Sweat poured down her face, making her turn towards George. He dabbed her face, trying to make her feel better. The pain was excrutiating and for some reason, this baby didn't seem to want to come out yet. She gritted her teeth, trying to find her happy place. George's mother, a healer, stood at Alanna's feet, waiting for the baby to start wriggling out.

"Get out," Alanna growled, suddenly wanting the baby to listen to her.

Mrs. Cooper smiled, still not use to her daughter's nonsense at times. Myles, Alanna's adopted father, stood outside the door, pacing anxiously. She had already had 3 children, and hopefully this was her last.

"Remember dear what Madame Zelia said. This will be your most trying child, pushing the boundaries to become great."

Alanna suddenly didn't care wether or not her child would be great, what she cared about was that he would suddenly decide that it was time to come out.

"Don't you care at all about me?" The speaker was a young female. She had reddish blonde hair with lavender highlights, a pointy nose, elfish ears, and her eyes were a pretty lavender. The question was directed to her. "Of course I care about you," snapped the Lioness. "Then let me go! I can't stay here! You and Dat never think I'm capable of anything, but I'm not a child!" Alanna frowned. "You're only14," she protested, not wanting to see her youngest child leave. "I have to go!" Suddenly, the girl jumped out the window, vanishing. Everything went black.

"Sweetie? Wake up!"

The warm voice of her husband woke her up. All she remembered was being in pain. Alanna sat up, wanting to see her baby boy.

"Where is he? I want to see my son."

George hesitated, scaring her.

"Tell me," she hissed, digging her nails into his wrist.

"He died. He was too weak."

Her heart stopped. Everything seemed to go in slow motion. She didn't cry, but silently she did cry for her baby. George hugged her, gently whispering words that she couldn't make out. Why, her mind screamed out to the goddess. What had she done wrong? Why had he died?

The days that followed were some of the most painful days she had ever experience in her entire life. Every person that passed her looked away, not catching her eye. King Jonathan visited her often, trying to give her words to help, but eventually she refused to see him. Then she turned for the worse, locking herself in her room with magic from herself.

"Alanna, open this door right now," demanded Queen Thayet.

Knowing that Thayet wouldn't do anything to her for not obeying, Alanna curled up tighter, refusing to budge.

"So you're just going to let Tortall suffer?"

"I just lost my baby! Can't I have some compassion?"

"We've been trying to show compassion, but you don't want it! George is worried sick over ya! Now open this door! I'll have Raoul smash down this door!"

(The Lower City)

Mistress Cooper, wrapped in a black cloak, hurried down the street, to the dancing dove. The inn was the place of the rogue, King of the Theives. George, after agreeing to turn good, had handed over the position to Marek, one of his good buddies. She knocked 3 times, waiting for her neice to answer.

"What do ye want, stranger?"

"Rispah, its Eleni!"

The door opened. Eleni hurried inside, shaking off her cloak to keep the inn nice even though it had lost its extravagent look. Marek sat in George's seat which was at the head of the long table, in front of the fire place. He stood, ushuring her up the stairs, to his bedroom.

"What can I do for you?"

Unable to tell him, she removed her cloak, revealing a small bundle. Inside was a baby girl. Her eyes glowed a silver blue and around her neck was a blue, crystal wolf. Her hair was the color of irisis. Marek and Rispah made the sign against evil, backing away from her.

"I need you to take her away from Tortall. She mustn't know that she's the daughter of Alanna until she's older."

"Auntie Cooper, I thought you said it was a boy and that he had died," whispered Rispah, horrified that her aunt had done such a thing.

"I talked to Madame Zelia. She saw the future. If Angel stays here, then she's bound to turn bad! She was born with powers that a human would never possess. She would be a danger to us and to herself! I need one of you to take her away, far away!"

"How do you know her name is Angel?"

"Madame Zelia," responded both women at the same time.

Madame Zelia was a sorceress/seer. She could see the future, but only for super important things. Usually, she made her earnnings by selling "healing" herbs. Mistress Cooper hadn't been fooled by the woman. She could sense when someone was lying about their powers, and Zelia hadn't been lying. The two became good friends, helping each other out whenever they could.

"So where do we take her?"

Mistress Cooper hated herself for doing this, but this was for all of humanity. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she kissed the baby's cheek.

"Leave her on a peasant's doorstep. Not in Tortall though."

With that, Eleni grabbed her cloak and hurried down the steps, leaving the King of Theives and the Lady of the Rogue alone with the innocent baby.