A/N Thank you for reviewing! Disclaimer: I own none of the characters mentioned in this story! They all belong to Tamora Pierce.

"You missed?" The scarred man hissed at the very intimidated assassin dangerously. "Yes, I'm sorry m'lord. I would have got her, but right when I was about to shoot the other woman, she hugged her and I let the arrow loose. It shot her. I had to get out of there quickly to save my life." The assassin confessed fearfully. 'Lot of good it did you' the scarred man thought humorlessly. "Take him away" he said to the guards. "And make sure he doesn't see the light of day again." The guards dragged the now shrieking man from the room. The scarred man chuckled 'I could get used to this' he thought pleasantly.

Alanna slowly lowered Rispah to the floor. Once she was set gently down upon it she turned her over onto her side and yanked the arrow out. This caused a muffled cry of pain from Rispah. Alanna called on her gift and began to heal the wound. She suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong?" George asked in concern. "The arrow, it was poisoned. I can't heal this; I haven't the medicines needed. We have to get her to the palace. Soon. The poison is deadly." As Alanna said this she was tearing her now blood soaked tunic into strips and carefully tying them around Rispah's shoulder to act as makeshift bandages. George walked over to them and gently picked Rispah up as Alanna finished bandaging her.

He carefully, but as quickly as he could carried her down the staircase and into the bar. "Solom" he called softly. A pot-bellied man made his way over to George. He gasped when he saw Rispah, but awaited his orders nonetheless. "We need two horses saddled and ready to go as quickly as possible." Solom hurried off to carry out his orders and George turned to Alanna. He was about to say something to her when Solom returned and informed them that the horses were ready to go.

Wasting no time Alanna and George-carrying Rispah made there way out one of the many back doors into an unkempt courtyard with a sturdy looking stable along the back stone wall. Alanna swung up onto Moonlight and George onto his mare and lifted Rispah on after him.

They galloped all the way to the palace only stopping briefly at the gate so that George could pull the hood of his cloak up so as not to be recognized by anyone unintended on the palace grounds.

They entered the gate and made their way to the healer's building. When they approached Alanna and George supported Rispah between them and carried her into the building. Alanna quickly explained what had happened to Duke Baird. He seemed a little confused at Alanna's whereabouts when the 'accident' had occurred, but he accepted the story and began to examine Rispah.

"There isn't much that we can do" the Duke informed them "the arrow was poisoned. We have identified the poison to be Hurrok Saliva. It will kill the victim painfully if not treated. Fortunately we have to antivenin, but that only cures the magical poisoning. She will still get a fever that may or may not kill her. The only thing we can do now is keep her happy and pray."

Alanna listened to this all anxiously. When the Duke had finished speaking she chanced a look at George. He had turned stark white with fear and silent fury. Alanna walked over to him and gave him a reassuring hug. Slightly surprised at this he looked down at her and gave he a small smile.

"What can we do in the meantime?" He asked the Duke. "Not much" he answered " Alanna can be used for her healing magic, but you can't really do anything. I suggest that you go home and get some sleep. I will have Alanna contact you if there are any changes in your cousin."

George did not like this-that he could not do anything, but he accepted it all the same. He understood when he would just get in the way. He turned to Alanna, gave he one last peck on the lips and left the building.

The duke looked questioningly at Alanna, but said nothing. She seemed not to notice this and went to work changing Rispah's bandages smiling to herself.

George left the healer's building and started to make his way across the palace grounds. He thought about Alanna, and how she had changed in the desert. 'She has really grown up' he thought to himself. Immersed in his thoughts he did not notice someone else walking in the opposite direction than him until he had walked right into them. He looked into a very scarred face.

"Sorry" he said, slightly annoyed by this youth's presence. "No problem" the young man replied. "Have you by chance seen Lady Alanna around?" He asked causally. "Yes, she's in the healers building." George replied suspiciously. "Thanks" the man said and strode off in the direction of the healers building.

George didn't know who that person was, and that bothered him. Normally his contacts informed him when anyone new arrived at the palace. Especially someone as conspicuous as this. He let his thoughts bother him until he reached the Dancing Dove, and then let himself see to more pressing business.

So, what do you think? Should Alanna get hurt, or should someone else take the heat for her again? In the next chapter we might be meeting someone from 'Lioness Rampant' Will Alanna fall for someone else, or will she stay with George? I'll try to update soon.