Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters since I'm not Tamora Pierce.

Sorry if the characters are a little OOC, I had a lot of problems with this chapter

Chapter 6: Mysterious visitors

She grabbed the essentials, clothes, and some of the jewelry that she could use if it ever came to that.

Alanna was doing something she never thought she would ever resort to, but, desperate times called for desperate measures.

She had no idea why he did it, but she swore revenge on him. In that moment that he'd grabbed her, her reputation had gone down the drain. It just so happened that at that moment some stupid court woman and her knight had walked by, stopping to gawk at them. Unfortunately, half the court had found out, and apparently she was pregnant with the Duke's child.

Once she'd realized what was happening, she'd pulled away from him, shaking with anger. The couple had left by then, spreading the word, and she'd yelled at him, calling him an idiot, a fool, a prig, anything she could think of. He'd apologized, saying he didn't know what and possessed him, but he had a glint in his eyes, one of superiority, one of triumph.

She'd left her room only for breakfast, and was received by stares of all kinds, even by the king and queen. Jonathon had not been to breakfast, and she was glad, she couldn't receive a cold glare from those brilliant sapphire eyes.

The betrothal was surely going to be canceled, her father screamed at her.

"Have no fear though, daughter, it is my job as your father to find you a suitable husband. I tried to provide you with someone young, someone you could love and be happy with all of your life, but it seems you don't want that." He'd paused, letting the words sink in, his voice relatively calm, and cold. " The king of Galla, King William, is looking for a suitable wife, young and beautiful, with lots of life. He still has not provided an heir to the throne, and he is aging, almost fifty. I'm sure he will take you, as you are all of these traits, and will make him look all the better." Smiling evilly, King Allen exited the room, before she could even speak in her defense, before she could even argue.

She grabbed her bags, and headed out into the dark hallways. There was no ball tonight, meaning everyone would be sleeping.

"It didn't go according to plan, but it still worked out, the princess is leaving, and I'm sure Jonathon is upset, you made sure to tell him, didn't you?"

"Yes my lord, he wasn't at breakfast so I'm guessing he knows." Alex of Tirragon(someone tell me how to spell that) answered his master calmly. "But what happens if he doesn't break the betrothal?"

"Then I will find another way, never question your lord! Roger hurled the words, making his former squire flinch. He truly had no idea what he would do, if Jonathon liked her that much, he'd just have to get rid of the prince before anything serious happened.

"I'm sorry, my lord, I never meant to question you, but I will talk to Jon, and convince him, maybe Josianne will be a surprise to him, a good surprise."

Roger chuckled dryly. He wasn't sure he wanted Josianne in Jon's bed. She was his lover after all. They'd met while he was in Carthak, and she was finally coming to the palace to find a husband. Not that it mattered if she was in Jon's bed though, he'd soon be out of the picture, and he could have any woman he wanted, every woman would want him, as he would be king, king of Tortall.

No one was in the stables, and Alanna pondered as to which horse she would pick. Her own mare, Stellar, had not been brought to Tortall since a trainer was supposed to bring her up when they were settled down into the routine of palace life.

A plain black horse caught Alanna's eye. It was nothing special, so she guessed that it was just for the nobles to take out as they pleased.

Choosing a simple tack and saddle from the wall, Alanna quickly saddled up, having no idea where she was going, but deciding she'd better leave soon, the sun would rise, and the servants would be waking up.

High up in the stable's loft, a hostler watched the girl with the flaming red locks, watching her saddle up the horse that was actually the prince's.

She had two bags, stuffed full, to the untrained eye she might have just been going out for a morning ride, bringing some food and other essentials, but he knew the truth, having heard the latest gossip about her. The princess was running away, running from her problems, problems the duke had caused. He was never one to like the duke, the few times they had met face to face, he'd seemed cold and quick to order him around, though most nobles treated him that way, but the girl had seemed to do a lot, seeming she was riding a man's saddle.

Pulling out a piece of thin paper, Stefan wrote a quick note to George.

Majesty,

The princ'ss is runnin away headin t'words the royal forest.

He signed it, and grabbed a nearby cage from the windowsill. He could see the girl, her copper curls a dim blur amidst the green forest.

Taking a bird carefully from it's roost, he tied the note to the bird's foot, and said, "To George now, and quick."

Alanna managed to ride for a few hours time, before she started to feel the exhaust of the previous night's activities.

The sun had not come up like she'd hoped, instead, huge, dark, rain clouds piled up on top of each other, and she knew it was going to rain.

Sitting under a large tree, Alanna finally realized how stupid her idea of running away was, where was she supposed to go? Yet, no matter where she went, she'd never be addressed as a princess, and most of all, never marrying any man she didn't love.

She closed her eyes, they wouldn't notice her missing until dinner, at the latest. They'd all think she was sulking or feeling sorry for herself. That thought put a grin on her face.

Hours later, Alanna was woken by a sound of feet on the ground. She opened her eyes, shaking sleep away. Looking ahead, she felt a sudden warmth on her body. In her lap, lay a small black kitten. She glanced at the face, and let out a gasp. The cat's eyes were the same color as Thom's and her own.

"My daughter, have you made the right choice?" A woman spoke standing right in front of her causing her eyes to go wide.

Yay! I got 30 reviews!!!!!! Does 30 review happy dance, skipping up and down on feet Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to Destinyhunter, ..., mage-magic17, misk, mygerbil, suzeandalannalover, alanna- of-olau, makaitenshi, maria, sleepy.cat. zzz, alianne, Lioness fury, Kore yan, me, maria, angel Gal, Rachel132, ladybug Jess, Emikae, Lady Samantha, kat-woman-585, and alanna fan. You are the peoples that submitted reviews!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now another 30 to the next chapter, lol, just kiddin, my story's not that good. How bout 37??

Anyways, I'm gonna add a new character into my story, if you have someone in mind, post a review and ill write you an email... Thanks again I luv my 30 reviews!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!