*Raoul smiled and bid them goodbye. The Rider turned and cajoled their steed into a gallop.
"What's your name?" Raoul called after them.
The Rider laughed, a sound that could be heard above the whistling winds and the waves crashing against the shore. They turned and called back.*
"I'm Alan of Trebond!"
It took Raoul a moment to register what the Rider had just said. When he did, he gasped and looked from the Pirate's Swoop Castle, to the Hooded Rider diminishing into the distance.
"Alanna! You fiend!" he yelled at her, and spurred his own mount into a gallop, genuinely trying to catch up with his deceitful friend. Finally, rounding the bend, he saw her horse picketed to a tree. He pursed his lips and looked around.
With a shout Alanna jumped out at him. His horse, terrified, reared and plunged. The quick-thinking Raoul leaned forward and heaved an the left rein, forcing the mare to turn her head and drop onto all fours. He leaned over and patted her, whispering soothing words into her pinned-back-with-terror ears, then dismounted.
"Alanna, you devil!" he roared. He picked her up and spun around. "How are you doing? Are you okay? Mithros, Alanna, don't ever scare me like that again!" he chided.
Alanna giggled. "Raoul, I didn't know a frightened horse scared you! You're a better horseman than--"
"Not that! When you…you died!"
Alanna bit her lip and looked down. "My lord Goldenlake the Giant-slayer, don't deny me my duty," she said quietly. He sighed and set her down.
"I know about the trouble you're having with George. At least, the trouble *Jon* is having with George," he informed her.
Alanna nodded. "How is Jon, "she asked, deliberately partially-changing the subject.
"Love struck," Raoul said, exasperated, "no thanks to you!" he elbowed her. She winced as a cut opened on her ribs. Raoul saw this and his eyes filled with worry and concern.
"I'm sorry…I--I didn't mean to! I thought you were better!"
Alanna grimaced and patted his shoulder comfortingly. "It's okay, Raoul. I'm okay."