Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce Read Free Book Online

to see her? What had she done wrong?
    He called for her to come in, looking up from his papers as she closed the door behind her. “Alan, come in. I’m writing your father, reporting on your progress. Do you have any messages for me to send to him?”
    She wasn’t in trouble! Alanna smothered a sigh of relief. Then she thought of something worse. What if her father came out of his studious fog and actually read Duke Gareth’s letter?
    I’ll think of that when it happens, she told herself. Would things ever get easy?
    â€œPlease say that I send my regards, sir,” she told the Duke.
    The man put down his quill pen. “My report is satisfactory. You learn well and quickly. We are glad to have you among us.”
    Alanna turned pink with delight. She had never received such a high compliment. “Th-thank you, your Grace!”
    â€œYou may go to the City tomorrow morning as a reward. In future, you may also go there with the other pages on Market Day. Since you’re new to Corus, you may have one of the older boys accompany you. Not Alex. He has to take an extra hour of Ethics tomorrow.”
    Alanna beamed. “You’re very kind,” she said. “Uh—could Gary—Gareth—come?”
    The Duke raised an eyebrow. “Hm. He did say you are good company. It can be arranged. Be certain to return in time for afternoon lessons.”
    â€œYes, sir!” She bowed deeply. “And thank you again!”

    Gary had to laugh at Alanna’s wide eyes as they walked through the city’s marketplace. “Close your mouth, country boy,” he teased. “Most of this is overpriced.”
    â€œBut there’s so much of everything!” she exclaimed.
    â€œNot here. One of these days we’ll ride to Port Caynn. You’ll see real wonders there.” He stopped to look at a pair of riding gloves. Alanna wistfully eyed the long sword that hung beside them. She would need a sword someday. How would she ever get a good one?
    A large hand tapped her shoulder. Startled, she looked up into the hazel eyes of the man Coram had called a thief just three months before.
    â€œSo—it’s the young sprout with the purple eyes,” the man said pleasantly. “I was wonderin’ if you’d fallen into a well.” His voice was rough and uneducated, but he spoke carefully. To Alanna it seemed that he thought about every word before saying it.
    She grinned at him. Somehow this meeting didn’t surprise her. “I’ve been at the palace.”
    â€œWho’s your friend?” Gary asked, looking at Alanna’s acquaintance suspiciously.
    â€œAllow me to introduce myself, young masters.” The man bowed. “I’m George Cooper, of the lower city. Will you take a cool drink with me? As my guests, of course.”
    â€œThank you,” Alanna said quickly. “We accept.”
    George took them to a little inn called the Dancing Dove. The old man who ran it greeted him like a good friend, hurrying to bring ale for George and lemonade for the pages. When the drinks came, Alanna examined George as she gulped her lemonade. George said he was seventeen, although he seemed older. His nose was too big for good looks, but when he smiled he appeared handsome. He wore his brown hair cut short, like other commoners. Alanna felt something powerful about him, something almost royal. She also felt a very strong liking for him.
    â€œYou shouldn’t be surprised at my lookin’ you up,” he told Alanna. “Truth to tell, I like your looks. We don’t see many with eyes like yours. You bein’ from the country—you don’t look it now, but you did then!—I thought you’d like to be knowin’ someone in the city.”
    â€œDo you always make friends on such short notice?” Gary asked sharply.
    George looked at him a moment. “I trust myinstincts, young master. In my line of work, you learn