Read Online In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce - Free Book Online Page B

who doesn’t care for what’s proper and what’s not. Someone who wouldn’t scream when she opened my treasure and found the collection you mentioned.”
    Alanna wiped sweating palms on her tunic. She had a feeling she knew what he was leading up to, and she wished he would stop. “Good luck, George. I don’t think a woman like that exists.”
    George stood. Gripping her shoulders, he pulled her off the table. “I’ve already found her, and you know it well.”
    Alanna glared up into his face. “You think highly of yourself!” she snapped. “I’m the daughter of a noble—”
    He laughed softly. “Does that truly stand between us, Alanna? If you loved, would you care about birth or wealth?”
    â€œLike must wed like,” Alanna whispered. She wanted to run, hard and fast, and she couldn’t. If he was no sorcerer, what was this spell he was weaving around her?
    â€œThere are more important things than birth. What good will a well-born husband be when you take up your shield?”
    â€œNo husband at all will do me the most good. I don’t plan to marry, and I certainly don’t plan to fall in love.”
    â€œSo you say now. I’m a patient man, lass. If need be, I’ll wait years. And I’ll not speak of this to youagain. I only wanted you to know I’m yours to command.” He grinned.
    Alanna tried to push away. Her heart was thumping rapidly and she felt giddy. She couldn’t let this go any further. “We can go on being friends like before?”
    â€œFriends, and good ones, I trust. Confess it, lass, you’d miss me sorely, were I not about.”
    Alanna made the mistake of looking up into his laughing eyes. That was the problem, right there: She was not nearly ready for what she saw in his face. She looked down, afraid. “I—I won’t let it ruin our friendship, George,” she whispered.
    â€œAnd I won’t speak of it again till you ask it. Look at me, Alanna.”
    Alanna looked up. George kissed her, pulling her close. His mouth was warm and comforting. Alanna had not forgotten the last time, and she had discovered that she liked his kisses. Relaxing, she let her friend hold her tightly.
    George pushed her away. Two spots of color burned in his cheeks. “This goes too far,” he rasped. “I only—I only wanted you to know how I feel, before you go marchin’ off to some battlefield.”
    Alanna blushed. “You pick a funny way to say good-bye, George.’’
    He lifted a quizzical eyebrow. “Do I? Sweethearts all over the realm say goodbye in just this fashion.” He kissed her once more, firmly, then went to the door, pulling up his hood.
    â€œGeorge?” she called softly as he released the lock. “I’ll be back—and we’re still friends.”
    He nodded and left, leaving her with far more than a loose saddle and a bur to think about.

    The next day Duke Roger called a meeting of his commanders. This time Alanna was present. She was relieved to learn that Gary and Raoul would be among the knights in Jonathan’s personal unit, and still more relieved to know that Alex and Geoffrey would be with Roger at the fort. She and Alex were friendly once more, but she had never forgotten their “duel.”
    She did not feel so easy when she saw where Duke Roger planned to position Jonathan’s command.
    The Duke stood before a large detailed map of the Drell Valley. In the center, where the fields lining the river were the widest, blue crosses clustered along the right bank indicated the Tusaine troop camp.
    â€œAs you can see,” Roger told them, pointing to the crosses, “the enemy is in place across the riverfrom Fort Drell.” Roger indicated the square on the left bank that represented the fort. “The bulk of our army will be stationed there, around and within the Fort. Lord Imrah of Legann’s command