Homeward Bound: An Alternate Version of In the Hands of the Goddess

By Saphron

A/N: Many of you asked the very good question—why didn't George know about the King's death earlier? The answer to that, my friends, is that he was drunk off his arse, lol. Normally he'd be the first to know, but he was a tad preoccupied with the news that Jon and Alanna are still alive (which he found out right before the King died) and thus wasn't paying much attention to any messenger birds flirting about or whatnot. Anyway, I hope that answers your questions!

Chapter 21 – Jon's Elaborate Escape Trick – Part 1

"The fox has many tricks. The hedgehog has but one. But that is the best of all."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tortall:

"So, do you think George was right? Could Jon and Alan really be in Carthak?" Raoul pondered, dismounting casually from his horse with practiced ease. The sun was beginning to set, along with the palace knights unusual duties for the day—the people of Corus were still upset and worried over the King's apparent suicide, but they were somewhat reassured that all hope was not lost for the future of their kingdom. The Tortallan knight force made sure of that.

"Eh, I dunno, he was rather shit-faced…" Gary replied, swiftly removing his horse's saddle and reins. "But somehow I don't think he was just saying those things because he was inebriated. I don't want to get our hopes up too fast, but…I think it's actually possible. More than possible maybe…"

"Let's tell Myles and see what he thinks," Raoul suggested. The two men found the older knight tucked in his study room clutching a mysterious flask. Gary frowned when he saw it, assuming the contents to contain a fair amount of spiced rum—the friendly old soldier was known to be the court drunkard—but Myles, noticing Gary's gaze, waved off the notion.

"The situation is too serious for drink," he intoned somberly, taking another sip, "this is just fresh spring water with a dash of mint. It helps to clear my mind. So what brings you lads here? There wasn't any trouble in the lower city, was there?"

The knights shook their head. At first cautiously, but then animatedly, Raoul explained what happened at the Dancing Dove, letting a healthy dose of hope exude from his words. He wasn't usually such an optimist, but after months of missing his friends he was ready to cling to any ray of sunshine proffered.

"Is there any way we could verify this idea?" Gary mused, chin in hand, "Mayhap we could tell Roger, and he could do some sort of locating spell?"

Myles sharp intake of breath was noticeably audible in the quiet study room. At Gary and Raoul's questioning looks, Myles turned out the contents of his pocket, revealing the last scrap of parchment clutched in Roald's hand. "You should take a look at this before you go running to Roger," he said quietly.

After reading the letter, Gary and Raoul were simply stunned. How did Roger all ready know Jon and Alan were in Carthak? Had he heard the news the same way George did, through this mysterious mage contact in the south, this—what was his name? Arram Draper? But more importantly, why did he request a private audience with the King on the northernmost tower top? There were better ways of insuring privacy—Gary was no mage, but he knew one could easily place a silencing spell in a room so eavesdroppers listening at the door would merely hear polite murmurs instead of top secret conversations… And most importantly of all, if Roger was at the top of the tower, and the King was at the top of the tower, and the King somehow landed at the bottom of the tower…could it have been…could Roger have…?

The thought was unspeakable. The mere suggestion was treasonous. And yet—all the pieces fit together perfectly! George had taught them long ago to look for the man who gains the most power after a decisive event has occurred—and in this case, that would be Roger. With the King dead and Jonathan completely MIA (missing in action), the Queen technically inherited the throne, although her weakened condition clearly prevented her from performing her royal duties—in effect, that left Roger in charge. And his loyalty was seriously being called into question…

For now he was only one woman away from ruling Tortall completely.

And it was entirely feasible that he had pushed the King off that tower edge and orchestrated his untimely death to look like a suicide.

The three knights couldn't be sure of course, the only person who knew exactly what happened on that tower top was currently laying in a casket receiving prayers from an endless chain from Mithronian priests. But that letter planted a seed of doubt in their minds that would bloom and grow into a prickly vine of suspicion.

The King was dead—and a suspected murderer was afoot.


Carthak:

Jon rapped soundly on the master bedroom door as soon as he saw Lord Penikth exit towards his study chambers. A small shiver of nervousness tingled its way down his spine as he strode through the doorway. With a chivalrous bow in Lady Panya's direction, he put on the widest smile he could manage, "good morning my lovely, er, dewdrop. How are you feeling?"

A sleepy Lady Panya positively simpered, basking in the glow of Jon's elaborate attention, "much better now that you're here…" she purred, suggestively patting the bed sheets beside her.

Jon sucked in a slight, almost imperceptible, breath of air before leaning down to capture Lady Panya's lips with his own. She leaned hungrily into him, letting a small moan escape. Jon thanked Mithros for his years of practice that enabled him to have this effect on women…!

The Prince finally pulled back, looking reluctant, "oh my beautiful persimmon, as much as I'm enjoying this moment, I fear Lord Penikth might discover our little secret at any moment…yesterday was a tad too close, wouldn't you agree?"

Lady Panya waved Jon's trepidation off with a quick shake of the hand, "nonsense," she declared, "we'll simply lock the door. Besides, he's always busy in the mornings until the midday meal, Mithros knows doing what! Probably stuffing his face, the idiot pig."

Jon mustered the strength for a –what he hoped—was a charming grin, "ah, but you see, I've all ready made arrangements at the Sea Turtle's Shell Inn for us, there are flowers, candles, champagne…all the elements one needs to, er, entertain properly."

Lady Panya squealed like the mouse she was named after, "oh you helpless romantic! You are your wild passions, I can't wait to taste them…but wait, however did you arrange such a thing?"

"I have my ways," he intoned mysteriously. Lady Panya needn't know that Jon had begged the slave girl Alanna had saved, Nikki, to help him arrange the whole thing—the girl did, after all, owe Alanna a major favor for saving her life from a rogue fireball, a favor Jon was simply adopting unto himself. "Now all that remains is to leave the house…you can obviously tell your husband you're going out hat shopping or some other lady like outing. I, however, must have some other ready excuse…"

Lady Panya furrowed her brow, thinking hard, which was not something she was used to. It was far easier to pay others to do the brain work for her. "Can't I just say I need you to carry my purchases or something?"

Jon looked hesitant, but then slowly shook his head, "no, it's too suspicious, a slave man would never be trusted with a nobleman's wife. Especially one as beautiful as yourself"—Jon infused these words with as much sincerity as he could manage without hurling his breakfast—"The only way I could go into the city on an errand was if it were for business purposes…the kitchen staff buy food, but mayhap I could buy something else? Or no! Better yet, sell something—likes that sword." Jon pointed at Lightening, "why don't you tell Lord Penikth you've decided you absolutely hate that atrocious sword and want it out of the house immediately. I, being the helpful slave that I am, am naturally inclined to oblige…"

Jon twitched slightly as he tried to adopt a demure yet sincere expression. He didn't want Lady Panya to think he had planned the whole scheme out too carefully—even though he had—but he wanted to back up his words with a measure of confidence as well. The breath caught in his throat as he waited agonizingly for her reply—if she failed to take the bait, his entire plan would crumble, and all would be lost…

Lady Panya shrugged her shoulders. She didn't particularly mind the slender sword hanging above her dresser, in fact the odd purple gemstone in the hilt was really quite eye-catching, but the plan made sense. What else of value could Jon possibly sell in the marketplace? She certainly wasn't giving up any of her rubies or diamond necklaces, not for all the strapping young bucks in Carthak! No, no, the sword would do. It wasn't a very good decorative piece anyway, it clashed with the overall softer pastel tones she so favored in the room.

"Very well, it sounds plausible enough," she declared, relieving his unspoken agony.

Jon's baited breathed subsided, "I'll be waiting outside, in the men's quarters then," he murmured, slinking towards the door. He threw one last longing look over his shoulder—"I'll see you soon, gorgeous."

…Saphron…


A/N: Part 2 soon! Ooer.

Personal Notes:

Jules-Gemma: Lol, I know, Jon isn't exactly Mr. Lucky like he's used to in Tortall…but fortunately this time he actually made it lol. Hurrah! Now he can go find Alanna!

SG: Hehe you jump for joy, I jump for joy, we all jump for joy:D

Charlie and lola: It's pretty much A/J BUT there WILL be a few twists and turns, and George will stick his nose in as well sooo…that'll be fun. But it's ultimately A/J I believe.

WM: Lol, my friend Emma said the farther south (or was it north? I can't remember) the more "g'day mate-y" and like typical Aussie accent-y you get. She also calls the turnk of a car the "boot," I love it. Thanks so much for reassuring me that I don't need to stress about updating everyday! I really appreciate it :) Oh, and if you skipped the A/N at the top, here it is to answer your question: "A/N: Many of you asked the very good question—why didn't George know about the King's death earlier? The answer to that, my friends, is that he was drunk off his arse, lol. Normally he'd be the first to know, but he was a tad preoccupied with the news that Jon and Alanna are still alive (which he found out right before the King died) and thus wasn't paying much attention to any messenger birds flirting about or whatnot. Anyway, I hope that answers your questions!"

LKoH: Hehe! I'm glad you found "Rolly" so funny, I try and throw in a little humor here and then and it's so spiffy when it actually works! Oh I know, Alanna would be sooo mad…good thing she won't find out! Tehe, or will she? oO I know! I actually contemplated dressing Jon up as a girl and forging his own escape, but then I'd still have the little problem of him needing to leave the house, plus I had spent all this time building up the Lady Panya plotline that I didn't want to just toss that…but you're right, it would have been quite hilarious. Oh well, maybe in another fic… Let's see, the ball is in hmm, maybe 5 more chapters? I'm not sure…Jon needs to spend a bit of time tracking down Alanna, but she WILL go to the palace really soon so… Snow! Ack! –brrr- I like my sunshine, thank you very much lol. I know! 20 chapters? It's un-freakin'-believable. I knew this thing would be long, but I had no idea THIS long…

TheInklings: Yay for Georgie-porgies and Jon escaping indeed!

CK: I had a very nice thanksgiving, thank you darling. It was quit relaxing (er, seeing as how I had homework, I just didn't do it…) Yes indeed, it WAS Numair who told Rispah who told George…which wouldn't have happened if Lord Penikth hadn't had a ball and arranged for a magical firework display and Alanna hadn't save the maid she befriended several chapters back and don't you just love how it all connects together? I plot it all out so I introduce characters and settings before they come into the limelight, it's really quite an intricate story. But right, thanks again fro the fab review! You're like confidence in a box lol.

Piglet: Hurrah! The humor worked! –does a happy dance- Thanks so much Piglet m'dear:D

KoT: Yup, Jewish customs are pretty nifty, I think because it's a culture, not just a religion. (I'm not making that up, you can learn in any human geography class that a cultural ethnicity requires a) a language (Hebrew/Yiddish) b) a place of origin (Israel) and probably one more requirement, I forget) NE-way…poor Jon indeed! Fortionatly he's on his way to escaping lol.

CH-CS: Lol, you probably just got caught up in the (more exciting) Carthak bits. Tortall is interesting enough, but it's obviously the subplot, not the main story line. Er, to fill you in, Roger killed the King and George found out J & A are in Carthak. There, cheers.

Cloud9: Hehehe glad you liked the "manhood" references –wink wink- ;)