been staring at me because I was royalty, not because I had black hair. Oh, there I go again: blue hair?! "Ah, two more for the capsule?" the grizzly Professor Lit asked as we entered the domicile. "Yes, now," he turned to a large empty orb, "... yes, yes, just stick your hand inside like so... and let your Gift go. But not much!" he wrung his hands, "No, to much of your gift can... knock you out or kill you." he glanced again at the orb. "Poor Numair." Alanna and I halted in our tracks, staring at the eccentric Professor in horror. "Y--you mean Numair is... dead?" Alanna asked faintly. "Heaven’s no!" Much to our surprise, Lit erupted in laughter, "No, no, I just meant that he was disappointed that our superior technology such as this orb had some caches and drawbacks! Not that he was dead." The professor continued to chortle. ~~~ I want to take this opportunity to mention that I did not like the Professor. Somehow his humor and disregard for pretty much everything beside his work was more than slightly irritating. ~~~ I casted a glare at the Professor and then stuck my hands inside the offered gloves, preparing for the Gift dump. ~~~ Kel wants us all to make sure that we mention any technology that we might see. That’s no problem for Numair, who is around the Professor’s lab all the time, but for the rest of us it takes getting used to the describing. The Zolias is a metal orb about two feet in diameter and has a black inside that must’ve been obsidian. I don’t know much about how it works, so I’ll leave that up to Numair to tell you. ~~~ I stuck my covered hands inside the orb and let all mental restraints that I had on my Gift go. Most people don’t know it, but the Gift is a free-flowing thing and unless blocked, will course from you 24/7, eventually killing the mage wielding it. Babies with the Gift are taught immediatly how to restrain the magic, though sometimes the inept child must be forced into unconsciousness to block it. Blue elements flowed from my hands, covering the whole the orb’s insides. After a few minutes I felt myself weaken and knew I had to stop it. I willed m restraints to go up and closed the barrier between my Gift and the outside world. Alanna took the gloves from me and copied the process, stopping when her knees began to shake. The purple and blue mixed and soon became transparent, matching the air inside. Professor Lit clapped his hands together and murmured, "Marvelous." he then turned, and, without a second thought of us, began working on something else. Startled, we exited the dome. Now to the weaponsmith’s. We passed many buildings that Diago had shown us the previous day and eventually found our way to the ‘smiths’ section of town. Alanna rushed towards the weaponsmiths, observing all the weapons hanging on pegs. Some looked oridinary, others had detailed hilts with crystals attached to the end-- "Alanna! Are you looking for--" "Lightening?" she interrupted and then nodded, "That sword came from the Old Ones’ time and I’m hoping that they have it. Maybe I can bring it back." she was running hands over sword hilts expertly, checking to see if they were in resemblence to her old sword. I neared her and whispered, "If you take it back with you, you might not find it when you are a page. Think of how that will effect your life! You’re life will be changed, maybe mine too!" Alanna shook her head, "What is meant to happen will happen, it’s the way of the world." she leaned over the table to speak to the muscular Weaponsmith. "Could you forge a sword for me, I’ll pay money." the weaponsmith nodded and she was off, exlplaining about the hilt and magic needed inside it. I shook my head disapprovingly. If Alanna took that sword with her when we went back, our lives would be changed and I knew it. What if Alanna didn’t beat Roger? Hell, she might’ve not made it to become a squire without it. We had relied on that sword a little during the Black City escapade. What would happen without it? I left Alanna at the ‘Smiths’ and wandered around the city. I spotted Kel once, talking to Diago at a restaurant-like building. It was uncanny how the Old Ones made sure not to touch any of us, not even in handshakes! I wondered for few moments why their law forbid contanct when a oily voice intruded upon my ponderment. "You must be one of the visiters, I presume?" I whirled around I found myself face-to-face with an Old One wearing a suit and tie. His blue hair was combed slickly back from his face and the sigil on his forehead was a simple circle with one slash in it. His cheeks were slightly pudgy and his eyes crinkled in a way that was supposed to look gentle but ended up painful. "Let me introduce myself, I’m Palser Ketsi Rashon, you may call me Palser." he nodded his head in what looked like a slight bow. I nodded stiffly back, remembering what the Professor had thought of this man. "You into politics?" he asked, motioning I shood walk with him. I nodded mutely, beginning to think I didn’t like this man, there was just something about him... "Oh! Well you must come with me into the government building! We can discuss campaign ideas over lunch." he began striding towards the enormously tall buildings. I didn’t want to join him, but Tortallan etiquette demanded that I did. Hesitantly, I followed the man. Fucking protocol. ~~~ And so the day was spent futiley, having to put up with the politicians’ talk. I found out that these politicians didn’t actually do anything but make impressive speeches about what they will do for the city. Oh, that and spend the tax-payers money. Yes, that’s right, the Old Ones had to pay taxes every three months otherwise they get kicked out of the city-- baned! And I had to put up with all of it-- I. Hate. Protocol. ~~~ 4. Beware of Politicians Author’s Note: the POV views each time will vary and be rather... uneven. For instance, since Kel has a big part in this story, her POV will probably appear more than anyone else’s... you get the idea. Legend: Consequential Relocations I’ve been to this city before-- when it was in ruins. Never have I been in it when it was whole and called Helsire with live Old Ones walking around. What are my thoughts and opinions on our situation? Unnerving mostly. I’m slightly in awe of their buildings, and their weaponry? I have to admit that I envy the swords and other weapons that they make. Could it be that I will find Lightening? And if I do, will that stop me from finding it when I was a page in the future? Won’t that screw up timelines? Well, to hell with that-- I’m getting my sword back! ~~~ All right, so you must know who I am by now. No? Yes? Hm? All right, I’m Alanna of Pirate’s Swoop and Olau, maiden’s fief, Trebond. The Lioness. The King’s Champion. First Lady Knight. I have a lot of names, feel free to call anyone of them. Unless it’s Gary or Raoul who is reading this manuscript right now, then you’re not allowed to call me a single one of those. I can’t bear the teasing. My life has been like one long extremely twisted fairy tale. Except that not always does it have happy endings. I have a husband and children all of whom I fell unworthy of having. But still I have them. I’m a chosen one of the Goddess, and I can only hope that she’s watching all of this now and chooses to help us out of the predicament. But if she were to do that, it would be interfering in our lives and that’s just ‘not acceptable’. Bull shit. My successor of the lady knight legacy, Keladry of Mindelan, suggested we do this. It seems a bit of a hassle, for I’ve never actually kept my thoughts in writing like a diary. But I’ll deal with it, I guess. ~~~ Alanna of Pirate’s Swoop and Olau and etc..., Beware of Politicians, Fourth Ensuing of Beginning, "Please make the sword as soon as possible." I told the smith in Old Ones’ speech, "I’ll be back in a day or two to see how it’s going." There. I had spent at least two hours alone at the Smiths’ shop, checking out weapons and explaining in great detail about my needed sword. I had drawn out plans and explained the design. But what I don’t get is how I will get the magic for it-- I myself never figured out how to work it fully! After that, I walked away, wondering where on earth Jon had gotten to. I’m not a patient person and looking all over this city was not my idea of fun. So, I walked over to a building that read, ‘café’ over it and was about to sit down when I spotted Kel and the one called Diago talking. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if I joined them. And if they did... oh well, I’m not in Tortall and don’t need to be too polite. "Hello Alanna." Kel greeted as I neared. She motioned for me to take a seat. Don’t mind if I do. "So, what are you two doing today?" I asked. From the looks of it and from the sound of their conversation they appeared to have hit it off instantly. Great, the last thing we need now is one of the members in our group to get attached to someone here. "Diago and I are just going around the city, he’s been telling me about their history. Have you heard it?" without realizing it, she had started speaking in Tortallan dialect again. She might have that transplant but she still uses Tortallan language if she doesn’t think about it. "Uh, yes I have." maybe it would be better if I just left them alone, "Do you have any idea where Jon got off to?" Diago spoke up, gritting his immaculately straight and white teeth, "Palser took him into the government building. I’d er, get him out of there if I were you, those slimeballs up there are tricky and very... persuasive." he turned back to Kel and resumed the talk they had been having before. Okaaayyyy, resume the coversation and ignore me. I’m fine with that. I turned away and began walking away towards the towering ‘skyscraper’. No children or other Old Ones crossed my path. I suppose we’re like that old superstition, "Bad luck if a black cat crosses your path..." or however that goes. Blinking furiously in the glare of the setting sun, I trotted up the large stone steps that were the only entrance to the building that I could see. Swinging open the door with some difficulty (the door was taller than me.), I marched in. The first room looked like one big dining room. Various little, colorful shops that sold different foods lined the walls, and in the center was several comfortable-looking seats and gold-lined tables. Was this really how the politicians here ate? I circled the dining part and made for what I saw as a large staircase in the back corner-- barely visible from where I had been standing. I climbed the staircase for what seemed like forever. It was at least two times the length of the staircase in Balor’s Needle! I began thinking that most of the size and length of the skyscraper itself was just this staircase. But why? To look impressive as if they knew what they were doing? I brushed these thoughts from my head, they were irrelevant to me, and finally reached the top of the steps. I was in a hallway decked with fancy wallpaper and carpeting, pictures of various people lined the walls, looking both impressive and intimidating (at least, that’s what they were supposed to look like. Typical political stances). There was but one room at the end of the hall, and I could hear voices coming from within. Without hesitating, I walked right up to the door and opened it. The talk from within did not cease and they seemed to not notice me. One dozen men in expensive clothing lined a long sturdy table. I didn’t catch what they were saying because they were speaking to fast in Old Ones’ speech for me to understand. I concentrated my gaze at the end of the table. Jon sat slouched in his chair, his face the real picture. I bit back a laugh and sneaked over and sat at his right. ‘What are you doing here?" I hissed in his ear. His annoyed, furrowed eyebrows rose as he looked at me. His face was so relieved and happier that I figured he’d been here for a long time, forced to listen to whatever they were saying. Which I presumed was all crap. "I was cornered by Palser, the man Diago warned us about." Jon rubbed his eyes wearily, "I guess I’m to used to protocol to refuse." I shook my head, sending my red hair shaking-- which drew the attention of the politicians. They stopped talking and looked at me. Complete silence. I resisted the urge to snap at them or fidget under their interested gazes. I guess they’ve never seen red hair before. A minute passed and I got impatient. Standing, I announced, "Excuse us, my king and I have a dinner arrangement and must leave. Thank you for... watching him." I grabbed the startled Jon’s hand and practically dragged him from the room. Once free of the room, Jon’s face broke out into a grin and the cloud of weariness vanished. We started down the stairs. "How late is it?" he asked as we hurried down the steps. I knew nothing of the people in that room so I had no idea of whether they would follow us or not. Better not risk it. "Near nightfall," I replied and hopped off the last stair. We wove our way through the tables and out of the building. "Do you really want to go to dinner?" he asked, searching the streets with his eyes for a restaurant. "Doesn’t matter to me, I’m not really hungry." Jon shook his head, "I am, come on, let’s go find some food." The two of us ambled down the streets in companionable silence, searching leisurely for a restaurant. It wasn’t until we stopped at a side-booth to buy two sandwhichs that we could take back to the hotel did we speak. "Did you find out anything interesting?" I asked him, taking a bite out of the sandwich I held in my hand. The food tasted so strange on my tongue, so... dry. The sandwich was made up of a kind of pink meat and had some strange white sauce on it. I even tasted a little lemon. Jon nodded, "I found out why the Old Ones cannot come in physical contanct with us." I kept a stubborn silence that was meant to make him continue on. He did. "They told me that if an Old One touches a normal human, it was written by the gods that disaster shall strike their entire city. Chaos will rule all and send their civilization to shreds." "We should tell the others, just in case." I murmured, thinking of Kel. No, that’s ridiculous! Kel has absolutely nothing to do with any Old Ones, she and Diago are just friends. But still... I shook my head to clear it, "I think from now on, we should all stay away from the politicians and the government building." Jon chuckled slightly, "Did you see their faces when they saw your hair? They looked ready to hack it off and examine it like it were a treasure." The visitor hotel loomed up ahead of us as we finished off our meal. "Is red hair that strange looking?" I inquired as we started up the steps of the hotel. "No." Jon brought a hand up and fingered a strand of my hair, his face awkwardly unreadable. We stood there like that for about a minute, him holding a strand of my hair as staring off into space. I got impatient and was starting to feel strange myself. "Jon?" I asked, waving a hand in front of his face. He immediately shook his head and then looked at me. I raised an eyebrow and he dropped his hand. "Good night, Alanna." he said and then quickly strode away, into the hotel, leaving me standing like an idiot staring up at where he had been with a puzzled expression. What the hell was that? I thought and pondered for a second. Then, shaking my head again, I walked into the hotel to go to bed. ~~~ Author’s Note: The next chapter is where the real plot come in, this one was rather short but it explains about the whole "forbidden physical contact" part which actually turns out to be very important in the story.

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