So this is my final chapter for this part of their lives. But the story isn't over yet! I'll be starting Part Two in a few days and I hope you'll read it!
"You have satisfied your examination." Lord Padriag forced out the words. His grim countenance said something else entirely, but the panel of judges had agreed that there was no doubt about the page's abilities. As a squire he would be a blessing to any knight.
And so, as the crowds thinned out and murmured their discontent at the Tirragen boy still not failing his examinations, Alex made his way back to his room. There wouldn't be a point in remaining in the courtyard; no one wanted the traitor's spawn as a squire. Alex had been tempted to ask what would happen to him if he couldn't find a knight-master, but pride had kept him from opening his mouth. That, and the prickly pride that kept him going these past four years vehemently opposed openly asking the question. It hadn't been easy; in fact, he was was sure that no one had ever faced a more daunting time as a page.
He could only imagine how much worse it would be if, by the grace of the gods, he did get a knight-master and he was cruel. How much danger would the young Tirragen lord face when isolated with a vindictive knight? Alex shook his head. Survival was what he did best. One way or another, he would survive the next four years and step into the Chamber. He would claim what was owed to him.
The days passed, as slowly as they always did in late spring, and still not a single knight approached Alex. While his pride was wounded only the slightest, he knew his great-grandmother would want some kind of news about his examination and selection as a squire, but he had nothing to send. Well, he thought grimly, nothing she would want to read.
His relationship with his family had grown strained in the past year. The Black God had taken both of his parents when he was only eight years old, and his grandmother had been long gone by the time he was born. For many years now it had been just the three Tirragen orphans and great-grandmother Livina. And the steely matriarch of Tirragen had exiled him from the fief upon learning that Alex had been the one to strike down Pierina of Stone Mountain. Ever the scheming matchmaker, his great-grandmother had hoped to unite the two houses. She was desperate to elevate her house to its past glory by any means necessary.
As if I would have ever agreed to it. Alex hated thinking back to those early years of his training, the years before Myles upended his balanced existence in the shadows. The years before Eleni destroyed everything he had. It seemed that redheaded women would always be the downfall of Tirragen men.
Pushing away from his desk, Alex shook his head and sighed. There was no point in blaming the girl or her grandmother. Enough blood had been spilled over the years and nothing had changed for it. Just as he was contemplating reading to escape his worries, Alex heard a short but strong knock at his door.
He knew it couldn't be any of the pages; Padriag had taken them north the day before. Curious, Alex opened the door, only to see Alanna the Lioness. Of course, he thought glumly. I can't escape them even when I try.
Rather than slam the door and retreat into the safety of his room, Alex straightened his back and bowed. "How may I be of service, Sir Alanna?" He would not yield to his emotions or the whispers of the palace. He would hold his own against this woman.
"I had hoped for a conversation," she replied. Alanna was still slightly uncomfortable around the boy. No amount of time would ever make the boy not remind her of her old friend, no matter how many differences Jon pointed out. The eyes are certainly different, she told herself. While the late lord of Tirragen had boasted dark eyes, this child had bright honey eyes, impossibly observant as they took in the world. Probably used to watching his back and waiting for an attack.
Alex couldn't very well deny her entry. It was common knowledge that he was still without a master, as the news of his selection would have spread like wildfire among the gossips, and as such he couldn't feign being needed elsewhere. He was stuck. "Please do come in," he grit out. While he didn't outright hate the Lioness, he truly didn't want to be left alone with her. "Please take a seat," he said offering the comfortable chair in the corner of his room.
"Thank you, but no. I prefer to stand." Alex accepted that he too would have to stand now, as he couldn't very well sit while she stood. After taking in a small breath, Alanna explained why she had appeared at his door. "I need a squire," she said. Her eyes were not yet so old that they could not the subtle way his body had stiffened. "I've been told that you do not yet have a knight-master and that you have a strong Gift to train as well. I would be honored to serve as your knight-master." In truth, pity was also a substantial motivator. Pity that the talented boy was so blatantly disregarded. And with that pity came guilt and shame, because Alanna would never be comfortable with the memory of ending her old friend.
"If you take me on as a squire, you will not be able to train Eleni." Alex didn't know why that was his first objection. There were many others he could have made, but this one came unbidden. "I would have thought that you'd train your own grandchild," he quickly said.
There's one other difference. Alanna gave the boy a small smile. For all of his talents and genius, her old friend had kept to himself and rarely went out of his way for others. And this boy is denying himself his only chance to have a knight-master for the sake of someone who lied to him. Jon was right.
Realizing that this was going to be a longer conversation than she originally thought, Alanna sat and motioned for Alex to do the same. She stared at the boy sitting on the edge of his bed before finally confessing, "The girl needs to grow without my shadow looming over her. I was never going to take on Eleni. Even when she disguised herself as Myles, I never intended to have her a squire." It was true. She had avoided taking on Kel as a squire too. She could only imagine what the conservatives would say if she took on her own, rather mischievous, granddaughter. Jon had enough troubles without the nobility yapping at his heels. "So what do you say now?" she asked.
"I say you do not know how far your shadow extends, Sir Alanna." Well, the boy definitely inherited Alex's sharp wit. "But I do know that beggars cannot choose their fortunes," he said with sincerity. Looking at Alanna, he knew he had few options. No one wanted to train, or trust, a squire from a house that tried to commit regicide. "Why do you want me? Your legacy would let you have any squire you want."
While the initial notion had been put into her head by Jon, Alanna had to admit that it made sense. They had lost Alex when they left him to Roger, a powerful and conceited mage who was not a knight. Alexander might have learned how to harness his Gift, but he had missed out on compassion, humility, and sacrifice. Alanna promised Jon to not lose this Alex. What had originally been pity and guilt grew to admiration. She had already known that the boy was skilled, but she made herself focus during his last examination. Watching his bladework, Alanna could see how he had managed to hold his own against a fellow page and then against the herd in the forest. The boy had raw talent.
"I want you as my squire," she said pointedly. "Not for any reason other than you deserve to be trained to your full potential." Sensing that the boy didn't believe her, she had to add, "And I have a history of taking on Gifted squires. They tend to last longer in battle." Alanna could see that her small attempt at humor hadn't worked and was about to try again, when Alex let out a sigh.
"I humbly accept your offer to train me, Sir Alanna." Alex had always been proud, but he was wise enough, even now, to not let his pride be his ruin. "Thank you," he added sheepishly when Alanna remained silent.
Realizing that she had been staring at the poor boy, Alanna clapped her hands and stood. "You're most welcome, Alex." Smiling down at the boy, she felt a bit lighter, as if this venture would lead to something great. "I suggest you pack up as quickly as you can. I was asked by the king to investigate some matters at Golden Lake." Alex could only stare at his new master as she made her way to the door. "I realize it's short notice, but we'll leave in three days. I suggest you pack lightly and have the rest sent to my suite." She was about to close the door behind her before she turned around. "Alex, please know that it truly is an honor that you accepted my offer. I'm looking forward to this."
And just like that, Alex was left alone in his room. At least now he had something to tell his great-grandmother. It wouldn't even matter that he'd never get her reply while he was on the road. The old crone would obviously not be pleased, but Alex didn't care. He was finally being given an honest chance to train for his shield. He had finally gotten a second chance for Tirragen.