Alanna The First Adventure - By Tamora Pierce Page 0,40
chest keeps growing. Now something like this happens.” She put her head in her hands. Finally she looked up and said, “What do I have to know about this—this thing?”
“Your cycle comes once a month, and lasts five days or so. Bathe each day. Bandage yourself, of course. The cycle will not come if you lie with a man and he gets you with child.” The woman made a cup of tea and handed it to the girl. “Here. This will make you feel better.”
Sipping it did make Alanna feel calmer. “Will it slow me down?”
“Not so long as you stay out of men’s beds. A babe will certainly slow you down.”
Alanna shook her head. “I don’t plan on children.”
“Many girls don’t.” Mistress Cooper poured herself some tea. “Do you know what happens when you lie with a man?”
Alanna blushed. “Of course.”
The woman smiled. “You know the man’s side of it, I see. Well, a woman enjoys it too, and one time is enough for you to get with child.” She looked at Alanna carefully. “I’ll give you a charm against your getting pregnant, then. If you change your mind, you can throw it away.”
“Pigs might fly,” the girl muttered.
The look in Mistress Cooper’s eyes was skeptical. “We’ll see. Now—George will have a few questions. Shall I bring him in? It’s best he knows all.” Alanna nodded. The woman opened the kitchen door, calling, “Stop listening at keyholes, my son.”
George walked in and lounged against the kitchen table, looking anxiously at Alanna. “All’s well then?”
“She’ll be fine,’ his mother replied. “Tea?”
“Is it that calming tea of yours? Gods know I need it. So, youngling—the truth, now.”
Alanna told them everything. “I can’t stop now,” she finished. “I didn’t ask to be born a girl. It’s not fair.”
George waved an impatient hand. “Hush your nonsense,” he ordered. “Bein’ a girl hasn’t slowed you down yet. And surely you don’t plan to stay a pretty young man all your life?”
“No, of course not. I’ll tell them the truth when I’m eighteen and I have my shield.” She sighed. “If they hate me—well—I’ll have proved I can be a knight, won’t I? I’ll go into the world and have adventures. They needn’t ever see me again.”
George raised his eyebrows. “I haven’t heard such foolishness in all my life. Are you tellin’ us Jon will hate you? Gary? Raoul? Or your friend, Sir Myles? My ears are deceivin’ me!”
“But I’m a girl,” she cried. “I’m lying to them. I’m doing men’s things—”
“And you do them better than most young men,” George replied firmly. “Hush yourself. Think of them hatin’ you if it comes to be. And don’t worry. Your secret is safe with us.” He hugged her around the shoulders.
Alanna rested her head against his chest, her eyes filling with tears of gratitude. She blinked them away and whispered, “Thank you, George.”
“I’m callin’ you Alanna, when we’re alone,” he said. “I think you should be reminded of who you are.”
Alanna remembered her monthly cycle and said bitterly, “Fat chance I have of forgetting.”
Mistress Cooper chuckled, guessing what had prompted Alanna’s remark.
Alanna shrugged. “I suppose you insist—”
“I do,” was the calm reply.
“Just don’t let it slip. I’ve come too far now.”
“He doesn’t forget details,” Mistress Cooper said dryly. “He must get it from his father, for he never had it from me.” She went into the room where she had first talked to Alanna.
George chucked Alanna under the chin. “I’ll enjoy watchin’ you grow up, lass. Count on me to help.”
Alanna gripped his hand, meeting his eyes. “I never thought for a second that I couldn’t.”
“You’re probably the only person in the city besides me who can say that,” George’s mother commented, returning. “He’s a good boy, even if he is crooked. Here. Slip this on.”
Alanna looked puzzledly at the gold symbol dangling from a thin cord. She had never seen such a letter before, and she could feel it radiating power. Quickly she slipped the cord over her head, tucking it under her shirt. The feeling of strange magic vanished.
“Let George’s people bring me to you from now on,” Mistress Cooper instructed. “I doubt you’ll need me much, though. Give me your hand.”
Alanna obeyed. The woman just touched her fingers, then pulled away as if she had been burned.
“Now what?” Alanna wanted to know.
“Poor lass.” There was pity in the woman’s face. “The Goddess has Her hand on you. You’ve been given a hard path to walk.” She tried to smile. “Luck to you, Alanna