Chapter Twenty Six; Confusion.

Now before I start the chapter, this is the part where I explain why it's taken me so long to update, and where this fic is going to go. Firstly, when I wrote in the note at the top of last chapter I intend to update before the new year, I meant any fic, not specifically this one, and seem to have confused some people by that.

Secondly, I've tried several ways of writing this chapter and the events that follow and I am, quite frankly, stumped. There is only one way I can see of staying true to the characters, the direction this fic has taken and where I want it to go, and I'm afraid it's not going to please everyone. Don't worry- I don't intend to kill Alanna again, fake or for real!

But in any case, on with the chapter…


Alanna looked up from where she stood in one of the back streets of Corus. The sign of the Dancing Dove hung above her head, swinging lightly in the evening air. Her eyes lingered on the purple ribbon intertwined with the branch in the Dove's claws. Another honour she wasn't worthy of. Ducking her head, she turned and walked down the side alley to the training yard and the stables, hearing Moonlight's slow steps behind her.

Her horse went into the stall gladly, tugging at the hay net. Moonlight was used to travelling at odd hours, having been ridden at night almost as much as day all her life. But that didn't mean she didn't need her rest, Alanna reflected, deciding to spend a little more time grooming the long suffering mare. She lost herself in the regular movements, finding a degree of peace in not having to think about what she was doing at that moment, instead wondering what was to become. All her life she'd had one plan or another for her future. As a child; to become a Knight, to gain glory through great deeds. When that chance had been ripped away, she was determined to show her family that she could still make a difference, and in a way they'd never expect, through her life as Princess of the Rogue, determined to prevent injustices being done to the common people by the nobles. When she had left that path, she had become focussed on becoming Shang. Now all three futures were converging and she had no clue how to deal with them, and what the future might bring for her now. She was fairly certain that she would be rejected from the Shang Order, now the truth about her Gift was known. She had a place in the Dove again, and a place at Jon's side. Which should she choose?

Moonlight nickered, sensing her mistress was deep in thought, and craned her neck around to lip the girl's hair, bringing her out of the deep thoughts she was absorbed in. Alanna laughed, hugging Moonlight around the neck before emerging from the stables. . She cursed aloud, pulling the hood of her cloak back up when she realised it had started to rain while she was grooming Moonlight, and now it was pouring down.

She entered the inn through the kitchen door, smiling at the servers and dodging trays whipping over her head. She grabbed a warm roll from a basket and winked at the cook who shook his head at her in mock rebuke. She slipped past Solom with a quick greeting. Seeing George was occupied with some of the newer Rogues, those she didn't recognise, she didn't approach him, but instead moved to sit on a stool close by, but in the shadows cast by the stairs so she didn't interrupt. She ate the roll there, wishing she'd grabbed a mug of water too, observing the crowd as she ate.

For years these people had been her world, her friends and family. She had discussed private matters with prostitutes and flower sellers as easily as with Rispah as the older girls had readied themselves for work. She had stood by as thieves divided their hordes, taking the amount due to George as the King of the Rogue. As she grew older, she stepped into solve problems and had often stepped in to help serve food on a particularly busy night, or if a maid failed to show up.

But now there was a discernable distance between herself and them. She still loved George, Eleni, Rispah and Solom as much as ever, but now she knew that there was so much more for her to do than to simply stay in Corus.

A knife blade stroked her throat and she cursed herself under her breath. She had allowed herself to become distracted, because she had assumed that this place would be secure. The knife moved slightly and she tensed, waiting for an opportunity to knock the knife away from her. Then a familiar face came in front of her, the figure's outstretched arm holding the blade closer than she would have liked. It was Orem, one of the best knifemen she knew, and faithful to George through and through. She smiled, relaxing somewhat, hoping that his loyalties hadn't changed while she had been away

"Let me go Orem. It's me."

He peered closer at her face, still wary though, and then grabbed her shoulder, pulling her out into the lamp light.

"Lanna!" He cried, pulling his dagger away swiftly and sheathing it at his side. "I thought…"

"I know what you thought." She said wryly, rubbing her throat. "And that'll teach me to skulk in shadows while I'm distracted."

He chuckled uneasily

"Are you wanting to see George?" He asked.

"If at all possible." Alanna replied, looking over at the table where the Rogue sat, still dealing with some other men. "What's going on?"

"One of the new thieves has been trying to hold back George's share of the haul." He explained, more comfortable now they were back on everyday topics.

"Has he taken an ear yet?" She asked

"Not yet." Orem let out a bark of laughter. "But it's getting close."

Alanna took a closer look at the men George spoke with, noting their appearance and weapons. Refusing to give the Thief King his due was one of the first signs of rebellion. As the one she assumed was the ringleader, a young blond man, spoke up once more, she smiled knowingly. This wouldn't be a problem for George, she was sure, they'd dealt with the likes of him before. He'd probably come back from a big raid with a large haul and after having one too many celebratory drinks decided he was above the rules. Previously she would have stepped in, putting a little more pressure on the group who were already looking nervous. But now, that was no longer her place, she thought, sighing lightly. This would still take some time though, George was known for dealing with problems thoroughly and as soon as they occurred, rather than leave them for morning.

"I'm going upstairs." She said softly to Orem "When George is finished, will you tell him I need to speak with him tonight?"

The large man nodded, watching as she mounted the narrow stairway before moving back to his accustomed position behind George's chair.

It was about an hour later when George finished and followed Alanna to her room. He paused outside the door, unsure of what to do, previously he would have simply walked in, but now he was no longer sure of his place in her life. He decided to compromise and knocked lightly before opening the door. He found Alanna sitting in a chair by the window, feet propped on the sill, reading a book with an expression of distaste clearly stamped on her features.

"What's that?" he enquired, nodding to the book,

"Some light bedtime reading on etiquette. It was on my bed when I came in, a gift from Eleni I shouldn't wonder." She smiled grimly, holding it up so he could see the cover, decorated with nearly illegible cursive script and a drawing of a young lady, chin precisely level with the floor, hands demurely placed just so.

George chuckled at her expression, leaning against the table.

"Aye. She came up here earlier this afternoon. She mentioned that you were to go to her home before the ball and she'll help you get ready, or if they want you to get ready at the palace, she'd be willing to go along with you."

Alanna grinned in relief

"It'll be good to have her there. Speaking of, if you want to be there, Jon said he could get you in as one of the Palace Guard. Apparently they've recently taken in new recruits, so you can pretend to be one of them." She sent him a beseeching look. "Please come."

"Of course I'll come, darlin' girl. I wouldn't miss it for the world." He reassured her. "But first, tell me what I can expect tomorrow."

Alanna sighed.

"To tell you the truth, I'm not entirely sure myself. I just have to be there and follow instructions. Jon warned me that the man in charge has a rather… dramatic side though." She groaned. "I'm fairly sure that's not a good thing."

"I'm sure it'll be fine. No one ever managed to make you do something you didn't want to after all, I see no reason for you to start letting them do so now." He dropped a kiss on her forehead and walked quietly out of her room, closing the door behind him.

After George had left, Alanna remained in the chair a little longer, turning his words over in her mind. It was true, she'd always fought against orders she didn't agree with, but that was when her actions hardly affected anyone other than herself. Now she had to worry about what the Shang thought, George's opinion still mattered to her as much as it ever had, and also what effect her actions would have on Jon. Letting out a long sigh, she shed her clothes, changing into a simple night shirt. Her insides churning with anxiety, she tried to sleep, wondering all the time if she was making the right choice.


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HuntressDiana