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

you’d best be gettin’ back. If you need anything, send word through Stefan—he works in the palace stables. You’ll find me here most of the time, and if not, ask old Solom.” He jerked a thumb at the innkeeper. “He’ll fetch me quick enough.”
    Alanna rose. She and Gary shook hands with their new friend. “You’ll be seeing us, then,” she promised. “Good day to you.”
    The two pages strolled out into the street. The King of the Thieves watched them go, smiling.

    Several weeks later Duke Gareth called Alanna out of her mathematics class. Confused, she went to meet him.
    He handed her a letter. “Can you explain this?”
    Alanna scanned the much-blotted parchment. It was from her father. The letter was short, saying only that he trusted Thom would continue to do well.
    Luckily she had her story planned. Looking up, she shrugged, her face a little sad. “He forgets, you see, I don’t think he’s ever been able to tell my brother and I—”
    â€œMy brother and me ,” the Duke corrected sternly.
    â€œMy brother and me,” she repeated obediently, “apart.” She crossed her fingers behind her back and tried a guess. “I don’t think he even let His Majesty know when we were born.”
    The Duke thought this over and nodded. “You’re right—he didn’t. He hasn’t changed.” The man sighed. “I hope your brother does as well as you. If your father cannot tell you apart, at least he can be proud of both of his sons.”
    Alanna hung her head, hating herself for having to lie to someone like Duke Gareth. “Thank you, your Grace,” she whispered.
    â€œYou may go. Don’t forget to write your father yourself.”
    Alanna bowed. “Of course, sir.” She let herself out and closed the door. In the corridor she sagged against the wall. With luck, now Duke Gareth would believe all such letters were due to Lord Alan’s bad memory.
    She returned to her class, still feeling wobbly. There were real advantages to having a father who didn’t care what she did.
    But if the advantages were so wonderful, why did she feel like crying?

3
RALON
    A LANNA HAD NOT FORGOTTEN R ALON OF M ALVEN, and he had not forgotten her. Usually they didn’t meet, since he was beginning his training as a squire while Alanna was training as a page. When they did meet, Ralon made it clear they were enemies. He was simply awaiting his chance to get her.
    On summer afternoons squires and pages alike ended their lessons with swimming as well as riding. They returned to the palace one such afternoon later than usual. Most of the boys hurried to their rooms to wash up. Alanna was wiping down her pony whenshe heard a thud. Ralon stood outside Chubby’s stall. His saddle and bridle lay on the ground.
    â€œCurry my horse and hang these up,” he ordered. “I’m going in.”
    Alanna stared at him. “You’re joking.”
    Ralon shoved her into Chubby. “I said do it.”
    Before she could recover her breath, he was gone. She stared after him, clenching and unclenching her fists. She wanted to kill him!
    â€œAre ye goin’ t’ do it?”
    Alanna looked up, startled. George’s man, the hostler Stefan, swung down from the hayloft above. He was a short, blond youth with pale eyes and reddish skin. Animals loved him, and he was more comfortable with horses than with people, but he seemed to like Alanna and her friends well enough.
    It took her a moment to make her voice work. “What?”
    â€œAre ye goin’ t’ clean up after yon?” Stefan spat, hitting Chubby’s manger squarely.
    Alanna looked at the saddle and drew a breath. Now that she had to take a stand, she was just as scared as she was angry. “No. I can’t. I won’t.”
    Stefan shrugged. “I’ll have t’ tell his Grace, y’know,” he reminded her.