A/N Ok I have to admit something. I am Aer. Kalle really was my roomie (and she is really cool and the other stories under her name really are by her). This one I wrote under her name because one: I had this great idea but I didn't want people to tell me that they didn't want to read it if it were taking time away from writing Amber Fire, two: I was hoping that more people would read Kalle's stories because she had some good ones that not many people read. So the truth is that the author of this story is Aer. I hope that this didn't cause any problems. I may repost it under Aer, but it will probably stay under Kalle.

Sorry about the really really really long wait.

Chapter V: Leaving

George stared at the note for a moment then snapped into motion. He would have to leave that night. Official warrants were not really bothered with these days. You were usually taken in secret and executed in the privacy of King Roger's court. An official warrant meant an official execution; also Roger wouldn't risk having this go wrong. He wanted to show off his power. The King of the Rogue would be a fine catch. Ela looked up at her father with her serious eyes, then slowly untied the ribbon and stuck it in her pocket. She was packed. George went to the top of the stairs and called Merek, this had to be handled quietly. As Merek entered the room George shut the door behind him. It was soundproof, and the King of Thieves was notoriously unkind to eavesdroppers.

"I have to leave, tonight. Tell Gary if he comes that I have gone to the Seat of the Magpie in the City of the Gods. Tell ONLY Gary, if you value your position of favor in my courts, your life and my friendship." Merek nodded. "You will be in charge while I'm gone. Keep up appearances, and do not act like I have gone. I will send you a message when I get there. Until then, act moderately and as you see fit." He hugged his good friend then taking up his cloak, his pack, and Ela he slipped out the window into the shadows of the night.

*~*~*

Esanta looked down on her lover lying on other side of the bed. His bare chest rose and fell with each breath. She had drugged him. It had seemed so easy; they had had mulled wine that night. She had slipped the drug in his glass. It had acted more slowly than she would have liked, but it had worked.

Quickly she slipped on her robe, and ran for the secret passage. Her thin fingers fumbled on the catch. She glanced back at Roger. He was still asleep. She opened the passage and quietly closed it behind her. She ran down the narrow hallway inside the walls, stopping at spy holes along the way to see what the courtiers were up to. She reached Gary's door, and opened it. She hadn't seen Thom in the corner. He gasped as Roger's mistress entered the room in nothing more than a satin robe. She looked at him in surprise.

"So you have joined the resistance I see," she said calmly. "Speak of my presence to no one. Hear me no one." Thom nodded unable to speak. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. "Remember," she added, "I saved your life. Where's Gary?" Thom pointed to the door. Esanta entered Gary's bedchamber.

"Thom, bring me some more ink," Gary said without turning his head. Esanta smiled in spite of her agitation.

"I'm not Thom." Gary turned.

"Essy? What are you doing here?"

"Roger has issued a warrant for George," she said, her wide eyes desperate.

"What! Has he been warned?" Gary said rising.

"I sent him one of my birds. I hope he heeds it. We need him," she said quietly. "I must return to Roger, though."

"Be careful, Essy, Roger doesn't keep those he doesn't trust."

"He loves me, Gary," she said with a faint smile as she entered the secret passage from his room. The panel swung back in place.

"Can a man like that love? Oh, Essy, you deserve a better life," Gary said to the place where she had been standing. Esanta ran back down the passage. She came to her room again, and opened the door. The room was empty; then a hand crept to her throat, and threw her against the wall.

*~*~*

George and Ela made it to the City of the Gods without any mishaps. It had been a long cold journey though, and George was happy when they saw the well-worn sign of the Seat of the Magpie. The Seat of the Magpie had been the first head quarters of the Rogue, but as Corus got wealthier the Rogue moved. Now very few knew of the old Tavern. It was an ideal hiding place. Little Tinker, the proprietor of the place knew George at once, and escorted him to the master chamber. George's sharp eyes took in two alternative exits. The room was clean, and free from hiding places, but all the same he carefully looked around it before laying Ela on the bed. She was asleep in a minute. George looked down on the sleeping girl's face. He wished that he could sleep like that, without worries, the dreams kept coming. They were his escape, but now he feared that if he slept he would never wake. He stroked Ela's thin hair, then locked the door, and slipped out the window.

It felt good to be in a market again. George smiled and chose the first mark of the day. It was a pretty young girl who was looking at silks. The girl moved, George moved, the girl turned, George turned, the girl breathed, George breathed. He became one with his mark. Then swiftly and gently he lifted her purse and walked away. She was none the wiser until she decided to buy chocolates, and it was too late. George had moved onto the next mark, a tall man with grey hair, a priest. This mark was a little harder because he wore a heavy cloak, but soon he too was relieved of his money. George looked at his haul. The City of the Gods was richer than Corus at the moment. He saw a girl in a green cloak. He smiled; her purse was tantalizingly in view. He became one with her, moving with her movement, and gently leaned in to lift it. She whirled around, violet eyes flaming.

"My purse is not yours to take," she said sharply looking him in the eyes. George stepped back. It was Alanna. The girl in his dreams was flesh and blood. He stared. She glared. "Are you mute? Or can you not move? At least bow to a lady," she snapped. George kept his eyes on her. She was even more beautiful in person. He loved her.

"Alanna," he breathed. She started.

"What did you say?"

George cleared his throat and shook his head.

"Alanna."

"Do I know you?" she asked skeptically, looking at his clothes.

"We would have known each other if," he trailed off.

"If what?" she was getting annoyed with this thief.

"If you had gone to the palace to become a knight," he replied blushing. He knew he sounded crazy, she was a lady. Alanna started, but composed herself.

"You are mad." She turned and left him standing in the streets staring after her.

When Alanna returned to her rooms she paced back and forth. How had he known her? How had he known her childish wish to become a knight? She hadn't liked the look in his eyes. It wasn't lust, or a passing interest. She knew those well. It had been love, passion.

"The man was mad," she told herself. "That's all. Just mad, and a good guesser." She looked out the window. A lady shouldn't admit it, but she wondered what would have happened if she had tried to become a knight. Would she have known this man? She took up her pen and began to write Thom.

A/T

(Blank): I've updated (I know I take forever). Sorry.

Devilkitti8: Sorry about the long wait but at least I have updated.

Lith: I'm glad you like Ela, of cours Jon was a loser. Everyone knows that Heh.

Rhikat: I'm glad you think that this is better than the other Alanna goes the Convent stories. It was written in reaction to them. There are at least 40 of them. About Roger though, I think he kept in control of his temper in the SotL books because he had to. During his duel with Alanna he did lose control though, and so I figure that once he was king he wouldn't have to watch his step anymore. I also always thought of him as a Chauvinist personally just in the way he dealt with Delia, so I think he knows that women can be mages, but doesn't think of them as a threat. Plus the women at the palace have cultivated a muddle headed image. But you don't have to agree with me.

PixiePrincess: I'm glad you like it. They have met. I'm glad that you like that they have dreamt of each other.

Shang Eagle: I'm glad you like it.

White Raven and White-wolf: Here is more, thanks for the review.

Googlepuss: Well I hope that you waited this long. I'm glad you liked that chapter.

Mysticflame151: I have the ending sketched out in my mind. It will be bittersweet. I hope you won't be disappointed by it.

Daine: I don't know if no Jon would mean no Daine or Kel in the long run. But unfortunately they won't appear in this story. Daine is my favorite.

Mystikat: Hehe I love Cliffhangers. Thanks for reviewing.