A.N ok, here's my disclaimer for the entire chapter! If I were Tamora Pierce, would I be writing on fanfiction?

Special thanks to Kurenai for being my beta!

Yes, I killed off alanna. Otherwise, what would my plot be? Yes, I'm sorry, but I had to do it!

CHAPTER FOUR-Strange Events

When George and Mara (or Marana) were gone, Russi decided she'd like to explore the woods outside the tower even though Daddy had told her not to. "Lys? Do you wanna go out and explore? Ole 'larsa should go to sleep in about 10 minutes if we're quiet." Russi told Lysand all this with a mischievous smile on her face and a twinkle in her hazel eyes, similar to George's.

Lysand looked up quickly. "Didn't uncle George say not to go there? He said that there were dangerous people in the woods and animals too! The animal lady said she'd talk to them for us but she's not here now. So…" his voice trailed off.

"Relax…. Hey! B'larsa's asleep! Lets go!" Russi dragged Lysand off the premises and into the woods.

When inside, they stopped and looked at the colors. "Wow…I like the colors! Brown, green, red, yellow,..what's that color again? Umm..Orange! oh look, a rabbit! It's looking at me!" Russi whispered, excitedly.

The rabbit was not afraid. He saw the strange girl walking towards it. He tilted his head upward as she got closer. She was big. Very, very big. She picked him up. But he wasn't afraid.

When Russi picked the rabbit she saw his big brown eyes, blinking and unafraid. She was gone. Lysand stood in silence, waiting for her to say something like, 'Oh, you're so cute' or something like that. He shuffled about in the leaves. Finally, Lysand tapped her shoulder. "Russi? Are you there? Hello?" He inqueried.

Bad idea.

"AAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII" Russi screamed. (You know how 5 year olds have those shrill voices? It's a really high-pitched scream) The rabbit stiffened and bounded off very quickly. Russi turned around, glaring.

"Please don't scare me like that, EVER! Ok?" she yelled, nearly hysterical. Lysand stumbled back, surprised by the force of her reaction. "You know what? Let's just go back. I think I've had enough." Russi turned and ran away, back to the castle.

Lysand just stood there with his mouth open, startled. He had no clue what had just happened. "Whoa.." he said ever so reverently.

11 years later

Russi Rose Daphne Rain sat in a chair on the balcony, overlooking the woods. "What are you looking at? George, her father came up behind her, taking care to not startle her. Over the years, he had learned not to scare her for she would get furious and throw things. She had lapsed into this trait ever since he went to the port with Marana 11 years ago. He didn't know what had happened but it was something that had obviously frightened her, for she had been in her room when he found her. B'larsa had apparently been sleeping and had not watched the children. He never hired her again.

"Daddy? What are you thinking about?" Rose said. She stood up, dressed in a green gown with gold embroidery that complimented her deep auburn hair and hazel eyes. The auburn hair and fair skin she got from her mother, the hazel eyes she got from her father. There was a hint of healthy color in her cheeks. She was medium height, about 5'8. In all, she was beautiful. She was 16, and still had nobody she liked or wanted to marry. She was gentle with every living thing and had passion for the things that she loved. But she had a mischievous side she got from George that made her the terror of the village. She was also fair in judgment and advice. Many of the young girls came to her for advice on everything. Everyone called her Rose because she was so beautiful and gentle. They also called her Rain when she was moody, and when it fitted her at times. They never called her Daphne, for some weird reason, she just didn't like it. Saidit was too woodsy,and childhood friends only ever so rarely slipped and called her Russi.

"I'm thinking about how beautiful you are and how lucky I am to have you." George said. "I'm proud to call you my daughter, for you have many good qualities. I just wish your mother could see you…." He trailed off. "You know, Alanna would have been proud of you now, if she could see you. She might have wanted you to be a lady knight but even though you aren't, she would still be very proud of you now. I guarantee you that."

"Oh Daddy! Thank you! Are you sure she'd be proud of me? I do know a little archery and staff work, but not sword work."

"Positive." George said.

Rose ran into his arms, tears in their eyes. They stood there for a while, George thinking about how beautiful a young lady Rose was becoming, Rose thinking about how much she loved her father.

After a while, George smiled and said, "Now go, have fun with your friends."

ROSERAIN

Inside the village, Rose went straight to Leile's house. When she was at the door, she went and knocked 3 times.

"Come In!" a voice called from inside the house. When she went inside to the kitchen, she saw Lady Ingrid, Leile's mother, washing dishes. "Oh, hello Rose. Leile's upstairs. She said she was going to wait for you to start the project?" Lady Ingrid had a questioning look in her eyes.

"oh it's nothing…" Rose said, trailing. Lady Ingrid laughed and waved her off. "thank you! I'll talk to you later!" Rose said, running up the stairs. Leile met her on the top of the stairs.

"Oh good, you're here! I've been waiting forever!" Leile exclaimed. "Now we can work on the project!"

END OF CHAPTER.

So…that was 3 pages long….I know it should be longer but it's all I've got for now….

Hey! i got an REAL cliffhanger in here!

Tons of thanks to Kurenai for pointing out the things that were wrong, and Beta-ing this chapter! (BIG HUG!)

Some things to consider…

DATES:

Yes, it is fall in this chapter and will be in the majority of this story unless I change my mind.

What month? Sept/Oct.

UPDATES:

School has started for me tomorrow, and I got this up before it started so you could read this. Next update should be within 2 weeks if I'm lucky and don't have too much homework. (hey, when you're in advanced classes, you got a LOT of homework)

Also,I just got banned fromthe computerbut I'm doing this in secret..so im not going to be able to update as reguarly until the 2nd week in February. SORRY! (im writing this on Jan 15 '06)

FRIENDS:

Sorry for springing Leile on you guys, but I'll have some background coming into the story. Sometime…..

so review! I need at least 5 reviews for this story before I post! And please, no flames…just say WHAT you DON'T Like about this story, and I'll see what I can do.

Cutefreaksam