Author speaking here: Okay, I kept forgetting to say that I do not own anything but my OC and it all belongs to one of the most amazing authors of the times…(drumroll please)….TAMORA PIERCE!

Sorry for not giving this out quicker… but I was in Mexico for spring break building houses for Amor and Habitat and then I had to go on a tour for my choir….yah.

Chapter 3

I walk back to the inn and ask the bartender for a jack of ale. I know it'll probably have someone else's mouth-leavings on it, but I forgot to bring my own. Note to self-Bring own jack!

The bartender looks down at me and says "What would a little sprite like you do with 'he ale? You'd probably get drunk! Then I'd have more work on my hands!"

"Alright," I say "I won't fight you about it, although I know my limits more than you do…. How about some answers instead?"

"Well…That'll be easier, dependin' on the questions… " he says slowly "Though I would be needin' some help…"

"Oh, I understand. You wouldn't do anything free, would you?" I say in a sarcastic tone. As I'm talking, I slip a copper noble onto the counter. He stares at it hungrily, but doesn't reach for it yet. I get out my belt knife and cut across the middle to show that it is no cole. I then take a step back. He leans forward and grabs it, fast. You could tell he used to be a thief, with reactions like those.

"What would you be wantin' to know?" he asks

"Just some things about the rogue. Ya see, I'm new here…" I trail off when his eyes fill with fear, and see him take a step back. Before turning, I loosen my wrist and elbow knives. I haven't survived this long without being careful. I then whirl around and see the rogue, himself, standing there with his hands out to halt me.

"Easy there lass," he says slowly "I'm not gonna hurt you so don't cut me into ribbons with those sharp knives of yours. I just wanted to see why a little shrimp like you is askin' about me. You can't be older than eleven, can you?"

"Is it wrong to be short for the Gods sakes? I'm fifteen!" I whisper yell. My wrist daggers are in my hands by now, to show that I mean business. Most of the surrounding people are watching by now, most are outright shocked that I would draw daggers on their rogue!

"No! You're not serious?" he says non-believing

"Yes! I'm completely serious!" I say, sincerely ticked off by now.

"She's even smaller than Alanna." He muses under his breath, just loud enough for me to hear due to my extra-sharp hearing. Alanna? Who's that I wonder? Sounds like a girl name to me…

"What is your name youngin?" His voice breaks in through my musings.

"Alaine."

"I would like you to meet some friends of mine. This here is Rispah, this is Lightfingers or Fingers, and this is Marek." Rispah looms over me, putting a look she supposes is mothering on her face. There is nothing different about "Fingers", but Marek isn't of the same age range as the rest of them, he's younger. I nod to all of them to be nice, but I know that they are just there to interrogate me.

"Why don't you come and play some chess with me? I'll go easy if necessary." Rispah asks with a smile.

"Okay." I say, and then walk towards a chessboard. I look back in time to see His Majesty the Rogue give Rispah a funny look and her nodding back. She then hurries over to me and the chessboard.

Once she gets there, she says in a teasing voice "Would you take some ale? Or are you not ready for it yet?"

I've been drinkin' ale since I was a baby!" I boast, "Of course I'll take some."

We then played chess for the rest of the night. She and I got more and more drunk as the night went by, but I was exaggerating so as to figure out her plans.

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