Disclaimer: I don't own most of the characters, because as you know Tamora Pierce does, though Kierai is mine so no stealy!

A/N: Please review, I'll be happy with anything but flames. Tell me if you think the characters are OOC, I'm trying to make them IC but my take on them may be slightly different than yours. Also, if you think Kierai is behaving differently than before please notify me. All suggestions considered. Oh and one last thing either means a change of POVs or a while in passing.

To califoriapoppy: I'm pretending that she's an old family servant like Corram or Burry and as to your other comment thanks for pointing that out, it does need a little less description. Thanks for the review.

Peasant or Prince, Pawn or Player

Chapter 2: Forest Ride

By: Meglin

Kierai awoke to the semi-dark that comes about an hour before dawn. She grinned at that, it would be at least an hour before it was noticed if she left, she thought for a second and realized she wasn't going to be needed until the afternoon. She slipped her dressing gown over her head and put it carefully under her pillow. She tiptoed over to her clothes picking up pale breeches, almost as pale as her eyes, a blood red-puffy sleeved blouse, and a black corset to wear over the blouse. The clothes were all sewn from cotton so they weren't too heavy but unlike silk they weren't that cool for though it was after midsummer the mornings still held a small amount of the bitter chill of winter. She wrapped a black, red and pale gray sash around her waist and stuck a dagger through it. She pulled on stockings and to avoid making nose held her boots in one hand as she left the room.

After sneaking out of her room Kierai put her boots on before continuing down the hall. Her pace quickened until she was running through the doors to the training yards. She pulled the dagger from her sash, and began a simplistic pattern dance; it was one of the first anyone using daggers learnt. When she finished she made her way to the stables, reaching them just as the sun came over the horizon.

Kierai groomed and saddled her horse, Nova. She also gave her a treat as she led her out of the stables. She made her way toward the royal forest and was nearly there before she mounted up.

Starting at a walk Kierai and Nova wandered the forest. They galloped, trotted, cantered, ran and to give Nova a break, walked. After a while they stopped at a stream and Kierai dismounted allowing Nova to rest. After a couple minutes Kierai stopped admiring the serenity of the forest to look up at the sky. She realized by the sun that she had been gone more than an hour and the maid would probably have woken up by now, she knew she would be missed and cursing slightly she mounted Nova and turned towards the palace starting off at a run.

Jonathon awoke with the bell as he had during his page and squire years. He dressed in plain cotton breeches and a tunic, the former black, the latter blue. He had many outfits a lot like that as he felt they suited him, he also wore silver as the third of his preferences. Other colours littered the space of his closet but only to fill it.

Hearing a knock at the door, he opened it to find Raoul, Gary, and Alex all in plain clothes similar to his own-made for practice.

"We were wondering if you wanted to practice with us, you and Alan." Gary asked when he they were inside and seated on the bed or floor depending on their natures.

"Sure I would, but Alan seems to be sleeping," was Jon's reply.

Just as he said that, the person in question poked her head around the door. "Sure I'll come. Just let me get dressed". Once back inside her own room Alanna pulled off her dressing gown and left it on a heap on the floor. She grabbed the corset she wore to bind her chest flat and tied it tight. She threw on a purple tunic and pulled on tan breeches. Her stockings were simple un-dyed cotton and she pulled on sturdy boots to cover them. She entered into Jon's room to find all of them talking about the latest beauty at court, her name was Kierai-the Yamani word for sword. Gary had just made a comment on the fact that she actually thought too.

They walked through the hallway their topic of discussion changed drastically to the recent rumours of ill boding from Tuisaine, and once they reached the practice courts the condition of weapons and practice matches. They all went towards the stables planning to exercise their mounts before their bodies.

Jonathon found his gaze was drawn towards the forest from time to time while he was saddling Darkness, his mount. On his third look at the forest a horse came out at a trot and he was surprised by the rider, it was Kierai, her horse was beautiful too but he barely spared it a second glance, his eyes were two busy examining the rider. His mouth fell open and he only realized when Alanna following his gaze clamped it tight whispering "It isn't polite to stare Jon, especially when she doesn't even know your there." He turned to look at her seeing she was teasing. It stopped him from staring openly, though he noticed Gary, Raoul and even Alex sneaking glances from time to time.

She came over at a trot and dismounting in front of him gave a smile and nearly quoted Alanna "It isn't polite to stare Highness, especially not at mysterious ladies."

"But lady Kierai your beauty draws eyes to you like flies to honey." He bowed kissing her hand and she smiled.

Alanna watched in surprise as he flirted, he was supposed to be in love with Delia, she didn't mind though, Kierai was a better investment, prettier, nicer from what she could see, and much, much smarter, and it wasn't as if she wanted Jonathon to pick her she told herself quickly, he wouldn't, even if she did.

"I'm sorry my friends but I must take my leave, I have to assure this lady's maid that she's been fine, and safe this entire time." Alanna was thrown from her musings as Jon spoke, she looked over at him as he bowed to Kierai and offered his arm. The walked back into the stables to unsaddle their horses she assumed.

Alanna turned to her other friends and mounted up. They executed swordfights, and axe fights, and a small amount of tilting before dismounting and unsaddling their horses. Then they did drills, sword, axe, hand-to-hand, and then moved on to archery, just before lunch Jon appeared with his weaponry and joined them for an archery contest.

Kierai was reprimanded by the maid once she reached her room; the maid lectured her for nearly an hour on proper behaviour and would have continued had Kierai not noticed that prince Jonathon had not left the room. Her face turned a bright shade of red as she whispered to her maid "Really Irna I can take care of myself just fine, and why can't you lecture me when no one is in the room."

The maid, Irna turned around to see prince Jonathon there, staring at them or well Kierai, his eyes studying her his face filling with a happy smile. she curtsied as was proper and said whispered an apology before voicing a question that was on Kierai's mind too "What is it that you want highness?"

"I just had a question for lady Kierai." Jon's reply was hurried as if he hadn't meant to be caught, or hadn't noticed he was still there. He whispered "Would you dance with me again tonight at the ball tonight?" into her ear startling her into giving him an odd stare and stating her reply in a regular voice. "Of course, highness. I'd love to."

Jonathon was ready to dance when he left Kierai's room, he knew she was just being polite but he was hoping that there could be something behind her words.

Jonathon hurried back to the practice courts aware that it was already midday and he had wasted the morning. When he entered, they had finished almost everything but he did have time to participate in the Archery contest. Gary won but it was close, Raoul, Alan and Alex were neck and neck behind him. Jonathon kept missing his shots. He was thinking to hard about things.

A/N: I know there is no Roger in this Chappy but he will be in the next one, Promise. Also, I might not update for a while because it's summer and I'm going away. When I get back, I'll have quite a while to write so expect at least two chappies then.

TTFN,

Meglin