Chapter Twenty Two; Princess of Thieves.

A muffled curse came from Jonathan's room, Alanna got up from where she was sitting on her bed, sharpening arrows. She pushed open the connecting door,

"What is the matter Jon?"

"Mother and Father had ordered me to dance with every lady at the ball again." She muffled a laugh.

"Have you any idea how many young men would love to be in your shoes tonight? They area all wishing that Lady Delia and Lady Cyntheria would dance with them."

"Delia? She is a complete witch!" Alanna raised an eyebrow at his tone

"Why?"

"I overheard her talking to someone in the gardens. She was talking about 'distracting me so the way was clear'."

"Oh?" Her mind was working overtime. Could Delia be part of Roger's plan?

"'Oh'." Jonathan repeated. "You know something  about this Alanna, and you aren't telling me."

"I need a bit more proof, then I will tell you." She promised, straightening his tunic at the back. He stared at her for a few seconds, then nodded as she returned his look equally.

"Come and get me as soon as you have your proof." He pleaded, "Rescue me!"

She laughed and pushed him slightly.

"You love it really." She teased.

"No I don't!"

A knock sounded on the door and Raoul appeared first, being propelled in by Gary and Alex.

"Alanna's going to reveal all tonight!" Jon called to his friends. She frantically shook her head.

"Not everything. Just who is rebelling and how."

"Well." Gary said. "This should be an interesting evening and no mistake. Jon, Lady Delia is waiting for you." The Prince groaned, and together they pushed him out the door. There they separated, the knights to attend the banquet, even Raoul who hated and feared social events, and Alanna to go to her room, then to find Balern, manservant to Duke Roger of Conté.

She checked all the obvious places first; his room, the kitchen and the servants' mess room. She was beginning to wonder where he could be, when she saw him exit the room his master used as a classroom. She pulled back behind the corner. As she heard his footsteps begin to come towards her, she ran around the corner and cannoned in to him. He flew to the ground, Alanna on top of him. He pushed her off of him and struggled to his feet, brushing imaginary dirt off his tunic.

"I am so sorry sir." she bowed her head

"Stupid wench!" Balern leaned towards her and tried to box her ears.

She braced herself and did not fight back. He missed one of his targets and blackened her eye slightly. He growled at her in annoyance and slapped her across one cheek with the back of his hand. Her head snapped to the side. She took several deep breaths to calm down and prevent herself from fighting back.

It had been years since she had allowed anyone to strike her without retaliating. Even as a child in Trebond she had fought back whenever possible. She could control the pain, that was minimal and easy to push aside. It was the indignation that made it so hard to bear. But she managed to control her famed temper and curtsey low in subservience. He brushed past her contemptuously when he felt that she had been fittingly punished.

Only after Balern had rounded the corner and gone out of sight, did she rise, a ring of keys in her hand. Gloatingly Alanna waved them in the direction the manservant had gone.

"Missing something?"

Well. There you go.

As a note, the next chapters will probably vary greatly in length, from the shorter to the very long. Please do not complain about that. I am building up to something BIG and short chapters are essential.  And also, in your reviews, please do give constructive criticism, simply telling me that a certain pairing sucks, does not help me at all.

By the way, if you want to ask any questions about the awards, email me at tortallianheroes@yahoo.co.uk  I hope to have the site up by the end of the month, and then you can submit your nominations there, please don't email them to me.

HuntressDiana