Disclaimer: I don't own most of the characters- they're all Tamora Pierce's creations. The one I own is the current Dragon, former Griffin, Saisha Laowl.
A/N: Delia does not play a major role in this story since the main pairing, at least as of now, is Alanna/Roger. Well, that's one of them anyways. I may change it as I go along. Oh, and another thing: since Jon needs to be alive for my story, he didn't die from the Sweating Sickness. Instead of Alanna healing him, it was Thom. R&R always welcome.
Whatever happened to Dreams?
Chapter I: Free of the Convent
Alanna of Trebond sighed as she entered her room at the convent. Today was an off day, so she only had her two training sessions with the Dragon. Collapsing on her bed, she thought about the session she had earlier. It had been more tiring than normal, but she supposed that was because she was learning more difficult moves now. She thought about her daily routine. The only thing that made her day worthwhile by any means was morning and evening training with the Shang Dragon, Saisha Laowl. Originally, she had been training with Liam Ironarm, the Dragon for the last 15 years or so, however, Saisha, the Griffin, had challenged him to a duel of ranks. She had won the duel, and so by Shang law she had become the Dragon, and Liam took her old mantle of the Griffin.
Alanna had to admit to herself that training with a woman was a lot better. Liam hadn't been disrespectful, but it was awkward having a Daughter watching all the time- after all, they hadn't been about to leave her alone with a man, no matter what the circumstances. Now that she thought about it more, she couldn't believe that the Daughters had let her learn from a Shang warrior. But then again, she guessed that was the Head Daughter's doing, who knew of her skills with light weapons and strength, especially for a lady. So, Daughter Liza had let her train in the mornings before breakfast and in the evenings after dinner. Caught up in her thoughts, she didn't notice the knocking, and thus was startled when she heard her writing instructor call through the door.
"Lady Alanna, the Head Daughter wishes to see you in her office."
Opening the door, she saw Daughter Alexa standing in front of her. Picking up her skirts, she walked through the door and started towards the office with the Daughter. Upon reaching the door to the office, she waited for Daughter Alexa to announce her before proceeding into the room.
Head Daughter Liza motioned for her to sit down. "Lady Alanna, I have called you here for two reasons. First, as you've just had your 18th birthday, you will be leaving for Corus tomorrow."
Alanna smiled brightly before remembering whose presence she was in. "Sorry Daughter Liza. You've been very kind to me the last seven years."
"You will be going alone, as Lady Delia has already gone, and all the other ladies have not yet reached their 18th birthday."
Alanna made a face at Delia's name.
"Second, you may take a few of your daggers and your sword, as well as some of your training clothes, on one condition."
Alanna nodded, unable to stop the smile spreading across her face.
"You must follow Shang Dragon Saisha's orders when it comes to practice. I will write to Duke Gareth, explaining your special circumstances, and request that you be able to use a practice court. That's all, you may return to your room to pack."
Alanna stood and hugged the Head Daughter over the desk before curtseying elegantly and rushing out of the room to go pack.
Liza watched Alanna leave the room. "May the Goddess be with you, Alanna. I have a feeling the path ahead of you will not be easy."
Alanna felt giddy. She was finally leaving! It wasn't that she didn't appreciate what the Daughters had done for her. They all knew of her dream to be a knight, and that's why they had allowed her to train with a Shang warrior. Daughters Liza and Alexa had been very understanding. As for her riding instructor, Elena, and her instructor in the gift, Lela, both had been very kind to her. The three classes were her best and she had been at the top of the class for all three.
She pulled her bags out from under her bed and started packing various dresses, petticoats, and slippers, her "lady" clothes, as she had dubbed them. In a small bottom compartment, she placed various pairs of breeches, leggings, and multiple tunics. In a smaller bag she placed all her necessities, including brushes, ribbons, and jewelry, as well as boots and gloves. The last thing she packed were her daggers, which she wrapped in a special cloth and spelled. Just as she was pulling out her sword, she heard a knock on her door.
Alanna stood and brushed off her skirt before going to the door and opening it to reveal Saisha.
She came into the room and sat down in the chair. "So, I heard that you go to the palace tomorrow."
Alanna grinned widely. "Yes. I'll finally get to see my brother for the first time in seven years. Plus, I won't lose any skills since you're coming with me."
The Dragon matched her grin. "So, how are you packing your weapons and training clothes?"
Alanna sat down on her bed and explained how she had divided the bags into sections for "lady" clothes and training clothing. Then she showed her Shang master where her daggers were before picking up her sword. "Where should I put the sword?"
Saisha grinned and showed her a long pocket on the side of her larger bag. "I had this added for you when you were at one of your etiquette lessons last year. It was a surprise gift for your successfully getting through the convent."
Alanna placed the sword on her bed and hugged Saisha tightly. Turning back to her sword, she picked it up and slid it inside the special pocket.
Saisha and Alanna both turned at the sound of the dinner bell and together they left the room to go eat.
Feeling full, Alanna headed back to her room alone. Saisha, having given her the night off, had told her to make sure she had everything and then to get a good night's sleep.
Stepping into her room, she heard the crackle of a fire and knew the maids had started one in the fireplace near her bed. Thinking about her imminent arrival at the palace, she decided to call Thom through the link they shared as twins. She sat down on her bed and settled into a meditative position. Breathing deeply, she reached for the core that was her magic, deep inside herself. 'Thom? Thom, are you there?'
Far away, in the palace in Corus, an 18-year-old looked up. He turned to an older boy. "Jon, did you say something?"
Jonathan of Conte turned to his squire with a look of surprise. "No, why?"
The boy shook his head and continued with his work. Then he heard the voice again. Focusing on it, he recognized the voice finally. 'Sister dear, how have you been?'
'It's about time you realized who I was, Thom.' There was a hint of annoyance in the voice.
'Well, Alanna dear, I happen to be studying in my knight-master's room, so I thought it was him at first. What's wrong, you sound … different.'
'Well, Thom, I'm coming to the palace in about three days, I leave the convent tomorrow and…'
'And what?'
'Well, my Shang master is coming with me.'
'Liam Ironarm?' He heard his sister laugh.
'No Thom, not the former Dragon, the new Dragon.' Alanna could almost see her twin's expression of disbelief.
'Liam was beaten?' The incredulous tone of voice made Alanna grin.
'Yup, by Saisha Laowl, the former Griffin.'
'Wow, well, I'll tell my friends of your arrival.'
'You do that…. Oh, and check with Duke Gareth in the next couple of days. You should learn something fairly interesting.'
Thom raised his eyebrows at his sister's odd statement. 'Will do, Alanna. Take care of yourself until you get here.' He felt his sister smile and the presence faded. He looked up to see Jon looking at him strangely. His eyes twinkled as he grinned up at the Crown Prince.
"What are you grinning about, and why are you glowing?"
"Well, your highness, I think we should expect a visitor sometime soon." Thom also looked down at his hands and saw a faint violet hue surrounding him.
"How come?" Jon was curious as to why Thom of Trebond was grinning the way he was.
"Well, just ask your father or Duke Gareth sometime soon. You'll know what I mean." With that, Thom moved back to his room, and got ready for bed.
Alanna stood up and sighed, knowing that she was glowing because of the heat surrounding her. 'Well, at least he knows now.' Walking towards the fire, she sat down in a chair in front of the hearth and took in the heat. Suddenly she sneezed three consecutive times. Looking around her, she felt a strong aura hit her full on.
"Who's there?"
A woman's voice rang around her. "I have been watching you, my daughter."
Alanna raised an eyebrow. "Daughter? What do you mean?" Hearing a whoosh of air, she raised her head and gaped. Standing before her was a beautiful woman with deep black hair and emerald eyes. She rose from her chair and knelt. "Great Mother Goddess."
The Mother chuckled and took a few steps towards Alanna, stopping directly in front of her. Grasping her hands, she pulled the girl to her feet and placed a hand under her chin. "My daughter, listen to me closely. The path set in front of you is not an easy one. You have not met him yet, but your nemesis is quite determined to put an end to the Royal family and you and your twin are the only ones with enough power to stop him."
"Who would want to kill King Roald? He's brought so much prosperity to Tortall."
The goddess shook her head. "I cannot tell you who he is, just know this: if he should find out how powerful you are, he will not doubt come after you first." She released Alanna's chin and stepped up to the fire. Thrusting a head into the red coals, she withdrew a single piece and held it out to Alanna. "Take it, it will help you on your way."
Alanna gulped and took it from the Mother's hands, only to nearly drop it. It was so cold, and yet there was a glowing ember still inside, emanating warmth. She curtsied to the Mother, thanking her for her gift.
As the goddess faded from view, her strong voice echoed around the room. "I'll be watching you, Alanna of Trebond."
Alanna sighed and inspected the stone more closely. Noticing a small loop at the top, she walked to her dresser and searched for her silver chain. Upon finding it, she threaded the chain through the loop and fastened it around her neck. Looking at her reflection, she saw the minute ember flicker inside.
Moving to her closet, she got ready for bed. She knew one of the priestess's would wake her in the morning. Alanna yawned, and slipped into her bed. Closing her eyes, she fell into a deep sleep.
Hope you enjoyed it~ the next chapter will be up soon.
A/N: Delia does not play a major role in this story since the main pairing, at least as of now, is Alanna/Roger. Well, that's one of them anyways. I may change it as I go along. Oh, and another thing: since Jon needs to be alive for my story, he didn't die from the Sweating Sickness. Instead of Alanna healing him, it was Thom. R&R always welcome.
Whatever happened to Dreams?
Chapter I: Free of the Convent
Alanna of Trebond sighed as she entered her room at the convent. Today was an off day, so she only had her two training sessions with the Dragon. Collapsing on her bed, she thought about the session she had earlier. It had been more tiring than normal, but she supposed that was because she was learning more difficult moves now. She thought about her daily routine. The only thing that made her day worthwhile by any means was morning and evening training with the Shang Dragon, Saisha Laowl. Originally, she had been training with Liam Ironarm, the Dragon for the last 15 years or so, however, Saisha, the Griffin, had challenged him to a duel of ranks. She had won the duel, and so by Shang law she had become the Dragon, and Liam took her old mantle of the Griffin.
Alanna had to admit to herself that training with a woman was a lot better. Liam hadn't been disrespectful, but it was awkward having a Daughter watching all the time- after all, they hadn't been about to leave her alone with a man, no matter what the circumstances. Now that she thought about it more, she couldn't believe that the Daughters had let her learn from a Shang warrior. But then again, she guessed that was the Head Daughter's doing, who knew of her skills with light weapons and strength, especially for a lady. So, Daughter Liza had let her train in the mornings before breakfast and in the evenings after dinner. Caught up in her thoughts, she didn't notice the knocking, and thus was startled when she heard her writing instructor call through the door.
"Lady Alanna, the Head Daughter wishes to see you in her office."
Opening the door, she saw Daughter Alexa standing in front of her. Picking up her skirts, she walked through the door and started towards the office with the Daughter. Upon reaching the door to the office, she waited for Daughter Alexa to announce her before proceeding into the room.
Head Daughter Liza motioned for her to sit down. "Lady Alanna, I have called you here for two reasons. First, as you've just had your 18th birthday, you will be leaving for Corus tomorrow."
Alanna smiled brightly before remembering whose presence she was in. "Sorry Daughter Liza. You've been very kind to me the last seven years."
"You will be going alone, as Lady Delia has already gone, and all the other ladies have not yet reached their 18th birthday."
Alanna made a face at Delia's name.
"Second, you may take a few of your daggers and your sword, as well as some of your training clothes, on one condition."
Alanna nodded, unable to stop the smile spreading across her face.
"You must follow Shang Dragon Saisha's orders when it comes to practice. I will write to Duke Gareth, explaining your special circumstances, and request that you be able to use a practice court. That's all, you may return to your room to pack."
Alanna stood and hugged the Head Daughter over the desk before curtseying elegantly and rushing out of the room to go pack.
Liza watched Alanna leave the room. "May the Goddess be with you, Alanna. I have a feeling the path ahead of you will not be easy."
Alanna felt giddy. She was finally leaving! It wasn't that she didn't appreciate what the Daughters had done for her. They all knew of her dream to be a knight, and that's why they had allowed her to train with a Shang warrior. Daughters Liza and Alexa had been very understanding. As for her riding instructor, Elena, and her instructor in the gift, Lela, both had been very kind to her. The three classes were her best and she had been at the top of the class for all three.
She pulled her bags out from under her bed and started packing various dresses, petticoats, and slippers, her "lady" clothes, as she had dubbed them. In a small bottom compartment, she placed various pairs of breeches, leggings, and multiple tunics. In a smaller bag she placed all her necessities, including brushes, ribbons, and jewelry, as well as boots and gloves. The last thing she packed were her daggers, which she wrapped in a special cloth and spelled. Just as she was pulling out her sword, she heard a knock on her door.
Alanna stood and brushed off her skirt before going to the door and opening it to reveal Saisha.
She came into the room and sat down in the chair. "So, I heard that you go to the palace tomorrow."
Alanna grinned widely. "Yes. I'll finally get to see my brother for the first time in seven years. Plus, I won't lose any skills since you're coming with me."
The Dragon matched her grin. "So, how are you packing your weapons and training clothes?"
Alanna sat down on her bed and explained how she had divided the bags into sections for "lady" clothes and training clothing. Then she showed her Shang master where her daggers were before picking up her sword. "Where should I put the sword?"
Saisha grinned and showed her a long pocket on the side of her larger bag. "I had this added for you when you were at one of your etiquette lessons last year. It was a surprise gift for your successfully getting through the convent."
Alanna placed the sword on her bed and hugged Saisha tightly. Turning back to her sword, she picked it up and slid it inside the special pocket.
Saisha and Alanna both turned at the sound of the dinner bell and together they left the room to go eat.
Feeling full, Alanna headed back to her room alone. Saisha, having given her the night off, had told her to make sure she had everything and then to get a good night's sleep.
Stepping into her room, she heard the crackle of a fire and knew the maids had started one in the fireplace near her bed. Thinking about her imminent arrival at the palace, she decided to call Thom through the link they shared as twins. She sat down on her bed and settled into a meditative position. Breathing deeply, she reached for the core that was her magic, deep inside herself. 'Thom? Thom, are you there?'
Far away, in the palace in Corus, an 18-year-old looked up. He turned to an older boy. "Jon, did you say something?"
Jonathan of Conte turned to his squire with a look of surprise. "No, why?"
The boy shook his head and continued with his work. Then he heard the voice again. Focusing on it, he recognized the voice finally. 'Sister dear, how have you been?'
'It's about time you realized who I was, Thom.' There was a hint of annoyance in the voice.
'Well, Alanna dear, I happen to be studying in my knight-master's room, so I thought it was him at first. What's wrong, you sound … different.'
'Well, Thom, I'm coming to the palace in about three days, I leave the convent tomorrow and…'
'And what?'
'Well, my Shang master is coming with me.'
'Liam Ironarm?' He heard his sister laugh.
'No Thom, not the former Dragon, the new Dragon.' Alanna could almost see her twin's expression of disbelief.
'Liam was beaten?' The incredulous tone of voice made Alanna grin.
'Yup, by Saisha Laowl, the former Griffin.'
'Wow, well, I'll tell my friends of your arrival.'
'You do that…. Oh, and check with Duke Gareth in the next couple of days. You should learn something fairly interesting.'
Thom raised his eyebrows at his sister's odd statement. 'Will do, Alanna. Take care of yourself until you get here.' He felt his sister smile and the presence faded. He looked up to see Jon looking at him strangely. His eyes twinkled as he grinned up at the Crown Prince.
"What are you grinning about, and why are you glowing?"
"Well, your highness, I think we should expect a visitor sometime soon." Thom also looked down at his hands and saw a faint violet hue surrounding him.
"How come?" Jon was curious as to why Thom of Trebond was grinning the way he was.
"Well, just ask your father or Duke Gareth sometime soon. You'll know what I mean." With that, Thom moved back to his room, and got ready for bed.
Alanna stood up and sighed, knowing that she was glowing because of the heat surrounding her. 'Well, at least he knows now.' Walking towards the fire, she sat down in a chair in front of the hearth and took in the heat. Suddenly she sneezed three consecutive times. Looking around her, she felt a strong aura hit her full on.
"Who's there?"
A woman's voice rang around her. "I have been watching you, my daughter."
Alanna raised an eyebrow. "Daughter? What do you mean?" Hearing a whoosh of air, she raised her head and gaped. Standing before her was a beautiful woman with deep black hair and emerald eyes. She rose from her chair and knelt. "Great Mother Goddess."
The Mother chuckled and took a few steps towards Alanna, stopping directly in front of her. Grasping her hands, she pulled the girl to her feet and placed a hand under her chin. "My daughter, listen to me closely. The path set in front of you is not an easy one. You have not met him yet, but your nemesis is quite determined to put an end to the Royal family and you and your twin are the only ones with enough power to stop him."
"Who would want to kill King Roald? He's brought so much prosperity to Tortall."
The goddess shook her head. "I cannot tell you who he is, just know this: if he should find out how powerful you are, he will not doubt come after you first." She released Alanna's chin and stepped up to the fire. Thrusting a head into the red coals, she withdrew a single piece and held it out to Alanna. "Take it, it will help you on your way."
Alanna gulped and took it from the Mother's hands, only to nearly drop it. It was so cold, and yet there was a glowing ember still inside, emanating warmth. She curtsied to the Mother, thanking her for her gift.
As the goddess faded from view, her strong voice echoed around the room. "I'll be watching you, Alanna of Trebond."
Alanna sighed and inspected the stone more closely. Noticing a small loop at the top, she walked to her dresser and searched for her silver chain. Upon finding it, she threaded the chain through the loop and fastened it around her neck. Looking at her reflection, she saw the minute ember flicker inside.
Moving to her closet, she got ready for bed. She knew one of the priestess's would wake her in the morning. Alanna yawned, and slipped into her bed. Closing her eyes, she fell into a deep sleep.
Hope you enjoyed it~ the next chapter will be up soon.