In the Hand of the Goddess (5 page)

“'Tis unnatural!” Lightfingers bellowed. He yanked a pretty flower-seller called Laughing Nell onto his lap. “Alan, ye won't even have a drink t' celebrate th' prince's birthday?”

Alanna grinned. “You're celebrating His Highness's birthday? It's not even midnight! Does he know you're so loyal, 'Fingers?”

George stood, commanding everyone's attention. “Lightfingers just likes to drink, Alan.” 'Fingers nodded and grinned. “And if he can't find an excuse, he drinks from sorrow. Come upstairs, lad.”

Alanna followed the King of the Thieves to his chambers, sinking into a chair with relief. “Goddess, 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 glass 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, lass. From Lord Thom in the City of the Gods 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 the 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, lass?”

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 noble, 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 nobles so serious? The rogues in Tusaine think it's all just a court storm, but they admit they don't know their nobles as well as we.” 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 passing 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 large 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, checked 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.

“Where were you when I needed you?” she asked him bitterly. “As a chaperone you aren't much.”

I'm not a chaperone
, the cat replied.
Besides, I didn't want to interrupt. You seemed to be enjoying yourself.

There was no way of replying to such obvious silliness. Alanna turned and walked quickly—
very
quickly—back to the palace.

Although Alanna later remembered very little of the daylight celebrations in honor of Jonathan's nineteenth birthday, she remembered the ball that night
vividly. That was when she met Delia of Eldorne for the first time.

She had been sitting in a window seat, bored and miserable, when Gary found her. She hated parties, and normally the only way she attended one was when she was pouring drinks and serving food as a squire. Tonight, however, servants waited on the guests, and as Jonathan's squire she had been practically
ordered
to attend. She considered it a useless exercise. She couldn't converse with strangers easily, and she certainly couldn't flirt with the ladies as her friends did! She was busy calculating an escape when Gary, magnificent in brown velvet, discovered her hiding place. “I know you hate social events, but you'll never get used to them this way.”

“I don't have to get used to them,” Alanna retorted. “If I get my shield, I'm riding off to adventures.”

“Nonsense!” Her friend grinned. “Come out of your shell. There are plenty of noblewomen who'd like to meet the prince's squire, especially since June.”

“I'm only fifteen,” Alanna replied automatically. “I'm too young for girls.”

Gary smoothed his new mustache. “You're never
too young for girls. Come on. I'll introduce you to the newest arrival. She just came yesterday, and
Mithros
!” He whistled his approval, adding smugly, “I got to meet her first.” He clamped a hand around Alanna's arm and levered her out of her seat, walking her out onto the floor. It was either walk or be dragged; Alanna sometimes wondered if Gary knew his own strength.

She saw the trouble spot immediately: Jonathan stood at the center of a cluster of knights. He was talking to someone hidden from Alanna's view. The young men moved out of Gary's way, spotting Alanna and grinning. Squire Alan's reluctance to meet young ladies was palace legend.

Jonathan saw them and smiled, beckoning them forward. “Gary, you found him. Alan, come here.”

A royal command was a royal command. Alanna moved up to stand beside the prince, but she wasn't happy about it.

Seated at the center of the cluster of men was a lovely girl with chestnut-colored hair. Alanna lifted an eyebrow. Most maidens at Court wore pale colors or whites, but this one was wearing a low-cut green silk dress. Well, the color
did
emphasize her bright green eyes as a lighter color would not.

Jonathan was bowing to the vision. “Lady Delia of Eldorne, I'd like you to meet my personal squire, Alan of Trebond.”

Alanna bowed and found herself presented with a dainty white hand. Blushing slightly, she brushed it with her lips. Never was she more aware of her real sex than at moments like these! She looked up into Delia's face, noting the pert little nose and full red lips.
She's a beauty, all right
, Alanna realized.
And she knows it.