ok here again! um. Ok just read it i have nothing 2 say! thanx 4 gettin this far..
Chapter 3 - Freedom Wishes of a Kind Heart
The following morning saw Alanna sitting uncomfortably on her horse, out riding with Sir Gareth – Gary – and his friends. She had chosen Cythera and Lin to accompany her as they were the only Ladies she could hold a decent conversation with – and the only ones who could really hold it with her.
She had exchanged a few meaningless polite words with his friends; Raoul, a man even bigger than Gary, and Jon, the coal haired prince. Their other friend was serving some duty for his former Knightmaster and their Squires apparently had the day off. Cythera was engaged in some deep conversation with Gary while Lin and the prince seemed to be discussing something. Raoul was listening in to each in turn, idly, and Alanna rode in silence with her thoughts. She preferred things that way.
Caged up in the Palace as she had been for the last few days, her temper had shortened as her boredom deepened. After attempting to help at the healers, she was always turned away after a time – a lady must not exhaust herself or deal with too many of the riff-raff, and many nobles who had met her brother found it unnerving to be healed by his sister. She smiled mirthlessly. Isolation and snappy replies did have their disadvantages.
She breathed in deeply, letting the fresh air and smells of the woods fill her nose. Finally, she could breathe! The close trees gave a freer feeling than any great hall and she could almost imagine herself alone with no boundaries.
Raoul ruined that fantasy by approaching her, "Do you enjoy riding Lady Alanna? If you are not too tired, later we may go down into the city." Her head snapped round to face him, startled. Eventually, she settled on an answer that bordered on the truth.
"Riding is agreeable, if a little uncomfortable. And I suppose seeing the city would be interesting." After all, if she went with the nobles first she would at least have some idea of her bearings other than 5 year old memories. She suppressed a little excitement. The King of Thieves resided mostly in Corus. She had met him before on a few of his visits to the City of the Gods to check on Amli's rule and of course, to explore the city she would need to know some of them. There were many things to be learnt here. Maybe even a few Shang Warriors not against teaching an unknown girl.
Cythera turned suddenly. "Alanna, you know things about the Bazhir don't you? You met some once?" She caught herself glaring just in time. Of course she had met the Bazhir; she had spent time among them on one absence from the Convent, prior to her extended trip of almost nine months in which she had journeyed to Sarain. That one had been a slight mistake. Maybe.
She wondered exactly how to phrase her answer and grumbled silently that she even had to bother. "Yes, I spent a little time among the Bazhir when I got lost on one of our long rides. Went entirely the wrong way, South instead of North, and they kindly cared for me until I could return. My compass skills have always been atrocious." That ought to do. After all, ladies were not expected to know anything about Maps.
"Did you not notice it was getting warmer?" Jon asked with a slight smile. Alanna longed to slap the smirk off his face. She had known exactly where she was going thank-you. But instead she replied sharply, "I fell ill along the way I recall. I would not say I was in a fit state to notice much." This was true to some extent.
Changing to subject to one she knew they would dislike and something that couldn't last for long she added, "I was wondering where my brother was actually. You say he is on a task for his Knightmaster – have you any idea of when he will be back?" She knew the answer. He would not return for at least two weeks. However, if she had to endure an uncomfortable subject so did they.
The answer was as predicted, along with familiar guarded expressions. It wouldn't do to have her know how fond they were of him. Or rather, not fond. However, the awkward questions were not over yet.
"You're seventeen is that right?" Jon asked curiously. "And yet these Ladies are a year younger. Is there a reason why you didn't join the Ladies of your age last year?"
"There were reasons yes, but they are none of your business." Alanna snapped, temper flaring. "Suffice to say, I missed some of my studies and stayed to complete them." She wasn't about to mention that had it not been for the betrothal she would still be there and probably for another year as punishment for her numerous escapades and continuous series of detentions. The young men exchanged curious glances but didn't question her again. Alanna continued the walk in stony silence and the others restarted conversations.
Having finally stopped silently complaining violently about stupid boys, Alanna tried to return to revelling in the freedom and space she was riding in but couldn't quite reach that state of silent contemplation once more. And besides, it had only been the comparison of being caged up in the Palace that had exaggerated the longed for feeling of freedom so much.
Now, more aware of the others with her and becoming restless with the Palace so far behind, Alanna itched to ride fast and escape at least their company. Though she kept it well hidden, she had felt it so often in the past that Lin recognised the signs and smiled knowingly at her. Alanna glared at her feeling infuriated. That didn't help!
Upon reaching the edge of the forest and a huge stretch of open slopes, Alanna felt she might burst with frustration. They would be turning back soon or stopping to eat! Ladies, of course, could not be expected to ride long distances and despite her discomfort riding side saddle Alanna couldn't bear the thought of returning to the high walls of the palace or sitting down to polite conversation over sandwiches. It didn't help that Cythera was now also watching her knowingly and the Knights had begun to wonder what thought was being shared by the Ladies and were staring at her curiously.
As the great expanse of land stretched out before her Alanna could bear it no longer. She resettled herself and spurred Moonlight into a gallop, balancing precariously in her side saddle position. With the wind whipping through her hair and the air rushing past freedom felt a lot closer. Alanna smiled and felt the beginnings of laughter bubble up in her throat.
Watching her, the knights stared. Lin laughed suddenly. "Well someone will be in good spirits at least for the next hour anyway!" Gary widened his eyes in surprise. "She always does this? And enjoys it? But it's so dangerous." "And she's always so formal and proper too!" Raoul added. Lin grinned. "What and mean?" The looks on their faces were all she needed to see.
"Alanna is mean. Pretty much always. Or at least, she makes everyone believe so. Never makes friends or anything like that. But you should have seen the time Lady De-I mean a Lady told Alice she was ugly and made her cry. We all had sore ear-drums at the end of that and someone sported…" she paused, "Well the Lady didn't look too well. It wasn't the only occasion either."
The three glanced at each other, wondering just what the 'Lady' had sported. If she were like Thom it was inconceivable that they would be bruises. And they couldn't exactly imagine someone of her size hitting someone. Perhaps something magical. "Shall we continue?" Jon asked remembering his manners.
The group continued at a more leisurely pace and stopped on the ridge to spread out a picnic on the assurance that the red head would return in time. From below on the slopes the sound of laughter reached them. After about half and hour a girl returned who looked nothing like the sullen stony faced Lady of before.
Alanna's hair had tugged free of its pins and she looked windswept but happy. Purple eyes sparkled as she braided her hair loosely and sat down, smiling, to help herself to some bread. "Enjoy yourself?" Cythera asked mischievously. The smile didn't dim, but instead she rolled her eyes and replied happily, "Nope!" Lin grinned. It wasn't the usual sarcasm that was employed snappily and accompanied with a derisive glare. This was, perhaps, her true nature.
It seemed nothing could tear down her good spirits, despite the quick dwindling of the smile her eyes continued to sparkle. Alanna even succeeded in being tolerably nice to the three men. Only at the mention of returning to the palace did she feel her happiness ebbing away but Gary, Raoul and Jon had caught on somewhat and arranged a visit to the city during the afternoon which reconciled her mood slightly.
They returned through the woods to rest for an hour and to meet at the stables at the 2nd bell after noon. Jon and Lin declined to come; one having a council meeting and the other claiming a severe headache. Alanna spent the hour mixing tea and settling her with the help of Cythera. Finally satisfied that she would sleep until they returned Alanna returned to her room, armed herself more sufficiently with daggers and changed to a wide riding skirt that allowed freedom of movement and didn't show the leggings she pulled on underneath.
With a bubble of excitement building up in her stomach she left her room and hurried towards the stables.
Xxx
Gary and Raoul and Cythera had to wait a few minutes for the red-heads arrival. At the point of giving up she finally appeared at a run, cheeks flushed. Cythera raised a questioning brow at her and she gestured towards the palace by way of explanation. "Forgot to leave the spare sleeping draught away from Lin so she doesn't drink it by mistake," she added for those who didn't quite understand the hand sign.
Cythera nodded. "She's alright then?" "Yeah. Sleeping peacefully. Probably won't wake up before we get back but I left some of the headache cure with sleeping draught for her to take if she wakes up and still feels cr..." she paused, changing the word she was going to say, "..like squashed horse dung." Ok so not exactly what a lady was expected to say but better than a guardsman's oath. She missed the laughing glance Raoul and Gary exchanged.
The city was huge and colourful. Alanna, who had visited it only once and not in circumstances during which she had much time to sightsee, was awed. It was hard work keeping her amazement off her face and when they had tethered their horses securely at the edge of a market square she drifted into the crowds, eager to get lost in them and explore. A strong hand gripped her arm pulling her gently back towards the clear space around the horses.
"We've got to stick together so as not to get lost," Gary explained. What if I want to get lost? Alanna grumbled silently. "Keep an eye to your purse too," Raoul added. "There are pickpockets everywhere." Don't I know it! Alanna thought suppressing a smile. She had learnt those skills despite the fact that she barely ever used them. She only nodded however, taking Gary's offered arm and following Cythera and Raoul into the crowd.
It soon became clear that though she might see many things the stalls she wished to look at were unlikely to be searched on this visit. She looked longingly at the stalls of knives, swords and other fighting implements, but hid the look before anyone noticed. Neither Cythera nor Lin knew about her interests and now wasn't the time to let anyone else know. She turned away to survey the stall of jewellery feeling her good mood beginning to evaporate and boredom set in.
Fingering through the old jewellery idly she cut her finger unexpectedly. Pulling a handkerchief out of her purse she pressed it on the wound looking down for the offending object interest sparked. "You hurt your hand" Gary remarked surprised. "It's fine," She replied absently examining the item she had unearthed with growing excitement. Noticing a slight spark in her eyes Gary studied it over her shoulder.
It was a hair piece. In fact there were three hair pins tied together, one with red blood staining the tip and edge. One end of each had enamelled purple flames. Perhaps that was what she liked. They were interesting he supposed. Alanna was fingering them almost reverently so they must mean something to her.
They did mean something to Alanna. Quite a lot in fact. She recognised them almost instantly upon examining them from pictures she had found in a book Thom had once given her. Weapons. Worn in the hair she would have tiny unnoticeable knives or daggers. Perhaps this wasn't such a boring useless visit after all.
She asked the saleswoman the price, bought them and slid them into her hair. Upon meeting Cythera and Raoul, Cythera stared at her incredulously. "You bought jewellery? Jewellery, Alanna?" Alanna glared at her. "I can buy what I like, thank-you." she snapped, old temperament setting in. She had found it hard to keep up the bad disposition after the ride earlier but could now feel herself returning to the usual coldness. It was better really. Secrets were easily kept if people didn't like to talk to you.
Taken aback at this sudden change, Raoul and Gary stared at her. Even Cythera who was somewhat used to Alanna started at the harsh words. Alanna glared back at them eyes flashing, before her face was schooled to cold and haughtiness and any gaps in her high walls were closed. Slightly at loss, Cythera took Gary's arm and the four of them continued through the crowds shadowed by the cold Alanna now radiated.
She was angry. Things had been fine. People always interfered. Would they just learn nothing was their business and leave her alone! More than anything she wanted to escape now than before at any time in her stay at the palace. Restlessness and frustration settled in to be long in leaving, accompanied by a shortening of the fuse on her temper. Her ride earlier had cured her for a few hours but now she missed freedom even more.
There was nothing to do! It was worse than the convent. At least then she had her nightly visits to the city. And besides barely anyone approached her there. Sighing and resisting the urge to scream, she followed the others through the sights finally coming to the temple of the Goddess.
Watching the big women armed with axes to prevent men from trespassing on the land of the Goddess she kept all wistfulness out of her gaze. She should have been a warrior but not confined to Temple grounds. Now she was confined to society and was no warrior. She cracked a wry smile. Alright so perhaps not completely confined and docile.
Lighting some incense for the Goddess she struggled not to curse in the temple. If she was her chosen why was life so…like squashed horse dung. Luckily the two girls returned to the Knights quickly. If this were one of the outings with the convent girls Alanna would usually have exploded by now. As it was she felt on the point of it and was struggling with boredom.
So it was almost a relief to feel fingers at her purse. She let the thief take it before snapping round. "Bring that back!" she cried, breaking into a run after him. The other three looked at each other before following her.
The thief kept running before springing onto a low roof to examine the purse contents. Knowing he would recognise the thieves sign embroidered inside and hopefully return it she stopped and looked up at him. Sure enough he looked down to study her suspiciously. She made another, almost imperceptible sign and with a dirty look he dropped it into her hands.
Arriving out of breath to see the Alanna catch it, Cythera, Gary and Raoul stared at her in confusion. "He just gave it back?" Raoul asked surprised. "Yeah, looked inside and just dropped it." Alanna replied emotionlessly. Gary frowned. "What on earth have you got in it then?"
"Nothing of great importance. Few coins that sort of thing," she said, avoiding the truth expertly and adding a small glare for good measure. "Why so much interest? I have it back now." He shrugged. "Well you've lead us down to the lower part of Corus anyway." The knights lead the two ladies back down the narrow streets.
So this is the dodgier area of Corus then? Alanna mused. Wonder where the Dancing Dove is. I'll find it somehow anyway. She was distracted from her train of thought by an anguished cry. Looking around she searched for where it had come from and checked her companions faces for any sign that they had heard. It seemed not. More sounds of some scuffle reached her ears. A woman gave a fear filled sob. That decided her. If it were a fight between gangs she would leave them be but…
Turning she walked towards a gloomy alley. She would have left unnoticed had Raoul not just posed a question to her. The three caught a glimpse of her red hair before she slipped down the alley.
It was murky and smelt awful but Alanna kept going, advancing silently on the figures gathered in the far corner of the dead end. She squinted into the gloom and could see four shapes. They weren't exactly being quiet either she thought derisively, catching the drift of their words very quickly. One man, the largest, was close to the figure hunched into the very corner. A girl, perhaps two years younger than herself. The other two jeered at her, laughing at her quiet whispers of fear.
Alanna took in the situation almost instantly, drawing her hood over her hair. She couldn't very well threaten three grown men, the smallest a foot taller than her. Why should they listen to a girl, even if she was noble? No, she'd go for surprise. Creeping along a ledge jutting out from the wall she studied her target for a few seconds. He must have been 6ft 3 and was the broadest of the lot. He was also obviously the leader. But all three had been drinking. It gave her a little advantage, that and surprise as dark was already falling. She could deal with his friends after him. Or try to anyway. She tensed, ready to spring.
Gary took Cythera's arm as they stepped into the alleyway, reluctant to let her come in but knowing that what ever trouble Alanna had run into might need Raoul and himself. Cythera couldn't be left alone. As they peered into the gloom, trying to be as quiet as possible they could see four shapes. None were short enough to be Alanna. Had she heard their thoughts, Alanna would have been mortified.
Frowning, Gary and Raoul exchanged glances, about to call out to them when a figure appeared out of nowhere, knocking the largest man into the wall with a square punch on the jaw and a few kicks. His companions stared on dopily as Alanna rammed down hard on his temple with her fist – no need to admit she had weapons.
Whirling around as the man's friends finally mobilised themselves she kicked one hard on the knee. He collapsed against the wall, groaning, making an ill aimed slash at the girl as she moved onto the last man in a whirl of limbs. Ill aimed though it was Alanna had her mind on the other man and failed by a split second to move far enough out of the way.
A numb streak invaded her arm, followed by a flash of pain. She kicked him in the head realising that the Knights were dealing with his friend. Silence descended broken only by the unknown girl's sobs. Everyone was staring at her. Alanna gave them a fierce glare, the annoyance of pain making her more snappy than usual, before turning to the girl. Cythera was already approaching her but she shrank further back into the wall, shaking.
"I ain't trustin' ya. Probaly as bad as them." Alanna raised her eyebrows at her. "Well we ent as bad cos we got women see?" She eyed the girl wondering whether she was in with thieves. "How comes you don't speak all dilly-lally? Tha' ent natural." Alanna glared at her, not in the mood to be coming up with stories right at that moment. "Don't care what's natural or not," she snapped. "Let me see to your bruises."
The girl shrank away. Alanna sighed, glare intensifying. All I'm trying to do is heal you. And not for no price neither." she added seeing the girl start to speak. "If you would just stop behaving like some…" "Alanna!" Cythera cut in chiding. "All you're doing is scaring the wits out of her. What's your name?" she asked kindly. The girl watched her a moment, tucking fair hair behind her ears. "Lila," she finally stated. Cythera smiled, "She won't hurt you, you know. Sure she's mean and nasty to people but she's kind hearted underneath and she will heal you." Alanna fought the urge to splutter and settled for looking indignant.
The three watched the girl's bruises fade away under glowing purple hands. Every time the girl moved away Alanna would scowl at her saying she wasn't finished yet and did she want to ache for weeks? However, she didn't seem to apply this principle to herself, simply washing the wound on her arm and placing a glowing hand on it for only a few seconds before binding it tightly with second cotton handkerchief. Taking a glance at her other cut on her hand Gary could see it was stained with blood but she ignored it and his remark on it. 'A waste of magic to heal it' she had said. He and Raoul had exchanged glances. So she thought healing her own cuts were less worth the magic than a poor commoner girl. Perhaps she was right.
After returning the girl to her family and reporting the three men to the court of the Goddess they returned to their horses in the dark. Alanna turned to Cythera and exploded, "Kind hearted underneath! Kind hearted! That is the most unconvincing lie I have ever heard you tell and you are an awful liar!"
The girl just smiled and mounted up to ride alongside Gary. Alanna hmphed indignantly and set off at a trot trying to ignore the ache that had spread to her shoulder. Kind hearted indeed!
xxx
A long chapter! 8 word pages! wooo! neway, im in despeerate need of ideas 4 mi other fic a seers betrothal so i would reeli help it people wouldn't mind readin a bit of it. Got some kind of writers block.
Neway, if u enjoyed this im happy!