Ok, I have a serious case of writer's block here, so this is going to be horrible, but here goes….
A young woman rode through the streets of Corus. Her name was Yanquah, and she was in serious trouble….
Alanna of Pirates Swoop, better known as the Lioness, was feeling depressed. Her husband, George, was still at the Swoop with her kids, while she sat here in her rooms in Corus. She sighed loudly. Her life seemed to be going to pot lately.
Suddenly, she looked out the window and saw a small figure advancing toward the palace. Who was it? It was really late, so she doubted it was Kelandry of Mindelan, who would have been in bed in the squires' wing by now. None of the other noble women would have been caught dead on the horse the girl rose, and Alanna knew for a fact that Daine was in her rooms with Numair. (A/N: That's all I'm saying about them, ok? Make up the rest for yourself. This is not a romantic fic.)
Curious, and with nothing else to do, Alanna climbed up on the windowsill and jumped the six feet or so to the courtyard. She carefully made her way onto the streets of Corus.
And came to an innocent-looking inn. Yanquah narrowed her tear-filled eyes and wondered whom it was coming toward her. She was in the process of looking for an inn, and she knew the figure had come from the palace. What would a noble want with her but to beat and rape her? She carefully ducked into the doorway
The inn, however, wasn't very innocent. As soon as she stepped in, a drunken man saw her. He frowned and began walking toward her in a very tipsy fashion. "Hey baby, you doin' anything tonight?" he asked her. It wasn't easy to understand him, but the woman had had practice dealing with his sort. She sighed and quickly went to a side table where there were a few women.
Alanna saw the woman enter the inn. She sighed. The fool. That was not the place for a bedraggled young woman looking for shelter to go. She quickly entered and made her way over to the table where Yanquah sat, among some thief-women who didn't look like they were enjoying her presence in the least.
"Hello," she said. "Who are you?"
"I-I'm Yanquah. Who are you?"
"That doesn't matter at the moment. You'll find out later," Alanna said, not wanting to alarm the woman or any of the thief women around her. "Come with me. I mean you no harm."
Yanquah eyed the sword that hung at this strange woman's side. Was she planning on killing her? No. This woman seemed kinder than that. "Ok," she said quietly.
Alanna led the woman out of the inn and in the direction of the Royal Palace. Suddenly, she made a turn to the left and entered a different inn. Yanquah had just enough time to read the sign above it that said the Dancing Dove.
"Hi, Solom," Alanna said to the innkeeper. "Listen, this is… what did you say your name is again?" she asked Yanquah. (A/N: Yes, I know Solom is dead. This happens before that book.)
The woman told him and he smiled. "Don't worry miss, we'll see to it that you come to no harm here."
"Thanks," Yanquah said quietly. Why were they doing this for her? She was nothing but a commoner, and they were being so kind to her. "But who are you?"
Alanna smiled slightly. "You may know me as the Lioness. Just call me Alanna, okay?"
*You are the Lioness? The fiercest Tortallan warrior? The king's Champion? You?"
"Yes, I am the Lioness, believe it or not. Now, Solom will see to it that you have a good night. I'll see you in the morning. Don't leave the inn until I come for you. Not everyone in Tortall is as nice as I am." With that, the woman strode out the door.
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