Lioness Rampant Read Online Free Page A

man-at-arms. “It seems to me the young lady takes care of herself.”
    â€œI suppose ye had that from her,” snapped Coram. “She’s wrong. Is there someone in the city who’ll speak for ye?” His hand shifted warningly to his dagger hilt.
    â€œThe Shang Dragon needs nobody to speak for him.” Liam’s eyes went a pale green. “I understandyour wanting to protect her, but I don’t like threats.”
    Coram frowned. “I’m t’ believe ye’re Liam Ironarm?”
    â€œCome downstairs, before she hears you,” Liam sighed. “Windfeld knows me.”
    The host’s verification of the Dragon’s identity told Coram it was time to change tactics. So he invited Liam to share his morning meal, and the food eased his hangover. He could concentrate better on quizzing the redheaded man.
    â€œDoes she know?” he asked. “Lady Alanna?”
    A slow grin spread across Liam’s face. “She knows.”
    â€œNo doubt she’s in a dither tryin’ to decide what she wants to ask ye first.” Coram thought for a moment, then met the Dragon’s now-gray eyes. “What’s the likes of ye want with Alanna of Trebond?”
    The big man shrugged. “She’s a pretty thing—different, and full of fight. I never heard that she avoids men.”
    Remembering Prince Jonathan and the thief, George, Coram flushed. “She’s still not a woman without all virtue.”
    Liam chuckled. “She’s too good a warrior to have a bad reputation as a woman. At least, no one will call her bad when she might hear.”
    â€œI’d think the Shang Dragon had his pick of pretty ladies,” growled Coram.
    Liam rose. “Maybe. But she’s not just that, is she? She’s as known in her way as I am in mine.” He put a massive hand on Coram’s arm. “I’m not a village lad wanting to boast of having the Lioness’s pelt in my hut, Master Smythesson. I like her. I’d probably like you , if you stopped glumping about my being in her room.”
    He left a coin for his food and strolled out as Coram sank his face into his hands. “Life used to be simple,” he told his palms.
    Faithful jumped up to sniff at Liam’s plate. Probably more boring, too.

    After running errands until noon, Coram returned to find Alanna dressed and cleaning her weapons. “Don’t scowl,” she told him. “I’m not awake.”
    â€œThe chambermaid says yer clothes were all over mud. What kind of larks were ye kickin’ up last night without me to keep an eye on ye?”
    â€œI wasn’t ‘kicking up any larks,’” she yawned. “I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a ride out of the city.”
    â€œWe’re ye ridin’ under the horse’s belly, then?”
    Alanna could feel a blush creeping up her cheeks. “It’s too embarrassing to talk about.”
    Coram wasn’t to be so lightly dismissed. “Does this have anythin’ to do with that Liam bein’ in your room this mornin’?”
    â€œI got tired and fell off my horse,” Alanna said grumpily. “I met Liam on the road. He just made sure I got back all right. He never touched me.”
    â€œMaybe he didn’t,” Coram rumbled, as red as she was. “And maybe he’s plannin’ to.”
    Closing the door, he heard Alanna murmur, “Nothing wrong with that.”

    They reached House Jendrai as the sun touched the horizon, to be greeted by Nahom Jendrai in person. Alanna had expected him to resemble Myles of Olau—quiet, unkempt, and absentminded. Instead, she and Coram found a trim man in his early thirties, surrounded by children, servants, pack animals, dogs, and baggage. He waved to Coram and waded out of the mess.
    â€œMy wife would greet you properly, Lady Alanna, Master Smythesson, but she has only recently come from childbed, and she is