Alanna: The First Adventure Read Online Free PDF Page A

before lights-out.” When Ralon hesitated, Jon added in a soft, icy voice, “You’ve been dismissed, Malven.”
    Ralon hurled himself out of the hallway. The boys watched him go before returning their attention to Alanna. She was still studying the floor.
    â€œYou have good taste in enemies, even if you domake them your first day here,” Jon said. “Let’s have a look at you, Fire-Hair.”
    Slowly she looked up into his eyes. He was about three years older than she was, with coal-black hair and sapphire-colored eyes. His nose was straight and slightly hooked. His face was stern, but a smile touched his mouth, and a glimmer of fun slipped from his eyes. Alanna linked her hands behind her back, giving him stare for stare until the large boy who had silenced Ralon whispered, “This is Prince Jonathan, lad.”
    She bowed slightly, afraid that if she bent over any more she would fall. It wasn’t every day a person met the heir to the throne. “Your Royal Highness,” she said. “I’m sorry about the—the misunderstanding.”
    â€œYou didn’t misunderstand,” the Prince told her. “Ralon is no gentleman. What’s your name?”
    â€œAlan of Trebond, your Highness.”
    He frowned. “I don’t remember seeing your family at Court.”
    â€œNo, your Highness.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œIt’s my father. He doesn’t like it, your Highness.”
    â€œI see.” There was no way to tell what he thought of her answer. “Do you like Court, Alan of Trebond?”
    â€œI don’t know,” she replied honestly. “I could let you know in a couple of days.”
    â€œI look forward to your views.” Was he laughing inside? “Have you met the others?”
    With royal permission given, the others all tried to introduce themselves at once. The big friendly boy who had given her Jonathan’s name was Raoul of Goldenlake. The large young man with chestnut hair and eyes was Gareth—Gary—of Naxen, the Duke’s son. The slim, dark boy beside him was Alexander of Tirragen, and Raoul’s shy blond shadow was Francis of Nond. There were ten others but these four—and the Prince—were the leaders.
    Finally Jonathan said, “Now that we’ve met our newest member, who will sponsor him?”
    Five of the older boys raised their hands. Jonathan nodded. “Your sponsor keeps you from getting too lost,” he explained to Alanna. “I think Gary had better take you in hand.”
    The big youth nodded to Alanna, his brown eyes friendly. “A pleasure.”
    Alanna bowed politely.
    A bell rang. “We’d better go,” Jonathan announced. “Alan, stay close to Gary and listen to what he tells you.”
    Alanna followed her new sponsor to the great dining hall. This was closed only during the summer, when most nobles went to their estates and the rest of the Court went to the Summer Palace by the sea. The other three seasons of the year, the entire Court ate here, served by the pages. Gary stationed Alanna in a niche, where she could see everything. As he hurried back and forth on his serving duties, he whispered explanations to her. It was Gary who showed her to the pages’ dining hall after the banquet was over, and Gary who woke her up (she fell asleep over dessert) and guided her to her room.
    â€œWelcome to the palace, young Trebond,” he said cheerfully as he handed her over to Coram.
    Alanna crawled sleepily into bed, thinking, Not so bad—for the first day.

    A bell that hung in a tower high over the pages’ wing awakened Alanna at dawn. Moaning, she bathed her face in cold water. She was still exhausted from her five-day ride. For once she could have slept late.
    Gary—a wide-awake, disgustingly cheerful and large Gary—came for her just as she was finished dressing. When Alanna, who hated breakfast, would have taken only an