Chapter 8: Free Time

The pages were released for three weeks to catch up with their parents, as was usual, and Adalia chose to stay with her Grandma and Grandpa in their suite of the palace.

After all of her jaunts outside throughout the year, she had gotten to know Numair and Daine as well as her own parents, so she jumped at the chance to have dinner with them and their children when Alanna and George asked her on the first evening of her release.

When the three knocked on the family's door, they were met with Numair bellowing, "Come on in, it's open!"

Adalia followed nervously in the wake of her grandparents; she had never visited them before, nor had she met their children. She was reassured as Daine smiled at her and said, "Long time no see, Adalia. I was beginning to think you had flown off to the Copper Isles."

Adalia smiled at this, and said, "Oh, no. I wouldn't go and deprive you of my shining presence."

This brought a giggle from all in the room, including a girl and boy who were lounging on chairs at the table.

She looked around the room, face carefully posed to look shocked, and put her hands to her heart, "You wound me forevermore."

She then went and took a seat at the table, next to the girl, who had long smoky brown hair and dancing sky blue eyes. She looked to be three years older than Adalia. She was also already showing signs of being a beauty, like her mother. Adalia crossed her arms in front of her chest and tried to look like she was pouting.

After she had stopped laughing, Daine gained enough composure to once again address Adalia. She pointed at first the girl, and then the boy "Adalia, this is Sarralyn and Rikash."

"Adalia, just call me Sarra." Sarra glared at her mother, "No one calls me Sarralyn."

"Yes, and please call me Rye." Rikash put in. Adalia shed her pouting pose and grinned at the two. She felt that they could be great friends.

She studied Rye. He looked to be tall for his age, with dark brown hair and stormy grey eyes, that were dancing with laughter.

As they all sat down to dinner, the three children got talking. "So. What are you guys doing here at the palace?" Adalia questioned.

"Now that's a story." Rye was piling his plate with food as he talked to Adalia. "We both have wild magic and the Gift. Although we are fully trained in both, our parents don't seem to trust us." He smiled crookedly at this, his eyes dancing.

Sarra snorted, "Us? They don't trust you." Rye raised his hands in acceptance and started shovelling food into his mouth.

Adalia was used to this behaviour, having spent the past year among the pages, but Sarra was not. She pointedly looked at Rye, "The food won't run away." She observed dryly.

"Just ignore him. I think boys have being grubs at the table in their genes." Adalia advised Sarra, and then raised an eyebrow at Rye. To his credit, he made an effort to slow down – fractionally.

Adalia and Sarra shared a knowing look and rolled their eyes at the exact same moment.

After dinner, the three sat talking – about Adalia's page training, the missions that Sarra and Rye went on with their parents, and finally about magic itself. The two were really curious about Adalia's lineage, and Adalia found that talking about her abilities actually soothed her nerves, thinking that stranger things are probably about Tortall, and she wouldn't be thought of as a freak if anyone found out.

They went on to talking about the exhilaration that came from being able to fly as a bird, which got them all wanting to actually go and do it. Almost bouncing, they went over to the adults. "Could we go flying?" They all asked at once.

They just laughed. Alanna said, "I don't see why not, if Daine and Numair say you can. When you're done, just go to your room, Adalia. We will bring your clothes back when we leave."

Adalia whooped and jumped out of the window, changing into crow form just before she was out, so her clothes fell back into the room. She flapped back down to the windowsill and cawed at the other two to get a move on.

All those left in the room laughed at her exaggerated exit, and Daine and Numair were accosted by the pleading looks from their children. "Get out of here!" Daine told them, and they changed shape; Sarra into a crow, and Rye into an eagle.

They both then flapped out of the window to join Adalia.

Adalia called a challenge to race and she got a head start, flapping in the direction of the tilting yards.

The others flew after her, and when Rye in his eagle shape shot passed them, Adalia sent to him, "show off! Make it fair and change into a crow!" Adalia heard Sarra's agreement, and Rye, looking sheepish switched into a crow.

It was getting darker, and the three started doing loop-de-loops, chasing each other around in circles. The most memorable moment was when Adalia, a natural trickster in her crow form, had Rye so confused at her weaving that he crashed into the tilting yard fence.

It was very late by the time Adalia, Rye and Sarra separated to go to bed. As she lay down, Adalia couldn't help but marvel at the feeling of freedom she had around those two, who knew of her abilities. They are probably only accepting of me because they themselves have remarkable abilities. Adalia thought to herself sadly. Better to be normal.

She went to sleep with a big grin on her face, having one last pleasant thought, Ah, tomorrow I can FINALLY sleep in!

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Not-so-early in the morning, Alanna and George were up and about. Alanna peeked into Adalia's bedroom and saw that the girl was still asleep. George crept up to be staring into the girl's room over his wife's head. Alanna looked up at George, a wicked grin building on her face.

George moved out of the way as Alanna went into the girl's washroom, not troubling to be quiet. Realising what she was doing, he quickly backed away from the room, thinking it would be better to be nowhere near when this happened, and he slipped out of the suite.

Alanna, purple eyes sparkling, was advancing on the girl that was tangled in her bed. She carefully tiptoed so she had the best shot possible. She would have rubbed her hands together in anticipation, but she did not want to spill any water out of the bucket; at least until she was sure it would hit its target.

With one last grin, she tipped the whole bucket of freezing cold water on Adalia's head.

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The first thing Adalia noticed as she woke up was that she was wet. And cold. She cracked an eyelid, and upon seeing Alanna waiting patiently for an explosion, she decided instead to turn over and go back to sleep.

As she had anticipated, Alanna, seeing that the girl was still obstinately refusing to wake up, shook her. "Adalia! Wake UP!!! I thought you would at least be angry with me for this wonderful awakening."

Adalia just groaned and mumbled, "Tis' too early in the mornin' to be angry."

"Ah, in that you are wrong, my dear. It's already 7 o'clock."

"Still too early." Adalia managed to mumble back. She was no morning person, and with the lack of Kula waking her up with the noise of practising her glaive, she intended to sleep as long as she wanted.

Alanna bodily yanked Adalia out of bed, and seeing that the girl was just wearing her clothes from the day before, picked up her boots and settled Adalia over her shoulder, thinking it was lucky that with her being a crow she was much lighter than would a normal girl be at her age.

Adalia was not worried by this development; in fact it pleased her. She went back to sleep.

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Being thrown unceremoniously on the ground of the practise courts abruptly woke Adalia again. This time she was confused. How had she managed to get here? Then she started as Alanna handed her shoes and practise sword over. Knowledge struck quickly as she felt her wet hair. Now that she was awake enough to care, she found that she was angry with Alanna.

"Who the hell wakes someone up in the morning with a bucket of water and then carries them into the practise courts?!" She raged at Alanna.

Alanna just cackled and said "Me."

Adalia's face went red and she scowled at her grandmother. "And why could not just wake me up like a normal person?"

She had not realised that they had an audience. Knights that were practising on the courts, as well as a few nobles and soldiers who recognised the unmistakable signs that Alanna was going to the practise courts to spar had gathered. They could not believe that the girl dared to speak so bluntly with the Lioness, even though she was related. They all winced when Adalia said that to Alanna.

Alanna smiled at Adalia and said, "Well, little miss, I wanted you angry enough that you would spare properly with me."

Adalia just smiled slyly at Alanna, and said tauntingly, "You will wish you hadn't."

Adalia quickly drew her blade at a speed almost too fast for the eyes to follow. Alanna just grinned. This was what she had been waiting for. This girl could be able to give her a run for her money; something that had not happened since she had faced Liam Ironarm all those years ago.

"Just wait one second." Alanna directed at Adalia, and then she turned to the building crowd. "GET OUT NOW!" She bellowed at them.

They all turned and ran out as fast as possible. Alanna then brought up a protective circle, which would block prying eyes – she knew that Adalia did not want to tell people about her abilities – yet.

Alanna brought her sword up to a guard position, and Adalia mirrored her movement. Alanna made the first move, quickly clearing the distance between them and cutting for the girl's middle. Adalia quickly blocked her and then attacked Alanna in turn.

They went on like this for ages, ferociously duelling back and forth. Both Alanna and Adalia collected some bruises from each other.

In the end, though, Alanna's far superior experience gave her the edge over Adalia, as she brought her sword to rest at Adalia's throat.

Adalia said 'I yield' conceding her defeat. She then flopped to the ground and pushed breath into her lungs, and observed Alanna do likewise. Adalia grinned up at Alanna, who grinned back.

"…Brilliant form, Adalia. I do think you will be the best, once we go on to teaching you more of the tricks of swordsmanship." This praise brought tears to Adalia's eyes, knowing that she could not get any better, not from the Lioness, whom she held in such high regard.

Alanna ignored the tears and handed Adalia a water bottle, "It was pretty bad of me to catch you half asleep in the morning, and you only being a first" - Adalia glared at Alanna, who laughed, then continued – "Sorry, second year page. I just wanted to catch you before you gained so much knowledge that I couldn't beat you – what with you being so fast and all."

Adalia just shook her head at this and said, "I am sorry that I used my abilities, Grandma."

Alanna just shook her head in turn and exclaimed, "Nonsense. Remember that I threw a bucket of cold water on you in the morning, while you were asleep. Oh, and I was trying to make you."

Adalia grinned sheepishly at Alanna, but decided not to pursue the subject. They were both just lounging on the ground lazily when the protective circle around them shattered; broken by a black-coloured magic that Alanna recognised as Numair's. The man in question stormed toward them.

"Why the hell did you stay here so long? Everyone thought you killed Adalia! It's just that we hadn't heard anything – but of course we wouldn't. It took me forever to break through your gods curst circle, Alanna!" Numair practically yelled her.

Adalia and Alanna looked at each other, and broke into laughter at the mix of extreme worry and anger on Numair's face.

He purpled and yelled, "Do you think it's funny that we thought you had killed your granddaughter!?"

Adalia broke in and said, "The granddaughter thinks it's funny that you thought she could kill her."

Numair just looked at each of them in helpless fury. Alanna sighed, "Numair calm down and stop being a worry wort. The worst I would have done would be to give her a few bruises."

"– Which you did" Adalia cut in. She looked satisfied with herself as she added, "I gave her a few bruises too."

Numair looked shocked at this, and looked more closely at each of them. He noticed that both did seem to have bruises. He was just astonished that Adalia seemed to have dealt as good as she got.

He went over to them and offered his hand to Alanna. Adalia noticed Rye behind Numair for the first time, and he offered his hand to her, which she took. She grinned crookedly up at him, then looked at Alanna and said, "May I now go back to sleep grandma?"

Alanna considered Adalia for a long moment, and then grinned, "I suppose –"

"–Good." Adalia cut across her and walked back in the direction of her rooms. Rye, standing for a moment in indecision, shrugged at Alanna and took off after Adalia.

Alanna, watching him follow the girl thought 'interesting…'

Rye caught up with Adalia just as she went into the hall. He said, "I've got to say, you were amazing!"

Adalia, startled, turned around to look at him, "What do you mean?"

When Rye continued walking, she followed him, looking at him expectantly. "Your spar with the Lioness."

He emphasised Lioness and she looked at him closely, "You saw our match?"

He laughed as he saw the curious expression on her face. "Well, yes. I used my wild magic to sneak through, then went back out when you finished."

Adalia just shook her head at him.

"And besides – anyone will know that you did well, because you can actually still stand after sparring with her! I don't think anyone has managed to do that in years!"

"Well, you know why I am like that, but please don't tell anyone else!" She looked pleadingly at him, but relaxed when his face sobered and her nodded, "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me and Sarra, for as long as you plan to keep it."

At this, they reached Adalia's door and they said goodbye.

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The next day, Alanna was called out on a mission, to go with some squads of the Own and the Riders to stop a man named Marcus Wood, who was apparently at large in Tortall, developing an underground slave network. Sarra went with her, to use the animals as spies to find the so-far illusive ringleader of the operation, not to mention free all the Tortallans unlucky enough to have been plucked from their homes.

George had left for Pirate's Swoop to see to his duties as the Whisper Man, which left Adalia alone in her grandparent's suite.

Alanna had asked Daine and Numair to look out for her, so she went to every meal in their rooms.

Adalia and Rye had great fun, changing into crows to goad all of the knights whenever they were bored, not to mention pull off a rather dangerous prank on Lord Padraig, which Rye had initially refused, but Adalia had 'convinced' him to take part. The man's hair was pink for a week, much to the two's pleasure, and Lord Padraig never found out who did it.

A day not long before she would have to relocate back to her room she had been assigned as a page, she was once again practising her sword on the rooftop. Her concentration broke as she saw a flock of crows say past, and she let out a big welcoming cry to them.

As they circled around and told her what was happening, one detached itself from the group and soared down to her.

"What are you doing here?" She asked it, annoyed that he had discovered her practise spot.

"Watching you practise. Gods how the hell did you get up here in human form?" Rye questioned her in turn.

"You know what I am, and what I can do. Stop being stupid and use your imagination." She informed him, starting up another drill, following the movements precisely.

"Yeah, but it's one thing to hear about, another to see." He said. She didn't respond, so he just sat there, watching her graceful movements as she practised.

"Do you want to go for a ride?" Adalia jumped a little; she had forgotten he was there. Grinning sheepishly as he looked at her in a you-better-be-more-careful way and responded, "sure."

At this she sheathed her sword and ran across the roof, jumping across gaps big and small, having to go longer to make the way to the stables. Rye watched her for a second and then flew off to his room to put on some clothes.

About ten minutes later she was impatiently waiting outside the stables with Anika.

She scowled at Rye when he eventually came out, leading a grey gelding that he called Diablo.

"Patience is a virtue." He teased.

"One I do not posses, so you better hurry up!" She retorted, and jumped onto her mare, asking her to walk.

Rye quickly swung his leg over Diablo and trotted to catch up.

They rode through the forest for over an hour, and Adalia challenged Rye to a race back. She was the fist to gallop into the palace grounds, and she stood up in the saddle, raising one hand in a whoop.

"I win, you slowpoke!" She triumphantly informed the boy.

"You cheated!"

"Did not!"

"Did!"

"Just because I had the sense to start as soon as I said go, while someone just waited there staring slack-jawed at my speed doesn't mean I cheated. You were just too dumb to go as soon as possible." She told him, tone persistent.

"I never agreed that you could say go, nor did I agree to a race! I was looking the other way when you said 'let's race back!' What was I supposed to do?" He argued.

She gave him a wolfish smile and then dismounted, leading Anika into the stables.

She carefully groomed Anika, chatting to the horse. She could hear Rye doing the same for Diablo, and she didn't wait for him to be done. She just looked into Diablo's stall, and catching Rye's stormy grey eyes, smiled and stuck her tongue out.

She made her way to bed, wishing that she did not have to return to the vigorous training the following day.

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Disclaimer: I am not Tamora Pierce.

Next Chapter: Camping

I hope you liked this chapter; it's pretty long but I didn't want to split it up. Please rate and review!