Ha! I got this out BEFORE midnight so no one can say i didnt update this weekend! I woulda updated sooner BUT life happens and i was busy. hehehe. I want to once again thank everybody who reviewed last chapter, and those who put me on story/author alert (though personally i like reviews better)

((Disclaimer--I DONT OWN TORTALL! GOD!))

This chapter is basically just talking and not in-depth explaining. pretty dull. Enjoy! (wow i sound like a server at a restraunt)

Chapter 14

Jon looked around the room trying to locate the now missing cat. His sapphire eyes scanned the room until they came to the small, redheaded figure lounging just over an arm's length away, with the black cat sitting on her shoulder.

For any of those who still believed that jaws could not actually drop, were proven wrong when the young knight's mouth gaped at the person sitting in front of him as if she had not a care in the world.

Alanna grinned madly. "Miss me?"

"How…what…when…" The Prince stuttered, looking very much like a fish. His eyes wide, darted back and forth between George and Alanna, trying to figure out how this had happened.

In only a matter of seconds, though, the astonishment wore off and was replaced by ire. "Why didn't you tell me?" Jon seethed, vein twitching in his neck. "What is going on here!? Tell me now!"

Alanna glanced at George, question in her eye and he nodded back. It was odd, how the duo seemed to know what the other was thinking so easily.

The other occupants of the room seemed to not be paying any attention to what was taking place, but the pair new better to assume that. After all, who could resist eavesdropping on the King of the Rouge and such interesting guests?

George looked the heir to the throne straight in the eye. "Jonny, calm down for just a minute; we'll explain everythin', but don' ye agree it would be better to discuss this in private." The last part was not a question.

Jon seemed to calm himself down slightly, but instead of admitting he was right, shot an angry glance at both of his friends before making his way up the stairs.

George and Alanna stole a glance; the later rolling her eyes as they, too, trudged up the steps.

Upon reaching the landing they found the Prince standing in the middle, apparently at a loss as to which room they would be going into to discuss matters. Of course, he tried to make it seem as if he was examining an invisible spec on the wall, and not lost.

The King of Rogue's simply walked passed him, guiding them to his room, where he knew the walls were guarded against eavesdroppers.

He took a seat in a stiff, wooden chair near the window, Jon following and occupying the other chair in the room. Which left Alanna to sit cross-legged on the bed, which, ironically, she preferred to the hard and uncomfortable oak while telling her story, some of which even George had yet to hear.

Once the three were situated, the girl Squire cleared her throat looked at the men in the room as she said, "I want no interruptions, understood." She glared pointedly at his Highness. "Questions will wait until the end. I don't care if it is something as simple as what time of day it was, no inquiry whatsoever." She watched them both nod empathetically. As much as they wanted to interrogate her while she talked, they understood that if stopped, she may not be able to start again.

Alanna then turned to her Knight Master; she knew how ravenous he must be for knowledge of what had been transpiring during her time without him. And unfortunately, she knew he wasn't going to take the full implications of her tale well.

Closing her eyes, she stroked Faithful, who had remained on her shoulder since first seeing him again. It was relaxing for her nerves, the steady and methodic feel of soft fur beneath her calloused hands. Her curious cat purring with pleasure, though she inwardly suspected her was, also, calming her tension. Sighing heavily, she began.

"As you know from Micah and Keel, we were ambushed by magic. I didn't even suspect anything until Faithful wouldn't wake, but by then it was too late. When I came to, we were chained in the hut on the enemy's side of the River Drell. Their shackles weren't spelled, therefore easy to pick, but mine on the other hand…not so easy." She opened her eyes again, finding them staring straight into one's that were the exact shade as her own.

"Not long after Micah and Keel escaped, at least that was what I assumed by what I was hearing. Duke Hilam and Count Jemis entered. I always hated Jem, but a traitor…no…a brother to the King of Tusaine! I truly never would have guessed. They, of course, tried to make me talk by using this truth serum of sorts. But, well, lets just say things didn't work out the way they wanted it to." Alanna stated, grinning. She shook her head, and the smile was soon replaced with a frown.

"I'm not sure really what happened for a while after that. They knocked me out, and next thing I knew we were on our way to Tusaine's capital. When we got there I was astounded. You look outside these windows and see the streets of Corus teeming with people, anytime, anywhere. But there…it was a ghost town, a mere shadow of a city. I know there were people there; they just wouldn't let themselves be seen. Anyway, we can discuss the meaning of why the commoners seem so…different, later."

"After arriving, we -Hilam and some cavalry- were escorted into the castle gates. It was more like a palace really, not very good defenses. And their troops were quite obviously stretched thin just by how small the guard was there. That or their Majesty is extremely stupid…or both. Most likely both."

"Hilam ordered that the two of us be escorted to King Ain, and met him in what they must consider to be their great hall, or what's left of it. I have never seen so much neglect. But that's a moot point. Tusaine, of course, wanted information. I, obviously, wouldn't give it. So, he had me whipped, not in a torture chamber, no, in front of the Court. He didn't care where it happened, as long as it did."

Alanna looked up into George and Jon's eyes. The Rogue's eyes held the knowledge of what happened next, while Jon's were wide, thinking only of his Squire being flogged in front of a crowd, forgetting the most essential fact, that Alanna was a girl.

"They found out. An entire country's court found out about the secret I had spent years trying to protect." Tears threatened to overwhelm her now. Though living through the trauma had been harsh, but reiterating the events forced her to truly see what was so hard to accept in the dungeons. Counting to five she breathed in, then out, in, then out, calming herself down enough in order to speak without quavering.

"I was sent to the dungeons then. I'm not sure how long I was down there before being greeted by the cause of…everything: the kidnapping, the discovery, even the war." Alanna's voice hardened considerably as she spoke these words, but she knew that she would have to tell her Royal friend the next bit of news gently. She didn't know she had paused long until that certain person interrupted her.

"Well. Who is this bastard, Alanna?" Jon said quizzical. He was surprised when his short tempered friend did not admonish him for butting in, exactly as she warned them not to do.

Her eyes turned to him, full of guilt. "Jon. I'm so sorry. You aren't going to want to hear this. If you just step out of the room now, it won't matter. George and I will handle things on our own, and it won't be hard on you until the end."

The Prince stared at her, perplexed that she would ever make such a request. "Alanna, please. I want to know who the catalyst of all this suffering is so I can rip him to shreds." He said with such passion that Alanna could practically feel guilt weighing down on her shoulders for being the bearer of such news.

"Then you must promise to believe me. No matter how far-fetched this may sound to you. There is more than enough proof going against this man." She stared straight into his eyes as he gave her his compassionate response, promising to what she said.

George sat next to his friend; he knew this revelation would shock him. And sincerely hoped his love wouldn't catch the brunt of his surprise in the form of fury.

Not wanting to waste any more precious time beating around the bush, Alanna told the Prince the blunt truth.

"The man is Roger. Don't look so confused Jon. I am talking about the only Roger you know, Duke Roger of Conte."

Jon spluttered for a few moments, not knowing what to say to such accusations.

"Think about it, the most powerful mage in the entire realm, who just happens to be next in line for the throne if you were to die! Don't deny it saying it is only a guess, or he could have had other reason's for being in Tusaine, because his business there was most certainly not for the good of his home country."

The Prince of Conte was still staring in astonishment of what he just heard, so she plodded on.

"He came flat out and told me of his plans. Granted, that was before he tortured me. Yes Jon," She said to his facial expression. "your peaceful, kind, gentle, all loving cousin does in fact know how to torture, in fact I believe he could be an expert in some ways." She decided to let Jon mull over her eye-opener while she continued with the story.

"I also met Davus, one of George's birdies, while locked underground. At times he brought food and water. If it wasn't for him, I truthfully wouldn't be here. It is thanks to him that I escaped at all. I know I'm skipping over a lot now, but so much happened so fast, it is just a jumble of detail that will take some time sorting out."

"We camped in the woods, where George found us, or rather scared me half to death. Roger sent Tusaine assassins after us, and that same night George came, we were attacked. An archer got Davus before he was even awake. We fought, escaped, and made our way here. According to Eleni we've been here for three days, if you include this one. She said I slept for two days after getting healed, but that also means there has been that much time for Roger to travel from enemy territory back here, where I am positive he is planning on revealing that I am, in fact, a female. And now for the questions" Alanna groaned quietly.

"You said you slept for two days healing…that meant you were injured. From the whipping? Jon's voice asked.

"No. Actually, not from the whip at all. Its hard to explain really, but apparently I am on better terms with the Great Mother Goddess than I thought. She healed me while I was still locked up. As for the other healing…well. I, um…"

"The lass took on three assassins at once, getting' herself a nice cut on 'er back." George came in, ignoring the glare he was receiving from the bed.

"I am quite alright now thank you very much." Snapped Alanna, already frustrated despite only having to answer one question. "There are much more important tasks at hand. Such as when Roger will be returning, and if he really is planning on revealing me to their Majesties, or if he has something else up his sleeve. And what to do about Tusaine as well. With the war still going on, Tortall doesn't need a rift inside her borders."

She was about to say more when two large figures burst into the room.

was Alanna's overview good enough? tell me if you think anything should be added and it shall (might) be done.

and yes, another cliffy. i would say im sorry, but in truth im not. I just love them so much!

Please review!

and if you have any suggestions on future chapters PLEASE tell me! I write spontaneously so anything can be done!!