Alanna
Chapter 16
All characters and anything recognizable belong to Tamora Pierce. The rest are just the result of my overactive imagination and hopefully creative juices.
Italics refer to either dreams/recollections/thoughts
(Thom)
Thom turned to stare one last time at his departing sister- his eyes full of vexation and concern. Sighing wearily, he followed closely behind Alanna and Leo, who were clutching firmly in their hands a bundle of essential and last minute items wrapped around a piece of cloth that resembled something like a bathroom towel. Thom had tried to thrust them a day bag, which in his opinion, would have been more convenient. However, Leo had turned down his offer firmly, saying that a towel would be much faster and easier.
The hastily put together oddities was not going to be enough for the long journey and stay ahead- a journey that promised to be perilous and no doubt fraught with danger. And perhaps- bitterly cold.
At that thought, Thom grinned somewhat detachedly. His twin's famous fear of the cold had always kept him tickled- just the sight of her bundled up like a fat dumpling every winter was usually enough to keep him laughing until his sides ached, but somehow, Thom just was not in the mood for humor at that very moment.
The sudden turn of events had him thinking grimly and speculating any possible last minute dangers that he may have forgotten to warn the duo about. He was also wrecking his brain to try and remember if his twin and the Shang had forgotten to take something. Cracking his knuckles, Thom gave a weary sigh.
Everything was happening too fast- and Amayaa should not have been found, especially not by his twin sister, Alanna. Alanna, for all her courage and bravery was extremely headstrong and stubborn.
Refusing to properly utilize her gift did not help very much either.
Thom still could not believe it. After the days that had flew past, he was still wallowing in denial. His mind just refused to accept the fact that Amayaa had been found- by his sister. The Amayaa. Somehow, he had a feeling that any other sorcerer in his shoes would be experiencing ecstasy and at the very least, glee. No doubt that their scheming minds would have already gone through the possible ways to manipulate and gain control of the situation. However, Thom felt only one emotion above all others- dread.
Amayaa was not named 'The sword of Death' for nothing. The rediscovery of the ancient sword was never a sign of positive happenings. In fact, Amayaa always marked an impending disaster- an omen if you wished, or as Thom saw it- the cause of the doom that followed. So much power, so much possibilities ensnared in a single sword- it was too good to be true and that, was always the catch.
Thom had never been one to fear power or strength- in fact, he lavished it, practically living in it. However, even he knew his boundaries and where he should stop. Anything relating to a magical sword regarding death was entirely beyond his full comprehension and was thus literally, in the hands of the gods. Thom would have been happy to just ignore the rebirth of the sword and carry on life as per normal, but that was very unlikely to happen in the near future.
The magical blast had resounded through Corus- anyone with even the slightest trace of the gift would have felt it. The ignorant would be wise enough to ignore it- and take the warning in its resonance. The wise would be fool enough to follow blindly, and eventually, they would rediscover the birth of Amayaa again. And it was not like they had been warned. Most would pay no heed to their conscience or their books and would follow their greed- even to death.
The very first thing about Amayaa that most people uncovered was that the sword never obeyed everyone who wielded it- it had its own mind and it almost always chose its own master. All who had intervened ended up in dire situations- dead or broken.
However, if that was not a warning enough, the sorcerers that would follow the trail of the sword would never give a second thought about the consequences- it was man's error and imperfection.
The things that people would do for greed and power.
Thom was not exceptionally worried about the amateurs that would follow. In fact, there was only once sorcerer in the whole land who actually posed a threat- Roger. The Duke was dangerous and gifted. Worst still, he was power-hungry. To wield such a sword with such immense potential would prove to be too tempting for Roger's meager resistance and should Roger succeed, all would be lost. The impending war would break out.
Amayaa was aptly named; death was its sure and true follower. Its secrets were never divulged, its potential never uncovered and the deaths a certain. Thom feared, and that was never a good sign.
(Farewells)
"Alanna, I want you to promise me one thing," Thom said calmly, but beneath his composed façade, his sister could see the desperation.
"I know… I would not get myself killed," Alanna said, somewhat exasperated by her brother's words and yet touched at his concern.
"Just promise me that you will not do anything Leo would not do," Thom said seriously, his eyes fixed on his sister. "Please, just promise me that."
Alanna turned to stare at her brother. His eyes were astute, his posture weary but there was love in his glance. Alanna's first reaction was to snap at her brother for being so protective. However, at that glance, her anger disappeared suddenly. She gave a sigh. "I promise," she said.
Thom instantly brightened up, as though a large load had been lifted off his shoulders. "Listen. You will be chased by many people- sorcerers I believe. Travel as much as possible tonight- they have yet to find out what was the cause of the magical blast."
Alanna nodded, listening intently.
"You should go to the forest at the edge of Corus. You know which one I am talking about right?" Thom paused and seeing Alanna nod, continued, "Hide in there and stick with Leo all the time! Do you understand me?"
Alanna gave another sigh and nodded.
"I wish you good luck and Goddess bless," Thom whispered softly, as he wrapped his frail arms around his sister. "Now, go."
Alanna jumped on her horse with ease, turning around; she stared at her brother and gave a small smile before patting her horse and leaving in a full gallop.
Thom could only stand and watch.
(Roger)
Roger of Conte awoke. Beads of sweat were gathered around his forehead and his tunic was soaked in sweat. Something had happened. There had been a sudden and immense outpour of magic, and that alone was very rare.
Roger got out of bed immediately. He had to know what had happened; something in his very bones told him that this was important. Roger already had a good idea what could be the cause, and if his suspicions were right…
Roger pulled out a torn and thick tome from his bookshelf, blowing off the layer of dust on its cover. Turning carefully through the pages, he flipped to a certain page and lit a candle. He began to read.
After devouring the page, Roger stood up and gave a genuine and maniacal smile. Rubbing his hands, he sat down to plan.
(Alanna and Leo)
"So let me get this straight. We are fleeing for our lives because you have accidentally found a magical sword?" Leo said in disbelief, his voice rising in decibels, so as to be heard over the pounding of the horse's gallop.
Alanna sighed. "It's not any sword; Thom said something like many people had died because of it."
Leo groaned. "Next thing you're going to tell me is that it is the Amayaa." He said, exasperated.
Alanna could not resist but to give a giggle. "It is, Leo."
There was stunned silence and for a moment, all Alanna could hear was the sound of the horse and the careless whisper of the wind, the rustling of the trees and the silence of the night. She turned. Leo was sitting on the saddle, his hands clenched surprisingly tight and a stunned expression on his face.
"If it is, then what are we waiting for? We have to ride faster!" Leo suddenly snapped.
It was night and the stars had risen, their surfaces twinkling, encircling around the moon, which seemed to smile cheerily down below. The night had cloaked the city and all signs of life were asleep, safe for three individuals. A man and a woman on a horse, and an anxious brother, gazing out of the window…
Author's note:
I calculated that this fic should last about 10 chapters more, probably exceeding by one or two. My exams are coming- in fact, I have French tomorrow and the papers stretch all the way for like two more weeks. So bear with me- I will not update for quite a long time!
However, after that, I promise you frequent updates and longer chapters.
Please Review!
I have corrected Chapter 1 and chapter 2 should be up really soon too. Thanks!! I am rewriting my first few chapters!!!
Reviews:
Jaid Ziaen: I actually itended to put George in, but the fic is moving too fast and I can't add him in. He'll probably turn up in the later chapters. As for who I'm pairing Alanna with… ahem.
Imogenhm: Thanks so much! I'll try, but exams are up so I'll do my best!
Sly Vixen: Sigh, someone did mention that little faux pas before… I'm sorry! :)
queen-of-sapphires: Thanks. Erm I'll try and explain it okay? Yup she has to keep it by her side because someone may steal it, so basically, unless she has like a vault or something, she has to keep it with her because that's the safest place. It is impractical. She isn't dying when she touched it because she is meant to find the sword. Its part of her destiny. I'll explain that in the later chapters. And the sword chooses its owner, so in this case, it chose Alanna, otherwise, she would not have been able to find the sword at all. She can't get rid of it because its magical and there is no way you can get rid of it. I'm sorry I didn't explain this bit… Thanks a bunch and I'll try and spell the thought thing right! :)
Mage Light: It occurs in one of the earlier chapters, maybe you missed it? Thanks!