The Palace, an Afternoon in Corus and a Ball
By: LadyIsabelle
~*~I own nothing you recognize and everything you don't! So please please please don't sue me! I'm broke, so you wouldn't get much anyways.
Alanna followed the footman into the palace, marveling at the exquisite artwork and statues. She gasped in amazement when she saw her brother coming towards her, followed by a few of his friends.
"Sister dear! How are you?" Thom asked.
She frowned. "I'm just fine Thom. And you?"
"Just lovely." He glanced down at her, "Why the frown?"
"I haven't seen you in 4 years and you ask me how I am?" In the background Thom's friends started to laugh.
"What?" He finally got the hint and gave her a big hug. (A/N aaw! And for the purpose of this story they are both 15) "I've missed you."
Alanna smiled and pulled out of the hug. "I've missed you too. Now are you going to introduce me to your friends?"
He blushed and glanced back at his friends. "This is Raoul of Goldenlake. And that is Alex of Tirrigan. And that is Gary of Naxen. And that is Prince Jonathan of Conte. The prince is my knight master."
Alanna glanced at each in turn. Raoul was a tall lad with black curly hair and an easy going smile. Alex had a secretive smile and eyes that felt like he was staring straight into her soul. Gary was tall with brown hair and a cute smile. And Prince Jonathan, when she saw him, she felt it was hard to breathe. He looked just like the man from her vision in the fire, except he was not as good looking and his eyes were not as cold. She curtsied in front of the prince and swept her skirts around gracefully. "Your highness, I'm very pleased to meet you."
He took her hand and kissed the back. "My lady, I'm pleased to meet you. And please call me Jon, I feel I already know you with all the descriptions my squire Thom has given me of you." He smiled at her then, and showed his perfect white teeth. (A/N I love Jon!)
"Then I must insist on you calling me Alanna. I'm really not a lady."
Gary snorted. "From what I hear, you are most definitely not a lady. Dunking Thom in the fishpond."
It was Thom's turn to blush scarlet. "Just once," he protested. "And I got her back with a dose of magic."
"Of course you did," put in Raoul. "And then she probably put a spider in your bed to watch you squirm." After that all of the boys laughed.
Alex smiled at Alanna. "Well won't she be the most elegant young lady with the squires and knights then tonight at the ball."
Alanna looked surprised. "A ball? Tonight? Since when? Sister Alessandra never said anything about a ball."
"Of course there is a ball. To celebrate the arrival of all the new girls from the convent. Although, the majority of them arrived yesterday. You my dear, are late," said Jon.
For some reason that made Alanna mad. "I'm not your dear. I'm nobody's dear. And I am late for very good reason. My carriage lost a wheel and we were forced to spend the night in it. And I fear, since there is a ball tonight, I must get ready." She curtsied and whirled and stormed down the hall.
"Whoa, good job Jon, she already hates you and it has been about five minutes since you met her," Gary said.
"Hates me? I didn't say anything bad. I called her dear, all the rest of the girls in this court would swoon to hear me call them dear!" Jon protested.
"Maybe she isn't like other girls," returned Raoul.
"Girls? They are all the same. They all want to get married, have a nice husband, have children, and watch over their fiefs."
Thom raised an eyebrow. "I daresay, Alanna is quite different then. All her life she wanted to be a female knight, not a buffle brained lady. And I have a feeling Jon, that her time at the convent hasn't changed her one bit." The knights all laughed and walked off, following Jon to the practice courts.
Of course it hadn't. Alanna was currently in her room, changing into breeches and a shirt. She had tied up her hair, and jumped out the window, heading out into the lower city. She walked down until she came to a pub called The Dancing Dove. She walked in and looked around for George.
"Now, what's a pretty young lass like yourself doin' at such a disreputable place?"
Alanna whirled around and saw it was only the Rogue. "Well, what's such a disreputable man doin with such a lovely lass?"
He laughed. "Ah, Thom was right. You do have a tongue on you. I would have said something about that to you a few nights ago, but I don't believe Stardrifter would approve of me talkin' personal like."
Alanna frowned. "You know Thom? He isn't?"
He shook his head. "No. He's not ready. Perhaps someday."
She nodded. "Oh. He always was a late bloomer."
"Heh. Why don't you come upstairs with me and we will start training." She nodded her approval and headed up the back stairs with George. When they reached the rooms, Alanna hesitated. "What?" George asked.
"Nothing. It's just that the sisters wouldn't approve."
At that comment George threw his head back and laughed. "I'm not going to be takin advantage of ye, so its okay. And those sisters don't know what the hell they are talkin' about anyways. They haven't set foot outside of those convents in years. They think that holdin hands with a man is not allowed till your married. In the lower city, that's just friendly."
She blushed scarlet. "Well, it's not my fault. They influence me way too much. And its not like I'm that innocent George Cooper!" She shook her head at him and stalked into the room.
"Where'd you learn my last name lass? There are precious few in the palace that know it. Or in," he looked around to see signs of eavesdropping and continued, "the Nightrunners."
"I have my ways," she drawled. "Now are we going to get to learning something about fighting?" George nodded and took off his vest and shoes. Alanna followed suit, taking off her shoes and followed George into the middle of the room. The two continued to fight the rest of the afternoon, stopping only when dusk fell.
Alanna, getting of the ground, where George had so nicely put her, gasped. "Oh horse shit! I'm supposed to be at the palace getting ready for a ball." She grabbed her shoes and ran out the door up the long hill to the palace. George watched her laughing. Grimacing he rubbed his stomach, Alanna did pack a pretty mean punch.
Alanna of course, by this time, had reached the palace and was being fussed over by Sister Alessandra. "Alanna of Trebond, I expected more honor of you. Being late for a ball is not a good way to start your first day in court." Sister Alessandra had smuggled Alanna into her room and changed her into a suitable dress for tonight's ball. The dress was silver, edged in purple, to match Alanna's eyes. She also wore a small chain of pearls to offset the rather steep neckline of the dress.
"But I was, doing something important," she protested. "Its not like I was wandering around the city looking at dresses!"
Sister Alessandra snorted. "I know very well what you were doing young Trebond. And if you weren't so much like your mother, why I'd probably pop you one upside the head."
Alanna looked at Sister Alessandra strangely and replied, "You knew my mother?"
Sister Alessandra nodded and continued putting up Alanna's slightly unruly hair. "Of course I did. She was my student before she fell in love with your father."
"Your student? You mean she was part of the organization?"
"Yes. No one ever told you? She was the Panther, strong and as silent as night. She was to be great. And then love got in the way. She couldn't get married and still pretend to be a maiden and work at the Nightrunners at the same time. So she gave us up. Perhaps it was good she did."
"She loved my father?" Alanna asked in disbelief. "And she worked for the Nightrunners? Impossible. That's not possible. She couldn't have."
"Why not?" Sister Alessandra asked, her face unreadable.
"Well, everything I ever heard about my mother said that she was a delicate lady, perfect and obeying, the absolute noble woman to the hair. How could she have worked for Nightrunners?"
"She was a very special lady. She was one of the best. One of the best."
Alanna thought it all fit into place. People jumping at her when she walked through the halls at the Nightrunners lair, the older servants at the lair, they all thought she looked like her mother. "I see. Why did you say that it was perhaps for the best?"
"Because the Shadowlost was hot on her tail. She had gone on some very dangerous missions. He had almost succeeded in killing her several times while she was pregnant with you and Thom. When she died, we all mourned her death, but celebrated that she died free of the Shadowlost. Do you understand?"
"Not fully. But I think I may with time."
"Good now, get moving, you have a ball to get too. And I won't be here tomorrow. I'm back to the lair and then to the convent."
Alanna nodded and walked out the door. She followed the steady stream of maiden's coming out of the doors to the grand hallway. Timon Greendale, and the herald approached her.
"Alanna of Trebond, I presume?"
"Yes."
The herald looked her up and down, "You'll be paired with Sir Raoul of Goldenlake. Although, you two don't quite fit. He's about double your size."
Alanna glared at the herald and walked away, bumping straight into Delia of Eldorne.
"Well, if it isn't the resident clown of the convent?" Delia drawled.
"Delia, you must have found a good perfume, I couldn't smell the stench of you till I made it into the room."
She laughed. "Our resident misfit wants to try to treat me without respect. I really feel sorry for you Alanna. You'll never snag a husband with that face of yours. I really do feel sorry."
"You know something Delia, I feel sorry for you."
"Oh?" Delia arched a perfectly manicured eyebrow. "Why is that?"
"Because Delia, no matter how perfect you are, you will snag a husband. And that husband will keep you pregnant and on his fief. Once you lose your virginity and start having babies, you won't be as pretty. You'll be an overspent noble wife with no other cares than her fief and husbands needs. You will be miserable and I will be happy."
The other girls around gasped. Delia narrowed her eyes, "What makes you think that you won't end up the same?"
"I know my heart. And I'd rather die than get married for money or power."
"And you think you can overpower the system because you know your heart?"
Alanna glared at her, "I know I won't be some man's whore to get myself a better title."
Delia swore at her and turned and stalked away. Almost out of the room and up the stairs to get presented, she turned, "You'll regret that bitch." Alanna shook her head and followed her up the stairs.
"Lady Alanna of Trebond," the herald announced. Alanna stood at the top of the stairs and took Raoul's arm and walked down the stairs. She swept a curtsy and presented herself to the monarchs. Queen Lianne and King Roald nodded and Alanna retired to a corner. She was followed by Raoul and Gary.
"Milady, I'm glad to see you up and about after today's tiff with the prince," said Gary.
"Tiff? Up and about? It didn't bother me at all Sir Gareth. I'm sure it didn't bother the prince, a small tiff with a lowly lady of the court."
Gary wrinkled his nose. "Please don't call me Sir Gareth. Gary is fine. And Prince Jonathan was horribly upset."
She raised an eyebrow. "Of course Gary. And I am Alanna. I'm truly not a lady. Not at all.
"Of course L-Alanna. And you should dance, you will be the most elegant on the dance floor."
"No, Gary, I don't dance. If you would like a court beauty to dance with you should go find Delia of Eldorne. I'm sure she will oblige. Of course, she might just dance with you to get closer to the Prince, but I'm sure you will enjoy it."
He looked surprised. "Really? Is that so? Well, I'm sure you and Raoul will get along great. He hates social gatherings. And by your attitude and lovely smile, you have similar feelings." He laughed and walked away after seeing the outraged expression on Alanna's face.
She turned to Raoul and motioned him to sit down. "Its true you know. I hate social functions. I really don't like being put on display for the whole court. It's not my idea of fun."
Raoul smiled and said, "Well, its not my cup of tea either. And what is your idea of fun? Most of the noble ladies think of balls, clothes, and husbands, or so I've noticed."
She laughed. "Its true. They were so incessant at the convent. And for fun, I like to ride my horse, Goldenrod, and other non-girlish things."
"Non-girlish things? I don't suppose you mean fighting? Or fencing?" he started to chuckle.
Alanna just stared at him. "Its possible. But since you don't think a girl is capable of such things, then I don't care to describe what I do."
He stopped laughing to stare back at her. "You are serious, aren't you? Where did you learn that kind of thing? I would have expected that of you. You don't exactly seem the type to go and flirt with men to get a good husband."
"Of course I'm serious. And I don't think we should discuss it here. I don't want to get in trouble with the lovely Sisters for being unladylike. I'm in enough trouble as it is. And as for flirting, I think Goldenrod flirts better than I." She smiled and glanced around at the dancers.
He nodded and looked at the dancers too, and said, "Looks like Lady Delia and his highness are getting along. I wonder how that relationship will turn out."
"Eh, she's a viper. She won't be any good for him. Mind you, I don't think anything could save him. He's into himself enough for about ten people."
"He's really not that bad," Raoul protested. "He's not that conceited. And you have to allow a certain level of conceit, he is the crown prince of Tortall," he pointed out.
"That's not an excuse. It's like saying that I can't fight because I'm a girl."
"But that's not typical. Its not like he wanted to be prince, he was just born into it. I don't think you get a choice. It's just the way he is and you are the way you are."
"Well, aren't you a philosopher Raoul. I suppose he does have a little excuse. A little little one. But I still don't have to like him."
"Who ever said you had to like him? I'm just saying you shouldn't get mad at him for being who he is."
"But I never was mad at him for being a prince. I was mad because he called me dear, and he never asked to flirt with me. Especially when my brother was right there."
"Ah, I see. You weren't sure how to react. And you were embarrassed because you didn't want your brother to see."
"Exactly. No! Wait, no that's not what happened. I just didn't like him doing it, that's all."
Raoul grinned. "Sure, Alanna. I'm sure that's what it was." Alanna glared at him and stuck her tongue out.
"Whatever you want to believe Raoul. Whatever you want to believe." Thom, who had been watching Raoul and Alanna closely the whole evening, chose that moment to walk over and offer some drinks.
"Milady, Milord, may I offer you something to drink?" He grinned at them, and swept out a tray.
"Heh, Thom I'm not thirsty. And how long have you been listening? And don't give me that look Thom, you used to eavesdrop on everything at Trebond."
He gave Alanna a shocked look. "I would never." He then proceeded to chuckle, but continued anyways. "Alas, you know me too well Alanna. And I started to listen only when my knight-master," he glanced at Jonathan, who was being fawned over by Lady Delia, "asked me to."
"He WHAT?" Alanna screamed?
"Sssh, sshh, Alanna, don't make a scene," Thom said.
"I'll make bloody scene where I bloody well want too! And he's going to hear about it too." There was no need to ask whom the "he" was. Alanna stood up and was stopped by Raoul's restraining hand.
"That's not such a good idea Alanna. He won't like the idea of being yelled at in front of the whole court."
"Don't worry. I won't yell at him in front of the WHOLE court. I promise."
"Don't do anything too hasty, you might regret it later," Raoul warned.
"I won't," she whispered and walked away. She walked straight across the dance floor, cutting between the pairs and right to where Jonathan and Delia were sitting. She smiled sweetly at Delia, who smirked at her.
"My prince, may I present Lady Alanna of Trebond," Delia said.
"We've met," replied Jon.
"Your highness, your squire would like to have a word with you in the gardens. He will be waiting for you." She glanced down at Delia, "Have a nice night."
Walking away from Jon, she walked straight into the gardens and sat down on a bench somewhere halfway between the palace and great wall surrounding it. Jonathan appeared about two minutes later.
"My lady, where is my squire?"
She glared at him. "He isn't here. I just didn't want to embarras you in front of the whole court."
He looked puzzled. "Embarrassed? How could you embarrass me? We've only just met."
"Oh, I don't know. I'm just a bubble head girl, who can't hold two thoughts in my head. And I don't like you sending Thom to spy on me!"
"Wait, Thom told you that I sent him to spy on you?"
"Yes. And I believe him. Why would he lie?"
"I never said I didn't. You just haven't given me a chance to justify my reasons yet."
"You have reasons to spy on me? You are unbelievable!"
"I do have reasons, and if you calm down and sit down I'll tell you about them. And the whole court does not need to know." Alanna promptly sat down, she really wanted to know why this son of a bitch thought he could spy on her.
"Well, I wanted to spy on you to know more about you. Most other girls would have fallen at my feet if I had called them dear," ignoring a indignant squawk from Alanna, he continued, "And you seemed different. A lot different. I wanted to know more about you."
She opened her mouth outraged and said, "And I'm supposed to believe that crock of shit? You could be an enemy who wanted to know my intentions towards you!"
"An enemy? How could a girl like you have an enemy?"
"I have a larger than life enemy whom you will never even hope to face and not die. You need to grow up and look around. The evilness is invading Tortall. Already Tusaine readies for war. And you sit around and spy on me?!"
Jonathan drew in a sharp intake of breath, "Tusaine is readying for war? How did you know that? I'm the prince and I didn't know that!"
"How could you not know? The signs are blatant. They have come and gone. And they know what our country is like, they want to fight."
He sat down and looked at her. "You are one of them, aren't you?"
"One of what?" she asked suspiciously.
"A Nightrunner. I can tell."
"Ssh. Don't say that where people can hear you. They are everywhere. And how did you know?"
"I saw you come in with Sister Alessandra. She always escorts the new operatives in."
"Are you an operative?"
"No. And yes. Sort of."
"Can you be half an operative?" She looked at him closely to see if he was lying.
"I'm not lying. I know all about the Nightrunners. They wanted to be an operative but I couldn't without endangering my position as heir. So I pass along information whenever possible and help out in the palace. George mentioned a new operative was coming but he never said it was a woman. And he said that the operative had valuable information. Gods all bless!"
She shifted slightly. "I have the official papers in my rooms. I can get them for you if you would like. And don't feel bad. I knew I had to pass the information onto you somehow. I wasn't sure. So I figured you would spy on me because I was new and all."
He smiled at her. "George told me that you would be a good person to spy on. He was trying to lead us in the right direction. Is it possible for me to go get the reports now? They could be urgent."
She nodded and they both stood up. "Come on, it's this way." The two walked out of the garden, thinking they were unseen. However, two very jealous green eyes were watching them.
Jon and Alanna walked back to her rooms. She opened them and motioned Jon to come in. "You can sit down over there and I'll go get the report. To tell you the truth I honestly have no clue as to what is in them, so I don't know what to expect. Only, I'm supposed to pass on whatever you say to my superior."
He nodded and sat down. "That should be fine. If its bad news then I will take it to my father and make sure your name and source are concealed."
She held up an envelope and handed it over. "I'll need to get into the private meetings. I'll need to know pretty much everything."
He opened the envelope and read. Then he swore violently. "Alanna, thank you for the information. I'll think about getting you into the meetings, and if I can't you'll just have to listen to the information I pick up."
She nodded. "What is the news?"
"War. With Tusaine. I'll let you know when we march and I'll think of some excuse for you to come along. Can you heal?"
"Yes. A little."
"Good. Let me talk to the council and I'll see what I can do." He looked down at the paper again. "Thank you," he said waiting for her spirit name.
"Lioness," she said softly.
"Thank you Lady Lioness, for helping us on our way to defeat Tusaine." He bowed and left the room, heading towards his father at the ball.
A/N Wow, on my computer this chapter is 15 pages long!! Thank you so much for the reviews! I love you! I love you! Okay, in case you are confused, this story takes place during In the Hand of the Goddess. I'm not sure how far I will take it, I'm kind of planning on the end of LR. But, it won't be that long. This will not be a reacuring thing. Next chapter we go to war! And I'm also not sure whether it will be A/J or A/G. I'm almost positive Thayet will make an appearance sometime. Please review! I want 5 reviews or we leave Alanna hanging, waiting for Jon to come back! Thank you to everyone who reads and reviews! Please please please review! Oh yeah, the two eyes are Delia, who is going straight to…we'll find out next chapter! Buhahaha!