Chapter 5

"Sir Myles?" Gary knocked on a door.

"Come in!" a voice called. Gary took Alanna's hand and led her into the room.

Seated behind a desk was a plump, shaggy man. His hazel eyes danced as he looked at his former student and his companion.

"Hello, Gary. Who've you brought?" the knight asked.

"Sir Myles, this is Lady Alanna of Trebond, Thom's twin. Alanna, this is Sir Myles of Olau," Gary introduced. Myles rose and bowed. Alanna dipped a curtsy.

"Your brother is an eager student, Lady Alanna," Myles told her.

"He always has been," Alanna replied.

"Are you the same way?" Myles wanted to know.

"Sir Myles, Alanna and I were talking last night at her presentation. She mentioned that she likes to have intellectual conversations, and learn about Tortallan history and its people. I told her that you were the best person for that," Gary replied. Myles smiled.

"Gary's right, Lady Alanna. What would you like to know?"

Alanna grinned and began to talk. She told him about how she wanted to learn Tortall's history- how it came about, how it became so large, the people, and conflicts. She told him about her interest in the people of the Great Southern Desert- the Bazhir, and her interest in lady knights of old. And how she wanted to learn swordsmanship and "un-ladylike things" because she was interested in it. When she finished, Gary was staring at her with a mixture of awe and appreciation in his chestnut eyes.

"Well, it's a pity you weren't a page," Myles remarked. "This is all information the pages learned. Save about lady knights, of course. What do you think of your companion now, Gary?" Alanna glanced at Gary and blushed.

"I think that she is one of the most real women I've met in years," Gary replied. "No common woman would admit what you just did, Alanna." Alanna smiled.

"Alanna, come see me every morning. I'll teach you all you want to know, and more. And maybe I'll even bring you to Barony Olau. I have some wonderful ruins there," Myles told her.

"I would love to see them. And, thank you, Sir Myles," she said.

"It is my pleasure. Eager minds are difficult to find, especially in ladies."

Gary and Alanna left shortly after. Gary led Alanna to the courtyard, where they sat on a bench under a weeping willow tree. Gary put his arm around Alanna, who put her head on his shoulder.

"This is so beautiful," she commented.

"It is. I love to sit here," Gary replied. They sat in silence for a while.

"Gary, do you know the City?" Alanna asked. Gary looked at her.

"Of course, why?" he wanted to know.

"I want to go to the City," Alanna replied. "Somewhere casual."

Gary thought about the Inn of the Dancing Dove. He was friends with the Rogue, the King of Thieves, George Cooper. But he was really Thom's friend. Would Thom object to Alanna meeting the man? Gary thought not, but wondered if he should ask. Where was Thom, anyway? Probably with Jonathan. Gary stood up and took Alanna's hand.

"Come. We have to find your brother. I have to ask him something," Gary said. Alanna followed him to the practice courts. She stood to the side as Gary tapped Thom on the shoulder. Thom glanced at his friend.

"What?" he asked. Alanna noticed that the man Thom was dueling was none other than his knight-master. Jonathan handled the sword easily, swinging and ducking blows as if he had been doing it all his life.

"I have to ask you something," Gary replied.

"One minute, Jon," Thom said. Jonathan and Thom dropped their blades. Thom and Gary went aside. Jonathan noticed Alanna standing to the side and went to her.

"Hello," he said. Alanna flashed him a smile. "Aren't you going to say anything?"

"Yes. Leave me alone," Alanna replied. Jonathan was taken aback.

"Excuse me?" he asked. Alanna fixed her violet eyes on him, making Jonathan uncomfortable.

"I don't want to talk to you. Leave me alone," she replied.

"You might want to be a little nicer to me, Lady Alanna," Jonathan told her.

"Its Alanna. And why? Just because you're Thom's knight-master doesn't mean I have to tolerate you. He has to, I don't," she said.

Jonathan was silent for a moment. "What is Gary talking to your brother about?" Alanna looked at him.

"I haven't the slightest idea. I asked if he could take me into the City, and he said he had to as Thom. As if Thom has any control over what I do!" Alanna exclaimed.

"You don't want to be controlled, Alanna?" Jonathan asked coolly.

"No. I hate being treated like a delicate flower, or something that needs protection just because I'm a lady. And, Thom's not my father. He has no right to tell me what I can and can't do. The only man with that right is Coram, because he practically raised me," Alanna replied.

"What are you going to do when you're married?" Jonathan wanted to know. "Your husband will control you."

"No. He won't control me. I will be able to do what I wish," Alanna retorted. "No one has the right to completely control one person's movements."

"What about the king?" Jonathan asked.

"The king sets general limits so that his subjects have boundaries and don't just do whatever they want. That isn't the same thing," Alanna replied. Jonathan smiled.

"You have a very definite opinion, don't you?" Alanna met Jonathan's eyes and saw that they held a teasing look.

"Of course." They smiled at each other.

"Gary, how about I take Alanna into the City? You'll be alright on your own for a while, won't you Thom?" Jonathan asked, his eyes never leaving Alanna's.

"Sure I will. But I'd rather go with you," Thom replied.

"If you must," Alanna sighed. "Give me a moment to get changed into something I can ride in. And get me a horse. One that actually moves preferably." She curtsied. "I take my leave now, your highness, Squire Thom, Sir Gareth." She walked away, smiling to herself.

"That is one woman you have for a sister, Thom," Gary remarked.

"Sometimes I wish she were just like everyone else," Thom grumbled.

"But then you wouldn't be Thom," Jonathan said. "You know how to deal with the women because she is your sister."

"I wonder if George will like her," Gary mused.

"George? I think you'll have some competition for her heart, you two! She is exactly what George likes in a woman- strong willed and different," Thom said.

"Who says I'm in the competition for her heart?" Jonathan asked softly.

No one heard him.

Author's Note- OK, Alanna meets George: next chapter. Always is on hold. REVIEW.