Distant Memories – knocked out.

Disclaimer: As much as I wish I did, I don't own these characters, countries or anything. I just added in a few extra character's to make things exciting.

»-(¯v´¯)-»

Alanna awoke at dawn. Just because she wasn't at the Palace with the other squires, didn't mean she was going to break the sleeping habbits she set as a page.

It was going to be hard enough to settle back into routine as it was. Alanna was determined to get back to Tortall – no matter the costs. All she needed was a plan.

Alanna stood to stretch. It was a good thing she was so short. She barely fit in the room and her head almost touched the roof.

There was a single window in her room, but it gave more than enough light. There was no chance of escaping through it. Metal bars had been placed outside the window to ensure that.

Alanna sat by the window. In the distance she could see children who looked around the age of seven. They had picked up sticks from the ground and were using them as swords.

Alanna sighed. She longed to be back in Tortall.

After sitting at the window for what seemed forever, the door opened. In came Duchess Gwyn, who gave Alanna some food. She had met the Duchess the night before.

Alanna muttered a word of thanks.

"I wanted to give you more, but my Husband wouldn't allow it," the Duchess said. "Hilam can be very cruel sometimes. I am so sorry."

Alanna swallowed her food. It wasn't Gwyn's fault she was a prisoner it was her husbands, she didn't need to apologize and Alana told her this.

"After you've finished eating, His Grace would like to see you," Gwyn said with a feint smile.

Alanna nodded. She couldn't say anything because her mouth was full to the brim with the scraps she had been given for breakfast.

Duchess Gwyn took Alanna to the Duke's personal quarters. There he sat waiting for them. Alanna knew what he was going to ask.

He didn't bother with formalities, he was just straight to the point. "What are the plans of Prince Jonathan and King Roald?"

"Trying to take over the world?" Alanna asked bitterly.

Ignoring Alanna's comment, Hilam said, "Sit down," with a false smile.

Alanna sat, she had no choice. "Listen up, little viper," Hilam ordered. "I do not like repeating myself." Alanna was about to make a rude comment, but stopped herself just in time.

"Now I'll say it once more," Hilam said in an all too calm tone, which made Alanna fear him even more. "What are the plans of Prince Jonathan and King Roald?"

Alanna remained silent. She wasn't going to speak, but made it look as though she were deep in thought.

"Once you give me the answers I want, you'll be ransomed," Hilam said with a cruel grin. He knew she wanted to go home, so used her weak point.

Alanna though remained silent. Her head was spinning. She wanted nothing more than to be home and Hilam knew it. But Alanna would never give away the secrets of her beloved country.

Hilam, who was getting bored after minutes of silence, said, "You planning to answer?"

"I'd sooner kiss a –"

Then without warning Hilam struck ay the legs of the chair Alanna was occupying. The chair gave way, and Alanna fell to the floor, her head hitting the ground hard.

The impact of the fall knocked her out cold.

»-(¯v´¯)-»

Authors note: So there is chapter two! I had a hard time getting it up. If you liked it Review and I'll update more quickly!

Happy Reading

Madame-S-Butterfly

xoxo