Disclaimer- Everything belongs to Tamora Pierce except Laona and her family and anything else I happen to invent along the way.

Summary- Laona is a girl from the village Daine left (Snowsdale). Daine was her friend and mentor, and when, years after she disappeared, Daine still hasn't returned, Laona decides to search for her. In the process, she sets out on a quest with an ill-tempered stormwing who, for all of their cooperation, wants to murder her. (Prologue takes place before Daine leaves Snowsdale; main story takes place sometime during the Protector of the Small books.)

Reviewer Responses-

Tarilenea- As the only reviewer last chapter, you get special thanks. I'm glad the characters weren't confusing, I've had problems with that in the past. I think I e-mailed you the summary and title for the next chapter (after this) *whacks self* so lucky you, you don't even have to review this one to find out what happens next –and there is a cliffhanger. (But it would be nice if you did.) Thanks again, and here's the chapter:

Enemy's Ally: Laona's Story

Chapter Two: Cria

The four reached Cria at nightfall. Teyra had enough money- given to her by Lory- so that they could stay at an inn, and they did so. Laona was happy to be able to dry off and take a warm bath after the long day's ride. Her legs would ache in the morning, she knew- yet another impediment of horse riding. It was good to be able to relax now, though, and not think about that. She was in bed early, and sleep- and the dream- came quickly:

The Green Lady came before her. The healer-goddess had begun to appear over the well in Snowsdale perhaps six years ago, giving advice to midwives and healers in Snowsdale and the villages surrounding. Laona had never seen her before, but she knew- somehow, she absolutely knew- that that was who this was. Besides that, she looked somehow familiar- but Laona did not think about that now. The goddess was speaking: "You must find Veralidaine. She is still alive. If you search, you can find her. And find her quickly, as quickly as you can…" And then something heavy and solid dropped into Laona's hand- a small object made to look like an acorn, or some metal Laona had not seen before. "When you find her, give this to her. I will instruct you from there." The girl clasped her hand firmly around the acorn shape, and nodded. And then the dream ended.

Laona awoke with a start. The metal acorn she had been given was still clutched tightly in her hand. It was still dark, but she thought she could make out the sunrise through the window, coming over the hills to the east of Cria. East. That way was Tortall. What did she know about the place? She'd heard strange storied, of women who were knights, or an army that consisted of both men and women… Different, but certainly not all bad. She thought about what the Green Lady had said. You must find Veralidaine… How could she? It was Corus she was going to- unless Veralidaine was there? Find her quickly, as quickly as you can… She would have to leave now if she were to do that. Teyra would be furious- she believed that Veralidaine was dead, and that she had been mad- she would never allow Laona to search for her… A knock on the door startled her. She sat up in bed, grabbed a robe from her pack, and slid into it as she walked over to open the door.

Tarrick was on the other side of it, dressed for riding. "I wanted to tell you…" He looked straight at her. "We're coming with you to Corus."

"That's all? Why are you dressed for riding?"

"I just had this feeling that you were… going somewhere." How had he known? She had been about to leave… To ride ahead of the others to Corus, and to try to find Veralidaine… "Were you? It seems kind of foolish- it's the middle of the night. Did I wake you up?" he added, and she could see that he hadn't thought of that possibility before. But it was all right, she had been awake. She let him know that with a simple shake of her head.

"But-" She didn't know why she was reluctant to tell him- "I was going somewhere."

He looked startled. "What's that in your hand?" She looked down. She still held the token the Green Lady had given her in the dream.

"I- I'm not sure exactly." Should she tell him about the dream? She had known him almost all her life, and she believed she could trust him, but…it just seemed like a thing that should be kept a secret. But then… she wanted to tell someone. She hated to have to keep a secret all to herself. And no one had ever said that she couldn't tell. "Well- do you remember Veralidaine? They said she went mad, back at Snowsdale, when the bandits came, but before that, she was my friend. It was seven years ago. Do you remember?" He nodded, and she could see from his eyes that he did remember.

"She came- the night before the bandits came," he said. "She, and you, spent the night at our house, but she left in the morning. And then she went up into the mountains, and went mad."

"Well- tonight I dreamed that the Green Lady told me she was still alive, and to search for her. In the dream she gave me this-" Laona unwrapped her fingers from the acorn, and held it up for Tarrick to see. "And I was still holding it when I woke up. She- the Green Lady- told me to find Veralidaine as quickly as I could. And that's why I was going to leave. I was going to ride ahead to Corus, because one person goes faster than four do, and find her. Teyra wouldn't want me to go, so I would have to leave now, while they were all asleep… Or right at dawn, so we-"

"We?" Tarrick asked. Why had she said that?

"I meant I-" she hastily corrected herself.

"I could come if you want," he said. "I know you don't like horses, and no offense, but I'm a better rider than you. Maybe Teyra won't worry as much if she knows I went with you."

"You want to come?" she asked, and then flinched mentally because she sounded so eager.

"Well-" He blushed slightly and she smiled inwardly. He's as embarrassed as I am! "Yes, I guess. If you want to have me."

"I guess I do," she said, mimicking him. "You are a much better rider than me…"

"Good," he replied, and she could tell he meant it. "I'll get my things ready while you get dressed." She nodded, and he left. Why was I acting that way? She asked herself. It's true, I'm happy to have him come, and I hadn't said that, he probably wouldn't be, but- it's just so-

She dressed, and quickly put the things she'd taken out into her pack. As she was finishing, there was another knock on the door. She was almost sure it was Tarrick, but was a little nervous as she walked over to open it. What if it wasn't him, but Teyra, coming to check on her? But it was Tarrick, with his pack. They went outside, and to the stables, and then, with their horses, out into the crowded streets of Cria.

Laona had told Tarrick that they had to hurry, but all the same, he told her he wanted to stop when he saw a sign hanging in the window of a shop- 'Nerack Bennali- Horse Merchant,' and then below, a smaller sign- 'Horses and Tack.' "My saddle's old, and we have money- it'll be quick, no more than thirty minutes," he pleaded. She didn't argue, not wanting to waste more time, but followed him into the dimly lit shop.

Inside, a young man greeted them. "Hello, my name is Drennan, I'm Nerack's assistant. Nerack is out in the stables right now- what can I do for you?"

"I'm looking for a saddle…" Tarrick started.

"Sorry, I'll be right back-" Drennan told them, in response to a faint noise coming from the back of the shop.

"Now it will take forever," she muttered, half in jest, to Tarrick.

He grinned in reply. "Just wait a little. I'm sure a few minutes won't matter to the Green Lady. It's not that far to Corus, after all."

She sighed. "Yes, but I don't even know if Veralidaine's in Corus. She could be in- in Carthak for all we know."

"What was that?" Drennan was back.

"Oh, I was just talking about someone we were looking for," she said vaguely.

"No, you said Veralidaine. My old employer, Onua Chamtong, she worked for the riders down in Tortall, she had an assistant by that name. Replacing me, actually. It's not common, is it? They're in Corus now- or that's they were heading. It was a while ago, but if Onua kept the girl on, it's most likely they're still there. Err- is that who you were looking for?" he asked, apparently self-conscious at his sudden outburst of speech.

Laona nodded. "Yes it was, and thank you. That was very helpful." She waited patiently as the man helped Tarrick to find a saddle. He had saved them a lot of time by his comment.

The two rode out of Cria happily, on the road that would take them quickly to Corus. Laona only felt guilt for leaving Teyra and Laisa behind, but if she knew them, then they would go to Corus as planned, slower, perhaps, than she and Tarrick, but they would arrive eventually. And then she would see them. She fingered the acorn pendant, tucked into her pocket. She would see them and Veralidaine as well, and what part the gods had to play, she did not know. She flinched as an angry cry split the air, one that sounded half human, half bird.

"Laona!" Tarrick cried, pushing her hard, off of her horse, as a rock rushed past the place where her head had just been. She whirled around. Behind them was a female stormwing, another rock on her talons. Paralyzed by fear, Laona could only watch as she circled lower, aiming the rock so that it would hit her in the head, and most likely kill her.

Author's Note- Ooh! Cliffie! I am evil! Who knows what will happen? It is a complete mystery! Will Laona survive? Or will she die? Find out sooner if you review, leave your e-mail, and ask me to give you the next chapter title and a short summary.