Disclaimer: A few characters, major and minor are mine. Same with the plot, except the idea of Lady Catherine trying to marry Lord Alan is Tamora Pierce's. Everything else belongs to Tamora Pierce too.
Title: Ghost of the Past
Author: Winky-wink
Genre: Romance/Humor/Drama
Rating: T (Just to be safe)
Pairing: Alanna/Jonathan
Musical Affection: 'La Tortura' by Shakira featuring Alejandro Sanz.
Author's Note: WitchyMage: I know. Wait till you read the mix up involving the ball, haha. And, yes, he really is ruining her reputation. Very badly.
krisconuca: Yeah, I know I have places where I'm weaker than others but I'm glad you think I'm still a decent writer and that the plot is a good one. Thanks.
Dom's Angel: Haha, yeah I know. Alanna and Jonathan aren't exactly...jumping all over each other like a lot of other A/J stories. I like it like that 'cause I like to keep people waiting. Lol, really? You go back and read it all over again? I do that with my stories sometimes too but it takes a while when it gets longer. Anyways, happy reading.
alana: Thanks a bunch. I know, I love Numair too. He's awesome!
FanFictionFanthom: Wow, thanks. Yeah I totally love A/J for all the same reasons.
Kokari: Haha, yup. It's mentioned in this chapter. He'll do a lot of things by the end of this.
Yasthira: Thank you, thank you.
okaliedokalie: I have no clue. I'm fourteen so I don't exactly like a whole lot of experience with alcohol haha.
Padme Amidala2121: Thanks. And I don't think the ball will be like what anybody suspects...
epobbp: LOL...I'm glad I could do that for you.
Lutefa: Yeah, haha. Thom makes a few funnies in this chapter too. Anyways, I, personally, don't know why Gary took Delia either. Caught in her beauty I guess.
Tortall Princess: Yeah, Thom didn't exactly realize what was going to be part of the deal. haha...And you'll see more on Alanna's rep in this chapter. And more horrible stuff that Thom has to do lol.
horrible lunacy: It's funny for sure. And I just had to add Numair if the Carthaks were coming 'cause I adore him. Oo...thanks too.
'Society is masked ball, where everyone hides his real character and reveals it by hiding'-Ralph Waldo Emerson
"My lady, please! To the right! To the right, I say! No-that's your right. I'm talking about my right!" Ferra cried, gesturing wildy with his arms.
"I hear you just fine," Alanna snapped, "So you don't have to yell when you're naught but five feet away."
That shut him up, Alanna noted, with a very unladylike smirk. Even Thom seemed amused and he tried to smile but grimaced. He had a bruise on his cheek from a bad play in tilting. His unhappy time as a squire was a great example of why it was best that the two of them switched places and stayed that way.
"Even in a gown you can resist being a lady," Thom shook his head, leading her with his hand.
"Are you implying that I am not graceful?" Alanna demanded, raising an eyebrow, "That's quite rich, don't you think, coming from someone who knocked over a bookshelf while practicing swordplay?"
It sobered Thom quite a bit and he said, "I thought we weren't going to talk about that in public!"
Past Thom's shoulder, Alanna noticed Douglass and Geoffery talking to each other softly. She couldn't quite hear them but she had a feeling they were talking about their good friend Alan and how weird he was acting lately. His performance in all his physically demanding classes had sunk lower than even the lowiest of pages and he was far more stiff than usual.
'It's going to be torture when I have to go back to class,' Alanna thought, grimacing even then, 'The boys will never let me live down the shame...'
"That's it for today, young lords," Ozorne clapped his hands together calling an end to the class, "I'll see you all tomorrow. And don't forget the ball is tomorrow evening!"
He took Cythera's arm and whispered something into her ear. She laughed, its sound tinkling throughout the whole entire room. Alanna grinned, glad that it was Cythera and not some other stuck up noble lady that was Ozorne's partner for the performance. Word was he'd glimpsed her at dinner one night and fallen in love with her amazing beauty just like every other sap at court. She deserved the attention, Alanna decided, and having her dangling on another man's arm would sure cause Gary to finally notice her.
"Alan, Alanna, are you two up for watching quick match in the courtyards?" Douglass asked them both, "Some of the Knights are challenging each other and they say squires are joining in too."
Alanna nodded, furiously, as Thom shook his head with equal vigor. They paused and frowned at each other. Geoffery, Yuna, Douglass and Isabelle looked between them, confused. The Lioness pinched the back of her brother's neck and gave him a look that Thom knew as the 'do-things-my-way-or-else-I'll-dunk-your-head-in-a-pond-look.' He shuddered, invonluntarily, remembering the look well from a bad childhood.
"To the...match, then," he sighed, offering Alanna his arm. She took it, eyes glinting with a happy grin.
The three pairs of young squires and their ladies made their way down to the practice courts. Many Knights were there, stretching and sharpening their swords. Thom gulped and Alanna suddenly wished she was her squire self. She loved duelling with other men of court. Especially those older, cockier, ones that thought they couldn't be beat and took her size as an advantage to themselves.
"Come on, let's go get better spots!" Geoffery suggested, dragging Douglass and Thom along with him to a spot where most of the squires were huddled, eyeing the competition.
The ladies stood together in a clump of loveliness, a symbol for the Knights and squires duelling that they did not want to lose in front of such an admiring and pretty crowd. Jonathan, Gary and Raoul noticed Alanna among the crowd and waved to her. She returned the same, earning her fire hot looks from other women in the audience.
"I love duels," Alanna said to Yuna and Isabelle.
"Me too," Isabelle agreed, "So many handsome men to look at! They seem even more good looking when they're trying to be chivalarous."
"Uh huh...," Alanna nodded, not really paying attention. Jonathan was waving to Helena and she raised her hand in recognition too, fluttering her eyelashes at her alarming rate.
"Look, Raoul of Goldenlake and Timothy of Seaspan and Seajen are about to begin," Yuna stated, drawing Alanna's attention back from the battlefield of love to the battlefield of swords.
And so the duel began with Raoul making the first lunge. Timothy barely managed to block that first time. Raoul was drawing him off to one side and cornering him there with each swipe he made. Timothy, so busy blocking, he didn't even notice until his back was up against the crowd. A few people backed away, frightened for their safety. Once again, Raoul struck first and Timothy had to twist his arm to protect himself. Raoul's point gashed against Timothy's hilt, ruining it's beauty. The Goldenlake Knight twisted his sword backward and Timothy's sword immediately twirled out of his hand. It spun a few feet in the air before falling far from reach. Raoul straightened and drew his sword to his opponent's throat. The duel was over.
Everyone clapped, loudly. Though Raoul wasn't the best swordsman in Tortall, he was way up there. A minor like Timothy stood no chance. As the Goldenlake and the Seaspan and Seajen stepped from the practice yards to tremendous applause, Alex of Tirragen came forth. Alanna felt her heart fall. If she were only in breeches, she would've duelled her...partial friend. He'd changed since becoming Roger's squire.
"I challenge...," Alex paused to think on it.
'Not Alan of Trebond. Not Alan of Trebond,' Alanna prayed, silently.
"Alan of Trebond," Alex finally declared.
Many in the crowd whooped. A duel between Alex of Tirragen and Alan of Trebond was always one worth seeing. They were always neck in neck, each shared equal losses and equal wins. Alanna looked at Thom. He looked absolutely terrified to be facing the best swordsman at court and stood stock still, wondering if there was a way he could run away. Geoffery and Douglass pushed him forward, one of them sticking Lightning in his hand.
Thom took a few tentative steps forwards and cheers erupted among the squires, as their pride came forward. Alanna's twin looked pale and swallowed a wad of spit, trying to calm his shaky nerves. He looked, dumbfounded, at Lightning as if not wondering what in the world the thing actually was. Jonathan shot a glance at him, wondering what Alanna was thinking. Probably the same as him: I'll never live this down. My own squire, a perfect clutz in a simple duel...
"Don't look so scared, Alanna!" Isabelle laughed, "You've yet to see Alan's hand at a sword. He's magical."
"Talk of the court," Yuna nodded, "He once showed up a Knight from Tusaine or something, I think. I wasn't really paying attention. He wasn't what you'd call 'handsome' but Alan sure humbled him!"
Somehow Alanna strongly doubted whether this duel would be the best Alan had ever had. She forced her eyes to stay open as the duel commenced. Naturally, Alex made the first move, almost knocking Lightning out of Thom's hand then and there. Alex stopped and stepped back, raising an eyebrow. Why was his worthy opponent suddenly so...easy? Shrugging, he lunged in again. Thom let out a gasp of surprise and struck, blindly. He hit just plain old air with such a thrust that the sword slipped out of his hand! Alanna took it as a slap to her very being. Surprisingly, Alex tripped over the sword Thom had just dropped and his own went flying. That was when Thom did something he'd never done before. He actually caught something. He grabbed the sword with a gloved hand and turned it to it's hilt. At least he knew the pointy side from the dull one, Alanna realized with a slight sigh.
Alex was already up from his fall, clutching Lightning, dangerously. His face was flushed from his fall. He'd get Alan back for embarrassing him like that. He slashed forward. Thom jumped back. That sword had missed his precious flesh by only inches! He didn't want to die, whether it meant shaming Alanna or not. He started to run away from Alex.
The young Tirragen Knight chased him, shouting, "Alan! What are you doing!"
"I don't know!" Thom cried, still running, noticing there was no visible exit.
He ran to Alanna, who was seething, "Get back in there, you idiot!"
She spun him around and pushed him forward with a hearty shove and he held his sword, straight forward, horizontally, at his chest. Alex who had just been behind him, held up his hands to stop it from wounding his unprotected arms. Thom's sword stopped gliding forward just as the point poked Alex's chest. Everyone blinked. They didn't know what they'd just witnessed but all of a sudden, Alex of Tirragen's arms were up and Alan's sword was angled at his chest. It was no challenge to realize who had just won that battle.
The squires erupted in cheers for one of their own. Alex blanched as if he didn't comprehend what had just happen. The nobles watching the fight clapped their hands louder than they had for anyone else that night. What an odd creature that Alan was! Putting up a great show of being nervous and afraid when all along he wanted to trick the young Tirragen!
Thom dropped Alex's sword, shaking violently. Alex lowered his hands, shooting daggers at him. He handed Lightning back to his enemy by the hilt and Thom did him the same favor with his sword. Someone clapped his back. It was Geoffery.
"Alan! I was sure you were just going to lose, what with your bad practices and all, lately. But that was...genuis, I suppose! At first I thought you'd gone off your rocker or something but...wow, Trebond," Geoffery seemed at a loss for words. He'd just run up to congratulate his friend with Douglass.
"That was one of your more colorful duels," Douglass grinned.
Thom turned and faced Alanna who was just behind him. She was shaking her head, looking relieved more than anything else.
"This is crazy," she breathed, hugging Thom, "But thank the Goddess you beat him. Enjoy your first win, Thom."
She couldn't help but smile as he was dragged away by a great group of her squire friends who all wanted Thom to teach them that particularly humorous way of duelling. Gary was laughing and talking to Thom animatedly. Jonathan placed an arm on his fake squire's shoulder and said something along the lines of, "Good Job." Alanna clamped her eyes shut, glad that she wasn't completely humiliated.
"Your squire duels interestingly," someone commented, sounding amused.
It was Arram Draper, the Carthak. Alanna hadn't even noticed him and his delegation arrive to the court yard. He was dressed in all black, apparently that seemed to be his favorite color.
"I'm just glad he survived to tell you the truth," Alanna gave a shaky laugh.
Arram Draper smiled, the first she'd seen him give anyone. Even though he was younger, he was far taller than Alanna, even when she was wearing a pair of heeled feetkillers. His dark hair and skin said that he was Carthaki but his light eyes said otherwise.
"Are you really a Carthaki?" Alanna asked, then blushed at her boldness.
He shook his head, "I'm Tyran but I attend the Unversity in Carthak. Are you really a noble lady?"
Alanna stiffened, shocked, "Excuse me?"
"Let me reword that. I just thought that the way you analyzed the duels you watched was interesting for a noble lady," Arram explained, "Most ladies only analyze the men in the duels."
"I'm not most noble ladies," Alanna replied, dryly.
"Then, I believe, we may be able to become friends," Arram grinned.
Alanna smiled at him. She liked him. Now here was a young man who didn't try to bed her or duel her or anything like that. He just wanted to be friends and that was fine by her. In fact, it was a refreshing change.
"Then let me introduce myself," Alanna curtsied, "I am Alanna of Conte."
"The bad dancer," Arram joked, "And I'm Arram Draper."
"The mage," Alanna added.
He frowned, "How did you know that?"
"You're dripping in the Gift," Alanna responded, looking up at him.
"So are you," Arram pointed out.
Alanna went red. Was she really dripping in the Gift? It didn't feel like it. She'd always thought her Gift was a minor one but lately she found herself using it more and more. It was becoming increasingly more useful, what with mortal enemies like Duke Roger.
"My Gift scares me," Alanna admitted, not knowing why she was telling his to someone she barely knew.
"Well it shouldn't. You're Gift is just that, Lady Alanna, a gift," Arram said, his words bringing her a calming feeling, "I love my Gift so much I'm going to make it my life's work."
"Hmm...Arram Draper, the Mage," Alanna said, thoughtfully, rubbing her chin.
He wrinkled his nose, "You think I'm going to keep a name like Arram Draper? No, I'm going to rename myself something...powerful."
Alanna coughed then giggled, "Rename yourself? What names do you have in mind, good sir?"
"Well...," Arram trailed off, "Something like Numair or Dingowevsky."
"I'd go with Numair," Alanna stated, seriously, "No one will ever think you're a powerful sorceror with a name like Dingowevsky."
"I'll have you know that a great black robe had the same name," Numair sniffed, then smiled, "But I see your point and it is noted."
"Arram!" someone called, "His Highness, Prince Ozorne wants to see you in his chambers!"
Arram furrowed his eyebrows at being called uponby Prince Ozorne, he shot Alanna an apologetic look for leaving her and said, "Farewell, Alanna. I'll see you at the ball, I'm sure."
He was like the smoke that rises up from a potion. One moment he was there. The next he was gone. Alanna blinked. The room felt empty now that Arram and his strong Gift had left and, in truth, it was rather empty. A few dozen nobles lounged around the practice courts, discussing the duels. All Alanna's friends had left except for Jonathan who-Alanna sighed-was talking to Helena. Since when were they so close?
He saw her alone and waved her over before she could escape without seeming rude or like she was avoiding him. She went over and Helena relished in the thought of showing off her win of the Prince in front of Alanna. Jon combed a hand through his hair and smiled at her as she came to stand with them. Helena shuffled closer to her prize.
"Enjoy the duel?" Jonathan questioned, his eyes dancing.
"Very much so," Alanna nodded, "Hello Lady...?"
"Helena," her Gallan cousin interjected, "Lady Alanna, isn't it?"
"Yes," Alanna smiled, feigning politeness, "It's a pleasure to meet you.
"Oh no, the pleasure is all mine," Helena simpered, "Meeting the cousin of my dearest Jonathan is simply an honor."
Alanna plastered the fakest happy expression on her face. My dearest Jonathan?
"You're too kind," Alanna replied, not letting herself crack or her temper snap.
"No really, you're too kind," Helena grinned, placing a hand on Jonathan's arm. He looked down at her, raising an eyebrow.
"Please, I said you're kind," Alanna's voice lost it's cheery quality but her smile was still in tack.
"No, you are," Helena said, stubbornly.
"No, you are."
"No, you are."
"No, you are."
"Jonathan, who's more kind? Me or Alanna?" she implored, sweetly.
He looked between the two ladies. They both glared at him, daring him to say something that would upset them and please the other. He cleared his throat, nervously, "Erm...you're both very kind..."
"He's just confused," Helena cut through, "He knows you're far more kind than me."
Alanna didn't exactly know what 'kind' stood for but she was guessing it wasn't 'nice.'
"I know when my own cousin is confused," Alanna sprouted, turning up her nose, "And I am not kind."
"Well I am most certainly not kind!" Helena trumpeted, looking offended and huffy.
The Lioness paused before her tongue got the best of her and thought on her response.
"That's right. You're not," she decided, picking up her skirts and leaving the room with great dignity that she was not aware she had.
Lady Winfred called Alanna to her rooms the afternoon of the day of the ball. It was a chilly afternoon and the night was sure to be cold. However, that left everyone even more excited for the ball that night that was sure to warm them all up. The Lioness was dressed up as her squire self whilst Thom slept in her room, taking a break from his acting duties. Today, Alanna of Conte had gone into town once again so that meant there only need be one twin up and pretending until that night, of course, when they would both be needed to masquerade to the best of their quality.
"You asked for me, my lady?" Alanna said, coming into the room and sitting at the same table that Lady Winfred was sitting at.
She looked up at her, sadly, "Alanna-her voice broke-my husband won't let up. My Abigail, my dearest child, is to be married to Duke Roger."
Alanna inhaled, sharply, "What does this mean for me?"
"Trouble," Winfred said, somberly, "I'm sorry for all this, Alanna."
"You're sorry? You're doing me favor and it's just...becoming more and more tricky is all," Alanna tried to comfort her, seeing that the royal Aunt was uncharacteristically upset, "It's like a game of chess. I'm good at chess."
Lady Winfred brought a hand over the table and squeezed Alanna's hand, "You're a good girl and I shouldn't be worrying you anymore than I have been, but I have to tell you that my husband has given word to my precious Abby to come to Tortall. She'll be in Corus in a week's time."
"Mithros! What're we going to do?" Alanna's eyes widened, "Two royal Nieces won't do."
"I'm not sure what we'll do but I've got something in mind," Winfred started but didn't indulge, "I won't tell you till I have the kinks worked out. As of now, I have one request of you."
"Which is?" Alanna inquired.
"Enjoy this ball, please. One of us should," Lady Winfred smiled, sadly.
The Lioness made a face, "My head hurts from all this."
"You may lie down on my bed whilst I go meet up with Roald for a quick council," Winfred suggested.
Alanna agreed, only because she didn't want to be out past those doors. Being in public would mean seeing all those pretty and shallow people who had not a care in the world except which set of pearls to wear for Prince Ozorne's Great Ball. She lay down on Winfred's bed which was the most comfortable one Alanna had ever been on. It felt like she was lying on a firm and comfy cloud. She threw her head back on the pillow and clamped her eyes shut as she heard Winfred exit the room with a quick click of the door.
'I'm not going to cry,' she told herself even as tears threatened to pour out, 'Even if my world is falling apart, I won't cry. I'll go down fighting.'
The soft wisps of weak sunlight that drifted in through the lacy curtains dulled her vision. She felt her eyelids drooping. Her hands glided across the soft fabric of the bed. It was all lulling her to sleep. And she really could use it. A sudden knock at her door ruined it all for her. She struggled to sit up. Another furious knock came at the door. Alanna groaned and went to open it. To her great surprise, a servingman for Duke Gareth was standing there.
"Alan of Trebond?" he demanded, looking her up and down.
"Erm...yes?" Alanna nodded, "How did you find me here?"
"Another servingman of Lady Winfred's claimed he saw you come here," the servingman explained, "Now, if you would please follow me? Duke Gareth wishes you see you."
"Am I in trouble or something?" Alanna asked, coming out of the room and shutting the door behind her.
The servingman at her over his shoulder, grinning, "Well, young lord, with His Grace, it's hard to tell."
As it turned out Duke Gareth needed Alanna to run an errand. He said he knew it was the day of the ball and that it wouldn't take too long. It was a simple task of making sure a certain suspicious box got to a certain Baron.
"And I know you're a fast rider amongst squires," Duke Gareth complimented her, egging her on.
So she'd gone, as it was her duty. However, the quick task soon turned long when Alanna reached a part of Corus she barely knew. Every street corner looked the same and it confused her to all ends. She had finally resolved on the help of a commoner, dusty from the day's work, for directions. By the time she was done and had actually found a proper house for the box, it was already dark. And with each step Moonlight took, Alanna thought, 'I should be getting dressed by now. I should be doing my hair now. I should be putting my face paints on now.'
If she wasn't there on time, what would they say? What would they do? Everyone expected her to be present at such a ball yest the Carthaks get offended. When she reached the palace, she looked down at herself and realized that she was far from a lady. Her hair was short and cropped around her ears, her body shape flat. Just as she was about to sprint towards Alanna of Conte's chambers, she met up with Douglass and Geoffery.
The both of them were already clad in new outfits, respectively blue and white. They took one look at her and Geoffery exclaimed, "Where've you been, you fool! We've been looking for you everywhere! You have got to get dressed and now. Prince Ozorne wants us at the ball before anyone else so that we can all practice our performance one last time."
"I will get dressed but first I-," Alanna was cut off as each of her friends grabbed an arm and began, literally, dragging her back to her rooms.
"Geoffery's right," Douglass nodded, "You don't want to upset the Carthaks by not showing up, especially when you're escorting royalty. Get ready before it's too late."
"But Alanna-," Alanna protested, not knowing what to say.
"I've seen her and she's farther along in getting ready than you are," Geoffery told her.
She froze, "You saw Alanna?"
"Yes...," Douglass said, slowly, "We both did or at least I think we did. Why's that such a shock?"
"It's...not?" Alanna shook her head, they weren't even sure they'd seen Alanna of Conte.
"Good. Because it's the orders of Lady Winfred that we find you and get you ready," Geoffery said, beginning to pull Alanna once again.
She followed, not fighting. Winfred had obviously meant get Thom ready but they would not listen to sense. Alanna shrugged them off and went into her chambers, where her clothing for that night was already laid out. Her suit, shirt, and breeches were all a dark forest green. Thom was supposed to be the one wearing them but Alanna had a feeling Jonathan had hid him somewhere lest anyone come looking and find two Alans.
'Confused?' Faithful asked, eyes glimmering.
"Very," Alanna said.
'It's rather funny, actually. Wait till you get to the ball,' Faithful snickered and ran off somewhere before Alanna could question him more.
Faithful's behavior had Alanna getting ready in about two minutes out of plain curiousity. She ran a comb through her hair, wanting to meet up with Winfred or Jonathan or Thom. Just anyone that could explain what in the world was going on. Geoffery and Douglass waited for her outside of her room, tapping their feet impatiently.
"Finally," Douglass sighed, "We're just three minutes from being late."
"Um...where are we meeting the ladies?" Alanna demanded, hoping they'd leave her so she could sneak off and manage to get ready somehow.
"In the Ball Room," Geoffery replied, "May we leave?"
The Lioness looked down the hall waiting for someone to come save her but there was no exit out of this situation so she gave in. The Ball Room was large and she could escape it easily. As the three friends headed down, squires joined them from all sides. Excited chatter and the clicking of new shoes on a polished floor were almost overwhelming.
Alanna felt dizzy and thoughts whirled all over her mind. What would happen if Alanna of Conte didn't show up at the ball tonight? Everyone would talk and talk and talk and talk...
The Ball Room was filled to the brim with eager squires, many just meeting up with their beautiful escorts. Everyone seemed to sparkle and look more heavenly than they would've just any other night. Prince Ozorne was a spectacular sight to behold. He wore bold colors of scarlett and gold. His face glowed golden and even his eyelashes had been streaked with a sparkly golden paste. Cythera was no less lovely, wearing a pale blue gown that clung and ruffled prettily, along with her body. Arram Draper, while much more plain than his royal friend, was still handsome in his mage-like robes in a dark chocolate brown.
Isabelle, wearing a pretty shade of magenta, slid her arm around Douglass' and Yuna, practically blinding Alanna in a flashy yellow that actually suited her, met up with Geoffery. He, for once, seemed appreciative of her beauty. And that was when Alanna noticed a sight amazing, beautiful and horrifying at the same time.
Alanna of Conte was dressed in a gown of a dark, almost black, blue that made her eyes all the more inviting. It hugged her body, beautifully and its crevices were accented by small beads of silver that caught the light and glistened. On her neck sat a thin necklace with a sliver of a diamond on it. She wore bracelets and rings to match. This Alanna of Conte's brown red hair was let down in long curls that rounded her face. Her bangs almost came over her eyes giving her a look of drama. Alanna of Trebond almost fainted from the shock. This being was so...beautiful that it couldn't possibly be what Alanna, herself, was like when she was dressed up like that.
Alanna of Conte held herself, oddly, twitching every now and then as if unused to this particular type of clothing. When Alanna caught her eyes she knew why. Alanna of Conte was Thom. Alanna almost let out a guffaw of utter amusement right then and there but controlled herself with a great difficulty. Walking over to her brother, Alanna offered him her arm. He frowned.
"I bet you think this is funny, don't you?" he demanded, ignoring her arm.
Alanna led his hand to her arm and said, "I don't know what you're talking about, Alanna dear."
"You owe me!" Thom whispered, harshly in her ear, "This is far worsethan megiving you a book for Midwinter!"
"I take it Winfred somehow convinced you to take the potion and play my part for me whilst I was away?" Alanna asked, her mouth twitching with an impending grin.
"Convinced me? Forced me is more like it! That woman is scary when she needs to be," Thom shook his head, shivering, "After her, the Black God seems like a kitten."
"I don't know about that," Alanna said, thinking of Faithful, "Kittens can be pretty vicious. They have claws too."
Thom snorted, "You'll never let me forget this, will you?"
"Never," Alanna laughed, confirming his worst fears, "By the way, and don't take offence, my lady, but I must know-where did those breasts come from?
Thom and Alanna both looked down at Thom's chest where two lumps rose ceremoniously. They were actually slightly bigger than Alanna's real ones were which she found more funny than anything else.
"They're not breasts! They're balled up bits of cloth!" Thom exclaimed, indignantly.
Ozorne clapped his hands together, calling everyone to attention, "May I start off by saying you all look lovely? Now, let me go on to say I'm sure we're going to stun the whole entire court tonight. May we all get in our positions?"
They all did and a final practice began. Now that Thom and Alanna had switched places they were more uncoordinated than ever. Luckily, many people made mistakes since they were all so excited so their behavior was not singled out. Ferra scolded them and told them to be serious. Arram told Ferra to lighten up lest the vein in his forhead pop and it seemed it was his snarky humor that made him so appealing to royalty like Ozorne.
A few people snickered and the clock struck nine. The ball was due to begin. Nobles started arriving in herds and by nine thirty the Ball Room was filled to the brim with the highest elite of Tortall. After short apetizers served by regally dressed men and women, everyone took their seats and King Roald stood up, causing everyone, even the Carthaks and Scarans present, to bow their heads at his glory.
"For tonight's ball, our guest of honor, Prince Ozorne and our very own Tortallan squires have planned a very special treat for us. They will be performing a group waltz with the young ladies of court to our viewing pleasure," King Roald said, smiling more out of amusement than anything else, "Let us welcome them."
A roar went through the crowds, particularly where Gary, Raoul, and Jonathan sat. Each of their escorts sat beside them, two out of three looking smug. Raoul's escort, Roxanne, looked more afraid of humiliating herself than anything else. The Goldenlake Knight had asked her to come with him because his great aunt had forced him to and because no one else had asked the poor girl.
The groups of squires and young ladies came out in two straight lines. Ozorne and Cythera were in the middle of them, looking for all the world like a King and Queen. Gary couldn't help but note how pretty the blonde haired lady looked and leaned forward to get a better look at her to Delia's great displeasure.
Helena noticed another lady of court. Alanna of Conte. She bit her lip. Her she-male of a cousin looked rather pretty. She put both arms around Jonathan's own arm, protectively, to show the court that he was her territory.
The candles were dimmed and the music started up. The squires made their way across the floor to their escorts. Alanna, who was used to waiting for a squire to come to her, didn't realize she had to go meet up with Thom until every other squire was about six paces ahead of her. She had to half-run to catch up for her folly. She gripped Thom's arm and he whispered, "You're leading so don't mess this up."
Don't mess this up? Wasn't that like her thing these-a-days? She sighed and stepped forward with the other squires. When she had to twirl Thom, she twirled him the wrong way. Alanna knew eyes were resting upon this amusingly uncoordinated pair. The dance continued as they setted forward and had to circle away from the front of the line to the back. Thom and Alanna both spun in opposite directions, causing their arms to strain painfully. When the Lioness was required to bob her brother, she dropped him from the unexpected weight causing a few gasps from the crowd. Alanna blushed and helped her twin up. When would this dance end?
After a few hundred mistakes later, the end of the dance came. Alanna passed by her Knight friends table and Jonathan winked at Thom, thinking he was Alanna. The real Alanna smiled at him and didn't even notice Helena stick out a foot to trip her and Thom. The music ended on a melodramatic note with Alanna and Thom fallen on the ground in a clump of jewelery, silk and velvet. The neccessary polite cheers came from the crowd and a few people laughed. Alanna's face was red with humiliation by the time she and Thom had managed to get untangled.
"You guys were fine in practice!" Geoffery exclaimed, utterly baffled by his friends' performance.
"We're not good in front of crowds, I guess," Alanna shrugged.
"You should've seen Prince Ozorne's face. He was more angrier than I've ever seen him before," Douglass added, smiling, "And Arram Draper only made it worse because he was laughing."
Alanna smiled to herself. The dark and brooding Arram Draper was becoming more and more likeable.
Jonathan asked Thom, "Care to dance, Alanna?"
Thom as Alanna of Conte shifted, uncomfortably in his seat, "Alright..."
The Crown Prince had obviously not realized that Thom was not his Alanna. The Lioness grinned. Let him figure it out for himself.
"I've got something...important to tell you," he grinned to himself.
Thom arched an eyebrow and shot a look at Alanna who was suddenly interested. Jon had something to say to her? She glared at Thom as he stood, ready to hear what the Prince had to say. He winked at Alanna and went off. She went red, wondering what embarrassing secret Jon was going to spill, not sure if she wanted Thom to hear it whatever it was.
"We should dance too," Geoffery said to Yuna. She agreed and they set off, hand in hand.
Many people were dancing. Douglass and Isabelle. Helena, who was glaring at Jon and Thom, and some squire. Raoul and Roxanne. Delia and Roger, who seemed to be bickering with each other. Cythera and Ozorne, lost to the rest of the world as they gazed at how beautiful their partner was. No unusual pairings that left Alanna shocked.
"What does she see in him, eh, Alan?" Gary demanded, swirling his glass of wine.
"Who see in who?" Alanna asked, turning her attention on her Naxen friend.
"Cythera! What does she see in Prince Ozorne?" Gary repeated in detail, looking at Alanna as if the answer was written on her face.
She wanted to grin but didn't. Instead she said, "Well, if you want a real answer, I suppose it's because he's a Prince and he's handsome or so I've heard ladies say."
"So?" Gary scowled, "He's also a prig. Have you heard him talk? It's always Carthak this and Carthak that and how hideous Tortall is. I thought she had better nerves of selection."
"Better nerves of selection for choosing someone like you?" Alanna teased, smilingly.
"What're you talking about? I'm here with Delia, what more could I want?" Gary questioned, with a frown.
"Someone who isn't rude, cruel and self-absorbed?" Alanna made question for question, "Cythera's everything Delia isn't. Think on that, why don't you."
The Lioness left her big friend to his shocked pondering as she got up and pushed in her chair. She took her cloak from where it hung on the chair she'd just been in and put it on. She was lost amongst the sea of couples dancing, dancing, dancing. As they twirled, her mind did too. Abigail would be arriving in Corus in a week's time, what would happen then?
Alanna noticed Jonathan frown as he spoke to Thom, realizing he was most definitely not a girl. He looked up and noticed Alanna. She wiggled her fingers at him as a wave and giggled. Now that he knew Thom was, well, Thom, he hadn't a clue what to do with him.
Alanna slipped out of the way, into a corridor. She'd been down here many times and knew exactly where she wanted to go. She opened the sixth door on her left, and entered. It led onto a snowy parapet, used by Tortall's astronomers. It was abandoned in the winter which made it a good hideout this time of year. Large piles of snow dusted over the floor and the Lioness instinctively hugged her cloak to her.
The night was a dark blue, the sky sprinkled with stars. It was a cloudless night and Alanna could see the full moon shining brightly. She quickly made a prayer to the Great Mother Goddess upon seeing her emblem. Perhaps that would bring her luck in her troubles. A sudden wind blew across the parapet and Alanna felt her lips become chapped, instantly. The hood of her cloak fell off, revealing her bright red hair to the night. Her cheeks grew pink from the cold and her toes and fingers numbed.
"When will I become a Knight?" she asked nothing in particular, "Will I become a Knight?"
She heard her voice quiver, not really wanting an answer. It was more empowering asking the questions than hearing the dreaded answers. A brave spider crawled across the railing of the balcony, moving rapidly. Alanna placed her hand where it had been just moments before, her stomach squirming. It seemed she always had something to worry about, some problem she had to solve. Why couldn't she just be like that spider who could creep anywhere he wished?
Alanna breathed out and saw it billow, visibly, in the cold air. She heard the door behind her open and turned around, gently. Once she saw that it was only Jon, she turned back around, relaxing. She knew he wouldn't bother her with stupid conversation. He came to stand beside her, understanding her feelings completely by studying the way she stood. She was in no mood to chat.
"You're cold," he commented, watching her shiver.
She smiled, "I could be wearing ten layers of furs and I'd still be cold in a winter like this."
They both fell silent again. Another gust of wind came, numbing them both to their spots. Jonathan placed an arm around her shoulder and rubbed his hand against her arm to warm her up. She wouldn't admit that she was grateful for it.
"What'd you tell Thom?" Alanna wanted to know, looking up at him now.
"Nothing," he shook his head, looking at his feet, smiling, "It was stupid really."
"Stupid? I believe you told Alanna of Conte it was important," Alanna grinned, loving the fact that she was putting him on the spot.
"I thought it was important," Jonathan shrugged, "But once I heard the words out loud they just sounded stupid."
"Tell me," Alanna urged, speaking softly because she was so cold, "I like stupid things. Like you, for example."
He laughed and lightened up, "I don't know if I could say it again. But I could show you."
She pulled away from him, scrunching up her face in confusion, "Show me?"
He nodded, coming closer to her. Bending over, he brought his lips to hers making her squeak in surprise. She stiffened in shock. Of all the things she was expecting, it was not for him to kiss her. So she didn't expect herself to kiss him back either. But she did. Every tingly feeling she had when he was around or talked to her was increased tenfold. She felt jittery all over and the numbness from the cold was gone.
Their lips, chapped, burned against one another's. The feeling was intoxicating and as soon as she felt it, she felt close to addicted. Alanna felt him pick her on off the ground and hold her close. With surprising instinct she brought her fingers, which had been unmoveable from frost just a second before, to his hair and started running them through. She had always wanted to do this and never would've thought she might actually end up doing it.
This was so much better than the first time they'd kissed. So much better than any kiss she'd ever had before.
The door to the parapet came open once again, frightening both Jon and Alanna. They came apart and he put her back on the ground with a soft crunch in the snow beneath their feet. Helena stepped over the threshold, looking shocked. As far as she knew Jonathan had thought Alanna was a boy. Either he liked men or...Alanna had lied to her! Guessing by the hateful look in her eyes when she glared at Alanna, she thought the latter. Her face, her entire body, started going red with rage.
Alanna stepped forward to try to say...something.
Helena didn't give her the chance to speak. She mouthed her spiteful mouth and began screaming, "DUKE GARETH! YOUR MAJESTIES! YOU MUST SEE THIS! PRINCE JONATHAN AND HIS SQUIRE HAVE BEEN PARTAKING IN INAPPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES!" in such a voice that was sure to attract the attention of the entire court of Tortall and bring them running.
Author's Note: Tres dramatic, non? Haha, I hope the A/J moment wasn't overly fluffy 'cause I hate crap like that. Anyways, next chapter...brings more trouble as usual!
winky-wink