The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (Song Of The Lioness Quartet Book 3) by Tamora Pierce

Author:Tamora Pierce [Pierce, Tamora]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published: 2009-11-26T00:00:00+00:00

As usual, she rose with the dawn. Jon continued to sleep. She dressed quietly and went into the temple portion of her tent. Myles was already there, looking as fresh as he ever did in the morning. Alanna hugged her old friend tightly, and together they walked out into the sunlight. She showed him the village, even taking him up to the hill where she had faced the hillmen with her apprentices, and where Ishak had met his doom. She said nothing about Jonathan’s proposal, half-hoping that if no one mentioned it, Jon might reconsider.

“Why did you come?” she asked as they climbed down the hill.

“I thought it might be better for Jonathan if someone bore him company.”

“You’re always so sensible.” Alanna grinned. She waved to Mari, who was opening the sides of her tent to the morning air. “Mari Fahrar,” she explained to Myles. “She’s the best weaver in the tribe. She’s teaching me.”

Myles chuckled, his green-brown eyes dancing with amusement. “Women’s work, Sir Knight?”

Alanna blushed deeply. “I don’t want to be ignorant.”

Myles hugged her around the shoulders. “You’re brave, to admit you don’t know everything and then do something about it.”

“That’s all very well, but I’m a terrible weaver.”

“I am told practice helps,” he said, his eyes still amused. “Alanna, I actually came here for two reasons.”

“Oh? You’re keeping Jon company—what’s the second one?”

Myles tugged his beard thoughtfully. “I’ve been thinking about your situation, now that Thom is at Court and you are roaming.” He put his hand on her shoulders. “I believe you know I have always been very fond of you.”

She smiled. “You’re the only one I know who’s forgiven me for lying about what I really am.”

“I knew long before you told me, remember. Listen to me now. Thom lives well at Court—”

“He’s entitled,” Alanna pointed out, bristling in her brother’s defense. “He is the Lord of Trebond. He lived like a priest for years.”

“I don’t question his right to do so. I am concerned about you. If you continue to travel, you will need funds, to stay at inns, to give bribes—don’t frown. Some nations use the bribe to support the national treasury. Now, consider my problem: I’m not getting any younger; I’m unwed and unsociable. It’s not likely that I shall marry and have children. You’ve been like a daughter to me—sometimes even like a son.” His eyes twinkled. “I want to make you my heir.”

Alanna opened her mouth to reply, but no sound emerged. Her throat felt tight and closed; her eyes burned with tears. He clapped her on the shoulders and let her go. “No need to answer right away.”

“I can’t refuse,” she whispered, hugging him fiercely. “Myles, how do I thank you?”

He tousled her hair. “Nonsense. I get an heir who knows how to manage an estate, after all the time you ran Trebond for your brother.”

“With Coram’s help,” she reminded him.

“With Coram’s help, but you made the big decisions. And I know you’ll care for Barony Olau as I do.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.