Chapter Five ~ Halfway to Corus
Alanna rubbed her thigh, which was beginning to cramp. She glanced around at the small group of rogues, all wearing similar, and wet gray cloaks. Alanna smiled and fingered her own cloak, a dark green one, which was still dry. University learning wasn't that bad after all, even if most of it was rubbish spells that you'll never need for purposeful things, there were a few (like warding cloth again dampness and rain) which could come in handy.
She had been riding with this group for the past three days, camping out under the stars only when it had gone so dark was impossible to see what was right in front of your nose, and waking up well before dawn to travel again. Alanna scowled as she remembered the King of Thieves.
It had taken him some time to convince her to travel with them. After that, she had to return to the caravan to get her horse and chests--it wasn't easy, even with the help of the Rogue's best thieves.
George had been surprised over the quantity of her baggage, and remarked that they would have to hire a wagon to bring it all. Alanna told him tartly that it was his idea for her to travel with them in the first place.
His men were surprised when he announced that a woman assassin was to travel with them. Some of them even openly told her that she couldn't possibly be one. Alanna had only smiled and let them talk. Those petty pickpockets weren't worth her time.
George broke the large group into three smaller ones; placing Alanna in his. They set out the morning after, only to have a downpour begin an hour after they began.
Now, three days later, it was still raining just as hard, with a break on the second day, Alanna was the only one who wasn't wet and grumpy. She urged Starfall to a trot and caught up with the Rogue.
"I'm going to ride ahead," she said in her emotionless tone.
"Wait--" he was cut when she galloped in off in front of him, leaving the man beside him drenched and covered in mud. The man sputtered and cursed her.
He heard her laugh sound out as she disappeared over the next hill.
Alanna let out her breath when she was sure the group couldn't see her anymore. The rain soaked rogues weren't exactly her favorite type of company--when she bothered to keep any. She un-mounted, the mud of the road splattering her shiny black boots.
A rustling in the nearby tree made her draw her dagger, holding it at ready. A cloaked figure immerged from the bushes. He walked up to her and pulled back his hood, revealing dirty blond hair and gray eyes. "My dear Hunter, are you going to use that on me, or is it some other unfortunate soul this time?"
Alanna scowled, but sheathed her dagger. "Terrin, do you make it a point to follow me around or is it just coincidence?" she demanded.
He chuckled. "I see you remembered my name. And it's a little bit of each, our employer made it a point to tell me to watch you."
"Your employer, not mine--and he won't, they never are. I am my own," she told him softly.
He grinned and shook his head. "You're too stubborn and willful for your own good. And no matter what you say or how much you deny it, you're the type of person who likes to be in control of everything, too."
Alanna opened her mouth to reply, but was stopped when he took a long sword in a battered sheath from the folds of his black cloak. Alanna frowned at it. "What is that?"
"It's a sword, of course," he replied wickedly. "I would have thought you knew that already. But I guess I'm wrong, should I tell you about it, my lady?" he asked and bowed mockingly.
"I know what it is," she snapped. "No teasing unless you don't want to live much longer. I wanted to know why you took it out."
Terrin smirked. "Don't like being teased, do you now? Here, catch." He threw the sword to her and she caught it easily. "It's yours now, just remember to keep it hidden while your with the rogues, it's valuable," he instructed while she examined the black gem on the pommel. "It's a black Opal, I'd thought you'd like them," he informed her when he saw her fingers lingering on it.
Alanna looked up and regarded him through her violet eyes. Finally she said, "If it's so valuable, why give it to me? And why are you so sure that I'd like black Opals--even if they do store magic?"
Instead of answering her questions, he chose to change the subject. "Don't spend too much time on the handle, check the blade," he ordered.
Unconsciously obeying, she drew the sword, turning it over carefully, its polished surfaces catching what little light there was and reflecting it off, making it wink. She groped for something to test it on, and not finding anything, she pulled off her veil. She placed it gingerly on the blade, the cloth cut without her applying the least bit of pressure.
She smiled, she was going to have fun with this--if only she could get someone to teach her, there weren't exactly the best of swordsmen in Carthak willing to teach a small red-headed girl. But she had her pride, and there was no way she would ask anyone to help her out.
Terrin's eyes gleamed with amusement when she pulled her veil off, revealing locks of shiny copper hair which was beginning to dampen in the rain. She was a pretty thing, if not beautiful, face shining as she examined the weapon held in her hand. Her cloak hid her figure, but Terrin knew how she looked even with it on.
Alanna gave an inner sigh and returned the sword to its sheath. "Why exactly did you get me this again?" she asked. "You avoided my question last time, but it's time to fess up." She glanced up at Terrin and caught him starring. She glared, "What are you looking at?" she demanded coldly.
"Hmm? Could you repeat your first question?"
"I said, Why did you get me the sword, and, Why were you staring?"
"Oh, that. I saw that you had no sword--" to her glare he added, "--no proper sword, that is. I've seen your sword last time, you never use it. I'd thought maybe...Anyway, since you have the Gift, I thought you might find the Opal...interesting. It's not your regular black, you know." He grinned. "But you'll find out more about it later."
"How did you know what I used and didn't use--for that matter, how did you know what weapons I kept?"
"I wouldn't be me if I couldn't find out information like that, would I now?" he asked loftily. "But I admit, finding those things about you is much harder than it is for others. But that's besides the point; your to find me in Corus--somewhere in the temple district. If you can't I'll find you--and I expect you know how to dress."
At the mention of clothing, Alanna picked up her dropped veil, now sliced neatly in two and covered with mud. It too, was rain-proof, but it didn't keep off mud, she hadn't thought of that. She couldn't wear that again. She glanced at Terrin's cloak; it was muddy and drenched. His usually polished boots were caked with dried mud, then covered again in another layer of wet mud. This amused her to no end, since the other times she had seen him, he was always spotless and elegantly dressed; careful not to dirty himself in the least.
The man followed her gaze and grimaced. "Yes, I know, but I was in a hurry," he told her, as if that explained everything. He looked her her shoulder at Starfall and pulled up his hood again. "Your company's coming, I'd better get going now."
She turned and saw her 'escort' approaching. She turned back to say something to Terrin, but he had gone while she was looking. She sighed and mounted Starfall, patting the mare's neck gently.
That night, they camped near the boundary of the Great Southern Desert and the rainy mountains. They rain had stopped, but it was now the heat which bothered them.
Alanna, tired as she was, could not fall asleep. Thoughts floated through her head aimlessly, distracting her from resting. They pestered her to no end until she got up to try to get rid of them. Her movements, soft as they were, roused George, not far away.
"What is it, lass?" he asked, his voice hushed so as not to wake the others.
"None of your business," she hissed.
"Anyone can see that somethin's botherin' you. What can I give for your thoughts?"
"Nothing--well, I guess you could give me--no, never mind. I feel restless, I need to ride ahead. I'll be waiting in that city the Bazhir built--what was it called? Oh, yes, Persopolis."
She saw him grin even in the darkness. "How does a Southern lass like you know about Persopolis?"
Alanna shook her head. "I'm going, you know, with or without your blessings."
George chuckled sadly. "You must be crazy to think I'd let you go by yourself to the City, not with the Black City so close. You must of heard the rumors."
"I can take care of myself," she retorted angrily. "I don't need some Rogue telling me what to do." She got up and left to saddle Starfall; grabbing her sword as she did. When she was finally sure her saddlebags held everything she needed for the trip through the desert, she mounted. Before she could leave, though, she heard footsteps behind her.
"I'm comin' with you, then," the Rogue told her.
Alanna scowled. "No, you're not. What about your people? They'd think you deserted them."
She heard the man sigh, "Yes, there's that...but--"
Alanna about to protested, closed her mouth as an idea formed in her mind. "Um, George?" she ventured.
"What now?"
"I guess you could come...but don't you think you should alert the lookout our goings? That way they won't think you deserted them."
He chuckled. "You got a clever mind there, lass." Alanna wrinkled her nose at being called lass so many times as the King of Thieves walked off to talk to the sentry.
Moving quietly, she urged her mount to a gallop and raced off into the sandy road ahead.
George cursed himself for his own stupidity when he returned and found her gone. He turned and trudged back to tell the sentry the change in plans.
Done with that. And thank you sooo much to everyone who reviewed! Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long for this chapter (since its only been a week).
Oh yes, there were some who asked if I could e-mail them when I updated this story, and my answer is yes. If you would like to be alerted when I update any of my fanfics (including this one [Hunter], The Prince's Lady, and Taking Chances) go to my bio page and click the link going to my website. Enter the site, then look for the Fanfic Mailing List link on the menu. All you need to do (when you get there) is fill out the form (your name and your e-mail address) and click GO!
Now for my questions and answers:
Question: Is there going to be a pairing?
Answer: Yes there's is going to be a pairing...in fact make that several. lol. And not just for Alanna, too.
Question: Where is the purple eyed cat?
Answer: The Purple-eyed cat (also known as Faithful) will show up...later...but he will show.
Question: Does Alanna meet the Goddess?
Answer: I'm still thinking about this one...probably yes...maybe...We'll if I chose to make her, then I'll think of a way to work it in without ruining the plot...somehow...sometime...like later. heehee
Question: Will she meet the Shang Dragon?
Answer: Yup, she'll definitely meet him. Just, like, um...later.
Kay, that's is it for now. REVIEW for the next chapter! Remember, I'll be happy to answer any questions!
~Reaya