Chapter 12

AN- just to let you know, this IS AU, which is why all the Blayce stuff is happening NOW, not later. I didn't want Eli to be 25 for the Scanran War, so… here we go.

It took two days for news to reach them of exactly who Blayce the Gallan had brought back from the dead. The news was not happy in the slightest, given that the man who delivered it was the newly risen Duke Roger of Conté.

Eliena sat in the throne room with her parents to receive the… visitor. She sat to her father's right, with her mother on her father's other side. Alanna refused to wear anything even remotely dressed up, saying that, "I killed the man, didn't I? I see no reason for this evil man who should be in his grave to be worthy of anything other than my worst breeches and a stained shirt." Thankfully, Jonathan had convinced her to wear nice brown breeches, new knee-high black leather boots, and a pale purple shirt. The king wore tan breeches and a royal blue shirt, looking kingly even in simple clothes. Eliena wore tan breeches, her favorite broken-in knee-high butter soft brown leather boots, and a violet shirt that fit well. Her hair was in a high horsetail, because she fully intended on going to help the pages when the little meeting was over.

"Shall I send him in?" a servant asked.

"Yes," Jonathan replied quickly before his wife could make a cutting remark. "Be nice, Alanna," he reminded her.

"Keep my mouth shut, you mean!" she snapped. Jonathan sighed. A man walked into the room.

Eliena immediately noticed the family resemblance. The man's hair was brown-black, lighter than her father's and his eyes were a slightly paler sapphire, but he had the Conté nose and chin. He strode forward, stopping before them to bow. "Cousin," he greeted Jonathan. He turned to Alanna. "I'd heard he'd chosen you as a queen, but I barely believe it."

"I'd heard you'd been raised from the dead, Roger, but I didn't believe it until now. Maybe I should return things to the way they were," Alanna replied, voice icy.

Roger smiled at her coldly. "Why the hard feelings, Alanna?"

"Shall I name the numerous reasons?" she asked. "That might take a while." He chuckled musically, and turned his eyes to Eliena.

"And who might this be?" he asked, glancing at Jonathan. "Your heir?"

"Heiress," Eliena corrected. "I'm a girl." Roger smiled.

"So you are." Eliena nearly gagged at how charming he was being. It was sickening. "What's your name, young princess?"

"First of all, I'm seventeen. Hardly 'young'. And, in regard to your question, my name is Eliena," she replied. "And I needn't ask your name, though I wonder your titles." She glanced at her father.

"If your generous father permits, I would like to regain my former titles," Roger said, bowing to Jonathan.

"Why should I honor you with such a deed?" Jonathan wanted to know. "After what you did to us, I hardly see it fitting."

"And you're probably working against us," Alanna added.

"I could," he admitted. "But, on the other hand, I was told all of the plans."

"What plans?" Eliena asked.

"The plans King Oron Rittevon of the Copper Isles and King Maggur Rathhausak of Scanra are making, Eliena," Roger replied. He turned his attention back to her parents. "They were foolish enough to tell me them, assuming I would remain on their side. But, last I knew, I was a member of the House of Conté, meaning I owe Tortall my allegiance."

"As if we're trust you," Alanna spat. "You tried to kill Jonathan and his parents—don't think we've forgotten. Jonathan and I are stronger now; so don't even think of killing us. And Eliena is smart, and a strong mage, so don't try her, either."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Roger told her. "I'd be willing to share the information I gained, in exchange for my titles back."

"I don't think quite yet, Roger," Jonathan said. "We'll put you up here for a few days, to see how… trustworthy you are. And make sure you aren't up to anything wicked. You'll be watched by guards at all times, as well as mages. I'm sure you know Numair Salmalín, our principal mage?" Eliena felt Numair's magic as he stepped up beside her. "And our resident Wildmage, Daine?" Daine appeared beside Numair. "To let you know, Daine can talk to animals. Not only will you be watched by humans, but by animals—and possibly an immortal or two—as well. Don't think anything will be hidden from us."

"Wildmage?" Roger asked. "Wild magic isn't real!"

"I have to disagree," Daine replied. "Because I have it."

"Don't think to test her, Roger," Numair warned the man. "My magic is protecting everyone in this room besides you, and if you so much as touch it with your Gift you'll explode." Roger swallowed.

"My Gift is weak, Numair Salmalín," Roger said. "I dare not use it more than I must." Eliena, knowing the powers of her mother's ember stone and figuring hers shared them, fingered the blue stone around her neck. He blazed bright orange—only slightly less than Numair with black fire and her parents with their respective colors. He was lying. That was a strong Gift, not a weak one.

"You are excuse, Roger. Mages and guards will meet you at the doors to show you to chambers," Jonathan told him. Roger bowed and left.

"El? Did you check him?" Alanna asked.

"Yes," Eliena replied. "And he's lying. His Gift is only slightly less powerful than yours or father's."

"Not as strong as it was before his death," Jonathan remarked. "But still strong enough that he could do damage."

"Even un-Gifted he could do damage," Alanna said. Jonathan nodded.

"Just watch him closely," Eliena recommended. "And maybe I'd best call for the dragons for a little assistance."

"Good idea, but explain carefully so you don't anger them," Numair told her. Everyone nodded.

"I don't like that he's back. People are going to talk," Alanna admitted.

"They will, but don't they always?" Jonathan asked. Alanna nodded.

"They do. But you know they'll blabber about curses," she replied.

"I don't trust him," Eliena said, watching the doors. "He's slippery."

"No animal is that slippery," Daine agreed. "There's something he isn't telling us."

"Then I intend to find out what it is," Alanna decided. "I'm not going to let him hurt us again."

Author's Note- this is totally off topic, but I WORSHIP Carrie Underwood. She is so amazingly awesome that it's scary. (I just ran to watch her sing the national anthem at the baseball All-Star game. My hands hurt from clapping so hard.) Anyway. Hope you enjoyed the chapter as much as I did! REVIEW, please.