"It all started at the end of my last page year, the time when we went to Persopolis."

Of course, without Duke Roger's insistence, Thom would not have been able to go at all. It was Roger who convinced them to bring Thom along, Roger who insisted that Thom would be better off going. Thom did not even heed his instincts... he agreed instantly. The chance to see the forbidden city from the tales that he have read about was too great to pass up. Persopolis was so close to the Black City. He could, with all his magical knowledge, sneak off and attempt at finding the real story behind all the unconfirmed tales. He was wary of the many warnings that told the readers to not go and try to find out the secrets, for surely their lives would be in peril. But Thom had nothing to loose. Besides Alanna, there was nothing else he would miss. Of course, there were no guaranteed results. But does it matter? It was his chance to go and have his adventure full of sorcery, without the bruises and battles that would have met him for certain along his way to becoming a knight.

And so he agreed, and it was during the second night that they had stayed in Persoplis when he decided to go out. Once he had gotten his gear ready at-hand, and have gone over all the spell that he thought he needed, Thom summoned up as much stealth as he possibly could and opened the door slowly. He glanced around in the dark hallway, long enough to convince himself that there was nothing amiss, and then set foot on his intended journey.

As he got to the gates, he diverted the guards' attention with his gift, finding no pebble or rock to throw. As soon they strayed off from their duty, Thom got to the small door within the large gate, and searched through his mind for the charm to unlock common bolts without magical wards.

As soon as the door was locked behind him, Thom whistled softly through his teeth for his mare that he had hidden outside Persopolis's walls, certain that this plan was fool-proof, for there was commonly no one arriving in such sort intervals right after the group's arrival. Checking once more that the cloths under Moonlight's hooves are in place, he hoisted himself upon the saddle, and galloped off quietly towards the dreaded city.

"It was not long, with Moonlight's speed and my haste that I caught up with a dark figure ahead of me, also heading towards my intended direction. Apparently, the rider heard me, for he slowed down and waited for my approach."

"Who are you?" were the first words that Thom heard emitting from beneath the cloak. He refrained from answering, curious of the reason and aware of where this person was heading, with a hood up to conceal his identity.

"Is that any of your business?" Thom responded.

"Do you know who I am?"

Thom smirked, for that was an obvious response.

"No,"

Hearing this answer, the figure pulled himself up a little higher, and stated proudly," I am Prince Jonathan, heir of the King Roald and Queen Lianne."

Thom, taken only a little by surprise, bowed in his saddle as was required.

"And now I require an answer as to why you would be out here at this certain time,"

"Or course, I did not tell him, even if he ordered me to. How do I know that I could trust the heir to Tortall? So I asked him the same question. He told me that it was none of my business. chuckle So I told him that it was none of his business as well."

"Very well then," the Prince said after a moment of consideration. "But you must refrain from getting underfoot," he added as an after thought.

Thom bristled in annoyance at such a suggestion, but replied nonetheless that he wouldn't. And so, the two figures now continued on their way towards what they were not suppose to. It was not long before they saw the city itself, and both were in awe.

It was a city made entirely of black stone, with its own air of eeriness. The appearance foretold unusual happenings. The feeling that entered these human bodies were not of safety and warmth, but of icy coldness. But it does not matter, for both of these young gentlemen were too compelled to be driven away from this city. So both, in silence, rode on, each for his own purposes.

"So both of us tied our horses just at the entrance of the city. It was a scary city, so both of us entered together, glad just to have company."

Thom had his mind set on a spell, as ready as the prince -who had his hand on his sword- to act at the first sign of danger. After passing several curious buildings that were all similarly built, the pair stopped in front of the building. This particular building seemed different from the rest. Whether it was the fact that it was a temple or something else, Thom couldn't tell.

"I'm going in," Thom announced. Seeing him say so, the Prince Jonathan nodded and followed him in, as curious as his fellow red-headed company was.

"I don't quite remember, but there was a skirmish." Thom's brow furrowed in confusion, trying to summon up memories of the past. " I think… there were ten figures in all. I-I know that they were attacking us, and so I tried to defend myself with magic, and the prince with his sword. I suppose my gift was not strong enough, and so me and the prince worked up a partner ship. Supposedly, I think we killed off the Ysandir, as they had called themselves. I was drained, and so was the prince, but we made it back to the city somehow."

"So, how did it come about that you supposedly were treacherous?" Lucy asked, not knowing where this was leading, or how the past event that Thom encountered had anything to do with the current situation.

Thom sighed, half of him still stuck in the past. He shook his head of the memories, and tried to explain to Lucy how the rumor came about.

"See, there was this one day that the prince came up to me…"

It was his first squire year, after just barely passing the exams. He was in his room, quietly doing his work, when Thom heard a furious pounding on his door. Confused at this odd occurrence, he went up to open the door. He was surprised when he saw the heir standing there, with a look of hot anger burning in his sapphire eyes. Thom was quickly pushed aside as the mad prince entered the room and shut the door.

"You treacherous snake!" Taken aback once again by this figure, Thom raised his eyebrows in confusion.

"Pardon?" This was said in a calmly state.

"How Dare you try and do something like that!"

Once again, Thom said confusedly," Excuse me?"

"You know what you did. I shouldn't have let you come with me on the first place! If I knew what you were attempting to do, I had the evidence, you would HANG in Traitor's hill, you filthy scum!"

"I'm sorry, but I thin-" Thom was cut off with another outburst from his royal mouth.

"You tried to murder me, for Mithros sake! Don't think you can hide it, Roger told me everything, like how you tried to get rid of me in the Black City! I'm watching you, Thom of Trebond, I'm watching your every move, and when you act, the My Father will see what you are doing, and you shall pay!"

With that, the Crown Prince left, banging the door shut in his wake. Thom stood there stunned, knowing that the Prince meant the incident in the Black City. How the Prince got to the conclusion, Thom did not know. Yes, Duke Roger certainly had something to do with it. Ever since his arrival, Thom could not help but get the chills around him. He rejoices in his classes though, for they were rich with information. Thom slept that night, not knowing what to do.

The next morning, he would feel the Prince's eyes watching him, just like he said he would. When the occasion comes up that he would have to converse with either the prince or his friends, Thom would be met with cold eyes. But there was no more than that, no announcement stating his death in Traitor's Hill.

"So, that's it?" Lucy asked incredulously. She breathed in awe. "Wow".

"Are you telling me then, that they are acting the same way towards Alanna?" Thom wanted to know. Lucy nodded.

"She was angry, because she thought that what they were saying was true."

"Well it wasn't," Thom stated grimly.

"I think that you should talk to her," Lucy suggested.

"Well, Of course, but the thing is, she keeps on avoiding me. Wait, maybe I could ask George, since she is mad at you as well."

Lucy nodded, liking the idea. She then realized what that meant. "So George knows?"

Thom nod his head. " With how things are going, he is my only friend around here."

"I see. Well, I got to go." Lucy stared at Thom longer, and blushed again.

Thom watched amused, and realized that she looked cute when she blushed. Suddenly realizing what thought had just crossed his mind, his cheeks heated as well. Hurriedly, he showed her to the door.

"Farewell, Lady Lucy."

"You too, Lord Thom."

Dear Reviewers,

Thank you all for your wonderful reviews. I really appreciate them, and am very glad that a lot of you liked the previous chapter. Responding to the reviews, I hope that this chapter was not as boring as the last one. And I hope that some of your questions are answered. I hope you enjoy this one too.

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