Late that night, or early that morning, Alanna, Thom and Myles entered the old knight's room.  Thom and Alanna both flopped down like rag dolls in chairs before Myles, as he smiled and sat down at a table.

"I lasted longer than the two of you this evening.  I suppose that's a new record."  Myles smiled and poured wine for him and fruit juice for Alanna.  Thom bit into an apple and looked to his sister.

"You made an impression on them tonight, sister dear."

"I suppose that not a good thing."  Alanna frowned at her brother as she removed her hairpins.  The next minute there was a knock at the door and Myles open it.  Outside, stood the prince, Gary and their friend Raoul.

"Come in gentlemen, highness."  Myles mock bowed Jon in who smiled at his old friend.  As soon as the three came into the view of the twins, Alanna jumped up shocked, only to bend down in a gracious bow before Jon.

"Your highness."

"Oh sit your rump down."  Thom playfully shoved his twin who sat back down, glaring at him.  "Forgive her Jon, she's always been a suck up."

Jon laughed and sat down across from Alanna.  Myles, returned to his seat as Gary and Raoul took seats next to Thom and Jon.

"We have come to meet your sister properly."  Raoul grinned.  "To learn her secrets."  Myles and Thom exchanged a look then they both looked to Alanna who glared at them.  This was not missed by the others.

"We won't bite lady."  Gary smiled.

"It's just Alanna, Sir Gareth."

"Then it must be Gary for me."

"And my friends call me Jon."

Alanna looked the prince, holding his gaze.  "And am I your friend, Highness?"

"I should hope so."  The prince looked at Alanna once more before suspicion arose between the other men.

"Oh this is silly."  Thom sighed.  "My sister is the Shang Lioness, and warrior of the Bloody Hawk, a Bahzir tribe."

Alanna glared daggers at her brother while the other men, minus Myles, were taken aback.

This small woman was Shang, more then that she was an adopted Bahzir.

"Why did you not tell my father this?"  Asked Jon.  "You would be honored above others for your rank in the Shang."

"You've just discovered the reason I did not tell their majesties."  Alanna grinned.  "I need some peace and quiet."

"Understandable."  Raoul smiled.  "Your secret is safe with us, Lioness."

"Good."

"Wait, I have a question."  The group looked to Jon.  "Thom has the gift.  The two of you are twins, shouldn't you have it too?"

"But Shangs don't have the gift."  Pointed out Gary.

"I did once."  Alanna said as her face turned steely.  Seeing her look, Thom took charge.

"I can explain.  When we were five a Shang warrior came to the castle.  He was interested in Alanna, but our father object to his daughter entering the way of life.  So, for five years they trained secretly together.  When we were ten, the warrior took Alanna to the Shang village as I came to the castle.

"IN the beginning, although he was worried about Alanna's gift, it didn't deter the warrior.  Instead he helped us come up with a plan.  We worked for weeks, shaping and transferring Alanna's gift.  It now sits as a glowing purple orb, inside of my own gift fro protection."

"Isn't that dangerous?"  Asked Jon.

"We summoned the correct people to help us.  They made sure each of us was safe.  It also serves as a greater link between Thom and I."  Alanna smiled.  "Now you know my friends.  Now you must decide what to do with the information you have been given."  Alanna smiled and bowed to the prince and the others.  She gathered her things and left half the men lost in thought.

TBC