Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or names etc. that can be found in the Song of The Lioness quartet. They all belong to the author, Tamora Peirce.

Story starts here!

At last the rain stopped. Coram was still sleeping by the doorway. I left a note and went looking for Leah. I am not going to leave without her.
Going back to the last place I saw her, I looked around. Darkness made my hunt more futile than ever. There wasn't anything but black. Even the grass smelled different in the darkness. Sighing, I saddled my horse again. Then something caught my eye. It was lights, from an inn, not far away. I went for the inn. . .

Those words echoed in my mind. It played over and over again. I am your mother . . . I am . . . Songbird . . . Estelle. It all makes no sense!
"If you are my mother, kindly tell me who was Jolene?"
"Jolene was your aunt. When I went on my mission, I left you with her. Then I died, I never returned and she adopted you as her own."
"Wait, you are dead and then why are you are here?"
"Although I have passed, my memory remains stored in this mirror. You are my daughter, thus you are able to unlock my memories."
"Tell me more about my past."
"I was one of the six chosen ones to destroy all evilness. I received training from my teacher, Priestess Amilreda. She taught me how to use my Gift, how to disguise myself and also how to protect and attack. I discovered a new way of fight called The Rose. Its attacks are swift, graceful and effective, and its defense is a protection spell from the old books called 'Rose' thus its name. I fought with this skill and my teacher cast a spell so that only my descendents could use this technique to conquer. Soon, I was sent on my first mission. To murder the Count Duke of Valdine, Daxon the Younger. I succeeded and they sent me on more dangerous missions.
One of them is to get inside the palace and influence the king. I had to get the king to get rid of those unworthy of their places today. King Roald was very young then, about seventeen. I managed to get to the palace. But I fell in love with young king. He loved me too. We had you but you know, with my status I could not help but to stop meeting him.
So I left you with Jolene and tried to convince Roald. He found out about my plan and had me killed. Most brutally. He even tried to kill Jolene. But Jolene fled with you and her family. But he never found out about you. I kept my pregnancy secret.
Now, will you revenge for me?"
I was stunned. Revenge? Killing? I was no murderer!
"If you help me become a successful squire, I shall help you get back at Roald."
"I shall assist you, sweetheart."
"Train me please! I forgot about my training!"
"Sweetheart, search your mind. . . I have placed part of my memory of The Rose and part of my training in your memory. You can remember."
I searched my mind frantically. There it was. . .

I reached the small inn and went in. The innkeeper who was called Ol' Mike asked me for my name and if I wanted a room. I said no and that I wanted to search the inn for my friend.
Ol' Mike led me up the stairs to the bedrooms. I kicked open the first door (its was locked) and found nothing. Then the second, and the third and the fourth. . .
I remembered. Everything. From swordplay to court manners. Simply everything. Even King Roald when he was young. I had part of my mother's memory. And my mission is to infiltrate the palace and kill the Crown Prince of Tortall. I was Estelle, daughter of Vaine, the Songbird and King Roald of Tortall.
Then someone knocked the door down. I recognised the familiar violet- eyed redhead. It was Alanna. And am I going to surprise her. . .

LINE* LINE* LINE* LINE* LINE* LINE* LINE* LINE* LINE* LINE* LINE *LINE* LINE

Hi! I know its short but I wasn't in a good mood. So please, review! Oh, pretty please? And thanks to those who did!

- Amia Grace