Discalimer: I own nothing except the hook-nosed man. Tamora Pierce owns
the places, people, and animals.
Alanna paced the rather large room in House Azik,
her face pale, her palms dripping with sweat as she clasped them tightly
in front of her. The nightmare was still vivid in her mind, and she closed
her eyes, hoping to clear her mind. All that accomplished was to cause
the dream to rush back into her mind.
A dark cloud drifted slowly over a castle, dropping
ever lower, engulfing the building. A strange, hook-nosed man rode the
cloud down to the floor, and climbed off. He found Prince Jonathan in his
room, and killed him. He bled although the man had not touched him. A cold
laugh rose from the man's mouth, and he lifted Jonathan's crown off his
dark hair and placed it on his own head.
Alanna shook her head furiously. Faithful
mewed, rubbing up against her ankles. "It's okay Faithful." The knight
crooned, picking the feline up and resting him on her left shoulder.
I don't think it is. You're shaking like a frightened
rabbit. The cat stuck his nose in her ear, purring loudly.
"It was my dream that woke me earlier. It was about
Jon. He was dead."
"Lass?" A voice mumbled from the bed. "Why are you
up?"
Alanna walked over to George and sat back down on
the bed. "I...I had a nightmare. Oh, it was horrible." Faithful leapt off
her shoulder so George could pull her to him.
"What was it, Alanna?" He stroked her hair until
she calmed down enough to sit back and look at him.
"Jonathan. He...he was murdered," She said softly.
"A strange man killed him and took his crown. I don't understand how it
could be so easy. I want to help, but I don't know how. I don't even know
where it will happen."
"You don't have to save the day every time. Let
someone else have the glory of saving your Prince."
"He's not my Prince! He hasn't been for two months."
Alanna jumped up, glaring at George, and saw the apology in his eyes. She
sat down again. "I think...I'm the only one who knows. Without me Jon will
die. And he has no heir."
The lady knight stood up again, pacing the room
slowly, trying to clear her head. After almost five minutes of walking
in circles, she froze. "I'm going with you. I'm going to Corus."
George's eyes widened in surprise. "You'll freeze."
"I've done it before. I have to go back, for the
good of the kingdom." She sighed. "I'll have to bring pounds of clothes,
that's all." She smiled and sat down again.
"That you will lass, that you will." He laid down,
pulling her down beside him. Alanna shivered, and snuggled up to him, drifting
off into a peaceful sleep.
z
The next day dawned bright and new. Alanna woke at
noon, the sun shining on her face. She sighed. George hadn't waken her.
She climbed slowly out of bed and pulled on tan breeches, a simple white
shirt, and a crimson tunic, trimmed in silver. She pulled her bright red
hair back from her face and went downstairs.
An hour later, Alanna, George, Coram, Marek, and
Ercole climbed onto the backs of their horses, ready to ride to Corus.
The two pack horses were already covered with their packs of clothing,
and a servant was trying to tie yet another of Alanna's bags on one's back.
Alanna sighed, looking up at the sky. Sleet would
fall soon, she just knew it. So did her cat, who jumped up onto Moonlights
back before settling himself in his cup. Sleet's coming. Put your gloves
on. Alanna nodded, pulling her thick brown gloves onto her hands. She
pulled up her hood and looked at George.
The Rouge nodded, and they walked along at a fair
pace. In less than an hour, sleet poured down on them. Alanna shivered,
cold and soaked to the bone. She wished she had decided to ride south,
but they were almost halfway to Corus and she didn't want to complain.
Instead, she took a blanket off the pack horse when they stopped and wrapped
it around her shoulders. She fastened a cloak for Faithful out of a towel,
and they rode off again, only stopping to unthaw their horses feet.
Four hours later, the gates of Corus opened for
the weary travelers, and was locked behind them. "Thank Mithros we weren't
locked out." Alanna whispered to Faithful and Coram.
Coram nodded. "No one could have camped on that
cold ground, out in this weather. Especially not ye."
Alanna laughed, stroking Moonlight's ice covered
mane. "No. I would have turned right around and headed to the nearest city,
two hours away. I hate the cold."
The rode their horses to the Dancing Dove, and put
them behind the building, in a very small stable. "Majesty?" Marek asked.
"Would you like me to take care of the horses?"
"Aye. That'd be nice." George nodded, rubbing a
sore spot on his neck.
Alanna followed George inside, greeting her old
friends warmly. She drank happily late into the night, feeling dizzy as
she climbed into bed beside George.
"I will have a horrendous hangover in the morning."
She moaned, pulling the covers up to her chin.
"I'm sure you will, lass." George looked at her.
"I take it you'll visit Jonathan in the morning."
Alanna nodded grimly. "I must. He has to know what
I saw. I have to protect him, don't I? I may be infuriated with him now,
but I don't want him dead."
"You're a special woman. Most would never speak
to him again. You forgive and forget, not willing to lose a friend."
"I don't forget. I may forgive, but never forget."
"Is that because you can't forget what you felt
for him?"
"No! I'm in love with you now, George. You know
that."
"Now. You never know how you'll feel tomorrow."
"Do you really believe that?"
"Nay." George sighed, kissing her forehead. "I'm
just nervous."
They were silent for a few minutes, and George whispered,
"Alanna?"
"Yes?"
"Are you...thinking about marriage again yet."
"George? No, I'm not."
"Would you think about it if I asked you?"
Alanna sighed. "If you asked me."
"I'm asking you now. Would you be my betrothed?"
"I don't know. Let me think about it."
"Of course. You have all the time that you want."
"Thank you," was her whispered reply.