A/N: Man, I'm so pleased with myself! I actually got most of this written the afternoon after I posted the last chapter! How good?! And I've already started chapter 4 so don't you lot worry! Ok, I know there are a million and one things I wanted to say but I can't remember them all. There are just three main things and then I'll shut up:

1) I've just read the excerpts from Trickster's Choice (yes, I'm behind times!) and so I only now know exactly how Alianne looks so I'm sorry that she looks different in my fic, but I won't be changing it. Also, from the excerpts I found out that my ages are all a year out. But I'm not changing that either.

2) I'm trying to cut down my chapters slightly from now on to about 6000 words (instead of about 10,000!) so they're not so drawn out and to make them more interesting. I was just 132 words over this chapter! Lol

3) Thank you so so so much for all the wonderful reviews. They mean so much to me and are what keep me going when I get stuck! I'm also really enjoying writing this fic and I think that's partly because of the wonderful feedback I'm getting!

Ok, there you go.

Dedication: To Kerm, once again, for putting up with my insistent questions and for the title chapter. Love ya, sugah!

Stolen Lives

Part One: Look For The Dark

Chapter Three: Beginnings and Endings

Suffocation. That was running wild through her mind at that moment. She was going to suffocate. And with a forced smile on her face, too.

The very air itself was suffering from asphyxia. The summer evening breeze had no chance of surviving in here. Shut in this room, the gardens outside seemed like a different dimension. A different dimension where one could actually breathe.

But she, the Tiger, was shut in here and could only peer through the windows to that desirable other place. But a tiger she was, and tigers were survivors. She would not suffocate, she would breathe and rise above her fears.

Alianne turned away from the window and studied the ballroom in front of her. Everyone had turned out to see Prince Dartonian Rexam and the ballroom was crowded. It was stifling hot even though all the tall windows remained open and the doors thrown wide. The air was thick with the rich music, heavy chatter and inane tittering coming from every corner of the room. Courtiers gathered in groups, men led their partners onto the dance floor and the Royal family alternated between mixing with their people and sitting unapproachably on their thrones.

Aly saw a couple vacate a window box, not taking their eyes or their hands off of each other. She darted for the seat, catching it before another couple were so lucky. With a sigh of relief, she sank back against the window frame, leaning slightly out of the ground-floor window. It was cooler here; but more importantly it was less populated- Alianne, the Shang Tiger, had an uncontrollable fear of tight, confined spaces.

She touched a finger delicately to the bruise on her left cheekbone- it was throbbing slightly. With a grim smile, Aly cast her mind back to where the bruise had originated from: her run-in with those city rats last night.

They had been worse fighters than she had expected. She easily defeated them and would have been out of there without a mark if she hadn't let one of them get too close. She glared at the wall in remembrance and annoyance.

'Get her!' the leader of the motley group had yelled, in typical blood-curdling fashion. The men had howled like wolves and jumped towards their prey. Their noise did nothing to unnerve Aly- it was as much as she had predicted. She was ready and waiting for them.

The first man held a crude dagger and lunged for Alianne. Yet before he could make contact, she had twisted her body and kicked his wrist at an odd angle. He yelled out in pain and dropped the dagger, clutching his wrist.

Pivoting round, Aly caught the second man's punch, returning it with twice as much power into his jaw. He reeled, seeing stars. She ducked and swept his feet out from under him, not reacting in the slightest as his head cracked on the hard cobbled street.

In a half-crouch, she hit the next man between the legs; he yelped and discarded his own attack. Straightening up, she pulled out her new dagger and rapped the hilt against the next man's head. It was just her and their excuse for a leader now. He stood off in the darkness, but made no movement to run.

Sensing the first man had temporarily forgotten the pain in his wrist and was preparing to attack her from behind, she whipped around, throwing her dagger with perfect accuracy. It thudded into his heart; she didn't watch him slowly collapse but spun to confront the leader.

Only to be met with the third man. He was aiming for her face with an ugly fist. She ducked to the side, but not quickly enough: his punch still caught the edge of her cheek with some force. With a growl, she hit him hard in the stomach, then across the face and finally finished him off with a kick. Breathing heavier now, Aly turned to be met with only darkness. He had run. Their leader had watched them all be beaten by a girl and ran at the last moment. She could still just about make out his footsteps.

Aly grunted and gingerly touched her cheek. She would not be going after the sewer rat. Sighing, she recovered her new dagger and wiped the blood off onto the dead man's leg. She had always believed her Pa had great taste in daggers, and now she saw- with proof-  that belief was still true.

'What are you doing sitting over here by yourself, Aly? I thought you quite enjoyed balls.' Alanna's voice startled her daughter. She jumped, nearly springing from her seat. 'And where did you get that bruise from?'

Alianne looked up at her mother, to find the older woman smiling good-humouredly. Aly pulled a face. 'I was careless enough to let some sewer rat come too close to me last night,' she replied as the Lioness sat down next to her. 'And yes, I do quite enjoy a dance but there are far too many people here for my comfort tonight.'

Alanna reached a hand out to her daughter's face but Aly pulled away.

'Ma, what do you want to go and do that for? It's only a little bruise.'

'But none of the gorgeous men will want to dance with you if you have a massive bruise on your face, sweet,' replied Alanna with an evil glint in her eye.

'Maybe I don't mind that,' Aly muttered, letting her mother touch cool fingers to her cheek anyway. A purple softness pushed the bruise away, but it took Aly a few moments to realise her mother was also calming her tense body. 'Ma!' she hissed.

Alanna shrugged. 'Sorry, just trying to make you relax.' Her daughter eyed her grumpily, and Alanna glared back at her. But Alianne was determined not to ruin her new beginning in life and apologised. Alanna grunted in reply, not quite sure why her daughter wasn't arguing back like her usual self.

Aly looked away from Alanna, gazing instead over the dancing couples. In the centre of them were Kalasin and Dartonian, dancing together and both smiling.

Alanna had followed her daughter's look and commented, 'I'd watch yourself around him, Aly.'

'Why?'

'I'm not sure how much you're aware of the current political status of Tortall,' Alanna started. 'But having been in war three years ago with Scanra, both nobles and commoners are averse to any suggestions or inclinations of conflict. Relationships with the Copper Isles have always been... delicate. After the incident with Princess Josiane, the connections between our realm and the Isles just went downhill. Jonathan has managed to improve this slightly but the relationship is still rocky. Prince Dartonian brings a possible peace treaty with him.'

'As the Copper Isles is our biggest current threat, this is too gold an opportunity to miss,' interjected Raoul. Aly smiled at the large man that had joined them.

'Sit, Raoul,' commanded the Lioness. 'You're far too tall for good health.'

Raoul sat by his friend and smiled at Alianne. 'If Kalasin marries Prince Dartonian,' he continued, 'We will be saved from a nasty war. King Jon wants absolutely nothing to jeopardise this chance of peace. That means everybody has to be particularly nice to Prince Rexam, and do however he pleases.'

Alianne looked over at the Prince, still dancing with Kalasin. As a Shang warrior, she never had to involve herself too much with politics and she often forgot how intricate decisions could be when living a life at court. It amazed her to see people living this way- everyday the same as the last, every decision the same as yesterday's, every problem answered with the same solution- without blinking.

As Alianne watched, Princess Kalasin began to lead the Prince towards them, a little bounce in her step.

'Well what have we got here- a bunch of fugitives?' laughed Kalasin. She turned to the Prince, twittering all the while, but he stood stiff and unsmiling behind her. Her joke had fallen on deaf ears it seemed, and she didn't like that. She opened her mouth to speak again but Prince William of Maren- following her like a dog- jumped in.

'Princess Kalasin, would you do me the great honour of dancing with me?'

The Princess looked rather helplessly at Alianne and the two seated knights. 'Well...' she stammered, turning to Prince Dartonian and expecting him to offer as well. But Dartonian didn't even glance her way. In fact, he was staring at Alianne.

'Tiger. You do not dance?' he said rather harshly. Kalasin, seeing no help from any quarter, accepted Prince William's offer, resigning herself to having to leave the more handsome of the Princes alone with her friend.

'I dance when asked to dance, your Highness,' she replied without feeling.

He nodded and his eyes flickered to Alanna and Raoul. 'You do not get many offers, then?'

'Why do you say that, your Highness?' asked Aly, trying to keep her voice even.

'You have not danced tonight.'

Aly was surprised. He must have been watching me, she assumed and that same shiver ran down her spine again. 'You forget, your Highness, that I am a female warrior and as such, I am not liked by everyone here.'

'Understandably.' Aly tensed. There was an awkward pause. 'I request that you would dance with me, Lady Alianne.'

She knew she raised her eyebrows at his words but she couldn't help it. That was a bit of a change of heart! Despite the niggling sensation in her stomach telling her to avoid him, she smiled sweetly and said, 'How could I refuse?' Standing up, she put her hand on his offered arm and let him lead her onto the dance floor.

'Exactly. How could you, without seeming rude?' he replied acidly, putting a hand on her waist.

Aly looked at him uncomprehendingly. His whole body seemed tense and rigid and his words seemed to imply that he was unhappy, or unsatisfied. Yet a minute ago, when she had watched him dancing with Kally, he had seemed relaxed and was smiling along with the Princess. Which part was false? What side of him was an act? She would have used her Sight, but the magic seemed completely baffled by him. There was some niggling worm that said he was lying to her, but at the same time, another part of her Sight said he was truthful. She discarded her Sight for now, watching his face intently as he sped her through the dance.

He moved too fast for her liking, and too harshly. To her, a dance was like a fight- or vice versa. Both were beautiful, and needed careful footwork. You had to be relaxed and at one with your body to win either. But she was finding it increasingly difficult to enjoy this dance for what it was.

'Are you troubled by bandits and rogues?'

'Pardon, your Highness?' She had been caught unawares and didn't fully understand the question.

'Is your realm- Tortall- often troubled by bandits and rogues?'

'Umm, yes, your Highness,' replied Aly, a little unsurely- what an odd question! 'But the numbers of these outlaws have been reduced, your Highness, by the Queen's Riders- that's why they were formed. To fight outlaws, that is.'

'Hmm. That's the... army that allows females to fight, correct?'

'Yes your Highness.'

There was a pause. Then, 'We do not suffer so much from land outlaws as from outlaws on the water. Pirates,' he clarified.

Shocked- believing that pirates came from the Copper Isles- Alianne burst out, 'Pirates? You suffer from pirates?'

He looked down his nose. 'Yes. You, like many others, believe that pirates are born and bread in the Isles, do you not?' He didn't wait for an answer. 'Perhaps that is true. But we are also attacked by the rogues.'

'I- I am... sorry to hear that, your Highness. Do you have much success catching the villains?' This had to be the oddest conversation Aly had ever had on the dance floor! So much so, she was becoming more and more unsure of the most appropriate replies.

'Unfortunately, my father King Yota, does not feel the pirates are of his concern and orders attacks on only a handful each year.'

'Oh. Are... You obviously are unhappy with this, your Highness. Is there nothing you can do?'

'No,' he said with determined finality. 'There are rumours, however, of a man. Well, it is assumed he is a man- some say he is a ghost, others say he is some kind of God or Immortal.'

'How odd. And what does this man do, your Highness?' She felt like she was playing a game- like she was a marionette whose strings were being pulled in uncomfortable ways. Maybe this is how Players felt when acting a part not them, Aly pondered.

'Well they are only rumours of course, but gossip has it that he attacks against pirates- sinking their ships and taking their plunder. However, rumours abound that he also fights port towns, plundering the noble homes and freeing slaves. Booty he loots from these homes he apparently gives away to those in most dire need of it!'

'He surely seems like something from a myth, your Highness and far too silly to be a mortal man. Does he have some kind of name?'

'Yes- they call him the Black Falcon. I was wondering if you here in Tortall had heard of him also? Does he plunder your shores?'

Aly smiled. 'Not as far as I know and I'm sure I would have heard of him had he done that to Tortallans.'

Prince Dartonian gave her a scrutinising look through hawk-like eyes but said nothing. Indeed, he did not talk again while the dance finished. Afterwards, he led her to the side of the hall, inclined his head ever so slightly, and left her alone. A few minutes later, Aly saw him once more on the dance floor, this time a buxom blonde on his arm. However, he looked no more pleased about this than having the Tiger by his side.

Well that might have been interesting but I certainly didn't enjoy it, thought Alianne to herself. A delicate, manicured hand fell lightly on her arm.

'Oh, Alianne!' squealed Kalasin. 'Isn't he just wonderful?'

'Who, Kally?'

'Prince Dart, of course!'

'Prince Dart?' Aly repeated, astounded.

'Yes, he said I could call him that because Dartonian was too long and formal for someone so beautiful as me to worry about!'

'A real charmer,' murmured Aly, gazing back at the man in question.

'Oh, Aly he is! Plus he's so handsome, and strong! And did he tell you? -He's trained both as a Copper Islander Knight and as a general of their navy! Ooh, how exciting! He seems so clever, too. And in perfect health and fitness! I wanted to go hunting with him tomorrow- I suppose he likes hunting, since he's so perfect in every other aspect of his character- but silly Prince William has made me promise to spend the morning with him!' She pouted; then suddenly her face broke into a smile and her eyes glinted. 'Unless, of course, you spend the morning with Prince William for me!'

'I'm sorry Kalasin- I'm busy. But you know, a person doesn't have to like hunting to be perfect. And if hunting with Prince Dartonian is so important, why can't you go in the afternoon?'

'One does not hunt in the afternoon, Aly dear. And what good is a husband who does not enjoy pastimes such as hunting? How then, will he relieve his stress of running a realm? There are some things you will just never understand, Aly dear. I pity you.' The Princess flittered off like an over-admired butterfly.

'And there are some things you will just never understand, Kally dear. Luckily, I don't pity you.' Retiring to an empty seat and sipping a glass of wine, Aly pondered her upcoming days. They were all very busy.

When Alianne had arrived at Corus, her intention was to stay only a short while- about two weeks at the most. She had guessed that she would be required to attend some court functions and had realised her friends in the Royal family would want to spend time with her. If her family was in Corus, she had pondered staying slightly longer- now it looked like she didn't have a choice: her schedule was filling up so quickly, at this rate, she'd be in Corus for at least a month. And as she had told Kalasin, she wanted to travel.

Sighing, she looked out across the gold-gilded and highly decorated hall and her eyes caught Jasson's electric blue ones. She smiled at him.

~

She smiled at him. He smiled back. There it was again- that unnerving warmth in his chest. He wasn't supposed to be feeling that at a smile, he was sure. He held her eyes for a moment longer; eventually she blushed slightly and averted her eyes.

Jasson sighed. What was wrong with him anyway? When he had heard Alianne was coming home after eight long years, he had been understandably excited. She had been his childhood friend that had always understood him so well. But upon seeing her that first moment, she had seemed much more than just a dear friend. He had felt an undeniable impulse to hug her in front of the whole court and since he had accepted that impulse, had found a lot more impulses cropping up.

It had been an impulse yesterday to go to her rooms and an impulse to ask her to dinner. That last impulse had fallen through thanks to Thom but Jasson actually felt relief that a romantic meal had not taken place. He could not be feeling emotions for his childhood friend, especially not so quickly. It was just lust.

And lust with a solid foundation, he told his thoughts, remembering her last night in her shift and over-robe. The decent part of him- and the sensible part- had screamed to get out of there but he had just taken in the sight of her with an unforgivable thirst. Yes, she was beautiful- but the beauty she owned could easily be missed. Unlike court beauties, you had to catch her at the right moment, or else the look of disinterest spoilt her fine features and rich hair.

Gods above, I have to quench this! It made no sense to him that he suddenly felt this great desire. He assumed it was for the very reason he probably shouldn't like her: because she was unlike court ladies. As he had said to her that first evening, it was not wise for a Royal to take interest in the wrong type of women. He could probably have any of the women at court he wanted- Mithros knows, he had in the past. But maybe that was why he wanted Alianne. How many times had he had a restless, lonely night while the woman at his side slept peacefully? He couldn't take his eyes off her...

He had to stop this! He had to show himself this was just lust. He couldn't let it get the better of him.

He stood up, nearly knocking the glass of wine by his hand in his absent-mindedness.

~

Alianne looked up in surprise. Jasson was standing in front of her and she hadn't even noticed him rise from his lonely seat, she had been so preoccupied with her thoughts. She had come to a decision: tonight would be the last time she would live in the past; from now on she would not mope in memories of yesterday but look forward to the thoughts of tomorrow. She would live in the future. Tonight would be the beginning- the birth- of her new life.

Aly smiled at the Prince; he smiled back. 'Would you like to dance with me, Aly?'

She could put up a protest like she had the other night. She could, but where was the point? - Just like two nights ago, she would eventually accept him.

'Aly?'

She smiled up at him. 'Of course, Jas. Of course I'll dance with you.' She stood and let him guide her. She expected to enjoy this dance a lot more than her last one with Prince Dartonian.

However, that expectation was not fulfilled. Prince Jasson seemed nervous and even upset about something and was becoming more strained as the dance progressed. Hard as she tried, Aly could not get him to talk more than a couple of sentences at once and the conversation was so dry she soon stopped all attempts.

Retiring to the sidelines afterwards, Alianne realised with some amazement that she had enjoyed dancing with Prince Jasson little more than with Prince Dartonian. Jas stayed by her side, drinking his wine and occasionally trying to make small talk. She was wondering just how she could escape this awkwardness when her hopes dropped to the bottom of her delicate dancing slippers: Prince Dartonian was pointedly making his way towards her.

She told herself she was just being silly- why would he come to her? Especially after their unexciting dance earlier. She was just being paranoid- wanting too much to escape from all Royalty tonight. But however much she convinced herself otherwise, she couldn't escape the truth. And the truth was Prince Dartonian was now standing in front of her, bowing ever so slightly.

Blushing, Aly curtsied. What in all the realms did he want? And by the Goddess, why had Jasson tensed tenfold the moment Prince Dartonian had joined them? She didn't understand Jas tonight.

'Tiger. I would... be pleased if you would dance with me again.'

Well, that was a bit more civil than last time, she told herself as she accepted, ignoring Jasson's icy stare. However, they had not been long on the dance floor before Prince Dartonian started questioning her again.

'I've already asked you before about Shang, yet I did not find your answers satisfactory,' he commented. 'I do not see how you can all be skilled in every form of fighting, able to pick up any weapon and be perfect with it.'

She laughed. 'I think you exaggerate slightly, your Highness. Yes, we are skilled in many different types of fighting and many different weapons but we're by no means perfect withal of these. Well, maybe the top Shang warriors like the late Shang Dragon Liam Ironarm are but not me,' she corrected.

'Hmmph. You answers continue to be unsatisfactory, Tiger. Two days ago you said that the top teachers trained you. Are you taught by one teacher or a separate one for each different skill? For how long do you have to train to become Shang?'

Aly was not very happy at imparting all this knowledge to such an arrogant man, but her earlier conversation with Alanna and Raoul was at the forefront of her mind. She had to do whatever this man asked, tell him whatever he wanted to know.

'At first, you are only trained by one Shang warrior. Once you have reached a certain point in your skill, your lessons are separated even more, until you are taught by the best for each different type of fighting. Total length of training depends on each individual. For me, it was only eight years. For others, it can be much longer.'

'And how are the names decided?'

Aly frowned. This was too much! She was about to refuse him this knowledge when a hair-raising cry of pain hallowed from the other end of the hall. The musicians faltered, but continued to play as trained. However, everyone had stopped and turned to watch. Aly could feel the tense warmth of Prince Dartonian at her back.

Daine had been the one to scream the horrible 'No!!!' Now the Wild Mage was rushing across the room, apparently oblivious to all.

'Daine!' cried Numair- her betrothed- taking a step in her direction. She had already reached the window, and took a flying leap out of it. Luckily it was already open, but Alianne winced anyway- had the woman forgotten she was pregnant?

Numair was half way across the ballroom, his face desperate, when a teenager stumbled through the open door, panting and clutching his chest. Numair stopped, hesitating. The teenager- obviously a stable boy from his attire- limped as quick as he could across the room, collapsing onto his knees in front of the Royal thrones. Queen Thayet had leapt up at Daine's anguished cry; Jon sat erect and alert in his seat.

'Your Majesties,' the stable boy gasped. 'Forgive me...'

'What is it?' demanded King Jonathan. 'What's happened?'

The boy stuttered between gasps, causing Jon to frown in puzzlement. Out of the corner of his blue eye, he caught an image of the tall Numair clambering through the window Daine had disappeared through.

'An attack... your Majesties... on... on... your Maj-'

'Forget that,' ordered Jon. 'What was it?'

'An attack... your... on... the stables... forgive me... Sire... I tried to hold... them off... but... so strong... so strong... forgive me... the horses...'

Jon saw Alanna hovering just a few paces away, almost hopping from foot to foot. He looked back to the boy on his red carpet and saw the problem- blood was trickling thickly through the boy's fingers.

'Alanna!' Jon roared, standing up and realising now why she was hovering so close. She was at the boy's side immediately, catching his head as he crumpled in a pile on the floor. She helped him into a more comfortable position, sending her Gift through him. But she knew it would do no good, it was too late.

'Those red eyes...' he choked. Alanna hushed him, putting her hand on his forehead. His eyes were rolling up into the back of his head and he shook a little. Then his irregular breathing stopped, and his bloodstained hand slowly slipped from his chest.

Alanna closed the unfortunate boy's eyes, and looked up at Jon. 'Dead.'

Pandemonium broke out in the ballroom. Females squealed and clutched each other or their partners. Jon set his jaw determinedly.

'Please- stay calm!' he yelled. He followed this with orders that were immediately seen to. The Royal family and all the Royal guests were gathered together and cocooned with guards.

Aly was glad the disturbing warmth of Prince Dartonian was now missing, and let her eyes flick quickly and expertly through the crowds. Her heart was beginning to beat more and more ferociously: the courtiers were closing in around her. She took a step backwards and bumped into another group of escorted nobles. As ordered, any knights present were gathering the other guests and chaperoning them out. Aly stepped away from this group and knocked into some twittering ladies. She seemed as encased in courtiers as the Royals were in guards. Breathing rapidly, she pushed her way out of the panicked people, leaning against the wall to catch her breath and regain herself.

King Jonathan's council and advisors had gathered with him and were discussing events heatedly. All other mages were gathered a little way off in another group; Aly could easily see Thom among them. They seemed to be arguing just as much as the others.

Having successfully evaded the knights and feeling more like herself, Aly made her way towards her parents, as yet unnoticed. Standing behind her Da, he turned to her and rolled his eyes at the indecisive arguing going on. She grinned back at him, and he turned around to add his copper to the discussion.

Aly listened and frowned- absolutely nothing was being decided! They were awful! There was no course of action at all. Disgruntled, she walked across the hall to the group of mages, hoping that they would be better.

Unfortunately, they weren't. In fact, they could have been worse. Some of them were examining the stable boy's body and giving their opinions on how he had died but most of them were Scrying the area for any unusual Immortals or mages.

Alianne sighed impatiently and walked out into the gardens, pulling slightly at the bodice of her dress. How she wished it was just that bit looser! Absently, she walked down the path and came across the window Daine and Numair had jumped through. It was easily identifiable for the lovers had crushed the plants beneath it. A little frown passed over her face and a moment later, a cheeky smile replaced it.

Quickly, she walked down the path through the gardens, slipping through a door into the stable yards. Stables were managed in small sections- say, a dozen horses in each building; she entered the first one she came too.

Instantly, she knew she was in the right place. It reeked of blood and death. The dozen horses that used to treat this as their loved home lay dead among the hay. It looked as if they had all suffered from the same wound: a knife stab directly to the heart. The stable master lay lifeless too, his own blood draining from his neck to mix with that of his beloved charges.

Daine knelt on the floor amongst the blood and the gore and the death, sobbing uncontrollably. Numair looked thunderous, standing with his hands raised in front of him, muttering odd words under his breath. A cloak of power enfolded him and he seemed not to have noticed Aly.

Alianne looked around her, devastated. What did this mean? Who would have done this? And why? The usual risk was the high-bred steeds being stolen or even held to ransom; why would someone go out of their way to murder a dozen horses? What did they gain?

Her quick eyes darted over her surroundings but there were no obvious clues as to who had done this. It seemed the killer had realised the alarm had been sounded- he or she was gone and Aly could hear the horses in the neighbouring stables, obviously full of pain and grief through their connection with Daine but also clearly fully alive.

Once she had taken all this in, Aly hesitantly walked over to Daine and crouched by her side. Awkwardly, she put her arm around the pregnant Wild Mage's shoulders.

Numair sighed and came out of his trance. 'No luck. Alianne- is that you? Where did you come from?'

'I was at the ball- I saw everything. The boy is dead. All they're doing back there is talking. I came to see if there was anything that needed seeing to here.'

The great Black Robe mage flopped ungracefully onto the floor with another weary sigh. 'That's all they can do. Daine? Sweet, look at me.' She obeyed her lover and he saw the unbridled pain across her features.

'All their pain, Numair,' she choked. 'Their last thoughts and images-' Daine broke off, crumpling against his chest. He held her tight, pulling her onto his lap and muttering soothing noises; Aly moved away.

'Alianne!' cried a voice from behind. It was her mother, Alanna. From the looks of it, she had obviously just run down from the palace ballroom. 'Get away! This is a scene of crime and you're not authorised to be here! What were you thinking of coming here? Go, now!'

'I was only seeing if I could help,' she muttered as she pushed past her mother. Leaving the stables, she saw more members of Jonathan's council rushing down to the area of attention. Turning, Alianne walked in the opposite direction to the ballroom. She followed the path, scowling at the cobbles that gradually degenerated into a dirt track.

Aly loved her mother dearly, but it was just like her to behave that way when all Alianne was trying to do was help. She acted almost as if Aly was a small child misbehaving! Of all people, Alanna should understand how her daughter felt- Aly knew how the Lioness hated to feel helpless! And Aly was just trying to get accepted into the palace life, and prove her worth. She thought she had found her spot in life as the new Tiger at the celebration feast at Shang, and oh! - how she couldn't wait to come home! To really come home at last.

But she had been wrong. She hadn't yet found that niche she so desired. She was on the pathway- she felt sure of that; but she hadn't included how her friends, family and surroundings might change around her in her own thoughts of happiness.

None the less, she was determined she would not be put off by anyone's actions or words: she would reach her goal. She would find acceptance, happiness and her own spot. The spot that could only be filled by Alianne, Shang Tiger of Pirate's Swoop. And she would enjoy herself doing it.

With a little smile and a determined set to her jaw, she looked up and realised the path had led her towards the Royal forest. There was an uncomfortable chill about the air and she shivered in only her evening gown but continued walking. She glanced quickly around her: no-one was about. Sighing in relief, she undid the top lacings of her bodice, loosening the constricting material across her chest.

Standing on the outskirts of the forest, she ran a hand over the bark of a tree trunk. It was hard, and rough. That's how she felt fitting in would be: hard and rough but once you had found your slot, you would grow and prosper and learn to be something great and wonderful, living to a ripe old age amongst those of your kind.

She grinned at her philosophical thinking and stepped back onto the path. It was dark- the weak stars were half hidden by clouds and their light was of little assistance. Aly stumbled on the uneven path in her gown and slippers and caught her foot on a large tree root.

Falling, she was caught by surprise, and when she tried to land properly and roll over unhurt, she became entangled in the silk skirts of her dress. She hit the ground in a mess; her head fell against a small rock half embedded in the hard packed earth.

Before she could think or react, black nothingness came up around her, swelling and shrinking like a pulsing live-thing. Unable to fight the darkness, it lured Aly inwards, drawing her helpless self to its intoxicating peace.

~

She was running through a field. The field was full of grass that came up to her elbows. She ran and ran, and her heart was filled with swelling joy because running on either side of her were Thom, Alan, Roald, Kalasin, Liam, Lianne and Jasson. All of them were as happy as she was and were laughing and squealing with pleasure.  Laughter bubbled from her lips, bringing excitement with it.

She looked to the sky as she ran. Up there, against the blue perfectness was a little black splodge. At first, she didn't know what it was. Then, as it came into focus, she realised it was a black bird.

Suddenly she was up with the bird, soaring through the sky. The wind whistled in her ears and she dipped and rose through the cloudless air.

When she looked down, they were above the sea. It sparkled in the early sunlight and invited her to fly low above its cooling waves. She did, and drifted over the deep mysterious blue.

Suddenly there was a ship in front of her. It was dirty and weatherworn. From the looks of it, it needed much work. The grey sails were not much more than glorified tatters.

She rose above the level of the sea, floating across the decks. But next moment she was no longer a bird and was standing on the deck by the main mast. Men lay all around her. Some were injured, most gambled, but almost all were drunk. Everything on deck- men included- were filthy dirty and stinking.

Before she could think properly, she was a fish in the sea. She looked up at the ship and saw a black bird flying around the main topgallant and foretopgallant sails. It drifted down to land on the shoulder of a black-haired, black-bearded man standing by the bulwark of the fo'c's'le. The man, his wooden right leg at a crooked angle and an eye patch over his left eye, ran a finger down the bird's back.

She looked over the hull of the ship. There, down by the stern was a name written in peeling blood-red letters: the Black Falcon.

~