Chapter 5

"Eliena?" Jonathan asked as his daughter materialized in the study. "What's wrong?"

"The Swoop is surrounded," Eliena replied.

"What?" Alanna demanded, getting up from her chair. "What do you mean 'surrounded'?"

"Just what I said! The Swoop is surrounded completely by warriors. And there's a magical fog moving in. I was shivering, it made me so cold," Eliena replied. Alanna swore.

"The Carthakis," she muttered. "It has to be."

"Alanna, don't jump to conclusions," Jonathan reprimanded.

"Jonathan, they're the only ones with a navy good enough to move in soundlessly! And with the mages to supply that fog!" Alanna exploded. She turned to Eliena. "Do you have enough warriors?"

"That's why I'm here!" Eliena exclaimed. "If we could've handled it, I wouldn't be here! They outnumber us by a lot. Even with the Riders added to Uncle George's guard, we don't have near enough."

"I'm going," Alanna announced.

"No, you're not. You're not going anywhere, Alanna," Jonathan replied.

"You told me I could go fight! This is when I want to go," Alanna reminded him.

"I said you could command the army. This is not a war Alanna. Unless they fly Carthaki flags, they are not official," Jonathan said. "If they're even Carthaki. And, seeing as it is dark, I don't think they can see flags, if there are any."

"Whatever we do, can we make it fast, please? They're waiting for me," Eliena remarked. "Uncle George, Thayet, Daine, and Numair that is."

"What company of the Own is close enough?" Alanna asked, sulking. Jonathan shuffled through the papers on his desk.

"Raoul's," Jonathan replied. "We have to send them. They're the largest, and Raoul's trained them well."

"But how do we get word?" Eliena asked. "They've no mage."

"You'll have to transport yourself," Jonathan replied. "If what Thom told me is correct, all you do is focus on Raoul and it will bring you to him." Eliena nodded.

"I'll go now," she said. She started to fade. "I love you."

"Goddess, watch over her," Alanna whispered. "Keep her safe."

VVVVVVVVVVVV

"Raoul!" Eliena cried. A hundred sets of eyes turned to look at the girl. Several rose, nudging the others. A whisper rippled about, "The princess." The men bowed. Eliena sighed, and went into her "princess mode." She now looked very regal and commanding. "Where is Sir Raoul?" The men pointed to a tent. Eliena acknowledged them with a bow and ran to the tent. She burst in.

"Goddess bless!" the big knight exclaimed. "Eliena!"

"Gather the men. You're needed at the Swoop by sunrise. We're surrounded. Quietly as possible, if you please. Move fast, because we would like to avoid attack on the fortress," Eliena said.

"What's going on, Eliena? The Swoop is surrounded? Is Thayet all right?" Raoul asked.

"Thayet is fine. I don't think they know we know they've surrounded us," Eliena replied. "Listen, I need to get back. There's a magical fog moving in and I don't know what it's going to bring." She shuddered. "Do you have a warm cloak or something I can have? The fog makes me cold." Raoul handed her a fleece-lined tunic. "Thanks." She started to fade away. "Please do hurry, Raoul!" The moment she vanished, Raoul walked out of the tent. All the men jumped to their feet.

"Gather your things!" he bellowed. "We ride fast and soft for the Swoop in five minutes!"

VVVVVVVVVVVV

"Done. I've seen my parents and Raoul, who's bringing his company," Eliena announced. She glanced at Thayet, who looked concerned. "Don't worry, Thayet. Raoul knows what he's doing." Thayet nodded. Eliena looked at Numair, who looked worn out. "What?"

"Dampening spells. That's what's in the fog," Numair replied. "Once in rolls in, you and I will have almost no Gift left." Eliena swore loudly.

"The Lioness's daughter, all right," George remarked, trying to sound amused. He looked grim. "What's the use in having strong mages when their Gifts are useless?"

"Daine," Eliena replied. "Daine's wild magic." Daine's eyes widened. "They can't know we have someone with wild magic. Most think wild magic isn't real. We're sure to have mages, they're not stupid, but a wild mage?" Her eyes glittered dangerously. "This could be fun."

"I've never heard anyone describe an upcoming battle as 'fun' before," George grumbled.

Author's Note- so… I have a question. There wasn't room in the last chapter for this: I've had several people comment that they like Leo. WHY? Is it because he's George's son or is there something about him? REVIEW, por favor.