He was the son of the Kings Champion and the squire to the knight commander of the Kings Own, god son to the king and the heir to both Trebond and Olau as his siblings took no interest in such things. The court expected certain things from him and the young ladies of the court viewed him as some sort of prize to be won. He however showed no interest in any of them or anyone really outside that of mere friendship. He was focused a trait he got from both his parents but everyone saw him as being like his mother and because of that he had a lot to live up to.

She was no body and she liked it that way. She was common and she loved it. She answered to no one but herself and she worked hard and took only what she needed. She loved to care for people children mostly and then women with men fallowing behind that. She declare herself to be a servant of the Great Mother but no one but The Rogue knew who she really was. It was said through out the lower city that she dance in the lap of The Rogue and that she was more beautiful than Queen Thayet. That's how they met whispers rising from the muck of the lower city up to the practice courts in the palace.

"Come on Plleeease. You have to come with me. For all we know our queen and your god mother could be being insulted. How can you just stand by and let something like that go unchecked." Matt had finally stooped to begging and Alan found himself sighing and wishing for once that his knight master wasn't so liberal with his free time when they were at the palace. Matthias had been bugging him for days to come with him to the lower city and now after nearly a week of praying the Kings Own would be needed else where he had run out of excuses.

It really was quite amazing that Matt was this determined this girl must be something else for him to be so focused. Usually Matt forgot what he was talking about before he finished his sentence and it was because of this that most days there was a running poll on which you could place bets for how much longer he was going to be a squire he'd already tired just about everything else under the sun. Claiming every time he lost interest in one thing that it was good for a man to know a little of everything. Alan knew it was just a matter of time before his father and Grandfather put the poor boy out of his misery and turned him on to spying.

That was one of the reasons he was such good friends with Matthias because he reminded him of Ally. Man he missed Ally she'd think of a way to get him out of this mess or she'd be helping Matt. Who was still going on about this dancing girl. "Fine lets just go and get it over with."

"Ha I knew you'd see it my way." said Matt the very picture of triumph.

There really was no arguing with Matt once he put his mind to something which is the only reason some people are betting he'll complete his knights training. Alan was not one of them he was shocked he's made it this far his money was on one more month. They walked in silence out the palace gates Alan slipped his purse into the pocket on the inside of his shirt where even the best pick pocket would have a hard time getting it and getting away with it. Matt saw this caught Alan's eye and shrugged he didn't have any money worth worrying about.

"So why were you so determined to get me to come with you?"

"Because no one else would even look at me after I said I wanted to go see the girl who dances at the Dancing Dove." Matt explained and Alan paled.

"You never said anything about the Dancing Dove!" I groaned and Matt looked at me in confusion wondering what the big deal was. The big deal was that in all of about five minutes someone was going to be running to let my dad know just where his son was and what he was doing while he was there. Just what he wanted oh and did I mention my Grandfather will know too. 'This is just getting more and more troublesome and to think I could be training my brains out right now. Maybe I should have tilted with My lord I probably could have convinced him if I'd tried but I had enough flying after yesterday's lesson.'

Just as he was about to make up some excuse to get out of going Matt said something Alan was tired of hearing. "People are starting to talk you know. You never show any interest in girls and the only women you ever talk to are related to you in one way or another. You do realize you're gonna have to marry and have children don't you I mean it seems pretty likely that your brother is gonna end up married to his work and your sister live in the Copper Isles now."

My Gods did everyone think that just because he was focused on his knights training that that meant he was gay. The men of the Kings Own had recently taken to saying within his hearing 'So what if he is?' or 'It's none of our business who Squire Alan choices to spend his time with.' always ending with laughter. He dragged his hand down his face and glared at the sky he knew the Trickster was up there laughing at him.

We walk in the front door of the Dove and I found myself once again wishing there was some way out of this one that didn't lead to more annoying rumors about my own damn business and didn't end with him being question by his father and grandfather. 'Maybe it's my lucky day and I'll get hit by lighting when I step outside. I really shouldn't think things like that I'll have no one to blame but myself if it really happens.'

"There she is. It's true more beautiful than the queen." Matt side as he wondered toward to table she was dancing on.

I had to agree though I'd never admit as much to my god mother. But more than anything about her it was that voice of hers that was beautiful. It was that sirens call that pulled me in but not like every other male in the room I sat at the back and got a drink and thought to myself. 'Is it really that odd to lack interest in girls I'm only 19 nearing 20 I've my whole life to find some girl and have a family can't I just be my own person for a little longer without everyone making absurd assumptions. I guess that's just too much to ask. I have to admit she is a wonderful dancer' And that's when The Rogue sat next to me.

"What's the son of George Cooper doing in a place like this?"

That's when I knew I had no luck at all.