Disclaimer (applies to all chapters): I do not own any characters, places, or objects created by Tamora Pierce. Oh, how I wish I did.

A/N: Okay, all. This fic stands alone from my other fics and was pretty much a spur of the moment idea. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter One: Destination Unknown

Alanna was restless; she needed to get out of the Palace.

Reaching the stables, Stefan helped saddle her horse. After telling him where she was going if anyone had the mind to look for her, she urged her horse toward the forest line.

It wasn't long before she came upon a lake- the same lake the pages and squires skated on in winter and swam in during the warmer months. The same lake she had never once stepped foot in with fear her true identity would be discovered if she did. Now the glassy surface looked peaceful and inviting. The day was warm.

Dismounting, Alanna tied her horse to the nearest tree, the tree she usually sat against as the others played in the cool water. With no one else around, she gave the water a contemplative look. It was bound to be cold, and the Goddess knew how she hated anything cold. Then again, she was already warm from her short ride through the forest and a quick dip in the lake was sure to be refreshing…

Her horse butted her from behind, as if urging her on. Alanna turned and removed her riding gloves and then her sword belt, placing it carefully across the saddle so it was still in easy reach if needed. Then she turned back to the lake.

Perhaps a quick swim would clear her mind. Tomorrow was her seventeenth birthday and Jon had informed her that they would be having yet another party. Alanna was sick and tired of the parties where she had to dance with all the court ladies as Jon insisted while he gave all his attention to Lady Delia. Jon had kissed her twice- once during the Tusaine War and then again last fall- yet he still doted on the court ladies, specifically Delia. It confused her as to where she stood with him.

George, on the other hand, let her know exactly where she stood. Merciful Mother he had already spoken of marriage and love!

As if I was capable or willing for either, Alanna thought to herself with doubt.

Stepping closer to the lake, Alanna bent down and felt the water. She jumped back and glared at the water. It was freezing!

She heard someone chuckle from behind her. Whirling around, she found George leaning against the tree, running his hand along her horse's mane.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, angry for being caught by surprise.

"I went to see Stefan and he informed me you were down here. I decided to join you."

"I came here to be alone," she told him, still upset at being snuck up on.

"It's alright. I don't make much noise." He grinned.

Alanna glared. "You don't have to tell me that."

George chuckled then nodded toward the lake. "Water to cold for you, lass?"

"Yes. Not that I'm considering going swimming any more now that you're here."

"And why is that?"

Putting her hands on her hips, she said, "You may already know I'm a girl, George, but that doesn't mean that I wish to strip down to reassure you of the fact."

Why must he find it so amusing every time she was in a temper?

"Shirt and breeches are just as acceptable to go swimmin' in," he told her between chuckles. "I'd even consider joinin' you."

The thought of swimming alone with George for some reason flustered her. She stepped back. "Yes, well, I'm not going t-" Stepping back too far, she lost her balance as her foot slid. Alanna struggled to right herself but it was George's strong hands grabbing her that prevented her from falling into the cold lake.

"Careful, now," he told her, his grip like iron around her upper arms, "otherwise you'll be gettin' that dip whether or not you want it."

"Thanks, George," she mumbled softly.

Seeing the pretty spots of pink that touched her cheeks, George asked thoughtfully, "When was the last time I kissed you, lass?"

Startled purple eyes jerked up to meet his soft hazel ones. Her blush deepened. As her mind scrambled for what to say- for she was certain that he knew as well as she that their last kiss had been shared in the library before she went off to the Tusaine War- she quickly pulled back. Momentarily distracted, she had forgotten where she stood. George grabbed for her again but it was no use. Alanna went tumbling into the lake, pulling George in with her.

She twisted around under water, disoriented by her fall. It seemed like ages before she finally broke through the surface, greedily gulping air into her lungs. Then she looked around for George and found him a few feet away in the water, doing the same.

"This lake must be deeper than it looks," he joked as he made his way toward her. "I thought I'd never break the surface."

Coming up next to her, he asked, "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," she replied curtly, embarrassed and none too pleased. The water was freezing.

"I guess you got the swim you wanted," he laughed.

Alanna's initial response was a glare. Then she made her way to the lake's edge. She heard the amusement in George's voice as he asked if she needed help as she struggled to get out of the water. The walls of the lake were muddy and she was too short to touch the bottom. Irritated by his amusement, she used all the strength she had to extricate herself from the water. She didn't need his help.

George quickly followed her lead, getting out of the lake with almost laughable ease. When he straightened, he looked at her with twinkling eyes. "Don't pout, lass. Your face might end up stickin' that way." He pushed aside the hair that was plastered to his forehead, his eyes glittering underneath. Alanna suddenly became aware that his hair wasn't the only thing sticking to his body as George absentmindedly pulled at his soaked shirt. All that did was cause it to mold once again to his hard chest, drawing her attention.

When she became aware of where she was looking and the silence that had spread between them, Alanna quickly jerked her gaze up, meeting George's knowing gaze. She cursed herself. You could get nothing passed the man!

George's gaze slowly lowered and Alanna's face flushed with heat. She was just as soaked as he! Quickly she crossed her arms over her chest, though after a quick glance, to her relief she found her binding had stayed tight, revealing nothing. Alanna was instantly thankful that her tan breeches weren't made transparent like her white shirt as she turned her back to George. Her face burned however as she felt the way the material clung to her body.

Anxious, Alanna looked around for her horse and frowned. He was nowhere in sight. She voiced her concern to George.

He didn't sound as concerned as he suggested they return to the palace and call on Stefan's horse magic to call the horse back.

Alanna reeled at the suggestion. "I can't go back to the palace looking like this!" she exclaimed, whirling around. Though she didn't consider herself having much in the way of feminine curves, the wet material clung to all she had. A person would have to be blind or a complete fool to think her a boy!

George seemed to agree. "Then I'll take you back to the Dove to dry off," he suggested. As she opened her mouth to protest he added, "I'll take you through the back entrance."

Without a word, Alanna suddenly turned and trudged off in the direction of Corus, arms still crossed over her chest in annoyance.

George followed, trying not to laugh.

It took a good while- and a lot of redirection from George to further Alanna's bad mood- before they reached Corus's gates. By that time they were nearly dry from the warm afternoon air, much to Alanna's relief and George's slight disappointment.

As Alanna complained about her lack of weapons as they approached Corus, George's eyebrows drew together as he looked around. The gate, the guards, the wall surrounding the city…it all looked…different.

Seemingly oblivious, Alanna continued to rant as they walked through the gate into the city. The guards didn't see a need to question foot travelers carrying no goods or visible weapons. Of course, George's various daggers weren't meant to be noticed.

Once inside the city, Alanna turned back to wait for George who had fallen behind. He was looking around like the country folk usually did on their first visit to the big city. Hands on hips, she asked him what he was gawking at.

With a strange look on his face, he told her slowly, "I don't think you need to worry about being recognized, Alanna."

She was about to scold him for calling her by her name, but stopped as she looked around. Was it just her or did the buildings look different? Were the streets narrower? As people swarmed passed them, she noticed the way they were dressed. Even their clothes looked different!

Alanna was about to ask George what was going on when they heard the sound of horses' hooves on the cobbled street. Looking up to find the horse-drawn cart rattling toward them on the too-narrow street, they quickly moved out of its way. The driver cursed them from his seat atop the cart, but Alanna was too confused to curse him back. The way he talked sounded slightly different than what she was used to hearing in the city.

She turned to George who had one strong arm fitted protectively around her waist. For once she didn't seem to mind as she asked him, "George, where are we?"

A/N: They're not in Kansas anymore! ;)