~*~*~*~ The Pride of the Convent ~*~*~*~
Chapter Seven: A Sharp Blade And A Soft Side
Genre: General/Action/Romance
Rating: PG-13.
Disclaimer: Jon's run off, and I can't seem to find him! Oh well, I'm sure he'll turn up! Characters you've borrowed don't tend to behave too well, but I think Tamora for writing about these wonderful (and less pleasing adjectives as I speak of Eldorne) characters. She's a goddess!
Author's Note: I NEED TO READ SQUIRE!!!!!! I finished The First Test and Page last night….and I need more Protector….Oh okay, time to focus on this story! Thom chapter, some Gary, because he's a helpless romantic and who knows what else!
~~~
"You've got to swear on Mithros that you won't tell a soul what I'm about to tell you, not even your overlord!" Alanna said, quickly, pulling Thom into her room. She wouldn't use Jon's name. She was rather vexed with him still.
"Okay! I swear!" Thom agreed, eyeing Alanna with growing curiosity.
Alanna told him about her life working for the Rogue, leaving out nothing.
Thom's mouth fell open when she finished. "Great Mithros…"
"Thom, you can't tell anyone!" she protested.
"I won't. I just didn't think you…well…okay, maybe I can see you working for the Rogue." Thom shook his head, but was clearly not disappointed.
"I hear you know the Rogue," Alanna said, trying to take the attention away from herself.
Thom nodded. "He helps me smuggle things to you." He paused, shook his head and said, "Oh the irony! Well, George and I are friends, of sorts. We visit him when we can."
"We?! Goddess Thom! Who's we?" Alanna said, raising her voice a bit.
"Oh, Jon, Gary and Raoul. We didn't quite think Alex would want to meet him."
"Isn't it dangerous for the Prince to go prancing around with the King of Thieves?" Alanna hissed.
A voice from the door asked, "Concerned for my safety, Lady Alanna?"
Alanna said a mild curse aloud and looked at the open door, where Jon stood leaning against the doorframe.
"How much did you hear?" she asked, quietly.
"Actually, only from when you yelled 'Goddess Thom!' Came to see if you were mauling my squire. But, it's touching to know you care, Lady." He gave her a rather bland grin, that she could easily interpret. It quite clearly said: You made me look a fool. Grovel, and I'll take you back. Alanna snorted to herself. When pigs fly! she thought.
"No highness, I fear only for the safety of the crown." She gave him a curt smile, curtsied and left.
Alanna wanted more then anything to visit the Rogue. He seemed the only break from the torture of palace life. He was funny, charming, and wholly more interesting then any one in the palace, and, she realized, he treats me like an equal. The realization both scared her and warmed her. Maybe someone out there did care. Alanna laughed. How silly I am! The Rogue would never feel that way about me!
She found herself down near the practice yards, and watched as a pack of boys ran up the hill and toward the lake for a swim. Aha! she thought. I can nick a sword from the practice armory! She grinned at her cleverness, and strode across the practice yards and into the practice armory, and looked at the swords. She hefted a few, finding none to her taste. One she hefted weighed nicely in her hand however, and she stepped to the center of the room to test a few swings. It was only when she turned to test the blades ease of maneuvering did she notice that she was being watched. Sir Gareth, Gary, the younger stood at the door to the armory.
Alanna shut her eyes, and said a prayer to the Goddess, and with a side note, to the Crooked God.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Alanna!" Gary said, quickly. "I just wanted to make sure the pages didn't make too much a mess of the armory!"
"You're probably wondering what I'm doing here, aren't you?" Alanna asked, setting the blade back on the rack.
Gary shrugged. "Wondering what such a sweet lady would need a sword for. Surely many a knight will have sworn to protect such a treasure."
"Quite the romantic, aren't you, Gary?"
Spots of color formed on the knight's cheeks. "I suppose. What do you need a sword for, Alanna?"
"I protect myself, Gary. I left my blade back at the convent and haven't been able to practice this week! I don't want to loose my touch."
"I didn't think they allowed ladies blades at the convent," Gary mused.
Alanna laughed. "They don't."
Gary gave her a small look of confusion.
"Can you keep a secret, Gary?" Alanna asked, grinning.
Gary nodded, sharing half a grin with her. She went over to sit on the steps, and motioned for him to sit as well.
Alanna laughed. "I never wanted to go to the convent! I only wanted to become a warrior maiden and travel the realm helping people and doing good deeds! My brother and I tried to pull a switch on our man-at-arms, but he wasn't easily fooled. He switched my brother and I back, and he came here, to fulfill my dreams and I went to the convent to live a nightmare!"
"You would have tried to win your shield?" Gary asked in awe.
She nodded. "I wanted it with all my heart. Part of me still does, but I know that time is passed. I still want to do good deeds though, and figured some training in the fighting arts wouldn't hurt."
Gary grinned at her. "Amazing! You must be the only lady I know who would have ever dared."
"Insanity runs in my family," she mused.
"Of course it does! You're related to Thom!" Gary laughed.
"So, you don't think less of me for being unladylike?" Alanna asked, quietly, eyeing Gary.
"Honestly, Alanna, I think more of you. You've managed to be both a proper lady and a will be heroine."
"You really think I could do great deeds one day?" she asked, awed.
"Well, it wouldn't surprise me! Now, let's find you a decent blade, shall we? But, please, don't tell anyone I'm helping you. The Prince would throw a royal fit!" He winked at her rolled eye and pulled a blade from the rack and handed it to Alanna.
It fit perfectly in her grasp and weighed down just enough. She stepped back from Gary and swung it a few times.
"It's perfect!"
He gave her a small grin. "C'mon. I think there's an indoor practice court empty and away from prying eyes. I'd like to see what you know so far."
Her face brightened in a huge grin and wide eyes.
Alanna stood in the center of the court and pulled her hair into a horsetail and slipped off her shoes. Despite the fact that she was wearing a dress, she swung the blade easily and maneuvered just as easily.
"Go through the practices as you would every day," Gary instructed, watching from a bench at the edge of the room.
Alanna first stretched, then waved her blade in arc to the left, reversed to the right, and repeated it five times. She then practiced high strikes and high blocks, moving her blade from guard to the position with accuracy and speed. She practiced her middle strikes and blocks, and then her low strikes and blocks. Satisfied with how she'd done on those, she did a few minutes of free styling, and then, breathing a bit heavily after her work, went over to Gary.
"You've got brilliant form!" he complimented. "Where'd you learn it?"
"Thom sent me a book on swordplay," she said, twisting her tight wrists in circles to stretch them.
Gary laughed. "Trust Thom to learn it all from a book!"
Alanna grinned. "He wouldn't be Thom if he couldn't trust in a book."
"Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to test your skills a bit further. Do you think you could meet me back here tomorrow, at the same time?" he asked.
"Would you really help me with my skills?" she asked, ecstatic.
"Of course! I'm no where near the best, you'd have to get Alex for that, but I can wield a sword fairly."
"Oh thank you Gary!" She hugged him tightly.
"I'll see what I can do to get you some practice clothes. You certainly don't want to slash up a dress like that!" He said, as he took her blade from her and tucked it under a shoulder. "Don't want anyone to get the wrong idea. I'll escort you back to your room with your weapon."
She thanked him over and over, and then told him that she had a pair of boy's clothes.
"Somehow," he laughed, "that doesn't surprise me!"
Alanna clipped the sword, in its leather scabbard that Gary had brought by to her belt and changed her hair and eyes. She took one more look at herself in the mirror, and, satisfied with her appearance, slid from the palace and down to the Dove.
George greeted her with a grin and a clap on the back.
"Feelin' better darlin'?" he asked, eyes dancing.
"Yes, much!" she said, with a grin.
"You'll have to tell me what has happened since yesterday after our little meeting then. C'mon, let's go see if we can't turn this deal around." He pulled her through the door and they slid through Corus Common. George led her to a building she recognized as one they'd passed on an earlier mission. George listened at the door.
"He's in their with his blasted woman!" he cursed quietly.
Alanna gave him a scolding look and he was quick to assure her. "I hate fighting in front of innocent women!"
She shrugged and nodded. "Let's make this quick and clean then. How many men do you think he's got to back him up?"
"None," George said, biting his lip. "He's just enjoying a gods-blest night with his family!" She could tell George didn't like this situation. She wasn't much for it either.
"Then, like I said. We'll make it nice and clean. I'll keep a watch on the women and children. You take him out back, and talk to him, and threaten him some. No blood unless he attacks you first, understand?"
He frowned. "I'm taking orders from a gods-blest woman!" he said, with a sigh. She gave him another scolding look, and he sighed again. "Fine. Knock, or just let ourselves in?"
"Oh, let ourselves in of course! You are the one he answers to, and I'm…I'm…" she searched for a word.
"Indescribable," George said dryly. "On three. One…two…three!"
He shoved the door opened, and walked in, Alanna at his heels. A man and his wife were sitting down to dinner. A child was asleep in a bed near the fire.
The couple turned white.
"I'll be needing to talk to you," George said to the man, quietly. The man nodded, looking utterly panic stricken. Alanna went over to his wife and put an arm on her shoulder and whispered in her ear, "No tricks. Hear me?"
The woman nodded, clearly frightened.
Jon pulled the man out back behind the house and began talking to him in a low, but only mildly threatening voice.
"Please…don't kill me Mistress!" the woman pleaded.
"Great Goddess! Are you entirely thick? I'm not going to kill you, and if your husband works with his Majesty, then he won't be hurt either." Alanna sighed.
The woman cowered in fear.
Alanna pushed the woman into a chair and poured her a cup of tea and forced it into her hands. The woman sipped it, eyeing Alanna, who watched the woman from her point near the door. The child remained asleep, thankfully.
"I…er…like the quilt by the hearth. Did you sew that, ma'am?" Alanna asked, trying to make idle chatter to pass the time, and to calm the woman so she wouldn't cry out and ruin their plans of a clean deal.
The woman nodded. "I made it for Lucas," she said, pointing to the sleeping child.
"It's very beautiful. And your child looks very dear." Alanna wondered how much longer George would take.
"Oh he is! Have you any lads of your own?" the woman said, clearly calming down.
"Oh, no ma'am!" Alanna said, turning a light shade of red.
"That man of yours doesn't want children?" the woman asked, clearing referring to George as Alanna's man.
"Oh, no. I just work for his Majesty. We're very good friends, but nothing more!"
"Sorry, Mistress."
Alanna was a bit sorry herself, but wouldn't let herself admit it.
George strolled back in a few minutes later, clearly looking disappointed. The man followed, bowing over and over to George. He took a box from the hearth and handed George a small sack. George hefted the bag and nodded.
"Thanks for your time," he said, bowing his head and left, Alanna following, smiling once more at the woman.
"That was a let down!" George said, as they headed back to the Dove.
"He let the money go that easily?" Alanna asked.
George nodded, with half of a shrug. "Don't be surprised if one of his men strolls into the Dove with half a mind to take it back though."
Alanna shook her head. "He only wanted to protect his wife. Right?"
George nodded.
"Are his men married?" Alanna said, pulling a dagger from her belt and gently polishing it with a sleeve.
"None that I know of."
"Thank the Goddess!" Alanna exclaimed.
George grinned at her. "Never the innocent, are you Alanna?"
She returned his grin and said, "No, never, Majesty!"
~~~
Author's Note: Well, another chapter done. Let me tell you, this one was harder for me to write then I though! Gary went a bit Cleon there for a moment. Don't know where that came from, but trust me, it'll be back. Well, a softer side to the Rogue. Something Alanna needed to see. Agree? I don't know. I can't tell if I like this or not. I was just typing. I don't know where the ideas were coming from…. Maybe a bit out of character…who knows! Action early in the next chapter and the Eldorne chick! And now, the tedious job of talking about what reviews I've gotten. Goddess I hate doing this! If I miss you, I'm sorry! I forgot where I left off! And gosh I have a lot to go through……ugh….
To:
Lady Of the Lost: It's ALL his fault. Glad you are liking it! I'm trying to get A/G fluff, but I want him to be better for Alanna, so she has to realize how great his is first.
Krazy Kitty: Wow! That was one of the best reviews I've ever gotten! Hey, you don't have any TP posted. Have you written any? I'd like to read if you have. As far as I saw, what you wrote was a bit out of my medium, but I bet if I got it, I'd like it! I'm glad you like mine! :: grins and feels all warm inside::
Xelena: Goddess! Don't you read Author's notes? LOL! Eventual A/G, but we'll just see what happens to Jonny boy.
LadyIsabelle: I'll write as fast as I can, and still try to keep it making sense! I try to get two chapters a week!
FireVerde: ::cowers in fear:: Okay, no self-doubt! I'll try….I am one of those that usually puts A/N's in the chapters, but I'll try not to. They are distracting!
Inicana: She had to meet up with George somehow! Glad you like it!
SnowAngel: I'll try to slow it down, because nothing too catastrophic is coming up for at least a week! Thanks for the comment!
Searchn4somethinmore: I love your fic! You need to post! ::blushes:: Thanks! I think talent is too strong a word, but thanks!! You're making me blush!
Raie: Glad you like it!
For the person who likes to flame but not put their name: If you mean corny as fluffy, find another fic! This is how my story stays, and if you're not gonna sign your review, well I'm not going to bend over backwards to make it less corny. I like corny.
Adrianna: Sometimes Alanna is a bit out of character, I know. But, I try to keep her in character as best as I can. Thanks for liking how I'm writing George! I love the whole idea of his character, smooth, roguish, mischievous…
Banana: Thanks!
White-wolf: I'll keep posting if you keep reading! **wink** Glad you're enjoying it! I'm having a ball writing it! Glad you like my style!!! I love it when people like my style! Glad you'll like it no matter what! You're wonderful!
Vanessa: I write short chapters, and I have nothing else to do! I'm happy you like it!
Amy: A/J is only fluff here! It would never be perfect A/J if I wrote it. I just can't write A/J seriously. Please don't stop reading because of their little fight!
Goddess of Whatever: ::whispers 'Marcia, Marcia, Marcia..'::
Julz: She's was caught up in the moment. I think she'll think a bit harder next time. I'm glad you like it!
Silver Lioness: E-mail updates as posted! By far??? Whoa! Thanks!!!! I didn't think it was that good! More A/G in the future!
Silenttina: **wink** Much more Thom to come!
Lulu: One of the best? You all give me WAY too much credit! Thanks!!!!! ::blushes::
Rhapsody: What'd I do???? I'm scared!! I'll write more! Just don't kill me!!! Please!
Ali275: Thanks!
Virgo: ::turns crimson:: I'm glad you like my style! And my grammar. I won't slack on that! Glad you like it as far as Alanna/convent stories go. I like a lot of them!
WingsofJade: Judging as you haven't reviewed, I'm figuring that you're not reading this and I drove you up a wall with the romance, but note the genre! It just can't be helped!Lady Uline: ::curtsies:: Thanks! **wink**
Jqy: Plenty more postings on the way! Thanks!
Neva: You have my idea down to a T! Only fluff! And George IS so cooler!
Temptress: I hope your questions have been answered, and I hope you like the way I answered them! Roger is still in Carthak. He'll be here soon! Eventual G/A. A/J fluff.
Jade: Thanks!!!!!
Michelle: My gosh! The best? You should read some more Alanna fics then! ::blushes crimson:: You're sucking up so I'll post! And you're doing a good job! Thanks for the many nice comments! Post lately on yours? You'd better have!
Midnight Flame: He's only here for fluff. Like a bunny.
Stich: I won't let the A/J fans kill you! Like it when Jon got made a fool in court? I did! Alanna needs her little comedic quips, but she needs her seriousness too, so a little comedy is a necessity! Glad you like!
The Lady Rogue: His wonderful hazel eyes… A/J fluff is necessary so Alanna can get mad at Jon and take comfort in…hmm…who could it be? **wink** They won't be sleeping together any time soon! Trust me! It's PG-13 for a reason. Reasonable fluff, but nothing R. Promise! Ah…my evil plan…and so it will continue!
To another unknown reviewer: Indeed! Go George!
Call Me Sane: I don't know what my ending is yet! I'm glad I don't have a molded story! And I'm glad you like it! It makes me all happy!
Aurora/Alanna 15: Glad you like where I'm taking it! Don't beg! I won't quit writing a fic I love to write so much! **wink**
Lady Knight Of Kennan: I'm trying for interesting. We'll just have to see! Glad you like it!
Caitlin: Jon's just there for fluff, and to break hearts of young ladies. Where will our broken hearted Lioness turn? **wink** I agree! I couldn't do that to Alanna!
Lady Katherine: I'm glad you understand. Sorry if the little fight between Alanna and Jon made you think less of the story. It was vital!
I THINK I'M DONE!!!!! Sorry if I left you out!That took forever! NO more putting that task off!
If you don't like where it's going, and are going to stop reading, could you at least leave a flame on your way out? I hate the feeling of loosing readers but not knowing if they are truly lost!
Okay. I'm posting. Woo hoo! I e-mail a few people that request it, when I post. If you want to be added, say so in a review. I'm noplainjane19@yahoo.com, Just so you know!
Cheers all! You're wonderful!!!!!!!