Alanna the Lioness glanced around the bustling Bazhir village then at the campfire where they held their meetings with the Voice. She sighed dejectedly. Jonathon was being cruel. She cursed as tears sprung forth at the mere thought of him. She should have known he'd never be faithful to her. She had realized a long while ago that she was only a pawn in Jon's glamorous life; a meager pawn that he used without remorse until today. Alanna wiped away her foolish tears. She wouldn't easily forget how he had frivolously toyed with her heart and emotions. He had hurt her without considering any reprocussions.
The knight walked to the worn tent from where the smoke rose and, after stopping at the entrance to hear if anyone was speaking to the prince, stepped inside. No one had been talking, so she presumed that this confrontation was over. She was wrong. Instantly and unstoppably, the Voice overtook her mind.
Alanna? Jon asked quietly, almost meekly. Alanna felt the tears fall down her face again. Dammit! She wouldn't respond. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Alanna, tell me why you're crying. Please, I'm worried about you. Alanna laughed bitterly in disbelief. Unbelievable!
Worried about me? If you were worried, dear prince, you certainly haven't shown it well. How can you even dare to tell me you care after you've taken up a betrothed less than a month after I left? Alanna spat venomously. He was so oblivious to emotion. She felt as if she were berating a young boy. You don't care. You don't have a heart capable of compassion. I loved you, damn it! And this is how I'm repaid. I will never love again, Prince Jonathon of Conte, and you should pray that this isn't the last time we meet because I will try my hardest to stay away from the mutiny and betrayal that men of power, like yourself, fall so easily too. My love isn't a luxury meant to be played with, Prince, and I don't take replacement easily. Good night and Good RIDDANCE!
The woman stormed violently from the tent and fled to the stable where she fell onto Moonlight and cried softly into her fur, embarrassed by the fact that tears she had refused to shed now fell down her cheeks. That night she slept in the barn. The next morning, without explanation, she bid the Bazhir farewell and wished the best to her apprentices before she rode north, back to Corus and back to her life she refused to abandon for fear of confronting the Prince. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of intimidating her. Halef Seif told her his concern for her troubles but she brushed them aside and wished him luck before departing. She would be fine.
It was nearly sunset as Alanna arrived back at Corus. It had been a virtually effortless trip. She rode alone but she saw few other travelers and the summer climate had brought the land to a comfortable temperature. Approaching the familiar checkpoint, she covered her shield and tousled her hair, hoping the guards would not recognize her. They didn't and Alanna sighed as she kept her eyes on the ground, knowing that if she stared at anyone and they stared back her cover would be blown. The only sound rest of the way to Eleni Cooper's house was the clop of Moonlight's shoes meeting the marketplace brick.
The old woman proved to, once again, be more than eager to host her. Alanna loved this woman and had begun to think of her as a mother figure. She stabled Moonlight and bathed, scrubbing the dirt from her skin as a small consequence of traveling. Moving to her newly-given room, Alanna paused as she reached for her tunic. No. A wicked thought arose in her mind. She could play games like Jon did. Two could play his game. Tucking away her breeches, Alanna pulled on the unfamiliar folds of front-tying corset. Tying it tightly to accentuate her dress, she added a mauve dress and a brunette wig from the closet. Then, she sat to speak with Eleni. The old woman pretended gracefully not to notice her costume, but she knew better. Something was afoot and Alanna was going to lead it. They spoke cheerfully enough, however, until Eleni aroused the subject of Lady Josiane.
Not long after, Alanna excused herself and went to bed, falling into a restless sleep as she tossed and turned with anxiety and anticipation. Tomorrow was the day. Faithful understood, but still howled with annoyance every time she shifted and he was thrown off her chest or laid on. Eventually he stormed off, out the window and onto the roof. She didn't blame him. Wearily, she flipped her pillow and gazed out the window. Her eyes grew heavy and this time, she stayed asleep.
She awoke late the next morning, just as the shops were opening, and she found herself spending the day browsing through delicate, expensive jewelry and equally expensive dresses. Alanna laughed in spite of herself. Jon was so horribly wrong. She could be a woman. She just needed the chance to prove herself. If his Josiane was a woman, Alanna was going to have to outdo a princess. So she purchased what she considered necessary and she pranced dantily back to Eleni Cooper's home. She would be a duchess when she emerged and she was going to win Jon's heart, no matter the cost.
She reappeared as more than a duchess. She reappeared as a goddess of love, winning the amorous hearts of young men as she walked down the streets. Alanna sat properly at Eleni's table in a bright orange, velvet dress, grinning wickedly at the memory of a man this morning who had tripped on his own feet because he was staring at her so fixedly. Her dress was laced with gold and her fake wig matched perfectly. She decided on the black wig but trimmed it so it would be unrecognizable to Jon. Her jewelry sparkled blissfully in the midday sun, refracting a rainbow of colors on Eleni's walls. On her neck lay a string of pearls centered with an orange gem, magicked to shine profusely to attract attention. Her earrings were fool's gold with a pearl at the end atop the same kind of orange gem. She was unrecognizable to herself. But, to add to the chaos that was taking place in her appearance, a lacy shawl (which was overkill in Alanna's mind) was also present thanks to Eleni.
Even with this elaborate ruse, Alanna didn't feel comfortably disguised until she looked into the mirror and forced her eyes gray with the Gift. Her lilac eyes were the window to her soul and a very distinguishable feature. She turned to face Eleni, who was close to tears from admiring her loveliness.
"You look so beautiful, my dear. Why, the prince would be a fool if he doesn't run to you at once and beg you to marry him." Alanna grinned and hugged her in a way similar to Myles. Eleni was, without question, the matronly figure of her life. As Alanna filled up her pouch with coins (she couldn't go poor to the palace as a noble) a knock came to the door. George entered and gave a glance at his mother and then stared oddly and with a peculiar face at Alanna.
"Forgive me, Madam, but I seem to be under your trance." He kissed her hand with a grin and bowed as she curtsied in custom. But as soon as Alanna met eyes with Eleni, they both broke into a loud round of hysterical laughter.
"What is so funny, ma? What have I done to amuse ye so?" George asked, bewildered. He didn't understand in the least. Alanna stepped foreword to explain after wiping away a tear of amusement.
"George Cooper, look into my eyes." And as she said this, they locked gazes and his eyes widened as they turned from the heather gray to their normal purple color. He gasped and then laughed, understanding at last the mirth. He embraced her and kissed her cheek respectfully.
"Alanna, you are ravishing as always. What honor is bestowed upon me, that a thief like myself may call you, a true noble lady, all genteel and such, a friend?" Alanna laughed and hugged him again. She pulled away with a devilish grin.
"George, how quickly could you become a noble?" She asked with a mischievous tone. George raised an eyebrow, understanding her train of thought and then vanished, into the street, soon to return as a lord. Together Alanna knew they could and would face Jonathon. She also knew that Jon would pay more attention to her if she was harder to get. Everything was working perfectly. . . .
