Alanna The First Adventure - By Tamora Pierce Page 0,14
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.”
“Yes, 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.”
“But there’s so much of everything!” she exclaimed.
“Not 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.
“So—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.”
“Who’s your friend?” Gary asked, looking at Alanna’s acquaintance suspiciously.
“Allow 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.”
“Thank 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.
“You 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.”
“Do you always make friends on such short notice?” Gary asked sharply.
George looked at him a moment. “I trust my instincts, young master. In my line of work, you learn quick to trust your instincts.”
“What is it you do, George?” Alanna wanted to know.
George winked at her. “I—buy, and I sell.”
“You’re a thief,” Gary said flatly.
“‘Thief is a harsh word, Master Gareth.” He looked at the big youth. “Why would you be thinkin’ that I am? You’ve still got your purse, and what’s in it. Or you had better.”
Gary checked and admitted, “I still have my purse. But why do you want to make friends with us? If you think we’ll help you in the palace, you’re wrong. Don’t you know who I am?”
George met Gary’s eyes, and in them saw clearly a great intelligence. One could sense that the boy had made enemies with his sharp mind and sharper tongue.
George read some of this, then relaxed. “I know well you’re Gareth of Naxen, the Duke’s son. I didn’t look you up for professional reasons. Truth to tell, were you not with Alan, I wouldn’t have put myself in your way. We’re not fond of nobles here.” His smile twisted. “But I’ve the Gift. It helps me see more clearly than most. I knew I must meet Master Alan. In fact, I’ve kept a close eye on him these three months. I don’t ignore my Gift when it calls me.”
Gary shrugged. “I don’t know much about magic, but that makes sense. Still—what can Alan do for you? He’s just a little guy.” Gary grinned an apology to Alanna, who shrugged. She was getting used to such remarks. “And unless I miss my guess, you’re the man the Lord Provost would most love to get his hands on.”
George nodded respectfully. “You’re quick, Master Gary. All right, then. I’m what they call the King of the Thieves, the Master of the Court of the