Reviews:…So…how did you find the last chapter? Depressing? Sorry if you didn't want them to die…but I did. Anyway, they come back to our beloved (and still living) characters in dream…so they may be gone but not forgotten.
Disclaimer: All characters (so far) belong to the great Tamora Pierce –Lets all bow down to her now, and roll out the red carpet.
Ok, don't shout at me for killing them off!
Animalwriter1- Dead but not gone from the story completely…I have a couple ideas for the next chapter…either it was Kel, or Kel being possessed? Which do you prefer? (Or even some mage posing as Kel?)
Zerrin of the Wind- Hm…cunning isn't the word I'd use…more…evil…treacherous, maybe…
Oreostar90- Kill one of my favourite reviewers? Never! But I'm glad you liked it…very nicely spotted that I never actually said Raoul's plan worked…
Sirladyknight- And the weirdness goes on…..Lol! Well, let's say its not the usual Kel.
Chapter Six: Revealed
Recap: "Nothing would ever part them again, they were inseparable."
Alanna's heart pounded in her chest- she wouldn't let one of closest friend's killer, and the man who had driven Raoul of Goldenlake and Malories Peak to suicide get away.
She ran up the stairs two at a time, the most she could manage in her purple gown. (George had insisted she wore it for the wedding, laughing, he then said it matched her fiery eyes perfectly- she kicked him.)
The arrow had been shot from the third floor of the palace, roughly five windows along. It had only taken her a split second to realise what the sun was reflecting off the moment she saw it, but she was still too slow to warn Buri. She couldn't help but feel somewhat responsible. She should have been able to stop it, to at least try to call out for them to get down, or push the pair out of the way- even if she would have died, it would have been worth it. Who would want Buri dead? She would soon find out.
One…two…three…four…five windows…the killer had gone. Alanna scolded herself- well duh, what sort of assassin hangs around afterwards to see if a Lady Knight will come to fight them? Not a bright one, I'd say.
A door slammed shut behind her, no one should be up here yet- only the killer. She clenched her fist around the hilt of the dagger that she kept on her waist, for occasions like these. She wouldn't be caught off guard, not The Lioness. She span around, and brought the dagger up to chest level ready to attack if she should have to.
Alanna came face to face with the Assassin and a crossbow loaded at her chest; she grabbed the nearby wall for support- her knees had buckled beneath her.
"Kel?...Please tell me you caught the killer, or you're just holding that crossbow for him…or her…." She hoped against hope that she wouldn't have to kill Kel, or Kel wouldn't have to kill her. Firstly, she had been there secretly through all the years Kel had to go through to finally become the 2nd lady knight in over a century, sending her gifts every midwinter to help her succeed. She didn't want to throw all their hard work away now if it was a misunderstanding on her part. Her hard-earned reputation would have been permanently tarnished- it wasn't worth it. Secondly, Kel has nearly as many friends in high places (or had as two of them were lying on the courtyard outside) nearly as many as Alanna did- not all of them would have been happy to hear that Alanna had killed Kel without giving her a fair trial. She had too many enemies waiting for her already in the Black God's Realm, she didn't need any more due to Kel.
Kel stared back at her, a blank look washed over her face. This wasn't the real Kel, it couldn't be. The old Kel was kind, caring and always insisted that you'd eat you vegetables, this Kel looked as if she'd sooner throw them at you and laugh manically. This couldn't be Kel, our Kel.
"Why, what ever do you mean my dear Alanna? All those fights and healings must have finally gone to your head my friend, if you can't put the simple pieces of the puzzle together." Kel sighed. "I'll have to do it for you- o, but I will be the last person you'll see before you drop to the floor, my sword piercing your heart. Is there anything you'd like me to pass onto your loved ones?"
"I don't doubt the fact-" Alanna's retort was cut short by the interrupting 'tuts' of Kel.
"My dearest Alanna, how many people did you tell where you were running off too? Or did you just act before you think, a very knightly thing to do? Hmm." Alanna was lost for words- this wasn't Kel, Alanna used her gift, and scanned for use of magic. "I thought as much. As soon as they find your barely recognisable corpse, I'd be long gone. And there's nothing you or your friends can do about it."
Alanna could sense strong magic, but not the normal gift, sight or even mage powers- these felt god-like.
The battle of the century was about to start, as Alanna unsheathed her sword. The lioness, the strongest female knight in the realm was about to face Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan- an up and coming youngster, but as they locked swords, Dom's voice called out into the dimly lit corridor.
"Kel? Alanna? What are you doing?"