|
Alanna's Dominion
Lady Alanna
Chapter Four: Preparing to Leave
It didn't take long at all to reach Numair. Alanna merely had to go to his room in the castle.
"Hello, Alanna!" Veralidaine Sarasri opened the door to admit the woman into the rooms she shared with the lanky mage. Daine, a young woman blessed with wild magic, was one of Jon's best spies for her ability to shape-shift, and also Numair's lover.
"I need to talk to Numair," Alanna said after greeting her young friend. "It's confidential." Daine made a face, and called him into the room, leaving herself.
Numair entered, tall and tired looking. In his arms he carried Skysong (better known as Kitten), Daine's dragonet. Kitten chirped, delighted to see Alanna.
"I was sleeping," the mage complained, yawning. "Does Jon want me?" The tall man ran his hands through his flyaway brown hair.
"No, I want you," she said, motioning for him to sit. "It's about the Jewel." That seemed to perk Numair up a bit, as he sat, looking interested.
"You need assistance?" he asked, placing Kitten on the ground. "What can I do?" He petted the dragon with his long, elegant fingers.
"Yes. I want you to come with me. Jon's sent me to find it, and I'm not to go alone." Alanna made a face at this, making the man chuckle.
"Ah, but I just got home...,"he moaned. "Very well. When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow."
"T-TOMORROW? Is Jon insane?" he demanded, rubbing his eyes. "I must pack. I will see you tomorrow, then."
Alanna nodded. "Thanks, Numair."
Alanna visited Neal, and Gary as well, letting Jon contact Kel.
"It beats sitting around, waiting for someone injured to stumble in," Neal sighed. "Of course I'll come."
"Where are we going?" A voice asked. A tall man, with reddish-brown hair and hazel eyes walked in, drying his hands on his healer's robes. Duke Baird of Queenscove, Neal's father and the chief healer at the palace greeted Alanna warmly after nodding to his son.
"After the Dominion Jewel," was Neal's excited answer.
"Jon told me what happened. Neal, I don't think you shoul-"
"Father, all you've done all summer has been to complain about my getting under foot in the infirmary, and why couldn't I find something to do with myself. Now, I've found something to do, and you're forbidding me to engage myself in something other than planning my wedding and you want me here?" Neal yelled outraged. Alanna bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.
"Go, then. But if you get yourself killed, than I will be greatly angered with you, my son." Neal made a face, and nodded to Alanna.
"I'll come."
Gary's response was similar to Neal's, but was less willing to leave Corus.
"I don't know, Alanna. I need to help Jon," he began, looking up from his piles of paperwork. Desk knights. Alanna shuddered at the thought of such a fate.
"Yes, but I need you to come with me. Raoul's coming, and so is George." Alanna's husband had agreed to come, leaving old Maude in charge at Pirates Swoop. He was there now, saying good-bye to their children. Alanna was incredibly jealous of this.
"I suppose...." Gary sighed, and the brightened. "It'll be like old times."
Alanna grinned. "There's the spirit."
So it was settled. The four knights, spy, and mage were preparing to meet Alanna at the palace gates the next morning, ready to face whatever was coming their way.
 |
