Wow! I got TWO reviews! YAY! Thank you!
Anyhow. I'll try to update as much as possible. Oh, yeah. I made a mistake on the first chapter. While I was in TP La-la Land, part of my brain was stuck in the Star Wars Universe. I put "Ysalimari" instead of "Ysandir". "What's a 'Ysalimari'?" you may ask? It's a lizard that blocks the force, so people like the Jedi and the Sith can't use their powers. Also, I don't know the one who probed Alanna's mind (see? Several hours later, and I'm still partially stuck in the SW Universe!).
Chapter 2-
Alan(na) of Trebond and Prince Jonathan walked through the lively atmosphere of The Dancing Dove. There was laughter and merriment at every table. At the bar there were some thieves that were drunk as skunks, and others who were sober and flirting mercilessly with naïve flower girls. At the end of the room, there on his throne sat the King of Thieves, George Cooper.
"Jonny! Alan!"
"Hey George!" Jon replied. Alan had been very quiet ever since they had gotten back from Persopolis two weeks ago. Jon thought a trip to the Dancing Dove would improve Alan's spirit before he became his squire.
"Why so down in the mouth, Alan? Girl trouble?" George winked when Jon left to go to the bar. He had meant that as a teasing gesture, but the answer he got was completely serious.
"Actually, yes."
"You wanna talk about it up stairs?"
"That would be great." They told Jon that they would be upstairs discussing a private issue, and naturally, Jon had objected. He thought that since he and Alan would be working in such close quarters for the next four years, they shouldn't have secrets. George quickly explained that it had to do with family matters. Then Jon let them go.
After George closed the door to his room, he asked "Well lass, what's on your mind?"
Alanna sighed. "Jon asked me to be his squire."
"So?"
"SO?!?! What if he finds out? Like Jon said, we will be in close quarters, and it's hard enough to keep my disguise up with people that only see me from a distance. And if he does find out, there's so many things that could happen! He could banish me, throw me in jail, execute me-"
"Wait a second lass. 'Less I've been liv'in in a cave on the moon with my eyes closed and fingers in my ears, I'd say that Jon cares a lot about you. Remember that idiot Ralon of Malven? He didn't even let 'em breath on you. Also, think of Roger. You have to protect him from his smile'in cousin."
Alanna sat there for a while, letting the words sink in. "You're right. He needs my protection and Jon's my friend. I won't let him down, so I hope he doesn't let me down."
"That's the spirit." There was a sound under the bed that made Alanna jump.
"What was that?!?!?!"
"Oh, I forgot. I meant to give this to you." George knelt down and picked up a black cat with violet eyes, identical to Alanna's. Then he reached into a pocket and pulled out an ember stone necklace. (A/N- Is that what it was? I checked the books out of the library, so I don't have a copy of any of the books except Page.)
"A lady with emerald eyes gave these two to me 'an told me to give 'em to you. Don't know how she knew you, but she said that would need them."
Alanna put the necklace over her head and took the cat from George. She delicately stroked the cat's ears. The cat purred in delight.
"What shall I call you?" she murmured.
*You decide. You're the master.*
"What? Did you talk?"
"You heard 'er too? Interesting cat, that she is." George said, more to himself than anyone else.
"I'll call you 'Faithful'."
"Faithful. I like it."
"I better get going now. Thanks George."
"Anytime. Oh, and lass one more thing." George took her in his arms and kissed her. Alanna was surprised, but more surprised in the fact that she was enjoying it and was kissing back.
"I have to be going." She wore a goofy grin the rest of the day.