A few days later, Hannah awoke to an obnoxiously happy bird singing outside her open window. She rolled over and tried to fall asleep again. She put her head under her pillow. Still she could hear the shrill call of the bird. She put her fingers in her ears, but soon her arms became tired. Finally she pried herself out her warm bed and stomped angrily over to the window.
she yelled. Bugger off! Nobody wants you here and with feathers like that, you'll never find a mate anyway! She slammed the window shut and clomped back over to her bed. She slipped back into the covers and waited for sleep to wash over her again. She was just starting to drift off again when someone knocked on her door. Was she never going to sleep? The house keeper walked in.
Is everything okay Miss Hannah? I thought I heard a rumble. I feared it might be a burglar. The woman twittered at her own joke. She walked over to the wash basin and filled it with fresh water. Tis after breakfast, she said merrily, You best be waking up soon. The woman walked out of the room humming. Hannah gave up and got out of bed a second time. she walked over to the was basin.
she said to herself. As she scrubbed her face clean and brushed out her hair, she thought about home. Although she had never been away from her family before, she didn't miss it much. Her mother and father were nice enough, but she often felt overshadowed by her older brother and sister. Luckily Hannah made friends quickly. Being members of the Rogue, her parents knew, it seemed, everyone in the city, and naturally that knowledge was passed onto her.
Life was good, she had everything she needed to be alive, and she knew there were less fortunate people, but still Hannah felt restless. All her life, all she had known was the Rogue and her little island off the coast of Tortall. Her feet were itching for new streets and new people and something else. She didn't know what that something was but that was why she was here. Hannah chuckled to herself as she remembered what her best friend Jonah had said to her when she told him she was leaving Burgeon Island.
Honestly Hannah, he said, you never cease to amaze me.
How so? she asked, looking curiously into his deep blue eyes.
It's just, I don't know he paused. It seems like you just woke up one morning and said to yourself Hey! I think I'll go to the capital! Mum and Dad have their own things, they don't need me. Screw my friends, they wont miss me, least of all Jonah-
Oh stop it you big baby! she said to him. I'll miss you, of course I'll miss you. I just really need to find something else. Besides, soon you'll be married and you'll have your wife and your family, and then you wont want stodgy old me coming around, trying to hone in on your family cuz I can't get my own!
Oh pish posh! You'll find a husband, you just have to stop moving away or changing your life every time opportunity comes a knockin'!
Their standard argument ensued. Hannah thought about it and decided that maybe he was right. Maybe she did run away from her problems and her fears. Maybe the reason she left wasn't because she wanted something new, but that she was just afraid of what was old, and normal.
Oh well, she said to her reflection, no changing your mind now. With that she put her brush onto the table and headed down the stairs to the kitchen. She walked into the room and was greeted by a sleepy looking woman with red hair and strikingly violet eyes.
said Hannah.
replied Alanna, swallowing her biscuit, sleep well?
Yeah, I guess. Although there was this horrible songbird who seemed to be overcompensating for her dirty feathers and stumpy wings with an especially horrific rendition of her mating call. Alanna chuckled. Hannah poured herself some hot tea and grabbed a biscuit for herself. She plopped down on a bench by the door, curling one leg under her body. She sighed and took a huge bite of her biscuit. The two women ate quietly. Suddenly, Alanna sat up straight.
I forgot to tell you, and I doubt George did, but, you'll have to leave for Corus a few days early because George has some business that came up. The older woman sipped her tea.
How early? asked Hannah.
Tomorrow actually said George sweeping into the room. I've a package to pick up at the smithy and the King wanted to have tea. George winked at Hannah, and kissed Alanna squarely on the lips. An' if I'm not mistaken lass, you've got to ride to Olau by midweek.
Yes, I do don't I? Good thing you reminded me. I don't know what I would do without you George. Alanna looked at him lovingly.
Well lass, you'd probably still be traipsing around our realm wonderin' why ya didn't catch me while ya could. George pulled Alanna into his strong arms. Hannah quickly put her mug in the wash basin and skittled upstairs to pack her things.