[Update 1/12/09] Just a quick check on the grammar issues.
Well, we get to some good stuff this time around…I hope you guys enjoy this next installment of…
The Lady Knight's Squire
Learning: the act or process of acquiring knowledge or skill
It wasn't the bright light of dawn that came streaming in through the window. It was the dim, slow light of predawn that crept up before you even noticed it was getting light.
Still, it was enough to wake me, even without the drawn-out clangs that reverberated throughout the entire palace, which the keep lacked. I groaned as I rolled out of bed, dimly registered the fact that someone had just scurried out of my room, and drew myself together enough to register the fact that a) I was naked, b) I should probably do something about that fact and c) If I was going to do something about that fact, it would help very much to know where my clothing was.
I stepped over last night's clothing, still a little damp and muddy and squinted a little at my packs. I dug through them, sending most of the contents sprawling across the floor.
Loincloth, breeches, shirt, socks, boots…I peered at myself in the dim lighting that barely managed to reflect off of the mirror. I sneezed twice, and spent a brief second guarding my body against a cold, which was just about the last thing I wanted to suffer from. While I did so, the sun hauled itself over the horizon, wan light looking as happy as I was to be up so early in the morning.
I splashed some water on my face, the basin still steaming gently, and rinsed my hands. I cleaned my teeth next, feeling somewhat more human and then I ran a comb through my hair.
I clattered down the stairs. The keep wasn't asleep, but it wasn't quite awake either. I could smell the kitchen, hearing the faintest whisper of the clanging and thundering voices that had characterized every kitchen I had dared to venture into. However, the servants were just up an about, most of them streaming up the stairs, filtering out of the kitchen as they finished their breakfasts. It was Maria who noticed me once more, leading me to the table where Alanna, Baron George and their youngest son, Alan, were seated.
Alanna gestured at the table, where various fruits, oatmeal, cheese and some turnovers lay waiting to be consumed. "Help yourself."
I pondered a minute, before helping myself to a turnover, and orange, and grapes, still connected to the stem. I sat myself a chair down from Alan, and seeing no protest, bit into the turnover.
It was delicious, filled with sharp cheese, eggs, and honey-glazed ham. In minutes I was dusting my hands of the crumbs. I peeled the orange with more decorum, listening to Alan finish the rest of his story, while Alanna nibbled on the remains of an apple.
The end of the tale came with an explosion of laughter from Alan's parents, and their son's eyes crinkled at the corner. Having only listened to the last lines, I wasn't able to find the humor.
As their laughter died down, I found myself on the unfortunate receiving end of an intense stare from George. I swallowed the wedge of orange, and tried not to sound overtly petulant as I narrowed my eyes slightly and asked, "What?"
George grinned. "Tell me, lad, did Alanna here threaten to kill you yet?"
"Well, technically, I suppose," I answered, wondering briefly if Alanna had chosen her husband from an insane asylum. No one knew for sure where George was from despite the many guesses.
"Mithros," Alan grumbled at my response, while George crowed.
"And that should teach you that no one knows Alanna better than I do," George teased in response, holding out a hand. Alan groaned, but obligingly counted out a few coins.
"You bet on me?" Alanna's cheeks burned, and she raised a red eyebrow.
George smiled impishly (now I know where Alanna had gotten that expression!) and said, "Only because I know you so well."
"Pay up, then." Alanna waggled her fingers expectantly, lips pursed.
George seemed to swallow an even larger smile at his wife's annoyance. Obediently, her husband dropped most of the coins into Alanna's hand. Her finger's swiftly closed, and I heard a soft series of clinks as the coins were dropped into her belt purse.
"Come on, Neal," she commanded directly after. "We have more intelligent things to do than listen to these small children play guessing games."
"Like beat each other senseless with swords?" I asked dryly.
Alanna's grin had to much tooth in it. "Yes. Except I doubt you'll be beating me senseless anytime soon."
I rolled my eyes, but followed her out to the armory first. There we wrapped ourselves securely in pads to prevent injury from even the blunted swords. Following that, Alanna led me to where the blunt swords lay hanging against the wall. Since I only had my regular sword, she waved a relaxed hand at the swords as she picked up the sword I assumed that she regularly used for practice bouts.
I looked over the swords carefully, mentally comparing them to what I was used to. Towards the end of the row was one that seemed to suit my tastes and needs; it had enough weight without dragging me down, comfortable hilt, and neither too thick or too thin.
I joined Alanna out in the courtyard, where she was already loosening up muscles that were tight in the unusually cool morning air. I followed her lead, going through the different set of motions that I had learned.
Faces flushed with warmth as we finally faced one another while the sun made a true appearance, well over the long line of the horizon and gaining speed, making its way to the zenith.
"Well, are we going to wait all day, or get this started?" Alanna asked, bringing her sword up to guard herself. I mimicked her motion, waiting.
When I dueled with Kel, I always gave up first. I simply didn't have to patience to outwait a woman with the patience of stone. Merric would flutter about, as if waiting for a sign that said 'now is the time to go'. I often attacked first then, too, just to avoid his hopping about. Faleron, Roald, Prosper- it didn't matter. I would attack first, just to avoid the time wasted.
I blinked, and nearly got a slice from nose to navel as Alanna sprang into action, faster than I could have possibly imagined. "W-what?" I stuttered, defending myself instinctually.
She pressed the advantage, until I literally shoved her back, using my sword against hers as leverage. Alanna seemed to expect it, though, and leaped back as I shoved. Giving me no time to breath, she was pressing on the attack again.
Her sword grip shifted, and I recognized it, angling my sword so that her Rising Sun Sweep was angled down my sword length and onto my hilt, where I twisted it off, forcing Alanna away from me.
She readjusted her weight, balanced once more on the balls of her feet. I feinted towards her hips, but instead of neatly avoiding it as I had believed she would, Alanna half turned, and I was forced to tumble away from her sword. I brought it up in the guard position, unprepared for the force with which Alanna sent my sword hurtling out of my hands.
Alanna levered the sword at my head, and demanded, "Yield."
I nodded, chest tight for lack of breath and took the opportunity to wipe sweat out of my eyes. I was a little sore at the quick loss, but there was a reason that Alanna was the King's Champion.
At some point, someone had left some water skins, and I took a long pull after retrieving my practice sword. My knight mistress did the same, barely breathing hard. "Alright. Ready again?"
"Yes," I said, the wording riding out in an unhappy woosh of air.
I straightened, bringing my sword up to guard again, and watched Alanna carefully. I was sure that even I could outwait my impatient red-haired mistress.
Sure enough, no sooner had Alanna barked, "Guard!" than she was on the attack again. Her first cut was a long, vertical stroke that wasn't aimed at my chest, as I had first thought, but at my arm. Alanna had calculated the time it would take me to dodge and made sure her sword got a bite of me first. And it would have, no doubt, had I not already been standing at an angle.
My escape turned into a blessing as I leveled a cut at knee height. Alanna was forced back by the attack, but another angled cut was headed towards me, once again faster than I imagined.
My reflexes were automatic, and I was able to block, roll away, and stand before the next attack came.
Alanna feinted once. Her next feint turned into a Butterfly Crescent that had my sword jarring at impact. I responded automatically with the next move in the pattern she had created, the Winding Road, an parallel cut that abruptly turns into a backwards slash, aiming for the opponent's stomach.
As Alanna stopped my sword, I wondered who's lunacy it was to name deadly sword maneuvers after calm, beautiful things. Then Alanna's attack was bearing down on me and I avoided it narrowly. I tried to interrupt the pattern, but she avoided my attempts to break the rhythm. I stepped back, chest heaving, and feeling sweat gather on my body, sticky and warm beneath the practice pads. I didn't quite dare to look away from Alanna long enough to wipe the sweat from my eyes- the sun was getting high enough to beat down cruelly on the both of us, though my knight mistress was clearly less affected than I was.
I decided to follow her lead for a moment, but she would have defeated me once more had I not had quick enough reflexes. The minute I decided to follow the pattern she had set, she changed it on me, catching my sword on her hilt and nearly tearing it out of my hands.
I held on, surprising her with my quick recovery. However, she just set her chin firmly and gave me not relief. Her quick sweeps boxed me in, and with a quick jerk and a resounding ring, flung my sword out of my hand.
We waited for a moment, Alanna breathing far more easily than I was, and I wiped my brow across my forehead, clearing away the sweat that was rolling down my temples. I rubbed my eyes too, for good measure, but Alanna frowned.
I wondered what she was planning to do as she jogged back to the armory. I took a few more swallows of water, making sure I drank just enough so that I wouldn't suffer ill effects.
Alanna came jogging back out with a sword that I recognized from the armory. It was twice as heavy as the sword I held now, with a longer blade as well. Dawning realization flooded me. Just thinking about holding that blade made my already aching muscles flare. The sun beat down on me, and I wiped away a stream of sweat, licking off the remaining salty liquid from my lips.
"Surely you don't expect me to use that," I asked, a little more sharply than I intended. I was struggling to keep up with Alanna as it was. Surely she could see that.
The thinning of Alanna's lips was answer enough, but she also felt the need to say, in as short a tone as she could manage, "Knight. Squire," she ground out, pointing at first herself then me. She propped a hand on her hip as if that was the end of the story.
I narrowed my eyes and knew that I had the set of my body at its most mulish. If I were around Kel, this would be the point where she'd drag me off until I had 'found my mind and placed it back where it belonged'. Brainless or not, nothing could have stopped me from saying, "And I suppose that I should bow to you before Mithros, too?"
My heart stuttered as I spied a look of pure fury on Alanna's face before she turned away. She stomped back to the armory and my eyes grew to the size of soup plates. In her hand she carried a massive broadsword. I was almost ready drop to the ground and plead forgiveness from Mithros right then if Alanna tried to hand me the broadsword.
Silent, face matching her hair, she kept the broadsword for herself and shoved the other sword at me again. I was crimson too, only mine was from embarrassment. I liked and admired Alanna- truly, I did, or I would have accepted her offer, and yet I couldn't seem to curb my tongue.
At all.
Ever.
I opened my mouth to apologize, but there was something beyond just fury in Alanna's eyes as she snapped, voice thick and strong with deep ire, "Guard!"
I had honestly thought that Alanna had been going all-out against me. Well, perhaps not all out, but not reserving nearly the amount of strength that she clearly had been.
A split second after the word, "Guard!" had been uttered, Alanna flashed towards me, broadsword held in her hands as if it had no weight at all.
My grip faltered on the first blow, Alanna forcing me back. My muscles screamed in protest. She switched hands, though I didn't notice until I was blocking a blow to my right side.
Alanna's blade swung down the length of mine, steel on steel ringing as clearer than any other sound I've ever heard. I didn't get around to guard in time, and the flat side of her sword slammed against my calves, forcing my feet out from under me. I went down like a sack of rocks, with a resounding smack to my head. My vision blurred for a moment.
I was half lying on my side, sword tip pricking my stomach, with Alanna's sword shoved up against my heart, poking through the thick padding. I made sure I was perfectly still, positive that Alanna could hear my heart up the length of her blade.
I swallowed. After a few moments, Alanna withdrew her sword, violet eyes dark. "I trained everyday for four years with Coram, my guardian's sword. It was nearly taller than I was. I work damn hard to keep myself and those I'm protecting alive. You couldn't last ten minutes against me while I was carrying a blade that you would be hard-pressed to use to any advantage. If you want to be a knight of this realm, you will listen to me at all times and trust that I know what I am doing." I had never heard a tone like that from anyone, and for the first time, I listened.
Sure, I did as Wyldon and the teachers asked, but I had not put in the effort I should have outside of those sessions. My flaws were glaringly obvious, and my embarrassment had me hiding my face. I didn't even notice Alanna reach down to pick up the sword that I had been using. I slowly stood, testing out worn muscles, feeling my shoulders stoop.
Staring hard at my chastised form, Alanna offered me the heavier sword. I looked down at the petit woman, wishing I knew how to make it right.
Face serious, I shook my head. "Lady Knight Alanna, I would be honored if you allowed me to use that broadsword for practice." I bowed low, chest tight as I waited for her response.
My hand was griped by a small, calloused one. A cool hilt was placed in my hand, and I looked up. Alanna's face was close to mine, searching me for Mithros knows what.
"I apologize," I said softly, watching her face.
The anger didn't disappear, but it was softened by a miniscule smile that was tucked into the corners of her mouth. "I accept. Neal, I know we're not used to each other, but we have to work together. We will learn from one another. It's our job. We need to keep this country safe. It's our duty. And if it means extra hours spent learning, it's worth it, don't you think?" Alanna's words made me shiver with the passion in them.
I nodded.
Alanna's mouth quirked. "And now, boy, onto archery."
I groaned, more for play than in seriousness, and followed her back into the armory.
We both bathed and met back in the dining room, where we both tucked in to our lunches with gusto.
"And we're going to do a lot more horse work," Alanna was informing me when George wandered in with their daughter, Alianne.
George's face lit up upon seeing Alanna's face. I was reminded of my own father and mother, and looked away. "How was your morning?" George asked.
Alanna glanced at me. "It was…interesting. We seem to have things sorted out finally."
George gave Alanna a penetrating look. "I see. Well, if you get the chance, Tyrrin's wife is still complaining about her back. She claims that Maude doesn't do anything but lock it up worse. She's demanding that you see her. When you get the chance, of course."
Alanna sighed. "Forget the horses. Well, Neal, it looks as though you're going to get your first healing lesson sooner before later. And remind me when we get back to work out a schedule, so I can work out exactly what's going to be going on with your training while we're here. George, can you tell me when the missive comes from Jon? Scanra's been acting up, and I've been waiting to hear if I'm going to get posted there."
Alianne groaned. "Mama, you know that Lyda won't wear that poultice Maude gave her. That's why her back won't get any better."
"And would you have me withhold my magic from a woman who is out working in the fields from dawn to dusk?" Alanna asked sharply of her daughter, who looked away. "She can't afford to stay in bed long enough for the poultice to do its work, you know that. I can at least give her relief for the next few months."
Alianne silently ate her bread, while I raised my eyebrows. "So after lunch we're headed down to the village?" I asked, trying not to sound as unhappy as I felt. Even after four years as a page, I felt as weary as I had the first day that I had trained.
From Alanna's dry look, she caught the misery. "Yes. And you might even learn a thing or two."
"Maybe even something intelligent?" I asked, and immediately bit my tongue.
Alanna seemed resigned to my…tendency to speak as though I had no filter on my mouth. Even so soon after my last unfiltered statement, Alanna only rolled her eyes. In the back of my mind I was grateful; it would be impossible for me to work with someone who took offense at every phrase that came out of my mouth. If Wyldon had done that, I'd still be a page, helping Stefan muck out the stalls as punishment.
Alanna smiled. "And if you're really lucky, you'll have something stick to the inside of that skull of yours."
George laughed, hazel eyes bright. "Neal, I'd quit while you're ahead. You won't beat Alanna here for a long time."
Even Alianne laughed at that, and Alanna stood, cracking her back with a wince. She walked along the edge of the table, giving my ear a brief tug. "Come on. Let's go. George, can you ask Maude to meet us at the gate?"
George nodded his head. "Of course."
With a sigh, I finished my bread and obediently trotted after Alanna.
This time I was led to the stables, where Alanna began to saddle up Darkmoon. I began to saddle up Zypher when Alanna exclaimed. "I forgot. Here, Neal. This will probably serve you better than Zypher there."
Alanna led me over to a horse remarkably similar to her own Darkmoon. Coarse black locks made up the mare's tail and mane. White stockings and diamond on her forehead were stark against the blue roan colored body.
"Goddess bless," I breathed when the mare nuzzled me. I spent a few moments checking her over, trusting that Alanna was giving me a good horse.
"This is Darkmoon's younger sibling." Alanna's voice was right in my ear, and I started at the sound. "I've been calling her Bluemoon, but if that doesn't suit you, you can change it. Her tack is down the row. Bluemoon- and the tack- are yours." Alanna may have pointed, but I was engrossed by the sweet creature, who was eagerly nosing my pockets for a treat. I suddenly understood Kel's attachment to her various animals.
"I'm sorry, I don't have you anything this time around," I whispered, but Bluemoon seemed to forgive that and nipped at my shirt instead, insisting on paying all her attention to me. I apologized and pulled away, eagerly grabbed the horses tack, and saddled her, even Alanna's gift of Raven Armory tack paling in comparison to the joy with which I viewed Bluemoon. She turned her head looking back at me shook her head.
"Thank you," I told Alanna solemnly, from atop Bluemoon. Alanna looked away, turning to finish saddling Darkmoon. She might have mumbled something, but it was hidden behind her horse. I resolved to find a way to give her proper thanks.
I let Alanna draw ride out first, and I followed. At the gate, and elder woman, face creased with wrinkles, eyed Alanna critically. "You look tired. You should sleep more often. Have you heard from the King yet? Tell Alianne if I find her paws in my storeroom one more time, I'm going force feed her the bitterest brew I can make."
Alanna sighed. "Maude, I am capable of taking care of myself. Surprisingly, I've been doing it for years. No, I haven't, and you can tell her yourself. You had no problem telling me that."
Maude sniffed. "Don't try that. You know perfectly well that you didn't go near my storeroom. Thom, on the other hand-"
"Was in and out of there every chance he had, I've heard. I've been there, actually," Alanna twisted, cracking her back again. "Come. Tell me the news from the village."
Maude launched into tales of babies, deaths, sicknesses and the like as Alanna and Maude rode side to side. I followed behind, carefully watching the road, which was filled with rocks.
A tree had been knocked down, laying across the road. With a grunt, Alanna carefully moved it over, out of everyone's way, and smoothed down the path. Looking no worse for the wear, she continued and we followed her.
The village wasn't a large affair. I didn't study the details, however, because as we arrived, a man, mostly bald, arrived. "Lady," he began voice panicked. "We was just gonna send someone! We need a midwife, bad! Kessie's givin' birth, but the babe's breeched!"
Alanna dismounted, and I was right behind her. We raced after the man, and entered a small home just as a woman's shriek tore through the air. Alanna's pace picked up, and I followed. We bounded up stairs into a room where an elder woman was wringing her hands. I guessed the mother of the woman lying on the bed. They certainly looked similar enough.
"Perfect. Neal, time for your first lesson in childbirth," Alanna said grimly, and gripped my hands. I was tugged over the woman, who was screaming again. Alanna placed my hands on the womb, and I felt the ripples of a contraction flooding through Kessie's body. "Okay, close your eyes, and find the child with your magic." While I did so, Alanna instructed Kessie not to push until Alanna gave the order. She must have given the response Alanna wanted, because I didn't hear her repeat it. Instead, I laced tendrils of green magical fire around the child.
Okay, now gently roll it toward you. Be sure to tug gently. It's bones are delicate, especially in the neck and skull. Alanna said to me through her magic. I nodded to show I understood, and sweating, feeling like I was being baptized by fire, I turned the child as carefully as I could. It didn't occur to me to watch out for contractions, which could interfere, but Alanna's magic covered the walls, allowing me to do my work.
The second the child was righted, Alanna practically shouted, "Push!" to Kessie, who turned red-faced and sweated up a storm in the burning heat. Her mother rushed to bathe Kessie's forehead in cool cloths.
As if things couldn't get more hectic, another man rushed in at that moment, maybe three years older than I was. "Kess!" he shouted, flying to her side and nearly knocking me over in the process. "Are you alright? Is she alright?" he questioned. There was no question in my mind- he was definitely the father.
High pitched shrieks broke the air, as Kessie gave it one last push and the baby started screaming. Alanna caught the child in a clean cloth, gently wiping away the blood and other fluids covering the small child. My stomach turned and I looked away.
"You have a baby girl," Alanna said gently, and handed the child over to the new parents, who cooed, as was expected. The newly made grandmother and grandfather crowded around the bed as well, while Maude, Alanna and I made our escape.
It was surreal. Something so intense, so delicate, had barely taken more than an hours time. Regardless, I felt emotionally drained, my muscles aching. Alanna simply handed me a canteen of water, which I downed in a few hasty gulps.
Alanna's grin was anything but kind as she said, "And that's only the beginning."
Maude headed off, to see what she could help with, while Alanna led me to the home of Tyrrin and Lyda. Tyrrin was a mousy man, late forties while his wife was the complete opposite. Tall and with more body than she had a use for, Lyda smiled at our arrival. Despite her robust frame, her voice was as fragile as her husband's. "Thank you dear, for coming so soon," Lyda lisped, showing gaped front teeth. "I know you are busy."
I had the feeling Alanna didn't like the name 'dear', but she seemed to tolerate it from Lyda, though she winced at the name. "Turn over, Lyda, I need to see your back."
"Busy day already?" Tyrrin laughed. "Let me get you some food. I know you get hungry after magework." I was startled by their kindness as Tyrrin bustled off before either Alanna or I could say anything.
Lyda, who had been seated, knitting something in her lap, set it down and took a plush rug from in front of the hearth and pulled it over, laying down on top of it. I sneezed twice.
"Come here, boy," Alanna said, and I kneeled down next to her. "Now, summon up your magic again, and tell me what you find in Lyda's back." She waited patiently as I called it forth and inspect the muscles and bones in Lyda's back.
I ruled out torn muscles, broken bones, disfigured bones, abnormal growths, and many others. After an hour's time of searching, I finally realized what was wrong. "Her back, it isn't as straight as it's supposed to be." I shook my head. "But there isn't really anything you can do without spending days and days of time slowly straightening and bracing it."
Alanna shook her head. "That's not really true. We can pad and provide support for her back."
"How?" I asked curiously. I'd never heard of anything like it before.
Alanna shook her head. "It's not popular with healers because it wears off every couple of months. However, it's also not popular because the typical midwife or healer won't have the power to do it, and the greater healers won't descend to the level of the common people." Alanna's scoffing tone told everyone in the room exactly what she thought of people who refused to help people because they were common.
"Okay, then why don't we do it now? You have enough time, don't you?"
Alanna sighed, shaking her head. "It needs to be nearly constant. I wish I could, but I can't sustain it for the hours necessary and not end up draining myself to the point that I'd be useless in battle.
I bit my lip, mulling the problem over. "What if I asked a favor of one of my healer friends? Ulric should be a full healer by now. We only exchange letters now, and I haven't seen him since I became a page. However, can't I at least write a letter? Even if he can't come, you'll be no worse off." I shrugged.
Lyda started to get up. "No, no, that's to great for the likes of me. This is fine, really it is. Besides, I can't be stuck waiting. I need to be out in the fields."
"You can do it during the winter, when there are no crops to be cared for," I told her evenly, hand on her shoulder. I gave her a steely look. "Don't worry, Ulric may seem silly at first, but he's a good fellow."
"No, really, I couldn't," Lyda demurred. "I don't have the money-"
"And Ulric is forever writing to me, complaining of how little useful work he does as a healer right now." My even look had Lyda biting her lip, finally considering my offer. I smiled. "Don't make me write to him and tell him of the chance that I could have offered him."
Lyda looked down shyly. "Only if he takes what coin we can offer." She sniffed. "I'll not take charity."
Alanna shot me a warm look, smile lighting up her face. I blushed and looked away under her scrutiny. She patted me on the shoulder. "Now, Neal, let me show you how to do this. You may have to do so until another healer can be found."
Naturally, I followed her magic with mine into Lyda's body, watching as she took the stored fat of Lyda's body and anchored it in support to the curving back. She filled in the curves expertly, making sure to ease the aches while she was attending to Lyda's spine.
It was a slow process, for the fat was reluctant to move, though it supported the back willingly enough.
It was late afternoon by the time Alanna was done, and she wiped away sweat that had beaded her brow.
I caught her when Alanna started to sway, helping her sit on a chair. She irritably pushed my hands away. "I'm fine," she insisted to me. I allowed her to sit alone in the chair, fetching her some water and food, which she eagerly devoured. I knew as well as anyone else that such a long magical working could really drain a healer.
A thundering knocking on the door had Tyrrin, Alanna, Lyda and I staring at the door. Tyrrin practically ran to open it, and a small boy, no more than nine or so years old gasped, "Lady! You've gotta come! They found Gary Clearwater! They thought he was lost in the storm, because we didn't see him come into port, and Gary's wife was crying, but Gary's in pretty bad shape and they're gonna lose the ship cause it probably can't be fixed, and their oldest son-"
"Take us to him," Alanna's powerful voice shut the child up. As we raced after the child, Alanna looked at me, smile strained as she said, "And now the real work begins."
TBC
