Chapter 4
Disclaimer: None of Tamora Pierce's fabulous characters are mine so don't file a lawsuit against me! By the way don't you think she should make movies out of the Alanna books?
Notes: Hello there! Thanks to everyone who reviewed. As for Alanna and Larie figuring each other out you'll just have to wait and see now won't you.
Larie finished opening her gift with her small friend huddled in her lap. She decided to name the young pup Joan just because her eyes seemed to say that Joan was her name. By the time Larie had unwrapped a new saddle from the baron and other various gifts from her friends the sun had risen in the sky and it was no longer early morning. She decided it was late to go seek out Prince Jon with her gift.
After dressing, she strode out into the hall towards Jonathan's room. Standing in front of the heavy door, she rapped on it lightly. Miles, their history teacher, swung opened the door to reveal Jon sitting up and Alan, sweating, sitting on a chair beside his bed.
" Jon are you okay?" She asked him concerned then looked at Alan who looked in worse shape than Jon, " Alan are you okay?"
Jon spoke first, " Thanks to Alan I will be fine."
" I just need a little rest, that's all," Alan assured Larie and smiled meekly.
" Well, ummm, the reason I came was to bring you this, Jon," Larie said as she handed him the package, which she now realized was wrapped rather sloppily, " Umm I forgot to leave it out with the rest of my gifts for the maids to deliver. And thank you the knife is beautiful."
It's just a little white lie, she thought, He doesn't need to know I forgot to get him a gift until I opened his.
Jon slowly untied the package and pulled out the contents, "Wow" he whispered, " I can't take this. It's too valueable a gift." He tried to shove the stone back to Larie but she wouldn't take it.
" No it's for you." She told him sternly. Jon knew better than to argue with Larie she could be stubborn.
~
Winter was soon over and spring upon them. The days started to warm again and Alan finally stopped wearing two heavy coats every day.
" Oh look Alan has finally shed his winter coat," Gary teased.
" I get cold easily," Alan replied punching Gary playfully. Gary was about to punch him in return when their instructor walked out.
" Today," his loud voice rang out, " We will start your real training. No more repetitive drills, combat. All of you get out your practice swords and put on some padding. Quickly, no standing around! "
The pages scurried to get padding before only the ripped and smelly suits were left. Soon they were all lined up, looking rather chubby, practice swords in hand. Their training master paired them up, Larie was paired with a tall boy named Lathlo. As they took the "guard" position Joan started to growl from her place sitting in the corner. Joan followed Larie just about everywhere and no one seemed to mind.
" It's okay Joan," Larie assured her. Then the duel began. Lathlo was good. He made lightning quick swings always looking for her to falter giving him an opening. Larie soon broke a sweat as she made continuous blocks and very few offensive moves. After some time of going on this way her limbs began to tire. She only hesitated for a moment and his sword was at her throat. He was about to back away when he let out a yowl. Attatched to his foot was a small red-brown figure.
" Joan!" Larie cried out. But it was too late Joan was flying through the air towards a wall. Just as she was about to hit, blue fire encircled her and she was brought safely back to the ground. Larie ran to her sweet puppy with Jon and Alan close behind. Fire flowed from the fingertips calming the dog. Soon Lathlo and their training master walked over.
" I'm sorry," Lathlo muttered quietly.
" No you have nothing to be sorry for. Joan was just worried about me. I'm sorry." Larie apologized.
" Is this your pet page?" The training master asked in his stern voice.
" Well sir I gue-" Larie began.
" No sir he is just a palace dog that has taken a liking to her." Alan lied.
" I believe I asked Larric." He said with a stern look. Then he turned to Larric," Is that true?"
" Yes sir," She replied quietly. Alan had just saved her, she would have failed to make up a believable excuse and they would have taken her dog away from her.
" In that case I will ask the palace to dispose of this dog we can't have him hurting people." The training master said. With each word Larie lost hope that she would be able to keep her poor little puppy.
Notes: hehe aren't I bugger stopping it here? Well it's either I stpped it here or I didn't finish it until like Tuesday of next week so Anywayz be content I will write the next chapter with a more appropriate stopping point, eventually