Alanna yelped and felt for the knife she had hidden in her belt. Fumbling for it, she realised that the belt she wanted was lying on her bed back at the Dancing Dove. Cursing, Alanna swung herself up onto Moonlight. It wasn't in her nature to run but if this person attacked, run Alanna would. She would also have the advantage of being mounted while her attacker was on the ground.

Moonlight was prancing, picking up on her mistress's fear. Alanna steadied her with a cool hand and waited as the person approached.

"Don't be afraid, my daughter," The person said. She reached Alanna and pulled off her hood. "There is no need to fear."

Alanna couldn't speak. She stared at the woman, who was the most beautiful woman Alanna had ever seen. Her voice was cool and melodic and – somewhat familiar. Alanna searched through her memory, wondering where she could have heard it before.

"Who are you?" Alanna wanted to know, finding her voice at last. The woman smiled.

"Won't you come down to the ground?" she asked. "It will ease our talk." Alanna couldn't have disobeyed if she wanted to. She dismounted from Moonlight and took a hesitant step towards the woman, wondering what she could possibly have to talk to Alanna about. She didn't even know her.

"My daughter, you are hurting. Your departure from the Palace has hurt you more than you will tell even your friend, George Cooper. You also hide from him that you worry about your future, when you know he would only want to help you."

Alanna could only gape at the woman. It was true that her dismissal from Duke Gareth stung badly, but she didn't want to talk about it. After all, it was entirely her fault. It was also true that she was worried – no, terrified – about her future. She refused to tell George however, knowing that he would try to offer help and kindness and those things weren't what Alanna could deal with right now. She half wished he would fight her; that way Alanna would have some idea of what she was doing.

Bringing her mind back to the immediate issue she asked, "How do you know so much about me?" The woman smiled again and Alanna tried to peer at her inconspicuously. She squinted, the knowledge just out of reach.

"I know a lot about you, Alanna," the woman said. Suddenly Alanna's eyes widened. She remembered the voice and with that came the knowledge. Alanna licked suddenly dry lips.

"Are – are you the Mother Goddess?"

The woman nodded and Alanna fell to her knees.

"I'm sorry," she said, her face to the ground. "I meant no disrespect…"

"I know you didn't," the Goddess replied. "Rise, we must continue our talk."

Alanna rose.

"What do we need to talk about?" she asked cautiously.

"My daughter, we need to talk about your destiny."

"My – destiny?"

"Yes, my dear. You have a destiny, a powerful one."

"I do?" Alanna was confused. "Was my being found out part of it then?"

"No. However, we have made a different path for you. You will be needed."

"Why me?" Alanna asked as respectfully as she could. "I'm nothing special."

"You will see." The Goddess began to fade, plainly she meant to leave. "I will see you again, Alanna the Lioness."

The Lioness? Alanna didn't know what that meant but she assumed she would find out. As the Goddess faded completely from sight her voice filled the air around her.

"A parting gift," it said, before vanishing. Alanna looked around. A tiny black kitten ran up to her mewing. Alanna picked it up, wondering why the Goddess would have given her a kitten. She looked at it suspiciously.

"You're not a god are you?" she asked it. The kitten mewed, asking for food. Alanna laughed and placed it on Moonlight's saddle. "We'd best be getting home," she said aloud. "George will be wondering where we are."

-------------------------------------

George met her as she walked back into the Dancing Dove.

"Where have you been?" he asked quietly, making sure none of the men around could hear her. "I've been worried."

"I just went for a ride," Alanna said, keeping her tone lighthearted. "You know you don't have to worry about me, anyway." She gave him a playful shove and turned for the stairs, yawning. "Don't wake me before supper," she told George. "I'm exhausted." Carrying her kitten, Alanna made her way to her room and got into bed.

She lay awake for a while, thinking about her friends at the palace and wondering what their reactions would be. She knew that they would be shocked and disgusted, as would be the other occupants of the palace. Alanna couldn't even begin to image what King Roald must have thought, nor did she want to.

Doubtless her father would have heard. He would be furious. And would this affect Thom? Would he have to give up sorcery because of this? Alanna sighed.

"I never meant to cause so much trouble," she murmured, already half asleep.

Of course you didn't, her new kitten purred. Trouble just finds you. Alanna nodded in agreement and fell asleep.

A/N I know this chapter was very like the book but I had to include the Goddess and as if I'd leave out Faithful! Anyway, hope you liked the new chapter and thanks for reading.