Chapter 3 The Price of Freedom

Alannah smiled at the amazed look on Stayne's face. "You've heard of me, then?" she asked, amused.

Stayne gulped quietly, and then nodded. 'Heard of you? You've haunted my dreams ever since I first saw you at the Masquerade all those years ago.' Noticing that Alannah was giving him a searching look, he gathered his courage and spoke.

"You performed at the last Masquerade Ball-before the King", he paused and continued in a dismal voice-"before the King died." Alannah nodded.

"I heard about the King being executed. It was tragic. From what little I knew of him, he seemed like a good man. But I'm surprised you remember me. If I recall, you were sticking pretty close to the Queen."

Stayne smiled at her. "Milady-a voice as beautiful as yours is quite difficult to forget. I always regretted that I did not try to make your acquaintance."

She looked at him, slightly confused. "Why didn't you? I would not have objected…too much."

Stayne laughed bitterly, and indicated the sleeping Queen. "Because she could not bear the thought of anyone but her being 'acquainted' with her Precious Knave. If she thought that I had any interest in you, she would not have hesitated to have you killed." he replied in a voice dripping with hate.

Alannah looked grim. "Then I suppose it is a good thing that you did not. I value my life quite a bit. The last thing I want is to lose it over something as petty as jealousy."

Stayne smiled. "Yes, that would have been a tragedy. However, this situation isn't any better. I'm in exile, chained to a woman I hate, and there's no way to escape her."

Alannah looked thoughtful. She had, of course, heard about the banishment. Every Underlander had. They had been told that the exiles were dangerous, and could not be trusted. The Knave especially-he had been painted by members of the White Queen's Court as a cold and heartless killer. But looking at him, and observing the bitter look of defeat in his eye, Alannah wondered if any of that was true.

"Stayne, if I could set you free, what would you give me?" she asked abruptly.

Stayne looked at her, a wild hope in his eye. "I would give you anything you asked. My life would be yours to command, Milady."

She laughed quietly. "You drive a hard bargain, Stayne. But I think perhaps if you just agree to be my friend that should be sufficient."

Stayne looked amused. "That seems a small price to pay for my freedom." He extended his hand, and Alannah shook it.

"We have a bargain. Now, hold still while I unlock your cuff."

She drew her dagger and began to work the point in and out of the lock on his cuff. Stayne held as still as he could and watched her work. This close to her, he could fully see just how beautiful she was. Even in the dim light, he could tell that her skin was tanned, and her body was healthy and strong. Then she turned and stared in his eye, and Stayne was transfixed by the greenest eyes he had ever seen. He gasped quietly.

Alannah looked concerned. "Are you alright?"

Stayne nodded. "I'm fine. How's the lock coming?"

Alannah smiled triumphantly. "Flex your wrist."

He did, and laughed in elation as the cuff fell to the ground. "I'm free!! Thank you, Milady. I am in your debt for all time."

Alannah smiled. "You are welcome, Stayne. But as I said, all I ask is you be my friend."

Stayne nodded, and then slowly got to his feet. "Then you have my friendship, Milady. Lead me where you will." Alannah turned and walked off a short distance. Turning, she noticed Stayne staring down at the sleeping Queen. He kept his voice quiet, but she could still make out what he was saying.

"Goodbye Majesty. I hope that our paths never cross again." He then turned around and walked off without a backward glance, catching up to where Alannah stood, waiting.

"Milady, I await your orders," he said bowing. Alannah rolled her eyes, amused.

"Orders, is it? Alright, then-your first order is to stop calling me Milady. My name is Alannah."

Stayne smiled. "Alannah. That's a beautiful name." She blushed, and Stayne grinned mischievously.

They walked on for a while in silence, and then Stayne spoke. "Alannah, why are you doing this? What is the purpose?"

Alannah sighed. "It's complicated. But if you really want to know, I'll tell you." Stayne nodded, eagerly. Alannah paused, and then continued to speak.

"You told me that you first took notice of me at the Masquerade. Well, that's where I first took notice of you as well. Your height and that eye patch made you stand out. I was intrigued by you. I knew who you were, and you definitely caught my eye." She smiled at the blush that came over his face.

"I was observing you all throughout the Masquerade, and I noticed how uncomfortable you seemed, especially when the Queen was dragging you all over the place. In fact, I could tell that you despised her, and I was surprised no one else marked it."

Stayne chuckled grimly. "They were all too busy grilling me about my missing eye. It got rather annoying after a while. But how were you able to tell, since the Queen didn't allow me to meet you?"

Alannah smiled gently. "I observed your body language. You were holding yourself very stiffly, and looked very uncomfortable. When the Queen took your arm, you were barely touching her, and you stayed as far away from her as you possibly could. Then you nearly gave yourself away when the King escorted the Queen away. I've never seen anyone look so relieved in my life."

Stayne looked at her, impressed. "You see much, Mi…Alannah."

She bowed slightly. "Why thank you. I do believe that is the nicest thing anyone's ever….I don't believe it!" she finished in an exasperated tone, looking off to her right.

Stayne, who had been rather taken aback at the rather abrupt change in her tone, looked over to where she was staring. A rath was snuffling about underneath a large tree. Behind the tree was a small hill. The rath continued to snuffle, and Alannah sighed in frustration.

"That damned animal! I traipse all over this forsaken region, looking for him, and what does he do? He gets home before me. Raths are definitely more trouble than they are worth."

Stayne looked around. "Home?"

She nodded, and indicated the hill. "Right over that hill."

"You don't live at Court?"

Alannah laughed. "Not me. I'm only a Lady because my mother passed the Title down to me. I much prefer the simple life. Besides, I lived at Court when I was younger, and found it frightfully dull."

They crested the hill, and the house came into view. It was large, with a thatched roof. The back of the house opened up on a large garden filled with vegetables, flowers, and herbs. In the garden was a large sundial, and around it was a large empty plot of green grass. Stayne looked at Alannah, amazed. "You have a wabe."

She nodded. "Yes. However, toves aren't as plentiful as they used to be, but there's still a couple that come and gyre and gimbel. So I keep the wabe." They walked down the hill, and into the house.

"Welcome to my humble home, Ilosivic Stayne."

Stayne looked around. The room they were in was large, with several pieces of mismatched furniture. In the center of the room was a large couch with many cushions on it, and scattered around were chairs of various shapes and sizes. A large stone fireplace took up one wall. There were several rugs scattered about the floor. Stayne felt at home immediately.

"It's a lovely home."

"Thank you. I do have an extra room, if you would like to get some rest. It belonged to my mother. It isn't large, but the bed is quite comfortable."

Stayne nodded gratefully. "That would be wonderful, thank you."

She pointed to a door at the end of a short hall. "It's right down there. Sweet dreams, Stayne."

Stayne smiled, and walked into the room. 'She was right about it not being very large. But still, it's skies above sleeping on the ground." He walked over to the bed, and collapsed on it, sinking into its softness. The last thought that crossed his mind before sleep finally claimed him was that perhaps Fate was finally beginning to favor him.