I dedicate this chapter to DestinyHunter,

You can never have to many chickens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: I keep forgetting to put this up. You all know I'm not Tamora Pierce, I own none fo these characters. Sniff

Chapter 9: To Be Continued

"What should I do Thom? You know I can't go back there, father will take away any freedom I've ever had, I'll be no better than a slut, marrying some old king, and yet I have to be at the palace, something's going to happen to the prince."

Alanna had been so happy to see Thom, she hadn't realized how much she'd missed him in the last month, they'd become distant towards one another.

Thom raised one eyebrow, and burst out laughing. She scowled at him, what could be so funny at a time like this? "Alanna, Jon can take care of himself, he doesn't need your help, he's got enough people protecting him as it is."

The look she gave him wiped the smile from his face. She grabbed the ember from her throat, and handed it to him. He cocked his head tot he side, studying the ember, turning it over in his large hands. Finally he set on the table, and mumbled some words. A loud crashing sound filled the room, as cups and plates crashed to the ground. The floor seemed to shake, and things went black, the candles had all been distinguished.

"Thom! You idiot, what were you thinking!?" She grabbed the ember, inspecting it to see if it had been ruined, but it was still whole, almost as if it hadn't been put to a test.

A pounding came at the door, as George walked in, with Faithful at his heels.

"What in Mithros name is goin on in 'ere?" George's voice held no anger, just surprise, and maybe anxiety.

"Sorry George, but it's not like anyone was harmed." Thom was being arrogant!

"Thom, what are you thinking? Not only could you have wrecked my ember, the whole place might have caught on fire if the candles have fallen on the floor."

"Nothing happened, now did it, so stop worrying. Now tell me, where did you get that stone? Obviously it was given to you by an immortal, it won't tell me it's secrets."

She couldn't believe Thom was being like this, treating her like a child, and being a prat, an arrogant prat.

"Well, if you must know, the goddess gave it to me, along with telling me Tortall's fate is in my hands," her words came out sarcastically, she didn't expect Thom to believe her. He'd changed, greatly.

"Who, might I ask, is after the prince?"

"Duke Roger of Conte." She said the words calmly, carefully.

He looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, before answering. "They must believe your dead. I have a plan, and you've cleared things up. Roger has always seemed false to me, and he is definitely not the most powerful sorcerer, we could easily match him."

Now this was the Thom she knew and loved, the one who believed her no matter how odd her ideas were.

"I have a plan, so listen closely."

Jon breakfast. It had been over a month since Alanna had gone missing, and he still didn't feel normal. Thom's parents had left awhile ago, but Thom had stayed, deciding to complete his training in Tortall. His knight master had come to Tortall with him, so he was kept busy. Jon had a good friendship going with the younger boy, though he hadn't seen Thom for a few days.

Breakfast was boring and uneventful as always, Jon putting up a front to look like he actually cared what the others were saying, but truly, he had better things to worry about, like where Thom was.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he headed to his room. Knocking sharply, he waited, but no answer came.

Maybe I should go visit George instead, it's been what, four weeks? Five?

He hadn't gone for a ride since that day, a long time ago, he'd come to the stables and found his horse lathered in sweat. He couldn't imagine who'd ridden the horse so hard, and not stopped to take care of him. Jon had been angry at the cruelty, but was glad that his horse was okay.

Now, saddling his horse, once again, his thoughts wandered away, thinking about where Alanna could have gone. The Own had searched the lands, on horse and foot, but there was no trace of her. A horse had never been taken from the stables, so she must have gone on foot.

"Maybe our paths will cross again someday," he whispered to Darkness. Not in a million years would he have thought someday would be in less than an hour.

Tapping lightly on the door, he wondered what George was doing, he was usually downstairs playing cars at this time of the day, or out in the stables talking with his associates, but Solom had assured him he was up here.

George opened the door, covered in sweat. He disguised his surprise, and his panic. He'd just been training with Alanna, she was still in the room.

"Jon, good te see ye, but now's not a good time," he said, faking calmness. There was no way for Alanna to escape, she was in the adjoining room, practicing.

"Is it Thom, George?" A voice yelled.

"Who've you got in their George?" Jonathon wondered what was going on, and what his friend had to do with it.

Jon pushed past George just as a red head popped through the doorway.

Silence filled the room as each person stared at the other. No one dared to speak.

"Why is the door open George? Is Alanna here?" A familiar voice broke the silence.

Don't hurt me, the cliffie had to come!!!! Sorry for the boring, dull chapter, but I couldn't think of what to write!! Email me if you have some idea's, Review too!! Sorry I have no time to edit, so bear with me!!!