Note to Readers: Alanna and Lucy are going to be in their disguises for most of the time they make an appearance. They are going to keep it up until it is said that they took it off.

Down the streets came a strange view. Two fat women, with rather unusual faces containing new added scars, skipped down the streets arm in arm.

"Aye, now ye lissin to me, child, for these women are you te stay away from, ye hear meh? They be witches who'll turn yer skin t'cowhide," whispered a mother harshly to her blond 5 year old son, who was just about to run across the street with his playmates. He paused in disbelief and stared in awe at the two women. They did not look very old, like some of the old women who were sometimes called 'old hag'. Of course, he would not do that, for he was a good boy, he liked to believe. His eyes wee drawn to them until they slow down in front of a door, which was not very far from where he was standing.

The many thieves in the bar, as well as the bunch of regular customers gaped on as the two women made their way across the aisle to the bar front.

"Two lemonades, please," said the one with the red hair.

The both of them sat down with what appeared with great difficulty. Sniggers were heard, as well as the chuckles of those who found all this amusing. Unknowingly, the Redhaired one smirked, as the brunette rolled her eyes.

"This is fun," Alanna giggled to Lucy as they finally settled down.

"You know, fat women aren't neccesarily bad, you know," Lucy said.

"Duh," Alanna retorted. "Of course, we are fat aren't we?"

"Not really," Lucy replied matter-of-factly.

"You know what I mean," Alanna held the cup of lemonade up to her nose and sniffed. She scrunched up her nose. "Sour."

"Lemons are sour," Lucy explained.

"I know that."

"Really?"

Alanna sighed and rolled her eyes, whilst Lucy grinned and laughed.

"And what be two nobles doing here, amongst us?" a lilting voice asked.

Alanna and Lucy turned to see a man of twenty-four years grinning, showing a row of teeth under a large nose.

"Two big nobles," another man snorted.

"Fingers, watch yer mouth," the man replied. "Sorry for Finger's behaviour, ladies. My name is George Cooper. Would I have the pleasure of knowing your names?" The grin that was beaming was now lowered into a smile.

Lucy smiled warmly and replied," Lucinda of Malorie's peak, Mr. Cooper,"

"Alanna of Trebond," Alanna followed.

"Ah, would you coincedentially be the sister of Master Thom?"

"Why, yes, Mr. Cooper-"

"Please," George interupted, "Call me George."

Alanna's face light up with a grin, and said," Ok, George. And yes, I am the sister of Thom."

"I do have the pleaure of meeting Thom of Trebond. He is a smart lad, that he is,"

"Very smart indeed," Fingers was heard adding in. George glanced at Fingers. In response, Fingers winked at the ladies.

"Why would he be named Fingers?" Lucy asked.

"Er, you see. His full name is Lightfingers. Our occupation... it is a matter of trade."George tried to explain.

"In simple terms, you are a thief?" Lucy asked. Alanna looked on interestedly.

"You are a smart one, aren't you?" George complimented. Lucy smiled proudly.

Just then, Thom's arrival was announced by Fingers' announcement.

"Aye, Master Thom has arrived," Fingers' said, then resumed playing with the cards.

"Why, I did not know you have met already," Thom said. "I was just about to bring you here, Alanna. Oh, hello Lady Lucinda."

"Hello Sir Thom," Lucy said shyly.

"Oh, George, I heard the Dragon was here." Thom said coyly, staring at Alanna. Just as he suspected, Alanna perked up visibly.

"Aye Thom, you heard correctly. In fact, he just left a few moments ago, just before Alanna and Lucy came by. He said that he had some business to do."

"Well, that's news," Lucy said. She glanced at Alanna, who was barely sitting on her seat. It was still rather comical seeing Alanna as she is right now. She stared down at her hands. A wart was sitting right in the middle. She glanced away disgustedly, but smiled as she thought of the reactions of the other Knights when they were just about to kiss their hand. She listend as the group talked on.

Days have passed since they first met up with George, which Alanna and Lucy have recently learned was the Rogue King. It came as a surprise, even though it was quite clear at the attention the people gave George as he made the announcements.

The days were spent with the majority of the time visiting George,while his people were starting to like the two fat women. George always seem to find the time to spend with them, which they appreciated very much. On some occasions, Thom would come with them to visit George, if he did not have to run errands for Sir Myles. On other occasions, he would be spending time in the Library studying magic, as if he were going to be a sorcerer.

Some nights, Alanna and Lucy would spend with Cythera, as Cytherawould betelling them about Sir Gary and how wonderful he was. It was on one particular night that a conversation came up that is worth mentioning. Cythera was once again going on and on about how wonderful Sir Gareth is...

"He did not seem all that wonderful to me," Alanna suddenly replied coldly. "He was rather mean and rude."

"That does not seem like Gary," Cythera replied, frowning."Did you do something to anger him?"

Alanna tried to stop from screaming from the top of her lungs that she did not do anything. Finally, she settled down for a simple "no".

"Then I must ask Gary about this. Surely he does not hate for no apparent reason." Cythera said.

How do you know, grumbled Alanna silently.

"Ask him why," Lucy said.

Cythera nodded. "I will."

"Lady Alanna, and Lady Lucy?" Stefan, also known as the hostler, inquired.

"Yes?"

"'is Majesty asked me to pass this on." Here he passed them a small note tied with a small ribbon.

"Thank you Stefan." Alanna said. She undid the bow and unfurled the paper.

Thom asked me a favor. A surprise. Come to the inn tomorrow at noon. The Lucy can come as well.

-George

Alanna looked at Lucy, a gesture that asked for an opinion.

"I think you should go. He never gave surprises before. I wonder what it is." Lucy offered.

There was a silence as each of them imagined what the surprise might be.

"What would Thom have to do with this?" Alanna wondered out loud.

The next day, Alanna and Lucy once again walked down the streets, the same street they went down a week ago. They had asked if Thom would be coming along, but he declined, saying he still had many things to do. Alanna had tried to ask what the surprise was, but Thom merely shook his head. Lucy commented on how sly Thom was, and he flashed her a charming smile.

"You are here." George stated. Next to him stood a red headed man, similar to Alanna's hiar. He had green eyes, that seem to shift to another color slightly in a while.

Dragon eyes, Alanna thought.

"This, our very special guest here, is the new Shang Dragon, Liam Ironarms." introduced George. He grinned whe he saw Alanna's eyes widen, just as Thom said it would.

"It is very nice to meet you, Mister Ironarms," Alanna excitedly said.

Lucy was more calm, and said her greetings in a more mannerly way.

"I have heard from George that Miss Alanna had ambitions to become a knight. Here, I am repaying George from a long time favor, and have agreed when Lord Thom requested that I were to help you with combat. Of course, if Lady Lucy would like, she can join as well." Liam announced.

" I would love it, Oh thank you George," And Alanna impulsively gave George a hug, who was taken aback from surprise.

"Er, but I think you can eat a little less from now on, for it...um... uh... would not do to weigh so heavily. You cannot achieve agility." Liam awkwardly said.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that," Alanna said, as she glanced at Lucy and grinned.

"Alanna! Lucy!" Cythera shouted as she raced to catch up to them. Her eyes seem troubled, and her movements were flustered.

"I have recieved word from Gary," she said. "Come, we shall chat in my room." She lead them down the corridor, eight rooms down, and through the door.

Cythera waited until her breathes came back regularly and were not taken in shallow bits before she spoke.

"Thom had commited Treason."Cythera said bluntly.

"What!" Alanna exclaimed. "Cythera! How? Why? Details!"

"Ok," consented Cythera. "Gary said that Thom had attempted murder on the Prince Jonathan. He did not go fully into details. That is what he told me."

"But why would Thom do that?" Lucy asked, as taken aback as Alanna. To Alanna's surprise, Lucy protested even more than she did. "He did not seem that kind of guy. He was so kind, and so generous. Why, he even arranged a surprise for Alanna! Why would he do that? Thom wouldn't do that, would he Alanna? No! He wouldn't do that. Nuh-uh would he com-"

"Calm down Lucy." Alanna interupted. "What has gotten into you?"

"Sorry," Lucy replied meekly, blushing.

Cythera looked interestingly at Lucy's blushing face, and said," I think there is something going on."

Lucy blushed even harder, and told Cythera that she did not know what she was talking about.

Alanna pondered over her thoughts as she tried to sleep. Thom wouldn't commit treason, would he? No, like Lucy was about to say, nuh-uh would Thom commit treason. What would Thom gain? Alanna knew he still dreams about becoming a sorcerer. It just doesn't make sense...
Some Info:

George supposedly helped Liam from trouble, and now Liam has vowed to pay George back. He and George them became friends.

Remember when Liam said that he had some business to take care of in Tortall, and that was how he met Duke Roger? That is why he is here right now, supposedly anyway. I don't know if he is going to have anything to do with Duke Roger.

George and Thom met exactly as George and Alanna met in the books. The slight exception is that Thom agreed out of curiousity.

Ok,here is a long chapter for this story. Hoped you guys liked it. And thanks for the reviews. The story is not as well as written as I would have liked it to be, and could not measure up to a lot of the stories out there, but I try. Thanks again anyway, even just for reading.