DISCLAIMER: I think you know this by now, right? :-)
~Orders~
Myles of Olau entered his study to find a package on his desk and his daughter sitting in his favourite chair.
She did not look happy.
"Alanna? You're here early."
She managed a slight smile. "You're *up* early. It must be, what, nearly lunch time?"
He ignored her and turned to the package on his desk. "For me?"
She stood with a sigh. "Unfortunately, no." Hesitantly, she asked, "Myles? Did you hear about the new page?"
He surveyed her shrewedly. "The girl?"
She nodded. "Jon and I had a fight. Again." Myles hid a smile. "He forbade me to see her. George and I are riding for the Swoop today."
Myles claimed his chair before his daughter could return to it. "You must understand, Alanna, that Jon has-"
She waved his comments away. "I know. Believe me, I know. I can't see her. But you can."
"Which leads us to the package?"
Alanna nodded. "I *have* to go, Myles. The gods know I don't want to, but..." She paused and collected herself. "I still want to help her, though. But to do that, I need *your* help."
She perched on the edge of her foster-father's desk. Her voice was low and earnest. "I need you to do what I would, if I were able to stay. I need you to be there for her, to keep an eye on her. Just... watch things, make sure everything is in order. And then let me know of her progress, her strengths and weaknesses. Then I can pass things onto you to give to her. But she musn't realise what you're doing."
She sat back and stared out of the window. "I won't be back for at least four years." Just saying the words hurt. She had friends, loved ones in the Palace, for all her family was at the Swoop. "When she's a squire, she'll be in and out all over the place, and my being in the same building won't arouse suspicion," she added bitterly.
Her eyes met those of her foster-father pleadingly. "Please, Myles. I know it's a lot to ask, but-"
Myles raised a hand, cutting her off. "Alanna, I saw everything that you had to go through; your great disguise, your battles to be accepted once you revealed who you really were... If I can help you to help this girl, even a small amount, then I will do so to the best of my ability."
Alanna rose, managing to hide the tears in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, hugging Myles tight. "Thank you so much."
She pulled back suddenly. "Gods, it's getting late! George will be waiting." She glanced at the package on the desk. "Can you give this to her in a few weeks?" She smiled suddenly. "From what I remember, right about the third week is when everything *really* starts to ache."
Myles laughed and kissed her cheek. "I'll see that she gets it. Take care, Alanna. I'll write when I meet her."
She hugged him one last time and made for the door.
"Goodbye, Myles."
****
Next chapter coming soon!