Chapter Eleven; Rude Awakening.
This one is in thanks for hyperchick88's great review!
"Get up!" A hand violently shook his shoulder. He flailed it away and rolled over in the bed. "I'll pour water over you if you don't."
Jon shot upward in the bed as something very cold and wet was poured over his head. He glared at the laughing Alanna, who looked annoyingly fresh and alert.
"Well I warned you." She raised another pitcher full of liquid and he snatched it from her hand. "Don't throw that. " She cautioned, "It's fruit juice." She then handed him a roll and fruit. "I'll meet you outside in ten minutes." He shook his wet head at her in exasperated amusement as she left the room, still laughing.
Amazingly he was outside in ten minutes, holding his sword. She was already in the training yard, doing her stretching exercises. He laid his sword beside hers in a corner and silently joined her.
Soon though, the courtyard rang with the clash of their blade. Alanna had said that they would only use their swords, ruling out her own immediate advantage against him. Although Jon was far better trained and taller than Alanna, he soon found that she was no easy opponent. He discovered that her speed alone made her a formidable fighter and he found it hard to land a blow on her. But she was also unusual in her attacks and blocks, using moves that were entirely new to Jon. She used her smallness to slip around his attacks and to duck under his defences and attacks and turn them against him. They battled backwards and forwards until Jon managed to twist her blade from her hand. She smiled ruefully.
"It's been a long time since some one beat me." He rested the point of his sword in the tightly packed dirt and leaned on it. They were both sweaty and panting.
"I can see why. You're very good."
"Thanks." She bent down to pick up her sword, examining it for damage, "Can you show me that twist you did?" Before Jon could move to show her, Alanna spun as a voice came from behind her.
"You're still weaker on your left side Kitten. Your scar still hurting you?" While Jon held his sword ready to repel an attack, Alanna threw hers to the ground and flung herself at the stranger.
"Liam!" The man clasped her around the waist and swung her around. After they had calmed down somewhat he placed her back on the ground and she rose on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.
"Ironarm!" She exclaimed, "Where have you been?"
"Galla mostly." The stranger was deeply tanned and his eyes were the shifting blue-green of the Inland Sea. His hand clutched Alanna's own and she did not seem to be objecting in the least. His hair was darker than Alanna's but still bright red. His nose was crooked, as if it had been broken several times before. To Jon's surprise the man wore no weapon, most wore at least a dagger in the city. His accent was that of a commoner and his hands were callused from hard work.
Jonathon cleared his throat, disturbing the two from their animated conversation. As she heard him, Alanna stepped back slightly,
"Sorry." She apologised, "Jon, this is Liam Ironarm, the Shang Dragon. Liam, Prince Jonathon of Conté."
"Honoured to meet you." Liam bowed.
"You're the Shang Dragon?"
"He is. He taught me Shang for three years before leaving for parts unknown." Liam tweaked her nose.
"I see you've been practising Kitten. Let's see what you can do." Alanna nodded eagerly
"Do you mind Jon?"
"No. Go ahead, I'll watch you." Jonathon moved to the side as the two began circling each other. Liam threw the first blow, which Alanna easily knocked aside. That made Jon suck in a breath, the punch had been very fast and very hard and Alanna had simply swatted it away. His respect for her increased further. She returned her own punch as soon as his was deflected. Jon watched as the two spun, kicked and punched in a blur of movement. They moved in a dazzling sequence of a deadly choreography that would take a grown man down in two seconds if he were ever foolish enough to take them on.
Alanna fell out of the fight, winded by a partially blocked kick to her midsection. She rolled to her feet effortlessly, laughing.
"I'll never best you Liam."
"You've learned some new tricks though Alanna." Jon tossed both combatants a skin of water, they caught them and drank gratefully.
"I have to go back to the Palace now." Jon said, breaking the silence, "Before they being to worry."
As Alanna opened her mouth, Liam stepped in smoothly.
"I'll walk with you up there Prince, if you wish."
"Thank. Although there is no need, I can go alone." Alanna nudged him gently.
"There is need. I suppose George told you everything then?" Liam nodded.
The two men walked out of the training yard and through the quiet inn. Alanna followed but broke away as they walked out the door, to go to her room.
The two walked up the main street in silence, until they reached the peaceful temple district, then in its turn the palace road. When they reached the gates Liam turned to the Prince.
"Don't hurt her."
"I won't!" He exclaimed, blue eyes flashing, "Why does everyone think I am going to hurt her?"
Liam's eyes were now a deep green, serious,
"Because you care for her. And she cares for you too. That terrifies her. She's not let any man close to her heart since she came to Corus and who knows how long before that, except maybe George and myself, but she is still afraid of getting hurt once more."
"Why isn't she afraid of you hurting her? Or George?"
"She does. But to a lesser degree, because George is like her father and I am like her brother. Mithros knows we are better to her than her own father and brother. But you," Liam shook his head, "You've got past her defences. Do I guess right that's she's told you about her past?" He saw the agreement in Jon's face before he could speak, "She worried that you are going to hurt her. Don't." Jon laid his hand on the older man's shoulder.
" I would never do anything to hurt her Dragon."
"Good."
The Shang warrior bowed, then turned and walked off down the long road.
Unnoticed by either of the men, a shadow slipped away along the high palace wall.
So? What do you think. Let me know!