Individuals:
Certified-weirdo: How come you reviewed chappie 7 and not 8? It don't matter but I was just curious. Cool, another Aussie! (I read your bio) We're so few and far between, hey?
Devilsheart: Did you mean kool?
Nala: Thanks for the LONG review! It made my day! I'm glad you like the fic. Read on to see what happens with Liam!
Ti-Ti: Interesting name! I will (hm) continue! Hee hee hee!
Kore Yan: No, but it's a good idea! Oh, maybe he will … runs fingers along whiskers, which sqeak … I'll think of something … trust me, I'm a rat! (certified-weirdo, you may get that joke! Any Aussies might!)
Queen-of-sapphires: No, but again, a good idea! I'm glad you like it so much!
Ellabelle1: Thanks Ella!
Fantasizing-Lady-Knight: I know it's … odd, but I like it, it's actually sort of original now, hey! I like it when people say they're hooked, even when it's only kinda.
Wake-Robin: Arrgh! You weren't the first! You were second, though. I'm glad you like the twist!
Chicken-puffs: No, but they will journey together! Oops, plot giveaway!
Disclaimer: Read if you dare.
Chapter 9 – The Dragon
A week later, Alanna found a map with charred edges and a column of runes in her sack. She grinned; she presumed that whoever had written her story was still writing about her and did this to give her an excuse to travel to Maren.
The reached Berat only just in time. Windfeld the Innkeeper was told: "Sir? You might want to go to the stable yards. A Tortallan knight has just arrived."
"Why is that so important? We get knights from all over the world!"
"This 'un be a girl! A pregnant girl!"
"Oh, yes! It must be Sir Myles's daughter. I hear she's married to Prince Jonathon. I didn't think she'd carry this early, I must admit! I wonder why she's ridden all this way, with the danger of losin' the babe? What's her shield?"
"It be a-covered. But her man wears a pin like one, it proclaim a cat a-rearing,"
"That be her. I must greet her,"
Alanna was not surprised that the innkeeper welcomed her, for she had read this. She was helped to a seat where she caught sight of the copper-haired man she sought here.
She was well aware of her dishevelled appearance, for she had not had a bath for a week. She now wished she had accepted the wash that Windfeld had offered her.
During her meal, she kept glancing at the man she presumed to be Liam Ironarm, the Shang Dragon. It wasn't until after the meal, however, that she caught his eye.
She was glad that she was facing him, and wasn't side on, so that he couldn't see her motherly state. She beckoned to the man, and he obediently arose and made his way towards her.
"Milady," he murmured, kneeling and kissing her hand. "What a pleasure it is to meet you,"
"The same to you, Dragon of Shang," she replied, hoping desperately that she was right. Thankfully she was.
"How did you know of my rank, good lady?"
"I know many things, Mr. Ironarm. Too many for my own good, perhaps. But I know them."
"I – " He stopped short when he noticed her belly. "Why did you call me over?" He spoke with a commoner's tendency to over-pronounce vowels and almost skip r's.
She smiled. "So you noticed. I lured you over here on false pretences, perhaps, but I needed to talk to you. What else could I do? The Wandering Bard is a place where you meet such interesting people," she added, without adding anything to the conversation. She could see Liam was growing impatient, so she hurried on. "I'm searching for the Dominion Jewel, via Sarain. I know," she went on, as he opened his mouth to object, "there's a war in progress. But it's there we'll pick up a party of refugees who will help us on our journey. I want you to join me,"
"But I hardly know you!" he objected.
"I know that. But you see," she lowered her voice, even though the other occupants of the common room where too loud to hear anyway. His eyes turned from blue-green to grey. "I found a very interesting book in Corus. It was written about my life. When I agreed to marry Prince Jonathon, I stopped following the story. If I had said no to the prince, I would have had an affair with you, Liam,"
He gasped. "I must have gone with you on your quest!" he murmured. "But why do you seek the Roof of the World in this state?"
"So I can meet all the people I would have if I were not," she replied. "We will meet PrincessThayet jian Wilima of Sarain and her K'mir friend Buriram on the way, with a party of youths and children. The rest of the party shall leave us in Rachia, and then we shall continue to Chitral Pass. You know," she thought out loud to herself. "I should probably just lend you the book. Here," she reached into her basket, "we leave in three days. Read from about page, uh, seventy-three in book four, as far as you can. Tell me your decision then,"
Liam nodded, and arose. "Thankyou, milady," he told her. He left.
Alanna felt satisfied. Her meal completed, she decided to take up on Windfeld's bath offer and made her way upstairs.
Jon paced his study, cursing himself for not thinking of a plan sooner. Of course she'd go for it! he thought to himself, disgusted at his not seeing the situation sooner.
"You're upset over nothing," came a voice from the door. Jonathan started, not realising he had been watched. Fortunately, it was only Raoul.
"She told me not to tell you she was gone, but I guess you've worked it out by now. You're only worried, Jon. Don't blame yourself."
Jon forced a small smile, remembering his shock when he found that the Princess and the heir to the throne were missing. Now, a month later, he could see his overreaction.
"She's just so stubborn!" he cried suddenly. "She'd risk anything for an adventure."
"There's not much you can do about it now," comforted his large friend. "She won't do anything daft. She knows when she's gone too far,"
"I guess you're right," Jon murmured. "All I can do is pray she'll be all right."
Review!