Author's Note: I know that all of you have been DYING to read this next part....I'm sure. Anyway, what's with all of the "The author formerly known as" names popping up suddenly? It's an interesting fad, but a little too long for me. Then again, maybe I should change my name to "The author currently known as Lady of the Wolves". What do you think?
Chapter Six: All That Twinkles
Positively burning with anger, Alanna stormed out of the palace and threw open the heavy doors to the stables, startling a young hostler. Not bothering to apologize, she pulled on a dark cloak with a hood, stomped over to her prized mare's stall, and yanked the door open. Moonlight nickered her concern, peering at Alanna out of her soft, dark eyes.
The Lioness sighed. "I'm just so sick of it!" she cried softly, burying her face in Moonlight's velvety mane. "I'm sick of being a princess, having to wear dresses, and I'm
just sick of being something that I'm not!" With that, the Lady Knight pulled her golden animal from the box stall and hastily saddled and bridled her.
"Lady Alanna?" a worried Stefan called, hurrying over, arms full of grooming brushes. Alanna paid no heed; she swung up onto the saddle in one swift, fluid motion and nudged Moonlight with her heel. The mare took off at a gallop and Alanna quickly left the stables behind.
It was twilight and the sunset was stunning. Pink clouds wafted over a vibrant orange ball of fire that was the sun. Alanna focused on the distant horizon of trees at the edge of her vision and urged the flaxen mare forward as they neared the palace gates to leave the Temple District. Pedestrians hurried to get out of the way of the charging animal and rider.
The gate guards looked up as she drew near. Too angry to stop, she didn't slow Moonlight as they approached the gate. But the guards were under orders and quickly held their long battle-axes over the gate frame. "What's the hurry?" asked a burly man with a thick, curly beard.
Alanna sighed and gritted her teeth. They did have reason to be suspicious, seeing a rider charge from the palace, but she didn't want to be delayed. "I'm on King's business!" she yelled, trying to constrain a rearing Moonlight; her mare sensed that her mistress wanted to get out of there - and fast.
"King's business?" repeated the other guard, a thinner man with sandy hair. "What kind o' business o' the King sends a rider galloping out o' the palace at this time o' night?" he questioned.
With a sigh of frustration, Alanna pulled back her hood. The guards squinted up at her, unable to see well in the growing darkness. "I am Princess Alanna," she declared, hating the way the words tasted in her mouth. Both the guards gasped, and recognizing her, they hurriedly pulled away the axes to allow her passing.
"But why, yer Majesty, do you need to-" the guard's question was left unanswered as the Lady Knight practically flew out the exit into the waiting city beyond.
Alanna welcomed the bitter wind on her face as she fought self anger at using her title to gain a mere thing such as passage through a gate. "I should have never become a princess," she muttered, fighting back angry tears.
As she entered the city of Corus, she couldn't help feeling a familiar sense of wonder. Even at night, the city was magnificent for a girl from the mountains. Lanterns were lit in windows and in shop fronts and in the few remaining stalls. She slowed Moonlight to a walk as they moved through the city.
What now? she asked herself. Truth be told, she hadn't a plan. In her rage she had just ran away. Ran away, she thought gloomily. Coram always told me that he'd never picture me running away. But that's what I'm doing now, isn't it?
Moonlight continued to trudge along placidly through the pretty much deserted streets as Alanna sat silently, thinking. A crescent moon had risen and it cast its pale light over Alanna and over the darkened streets.
Suddenly, a dark figure leapt out from the shadows and presented itself before Alanna......
Chapter Six: All That Twinkles
Positively burning with anger, Alanna stormed out of the palace and threw open the heavy doors to the stables, startling a young hostler. Not bothering to apologize, she pulled on a dark cloak with a hood, stomped over to her prized mare's stall, and yanked the door open. Moonlight nickered her concern, peering at Alanna out of her soft, dark eyes.
The Lioness sighed. "I'm just so sick of it!" she cried softly, burying her face in Moonlight's velvety mane. "I'm sick of being a princess, having to wear dresses, and I'm
just sick of being something that I'm not!" With that, the Lady Knight pulled her golden animal from the box stall and hastily saddled and bridled her.
"Lady Alanna?" a worried Stefan called, hurrying over, arms full of grooming brushes. Alanna paid no heed; she swung up onto the saddle in one swift, fluid motion and nudged Moonlight with her heel. The mare took off at a gallop and Alanna quickly left the stables behind.
It was twilight and the sunset was stunning. Pink clouds wafted over a vibrant orange ball of fire that was the sun. Alanna focused on the distant horizon of trees at the edge of her vision and urged the flaxen mare forward as they neared the palace gates to leave the Temple District. Pedestrians hurried to get out of the way of the charging animal and rider.
The gate guards looked up as she drew near. Too angry to stop, she didn't slow Moonlight as they approached the gate. But the guards were under orders and quickly held their long battle-axes over the gate frame. "What's the hurry?" asked a burly man with a thick, curly beard.
Alanna sighed and gritted her teeth. They did have reason to be suspicious, seeing a rider charge from the palace, but she didn't want to be delayed. "I'm on King's business!" she yelled, trying to constrain a rearing Moonlight; her mare sensed that her mistress wanted to get out of there - and fast.
"King's business?" repeated the other guard, a thinner man with sandy hair. "What kind o' business o' the King sends a rider galloping out o' the palace at this time o' night?" he questioned.
With a sigh of frustration, Alanna pulled back her hood. The guards squinted up at her, unable to see well in the growing darkness. "I am Princess Alanna," she declared, hating the way the words tasted in her mouth. Both the guards gasped, and recognizing her, they hurriedly pulled away the axes to allow her passing.
"But why, yer Majesty, do you need to-" the guard's question was left unanswered as the Lady Knight practically flew out the exit into the waiting city beyond.
Alanna welcomed the bitter wind on her face as she fought self anger at using her title to gain a mere thing such as passage through a gate. "I should have never become a princess," she muttered, fighting back angry tears.
As she entered the city of Corus, she couldn't help feeling a familiar sense of wonder. Even at night, the city was magnificent for a girl from the mountains. Lanterns were lit in windows and in shop fronts and in the few remaining stalls. She slowed Moonlight to a walk as they moved through the city.
What now? she asked herself. Truth be told, she hadn't a plan. In her rage she had just ran away. Ran away, she thought gloomily. Coram always told me that he'd never picture me running away. But that's what I'm doing now, isn't it?
Moonlight continued to trudge along placidly through the pretty much deserted streets as Alanna sat silently, thinking. A crescent moon had risen and it cast its pale light over Alanna and over the darkened streets.
Suddenly, a dark figure leapt out from the shadows and presented itself before Alanna......