BROTHERBAND CHRONICLES

Scorpion Mountain

Alright. This is my first ever Brotherband Chronicles fanfiction, so excuse my writing if it seems a little too OTP!

Chapter One

Hal listened intently to Gilan's description of the dire situation they were needed for. He sat in a chair while Gilan stood and talked to him. Lydia, Thorn, and Stig sat beside him. The room was circular, with nice furniture and expensive rugs. But Hal needed to concentrate on Gilan.

"So far there have been three attacks," Gilan informed the young Skirl. "At least, that's the amount I'm aware of."

"You think there have been more?" Hal asked.

Gilan nodded. "That's exactly what I think." The heavy wooden and iron-enforced door opened, revealing a fit but nobly dressed girl around their same age. Gilan bowed. "Princess Cassandra," he started. "May I introduce you to Hal, Stig, Thorn, and Lydia?"

Her eyes locked on Lydia. Lydia watched her calmly. "You don't look Skandian," the princess said.

Hal looked on as Lydia's fingers clenched white around the hilt of her dirk. "You would know what Skandian women look like because…"

"I was held prisoner there," Cassandra answered. "I went by the name of Evanlyn."

"Evanlyn?" Lydia asked in disbelief. Hal sighed with relief as Lydia let go of her fatal weapon.

"What's the name to you?" Cassandra asked.

"I go up to a hunting house every so often in the mountains," Lydia said. "I carved my name under yours."

Cassandra smiled. "I forgot about that."

"Ladies," Gilan said. "Can we get back on task?" They both turned their gazes on him. "There is a ball tonight," he said. "We think that Princess Cassandra is in unexplainable danger before, during, and after the event."

Stig spread his hands. "What are we supposed to do?"

"Keep an eye out," Gilan said.

"I think I have an idea," Hal said.

"You sure you haven't left anything out?" Thorn asked under his breath. Hal glared at him, but continued.

"We'll have two Herons actually in the party as the princess' honored guests. The rest of the crew will be outside. I might have Stefan in the rafters to look for suspicious activity," Hal explained.

"One problem," Cassandra said. "All the guests are married couples. Two men would look suspicious, and a Skandian would definitely give you away."

"I think you've just boiled down our choices," Thorn said. "We have a man that's not full Skandian. He's half Araluen. He could pass off pretty easily. We have another who's not Skandian either – she's Limmatian. Also, you said the people are couples, making them the only two available for the job."

Hal quickly realized what they were getting at. Apparently Lydia did too. She looked like someone had slapped her with a frying pan. "What? No no no-"

"I agree," Gilan inputted.

"What?" Hal asked.

Stig huffed. "You and Lydia get dressed up-"

"Absolutely not!" Lydia exclaimed.

"Pretend to be a couple," Stig continued, unperturbed by Lydia's protests. "And protect the princess."

"No," Hal said.

Lydia gestured toward him. "Thank you!"

"You have to," Thorn told him gently but firmly. "You made the plan, after all."

"I-" Hal stopped. Thorn and Stig seemed to have outsmarted him. "Fine," he muttered.

"What?" Lydia demanded. "No!"

Hal adjusted the collar of his tunic and black leather jerkin. He fiddled with the ruffles on the front of his shirt and the loose and uncomfortable sleeves that stretched to his wrists. He wore tight pants and swift black moccasins. Stig helped him and occasionally swatted Hal's hands away from a spot that he'd been fiddling with.

Hal's hair had been washed and combed. He had been washed until he practically smelled like a lily. He was eager to get this over with. He couldn't help but wonder what Lydia had to go through to get ready…

The Herons were all outside in their positions, but Hal, Stig, and Thorn were still in the room.

"This feels like I'm getting married," Hal told him. Stig smiled. He spotted something over Hal's shoulder.

"Then this is going to get real awkward, real fast," he told him. Stig turned Hal around. He saw Cassandra walk in through the door. She wore a simple white petticoat with golden lace around her neck and waist. She turned toward the door.

"Lydia," she called.

"I'm not doing this!" came the reply. Cassandra huffed, crossed her arms, and rolled her eyes.

"Why not?"

"I look absolutely ridiculous."

"You do not!"

"You're joking."

"I'm serious, now come in!"

A tall and slender girl walked in the room. Her black hair was pulled up into a bun and strands of curly ringlets framed her face. Diamond studs were stuck in her hair. Her skin was tan and clean. Her face was not "covered in makeup" as she had feared. Her blush was perfect and complemented her high cheekbones. Ink lined her slightly uplifted eyes. She wore a dark red gown with a slightly lighter red fabric in between pleats in her skirt. The sleeves gathered at her elbow and spread out as the sleeve continued down her arm to stop in the middle of her forearm. Gold threads were sewn in delicate patterns around the edges of her dress. White satin gloves that only covered from her fingertips to her wrists.

Lydia smiled nervously. Stig elbowed him. He awkwardly realized that he'd been staring. Hal cleared his throat.

"What next?" he asked, turning towards Cassandra. She beckoned for them to come closer. She gave a single diamond ring to Lydia, who held it in her palm.

"Your engagement ring," the princess explained. "You two are going as an engaged couple. Since the guests will be high members of society, you will both have new identities. Hal, you'll be Hilton: Representative of Gallica. Lydia, you'll be his fiancé, Liana."

"Are there going to be any other Herons watching?" Lydia asked.

Cassandra shook her head. "They're all outside. They won't be able to see in. Stig and Thorn will be with them."

Thorn watched the two. Normally, he would jump at the chance to poke fun at Lydia and Hal, but he could tell that they were already feeling uncomfortable with the idea of being in that kind of relationship – even if it was only for one night. That wouldn't stop him from telling Karina when he got back to Skandia.

"You have to actually act properly," Cassandra said. She grabbed Hal's arm and had him extend it to Lydia. Lydia took it.

Stig smirked. "You have to act the part, Hal."

"Shut up, Stig."

"Last few details," the princess told them. "Don't hover around me the whole time. There is a second floor that looks down onto the ballroom, but it's for people who want to, uh, kiss. Stay away from that floor unless you really think you can-"

"Next detail please," Lydia said. Hal looked to his right at her. She looked as uncomfortable as he felt.

Cassandra smiled. "Don't try to make too many friends. Just light conversation, or the people will talk to you forever."

"I take it you don't like talking?" Hal asked.

"Could've fooled me," came Thorn.

"One more thing," she said. "If you spot anything, Lydia, excuse me, Liana can use her ring to reflect light. Start flashing it out the North-East window."

"If we see something suspicious, Jesper said he'd sneak in to the ball and tell you, then sneak out," said Stig.

Lydia nodded. She turned to Hal, her eyes full of embarrassment but with a sparkle of adventure. "Let's go to a party, Hilton."

1 review at least for the next chapter. Please. You can just say: "Good" if you want to, just let me know someone is reading this and wanting to read more!