
On advise of a friend and later her first agent Tamora went over the manuscript again, making it into four novels for teenagers. However she didn't find a publisher for the book. She first sent this manuscript out in the end of the 1970s.

Today this isn't available as not even Pierce herself has the original text, which was written "before computers". When Tamora Pierce first wrote Alanna's story she designed it as one novel for adults with 732 pages of length under the title "The Song of the Lioness". Although thought dead after his fight with Alanna after her Ordeal of Knighthood, he later returns to try and destroy Tortall again. Alanna is one of the few who immediately dislikes him and sees through him.


Roger is described as being very handsome and charming. He is a powerful sorcerer and tries to usurp the throne. Roger of Conté: Roger is Jon's cousin.He and Alanna soon become friends and Myles helps her with advice and eventually even adopts her as his daughter and heir. He is also the pages' teacher in History and Law of the Realm, where he likes to digress about the Code of Chivalry. Myles of Olau: Myles is a Tortallan nobleman and known in the palace as the court drunkard.George soon develops romantical feelings for Alanna. She even trusts him with her most important secret and he is the first of her new friends to learn from her that she is indeed a girl. Alanna first encounters him on a visit to Corus and they soon become friends. George Cooper: George is the Rogue, the King of Thieves.He takes his duty as a prince and later king seriously and cares for his people. He is also a close friend of Alanna's and later her lover. Jonathan of Conté: Jonathan is the Crown Prince of Tortall.At eighteen, he becomes the youngest Master in known history. He shares her magical Gift but while Alanna fears the magic, Thom can't get enough of it. Thom of Trebond: Thom is Alanna's twin brother.Infamous for her temper and dislike of parties, she still brings glory to Tortall. She becomes the first female knight after centuries. Alanna of Trebond: Alanna is the heroine of the quartet.Duke Roger of Conté is back from the dead and trying to destroy Tortall. But even after she brings the Dominion Jewel home there is still danger for Tortall. On her way she meets the Shang Dragon Liam Ironarm as well as the Sarain Princess Thayet jian Wilima, who both return back to Tortall with her after her quest is complete. On trying to save an old friend of Halef Seif's, Alanna retrieved a map promising the Dominion Jewel which could help Tortall to prosper.
