Golden Squire
Chance meeting
disclaimer: i do NOT (i repeat not) own any of the characters you recognize.
A loud curse echoed through the forest near the capital of tortall, Corus. Alanna of Trebond shook in her saddle; a large spider had just dropped from a tree only to hit her in the head. Soon after that incident, the rain began to fall in small icy droplets, soaking the squire and her packs. Alanna grumbled under her breath, cursing the knights who had come to the palace and not chosen her, and cursing all the gods for bringing her rain when she had a schedule to keep.
A twig snapped somewhere close by. She whirled to find a raiding party of five surrounding her. They all had crude weapons of some sort, poorly made swords, daggers, anything that could do harm. Alanna drew lightning, sizing up each raider. While they looked like they had no real training, she knew she was outnumbered and if she lost her weapon, she would be powerless to fight.
Without giving Alanna a chance to move or even turn her head, one man charged her his sword held high above his head. Alanna blocked the blow and attempted to wrestle herself out of the centre of the circle. Her mare, moonlight, wheeled about, hurling her murderous hooves at anyone who made the mistake of getting to close to her mistress. Alanna fought them all as they closed in. One man got clear and cut her across her arm. Alanna turned quickly bringing her sword up under his and with one swift movement, she flung his sword into the dirt a few feet away from the fight and ran the man through. Alanna was trembling slightly, this was the first man she'd killed. But she didn't have time to ponder it. There were still men to fight, and her life to at stake. She looked around swiftly for an escape route, only to find that one of the bandits had gotten clear of moonlight, he easily yanked her from the saddle and held her tightly.
"Well, little boy have you learned not to travel alone?" the man asked in mocking care as his friends searched her bags.
White hot rage pulsed through her. How dare this man grab her from the saddle and then look through her things! Though it was a struggle, she managed to say," what do you want from me? I'm only passing through, and I have no valuables."
One of them snorted, he sported a cut on the head from moonlight. "Right, and I suspect a squire would be but a poor, homeless lad. I hear they feed you feasts everyday, and you have a wonderful place to live. Spoiled blue-blooded brat," the man spat.
Alanna bit her lip. She needed to get away from these men, but she had no way to. Wrestling was always a weak point because she was so small, and now she couldn't even move her arms to move her sword to save her.
She was jerked from her thoughts as the man holding her dropped her, an arrow in his back. More arrows followed the first, showering the men killing the rest of them. When Alanna looked up, she saw Raoul of Goldenlake and Gary -Gareth the younger- of Naxen.
"Hey Alan, how'd you get yourself into this one?" shouted Raoul as he and Gary rode closer to her. Her two friends were known for their size, particularly Raoul. He was six foot four with black hair and black eyes that danced with laughter. Gary was smaller, with chestnut hair and eyes.
" I didn't do this on purpose, Goldenlake!" she snapped, her violet eyes glittering in anger. the copper hair that hung just below her ear lobes was mussed and sweat matted. She was two heads shorter than both of them, and skinny.
Gary walked up behind her, and chuckled. "Don't worry, we know you didn't. But it is rather funny to see you in such a..." he couldn't seem to find the word.
All Alanna did was growl in frustration. All she wanted was a bath, food and a bed to sleep in. "can't we just get to the palace already, I'm exhausted."
Sure, Alan, whatever you say," replied Raoul, and the three turned down the road to Corus in silence.
No one noticed that a pair of violet eyes was peering our of Alanna's saddle bags.
As the three reached the castle a cry was heard. Alanna was sure the people in Carthak could hear it. A woman who look as if she just left the convent strode over to the three. Gary was the first to react.
"Morgan?" he asked, eying the new-found beauty with interest.
Morgan nodded. Even Alanna had to admit, she was a beauty. Her long reddish hair fell to her lower back in straight locks, and only drew attention to her slim figure. Her face was a matter all on its own. She had a heart shaped face with a pointed chin, small delicate nose and chestnut eyes. She was the same height as Alanna, which only made her look dainty.
Goddess bless! Thought Alanna, this woman is gorgeous!
Raoul didn't show much right now, only polite interest. Gary on the other hand was stunned. It was as if he'd never seen a more beautiful girl in his life, which Alanna highly doubted.
"I can't believe it! I didn't think I would see you for another year!" Gary exclaimed.
His companions looked at him with an eyebrow raised.
Gary blushed slightly and said," this is my sister, Morgan. She wasn't expected at court for another year, she was giving her teachers such problems while she was there,"he grinned,"have you changed any?"
Morgan, in return, grinned and said,"only to their faces."
They laughed. Alanna hoped she was like Gary. If she was, Alanna might have a friend.
"So, lady Morgan-" Raoul started.
"No, just Morgan. It always bothers me to be called something I hate. Surely you understand that," she said turning her eyes to Alanna.
Alanna gulped. There's no way she could have known, is there? No, she took too much care.
But still the look in her eyes, so much like Gary's it was creepy, made her wonder.
"Right, well then, Morgan, how did you manage to get out so quickly? I mean, the convent priestesses aren't known for being forgiving," Raoul said. For some reason, Alanna got the feeling that Raoul didn't much like Gary's's sister, though what he said was of polite interest. Did he find her attractive, but not willing to attempt to court her because of her brother? Or did he really not like her? She would think about this later, but right now Morgan was looking at her again.
"Hmm?" Alanna was caught off guard, now what did this child want?
The corners of Morgan's's mouth curved into a wry smile. "You must be squire Alan. I've been told about you, but I wasn't told until now about your attention span."
Alanna blushed. Why did this have to happen? Morgan would be sure to find out squire Alan's's secret. If she did, would she tell Gary's, or worse, her father? Too many questions, her mind chided. She scowled.
Unfortunately, Raoul caught the expression. "Alan, could I have a word? Privately if possible," he finished with a look at Gary's and Morgan's. They caught on almost the second he finished. They left the corridor quickly, yet still catching up.
Raoul shook his head,"if I ever meet someone like those two, shoot me with my crossbow at close range."
Alanna chuckled. Trust Raoul to say something like that. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
He sighed, as if this were hard for him. "I know you haven't had any offers to be a squire yet, and I was wondering if you wanted to be mine. While I'm sure you would prefer Jon., or Gary's, I hope you will think about it." he got up to leave, but Alanna caught his arm.
"Hey, what makes you think I don't want to be your squire? With Jon. I'd be in the thick of things, lots of dances, meetings, and everything that would bore me silly. While Gary's is my friend, he would do better to have a squire like Geoffrey, or Douglass. With you I know I'm getting field experience. so I would be honored to be your squire." she finished and took a breath. She only said the truth, and the whole truth, not just bits and pieces of it.
A smile spread over Raoul's's face."great, we'll start formal training tomorrow, once your rested from your first killing." he smiled when he saw hid friend's face go pale, then turn green. "Well, I'll see you in the morning." and walked off to his rooms.
Why did he have to remind me? Alanna thought miserably. As she made a mad dash to her rooms she realized a problem. No one knew she was a girl. not even Jon. Alanna couldn't help but sigh in relief. Though she went to black city with him, she never gave them the opening they wanted to prove to Jon. that she wasn't a boy. At least it's Raoul's, she thought.
After she was finished in her privy, she started to unload her saddle bags. It was times like this she wished her father was still alive, but only to watch over Trebond. Her shoulders slumped. She missed coram, but at least she could write before the passages were very snowy. She was still thinking when she went to grab something and it moved. she looked down into eyes as violet as her own.
She clamped a hand over her mouth to stop herself from screaming. Realizing that it was only a cat, she started rambling about animals scaring people out of their skin, and the occasional "goddess this isn't funny!".
Seven sneezes sounded from "Alan's's" rooms, which were soon followed by a muffled curse.
Thankfully Alanna always locked her door, lest one of her friends coming to see what happened. Though she knew this, she still looked over her shoulder at the door. Then turned to face the woman in the middle of her room.
She was the most beautiful woman Alanna had ever seen. She was tall, taller then Raoul's, with long snaky black hair; she had a dress that seemed to be made of fog. Her face was pale, almost white to be more exact. she had bright green eyes, and full red lips. She was the great mother goddess.
"Oh no, oh no, I don't need this!" Alanna was saying shakily. Unconsciously she was shaking her head in disbelief.
A smile slid across the goddess' face. "Surely you believe anything is possible. Why is everything was impossible, my daughter, you wouldn't be here, and squire to sir Raoul's of Goldenlake."
Now, and only now, was Alanna beginning to think that she might actually be face to face with a god; she knew Alanna was girl. Suddenly, Alanna realized that she strangely silent. "My apologies, my mother; I did not realize who you were."
The goddess was still smiling. "Do not fret sweet darling. I can assure you I won't be here long enough for your friends to find you."
"I never asked for this you know," Alanna said hurriedly; she wanted to stop the goddess from torturing her ear with her voice. It sounded like the huntress belling on her hounds and the rain beating down on the earth.
"I know, you ask for very little, but sometimes I cannot help but meddle, especially with someone like you."
Alanna's curiosity was sparked. "What do you mean? A person like me?"
"A woman who is willing to make a change for what she believes is right, someone who is not going to cave when put under pressure. Who is strong enough to continue when everything seems lost. Are you that person?"
"Other than the woman part I might be," Alanna replied, and instantly regretted it. Why could she never keep a hold on her tongue?
Thankfully the goddess found her amusing. "Learn to hold your tongue, you might get killed if you don't. And you really are that woman, or at least, you will be." the goddess started to fade. "Do not disappoint me."
Alanna surged to her feet when she hadn't even realized she sat down, wow, I really got to get my head back together, "I will try not to."
"I can ask no more of you," and had disappeared like she was never there.
Alanna turned to her new companion. Finally unfrozen after that encounter, Alanna decided to check the sex of the cat. Seeing he was a male, Alanna finished unpacking and started setting dates for naming her cat and the rest of her duties in the morning. Raoul will understand.
She settled down for a dreamless sleep, courtesy of the goddess.
(AN: so what did you think? is it good, i got an idea from someone else, only they have it as gary. anyways, please tell me what you think, it's my first fic!)