Then next month passed in a blur for Alanna. Ali Muktahb's health began to deteriorate rapidly. Soon, Alanna was sleeping in his tent at night and training her apprentices nearby to where Jonathan and Muktahb did their own preparations during the day.

Ishak was thrilled when Jonathan asked him to come back to Tortall to study at the City of the Gods and accepted with barely a second thought. Alanna detected a tinge of jealousy from the girls, but they understood once Alanna shared her concerns.

"Do you want to go to the City of the Gods with him?" Alanna asked them one afternoon when they were alone and weaving together.

Both girls considered before shaking their heads. They loved their home, even though the tribe had not always treated them with kindness.

When the day finally came, Jonathan's ordeal to become the voice was both awesome and terrifying. The Prince passed the test and officially become Voice of the Tribes as Alanna had known he would. Ali Muktahb died at the end of the ceremony. Alanna mused that she probably knew that would happen too, but she still felt an ache at his loss.


"I need to return home at the end of the week," Jonathan said to Alanna as he lay next to her, stroking her hair.

"But you've only been the Voice three days," Alanna replied.

"I know, but I can only stay away for so long before my parents worry."

Alanna propped her head on hand. "I'll need to go back with you as your healer, but Kara and Kourrem are still at least a month away from being ready to pass their tests to become shamans."

"Escort me home and come back?" Jonathan suggested. "I think you've trained them well enough not to blow anything up in your absence."

Alanna nodded.

"I don't want you coming back alone, though. Maybe I can arrange for Micah and Keel to stay with you."

Alanna thought for a moment, then smiled, "You know, my plan after I got my shield was to have Coram accompany me. I think I'd like to have him along."

"Even better," Jonathan said. "What else did you have planned for after you got your shield?"

"Nothing specific," Alanna said wistfully. "Lots of travel and grand adventures."

"Did your plan include marriage?" Jonathan asked.

"No, in fact, for many years I was quite determined to never love a man," Alanna replied.

"What about now?" Jonathan asked. "Do you want to be married someday?"

"Jon-" Alanna began to protest.

"Humor me."

Alanna thought for a moment. "I'm not opposed to the idea, but I don't think it's likely."

"It's funny," Alanna continued, "I fancied myself a loner for a long time, but I'm not, am I? Thom is a loner. I've found friends and mentors everywhere I've gone, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. And I don't regret having your love or George's even though it...complicated things. I wouldn't mind having a partner who loves me to be with for the rest of my life, but the circumstances would have to be right."

"I've thought a lot about what you said about why you don't want to marry me," Jonathan said softly. "I understand, but I hate the idea of giving you up."

Alanna looked away, and Jonathan put two fingers under her chin, drawing her eyes back to his. "Know this: if you ever change your mind, as long as I'm not promised to someone, the offer stands."

Alanna nodded slowly, "Alright, but don't wait for me."

"I won't," Jonathan agreed, "but I will, however, take full advantage of the time I have left with you in my tent."

Alanna grinned up at him, "We're in my tent, Prince."

Jon grinned back and gave a slight bow, "In that case, I am at your disposal."

Alanna took a second to enjoy the thrill his words gave her before pulling him to her.


Riding back into Tortall with Ishak was great fun for the nobles and guards alike. Everything was new and fascinating to him. He had never even seen a permanent structure, much less a town or city full of them. He also gaped at all the unveiled women but seemed very relieved to see they didn't ride like men as Alanna did.

When they stopped for a rest in the middle of their first day of travel, their talk turned to different training methods with the sword. Ishak was entranced and had a million questions. Before long, the young Bazhir had convinced his companions to give him a demonstration that somehow became a mini-tournament.

The contest began with Keel facing Myles, and it was almost a very short match as Keel learned the hard way that he had vastly underestimated the knight's skill. However, once Keel had his opponent's measure, his youth and more recent training won out, and Myles was forced to concede.

Next, Jonathan and Micah put on a good show that lasted for a full five minutes, but it was clear from the beginning that Jonathan was the better swordsman.

Keel and Alanna were next.

"Of course, I narrowly defeat an old man just to be defeated by a woman," Keel said with a wink after Alanna disarmed him in under two minutes.

That left Jonathan and Alanna. Ishak wasn't the only one who was thoroughly entertained by their duel. After training together for so many years, they were intimately familiar with each other's fighting styles. And all their clever tricks failed since both had worked so long with George.

Jonathan knew he had Alanna beat for strength and endurance and worked hard to keep her at bay until he could use that to his advantage. Alanna knew that speed was her primary advantage, so she stayed on the offensive, and Jonathan barely managed to block her swings on several occasions.

Eventually, Alanna realized she was losing, and that was unacceptable. She had to have learned something from her time with the thieves that Jonathan hadn't...

"I'm pregnant," she said just loudly enough for him to hear as their swords locked.

Jonathan only faltered for a second, but it was enough. Alanna leaped to his right, swung up and under, and rested her sword point at the base of his chin.

"I yield," Jonathan said. Then he dropped his voice to say in her ear, "That was dirty! You're not…?"

She gave him an impish smile and a slight shake of her head.

Their four spectators clapped and cheered.


"What is it that you do when you are back in your homeland?" Ishak asked Alanna curiously as they got back on the road.

"I serve as a healer to Prince Jonathan and others at the palace," Alanna explained.

"Oh," Ishak said a little disappointedly. "You don't use your magic or your sword to fight?"

"That's not really an option for women," Alanna said, "although I've sought ways around that with varying degrees of success."

"Like coming to my tribe?" Ishak asked.

"Exactly," Alanna said.

"So what will you try when you return?" he asked.

"I don't know." She couldn't entirely mask the sadness in her voice as she added, "I may not find another opportunity for a long time."

Jonathan and Myles exchanged a look as Ishak began a new line of questioning about the City of the Gods.


Riding in with the young man made her nostalgic for her own first visit to the city, making her that much happier when she saw a familiar face waiting for her in the palace courtyard when they arrived.

"Coram!" she greeted enthusiastically before jumping off of her horse and giving him a hug.

"Look at you, you're a woman grown! And going off on adventures just like ye always said ye would."

Jonathan dismounted next to her, and Coram bowed deeply.

"It's good to see you again, Coram," Jonathan said.

"And you, Highness." He straightened and met the Prince's eyes. "I don't know how to thank you for all that you've done for her."

"Thank me by keeping her safe," Jonathan said. "Whatever I've done for her doesn't compare to what she's done for me."

Jonathan turned to Alanna and put a hand on her shoulder. "Gods all bless your trip back. If you need anything, just send me a message through anyone in the tribe."

"I will," Alanna said, covering his hand with her own, "Don't get into too much trouble while I'm gone, Night One."

"I make no promises, Burning Brightly One. You'll just have to come home quickly."

They exchanged sad smiles, knowing this was the end of their courtship.

Jonathan gave Alanna's shoulder a final squeeze, nodded to Coram, and headed off to find his parents.

Coram sighed and shook his head. "Sounds like you've much to catch me upon."

"I'm in desperate need of a hot bath, but after that, I'll tell you all about it."

They stayed at court just long enough to have a good night's sleep and to share breakfast with Thom before they headed back towards the desert.