All right. Um. Yes, this chapter brings big changes, but I'll try to make it easier than the whole Thayet thing. Keep in mind that I am greatly playing with time here. And enter the second-to-last member of the Order! Can you guess who it is?

Quiggles-Thank you soooo much.

Vanima-edhel-Your user name seems Tolkien-elvish. Sindarin, I think. Am I right? Gracias.

Shinigami Clara-Well, if you think the last chapter was non-TP plot, (which it was) you're in for a whopper now. Hahaha. But yes, after this, we'll get back to SOTL, just with a few BIG changes right now. I'm still not sure exactly how this is going to work.

Dizzy, Sick Wildmage-Why? Is it because you had too much sugar? Thanks.

Shinigami Clara again-No, the illusion wouldn't come off, because when Ileana set it she meant for it to be permanent unless she deliberately took it off. It draws on the magic from her ring, not her Gift, and the divine power has some different traits than the Gift does.

The Grand Mage

By dragonlady

Chapter Twenty-five-Departures and Arrivals

Ileana recovered from Uusoae's assassination attempt quite rapidly. When her drained Gift returned, she was able to use it to heal herself. Unfortunately, her predictions about Jonathan's fussing were quite true. A tiny part of herself greatly enjoyed it, but that part was quickly squashed.

As they had previously agreed, Jonathan sent "Sir Gerard" off on some obscure errand that Ileana told her friends would take a long time. They saw her off, both parties promising to write.

Soon after Ileana was able to get out of bed (she would still get headaches for the next week or so, though) Alanna and Coram left for the Great Southern Desert. Everyone came to see them off.

"I'll miss you," Ileana whispered, hugging Alanna. "See you sooner than you think." Alanna looked surprised, but nodded and hugged back. Ileana scratched Faithful around the ears, and he butted his head against her hand. After that she backed off to let the others say their goodbyes.

Jonathan stood a long time looking after their departing forms, and Ileana stood behind him, not sure what to say. She was in a bit of an awkward situation where the Prince was concerned.

"She'll be back, Jonathan," Ileana put a hand on his shoulder. "She loves you, you know."

"I know. And I love her as well, as I suspect you know." Ileana nodded, holding back her emotions-she wasn't even sure what they were. Suppressing her feelings brought on the beginnings of a headache. Unfortunately for her, Jonathan noticed. He had an uncanny ability to see through her barriers-it was almost as if they were bonded in some way. (Hint, hint. Don't really hear much about that until very close to the end of the story.) The Prince looked her in the eyes, touching her temples, and a beam of sapphire shot through her forehead. Ileana hadn't known before that he had healing powers-they certainly weren't as strong as hers, or Alanna's-but she remembered that he had done some healing at the Drell River Valley. In any case, his magic had more to do with strengthening than actual healing.

Ileana made a face, drawing her thoughts back to the situation and away from her emotions, temporarily, ignoring the quivery feeling that came when he touched her. "I appreciate it, Jon, you know I do, but would you please stop fussing? I hate being taken care of."

"Yes, well," Jonathan said, "it's one of the consequences of being universally loved." He used that light response to disguise his true thoughts. He wasn't normally fussy-Alanna had even told him that that was one of the things she liked, that he treated her as a comrade. But when something happened to Ileana, or she was in danger-well. He knew he worried about her too much, he just couldn't help it. If something happened to her…The Prince was drawn back to the present when Ileana laughed.

"Universally loved? I wish. Come on-it's getting cold out here, and we have to get ready. Court is in session tonight, and from now on, I'm Thayet." She held the door for him, and they went inside, both of them deep in thought.

The two of them were intercepted walking by the stables by the King and Queen themselves, along with an unfamiliar woman. Ileana, dressed as Thayet, dropped immediately into a deep curtsy. Jon halted in surprise. "Mother. Father. I did not expect to find you here. We were just seeing Alan off." (Note to readers-it is highly improbable that the royals would be here in this particular situation in real Tortall, but hey, it's a story! And this is one of the two parts where the playing with time thing comes in.)

"Jonathan," Queen Lianne smiled. "Princess Thayet. May I introduce you to our new horsemistress? This is the K'miri woman Onua Chamtong."

Ileana's eyes widened, and Jonathan sent her a mental question. She shook her head. "Delighted to meet you, Mistress Chamtong," she said.

"Onua, Highness," the new horsemistress said. She looked much the same as she had been described in the books (sorry, can't remember at the moment), except for the fact that there was a bruise on her cheekbone and had a fading black eye. Ileana remembered the tales of abuse by her husband.

"We cannot stay," King Roald said. "We were just seeing the lady off. She is making a trip to Galla to find some horses for the King's Own." (Sound familiar? Playing with time, remember.)

Jonathan nodded. "Pleased to meet you, Onua," and Ileana curtsied again. The two parties went their separate ways, and Ileana pondered the new event, Jonathan remaining silent. Does this mean that Daine is coming soon? If so, then where is Numair?

The night at Court went fairly normally, which is to say it was thoroughly boring. Delia was delighted to find Alanna gone and went about flirting with Jon with unusual intensity. He looks like a mouse cornered by a cat, Ileana thought with some amusement, with his back against the wall. She decided to go rescue him. Gathering her pale purple skirts about her, the Grand Mage went to the aid of the Heir to the Throne. She was in an amethyst ensemble, and the silver embroidery on her gown swished as she walked.

Jonathan saw her coming and gave a sigh of relief. "If you'll excuse me, Lady Delia," he said politely. She pouted, and the Prince shoved past her to bow to Ileana and lead her onto the dance floor.

"Thanks," he said, with a grateful look.

"Don't thank me," Ileana laughed, "you looked like you could use a hand. Anyway, you're getting me away from them." She pointed to a group of adolescents, who were staring at her wistfully as she whirled by. Jonathan snickered, choosing to ignore the fact that he had the same reaction, just hidden.

He walked her back to her room, and she invited him in for a late-night cup of tea. Ileana's rooms as Thayet were quite spacious, in the near end of the royal wing . Jonathan accepted her offer readily. As she set the teapot down, she swayed, the room starting to spin. The Prince grabbed her shoulders to keep her on her feet.

"What's wrong?" he asked sharply.

Ileana pushed him away, realizing what was happening. She reached for her Gift and poured almost all of it into the strongest shield that she could She wasn't a minute too soon-the red lances that she had seen before returned with full force. Ileana thanked the Goddess that she had figured out what was coming-a second time unprepared, she probably would have died. The Grand Mage wove another layer of violet fire and put it on top of her initial shield, crushing the red between two sheets of her Gift. Pressing down, her magic bore down on Uusoae's and the red vanished in a blinding flare of violet light that knocked both Ileana and Jonathan off their feet.

"Gods," he said shakily, picking himself up off the ground. "Are you all right?"

"Fine," Ileana said, trying and failing to sit up. "Well, a bit drained."

"And no wonder, as much power as you used on those shields," Jonathan replied. He pulled her up and helped her into her bedroom, making a conscious effort not to be overbearing, which paid off. "You need to get some sleep."

Ileana nodded, using her ring both to replenish her magic and set wards around her room. "See you in the morning, then." After he left, she sank into her bed, glad to lie down, rest, and just be alive.

But her night wasn't over yet.

"Ileana," the Goddess said. "Wake, my daughter."

She sat up. Moonlight was pouring through her window-it was the middle of the night, long after Jon had left-and the Mother was standing at the foot of the bed.

"Goddess," she whispered.

"I have another task for you. But know that you have averted Uusoae's attacks quite well, and that was the last for the time being."

That's a relief, Ileana thought. "What do you ask of me?"

"There is a man, in the Lower City," the Goddess replied, "one who will be the next of your order. You know him, or know of him, yet you have not met yet. He needs your help."

"Then I will go to him." The Mother nodded, and reaching out her hand, She sent Ileana into a sea of emerald light.

Ileana was in one of the slums of Corus, in a dark alley besides a tavern. She had no idea where she was, but it was in one of the more unsavory quarters. After a moment of thought, she put on the illusion of Gerry. No one knew her as the knight here, and a beautiful young woman walking around in this part of town in the middle of the night would bring some unwanted difficulties.

Propelled by some unnamed force, Ileana walked around the building and approached the door of the tavern. Light, raucous laughter, and the smell of beer poured out. She made a face, which was echoed by the yowl of disgust that came from behind her. Ileana turned, surprised.

"Faithful! What are you doing here?" she asked the black cat trotting out from the darkness of the alley, violet eyes glittering. He jumped onto her shoulder, settling himself.

The Mother thought you could use a bit of help, he informed her.

Ileana laughed. "I probably could. Well, let's find our mystery man and get this over with."

How do you know who he is?

"I don't. I think I'll know when I see him." The cat rolled his eyes, and Ileana grinned. Turning towards the door, she made to enter the tavern. But that was not to be.

About to climb the stairs by the door, Ileana jumped back suddenly. A man was hurled down the stairs from within. Remaining in the background, Ileana saw that the man was near death-severely beaten, and clearly almost starved. He tried to get up, and fell back. She repressed the urge to go heal him immediately, and knew somehow that this was who she was looking for.

A huge, mean-looking man, obviously the tavern-keeper and presumably the one that had thrown the mystery man out, brandished his fist at the man lying on the ground.

"That teaches you to come steal my bread, sir mage," he sneered. "You charlatan! You good-for-nothing beggar!" He slammed the door behind him as he reentered the tavern, and the light, noise, and beer faded. Ileana stepped forward, approaching the stranger, who flinched away from her.

"No-it's all right. I'm here to help you-the Goddess sent me." He looked up at her and stared disbelievingly, and Ileana saw his face for the first time. She had the odd feeling that she knew him-or knew of him-from somewhere, but he was all covered with grime, so she couldn't really tell. "Come with me."

He tried and failed to get up, and fell back again. "Here," Ileana said, and took his hand. She would take him to her pseudo-Earth-it was the one place where she was sure of not being interrupted, except by the members of the Order. Normally she wouldn't have trusted the stranger, but if he was going to be the next of her Order, he would have to learn about Earth, and Ileana herself, eventually. "Cimodanbarzulmortel!"

The world faded out and began to spin, and cleared again. They were now in what used to be Ileana's living room, with dull peace carpet and flowery furniture. Ileana looked at the pictures of her grandparents when they were young with a pang. The man she had rescued gaped. "Who are you?" he rasped.

"Ileana. The Grand Mage," she replied, and the stranger's eyes widened. "Hold still, now." The man had only minor injuries, and she was able to heal them with no trouble, even removing the dirt from his face to better see his features. He stood up, and it was Ileana's turn to gasp.

The stranger was tall, even taller than Ileana, who dwarfed almost all of the courtiers. He was long and lean, with long, thick black hair and huge hands, and moved like an overgrown cat. His eyes were black and set underneath black brows, and they were kind. Ileana probed with her magic, feeling him do the same, already knowing what she would find. There was a huge reservoir of black-colored Gift, that sparkled like the starry sky. "Arram Draper," she said, "who fled from Carthak and Emperor Ozorne. Or should I say Numair?"

Numair's eyes widened. "How do you know who-no, wait. If you're the Lady of the Ring, and the stories are true, then you have books-books that tell of Tortall and its inhabitants. Isn't that right, Grand Mage?"

"Ileana," she replied automatically. She had to go through this routine with every member of her Order-except Anjeyla that is. Ileana half-smiled, knowing that the day Anjeyla called her by her title was the day that the sun would rise in the west. She brought her thoughts back to the present. "Yes, that's right."

"But why rescue me?"

"Because I want you to be the next member of my order."

Instead of being stunned as Ileana had expected, Numair nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, that makes sense." He thought a moment, and seemed to come to a certain decision. He bowed. "I would be honored. But-ah-what am I to do for the time being? Ozorne still hunts me."

"I will take you to a friend of mine at the Palace, and he will give you a job as a Court mage. He will decide when the time is right to introduce you to the King and Queen, or I will. I have considerable influence at Court as Thayet, and we can always say that you came from Sarain. Until then, you can lie low with that friend I've been talking about. And as for Ozorne," she added as Numair opened his mouth, "I do not think that he will look to you so close to the Tortallan sense of power. I could set protections on you if you wish, but doing them yourself would serve the same purpose, and I suspect you already have." Numair looked a trifle confused, and no wonder.

Things tend to move a bit fast when Her Highness the Grand Mage sticks her nose in, Faithful said smugly, and Ileana glared.

"He talks?" Numair asked.

No, I don't, Faithful said sarcastically.

"Hush, both of you," Ileana said, and reached for Jonathan mind-to-mind. It was approximately four in the morning, but she chose to ignore that little detail.

Jon, are you awake? she asked silently, knowing he would recognize her mind-voice.

I am now, he said after a few seconds. Is everything all right? Where are you?

Earth. The Goddess sent me to the Lower City about half an hour ago, saying that I needed to rescue the next member of our Order. I did, and his name is Numair Salmalin. He's very powerful, and I brought him here to heal his wounds. He fled from Emperor Ozorne of Carthak, and accepted my offer to become a member of our Order. I said either you or I could get him a position at Court, but that he should lie low for the time being. Would it be all right if he stayed with you for a couple of days? If you don't mind, I'll bring him now, or we can spend the night here.

No, it's all right, Jonathan said after a moment. I'll be glad to help.

Thank you very much, Ileana said, and broke contact.

"Well, it's all settled," Ileana said to Numair and Faithful. "Numair, I just talked to Jonathan, and he said you're welcome to stay with him until we get you settled."

"Prince Jonathan?" Numair asked, startled.

"Yes," Ileana said. He didn't get a chance to say anything more, because with a swirl of violet light, Ileana took them to Tortall.

Longest chapter yet! Hope you like it. REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!