The Swoop.
The Pirate's Swoop.
A magnificent castle of outstanding proportions watched the ocean from its place upon the precipice of a cliff. Built to house those who would defend Tortall from pirates, it now housed the most famous knight in the world. To be invited to the Swoop was considered an honor that few would decline. The place emanated greatness.
The place Myles' mother had fled.
And Myles was on a ship bound for the lair of the Lioness. In another hour the ship would reach the harbor. Myles could already see vague figures waiting for the ship to dock. Well, vague to everyone else on the ship. Myles could easily make out the legendary Lioness and the Baron of Pirate's Swoop.
A family would be reunited, but would they be happy? The Lioness Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau and her husband Baron George Cooper of Pirate's Swoop, the former Rogue, had not seen their grandchild in eight years.
"Will she like me? She only saw me once."
"I'm sure, Mother will like you just fine, what with you going off to be a knight just like her."
"You really think so, Ma?"
"For the last time, yes. Now off to your lessons."
It was rumored that Myles and the Lioness shared much, that they were nearly identical. Myles was fortunate enough to have Nawat's build and warm coloring, but had the red hair and striking violet eyes that had skipped Aly. Myles also had the razor-sharp tongue and wit that all who descended from Trebond inherited. Although, Aly consistently swore that Nawat had only provided fuel to that particular fire.
The ship docked, startling Myles out of a daydream. It would have been faster to fly to the Swoop once it had been in sight, but Aly and Nawat had both forbidden it. Both parents worried about the rambunctious and eager chick being so far from home, of being exposed to conservative Tortallans who still distrusted magic and the fallout from the Immortals War.
"You'll be careful?"
"Yes, Ma. We've been over the plan a million times."
"What do you do if-"
"Da, I know what I'm doing!"
"Do you, really?"
"Yes, Mother."
No one was to know of the half crow's abilities. They were for the Tortallan King to utilize, not for Myles to play with.
The gangplank was lowered and the youngling waited for the Lioness to board, only to be reminded that the Lioness did not like ships, at all.
"Milord," called Lokejo, the only man on the ship not wearing the colors of Queen Dovasary, "She won't be coming aboard. Says that you best leave the ship afore she forces you off." A wicked grin was threatening to break the man's face in two, "I don't believe you want her touching you with that gift of hers."
"What are you doing?"
"Cutting my hair. It was too long, anyway."
"Ma will kill you when she sees. She loves your hair."
"I know she does, but it's useless to me when it's this long."
"Do as you please."
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to think of something pretty I can say at the funeral."
That was why she had not visited the Copper Isles, or her family there, in eight years. The Lioness was more cat than knight, at least when it came to water. Sighing, Myles moved away from the bow of the ship and properly faced the Swoop. One step at a time, Myles walked away from the last remnants of Kyprish society. The choice had been made between the place of his birth and his ancestral home, and Myles wanted to train for knighthood in Tortall. Her godsmother had been mildly disappointed to see her off, but Queen Dovasary still loved the child.
As soon as the small redhead was on the dock, both grandparents raced forward, brimming with pride at the sight of their grandson.
George Cooper reached his grandchild first, much to the chagrin of his Lioness, and embraced him in a bone-crushing hug. She waited impatiently for all of two seconds, before ripping her grandchild from her husband's arms. It had been decidely too long since she last saw him. Time had not waited and the small toddler she'd rocked to sleep all those years ago now reached her shoulder.
Violet met violet, and the mighty Lioness felt something within her heart. Alanna had not seen those eyes in another face since the death of her own twin, Thom, and she swore to protect this boy before her. "Welcome to the Swoop, laddybuck. I can already tell you'll make a fantastic knight."
He was to be a knight of Tortall, one day. He would follow in his grandmother's footsteps. Myles' grandparents were the proudest in existence that day, all because their grandson had chosen the path of chivalrous knighthood. He would not stray, and he would be a dear asset to the Crown. And most importantly, a little piece of Aly was back home.
George Cooper knew his lady knight well enough to know what was on her mind, and how bittersweet the thoughts were. "Well now, why don't we go inside? No use standing around here. Come along, Myles, I'll give you a tour of the Swoop."
I can do this. Myles was not worried. If grandparents could be fooled, then a court full of mindless nobles would be easy. The annals of the Family's history were filled will players and mages. I will be just like her. I'll the greatest knight in the entire realm, second only to the fearsome Lioness. All will know my name and fear it. Once I have my shield, they'll all know just how much alike the Lioness and I really are.
Tortall would know a new Lioness. Tortall would know her. Tortall would know Eleni Crow, the girl who followed in her grandmother's footsteps.