Caught!
Chapter Four: Traveling
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot. (and as to that I'm not even sure.)
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Alanna wished she could sleep through their journey that morning, but her mind would not let her rest. It continued to give her a list of things that dishonored people could do in the world. For all the time she spent on it, the list was cruelly short. She tried to ignore that thought, only to have her mind ponder what life with Shang would be like. What would she do if she became a Shang warrior? She could fight demons and evil people forever, and people would never tell her that girls couldn't fight.
She sighed. What good were dreams and fantasies now? She had dreamed for ages about being a Lady Knight, and look how far it had gotten her. She was a disgrace and an insult to femininity. Nothing would help her now, she thought pitifully. Stop it, she told herself. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, and think of something that you can do. Like what, that nasty little part of her brain spoke up. She tried to push the doubt back, but it refused. You'll never be as good as the lads, it told her tauntingly. You're a girl, and a weak one at that, to be caught so early in your journey. Shut up! She told it angrily. You don't know anything! I can do whatever I choose, no thanks to you!
Great, said the calm part of her brain. Your hearing voices; now they'll think you're a disgrace and crazy! She sighed again. It had become a vice for her in the past few hours. She didn't care. Not like anyone in this compartment is going to say anything, she thought to herself, looking at the other passengers in the carriage.
Thom was on the other side of her, slouched down in the seat, snoring slightly with his mouth partly open. Alanna rolled her eyes at her brother. He had always been able to fall asleep in the oddest places. She looked past him, to Coram on his other side. He was also staring out the window, thinking hard about something. Alanna suddenly wondered what the Duke had wanted when he called Coram back after that horrible speech. Thinking of that made her angry with Duke Gareth all over again. How could the Duke think that girls couldn't be warriors? Hadn't Coram told her stories of warrior maddens that fought for Tortall a hundred years ago or more? Girls can fight as well as boys, Alanna thought at him fiercely. Although she could never say it to him, she had admired him before this. Now all she thought was that he was a slow-brained conservative.
And what of Alex? That part of her mind asked. Alex had told her off in his own way; quiet, but harsh all the same. And why wouldn't he trust her? Hadn't they been friends since she had arrived at the palace? What made him feel so differently now that he found out who she really was? She shook her head gently, earning a stare from the Head of the Convent. Most nobles and commoners alike would side with Duke Gareth or Alex. The thought had plagued her before. Everyone she knew would see her as a freak that had tried to pass as a male to become a warrior for the crown. She would be hated throughout the city, possibly the realm.
She stopped herself from sighing again, but stared silently out the window. She didn't want to think about what her father would do to them when they arrived at Trebond in a few days time. He would look up from his scrolls long enough to disown her and throw her out on her ear. She was convinced it was true. Her father would never want to have anyone like her around once he heard about what she had done. Even if he was absorbed in his scrolls and books most of his life, he still cared about what little reputation he had left as a noble, and a daughter who was dishonored would level him. He would get rid of her for sure. And what of Thom? What would Lord Alan do to him? Cast him out, as he was sure to do to Alanna? Possibly. What does it matter? She thought ruefully. I will be disowned, and that's all that will matter then. But Thom is my twin, thought a small voice in the back of her mind. What happens to one happens to both, right? I don't know, she finally settled.
She let her thoughts wander for most of the morning; no one in the carriage was talking. When she looked around her, Coram was starring outside the other window, thinking, no doubt, of the trouble he was in with Lord Alan himself. Thom was seated across from him, slouched in the seat, snoring slightly. Alanna her twin at the moment; she wished she could simply fall asleep with all of this hanging over her head. She looked away from her twin, and her eyes wandered then to the Head Mother of the Convent. She too, was starring out the window. Alanna had no idea what she was thinking, but she didn't really feel it mattered…
At that moment, the head mother's eyes wandered around the compartment, then rested upon Alanna. Alanna matched her, stare for stare. She could practically see her mind work; she was disgusted with Alanna. Her eyebrows came together, and her seemingly permanent frown deepened. It was the Head Mother who looked back to the window first, and Alanna followed her gaze.
Back to staring, she thought depressed at the fact that she had nothing to do. She continued to let her mind jump from thought to thought, until the scenery got so boring, that she eventually fell asleep herself.
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When Alanna awoke, the carriage was slowing down, and as she looked out the window once again, she could see it was almost sundown. The rest of the party were getting ready, or waking up, in Thom's and her cases. Looking out the other window, Alanna could make out the small inn that they would rest for the night.
She stood up and stretched her arms, which were stiff from being still for so long. Aware, Alanna looked at her arms. They were getting muscular. The knight lessons had finally begun to pay off; she was strong and lean from days of training in the heat, riding Chubby, and learning to become a knight. The thought struck a chord in Alanna. She felt sick for a moment, knowing now that she would never be able to become a knight, or a warrior maiden if she didn't take matters into her own hands. She resolved, then and there, to escape tonight, and make for the Shang training grounds. She would become a warrior, if it were the last thing she did. And it very well may be, she thought to herself glumly, and she stepped out of the carriage after the others.
They found their rooms, one for Alanna and Thom, a small room for Coram, and another for the Head Mother of the Convent. This pleased Alanna just fine. She would be able to sneak out without Coram waking and reading her a strong lecture on running away. She didn't care what anyone would say, but Coram would only be a hindrance and keep her distracted.
By the time the dinner bell was rung, Alanna and Thom had finished dragging their belongings up to the room they were to share. They hurried down, ravenous after missing midday meal due to traveling. Alanna and Thom sat down at a small, unoccupied table, with room for a few more. Serving girls brought them their food and drinks, and they gave a small thanks to the girl and began to devour their food.
Coram arrived a few moments after they started eating, sitting at the twins' table with out comment, and was handed a plate soon after. As Alanna looked at him from time to time, he still refused to meet her eyes. Great, thought Alanna, exasperated. Now Coram is ashamed of me too. I wish things hadn't turned out so bad, another voice told her. I will miss Coram. He taught me how to fight, and started my dream. What would I do with out him? she asked herself. But you have to leave, she told herself. No matter whom you'll miss, it will all be better than facing Lord Alan in a few days. Though deep inside, Alanna wondered how she would get by with out her faithful servant, the man who had raised her, practically.
She forgot her thoughts immediately, however, when the Head Mother of the Convent walked slowly and deliberately down the stairs. The innkeeper himself went to her and escorted her to a seat in the room. Alanna noticed, with some annoyance, that it was as far way from them as possible in the small dining hall. She shook her head and went back to her food. Thom finished his meal quickly, and looked to Alanna when he was done. As she was still eating, he looked swiftly around the room. The head mother was sitting at a small table, accompanied by, who Thom assumed, was the higher-class people that were at the inn. He recognized none of them.
At that time, Alanna shoved the last bite into her mouth, and looked pointedly at Thom. Without so much as a word, both got up from their seats, took the dishes back to the kitchen and went back up to their rooms.
The first thing they did was flop onto a bed, sighing. Thom finally broke the silence.
"So," he began slowly. "Now what?"
Alanna did not answer right away. When she finally spoke, it was in a strained voice. "I suppose we wait and find out what Father is going to do," she told her twin, hating herself for lying to him.
Thom saw through her forced cheerfulness, and laughed outright. "Sister dear, if you ever sat around and waited for anything, I would be a hare." He stated clearly, enjoying Alanna's outraged response. "Now tell me," he told her, before she could yell at him. "What are you planning, and when, because I will be a part of it." He grinned at her, and sat back on his elbows.
Alanna fumed. How could he have guessed? She felt her face get hot, and most likely red, but she continued to sputter at her twin. When he announced that he would be part of her plans, Alanna calmed, somewhat. How could she think that she could leave Thom? He was her twin, and her only companion in the world right now. She couldn't stay mad at him, not for only trying to be a part of her life. She suddenly flung her arms around Thom's neck.
"Thank you, Thom," she told him, meaning it with all of her being. He laughed, and hugged her back. After a moment, they came apart, and Thom grinned at her.
"So," he said again, grinning mischievously. "What are you planning that I don't know about, yet?" Alanna could only help but smile back.
"I wont sit here and wait for Father to disown me, or both of us," she said, looking out into the room. "I am going to run away, and join the Shang. I will become a warrior maiden. No matter how I do it, I will." She added strongly, and Thom nodded.
"Then I'm coming with you," he stated, calm as could be. Before Alanna could protest, he continued. "I wont let you run away and take all the fun!" he exclaimed at her. " I want to come with you."
"But, Thom," she told him, her hopes dwindled, "you don't want to be a fighter. You want to be a sorcerer. What will you do?"
Thom shrugged. "Maybe I'll go to Carthak, or to another country, and learn sorcery there! It could happen." Alanna thought this was crazy, and she told that to Thom.
"But that's just the thing!" he exclaimed, overjoyed about something. "I have enough gift that anyone I go to will have to train me. They'll be so afraid of my power breaking out that they wont have a choice. And I'll just happen to find the best Mage to find my power," he told his sister, who was gaping at his audacity. She quickly shut her mouth, however, and folded her hands across her chest.
"It's still crazy," she told him glumly. In truth, she was happy he had a plan of some sort. She would feel responsible if he never achieved his dream because of her, and Thom could tell.
"It's settled then," he stated. "We can escape tonight, and never have to be with those who don't care about us." He finished with a nod, but Alanna thought of something.
"But Thom, how are we going find the Shang?" she asked, worried that the plan had failed before it began. "I have no idea where the Shang is even located. How are we going to find out where they take students?" her voice got higher and more rushed with every word, and Thom finally stood and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Calm down!" he exclaimed. "All we have to do is ask a person from a small village or something where the Shang students go when they leave. Its as simple as that," he told his fidgeting sister. Alanna was not so easily convinced.
"How will they know?" she exclaimed, exasperated at her lack of knowledge of such things. She crumpled onto the bed, and sat to think. Thom stood in front of her, him pacing the floor now, looking worried.
"How about this," he began, after a period of silence. "We ask some of the drunks downstairs if they know where the Shang live. They always seem willing to tell all, and they wont remember a bit of the conversation in the morning!" he exclaimed, grinning conspiratorially.
Alanna laughed, and agreed immediately. They soundlessly crept out the door to the hallway and made their way towards the raucous din that was the bar downstairs, making sure to be as quiet as was possible passing the Head Mother's and Coram's doors, not sure if either of them were in or not. The twins made their way down the stairs, looking out into the chaos. Alanna was delighted. There were over twenty men here; some looked to be having a rowdy time, others simply sitting at a table, with a tankard in front of them and a sullen look on their face.
Thom pointed to a smaller table towards the back of the room, where a middle-aged looking man with sandy hair in a bowl cut around his head and dressed like a traveler, like most in the inn were. He sat, dejected, with three empty tankards in front of him. Alanna thought he would be a very good candidate to spill anything they needed to know, particularly if his mood was good. She nodded to Thom, showing she was game, and they walked the rest of the way down, unnoticed by the brawling, cursing, drunk men around them. They made their way to the designated table, slowly, but deliberately. Thom was the first to sit next to the stranger, and Alanna, sat next to her brother. The man looked up when Thom sat, and starred at the two young children in the middle of a bar at night.
"Hello," said Thom cheerfully. Alanna inwardly laughed at his lack of tact in these situations. "My names Tom," her twin continued, slighted not a twit at the man's silence. "What's your name?" he went on.
The man simply continued to stare. Is he simple or something? Alanna asked herself. She was surprised when the man answered Thom clearly.
"Me name's Darius," the man said, looking curiously at the young looking boys that had sat around him. Thom gave him no time to continue to stare.
"I'm Thom!" he exclaimed, practically bouncing off the chair. Alanna let a small smile slip. Thom was always the actor, though at the moment he was doing very well. "That's Alan," Thom told the man, Darius, he had said. Alanna smiled at the man looking him over with a careful eye for the first time. He was a young looking man, not possibly over thirty, but there was a knowledgeable look about him, as if he had seen much, and learned more than he needed. Alanna looked him over, but stopped, awed by the unnatural color of his eyes.
Alanna was accustomed to her own violet irises, but she had never seen another person, aside from Thom, who had any similarly unnatural eyes. He had deep blue eyes, so blue, that Alanna was sure they could almost be near her own violet. She said nothing, starring at him for a moment too long.
Thom, having not noticed the strange man's eyes before, watched him and his sister stare at each other. Alanna was stunned, that he could tell, but the man? He was starring at Alanna in quite the same expression. Thom had an idea of what was going through his mind. He wore the look that most people did when they saw him or Alanna for the first time; they were looking at their extraordinary violet eyes. Thom wondered what his sister could be seeing that would give her the same look on her face as the man's.
The man, Darius, Thom reminded himself, pried his eyes away from Alanna to stare equally at Thom. Thom, seeing for himself the strange eyes of Darius, understood. They were astonishing, if only for their likeness to his and Alanna's own eyes. Thom, getting over his astonishment quicker than Darius or his sister, spoke first.
"You have very nice eyes," he pointed out calmly to Darius. He caught Alanna rolling her eyes at him, and Darius' small smile at relatively the same moment.
"Not so bad ye'self," Darius told them, his accent hinting to Alanna as northern, and rough, probably a poor commoner, she thought silently. She wondered if he would be able to tell them anything. Darius continued to look between the twins, assessing their identical eyes, hair, and everything else, even their clothes, for the most part. Alanna knew she made the perfect appearance of a young boy. She felt a pang as she thought that if she made such a perfect appearance, how had they found her. she shoved that feeling down quickly however, and turned her mind to the man, and the information they needed. The conversation between Thom and the man ensued.
Thom was making small talk with the man, who still looked suspicious of young kids in the middle of a bar late at night. Alanna watched, for the moment.
"So," Darius declared, taking his eyes from Thom for a moment and looking over to Alanna for the first time, smiling broadly. "You bein awfully quiet youngling. Speak up. Or do ya let this other one do all yer talkin for ya?" Alanna wondered what to say for a split second, and then decided to simply be abrupt, and get to the point of the conversation.
"We were wondering if you could possibly tell us if you know where the Shang fighters' headquarters are." She announced to the drunk in front of her. She could see Thom wince on the other side, but made her eyes stay on Darius'. He would be their key, and if not, they would ask as many people on the road they could, Alanna resolved. Secretly, she sincerely hoped it wouldn't come to that.
Darius took a moment to answer, looking thoughtful. "Aye," he said slowly, finally, "I might know where they train and keep their heads, but it's a long journey from here. Not one for runaway younglings!" he chortled, inviting Alanna and Thom to share the joke. When they made no movements, he stopped laughing and became serious. "I'm serious, you two best get home, and make up what ever argument you had with yer father to make you run away. The Shang don't take just anyone, and you wont be able to make it." he told them severely.
"What makes you think we're running away?" Thom asked airily. Darius just smirked.
"Only runaways ask where the Shang are located. Those that want to go freely are sent." Alanna grimaced. She hadn't known that. She cursed silently, and then turned back to Darius, who was watching her closely.
"We didn't ask for your parental advice. We asked if you knew where the Shang were located, and if you could tell us." She stated curtly, not caring if she angered him now. Her own temper rose at this stranger, trying to tell them what to do. She was right; Darius looked slightly peeved, but said nothing for a moment.
"Fine. You may try, but I wont be surprised when news travels north that two younglings with violet eyes froze on a journey." He told them arrogantly, but he lowered his voice, despite his harsh words. "The place where the Shang take on youngsters is a ways south of here, many miles, at the least. It's a hard journey, towards the capital of Corus, (Alanna paled at the news.) and a ways west. Quite close to the barony of Pirate's Swoop, actually." He finished, letting the news sink in on the two.
Despite the news, the twins looked excitedly at each other. It wasn't far from here then. They could make it in about two days' time if they walked. Her lessons with Myles came back to her brain, and she remembered maps her had shone the class of the realm and its baronies. It would be a hard walk, but Alanna was up to it. She looked at Thom, her eyes questioning. He nodded, understanding fully. The man looked from one boy to the next, confused, and looking a bit disappointed at how well they were taking his 'bad news'.
The twins stood, and Thom looked back at Darius, a smile on his impish face. "Thank you! Thanks a lot." He held out a hand to the man, and he took it, shaking slowly. Thinking dazedly that these were very strange children. Alanna nodded to him to show her thanks, and turned with Thom to return upstairs.
They crept as fast as they dared to their room, and snuck back in. There, they stayed up for most of the rest of the night, planning the road they would take, Alanna trying as hard as possible to remember everything she had learned from their lessons at the palace. She tried not to think of the lessons themselves, how much she had enjoyed them, and what the boys there were learning now. She felt a pang again, but suppressed the urge to hate the scream or cry; she didn't know which she desired at the moment.
The two finally fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning, right on the floor, having not bothered to get up and go to a bed. When Alanna awoke the bluish-gray glow of the predawn hour was showing through the window and Thom was shaking her awake.
"Alanna!" he hissed, seeing she was waking. "We need to leave now if we're going today. People will be up soon." Alanna was up, and moved to get her clothes and fix her pack. She found it already done. She looked accusingly at Thom, but he was preparing his own pack. She shrugged, silently thanking him for doing the chore, and got up from the floor stiffly. As she woke, she realized Thom was right; they needed to escape now if they were going to. As it was the inn's help would probably be up, preparing for the day. Alanna was not sure how late the Head Mother was accustomed to waking, but she knew Coram. He would wake and come and get them, and then their plan would be ruined. Alanna got fresh clothes on quickly; shoving those she had taken off back into her small pack. She donned tan breeches and a cheap blue tunic, fastening her belt knife to her belt she turned back to Thom. He, too, was quick in getting ready.
They crept out the door, listening to the noises in the inn, praying everyone would get a late start on the day. They were in luck. No one seemed to be awake downstairs, and as the twins eased out the kitchen door they saw no servants. They made a dash for the trees, which were close to the back of the inn, passing the stables as they ran. Alanna, suddenly struck with a thought, stopped abruptly at the entrance to the stable.
"Thom!" she whispered, loud only enough so he would hear her. When he turned back to her, eyes wide with fright, she smiled. "Horses Thom! We can steal a horse!" Thom grinned, and ran back to Alanna, who was already sneaking into the stables, trying to find a mount that would be sturdy enough to take them both, but docile enough to not fight while being stolen. Alanna went to the inn's supply of horses first, their owners' names scrawled out on slate on the front of the stall. She paused at the entrance to one stall with no name on the front and gasped at the beautiful mare inside. She was an amazing horse, with a cream coat and dark mane and tail. She looked like she would ride for days with the twins' weight on her back. Thom stood behind her and nodded.
Alanna eased the bolt on the door open, stepping in to greet the mare carefully. She had no idea how this one would act, but got a pleasant surprise when the mare lipped Alanna's outstretched hand playfully. She's perfect! Alanna told herself. Alanna slipped farther in and collected the mare's tack, gently putting the reins over her head. She wouldn't worry about a saddle now, when minutes and seconds counted. She jumped with ease on the animal's back, amazed at how calm she appeared to be. Normally a horse would fight a stranger on bareback. She held her hand down to Thom, helping him up behind her. They settled their packs on their backs, and Thom grabbed Alanna's waist tightly. With a gleeful feeling filling the girl, she nudged the horse out of the stable, and took off down the road, her, her twin, and the calmest horse in the world, on the road to freedom.
Chapter Four: Traveling
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot. (and as to that I'm not even sure.)
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Alanna wished she could sleep through their journey that morning, but her mind would not let her rest. It continued to give her a list of things that dishonored people could do in the world. For all the time she spent on it, the list was cruelly short. She tried to ignore that thought, only to have her mind ponder what life with Shang would be like. What would she do if she became a Shang warrior? She could fight demons and evil people forever, and people would never tell her that girls couldn't fight.
She sighed. What good were dreams and fantasies now? She had dreamed for ages about being a Lady Knight, and look how far it had gotten her. She was a disgrace and an insult to femininity. Nothing would help her now, she thought pitifully. Stop it, she told herself. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, and think of something that you can do. Like what, that nasty little part of her brain spoke up. She tried to push the doubt back, but it refused. You'll never be as good as the lads, it told her tauntingly. You're a girl, and a weak one at that, to be caught so early in your journey. Shut up! She told it angrily. You don't know anything! I can do whatever I choose, no thanks to you!
Great, said the calm part of her brain. Your hearing voices; now they'll think you're a disgrace and crazy! She sighed again. It had become a vice for her in the past few hours. She didn't care. Not like anyone in this compartment is going to say anything, she thought to herself, looking at the other passengers in the carriage.
Thom was on the other side of her, slouched down in the seat, snoring slightly with his mouth partly open. Alanna rolled her eyes at her brother. He had always been able to fall asleep in the oddest places. She looked past him, to Coram on his other side. He was also staring out the window, thinking hard about something. Alanna suddenly wondered what the Duke had wanted when he called Coram back after that horrible speech. Thinking of that made her angry with Duke Gareth all over again. How could the Duke think that girls couldn't be warriors? Hadn't Coram told her stories of warrior maddens that fought for Tortall a hundred years ago or more? Girls can fight as well as boys, Alanna thought at him fiercely. Although she could never say it to him, she had admired him before this. Now all she thought was that he was a slow-brained conservative.
And what of Alex? That part of her mind asked. Alex had told her off in his own way; quiet, but harsh all the same. And why wouldn't he trust her? Hadn't they been friends since she had arrived at the palace? What made him feel so differently now that he found out who she really was? She shook her head gently, earning a stare from the Head of the Convent. Most nobles and commoners alike would side with Duke Gareth or Alex. The thought had plagued her before. Everyone she knew would see her as a freak that had tried to pass as a male to become a warrior for the crown. She would be hated throughout the city, possibly the realm.
She stopped herself from sighing again, but stared silently out the window. She didn't want to think about what her father would do to them when they arrived at Trebond in a few days time. He would look up from his scrolls long enough to disown her and throw her out on her ear. She was convinced it was true. Her father would never want to have anyone like her around once he heard about what she had done. Even if he was absorbed in his scrolls and books most of his life, he still cared about what little reputation he had left as a noble, and a daughter who was dishonored would level him. He would get rid of her for sure. And what of Thom? What would Lord Alan do to him? Cast him out, as he was sure to do to Alanna? Possibly. What does it matter? She thought ruefully. I will be disowned, and that's all that will matter then. But Thom is my twin, thought a small voice in the back of her mind. What happens to one happens to both, right? I don't know, she finally settled.
She let her thoughts wander for most of the morning; no one in the carriage was talking. When she looked around her, Coram was starring outside the other window, thinking, no doubt, of the trouble he was in with Lord Alan himself. Thom was seated across from him, slouched in the seat, snoring slightly. Alanna her twin at the moment; she wished she could simply fall asleep with all of this hanging over her head. She looked away from her twin, and her eyes wandered then to the Head Mother of the Convent. She too, was starring out the window. Alanna had no idea what she was thinking, but she didn't really feel it mattered…
At that moment, the head mother's eyes wandered around the compartment, then rested upon Alanna. Alanna matched her, stare for stare. She could practically see her mind work; she was disgusted with Alanna. Her eyebrows came together, and her seemingly permanent frown deepened. It was the Head Mother who looked back to the window first, and Alanna followed her gaze.
Back to staring, she thought depressed at the fact that she had nothing to do. She continued to let her mind jump from thought to thought, until the scenery got so boring, that she eventually fell asleep herself.
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When Alanna awoke, the carriage was slowing down, and as she looked out the window once again, she could see it was almost sundown. The rest of the party were getting ready, or waking up, in Thom's and her cases. Looking out the other window, Alanna could make out the small inn that they would rest for the night.
She stood up and stretched her arms, which were stiff from being still for so long. Aware, Alanna looked at her arms. They were getting muscular. The knight lessons had finally begun to pay off; she was strong and lean from days of training in the heat, riding Chubby, and learning to become a knight. The thought struck a chord in Alanna. She felt sick for a moment, knowing now that she would never be able to become a knight, or a warrior maiden if she didn't take matters into her own hands. She resolved, then and there, to escape tonight, and make for the Shang training grounds. She would become a warrior, if it were the last thing she did. And it very well may be, she thought to herself glumly, and she stepped out of the carriage after the others.
They found their rooms, one for Alanna and Thom, a small room for Coram, and another for the Head Mother of the Convent. This pleased Alanna just fine. She would be able to sneak out without Coram waking and reading her a strong lecture on running away. She didn't care what anyone would say, but Coram would only be a hindrance and keep her distracted.
By the time the dinner bell was rung, Alanna and Thom had finished dragging their belongings up to the room they were to share. They hurried down, ravenous after missing midday meal due to traveling. Alanna and Thom sat down at a small, unoccupied table, with room for a few more. Serving girls brought them their food and drinks, and they gave a small thanks to the girl and began to devour their food.
Coram arrived a few moments after they started eating, sitting at the twins' table with out comment, and was handed a plate soon after. As Alanna looked at him from time to time, he still refused to meet her eyes. Great, thought Alanna, exasperated. Now Coram is ashamed of me too. I wish things hadn't turned out so bad, another voice told her. I will miss Coram. He taught me how to fight, and started my dream. What would I do with out him? she asked herself. But you have to leave, she told herself. No matter whom you'll miss, it will all be better than facing Lord Alan in a few days. Though deep inside, Alanna wondered how she would get by with out her faithful servant, the man who had raised her, practically.
She forgot her thoughts immediately, however, when the Head Mother of the Convent walked slowly and deliberately down the stairs. The innkeeper himself went to her and escorted her to a seat in the room. Alanna noticed, with some annoyance, that it was as far way from them as possible in the small dining hall. She shook her head and went back to her food. Thom finished his meal quickly, and looked to Alanna when he was done. As she was still eating, he looked swiftly around the room. The head mother was sitting at a small table, accompanied by, who Thom assumed, was the higher-class people that were at the inn. He recognized none of them.
At that time, Alanna shoved the last bite into her mouth, and looked pointedly at Thom. Without so much as a word, both got up from their seats, took the dishes back to the kitchen and went back up to their rooms.
The first thing they did was flop onto a bed, sighing. Thom finally broke the silence.
"So," he began slowly. "Now what?"
Alanna did not answer right away. When she finally spoke, it was in a strained voice. "I suppose we wait and find out what Father is going to do," she told her twin, hating herself for lying to him.
Thom saw through her forced cheerfulness, and laughed outright. "Sister dear, if you ever sat around and waited for anything, I would be a hare." He stated clearly, enjoying Alanna's outraged response. "Now tell me," he told her, before she could yell at him. "What are you planning, and when, because I will be a part of it." He grinned at her, and sat back on his elbows.
Alanna fumed. How could he have guessed? She felt her face get hot, and most likely red, but she continued to sputter at her twin. When he announced that he would be part of her plans, Alanna calmed, somewhat. How could she think that she could leave Thom? He was her twin, and her only companion in the world right now. She couldn't stay mad at him, not for only trying to be a part of her life. She suddenly flung her arms around Thom's neck.
"Thank you, Thom," she told him, meaning it with all of her being. He laughed, and hugged her back. After a moment, they came apart, and Thom grinned at her.
"So," he said again, grinning mischievously. "What are you planning that I don't know about, yet?" Alanna could only help but smile back.
"I wont sit here and wait for Father to disown me, or both of us," she said, looking out into the room. "I am going to run away, and join the Shang. I will become a warrior maiden. No matter how I do it, I will." She added strongly, and Thom nodded.
"Then I'm coming with you," he stated, calm as could be. Before Alanna could protest, he continued. "I wont let you run away and take all the fun!" he exclaimed at her. " I want to come with you."
"But, Thom," she told him, her hopes dwindled, "you don't want to be a fighter. You want to be a sorcerer. What will you do?"
Thom shrugged. "Maybe I'll go to Carthak, or to another country, and learn sorcery there! It could happen." Alanna thought this was crazy, and she told that to Thom.
"But that's just the thing!" he exclaimed, overjoyed about something. "I have enough gift that anyone I go to will have to train me. They'll be so afraid of my power breaking out that they wont have a choice. And I'll just happen to find the best Mage to find my power," he told his sister, who was gaping at his audacity. She quickly shut her mouth, however, and folded her hands across her chest.
"It's still crazy," she told him glumly. In truth, she was happy he had a plan of some sort. She would feel responsible if he never achieved his dream because of her, and Thom could tell.
"It's settled then," he stated. "We can escape tonight, and never have to be with those who don't care about us." He finished with a nod, but Alanna thought of something.
"But Thom, how are we going find the Shang?" she asked, worried that the plan had failed before it began. "I have no idea where the Shang is even located. How are we going to find out where they take students?" her voice got higher and more rushed with every word, and Thom finally stood and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Calm down!" he exclaimed. "All we have to do is ask a person from a small village or something where the Shang students go when they leave. Its as simple as that," he told his fidgeting sister. Alanna was not so easily convinced.
"How will they know?" she exclaimed, exasperated at her lack of knowledge of such things. She crumpled onto the bed, and sat to think. Thom stood in front of her, him pacing the floor now, looking worried.
"How about this," he began, after a period of silence. "We ask some of the drunks downstairs if they know where the Shang live. They always seem willing to tell all, and they wont remember a bit of the conversation in the morning!" he exclaimed, grinning conspiratorially.
Alanna laughed, and agreed immediately. They soundlessly crept out the door to the hallway and made their way towards the raucous din that was the bar downstairs, making sure to be as quiet as was possible passing the Head Mother's and Coram's doors, not sure if either of them were in or not. The twins made their way down the stairs, looking out into the chaos. Alanna was delighted. There were over twenty men here; some looked to be having a rowdy time, others simply sitting at a table, with a tankard in front of them and a sullen look on their face.
Thom pointed to a smaller table towards the back of the room, where a middle-aged looking man with sandy hair in a bowl cut around his head and dressed like a traveler, like most in the inn were. He sat, dejected, with three empty tankards in front of him. Alanna thought he would be a very good candidate to spill anything they needed to know, particularly if his mood was good. She nodded to Thom, showing she was game, and they walked the rest of the way down, unnoticed by the brawling, cursing, drunk men around them. They made their way to the designated table, slowly, but deliberately. Thom was the first to sit next to the stranger, and Alanna, sat next to her brother. The man looked up when Thom sat, and starred at the two young children in the middle of a bar at night.
"Hello," said Thom cheerfully. Alanna inwardly laughed at his lack of tact in these situations. "My names Tom," her twin continued, slighted not a twit at the man's silence. "What's your name?" he went on.
The man simply continued to stare. Is he simple or something? Alanna asked herself. She was surprised when the man answered Thom clearly.
"Me name's Darius," the man said, looking curiously at the young looking boys that had sat around him. Thom gave him no time to continue to stare.
"I'm Thom!" he exclaimed, practically bouncing off the chair. Alanna let a small smile slip. Thom was always the actor, though at the moment he was doing very well. "That's Alan," Thom told the man, Darius, he had said. Alanna smiled at the man looking him over with a careful eye for the first time. He was a young looking man, not possibly over thirty, but there was a knowledgeable look about him, as if he had seen much, and learned more than he needed. Alanna looked him over, but stopped, awed by the unnatural color of his eyes.
Alanna was accustomed to her own violet irises, but she had never seen another person, aside from Thom, who had any similarly unnatural eyes. He had deep blue eyes, so blue, that Alanna was sure they could almost be near her own violet. She said nothing, starring at him for a moment too long.
Thom, having not noticed the strange man's eyes before, watched him and his sister stare at each other. Alanna was stunned, that he could tell, but the man? He was starring at Alanna in quite the same expression. Thom had an idea of what was going through his mind. He wore the look that most people did when they saw him or Alanna for the first time; they were looking at their extraordinary violet eyes. Thom wondered what his sister could be seeing that would give her the same look on her face as the man's.
The man, Darius, Thom reminded himself, pried his eyes away from Alanna to stare equally at Thom. Thom, seeing for himself the strange eyes of Darius, understood. They were astonishing, if only for their likeness to his and Alanna's own eyes. Thom, getting over his astonishment quicker than Darius or his sister, spoke first.
"You have very nice eyes," he pointed out calmly to Darius. He caught Alanna rolling her eyes at him, and Darius' small smile at relatively the same moment.
"Not so bad ye'self," Darius told them, his accent hinting to Alanna as northern, and rough, probably a poor commoner, she thought silently. She wondered if he would be able to tell them anything. Darius continued to look between the twins, assessing their identical eyes, hair, and everything else, even their clothes, for the most part. Alanna knew she made the perfect appearance of a young boy. She felt a pang as she thought that if she made such a perfect appearance, how had they found her. she shoved that feeling down quickly however, and turned her mind to the man, and the information they needed. The conversation between Thom and the man ensued.
Thom was making small talk with the man, who still looked suspicious of young kids in the middle of a bar late at night. Alanna watched, for the moment.
"So," Darius declared, taking his eyes from Thom for a moment and looking over to Alanna for the first time, smiling broadly. "You bein awfully quiet youngling. Speak up. Or do ya let this other one do all yer talkin for ya?" Alanna wondered what to say for a split second, and then decided to simply be abrupt, and get to the point of the conversation.
"We were wondering if you could possibly tell us if you know where the Shang fighters' headquarters are." She announced to the drunk in front of her. She could see Thom wince on the other side, but made her eyes stay on Darius'. He would be their key, and if not, they would ask as many people on the road they could, Alanna resolved. Secretly, she sincerely hoped it wouldn't come to that.
Darius took a moment to answer, looking thoughtful. "Aye," he said slowly, finally, "I might know where they train and keep their heads, but it's a long journey from here. Not one for runaway younglings!" he chortled, inviting Alanna and Thom to share the joke. When they made no movements, he stopped laughing and became serious. "I'm serious, you two best get home, and make up what ever argument you had with yer father to make you run away. The Shang don't take just anyone, and you wont be able to make it." he told them severely.
"What makes you think we're running away?" Thom asked airily. Darius just smirked.
"Only runaways ask where the Shang are located. Those that want to go freely are sent." Alanna grimaced. She hadn't known that. She cursed silently, and then turned back to Darius, who was watching her closely.
"We didn't ask for your parental advice. We asked if you knew where the Shang were located, and if you could tell us." She stated curtly, not caring if she angered him now. Her own temper rose at this stranger, trying to tell them what to do. She was right; Darius looked slightly peeved, but said nothing for a moment.
"Fine. You may try, but I wont be surprised when news travels north that two younglings with violet eyes froze on a journey." He told them arrogantly, but he lowered his voice, despite his harsh words. "The place where the Shang take on youngsters is a ways south of here, many miles, at the least. It's a hard journey, towards the capital of Corus, (Alanna paled at the news.) and a ways west. Quite close to the barony of Pirate's Swoop, actually." He finished, letting the news sink in on the two.
Despite the news, the twins looked excitedly at each other. It wasn't far from here then. They could make it in about two days' time if they walked. Her lessons with Myles came back to her brain, and she remembered maps her had shone the class of the realm and its baronies. It would be a hard walk, but Alanna was up to it. She looked at Thom, her eyes questioning. He nodded, understanding fully. The man looked from one boy to the next, confused, and looking a bit disappointed at how well they were taking his 'bad news'.
The twins stood, and Thom looked back at Darius, a smile on his impish face. "Thank you! Thanks a lot." He held out a hand to the man, and he took it, shaking slowly. Thinking dazedly that these were very strange children. Alanna nodded to him to show her thanks, and turned with Thom to return upstairs.
They crept as fast as they dared to their room, and snuck back in. There, they stayed up for most of the rest of the night, planning the road they would take, Alanna trying as hard as possible to remember everything she had learned from their lessons at the palace. She tried not to think of the lessons themselves, how much she had enjoyed them, and what the boys there were learning now. She felt a pang again, but suppressed the urge to hate the scream or cry; she didn't know which she desired at the moment.
The two finally fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning, right on the floor, having not bothered to get up and go to a bed. When Alanna awoke the bluish-gray glow of the predawn hour was showing through the window and Thom was shaking her awake.
"Alanna!" he hissed, seeing she was waking. "We need to leave now if we're going today. People will be up soon." Alanna was up, and moved to get her clothes and fix her pack. She found it already done. She looked accusingly at Thom, but he was preparing his own pack. She shrugged, silently thanking him for doing the chore, and got up from the floor stiffly. As she woke, she realized Thom was right; they needed to escape now if they were going to. As it was the inn's help would probably be up, preparing for the day. Alanna was not sure how late the Head Mother was accustomed to waking, but she knew Coram. He would wake and come and get them, and then their plan would be ruined. Alanna got fresh clothes on quickly; shoving those she had taken off back into her small pack. She donned tan breeches and a cheap blue tunic, fastening her belt knife to her belt she turned back to Thom. He, too, was quick in getting ready.
They crept out the door, listening to the noises in the inn, praying everyone would get a late start on the day. They were in luck. No one seemed to be awake downstairs, and as the twins eased out the kitchen door they saw no servants. They made a dash for the trees, which were close to the back of the inn, passing the stables as they ran. Alanna, suddenly struck with a thought, stopped abruptly at the entrance to the stable.
"Thom!" she whispered, loud only enough so he would hear her. When he turned back to her, eyes wide with fright, she smiled. "Horses Thom! We can steal a horse!" Thom grinned, and ran back to Alanna, who was already sneaking into the stables, trying to find a mount that would be sturdy enough to take them both, but docile enough to not fight while being stolen. Alanna went to the inn's supply of horses first, their owners' names scrawled out on slate on the front of the stall. She paused at the entrance to one stall with no name on the front and gasped at the beautiful mare inside. She was an amazing horse, with a cream coat and dark mane and tail. She looked like she would ride for days with the twins' weight on her back. Thom stood behind her and nodded.
Alanna eased the bolt on the door open, stepping in to greet the mare carefully. She had no idea how this one would act, but got a pleasant surprise when the mare lipped Alanna's outstretched hand playfully. She's perfect! Alanna told herself. Alanna slipped farther in and collected the mare's tack, gently putting the reins over her head. She wouldn't worry about a saddle now, when minutes and seconds counted. She jumped with ease on the animal's back, amazed at how calm she appeared to be. Normally a horse would fight a stranger on bareback. She held her hand down to Thom, helping him up behind her. They settled their packs on their backs, and Thom grabbed Alanna's waist tightly. With a gleeful feeling filling the girl, she nudged the horse out of the stable, and took off down the road, her, her twin, and the calmest horse in the world, on the road to freedom.