hello all!!!! Well, believe it or not, but it was finished early and by listening to music from Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. They've got some good scores and some of those fast, upbeat songs are wicked awesome! Heaven's Light, Hellfire is a great one! Well, as usually, be kind, read, and review!
"Hey Ali! Wait up!" Thom of Pirate's Swoop yelled at his sister. They were riding on the beach as the sun set with Alianne's twin and Thom's brother, Alan. They had turned it into a racing competition, and it was clear that Alianne was winning.
"Thom, I don't think she's interested in slowing down!" Alan called from behind him.
"Ah, I know she isn't! But, you can't fault me for hoping!" Thom said, laughing as the two brothers drew even.
Suddenly, Alianne stopped, and dismounted. "Hey, Thom! I found someone!"
"Someone?" Thom asked Alan softly. "Who?"
Alan shrugged. "Beats the heck out of me."
The boys rode up to Alianne and dismounted. Thom went over to his sister and her find. It was a very old man, maybe in his late sixties, early seventies. Thom placed a hand on the old man's shoulder and extended his magic into him.
"He's sick. Very sick," Thom said, standing. We'd best get him up to the Swoop and Ma."Alanna and George were sitting on their bad, kissing rather passionately. A knock interrupted their kiss, just when things had begun to look interesting for them both. Alanna had been home exactly two years since Jonathan had sentenced her away from Keladry of Mindelan and therefore, Corus. The twins Alanna had had earlier that year were louder than Alan and Alianne had been. And even more prone to disasters.
"What?" Alanna snapped at the door. It was the first time the two had been able to get some time alone in a few months.
Thom poked his head inside the room. "Ma, there's this really old man here. He's sick. We found him on the beach."
Alanna moaned and George fell back onto the bed, muttering something. "All right. I'm coming." Thom nodded and vanished. She bent over George, stole a quick kiss and left.
She followed her son down to the stables and took a look at the man's face. "Oh no," she said softly.
"What?" Thom asked.
Alanna bit her lip. The man woke up rather suddenly. "Where am I?" he muttered, trying to sit up. Then his eyes fell on Alanna. "You!" he cried. "You're m' son's wife! I be in Corus?"
"No, Master Ronat. You're at Pirate's Swoop, and quite sick."
"I demand to see my son," Ronat said, his eyes out of focus and delirious.
"Well, I afraid he doesn't want to see you," Alanna snapped. "Now, hold still. I'm going to heal you, and then you'll be leaving."
"But Ma!" Thom protested. "He couldn't ride! Not when he's this sick!"
Alanna scowled. "Then take him into the village. There is no way your father would allow him to stay here. And yes, I second your father on this."
Thom stared at his mother. "Ma!" he squeaked, outraged. He got an idea, and ran into the castle and up to his parents' room. His mother wasn't far behind. "Da!" Thom yelped, running into the room. "There's a man down in the stables that is really sick. Ma says that you won't allow him to stay."
"What's his name?" George asked, frowning.
"Ma called him Master Rona-" Alanna clapped a hand over her son's mouth.
George paled, and Alanna winced. "No," George said. "Get him out of here now. I don't care how you do it, just get rid of him."
"I'm trying George, I really am," Alanna said, taking her hand away from Thom's mouth. She rubbed her hand on her breeches and walked over to her husband. She sat down next to him, and tried to get him to calm down.
Thom was stunned. "But-- You never turned away someone who needed your help before!"
"He was my father," George snapped. "Was because he left my mother and me when I was five because someone threatened to kill him. Spineless bastard."
Thom stared. His mother was trying to get his father relaxed, and his father was as mad as a nest of hornets. What was going on here?
"Alanna, just heal him and get him out of here. I don't care what you do. Just. Get. Him. Out. Of. Here."
Thom shook his head and watched his mother kiss his father and walk over toward him. She grabbed his arm and dragged him with her. "Thom, why did you do that?" Alanna asked, her hold on his arm slightly painful.
Now, Thom was in shock. This was the first time his mother had actual hurt him. Not that the stinging hand across the mouth hadn't hurt. And it was also the first time he had seen either of his parents so overset that it would make them act uncharacteristic.
"I thought Da's da was dead." Alanna had released him.
"Don't change the subject," Alanna snapped. Thom stayed quiet. Alanna stopped and waited. When Thom still didn't say anything, only rubbed his arm where Alanna had grabbed his arm, Alanna sighed.
She walked over to her son and held him tightly. "No, your Da's father isn't dead." She took his arm and rolled the sleeve back and sighed at the slight bruises on his arm. "That will never do," she said softly, violet fire sparkling around her fingers on his skin. "I'm sorry. I was so angry that I forgot."
Thom shrugged. "It's okay, Ma. It's just a slight bruise." Thom was eager to ease the hurt look in his mother's violet eyes, but had a hunch that it didn't have to do completely with him. "Why did Da lie? And how could he, what with Alianne?"
Alanna sighed and started down to the stables again. "Your Da wasn't completely lying, which was why it fooled Ali. And your Da lied to protect you."
"Hunh?" Thom asked, stopping.
Alanna sighed again and made a face. "When you were a month old, we took you up to Corus to be named. You know that custom." Thom nodded. "Well, it turns out that Ronat had returned to Corus to find Eleni and your Da. Ronat got quite a shock when he found out that your Da was a baron and had married me, and that Eleni had married Myles."
Alanna drew a deep breath. This was the hard part. The part she and George had wanted to hide from the children. "There was a confrontation," she said slowly. "At the end, Ronat left. Before he did, he told your Da that he couldn't stop him from seeing all of you. Ronat is not a sane man. I want him out before he does damage to you children."
"We're old enough to take care, Ma."
"You are. Alan and Alianne? I'm not sure…."
"They're down at the stables with this Ronat," Thom said, softly. His mother tensed and ran for the stables. Thom followed. This Ronat was bad news, and the twins were slightly gulible at this age.
"Why did Da want to keep you away from us?" Ali was asking when they reached the stables.
"Because your Da doesn't trust him," Alanna said, wrapping an arm around Alianne's shoulders and pulling her away from Ronat. Thom pulled on Alan's arm, then wrapped an arm around his brother's waist and yanked him back. "And neither do I. Master Ronat, you have the baron's leave to be seen by the healer and then you must take yourself from the lands of Pirate's Swoop. If you cannot travel, you must stay in the village or go to other lands."
"I demand to see George this instant!" Ronat snapped.
"That is impossible. George is very busy at the moment," Alanna said. "I will send the healer. Good day, Master Ronat. I suggest that you do not come back." She still had her hold on Alianne and Thom still had Alan in his grip.
When they had reached the hall, Thom and Alanna released the twins.
"What was that for?" Alan demanded. "He wanted to see his son! We wouldn't do that to you or Da!" Alanna looked at him and he froze. There were tears shinning on her face and in her eyes. "Ma….What's wrong?"
Alanna took a deep breath. "Please stay away from Ronat. He's dangerous. I don't want anything to happen to you three. The twins are safe with Maude, but you three.… You're the ones I worry about."
"Oh," Alan said. "I'll go get Maude," he said and ran off before Alanna could stop him.
Alianne clung to her mother's arm. "Ma, what he said, all of it was the truth. He left, and then came back. You, Da, grandda, and grandmama all told him to leave. He said Queen Thayet and Buri were there, too."
"Yes," Alanna said, hugging her daughter. "We told him to leave. And now he's back."
George stayed in the shadows, scowling as he watched Maude heal Ronat. Alanna touched his hand to let him know she was there. He stifled a sigh and held her. He needed her more than he had needed anyone else before. But now….Now was different. He couldn't handle this himself. Not when Ronat had threatened to do harm to George's children. Of course George had had no trouble reading the threat between those last words Ronat had said to his son.
George released Alanna and turned away. She followed him and when he would have gone to his study, Alanna took hold of his wrist and shook her head. George's shoulders slumped and she let him guide him to their room. He walked inside and slumped into the first chair he saw. He heard Alanna lock the door and raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment. He closed his eyes and then felt someone sitting next to him, on the arm of the chair.
He sighed and looked at Alanna with miserable eyes. "Why?" he whispered. "Why did he have to come back?"
Alanna looked at him with worry. "Thom knows," she said softly. "I told him. He deserved to know. He promised not to tell the twins." George looked at his wife in startlement. She slipped off the arm and into his lap, kissing him gently. "He came by the hand of the gods. He had no idea where he was. As sick as he is, I don't think he even remembers why he came south."
George sighed, and wrapped his arms around her. He held her close, and she didn't even try to pull away. He knew she knew that she was slightly trapped, and though trapped, she didn't want to move.
"We might not get another chance to be completely alone, with enough energy," Alanna whispered into George's ear. "I don't have any plans. Hopes, but not plans."
George chuckled at her evident plea. "I didn't have any plans either. Except for one," he told her. He stood, still holding her. She squeaked and her hands around his neck tightened. He smiled and dumped her into bed.
She smiled secretly as he lay down next to her. Drawing very close to him, she whispered, "Everything will right itself in time. Live for today, not tomorrow."
George silenced her with a passionate kiss, and she gave in.
Maude looked at the man who was still very ill. She shook her head, and looked at Thom and the twins, who had stayed at her back, watching.
"Make yourselves useful," she told them. "Thom, go get your parents. Alan, get the herbs from my room. Alianne, go get blankets and a sleeping pallet. This man has to stay until he is well."
"No," Thom said sternly. "The man is not staying. Ma won't have it, Da won't have it, and I won't."
"You'll do what your told until you're a full noble," Maude snapped. "This man could die if not treated right away."
The three sighed and did as they were told.
Thom knocked on his parent's door and tried the doorknob. Locked. Thom chuckled and went back down to the stables to tell Maude.
She looked up at him as he entered the stables. "Well?"
"They're busy. The door is locked and I don't want to know why."
Maude gave an exasperated sigh and got up. "Watch him. I'll go get your parents."
Thom bit his lip. "Might not be such a good idea, Maude."
Maude gave him The Look and he quieted. As she rose and shook her skirts out and walked up to Alanna and George's room. Maude sighed when she tried the door and found it locked. "Don't those two ever give up?" she muttered to herself. She pounded on the door. "Alanna!" she called.
Still no answer….
Maude sighed, and took a key from the ring on her belt. She unlocked the door, and walked inside. She put her hands on her hips and glared at Alanna and George who were tangled in blankets and each other. They had been kissing when Maude had walked in.
"What?" Alanna asked, vexed and out of breath.
"That man has to stay. He's too sick. Not even I can heal him so fast."
"No," George and Alanna said at once.
Maude's eyebrows snapped together. "What aren't you telling me? Why do you want this man gone, when he clearly needs help. Isn't that somehow breaking a law of Chivalry?"
Alanna flinched and looked aside. George's hold on her waist tightened. "He has to go," he said. "I won't have him staying here. Not when he could use it to his advantage."
Maude looked confused. "You know him, obviously."
"We do," said Alanna. Her voice was soft and quiet.
"Put some clothes on, and then I want the full story," ordered Maude. She turned around and left the room. Five minutes later, a dressed Alanna opened the door, and Mausde went back in, arms crossed and a cross expression on her face.
"Now, the truth," she said crossly.
Alanna sat next to George, who put a possessive arm around her waist. "He came when Thom as born…." George began rather hesitantly. Each took a turn, telling what they knew. In the end, it was Maude who was worried as well.
"While I can't fault you for not wanting him here, he has to stay. He is very ill. He could die."
George's face looked like a mask. "Fine," he said tightly. "But keep the children away from him."
"I will try," said Maude. "Alan and Alianne are rather curious."
Alanna looked terribly worried. "I'll send them to Coram and Rispah. It's been a while since they saw them."
Maude nodded. "Coram said he'd be staying in Port Cyann. I just hope that he'll allow them to stay."
"I'll ask him to come," said Alanna, her mind elsewhere.
Maude nodded. "And I will see to Ronat and get him as well as I can tonight."
"That's all we can ask," said George, his arm still around Alanna's waist. They held each other's hands tightly.
Maude took her leave then, shaking her head. The two were both very good parents, but they were in over their heads. This Ronat was bad news.
Coram knocked on the door, and saw Maude. "Hello, Maude."
"Coram!" Maude cried. "Thank the gods you're here!"
"What's so wrong?" Rispah asked, behind Coram.
"Ronat," Alanna said, coming into the Healing Hall/Room.
Rispah paled. "No!" she cried in horror. "Aunt'll have fits!"
"You mean both George and Eleni will have fits," Alanna said wearily. "I have enough trying to keep George from killing Ronat, let alone keeping the children out."
"A subtle hint if I've never heard one," Rispah laughed. "And we'd be glad to take them."
"No, Thom knows. It's Ali and Alan I'm worried about. To damned curious. I want them to get out before they get too attached and think Ronat's a godling. Thom knows the truth and has only disgust."
Coram laughed, "A lot like his ma, no?"
Alanna blushed and scowled. "Coram, I'm serious!" said Alanna crossly.
Coram nodded. "I know. We'll gladly take the twins. From what I've heard, this Ronat is bad news."
"You have no idea," Alanna muttered bitterly.
George, age four, looked out over the street from the windows of the second story of his and his parents' house. He was waiting for his pa to come back from his work, which George still didn't know what it was.
He looked over at his mother, who had come to stand at his back. "He's not coming, George," Eleni said bitterly, turning away.
"He has to!" George protested softly.
"He won't."
The sounds of the festival drifted in through he open windows. Gypsies, players, and merchants all crowded in the market square. People stood, watching fire-eaters, jugglers, and other players. In the corners of the street, gypsies danced and played music for money.
George looked at the happy people outside and turned away, tears streaming down his face. Inside, he knew his mother was right. He would never see his father again…
George woke up with a start, breathing hard. He hadn't had dreams like that for ages! He sat up and got out of bed, careful not to wake Alanna. He lit a branch of candles, dressed, and carried the light to his study. When he got there, he lit the fire and bolted the door, setting the candles down on the small table.
He sank into his favorite chair and sighed, his heart heavy. And almost, all at once, everything that had been building up inside him since Ronat had left came pouring out. He couldn't stop the hot flood of tears that suddenly started to pour, and he didn't want to. And he slept….
George looked at the festival that came every year. The last time he had even wanted to bother with attending or watching it was six years ago, when his father had left. Either left, or was killed.
I hope he was killed, George thought to himself.
"Why don't you go?" Eleni asked her son. She was crushing herbs to make into a healing salve, and was watching her son out of the corner of her eye.
"Why bother?" he asked bitterly.
"You are too young to be that cynical, dearest," she said softly. "Hand me that vervain, will you?"
George nodded, and got it for his mother, frowning. "That isn't he salve, is it?"
"No, it's not," said Eleni, smiling. "You are learning, George."
"I guess I am," he said softly.
Eleni looked at her son with worry. "Dear, go to the festival and enjoy yourself. I'll be fine," she added when he hesitated.
"I worry is all," George muttered.
Eleni got up and hugged her son. "If all mothers had a son like you, the world would be so much better. Now, go on. I'll still be here, never fear. You are stuck with me, sweetling. You are never going to escape from me!"
George laughed and did as his mother bid, though she gave him a verbal list of a few herbs she wanted him to go and get.When he awoke again, he was still in his study. Alanna was curled up on the couch with a book, but at the moment watching him.
George avoided her eyes, not wanting to admit to anything.
Suddenly a slender hand came into his view, and lifted his face. He looked into Alanna's worried violet eyes, and got up and left.
He needed to be alone, and there was no place in the Swoop where he could be alone. He went to the stables, and got his horse, and rode down to the beach and stayed there.
Tears ran down his face.
It seemed that all the emotional barricades he had set up so very long ago were crumbling all at once. How could he stand this? Why was it that just seeing Ronat again was doing this to him?
And how could he do this to Alanna?
He sighed and watched the sea, tears falling in a steady stream.