Chapter Two; the first meeting.
(Two years later. Alanna is fourteen)
The Crown Prince of Tortall rode through the streets of the lower city on Darkness, his young stallion. It was the day before his fifteenth birthday and his fellow squires; Gareth of Naxen and Raoul of Goldenlake had herded him from the palace so he would not know about his 'secret' party that was being arranged. He looked around the crowded market place, silently thanking Mithros that Darkness didn't jump at loud noises or crowded spaces. The stallholders were calling out their wares and people hurried to and fro on their daily business.
Suddenly he felt something collide with his leg, looking down, he saw a girl had been pushed into his stirrup by the crowd. She looked up as she felt his eyes rest on her, and their eyes met and held.
Jonathan started slightly; her eyes were the colour of amethyst. He looked her up and down and she flushed slightly, but returned the gesture.
He saw a small, slender girl with elbow length coppery hair. She wore a dagger at her hip, and another, if he wasn't mistaken, was hidden in the folds of her dark cloak. She was clad in a plain blue dress with a silver belt and necklace.
Alanna eyed the boy; she knew full well who he was and who he was pretending to be. She also knew he had no idea of her existence. He wore plain breeches and shirt. Last year he had begun coming into the city as 'Johnny', a rich fur merchant's son. Stephan, the hostler at the palace, and a member of the Rogue court, had ensured his safety by introducing him to George. George had made sure he never came to the Dove during the day and that Jonathan kept away from Alanna. She had never asked his reasons for doing that, but did not really need to know.
Jon would be a head and a half taller than she if he stood next to her. His black hair was tousled and his sapphire eyes gleamed. He was at ease in the saddle and he too carried a dagger at his waist. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could voice any words or ask any questions, Alanna slipped away into the crowd.
In vain he scanned the people thronging the square, searching for her.
Raoul broke his concentration as he yelled to see if Jon could lend him a Noble, he needed a new sword belt. Jon nudged Darkness through the people towards his friends as he reached for his purse at his waist. To his shock it wasn't there.
"My purse is gone!" he called to his companions. Gary clapped a hand on his shoulder in sympathy.
"His first ever pick pocket. I hope you didn't have much money in there cousin." Jon thought, and then had to admit that he had not.
Once more he scanned the crowd for the lavender eyed girl. She had vanished from his sight, but not from his thoughts.