Chapter Three: the second meeting.

(Alanna is fifteen)

By the way Janome is mine, as is Selket and any others you don't know.

HuntressDiana

Jonathon was backed into an alley, ten men had approached him as dusk fell and they now stood threateningly in front of him. He had been walking to the Dove for his first night time visit, when the gang had come from out of a side road, aimed straight for him. They had circled his back and sides, leaving only his back safe. Slowly, advancing, they had driven him back into the alley, his back set against a wall.

He had killed one of them when the man had drawn his sword. Just as he prepared to launch himself at the smallest man, still a head taller than him, when some at the back turned to run. He risked a glance around himself, trying to see whether what had scared the men was on his side or theirs, he strained out of the very corners of his eyes. He soon realised why, as a clear voice came from the right, above his head. Glancing up, along with the men, he saw a slim figure silhouetted against the moon.

"Are any more of you Rogue?" One more man fled, now only six remained before Jon and the stranger. A soft 'thump' came from his left. The person had dropped from the high wall they were standing on, to land with cat like grace on the ground. As they rose a sword whispered from a sheath and they held it out purposely in front of their body. Jon looked at the stranger's back as they stepped forwards slightly. They were hooded and swathed in a dark blue woollen cloak. A brooch clasped the hood close, leaving the face in darkness, A voice came once more from the shadow.

"Janome! Go back to the Dove. George'll deal with you. Wait there 'till I get back" The smallest man, thin as a rake, stepped forward into the

puddle of moonlight,

"Aye Highness." He bowed slightly from the waist, then hurried from the alley. That left only five men against Jon and his ally. He moved forwards, to protect his companion's left side. Silently the men attacked. They knew better than to create a loud fight in the alley that would draw all the knight in the neighbourhood down upon them.

Jon and his ally however had no such qualms. They swiftly parried and thrust, not dulling the ring of their blades as they fought. They claimed two of the men swiftly, these men were brawlers, street fighters, not swords men. They fought dirty. A cry of rage came from Jon's helper, Jon thrust at his opponent, and as the man stumbled back, he glanced to his left. The thief had melted the stranger's sword; their attacker was Gifted with a green flame. Jonathon's ally was sword less, and one of Jon's assailants moved to fight the weaker person, leaving Jon fighting with sword and body against a far larger opponent, but here his speed and agility helped him win the fight.

When he had finally slain his attacker, using a neat butterfly sweep, crescent cut combination he turned to face the other fight. One man lay dead, a dagger imbedded deeply in his chest, the other however still fought. But Jon's partner was fighting in an unusual way. They jumped high into the air, flipping over the man's head to avoid bolts of green fire, then, as soon as their feet touched the ground, a leg lashed out in a high kick, to send the man flying. As he scrabbled to his feet, intending to run, he faltered; a throwing star rooted in his side.

Jonathon called upon his own Gift, a brilliant blue light illuminated the alleyway, showing his helper bending over the bodies to pick up their weapons. As they straightened, Jon caught sight of long hair spilling from the cloak. The figure turned, the hood back from their face. Jon started slightly, as a pair of violet eyes caught his own.

"You!" he blurted.

The girl's mouth twisted in amusement,

"Me." She agreed as she tucked her dagger back into a wrist sheath and the throwing star went into the depths of her cloak somewhere. "Be more careful where you walk in the Lower City at night." She cautioned. She turned to walk out of the alleyway, "Go home."

"You're a thief!" Jonathon's words froze her in her tracks. Slowly she turned to face him once more, her face hard,

"There are worse things in this city than me." The girl kicked at one of the bodies littering the road, her eyes were expressionless. "Go back to your palace Prince." With a harsh gesture she pulled her hood back up and stalked from the alley. By the time Jon had reached the main street she had vanished from sight. With a shrug he continued his walk to the Dancing Dove, looking warily around himself and with his sword drawn.

Okay, I've been forced into this once more so here we go…

By the way, If you like this check out my other Alanna one, 'Royal Purple Flame' and if you want to subscribe to my mailing list, which tells you when I update any of my stories write in your review 'mailing list: Please sign me up!' or words to the same effect. And INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. Or simply email me at Dianahunters@yahoo.co.uk and tell me which story you are reviewing.

~J~ :I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, it has been changed.

Nicole :I never give hints about pairings out. Lets just say, I like Alanna and I like Jon *hint hint hint*  Don't despair A/G or A/J if I get enough requests, which ever way this story ends I can add a couple of chapters for the other couples ending, if I get enough decent reviews asking me for it.

honeybee : Thom goes to the convent to become a sorcerer, so his life is pretty much the same as in the books.