Sorry. I know I said this would be out sooner than the last one. But I have been extremely busy even though it is break. I have to take care of my mom and everything she would normally do because she has knee surgery. And some other things came up. Anyway...here are those wonderful thankyous no one actually reads but I love to write!

Thankees:

xxTunstall Chickxx-- Have fun in eigth grade while you still can. :grins evily: Thank you so much for being my very faithful reader, as you put it. Its true!

Heather the Writer-- You can go ahead and smack me on the head. My friends do it all the time, but it never works. It seems I have developed a hard head over the years.

Uncertian Destiny-- Thank you so much for reviewing! Hope I didnt make you wait too long!

Syril Silverleaf-- Yes and guess what! Another another one! hehehehe.

AliaraGen-- Ahh. Lovely drama teachers. :shivers: mine is kinda creepy. Well, heres that next update! (I wanted to put amazing in there but personally this chapter made me bored)

Sea-Aggie-- Here is another reader-hates-it-writer-loves-it moment. :grins again:

Tink05-- Yeah i think there is only one or two ones like this. Thats why i wanted to write it, I was mad/sad. Thanks you!

candace-- Yes I know the characters are a little OOC. But since im not Tamora Pierce its hard to get them in character, for me at least it is. I am too lazy to really try and make them fit their true personalities.

Reading-Angel-- Oh, Hi Jessica! I like your idea. :thinks: Yes actually (thanks to your suggestion) he will come into the story. I know almost exactly what i want to do with him now. But be patient. He shall arrive later.

GoluxOracle-- hmmm...yes i suppose i did add my own touch. that sounds like my room. my own touch is the "very messy" touch. Thankee!

MythStar Black Dragon-- Yeah. Even when i imagine Roger he gives me the chills. He's a creeper. Thank you!

kait1993-- About your question of when she was kidnapped...it was during the war with Tusaine at the Drell River. She was on sentry duty and she and faithful were knocked out by fog stuff. I know she was a Squire but im not sure how old she was. I want to say 15 though. If you read "In the Hands of the Goddess" you can find out, i dont feel like finding my copy at the moment.

ok. i know i used to say thanks to those who put me or the story on alert, but that will take up too much time/space so if you want your name to be in here REVIEW!!

now...on to the story.

oh and if you havent figured it out yet, itallics usually mean something Alanna is thinking.

Chapter 4

"She heard the sound of metal against metal, a key being turned in the lock that held her in the miserable space. Slowly the door opened to reveal two men, and a bright but steady light coming from a torch in one of the men's hands.

"Well what do we have here?" A sadistically familiar voice rang. Alanna's blood ran cold as she recognized that smooth, charming tone that could have only belonged to one person.

"Roger" Alanna breathed in astonishment, fury, and even a little fear"

Alanna could feel her heart thumping in her chest. Goddess protect me. I always thought there was something sinister about him, but I certainly wasn't expecting this!

"You seem surprised Squire Alan. Now, why would that be? I know you suspected me. That much was revealed during our little chat." the Duke of Conte sneered. "Don't you remember? When you told me we were, 'less than friends?'"

"Of course I remember you lying piece of filth." Alanna croaked through a parched throat. Why is he calling me Squire Alan? Wouldn't King Ain have told him I'm a girl yet? Something like that doesn't usually slip people's minds. But then again, I don't recall him ever having any brains.

Roger suddenly rounded on Alanna, grabbing her by the shoulders, and pinning her to the jagged stone wall of the cell. The impact made the pain in her back flare, causing, to her dismay, a soft whimper to be heard.

"Good, it hurts. Now I want you to listen to me Alan. If you tell me what Jonathan's weaknesses are then you shall go free. If you refuse, I shall force you to. My gift is one of the strongest in the world, and I can make it very painful." Roger said in a menacingly soft voice.

"It doesn't matter whether I comply or not. You'll want me out of the way in the end." Hmm…should I tell him I'm a girl or not?

"Alas, and here I thought you were smart Alan." Yeah and so did I yet you still don't see I'm not a... Alanna's thoughts were interrupted as Roger quickly shoved her to the ground and a bright orange whip of magic lashed out at her. Striking her collarbone and leaving a thick welt, as if fire had hit her.

"That was only a taste of what I can do Squire. I will give you the night to think upon your choice. Come morning I will be expecting the information I want from you. And, if you happen remain adamant against my wishes, then you shall get a full example of my power. Quite frankly, I would be surprised if there would be anything left of you by the end."

"Better that than be a traitor!" Alanna retorted vehemently.

"You would not be a traitor. Nay. Think of it more as placing the rightful ruler on the throne."

"Jon is the true heir as destined by the Gods. You, Roger, would only bring strife and misery to your subjects."

Roger sighed. "Why would the Gods preordain a young fool such as my cousin to rule when a more experienced man could ascend?"

"I hope by experienced you mean experienced in terms of conceit and treachery. For no one would follow you if you became King."

"This conversation is growing dull Squire Alan. Remember, you have all night to think about the answer you are going to give me tomorrow."

With that Duke Roger of Conte and King Ain left the dank cell, shutting the door, and throwing Alanna into darkness once again.

Ugh! I can't believe that man! Does he really think I am going to betray my country and Prince only to be killed later? And why in the name of the Goddess is Ain not telling him my secret…not that it's much of a secret anymore. So Roger said he would give me the night to think. I must have been down here only a few hours then.

She sat there thinking until her muscles began to cramp. Slowly, as to not bump any cuts, bruises or burns, she shifted so that she was sitting up. Alanna could hear her stomach growling loudly now, protesting how long it had gone without food. How long has it been since I last ate? It has to have been days.

Then, as if on cue, there was a knock on the cell door. Knocking on a door locked from the outside. :sigh: Why do some people try to be polite when it only makes them look like idiots? That is one of the reasons I hate balls, behind every smile is some twisted thought about how ugly you look and such. A faint click brought Alanna out of her reverie.

Mechanisms in the lock could be heard turning, though the sound was almost inaudible. Her heart began to beat faster, she tried in vain to listen and get some sort of warning as to whom her visitor could be, but there was nothing. Whoever was out there did not want to be heard.

ok ok I know its short. But I just had this horrible evil need to leave it there. Im sorry, but I simply had to. That little voice in your head that tells you not to be mean just wasnt there today.

Anyway...HAPPY EARLY EASTER!

and the next update shall come when I get...lets see...8 reviews, which would make it 30 total. :claps while jumping up and down: I love reviews so umm. please review!