Once upon a time in a land far far away, there lay a kingdom called Tortall, a prosperous and beautiful land.
In this land, there was a kind king who ruled with a firm, yet gentle hand, and a beautiful but fragile queen who grew ill as the days passed. Nothing would have pleased them more than their son having an heir. However the prince would have none of this unless he fell in love.
However Tortall's royal family is inconsequential, for their was another more important person who lived inside the city. Her name was Alanna, with skin as pale and clear of fresh snow, hair as red as a rose and eyes a pure purple. She was born as a twin, but at birth her brother had shown signs of the Gift, causing him to be sent away to cloisters in the mountain.
Alanna's mother had died in birth and her father was a simple scholar, so he chose a woman with two daughters, and married her, hoping she would help raise his daughter too. The woman was nice, kind even for a few years, then her father locked himself in his study for days on end. The woman then showed her trus face, that she was truly evil and her two daughters devoted every minute to tormenting Alanna.
The Lord of Trebond turned his back on his own daughter as her own step mother dressed her in rags, fed her kitchen scraps and worked her as a servant, taking all of the money Alanna would have earned, and giving it to her own daughters to spend on many frivolous and useless items.
Alanna turned to the city and found many friends, the rogue George, and the town-drunk Myles both proved helpful to let her learn of things that she wouldn't normally be taught. She came rarely, as she worked early in the morning, and late into the night under her step mother's cruel, yet watchful eye.
One day, Alanna was going about as normal, doing her chores and she went to draw water from the well as she normally would, when a man on a rode up on his horse.
He dismounted, and drew closer to her. He was dressed in dirty clothes, ragged from riding a long time, and obviously they had been in better shape at a point in time. From underneath a ripped cap that covered his head, lay black strands of hair. His eyes were bright blue and held hers.
"Beg your pardon miss, but might I be able to have some water?" He rasped, Alanna quickly got a dipper from the well and gave him a drink.
"Surely sir, if you would like I can put your horse in the stable for a while, you've ridden him awfully hard and he could use a break."
The man smiled and agreed, letting Alanna take his reins and lead him into the shaded stables.
"I'm sorry to impose on you…" His voice was pleasant, like music. It sounded sincere and kind.
"It's no problem sir," She smiled slightly.
"Your mistress would not be happy about you taking in stragglers…"
Alanna laughed almost darkly, "I have no mistress sir,"
"But you dress in rags." The man was puzzled.
"I am poor sir…"
"Your house is fairly large."
"Then my step-mother cares too much for her daughters to notice me, no matter, would you pass me the brush sir?" Alanna removed the horse's saddle and took the brush from the man.
"That is not fair lady." He said quietly, standing in the corner.
Alanna shrugged, tossing bright red strands out of her face, "It isn't sir, but if I said anything she would surely hit me, and I am still aching from my last punishment." She grinned dryly.
"If you ever need help…"
"Please sir, my step mother means well…far down she does, I believe it. However for now I will take what I am given…"
The man laughed, "I have taken advantage of your hospitality, what is your name?"
"Alanna of Trebond sir."
"Alanna of Trebond, I am sure that we will meet again someday, until then I thank you for taking care of me. Many others would not, I will not forget this…" He smiled and then mounted up. He tossed a small bag at her and smiled, then rode off.
She opened the bag to find several coins and smiled, she went up into her attic room and pried open a loose floorboard. She put the bag of coins into her stash, and counted that it would be a few months until she would be able to leave the house and run far away. Sometimes she thought she would go to the Bazhir, sometimes she dreamed of going to see her brother, but her most common dream was to become Shang. She smiled, slightly putting the floorboard back and then returning to her duties. She would be free someday, and that day was approaching quickly.
Review please!
-MK
