Note: Thank you to my readers and to everyone who's reviewed- particulary TheWackedOne, ZuliaGirl, LisiLouLah, and RachLA for reviewing the last chapter! :)

Enjoy.

Developing Problems
By: youdontneedtoknow

Chapter 22: Inn, Directly

George stirred the pot, slowly warming up the breakfast he had made of their last handfuls of beans. Alanna plopped down next to him. "I've finished putting the tents away," she said. George handed her a chunk of cheese, and she began to eat. Soon, the beans were ready, and George had a few mouthfuls before putting some in a cup for Thom. He spoon fed him while Alanna ate out of the pot.

Alanna sighed as she scraped the last morsel of beans from the pot and into her mouth. She bit her lip, then stood up and walked over to Thom. "Come on, brother," she said. "We need to cover that hair of yours."

Thom struggled for a moment before sitting up with a groan.

Alanna knelt down next to him and began to wrap his head with a long, white bandage. "Might've been easier to just shave it off," she grunted.

Thom scowled. "Let me keep this one vanity," he said. "I already shaved my beard before I joined you."

Alanna laughed. "You had a beard?" she asked. "You could grow one?"

Thom rolled his eyes. "Of course I could grow one, and I think I looked rather intellectual with it."

Alanna stood up and took a step back to admire her work. "Not a trace of red hair in sight," she said proudly.

George came up behind her. "Well, unless you count the eyebrows," he said, grinning. He handed her a small tin of a dark-looking liquid. "That might do the trick," he said.

Alanna's face fell. "Oh," she said. "I hadn't thought of that."

"When you've been in the business of deceivin' people as long as I have, lass," he said, "you think of everything."

"Well," she said, "why didn't we cover my eyebrows up then? Mine are just as red as Thom's."

George grinned. "Who says I didn't?" Alanna looked at him, confused. "After the first inn I managed to secure some. Some men use it to cover the gray in their beads. I didn't want to wake you because you looked so tired, so I just put it on in your sleep. Did I forget to mention it to you?"

Alanna glared at him. "Apparently so."

He laughed. "Well, fortunately I kept it in case it started to wear off."

Alanna huffed and turned her back on him, slowly applying the dye to her brother's eyebrows. When she was done, she wiped the excess with her sleeve and took a step back. "Wow, I guess that does make a difference," she said. "You'd never know."

"When I recover my strength," he told her, "we won't have to bother with this. I'll just place an illusion on us."

George shook his head. "Magic and illusions can fail, especially if someone has set some specifically to reveal hidden things. Paint, wigs, and dyes are undetectable to a mage. These sorts of disguises are more full proof."

Thom pursed his lips, then nodded. "You're right," he said grudgingly. "And anything beyond a small charm would be pretty obvious to someone who's looking for someone in disguise. "

George nodded. "Havin' the Sight has helped me out on many occasions. I'd hate to come across someone with it as well who saw through our disguises."

"Still…" Thom said. He pressed his hand to Alanna's temple, then his own. "Better a small charm on the eyes than someone notice we've both got purple ones." Both his and Alanna's eyes had lost their purple hue, and were now a more subtle shade of blue. "Have you an amulet, sister, that you might be able to wear to mask the fact that you have a charm on your eyes to someone with the Sight?"

Alanna blushed. "Mistress Cooper gave me one to ward off pregnancy a long time ago."

Thom raised an eyebrow, but said, "Well, that should work as well as anything. I'll just spell something to wear around my neck, and hopefully it'll all just look like a protection charm to anyone not paying much attention."

George lifted the amulet that he wore around his neck and handed it to Thom. "That's a loan," he said. "I'll want that back after we get you a replacement."

Thom nodded his thanks.

"Just the eyelashes left," George said. "But most folks don't get close enough to tell the color." He looked at Thom quizzically for a second. "I take it the hair doesn't grow when you're in hawk form?" he asked. "Otherwise I don't see how you're so clean-shaven."

Thom nodded. "I don't think much of anything grows," he said. "Otherwise if I stayed like that long enough and came out of it I'd have scraggly nails and full beard." He pondered this for a second. "Does this mean I'm not aging when I'm a hawk?" he said, scratching his chin in thought.

Alanna rolled her eyes. "Does it matter?" she asked. "I hope you don't plan on spending enough time as one to figure that out." Thom shook his head at her, staring off into the distance.

George handed Thom a hat. "For the final touch," he said.

Thom sat the cap on his head. It had a wide brim, making the bandages difficult to spot at first glance.

Alanna looked up at George. "Final touch?" she said. "Some clothes might be nice."

George sighed. "I'm not a fool, lass, I know," he said, rolling his eyes. "I took a shirt from the bandit camp to wear so Thom could have my spare pair of clothes. I think they'll do nicely for you, Thom. You've surpassed your sister in size far too much to share hers." George rummaged through their bags for a second and pulled out a pair of trousers, a tunic, and a pair of boots. "They might be a little loose," he said, "but in your condition that's certainly better than tight." He handed Alanna the tunic, and she helped Thom get it over his head and put his arms through the sleeves.

"Maybe I'd better help your brother with his trousers," George said. Alanna blushed and turned her back on the two. George helped Thom to his feet, and together they eased him into the pair with only a groan or two on Thom's part. After George called to her, Alanna came back around and helped her twin get his boots on.

"So," George said, "think you can ride?"

Thom gritted his teeth. "I don't think I have much of a choice, do I?"

George shook his head. "Not really, but we're not about to do somethin' that'll kill you."

Thom gave him a small smile. "Thanks for the concern. I think I'll be fine, though, my magic ought to heal me faster than most. It just hurts to move too much."

"We'll go slow today," George said. "I think we've enough ground covered against the king's men that we can afford that for another day, and we'll stop at an inn for the night to give you a good night's sleep."

Thom nodded. "I think I'll live."

George and Alanna got the rest of their camp packed quickly. George helped Thom get on top of the horse that was previously Alanna's, and Alanna mounted the new horse. After George was on his horse, they made their way to the road and started on their journey.

They were quiet for the first few hours, except for George occasionally asking Thom how he was doing. Thom would grunt in reply, which they all took to mean that he was fine enough to keep going.

Finally, though, Alanna broke the silence. "There's something I still don't understand," she said slowly. "Why is there a reward for me alive? Roger clearly wants me dead, so I don't know why that bandit didn't just slit my throat when he had the chance."

George smiled. "Wouldn't be proper to do away with a noble using vigilante justice," he said.

"Why not?" Alanna asked.

"The king needs to make an example out of you," Thom said, finally using full sentences again. "A public execution proves that you're dead and it's an exhibition of his power."

"And proper protocol says that a noble is entitled to a noble death," George said. "Somehow I don't think my crown entitles me to too much though, eh?"

"But isn't the king under Roger's control?" Alanna asked. "Shouldn't he just be doing what Roger wants? Roald seemed so unreasonable at the trial. He wasn't the king I thought I knew."

Thom nodded. "I didn't see the trial, but from what I heard I know you're right. Roger can't completely control him without it attracting suspicion. He has to adhere to custom or the rest of the nobility will cry foul. If the king shows that he's willing to ignore laws protecting nobles, they're not going to be happy about that. He already took a risk in throwing the trial the way he did, but he wouldn't be stupid enough to circumvent established policy like that. Nobles are executed publicly if at all possible."

"Aye," George said. "But that doesn't mean that Roger wants you brought back alive. Those men were common bandits who simply tried to take advantage of a bounty they'd learned of. Men hired by Roger are bein' paid already to kill you and won't care about the bounty sayin' you're worth more alive."

Alanna's eyes narrowed. "Spectacular," she said. "So what of the king's men?" she asked. "If we meet them, they'll kill you and take Thom and me?"

George shook his head. "They might be the king's men in name, but more likely they're Roger's men. If he was smart he'd be payin' any number of them to make sure that, if they come across you, you end up dead. Somehow. And as we know he's no fool, we have to stay away from them."

Alanna sighed. "Well, we're doing a good enough job of that, anyway," she said. "So what's our story, then? When we check into the inn?"

"Same as before, lass," George said. "We're a married couple, now we're just travelin' with your brother too. Thom, I think it's best if we pretend that you're crippled so they don't question your injuries. Got any preference for your name?"

"Not particularly," Thom said. "Something common, I suppose."

"Aye," George said. "That's why I've been goin' with Timothy, Tim for short."

"I guess that's out, then," Thom said. "Thanks for taking something so close to my name." His tone was serious, but Alanna saw a rare grin on his face.

"I've been going with Elaine," she said, smiling.

"Well, since we're siblings, I suppose our names should match somehow," he said. "Ethan. We'll go for alliteration since I don't like any male names that rhyme with Elaine."

"You could go with 'Pain'," Alanna said, "for pain in the—"

"Quiet," George said, cutting her off. "Do you hear that?"

Alanna could hear it. "Sounds like someone's coming," she said. George nodded and gestured silently for them to follow him. They did, pulling themselves off the path and into the forest. They walked deeper and deeper into it, until the road was nearly invisible. George pulled out his telescope again, using it to focus on the road.

The noise got louder, and a large group of men passed where they had been just moments before, coming from the direction they'd been heading. George swore again. "How many search parties did his Majesty send?" he asked, incredulous. He tucked the telescope back into his bag. "At least we're not going to have to avoid that group," he said, "since they're going the opposite direction."

Alanna groaned. "This is impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible when you're with me," George said, flashing a toothy grin at her.

Thom rolled his eyes. "Let's get moving again then, shall we?" he said. George nodded and turned his horse around again, leading them back to the road.

They found the inn soon after nightfall. It was a place that seemed almost empty, save for the few travelers such as themselves. As George spoke with the innkeeper, Alanna stood with Thom near the entrance. He held onto her arm to steady himself, and the two of them examined a large board full of fliers and notices.

There was one larger than the rest, tacked straight into the middle and on top of all of the other notices. "REWARD," it read, "for the capture of crown traitor ALANNA OF TREBOND. WANTED for HIGH TREASON. Considered DANGEROUS. Approach with caution. Reward for capture: 500 GOLD CROWNS ALIVE, 300 DEAD. Traveling with a GEORGE COOPER, also considered DANGEROUS. 300 GOLD CROWNS DEAD." In smaller print was a detailed description of the two of them, noting their presumed location and an appraisal of their skills.

Alanna sighed with relief at the note of her purple eyes, thankful her brother had taken care of that little detail. There were sketches of the two of them, but the detail was rough. It looked as if the artist had never seen either one of them—and likely he hadn't, if these fliers came from the men who had just passed. It's not as if many in Port Legann knew their faces.

"I'd fancy gettin' that reward," a voice said in her ear, and she turned to find an older man standing next to her, clutching a powerfully strong-smelling mug of ale.

She managed a laugh. "I'd fancy it too," she said. "I wouldn't have to work for years."

"And you, boy?" the man asked, nudging Thom.

Thom winced and the man narrowed his eyes. "Please, sir," Alanna said. "My brother's not well. He doesn't talk or understand much."

This seemed to satisfy the man, and he said, "They brought that in earlier," he said. "Been lookin' for those traitors far and wide, they have."

"Really?" Alanna asked. "This is the first I'm hearing of it." She didn't want to engage the man any farther, but she wanted to know exactly what had become common knowledge.

"Aye," the man nodded. "Disappeared—mayhap a week or so ago? The girl—well, she's no looker,"—Alanna suppressed the urge to wince—"I guess, apparently she's been livin' as a boy at the palace. They caught 'er and they were goin' t' execute her for tryin' t' kill the king's nephew after 'e found out, but she escaped. That man there, they say he's the king o' thieves or summat and he helped her get out, and now they're on the run together. Not sure where they're goin' or what they're doin' but they want 'em caught or dead."

"Hm," Alanna said thoughtfully.

"How've you not heard this?" the man asked. "It's all anyone's talkin' about."

"Oh," Alanna said. "Well, I'd heard about the trial, but I hadn't heard about the escape and the reward and the rest of it. My husband and brother and I have been traveling. We're visiting my mother before she passes."

The man nodded his head respectfully. "May the Goddess bless her, then," he said.

George had returned at this point holding two pairs of keys. "Elaine?" he said. "Is this man botherin' you?"

"No trouble, no trouble, sonny," the man said. "Jus' tellin' yer girl here 'bout the traitors on the run." He gestured at the notice.

Alanna watched George's eyes widen in shock for no more than a fraction of a second, but he quickly disguised it. "First I'm hearin' of it," he said.

"I'll tell you all about it," Alanna said with a smile. "But first, I need food." She shot him a pointed look.

"Aye, well, I'll leave you to it, then," the older man said, tottering off. Alanna let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding.

"Where'd you learn to act like that?" Thom asked under his breath.

"Comes with not wanting to get killed," Alanna hissed. "I got it down after the first inn."

George guided them over to a table near the bar. He helped Alanna get Thom seated, then went over to the bar. He came back several minutes later holding a tray piled high with food.

"Dig in," he said.

Thom was able to manage a fork now, so they all ate together, rapidly, in silence. "Nice having something other than field mice," Thom whispered, and Alanna shuddered.

When they were done, George steered them both to the hallway that led to the private rooms. "Bottom floor," he said softly, "so Thom doesn't have to walk up the stairs."

"Thanks," Thom said softly.

George unlocked the door of a room. He offered Thom his arm. Thom took it, and George helped him across the room and into his bed. Alanna followed behind. "Don't leave the room," George said quietly. "They think you're a little mental, so it won't do to wander around. We'll come get you in the morning, but try to get some rest."

"Not sure if it's possible for me to get up by myself, but I'll take this into consideration, Cooper," Thom said.

George smiled. "All right, lad," he said. Alanna helped her twin take his boots off while George lit a candle next to the bed. He walked around the room, checking the window and tapping on the walls softly. "Sorry," he said. "I'm not familiar with this inn. Just want to make sure the door's the only way to get in here." He stopped, finally, and placed the candle on the nightstand. "Get some shut eye," he said, blowing the candle out. He walked out, locking the door behind him and pocketing the key.

"So I take it we're sharing a room, then?" Alanna asked softly.

"We are married," George said. He was grinning, but Alanna could see in the soft torchlight that the smile didn't meet his eyes.

He unlocked the door of the room next to Thom's. Alanna followed him inside. He placed their bags down on the ground beside him. George lit a candle again and inspected their room as he'd done Thom's. When he was done, he blew the candle out and sat on the bed. The only light left in the room came from the window, where a thin strip of moonlight shone through. Still, it was enough for Alanna to see the contours of George's chest as he stripped his tunic off, tossing it onto the floor. As he bent down to unlace his boots, he caught her looking at him.

He stopped unlacing for a second and looked at her with one eyebrow raised. She sighed and took her wig off, placing it on the knob at the end of the bed. She sat down next to George, also leaning down to unlace her boots. By the time she was done, George was already laying in the bed next to her. She climbed over him to the empty spot on the other side, accidently brushing her hand against his chest as she did so. She shivered. His muscles were hard and toned, and for a second she was all too aware of the fact that, physically, George was much stronger than she was.

"George?" she said quietly, her back to him.

"Hm?" he asked.

"I like pretending to be married to you," she whispered.

He turned her body with one hand so that he faced her. "Me too," he said simply, and kissed her gently on the mouth.

For once, she let him.