I don't own any of the characters created by Tamora Pierce.

=Remembrance=

"This is her?" The figure in the shadows bent down and touched the howling child. "She is perfect."

Cedric shrank back as soon as the figure held the child. Finding his voice, Cedric asked, "W-what are you going to do w-with her me lord?"

Cedric could see the Lady glare at him from the corner of his eyes but he didn't care anymore. Ever since he had watched the little girl, he had formed some odd attachment to her; he wanted to make sure the child remained safe.

"This little one is a lot like your sister, Cedar," the figure began. "She's also a lot like the Lioness in the ways of magic." The figure handed the child back to Cedric. "She will make a wonderful specimen."

The figure turned so that his back faced the Lady and Cedric. "Lady, make the preparations for the ceremony. Have it ready by the end of the week."

=The Evening of the King's Ball=

Within their bedroom, George sat quietly across from Alanna. He wasn't use to seeing his wife look so solemn and tired. He stood slowly and sat behind her, on their bed. He placed his hands on her shoulders and began to massage. "So, what's bothering you? That girl is in the dungeon, she can't bug us right now."

Alanna sighed. "George…" she grabbed her husband's hand and looked up at him over her shoulder. "I never told you…"

"You could tell me now." He kissed her forehead, and pulled her back into his embrace. He felt Alanna's body start to relax.

She stared at the ceiling, then said, "About a few years ago, Neal and I had gotten some information about a new gang in Tyra. They were called Wild Dragons, or something like that. I don't really remember." Her eyes never wavered from the ceiling as George listened intently. "They had been terrorizing this village for a few months, so, it being my sworn duty to defend the innocent, I went after them…with Neal of course.

"Damn, that boy wouldn't shut up." Alanna smirked. "All the way to Tyra, he kept saying how he'd probably have to heal my sorry arse. But, he was good. He was a fighter. But more importantly, he was a healer."

==Flashback==

Alanna and Neal traveled on open rode. Neal was complaining about something or other, the Lioness wasn't even paying attention, when she saw something on the ground.

"Shut up, boy," Alanna growled. She dismounted and stared at the item she had seen half hidden in the grass.

Neal glared at her and dismounted. He walked up next to Alanna and stared at the item. It was a piece of cloth. Alanna handed it to him and said, "What do you feel."

Neal passed his hands over it and shut his eyes. The wind blew slightly, mussing up his hair, and Alanna waited in irritated silence as her young squire worked. Finally, he handed it back to her and said, "Cotton, I believe. A little coarse for my skin."

Alanna smacked him. "Quit being a smart arse. Use your magic."

"I did." Neal rubbed the back of his head and cursed inwardly. "I felt traces of magic woven into it. I think it was spelled to protect the wearer."

"Good. What else?" Alanna jumped back onto her saddle.

Neal did likewise. "The person might have used magic before they were taken?"

Alanna sent her horse racing down the path.

Neal stared at the lioness' receding backside, then hollered, "Was I close?"

==

Three weeks had past before they finally found something on the gang. Neal had somehow persuaded the lioness to stop at a tavern to relax for a bit. "There's a man called Arner. My father healed him a long time ago in a hunting accident. Ever since, he's been giving us information."

"So you already have contacts."

Neal gave her a smug smile. "I have secrets," he said while running his hand through his hair, a nervous habit that lady had figured out.

Alanna shared the grin and plopped herself in a chair. "Well, Mr. Smug. I guess you could find all the information as well." She nodded to a waitress, completely dismissing her squire.

"Slave driver," Neal murmured beneath his breath and turned to leave.

"You think I'm bad?" The lioness' voice cut through the clamor of the tavern causing Neal to cringe. "You should see some others."

Alanna watched her squire from beneath her lashes. She trusted Neal, but the squire had a bad habit of speaking his mind--that tended to cause someone to get angered. However, it was a full minute, and nothing happened. The waitress came back with a beer and handed it to Alanna. She tossed the woman some coppers and continued to watch her squire and the man called Arner.

He was an interesting man, this Arner. He wore a loose cotton long-sleeved shirt, brown vest, and ragged pants. He was nearly bald. Long greasy tresses were swept across his head to create a nasty comb over. His teeth, a nasty yellow-green color, were few.

Arner clapped a hand on Neal's shoulder and said, "They reside just outside of town, for now. Toward the north end, I think. I hear they only stay at a place for a day or so then move. It's like they're running from something." Alanna thanked George for teaching her to read lips. It made things way easier.

By the time Neal returned, Alanna had dragged him outside of the tavern and in the direction of the gang.

"This seems awfully easy," Neal yelled at her.

Alanna placed her hand on the hilt of her sword. "Get ready."

==(End Flashback)==

George stared at Alanna. "You're getting sleepy."

"No, I'm fine." Alanna yawned and tried to hide it with her hand. "See? I'm as alert as a--"

"Sloth?" George replied, giving her the name of a slow animal they had seen in some books. "You need sleep. You've had a busy day."

"Quit acting like a father! I'm grown enough to take care of myself." Her voice wasn't as strong as she wished it would be. In truth she just wanted to fall into the abyss of slumber.

George flipped her, and pinned her to the bed. "I thought so. The normal Alanna would have--"

He didn't have time to speak, as Alanna shifted her weight and flipped him over. She sat on top of him and grinned. She bent over and rested her arms on his chest. "Would have what?" she asked innocently.

George hugged her tight and sighed. "Just tell me tomorrow. I don't think we'll get the story done tonight…"

=The Morning after the King's Ball=

Daine swept through New Hope in search for Neal and Daine. Information had come about that sightings of Cedar in the area, and it was her job to find out what had happened.

She circled over Kel's room, and saw that Kel's sparrows were sitting by the window gossiping. Daine landed next to one and asked, Excuse me, but have you seen Kel? One of the birds nodded and began to twitter. Faint pictures of horses came to Daines mind. Thanks, Daine chirped and flew to the stables.

Kel was grooming Peachblossom--she had sent Tobe on some errands--her horse. She seemed to be humming a soft tune that Daine felt was really sad. Next to Kel, stood a child that Daine recognized as Irnai. The little girl seemed to be staring at nothing, but Daine could feel some power flowing in and around her.

Daine landed on Peachblossom's back and stared at Kel. She looked up briefly and smiled sadly. "G'day, Daine. What are you doing here?"

Absentmindedly, Kel finished grooming and found a tunic to throw at the animal mage. Daine chirped appreciatively, shifted into a human, and pulled on the tunic. "Actually, I'm here to ask what happened three days ago."

Kel hesitated. "You got the report, already?"

Daine nodded and began to groom Hoshi. "Actually, one of the people that Merric described in there…I was wondering about her."

"The girl with white hair?" Irnai spoke up and stood next to Daine. "I get good vibes off of you. Watch out for cats," she murmured. She looked up at Kel and said, "You probably don't want me to listen into adult matters. I'll just go and bug Tobe." She then left.

Daine watched the young girl go before she began once again. "We know that her name is Cedar. She is an assassin from the Wild Dragons."

"Merric was the one who had contact with her. He said that she fought like a demon. That's about it. If you want to know more about her, you should ask him."

"Kel," Daine had no way to word this. There was a reason that Cedar had come here. She smelled like an immortal, like a dragon, but…Daine decided to take a stab in the dark. "Did…she take something here? Do you know why she attacked New Hope?"

Kel was quiet for a moment. Then she sighed and said, "She was after Neal's child. I don't know why, however. We know that she's an assassin called Moonlight. I told Neal that then ordered him to be with Yukimi not more than a few minutes ago."

Daine was astonished. She hadn't heard that information. They took Neal's child? But…why? "Kel, sit down, I have to tell you something. Cedar was captured yesterday…"

=End Chapter=