Alanna
Chapter 13
All characters and anything recognizable belongs to Tamora Pierce. Anything unfamiliar and the plot belongs to me. :)
Remember to check back on the other chapters cuz I will be re-writing them! (the first few ones) Thanks!
Tension was tangible in the air. It was supposed to be a joyous occasion; one filled with laughter and smiles, but unfortunately, this was not so. The king sat at one end of the table, a forced smile plastered firmly on his face, all words of congratulations and gifts were accepted with that same smile. It was strangely eerie. The nobles did not know what to do. Learning how to fight like a warrior and curtsey like a swan- such lessons did not involve teaching the essential skills needed to face such a problem.
As a result, they were not communicating much, and after the banquet, the servants could be heard commenting about the lack of babble the nobles usually made. Perhaps it was not just because of the king. In fact, just that very afternoon, two nobles, Lady Geraldine of Misty Island and Lady Theresa had had quite a vicious quarrel. It involved various subjects and both had not come to a compromise. Usually the best of friends, the two ladies were sitting side by side, unfortunately, and as a result, were treating each other with the barest of civilities. Their usual group of friends was at a loss of what to do.
The third reason for the uncomfortable affair was Jonathan and Alanna. Both of them were trying to avoid each other, and Alanna, after hurrying down with her brother, had tried to sit at the furthest end of the table, away from Jonathan, but as they were late, the only seat available was near the royalty. Jonathan had looked down at the plate interestedly, going through all means to avoid looking straight at Alanna. Alanna was secretly pleased with this arrangement; it suited her just fine.
Alanna's head was in the clouds. Amayaa… A tingle ran down her spine. Alanna did not have to study sorcery to know that that sword was special. Thom's panic-stricken face, the urgency and the warning to keep it hidden and never use it was still embedded fresh in her mind. That was all Thom had told her so far- there was not enough time to tell her more. Her questions just had to wait.
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It had been rather ironic that the man Roger wanted to get rid of most in this world would be a person Roger would probably grow to like and respect. Thom of Trebond was nothing Roger had expected. He was moderate in height but exceptionally skinny. His face was pale and he had a clammy look. However, his eyes, purple like his sister's, were bright and intelligent and his hair was shiny and coppery.
Nothing like the great sorcerer he was.
Thom had been the youngest person to sit for the Grand Master's exam. And he had been the youngest person to pass, something which startled all sorcerers around Tortall and beyond that. He had not even passed his twentieth birthday! In addition to that, Roger had learnt that the other masters had not known about this budding talent and Thom had trained himself.
Another reason to destroy the Trebond twins. In a few years time, they could be dangerously lethal if placed together. Hence, Roger had started a secret campaign. Three times had he poisoned Alanna's food with a toxic so fatal, nothing would be left of the victim. Twice had he sent people to attack both Alanna and Thom. All times, the attempts have failed. However, Roger was not worried. He kept trying. After all, if it does not kill the twins, it keeps them busy, leaving way for him to complete his master plan.
There was a poison in Alanna's goblet. It was a dangerous one, very deadly. Roger sat back on his chair, making polite conversations with those around him, all the time, from the corner of his eye watching and waiting. He began talking to Thom, about something relating to magic.
Alanna tried to follow the conversation, her eyes glinting fiercely with hatred (against Roger that is) but she soon got lost in a wave of unfamiliar jargon.
All of a sudden, Thom deftly reached out for the goblet. There were two, side by side, one of which was his sister's. The one further away. Surreptiously, Thom calmly reached out for his goblet and accidentally knocked against it.
Both of the goblets wobbled dangerously, before finally tipping over.
A puddle of red liquid formed on the intricately woven tablecloth.
"Oops," Thom said as he stared daringly into Roger's eyes.
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Alanna trudged into a room, her brother following suit. When the door was shut was a gentle push, Alanna flopped onto her bed.
"Thom, I need to know. What is Amayaa?" Alanna asked her brother desperately. "I'm dying of curiousity!"
Thom sighed, but instantaneously, his eyes became more alert.
"Amayaa… That's a direct translation of..of…" Thom stumbled.
"Of what?" Alanna prompted.
"Amayaa is the direct translation of Death, Alanna. Death. Its full name is- The sword of Death."
Alanna gasped. Of all the things she was expecting, this one was not one of them.
"You probably don't understand what's so important about you finding that sword, Alanna. It's not just any sword- it's Death." Thom emphasized the last word and stared at Alanna hopefully, who stared back, oblivious to the hint Thom was trying to knock into her.
"I'll only say this once, Alanna. It's too dangerous to repeat it okay?" Thom's voice descended into a hush whisper, barely audible.
Alanna, feeling more and more lost as the seconds ticked by leaned forward towards her brother.
"There's a story behind it. Once, many years ago, there was a Nameless one, yes one of those creatures you met in the Black City. But this wasn't just any Ysandir, this Ysandir was the Ysandir."
Alanna felt more confused.
"This was the first Ysandir that every existed. Its name still remains unknown. The Nameless one. Not much is known about him, really. Countless tales have told that this creature knew something was about to happen- that strangely enough, he knew he was going to die. Except that he was immortal, of course." Thom paused, "He created a sword and poured all his powers into it. Like a last gift to the world. And then, he disappeared. No one knows where he went. No one knew where the sword went to. The only thing they knew was… that the sword was called Death. Amayaa if you wish."
Alanna gasped.
"That's why you have to keep it safe, Alanna. Through the centuries, people have killed for this sword. Most legitimate owners found themselves dead by the hands of power-hungry fools. People who steal the sword, commit crime to get their hands on it… All have died strange deaths within days upon touching it. Some were mysteriously poisoned by unknown toxins. Others through wounds. A few died by unknown causes."
Alanna cut in. "Ok. Enough Thom. How do I destroy it?"
Thom sighed, wrinkles forming on his youthful face, aging him by a few years. "It can't be destroyed Alanna, if the stories are true. Many have tried, none have succeeded. Besides, I'm not done yet. Every wondered why it is called 'Amayaa?' There is a reason behind it. This sword does not just wield powers beyond gifts Alanna. This sword can call upon the dead. This sword is the key to an army of the dead."
Alanna slumped. Confusion, horror and shock sank in like a tidal wave sweeping onto a sandy beach. "What am I going to do Thom?" she asked, her voice desperate. This sword controlled powers beyond a person's wildest dreams. This sword was almighty. This sword was so powerful that Alanna had no idea what to do.
It seemed that one of her greatest traits was getting mixed up with things she should be mixing with.
"Nothing, Alanna. Do nothing. Wear the sword wherever you go, keep it hidden. Whatever you do, do not do magic while you are wearing it. That sword is so potent that the slightest bit of magic will cause it to give out waves of it all around Corus. Not something you want to do." Thom said, matter-of-factly.
Alanna groaned, trouble brewing in her heart.
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Leo rubbed Sugar gently. "Just a little more girl," he whispered, encouraging her.
The inn he was looking for was not far away. Somewhere cheap, near the castle and yet inconspicuous. The perfect place for him to stay. The Dragon Inn it was called. Not one of the best names but when you were as tired as he was, you would not really care.
The city had fallen into a tranquil state, without the usual hustle and bustle of the morning life. It seemed as though nothing could go wrong- it was too peaceful.
Suddenly, an arrow flew out from the darkness. Leo ducked as the arrow whizzed past him, just a hair's breadth away from the target. Looking about wildly, Leo drew his sword from its sheath as he patted Sugar, who came to an abrupt halt.
"What is going on?" he thought.
Silence greeted him.
Leo scanned about the still surroundings, surveying for the slightest bit of life. There was nothing. He jumped off Sugar's back. Heart still pumping loudly, Leo could only give a loud gasp when the unexpected happened.
Five arrows, one after another, flew out from nowhere. They sizzled through the crisp night air, as fatal as the most potent poison and struck with deadly aim. Five arrows. Leo could only feel his jaw drop.
Sugar gave a loud neigh and tumbled onto the ground, dead.
Leo felt a rush of emotions, all at once. The initial sadness replaced by something else- Anger. Leo felt fury pump steadily in him as a masked man jumped out. Leo gave a cold smile. He had expected that. Heart pumping with ire, he rushed forward.
"You killed my horse, stranger. Now you shall pay." Leo said calmly. The attacker stared at Leo, something like fear bubbling in his eyes. He was obviously a skilled killer, but the way Leo spoke; the deadly cool way unnerved him. It was too late to escape.
Swinging his sword, Leo rushed into a series of deadly strokes, each one increasing in speed and straying dangerously to the vital spots- the neck, the chest and the stomach. The attacker fought back to, both swords meeting with a clash that reverberated in the once-silent night.
Leo faked a swipe in the attacker's left. The attacker immediately swung up his blade, as though he wanted to block of the attack. Leo however swung his blade to the right, aiming for the shoulder, something which would impede the defense. The attacker blocked his sword just in time.
The fight went on. The attacker jabbed a few deadly swords which looked close to hitting home but Leo blocked his shots in time. On the other hand, the attacker also blocked Leo's repeated attacks.
Exasperated, Leo swung the blade wildly. The attacker ducked the sword and took advantage of the situation. He sent the blade flying into Leo's shoulder. As a puddle of red steadily grew in size in Leo's shirt, so did Leo's anger and determination.
Suddenly, with remarkable gusto, Leo fought back viciously. Shot after shot he sent flying, until suddenly, he had an idea. With amazing accuracy and remarkable strength, Leo aimed and sent the sword flying, straight into the attacker's heart. The attacker, too shocked to do anything, stared straight into Leo's eyes as death seeped into him.
Leo calmly walked towards the body of his dead horse. It was then when his knees buckled and he sank onto the floor. A strange sense of lost filled the empty gap in him. Sugar was dead- his trusty companion.
Leo felt tears well up in his eyes. Stifling the urge to cry, Leo stood up, kissed his horse gently on its head, stared one last time at the body of his dead steed and walked forward again.
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Hey, I know I have not updated for like a month, but something cropped up and I was really busy. Sorry about that- hope you like this chapter. Not as long as I expected but not the shortest chapter…
Thanks to all people who reviewed! More than 100 reviews! Hugs
Thanks for all criticism and comments! :)
One last message- please check back on the past chapters because I am going to re-write some of them completely- Thanks!
Tanglewoodmage: Thanks and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story! :)
Addikins: Thanks so much! hugs That's like the best compliment I have ever received!
Miamouse: I'm keeping it different, but she'll still meet George, but some time later… :)
Rubberduck: I'm trying to make Roger more complex, I mean he's evil and all… but you'll find out more about him later in the other chapters. That was one of my favourite chapters too! Lol!
Rock-dadock-bitch: A novel? Thanks… lol!