Wow. I actually got this one finished. Amazing how much more you want to write when you dont have the time for it.

((Disclaimer--Tamora Pierce doesnt have a huge plant project due on friday now does she?))

Thanks to all my reviewers. And all you people on the story alert thing...does it really take that much more time to review? hinthint.

This was a hard chapter to write, no idea why, just was i suppose.

Chapter 11

They had just reached Alanna's packs and sat down when the sound of men's shouts and the pounding of horse's hooves met their ears.

Alanna reached to her waist to grab the dagger she had used earlier only to realize it was missing.

Gods all curse it! She thought angrily. I forgot to pick it up after the dual with George!

Diving, she drove her hand into her bags and grabbed her other dagger while muttering words that would shock even the hardiest sailor. Though the small weapon wasn't much reassurance against swords, it was better than going into battle completely unarmed.

Her gaze went across the field and caught sight of Davus, still laying in his bedroll, facing away from her.

How could he still be asleep! She wondered.

Alanna ran over to her friend while George unsheathed two of the many knives hidden about his person.

The girl had reached Davus and was bending over to shake him awake when she let out a loud gasp.

Sticking out of his chest was an arrow, right where his heart would be. Alanna could feel tears gathering in her eyes, but there was no time for such things.

The thunderous din was becoming louder by the minute; they knew it was only a matter of time before those responsible for the racket would come crashing into the clearing.

"George!" Alanna exclaimed in a steady, determined voice, though she was shaking with fear on the inside. "There's an…"

She did not need to finish her sentence for as she spoke she turned around just in time to see one of the Rogue's daggers gliding through the air and strike what seemed to be an empty tree branch. There was a low thump as a dark form fell out of the tree.

George turned to his love speaking in a low, but clear voice. "Archer. I know. Best get ready lass, looks like it's just the two o' us now."

The couple stood in the middle of the clearing back to back, waiting for their opponents. Alanna could feel her sweat dripping down her back, merging with George's own. Their fight earlier tired her greatly. And she could tell that George had to have been tired from his journeying to find her.

They didn't have long to wait, for only a minute later five men and their mounts came crashing into the clearing, each brandishing their own lethal weapons. Most wielded swords, while others battle axes. Their horses were obviously trained for war, ones obviously not to be trifled with. They wore dark black clothing, making them seem akin more to assassins than warriors.

Attacking at once, the group of men crashed down upon them. Alanna could feel George moving away from her as the battle began, each having to move, avoiding the numerous blows that came from every direction. She soon became lost in concentration, making sure each time she dodged away from the swiftly descending blades they would not hit their target.

It was almost a dance, it seemed, an endless rhythm of contorting her body and evading being struck.

A malicious voice in her mind told her she couldn't hold out for long. Dodging was getting her nowhere, and wearing her out fast. Already there were numerous scratches from where she had moved in the knick of time.

There was little chance for her to make any strikes of her own; the diminutive dagger she held only contributed a slight bit. Deflecting an ax with it would only damage the weapon.

Sweat dripped into her countless cuts, causing sharp stings to be felt all over her body. Her red hair had grown during captivity and she was forced to brush it away often so that she could see without hindrance.

Adrenaline pumped through her veins, fueling her where food could no longer. Each movement she made was swift, but she was the underdog in this fight, without help there was no chance.

Alanna tried in vain to get a glimpse of George to see how he was fairing. She had three of the attackers, meaning he had to deal with the other two. But in her attempt to see the rogue, she didn't notice her foe's blade until it was too late.

She felt the cold steel move across her back, the recently healed scars from her whipping reopened. It felt as if white, scalding fire seared across her skin.

Crying out in sheer agony, Alanna sensed she was falling to the ground, but was unable to stop herself. Darkness tinged her vision as the loss of blood became greater.

All her energy seemed to flow along with the red fluid through her sliced back. At any moment she would be at the mercy of her captors, but before she hit the ground something caught her. It hauled her up by the arms so that she was standing once again, though it was clear that, without aid, it would have been extremely difficult.

"Now lads, three fully trained men on horses against one defenseless lass? Even I don' agree with tha'. An' I'm known for not playin' by the rules. A jovial voice came from the man holding the young girl.

Alanna, through her daze, was grateful for her friends help, but he would defiantly be finding something soft and squishy in his bed for that comment about being defenseless.

She looked up into the man's hazel eyes, which usually twinkled with mirth, now held worry for the young woman in his arms. The moment was broken, however, when the three men charged at George from atop their mounts, each aiming to run him through.

The King of Rogues set Alanna on the ground and flung two daggers at them, each hitting their marks. The assailants' horses fell, steel hilts protruding from their chests, dragging their riders down with them, killing them, too, upon impact.

Before he too could be struck down by George's perfect aim, the final attacker turned his horse in an effort to escape the clearing.

Alanna watched with detached interest as he fell from his horse to the forest floor and George collected the two horses he had allowed to live, one of which belonged to a member of the group that had originally challenged him.

The loss of blood caught up to her as her vision clouded, the last thing she remembered was George rummaging through her packs looking for something to bandage her wound with while speaking in a soft voice.

"Don't leave me yet just 'cause a lil' scratch lass."

She managed to give him a quiet reply. "And leave you to explain to Thom what happened? Never. He'd fry you on the spot."

Alanna drifted out of consciousness as he gave a small chuckle despite the concern for her injury.

well, how did the battle scene go? I dont really like it, tell me what you think. It would be much appreciated to know what i should improve on for future rifts!

And for the next chapter: CORUS!! (i think) I havent actually written it, but im pretty sure they will finally get to Corus. I know there is a certain reveiwer out there who has been bugging me about them getting there for about the last five-seven chapters. cough Sea Aggie cough cough

next update next weekend!