A/N-Well it's been forever. I am still writing just it seems to be taking a long time. sorry!
The next day the 'teams' were both gathered in their separate meeting areas plotting. Raoul, Kel, Dom, George, Jon, Gary, Numair, Daine, Evin Larse, Miri Fisher and several other riders were gathered in the Rider stables.
Gary was moaning, "Why on earth are we here?"
Raoul whacked him on the head. "Because they'll never think of looking here fool!" Gary began to mutter incomprehensibly and Raoul continued. "So… anyone got any ideas?"
Daine smiled impishly. "I sent the sparrows to find Alanna and find out who she's got." She lifted her head up. "They found them. They're in the Own stables and … Alanna, Thayet, Buri, Onua, Alan, Thom, Meathead, jolly boy- who? Err a load of the Own and Merric are there."
Jon frowned. "Who are Meathead and jolly boy?"
Dom laughed. "That would be Neal and Owen. Are those Kel's sparrows by any chance?"
"Yes."
Everyone began to laugh. Raoul cleared his throat. "Does anyone actually have any ideas?"
Dom grinned. "I've got a few planned for Meathead and my 'friends' in the Own."
Kel fingered her sword. "I have a little surprise for Owen and Merric…"
Evin put an arm round Miri's shoulders. "We have a plan for Onua."
Daine crossed her arms. "We've got a slight shock for Buri."
George raised an eyebrow and looked at Jon, Gary and Raoul. "Well we've got some for Alanna and Thayet. What about Alan and Thom?"
A voice came from the shadows. "Leave them to me." Everyone jumped and looked around. A figure in a dark cloak stepped out of the shadows and walked towards George. They then bowed to him. "You're getting rusty Whisper Man."
There was a pause and four more figures appeared. Everyone but George moved to protect Jon. The figures, too, walked to George and knelt down in front of him. "Sorry Whisper Man." They stood and stepped back.
"Ok. What in all the realms is going on here?" At a signal from the first cloaked figure the other four removed their hoods.
George crossed his arms. "Aren't you supposed to be in the Copper Isles?"
They all smiled sheepishly. "Sorry milord. Duani's too good for us."
"Go. I'll talk to you later." Hurriedly they left and George looked questioningly at the other figure.
She pulled off her hood and grinned. "Oh Da, while your being cocky and thinking I missed someone, I didn't. I had uses for her." Aly then ran to her father and hugged him.
"What are you doing here? And how come I didn't find out?"
"Dove said I needed a holiday. Oh, and Da? I'm better than you."
George scowled. "Where's your flock?"
Aly bit her lip guiltily. "Oops." She then ran out of the stables. When she returned she was smiling happily and holding a child's hand in each hand. Nawat was beside her with a third on his shoulders. "Da, meet your grandkids-Ochobai, Ulasu and Junim. Kids, meet your Grandda."
All three were pushed towards George while Aly stepped round him towards the others. She immediately found herself in the middle of a group hug. "Can't. Breathe. Lemme go!" Finally they let her go and all began to talk at once.
Grinning, Aly held up a hand. "Questions later. I have to go see Mother, Grandda, Grandma, and the rest." She then began to walk out. "Come on Nawat. Come on little monsters."
As they left, Junim's voice was heard saying, "We're not monsters Ma. We're nestlings."
Raoul smiled. "Well new might as well leave it at that." Then he noticed that George was scowling. "What's wrong George? Aren't you happy that Aly's here?"
George shook his head. "Of course I am. I'm just annoyed that she may be right and she is better than me."
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Meanwhile, Aly was making her way to the Own stables. Reaching the entrance she grinned, pulled her hood back onto her head, and sneaked in.
She slipped closer to her mother and listened.
She caught the end of a conversation and heard Neal say. "So you agree that we should."
Alanna sighed. "Yes Meathead. Probably won't work but whatever."
Neal spluttered indignantly. "Since when do you call me Meathead?"
"Since you act like one."
As the conversation finished Aly took her cue and stepped into view. She walked up to Alanna and bowed. As she did so she noticed everyone move to surround Thayet and Roald-wait, he wasn't there before was he?
Her mother's sword was out in an instant and at her neck. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
"My compliments Lioness. You're sharper than the Whisper Man."
"Answer the questions!"
"I mean no harm Lioness. I just want to bring you a surprise."
Alanna put her free hand on her hip and tapped her foot.
Aly grinned and pulled down her hood. "Could you please not kill me mother? Death would be most inconvenient."
Alanna's sword clattered to the ground. "Aly?"
"No Duke Roger." Aly moved forward and hugged she turned and called. "Nawat!"
Nawat and the triplets walked in while Aly ran to her brothers. She then hugged her aunts and cousin and went to Neal. "Meathead! Long time no see!"
Neal scowled. "How did you learn my nickname?"
Aly smiled sweetly. "I'm a spy Meathead. It's my job to know everything. Plus I'm so naturally brilliant that I know everything anyway."
She then walked back to Nawat. "We must fly. We need to see Grandda and Grandma." With that they left.
A/N-Hope you liked it. Thanks to all my reviewers and my amazing beta. (Sarah-hope you think the last bits ok.)