Alanna was tightening the cinch on her saddle when Warren trotted into the stable, lugging the tack for his horse-- a fine stallion, given to him by Jon. Warren had named it Kastriel, but he wouldn't tell anyone why.
As the boy approached the big, gray stallion, Kastriel pricked his ears forward. Alanna had noted the day before that Warren had a fine hand with horses. He was very talented at many things. She was impressed at how well he worked, shouldering a grown-man's burden all of his life, yet never complaining.
Alanna was startled out of her daze from Darkmoon butting her with his mighty head. She realized that she had been staring at Warren saddling Kastriel. He whispered gently to his mount as he tightened the cinch. He was quite small for his age, yet gave the impression and maturity and strength. Suddenly Alanna laughed out loud, noticing that she was staring at Warren again.
The boy looked at her.
"A problem, Lady Alanna?" he inquired civilly.
She smiled. "No, Warren. I was just thinking about how well you and Kastriel go together. He looks to be quite a handful."
Warren shrugged. "Me'n Kas get along just fine. He's a good boy."
Alanna surveyed the boy once again, awed by his maturity and feeling of power. She couldn't even place what she was feeling. Certainly respect, but something more. There was something very special about Warren.
Warren squirmed, uncomfortable, under Alanna's stare. His rebelliousness and defiance no longer applied to people he had befriended. Two weeks ago, he would have firmly met her gaze. After two weeks with Jon and his friends, however, he had learned to trust, and had learned that not everyone would hurt him.
"We should get going, Lady Alanna," he muttered.
She drew a deep breath and gathered up Darkmoon's reins. "I'd just like to stop by and bid goodbye to Jon and Raoul…And George."
Alanna and Warren led their mounts through the cobblestone courtyard. They picketed their horses to a post and walked the rest of the way to the garden. As it happened, Jon, Raoul, George, and Gary were lounging on benches there and talking.
"And here they are," Gary drawled, sprawled under a tree.
"Alanna," George murmured, brushing her hand to his lips. A small smile adorned his face.
Laughing, Raoul pushed George aside. "No hogging her," he joked, and hugged her. "Have a great time."
"Thanks, Raoul." She smiled at him.
Jon didn't move from his spot in the sunlight. Alanna looked at him. The sun's rays made him look even more astonishing than usual. His neat black hair gleamed and his eyes sparkled. He was wearing a white shirt and royal blue breeches.
The King grinned crookedly at his Champion. "Come here, Alanna. I want to talk to you."
George stiffened possessively as Alanna walked towards her friend. Jon looked like he was going to hug her, but George shot him a mean look, and the King refrained.
"Can I talk to you alone?" Jon asked.
Alanna allowed herself to be led around a corner, out of sight of the other men.
"Make sure to get Warren accustomed to the Bazhir and the desert. Get him acquainted with the headsmen. They will probably scorn him for being young. Don't allow any of that. And--"
Alanna placed her hand over his mouth. "Jon, I'm a big girl," she assured him. "I can do this."
They looked into each other's eyes. Alanna sighed longingly.
"Ready?" George whined as he intruded on them.
Alanna nodded and started to turn away, but Jon caught her hand.
"I'll see you in a month, Alanna." He walked away.
George led his wife back into the garden. Alanna was surprised to see that it was empty.
"Warren went back to the horses, Raoul back to the Own, and Gary back to his scrolls," George explained.
Silence stretched between them. Finally, George thought of what to say.
"Something is missing between us, my Lioness. When you come back, I'll have a big surprise waiting. I'll miss you." He kissed her long and hard. Finally she broke it off.
"I have to go now," she hastily said, and strode briskly away.
She found Warren waiting with the horses. Both mounts were getting restless, pawing at the ground and snorting. Alanna quickly mounted up. Warren sprung onto Kastriel a beat after her.
As they rode out of the lesser gate, Alanna found herself wondering about Warren's past.
"Warren?"
He looked towards her in acknowledgement.
"Is there something more to Kastriel's name than…just a name? Something about your past?"
He stayed silent for long moments. Finally he drew a deep breath and began to talk.