Chapter 3: Following His Footprints

Alanna looked up at the clinic, standing in the rain as she argued with herself whether she should go in or not. A light shone from behind the shutters of the kitchen window and shadows moving about inside were just as visible.

"They deserve a right an' proper goodbye. An' who else will tell Mama Rose where you've run away t'?" Alanna scolded herself. Already feeling horrible about leaving Mama Rose with nothing but a flower, Alanna decided to go into the clinic.

Walking up the steps, she opened the door without hesitation, knowing that the two inside were already awake and waiting. Maude and Thom sat at the table in the kitchen with two cups of tea before them. Their expressions were grim and Alanna had a feeling they knew why she was here.

"Thom had a strange dream. He was certain it had something to do with you, so we stayed up. What are you doing here, Alanna?" Maude asked after her brief explanation.

"I'm leavin'." Alanna announced, her mouth suddenly dry and her words sticking to her throat.

"And where do you plan to go?" Maude demanded, not harshly, but her voice was a little sharp.

"Coram's leavin' for Corus in th' mornin' an' I can't stay here." Alanna told her, standing firm as her clothes dripped rain water onto the floor of the clinic.

"Why not?" Thom finally burst out, standing so quickly that his chair screeched against the floor and then fell over behind him. "Mama Rose needs you!" Alanna knew Thom meant what he said about Mama Rose, but she could also see in his eyes that he didn't want to see her go because they were friends and he was worried about her.

"...Clifton is comin' for me in th' mornin'. He's sworn that we'll be wed. He'll bring his soldiers from the castle an' shackles. I have t' leave now, while I still have th' chance! Even if th' palace doesn't take me in an' Coram says he won't take me along, I've got t' go." Alanna hesitated, but then she decided that they would find out sooner or later and she'd rather they hear it from her.

Maude and Thom looked at each other, shocked. They knew Clifton had occasionally showed interest toward Alanna before, but never had either of them thought he would actually act upon it. They always assumed he saw Alanna as more of a prize to be won, which still made sense, but they never would have imagined he would force her into marriage.

However, they both knew what Alanna would be forced to live with if Clifton had his way. He would never remain faithful. He would see Alanna as a poor, little orphan that no one wanted. He would convince himself that he had saved her from a horrible life and that she owed him something. He would be unfaithful to her, he would beat her no doubt, and he would treat her as a slave.

Neither of them could doom her to such a life by insisting she stay.

"I'm sorry... But I can't stay 'ere an' be forced into marryin' him. I've got to leave. At least this way, I'll be followin' my dreams." Alanna looked at the floor, hoping they would understand.

They were silent for a long time, but finally Maude heaved a heavy sigh.

"Thom, fetch some vervain from that shelf there. Alanna, come over here, by the fire." Maude ordered them about in a tired voice, pointing to which shelf Thom was to get the vervain from and to a spot before the hearth where Alanna sat down.

A small fire crackled and popped in the hearth, keeping the clinic warm as the rain continued to pour outside. The chill Alanna had felt after riding in the rain faded as she sat by the fire.

Maude settled next to her as Thom hurried over with a packet of the leaves from the plant vervain. Maude made the sign against evil on her chest and sent a silent prayer to the Great Mother Goddess. People who tried to use magic the Gods had not given them often died in gruesome ways, so Maude could only hope that the Goddess would understand that she was simply looking for guidance.

She threw the leaves on the fire and it roared to life, turning a bright yellow from Maude's magic, as Alanna and Thom shielded their eyes from the brightness. Once their eyes had adjusted, the two youths lowered their arms, and Maude grabbed Alanna's, thrusting both of their hands into the flames.

Power shot up their arms, Maude's eyes squeezed shut with the pain and Alanna clenched her teeth. Maude's eyes snapped wide open suddenly and she stared blankly at the flames as she looked at something neither Alanna, nor Thom, could see.

Suddenly a picture started to form before Alanna's eyes. She frowned. This wasn't possible. Maude had cast the spell, so she was the only one who should See anything. But, ignoring all the laws of magic Alanna had been taught by Maude and Thom, the picture continued to grow.

A shadowed figure took over most of her vision, leaving her almost in complete darkness except for a few flames that burned around it. The figure chuckled cruelly and triumphantly and red stained the blackness until it deformed into a cloud of black smoke, swirling around until it found another form to take. The shadow figure now stood locked in battle with a powerful beast and a long, low howl echoed in Alanna's ears...

Maude let go of Alanna's arm and the picture disappeared. The flames lessened back to the small fire it had been before and Maude leaned back as Thom helped her into a chair. Alanna turned to her and saw an old, tired looking woman.

"I have seen many things I do not understand over the years, but never have I seen any such thing as what I Saw just a moment ago..." Maude trailed off, her eyes confused and distant.

"What did you See?" Thom wondered curiously, eyes wide at what had just occurred.

"...All I know for certain is that you have a very difficult road to follow." Maude looked Alanna straight in the eye as she spoke and then sighed a second time. "You have my blessing to go to Corus with Coram."

Alanna's heart lifted after hearing those words. She would have gone to Corus with or without Maude's blessing, but having it made her feel much better then not having it.

"Thank you, Maude." Alanna murmured, kneeling in front of Maude's chair.

"Just remember one thing, girl. You've a Gift for healing, Gods only know why, and the Gods punish those who do not use the Gift's they've been given. Use your Gift, Alanna. Heal. Heal all you can or you'll pay for it. The Gods mean for their Gift's to be used." Maude warned her.

Alanna bowed her head and kissed Maude's knuckles to show her respect and then she stood, coming face-to-face with Thom. The older boy looked worried and awkward standing there.

"I guess this is goodbye then. You'll be gone for eight years, probably more..." Thom looked at his feet and then glanced back up at Alanna's face.

"You're still my big brother an' I promise I'll write... Once I learn how." Alanna blushed lightly as she admitted one of her weaknesses.

"You'd better. And don't let anyone push you around." Thom said, pulling Alanna into a tight hug. He then held her at arms length and looked her in the eyes. "Good luck, Alanna. There are lots of tests ahead of you."

"I'll pass the tests." Alanna promised and hugged him once again. "Goodbye, both of you. I'll see you again one day, I promise."

"We'll be waiting." Maude smiled gently and stood as Thom and her walked with Alanna to the door.

They stood there and watched as Alanna swung herself up onto Spirit's bare back. Alanna looked back at them for a moment, offered a shy wave, and then gently nudged Spirit to start walking.

Thom and Maude watched her ride off into the rain until she disappeared into the dark. Maude lingered a bit longer after that, hoping that Alanna would heed her warning...

"Coram!" Alanna yelled as she burst through the door of the blacksmith's shop. The fire was roaring in the hearth and Coram was working with the sword she had seen earlier and another of his hammers. "Coram!" She yelled again, making the man look up, startled.

"Lass? What are ye doin' here so late?" He wanted to know, quickly placing his work aside. He knew Alanna wasn't foolish, she would never come to him at such an hour unless it was important.

"Take me to Corus with you!" Alanna blurted out, pulling back the hood of her cloak to reveal her short, mop of hair.

"By the Black God, what did ye do t' yer hair?!" Coram exclaimed, eyes wide with shock. With her hair cropped short and Thom's old clothes, Alanna looked very much like a boy. Had Coram not known different, he would have assumed...

"You said girls can't be Knights. Fine. From now on I'm Alan of Tortall." Alanna nodded confidently as Coram's jaw dropped as he finally understood what was happening. Silence fell for a moment and then Coram managed to find his voice.

"Have ye gone mad?" He bellowed, his eyes bulging out of his head.

"Coram, please! Maude agrees with me! She thinks I'm doin' th' right thing!" Alanna informed him. If she was going to convince him to take her along, then she couldn't take no for an answer.

"That witch would agree with ye!" Coram snorted.

"Coram, you know it's my dream t' be a Knight." Alanna lowered her voice to a calmer note and looked up at him with wide, hopeful eyes.

"I don't care if ye want t' be a dancin' bear!" Coram said, taking a swallow from a nearby tankard. "Ye're a girl!"

"Who's t' know?" Alanna demanded. "I can shoot, I can use a dagger, I can use a sword, even you said yourself no grown cove can skin a rabbit faster'n me! Please! I can be a Knight, you just have t' give me th' chance!"

Coram sighed and looked at Alanna's pleading eyes. "Lass, 'tis a noble thought, a warrior's thought, but it'll never work. If ye're not caught when ye bathe, ye'll be turnin' into a woman soon..."

"I can hide all that." Alanna insisted. "With your help."

Coram didn't respond. He rubbed his face with one hand and took another swig from his tankard with the other. He glanced at the sword, which still had very fine details in need of finishing before his journey to Corus at dawn.

Coram knew from seeing it with his own eyes that Alanna knew her way about a sword and he had taught her how to use a bow after he had found her hunting and tracking with nothing but a small kitchen knife for a dagger. She had excelled with everything he taught her and he knew she would excel at the palace, under the teachings of the martial arts instructors. She was quick, she rarely tired, and she had a feel for the fighting arts that could never be taught by any teacher. But she also knew nothing of reading, writing, or doing figures, and Coram wasn't sure if she would be able to pick those things up as quickly as the physical training...

"You don't have t' decide now, just think 'bout it." Alanna asked him. "Sleep on it. If you feel th' same in th' mornin' I'll leave an' you'll never hear it from me again."

"Fine." He finally huffed. "Fine. But just for th' night!"

Alanna grinned, but kept silent and went over to a corner of Coram's workshop where she would be out of the way. She took off her cloak and sword and placed them near the wall before she started setting up a small space for her to sleep in for the night.

Coram turned back to his unfinished project, muttering about stubborn females and how he must be a cracknob for even agreeing to think about helping with such a crazy scheme. Alanna just smiled and tiptoed out of the room. She went into the part of Coram's house that he actually used as a home and found the kitchen, thinking quickly as she pulled out a pot...

By the time Coram was finished with his work, the night was half-over and Alanna had a meal of meat and vegetable soup with bread and cheese on the side waiting for him on the kitchen table.

The old soldier scowled at the girl and snatched up his spoon, shoving a large piece of meat and several vegetables from the soup into his mouth along with some broth. After a couple more spoonfuls and a bite of the bread and cheese, Coram noticed the full tankard that sat on the table in front of his plate. He picked it up and took a long drink from it, but as he swallowed the liquid, feeling it burn his throat on the way down, he peered into the tankard at the drink.

"Brandy?" He muttered, confused, but one look at Alanna's innocent face told him all he needed to know.

He grumbled something incoherently, but took another swig from his tankard and continued eating until the plate was empty and his stomach was full. Alanna took the plate and started washing the dishes, Coram simply rolled his eyes and made his way to his bedroom.

What he did not know was that Alanna had found his bottles of brandy and other drinks and had taken the strongest one for his meal. She hoped he would be more open to hear reason if his joints were well oiled.

When Coram woke the next morning he had the worst hangover he had ever experienced and he groaned in pain as Alanna walked into his room at dawn.

"Don't walk so loud..." He begged. Alanna handed him a steaming mug.

"Drink. Maude taught me how t' make hangover cure months ago. It'll help." She told him.

Coram sat up and drank deeply from the steaming mug, gasping as the hot liquid burned his throat and warmed his stomach from the inside out. It soothed his headache almost instantly and he was already beginning to feel better as he swung his feet to the floor and rubbed his tender skull.

"I need a bath." He exhaled heavily as he stretched. Alanna responded by pointing to the bath already waiting in the corner. Coram glared at her from beneath his eyebrows. "Go ready th' horses!... I take it I'm t' call ye 'Alan' from now on?"

Alanna's entire face lit up in a way Coram had only seen once, maybe twice before, and she let out a whoop of joy before running out of the room to perform the task demanded of her.

They left Trebond about an hour before dawn when all the villagers were either asleep or just beginning their mornings. Clifton of Trebond would sleep until noon with his hangover and by then Alanna and Coram would already be half-way to the first way-house.

Four days later, after the pair had stopped for lunch at yet another way-house, the sun was high in the sky and Coram was paying the master of the house for their stay. Meanwhile, Alanna stood with the horses Spirit, who still had no saddle, and Whiskey, Coram's big Drum Horse that was all black except for his mane, tail, and socks, which were white.

Alanna was petting Spirit's nose when a breeze drifted by, coming from the trees further down the road. She looked at the opening the path left in the trees, curious, and shared a glance with Spirit. The horse gave a soft whicker and threw his head lightly in the direction of the road, encouraging her. She looked over her shoulder and saw that Coram was finishing up with the way-house master and would catch up quickly if she were take a peek a what lay ahead of them.

Nervously, Alanna started walking. The sound of Spirit's clopping hooves behind her gave her comfort as she journeyed onto the road once again and peered into the trees. Not too far ahead, she could see a break in the forest where the breeze was coming from and she could smell wild grass. The leaves on the trees around her rustled and the wind blew gently, almost invitingly.

Alanna smiled and took another step. Then another. And another. Suddenly she was sprinting through the shadows of the dark forest and she could feel the excitement boiling inside of her.

She stopped abruptly at the very edge of the shadowed ground, at the end of the forest. Her eyes were wide as she took in the land before her, the land she had only ever heard stories about from her father and mother.

Green grass stretched out before her with little patches of light purples, pinks, and blues marking where flowers and clovers grew in the giant field. The wind sent ripples through the long grass and brought the wonderful scent of wild grass and fresh air to Alanna as she hesitated at the edge of the forest.

Spirit snorted lightly and nudged her with his nose. Alanna looked at him nervous and maybe even a little afraid, but the young stallion stood beside her with a loyalty known by few and that gave her comfort.

"I'm not goin' back." She murmured determinedly to herself.

Slowly, she placed one bare foot outside of the forest, letting it lead her out of the dark, damp mountains and forests that had kept her prisoner for so long. She stepped into the sun, feeling it's warmth wash over her as she took a deep breath of the fresh air that danced across the plains of green grass.

A giggle bubbled up her throat and she slid to the ground, rolling onto her back and arching upwards as she felt the grass tickling her back and the warm sun on her face. She flipped over onto her elbows, closing her eyes as another breeze fluttered across her cheeks, and then she got up, running a few strides before twirling around.

"I can't believe it!" She grinned so widely that her cheeks hurt and her eyes shone. Her fingers ran through her short hair that she was still getting used to. "I'm free!" She laughed as Spirit neighed, galloping out to join her in the sun and circling her in excitement.

Alanna looked out towards the hills that stretched out before them and started running for the crest of the rise. Spirit caught up to her easily and she jumped, grabbing hold of his mane and hauling herself onto his back as he reached the top of the rise, revealing the capital city of Corus before them.

A rock sticking out of the ground like an overhang was beside the road leading to the great city and Spirit came to a stop on it, rearing with delight as the feeling of freedom came over both him and his mistress.

He dropped to all-four of his legs again and shook out his mane with an excited whinny as Alanna drank in the sight before her. The sparkling Olorun river divided the city into two parts and ships sailed in and out of it's docks while the people in the city bustled with life. There was a stream of people trickling into the city because it was Market Day - Alanna didn't know to much about it, but Coram had told her that she would have to stay close because it was easy to get lost in a Market Day crowd.

The moment was ruined when Coram's large hand cuffed her on the back of her head.

"Are ye tryin' t' make my hair go grey?" He demanded. "Ye can't go runnin' off on yer own anymore. This isn't Trebond, it's the capitol. There're thieves an' rusher's waitin' for a poor country lad like ye t' come along for easy pickin'."

"I didn't go that far." Alanna grimaced as she rubbed the back of her head. "An' I'm not that stupid; t' let a rusher get th' best of me." She added as the pair started down the road towards the city.

"Ye'd be surprised t' see what rusher's can do here in th' city." Coram told her as they neared the farms that stood on the very edges of the city. "Stay close, lass, an' try not t' get lost."

Coram guided his horse through the crowds expertly and Alanna tried to keep Spirit close to him while still trying to see everything, too. Never before in her entire life had she seen so many different people gathered in one place!

She saw merchants, slaves, priests, nobles, seamen, sailors. Peddlers were shoving their goods under peoples noses, shouting at them to buy. Women with low-cut dresses stood in doorways, eying young men, as children ran underfoot trying to sneak their hands into pockets and purses.

Alanna suddenly felt a short moment when everything slowed around her. Across the way, under an arched doorway, were two Bazhir - desert people, both were men - and they were staring straight at her. Alanna waved shyly and the two dipped their heads, bowing to her. Confused and a little spooked, she turned away and focused on where she was going.

Alanna was lucky that Spirit felt compelled to stay close to Coram's gelding in the big crowd, otherwise they'd be lost in a second. The market place was so full of life and excitement as people from all over bustled about. Piles of brightly colored orange and yellow fruit caught Alanna's eyes along with the dazzling blue and green hangings and the ropes of sparkling gold and silver chain.

Coram missed nothing, though. "Keep an eye t' yer saddlebag." He called back to Alanna. "There are some here as would steal their own mother's teeth." He seemed to direct this comment to a younger looking man standing near Alanna.

The man was lean and when he smiled white teeth flashed with his grin. "Who, me?" He asked innocently.

Coram snorted and rolled his eyes, urging Whiskey forward, but Alanna could have sworn she saw a flash of laughter in his eyes, if only just for a moment. Alanna looked back at the man and he winked one bright hazel eye at her, right before disappearing into the crowd. Alanna smiled. Whether he really was a thief or not, he seemed nice.

They left the market place, taking the street 'Market Way' up a long, sloping hill. This led them to where rich merchants lived and past the villas of even richer nobles. The crossing of Market Way and Harmony Way marked the beginning of the Temple District. Here Market Way changed it's name to Palace Way. Coram straightened in his saddle. After his long years of soldiering, this was like coming home.

Alanna promised herself, in that moment, that she would do whatever it took to make Coram proud of her. To thank him for believing in her enough to risk everything for her.

On their ride through the district they saw countless temples, guarded by the priests and priestesses of that particular God or Goddess. The ground suddenly rose steeply and the Temple District ended. Above them, crowning the hill, was the royal palace.

Alanna looked at it and gasped. Ahead of her was the Palace Gate, carved with thousands of figures and trimmed with gold. Through this gate, king's, queen's and their heir's came down to the city on holy days and the people went through this gate to see their rulers on great Audience Days. The gate was as tall as the wall it pierced and the wall was lined with soldiers dressed in the royal blue and gold uniforms. Behind the wall were levels and levels of buildings and towers that led up to the palace itself. The area had it's own gardens, wells, stables, and barracks. Outside the wall on the other side of the palace, lay the royal forest.

All these things Alanna knew from her father's tales, but the reality took her breath away.

Coram led the way up to the courtyard beside the stables. Here servants awaited the arrival of guests, to show them to their rooms, to lead the arrival's servants and to take charge of the animals. One such servant approached them.

Coram dismounted and untied the package with the newly made sword from Whiskey's saddle. "I'm Coram Smythesson and I've come t' see His Grace, Duke Gareth."

The hostler bowed. "I'll be takin' th' horses, sir." He said, his voice thick with the accent of the city. "Timon!" He called.

A slender young man in royal livery hurried out from behind one of the buildings and came to stand before them. "Aye, Stefan?"

"One fer His Grace. I'll tend t' th' bags." Stefan nodded to the other man, Timon, and Alanna realized she would have to leave Spirit in the hands of the servant.

She slid off of Spirit's bare back and hugged him tight. "I'll come see you as soon as I can. Try not t' cause too much trouble." She whispered to him and Spirit nudged her affectionately.

Alanna pulled away and saw the hostler standing there, smiling slightly. She simply nodded, feeling as if her only friend were being taken away from her, and hurried to catch up with Coram, casting constant looks back at Spirit.

"Ye'll show His Grace th' proper respect." Coram ordered in his low rumble. "A wizard with a sword, he is, and a better leader ye'll never meet."

Alanna nodded again, feeling anxious. What if something went wrong? What if the Duke guessed? She looked up at Coram to find him sweating. She gritted her teeth and took a steady, calming breath.

She would see this through.

AN: R&REVIEW, please! -Owl.