I dont own any of the Tamora Pierce characters
Ivy was in her rooms not long later, dressed in her night-shirt and clambering into her bed. She was annoyed herself for going dressed so impractically, she knew of his charms and looks, and if he had been looking for a Squire he would have wanted to be impressed by their work, not by their figure. She rolled onto her sides with a loud sigh and closed her eyes, awaiting sleep. It didn't come. Instead she found herself wishing she had stayed with Matthew, perhaps she could have explained the reasons behind her dress, even explained that she was looking for a knight master to take her on. Yeah right! she thought. He wouldn't have let you talk if you'd stayed any more than five minutes! He'd have jumped on you! She shrugged. I suppose if he wasn't going to take me on as a Squire it wouldn't be so bad to kiss him. Ivy shook her head. She had heard about him from her father and mother. He was in and out of womens beds faster than Keladry of Mindelan spun a Yamani glaive, which, Ivy knew, was extremely fast. Finally sleep came, but not as she would have wished. Dreams of paper shuffler knights and inky hands filled her head, closely followed by dreams of Spidrens with Matthew of Tirragens head, flirting and reaching out a hairy leg.
Matthew decided against sleep. Instead he went into the city, entering an Inn and blending into an evening of flirting. He left late, with a sixteen year old girl holding his hand and leading him to her small house. After a long night, he left, leaving the girl - whose name he didnt know - sleeping in her bed. He went back to the castle, where he slept roughly, wondering as he closed his eyes who the woman - or girl, he wasnt sure which - was.
Ivy went down to the practice courts early, her black hair tied back, dressed in a practical pair of breeches and a shirt. She took her staff, sword and bow down with her, practising archery, sword drills, and tilting practice with a small circle of wood hanging from a string and blowing in the wind. After a half-hour on each, she left and headed back to her room for a bath, sinking into the shadows when she saw Matthew of Tirragen heading towards the practice court that she had just left.
Matthew thought he saw someones silhouette in the shadows, but ignored it, heading for the yard where he planned to spend the next two hours working up a sweat with his sword. He only managed one hour before he gave up on a morning of hard work and headed back, after two months battling Spidrens, he wasn't worried about going rusty. Seeing the tall figure of Lord Raoul of Goldenlake, he ran over intending to enquire about Squires.
"As a matter of fact, there is one," Lord Raoul replied, but he gave the young man a wary look.
"Who?" Matthew questioned. "I can't fight Spidrens on my own for the rest of my life, and it would definitely be worth the experience for the lad."
Raoul sighed. "You hit the nail right on the head Tirragen, it isn't a lad, and don't take this the wrong way, but the way you go through your women, the experience for the girl might be more than intended!"
Matthew stared. A girl? He was not against women warriors, two had proved more than worth having in recent years, but he was still realistic. Women were emotional, even if they could look after themselves. There were certainly times in the month that women got angry, stressed, even sick. The way women worked was a completely impractical creation for fighters.
"From your face I'll be guessing you won't take her then. Would I be correct?" Lord Raoul questioned.
Matthew shook his head slowly. "I'll see what she's like. If she'll pull her weight and work hard and not slow me down, maybe I'll think about it."
Raoul nodded, then gave the man a warning look. To a smaller man, it would have been menacing, even scary, but Matthew was an inch taller than the giant Lord of Goldenlake, and met his gaze levelly. Never wondered what it must be like for him to have someone taller than him. Maybe he's shrunk now hes gotten old. Matthew grinned inwardly, then spoke. "Where is she then?"
Raoul gazed at him carefully. "You won't try anything on her if you take her on will you?"
Matthew frowned. "I might like women, but I wouldn't sleep with my Squire Sir!" Raoul grinned and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Come on then, we'll go find her." With a smile, Matthew followed him up to the Squires wing.
Ivy had just finished dressing in fresh clothes, when there was a knock on the door. She opened it, hastily tying her hair back. The first person she saw was Raoul, the only odd thing about him was the slight crown of brown-blonde hair that could be seen over the top of his head. Ivy waved her father in, then froze, just as the man in front of her did. She looked up into the eyes of Matthew of Tirragen, then gulped. Raoul didnt notice his daughters odd behaviour.
"This is Matthew of Tirragen. Matthew this is my daughter Ivy." he turned to Ivy. "Matthews interested in taking a Squire."
Ivy gulped. She tried to talk, but her throat was bone dry. It was Matthew that recovered first.
"Erm . . . hi," he said, holding out a hand, a slight, forced smile on his face. "Its nice to meet you."
It was only then that Raoul cast a careful look at his daughter and her possible Knight-Master. Hehad known Matthew of Tirragen for several years, and he knew that the young man was rarely at a loss for words. His daughter seemed positively incapable of speech. That too was rare. Of course, it was quite possible that she was merely surprised that a famed first-year Knight was standing in her doorway, or that she was attracted to him. It was likely of course. He was a good looking young man, and it was well known he was a charmer. Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea after all.
Ivy recovered and quickly shook the offered hand, pulling back quickly and trying to ignore the fact that the man had only last night invited her to share his bed.
"Morning." she managed, then walked to stand by her father. He cast her a strange, questioning glance, then went on.
"Yes, well as I was saying . .. Matthew would like to take on a Squire. I recommended that the two of you met and he could look you over." Ivy faked a thankful smile before he continued. "Why don't we go down the practice courts and you can show Matthew your sword, staff and bow work?" Ivy nodded, as did Matthew. Raoul smiled.
"I'll meet you there in five minutes. Why don't you two talk and . . . familiarise yourselves with each other?" Ivy smiled.
"Sure Dad."
"Yes sir," Matthew said with a grin.
Raoul left with a wave, closing the door behind him. Instantly Ivy turned on Matthew.
"What the hell are you playing at?" she hissed. Matthew gasped.
"Me? What about you?"
"You're the one that tried it on with me not the other way round!" Ivy half-yelled.
"I didn't know you were a Squire! Its not my fault, and you didn't say you were one! Why were you wearing a dress if you're a Squire?" Matthew enquired.
"Just because I am a Squire doesn't mean I can't wear a dress you know!" Ivy was angry, Matthew could tell that much from the sudden redness of her face.
"I never said you couldn't!" he said calmly. "But running round in a dress isn't the best way to attract a potential Knight-Master . . . well not in that way at least." Ivy stared open-mouthed.
"I didn't head out to attract you! I was walking and you happened to be there!" Ivy resisted the temptation to thump the young man in the face.
"Alright, but your Dad wants us in the practice courts so . . . lets go." Matthew held the door open and bowed mockingly. Ivy rolled her eyes, picked up her sword and headed out without a word of thanks to him. Matthew frowned and watched her retreating back for several seconds before jogging to catch up.
This may be a little short. . . oh well please review.
Mage of the Heart
