Alanna

Chapter 17

Disclaimer: All characters and plot belong solely to Tamora Pierce! The rest are just the ramblings of an insane idiot- namely me.

(The ride)

Leo and Alanna were at the final stretch. They had taken short breaks along the way, pausing at spots there were desolate and preferably, covered by trees. Mostly, they rested to eat some packed food or catch a sip of water, all the time lying under the trees for shelter and protection. All communication between the two had ceased an hour after they left the castle- they were both too tired to talk- it was a mutual agreement. Hence, they chose instead to concentrate their energy riding as fast as possible.

It was near dusk. The sky, which had been ebony dark and emblazoned by twinkling stars and a crescent moon moments before had disappeared, sun rising slowly into the sky, bringing along orange and red, hope and life. Leo and Alanna felt their spirits rise with the morning sun, as birds in trees began to chirp and the sound of life ringing in their ears. It was a beautiful day to be riding, truthfully, but Leo and Alanna were somewhat weary after their long night and could not enjoy it fully.

The trees were growing denser and Alanna could recognize their location. The forest was very near by, and Alanna, who had never been there before, still had a pretty good idea where the entrance was and the best position to enter it.

The night had been uneventful. Except for the cramped muscles and aching body, there had been nothing more to trouble the two riders, not counting the lethargy they both experienced. Alanna was thankful- it was obvious that the sorcerers were still figuring out the cause of the blast. However, Alanna could still feel a deep sense of guilt of making such a stupid and careless error- cutting short Leo's stay at the castle and breaking off all contact with her brother. Maybe- there was also guilt because she had to leave a certain someone behind, just maybe.

"The entrance is here," Alanna said softly as her horse turned to the right and entered a clearing. With a soft gasp, she paused momentarily, drinking in the sight of the forest.

The trees were tall and ominous, looming above their heads, the mere silhouette already dominating the forest. The interlocked crown was so dense that little light could penetrate through the canopy, leaving the forest dark and thankfully- dry. All Alanna could see was a tunnel of seemingly perpetual blackness, and unexpectedly, goose bumps popped out on her arms. The forest had a sinister feel, and that, was never a good sign.

Giving a sigh, Alanna turned to Leo, who stared at her back, before giving each other a small smile. They both rode into the forest, slower than their usual gallop. Without a need to communicate, both of them knew that the opposing party shared a similar feeling of apprehension. The forest was gloomy and dark- the air was dank and the smell of decomposition was pungent in the air. No, the forest was definitely not a place they wanted to be in.

Rather hesitantly, they rode their horses forward, all the time rubbing the hairs of their steed, soothing the no doubt turmoil filled feelings of the beast. Horses detested the dark, and it was only out of sheer loyalty that the beasts kept to the masters. For that, Alanna and Leo were pleased.

"We need to find shelter, we're exhausted," Leo stated matter-of-factly.

Alanna nodded, then remembering that Leo probably couldn't see her, replied, "Yes."

The two rode on for a distance, gradually reaching the inner part of the forest. There they stopped- the undergrowth and trees had grown too thick for the horses to go any further. Instead, they tied their horses to the bark of a tree and gathering their sparse belongings, found a few hedges that were prickly and sharp. They hedge had grown in an oval shape, forming a fence for protection. Alanna and Leo went there, agreed that it was the best place possible and lit a fire.

Although they knew that one of them should stay guard, they were both too tired, and within minutes, the forest fell silent again.

(Thom)

Thom turned to stare out of the window, enjoying the brilliant rays of the sun. He sighed for a moment, shielded his eyes and drew the curtains. It was in the afternoon and Thom could only feel anxiety over the location of his sister and the Shang, Leo.

It's just like Alanna to do such a rash thing and forget about the sword.

Thom was beginning to suspect that Amayaa had chosen Alanna as the owner of it- solely because of Alanna's rather forgetful nature. Perhaps the sword was looking for attention and seeking the limelight, or maybe, there was a hidden purpose beneath the ploy. Thom would never know. Such matters were up to the God's and Goddesses' to decide, and Thom, a mere mortal, could never understand the divine.

Thom was very worried. The forest he had recommended his twin to go to was not the safest place in Corus. In fact, it was probably the most dangerous- which was precisely why he had sent them there. He hoped with all his might and power that his sister and Leo would be able to escape unscathed- Goddess knows the dangerous creatures that lurked there.

Thom made the sign for safety before taking a few weary steps to the bookshelves. Pulling out a rather dusty and old book, he began to read, hoping to take his mind off his sister.

However, he just could not concentrate that day. Instead, there was something in his mind that he had forgotten- what was it? After pausing for a moment, Thom made a decision- he was going to see someone- George- the next day. He had a favor to ask of the thief.

(A beastly attack)

Leo and Thom slept peacefully, their heads in dreamless slumber, lying side by side, keeping close to the fire, which Leo had started to hopefully ward off other creatures or beasts. The air above them was dense and thick but the duo was heavily asleep- oblivious to their surroundings.

Unknown to them, danger was just a meter away.

A wolf stood ominously by the side, head quirked to the side, watching the sleeping duo. The smell of fresh blood and human meat wafted through his nostrils, sending trickles of hunger and lust down its spine. It had been days since he had last fed and years since he had tasted human meat- and Kougar, the wolf, could already feel succulent flesh traveling down his throat.

With practiced footsteps, he crawled forward, his padded paws silent against the cracking and dry soil, a tongue sticking out in anticipation and its canines flashing in the dim sunlight. He leant back, about to pounce on the female, when Leo stirred and opened his eyes.

It was a nightmare. Leo woke up, expecting to see the rays of the sun and tall trees looked straight into the eye of a wolf- a famished, half-insane wolf. With the air of a practiced Shang, he drew out his sword in an instant and stepped on Alanna's hand with a foot. Then, he jumped on his feet while Alanna gave a startled cry and followed suit.

Standing side by side, swords drawn and blades glinting, they waited. This was something they had practiced before- it was just another training. The wolf circled them first- its companion, who had appeared, following suit. Suddenly, Kougar pounced on Alanna, who instantly swung her sword, blocking her body. Kougar however, ignored the feel of the blade against his chest and instead, gave a bloodthirsty snarl and attempted to scratch Alanna's face.

Alanna took a step backwards and the wolf fell to its four paws.

On the other side, the she-wolf and Leo were engaged in a vicious battle, both of them with interlocking limbs, Leo attempting to struggle to throw off the she-wolf. It was evident that this was the better of the duo, and its strength was unrivalled- even for a Shang. Alanna whipped out another blade, a small one, and with precise accuracy, threw it into the flesh of the wolf. It gave a howl and fell off, the blade embedded deep in its flesh.

Kougar gave a growl, the noise saddening guttural and sinister, sending chills down everyone's spine. Kougar was furious- these humans had killed his mate. Suddenly, without warning, he pounced on Alanna, who tried to block but could not do so. He scratched her arm as Alanna placed them before her face, protecting herself. The wolf thrust open its jaw and got ready to sink its canines into Alanna.

Leo acted fast. He rushed over and using his sword, pierced the wolf by the side and kicked him off Alanna. The wolf was silent- all time seemed to stop and the sounds of the forest sounded like it had increased in decibels. The sound of the gentle wind that caressed their faces, the sound of the crickets and the birds, the sound of the rustling of the leaves- for a moment, these sounds seemed to roll in one and rush past Alanna's ears- her senses were elevated.

She saw the sweat droplet that trickled down Leo's face, his fist clenched tight and his knuckles white with tension. His blade was stained with dark lurid red blood and his tunic was torn. There was a scratch on his arm.

For awhile, the world seemed to be a myriad of different sounds and sights- the taste of the dank air and humidity was thick in her nostrils- the feel of the tension crackling was static on her skin- the taste of success lingered on her tongue.

And then, suddenly, the howl of a dying wolf resounded, reverberating through the forest, before it died down- the last cry Kougar would ever make…

(The God's anxiety)

She twisted her hair in one swift motion, tying it up securely in a firm knot. Turning to stare at her reflection in the mirror, she was pleased with her appearance and turned to leave, all this time, her face was creased with lines of anxiety that was not ripples on a water surface.

The other's refused to let her help- the divine could not meddle with human events- it was an unwritten law- it was forbidden- it was simply… not done. However, she was nervous- worried. The war was so close, so much was at stake should the chosen one not complete the task. The other god's were beginning to feel concerned too, though they mostly masked their worry. After all, it would not do to show their weakness and fear. Instead, they remained calm and composed, but secretly, they grew more nervous as the days past.

The God sighed- there was so much at stake. They could not fail.