"Lady Alanna!" George Cooper exclaimed in surprise. "You are early."

After a few moments of scrutinizing her hard expression, he inquired curiously, "What is the matter?"

Alanna looked at George, wondering if she should tell him. She still did not know him personally well, and do not know if she could trust him. Finally, deciding that she is a friend of Thom's, she asked him if she could talk to him in private.

Wandering what business requires such privacy, he nodded, and led her upstairs to his room.

Never been to his room before, Alanna was surprised by the furnishings. She looked around, or rather, she stared around.

Momentarily forgetting the reason of being here, she asked in awe," Are these the Lord Provost's pillows?"

She only got a grin in response.

"So what ails you?" George asked after they have settled down, Alanna placed on the couch opposite of his.

Compelled to share her confusion and anger, Alanna told George of all what happened and all she heard. George listened intently, the frown on his face increasingly deepened as Alanna continued.

"Lass," George began, "You musn't be so quick to anger. I understand how you feel, but perhaps you should let yer brother explain himself.."

Alanna pondered over his words. "But-" She realized that what she was about to say would not be reasonable.

"So I guess I did sort of overreact, didn't I?"

George said nothing, letting her think over it herself.

"Yeah, I guess I did," Alanna answered herself.

"All better?" George asked.

"Yeah," Alanna smiled her thanks. "It helps talking it through. But I jus-"

"GEORGE! MR. IRONARMS IS HERE!"

"Okay then, lets start our first lesson." George said getting up. " Oh, Alanna- er-your guise."

"Oh, yeah, right," breathed Alanna awkwardly.

George stared at the original Alanna, not goggle-eyed, but a kind of scrutinize. He inspected her fiery hair that was back to her own silky locks, her purple amethyst eyes slightly filled with determination, and her slim figure, ready to work with lady-trained grace.

"Oof!" Alanna fell on her rump once more, dirtying the breeches that she had borrowed from George. Her hair broke free from its tie, framing her sweat drenched face, sticking to it. Alanna wiped it away in disgust.

"Try again Lady Alanna. You are good, but not good enough." Liam scolded lightly. "Come on, get up. Your opponent can easily have sent you on your way to the Black God by now."

Alanna quickly got up, her body sore from the various thumps that landed on it.

Liam was admiring the girl's determination. He was surprised at the quick change of appearance that was made in an instant. Suspecting that it had a relation with magic, he did not ask. Inwardly, he shuddered, and cleared his mind from the thought.

Alanna tried to lay a few punches on Liam, all either blocked or avoided. She huffed with fatigue, but continued on.

Whump!

This was the thirty-fourth time now. She had counted it, trying to keep a mental record of her improvement. Somehow, Liam always seem to sweep Alanna off her feet in an inhumanly fast way. If she did not surpass fifty-six landings, that would show either she was improving, or Liam was letting her off easy.

Above in a window, the Rogue King was looking down that the two figures below in his private courtyard. It was rather comical, seeing to bright red spots down there, one stationary, whilst the other was constantly being thrown off.

He too, like the Shang Dragon, admired the girl's determination. Of course, Alanna did not prove to be a wiz at hand-to-hand combat. The Liam had decided that the first few sessions would be what most knights do not specialize in.

George then turned his attention to the dress that was draped over on his couch. Apparently, it was a very lacy, frilly, and (as Thom like to say) un-Alanna-like dress.

George smiled to himself. As he was learning more and more about Alanna from her frequent visits after she had resolved her strife with Thom, George had to decide that the dress was very unlike Alanna. Alanna, though herself was very complex, liked simple clothing, or at least that was what George thought.

A knock startled George out of his train of thoughts. He went to the door, opening it to reveal Alanna, sweat-drenched and dirty. She was breathing heavily, still trying to catch her breath. Standing behind her was Liam. He seemed unperturbed, a great contrast to his trainee. In fact, he was grinning.

"Come on in," George said.

The pair of them went in, seating themselves while George stood.

"Alanna is progressing greatly," Liam announced. Alanna grinned. George beamed with pride.

"I take it you two trained hard," George stated.

"Oh no!" Alanna protested. "Liam had it easy, didn't you?" she glared at him. With these two gentlemen, Alanna felt rather relaxed, despite the fact that they did not even know each other for very long.

Liam's response to Alanna's glare was one that spite Alanna to no ends.

"You were having fun!" She accused. Now her eyes were glowering. George laughed. It was moments like these that he enjoyed now and then. Spending time with Alanna, and sometimes Liam always made him feel more relaxed.

"I'm going to have to go now, Alanna. Remember your left leg. They are still there, you know." Liam reminded.

Alannan nodded.

"Goodbye Dragon," George bid. Liam was going to come again next Monday and Wednesday, like he does every week. George suspected that the shang was spending more time than he needed in the city, just because of teaching.

"I'm sorry I dirtied your clothing George, I'll wash them and return them to you tomorrow." Alanna apologized.

"No need lass. You can keep them."

"Are you s-"

"Positive."

"Thanks so much George."

"No need, Lass."

"I'm glad you're here." Just realizing what she said, Alanna was speechless, her face visited by a blush.

"I'm glad too," George replied afterwards. He did not meet her eyes, as Alanna's skin turned redder than before. Hurriedly, she told him that she had to go, rushing to get out of the moment of awkwardness. George watched her go sadly.

Snippet from Past Event: Jonathan and Roger:

"Cousin, I am afraid that I have some bad news to spread. My apologies, but it have to be done, for your safety, Jonathan."

"Not at all, Roger, you know I always welcome you, whether it is good or a message of evil that you bear." Prince Jonathan replied. He ushered Roger to enter his room, and hastily closed the door. It was a week after the event in Persopolis.

"Jonathan, cousin dear, you know that I tell you this only because I have to, you must understand." Roger drawled.

Bewildered at his words, Jonathan said slowly," But of course, Roger. What brings you?"

"Now, you must let me finish before you react."

Jonathan nodded.

"Good. Well, it started on the night we had the last magic lesson together. You do remember Thom of Trebond there?"

Once again, the Prince nodded.

"As I was reciting the lesson, I have seen a strand of purple coming towards you. I could not identify what it was. I did not want to interfere, incase of seeming suspicious, but-"

Prince Jonathan cut him off with his great discovery, "And the color of Sir Thom's gift is purple!"

"Correct, Cousin. I swear, you are getting more intelligent."

Jonathan replied, "It was from your teachings, Roger."

"I'm flattered. But back to the point, You see," Here, Roger puts on an immenesly grave face.

"Thom of Trebond was trying to kill you..."

Dear Reviewers,

How do you like that? Two new chapters. Plus a title too. Of course, it is kind of lame, but I would change it someday, when I get a more definite plot in mind. Thank you all!

Bambolieblue