Disclaimer: You know I don't own anything in here except Lana and Varnya.

This is set in the time of Lioness Rampant, after Alanna comes back from the Roof of the World with Thayet, Buri and Liam, but for my own purposes, the King and Queen have NOT died. Numair will also appear in this story later on, but there will be no Daine. Please forgive any changes or errors in the timeline of events – feel free to let me know if anything is wrong or needs changing elspethana.

CHAPTER 3

'Prince Jonathan…of Conte? Oh crap.' No wonder people were too scared to say anything to me, they saw a weirdo asking how to find their future KING! Lana slumped back down into her chair. This was all becoming too much.

This girl has either been livin' under a rock all her life, or is losin' it thought George. 'You seem surprised! Surely you knew of who you were askin'?'

'No, I didn't realise that the man I was looking for was royalty…' Lana said more to herself than George. As she realised that he was standing there with an incredulous look on his face, she thought she had better explain, before he sent her away to the loony bin.

'Listen, I know it's going to sound…impossible…but I honestly don't know where I am. I'm not from here, at all. As in, not from this…world.' Lana cringed as she said it, knowing how ridiculous it sounded. 'I've never heard of a Prince Jonathan, never seen this place before. One minute I was standing in my Aunt's house in Adelaide, then the next I was standing amongst all these trees on the outskirts of your city. All I remember is a bright green, then white light, a crushing feeling, and then…well…here I am, in the middle of know where.' As Lana had to fight back the onslaught of tears once again, George was considering all that he had heard.

This lass is distraught, but I sense no lie in her. And anyway, look at her clothes – who would wear such things? Yes, her story seems impossible, but why do I feel I can trust her?

'What's your name, lass?'

'Lana Darnelli'

George looked startled. 'Alanna?'

'No, just Lana,' she spelled it out for him 'L-A-N-A.' She did it automatically, people got it wrong all the time.

George released a gush of air; she could swear he was almost laughing. 'Oh OK, sorry. For a moment there…ah it doesn't matter. Where did you say you were from then?'

'Adelaide. Where is this place?'

'This is Corus, the capital of Tortall.'

Even though she had never heard of it, Lana was passed being shocked or surprised. She started to laugh, but it wasn't an amused laugh; it was an empty, numb 'I can't believe this is happening to me' kind of laugh.

But after she got over that, she realised that laughing was probably quite inconsiderate. She looked up at George, her captor. 'Listen, I'm sorry I just…'

'You're in shock. It's OK. Wait here, I'll be right back.' Before Lana could argue, he was gone and she was alone once again. But just as she was considering her options, George came back with a tray laden with drinks and some fruit. He put the tray down on the table, filling two mugs with what looked to be juice, and handed one to her. 'Well, this message you say you have for our Prince, what is it?' and he sat down opposite her.

Lana rummaged through her bag, pulling out her phone and purse before she pulled out the envelope. George eyed her mobile phone suspiciously before she showed him the envelope. 'It's just a letter, but I'm not sure what it says exactly. My Aunt was the one who gave this to me to give to Jonathan, but didn't tell me what it said. I have a fair idea though.'

'Your Aunt, why couldn't she deliver this letter herself?'

'She's sick, she has the flu and was too weak to come here, I guess.' Lana felt a stab of anger at the mention of Varnya. If she had come herself, she could have used her own magic to get her home, instead of leaving Lana stranded.

'You said you have some idea of what that says?'

'Yes,' but Lana didn't say anymore, she was suddenly suspicious of this man. Who was he anyway? He could be an enemy of the Prince's. 'It doesn't matter what's in the letter. I just need to find this Jonathan and give it to him. Can you tell me where to find him? All I know about him is that he lives on a hill, which is a huge help,' Lana sneered.

But at this George laughed. 'Aye, he lives on a hill all right, the hill with the palace on it you obviously didn't notice on your way in. But I'm sorry to say that you'll find it quite difficult getting in there just to deliver a letter. Luckily it was me who found you.' Getting up, George went across to the other side of the room and opened a door that Lana didn't notice was there. He came out a minute later holding a note of his own, and went to the door that Lana had come in by and called out to someone.

An old man came to the door. 'Solom, I need for this to be taken to Stefan, Tell him the note must go to Johnny.'

'Aye, Majesty.' And the man took the note and left.

'Majesty? You're royalty too?' Lana felt the blush of embarrassment rise on her face. No wonder he's so interested in me asking about the Prince.

'Don't worry Lana, not in the way our Jonathan is royalty. Round here I'm known as the Rogue, or King of the Thieves.' At Lana's horrified look, he added 'don't worry, it's lucky for you that I'm a nice thief. That note I sent will go to Jon, and I'm sure he'll come as soon as he's able. He's a friend of mine.'

'A thief? That's friends with the heir to the throne?' Lana asked in disbelief.

'Hey, us royals should stick together.'

As much as she hated to admit it, Lana found herself thinking that she liked and trusted this man, her captor.

A/N – I know I said you'd meet Jonathan in this chapter, but I promise it'll happen in the next one. Also, sorry this one is so short, I kind of hit a wall as to how to take this to where I want it to go. Any suggestions would be soooo welcome. Please read and review – at the moment I'm getting a few hits, but no reviews. If this story is crap, TELL ME and I'll either try to fix it, or I'll stop writing! But the only way I'll know is if you review.