"Alanna, I have to tell you something. It's important."
"Not now, Gary. I'm busy." She wanted to talk to George, and Gary was in her way.
"Raoul is dead," Gary said quietly.
Alanna dropped the goblet she was holding in surprise. "How?" Her voice was filled in pain. The big knight was one of her best friends.
Gary hesitated. "It was Jon."
"Jon? No, there's some mistake. He'd never kill Raoul. Never. You've made a mistake!" Pleading filled her eyes, replacing the pain of losing Raoul. Remembering something, she clapped her hand to her mouth in horror.
"I'm sorry, Alanna. He's insane, and must be stopped before someone else dies. Raoul has been killed, and we must... where are you going?"
"Thayet's with him," she called back. "I have to warn her."
"Jon?" Thayet was worried about her husband. He was away from home so often, not even she had seen him for over a month. He turned to face her and Roald. "Jon? Jon, what are you doing? Put it down! Please!" Her voice grew more and more frenzied.
He fingered the blade lovingly. "This is the best part. Fear."
The door burst open. "Jon, don't do this. Please, I'll help you through it, if you let me."
"You, my lady knight?" he scoffed. "You?"
"Don't kill them," she begged.
"Got another alternative, have you?" Jonathan sneered.
Her purple eyes met his, determinedly. "Yes. I'll give up myself. But you have to promise first, to let Thayet and Roald go. Alive. Do you promise?"
"A sacrifice? How sweet," he mocked. "I promise."
Alanna shut her eyes on the world as the dagger entered her skin. Gasping, she fell to the floor, bleeding heavily.
"Don't forget your promise, Jon. I love you," she breathed as the flow poured her life away.
Suddenly Jon stopped, and shook his head. He felt... sad. Upset. Lonely. Staring at the beautiful form on the floor, he bent to kiss the limp hand.
"I love you," he whispered back. Thayet's hand rested on his shoulder, trembling. Smiling, he grabbed it, and pulled the blood-stained dagger out of the Lioness.
As he wiped the blade clean on the last, motionless body on the floor, he surveyed the scene. There was one thing his fiery Lioness had forgotten. Once the taste of killing enters you, nothing else will do.