Sacrifice: The Lady and The Quest
The Quest to find Thom and Liam begins……
A/N Okay, it's here. First, I want to thank everyone for the wonderful reviews and encouragements. Having my first encounter with writers block has NOT been fun. I literally had to force this story out, so please let me know (truthfully) how it is. Someone noted that I mirror/skew lines and scenes from the original books. I do that in almost all my Fics: I find it to be hilariously funny.
This chapter is a long one, picking up a few weeks after the The Lady and The Duke.
Somewhere in the quite, dark night, Thom of Trebond screamed.
Lord Trebond's terror was completely devastating, crushing everything that was Thom beneath it. So great was his horror, so overwhelming, that it spilled out of him and ripped a shriek of terror from the throat of his twin, Alanna.
Thus, the twins of Trebond screamed together.
And screamed. Until they had no breath left with which to do so.
Something cold and wet slithered to life in Alanna's stomach and clawed its way up her chest – ripping its way out of her. She drew breath to scream once more but only blood burst forth from her mouth—
"Alanna! Wake up, girl!"
Alanna's eyes snapped open, a strangled sob escaping her. Scrambling away, she rammed her back against the solid wood of her headboard.
"Alanna, look at me," the voice demanded. "Now, Alanna!"
Through a scalding stream of tears, Alanna recognized her companion, Maude. The old woman was staring wide eyed at Alanna, her alarm evident. Gasping for breath, Alanna knew there was no questioning her vision: Somewhere, someone was inflicting unimaginable horrors on her brother. Images from the nightmare surfaced, blotting out everything else. Thom, beaten, bruised, bloody – broken!
"Thom!" Jerking away from Maude, Alanna barely managed not to throw up on her bed sheets.
"Maude," Alanna shouted after she'd managed to stop heaving. Throwing the doors to her closet open violently, Alanna began hurling items onto her bed. She took inventory of her gear as she packed, making mental notes of the things she would need. "Maude!"
The old woman staggered through the door that connected her room to Alanna's. The dark circles under her eyes and pale skin made her look older than her years. "Yes, yes! I'm here."
"Wake Coram. Have our things prepared." Alanna ordered quietly. "Order the horses readied."
"Are we going somewhere, my lady?"
"Coram and I are," Alanna replied. "You are returning to Trebond."
"You can't mean to go off alone—"
"Watch me." Alanna replied quietly.
"Surely Lord Naxen—"
"I said no." Alanna replied simply, continuing to pack her gear.
"But you can't—"
Taking a deep breath, Alanna struggled to control her rage. The nightmares were getting worse. She had to do something. Her sources had found almost nothing new about Thom and Myles had yet to write her about Liam. "I couldn't have come this far with out you, but you can not help me with this. Go now, there is much to do yet."
Maude's eyes narrowed stubbornly. "I will not stand ideally by while—"
"Silence, Maude!" she snarled. "You know not of what you speak! " Alanna turned her back on the woman she loved like a mother and continued packing. "Now, do as I have commanded."
"As you wish, Lady." Maude replied harshly as she left the room, closing the door behind her. Alanna put down the shirt she was folding and closed her eyes against the urge to call the woman back. Emotions – hurt, loneliness, fear - beat through her, all of them painful. Six months ago, the thought of Alanna giving orders in such a manner would have been laughable. What had her life become that she was forced to treat one of her most trusted advisors in such a way? Leaning her head against a post of her bed, Alanna let out a shaky sigh and shut the pain she was feeling away. Better to deal with it later - after Thom was safe.
"One would think a Lady treats her servant better," a voice drawled from the window, breaking into her thoughts
Alanna didn't bother to turn around. "So says the man with a collection of severed ears."
George grinned, swinging through her garden window with refined ease. "Oh, I don't think hers is an ear collectin' offense."
"Not your concern, Cooper." Alanna replied starkly, her ordered packing now reduced to shoving items into bags.
"Lass—"
Alanna swung around to face him, her patience near snapping. "What are you doing here?" she demanded. "In the palace of all places! Aren't you the least bit worried about being caught?"
Laughing, George moved to help her pack, removing the items that were poorly packed and repacking them with more care. "Worried about my safety? I'm touched."
Alanna smiled, despite her inner turmoil. It seemed impossible to stay angry when George was about. In the weeks since their initial meeting Alanna and George had become fast friends. They had spent quite a bit of time together, searching for leads on Liam and Thom. It was maddening work that led to one dead end after another. It hadn't taken Alanna long to find out why Liam spoke so highly of the Thief: George seemed a never-ending source of patience, enduring every frustrating setback with a smile.
In a very short time, Alanna felt as if she'd known George for years. Not intimidated by her 'unlady-like' behavior, George spared with Alanna so she would have someone to practice with. Alanna, not the least bit bothered by George's profession and what it entailed, soaked up everything she could learn about the workings of the Rogue. "Touched in the head, you mean."
"You could…"
Alanna glanced at him, only to find him watching her with the oddest look of surprise and confusion, the shirt in his hands forgotten. He was frowning, staring at her as if he'd never seen her before.
"…say that." He finished in a hitched stammer.
"George?" When the thief did not respond, Alanna reached out and shook him gently. "George. Are you all right?"
He blinked, his hazel eyes suddenly very green. "No."
Alanna was abruptly very aware of how close he was. Too close. Inches away. Much, much to close. Alanna tried to back up, only to bump into the bedpost. "No?" she repeated, amazed at the unexpected transformation in her friend and the havoc it was wreaking on her nerves.
"No." George rasped, closing the small distance between them.
He's going to kiss me, Alanna realized, suddenly unable to breath. "George—"
"Well, I can see I've arrived just in time."
Their eyes met and held, George's searching, Alanna's confused. He took his time stepping away from her, earning a glare from a red faced Alanna. George grinned at her and winked, hazel eyes dancing merrily.
Forcing herself to look away from the King of Thieves, Alanna found Prince Jonathan of Conte standing in the doorway of her chamber. He did not look pleased. Jon locked gazes with George, scowling fiercely.
Embarrassment, anger and fear swept though Alanna, all of it directed at the two tall men standing in her room. Embarrassed at the unexpected intimacy from George and at Jon for having caught her in such a moment. Anger at George for putting her in such a position and anger at Jon for entering her rooms without so much as a by your leave. Fear of George's behavior and fear that Jon, who sat on the Kings Counsel, might recognize George as the Rogue.
She took a steadying breath, trying to get herself under control. In the end, anger won the moment. "What are you doing here, Jon?" she demanded.
"That glad to see me?"
Alanna snorted, resisting the urge to hit something – or someone. These two men were maddening! Flirting came to them as easily as breathing!
"Guess not, then." George replied dryly.
Ignoring him, Jon smiled at Alanna, causing her already tattered nerves to shiver. "Nice outfit," he replied, eyeing her breeches and the weapons she wore. "Going somewhere?"
"Actually, yes. So, I'm sure you'll excuse me—"
"You don't want to know why I'm here?"
Alanna turned back to her packing, trying desperately to recover wits. For as much time as she spent with George learning about the city, Jon had managed to just as much time with Alanna, attending the same gathering she did, insuring she sat near him a dinners. At first, Alanna had ignored him, but that only seemed to encourage him. The Prince seemed intent goading her and Alanna on mocking him. Their unusual behavior and entertaining repartee had become the talk of Corus, boarding somewhere between scandal and legend.
Whoever had Thom was powerful and well connected. Alanna knew that such a person would be known in the circles of Court. However, caught between resentful ladies and scheming lords, it became impossible for Alanna to get any useful information from the courtiers. Nothing could be discussed, no bribes or threats offered when her every conversation was listened to, her ever move commented on.
So, setting her initial dislike aside, Alanna turned to the one person who knew more about the Court and its Courtier that anyone: the Crown Prince of Tortall. Intelligent and open-minded, the Prince had no qualms answering all Alanna's questions, nor did he comment on her grasp of warfare or politics. Alanna found that Jon, who shared her dislike of Court, had no problem with her sharp tongue. Along with Gary, they spent many social events teasing each other with friendly banter. Jon's interest in life outside Corus was insatiable and he shared Alanna's craving to travel abroad. In a very short time, Jon quickly became just as good a friend to Alanna as Gary was.
When he isn't being a pompous, overbearing prig that is, Alana thought. "Well," she said all to sweetly, "if you've come to profess that you've just fallen head over heels in love with me, Highness, I'm afraid you'll just have to—"
"—Wait in line." George interrupted, prompting laughter from Jon.
"Lady save me!" Alanna hissed, glaring at George. What in the name of Mithros was that supposes to mean? "As interesting as this is gentlemen, I have to be going."
"Going where?" Jon demanded, closing the door behind him. "To waste all your time wandering the whole of Tortall trying to find Thom? What good will that accomplish?"
Face pale, Alanna became very still. "What did you say?" she hissed.
The Prince had the grace to look embarrassed. "I, ah…..happened to overhear—"
"It's called eavesdropping, Jon." George observed.
Jon glared at him, "I know what it's called, George."
George grinned at the Prince, "As you should, having learned it from the best."
Jon laughed again, "A little full of ourselves today, are we?"
George's eyebrow rose skeptically. "Oh, true enough, I suppose. Still, it's better than being full of shi—"
"Wait!" Alanna interrupted, looking at them in surprised disbelief. "You know each other?" she demanded, abruptly sitting on her bed. Several things that had puzzled her about these men – seemingly unrelated – fell into place. "Of course you do," she whispered. For the first time, she felt as if she where in over her head. Too many people knew, too much information had been passed. She had been too careless, too trusting and Thom would be the one to suffer for it. "Of course you do."
Exchanging worried glances, the men sat themselves in chairs near the bed. "We meant no deception, lass." George told her.
"I'd never have known you'd been to see George if Myles hadn't—"
"Myles!"
"He has your best interest at heart, Alanna," Jon replied, defending the shabby knight, "Don't be angry with him. He was just securing your journey to the Black City."
Alanna closed her eyes, trying to stave off her anger at Myles' duplicity. The image of Thom, strapped down, trampled, bleeding, defeated, flashed before her. Hot bile burned her throat. "It doesn't matter," she hissed, her face ashen. "I'm not waiting another night!"
Seeing her distress, George went to the sideboard poured drinks for all of them. "How much sleep have you been getting, Alanna?" he asked, handing one cup to Jon. "Not much. How well have been eating? Not enough. How far will you make it half dead with exhaustion?"
Alanna accepted her drink from George with shaking hands. "Doesn't matter," she replied curtly, consuming the fruit juice in a few swallows.
"Alanna, listen to me. I'm heading a delegation to Persopolis in two days. Going with the delegation is a perfect cover. It explains your departure and your destination. No one will suspect your true motives. You can slip out to the Black City with out notice."
Alanna shrugged, suddenly to tired to be angry. "Everyone will be suspicious when I'm suddenly added to your delegation."
"That's why I, ah…" Jon cleared his throat awkwardly, "had Gary add you to the delegation last week."
Alanna blinked hard, "If you'd seen what I've seen," she whispered despairingly, "You'd know I can't wait that long."
"Being a rather small party, we'll get there faster than most, and considering how hostile the Southern Dessert is, traveling with a royal delegation is the fastest way to get there."
"I—" Shaking her head, Alanna tried to clear unexpected fog from her mind. She couldn't remember a time when she had been so exhausted. As it was, it was a fight to keep her eyes open. She felt lightheaded, divorced from her body, her tongue to large and awkward for her mouth. Alanna swallowed thickly, a frown marring her brow. She was suddenly aware of the bitter aftertaste her fruit juice left. She turned to George, who was watching her expectantly. "You drugged it!" she accused sluggishly.
George smiled sadly at her in apology,
Alanna, not one to take kindly to manipulation, suddenly shot off the bed. Stumbling past the two men, Alanna threw herself towards Maude's door. Who were these men, to handle her in such a manner? She was the only one who could help Thom…. Alanna came an abrupt stop halfway to the door, swaying perilously.
George was suddenly there, steadying her. Alanna looked up at him, amethyst eyes closing rapidly, "Why?"
"You're no good to anyone like this, lass." George replied, catching her as she sagged. Picking her up, he eyed Jon, "You didn't warn her I put a little extra in her drink."
Jon shrugged, "You said it yourself: she's half dead of fear and lack of sleep. She wouldn't have gotten very far like that." Clearing a place on the bed for Alanna, he watched George out of the corner of his eye. "Want to explain what I saw when I came in?"
"I didn't think you'd need explanation on that type of thing, Jon." George responded.
"George—"
"What's this then?" Coram fairly bellowed from the doorway, taken aback at finding two men in his Lady's room, a sleeping Alanna held in one of their arms. "Ye'd do well to be puttin' her down," he growled at George, teeth clenched. One never knew what larks Alanna would be pulling next and, as entertaining it could be was, Coram was fair worn out keeping up with the lass.
"Coram. I'm glad you're here." Jon said, giving the solider his best smile. "We need to speak about Lady Alanna's traveling arrangements."
Coram wasn't fooled for a moment, nor did the Jon intimate him. He had Alanna's interests at heart and would protect her name, Prince or no Prince. "Her travels are her own affair, Highness." he replied gruffly.
"We know more about her affairs than you'd think." George replied, placing Alanna in her bed.
"And we'd like to help." Jon added.
Coram gave the two men a measuring stare. Knowing Alanna as he did, she'd be furious with him. Still, the way their luck had been going, they need all the help they could get.
"Very well. You talk. Then I'll decide if your 'help' will be useful. Agreed?"
"Agreed," Jon replied.
"Cover her up well, Cooper" Coram instructed George before they left the room, "She gets cold easily."