Alanna woke up to find Gary and Jon sitting beside her bed. Faithful leapt
up on her, meowing loudly, 'You've been asleep for four days!'
"Four days!" Alanna gasped, "But that's not possible!" Gary stared at her, but before he could say anything, Jon exclaimed,
"Are you feeling better? Duke Baird didn't know what to do, and Roger said there was no hope. Alanna, we were so worried."
"You let Roger near me?" Alanna cried angrily, "And you trusted his opinion? He's the one responsible for this!"
When Gary and Jon both stared at her, obviously still under the impression that her current state of weakness had only been an accident in the forest, Alanna realized she had to explain. It was only when she was telling them what had happened, that she remembered Amalia.
"Have you seen Amalia?" Alanna asked quickly, while Jon and Gary were still trying to take in her confused explanation.
"You killed Roger's snake." Was Jon's reply, "Do you have any idea of how powerful you must be?"
"And that snake had Amalia's face." Alanna said angrily, "Have you seen her?"
"Of course." Gary said, "Roger let her get up a yesterday. She wasn't very sick."
Alanna glared at them, exasperated. Did she have to spell it out? Wasn't it obvious that Amalia was ill because of Roger?
Alanna sat up, and swung her legs around.
"Roger said you shouldn't get up yet." Gary said quickly. Alanna glared at him. Jon stood up, and dragging Gary with him, said,
"Don't be an idiot, Gary, Alanna's perfectly fine." He grinned at Alanna and pushed the confused Gary out the door. His grin vanished as he turned back, to look at her,
"Alanna, I'm sorry about the other night." He said quietly, "I don't know what was wrong with me, I -."
"It's all right. I understand." She interrupted, even though she didn't understand at all. Jon smiled, obviously relieved,
"Friends again?" he asked.
"Friends." Alanna smiled.
Alanna found Amalia alone in her room that afternoon.
"Alanna!" Amalia cried, "You're awake - are you all right? If Roger hurt you again, you should leave here; it' so danger -."
"It's more dangerous for you." Alanna interrupted. Quickly she told Amalia about her ride a few days ago. Amalia gasped and stared, her eyes huge.
"Oh, Alanna." She whispered. The Amalia began to tell her story - her visit to Roger's room a few days ago, her mysterious illness that she had gained so suddenly, and his reluctance to let her leave.
"Amalia, listen to me." Alanna say down beside her friend and half-sister, "He will kill you. Threatening him was a very stupid move. He's been able to control you for years, and now he's using you and your magic to hurt me. We need to find a way for you to leave."
"I'm not leaving." Amalia replied obstinately, "I can stand up to him, and you and Jonathan can help protect me. Besides, I can help you. He trusts me."
Alanna decided not to bother telling Amalia that Roger probably no longer trusted his daughter. Her rebellion against his plans had shown him that she was on Alanna's side. He would only use more magic now.
She can hurt us and help him while we still think she's our friend, Alanna thought but didn't say.
In Roger's desperation to be king he would kill anyone who might help him.
Alanna decided that she had to do something about Roger. There had to be a way to stop him before he killed anyone, but she didn't know where to start. She wanted to talk to Jon, but he was preparing to leave for Port Legann.
"I'll only be away a few days." Jon said irritably when Alanna expressed her worries about the safety of the trip, "It's imperative that I collect this package personally. You worry too much."
"I just don't want Roger to hurt you." Alanna replied, knowing she sounded like a baby, "I need your help with all of this, not your death."
"Well, my squire will make sure I don't die." Jon smiled at Alanna comfortingly. Alanna sighed,
"I know he will." She smiled up at the prince, "but I could do a better job."
A few days after Alanna later, Queen Lianne and Myles both fell very ill. She was convinced this was more of Roger's tricks, but she had no one to talk to. Clara was visiting Hunsly and had persuaded Amalia to come too, much to Alanna's relief. Gary was on border patrol, Alex had returned home to be with his father, and she couldn't contact Jon, magically or otherwise. Alanna assumed he was ignoring her attempts, and gave up trying when it gave her a headache.
Alanna visited the queen once, and Myles quite a few times, and, just like she'd thought, they were both glowing a steady orange. All of the healers were unnerved by the appearance of what would normally be considered a fever epidemic harming only two people. Alanna didn't know why Roger would want to harm Myles either. True, the old knight had given Alanna some very useful clues to help her discover what Roger was doing, but he had done so unwittingly.
"Alanna?" Myles croaked from the bed. Alanna rushed over to him and he smiled faintly, "You're like my child. Be careful, my dear, evil is in this palace, ready to destroy us all. And don't ignore love, for it will help you." His voice drained away and Alanna felt like kicking herself. She was trained healer, for the Goddess's sake, why wasn't she doing anything?
"Don't worry, Myles, I'll save you." Alanna whispered. Unlike years ago when she had fought to save Jonathan, Alanna could now make a fire in her hand quickly, and did so. She reached into Myles' soul and again she saw the Dark God and his demon servants, laughing at her from the fire. Alanna struggled with her sudden exhaustion and began to pray.
"Goddess of Light, please answer my prayer." Alanna trailed away, dumfounded as a visions appeared above the bed. A beautiful lady with long raven black hair, skin as white and as flawless as porcelain, and eyes like emeralds stood there, her red lips smiling gently. Alanna knew it had to be the Goddess herself.
"You're too late, my child. Sir Myles will go with the Dark God now." The Goddess' voice was light and musical, "don't worry. I'm watching you and Jonathan. You have my ring and my cat. They will help you achieve your goals."
Alanna drew herself out of Myles. The Dark God and his demons vanished, and the white light around the Goddess grew stronger.
"Beware of your fears - Duke Roger of Conte. He is powerful, but you must wait to strike, or you shall be killed and all that you work to save destroyed. Your second fear is love - you cannot ignore it for much longer, child. You are scared it will harm you, but it can only help you in the upcoming difficulties."
"Everyone says that." Alanna whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks, "but I don't love Jon."
"Be faithful to what's inside you." The Goddess replied, "and don't pretend to yourself; you'll only end up hurt."
Alanna nodded. Be faithful to what's inside her? Was the Goddess talking about Faithful?
"He is my cat." The Goddess nodded, as if she could read Alanna's mind, "your third fear is the one you hide deepest inside you, but one that will disturb you the most if it is not quieted. You fear the truth - the truth about yourself and you identity; the truth about your place in life. You were born to fight - don't stop now. You were born a Conte - never forget that. Duke Roger is a man; you can overcome him. Love is inside you; you just have to bring it out. And once you learn to love, you can learn the truth, and to face the truth eve when it hurts. Once you have accomplished that, you will be happier, and lead an easier life. Try, Alanna, and never give up. Try."
The Goddess vanished slowly, still smiling, leaving Alanna alone with the body of Sir Myles.
She could defeat Duke Roger.she had to accept love.she needed to face the truth. Alanna's head spun, and she sat in silence, crying and thinking.
She did fear Roger; she knew that. She was scared that his plans would succeed and that Jonathan and the King and Queen would die. Whenever he talked to her, or even looked at her, Alanna felt that behind that pleasant smile and cheerful nature, there lay a menacing, evil, not quite human man. Every word in her direction was a threat, every glance a warning; all telling her to give up, that she was no match for him. But the Goddess thought Alanna was a match for Roger, even though Alanna was an inexperienced girl who had taught herself most of her magic and sword skills, while Roger was older and more skilled, trained by the best and better than them all.
'But you killed his snake with your magic', a little voice in her head said, 'and you fought his fever and saved Jonathan when no one else could. Roger should fear you.'
Alanna didn't know if she feared love, but she certainly didn't like it when Jonathan and Alex said they loved her. Maybe it did scare her; she worried that she couldn't be friends with the two knights if she was their lover as well. She also didn't want to give part of herself to anyone. If gave her love to someone, could she still be herself? Wouldn't she loose part of Alanna? And why did everyone say that she and Jon belonged together? Surely she would know if she loved Jon!
'I'm not ignoring it.' Alanna though fiercely, 'but I don't love Jon! I don't want to love him!'
As for her third fear, the truth, Alanna knew this could be true. She was scared to tell anyone who her father was. When her mother had told her of their heritage, Alanna had wished she hadn't. She was happy not knowing that she was a noble, or that she was the daughter of the Kings' nephew and the sorcerer of all sorcerers - or that that sorcerer was plotting to take the throne. And she didn't know what to do with her self. What would happen to her if Roger were to be stopped? She had no place in the structure of court, and she would probably never marry. Who would marry the unladylike, adventurous, temperamental and plain daughter of a traitor and a lady considered to be no better than a prostitute by so many?
But perhaps Alanna would only discover her place in society and calm her final fear when she had overcome the other two. The Goddess had said she was born to fight, but was that with a sword or with magic or just standing up for her beliefs? How should she get rid of Roger? As for the Goddess' other comment, to never forget that she was a Conte, what did that mean. All Alanna wanted to do was forget that she was a Conte. There was no honor in being related to the Conte, even if they were the royal line.or wait, did the Goddess mean that she should be proud of her legacy? That she should act like a Conte? The Contes were strong, powerful, determined, proud and regal, and they excelled at all they did. Was she meant to use determination, strength, power and pride to win these battles? Did she have any of those qualities?
There were far too many questions for Alanna to answer ever, let alone right now, kneeling beside Sir Myles. She felt someone standing beside her. Gary hugged her shoulders comfortingly, his own face displaying misery over the death of their friend.
"Alex is back." Gary whispered as people filled the room and he led Alanna away. "He's an earl now, and I think he needs comfort too."
Alex said little to either Alanna or Amalia, but he seemed to be over his attack of love for Alanna. Either that or he was too miserable right now to care about anyone. His withdrawnness seemed to have increased, not surprisingly, but he was also nervous, glancing over his shoulder often, jumping at the slightest sound.
It's all changing, Alanna thought. Myles was dead, and Jon had been gone two days longer than he had planned. What if he was dead too?
A/N: Writing that gave me many new ideas for the end. I'm sorry it wasn't a very happy chapter, or an eventful one, but Alanna has a lot of internal conflicts to solve. *Nods importantly*, Yes, I pay attention in English.
"Four days!" Alanna gasped, "But that's not possible!" Gary stared at her, but before he could say anything, Jon exclaimed,
"Are you feeling better? Duke Baird didn't know what to do, and Roger said there was no hope. Alanna, we were so worried."
"You let Roger near me?" Alanna cried angrily, "And you trusted his opinion? He's the one responsible for this!"
When Gary and Jon both stared at her, obviously still under the impression that her current state of weakness had only been an accident in the forest, Alanna realized she had to explain. It was only when she was telling them what had happened, that she remembered Amalia.
"Have you seen Amalia?" Alanna asked quickly, while Jon and Gary were still trying to take in her confused explanation.
"You killed Roger's snake." Was Jon's reply, "Do you have any idea of how powerful you must be?"
"And that snake had Amalia's face." Alanna said angrily, "Have you seen her?"
"Of course." Gary said, "Roger let her get up a yesterday. She wasn't very sick."
Alanna glared at them, exasperated. Did she have to spell it out? Wasn't it obvious that Amalia was ill because of Roger?
Alanna sat up, and swung her legs around.
"Roger said you shouldn't get up yet." Gary said quickly. Alanna glared at him. Jon stood up, and dragging Gary with him, said,
"Don't be an idiot, Gary, Alanna's perfectly fine." He grinned at Alanna and pushed the confused Gary out the door. His grin vanished as he turned back, to look at her,
"Alanna, I'm sorry about the other night." He said quietly, "I don't know what was wrong with me, I -."
"It's all right. I understand." She interrupted, even though she didn't understand at all. Jon smiled, obviously relieved,
"Friends again?" he asked.
"Friends." Alanna smiled.
Alanna found Amalia alone in her room that afternoon.
"Alanna!" Amalia cried, "You're awake - are you all right? If Roger hurt you again, you should leave here; it' so danger -."
"It's more dangerous for you." Alanna interrupted. Quickly she told Amalia about her ride a few days ago. Amalia gasped and stared, her eyes huge.
"Oh, Alanna." She whispered. The Amalia began to tell her story - her visit to Roger's room a few days ago, her mysterious illness that she had gained so suddenly, and his reluctance to let her leave.
"Amalia, listen to me." Alanna say down beside her friend and half-sister, "He will kill you. Threatening him was a very stupid move. He's been able to control you for years, and now he's using you and your magic to hurt me. We need to find a way for you to leave."
"I'm not leaving." Amalia replied obstinately, "I can stand up to him, and you and Jonathan can help protect me. Besides, I can help you. He trusts me."
Alanna decided not to bother telling Amalia that Roger probably no longer trusted his daughter. Her rebellion against his plans had shown him that she was on Alanna's side. He would only use more magic now.
She can hurt us and help him while we still think she's our friend, Alanna thought but didn't say.
In Roger's desperation to be king he would kill anyone who might help him.
Alanna decided that she had to do something about Roger. There had to be a way to stop him before he killed anyone, but she didn't know where to start. She wanted to talk to Jon, but he was preparing to leave for Port Legann.
"I'll only be away a few days." Jon said irritably when Alanna expressed her worries about the safety of the trip, "It's imperative that I collect this package personally. You worry too much."
"I just don't want Roger to hurt you." Alanna replied, knowing she sounded like a baby, "I need your help with all of this, not your death."
"Well, my squire will make sure I don't die." Jon smiled at Alanna comfortingly. Alanna sighed,
"I know he will." She smiled up at the prince, "but I could do a better job."
A few days after Alanna later, Queen Lianne and Myles both fell very ill. She was convinced this was more of Roger's tricks, but she had no one to talk to. Clara was visiting Hunsly and had persuaded Amalia to come too, much to Alanna's relief. Gary was on border patrol, Alex had returned home to be with his father, and she couldn't contact Jon, magically or otherwise. Alanna assumed he was ignoring her attempts, and gave up trying when it gave her a headache.
Alanna visited the queen once, and Myles quite a few times, and, just like she'd thought, they were both glowing a steady orange. All of the healers were unnerved by the appearance of what would normally be considered a fever epidemic harming only two people. Alanna didn't know why Roger would want to harm Myles either. True, the old knight had given Alanna some very useful clues to help her discover what Roger was doing, but he had done so unwittingly.
"Alanna?" Myles croaked from the bed. Alanna rushed over to him and he smiled faintly, "You're like my child. Be careful, my dear, evil is in this palace, ready to destroy us all. And don't ignore love, for it will help you." His voice drained away and Alanna felt like kicking herself. She was trained healer, for the Goddess's sake, why wasn't she doing anything?
"Don't worry, Myles, I'll save you." Alanna whispered. Unlike years ago when she had fought to save Jonathan, Alanna could now make a fire in her hand quickly, and did so. She reached into Myles' soul and again she saw the Dark God and his demon servants, laughing at her from the fire. Alanna struggled with her sudden exhaustion and began to pray.
"Goddess of Light, please answer my prayer." Alanna trailed away, dumfounded as a visions appeared above the bed. A beautiful lady with long raven black hair, skin as white and as flawless as porcelain, and eyes like emeralds stood there, her red lips smiling gently. Alanna knew it had to be the Goddess herself.
"You're too late, my child. Sir Myles will go with the Dark God now." The Goddess' voice was light and musical, "don't worry. I'm watching you and Jonathan. You have my ring and my cat. They will help you achieve your goals."
Alanna drew herself out of Myles. The Dark God and his demons vanished, and the white light around the Goddess grew stronger.
"Beware of your fears - Duke Roger of Conte. He is powerful, but you must wait to strike, or you shall be killed and all that you work to save destroyed. Your second fear is love - you cannot ignore it for much longer, child. You are scared it will harm you, but it can only help you in the upcoming difficulties."
"Everyone says that." Alanna whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks, "but I don't love Jon."
"Be faithful to what's inside you." The Goddess replied, "and don't pretend to yourself; you'll only end up hurt."
Alanna nodded. Be faithful to what's inside her? Was the Goddess talking about Faithful?
"He is my cat." The Goddess nodded, as if she could read Alanna's mind, "your third fear is the one you hide deepest inside you, but one that will disturb you the most if it is not quieted. You fear the truth - the truth about yourself and you identity; the truth about your place in life. You were born to fight - don't stop now. You were born a Conte - never forget that. Duke Roger is a man; you can overcome him. Love is inside you; you just have to bring it out. And once you learn to love, you can learn the truth, and to face the truth eve when it hurts. Once you have accomplished that, you will be happier, and lead an easier life. Try, Alanna, and never give up. Try."
The Goddess vanished slowly, still smiling, leaving Alanna alone with the body of Sir Myles.
She could defeat Duke Roger.she had to accept love.she needed to face the truth. Alanna's head spun, and she sat in silence, crying and thinking.
She did fear Roger; she knew that. She was scared that his plans would succeed and that Jonathan and the King and Queen would die. Whenever he talked to her, or even looked at her, Alanna felt that behind that pleasant smile and cheerful nature, there lay a menacing, evil, not quite human man. Every word in her direction was a threat, every glance a warning; all telling her to give up, that she was no match for him. But the Goddess thought Alanna was a match for Roger, even though Alanna was an inexperienced girl who had taught herself most of her magic and sword skills, while Roger was older and more skilled, trained by the best and better than them all.
'But you killed his snake with your magic', a little voice in her head said, 'and you fought his fever and saved Jonathan when no one else could. Roger should fear you.'
Alanna didn't know if she feared love, but she certainly didn't like it when Jonathan and Alex said they loved her. Maybe it did scare her; she worried that she couldn't be friends with the two knights if she was their lover as well. She also didn't want to give part of herself to anyone. If gave her love to someone, could she still be herself? Wouldn't she loose part of Alanna? And why did everyone say that she and Jon belonged together? Surely she would know if she loved Jon!
'I'm not ignoring it.' Alanna though fiercely, 'but I don't love Jon! I don't want to love him!'
As for her third fear, the truth, Alanna knew this could be true. She was scared to tell anyone who her father was. When her mother had told her of their heritage, Alanna had wished she hadn't. She was happy not knowing that she was a noble, or that she was the daughter of the Kings' nephew and the sorcerer of all sorcerers - or that that sorcerer was plotting to take the throne. And she didn't know what to do with her self. What would happen to her if Roger were to be stopped? She had no place in the structure of court, and she would probably never marry. Who would marry the unladylike, adventurous, temperamental and plain daughter of a traitor and a lady considered to be no better than a prostitute by so many?
But perhaps Alanna would only discover her place in society and calm her final fear when she had overcome the other two. The Goddess had said she was born to fight, but was that with a sword or with magic or just standing up for her beliefs? How should she get rid of Roger? As for the Goddess' other comment, to never forget that she was a Conte, what did that mean. All Alanna wanted to do was forget that she was a Conte. There was no honor in being related to the Conte, even if they were the royal line.or wait, did the Goddess mean that she should be proud of her legacy? That she should act like a Conte? The Contes were strong, powerful, determined, proud and regal, and they excelled at all they did. Was she meant to use determination, strength, power and pride to win these battles? Did she have any of those qualities?
There were far too many questions for Alanna to answer ever, let alone right now, kneeling beside Sir Myles. She felt someone standing beside her. Gary hugged her shoulders comfortingly, his own face displaying misery over the death of their friend.
"Alex is back." Gary whispered as people filled the room and he led Alanna away. "He's an earl now, and I think he needs comfort too."
Alex said little to either Alanna or Amalia, but he seemed to be over his attack of love for Alanna. Either that or he was too miserable right now to care about anyone. His withdrawnness seemed to have increased, not surprisingly, but he was also nervous, glancing over his shoulder often, jumping at the slightest sound.
It's all changing, Alanna thought. Myles was dead, and Jon had been gone two days longer than he had planned. What if he was dead too?
A/N: Writing that gave me many new ideas for the end. I'm sorry it wasn't a very happy chapter, or an eventful one, but Alanna has a lot of internal conflicts to solve. *Nods importantly*, Yes, I pay attention in English.