Before I start, this chapter is dedicated to: Arianla. Happy bliss!

Alanna ran away from the castle on the balls of her feet like a lady would, but she was still faster than Jon, who was jogging behind her. She was far ahead of him and she inwardly groaned, knowing what she would have to do. She stumbled purposefully and let him inch ahead of her. He stopped and turned back, his hand reaching out for hers. She laughed at his labored breathing. The palace and his sedimentary office were .

"Is my lord out of shape?" She asked mockingly. He looked up at her and then straightened, trying to regain composure.

"Is my lady in shape?" He asked in a surprised and somewhat alarmed voice. Alanna bit her cheek and grew solemn. Ladies never ran, never fought. She was in big trouble if he. . . . She shrugged it off as his attention to the topic wavered.

"Come, this is where I will take you." She declared, spinning with her arms raised. "To the city. How many times have you been here in the streets, among the people, without a guard to limit your exposure?" Jonathon shrugged, not really sure. "Follow me, and I'll show you the real Tortall." She declared. Faye grabbed his hand and led him out and into the dirt streets, into the crowded market where hundreds of his constituents went about their business.

"Someday you're going to be king. I know the king is considered his country, but you're wrong. You need to see the people, meet the body of your lands. You need to understand their needs and struggles." A bundle of children ran past them. "Maria!" A young, dirty girl came bounding towards Alanna. Maria was a beggar that she'd met when she went shopping on her first day back. Alanna had seen the girl every day since. She picked her up in a small swoop and held her tight. She was so frail, so poorly tended to. But it wasn't anyone's fault. There simply wasn't money to care for her.

"Maria, darling, say hello to King Jonathon." The girl stared at him for a moment, then turned her head and hid in the sleeve of Alanna's dress. Alanna smiled sheepishly at her shy behavior. Jon wondered how she could pick up such a girl and neither worry about the dirt staining her dress nor struggle to lift her. But then again, Jon thought, he could see the girl's ribs perfectly through her dress. Faye carried her to a fruit vendor, pulling out her coin purse.

"Excuse me, Madame, but may I buy a melon, a few apples and bananas and some bread?" Alanna had just noticed the bread sitting on the edge of the vendor. It would serve for a while as a meal.

"Of course, my lady, just a moment." The lady at the vendor went to work and Alanna set Maria down to pay.

"Now one apple and one banana are for you." She said, crouching so that they were at an equal level. "The others are for your brothers and sisters at home, okay? And the melon and bread are for your dinner tonight your momma doesn't have to fret. You take this straight home, alright? No trips, no bargaining. Straight home to momma. Understand?" The girl nodded and Alanna handed her the package full of their rations. The little girl smiled and ran off as fast as her legs would carry her. Jon was amazed that she never said thank you, especially to a noble of Faye's stature. But Faye read his mind.

"Her smile and gratitude were the only thanks I needed. You could see it in her eyes. She knew this was a big gift." Jon followed after her, dumbstruck. That's when he spotted Eleni Cooper rushing by frantically. Faye beat him to her.

"Eleni, what's wrong?" Faye reached out and grabbed the old woman's arm. She turned to face Alanna with a jolt, recognizing her as something familiar. The bags under her eyes were dark and her curls were strewn and frazzled on her head. Her eyes searched Alanna's frenetically.

"It's George. I haven't been able to find him all day and I haven't seen him since yesterday morning. Well, you saw him yesterday. He escorted you home, right? Do you have any idea where he may have gone?" Alanna shook her head solemnly.

"I'm sorry, but I haven't seen him since he dropped me off last night at your house. Where haven't you looked? Do you think he's in trouble?" Eleni nodded.

"He was supposed to meet me this morning and he never showed up. It's not like him to disregard his commitments to me. Oh, Miss Al-Faye, I'm so worried. Will you help me find him?" Alanna grabbed her hand and grasped it firmly.

"Of course, Eleni, of course." She assured her. Eleni looked at Jon and he stare back at her, but neither one knew each other well enough to recognize the other. Jon followed the women silently. He soon caught up to Faye and hissed in her ear as he looped her arm around his.

"We should try the usual inns, the Dancing Dove, that sort of thing. I doubt he's anywhere regal or even in any homes. It's not his usual scene." Faye nodded, not giving him much attention, her eyes searching the crowd. She knew George better than he ever would. She shrugged out of his grasp. A few people recognized her as she passed and smiled or waved. Jon was amazed she was so well known for only being here a day.

Alanna understood why everyone recognized her. George had sent out the word that she was under an alias and people were not to ruin her work. So they smiled and called her Faye as he asked. She only worried that the effect on George had driven him to do something reckless. She sighed as she saw the sun set over the horizon. It was too dark to find him now. Swearing softly, Alanna regretted entangling George in such a mess. She'd take it all back if she could. The only problem was, she'd have to find him first.

A/N:

Why Hello! Lol. To all of my avid (a.k.a. AMAZING!) Readers and reviewers. I love you! No, but seriously. The fact that this story has so many reviews just blows my mind. And I'd also like to apologize for not reviewing quick enough (bet you haven't heard this a million times, huh?) I am grounded from the computer and have been sneaking on at one in the morning. So please try and understand! Anyway, this chapter is dedicated to Arianla because her review just made my day (make my day and I'll write YOU a chapter, okay?) And my new peer editor and comrade is lime 63. YAY! Although I try extremely hard to use correct grammar, phonetics and proper English, I don't always make the mark. So she is here to save me from the horrible humiliation! YIPPEE! c

Humbly the slave of the Written Word,

-Rae-