HEY! So, this is an AU story, only in the sense that Aly was not pregnant when the delegation from Tortall came. She wanted Nawat to herself for a bit, just like her mother. Anyways, I hope you like it!

"What is the matter with me?" growled Kyprioth, pacing angrily. It was a year after he had reclaimed the throne in the Copper Isles, and still something was nagging him. He muttered something under his breath, and then looked down at a pool of magic that showed him the palace. He saw Aly and Nawat talking to each other about something, but he couldn't make out the words and didn't want to.

He had stopped visiting the palace after a while, instead gloating about his victory to his siblings. Now he looked down, and couldn't figure out what was bothering him. He had won what was rightfully his, and still he felt like something was missing.

Am I bored? He thought to himself. Yes. But that's still not it.

He glanced back at Aly and Nawat, and felt a familiar clenching in his chest. He frowned. It was almost as if he was jealous of the crow.

"Oh god," he whispered, shocked at his revelation. He sat down, hard. "I'm in love with Aly."

This is horrible, he thought. I mean, it's not impossible, or even improbable. It's happened to almost all of my siblings. I was always the one mocking them, though. It can't be happening to me….

Kyprioth growled angrily. "How could I let this happen?" he shouted to no one in particular.

Standing, he walked over and looked in the mirror. Stroking his beard, he thought, Does she like me, I wonder? After some contemplation, he concluded, No, probably not. I'm just the annoying Trickster god in her life. She probably sees me as too old for her anyway. And there's the matter of that crow. But that could all change.

He grinned, calling out, "Dawn!"

The crow god appeared beside him, snapping, "What now?"

Kyprioth ignored the jib, saying, "I need you to do me a favor." At the lack of protest from the crow, he continued, "I need you to watch my position for a while. If my brother or sister starts to threaten my power, call on me."

"I'll do it, but only because I owe you from a while ago," sighed the crow. "Why do you need me to do this?"

"Because," said Kyprioth, a wicked smile forming on his face. "I'm going to complete one of my biggest tricks ever."

Before Dawn could reply, Kyprioth vanished, leaving shock in his wake.

ooo

"But Nawat!" protested Aly, pouting slightly.

"I'm sorry, but Dove needs me."

She sighed, knowing he was right. She hated that he was leaving abruptly, but he was needed. A mysterious battle was occurring on Malubesan Island, which started suddenly for no reason yesterday. Aly suspected a god, but she didn't know what Kyprioth would gain from this. So, Nawat had to leave, because the crows could get there the fastest and the fight needed to end as quickly as possible before it grew into something more.

Being serious now, Aly whispered, "How long will you be gone?"

Nawat shrugged, before sweeping her up into a tight embrace. "I will be back as soon as I can," he whispered, kissing her hair. Aly smiled with lips that trembled, nodding into his chest.

He pulled away, walking into the open air, where he transformed and started to fly away. Aly hugged herself, sighing. She hated it when he left suddenly, but she knew it was necessary. Turning to go back inside, she stopped when she noticed a man walking calmly up the path to the palace. She frowned; she didn't recognize him, and all newcomers were escorted to the palace by at least one guard.

She took a moment to memorize his features; something about him told her he was trouble. He had a handsome face, with glittering black eyes and a mouth that looked prone to smile. His mussed black hair was cut pretty close to his scalp, and a small amount of stubble lined his jaw.

"Now where do you think you're going?" Aly said teasingly when she approached him, but kept her face deadly serious. She still didn't know if he was a threat or not.

He smiled widely when he saw her, saying, "To the palace. Is that a crime?"

"It is without an escort." Aly found herself smiling in spite of herself. There was something familiar about his fast, crisp speech that relaxed her.

"Well, then. Care to walk me to the palace so I don't stick my poor nose where it doesn't belong?"

Aly laughed, falling in step with him. "So, sir, what's your business here?"

"Oh, a bit of this and that. But mostly to visit my dear friend Fesgao." He grinned, and there was something about his grin that reminded Aly of someone. She looked at him closely with her Sight, but saw nothing unusual except a slight glow from his necklace. But that was normal; many people at court had jewelry spelled against poison or other things.

"Do I know you?" she asked, continuing to scrutinize him thoroughly.

"About as much as you know the crows flying above us," he said. Aly looked at him sharply. She did know the crows pretty well from communications with them, but this stranger didn't know that. Maybe it was just a flippant remark, thought Aly.

"What's your name?" she asked.

He grinned, saying, "Kenneth. And you must be the infamous Aly."

She looked at him sharply, but before she could say anything he explained, "Fesgao told me a lot about you."

Aly raised her brow, drawling, "What did he say?"

"Oh, this and that," replied Kenneth wickedly. Noticing that they had reached the main hall, he said, "I think I can take it from here. See you tonight."

Aly opened her mouth to say something, dumbfounded when he just walked away. See you tonight? What is that supposed to mean?

She watched his stride forward and embrace Fesgao, who had walked in absently when they were talking. She saw him mutter something in his ear, and lead Fesgao away. I wonder why he's really here, thought Aly, before shrugging and heading to her study.

ooo

Kyprioth beamed at Fesgao as they were walking along a deserted hallway. The soldier kept shooting him glances that showed he had no idea who he was or why he had lead him away. Finally, when they were far enough from Aly that Kyprioth was sure she wouldn't be able to hear or see them, he said, "Hello, my dear fellow!"

"Who are you?" snarled Fesgao, eyes guarded.

Kyprioth grinned. "Your best friend, remember? Kenneth?"

Suddenly Kyprioth felt cold steel at the base of his neck. Fesgao held his sword steady, saying, "Explain yourself, now."

"Naughty, naughty, naughty," sighed Kyprioth. "Didn't your mommy teach you not to play with swords?"

"Explain, NOW!"

Fesgao pressed his sword harder against Kyprioth's throat, not expecting the lack of fear from his supposed friend.

"If I must," he sighed, reaching up and touching the bead on his necklace. Kyprioth muttered something inaudible, and there was a huge flash of light. Fesgao was thrown back against the wall, wincing at impact. When the light cleared, he saw the one thing he dreaded most. Kyprioth was standing in front of him, not looking very happy.

"Is that how you greet all your guests?" he demanded, as Fesgao moved into a kneeling position.

"You and your tricks, Bright One. What is your purpose here? Why were you in the form of a mortal?"

Kyprioth chuckled, saying, "You can't be foolish enough to think I'll tell you. All I'll say is my trick concerns Aly, and being a mortal is imperative to the plan. All you have to do is play along with being my best friend and get me somewhere to sleep for a while, and you won't have to worry."

Fesgao nodded, struggling to his feet. By the time he was standing, there was another flash of light and "Kenneth" stood before him. He noticed gold power flow into the bead, before settling inside. He shivered, knowing he didn't want to know what was in store for Aly.

Hey! I hope you liked it so far!  It's one of my weirder stories, but I'm pretty happy with what I have in store for you!

Again, it's an AU only in the fact that Aly isn't pregnant.

PLEASE REVIEW with feedback, suggestions, ideas…whatever you want! I probably won't continue without some encouragement! (mwahahahahahaha)

Thanks for reading!

Padfoot