Well… That was a bit of a cliffhanger, eh? I'm bad. I didn't create any of Tamora Pierce's stuff, so don't sue me.
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Chapter 3: Roger Returns
Everyone stood there, stupefied, as Duke Roger stood there, smiling, showing his unbelievably white teeth.
"Hello, all," he grinned, "Anyone miss me?"
"Get him." Numair pointed at Thom. "I have to beat this nitwit in a Mage's Duel, and he called up his bloody sister to help him."
Roger's eyes widened. "Alanna? What a pleasant surprise. I shall be sure to make your death painful. Very painful."
Alanna's eyes narrowed. "Nice try, Dukie." Raising her sword, she lunged at Roger. The Duke, of course, wielded his own sword, and fought back. Alanna was obviously the superior, but Roger fought with more than just weapons. Alanna, however, was not magically weaponless. Yawning, she sent a thread of purple flame to strangle Roger where he stood.
Looking down at the dying Roger, she raised her eyebrow at him. "You never could beat me, Rog," she said, humor in her eyes. "This is the third time I've had to kill you."
"Alanna," he choked out between gasps. "One of these days…" and he died.
Alanna stood up. "Well," she said cheerfully. "Any other old enemies resurrected from the dead? Claw? Alex?"
Numair banged his fist against his leg. "Dammit! Thwarted again!"
Alanna finally seemed to notice him. "Oh, yes, the duel. Thom, give me a hand, will you?" The Trebond purple combined to coat Numair in a layer of magic, effectively stopping his movement. One arm started to twist behind his back, and Thom glared at his sister.
"Alanna" he growled, annoyed.
"Mercy," gasped Numair.
"Whoo hoo!" And the spell dissipated, dropping the poor mage to the ground, massaging his arm. Thom then commenced a victory dance around the courts, sticking his tongue out at Numair at intervals.
King Jonathan approached Alanna. "Um, Alanna, about the Dominion Jewel…"
Alanna glared at him. "Nice try, smarto."
"Can't I just have it back?" he said meekly.
Alanna grinned from ear to ear. "Nope."
~*~
Faeya had met Myranda, and wasn't exactly pleased with the result. Myranda was, strictly speaking, a brat. Very annoying, and prone to giving lectures. The conversation took an odd twist, when Myr mentioned something.
"…And then those idiotic parents of mine began their research of the Old Ones…" Myranda went on.
"Wait, wait," said Faeya. "The Old Ones?"
Myr snorted. "Yeah. I actually think they're kinda cool, but like I would ever tell that to my parents…"
"I heard there were some ruins found recently only a days ride from here." Fae said nonchalantly.
"Really?"
Fae was filled with a sneaky urge to get revenge on Myr for making her endure her long speeches. "I dare you to go up there for the night." During the course of their one-sided conversation, Fae had discovered that Myranda never, ever turned down a dare. Like some kind of absurd honor.
Myranda turned pale. "You wouldn't make me."
Fae thought for a moment. "I'll turn it into a double dare. We'll both do it."
Myranda looked positively ecstatic. "I'll do it! Tomorrow night, then?" Faeya nodded. The dare was on.
~*~
The next evening, they quietly saddled their mounts and rode the paths to the newly found ruins. They got there at dusk, and had a short meal before huddling down in a pile of rubble, shivering excitedly.
"You don't think anything will happen, do you? I don't." Myr said nervously.
"Then why are you whispering?" Fae whispered back. They were huddled in a bundle of blankets, their mounts tethered nearby.
"Oh!" Myr almost jumped. "Did you see that?"
Fae looked at her strangely. "See what?"
Myr gestured with her head. "The lights. Over there."
"You wanna see what it is?"
"You do it."
"We'll both go."
Getting leaving their blankets behind, they followed the lights. As it got brighter, they saw it was coming out of some rock, a little glowing light. They peered at it, trying to divine what it might be.
"Do you think it's magic?" whispered Faeya.
Myr snorted. "Duh."
Cautiously leaning forward, they both touched the panel at the same time. The light flashed brighter, and it seemed to pull them in, and they were surrounded by light, following down a tunnel of it that descended into… where?
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Duh duh duh…. Cliffhanger! Well, think where they are, man! I'll probably make the next chapter longer.
