~*~*~*~ Dreams of a Lady ~*~*~*~
Chapter Two: A Trip To Trebond?
Genre: General/Action/Romance
Rating: PG-13.
Disclaimer: Tammy doesn't seem to want to sell me George!!!!! Wah!!! Anyone want to help me bribe her? I'll share…
Author's Note: Humph… No one wants to comment about our dead rogue? And our assassin man? Fine, be that way. Ya'll are great anyway! Even if all you do is rant on about A/G fluff….meh….. Oh wait! SOMEONE finally commented on the assassin! Thanks sooooo much!!!!!
Keziah,
This chapter is dedicated to you, because you made me all happy and stuff like that…
Nice long chapter for you all! Enjoy!
~~~
Alanna stood before Daughter Alice, hands clasped in front of her in a very ladylike manor. "Daughter Alice?" she asked sweetly, trying to look as innocent as possible.
Daughter Alice looked at her warily. "Yes Alanna?"
"Well, you see, I'd dearly like to go check on things in Trebond. Ever since the death of my father…well…" She forced herself to shed a few tears, "I've been very worried about my home. I know that Coram is probably doing a wonderful job running things, as he's told me in notes, but I'd really like to go see for myself. I'd ask Thom to go, but he's just so busy being the Prince's Squire and all…"
Daughter Alice gave her an unsure look. "How long would you be gone for, and when would you leave?"
Alanna licked her dry lips and hesitated before she answered, though she already knew what she planned to say. "Well, I was hoping to stay until I was sure that everything was fine for the winter. I shouldn't imagine I'd be gone longer then a month…and I'd love nothing more to leave as soon as possible. Feast Day is but a week away, and it's a very celebrated time in Trebond, seeing as we really are a farming fief."
Alanna bit her lip as the daughter gave her a calculating look. "You'll take guards with you, of course?"
"Oh yes ma'am!" Alanna said, agreeably.
"Fine. Two will be provided, as well as a mount and provisions."
"Actually…Daughter, with some of my inheritance, I've purchased my own mount. With much help, of course. I figured that it would only be another asset for when I wed. As you've said, 'It's not only the woman, but what she can offer.'"
Daughter Alice turned a slight green shade, never expecting Alanna to fight her with her own logic. "Fine. Yes. See that your mount is tended to. I can have guards and all you'll need by tomorrow. You will leave at dawn."
"Oh! Thank you Daughter Alice!" Alanna cried, happily. She quickly hugged the woman and scampered from the hall. Daughter Alice could only shake her head.
~~~
"That was far too easy!" Alanna said, with a laugh as she walked back to her room to prepare for afternoon tea.
"What was, Trebond?" came the overbearing voice of Delia of Eldorne, someone Alanna just couldn't bring herself to like. In fact, she could barely bring herself to not punching the girl soundly in the face. Yet, somehow, she managed, and even managed not to stick her foot out to trip Delia as she came to walk haughtily next to her.
"None of your business, Eldorne," Alanna replied, in a mocking tone.
"Shall I tell Daughter Alice and make it my business?"
Alanna very animatedly rolled her eyes. "I've convinced Daughter Alice to let me return to Trebond for a few weeks. I've missed it so much lately," she half-lied.
"Indeed. You can take the inbred girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the inbred girl," Delia retorted, nose in the air, teeth flashing in a grin of victory.
"Indeed is right Delia, and it seems you can take a snotty girl away from court games and malice, but you can't take court games and malice out of a snotty girl." With that, Alanna nodded her head in salutation and turned down a hallway, happy to see that Delia didn't follow.
~~~
Pent up in her room, Alanna hunched over a map, plotting her route to Corus. Of course she couldn't take a direct route; it had to look like she was going to Trebond. She sighed. Oh late, it had been delicately snowing, early even for this part of Tortall. No, late October generally brought rain. In buckets. And oh how she hated traveling in the rain. It was almost as bad—she shuddered—as the cold. Whether snow or rain, the roads would be murderous, slowing Alanna's route to Corus, undoubtedly.
After tracing a route on the map in charcoal, in case she had to brush it off, she carefully folded it and tucked it into her riding boots. She knew the daughter would allow her to ride in breeches, so she didn't worry too much about that, and knowing the daughter would insist, she wrapped a dress and shift in some waterproof parchment. Packing her non-girly things presented the problem. How ever would she conceal her blade? She had a feeling she'd need it in Corus. Someone had killed George's messenger. What would stop them from killing her? Not a thing, save Alanna herself, of course. And then she had it. She knew exactly how to arm herself. Whistling half cheerfully—as cheerfully as the situation allowed—she began to pack everything else she'd need: another change of clothes, her toiletries, with which she carefully hid the throwing stars, as she fully intended to show them to George.
Warm clothes and daggers she'd wear, knowing she'd want the protection of each. This thought caused her to laugh softly at herself. Had she been content to be a lady, she'd never have had to worry about daggers and swords and sick Princes and dead rogues. But no, she had to be different from every other girl her age. Goddess, she was different then most everyone her age. Not only was she a noble, but a thief on top. A noble and thief with dreams.
She never let her dreams go, however, and every morning she woke early to practice with her sword and daggers. She had even started with some exercises Raoul and Gary had showed her to strengthen her arms.
That was another thing that set her apart from other ladies. She got sword practice from young knights. Her once suitor even knew this. Recalling this, Alanna blanched as she folded another garment. Jon knew her secret and when the ladies had returned to the convent, they had not been on the best of terms. She had been kissed by one of his friends, and he had blamed her. She wasn't too ecstatic with him either, but since George's note, she had done nothing but worry about him.
She had an idea that whatever was wrong with Jonathan wasn't a simple illness, but something magical. Like the Sweating Sickness. An evil mage—Alanna, Thom, George and a handful of other guessed Duke Roger of Conté—had sent the disease, and it had attacked and killed many. The Prince was caught with a terrible case of it, but Thom had miraculously been able to heal him. The Queen had also taken ill, and had never been the same since.
Alanna was willing to bet that this was something similar. She wasn't sure how Jon had taken ill and George hadn't mentioned any other cases of it, so she bet that someone was trying to weaken or probably kill the Prince. As always with Alanna, the duke was easily suspectable.
What she wondered was why Jon was calling for her. Maybe he thinks I sent it, she laughed. She also wondered why Thom hadn't been able to cure Jonathan. Thom, as far as Alanna knew, was wonders with his Gift, and next to him, she was nothing. So why couldn't he help Jon?
She could only hope that her questions were answered when she reached Corus, but knowing the ways of the world, Alanna guessed they wouldn't be, and she'd only be left with more unanswered questions.
~~~
Alanna woke an hour before dawn, and hurriedly did her exercises and sword practice, then, with a sigh, packed her blade deep down in her trunk, which she locked.
She quickly donned the breeches and long tunic and shirt all of the girls had been given for riding practice and then pulled on two pairs of stockings and her sturdy boots. She then pulled a sweater over her tunic, and then pulled a cloak on over all of that. She then grabbed her bags and drifted down to the convent stables where she'd moved her beauty of a mare last night.
Seeing the mare again, she smiled. George certainly had good taste when it came to horses. The mare was not only sturdy, but beautiful, and she fully intended to buy her off the tall thief when in Corus, already feeling attached to the horse. She had named the mare Moonlight and for good reason. The mare stood proud with a coat of gold and a main of the purest white.
She dug an apple from one of the bags and offered it to Moonlight, who gently butted her nose against Alanna's shoulder before taking it. Alanna stroked the mare's nose and then sent to saddling her. She then strapped her bags to the mare's back and after thoroughly brushing herself off, as she was now covered in straw and horse spit, she walked back into the hall where she would be meeting Daughter Alice, who was already there.
"You're packed and ready?" the daughter asked.
Alanna nodded. "I've saddled my mount and strapped my bags to her back."
"Let me have a quick look at her, and then I will summon your guards."
"Yes, daughter."
Alanna showed the older woman to the stall where Moonlight was and watched nervously as the Daughter looked over the tack and in her packs. Moonlight must have seen the displeasure on her face because she butted the daughter in the shoulder in a less-then-affectionate manner. She vowed to give the horse extra oats when she fed her next.
She heard the daughter mutter something and then finally finish and turn back to her.
"Everything seems to be in good order. Come with me."
Pulling a face behind the daughter's back, Alanna followed her into a foyer where to armed guards were standing.
"Gentlemen," she said sharply. Both of the guards turned and Daughter Alice continued while Alanna looked the guards over.
Alanna's mouth fell open when she recognized one of them. She mouthed, "What in Goddess' name are you doing here?1?!?" at him, but he only gave her a timeless grin.
"Gentlemen, you are to escort Lady Alanna to Trebond and return promptly. She will receive an escort for the return trip from her fief. Understood?"
The men nodded, the one guard still grinning at Alanna.
"Then, please, follow me to the stables. Mounts have been prepared for both of you with enough supplies to last you the trip. Lady Alanna will see that you are provided for when you return."
"Thank you again, Daughter Alice!" Alanna said in a very girly way, pretending as if nothing was wrong with the guards.
The Daughter nodded and left.
When she was thoroughly out of earshot, Alanna hissed at the guard, "What in Goddess' name are you doing here? Are you crazy?"
"No darlin'. Insanity runs in your family, not mine. I'm just touched in the head a bit." With that George Cooper winked at her and saddled a chestnut mare. The other guard looked confused, but said nothing.
"I'm going to have to have a talk with you when we get to Corus," she said sourly, as she saddled Moonlight. She then whispered, "He one of yours?"
George shook his head and bit his lip in silent apology and then continued to argue with Alanna. "Now here you are, you should be happy that I'm here. But what do you do? You demand an explanation." George sighed and shook his head jokingly.
"C'mon," Alanna said, shaking her head as well. "Let's go!"
The three rode from the stables and set out toward Trebond.
~~~
It was as they stopped at noon that Alanna put her plan into action.
When the other guard wasn't looking, she used her Gift and convinced him to ride to Trebond with a message, which she has already written. She made him believe the Daughter has asked him to deliver the message and that he was not responsible for her, though if asked, she was fine. The final piece of the puzzle was to convince him that, "your fellow guard was very irresponsible and ditched his important duties and left." She shot a look at George to reiterate her point. He winked at her and saluted the guard.
The man rode off quickly in the direction of Trebond.
~~~
"You think you're pretty funny, don't you George Cooper?" Alanna demanded as they rode toward Corus on Alanna's plotted route.
"Generally, yes. But I did actually come for a reason."
"Did you now?" she asked, giving him a critical glare.
"Yes. I came to tell you that your brother has gone missing."
Alanna quite nearly fell off Moonlight.
"WHAT?!?"
"Thom is missing. No one seems to know where he is. If he ran off, he left no note. Spies in the palace suspect he was kidnapped."
"How long ago?"
"Just after I sent that note to you. It must have been five days ago then."
"Oh Great Mother Goddess. Any idea who?"
"I have my ideas."
"Duke Roger."
He nodded.
Alanna began to curse nonchalantly, going through all her favorites and finally resorting to a few of George's favorites.
"Relax lass," George interrupted, "We'll get him back. He's probably only being kept away until Jon finally dies. I assume that whoever is making Jon ill doesn't want Thom to intervene, as he did when Jon was with the Sweating Sickness."
"He isn't going to die."
"Gods, I sure hope not," George said softly.
Alanna, afraid to voice her doubt in herself privately hoped so also.
~~~
Author's Note: I surely didn't intend for that to happen! When I originally came up with this, George wasn't going to be the guard, but I saw the opportunity, and I never pass up a chance to pop him in my fic. Anyway, I just want to say THANKS SO MUCH YOU GUYS! Your response to this has been so great! I never thought I'd get that many wonderful squishy reviews for my first chapter!! Thanks!!
Oh! Another announcement before reviewer thanks! I have fully revamped my website and am now also archiving my fics there! I just might happen to post there first. I don't know! But I've spent lots of time working on it, so GO LOOK AT IT! The addy is in my profile, but I'll put it here as well! Go visit it!
http://pixiewrites.iwarp.com
Okey dokey! Now onto review thanks!!!!!
To:
Anonymous: Hello to you to! Killing off people tends to be fun…I know,
April…it has to come before one thing and after something else. AND
SEND ME YOUR STORY! You don't have to cut anything out yet! I'll read it all
and then I'll tell you what to cut! (He he, if you need to cut anything) As for
The Chronicles, I have sort of put them on hold, but thanks so much for the
offer! ::hugs:: Send me stuff! Thanks for the nice, long, firstest review!
Hoppuschick182: That was short, but rather sweet. Just like you said.
LaOpRinCEsS: Why thank you! ::blushes::
Michy: Well, be outraged some more, because that is your new nickname! Okay. I've just gone and tossed George back in the story and I think there might be ways to get some fluff in! I'm almost driving my self nuts with this A/G fluff delay….sheesh….Thanks!
Pbwin: Wow! Normally people complain that I'm slow as heck when posting! Thanks! Minor minor minor A/G coming…Jon just might die, so I don't know about that ::wicked grin:: and Alex, oh he is so still around. Just to make your choice difficult. Thanks!!
Lady Arabian Knight: Wowee! Thanks for the very eager sounding review!
Bookmaggot: Yes, I really do have to ask. It's my job as the paranoid fic writer. Well, glad you're looking forward to my postings! I'm gonna try to squeeze in minor A/G. We'll see how it works! Thanks!!!
Lillie: And kick but she will! Thanks!
Cytosine: ::blushes A LOT:: Thanks!!!! You made me feel all warm and happy and all that rot! ::hugs::
L.A.E.: Like your name, btw. Thanks!
Dragon Girl: Thank you so much!
White-wolf: Thanks you!!!! You get ::hugs:: cuz you're cool! :o)
Lady Lizzy: Yeah, it was action or embroidery and I took the road less traveled! (J/k!) Glad you like it!
GlaiveGirl: I still like your name…Don't worry about reviewing! (But thanks for reviewing nicely!) Thanks!!!!
Lady Fire Eyes: Thank you! I was a bit shocked at the action in the first chapter myself. And then George sprung up in this chapter…golly. Who knew?
Dyana-of-Tortall: Don't sick your muse on me! Because I'm REALLY REALLY bad at Cross-country!!!!!
Erin: If I don't kill Jon off (tempting) there will be A/J fluff. I mean, she's getting her bum dragged back to Corus. There won't be other ladies around…OH WHAT A DISASTER!
Karina: You're very welcome! Thanks for the wonderfully squishy review!
Orange: Thank you! Thank you!
Once Upon A Star: ::blushes very very much:: Thanks! I'm so glad you like it!
ThePenMage: But I look forward to your reviews! Yeah, it really did suck to kill Score off. I was starting to like him myself…Okay! I've found in some small ways to squish in some small A/G! I'm sorry for making you all wait so long!!! If George doesn't respond to the counseling, you have my permission to threaten. ::big hugs:: Thanks! :o)
Kadgal: Can't stand suspense. Wow, wrong fic for you! I always cliff hang if possible and am slow at updating! Thanks though!
Temptress: I'm on A/G withdrawal. Thanks so much. ::hugs::
The Copper C@t: People recommend my fic to other people who read it!!! Omigod! Omigod!!!! YAY! You've made my day with that comment! Your review is SOO wonderful!!! Thanks!!!! I'm so glad you like it!!!!!!!! :o) ::hugs to you::
Keziah: ::hugs and roses:: You get roses cuz this chapter was dedicated to you! You get hugs cuz…. you're cool. Thanks for recommending myfanwy's fic to me! It was REALLY GOOD! You here that all you reader people? Go read myfanwy's "Just a Glance." You heard me! GO!!!! (Oh golly, I'm starting to sound like Alanna….) Thanks for all the cheering!!!! I'd made me quite happy!!!! And thank you SO much for your insightful comments! I love endless compliments!!!! ::hugs:: I'm still debating killing off Jon. What do you think? Kill the prig or let him live? Hmm… Alex…must find a way to kill him off too… gosh, I kill off a lot of people! Anyway, you're insightful little wonderings have gotten you a chapter in your honour! You should be very proud! (just kidding!) ::more hugs:: Thanks!!!! You're the coolest!!!!!! ::more hugs::
Dandylioness: Tiny pinches! Yes ma'am! Glad you like it! Isn't school the worstest? A/J fluff…if I don't kill him….
Rya: Yes! Glad you like the mystery! You know what…I think I've read part of Amaya…Hm…..I'll have to go back to it! Thanks!
Kally: :o)
Nile Serpent: I've just had something. I hope you get better!!!! (I'm over here coughing like a lunatic) Poor nose! GET BETTER! So much bad stuff is coming from Carthak…Jeez…I just don't know why! He he, thanks for the review! You'll be noticing A LOT of similarities from the book REALLY soon!
The Dark Lady Adrienne: I rant about your Kel/Joren on my website and linked it to your profile, so you'd dang better post! Okay, that said, ::hugs and kisses:: to you to!!! WHY IS EVERYONE SICK???? Are you better? I hope so! ::gives Adri (for shorts) a cookie:: Thanks and more ::hugs::!
Flame of Ice: I'll take that interesting to mean cool and give you ::hugs::!
Sound of The Skies: Alanna was in Treven for…hm…maybe two months, but chapter wise…nothing! Ah, you're guessing on the evilness to…well, I will not verify either way! (Though with the predictability of this story, how can you not know??) Thanks so much. ::hugs::
Myuu/Kyuu: I have to find a dumb nickname for you…Meh. I'll come up with something! It isn't happy. I hated killing off Score. He was a fave rogue of mine in another thing I'm writing (an original) and I spliced him into DOAL and now he's dead. :o(. An A/G on the side…well, I never thought of that! Hm…I'd probably muck that up, but thanks for the idea! (Are you hinting about wanting me to write one???) ::hugs to you:: Thanks!
Eve: I just love the word "adore." Thanks! That review made me feel all happy and squishy!
Arctic Princess: Don't expect too much!! ::hugs to you:: Thanks so much!
Xelena: It's all about the time of the year. March = too early. May = too late. You'll understand closer to the point.
Lady Of Lost Thoughts: Thank you!!!!!
Punk Princess: I absolutely LOVE Good Charlotte! I have an ODD obsession with "Bloody Valentine." I'm listening to Flogging Molly, right now, personally. \../. -.- .\../ Yay for Celtic punk! ::does odd half skank/half Celtic dance:: Woo! Okay, I'm done…Oh yay! You're putting me on a faves list! Yes!!! Woo!!!! ::goes nutsy:: Yeah…I have the short-skirted Alanna edition…What is with that? She wouldn't wear that! Gah! Stupid artist people… Didn't they make Kel's eyes blue on Lady Knight? I haven't seen the dust jacket for that in ages…so I don't know…I just like complaining… Glad ya like! Sorry you had to go to evil carnival. If it makes you feel any better, I was sick all this week and missed Flogging Molly and GC, Simple Plan and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones in Milwaukee! Doesn't that absolutely suck? Anyway ::hugs:: later!
Nicole: Thank you and will do!
Loki-goddess of destruction: Spiffariffic name, mate! It's great! Sorry you had troubles finding it! Glad you did! And glad you like it! Thanks!!!!
Weretigermae: Neat name! Lover??? Yay! Someone "lovers" my stories!!!! ::does happy dance:: That's even better then "luv" "lurve" and "wub"!!!!! Thanks!!!!
Done! Phew! That took ages!
Author's Note Some More: Alright you lot! Go visit my website! Or else! I will not hesitated to sick my demon on you! And I haven't fed him in a long time!
Well,
Cheers, hugs, wub and kisses and all that related rot!
Sara
(I LOVE THE USED!!! They rock!!!!! "Good bye to you! Good bye to you!!! You're taking up my time…Good by to you!" Okay…I'll stop now!)
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