Theresa was turning into a woman. Over the winter her breasts had grown rapidly, and with her low-cut spring dresses the change was obvious. Not only that, she was using her cleavage to her advantage…but that's a story for another time.
The same thing was happening to Alana, but she was not happy about it. It was particularly irritating when the boys tried to get her to go swimming.
One day near the beginning of August Raoul tried his luck. "C'mon Alan," he teased. "One small dip. Or are you afraid you'll wash off a protective coat of dirt?"
Theresa was sitting under a tree when Raoul started teasing. She rushed to Alan's defense.
"If he doesn't want to swim don't push him Raoul!" She scolded.
Raoul looked hurt. "Okay. I just don't want him to miss out." He shrugged. "But if that's what you want Alan…"
"It is what he wants Stop trying to get your way Raoul." Then she grinned. "Alan doesn't want to go in, but maybe I can be persuaded."
Raoul opened his mouth to say something, but Jon cut in.
"Don't you dare Theresa!" He yelled, getting out of the water fast.
She grinned wider and started playing with the buttons down the front of her dress. "But I'm so hot. Raoul would let me go in."
Raoul was torn, but what normal boy wouldn't be? Finally he said, "It's not right for such a fine lady to swim in the presence of men."
"Oh poo. You're no fun." She stuck her tongue out her brother, which earned laughs from many of the other boys. "I'll spend my time with Alan then." Grabbing her wrist, Theresa dragged Alana to the practice grounds.
"What are we doing here?" Alana was baffled.
"Well..." Theresa stared at the ground. "I was wondering if you'd teach me how to wrestle."
Alana stared at the princess. "You want me to teach you to wrestle? No way. Besides, if you want to learn wrestling, Raoul is the best." She slapped her forehead. "I mean…no…girls shouldn't know how to wrestle."
"Aww…what about hand to hand?"
Alana chewed her lip thoughtfully. It wasn't fair only boys learned to defend themselves properly.
"Please? It could save my life."
"Okay. But you cannot tell anyone I'm teaching you."
"Of course not."
"Let's start now. Attack me."
"What?"
"Attack me."
"Okay." She charged and punched weakly.
"No, no. Let me show you."
They spent the next hour practicing. Things seemed to be going smoothly.
Later that day Theresa went to her uncle, Duke Gareth, with a question.
"Uncle, I'm going to the city tomorrow, and I was wondering if one of the pages could be my escort."
"Who are we speaking of?"
"Alan of Trebond."
"Alan? He's a bright boy, but a tad small for a proper escort."
"Aww…please Uncle? Jon can come too."
The Duke looked at his niece curiously. "If you insist."
"Oh yay!" She clapped her hands together. "This will be such fun."
The next day Theresa, Jon and Alana visited the city.
"Excuse me miss." A young man tapped Theresa on the shoulder. "I just cut your purse. You can have it back."
Theresa's eyes widened. "You stole it…and now you're giving it back?" The man nodded. "What kind of thief are you? Don't give it back-I hadn't even noticed yet."
The thief was taken aback. "But you're with them."
"What does it matter?" She looked up at Jon. "Brother, why does it matter?"
"I think it's time she met George." Alana said. (A/N: It occurred to me that in the books Jon hadn't met George yet, but I'm writing this out of memory so give me a break…)
They led Theresa to a tavern called the Dancing Dove. She was amazed at what she saw.
"I feel like I'm destroying my sister's innocence." Jon groaned. "Hey, where'd she go?"
Theresa was happily shaking hands with a voluptuous brunette. "So you're a whore huh? I've never met a whore before."
The woman looked offended so Jon grabbed his sister by the shoulders and steered her away. "Let's go meet George…NOW."
The King of the Rogue was sitting on his 'throne' drinking brandy. When he saw Alana and Jon he raised his glass and called out "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"We've brought someone for you to meet." Alana said.
"This is my little sister, Theresa." Jon added.
George got down on his knees and took Theresa's hand. "I am honored to meet such a beautiful lady." He kissed her hand.
Theresa smiled. "Thank you, but it seems I'm not as desirable as many of the other women in here." She said, pointing to a prostitute leaving with three men in tow.
"I have destroyed her innocence." Jon moaned.
George looked amused. Theresa then popped a question. "Why did the thief return my purse?"
He glanced at Jon before saying, "Because I am King of the Rogue."
To my wonderful reviewers:
Chapter Two:
Zeetah: Thank you! I'm glad something thinks its cool.
Anna: Thanks! I sure hope it shapes up!
Epobbp: Don't worry, I did. And I'll continue.
Chapter 3:
Nativewildmage: Don't worry, I really like Raoul. He and George were my favorite characters in the lioness quartet. And I'll update as fast as I can type…a lot of it is written
WitchyMage: I know my spelling is terrible…I'M SORRY! I was rereading what I had posted and noticed I'd spelled 'prince' price. I'll try harder to edit my work. And as for Raoul calling upon the Goddess, that has something to with the story later on.
Just because I said so: It's only good compared to others? Not standing alone? -cries- Hehe, just kidding. Thanks.
TPfreak: I'm glad you like it. I'll try to get more actual quotes in…I'm doing it mostly out of memory so…yeah…but I have the book somewhere.
HyperKathryne: Thanks! And if I recall correctly you were one of my very first reviewers, thanks for that too! I shall update soon!
lady dove of the green eyes: Thank you. I will continue, no worries there. And may I say I really like your pen name.
Chapter 4
Nativewildmage: You think I'm good at emotional writing? THANK YOU! -does happy dance- I was worried it would seem too forced…
Mist's Child: Hehe…I wrote even more…I just have to type it all…..stupid typing….
x17SkmBdrchiczxx: Thank you. I hope it lives up to its potential…
I'll respond to you reviewers more often now. Thanks again guys!