A/N back! Right, um…I realized I posted up the last chapter before I saved my last changes, so I added in some author's notes for my second chapter…but they're not that important…just stating that I like to reply to comments (which I can't now, because they're not showing up! *grr*) and I like to summarize what happened in the last chapter, because (like I said before) I have a tendency not to update on a regular basis…(this chapter being a good example…) right, enough blabbering, on with the story…umm, I've tried adding in some military stuff at the beginning of this chapter, but I'm not very good at it…so if I confuse anyone, leave a comment, and I'll try to straighten it up… *wink*
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Last chapter…
-George asks Alanna to marry him, but she doesn't feel she's ready yet
-He says Tortall needs every able mind and body, or else the Kingdom could be in immediate danger (managing to convince Thayet to go back as well in the end…)
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In Corus:
The newly crowned King paced back and forth in his study, hands behind his back, worried eyes snapping dangerously. "Gary, are you sure?" Jonathan of Conté asked for the hundredth time, frustration etched into every word. He stopped pacing and fixed his bright, sapphire eyes on the man sitting at the desk.
His handsome Prime Minister peered at him from between the heavy stacks of documents he always insisted on carrying around 'for easy reference'. Over the weeks the stacks have gotten heavier and heavier until they could easily have been weights. "There's no mistake about it, Jon", Gareth (the younger) of Naxen said heavily. These dragging days of war had taken a toll on him, as he sat with his chin in his hands. "Scanra's attacking for good this time. They think they can push further into the Grimhold Mountains…from that position, Corus is an easy target for them. Tusaine's army is mobilizing in the east, and-"
"I get it!" Jon snapped, worry sharpening his normally gentle tone. Gary couldn't blame him. Jonathan had been seen pacing around his room until daybreak every night, and not hours later, would be sitting at his desk, head bent over a map or new report. Within the last few months, he'd not only lost his parents, but almost lost his life and his kingdom. Not to mention everyone who had senses knew why Thayet had suddenly left for the deserts. It was not hard to understand the King's current, agitated state.
"What about the 5th group of the King's Own?" Jon asked briskly, consulting a report that had been sent in earlier. "Did they manage to hold the northern fortress of Trebond?" He hoped the troop of his own elite soldiers would be enough to stop the vicious raids from Scanra. If not…well, he had his plan B's.
Gary's slender figure slumped back into his chair. "I'm sorry Jon", he said quietly, not quite meeting his cousin's eyes. He did, however, hear the King's sharp intake of breath, and made himself continue. "A message was sent in this morning, and…well, the Scanrans spies alerted them of the Own's arrival, and assaulted the fortress before the King's Own even settled in."
Jonathan's eyes widened, staring at his cousin. "And?"
"We held the fortress… just barely, though. 16 were killed, and 34 wounded." Gary scanned the ragged piece of parchment with shaking fingers. He couldn't bring himself to tell Jon that the report said the 5th company would not be able to hold the fortress much longer. Unless major reinforcements came in, that side of the Grimhold Mountain was in immediate danger.
"But the-" Jon trailed off desperately. Although Gary didn't put his thoughts into words, Jonathan had listened to enough of his father's discussions as a boy to know that they were not far from losing their hold on the Grimhold Mountains. If Tortall was taken over…Jon didn't even want to think about it. Besides the fact that he would be the first to die, the King knew the corrupt reputation of the Scanra court… "And any news on Tusaine?"
Gary bit his lower lip, obviously not wanting to answer the question. "Yes", he ventured at last. "A spy reported the troops mobilization towards Atlan valley…you know, that place about 35 miles upriver from the Drell where father took us camping once." Gary couldn't have been more surprised when he saw Jon smiling grimly. It was a cold smile that didn't make it to his eyes. Gary raised his eyebrows in question.
"At least we know what their planning", the King said simply.
"But Jon, they know you and your troops can't be in two places at once! That's why both countries are attacking at once!" Gary protested feebly. He knew how liable Jon was to explode at any minute, and he didn't want to set off the already frustrated King.
Jonathan waved this aside impatiently. "I don't need to be in two places at once. Sir Raoul can take the 4th and the 6th command of the King's Own for Tusaine. That should be enough." He bent over the detailed map of Tortall on his desk. "Meanwhile, the other soldiers will come with me."
"My Lord?" Gary stared, wondering whether the King meant what he thought he meant.
Jon's eyes glittered with suppressed fury. "We're making a little trip to Trebond." He took a deep, shuddering breath, and immersed himself in the map again. "I should have guessed they would go for Trebond." Jon muttered, half to himself. "It's an obvious strategic location, with control of the crossroad between the Great Road North and the Great Road South…" Suddenly, Jon's head whipped up to look at Gary, searching his Prime Minister's face intently. "They haven't gotten it, have they?" He knew this was a stupid question, but he needed the reassurance all the same.
Gary looked uncomfortable. "Not that we know of, Jon." He cursed himself silently for not sending out more spies into Scanra, but the truth was there – they had very few, reliable spies left in the palace. "If only George was here…he's had plenty of experience with undercover work…" Gary came to his senses and trailed off. *Oh merciful Mother, did I just say that out loud?* He glanced nervously at Jon for his reaction.
"George?!" Jonathan asked incredulously. "You know I'm not going to put him in such danger!" Of course, this was the reaction Gary was expecting. Jon paused. "By the way, any news of him?" He asked, concern stated in his deep voice. His friend had rarely gone so long without sending him a letter of his whereabouts.
Gary frowned, his forehead creasing. "I really have no idea what that man is up to. Does he think turning respectable mean never showing your face in public?"
This drew a smile from the young King. He stopped wearing a path across the carpet and sat down. For a minute, he forgot about his warring country, and remembered past times with his friends. Rays of hope shone from his tired, blue eyes, and for the first time in days, that smile played gently across his lips. Jon ran a hand through his coal-black hair – which was tousled and looked like it had been brushed every which way.
At that moment, a knock sounded on the door, echoing around the silent room. The two young men glanced at each other, and Jon nodded finally, getting up to open it. "Raoul!" He cried in surprise, but a big grin gave away his feelings. "What are you doing here?" Last time he checked, Raoul had gone down to Goldenlake to visit his ailing mother.
The large Commander of the King's Own grinned. "What? Not glad to see me?" Then, before waiting for an answer to what he thought was an obviously rhetorical question, the big knight continued. "As soon as I heard you needed help (Jon made a face), I came as swiftly as I could. After all, what else are friends for?" He chuckled, black eyes crinkling with mirth.
"Thanks", Jon said gruffly. Tears welled up into his eyes – not for the first time in the past months – and he turned away and pretended to look over the map again. He heard Raoul greeting Gary warmly too, before the Commander said something that caught his attention immediately. "I met Alanna on the way up the Temple District. She said she would come visit you, but you know her. The shower comes first."
Jonathan's eyes sparkled with carefully hidden happiness as Gary muttered, "finally". He had to admit that he needed his champion by his side right now – hell, it was more than that – he wanted Alanna by his side now.
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The warmth of the bath engulfed her like a wave as Alanna sank into the tube. Her eyes were close, and the heat of the water shaded her cheeks a deep red. Thayet was perched on the bed nearby, a smile twitching at the corner of her lips as she watched her friend enjoy her bath. The Lioness was as noted for her love of baths as much as people knew her hatred of social functions. Alanna felt Thayet's gaze on her, and returned the stare through half-closed eyes. She would never know what powers George used to persuade the raven-haired woman to accompany them back to the palace. Alanna admitted she owned George one for that.
"Are you sure you don't need a bath?" Alanna asked, soaking her body in the tube. Using her hands, she splashed water over her face and hair, washing a week's road dust and grime from it.
"No", Thayet scowled, tapping her foot impatiently as she waited for Alanna to finish. Her whole body was tense from the upcoming meeting with Jonathan. If it hadn't been for George, there was no way she would be sitting here now. Thayet cursed herself for being so weak. *Why couldn't I just have denied George's offer to return? What made me think I could face him again?* In anxiety, she formed a fist with her hands, only to discover her palms were glistening with sweat.
"Fine. I'm done." Alanna noticed her friend's rigid body, and dragged herself from the tub. She glanced at the still steaming water longingly, before covering her shivering body with a towel. "Where did I put my clothes?" The Champion demanded, hunting around the room for her breeches, at the same time dripping water all over the clean floor. "Have you seen them?"
"Yeah." A giggle escaped from Thayet's lips. "Timon bore them away from a thorough washing when you went to fetch the water…isn't that what you always do when you come back?"
"What?" Alanna yelped, whirling to face her friend. "He took away all my clothes? What am I suppose to wear?!?! He's not expecting me to go around like THIS for the rest of the day, is he?" She gestured at her naked body, shrouded by nothing but the thin towel.
Thayet laughed openly, her hazel eyes alight with mischievous glee. "Of course not. Timon left something for you in the chest." She pointed, not bothering to hide her amusement.
The chest creaked as Alanna opened it, but it was nothing compared to the dramatic groan that escaped the Lioness's lips. The chest contained assorted garments; feminine underclothing, slippers, that silk, lilac dress from Port Cayne – but there was nothing suitable for her return as a knight. "Thayet!" Alanna accused, adopting an expression of pitiful ness. "You let him leave this for me? Why do you have to make me look like a complete idiot on my first day back?"
Thayet smiled, walking over to give Alanna a hand with the dress, which was clutched tightly in the Lioness's hand. "I doubt anyone's going to think less of you if you walk around wearing a dress for one day." She commented dryly.
"I'm not going to wear this!" Alanna protested vehemently, letting the folds of purple silk slide back into the chest. "I'm a knight! Not some soft noblewoman! Do we have to go through this every time I come back to the palace? This is one of the reasons why I don't want to come back!"
Laughing mercilessly, Thayet gasped out through her laughter, "you're a lady knight, Alanna! It's not going to kill you to put on this dress! Plus, you don't have a choice, we'll be late if you don't put it on NOW!" Thayet had never seen through her friend's stubbornness for wearing feminine clothing. She was so exasperating sometimes! "Unless you want to greet your King in soapy, wet clothes? Or better yet, would you prefer the towel you're wearing now?
Alanna grumbled that she would rather wear the half washed clothing, but she obediently began putting on the undergarments, contorting her face with disgust in the process. She half-heartedly rustled into the silk gown, and Thayet helped her with the frilly, lace bodice. "I look ridiculous!" Alanna pouted, surveying herself in the full-length mirror, while Thayet ran a brush through her coppery, wet hair. She glared at the reflection of the girl in the mirror, wearing the lilac dress that contrived to emphasize her curves and bring out the colour of her amethyst eyes.
"No you don't, you look beautiful." Thayet grinned, now combing through her own raven locks.
The Lady Knight tried to scowl, but she softened a bit with her friend's compliment. Still grumbling with discontentment, she allowed Thayet to drag her out of the room and towards the Royal Wing. They found George waiting outside Jonathan's study. He raised his eyebrows slightly, before remarking dryly. "That's a nice dress you got on there, lass."
Alanna made a face, blushing crimson as she realized George was looking her over inch by inch. "I'm female, I can wear a dress if I want to!" She snapped, her feminine side getting the better of her. "And blame it all on Thayet! It was her fault the only choice I got was this (another gesture towards her dress), or my bath towel!" Alanna ran a hand nervously through her Titan hair as they approached the door.
"Blame her? Should I be thankin' her instead?" George grinned, winking a roguish eye at Thayet, but her impassive face betrayed on emotion. She was asking herself over and over why she had agreed to this in the first place as the door to the King's study loomed up ahead of them.
Alanna scowled, tugging at the skirt. "This is absolutely ridiculous – no proper way for a knight to return to the palace!"
George opened his mouth, presumably to retort, but at that exact moment, the door opened.
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