'Aly's Return'

April 470 H.E. (6 years after Trickster's Queen)

Chapter 1

In the early hours of one bright spring morning, a royal messenger arrived at the gates of Pirate's Swoop. It was a fief well known to the many messengers throughout the realms as it housed the King's Champion, Alanna the Lioness and her mysterious husband Baron George Cooper. The messenger rode through the secure gates and passed the note to a man-at-arms, just as he was preparing to leave again he heard a gruff, friendly male voice pierce the morning stillness,

'Is that a royal message I spy? She's not back a month and the King is after her, is there no rest for the great in Tortall?' Alanna the Lioness elbowed her husband in the ribs to shut him up as she took the note from the man-at-arms. The messenger couldn't help but stare at the couple. It was not everyday you saw a legend in the flesh. He also wanted to access the Lionesses mood; she had been under court discussion a lot lately, many of the courtiers wondered if the position of King's champion should be reassigned to a younger knight. The matter had not been publicly addressed; although rumors circulated that the King was strongly opposed to any such discussion, maintaining that he had yet to see a younger knight beat his Champion. Despite the vote of confidence the lady knight had been angered at the suggestion and apparently left court in a huff to the comforting arms of her husband – assistant spymaster, known as the Whisper Man.

'It's from the king… Aly! Aly's coming home!' With a smile as crooked as the Trickster's, the baron flipped the messenger a coin and lead his wife into the house to read the document. The messenger had to disagree with the courtiers, at the news that her daughter was coming home Alanna had looked as young and happy as ever.

Inside the house George read the letter to Alanna

'My Champion,

I hope this letter finds you well. Today I received a royal courier from the Copper Isles. The Queen wishes to make herself known to her neighboring monarchs and, in a few weeks time, will visit us for a considerable amount of time. She brings with her, her step-mother, her sister and her spymaster and family. Thought you and George would like to know. I look forward to seeing my favorite godsdaughter again after so long (I believe it has been eight years). I have already informed Thom and Alan, who continue to reside at court.

Fondest love,

Jon.'

Alanna 's eyes filled with tears, Aly was coming home. It had been six years since she had seen her only daughter and despite their vast differences Alanna missed her dreadfully. She reached out and hugged her husband tightly, in a few weeks they would, for the first time, meet their grandchildren. George was as happy, if not happier, at the news. Despite contact through letters and words from his agents, he had, had very little contact with his darling daughter. However, his happiness was somewhat marred by the tone of King Jonathan's letter, why had it been addressed solely to Alanna when the King was well aware of the fact that George had a far stronger bond with Aly? And what was this... fondest love? George hugged Alanna tighter to him, jealousy growing inside him.

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Alright.. thats the first chapter, more of a prologue actually but whatever. Its not much I know but what do you think?

Me x