Jon slowly walked down the hallway, contemplating what he had discussed with Gary. Alan definitely wasn't what he seemed to be, but finding out what it was that the boy was hiding would probably not be easy. Jon had thought that it had something to do with the Ralon kid. From the moment Alan had come to Corus there had been nothing but trouble between the two. But there was more. Yet he had no idea where to start. Coming to a halt in front of Alans room he raised a hand to knock, when the sound of metal against metal came drifting through the wood. Thinking that Alan wouldn't hear him, Jon reached for the knob and let himself in.

The sight that met him was a strange one. The furniture had all been cleared to the very edges of the room, so that it would almost count as the wall seeing as the furniture didn't stick out any farther than it had to. The center of the room was completely empty except for his short fiery haired friend and the burly manservant Coram. In the hands of the two were practice staffs, and Coram was bent over shifting Alan's foot into a better position. With their backs to him, neither of them had noticed him yet, so he was content just to watch and see what was going on.

"You've really got to remember that positioning there. I know it's unlike any of the ones I've taught ye, but you're going to get no where without it. It's the Duke's favorite foot position. You'll be using it a lot over the next couple years but right now in particular. He won't let you move on until you've got it down pat. What position is it now? I've forgotten how many we're up to."

"Fourteenth Coram, you act like that's so many. Do you want to go again? I really need the practice. If I keep up this way, everyone's going to notice I'm-". Jon leaned forward to catch the word, but by moving he had caught the attention of the pair, letting silence fill the room.

At last Coram broke the silence with a bow. " Your highness, is there anything we could do for ye?" Alan straightened and turned around to face him as well, but a look passed in her eyes that he could not quite name. Was it anger or embarrassment? He wasn't' quite sure.

"Uh, no, I was just stopping by to the practice courts with me but I can see that she already has found a sparring partner so I shall simply have to find cousin Gary." He smiled at the pair and turned to leave, but Alans' voice stopped him.

"One moment Jonathan, I'll come with you. I had to force Coram to spar with me rather than joking with his friends so this will work out for all of us." She smiled, turned to Coram and whispered a thank you into his ear. Then spinning around he came after Jon staff in hand.

"Something's got you on edge Jonathan. What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing, you know just royal meetings I have to go to."

"Good one Jon. But I don't by it. It's about me isn't it?"

"No, what would make you think that?"

"I don't know, probably the fact that you let yourself into my room uninvited. Upon seeing that me and Coram were sparring, and talking about the ever fascinating topic of foot positions, rather than leaving you continue to listen and watch. Oh, and did I forget to mention that we had a rather strange meeting in the hallway bright and early this morning?"

"Ok, you've got me there. You are the reason that I am so confused. You go about your life almost as in a dream. You get beat up by Ralon," Alan stiffened." You stiffen just hearing his name. Yet you're a good page. I mean you don't grasp things as Duke Gareth shows them to you but the next day you are just as good if not better than the rest us. But while you are sparring you don't even pay attention to the person across from you, for all the concentration someone can see in your face. I just don't get it. Oh, and I've still got some of the books you dropped this morning. Could you just explain this to me?"

"Jon, it can't get out. If Ralon found out I'm-"

The bell let out it's shrill squeal as it announced to everyone that there were only moments before lessons started.

"Look," Alan continued. "It's time for classes and I've really got to stop by the stables first. I'll see you at class." And with that Alan took off leaving Jon there wondering at what Alan had been so close to revealing when that obnoxious bell had brought him to his senses.