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Drabbles
02. Myles of Olau
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man

February 438
Corus
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Dear Myles,

Coram and I have been delayed on the road to Tyra. A week ago we were attacked by Hillmen. We were holding our own but ended up being assisted by a group of Bazhir warriors. If only the aid had arrived before one of the brutes hacked Lightning apart, blade from hilt.

Oh Myles, I know you'll understand how I am agonizing over this loss. I feel like I've let you down, losing such a valuable present. My arm feels naked without my blade, but I'll continue to carry the pieces, in hopes that someone out there will be able to mend it.

Our rescuers are men from the Bloody Hawk tribe. At first, I would not exactly have called them friendly, as they do not recognize King Roald's rule, but after I won a trial by combat, Coram and I were given a warmer welcome. We even underwent a ceremony that made us both warriors of the tribe.

I am greatly enjoying the warm desert winter, but I do miss my friends at the palace. I hope you will write soon and tell me all the news from home.

There's so much more I want to say to you, but Coram is waiting for me to finish my letters so he can leave. He brings an urgent message to Jonathan, and he's made it clear that he wants to get on with it so he can get back here to me.

I am extremely grateful for all your years of tutelage when I was a page and squire. It smees that I will use much of that learning in my time with the Bloody Hawk.

I miss you, old friend.

-Alanna

Myles set down the letter with a sigh. He hadn't realized how attached he'd grown to Alanna in the years since she'd come to the palace. He missed her companionship. She sounded well in her letter, and Coram had assured Myles that this was the case when he dropped off the letter.

More and more Myles was toying with an idea he'd had. The halls of the palace still buzzed with scandal over Alanna's name, but when it all blew over and Alanna felt ready to return to court, Myles intended to make her his heir.

Of course, there'd still be scandal when people found out. Myles hadn't missed the accusations that had been mumbled since Alanna's secret was revealed. The gossips had her in bed with everyone from the stableboys to Myles himself. Alanna's friends were always quick to squash these rumors, but Myles ignored them, knowing they'd die down eventually, even if they did sting a little.

Marriage and heirs had never seemed very important, but now Myles realized that he had been lonelier that he thought before Alanna came to the palace. He found that he was looking forward to having a daughter.

A knock on the door started him from his thoughts. Myles opened it to reveal Prince Jonathan, who held a letter of his own.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Myles, but I could use some advice, and there's no one I know who is more knowledgeable on the subject of the Bazhir."

"Come in for a drink, young man, and I'd be happy to tell you anything."

Jon grinned, accepting the glass of wine that Myles offered.

"Do you remember Ali Mukhtab from Persopolis?" he asked. When Myles nodded, he continued. "He wants me to come to the desert to do become something called The Voice of the Tribe. Here- read his letter."

Myles whistled softly when he'd finished reading Mukhtab's words. "That's quite an honor, seeing as you're not Bazhir."

"That was my impression," Jonathan said. "I want to do it, Myles. If it will end the bloodshed between our people, I must."

"You sound like you've made a decision," Myles told the prince.

Jonathan nodded. "Can you think of any good reasons for me to refuse? Anything I'm missing?"

"I suppose you're looking for reasons beyond the ceremony being dangerous?" Myles asked.

"Yes. I'm not afraid of the danger," Jonathan said. "You've lived at court a long time, Myles, and you're not the simple drunkard that you play." He paused as Myles finished drained his glass and poured another. "Well, the simple part, at least. What I am getting at, is if there was a proper reason for me not to become the Voice, you'd know of it."

"I can't think of anything, but I never did claim to be a know-all expert on Bazhir culture," Myles told the prince. "It sounds like a splendid way to unite the kingdom."

"I think everything with Roger put it into perspective for me: I am going to be king one day. I have to start thinking about what kind of ruler I want to be. My father is a good, and fair king, but there are things I wish I could change, and someday I will have the chance to make those changes."

"Speaking of your father, are you planning on telling your parents where you are off to when you attend to this Voice of the Tribes business?"

Jonathan shook his head quickly. "I'm the only heir. They'd just try to stop me. Besides, Mother has been through enough; I don't want her to worry."

"If it would help, I could ride along and keep you company," Myles offered, thinking that it would keep the prince out of trouble, and he'd also get to see Alanna in the bargain.

"That would help a lot, old chap. Thank you," Jonathan said. He spotted Myles's letter from Alanna on the desk, and his eyes turned gloomy. Myles followed his gaze.

"Did she not write to you?" he asked.

"She did," the prince responded. "I read her letter first, of course."

"Of course," Myles repeated, a smile playing at his lips.

"It was very expositional," Jonathan continued. "Naturally, I'm happy to hear from her at all, but I wish she'd be a little more personable. There's nothing about how she's feeling being away from home for over a month, or being adopted by the Bazhir, or missing her friends. Just a list of goings-on."

Myles thought that this was odd, for his own letter from Alanna seemed to be the opposite. To the prince he said, "Well, she did just spend the better part of a decade masquerading as a boy. Did you ever know Squire Alan to go spouting off about his feelings." Jonathan flushed, his ears going bright red. "Never mind- don't answer that," Myles added. "My point is that you should try to remember that our lady knight is off trying to find herself. It will take time for Sir Alanna to discover who she wants to be and what kind of adventures she wants to have. Be patient with her."

"I know you're right," Jonathan said. "It's just, Mother and Father are beginning to get anxious over having an heir, and I do understand that, but I need time to figure out who I am as well."

"Perhaps this trip will be just what you need," Myles told him. Jonathan smiled.

"I knew I could count on the court drunkard to be wiser than the rest of us." The prince drained his cup then stood. "I'd better get started on reading the history that Mukhtab sent, if I'm to be the Voice of the Tribe."

Myles stared at him, mouth open. "You have a history of the Bazhir? An actual, written history?"

Jonathan chuckled as Myles's eyes lit up. "Pull yourself together, man. You're practically salivating," he said merrily. "Come along, my friend. You can help me study."