Disclaimer: I own Dara, Jalee, Tonia, this story and any other characters you do not recognize, while Ms. Pierce owns everyone and everything mentioned in her divine books.

Comments: Please review. Oh, and I was wondering: Does anyone want to start a George Cooper fan club? As I've said before, I totally love him - we could G.C.F.C (George Cooper Fan Club) or something. If interested email me or tell me in your review - if you leave a review that is.

Chapter Two: Shining Stars

Alanna pulled on a pair of breeches and a tunic, then grabbed the rest of her men's clothes and the few weapons she had (given to her by Dara and Liam). She quickly packed them into a small oak trunk with a silver lock. She ran over to the window - Dara was already there, looking anxiously up at the window. She waved at him and then pulled the trunk over to the window, while simultaneously tying a long piece of rope to it.

Alanna put the trunk outside the window and began to let go the rope - bit by bit -, allowing the trunk to slowly descend to the ground. Once it was on the ground, Alanna crouched on top of the window sill, in a jumping position. Alanna waited until Dara was standing right below the window and jumped. Dara caught Alanna, just as Liam entered the area. Liam quickly walked over, holding two long robes - Alanna and Dara were to pose as priests until they were out of the City of the Gods.

"The horses are outside the stable - we have to get going," he said as he picked up Alanna's trunk and headed towards the stables, Alanna and Dara right behind. When they reached the stables Liam attached Alanna's trunk onto a horse that already held two other small trunks - Dara's and Liam's. He guided Alanna over to a chestnut cob and helped her up - it had been quite a while since Alanna had been able to ride a horse, because of the priestesses at the covent. By the time Alanna had settled on her horse, Dara and Liam were waiting anxiously near the courtyard.

They reached the walls of the City of the Gods without trouble - it was when they reached the walls that they had a problem. The guards had been informed that a fourteen-year-old noble had gone missing, perhaps even kidnapped - that caused Dara to laugh -, and they were to search for the young noble. Liam assured them that he had seen nothing and that his two companions were priests heading Galla, for the March fair in Cria - if the priestesses ever did figure out that Alanna had been in disguise as a priest, which was highly doubtful, Liam didn't want them knowing where they were really going.

~*~*~*~

At sunset Liam, Alanna and Dara set up camp in a forest, inside a clearing. While Liam made his way down to the river he knew of - Liam had camped in around the same spot on his way to the City of the Gods -, Alanna and Dara began to build a fire. When they were done Dara took out a map and calculated the distance they had left to travel, until they reached Barony Olau - although Dara was a commoner, his father had been a great mage and believed that his son should learn all the skills nobles learned, so he taught them to Dara.

Liam came back with two large pieces of fish and began to cook them over the fire. During dinner Liam told Alanna and Dara about his adventures as the Shang Dragon and how he came to be the Dragon. Alanna and Dara were amazed at the level of commitment it took to be a Shang warrior - nobles started the training to be a knight usually at the age of ten, but Shang warriors-be-to began their training from ages four to seven.

"You younglings are best to get some rest, we leave camp early tomorrow - I want to get to Corus as soon as possible," said Liam as he noticed the darkness of the sky. Alanna and Dara put out the fire as Liam began heading to the tent he and Dara shared. As Alanna opened the flap of her tent she glanced out at the night sky. The stars shone bright - filled with opportunities. Wish me luck, Alanna thought to the stars as she slipped into the tent.

As Alanna drifter to sleep, outside one of the stars started to brighten - and a lone lady floated down to the earth outside her tent.

Note: Chapter three will be up soon - please review.