The Truth Over The Wall

Chapter 12

Alistair continued to chase after Hanalea, when it occurred to him, to use his secret weapon.

"Hanna," he called, using his name for her. "Hanna, please stop."

Hanalea looked over her shoulder to the side once, before she continued her path and for a second he felt disheartened. Of course, it didn't work.

Of course, he should have had more faith.

Hanalea jerked suddenly on the reins of her horse, the second time that day, so that it kicked up on its hind legs, angry.

"Shush," Hanalea spoke to it, leaning close to the horse's ear as she stroked his neck, "Calm down."

Surprised, Alistair approached them as Hanalea continued to mover her hand in a rhythmic motion along its neck and through its mane.

"I'm sorry," Alistair heard her say and was about to respond in kind, when he realized she was still talking to her horse. He scowled at that.

"I'll be more careful next time," Hanalea said to the still jittery horse, "I promise.

"Well, Allis," Hanalea looked up at him suddenly, "What do you want?"

The sunlight hit her face directly, so that she had to squint to look at him. Making her face look as unapproachable as she sounded.

That did not deter him though. He had seen her angrier, and this was typical Hanalea behavior.

Except that she had changed. And  for four years - Four years! -  she stays put, takes her lessons, speaks little and feels even less. And then she just runs away?

Why?

"Hanna," he exhaled, "Please, come back. Whatever problems you have..." he trailed off uncomfortably, "I promise, we'll sort them out. Please, this is not the solution."

Hanalea's horse, Sparrow, was shook up. So that she had had to get down and spend time calming him; time she could have used to get away.

There was a fixed frown etched into her features as she pulled out a brush from one of the saddle bags and began brushing Sparrow's coat. That always helped.

Needless to say, she was not feeling particularly grateful for Alistair and his heroic interruption. Though she was sure his father would be proud...

Father.

She winced and her shoulders jumped visibly at that word, so that Alistair noticed. Before he could ask anything though, she promptly inquired,

"My problem?" She said as she continued to brush Sparrow, "And just what do you think my problem is, Allis?"

After a moment, Hanalea realized he still had not spoken. Curious, she looked up to see a perplexed expression on his face.

His mouth was pinched tight and his eyes were narrowed. He opened his mouth once, twice...but still nothing came out. She knew that look.

He was embarrassed to say it.

She stifled a laugh and shook it off before she turned to him with a seemingly innocent expression.

"Well, Allis?" she sang, "I'm waiting."

He might not have known why she ran when she did. And she might not have spoken to him for four years, so that he could hardly guess at the person she had become.

But clearly that other girl, Hanna, the one he knew was still there. So, he knew when she was hiding something.

And he knew when she was teasing him.