Disclaimer: Thast right… if you haven't figured out since your ON FAN-FICTION-.-NET (*cough* definintion of fanfic: a story BASED on another author's story *cough*) I can't even begin to claim I'm TP… so I'm hopeing your not expecting the real deal ppl cuz unfortuantly …. It isn't

Chapter 3: Who's Who?

Daine stared at the man speechless as Numair spoke up, "Prince Jonathan's squire?" He seemed sure of himself, but his tone told Daine he was as surprised as she was, surely they had misheard-

            "Yes" said the older man grinning, "I'm afraid he looks no more then a page at times, but surely you've heard of our hero here."

            Alan was still pale as a ghost looking at the two mages trying to gasp for air. He showed no sign of the crack made by the other knight, but just stared blankly at the two members. 

            Numair swallowed hard then smiled slightly, "Ah yes I have heard actually. Forgive us, we have been away for some time now in Carthak. I am the mage Numair Salmalin and this is my student, the wild mage Veralidaine Sarrasri. My mistake I'm afraid, came from the resemblance of this lad, to an apprentice in the City of the God's,  a boy by the name of Thom of Trebond?"

            Daine noticed that Alan's face, while relaxing a bit still looked very pale. As Numair spoke of their alibi she remembered Alanna talking about her brother. Looking at the lad again she rubbed her temples. Under her breath she cursed, "Mithros this isn't happening…"

            "It's a pleasure" the man smiled at the two of them, "I am Sir Myles of Olau, you probably haven't heard of me, unless its as the Court Drunk" Daine's eyes flashed in shock, it was well known Alanna's father was Myles of Olau, but this man bore no resemblance the the secretive, but kindly gentlemen she had only met a few times. Numair showed no sign of surprise however and waited for the man to go on. "Have you two had some troubles mayhap? By your packs and-" here he eyed Daine curiously "garb I'm suspecting not everything went as planned."

            Eyes flickered onto Daine's garb as she blushed. Alan was now staring wide eyed at her, fully recognizing what she was wearing for the first time. Numair smiled gently as Daine looked down and frowned confused. She was wearing what she normally wore; Brown leather breeches, with a soft white blouse and blue tunic over it, and soft worn boots of deerskin. They were the same outfits the queens riders would wear or-

            She stopped mid-thought.

             The queen's riders were brought by Thayet which means that it was still improper for woman to be wearing breeches. Her face grimaced into a look of pure horror as she realized she was going to have to change into a dress. From the side of her vision she couldn't help but see Numair trying to keep a straight face as hers turned to shock. I'm going to get him back for that.. She thought to herself silently. Seeing Myles and Alan still watching her she forced a smile, "We…um.. had some trouble with bandits outside Corus." So original she added to herself.

            Numair spoke up, "Personal belongings and many of my books got left behind. There was a large group of them, and while we may be mages, we were needless to say outnumbered. I had to shrink many of my outfits down to her size until we reached the palace. We were actually looking for his majesty, and got lost in this wing some how."

            "Oh?" The knight did not sound convinced but was not as suspicious. "Well if that's so, I really have no further need of Alan. Lad, can you show these two to a couple of rooms, and have them stop by Master Johorn's and Mistress Weaver's to pick up a few things for tonight? I'm sure the lady wishes to dispose of those clothes she has on, and put on more comfortable wear."

            Daine tried to keep the incredulous look off her face but had a difficult time showing it. She just stood quietly trying to smile as she replied, "Ah yes, I would indeed like to clean up and put some-um- more appropriate clothes on."

            Alanna kept staring at her, even as she did so knowing it was inappropriate. But the look the girl gave them now was the same she would, should anyone, especially her friends, force her in to a dress. She knew the pair had not told the total truth, and fear still was placed on her heart that they had believed her Thom. It was true what they said about the City of the Gods, but it was rare to find anyone who didn't know "Alan of Trebond" and rarer still for anyone to know her brother over her. With her father dead there was little chance of her getting caught but still- As she wallowed in her thoughts a dark shape emerged from her legs and ran out into the hall.
            "Faithful!" called out Alanna to the black cat now looking up at the two mages curiously. The knight grinned as the cat began purring around the wild mage's legs whom bent down joyfully and welcomed the animal into her arms.

            "Now you are a beauty aren't you.. but how is it I didn't here you sneak up on me like that really I-" she left off mid-sentence… talking to herself more than anything else as she looked at the animal in confusion. She continued to pet the creature but had a pensive look on her face and just coddled the animal shamelessly.

            Numair sighed grinning at his beloved, "Ignore Daine. Her magic gives her a connection to animals, and when she's around them she can easily forget anything around her."

            "We noticed" laughed Myles as he watched the girl and cat return infectious nudges.

Alanna stared openly at her cat. It was rare to see faithful go to anyone, but the girl and animal appeared to get along better then fine. She let her fears pass a bit deciding if Faithful liked the newcomers then they might be good omens.

Finally Alanna spoke up, "Sir? Would you like me to show you to guest quarters? Or would you prefer Master Johorn's shop first." If it meant she could escape from Midwinter obligations anything would be better.

 Myles smiled knowing her thoughts, "I take it you'd like to pick up something to wear my Lady?"       

Numair grinned seeing Daine would like to do anything but, however merely nodded, "Yes that would be wonderful. Will you lead us there Al- Alan. Correct?" Daine looked up her eyes grave reminding herself mentally to make sure she made no mess ups.

"A new outfit would be nice" she replied nonchalant, Faithful seemed to sneeze and then ran to intertwine herself around Alanna's legs.

"Well then I shall lead the way. Good day Sir Myles" Alanna bowed.

"It was a pleasure meeting you both. I shall see you all tonight. Until then" Myles bowed and closed his door.

Ah well not as long as the second.. but tis late and I'm going to be off for a couple days so this is all I can put up for now. I promise t'will get more interesting I've just got to get outside the hall and into a good location first.

CrAzYhOrSeGiRl88 : hehehe I'm glad you liked it. I was also sad that Opet Opet was discontinued. I've seen a few others around with time traveling I just thought I'd try my hand at things I thought would be intresitng. Thanks.

Simi: That was my plan. Ah the beauty of unsuspicious people. Well that's the beauty of characters… glad you enjoy it!

Fuzzfurry: thanks!

Horseluver: Thanks again. Yeah when I'll try to do better, when Its completed I'm gonna go through and do a full proofreading… at the moment I just don't have the time to actually recheck everything.

SD: Thank You!

Pixiedust: Here ya go! Another chappy and no cliffs. (though I do love making them, even if I hate reading them :-P)

Elspeth Elf: Thank you. I'm glad you enjoy reading the story. Thank you for your review.