the_lioness | (no subject)

X follows Alanna, steps quick and precise. She also neglects to smile back, gaze flicking around the room, taking it all in.

It's possible she will relax more at some point, but right now she is ready for anything.

Just in case. It is always better to be prepared.

And after a lengthy pause she looks back at Alanna.

"Thank you."

Beat.

"There will be a cover identity?"

The antechamber and the study beyond are sparsely decorated in rich masculine colors and fabrics. The Baron of Pirate's Swoop has made the space comfortable and inviting, while also keeping it neat and uncluttered; it reminds Alanna of his rooms at the Dancing Dove.

She uses a finger to push back the study door, making sure there is no one inside. Like one of her children, or a young prince or princess.

"Laura will do," she answers. "Most of my friends, as well as my husband and children, are aware that Milliways exists. The rest won't question your presence."

Her smile turns sly.

"The nature of George's business keeps most in the know from asking too questions."

"Good," X says, after a moment of consideration. "I am not trained for long-term deception."

A half hour is about her limit, insofar as long-term disguises go. Though in the last year or so she might have improved somewhat. It is not something she's tested.

"George. The Baron here. And your friend."

It's a reflexive reconfirmation of relevant data, really. Just in case X missed something.

"Yes," Alanna confirms. "The very best."

Friend, baron or George? Most likely all of the above. Alanna and George have a long history together, and she's fiercely loyal.

"He's also my brother, though not by blood."

There's a flicker of what might be startlement in X's expression. Mostly around her eyes.

But then --

"That is good. Family."

Beat.

"He likes you, too?"

Alanna hesitates, though the blush she might have had years ago is successfully kept at bay. He is family, was family even before Myles and Eleni married, but...

He loved her once. She doesn't know if that's still true.

"Yes," she says at last, meaning it as an answer to both statement and question. "He likes me, too."

Clearing her throat, she motions toward the closed door opposite the study. Beyond it, muffled voices drift up from the hall below.

"This way. The observation deck first, I think."

X tilts her head very slightly, studying Alanna, but her attention is quickly caught by the voices.

She has very good hearing, and any information is useful. And even though Alanna is her friend --

Some old habits --of suspicion, of hyper-alertness, of planning ahead for all eventualities --

Some habits you never get rid of.

"Okay. I will pay attention."

She can't not.

Appreciative, Alanna nods and opens the door. At first it's just the everyday noises of the household and two of George's men discussing a patrol that reach them, but as they approach the staircase that will take them up the central tower a kind, pleasant voice can be heard cajoling someone to eat her vegetables.

It's followed by a loud squeal that quickly turns into a giggle.

"That's the princess," Alanna explains, grinning. "Kalasin."

And Maude, who has truly gone above and beyond her duties to the kingdom.

It may be difficult to tell when X's startlement slips into slight apprehension, but surely enough it happens.

"Oh."

Beat.

"She is very small."

At least from the sound of things she is.

"You are sure she will not be a target?"

That wipes the grin from her face, leaving her expression hard.

"No. Lately we must act as if she's always a target." Alanna glances at X as they start to climb. "Prince Roald and the princess were supposed to go to the summer palace. Plans were changed."

By Thayet and, in small part, by the wheedling of her own children.

"It is better. For her," X says simply. "And the Prince."

Beat.

"They are too young to run away?"

She looks sideways at Alanna, just for a moment. Children are complicated. And confusing.

"Maybe too young to understand why, but they'll move if told," Alanna says, after a moment of consideration.

The fact that X is asking such questions only reaffirms Alanna's decision to bring her.

"Mine watch out for them."

"Good. Small children can be difficult to track."

Mostly because they are small. And they have no idea about the accepted ways of doing things. It makes them more difficult to predict.

X's other questions can probably wait until she has gotten the lay of the land.

More information is always better.

Alanna simply nods and lets a comfortable silence fall as they climb. There are many, many steps up to the top of the tower and it's habit to focus on her breathing. At the top she pushes on a heavy oak door and sunlight floods the stairwell. Covering her eyes, she holds the door for X.

The large observation deck faces the ocean and looks down on stone cliffs and the narrowest stretch of the beach. It's very high, and very beautiful. The deck itself is not unlike the deck of a ship (except this one doesn't make Alanna seasick) and provides an equally good view of the walls and ramparts.

Alanna blinks, letting her eyes adjust.

"Mama, we're over here."

Grace is standing at the stone wall beside the queen, holding her long red hair back with one small hand. Eyes cautious, she smiles and studies the woman beside her mother.

Thayet slowly collapses the looking glass she'd been using and offers a similar smile that grows as her own instinctive caution is outweighed by her trust in Alanna and the safety of the great fortress.

"There you are. You missed the midday meal," she notes, crossing the deck. To X: "Hello."

X's gaze flicks sideways to Grace and Thayet, holding for a moment.

"Hello."

Then she looks past them to study the ramparts, the walls, the layout of the grounds around the castle. She's filing, categorizing, bringing up analogous situations from her training and experience, and considering how she would attack this place if it were a mission.

A quarter of her attention is also on Alanna, Thayet, and Grace --

But it doesn't show very well.

In fact, she actually moves away from them to investigate the solidity of the deck and to check the various viewpoints from this part of the defenses. More information is always better.

"I grabbed an apple in the kitchens..."

Alanna blinks, then watches X take in her surroundings, study their defenses. She has to smile, and lets her arm rest reassuringly around Grace's shoulders.

"I'd like you both to meet my good friend Laura," she explains at last. "Laura, this Her Majesty Queen Thayet of Tortall, and my daughter, Grace."

X finishes her investigation before half-turning, careful to position herself where she can a) see most if not all of the key potential angles of attack and b) where her back is at least reasonably well protected.

"Hello," she says again. Carefully.

Silence falls.

And then, because X tries to remember to be polite, and she's heard this phrasing used before --

"It is nice to meet you."

Possessing a careful eye herself, Thayet notes Laura's caution and smiles approvingly.

"And you, Laura." Her green eyes flick to Alanna, then back. "The baron is occupied just now, but I bid you welcome to Pirate's Swoop in his stead."

And to Tortall, her eyes seem to say. It isn't hard for the queen to guess where Alanna ate that apple, let alone found Laura. The Lioness will have her reasons, to be sure.

Grace cranes her head to look up at Thayet as she speaks. When she turns back to Laura, a faint glimmer of understanding begins to register on her face.

"You didn't come with the Riders."

"No," Alanna answers quickly. "She just arrived. I asked her to come after the Stormwings vanished."

Well, it's true.

Goddess, she hadn't considered Grace's interest in all things Milliways. The girl will figure it out, and begin her search anew. Alanna bites at her lower lip, silently cursing her daughter's powers of perception; and also lauding them, of course.

Edited 2009-05-11 15:57 (UTC)

"Thank you," X says to Thayet.

She takes a few steps closer to the others, just so that it is easier to talk.

But first there is a momentary silence as she studies Grace.

"I am good at tactics. And strategy."

Beat.

"And fighting."

Grace returns her look in equal measure.

"Mama is too," she informs Laura, lifting her chin proudly. The hand resting on her shoulder squeezes slightly; Grace nods once and almost smiles. "I'm good at strategy. I always beat my brothers at games."

Perhaps because she's not afraid to cheat or press her advantages. Thom is honest to a fault and Jamie is easily distracted.

Amused, Thayet bites back a laugh, as well as the urge to add: And I hold my own with a bow.

"We are happy and grateful you've taken the time to share your skills with us, Laura. The Lioness has briefed you on the latest happenings?"