Chapter 1

"Alanna could hear shouting in the distance. She crossed her fingers and prayed her friends would escape.

'He's been an annoyance to us for a long time' Duke Hilam snapped, his clean-shaven face grim. 'Before I let you play with him, he's going to tell me something about Tortall. He's going to tell me all Prince Jonathan's plans and all King Roald's plans. Then he will tell me thing that don't interest me at all, but he'll tell them because he'll say anything to stop the pain."

'Pigs might fly,' Alanna snapped. She spat in the man's face.

Hilam wiped the spit away, his lovely eyes thoughtful. 'You'll take a while to break.' He smiled suddenly, and her stomach sank. 'That will be quite enjoyable. Only think, you'll have the doubtful fame of being the one responsible for my taking this entire valley. How does that sit with your much-loved honor, Squire Alan?'

'Perhaps your mother beteayed your father to a warthog?' Alanna said thoughtfully. She would just get sick if she listened to what he was saying. 'You both certainly have a warthog's manners. Jem here even has a warthog's looks.'

Jem lunged for her, only to be stopped by one of the guardsmen.

'Jemis is very rash,' Hilam told Alanna. 'I'm not. It's going to take far more than these little barbs to pierce my armor—'

---In the Hands of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce

Alanna looked up into Hilam's cold hazel eyes with defiance written across her face. I will not let him get ANY information out of me. Not as long as I live. If he thinks I will break easily boy is he in for the surprise of a lifetime, the bugger. Even as she thought these words, hope was dwindling fast. Ever since the eerily handsome man came into the dank hut where she was being held prisoner her thoughts kept going back to wondering if anyone would come to help her. At least Micah and Keel escaped…I hope. Alanna thought as the last sounds of their escapade through the woods vanished.

"I say we just get along with the torturing NOW Hilam! I'm tired of waiting!' Jem shouted vehemently at his brother.

"Now, now Jemis." The oily voice replied. "Don't be overly rash, but, I must say I do agree with you this once. I have had enough of this child play. It is time to focus on something more than who (or what) our mother was." The Duke motioned for one of the guards to come over and whispered an order in his ear. The guard promptly left, but not before Alanna caught sight of a slightly wicked glint in his eyes.

Greaaaat. Just perfect. How many sadistic people does Tusaine HAVE in their cursed army!? Alanna wondered. Unfortunately she must have grumbled this out laud to be heard by the royal brothers, or as she now thought of them "the Royal pain in the butts". And, both to her dismay and joy, the door opened before anyone had a chance to reply. Unfortunately, this new man was not going to make her life any easier, as Alanna was about to find out. He had a black cloth over his face so that his facial characteristics were unable to be seen. Or expressions. Alanna thought as she eyed the leather bag he held in between his arm and torso. Something tells me I won't be feeling very well in a few minutes. Though its hard to tell between seeing a man with a black hood or whatever is in the mystery bag. She thought sarcastically. Wonderful, just peachy. I am about to go through my first (and hopefully last) torture and yet I still have to act like I have the upper hand.

As the young boy (or so the Tusaines thought) was pondering, the ghastly new man began taking instruments out of their wrappings, but what surprised Alanna the most was that none looked like the torture devices Sir Miles had informed them of during their classes. In fact, they seemed to not have been placed in the leather for transportation reasons, but for safe keeping. They were vials or different colored liquids. Each one varying from purest white, to vivid red, and even deep purples. The man picked up a white vial and popped the cork off the top. Oh man am I in trouble now. TRUTH potions! Why did it never occur to me that they would use truth serums? Now that she thought on it, it did seem like the easiest method to obtain knowledge from a captive. But they both seemed so eager for torture? Why would they use the easy route instead? Instinctively, as she did whenever her thoughts became confusing, Alanna grabbed the token from the Great Mother Goddess. When she looked at the vials again though, she saw something that made her gasp aloud. Orange mist was infused with the liquids, sending a shiver up her spine. Roger! He is the one behind this! He has betrayed Tortall and is aiding Tusaine in their invasion! Wait. I already knew Roger was evil and out to get the throne. Why am I so surprised at this then? Before she could contemplate further a voice shook her from the reverie.

"I see you recognize what that certain potion is capable of. And I was beginning to think that all of your pathetic country's warriors were dimwitted." Hilam commented after hearing her sharp intake of breath only moments before.

"At least we aren't stupid enough to actually believe that by kidnapping the Prince's squire that you will find out anything of importance."

"Well then. Why don't we see how 'stupid' we really are then. Tate." Hilam motioned to the masked man. "You may do the honors."

Only a split second transpired from the time where Tate was given his orders and a foul sticky liquid that caused a burning sensation was being forced down Alanna's throat. She twisted and turned in attempt to stop it from getting into her mouth. Hilam cackled demonically as he watched his prisoner struggle. Finally, after a full minute, thought it felt like an eternity to Alanna, the vial was empty and she was released from Tate's iron grip.

Now kneeling on the floor, not knowing what to do, Alanna was panicking. This can't be happening to me. They might find out my secret. If they find out I'm a girl…oh goddess. I am in so much trouble now. She tore her gaze from the dirt packed floor and stared at the Duke, her violet orbs glaring dangerously. Hilam remained unfazed and chuckled.

"Jemis, isn't this one interesting. Even though he has no hope and is about to divulge his nation's secrets, he still believes that he may have a chance." His emotions quickly changed and the interrogation began as his voice went from laughing to serious. "Now tell me this, Squire Alan, is there a secret passage into the King's chambers? And if so, where are they located?"

Alanna was nearly overcome with worry at this point. Goddess. I have to tell him! The potion was already forcing her to open her speak, but what came out surprised both her and the two Royals who were watching.

"Yes there is one passage into the King's room." said a voice Alanna hardly recognized as her own. "It can be found on the left side of his door next to where he keeps his collection of ears." Where did that come from!? She wondered. Roald doesn't have an ear collection…but George does. Well imagine my luck. He only asked about the King. He never specified whether he wanted the King of Tortall, or the King of Thieves. Im sorry George but I don't think Hilam knowing this information will cause to much trouble for you. At least I hope not. And once again her thoughts were interrupted, but this time by Jem.

"What do you mean collection of ears!?" He roared. "We know very well that the Peacemaker does not have such a thing! How can you lie even through the potion! Hilam this is pointless! I want him tortured and I want it to be NOW!"

"Silence brother!" Hilam answered, finally loosing control of his temper "I, too, am tired of this squire's" he spat "insolence. "I don't know how you manage to be able to tell such lies but I can assure you that we WILL get information out of you. And I believe my elder brother shall take that pleasure."

With that he unsheathed his sword and rammed the hilt onto the prisoner's head. Alanna slumped to the ground unconscious, but not before wondering to herself how she was going to get herself out of this mess.