Chapter Twenty Five; Friends.
Alanna brushed her currently brown hair back from her face, touched the keys on her belt to reassure herself they were there, and picked a water dish up from a tray. The second round of subtleties was on the table. For the feast of Midwinter, the cooks had surpassed themselves, a full moon hung above a howling wolf upon a crag, and a figure of Lady Maya, the goddess of the hunt and wild beasts, stood below it, longbow drawn. Her clothes were the same brown and white of the palace servants, although pages and squires usually served at these feasts, a few of the maids helped out. So she moved along the tables, offering the water and cloth to those who needed it.
She approached Jon's table, ignoring Delia and curtseying beside Jonathon
"My Prince." She lowered her face respectfully as Delia glared at her. He dipped his fingers in the water bowl, then took the cloth from her hand.
"Thank you." he said, then jumped slightly as Alanna raised her head, a mocking grin on her lips.
"It is my pleasure your Highness." She straightened, jerking her head slightly towards the exit from the hall. Jon nodded to show he understood, and as she moved on, he began to make his excuses to the Ladies.
It was far easier to get Gary and Raoul, she simply tapped their shoulders and gestured towards the door. The expression on Raoul's face made her bite her lip to stop herself from bursting out into laughter. She had never seen someone look so relieved or grateful in her life. Alex saw her working her was towards him and saved her the trouble by rising from his chair and walking towards her.
Alanna met them all in the grand ante-chamber outside the hall. She shushed their questions and guided them down the narrow passageways only the servants used. When she was sure they were alone, Alanna turned, releasing the Glamour.
Jon and Gary were the first to spot the welts and bruises on her face. Raoul was next, as he turned to see what the shocked gasps from his friends were for. He then whistled softly in sympathy.
The Prince stepped closer to Alanna, and she matched his steady look evenly. Her right cheek was heavily bruised from Balern's backhand, and her lip cut from the same stroke. Her left cheekbone was also bruised; the skin above the bone was torn and swollen.
Jon cupped her cheek.
"Who did this to you?" his voice shook with barely restrained anger as he turned her face from side to side gently.
"I'm fine." She protested. He moved his hand away and showed Alanna her own blood staining his hand. Still she insisted "I am fine."
" No you aren't Alanna." Gary butted in. "Who hit you?"
"And why did you let him?" Alex added shrewdly.
"It is easier to take a slap then to draw attention to myself."
"A slap!" Raoul scoffed. The big knight began to pace the room. "That is far worse than a slap."
Jon lifted her hair, now its usual copper colour, away from the side of her face. He winced as he revealed yet more bruises. He laid a hand on the swollen area and Alanna felt a cool, tingling sensation passing over the skin. He was healing her.
The rest stood and watched as the marks marring her face faded away. Finally there was only the split lip left to deal with. Jonathon lifted her chin so she was looking straight into his eyes. Then, very gently, he laid his index finger on her lip. Slowly, when it was mended, Jon withdrew his finger, his clear blue eyes never leaving her violet ones.
One of the others coughed slightly and the two started.
"You said you had proof now Alanna." Gary reminded her. "Where is it?"
"I'll take you to it. But I warn you; you won't like it." As she began leading them towards the stairs, a hand in the crook of her elbow stopped her.
"Wait." Jonathon's voice was icy cold. "I wan to know who hit you."
"It doesn't matter." She tried to pull away, but his grip tightened on her upper arm.
"Of course it matters." Raoul spoke for all of them "You are our friend."
Alanna was stunned. She had dared to wish that the men counted her as one of their number, as a friend. But to hear Raoul say it, and to see all the rest nodding in agreement... That was more than she had ever thought could come true. For once in her life, Alanna was accepted, unconditionally, for the fact that she was herself. She owed it to her friends to tell them the truth.
"Balern."
"Who?" Alex asked, confusion evident on his face.
"Duke Roger's manservant."
"Why did he hit you?" Jon enquired
"I knocked him over." He sensed there was more to the story than Alanna was revealing to them.
"Why did you knock him over?"
"Well I had to get these somehow." Alanna held up the keys to Duke Roger's room once more.
Well, I hope that length was better for you. I have the next update ready so when I get a decent amount of reviews I'll update. Come on people, that's the closest I've got to saying 'I'll update when I have… reviews'.
For all those who asked about a Daine story. I have an idea now to continue 'Call of the Wild'. I may be starting that soon. I'll let you know.
I still need the following people to email me at tortallianheroes@yahoo.co.uk to confirm they are judging, apologies if you already have. If I do not receive these emails by Thursday, I will assume that you do not want to judge the awards any longer. Thursday is also the last day I will accept new judges.
Forget me not,
Silver Griffin,
Amanda,
Hannirose,
Sydney Bristow,
Xelena
Alex Huish,
Raven of the wood,
Sunny1388
Valencia22
Stacey Chin
Spirited away
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Kittles.
Also the lovely person doing my background and the Immortals badges, can you please email me any more you have done.
Thanks
HuntressDiana