Alanna followed the King of the Thieves to his chambers, sinking into a chair with relief. "G.o.ddess, I"m tired!" she said with a yawn as Faithful let George scratch his ears. "Up before dawn today, and again tomorrow. Maybe I should change my mind and become a stableboy or something."
George poured them each a gla.s.s of wine, then threw open the shutters, letting the cool night breeze rush in. "Anyone who wishes to be a knight is mad, to my way of thinkin". I hear you did well in your lessons with Duke Gareth today."
Alanna laughed as Faithful explored the room. "George, you amaze me. I wish the King"s spies in Tusaine were as good as you are."
"That can be arranged," the thief murmured.
Alanna sat bolt upright. "You mean you could-you would-"
"I think I could be makin" some inquiries, yes. But you had best be certain you find a way of concealin" your source."
"Yes, that would be a problem." Alanna nodded. "I"ll think about that part of it, then, and you-would you make your inquiries?" She smiled at him shyly. "It could be important. You know what the situation is with Tusaine."
George unlocked a large chest in the corner of the room, lifting out a bulky package and a small one and putting them on the table. "Of course," he said. "I wouldn"t do it for the King, but for you and Jon I will. Aren"t we friends? Here, la.s.s. From Lord Thom in the City of the G.o.ds to yours truly to you."
The large package contained a silver chain mail shirt decorated with tiny diamonds and sapphires, and a belt of woven silver wire. Glowing with pleasure, for Alanna had rarely seen such beautiful work, she opened her twin"s letter.
Sister Dear:
I trust this will serve adequately as Trebond"s honorarium on the occasion of his Highness"s birthday. Are you trying to break my treasury? Just don"t forget to mention my name. I did as you asked and put some protective spells on shirt and belt. In fact, I put the strongest on them I could find. The Masters questioned us for days, trying to find out who used so much magic without permission. I knew you would want the best.
Once again questions about us are being asked in the City. I think at least one of the new servants hired here at the Mithran Cloisters is also being paid to keep an eye on me. So I play twice as stupid, and I"m being very careful. Perhaps you"ll say I worry too much, but I believe you did something to make your "smiling friend" nervous. Think about it. Give my regards to the dishonorable George, and of course formal regards from the Lord of Trebond to the Royal Family-you know how to handle that sort of thing.
Thom.
Alanna read the letter to George before burning it in the candleflame. "He"s got delusions," she said flatly. "Why would Duke Roger take special interest in us now?"
George swallowed his drink and poured another. "Weren"t you tellin" me the Duke"s been testin" your magic a bit lately? And twice you"ve been followed into the city by palace men."
Alanna stared at the thief. "Followed?"
George patted her shoulder. "They never got so far as the marketplace. I always have you or the lads watched on your way here by my people, in case my Lord Provost decides there"s oddness in your city visits."
Alanna frowned. "Why follow me, or have Thom watched? And why has he been testing my magic?"
George shrugged broad shoulders. "This is dated July, and you beat Dain of Melor in June. He started testin" your magic after the Black City; that was a year ago. Your bein" followed dates from June, too. I"d say you worried him with your magic last year, and with your strength at arms when you beat Dain."
Alanna sighed and shook her head. "That doesn"t make sense."
George smiled thinly. "Ah, but it does, and you well know it."
Alanna knew what he meant, and she didn"t want to even think about it. She changed the subject. "Anyway, thanks. Listen, I"ll keep my ears peeled around my Lord Provost. You"ve been more than a friend. I don"t want anything to happen to you."
George smiled at her. "With friends like you and Jon, I doubt much ever will." Suddenly his face was very thoughtful. "How old are you, la.s.s?"
Alanna smiled at him. "You ought to know; I just turned fifteen."
He took one of her hands in his two large ones. "We marry as young as fifteen here in the city."
Alanna laughed. "I"m not going to marry, George, you know that."
"Shouldn"t you know what love"s like before you begin renouncin" it?" George was watching her, the oddest look in his eyes. Alanna"s heart beat too fast; her hand was still in his. He stood, pulling her to her feet close to him.
"George, you"ve been celebrating too much." She tried to keep her voice light and relaxed. "I never thought I"d hear you talk like this."
"Why not?" His voice was as relaxed and careless as hers. If only he would let go of her hand!
"Because-well, because you know me better. I have other plans."
"You"re not even curious?" He refused to look away. She had never noticed before how much green was in his hazel eyes, or how long his lashes were.
She had to pull her hand away, even if it was rude. "No," she said flatly. This conversation was far too personal! "I"m not curious at all."
Faithful, who had been sleeping on the windowsill, yawned and stretched.
"Quite right," Alanna told her cat. Nervously she gathered up the package containing the shirt and belt. "I"ve got to go," she announced.
He gathered up his sword belt. "I"ll just go with you as far as the Temple District. You"re carryin" valuables, remember, and even I don"t trust my folk completely. Good swordsman you are, but you might be outnumbered." He grinned as he fastened the belt around his hard waist. "Besides, one of your attackers may be a wrestler."
Alanna made a face at him, relieved he was talking sensibly once more. "Thanks. I love having my nose rubbed in my weakness."
George tucked the second, unopened package into his shirt front. "You"d worry me if you didn"t have some weaknesses, little one," he informed her. "We"ll take the back stairs."
It was fun to walk through the Lower City with him, talking about the upcoming celebrations while Faithful dashed off after real or imaginary prey. It was so late that no one was out to see them. Her hands were full with Jon"s gift, and she knew anyone would think twice about attacking a man who moved with such muscular grace. Also, sometimes it was pleasant just to be with George, to relax and to forget about being a n.o.ble, about the Ordeal, about being a girl fighting to win a knight"s shield. George just let her be who she was.
"Hm?" she asked, realizing his last remark had been a question.
"I said, are things with the Tusaine n.o.bles so serious? The rogues in Tusaine think it"s all just a court storm, but they admit they don"t know their n.o.bles as well as we do." George"s teeth flashed in a grin.
"Serious enough, I think," she admitted. "Anything you learn will help."
"Then I"ll do my best." They had reached the edge of the Temple District. George could leave her there safely: the District was patrolled by warriors of different faiths, and the rest of the Palace Way was in full view of the Royal Guard.
The thief pulled her into the shade of a large tree, where they couldn"t be seen by anyone pa.s.sing by, and drew the small package out of his shirt front. "This is from me to Jon. Be sure you give it to him in private. You don"t want folk askin" questions about the giver."
Alanna tucked the gift into the larger bundle, juggling it all with difficulty. She looked up at her friend accusingly. "George, did you-"
He laughed merrily. "Oh, you mistrustin" child! No, I did not steal it. I had it made special for Jon. It"s quite pretty, even if I did have to pay for it myself." He looked around, checking to see if anyone was coming, then suddenly tilted her face up with one hand. "Alanna," he whispered, "I"m takin" advantage of you now, because I may never catch you with your hands full again." He kissed her softly and carefully. Alanna trembled, too shocked to do anything but let it happen.
"There." George released her. "Think over what I said about love."
"Pigs might fly," she snapped, her voice shaking. "I should have stabbed you!"
He chuckled infuriatingly. "No. I won"t let you stab me and ruin our friendship. Will you be afraid to face me again after this?"
Alanna felt herself turning beet red. This was too much! "I"m afraid of no one, George Cooper," she yelled. "Especially not you!"
"Until next time, then." He saluted her and headed back down to the city, whistling. Faithful rubbed against Alanna"s ankles, purring.