*DISCLAIMER APPLIES* - *Indicates italics (since mine never seem to come up
on ff.net)
PG for swearing
BEWARE!! - It's long!!
~ Chapter Fourteen ~ Roger
The halls were deserted. Nobles were either attending the Queen's party, or in bed, asleep. It was past midnight, and although Alanna should be tired, she felt wide-awake. Her quick eyes were alert, and her movements were swift and purposeful.
She moved down the halls - then she suddenly stopped. She looked down at her violet dress. She then looked up. Right across from her were Thom's chambers. Then she had an idea.
She crept silently to Thom's chambers, and tried to open the door. It was locked. She pulled out something from her shoe - a lock pick. It came in very handy - she'd got it from her last market trip.
Opening the door, she crept inside. Thom was in his bed, sound asleep. She tiptoed to his closet, and grabbed a pair if breeches and a shirt. She stripped of her dress and pulled up her hair.
Suddenly, she couldn't move. Alanna tried in vain to reach the small dagger she kept hidden in her breast-band, but it was no use.
"Whatchooawant?" asked a sleepy voice. Then came a *thud, as if something dropped to the ground.
"Alanna!" cried Thom's voice, now much more awake. He waved his hand, and Alanna was able to move again.
She whirled. "Yes, it's Alanna," she snapped. "Now go back to sleep."
Thom shook his head. "Nuh-uh," he told her defiantly. "You expect me to wake up in the middle of the night to find you here in my room, half dressed in my breeches, and then go back to bed? Come on Alanna, spill."
Alanna glared angrily at her meddlesome brother. "None of your business," she snapped back.
Thom raised his eyebrows. "Crap," he told her. "Damn well it's my business. Now tell me."
Alanna glowered at him. "No," she said.
Suddenly she found it hard to shut her mouth. It opened ever so slowly, and it ached whenever she tried to close it.
"Now tell me," Thom said coolly, "Or I will *make you tell me."
Her jaw stopped aching. She resisted the urge to cuff him over the ear. "Fine," she finally snapped. "I'm going out."
"Where?" Thom asked. When Alanna clenched her jaw stubbornly, Thom twiddled his fingers warningly.
Alanna let out a sigh, and told Thom of all that had taken place that night. When she had finished, Thom just stared at her in shock.
"W - well," he began, "what are you going to do about it?"
Alanna - looking at his fingers glimmering purple - sighed, and told Thom of their plan. "And don't even *think about wanting to come with me!" she snapped, before he could get a word in.
Thom glared at his sister. "Well don't be ridiculous - you're certainly not going by yourself!"
Alanna had to clench her fists and grind her teeth to stop from screaming her fury and frustration. Didn't Thom see that he was wasting precious time?
"Look," Alanna said, "if you want to help us, go to Raoul's chambers. Protect Jon from Roger - you're strong enough, so's Jon."
Thom opened his mouth to argue, and Alanna held up her hand. Trembling slightly, she made purple flame appear at her palm.
"Don't forget," she said icily, "I have magic too. I may not be as well trained as you, but I can wield it - don't you worry."
Thom drew back slightly, thinking. Finally he set his mouth in a grim line. "Fine," he eventually agreed. "Go alone. Don't get yourself blown up -"
"That's what Jon told me," Alanna said with a grin.
Thom continued as if he had not heard her. ". And if those breeches so much as rip a seam, you're buying me a new pair." Then - after a bit of debating with himself, Thom moved to a chest of drawers by his bed. Leaning down to the third drawer, He wave his hand over the lock, and it clicked open. Thom pulled out a silver key and handed it to his beloved sister.
"Here," he said. "It's a nifty little thing that I invented in my spare time. It took me a while - and I want it back! It will unlock any door."
Alanna shook her head. "But I have a lock-pick," she argued.
Thom grinned, shaking his head. "Not one like this you don't," he told her. "Roger's a powerful sorcerer - and if what you claim is true, then he'll be hiding thins in his rooms - his doors will be locked not only with keys, but with *magic. *This key will open ANY door - magically locked or no."
A grin on her face, Alanna accepted the key gratefully. "Thanks," she said. She buttoned up her shirt, and pulled on a pair of boots.
The twins moved to the door, and looked meaningfully at each other. Suddenly Alanna embraced Thom in a hug. "Love ya," she told him. "Please don't die."
He chuckled. "I won't," he promised. "Don't *you."
"Won't," she sniffled. "Promise."
He nodded. "Good."
This was the moment. Thom turned to go to Raoul's chambers, Alanna turned to go to Roger's. She turned around, and watched his retreating back. In that fleeting second Alanna realised she may never see Thom again. But then again she had a good feeling that she would.
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"Your Majesties."
Queen Lianne's head rose. "Yes?" she asked. "Where is my son?"
Sir Raoul bowed. "I'm afraid Jon's feeling unwell," he said. "He fainted outside - over-exhaustion, I think - and he is now in my chambers - they were closer than his. I have my servant looking after him there."
Queen Lianne stood, one of her hands on her chest. "Is he alright?"
Raoul nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. He's fine - he just needs some rest, that's all."
"We should see him," Roald said.
Raoul shook his head. "Oh, it's alright, Your Majesties, I think he just needs a bit of rest. He's gained consciousness, so he should be down in a few minutes."
Duke Baird came forward. "I insist that I see His Highness," he asked the royal couple. "Just precautions," he assured them.
Roald nodded. "Go ahead."
Raoul didn't mind that Duke Baird would come to see Jon - he was a trusted friend. But Duke Roger, on the other hand... in the fluster of the moment, he slipped unnoticed into the halls.
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A/N - Hmm. thought I might leave you on a cliffhanger, but then I remember that I promised a long chapter. So here's the rest:
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Jon sat up straight. He reached for his sword - then realised it wasn't at his waist. He frantically looked around, and saw one of Raoul's swords. He grabbed it, and, pointing it straight at the door, he made his way cautiously over.
The door opened.
Jon lunged, only to be frozen into position.
"Jon," a familiar voice said. "Relax."
The man shut the door behind him, and looked Jon in the eye. Thom of Trebond waved his hand, and the spell that he'd just put on Jon vanished.
"Thom!" Jon exclaimed. "What are you doing here? How did - what - why -"
Thom shook his head. "Be quiet Jon, you're speaking nonsense," he told him. "I ran into Alanna."
Jon turned white. "Is she ok? What happened? How did you -"
Thom waved his hand. Jon suddenly couldn't speak. "That's better," Thom said. "Now are you going to actually listen to me?"
Jon nodded.
"Good," Thom said. "Well, I was asleep, and I heard someone in my chambers. I thought a madman must have tried to rob me - because, as you know, no sane man would try to rob *me."
Jon grinned. Last time someone had tried to rob Master Thom, they were found gagged and bound hanging upside down levitating mid-air - a trickster spell.
"Anyway," Thom continued. "I woke up and froze them - only to see it was Alanna, nicking some of my breeches. So, I asked her what was happening - no, she didn't immediately tell me," he said, correctly interpreting the look on Jon's face. "I ha to threaten her with sorcery. Anyway, so she spilled, finally, and then told me I wasn't going to come with *her, and if I wanted to be of any use, I'd come here and look after you. It wasn't until she threatened *me with sorcery that I agreed." A frown crossed Thom's face. "I don't think she's had much training compared to me, but when Alanna's angry..." he shivered. "Well, *I don't want to be in her way."
"Mm m mm?" asked Jon.
"What?" Thom inquired. "Oh!" He waved his hand and the silence-spell disappeared. "Sorry."
"That's ok," Jon said. "And I asked, did she go?"
"Oh, yes, she did," Thom said. "But not before I gave her my Key."
"Your key?" asked Jon.
Thom nodded. "Yes, my Key. It's one I enchanted - it can open any door it pleases, whether it's locked by hand or locked with magic."
Jon grinned. "Well," he said. "She armed well then. She has her sword - I felt it under her dress. She has a magic key - and she has a *Huru-Gai."
Thom gasped. "Who gave her that?"
Jon grinned. "Me," he said. "I told her all of the conditions, of course, and I put a guard on it, too, so that it's safe if it bumps about in her pocked or something."
"A guard too?" Thom inquired, and whistled. "Aren't you drained? A *Huru- Gai takes up a lot of power, even without a guard."
Jon shrugged. "I guess I'm a little tired, and my magic's pretty drained, but..." he lit a candle near the bed with his Gift. "I can still use it, but I hope I don't have to come against Roger any time soon."
Thom nodded. "Lie down. I'll make you some tea."
Jon lay down without argument.
"Thom," he began.
"Yeah?" Thom asked.
"I'm - glad you're here."
Thom smiled. "Thanks."
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Alanna was so far away from the party that she couldn't hear a thing. Slightly puffing, she cursed. Why did Roger have to have his rooms down the other end of the Palace? Then she scowled, and cussed at herself. She was so unfit, despite exercising most mornings! As soon as this was over, she was going to have a long hard training session in the courtyards.
Finally! There it was! Roger's door. She knew it was his because Jon had drawn up a map in the dirt on the ground. Jon also told her that unlike every other door in the Palace, Roger's door-handle was silver.
Alanna ran quietly to his door, and pulled Thom's Key out of her pocket. She slipped it into the lock-hole, and twisted. She could hear a sort of humming sound, then a small Pop! and up rose a little cloud of orange smoke, which hovered slightly before disappearing. She slid the door open, went in and shut the door quickly.
Alanna looked around the room. It looked simple enough; a wooden desk was in one corner, on it a candle and an expensive-looking goblet full of blood- red wine. There was a plant in one corner, and a mirror up on the wall. Bor- ring.
She went past all those things to a door towards the back of the room. She slid the Key in again. This time the buzzing was louder, and took longer, but eventually the door unlocked. She slid in and looked around.
Wow.
Roger had just about every magical device in the Realm. There were seeing crystals, magical mirrors, maps, documents, seeker-devices, lie detectors, anti-fire charms, even miniature animals in little glass containers.
Ok. Time to start searching. Alanna first moved to the desk in the room, and started shuffling through papers. She didn't really know what she was looking for - Jon said to maybe find some sort of documentation, or ideas that were written down. So she shuffled, paper after paper.
Alanna's head jerked up. She could have sworn she'd heard a door slam - close, too. Her head instantly swivelled to see a place where she could hide. There. She ran to the lounge on the opposite side of the room and dived behind it, just as the room's door opened.
"Someone's been in here, Mistress Evahn," Roger's snarled voice snapped.
"I can see, Your Grace," and unfamiliar voice replied.
Alanna cautiously poked her head out slightly over the edge of the lounge. There stood Roger, clad in brilliant purple, and with him a woman with fine blonde hair pulled up into a bun. She was dressed in a maid's outfit.
Roger went to his desk and rifled through the papers. "Someone's been through these!" he snapped in an angry tone. "I can't believe this! You are supposed to keep watch on this room!"
"Yes, You're Grace," Evahn said.
"Don't' talk to me in that tone!" Roger snapped. He glared at Evahn. He began shuffled through the papers again. "At least they don't know where the important stuff is hidden." Evahn just nodded, not taking much interest, but Alanna saw his eyes dart over to a large mirror, which was just near her. She hid her head, knowing where she would look when they were gone. She took one last glance at Evahn, to memorize her face - she had wispy thin blonde hair, pale blue eyes and pale skin. She looked middle- aged, about 35 - she looked as though she could be Scanran.
"Well, I'll just be leaving..." Evahn began, and turned. Roger grabbed her arm. "Not so fast," he snapped. "You were meant to be watching my chambers, to make sure no-one entered it. I have valuable documentation in this room, and you are the only one who knows about it. As you know, no one can enter this room - no one can even see the door."
Alanna frowned. *She'd been able to see it quite clearly...
".But still I find that someone has entered this chamber, and even entered my most private of rooms!"
"Well, they would have been Gifted, maybe they shielded themselves," Evahn muttered.
"You have a strong Gift! Why do you think I had *you watch over this room!" he shoved her away from him. "Get out there! And I swear, if someone else enters this room, you will wish that you were never born!" Evahn fled. Roger took one last agitated glance around the room before leaving himself. He slammed the door shut, and muttered a word Alanna's couldn't quite hear at the doorknob.
Alanna waited a few seconds, and then ran to the large mirror. She inspected the edges of it, but it looked as though the mirror was glued and nailed to the wall. She stood back and glared at her reflection. Stupid mirror! Why couldn't this be easy? She took a deep breath, and extended her hands. She was nervous - she had no idea what she was doing.
She called her Gift - she found it, the amethyst pool inside her, and she drew a strand from it. Her hands shimmered purple. What did she do now?
"Magic Mirror, reveal to me, the secret you hold, you have the key."
The mirror creaked. Alanna jumped back. Where had those words come from?
The mirror swung open, and revealed a small, dark room that was lit with only one torch. Alanna stepped in, and ran to the small desk in the centre. It was covered with plans. Alanna skimmed some of the papers:
*Kill Jon - how? Where? Who to blame it on
- Framed murder? Need to get rid of Evahn, blame it on her? Kill her?
- Make it look as though Jon committed suicide?
- Frame the Trebond twins for the murder of His Highness
Eeny, meeny, miny, mo...
Alanna felt sick. She grabbed as many papers as she could, and turned to get out of the horrid dark room.
She gasped.
"Roger!" she cried.
"Yes me, you meddling little wench!" Roger snapped. "How did you get in here? How did you even find this room?"
His eyes narrowed. "I was led to believe you hadn't been trained in your Gift."
*He thinks I have powerful magic now, Alanna realised. *Well, won't hurt to lead him along a bit.
"Well, my brother never really payed attention to my letters," she said coolly, sauntering to the front of the desk. "Then again, I don't believe I ever *mentioned being in the advanced magic class."
Roger's eyes narrowed even more, and Alanna knew he didn't know whether she was bluffing or not.
Roger threw a ball of magic at her. Alanna instantly put up her hands to bring up a shield. She felt power surging through her body, and she slightly recoiled. But she held on strong, and Roger's ball evaporated. Roger stepped back, his eyes slightly widened. They narrowed quickly, and he resumed his cocky stance. "So you have been trained." He shrugged. "I have years of experience. I am the most powerful sorcerer in all of the northern lands. You will have no chance, little girl."
"You think I'm a little girl?" she asked, stepping towards him. Roger stepped back, out of the room. "You think I'm weak?" She took another step forward - he took another step back. "Helpless?" Step. "Feeble?" Step. "Defenceless?" Step.
By now they were in the room with all of Roger's magical devices. Roger suddenly blew up a crystal by Alanna's right. She took a quick, nervous step to the left. Then he blew up a crystal on her left. Alanna jumped to her right.
"Stop playing!" she yelled. "Is this a joke to you? Do you not care that I hold information that could have you hanged?" She waved the papers she held. "If you not careful, 'You Grace' you could be destroyed for life!"
A blast of magic lifted Alanna into the air. "Do you *think I'm playing, Alanna? This is serious business! And I am in no mood to be taunted!"
Alanna looked nervously around at her feet. One of her untied boots fell off, and landed with a thud on the floor.
"Not so cocky now, are we, Alanna?" he asked, with an evil grin upon his face. "Not so brilliant and powerful *now."
Alanna scowled at him. "Ow!" she cried suddenly, clutching her left arm. "She bit her lip from saying any more.
Roger laughed. "Did that hurt, Alanna?" he jeered. "Were you in pain? Should I do that again?"
Alanna just glared. "Now, now, my dear. No more of that," Roger said.
"Shut up!" she snapped. She used her Gift to pull herself back down to the ground. About half a meter in the air, Roger dropped her. She landed with a thud in an awkward position on her ankle.
A slight sound of pain escaped her throat. Roger laughed again. Alanna reached into her pocket. Roger strode towards her. Alanna didn't care if he was closer than three feet. He was too powerful. She'd never beat him. At least this way she'd kill him too. She glanced towards the door, which was wide open. There was no time to run for it, especially with her ankle in this much pain.
"Love you Jon, love you Thom," she whispered. She picked up the *Huru-Gai and threw it at Roger.
Roger stopped. He put up his hands. "What-" but he didn't have a chance to get the rest out.
Alanna looked at the door again a split-second before the *Huru-Gai hit the ground. Her head suddenly jerked up. Someone was at the door.
"Jon...?"
Her vision was filled with sapphire blue. It had blown up. Alanna was thrown back, and she hit the wall. Her head began to ache, and she felt blood trickle down it. *This is it, she thought. *I'm going to die. I love you Jon. I love you Thom. I love you Daniella. Hope you all know.
Her entire vision went black. She could hear screams, but she couldn't distinguish the voices. All the voices eventually began to fade. There was silence.
Alanna looked around. "Where am I?" she asked.
Alanna whirled around. She was standing in blackness. Everything around her was black abyss. Then someone appeared in front of her - a man hooded in black. The Black God.
"I'm dead then?" she asked. "If you're the Black God, I - I'm dead then?"
The God nodded. Alanna's head fell. "Oh," she whispered.
Just then a bright light shone to the left of her. She looked up, startled. A beautiful woman stood there. She was more beautiful than any mortal being. She had snaky black locks, ivory skin and full, red lips. She said something to the Black God, and, after some hesitation, he nodded.
"Come with me, Alanna, my child," the woman whispered. She held out her hands. Alanna took them, entranced. "Yes, my lady..." Alanna followed the beautiful woman into the light.
Alanna had to cover her eyes, everything was so bright. "Who are you?" she asked. The lady smiled. "I am the Great Mother Goddess. You are my child."
"The Great Mother Goddess?" Alanna repeated. "Your child?"
"Yes," she said. She sighed. "You had such a great destiny, Alanna. If I were not so pre-occupied with the affairs and dealings in my own realm, you would have had a very different life. But, due to uncontrollable events, you must be satisfied with this destiny. I can assure you though, you will be happy."
"But I'm DEAD," Alanna snapped, her temper finally kicking in. "I didn't even die in a proper battle! I can't be satisfied with death! Once you're dead, that's it!!"
"Hush," she commanded, and Alanna silenced. "You were not meant to die. You have an important task still to do in your Realm, and I am going to return you there."
Alanna's eyes widened. "You - you can? You will?" she asked, excited.
The Mother nodded, smiling. "I can, I will. Follow your heart, Alanna. Follow your heart..."
She began to fade. Alanna's eyes felt heavy, and they drooped. She was asleep, drifting in eternal darkness...
~*~
"Alanna!"
Alanna's body jerked, and she inhaled a sudden breath. She blinked tears from her eyes.
"J - Jon?" she asked.
"No, it's Thom, typical of you to think of him first."
"Shut up Thom!"
"Ssh! Is she awake?"
Alanna's eyes focused; there stood Jon, Thom and Raoul. "I'm - I'm alright," she stammered.
"I don't get it," Thom said. "You were dead."
"I saw the Great Mother Goddess," Alanna said. "She - she returned me here. She said I still had things to do."
All of the three men's eyes widened.
Jon hugged her fiercely. "Oh, I'm so glad you're here," he said. "I wouldn't have known what I'd have done if you'd died."
Alanna breathed gratefully. "Well, I'm alive," she said.
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Phew!! 7 and a bit pages without double-enters!!! This chapter isn't quite finished, but I've decided to divide it into two separate chapters, cos it was just too damn long to write!! I was in a major writers block, and then I got a brainwave and just couldn't stop!! So I wrote like, four pages in the last hour and a half! Hope you like it! REVIEW cos I deserve it (or so I think anyway).
~*~kaz~*~
PG for swearing
BEWARE!! - It's long!!
~ Chapter Fourteen ~ Roger
The halls were deserted. Nobles were either attending the Queen's party, or in bed, asleep. It was past midnight, and although Alanna should be tired, she felt wide-awake. Her quick eyes were alert, and her movements were swift and purposeful.
She moved down the halls - then she suddenly stopped. She looked down at her violet dress. She then looked up. Right across from her were Thom's chambers. Then she had an idea.
She crept silently to Thom's chambers, and tried to open the door. It was locked. She pulled out something from her shoe - a lock pick. It came in very handy - she'd got it from her last market trip.
Opening the door, she crept inside. Thom was in his bed, sound asleep. She tiptoed to his closet, and grabbed a pair if breeches and a shirt. She stripped of her dress and pulled up her hair.
Suddenly, she couldn't move. Alanna tried in vain to reach the small dagger she kept hidden in her breast-band, but it was no use.
"Whatchooawant?" asked a sleepy voice. Then came a *thud, as if something dropped to the ground.
"Alanna!" cried Thom's voice, now much more awake. He waved his hand, and Alanna was able to move again.
She whirled. "Yes, it's Alanna," she snapped. "Now go back to sleep."
Thom shook his head. "Nuh-uh," he told her defiantly. "You expect me to wake up in the middle of the night to find you here in my room, half dressed in my breeches, and then go back to bed? Come on Alanna, spill."
Alanna glared angrily at her meddlesome brother. "None of your business," she snapped back.
Thom raised his eyebrows. "Crap," he told her. "Damn well it's my business. Now tell me."
Alanna glowered at him. "No," she said.
Suddenly she found it hard to shut her mouth. It opened ever so slowly, and it ached whenever she tried to close it.
"Now tell me," Thom said coolly, "Or I will *make you tell me."
Her jaw stopped aching. She resisted the urge to cuff him over the ear. "Fine," she finally snapped. "I'm going out."
"Where?" Thom asked. When Alanna clenched her jaw stubbornly, Thom twiddled his fingers warningly.
Alanna let out a sigh, and told Thom of all that had taken place that night. When she had finished, Thom just stared at her in shock.
"W - well," he began, "what are you going to do about it?"
Alanna - looking at his fingers glimmering purple - sighed, and told Thom of their plan. "And don't even *think about wanting to come with me!" she snapped, before he could get a word in.
Thom glared at his sister. "Well don't be ridiculous - you're certainly not going by yourself!"
Alanna had to clench her fists and grind her teeth to stop from screaming her fury and frustration. Didn't Thom see that he was wasting precious time?
"Look," Alanna said, "if you want to help us, go to Raoul's chambers. Protect Jon from Roger - you're strong enough, so's Jon."
Thom opened his mouth to argue, and Alanna held up her hand. Trembling slightly, she made purple flame appear at her palm.
"Don't forget," she said icily, "I have magic too. I may not be as well trained as you, but I can wield it - don't you worry."
Thom drew back slightly, thinking. Finally he set his mouth in a grim line. "Fine," he eventually agreed. "Go alone. Don't get yourself blown up -"
"That's what Jon told me," Alanna said with a grin.
Thom continued as if he had not heard her. ". And if those breeches so much as rip a seam, you're buying me a new pair." Then - after a bit of debating with himself, Thom moved to a chest of drawers by his bed. Leaning down to the third drawer, He wave his hand over the lock, and it clicked open. Thom pulled out a silver key and handed it to his beloved sister.
"Here," he said. "It's a nifty little thing that I invented in my spare time. It took me a while - and I want it back! It will unlock any door."
Alanna shook her head. "But I have a lock-pick," she argued.
Thom grinned, shaking his head. "Not one like this you don't," he told her. "Roger's a powerful sorcerer - and if what you claim is true, then he'll be hiding thins in his rooms - his doors will be locked not only with keys, but with *magic. *This key will open ANY door - magically locked or no."
A grin on her face, Alanna accepted the key gratefully. "Thanks," she said. She buttoned up her shirt, and pulled on a pair of boots.
The twins moved to the door, and looked meaningfully at each other. Suddenly Alanna embraced Thom in a hug. "Love ya," she told him. "Please don't die."
He chuckled. "I won't," he promised. "Don't *you."
"Won't," she sniffled. "Promise."
He nodded. "Good."
This was the moment. Thom turned to go to Raoul's chambers, Alanna turned to go to Roger's. She turned around, and watched his retreating back. In that fleeting second Alanna realised she may never see Thom again. But then again she had a good feeling that she would.
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"Your Majesties."
Queen Lianne's head rose. "Yes?" she asked. "Where is my son?"
Sir Raoul bowed. "I'm afraid Jon's feeling unwell," he said. "He fainted outside - over-exhaustion, I think - and he is now in my chambers - they were closer than his. I have my servant looking after him there."
Queen Lianne stood, one of her hands on her chest. "Is he alright?"
Raoul nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. He's fine - he just needs some rest, that's all."
"We should see him," Roald said.
Raoul shook his head. "Oh, it's alright, Your Majesties, I think he just needs a bit of rest. He's gained consciousness, so he should be down in a few minutes."
Duke Baird came forward. "I insist that I see His Highness," he asked the royal couple. "Just precautions," he assured them.
Roald nodded. "Go ahead."
Raoul didn't mind that Duke Baird would come to see Jon - he was a trusted friend. But Duke Roger, on the other hand... in the fluster of the moment, he slipped unnoticed into the halls.
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A/N - Hmm. thought I might leave you on a cliffhanger, but then I remember that I promised a long chapter. So here's the rest:
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Jon sat up straight. He reached for his sword - then realised it wasn't at his waist. He frantically looked around, and saw one of Raoul's swords. He grabbed it, and, pointing it straight at the door, he made his way cautiously over.
The door opened.
Jon lunged, only to be frozen into position.
"Jon," a familiar voice said. "Relax."
The man shut the door behind him, and looked Jon in the eye. Thom of Trebond waved his hand, and the spell that he'd just put on Jon vanished.
"Thom!" Jon exclaimed. "What are you doing here? How did - what - why -"
Thom shook his head. "Be quiet Jon, you're speaking nonsense," he told him. "I ran into Alanna."
Jon turned white. "Is she ok? What happened? How did you -"
Thom waved his hand. Jon suddenly couldn't speak. "That's better," Thom said. "Now are you going to actually listen to me?"
Jon nodded.
"Good," Thom said. "Well, I was asleep, and I heard someone in my chambers. I thought a madman must have tried to rob me - because, as you know, no sane man would try to rob *me."
Jon grinned. Last time someone had tried to rob Master Thom, they were found gagged and bound hanging upside down levitating mid-air - a trickster spell.
"Anyway," Thom continued. "I woke up and froze them - only to see it was Alanna, nicking some of my breeches. So, I asked her what was happening - no, she didn't immediately tell me," he said, correctly interpreting the look on Jon's face. "I ha to threaten her with sorcery. Anyway, so she spilled, finally, and then told me I wasn't going to come with *her, and if I wanted to be of any use, I'd come here and look after you. It wasn't until she threatened *me with sorcery that I agreed." A frown crossed Thom's face. "I don't think she's had much training compared to me, but when Alanna's angry..." he shivered. "Well, *I don't want to be in her way."
"Mm m mm?" asked Jon.
"What?" Thom inquired. "Oh!" He waved his hand and the silence-spell disappeared. "Sorry."
"That's ok," Jon said. "And I asked, did she go?"
"Oh, yes, she did," Thom said. "But not before I gave her my Key."
"Your key?" asked Jon.
Thom nodded. "Yes, my Key. It's one I enchanted - it can open any door it pleases, whether it's locked by hand or locked with magic."
Jon grinned. "Well," he said. "She armed well then. She has her sword - I felt it under her dress. She has a magic key - and she has a *Huru-Gai."
Thom gasped. "Who gave her that?"
Jon grinned. "Me," he said. "I told her all of the conditions, of course, and I put a guard on it, too, so that it's safe if it bumps about in her pocked or something."
"A guard too?" Thom inquired, and whistled. "Aren't you drained? A *Huru- Gai takes up a lot of power, even without a guard."
Jon shrugged. "I guess I'm a little tired, and my magic's pretty drained, but..." he lit a candle near the bed with his Gift. "I can still use it, but I hope I don't have to come against Roger any time soon."
Thom nodded. "Lie down. I'll make you some tea."
Jon lay down without argument.
"Thom," he began.
"Yeah?" Thom asked.
"I'm - glad you're here."
Thom smiled. "Thanks."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Alanna was so far away from the party that she couldn't hear a thing. Slightly puffing, she cursed. Why did Roger have to have his rooms down the other end of the Palace? Then she scowled, and cussed at herself. She was so unfit, despite exercising most mornings! As soon as this was over, she was going to have a long hard training session in the courtyards.
Finally! There it was! Roger's door. She knew it was his because Jon had drawn up a map in the dirt on the ground. Jon also told her that unlike every other door in the Palace, Roger's door-handle was silver.
Alanna ran quietly to his door, and pulled Thom's Key out of her pocket. She slipped it into the lock-hole, and twisted. She could hear a sort of humming sound, then a small Pop! and up rose a little cloud of orange smoke, which hovered slightly before disappearing. She slid the door open, went in and shut the door quickly.
Alanna looked around the room. It looked simple enough; a wooden desk was in one corner, on it a candle and an expensive-looking goblet full of blood- red wine. There was a plant in one corner, and a mirror up on the wall. Bor- ring.
She went past all those things to a door towards the back of the room. She slid the Key in again. This time the buzzing was louder, and took longer, but eventually the door unlocked. She slid in and looked around.
Wow.
Roger had just about every magical device in the Realm. There were seeing crystals, magical mirrors, maps, documents, seeker-devices, lie detectors, anti-fire charms, even miniature animals in little glass containers.
Ok. Time to start searching. Alanna first moved to the desk in the room, and started shuffling through papers. She didn't really know what she was looking for - Jon said to maybe find some sort of documentation, or ideas that were written down. So she shuffled, paper after paper.
Alanna's head jerked up. She could have sworn she'd heard a door slam - close, too. Her head instantly swivelled to see a place where she could hide. There. She ran to the lounge on the opposite side of the room and dived behind it, just as the room's door opened.
"Someone's been in here, Mistress Evahn," Roger's snarled voice snapped.
"I can see, Your Grace," and unfamiliar voice replied.
Alanna cautiously poked her head out slightly over the edge of the lounge. There stood Roger, clad in brilliant purple, and with him a woman with fine blonde hair pulled up into a bun. She was dressed in a maid's outfit.
Roger went to his desk and rifled through the papers. "Someone's been through these!" he snapped in an angry tone. "I can't believe this! You are supposed to keep watch on this room!"
"Yes, You're Grace," Evahn said.
"Don't' talk to me in that tone!" Roger snapped. He glared at Evahn. He began shuffled through the papers again. "At least they don't know where the important stuff is hidden." Evahn just nodded, not taking much interest, but Alanna saw his eyes dart over to a large mirror, which was just near her. She hid her head, knowing where she would look when they were gone. She took one last glance at Evahn, to memorize her face - she had wispy thin blonde hair, pale blue eyes and pale skin. She looked middle- aged, about 35 - she looked as though she could be Scanran.
"Well, I'll just be leaving..." Evahn began, and turned. Roger grabbed her arm. "Not so fast," he snapped. "You were meant to be watching my chambers, to make sure no-one entered it. I have valuable documentation in this room, and you are the only one who knows about it. As you know, no one can enter this room - no one can even see the door."
Alanna frowned. *She'd been able to see it quite clearly...
".But still I find that someone has entered this chamber, and even entered my most private of rooms!"
"Well, they would have been Gifted, maybe they shielded themselves," Evahn muttered.
"You have a strong Gift! Why do you think I had *you watch over this room!" he shoved her away from him. "Get out there! And I swear, if someone else enters this room, you will wish that you were never born!" Evahn fled. Roger took one last agitated glance around the room before leaving himself. He slammed the door shut, and muttered a word Alanna's couldn't quite hear at the doorknob.
Alanna waited a few seconds, and then ran to the large mirror. She inspected the edges of it, but it looked as though the mirror was glued and nailed to the wall. She stood back and glared at her reflection. Stupid mirror! Why couldn't this be easy? She took a deep breath, and extended her hands. She was nervous - she had no idea what she was doing.
She called her Gift - she found it, the amethyst pool inside her, and she drew a strand from it. Her hands shimmered purple. What did she do now?
"Magic Mirror, reveal to me, the secret you hold, you have the key."
The mirror creaked. Alanna jumped back. Where had those words come from?
The mirror swung open, and revealed a small, dark room that was lit with only one torch. Alanna stepped in, and ran to the small desk in the centre. It was covered with plans. Alanna skimmed some of the papers:
*Kill Jon - how? Where? Who to blame it on
- Framed murder? Need to get rid of Evahn, blame it on her? Kill her?
- Make it look as though Jon committed suicide?
- Frame the Trebond twins for the murder of His Highness
Eeny, meeny, miny, mo...
Alanna felt sick. She grabbed as many papers as she could, and turned to get out of the horrid dark room.
She gasped.
"Roger!" she cried.
"Yes me, you meddling little wench!" Roger snapped. "How did you get in here? How did you even find this room?"
His eyes narrowed. "I was led to believe you hadn't been trained in your Gift."
*He thinks I have powerful magic now, Alanna realised. *Well, won't hurt to lead him along a bit.
"Well, my brother never really payed attention to my letters," she said coolly, sauntering to the front of the desk. "Then again, I don't believe I ever *mentioned being in the advanced magic class."
Roger's eyes narrowed even more, and Alanna knew he didn't know whether she was bluffing or not.
Roger threw a ball of magic at her. Alanna instantly put up her hands to bring up a shield. She felt power surging through her body, and she slightly recoiled. But she held on strong, and Roger's ball evaporated. Roger stepped back, his eyes slightly widened. They narrowed quickly, and he resumed his cocky stance. "So you have been trained." He shrugged. "I have years of experience. I am the most powerful sorcerer in all of the northern lands. You will have no chance, little girl."
"You think I'm a little girl?" she asked, stepping towards him. Roger stepped back, out of the room. "You think I'm weak?" She took another step forward - he took another step back. "Helpless?" Step. "Feeble?" Step. "Defenceless?" Step.
By now they were in the room with all of Roger's magical devices. Roger suddenly blew up a crystal by Alanna's right. She took a quick, nervous step to the left. Then he blew up a crystal on her left. Alanna jumped to her right.
"Stop playing!" she yelled. "Is this a joke to you? Do you not care that I hold information that could have you hanged?" She waved the papers she held. "If you not careful, 'You Grace' you could be destroyed for life!"
A blast of magic lifted Alanna into the air. "Do you *think I'm playing, Alanna? This is serious business! And I am in no mood to be taunted!"
Alanna looked nervously around at her feet. One of her untied boots fell off, and landed with a thud on the floor.
"Not so cocky now, are we, Alanna?" he asked, with an evil grin upon his face. "Not so brilliant and powerful *now."
Alanna scowled at him. "Ow!" she cried suddenly, clutching her left arm. "She bit her lip from saying any more.
Roger laughed. "Did that hurt, Alanna?" he jeered. "Were you in pain? Should I do that again?"
Alanna just glared. "Now, now, my dear. No more of that," Roger said.
"Shut up!" she snapped. She used her Gift to pull herself back down to the ground. About half a meter in the air, Roger dropped her. She landed with a thud in an awkward position on her ankle.
A slight sound of pain escaped her throat. Roger laughed again. Alanna reached into her pocket. Roger strode towards her. Alanna didn't care if he was closer than three feet. He was too powerful. She'd never beat him. At least this way she'd kill him too. She glanced towards the door, which was wide open. There was no time to run for it, especially with her ankle in this much pain.
"Love you Jon, love you Thom," she whispered. She picked up the *Huru-Gai and threw it at Roger.
Roger stopped. He put up his hands. "What-" but he didn't have a chance to get the rest out.
Alanna looked at the door again a split-second before the *Huru-Gai hit the ground. Her head suddenly jerked up. Someone was at the door.
"Jon...?"
Her vision was filled with sapphire blue. It had blown up. Alanna was thrown back, and she hit the wall. Her head began to ache, and she felt blood trickle down it. *This is it, she thought. *I'm going to die. I love you Jon. I love you Thom. I love you Daniella. Hope you all know.
Her entire vision went black. She could hear screams, but she couldn't distinguish the voices. All the voices eventually began to fade. There was silence.
Alanna looked around. "Where am I?" she asked.
Alanna whirled around. She was standing in blackness. Everything around her was black abyss. Then someone appeared in front of her - a man hooded in black. The Black God.
"I'm dead then?" she asked. "If you're the Black God, I - I'm dead then?"
The God nodded. Alanna's head fell. "Oh," she whispered.
Just then a bright light shone to the left of her. She looked up, startled. A beautiful woman stood there. She was more beautiful than any mortal being. She had snaky black locks, ivory skin and full, red lips. She said something to the Black God, and, after some hesitation, he nodded.
"Come with me, Alanna, my child," the woman whispered. She held out her hands. Alanna took them, entranced. "Yes, my lady..." Alanna followed the beautiful woman into the light.
Alanna had to cover her eyes, everything was so bright. "Who are you?" she asked. The lady smiled. "I am the Great Mother Goddess. You are my child."
"The Great Mother Goddess?" Alanna repeated. "Your child?"
"Yes," she said. She sighed. "You had such a great destiny, Alanna. If I were not so pre-occupied with the affairs and dealings in my own realm, you would have had a very different life. But, due to uncontrollable events, you must be satisfied with this destiny. I can assure you though, you will be happy."
"But I'm DEAD," Alanna snapped, her temper finally kicking in. "I didn't even die in a proper battle! I can't be satisfied with death! Once you're dead, that's it!!"
"Hush," she commanded, and Alanna silenced. "You were not meant to die. You have an important task still to do in your Realm, and I am going to return you there."
Alanna's eyes widened. "You - you can? You will?" she asked, excited.
The Mother nodded, smiling. "I can, I will. Follow your heart, Alanna. Follow your heart..."
She began to fade. Alanna's eyes felt heavy, and they drooped. She was asleep, drifting in eternal darkness...
~*~
"Alanna!"
Alanna's body jerked, and she inhaled a sudden breath. She blinked tears from her eyes.
"J - Jon?" she asked.
"No, it's Thom, typical of you to think of him first."
"Shut up Thom!"
"Ssh! Is she awake?"
Alanna's eyes focused; there stood Jon, Thom and Raoul. "I'm - I'm alright," she stammered.
"I don't get it," Thom said. "You were dead."
"I saw the Great Mother Goddess," Alanna said. "She - she returned me here. She said I still had things to do."
All of the three men's eyes widened.
Jon hugged her fiercely. "Oh, I'm so glad you're here," he said. "I wouldn't have known what I'd have done if you'd died."
Alanna breathed gratefully. "Well, I'm alive," she said.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Phew!! 7 and a bit pages without double-enters!!! This chapter isn't quite finished, but I've decided to divide it into two separate chapters, cos it was just too damn long to write!! I was in a major writers block, and then I got a brainwave and just couldn't stop!! So I wrote like, four pages in the last hour and a half! Hope you like it! REVIEW cos I deserve it (or so I think anyway).
~*~kaz~*~