Daine gazed around at the passing countryside, and absentmindedly leaned forward to stroke Cloud's neck.
"We'll be coming to the coastline in about an hour. You should be able to see the sea any minute," commented Numair from Spots beside her. "And then it's only another two hours ride to my tower." Daine smiled tiredly at him. They had been up since dawn, preparing for their journey. They were travelling to Pirate's Swoop for a fortnight with Alanna and George, stopping overnight at Numair's tower to collect some belongings on the way.
"It's much less than that," called Alanna, dropping back to join them. She flashed a teasing grin at Numair. "Although it depends on how slowly you ride. If I was alone, I could make it all the way to Pirate's Swoop in that time."
George had dropped back too, and guided his horse behind the women, into place next to Numair. "I feel your pain," he told the lanky man, indicating the women in front of them. "Sometimes when I look at those two, it's as though they were born riding horses."
Daine turned her attention to Alanna. "So what was the argument with the king over this time?"
Alanna raised an eyebrow. "Can't a mother spend some time with her children before going away?"
"You're avoiding the question. I know you were going to come home anyway, but we're leaving a week earlier than planned, and you only decided that last night." She paused, before adding "And you're always arguing with the king."
Alanna chuckled. "Old habits die hard." She glanced behind her to her husband, who was deep in conversation with Numair. "You're too observant," she complained. "It was just a silly argument, we have them all the time."
"But you only run away to Pirate's Swoop when you're hurt, angry, and there's nothing you can do about it," pointed out Daine.
Alanna scowled. "I do not run away."
Daine smiled inwardly, making a mental note to accuse her friend of 'unknightly' behaviour if she ever wanted more information. "Well…?"
The woman sighed. "It was pointless, so stupid that I refused to tell even George what it was about. We just both said things we shouldn't have, and blew the whole thing out of proportion."
Daine hid another smile: half the palace had heard the two of them bellowing, but she didn't think it a wise moment to mention that. She looked across at Alanna expectantly.
"All right, but only because you'll find out sooner or later anyway. Don't look so smug, it concerns you too, youngster. And," she added darkly, "you'll probably agree with me. When we go to Scanra, we have to wear…" A look of disdain crossed her face before she spat "dresses."
Daine was puzzled. "Well, yes, there's a ball the night we all arrive, and another one before we leave."
Alanna's scowl deepened. "I know; that would be all right. Jon says we, that's you, Buri and I, have to wear dresses all the time."
"WHAT?"
Alanna smiled smugly. "I told you you'd agree with me."
"But-but why?" spluttered Daine.
Alanna's scowl returned. "Apparently all the women in Scanra wear dresses, all the time. Any woman who wears men's clothes is labeled as 'loose', and scorned by society. Jon doesn't want us offending anyone and risking the peace talks."
Daine remembered the taunts from people in Snowsdale, the place where she had always been trapped by her skirts. No respectable man would ever marry Sarra's bastard. She sighed, slumping her shoulders. "He's right," she admitted. "They'd call us all whores."
"I know, but-"
"I've seen you wearing dresses before," accused Daine.
"I don't mind wearing them from time to time," conceded Alanna. "But I can't fight in a dress, so I'll only wear it if I feel safe. That's usually only at home, and I like to feel feminine every so often. What I don't like is that we are being forced to wear dresses, and even worse, in a foreign country where I most certainly will not feel safe, and don't want people thinking I'm soft and feminine."
"Alanna, think about yourself, me, Thayet, Buri, Onua, even little Kalasin and Aly. There's nothing wrong with being feminine, and femininity does not mean a woman is soft."
"But I'm going as the King's Champion."
Daine saw the stubbornness on the woman's face, and realised she was taking the wrong approach for a warrior who had spent years fighting to hide her feminine side. "I don't suppose we'll be able to carry weapons on us, will we?" she asked casually.
Alanna looked surprised. "No, of course not!" she exclaimed. "They're peace talks, Daine. Think how rude it would look. Although I'm sure George will manage to hide knives in every possible spot on his body."
"So everyone except George will be unarmed?"
"Yes, although I don't like it one bit."
Daine smiled slyly. "Just think how many places you could hide a weapon underneath a dress."
George joined Daine on top of the tower, watching as the sun slowly disappeared beyond the horizon. "What in the name of the Crooked God did you say to her?" he asked. "You two were only talking for ten minutes, and next thing I know, she comes and willingly tells me not only the contents of the argument, but also that she's not angry anymore."
He was interrupted by the bell that called them to dinner.
Daine grinned. "I have my methods," she teased, following him to the stairs.
They were joined at the table by the subject of their conversation, who was wearing-
"A dress?" chorused Daine and Numair.
"That's my lass," chuckled George.
"I can wear a dress when I want," Alanna stated defensively. "And I've been thinking. Daine, you remember how I told you to never ever let a man force you into doing something you don't want?"
Daine grinned as Numair choked on his wine. "Yes, but I thought you were talking about something other than dresses."
Alanna smiled wryly. "I was. But it can apply to anything. I do see why we have to wear these dresses, and you helped me see the sense in it. Just remember that a woman is capable of anything that a man can do – if not more."
"What?" asked Numair, excited at the prospect of something he didn't know. "Don't kick me, George. What can a woman possibly do that a man can't?"
George groaned. "She's going to start on the whole childbearing thing again."
"Well, laddybuck, I wasn't going to, but since you reminded me..."
"I know it hurts, lass, but it's the way people are made."
"You wouldn't be so happy if it were you," his wife reminded him.
"You've always said the children were worth it," he argued.
"They are, but that's not what we were debating." She stood and moved around the table to stand behind him. "I'm really sorry George, but I have to prove my point."
"That's why I love you, darlin'."
A violet glow gathered around Alanna's hands, before she placed them on her husband's stomach. His eyes widened, and he winced in pain. "By the Crooked God, that hurt."
"That's what a contraction feels like," she told him. "Women generally have them during childbirth from between seven and 24 hours."
She placed her hands back on his abdomen, this time erasing any trace of the pain. Looking up she saw that his eyes held a newfound respect. "I'm sorry lass, I never knew what I was putting you through…"
He blinked and smiled at her. "Well lass, I can't argue with you now, it looks like you win."
"Hey, she said she wasn't even going to mention childbirth until you brought it up," complained Numair. "What's this other thing that women supposedly can do that men can't? I'll prove I can do it."
Alanna winked at Daine, an evil gleam in her eye. "It's not so much can and can't, as will and won't," she deliberated. "No, you'd be afraid to do it."
"I'll do it, I swear." His scholarly curiosity had got the better of him. "George wants to know too," he added.
George eyed his wife suspiciously. "She looks far too pleased with herself…I think I'll stay out of this one."
"And wise you are, laddybuck," she told him.
Daine had been watching Alanna and thinking: she had a fair idea of where this was heading. Perhaps I shouldn't have told her what I did this afternoon…
"Numair, I really think for your own good, you should back out now," she told him.
"No, no, I want Alanna to tell me." She had forgotten about his stubborn pride. Pride comes before a fall, she thought. He can't say I didn't warn him. Still, I can't believe he couldn't see this coming…
"You sure you're not afraid?" asked Alanna. Daine could tell she was enjoying herself.
"Whatever it is, I swear by Mithros, Mynoss and Shakith I'll do it, if you just tell me," said an exasperated Numair. "What's this one thing that women will do that men won't?"
Alanna chortled, a wolfish grin spreading over her face. "Wear a dress."