"Thayet!" Alanna ran to hug the woman who she had seen only a few months ago.
"Alanna, I hoped you would be here!" Thayet hugged her back, and then held her to appraise her, "This is different from the boyish woman I knew only a few months ago!" she laughed.
"I grew my hair out, is it that bad?" Alanna self consciously tugged at her hair.
"No, it looks lovely!" Thayet laughed.
"Well, Come in!" Alanna unlocked the door and led Thayet in, followed by Buri, who gave her a quick bow (which Alanna returned).
A few months ago, Alanna had been traveling when she came upon the refugees of Thayet and Buri. After depositing the children in a convent, Alanna debated where to put Thayet. She was not the strongest, and would surely be assassinated if she was found. So she took her to Trebond, and let them stay there until their strength was regained.
"How is Trebond?" The three women sat on the chairs arranged around the room.
"Pretty, the fall suits it very much." Thayet sighed, remembering the fall leaves and crystal lakes.
"And my brother?"
"Thom…he's doing well!" Thayet smiled, something flashing in her eyes briefly.
"The boy even comes up for air sometimes…" Buri said frankly, smirking.
"I know, he rarely emerges from his study." Alanna sighed, thinking of her brother.
Buri grinned, "I wasn't talking about his study Milady…"
Thayet blushed and hit her bodyguard on the arm.
Alanna's mouth dropped into an O, as she realized what Buri, "How long…?"
"A couple of months, I thought Thom had told you…" Thayet dropped her eyes to her hands, which had gone very shaky suddenly.
"Don't fret Thayet, I think it's wonderful that Thom had finally taken and interest in someone other than himself." Alanna laughed, "I was starting to think that he didn't…you know, like ladies?"
"Believe me, he likes women," Buri grinned again, and nudged Thayet.
"…So how has life been for you Alanna, adventures?"
Alanna smiled, "If only, right now I'm trying to find a place in the court…"
"Ah, that may be even harder, if it was anything like home, I think it may be very dangerous in Tortall."
"I believe I can trust Thayet in your hands Lady Alanna, I'm off to find our rooms, your friend Raoul I think…he offered to show me where to go." Buri grinned and excused herself.
"So, tell me about you, there's someone in your life now?" Thayet shifted forward, trying to get some answers.
"Not yet, I mean family is a big step, I'm not sure if I'm ready to have one yet."
Thayet nodded, "But if you are ready, I'm sure that you would have the loveliest children."
Alanna laughed, "Me, no…you and my brother maybe. Dark hair, perfect skin…purple eyes…"
"You're as bad as Buri…." Thayet blushed.
"So is Thom here?"
"He said he'd come a day after us, something about making sure Coram was ready to guard the fief…"
"That's nice, so we have a day to get you adjusted to the palace!" Alanna grinned, "Come with me, I'll give you your official tour."
Alanna wandered into the practice room alone and slowly stretched her muscles. Thayet had gone to her rooms for a nap, and now Alanna had some free time. When she deemed herself ready, she picked up her sword and practiced simple things. Lunges, blocks, Defensive and Offensive, Anything to get her body moving again.
"It's not half as fun without a partner."
"I have no partner." Alanna stood straight to see Jon leaning on the fence.
"You have one now."
Jon put on padding and then started to stretch.
"Why are you here?"
"I just wanted to work out aggression, I heard you from the entrance…"
Alanna blushed, she didn't realize that she was loud.
"…so I decided to join you. Are you ready?"
She smiled and nodded.
Jon was patient today, waiting for her to attack. She lunged slightly and lightly went around his sword, pushing it out of the way. She then went in for an attack, but was clumsy. Jon pulled his sword in, in time to catch Alanna's side.
"Are you okay?"
She checked her side, no blood or even a scratch. Jon had barely nicked her clothes. She nodded and got up, resuming stance.
Jon mirrored her, and when they were ready, Jon went forward with a lightning quick attack. Alanna sidestepped his sword and circled him.
"Don't go easy on me." She warned.
"I'm won't." She saw him smirk.
She looked at his stance, his right arm was open, but his sword could catch her easily.
She aimed for his stomach instead, as she lunged forward, Jon moved his sword to protect his stomach and Alanna switch back to hit his right arm.
This time it was she who checked if her opponent was all right.
Jon nodded.
"One more point, winner takes all." She grinned and nodded.
They once again resumed stance, each trying to outwait the other.
"I can be patient with him" Alanna thought.
Slowly, they circled until Jon fumbled slightly. Alanna curved her sword and stepped back slightly. Jon followed her. She circled around his, lightly hitting his.
"You're trying to distract me and it's not working." Jon grinned.
Slowly Alanna started to breathe, remembering some of the things she was taught. Getting into her mind space was tough, but slowly, she felt the world drift away, and it was her and the swords. She smiled suddenly and lunged, first rapping Jon's hands so he let go of the sword, and then going in for the kill.
"I surrender Alanna."
Alanna dropped her sword too, exhausted.
"What was that, it was like you were a totally different person." Jon was tired too, he took deep and heavy breaths.
"I don't know, it just came out…did I hurt you?"
"No, I was frightened."
Alanna smiled, "The big prince, scared of a little girl like me?"
Jon returned her smile, "You are anything but little Milady."
Alanna went to the fence, and noticed they had gathered an audience.
"What is this? A show?" She asked Myles, who was sitting on the bench.
"You know my policy Alanna, the best entertainment is the one that you don't have to pay for." Myles said lightly.
Gary whistled softly, "Jon's right though, you were frightening in there."
"Scared Gary?"
"Quite, who would've thought the delicate flower of Lady Alanna would be so fierce in the ring?"
"Certainly not I, for I was merely dazzled by Lady Alanna's beauty to have noticed her viciousness." Raoul joined in.
"Now, now lads, everyone knows that the Alanna here is just the Alan we used to know…"
"Thank you Jon…
"However the Lady Alanna is a most radiant being, whose beauty lights the room…"
Suddenly, towels were lobbed at each of them, and all ducked, except for Gary.
"…and it hit him in the face!" Alanna laughed with Cythera, Thayet and Buri, "his expression was priceless."
The three women sat in Thayet's chambers, talking. Thayet dressed in a creamy coloured shirt, Cythera in pale blue, Alanna had a dark, midnight blue on while Buri wore dark red, all wore breeches instead of skirts.
"You should have heard what he was saying that night, he looked like a five year old deprived of sweets." Cythera joked.
"Men…" Thayet sighed, giggling.
"You should have seen Gary when he was trying to court me, it was 'Lady Cythera, your eyes are shining stars…"
"That's sweet, a little over used, but sweet."
"That's nothing," Thayet laughed, "Thom tried to flirt with his magic."
Cythera gasped, "What happened?"
"He ended up making a stick turn into a frog instead of a flower. You should have seen the look on his face, when he saw that he had a frog in his hand. However, he got it on the seventh try." They laughed, Alanna imagining her brother holding a frog in his palm.
"How about Jon?" Cythera asked, then realizing what came from her mouth.
Thayet looked sharply at her, "Jon…Jonathan…Alanna you're in love with the prince!"
"Unfortunately…" Alanna sighed.
"Lucky girl, does he like you?" Buri nudged Alanna.
A knock rang on the door, depriving Alanna of a response.
"Thom!" Alanna cried knocking over her twin.
"Alanna!" he hugged her back.
Then he continued to greet Buri, be introduced to Cythera, and say 'hello' to Thayet.
"You know what Buri?"
"What?"
"You were wrong…"
"About what?"
"Thom isn't coming up for air…."