Every second year the spymistress of the Copper Isles visited her Tortallan family with her three children and husband for Midwinter. Sometimes the woman wondered why they didn't come in Midspring, or Midsummer, as she had a certain disdain for cold that she was sure was genetic. Plus, her mother always invited guests she would be far happier if she never saw again. Such as Nealan of Queenscove. In her honest opinion, her life would be more whole and rounded if she could just…have him murdered. But, since dealing with her mother was the consequence, Alianne the Spymistress had decided that her life was whole and rounded enough.
This year, when Alianne arrived in Tortall, however, things were a little different. For example, she was missing two children and a husband, all of whom had decided that Tortallan winters were far to cold, and that she was not quite right in the head to actually want to go. Aly had to agree and had nearly decided to stay, but her oldest-by-three-minutes son had BEGGED her to take him – to visit Grandma.
"What about Grandpa?" Aly had asked. Gary (named after his mothers godsfather) shrugged.
"I guess I'll see him too."
In fact, Gary had alternate motives. Vaguely, something to do with a princess. With black hair. Slight Yamani appearance. Dark blue eyes. Her fathers name was Roald and her mother is Shinkokami. 5'3". He wasn't sure how much she weighed, but that's okay because he was only vaguely describing her.
Gary realised suddenly, that in his vague description, he had forgotten her name. Lianokami. A name that, when spoken, sounded like the Gods voices.. He blinked back into his senses. He probably wouldn't have, but his mother insisted on speaking to him. If he ignored her, she would start poking him, and he liked to discourage that kind of thing.
Gary was unsure as to whether anybody realised how awkward it was to ride a horse under so many layers of clothing. He was also unsure as to whether the person who decided how cold the days were should be allowed to live. But he was willing to brave it if he could only see the most beautiful princess, whose eyes were as sparkling as diamonds themselves and hair was as shiny as..
Now Aly did start poking her son. They'd reached the Royal Stables, and he'd not even bothered to dismount. His eyes had glazed over and she had started to panic slightly. She wished she had healing magic. She wouldn't ever say it out loud, however, because Nealan would never let her forget it, and then she'd have to murder him and then she'd have to deal with her mother and she liked to discourage that kind of thing.
When the pair finally reached the castle, Aly looked around to see if her eldest-by-three-minutes son was even going to offer to help her unpack, when she realised he'd disappeared. She frowned, and, rather immaturely, dumped the contents of his pack on his bed to put away later.
Gary knocked on a door, holding a brown package in his hands. The door opened and someone who vaguely looked like a princes, with black hair, a slight Yamani appearance, dark blue eyes, and about 5'3" tall appeared. She looked at the boy, and grinned. He offered the brown package towards her, shyly. She laughed. "Come in. I've missed you."