Disclaimer: Come on peoples, you know all of these chars belong to Tamora Pierce, do I have to explain it?

Roger of Contè smiled to himself. His plans had worked out perfectly, he well remembered the day Jonathan died.

                *There had not been one soul around who could save him from the sickness, except for Alanna of Trebond. Everyone else knows her as Alan. Never the less, 'Alan' just happened to let a little something slip when Roger had entered his mind. Worrying about Jon, Alan let the 'Can I, a girl, heal him,' thought sneak right past her barrier. Roger could now…persuade her more, he knew her little secret! So, when Jon got sick again, Roger had Alan run errands for himself, and for Alex to keep her out of the way. Roger internally praised her for her master disguise. While she was away, he finished the prince off, it was a brilliant plan, and now he, once a Duke, is now the heir to the throne!*

        "Ah Deliah, my dear, this past month has been so event full." He said, to the girl, who was trying to gain his attention and part of his power. "Have someone bring Page Alan to me." He demanded.

        "Why do you need him, you are already the King-to-be." She said angrily, she hadn't been able to be presented in court yet, under Rogers strict orders.

        "Because I need powerful allies!"

 some time later…

        When Alanna entered the room she bowed, "Good eve prince Roger", she said prince like it hurt.

        "Oh come now Alanna, we should be on first terms." He smiled ever so evilly.

        "Wha- what did you call me?" She stammered, utterly clueless and angry.

        He smirked and laughed. "Thought no one would figure it out did you? Well, I found out, and I have a proposition for you." He folded his hands neatly in his lap. (A/n; if anybody is a Roger fan, or an Alex fan, I would luv to have ideas for them, and romance ideas, but no A/J, cause, I like A/G)

        "What kind of deal." She said between clamped teeth, boiling with rage!

        He smiled, "The kind where I keep your little secret and you stay alleged to me, or where I happen to let it slip in a ball." Roger smiled, (he does that a lot) knowing he had her in a fix.

        Alanna on the other hand, was boiling mad, and having a conflict with herself. Both choices aren't very appealing!, she thought. She decided to add a third choice. "What if I just left and never came back, that would solve everyone's problem." Praying to the Goddess that he would believe her, she studied the floor.

        He shook his head. "If you leave you must come back."

        "Why do you care so much about where I am, I'll probably bring more havoc to you when people know. We'll both be ridiculed!" She was burning mad and planned to leave anyway, in her third year and now she has to quit! No way was she serving a false king!

        "Because my dear, your quite capable, more so than is safe to leave alone.  You must be kept under surveillance and you will be, I'll make sure of it!" He turned his nose up at her, "That is all, you may have a night to think about it." He waved her out.

        She stormed out, thinking quick for she needed to discuss her plans with Coram. Then she'd have to leave notes for everyone, and say goodbye to George. There was a knock at the door as she finished her first note to Myles, "Come in." She yelled, covering her suite cases.

        Coram entered, one eyebrow raised, he shut the door tightly and turned to Alanna. "Care te explain yerself?" He sat down on one of her chairs, "Thars two guards waiting for ye at the door."

        Alanna sighed, she explained everything that had happened. "I was hoping to go to the shang, I hope they will let me in." She knew her plan was sketchy, but it was the best she had.

        Coram rubbed his chin, not wanting to say what she needed to hear. "Lass, ye know the take kids at four, six at the latest. The might reject ye."

        Tears welled up in her eyes, she swallowed hard. "I know." She whispered. She finished the notes to all of her friends, every one was similar. She was desperately hoping everyone would bye it….

Her and Coram spent hours figuring out an escape plan, and the finally did, but you don't get to hear it till the next chapter!