Chapter Two:

The Escape

A/N: Ahem…sorry it's been so long. I've been sick and…well, no excuses. In any case I hope you'll like this long awaited update. This goes out to Jess: You'll make it. We'll do it together.

A/N2: Also, I'm not sure exactly how old Alanna was when she started her monthlies, thus George found out about her true identity. Anyone know?

DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Tmora Pierce. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

George watched Alanna slumber on his bed. She looked peaceful now, quite a change from the few hours earlier when her violet eyes had been filled with a horrible terror and betrayal. He caressed her with his warm hazel eyes, wishing he could caress her with more than only a look. George had found out about her true sex many years ago when she was a young girl. He had been shocked at the time, but now it seemed natural, and he could not see her as anything but. In recent years, though, his feelings for her had changed from friend and mentor, to something more. At least on his part.

George recalled back to their escape. When he had heard of her capture fear struck in his heart like he had never quite felt before. Maybe it wasn't love, but it was something more than just platonic feelings.

George's first intention was to race as fast as he could to her. But before he had taken the second step out the door his intelligence caught up with his fear. If he went to Alanna's side he would get caught, and at this point, he was Alanna's only chance. He waited until he could safely approach Gary in his private chambers.

"Gary." George rasped, realizing that he had not talked at all, to anyone since had had first heard the horrifying news.

Gareth of Naxen spun around, searching for him. George made no movement to alert him further to his presence, staying motionless on the window sill. Gary cursed and lit a lantern. George blinked as his pupils shrunk to better accommodate the light.

"Where is she, Noble?" George pleaded, unable to keep the tone from his voice. "Tell me"

Gary felt a tired smile break onto his face.

"George. Thank the Gods you're here. You need to…" He trailed off, George saw his Noble Blood seeping into him. Gary bit his lip, fear in his dark eyes,

"I don't know if I can." He avoided looking in George's eyes as he said it. George growled in frustration, trying to keep his rage in check.

"Hurry it up, boy. We haven't much time"

Gary's eyes flashed with a deep pain. He opened his mouth to protest then shut it. He stood and opened his mouth again,

"The Dungeons. East side of the Palace, Cell 118." Before George could jump back through the window Gary grabbed his arm. George spun his body back toward Alanna's friend. His eyes narrowed and he hissed,

"Unhand me, Your Grace." Gary pulled his hand back hastily, hurt in his eyes.

"You have to save her, George." Gary said fearfully, his hand, still extended, was shaking madly. Looking closer George could see the lines of held-back fear and stress.
George nodded briefly before springing into the darkness and out of sight.

"Lass," he had called out into the darkness, praying that he was in the right place, at the right time and would evade capture, and save the girl. It seemed the Fates were on his side this time.

"George"
George knew he could spring her from her cell, but there was no way she would be safe from the monarchy…and his own people as well, unless he made her swear into his service. As much as it pained him to think of her going against all she believed right, there was no other choice but death, and that he could not let happen.

Alanna whispered to him the story that he already knew. They had discovered her sex, Roger was free, they were going to murder her.

George swore to save her, but, gritting his teeth he told her tightly that she would have to become one of the Rogue. He watched as Alanna's face tensed, she opened her mouth and started to speak but closed it with a snap. George watched as the realization on her face dawned, she knew as well as he did that if she did not accept this, they would kill her. For a horrifying moment he thought that she would refuse. Claim a Martyrs death before going against what she had been told since birth.

She muttered, not looking at him, "Will you give me time to think about it"

George felt his insides writhing with fear. He wanted to demand an answer from her, he wanted to break those bars and cradle her in his arms. He signed, suddenly more tired than he could ever remember being. He nodded and swallowed before speaking, trying to push back his fear. His voice came from his mouth husky and almost unrecognizable.

"They will kill ye, Alanna. It's this or death, I can't help ye, as much as I wish I could. And for that I am sorry." His voice cracked on his last word. He continued, "I will come 't ye again at dawn of the third day, the day of ye'r trial." He felt emotion well in him and said, his voice husky but for a different feeling, "I know that ye'r in love with the Prince, lass, but…I will always love ye"

He reached forward and pulled her to him, kissing her roughly, pleasantly surprised to find her responding to him with equal passion.

George pulled himself away from her almost roughly. After one last whisper he crept from the room, trying to keep from running back.

He was not ready to leave the Palace quite yet. He knew he would be taking a risk, maybe even a stupid one, but he didn't care. George knew he could sneak around quite well in the Castle, but never had he attempted to get into the Princes quarters. George had dressed himself in clothes that could easily disguise him as one of the kitchen staff. He slipped into the kitchens, ignoring the other workers who did the same to him, not sparing a second glance. George walked to one of them, putting a simple look in his normally sharp eyes. He pulled down his cap, looking all the world for a nervous kitchen boy, he bowed to the woman in front of him, watching him with an impatient gaze, George said in a high pitched voice that could pass him for a much younger boy,

"'s'cuse, Miss, I 'as orders 'ere 't bring a cup 'o 'ot tea 't 'Is 'Highness 'imself." He shuffled his feet, staring helplessly up at her.
The woman looked down at him with a little more interest.

"You new here, laddy? Who hired ye?" She asked him kindly, George smiled inwardly, knowing he had her fool.
He looked up at her helplessly, forcing a blush to his cheek, he shrugged helplessly,

"Forgive me, Miss. I canna remembe"

The woman chuckled,

"Think nothing of it, Lad. It must have been Maddy." George nodded eagerly,

"Tha's the one"

The woman smiled,

"Yes, she'd be the one. There's boilin' water o'er there on the fire. Here's a mug," She grabbed one from the wrack above her head and handed the cup to George. "The herbs are in the jars o'er there. Mind ye don't skimp"

She was about to wave him off when she caught his shoulder,

"Wha's your name, Lad"
George spouted the first name that popped into his head,

"Me name is Thom, Miss." He thought of Alanna's brother sitting in his City of the Gods, what would he think if he knew his name was being used in crime?

The woman smiled and waved him off. George hurried over to the boiling kettle and poured some into the cup. He closed his eyes briefly, letting the steam fill his senses. He realized the dangerous time he was wasting and hurried to pour the tea leaves in and bustled out, head down.

George approached Jon's door, unsurprised to see Guards flanking it. He shuffled over slowly, giving the Guards a fearful looking, holding out his mug with shaking hands.

"Sir Miles of Olau asked 'or this 't be delivered 't 'Is 'Ighness." The Guards looked at him suspiciously, they patted him down for weapons and when they found none they opened the door and let him slip inside. George had stashed them safely behind a statue on his way there, anticipating security outside the Prince's door.

Jonathan was perched by his window, an apprehensive look on his face. Without glancing at George he said,

"You may leave it on the table. Tell Sir Myles that I thank him more his kindness"

"Jon." George said simply, lifting his head to reveal his eyes, the simple look faded.
Jon swiveled around so fast he nearly fell. He grabbed George's arm and pulled him to a dark recess of his room, furthest from the door and the Guards alert ears.

"Is she all right?" Jon looked exhausted, he was gritting his teeth to tightly George though any minute he would snap.

"She is." George confirmed. He narrowed his eyes, "Though the betrayal she feels is crushing her"

Jon backed away from him,

"You think that this is my choice? I would do anything to be able to save Alanna myself. I have fought father this for hours. He refuses to budge, what more could I do?" He trembled, sinking into a chair.

George's eyes did not soften.

"Roger is the traitor. He will kill you all. Did Alanna's proof not convince you? He had your mother wasting away, your eyes blinded"

Jon's eyes sparked with anger,

"I know this all. I have not the power to stop him"

George's eyes narrowed even further.

"Alanna will die for your protection, but you will not risk your own life for hers"

Jon's arm raised and started to swing down at George's face. George swung his leg out fast and caught Jon's own around the back, slamming him to his knees on the ground. He glowered menacing at him.

"You would do well to keep your hands to yourself, Your Highness." He sneered the last words, Jon winced as they fell. Silence pursued the room like a dark beast.

Jon's head lowered,

"Will you save her, George"

George said slowly,

"I will not force her. But I will try to spare her life. What time is her Trial"

Jon answered quickly,

"They are holding it at one o'clock in three days time. But she must be present for that, she must"

George interrupted him,

"I need none of your advice"

He spun from the room, pausing to dump the tea into a plant, clutching it tightly, for all the world like it was the only thing he had left.

For the next days George felt like time was moving backwards. He thought of Alanna trapped in a dark dirty cell and his jaw would clench and the overwhelming desire to smash something would fill him. He talked long with Rispah, preparing for a dangerous attempt to steal a Prisoner of The Monarchy. He convinced his Rogues to cause a distraction, giving them more time.

The Third Day dawned cool and gray. George snuck down to the Dungeons to Alanna.

She was waiting for him, a tired exceptance in her eyes. George prayed to The Trickster quickly that she had chosen the right thing. That HE had chosen the right thing.
He asked Alanna what her choice was and felt relief rush into him as she accented to join him. George reached through the bars to caress her face, unable to help himself. He hated himself as he said,

"You have to swear to it Alanna. Will you swear"

He hated seeing the blank look in her eyes.

She swore. She held his hands and swore to The Trickster that she would serve The Rogue and until her Death she would be His. She swore by the Goddess.
"So mote it be." George whispered, his eyes locked on hers.

A/N3: I already have chapter 3 written, so I promise that it will not take me long to update.

A/N4: Rispah? Is that her name? I can't remember if the spelling is right, nor find it in the books.