Disclaimer: see chap. 1! (
Awake
Ileana awoke with the sun, as she had always done. Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked around her. This was not the forest she had fallen asleep in during the calm of the storm! She was lying beside a wide road, and judging by the state of it, a very well used one. She looked at the surrounding vegetation. Tall trees, dry and needing water. The air smelt of brine and salt. She was near the sea, and sure she was still in Tortall. Suddenly she leapt to her feet, her hand reach for the small dagger she kept in her dress pockets. Her well-attuned ears had picked up the sound of hooves thundering on the road. She crept behind a tree and waited for the party of riders to arrive. The sight that greeted her eyes as she looked down the road made all her fear and suspicion drain away, only to be replaced by awe and wonder. Riding up the road was the most glorious thing she'd ever seen, a full party of the kings own, their Armour shining in the early morning sun, their mounts strong and proud. In her state of awe Ileana completely forgot about her earlier reaction of hiding, and stepped out from behind the tree to stare openly at the Knights. As they approached her their leader called a halt, and directed his mount towards the ten year old girl. Dismounted the knight was almost shorter than her, and he had the purplest eyes she'd ever seen. Suddenly the truth hit her; this knight was none other than the legendary Alanna of Trebond and Olau! Her mouth opened wider, (if that is humanly possible) and, as the result of such a traumatic day, fell to the ground in a dead faint.
Ileana awoke with the sun, as she had always done. Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked around her. This was not the forest she had fallen asleep in during the calm of the storm! She was lying beside a wide road, and judging by the state of it, a very well used one. She looked at the surrounding vegetation. Tall trees, dry and needing water. The air smelt of brine and salt. She was near the sea, and sure she was still in Tortall. Suddenly she leapt to her feet, her hand reach for the small dagger she kept in her dress pockets. Her well-attuned ears had picked up the sound of hooves thundering on the road. She crept behind a tree and waited for the party of riders to arrive. The sight that greeted her eyes as she looked down the road made all her fear and suspicion drain away, only to be replaced by awe and wonder. Riding up the road was the most glorious thing she'd ever seen, a full party of the kings own, their Armour shining in the early morning sun, their mounts strong and proud. In her state of awe Ileana completely forgot about her earlier reaction of hiding, and stepped out from behind the tree to stare openly at the Knights. As they approached her their leader called a halt, and directed his mount towards the ten year old girl. Dismounted the knight was almost shorter than her, and he had the purplest eyes she'd ever seen. Suddenly the truth hit her; this knight was none other than the legendary Alanna of Trebond and Olau! Her mouth opened wider, (if that is humanly possible) and, as the result of such a traumatic day, fell to the ground in a dead faint.