Cloud 9: here's the next bit, no worries, i'll try not to leave too long a time-gap between posting new chapters :-)

Jessi: I'm glad you think it's an original story, and that you're enjoying it. and i can't puzzle out the reason for few reviews. i'll just be glad that some people are reading and enjoying the story, though I always do appreciate the reviews of course! lol

Erialis: yeah, i agree, looking back. I didn't like the line "Alanna of course". It's just that Serrina kinda has a bit of loathing for the lovely Alanna, and I must obey Serrina on the narration of this story, lol!

Kyra of Conte: Chapter 6

Broth made her want to rush to the window and vomit. If she was forced to drink or eat the half-liquid stuff any more, she would throw herself from the window.

"My dear, you can drink or eat it, or we can lock you in the kennels with the dogs," the healer, a tallswarthy man in black robes and a white shirt, his head smooth with age,said with good humour. "We can even forcefeed you if you like. Either way, that broth is going down your throat. It's good for you."

"The dogs get better food," Serrina grumbled, wriggling away from the clay bowl in revulsion. Her stomach twinged not just with nausea but with pain. The wound had been four inches deep and they'd found exactlytwo maggots in it. Alanna had gone into a roaring fit at her because of those maggots and George had calmed her down, as well as telling her that Serrina's family were all the same: they'd happily die than accept 'pampering'.

"Why do you hate Alanna so much?" the healer asked abruptly, as he began unwinding the thick fresh bandage from around Serrina's scarred stomach.

"I do not hate her," Serrina said stiffly. "She and I have...philosophical differences."

"What you're skipping around," Alanna said wryly from the doorway, "is that you're the illegitimate child of the king of thieves. Not my husband of course. The one who's just died. The daughter of his mistress, because his real wife couldn't give birth. And you're a thief and a murderer. That you once tried to assassinate my husband!"

"I didn't try to assassinate George," Serrina muttered sullenly. "I just tried to assassinate the ex-king, because it's the duty I have. The hierarchy works by the old king getting killed and replaced by the new king. Not the old king skipping off to become a noble and marry the King's Champion!"

"And so you tried to kill my husband!" Alanna retorted. "You're lucky I didn't throw you out of the turret window, that I only threw you out of the kitchen window!"

"I know," Serrina said coolly. "And I said I'd not try it again. I'd rather chew rocks. My father negotiated it with George and I said I'd leave George alone, didn't I?"

"And now you're telling me that Roger has a daughter," Alanna said wryly. "Please tell me you're lying!"

Serrina frowned, looking at her: she didn't like how Alanna looked whenever this topic of Roger's daughter arose. She could tell that Alanna was deeply concerned, even angry about this. Whatdoes she think she knew about the child? Serrina wondered, troubled.

Finally, she beckoned Alanna forward.

Warily, Alanna came forward. Serrina sat up sorely and grasped her hand. Like a fountain bubbling up, she called up her magic, and thrust her memories forward, of the girl she'd seen at Conte.

I did reconnaissance, she explained silently. I've seen her.

Kyra is the girl with hair like fire and shadows: gold, copper and darkness. Her eyes are like the tender shoots of young plants. Small and slight, she watches you like you're the only thing in the world, her lips in a slight frown, as though puzzling something out about you.

She has no Gift.

She is defenceless, as far as I can see, but her tongue is sharp as swords. And she has very sharp fingernails.

"She scratched you?" Alanna interrupted wickedly, delighted.

Unwillingly, Serrina showed Alanna the long set of scratches down her arm.

"You're sure she has no Gift?" Alanna asked sharply, examining the scratches.

"I have thief magic," Serrina said calmly. "Not real Gift. I can see lies, and I can fight well. That is all. That is what makes me a very good thief and murderer. That and the fact that I make good use of my skills. And I'm a good...communicator. Though I need to touch skin to speak with that person."

Alanna snorted, "I still don't approve of it. I can't believe your mother lets you do all this. Larking in the streets!"

"Neither can I," Serrina said wickedly and eased herself to sit up straighter, breathing a deeper sigh. "Urgh," she winced.

"Don't even think of it," Alanna warned.

"You're going after Kyra," Serrina retorted. "I'm coming along, because I've befriended Kyra already."

"So she scratches her playmates and friends?" Alanna raised an eyebrow and drew a fingertip down the set of scratches down Serena's shoulder.

"Yeah," Serrina said. "She comes up with some very good games. It's like playing in the street: Ilove it."

"Jon will want her to come back here," Alanna said calmly. "She is the daughter of his cousin. And the daughter of the cousin who tried to overthrow him."

Serrina lowered her eyes, sad. "She isn't going to like it."

"How old is she?" Alanna wanted to know, finally.

"Nine summers," Serrina replied. Then she smiled, in the sneaky way that had earned her the name: Serrina Sneak. "You won't get anywhere near her, without me."

"I think I could," Alanna said calmly. "I've got children of my own, Serrina. I do know how to talk to children."

"There are rumours," Serrina said idly. "That in Tusaine, you developed a phobia of dealing with children. Especially babies in diapers. That's why you asked your old nursemaid, Maude, to help you look after your little ones, ain't it?"

Alanna gasped, annoyed. "Absolutely not!"

"Just teasing," Serrina said wickedly. "Nah, I talked to your girl. Lovely little Aly. She was able to teach me a few dagger tricks, when I'd thought I knew it all! I gave her a bit of gossip, and she gave me a bit back. Years back. She told me quite a bit."

Alanna pursed her lips. "Aly is too headstrong."

"Just like you were at her age, according to Maude," Serrina said calmly.

"Do you make a point of knowing my family?" Alanna asked archly.

"I make a point of knowing everyone," Serrina said graciously. "Point is, you need Kyra to come along quietly with you. Without me, she'll go fleeing off goddess knows where. You'll never see her again: she's as wild as a bird. And she knows that most of Tortall hates her."