Dedicating Chapter 4 to a friend who managed to drag me all the way to city while talking non-stop on the way and still managing to stay alive. Also to the nice lady who had a Scottish-English accent. Of course, also to Fish-fingers and Dead 2. Oh, and I think I'll join the group of people floating down the biggest river in Egypt. I can't believe JK Rowling killed him!

Chapter 4-Your Will or Mine

Alanna did not know. She was too busy staring at the materialised Jonathan.

"Jon! What are you doing here?" Alanna exclaimed.

The Mother Goddess frowned. "Prince Jonathan, you should have been able to come. Only the gods' chosen ones can be transported into the Realms of the Gods."

Jonathan faced the Goddess without fear. "Oh Greatest One, why is Alanna allowed to come here since she is the Goddess's chosen one, not the gods'?"

Her face was thunder. "Mortal, do you seek to defy me?"

"If I have to, to save Faeni!"

Alanna groaned in between them. "Please Jon. Don't make this any worse. The Goddess has her reasons for not allowing Faeni to live."

"Alanna, I heard the Goddess. She's going to kill Faeni just because it makes the gods easier to manage the Mortal Realms!"

"The way I do things is of no concern to you!"

Jonathan smiled in a satisfied sort of way. "Unless you wish for total havoc in the near future, I suggest you take in mind what I say."

"How dare you speak to me in this manner!"

"Jonathan! It does Tortall no good to argue with Gods!"

Jonathan gave another smile. "Great Mother Goddess, as you are aware of, I am the only heir to the throne of Tortall that will make it prosper, not disintegrate. If you want another ruler for the future Tortall, all you have to do is say once again that you are going to allow Faeni to die."

Alanna was puzzled. "What do you mean, Jon? Unless, Duke Roger…"

"I have ways of knowing things."

"Mortal, how dare you threaten your superior ones?"

Jonathan bowed courteously. "Goddess, all I ask of you is to let Faeni live. By doing so, I will make sure Tortall will always have a good king."

The Mother Goddess sighed resignedly. "Fine. But heed my warning, Jonathan, heir of Tortall. When you have to choose, choose what is best for Tortall."

Jonathan straightened. "I will know when the time comes."

"Very well then. I will send Faeni's back to her body. Tell Mistress Cooper to not worry. She is a good woman, and has saved plenty of lives. Alanna, do not ever take the ember off again."

Alanna knelt in front of the Goddess. "Yes, my mother."

The Goddess smiled. "Farewell then."

Faeni opened her eyes. Spotting George, she tried to draw attention to herself. After several unsuccessful attempts, she crawled out of bed and limped to his side. Drawing up her entire strength (which was not much, considering what she had just been through) she smacked her cousin across the back of his head.

"Ow. What did you hit me for, Faeni? Wait a moment. Are you alive now?"

You are the greatest dolt that I've ever had the pleasure to know. Of course I'm not alive. I'm one of the mythical living deads. Why am I wearing this strange necklace?

George tried to find the thing that Faeni was refering to. "Oh, that's Alanna's ember. The Great Goddess gave it to her. She used it to save you."

Faeni gently touched the ember. The Great Mother Goddess doesn't like me.

George stared at the girl. "What are you talking about? Why are you saying The Goddess does not like you? How do you know?"

I just…know. Never mind. Where is Jonathan?

"Apparently, right after Alanna travelled to the Goddess, Jonathan followed after her. Had Mother worried and muttering things like 'Wouldn't be surprised if the Goddess literally blasted him back to the Mortal Realms."

He followed…why?

"Why don't you go and ask him yourself?"

If it was not for the little strength I have now, you would be packing your bags and heading off the Black Realms.

George was ready to go along with any insult from Faeni. "I'm so scared, little cousin." His face turned serious. "Speaking of violence, did you simply tell the provost guards you do not know where the King of Thieves is?"

I couldn't exactly tell them anything, since I cannot speak, as your charming friend so delightfully pointed out. No, I just shook my head.

"Just shook your head? No rude gestures…" Well, I did pull an exceptionally beautiful face at the biggest guard.

"Well, that explains more than it doesn't."

Why did I need Alanna to ask the Goddess for help so that I could live? The poison wasn't mild, but it definitely wasn't fatal. Red Chrysanthemums and snake venom would have done the trick.

"All the Red Chrysanthemum seems to have disappeared." George said. Faeni yawned and looked at George with half-shut eyes.

"Well Faeni, you better get back to rest now." George groaned as his knees creaked. "I think I could do with a little rest too."

Faeni ran forward to where George was standing. Quickly she put her arms around her cousin and stepped back.

I'm really glad I'm alive, George. I was thinking, 'if I died, who will keep George out of mischief?'

George patted Faeni on the back, unfallen tears glistening in his hazel eyes. "I'm glad you're alive too, Faeni, real glad."

Faeni watched as her cousin exited the room. Frowning slightly, she made her way back to bed with only one thought one her mind.

The Goddess wants me dead. Why?

Disclaimer: People, I'm getting really depressed these days. Firstly, passing Geography by 8 marks. Secondly, forgetting how to spell 'contamination'. Thirdly, I'm being scared to death because the stupid CSI show is showing every painful detail of people being electrified. Lastly, nobody is appreciating such beautiful a story as The Lady of Tortall. Well, that bit of complaining is over now, so I do the disclaimer properly. I don't know who these characters belong to. Happy?