TWO
Alanna had been in Corus for two full days before seeing Thom. Once afternoon, she waited out by the barns after his training session. The sixteen year old led a dapple-grey stallion, talking to a young man leading a black horse. Her brother's companion was tall and lean, with coal-black hair. He was too far out for her to see his eyes. As they neared, Alanna crossed her arms firmly over his chest. "Thom of Trebond!" she called, loud enough to be heard but quiet enough not to scare any of the horses. The two heads turned and Thom broke into a grin.
"Well, well, well," he said. "If it isn't my twin sister."
"You are aware I've been here two days?" Alanna asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes. My apologies. I was kept rather busy by my knight-master." Thom indicated the young man who stood several paces behind, giving the twins their space.
She raised both eyebrows in surprise. "You mean that's the prince back there?" She craned her neck and the young man gave a wave. She curtsied. "Your highness."
"Please." The heir to the throne moved closer to be even with his squire. "Thom has told me so much I feel that I already know you. There's no need for such formalities."
"Convent training dies hard," she warned. Her violet eyes flicked to Thom. "Where are you manners?" she demanded. "Are you going to give me a proper introduction?"
"Sorry!" Thom said, rolling his eyes. "Jon, this is my sister, Alanna of Trebond. Alanna, this is Prince Jonathan of Conté, the crown prince of Tortall. Satisfactory?"
"Yes." She looked at the prince. "Is he always this pert? Has no one beaten it out of him yet?"
"Not for lack of trying," he answered with a smile. "But we can't seem to shake it. Maybe you'll have more luck."
"Doubtful," Thom said. "From what I hear, Alanna gave the Convent quite a bit of trouble."
"That's not fair!" she protested. "I was hardly bad. Just… difficult." She looked down coyly. "But I came out all right. You'll see in a few days."
"I suppose we will," Thom said. "Now, can I put Mist away, or do you need me for something important?"
"Well, unless you consider catching up with the sister you haven't seen in six years important…"
Thom sighed. "Let me deal with my horse, and then I'll come find you, all right?"
"If it's a hassle, Thom, then don't bother. It's not as if I need you to show me around or get me accustomed to the palace. You're a terrible brother."
"If I promise to make it up to you, will it do any good?"
"Probably not, but you are welcome to try."
"I can show you around, if you like," Jonathan put in casually. "I'm sure you've seen most of what there is to see, but if you'd like another perspective on things, or short-cuts…"
"Oh, I wouldn't want to trouble you!" Alanna said, looking surprised. "Thom could do it, couldn't you, Thom?"
"I can find something for him to do." Jonathan smiled, white teeth blinding in a lightly tanned face. "There's always something."
"He's telling the truth," Thom grumbled. "If I'd known being the prince's squire would be this much work, I never would have agreed."
"I don't mind either way," Alanna said with a shrug. "Thom doesn't seem keen on the idea, and I'd love to hear the stories he never told me."
"Oh, I have plenty of those." Jonathan grinned. "It's settled then. I'll finish with Darkness here and then I'll show you around."
And so the prince took his squire's sister around the palace. In the middle of afternoon, not many people were about, so few people stopped them. Alanna acted fascinated even when she wasn't, but she suspected Jonathan could tell. There was a twinkle in his eye that told her he found some of this as boring as she did. "So," he said, as they reached the wing where the ladies were housed. "I hope I didn't bore you too much."
"Not at all." She smiled at him. "You have a pleasant voice to listen to."
Jonathan laughed. "I don't think I've ever received that particular compliment before."
"There is a compliment you haven't received?" She acted surprised, putting her hand on her chest. "Color me shocked."
"I'm sure shocked isn't your most becoming color," he teased, blue eyes twinkling. Alanna felt her stomach turn over. Gods, he was handsome. Just as handsome as she'd heard during her years at the Convent.
"Well, I suppose you have things to attend to," she said, moving down the hall to get away from him. "Thank you for showing me around." She curtsied quickly. "I will see you soon enough."
"I hope so." Jonathan bowed ever so slightly, reaching out for her hand to kiss it. "In fact, I'm sure you can count on it."
Her cheeks colored. "Tell that brother of mine not to be a stranger, all right? Order him if you must."
"I shall bring him myself."
"I'd like that." She blushed deeper as a smile played on his lips. "Good day, your highness." She curtsied again and spun, hurrying down the hall as fast as she could without appearing room.
His words followed her. "Good day, Lady Alanna."
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't flirt with my sister."
Jonathan looked up from his book of Tortallan history, one of the many in the library, and at Thom, who stood in the doorway connecting their rooms. "Pardon?"
"I said I would appreciate it if you didn't flirt with my sister."
Jonathan closed the book, using a finger to mark his page. "Why?"
"Because she's my sister. And I have a suspicion that you'll only break her heart, and, frankly, neither of us need to deal with that particular mess."
"I think Alanna can take care of herself, Thom."
The redhead eyed his knight-master with steely violet eyes. "Oh, gods. What have you done?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You were flirting with her, weren't you?"
"What's wrong with you?" Jon put his book on the desk, standing up. "Your sister can take care of herself without your help."
"I'm not so sure about that. Alanna's never been the reasonable one."
"You don't sound very reasonable yourself right now!"
"Jon. Think about it. I'm your squire. If you break her heart, think about the position you'll put me in."
"Why are you so sure I'll break her heart?"
"You can't marry her, Jon. You have to marry someone who can be queen. Alanna hasn't changed that much in six years, for all that she puts it on for you. Give her some time, and you'll see. Don't lead her on. She puts on a brave face, but she's not really stronger than anyone else."
"You seem pretty sure for someone who hasn't spoken to her properly since you were ten."
"I know her. She's my sister."
"Who you haven't seen or spoken to beyond letters in six years. Maybe things are different now."
"No one changes that much." Thom shook his head. "Just be careful, will you? If Alanna hasn't changed, I wouldn't want to be on her bad side."
"I have no intention of getting on her bad side." Jonathan paused a moment, considering. "Look, Thom, if it's that important to you, then I'll stay away from her. But Gary and Raoul want to meet her too, not to mention Alex. You talk about her so often that we're all fascinated. You can hardly keep her from all of us."
Thom made a face. "I know that, but I can do my best to keep you fiends from breaking her heart."
"Are you sure she'd appreciate you doing this on her behalf?"
"Definitely not. Which is why I don't need you being obvious about it."
Jon threw his hands up. "What is this? I thought I made the rules around here! Back to your room, squire. I tire of you."
Thom grinned and bowed, moving backwards into his quarters. "Whatever you say, your highness."
I am having real issues writing this story. I've expressed some of them on my blog – Alanna going to the Convent is very hard to write, because I don't want to think she'd really be much different. I still have no idea who she's going to be with, although you can see where my inner fangirl wants it to end. I hope you're enjoying it! I appreciate reviews if you are reading, and especially ones with constructive advice. Thanks for reading!
