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

who’s been fighting that I ever trained—with a few exceptions.”
    â€œWell, sir, you don’t believe me and I know you don’t believe me, but pride is satisfied all around. Your Grace.”
    The Duke had to hide a smile. “You are pert, Alan of Trebond. An extra hour of mathematics for you for the next five weeks. You may go.”
    Alanna was opening the door when he added, “I wish you would thrash him. He deserves it.”
    She looked back at him. “I will one day, sir. I’m getting tired of falling down.”
    While Alanna talked to Duke Gareth, Stefan came to the practice courts in search of the master who was teaching the boys hand-to-hand combat. After Stefan lured the teacher away, Jonathan’s friends surrounded Ralon. He saw Raoul adjusting the padded gloves on his big hands and began to sweat.
    Jonathan spoke, his voice icy. “You were warned, Malven. You are no gentleman. You are a dog, and you shall be thrashed like one.”
    Gary held Ralon. Raoul administered the beating, his face impossible to read. When the boys’ teacher returned from his wild-goose chase, he found his students practicing wrestling. Ralon, they said, was sick and had gone to his room.
    After that Ralon kept to small bits of nastiness, knowing Alanna would never complain to anyone. If she had gone swimming, the others would have seen the many bruises on her body. As it was, she said nothing and continued to study with Coram. She lived with Ralon’s tormenting and spent her free time wrestling and boxing. She fell asleep the moment she rolled into bed, only to rise at dawn to practice some more. She was determined to beat Ralon—it would mean she had finally earned her place among the boys. It would mean that she could do anything larger and stronger males could.
    Her splinted arm turned into an advantage. Normally she was right-handed. Now Alanna had to depend on her left hand for everything, and her left hand was the one she first learned to really fight with. She quickly saw that she could be twice as effective using both hands, and worked as hard as she could to develop her skill.
    In mid-October the palace healers removed thesplint. If they were surprised that her arm had healed so quickly, they said nothing. Impatient to get Ralon, Alanna had used her Gift to help mend her broken bone.
    In bed the night the splint was taken off, she waited to hear Coram’s snores before getting up. Quickly she put on dark clothes and picked up her boots. She crept through Coram’s room, trying not to make a sound.
    When she got to the door, Coram sighed, “ Now what are ye up to?”
    Alanna froze. “Go back to sleep.”
    â€œWhere are ye goin’?” She could see him sitting up in the dim light from the window.
    â€œIf Duke Gareth asks, you won’t be lying when you say you don’t know,” she pointed out.
    Coram made a resigned noise. “Lass—it’s restriction to the palace if ye’re caught.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œAll right, then. I won’t bolt the door.” He lay back down and immediately went back to sleep.
    It was easy to slip out of the palace and onto the road to the city. Alanna set off at a jog-trot, wishing she was riding Chubby. Still, she knew she couldn’t have ridden out of the palace without being spotted.
    The Dancing Dove was bustling. She could barely see through the smoke-filled air, and the noise of the thieves and their ladies having fun was deafening. For a moment she wanted to turn and run, but Ralon was waiting back at home. Better to face George’s friends—who were honest villains—than Ralon the sneak. But how was she to find George in this mess?
    A tall, chesty redhead stopped and looked Alanna over. Planting her hands firmly on her hips, the redhead drawled, “A bit young for this place, aren’t you, sonny?”
    Her husky voice was teasing, but there was kindness in