Queen of the Amazons Chapter 4: The Old & The New, a song of the lioness fanfic

Disclaimer: I own the plot, though I apologize if it's been done before. Everything relating to Tamora Pierces novels, obviously, belongs to her. (This fic was inspired by the second episode of the first season of Hercules, the Legendary Journeys, and I don't know who that belongs to, but its not me.)

AN: Hi everyone! Sorry about the wait. Here's the next chapter, with more notes at the end. Enjoy!

Queen of the Amazons

Chapter 4: The Old & The New -- Where the Past, Present & Future Meet

By Jess S

Alanna sighed as she stretched her sore neck and shoulder muscles in the massive community-size bath that the other founding Amazons had insisted be a part of their Queen's chambers. It was fed by the same magically enhanced geothermal hot spring that filled all of the Astulea's baths with hot mineral water. The healers used an intricate system of fairly simple spells to regulate the heat, gases and mineral content to ensure the health and safety of the Amazon People, and the Goddess herself had recommended the use of the springs in this fashion, and approved the final result. Though Alanna found the utilization of a pool this size for her personal use more then a bit wasteful, it was admittedly very soothing, especially after days like today...

She had long hoped -- rather foolishly she knew -- that she would never see some of the recent events of the present come to pass. After she left Tortall to found the Amazon Nation with her friends in the Great Mother's hidden lands, she'd given up on ever reconciling with her family. Her father died soon after and her brother never returned any of the few letters she'd sent. She had all but forgotten him when her Dominion Wards had alerted her to someone attempting to break through them.

It hadn't taken her long to discover that the source of the intrusion her wards could only just impede was the long forgotten Gifted Twin Bond she shared with her brother. But it wasn't her brother that had been attacking, it was a strange spell -- an orange haze that had inundated her twin and was trying to spread to her. Thanks to the Great Mother Goddess's training, though she had really only just begun at that point, it hadn't taken long to recognize that the curse was a magically induced and empowered illness, which had apparently already beset much of Tortall and all of Corus.

A long forgotten part of her heart hadn't been able to ignore the threat to her twin's life and her native land's sanctity. And so, with the excuse to some of her courtiers that she didn't want to risk the magical plague spreading, as Tortall was their closest neighbor and some of their sisters who acted as spies and informants within its borders were at risk, she had sealed herself within the Diadem.

The Diadem is the room that is situated at the very center of the palace and Astulea. All of the spells that protected and regulated Agerlea were cast through its walls, which were made of pure black opals, magically merged together by the Goddess Herself. The room also housed the true Dominion Jewel, which served as the corner stone for all of the great magicks she'd cast.

So she had sealed herself within the Diadem and entered deep meditation. Then she had flooded her twin bond with raw, purifying power; eventually following it to essentially possess her brother's body to heal it and destroy the curse that had threatened them. With the Goddess's support the task was easily completed, and Tortall was free to heal from the attack.

Then, feeling the concern her friend genuinely felt for the Conté heir, she had gone through the trouble of saving him and the Queen as well, before departing. According to the spymisstress of Tortall, many respected witnesses had heard Thom of Trebond speak with a Lady's voice, and the young, untrained boy didn't remember any of the events that transpired between his collapsing from sickness and awakening in the healers' wing a week after it was broken to be told that he had saved the Prince and the Queen. So many decided that the Great Mother Goddess; the Great Healer, had intervened.

Someone had tried to harm her brother again a few months later. So she had cast protective spells around him and the royal family. The security and stability of Tortall was arguably necessary for the future of Agerlea. What's more, judging him from the rumors that surrounded his name, the reputed bright-orange coloring of his Gift, and the number of accidents, illnesses and all around 'weird occurrences' that had prevented the rise of any mage that might equal him in ability within Tortall's borders, she did not want to see Duke Roger of Conté become the King of Tortall. Thus far he had behaved as a prefect gentleman within her court, and hadn't done much more then test her castings, which was to be expected. At least he had the common sense many men lacked, and didn't try to overpower them.

Perhaps that was why she had gone to such lengths to protect the Tortallian Prince when he wandered into the Black City. He would not have lasted long against the Ysandir, and the Gods knew that their continuing presence was one blight that all of the northern lands could do without. That act had earned her the title of the 'The Burning-Brightly One' and had opened 'The Voice' of the Bazhir tribes to the idea of sending Gifted girls to her, where they might live their lives in relative peace. Ali Mukhtab really was a very reasonable man, which she suspected came from the role he played every day for his people as 'The Voice.' And so a couple dozen Bazhir-born girls had joined the Amazons over the years, the newest ones being Kara and Kourrem of the Bloody Hawk Tribe, which had actually sent an escort of three warriors with them despite protests from their shaman. Although she sometimes wondered at what exactly the boy who had seen her enter the city and take the Prince -- or the Night One -- from it after the fight. She must have looked like some kind of spirit, as she had been projecting herself to the city, nearly exhausting her Gift to work within the cursed realm. So an airborne maiden that was shining a silvery violet light was what many of the Bazhir girls seemed to expect... and somehow see!

Nonetheless, she never thought she would actually see her brother again. Especially not after the second time her wards had alerted her to someone's attempted intrusion. She had been utterly shocked to discover that the rather powerful and very focused trespasser was her twin, apparently attempting to find her... He had persisted for hours, until he had undoubtedly exhausted his Gift and fallen into a comatose state. That was a few years ago, and he never attempted the act again, so he must have finally assumed and accepted that she was dead.

What must he be thinking now?

It was common knowledge that many of the founders of Agerlea were Tortallian noble women by birth, which was something the Tortallians were sure to soon hear, if they hadn't already. And she had told some of them, including her brother's prince and knight master that they had been divinely shielded until now. What's more, some of them must have noticed the resemblance between the two; her complexion was a bit paler due to all the magical protections she wore at all times, she was mask half the time as the Lioness and sunburns were both uncomfortable and clashed hideously with her hair, so she wore creams against them. But even if her hair had taken on different fiery shades with length, their vivid violet gazes were hard to miss. And that idiotic Tusaine knight even knew that the Lioness and the Queen were the same person, so Thom might be able to recognize that though this had forced her to mature into not only a lady but the Queen of a land, she still had fulfilled her dream of being a warrior maiden from so many years before...

He might have been thick in his youth, but as the crown prince's squire and a soon-to-be knight, he couldn't be an idiot. So what must he be thinking now? What would he say when they met, as she now knew they eventually must?

"What will I say?" Alanna wandered aloud, with a sigh.

"Excuse me, My Queen?" A hesitant voice inquired.

Alanna turned slightly to glance at the young celerus that stood in the doorway to her bathing chamber, an anxious look on her young face. "Yes, Carana, what is it?"

"I am sorry to disturb you, My Queen," the girl -- who really was only a few years her junior, but didn't act it -- began hesitantly, bowing deeply before continuing. "But the large group of initiates from the Yamini Isles has arrived."

"So soon?" Alanna frowned, even as she hurriedly rubbed some oil-soap into her hair. "I thought they weren't expected till sundown." She shook her head to forestall any awkward replies. "Never mind, I shall be out in a moment."

That said, she quickly dropped deeper into the pool, running her fingers through her hair to finish washing it. When she came up the celerus was standing at the edge of the pool, a towel in one hand.

The Amazon Queen suppressed a frown as she walked up the steps, accepting the towel with a nod of thanks. "Thank you, Carana, but you really didn't need to do that." After quickly wiping off the excess water, wrapping her hair in the towel and up above her head, she pulled on her full-length, gold-lined white robe and stepped into her slippers. As she was tying the elegant robe closed she noticed the still nervous look the girl's face. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes, My Queen..." the girl wetted her lips before continuing. "Some of the guards that escorted the Yaminian-born Initiates into the city are angry with their Captain."

"Captain Erasmus?" Now Alanna's frown deepened. "I've never heard any complaints from Shamira's subordinates before. She's a loyal, good-hearted sister and an excellent officer, by all accounts. Including my own."

"Yes," Kalasin agreed as she entered the chamber, her daughter a few steps behind her. "But these subordinates are Lacaena."

The young Queen sighed, closing her eyes and shaking her head while bringing a hand up to her temple in expectation of the headache that would undoubtedly make its presence known soon. A few moments later she opened her eyes once more, and nodded to the nervous celerus. "You may go, Carana. Please tell the others that I will be out shortly."

"Gladly, My Queen," the girl bowed before leaving hurriedly.

After Thayet had shut the door behind her, Alanna raised an eyebrow at her foster family. "And what is the connection between the two? Petty politics? Are they just stirring trouble before my surprise review?"

"No, Alanna, they are not," Kalasin sighed. "Though I am sure the suddenness of your review worries them as it would any sensible person, but their complaints are... valid... They are admittedly archaic, but nonetheless legitimate."

"Just what I need..."

"Maybe it is," Thayet interjected, clearly surprising her foster daughter and Queen.

"Oh? And what is it?"

The two K'mir-born Amazons shared a quick look before the elder continued, while the younger shook her head. "A man..."

Alanna blinked, "I beg your pardon?"

"He apparently helped the Islanders a great deal throughout their journey, and they are demanding that he receive political sanctuary."

"Sanctuary?" Alanna frowned, "For what?"

"He is wanted by Carthak for treason."

"Another one? My, that new emperor of theirs must be dying of boredom, or insane if he's sending another mage into exile so soon in his reign. What's his name, by the way?" Alanna inquired, a lighter frown slightly marring her features as she tried to remember the arrogant young man's name. "...Ozlarne? ...Ozrone?"

"Emperor Ozorne Muhassin Tasikhe, yes. Our unexpected guest was supposedly good friends with the other former friend of his Imperial Majesty that joined your Court a short time passed. He was a minor teacher of magic to both the Imperial Prince and his more common-born friend before Ozrone's coronation, and not so good a friend afterwards."

Alanna nodded, "Rather common in Carthak, I believe... Does he accept our customs and my rule?"

"Thayet?" Kalasin asked, raising a regal eyebrow at her daughter. "You spoke with him at greater length than I did."

Thayet nodded, "He seems to be a good, honorable and generally very laid-back man. Though he has clearly lost faith in his homeland of late, which has supposedly begun to turn its eye on Tortall lately. Though very quietly."

The Queen's frown deepened, "I don't remember hearing anything about that. The Sweating Sickness that plagued Tortall a few years back was created in and sent from Carthak... but it was still the working of a single mage. Certainly not something with Imperial backing behind it."

"Yes. It was from the University, wasn't it? And Ozorne wasn't Emperor then, he was just a student who happened to be forth in line to the Imperial Throne." Kalasin pointed out, her quiet, calm voice as soothing as always.

After a moment Thayet continued, "Nonetheless, he does seem to genuinely want to join us in any way he can... He is requesting an audience with you to discuss that."

The Queen nodded, "Very well. I will hear him in the throne room, after greeting the Yamini Islanders. What is his name?"

"He is a mage, though I do not know what robe, for he is in common wear still. Friend, teacher and mentor to Arram Draper some years past, hopeful friend of Mage Numair Salmalín, he is known as Lindhall Reed."

How was he supposed to react to this? His sister was not only the Amazon's best fighter and Champion but also their Queen!

He couldn't really deny it, despite the fact that the maid hadn't returned to confirm his sister's existence among the Amazon. From the way she'd reacted to his sister's name and description he hadn't been expecting her to.

But he had seen the vibrant violet flames that had sealed off the Lioness's injury from within. Then Dain had seen her face as both the Queen and the Lioness.

He might be able to picture her as the Lioness; she'd entertained dreams of becoming a warrior-maiden throughout most of their childhood, and it was what their last argument was about. But a Queen? The liege-lady of a land? It didn't make any sense!

"She loathed the idea of becoming a lady!" The Squire murmured, shaking his head in confusion.

"Pardon, Thom?"

The redhead looked up to meet his knightmaster's expectant gaze and sighed. "My sister, Jonathon. She never wanted to be a lady. She hated the very thought of it... So how could she possibly be a Queen?"

"A lot can change in a few years," the prince pointed out.

"Maybe, but she really, really hated it... I can see her becoming an Amazon, but not a lady or a queen... Not by a long shot."

"Perhaps you are holding to strongly to your memories, Squire Thom." Sir Myles suggested gently, his gaze distant.

"What?"

"We're often inordinately fond of our past, no matter what we thought of the events that it is made of as they occurred, so you might be refusing to accept that your sister might have changed even in the slightest from the nearly-eleven-year-old girl you last saw her as. But she, like you, is approaching her eighteenth year. As Prince Jonathon suggested, quite a bit can change in seven years." The knight shook his head. "Are you the same boy that stood nervously before Duke Gareth seven years ago, having just ridden through Corus for the first time and awaiting your first assignment as a page?"

"...No," Thom shook his head, "but--"

The knight chuckled as he cut the younger noble off again, "Then how can you expect any less of your sister?"

Thom sighed, "...I suppose I can't..."

"No, you can't... but more to the point this opens up a whole new realm of possibilities from some of the more unusual events of the past few years."

"What'd you mean?" Sir Raoul asked, frowning as he and his friends claimed the seats around the older knight once more.

"Take the Sweating Sickness, for example, and their Majesty's miraculous recoveries." Sir Myles shrugged, "I am no mage, but I would think the bond between Gifted twins should be able to serve as a focus of some sort..."

Prince Jonathon nodded, "So it wasn't the Goddess that save us..."

"...Alanna?" Thom frowned. "Why would she do that?"

"You're her brother, Squire Thom. And there may be a part of her that is still loyal to the land of her birth." Duke Gareth offered, shaking his head. "Though I'm sure the Great Mother Goddess must have played some sort of role in that miracle, perhaps it was not as direct as we once assumed it be."

"Quite right," Myles agreed, nodding before turning his attention back to his future king. "And you, Jonathon. Can you remember much of the events that transpired within the Black City?"

"The Burning Brightly One, you mean?" the prince nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I think that could have been her... But to sent an astral projection of herself over that great a distance and cast spells through that projection..." he shook his head, "the kind of sheer power that would take is mind boggling."

"Perhaps not so much with Immortal aide?" Duke Gareth suggested, but his expression was doubtful.

"Maybe, but I don't think so..." Jonathon frowned, "And Thom wasn't there, so why would she bother with me?"

After several moments of silence Thom shrugged, "Maybe she doesn't hate me after all?"

"Hate you?"

"Yeah, if she would put so much effort into protecting my friends she can't possibly hate me, right?"

Everyone nodded quickly in agreement, before Sir Myles spoke again. "It may also be that she still feels a certain affinity with Tortall, seeing at is where she was born, where her parents lived and died and where you live, Thom. And your death might ruin Tortall, Jonathon."

Jonathon frowned, "I know my parent's would be heartbroken and it would be sad for my friends and the people, but Roger could still take care of Tortall in my place, so..."

"Maybe that's something she doesn't want to see..." Thom realized.

"What?" Jonathon frowned.

"Many mages find it hard to trust your cousin, Jon. I can't explain why. But maybe she doesn't want to see Duke Roger become the King of Tortall..."

The gardens were one of her favorite places in the palace; gifted with every natural wonder the Great Mother could aid them in presenting to the world from these courtyards, the gardens were always full of exotic colors, scents, sounds and textures. The sheer life that overflowed from every aspect the masterpiece was contrived of never failed to please her, and the many others that sought the flower sanctuary for a reprieve from the far more chaotic and bitter world without.

This was where Alanna had first met the last mage to ask for amnesty and sanctuary within Amazon borders as a political refugee from the Carthaki Empire. The very memory of meeting the first man to become a full member of her court brought a smile to her face.

Flashback
"Greetings, Master Salmalín," Alanna nodded to the worn and weary mage, offering him an unexpectedly warm smile. "Welcome to Agerlea."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," the slightly younger mage replied, bowing deeply for what had to be the fifth time since two of the Elite Captains had escorted him into the gardens. He wetted his lips nervously before continuing. "I-I apologize for the trouble my arrival seems to have caused. When I met the ladies in Carthak and they spoke of Agerlea, I'm afraid I did not understand that men might not--"

"Our traditions are young and ever-changing, Master Salmalín, but based in unfortunately very recent and reprehensible experiences. Some of the Amazons direct their hatred towards all men instead of only those who have done them injury. For that, I apologize." She held up her hand to forestall and protests. "With those pleasantries aside, I believe you requested an audience with me?"

"Yes, Your Majesty..." the Carthaki wetted his lips again before continuing. "I was hoping that I might be able to remain in Agerlea, perhaps as a magical instructor or something of the sort?"

"You have your Masters in Magic?"

"Yes, I earned my robes just before my fifteenth birthday. Black..."

"Black Robe? Scholarly or Practicing?"

The mages darker complexion didn't entirely hide the blush staining his cheeks, "Scholarly..."

End of Flashback

Numair had progressed a great deal in the last two years; he might even be able to compete with the Duke of Conté for the title of the most powerful mage in the north, for he was certainly amongst the world's greats. She was too, but that was primarily because she was the Queen of the Gods' apprentice and the holder of the Dominion Jewel. Though he still needed some work on the more practical applications of both magic and the mind, he was now a force to be reckoned with. And if she remembered correctly, Lindhall Reed was one of his close friends and favorite teachers in Carthak...

She had already sent a message to Numair, via the contact mirror he carried with him at all times, and he was on his way back to the capital. He had been looking into reinforcing some of the thinner wards on the border with Tusaine, and from what she could tell had been quite successful. But he was glad to be coming home to see both old friends and new. He might even arrive before her meeting with Reed, which would be all the better.

If he arrived soon enough, she would be able to ask his advice concerning her brother, for he was one of the few members of her Court that was sure to reply directly and honestly, with no need for bias. Kalasin and Thayet could usually be depended upon for this, but both were at odds with the male member of their family, and thus a little for biased then she would like, though they tried to hide it.

She smiled as she finished watering the flowers that were close enough to the central fountains mist to be watered by its spray. The gardeners didn't like it when she took their work away from them, so that was all she could do for now, but it was a soothing act nonetheless. It had served to calm her nerves as she had hoped, allowing her to make the climb up the stairs to the balcony into one of the sitting rooms in her chambers and sit back down their for the tea that had been left there to cool.

Usually she would take tea with a member of her Court, but Kalasin and Thayet were both busy with the preparations for the welcoming festival that was to take place tomorrow to welcome their new sisters from the Yamini Isles. Many other members of the Court were similarly busy, and white it did not take all that much time for Elise to summon the other leaders of the Lacaena, she doubted the Commander of her Elite would be the best of company at the moment... Which meant she would take her tea alone today.

After a moment, Alanna frowned... Or not. "I guess now is as good a time as any," she sighed, before picking up the bell that would summon one of the servants.

"Good afternoon, my lords." Iris greeted them as Elle and Bella began moving the trays of steaming teapots, cups, small cakes and sandwiches off of the carts they had wheeled them in on. "I hope you are well?"

"Quite well, thank you, Lady Iris," Sir Myles replied, accepting the teacup that she offered him with a nod of thanks.

"As I have said before, Sir Myles," Iris shook her head, "I am no lady." After she and the other two maids had finished distributing the teacups and filling them, they congregated near the entryway once more and Iris looked around. "Will you need anything else, my lords?"

"Not at the moment, thank you," Duke Gareth nodded before frowning, "though might you be able to tell us when we will meet with your Queen again?"

Iris blinked, "I believe that will not be till tomorrow, my lord. Her Majesty invites you, all of you, to attend the welcoming festival for our newest sisters, who will be arriving from the Yamini Isles on the morrow. She will unfortunately be rather preoccupied this morning, I'm afraid."

"Oh? Nothing is wrong, I hope?"

"Not at the moment. Some of your nations have begun to send out search parties of varying sorts, but nothing serious." Iris shook her head, "No, Her Majesty has summoned all of the leaders of the Lacena to Court, and will be holding a Closed Court Session this evening, before and after supper, I believe. Otherwise, she would undoubtedly welcome some of you to her table once again."

"The Lacaena?" Several of the men looked at each other as Myles continued, "Might this be for the abandoned boys in Waterside?"

"I would not be surprised, my lord. Her Majesty is rather angry with them, though I am sure she will give them a chance to prove their innocence, or guilt."

"I would think," the leader of the men from Galla murmured, taking a sip of his tea before continuing, "that at such a time as this, your Queen would not want to be at odds with any of her supporters."

"Hmm," Iris nodded, "that might be so, Lord Alpines, but you must understand... Agerlea is a very young nation; we have yet to fully find ourselves, and the Lacaena's continuing defiance and waywardness is very troubling, even threatening to Our Queen. We are fighting for our future in more ways then one. All have agreed that Our Queen and Champion is the best person to lead us there, but now a faction of our people that is led by one of her closest friend's is challenging her authority."

"And she cannot allow that," Sir Myles nodded.

"No. No she cannot."

Prince Jonathon frowned, "So what will happen?"

Amazon uncomfortable. "This may have to be decided in iudicium, with an impartial jury advising Her Majesty."

"That makes sense..." the Prince shook his head, frowning at them, "Why does is bother you?"

"Iudicium has never been needed before now... According to the laws set down to govern it, it is only to be used in extreme circumstances...and the punishments for the accused if convicted are much more severe then many wish to reckon with..."

"So it's a formal trial specifically for treason?"

"And similar crimes, yes."

"What kind of punishments do--"

"The kinds of punishments that come from mages being tutored by Gods and learning how to create them..." Iris sighed, shaking her head once more as she looked around the room. "We do not have a death penalty here. Amazons may only kill in self-defense, we have no executions, no one who would ever agree to stain their souls with such a task..."

"So you banish them back into the Patron's world instead?" the Gallan Healer guessed.

"Sometimes, Lord Montivaga. But that is not the penalty a iudicium would be called to judge..."

"Then what is?"

"A different kind of banishment and imprisonment all together." Before they could ask any more questions, the head maid shook her head, mindful of her subordinates discomfort as much as her own. "If that will be all, we have a great deal of work to do."

"Excuse me, La--Mistress Iris?" Squire Thom rose. "I'm afraid we're a cup short."

"No, we are not, my lord." Iris smiled, "Elle said you were asking after your sister yesterday evening?"

A dead silence hung around the room for several moments before Thom could force himself to reply, "Uh, y-yes... Is she...?"

"If you free this afternoon, she would like you to join her for tea."

Thom nodded, wincing as he began to move forward only to receive a sharp kick at one of his heels by his knight master. "Um, may I--?"

"You may invite up to two of your companions to come with you, if you wish. So long as they agree to be civil."

"Please pardon my intrusion, my Queen."

"Of course, Elise," Alanna offered a small smile, forcing herself to remain neutral towards one of her oldest friends, though her tone was a bit cold. "What is it?"

The blonde frowned slightly at the coldness in her friend and queen's eyes and voice. "I thought that you might like to know that all of my lieutenants in the Lacaena have arrived..." She shook her head, "Now, wha--?"

"As I told you before, Commander." The Amazon Queen shook her head. "You will have to wait until the meeting in Court, this evening. Now if you'll excuse me, Iris is escorting my brother here to join me for tea."

Elisa frowned, glancing at the whole tea set for four that was on the table before them. "I wondered why you had finished yet... Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Alanna sighed, shaking her head. "No, but I really don't have much choice. A private meeting is better than a public one, after all."

"I guess..." Elise shook her head. "Good luck, then, My Queen," she offered, before bowing and taking her leave.

"Thank you," Alanna replied, watching her old friend depart. "I hope I don't need it..." After a long moment's pause she shook her head, "To the Black God with appearances and decorum," she muttered before pouring herself a cup of the fresh batch of tea, quickly mixing it to her liking with cream and sugar, and adding a few drops of the calming draught she kept with her on most occasions to control her temper, now to soothe the nerves she wasn't used to entertaining.

Jonathon suppressed a sigh as he, his uncle and his squire followed the maid that had been acting as hostess to them for the past several days. He'd been able to see the tension building up in his squire and friend's ramrod straight back when they were leaving, now he looked like little more than a bundle of nerves. He moved a little closer to the younger noble and kept his voice low, he knew Mistress Iris would be able to hear him, but would ignore them for appearances sake if they were quiet. "Thom, calm down."

The redhead quickly turned angry purple eyes on him, barely managed to keep his growled reply quiet, "That's easy for you to say!"

"No it isn't," the prince growled in response. "You're my friend, I don't like seeing you like this. But you're also a knight, or almost one. Act it."

"Jonathon's right, lad," Duke Gareth murmured, his quiet voice somehow reaching both of them even though he didn't close the distance between them at all. Maybe they were just used to listening for him. "Take a few deep breaths and then look forward to seeing your long-thought-dead sister again."

Thom frowned, but obviously struggled to reply, taking a few deep breaths and letting them out slowly while looking around the hallway they were passing through.

It was much nicer than the halls that led to their own quarters. Though if he had to find his way back there or from there to wherever they were going, he knew he'd surely get lost, because of the many turns and roundabout ways the maid was taking them. But the elegance and sheer majesty of the halls they were walking through, reminiscent of the throne room and lesser dining hall they'd seen earlier in their stay made the idea that his sister might be the queen all the more likely.

His sister was an Amazon; the Amazon Champion and the Amazon Queen. And she was Alive. Gods...

Thom was so focused on his inward musings that it was only his knightmaster's sudden grasp and tug on his shoulder that kept him from walking right into their guide.

Iris has stopped at an ornate set of double doors and knocked, and was waiting patiently.

A moment after she had knocked a young woman in silvery-gray robes lined with white and gold opened the door and bowed slightly to her. "High Mistress Iris," she greeted, and then bowed slightly to the three men as well, though not as deeply. "My lords, Her Majesty is expecting you."

Thom quickly swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat before following Iris into what seemed to be a very ornate sitting room. The room was very tastefully decorated, but he couldn't imagine Alanna sitting out here everyday. Wealth had never really interested either of them as a child... But maybe Duke Gareth was right; maybe she had changed. Most of the ladies that came to Court from the convents were all carbon copies of one another, though some were prettier, more charming, others a little wittier; usually they were all husband-hunting dolls trained to do all the same things...

But Mistress Iris didn't stop in the outer room, instead leading them through it and into a small hallway within the room, which had several rooms off of it, but all the doors were closed. The end of the hallway opened up into an entryway onto a terraced balcony, which seemed to overlook their Palace Gardens.

And there she was, sitting at the head of the large table that was overlooking the gardens, in a loose-fitting but nonetheless elegant violet gown, her fiery hair now long enough in some places to reach her waist and held back with an elegant golden hair clip was his sister, relieving an ornate porcelain teacup of its steaming contents with small sips.

"Your Highness, Your Grace, what a pleasant surprise," the Amazon Queen offered them a small smile as she set her teacup down and gracefully rose from her seat to greet them. "Please join me, I found most of my court preoccupied this afternoon and no one to take tea with. I'm so glad you could join me."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Duke Gareth replied, nudging the younger two noblemen as he bowed respectfully, nodding in approval as his nephew followed suit, frowning when Thom did not.

"No need for formalities for the time being," the Queen assured them, gesturing to the many available seats around the table. "Now, I believe the cooks charmed the pot to keep the tea warm, but you must be famished nonetheless, so please sit." She reclaimed her own seat only after her three guests had done the same, not commenting on the fact that the Prince and Duke had placed themselves between her and her brother as she sat. Instead she turned her attention to the two Amazons that had led them here. "Thank you, Iris, unless you have anything to report you may go."

"Not at the moment, My Queen." Iris bowed, "I shall return in some time to escort your guests back to their chambers, if you like."

The Queen shook her head, "That won't be necessary, Iris, but thank you. I'll have some of the Celerum bring them back."

"As you wish, My Queen..." Iris bowed again, "Then should I return to report my findings on the Lacaena some time before the meeting.

Here, the Queen frowned before nodding, "Yes, the Court session begins at the sixth bell, so please return near to the fourth."

"Yes, My Queen. Have a pleasant afternoon till then."

"And you as well." The Queen nodded, before turning her attention to the other silver-robed Amazon. "You may join us if you like, Hanako."

"I really can't, My Queen."

The royal Amazon rolled her eyes in response. "Very well, then, you may go. I'll ring if I need anything." She sighed as the celerus departed, turning her attention to her guests once more. "You would think that with more then a dozen handmaidens I wouldn't have so much trouble finding someone to take my afternoon tea with."

"They respect you too much?" Duke Gareth realized, smiling slightly at the memory of his own sister once complain about the same dilemma she had with her own ladies-in-waiting.

"So it seems," the young Queen replied, shaking her head as she quickly but nonetheless gracefully filled their teacups with steaming hot tea. "Though I've begun to suspect that they enjoy irritating me. Do you take cream or milk with your tea?" Receiving an affirmative from two of the three she poured some of that in, before offering the sugar bowl to them and a plate with a lime on it to her brother. "The honey pot is just there to your left, if you still like your tea that way, Thom."

If she noticed that her twin's hands were shaking slightly as he accepted the plate before squeezing one of the lime slices over his teacup, and then reaching for the honey pot, she said nothing.

"I understand this morning's activity's got a bit out of hand." The Amazon commented, as she stirred some sugar into another cup of tea.

"Yes, I'm afraid they did." Duke Gareth agreed cautiously, carefully not looking at the young woman arm where her injury should be bandaged if she was indeed both the Queen and the Lioness. "Sir Dain had unfortunately consumed more alcohol than was wise before such an activity, and upon finding that your Champion was indeed his superior in swordplay, lost control of his temper."

The Queen nodded, "I trust he has seen the error of his ways?"

The three men exchanged glances before two of them nodding, Prince Jonathon choosing to reply this time. "Yes, he has, thank you. And please accept our apol--"

"You need not apologize for him this time, Prince Jonathon. Sir Dain's actions were his own, and though they reflected poorly on the Patron's World in general, your conduct thus far has been superb." She took a sip of her tea before continuing. "Though you might like to warn your companions that behavior of the men from Tusaine has been less than adequate in general, and will not be ignored for much longer."

"Oh?"

"I am meeting with the leaders of the Lacaena this evening, which means most of the Lacaena supporters will be in the Capital. As such, poor behavior from representatives of the Patron's World will be much more difficult to tolerate."

"And it will make a case against abandonment of their sons more difficult to present."

The Amazon Queen paused, holding the Duke's gaze for a moment before nodding as she took another sip of her tea before setting the cup back in the saucer carefully. "Yes, it would. Whether it was ignored or punished."

Duke Gareth nodded, "We understand, and we appreciate the warning. I believe Sir Dain truly has seen at least some of the error of his ways, but we will pass the message on nonetheless."

"Thank you." After several moments of silence, the Queen turned her attention to her third guest, who's arrival she'd been both anxiously anticipating since the Tortallians were first escorted to the dungeons in her domain. "You've been awful quiet, Squire..."

After taking another gulp from his bitter teacup, Thom raised his eyes to meet his sister's and was surprised to see the slightest bit of worry in them. "You can't even call me by my name, Alanna?"

The Queen was silent for several moments before nodding. "I can if you would like me to, in private. I was under the impression that your sister was dead to you."

Though the cup didn't shatter when he brought it crashing back down onto it's saucer, it did spill tea all over his hands, though Thom didn't seem to notice this or the winces of his two companions. "Only because you disappeared! No letters, nothing! You even blocked me out when I tried to use my Gift to find you! I--"

"I believe the reasons for that are rather obvious, Thom. If your friends have not already explained it to you, my people were not yet ready for the world to know of our existence."

"But you could still have told me--"

"And what would you have then done, Thom? Been a happy pen pal? Sent out a search party? Notified the International Community?" Alanna shook her head, her violet eyes sparking violently as she met her brother glare for glare.

"No! I--"

"Her Majesty has a point, Thom," Duke Gareth cut in. "As a Queen she must think of her people before herself. So even if she wanted to contact you, she couldn't necessarily risk it. If she had told you about the forming of the Amazon nation and you hadn't notified the Court in Tortall, you could be charge for treason."

"But that's not why you did it, is it?" Thom demanded quietly, some of his anger suddenly seeming to leave him. "And what did you put into my tea?"

Alanna shrugged, "A mild calming draught. I wanted a chance to actually talk to you, after all," seeing the glances the Duke and Prince were shooting their teacups she shook her head. "Don't worry, it not in yours. I put a few drops of it onto the lime slices. As far as I know, my brother is the only person that actually puts lime juice in their tea."

Prince Jonathon grinned, "It is a little weird, Thom."

Thom glared at his knightmaster, "Like you don't have some strange tastes, too."

The Prince's responding shrug brought a small but genuine smile to Alanna's lips, "Don't we all? ...And believe it or not, Thom, the last few years have been exceedingly busy for me. The only way I could think of safely contacting you is having you kidnapped, and that didn't seem like a great idea, so..."

"So here we are."

"Yes," Alanna nodded slowly, the smile on her face a bit sad. "Here we are... Would you like more tea?"

Several hours later saw Alanna in a much more ornate version of her golden armor, this set boasting a long, protective golden skirt over her leggings and knee-high soft-leather boots. Seated on her thrown with her Golden Lioness mask resting up upon her hair instead of her crown or on her face, she was looking over the two dozen Amazon warriors that were kneeling loyally before her, and wandering how long that loyalty would hold true...
End of Chapter 4.
Translations:

Thalami - abode of women

Agerlea - Land of the Lionesses

Astulea - city of lioness

Astu-leanenae - city of the lionesses

Lacaenapex - crowned women (Lacaena - technically Spartan women)

Thalamus/Thalami - A woman's dwelling

Hosticus/a/um - foreigner; usually hostile

Iudicium - a trial, legal investigation; a law-court; jurisdiction, judgment, considered opinion, decision; power of judging, discernment, understanding, good judgment

Side Notes/Credits:

1 - 'The patron's world' -- taken from a reference in "Trinity" made by "Wonder Woman"

2 - I can't remember if Prince Jonathon is related to Duke Gareth and Gary on his father or mother's side, but I'm assuming its his mother's, if that isn't true in cannon, sorry, but that's what it is here.

3 - I'm just using Latin as the language of the "Old Ones" -- writers license, and the fact that we don't really know much about them... Though I haven't read the newest of Tamora Pierce's Tortall series, so...maybe there is more in the canon? If so, please let me know.

4 - Celeres/Celerum -Early name for Roman nobles, esp. royal bodyguards -- Other than that, I'm making this up; "The Celerum" are the essentially the best of the Royal Guard, the Queens personal assistants and bodyguards, who also act as her ladies-in-waiting or handmaidens. A "celeres" is a person who is a member of the "Celerum."

Side Notes/Credits:

1 - 'The patron's world' -- taken from a reference in "Trinity" made be "Wonder Woman"

4 - celeres/Celeres -um m.early name for Roman nobles , esp. the bodyguard of the kings - Other than that, I'm making this up; "The Celerum" are the essentially the best of the Royal Guard, the Queens personal assistants and bodyguards, who also act as her ladies-in-waiting or handmaidens. A "celeres" is a person who is a member of the "Celerum."

AN: Well, I hope everyone liked it. Sorry it wasn't longer, but I really wanted to get something up. Hopefully the next update will be ready sooner. It should be, since I've already started to put most of it together, but I guess we'll see.

I would have had this chapter out sooner, but for some reason a lot of this just kept refusing to work. It was really annoying, and I still don't know if I like this chapter or not yet. I may have to rewrite it at a later date, but until then I hope it was worth the wait to some extent.

I hope everyone is having a great summer so far, bye for now!

Jess S

Next Chapter: Trials and Errors