(An: Sorry this was so late but I had writer's block and then Di and I had problems communicating.. hope this is worth the wait.)

"They're asleep!" Kel cried, shutting the chamber door behind her. "Thank the gods, they're finally asleep!"

"Shh!" Daine and Numair cried. They had finally gotten Sarra asleep.

"Oh, sorry," said Kel.

"So what are we going to do about them tomorrow?" Owen asked, jogging to keep up with Neal and Kel.

"Let's not think about that, shall we?" said Kel, shuddering. "Today was bad enough."

Alianne walked off, looking for her father.

George stepped out of a room, falling into step beside Aly. "So, what'd you find out?"

"Not much," said Aly. "It was kind of chaotic. The ones that weren't really dazed were causing trouble so there wasn't all that much time to find things out."

"So nothing of worth?"

"Well, the younger redhead is a shape shifter," said Aly. "But that's really about it."

"Are you sure?" George asked sceptically, raising a brow in a gesture that Aly promptly copied.

"I don't make mistakes" she sneered and walked away.

Kel smiled as she walked back to her room. Neal inspected his nails, leaning against her doorway. "I do so love being friends with you. Every day's an adventure."

"Do us all a favor and shut up," Kel replied, the sparrows peeping sleepily in agreement, "or I'll make sure YOU get main watch of our new 'friends' tomorrow."

Neal held up his hands. "All right, all right, no need to be hasty. It was just a comment."

"And comments earn you bruises, haven't you learned that by now?" Neal opened his mouth to respond, but Kel cut him off. "No, don't say anything, or I swear I'll punch you. Now go away so I can get some sleep."

Neal feigned sweeping off a hat and bowing.

"OUT!" Kel shooed him out of her room and slammed the door behind him. She flopped down on her bed, pondering whether it was worth the effort to change into her nightclothes or not. "Oh, gods, that was awful... I hope they figure out a way to send them back to... wherever..."

Jump opened an eye and woofed his agreement.

Kel didn't say anything more; she'd already fallen asleep.

-

In King Jonathan's study, he was still awake, quite by chance, flipping through an old book of spells. (I understand how strict you people are when it comes to canon offences, but I -think- there's spellbooks... if not, so sue me... it's been about six months since I last read the Alanna books.) Thayet leaned in from the bedroom. "Are you coming to bed, or are you planning to let your eyeballs fall out first?" she asked, voice very dry.

"Yes, yes, just a- there we go!" Jon tapped a page.

"What is- never mind," said Thayet, imagining the sleep-depriving discussion that question would undoubtedly cause. "Just come to bed."

Jon marked his page, then stood up. "All right, all right, I'm coming..."

(Damn. It's short too... sorry 'bout that... anyway, Di, I believe I've set it up nicely for ye... if we're still going with my ideas for this... you never quite said yay or nay on that...)