Gift to Kill, Words to Heal
"Why?" His face was porcelain white as Alanna bowed her head, tears journeying down her cheeks. "Why did you become so arrogant, so conceited, like father!" "You promised me." She clenched her jaw and shut her eyes tight to prevent more tears from falling. Taking a deep, calming breath, Alanna tried to imagine her brother as he used to be, young and naïve…and failed. The only image that came was of his face, twisted so in the pride of a man with too much power. She felt his face and was shocked at the suddenly chill that met her fingers.
His Gift had been his undoing. Now that she thought of it, the shock of the outcome finally hit her and she sniffed: Nervousness had been Thom's greatest weakness, later turning to pride. He had been used—manipulated, even. Alanna used her power to heal and sword to kill; Thom, on the other hand, used his Gift to kill and words to heal…
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Alanna smiled and at the man who stood by his bay-colored mount, saying his goodbyes to his father. Alanna hugged her son tightly as he turned to her.
"I'll be back ma, in a few years or so." He said, grinning.
Alanna nodded, "I know." She replied, absentmindedly remembering when she and her brother had traded places. Almost unconsciously she whispered, "Good luck, Thom. Watch your back."
Her son gave his mother a confused look, "I'll pass the tests." "Easily." The words sounded brave, foolish, but brave.
Carefully, Thom mounted and with a last look at his parents, set off at a trot, down to the forked road that would take him to the City of the Gods.
Alanna sighed and closed her eyes, "Goodbye, Thom…" "Use your Gift wisely, the gods never mean for them to be misused."
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A/N: Some of the lines are from Alanna: The First Adventure, pg. 11, when Thom and Alanna are saying their goodbyes.