Chapter 13

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Alanna walked briskly across the sprawling University lawns ahead of Thom by about six paces. She was trying to remember exactly where she had seen the strange area of the barns. It took some time for her to remember this.

"I think that the place was somewhere over in those buildings on the other side of those gardens," Alanna said confused as she stopped to let Thom catch up with her. "But I'm just not really sure."

"Are you sure sister?" Thom asked after he stopped beside Alanna and caught his breath. "The only other time I ever got near those buildings was when I was delivering a message to one of the University students that are trying to become a black robe. I think that those buildings are used for top secret experiments."

Alanna looked around trying to see a way to get to the building quickly without having to pass through the gardens. If they tried to walk through the high traffic area of the garden they were sure to get seen and sent back to their chores. "So, do you think that we should go investigate?"

Thom straightened out his shirt that had become disheveled at having to keep up with his sister. "I'm really not sure Alanna. Do you think that they will even let us get near the place if they are conducting some kind of experiment? If something is up then they will have the place heavily guarded."

"Well we came this far. We might as well sneak around a little and see if we can find anything else out. I mean if all else fails we can go back to searching for a different way out of this place," Alanna said running a hand through her ever growing hair.

"I guess, but if we're caught don't think that I'm not blaming this idea all on you," Thom warned.

"We are not going to get caught if you just follow me and keep quiet," Alanna yelled over her shoulder already on the way towards the mysterious buildings. She looked around for a second before she decided on the best way to get around the majestic gardens.

Thom blew out a breath exasperated before running down the small hill that they were standing on to catch up with his sister.

As the pair neared the buildings they noticed that there was an obvious lack of people around the buildings. They were still very careful about where they walked making sure to stay out of an area where they would be easily spotted. Alanna led Thom behind one of the few shrubs that were planted around the entrance to the buildings. She quickly poked her head above the bush until the entrance to the large front building was in sight.

"I don't think that there is anyone over there, but I don't have a very good view from here," Alanna whispered to her brother.

Thom then repeated Alanna's action to take his own look over the hedge. "There has to be someone here. Last time I was only delivering a message to a student and they had a guard at the door that wouldn't let me within ten feet of the door. Something is off here." Thom looked over the hedge one more time quickly. "Um… Alanna are you sure that this is the place where something strange was going on? I mean you could have gotten your places confused or something. You said that it was some type of a barn."

"I know, but I was coming back in from the city at the time. I must have been coming from the other direction. I expressly remember that I had to sneak through the gardens to get back to the kitchens," Alanna countered. "It must just be a different building. This one is pretty big. I bet there is a barn right behind this building. There has to be."

"Ok, well I don't think that we should risk going through this building in broad daylight. We don't want to be caught. That could mean we could get split up and sold for snooping around where we shouldn't be," Thom said worriedly. "We could sneak around the other side though and see if we can find a building that looks like a barn."

"Fine, but if we do it doesn't mean that we have to investigate. What good could knowing what the black robes in training are up to do for us. It will not help to escape this place," Alanna said.

All Thom had to answer this pessimistic statement was a mischievous grin and saying, "Sister dear, where is your sense of adventure?"

Alanna rolled her eyes at her brother's attitude and started for the right side of the building where there were more things to hide behind in case someone would come along. She successfully led her brother to the side of the building and then around the other side. She heard something snap behind her and whirled around quickly. It was only Thom who had stepped on a brittle twig. She frowned at him and put her finger up to her lips to make a shushing noise. Quietly picking her way around the other building Alanna saw it was one almost identical to the one before. She didn't let this stop her and went around the next building. Finally seeing what she was looking for she held out a hand behind her to stop Thom.

"I'm pretty sure that this is it. Do you want to go in first or should I? It does not look like there is anyone in there." Alanna said quietly.

All of a sudden the twins heard voices from within the building. It sounded like two men talking quickly. Then one opened the door to the front of the barn-like building and started walking briskly up the small hill leading up to the gardens and the main building of the University.

"On second thought maybe we shouldn't go in there now. Let's wait until dark to come back when the building will be deserted. Anyway it is almost time for me to go to start my evening chores," Alanna made the excuse.

"I suppose that would be the best option. But you have to promise to come down here with me some time when we won't get caught," Thom said obviously not wanting to leave this mystery unsolved. "I really don't care if this won't help us to get out of this place. It is the closest thing that I am going to get to being a great sorcerer. Think of it as another great adventure. You love breaking rules; you are always running down to the lower city to learn how to use knives and such. Now since your dreams are being fulfilled, I think it is your duty to help mine come true too."

"Whatever you say brother dearest, I will help. Set a time and I will come to help you on your big adventure. Let's just get back up to the servants quarters before they come looking for us," Alanna said to her brother. "We wouldn't want to ruin the start of fulfilling your dreams with all of the extra duties you will acquire if you are late to doing your chores."

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A/N: Well, I guess I have reentered the world of the fandom once more. I have been so busy the last few months. I figured I should let the readers know that I haven't abandoned the story and plan to continue writing it.

On the next order of business, I know that some people may find my story confusing. To me it all makes perfect sense because, well I know what I generally want to happen. If any of you have a question that you would like answered just drop me a review and I will try my best to find a way to answer the question.

Thank you to all of my lovely reviewers. You are the reason for this story continuing. As always I hope you review and tell me what you think of my story.

ColossalSky