Chapter 3

A month later...

George woke up with a yell. This was not the first time he had a nightmare about his wife. It usually started out with him riding along a sandy beach. He would see a red-haired woman in front of him. She was bagging him not to come. To go and help King Jonathan with his war. When he tried to approach, she would disappear and he would wake up trembling and damp with sweat.

Right now, the Tortallan army was marching closer and closer to the Scanran stronghold which was located on the edge of a cliff, its back to the sea. George could not shake the feeling that they were coming closer and closer to Alanna and the end of the war.

Suddenly, a guard opened the tent flap and beckoned to the Baron, saying, "My lord, the King summons you to his council tent. They wish to discuss tomorrow's attack."

George nodded response and got up. He strode to the next tent where they were. The King , his chief mage and the Wildmage had just finished communicating with the other mages, or in Daine's case, her animal friends, making sure that everything was in place for the final assault on the stronghold in order to force the Scanrans out and end the war, once and for all.

King Jonathan looked up as George drew back the tent flap and entered, "You wanted me sire?"

"Yes. We have received some disturbing news from our scouts. They report that in villages nearby, the villagers often hear tortured screams coming from the straonghold. It has been happening for the past month now. Also, a sherpherd who chased his runaway sheep up to the castle says that he often saw a face framed with red hair look out of the highes window in the highest tower."

George felt his blood run cold as he looked, stunned at the worn faces of the other occupants of the tent for confirmation.

"His Majesty's right. The animals also tell of suffering and the rats in that foul place also state that often, screams are heard which echo throughout the stronghold." Daine said, not meeting his eyes. Numair drew her close to comfort her. Alanna had been a good friend of all of them and they could not bear to imagine that she wpuld be suffering any pain.

Suddenly, Jonathan spoke," There is nothing we can do except hope that we reach her in time." So saying, he slammed his fist onto the table and said with a tone of finality," We march at dawn."

Looking in the King's eyes, George could not help but to feel sorry for any enemies who came in Jonathan's way the next day.

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Meanwhile,in the Scanran stronghold...

King Maggur sat in front of a roaring fire. He said in a cold voice," Are out troops ready?" a large man wearing the acorns of a commander nodded his head.

"What about the prisoner, your Majesty?"

"Ah the prisoner, bring her forward."

Alanna was pulled forward and forced to kneel. Her clothes were in tatters and the horrors that she had undergone remained marked on her skin and in her weary eyes. However, she still gazed defiantly back at him.

"Well, do you have anything to say for yourself?" King Maggur goaded.

Alanna smiled thinly, "the war's almost over isn't it? Tortall's winning. I care not whether you kill me now."

King Maggur was furious. He snarled,"Your excecution will be the beginning of a blood bath that will not end until everyone is dead. You die tomorrow, when the two armies collide. Ironic, is it not?" not waiting for an answer, he continued, "my soldiers deserve some encouragement don't you think? Guards! parade her in chains through the street in preparations for her excecution which will be a warning to her people."

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well, hope you enjoyed that. haha. review please!