Miss Moony would like to dedicate this chapter to Tipry for being the first reviewer.
Miss Moony would also like to thank sabriellyn, Matilda Suzanne, On top of cloud 9, Lady-Seraya, balinnka, Clair-a-net, Starlight Chibi-chank, ravenmorrigan, miadragonlover, stinki, Maraudess, BlackWidow12, Klehmenteen, epobbp and Crystalbalde Warrior for reviewing.
------- I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good -------
Chapter 27
The announcement caused – as expected – a few moments of stunned silence, and then several loud objections – mainly from Alex.
'I'm not going to change my mind,' Alanna said eventually, after Alex and Linnet had finally quietened. 'I've already decided, and I should be able to manage if I choose to use our Gifts.'
Alex stood abruptly, and, seizing Alanna's wrist, dragged her bodily from the infirmary – though, to be honest, she didn't put up all that much of a fight about it. 'Duke Roger is one of the most powerful mages in the world – strong enough, if your theory's right, to send the sweating sickness, all the way from Carthak. How, exactly, do you plan to face him with your Gift?'
'You're calling me insane, aren't you?' Alanna said, her voice tight as she pointedly avoided the question.
'Well, you're certainly behaving like a madwoman.'
Alanna's mouth formed a stubborn line, and her eyes flashed. 'This conversation is over, Alexander,' she said sharply, and stormed away before she could see the hurt expression on his face.
-------
'I heard about this half-baked plan of yours, lass. You feel like letting me in on the details?'
'George,' Alanna deadpanned, seeing the thief lounging against her doorframe. Linnet hovered behind him, fidgeting anxiously, which solved the mystery of how he'd managed to get passed the locked door – though, of course, George rarely needed to be let in.
He grinned. 'That's me.'
Alanna propped herself up on the bed, sighing. 'Stefan told you, I presume,' she said.
'Alex, actually.' George's response came shortly. 'He seemed quite down – any idea why that is, lass?'
She narrowed her eyes, preparing herself to snap, but, at the last moment, managed to check her tongue. 'We fought,' she told him, 'over my wanting to duel his Grace myself.'
George nodded sagely to himself, and Alanna got the impression that he'd already known exactly why Alex was out-of-sorts. But it was his own fault, she told herself, feeling unjustifiably guilty.
A long silence stretched out between the two, and Linnet mumbled a quick apology before excusing herself, so that she could return to the infirmary. Alanna flopped backwards onto the bed again, and George sauntered inside uninvited, and perched himself on the windowsill.
'He – Duke Roger, that is. He may have power, but he doesn't have Thom. If I borrow Thom's Gift, and add it to my own, I'll have more power than he does.'
George looked over and regarded her carefully. 'I've got some spell books that're worth a pretty penny, they're so rare. You could borrow them for a while, if you like.'
Alanna closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, and then getting to her feet and hugging him tightly. 'Thank you,' she managed to say, before she began to cry.
