Alanna left the Bazhir with a heavy heart. Saying goodbye to her friends was hard, but she had other problems.

The squirming bundle that she had with her was voicing her concerns through crying.

"Alianne, shush…"

She quieted at her mother's voice, and Alanna took some comfort in this. Letting go of Moonlight's reigns, she held the baby closer to her.

"You know that you're going to have to be good when we get to Corus, and I'll let you see everyone. You may meet your father one day. He doesn't know though…I suppose you won't either."

She got no cries in response, so she continued to talk.

"No one is going to know who your father is…I have the story worked out, remember?"

She ran over her story again, slowly. It was good enough to convince her. She smiled, and then concentrated again on getting to Corus as soon as possible.


Alanna looked onto the piles of bodies and could hardly recognize the city. She had arrived hours ago, settling herself and Alianne in. She found someone to care for her, after receiving a summon to the city. Now she rode through this foreign place, once filled with life and beauty now marred by chaos and destruction. The rocky road was filled with corpses, as flies swarmed everywhere. She petted Moonlight's mane, as they trotted through streets reeking of blood and death. The Bazhir called it the smell of death, and it was one that Alanna was all too familiar with.

She slowly dismounted from Moonlight and walked on foot to the place, being careful to avoid stepping on stray body parts.

"Eleni?" She called out.

The healer looked up at her, her face creased with wrinkles and spotted with dirt and blood.

"Alanna!" She hugged her like a daughter.

"What happened?"

Eleni laughed dryly, her age becoming suddenly apparent, "Is it not obvious, Ralon of Malven…or Scar…"

"Claw…"

"Claw, sorry my memory is not what it used to be," she smiled slightly, but it faded, "Claw's cronies are still loose, and they roused the peasants. The Lower Parts went into a rage and those with half a mind tried to stop them. The palace guards and a few knights came down to see what the fight was. It ended in this…" She waved her hands around.

Alanna took a look around, "The damage?"

"Too many to count…" Eleni sighed again, remorse filling her.

"Do you need…any help?" She indicated what she meant by taking the other woman's hand.

"Thank you, I have spent much of the last few days healing." She sighed.

Alanna let the purple fire slide out from her fingers to join Eleni.

"You should go, there are many more talented healers that can work. You should save your strength."

Alanna was puzzled, "For what...?"

"My son to start…" Eleni grinned slightly and then disappeared into the crowd.

Alanna mounted her horse again and lightly encouraged her into a gallop. The countryside turned into a massive blur as she sped on through the crowds and arrived at the entry to the castle.

"Well here we are girl." She whispered to her mount. Moonlight seemingly sighed and slowly trotted up the cobbled path.


Alanna saw Jon at the end of the hallway, slowly she approached him, saying a soft 'hello'.

Jon smiled at his champion, warm and almost inviting, as he pulled her into a firm hug.

"How are you?" His bright blue eyes met and held hers. He put a hand to her shoulder, protective and worried at the same time.

"I'm fine…" She felt warm at his touch and blushed slightly.

The sensible part of her kicked in, "Jon loves Thayet and I love George, so don't start thinking of rekindling old feelings…"

She still felt a warmth rise in her, and a slight tingle at the spot she touched. She turned slightly, letting his hand drop.

"I'm fine…" She lowered her eyes and broke the gaze.

Jon cleared his throat slightly, "Well I'll see you at dinner." With that he turned and walked down the hall.

Alanna turned, and walked in the other direction, trying to get Jonathan's voice out of her head.


"Lass!" George's chair flew out from behind him as he ran to welcome the woman entering his chambers. He laughed, scooping her up, spinning her in a circle.

Alanna screamed slightly and then hit him (lightly) when he let her go.

George grinned, "You're back!"

"No George, I'm still in the Bazhir camps brushing sand off my clothes, in the warm weather and…"

George kissed her firmly, "I've missed ye' lass." His voice was husky.

"I can see that." She smiled slightly.

"We were worried ye weren't gonna return…" George's eyes held hers, giving her a shaky feeling.

"George, you know I have to return, I have commitments to Tortall."

"Aye lass, but don't you also have commitments to me?" His voice was quiet.

She broke off the conversation, "George, not now." She turned to close the door and he followed her, taking a step closer to her.

"If not now, then when lass? We've been dancin' around the issue for some time now. When are we going to sit and talk about it, were ye' just playin with me fragile heart?"

Alanna laughed, "Your heart is as fragile as the castle walls George, and we both know it."

"Still 'Lanna, ye haven't answered me question." He turned serious, giving her an even look.

"I do want to marry, but I'm not ready to announce it to court yet…" She sighed.

George's eyes showed hurt again, "Because of Jon?"

Alanna's frowned, shocked he would ask her that, "Jon's betrothed and has a fiancé who's going to give birth any day now, I'm told. He loves her, and she loves him,

right…?"

Something flashed in George's eyes, a look that she didn't recognize. She wanted to ask him about it, but he didn't give her the chance.

"Then why?"

"George, I have a few things…that I need to care for…" she hoped he didn't know what she was talking about.

He paused, "I understand…" it was quiet, and then a small smile came up, "I've waited fer ye'already 'Lanna. I don't see why a few months'll matter!"

Alanna gave him a small smile in return, "Thank you…"

With that George kissed her again, a quick, but firm press to her lips and he turned around.

"I do love you lass…" He murmured.

"You'd better." She muttered back.