7) Th Crown and Lamb

George took them to a little inn called The Crown and Lamb. The barkeeper who ran it greeted him like a good friend, hurrying to bring ale for George and fruit juice for the ladies.

Men were turning round and eyeing the girls curiously. Alanna wished that she had not worn the dress that a daughter forced her into this morning, she had intended to go to the city in a shirt and breeches but that wasn't "proper attire for a lady".

When the drinks came, Alanna examined George as she gulped her fruit juice. George said he was seventeen, although he seemed older. His nose was too big for good looks, but when he smiled, he appeared handsome. Alanna felt something powerful about him, something almost royal. She also felt a strong liking for the man.

"You shouldn't be surprised at my lookin' you up," he told Alanna. "Truth to tell, I like you looks. We don't see many with eyes like yours. You bein' from the country – you don't look it now but you did a couple of weeks ago – I though you'd like to be knowin' someone in the city."

"Do you always make friends on such short notice?" Saethea asked sharply.

"I trust my instincts young lady. In my line of work, you learn quick to trust your instincts."

"What is it you do, George?" Alanna wanted to know.

George winked at her. "I – buy, and I sell."

"You're a thief," Saethea said flatly.

"'Thief' is a harsh word, Lady. Why would you be thinkin' that I am? You've still got your purse, and what's in it. Or you had better."

Saethea checked and admitted, "I still have my purse, but why do you want to make friends with us?"

"Well, Saethea of Diartel's Point, I didn't look you up for professional reasons. Truth to tell, were you not in the company of Lady Alanna here, I wouldn't have put myself in your way. We're not fond of nobles here." His smile twisted. "But I've the gift, I helps me see more clearly than most. I knew I must meet Lady Alanna. I think it lucky that I had to come up to the City of Gods to sort out a few things – normally, I'm in Corus, but I don't ignore my Gift when it calls me."

Saethea frowned. "So what do you want with Alanna? And unless I'm greatly mistaken, you're the man that the Lord Provost would most love to get his hands on."

George nodded respectfully. "You're quick Lady Saethea. All right then, I'm what they call the King of the Thieves, the Master of the Court of the Rogue. The court of the Rogue," he explained to Alanna, "is all off us who make out livin' by our wits. It's ruled by a king – me, right now but mastery here doesn't last very long here. Who knows when some young buck will do for me what I did for the King before me, just six months back? I'll need friends when that comes. Till then, why looks a gift thief in the moth I can be good friend to those who keep faith in me."

Saethea grinned "You're not so bad – for all you're a thief."

George laughed. "And you're not so bad yourself – for all you're a noble. Friends then?"

Saethea offered her hand and George shook it "I suppose so."

"And you Alanna?"

"Uh – yes of course. I was simply wondering if you might do me a favour?"

"Naturally – that's what friends, however recent, do for each other."

"Uh – since you're a thief and all -"

George began to frown.

"Would you teach me to fight with knives?"

The thief laughed. "The lady wants to learn to fight does she? I'd be happy to teach you – of course you'd have to find a way of keepin' this from the Daughters."

Both girls grinned.

"Well you best be getting back to the convent. If either of you lasses ever needs to contact me, send word through Si-Cham -"

"My Magic teacher?"

George chuckled. "Yes your teacher – he'll be able to send word through. If not, I'm here most of the time or Peter." He jerked a thumb at the innkeeper.

The two ladies walked out onto the street with the King of Thieves watching them go and smiling.

A/N: See? Alanna is never going to give up weapons. I've kinda got a bit of a writer block as to what to do next and how to write it so I'll leave it here. Once again, in case you've forgotten: please review (especially since I was so nice to post two chapters today! lol)