"Oh dear!!" cried Kat, practically holding Alanna on her own two feet. "What are we ever going to do now?" she sat hard on the snowy ground, Alanna tumbling after her.
"Oof," was all Alanna said, thankful to get off her feet, now all I need is sleep… nice soothing sleep. she thought, shuddering at the wind.
"Oh no you don't." Kat said to her, slapping her face lightly. "You stay awake until we find somewhere to go. Even though you're useless, if you fall asleep I'm all alone here – and I hate that."
"I'm not useless!" Alanna exclaimed and tried to sit up on her own, grimacing as her hands touched the cold snow I hate the cold she kept thinking.
"Oh yes you are, but as long as you look like a boy, maybe people will think twice!"
"Oh alright, but let me lean on your shoulder at least, the strength to hold myself up is killing me."
"Alright then." Alanna leaned on Kat and Kat sighed. "The messes you get me into…"
Neither knows how long they sat their for, shivering like mad, but after a while both were sleeping against the cold stone wall, and only when someone was standing over them, staring oddly at the two did Kat wake up and squeal.
"Hush now child, I won't hurt you, just here, bring your friend inside, there's a girl, and let me take care of you." Kat slowly and painfully stood up with Alanna and stared at the woman. "No need to fear me, child, I won't hurt you." And as much as Kat knew she shouldn't trust strangers, it was the best plan she could think of, and both her and Alanna would die to death in the snow if they stayed out any longer. If she turns crazy and tries to eat us, at least Alanna will be awake and well enough to think us out of it… I hope.
The lady took swift care of them both and sent Kat to sleep immediately with lots of blankets and soup. Alanna she laid down on a bed and took to healing her wounds, which didn't need too much work since Alanna herself had put a little of her gift in them – but only a little.
The lady shook her head. Too many spells at once this young one has. But let the lad sleep throughout the night and well into the morning.
Alanna woke up the next morning to find that she had only a little of her gift left and wondered why. Looking in the mirror she realized that she had left her illusion spell on all day and all night. Oh gods, its lucky I didn't wear myself out! She quickly took off the spell and washed her face and teeth in the water she assumed was put out for her. Slowly she walked out of the room she had slept in and saw Kat sitting at a table with a brown haired lady.
"… So that's when I started to scream and Alanna put the wall around me and we walked and walked, and then collapsed outside your house I guess and well you saw the rest…" Kat's voice was saying.
"I see," said the woman thoughtfully and saw Alanna standing in the doorway.
"My head is booming." She moaned.
"Alanna!!!" cried Kat. "You're Okay!!!" she ran over and nearly knocked Alanna off her feet when she hugged her.
"Oh head, not good, floors moving…"
"Sorry, sorry… I'm just glad to see you're all right. You lost a lot of blood. I was worried to bits!"
"Yes, well I'm fine, I'll be fine. Er… Kat where are we? And what time is it?"
"Your in a safe place, Lady Alanna of Trebond." Alanna gave a quizzical look at Kat and the lady continued, "Katariina's already made introductions. And its just passed 11 in the morning you've been asleep for quite some time." Answered the woman.
"Thank you, miss?" answered Alanna.
"Cooper, but please call me Eleni,"
"Eleni, thank you for helping us, we sort of got lost… and well I guess Kat here told you the story." She nodded. "Was it you then that healed my arm last night?"
"Yes, my dear it was me. You however should watch your spells! Imagine having that one on for so long – now I see why it drained you so much! Look at how much energy you used looking as a boy!" She looked horrified. "Why would you ever do such a thing??"
Alanna blushed slightly. "Well you see, I was planning on buying a sword," which I didn't get to buy "and well they don't trick you into paying more when you're a boy."
"And why on earth do you need to go and buy a sword?!"
Alanna's blush deepened. "I want one, I've been using my friends broad sword – but I can't use that forever!"
"I see… funny things they teach at the convents these days." She muttered. "So are you too off back to your Inn this morning then?" she asked.
"Yes, please," answered Kat, "I need a bath."
Alanna laughed and looked at Eleni, "Would you mind pointing us in the right direction?"
Before she could answer a voice filled her house. "Mother dear! I've come to visit! And I've brought a guest!"
"Is that my ruthless son? I'm in the kitchen, dear!" she called back, her eyes not leaving the startled expressions on the girl's faces. She winked and said to them "Not to worry – he won't bite." Kat looked at her dress, then worriedly at Alanna, both looked as if a train wreck had drove through them and neither in the mood for meeting company.
"Yes so which way to the market?" asked Alanna hurriedly, getting up. Kat followed her suit and almost knocked the chair over.
Eleni raised an eyebrow at the pair, "If you must go, in the room you came out of, Alanna, there are some cloaks the two of you can have, the ones you were wearing earlier were horribly ripped, I hope you don't mind I threw them out."
The girls quickly assured her it was fine, looking graciously at their savoir and went into the other room. They found the cloaks quickly and threw them on, ready to leave as soon as they could.
"I know this sounds stupid, but how do I look?" asked Kat. Alanna rolled her eyes, "Hey that one voice sounded cute! FORGIVE ME!"
Alanna sighed and answered, "you look gorgeous!"
The two walked out of the room quietly and saw the backs of two men, One with brown hair and the other with black hair.
"- Jonathon… Or is it Johnny?"
The black haired one spoke, "its always Johnny in the city."
Alanna and Kat stared at each other. Ready? She mouthed to her. Both didn't want either man to notice them, especially half groggy and dirty as they both were. Unfortunately for both of them, Eleni had a wicked glint in her eye.
"Oh girls! I'm glad you found those coats, because I found two men just dying to take you back to the market!"
Alanna glared. "I'm sure we can find our own way, thank you."
"Nonsense! George, Jonathon, would you mind escorting these two young ladies to their Inn?" The two lads were quite surprised at the guests, George more than anything. They looked vaguely familiar to both of them. "Well, George?" repeated his mother.
"Uh, of course," he stammered. Looking at them both confused.
Jon saved him there and offered his arm, "We would never say no to a Lady," he said smoothly.
Alanna, still glaring at the almost laughing Eleni, took George's arm just as Kat took Jon's. "Thank you again, Mistress Cooper." Alanna said formally with a small curtsey and followed George and Jon out the door.
OH! quick quiz!! does alanna have lightening with her when her and jonathon fight the yasindar? (did i even spell that right?) hehe thank yah! :) please review?? *MUAH!* to you all! :) ~CJ~
