Please don't sue me. I only have 3 dollars and 13 cents so I couldn't pay the bill. I don't own these stories so go away!


The day broke clear and cold in Corus. It was a crisp September day and in the few
surrounding trees, the leaves were a brilliant mix of gold and scarlet.
A girl of about 14 years of age was running back from the market.
Suddenly a man's voice was heard yelling, "Adrienne".
The girl ran all the faster until she arrived breathless on the doorstep.


"Papa I'm sorry, I had to take the long way back, there's another fight.
'Tis the Rogues again. If only Baron George of Pirate's Swoop were here.
He'd settle them." She looked up into an angry face turning redder by the moment,
realizing she had spoken the wrong words she tried to appease him to no avail.
"How many times have I told ye Adrienne? Baron George, King Jon, Queen Thayet, Buri,
Raoul, Lady Daine, Sir Alanna, Lady Knight Keladry, Sir Myles, all of them lies.
Told many centuries ago to get ladies to fight Tortall's wars. Now that Carthak has
taken over, the truth was revealed by the mage Numair Salmalín." Adrienne replied, "
No Papa. There's talk he was bewitched when he said that." Adrienne's father,
whose name was Roland, shook his head fuming. Finally he walked off, telling her
to fix breakfast. After they ate Adrienne asked Roland if there was a place where
she could be a knight. Roland rolled his eyes saying, "Aye lass.
But I don't think ye'll fancy dying to get there."

Adrienne had the rest of the day to herself. Roland had started to do very well
with his business so he had hired a maid. No chores! The freedom was exhilarating.
She took her horse from the stable. It was a gelding named Periwinkle for its unusual
blue-black color. Suddenly the city seemed so boring. She had been over every nook and
cranny and knew it all. She wanted to go outside Corus, the last time she had been was
when her mother died and she had to fetch her godmother with Roland. Her godmother,
Lalyre, was sick and ailing now.

The place is Corus, the year 1152 H.E. Around the 930 H.E. the Carthakis surrounded and
captured Tortall with the aid of the Scanrans. Ever since, Tortall has been overrun
with Carthakis. Tortallan traditions have been outlawed, Tortallan gods have been
disowned and Tortallan people like Alanna, Jon etc. have been turned into lies.
To prove this, Carthak went through great lengths to find a mage powerful enough
to bring Numair Salmalín back. They did, bewitched him, had him announce that the
people whom Tortall respected were not real and murdered him once he was finished
being useful.

Though outlawed, the Tortallan gods were very much around and very displeased
with the turn of events. The Mother Goddess was holding a council with Sir Alanna,
Lady Knight Keladry, and Lady Daine. "Ladies" the Mother Goddess was speaking with her back
turned to the former heroines of Tortall, "I have called you here to discuss a problem
that you all have been monitoring: the destruction of Tortall and its customs."
Immediately Alanna's eyes flashed and her face contorted with rage,
"We should DESTROY Carthak, Mother. Let us go back and annihilate them!" Keladry said,
"I agree with Alanna, nothing infuriates me more than watching those Carthaki barbarians
hurt the weak and helpless!" The Mother said quietly, "We are not permitting you to return."
Kel and Alanna immediately made a rush towards the Mother, shock etched across their faces.
The Goddess simply raised her hand and continued, "The consequences would be to dire as
Alanna knows from Thom's experience. (Alanna nodded her head in remembrance) But that does
not mean that there is no hope. The other gods and goddesses and I have found a girl who
will restore Tortall to all of its former glory. Look into the waters." They were standing
around a deep grassy pool. It was a Watching Pool. It started bubbling furiously and a mist
began to rise from its murky depths as the Mother slowly recited an incantation,
"Magic Waters, I call to thee. Bring Adrienne's reflection unto me." Alanna and the others
followed suit. A girl of fourteen appeared. She had long creamy brown-blond hair and
flashing green eyes. Her skin had a golden tinge to it, obviously inherited from her
Carthaki lineage. There was something about the arch of her nose that reminded Alanna of
someone. She opened her mouth to ask a question when the Mother interrupted her saying,
"Yes, Alanna. You now look upon Jon and Thayet's great x 25 grandchild.
She has been chosen to fight for Tortall. Waters disperse."
As soon as she said this the image vanished in ripples. "We are able to give her
five gifts. I will give her one, and I ask all of you to give her one as well."
Daine, who had been quiet this whole time, spoke up, "Who shall give her the last gift?"
A mischievious smile spread across her face as the Mother said with a twinkle in her eye,
"Come out George, you were an excellent spy while you lived but you'll never catch me by
surprise!" George walked sheepishly in the middle of them saying,
"I was just passing by and accidentally-" The Mother said "Spare me your excuses.
As to your question Daine, George will be giving the final gift to her.
Choose wisely what you give to her, for you will be denied the use of this talent or
ability for several days. But don't worry, like Daine's badger
they will be restored eventually."