Sorry it took so long to update. The cause is a major research paper and a case of writer's block.

Mackinoerin-Thank you very much.

SurfAngel-Wow, I'm flattered. TP would probably sue, though.

Xenya-I am, I am!

Wildmage-Those issues will be addressed either in the epilogue or in a sequel.

Shinigami Clara-Ookay. Numair is one of my favorite characters also, though not the favorite. I like Alanna more. Though if you get right down to it, Polgara from the David Eddings books might be the winner.

The Grand Mage

By dragonlady

Chapter Twenty-six-Disturbing Qualities

The light dissipated, and Ileana, Faithful, and Numair were back in Ileana's rooms in the royal wing.

"Follow me," Ileana said, and the two of them following, she led the way to Jonathan's rooms, less than a minute away from her own. Looking around even though no one was up, she knocked softly on the door. It opened immediately, and Jonathan, fully dressed, ushered them in before closing the door.

"Master Salmalin, I presume," the Prince said.

Numair bowed. "Your Highness."

"What I think we'll do," Jonathan said, skipping the formalities, "is not make a big fuss over your arrival. You can just say you left Sarain after hearing that Princess Thayet was here. That's not a very noticeable story-people have actually done that-and it gives you an excuse to be seen with her. You can stay here for what's left of tonight, and we'll find you some quarters tomorrow." He looked at Ileana. "What do you think?"

"It sounds fine to me," she replied. Numair thanked them both, and went into the next room to the bed Jonathan had readied. It's a good idea, Jon, Ileana mindspoke. He needs a fresh outlook of Tortall, one besides the one he acquired in the slums.

The slums? He frowned. I hope you didn't go there as yourself, he said, and sighed in relief when she shook her head. (I love this next line. It's Mercedes Lackey's.) Anyway, Ileana, he said as she covered a yawn, you're the one who looks like she needs a fresh outlook. The outlook you have from your bed.

Ileana grinned, yawning again. You may be right, she said, and walked toward the door. She stopped with her hand on the knob. And quit being overprotective! I'm a big girl. With that, she left, going to get some much-needed sleep. Jonathan grinned after her, shaking his head.

The next few months after that were uneventful. Jonathan's plan for Numair worked like a charm, and the mage fit in relatively well, considering. In due time, the Goddess appeared with his ring, and he became a full-fledged member of the Order. (The last one-Myles already is-should be obvious.) Ileana herself was happy about her situation in general, except for one little problem.

The problem, actually, was Jonathan. In the weeks at Court after Alanna's departure for someplace warm, he…changed. Not drastically, but Ileana was starting to see some disturbing qualities in him. More pride, for one thing, and more restlessness. Ileana ordinarily would have been one of the first to say that a little pride was healthy, but the Prince looked to be developing a little too much. He was acting like he was more conscious of his title, and was starting to sound condescending at times. Ileana didn't like any of this, but she kept her mouth shut, at least around Jonathan himself. She discussed the subject with Faithful on one dreary day.

Every so often the Goddess would send Faithful to check on her, and the remainder of his time was spent with Alanna, who was kept from noticing when the cat was gone.

What's bothering you now? Faithful asked. They were in one of the indoor practice courts, because there were servants in Ileana's rooms.

Ileana glared. "There's not always something bothering me."

Well, there is this time. Your wonderfully courteous reply says that much. Now, are you going to

tell me, or would you rather me drag it out of you? I have to get back to the Great Southern Desert sometime, you know, the cat said.

"All right, it's Jonathan! He's been acting…different…lately, and it's very disturbing."

Different how?

"He's acting-well, he's acting like a prig, if you really want to know," Ileana replied. "He's acting self-centered and full of himself, and he's making a big deal out of his title, which I have never known him to do before. Not outright, but it is there. He's also getting…well, I suppose you could say restless. He calls it 'a trap he was born into.' He's thinking selfishly. He doesn't like doing what the courtiers want him to."

Well, Faithful said after a moment, who does? Not you, certainly.

"I know, and that's perfectly reasonable, but it's the way he's doing it! He's saying and doing things he wouldn't normally do just to get back at them, and that's the wrong thing to do. I-" She would have said more if the cat hadn't interrupted.

You're right. However, it seems that there isn't anything you can do about it, except to 'weather the storm', so to speak. In those books of yours, it should tell you what happens, anyway.

"It does," Ileana said after a moment. "It gets better, after a while. After we go to the desert, which we should in a month or two. I'm just whining, I suppose. I wish I could do something about it."

That's Alanna's job, in a sense, the cat replied reasonably. And if that's all you need to say, I should be going. Not waiting for an answer, Faithful abruptly disappeared. Ileana rolled her eyes, but smiled, mood much improved.

On the way back to her rooms from the practice courts, Ileana ran into Jonathan himself. Deep in thought, she didn't even notice he was there until he tapped her on the shoulder. He was surprised at her lack of attention-he couldn't remember the last time she hadn't noticed his, or anyone's for that matter, presence. "Come back, Ileana," he said lightly.

Ileana started, avoiding his eyes. "Oh. Sorry, but I have something to do. See you later." With that, she hurried off, and Jonathan stared after her.

The next couple of weeks after that went smoothly, at least on the surface of things. Ileana had decided to just let the problem lie, and to some extent avoided Jonathan. He noticed, and wondered why, but he never got a chance to ask her about it. She realized that the best thing to do was let affairs take their natural course, but took some satisfaction at realizing that Alanna would knock some sense into her Prince soon. It had been a long time since she had gotten so close to letting her emotions get the better of her, but Grand Mage or not, Ileana was only

human, after all.

Two weeks after that, Coram arrived from the Bloody Hawk bearing a letter from Ali Mukhtab and the scrolls containing the history of the Bazhir. Ileana knew that the letter was the Voice of the Tribes asking Jonathan to be his successor. The Prince was deep in thought for a few days after reading the letter and the scrolls. Several times he grew close to discussing the subject with Ileana, but always changed the subject. Ileana borrowed the history when he was done, and found it intriguing. After thirteen years in Tortall, she was still eager to learn anything about her "new" world that she might have missed. It was then that Jonathan began to make noises about visiting Alanna, and though he didn't mention it, the Voice of the Tribes. Wanting to see Alanna, Ileana volunteered to accompany him, as did Myles.

The ride up might have been interesting for some, but it was undoubtedly close to torture for poor Ileana. Jonathan spent the entire trip brooding over Alanna and discussing why a Prince marries. Ileana was forced to listen, having nowhere else to go. She sympathized with Jon, but it was horrible to listen to him, someone she liked as considerably more than a friend, (Ugh. I personally hate that phrase. Friendship, I think, is just as valuable. Without my friends, I'd be nothing.) obsess over Alanna, her best friend. She was on the edge of losing her patience by the time they neared the Bazhir camp. Ileana didn't lose her temper often, but she was close to doing so now. Myles gave her a sympathetic look, his powers of observation showing him a great deal, but Ileana didn't notice. Jonathan started talking for the umpteenth time about what his parents would say about the hopeful betrothal, and Ileana was close to strangling him.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, alerted by the look on her face.

Ileana was tempted to take the Prince by the shoulders, shake him for a while, and punch him in the face. One week. One whole week of enduring the worst torture short of that given by Uusoae, and now he asks if something's bothering me? "No," she said, teeth clenched, not caring that he knew she was lying, "Everything's just jolly."

She was saved from having to take drastic measures by their arrival at the home of the Bloody Hawk. Ileana forgot her mood for a moment, taking in the sights. There was a clear path to the center of the village, surrounded by many tents. From what she could see of the insides, some were luxurious, with hangings and plush rugs. Further observation was stopped by Faithful, who came running up to jump onto her shoulder.

Took you long enough to get here, he informed her. Ileana didn't reply, still getting her temper under control. She usually kept it under tight restraints, as well as her emotions, but when her anger was let loose it was as bad as or worse than Alanna's. Her eyes were drawn back to the village when a man approached. Ileana eyed him unobtrusively, and thought that the newcomer was Halef Seif. He was tall, hook-nosed and lean, and looked to be in his late thirties.

Her guess was proved right when the man came up to them, bowed to Jon, and said, "I am Halef Seif, headman of the Bloody Hawk. I welcome you to our tribe, Northern Prince."

Jonathan dismounted and nodded. "I thank you, in the name of myself and my companions. I assume Al-er, The Woman Who Rides Like a Man told you who we are?"

The headman nodded, not bothering to concede his amusement. "She and her man Coram will be here shortly. Her cat, I see, is already here." He gave Ileana and Faithful a curious glance, taking in the violet of both their eyes. "Princess Thayet, I presume?" Halef offered a hand to help her down. Ileana took it and slid gracefully to the ground. She had decided to wear breeches instead of a riding dress, a decision for which she was now grateful. Unlike Alanna, she loved dressing up, but skirts wearing skirts while riding was a hassle.

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance," Ileana said to the headman as he bowed. Myles also dismounted, and he and Halef Seif exchanged greetings. By then a number of curious Bazhir had emerged from their tents, and most of them seemed to be staring at Ileana. She viewed them with disguised amusement.

At this point, Alanna and Coram joined the group. Alanna's eyes lit up upon seeing them, especially Jonathan, and he looked similar. Ileana suppressed a pang of jealousy. Stop that! she scolded herself. Myles looked amused. Everyone reached across carefully maintained distances to shake hands, which entertained Ileana-and she suspected some of the Bazhir-to no end.

After the preliminary greetings, everyone was carted off to a feast. Ileana and Jonathan were treated like the royalty they were, and Myles was an object of great interest to some of the Bazhir children. Ileana chatted with Alanna for quite some time, and Alanna in turn with Myles. Jonathan in turn got acquainted with Ali Mukhtab, the two of them disappearing for about half an hour before returning to the rest of the crowd. The Lioness and the Prince did not speak to each other for long enough for gossip to start, but Ileana saw them eyeing each other frequently, even timidly. She shook her head, grinning, and a group of young Bazhir men eyed her appreciatively. Ileana rolled her eyes.

Some things never change, Faithful informed her smugly. Ileana chose not to reply. As Alanna was talking to Myles, Ileana spied two teenagers watching them, and her, and Jon. Alanna's apprentices-Kara and Kourrem, I think-Ishak died when he tried to use. Smiling and nodding to the Bazhir who greeted her, she made her way to them. Kara was the first to notice her, and nudging Kourrem, she curtsied deeply.

"Princess Thayet," she said, eyes widening as she saw Ileana up close for the first time.

"No need to be so formal," Ileana said, smiling. "Please, call me Thayet."

That opened the way for a large amount of questions. How long had she known the Woman Who Rides Like a Man? Was she a knight too? Did she know how to do magic? How long were they staying? Did she know how to weave? Were Alanna and the Northern Prince in love?

Ileana answered the questions patiently, the last making her laugh. She had known Alanna since they were both a little younger than the age the three were now. No, she wasn't a knight, but she did know how to fight. Yes, she did know how to do some magic, but it wasn't widely known. They were staying until Jonathan concluded his business there. She knew how to weave; she had learned in school. (In the City of the Gods they had practiced a form of thread magic, actually weaving their spells; Ileana had loved it. However, she didn't mention her time in the City to the apprentices.) The last question she evaded, saying that Alanna and Jonathan were very good friends and had known each other as long as Alanna and Ileana had. The girls weren't satisfied with her answer, but let it lie, still a little intimidated.

After the feast, Ileana made her way to a guest tent which had been prepared for her. Jonathan walked with her, since his tent was near hers in the nicer part of the village, but she noted with amusement that he sneaked off in the general direction of Alanna's tent not long after. At that point Faithful came in. Ileana raised a questioning eyebrow at him, to which he said, I spotted His Royal Highness coming and took my leave, swishing his long black tail.

Ileana laughed. "Made yourself scarce, hmm? I would have thought you'd have wanted to watch. I know I would."

Faithful snorted, a rather interesting sound coming from a cat. You have a sick mind, he informed her. Now, I for one am going to bed.

Ileana laughed again and doused the lamps with a thought, climbing into her bedroll. Soon she fell deeply asleep, wanting to be up and about with the sun.

Sorry for the wait! I would have made this chapter much longer, but it would have gotten to be too long, so I ended it here. The next one ought to be up fairly soon, but I'm not making any promises. It's finals week; fun fun fun. Review!