Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau, born in 419 HE as Alanna of Trebond (a-LAH-nah of tray-BOND / oh-LAU), was the only daughter of Alan of Trebond before his death, and the late Marinie of Tasride. Alanna is the first female knight in Tortall in over a century. To enter training, she traded places with her brother, Thom of Trebond, and took the alias Alan, a masculine version of her name. She was enlisted by the gods, namely the Great Mother Goddess, in order to stop Duke Roger and his associates. She became a hero and a legend by stopping Duke Roger, finding and retrieving the Dominion Jewel, and being the first woman knight in a century. She became the first female King's Champion in known history, and was a fully realized and able warrior as well as a fully realized and able mage. She specialized mostly in healing magics, but used battle magics when necessary. Because of the rearing lioness that was put on her shield, she became known as Alanna the Lioness, or just simply The Lioness. She became an honorary member of the Bazhir tribe called Bloody Hawk and became their shaman for a brief period, thus heightening her abilities with her magic, as well as her teaching skills. She was adopted by Myles of Olau, and she became the heir to Barony Olau after Myles, as he has no other children.
She married George Cooper, a former Rogue and King of Thieves, who became the respectable baron of Pirate's Swoop as well as one of the two spymasters. She has three children with him: Thom of Pirate's Swoop, who was named after her brother, Alan of Pirate's Swoop, a tribute both to her father and her old days as Page/Squire Alan, and Alianne of Pirate's Swoop. Through Alianne, or Aly, she has three grandchildren: Ochobai, Ulasu, and Junim Crow.
Biography
Early life
- "D'you think I want to be a lady? 'Walk slowly, Alanna. Sit still, Alanna. Shoulders back, Alanna.' As if that's all I can do with myself! There has to be another way."
- —Alanna to her twin brother Thom, after their father told them they were to be sent away[src]
Ten-year old Alanna with Maude and Thom
Alanna of Trebond, along with her twin brother Thom, was born in 419 HE as the only daughter of Lady Marinie and Alan of Trebond. Lady Marinie died while birthing the twins, even though Marinie and her newborn children had the magical Gift. After the loss of his wife, Alan lived a secluded life and occupied himself with his scholarly work as opposed to kindling relationships with his two children. He failed at giving them the impression that they were loved, and they were primarily raised by Coram Smythesson, a former soldier and family servant, and Maude Tanner, the village healer. Coram taught them basic fighting skills and how to track and hunt while Maude showed them how to handle their Gift. Alanna proved to be quite adept at Coram's lessons, more so than her brother, but was hesitant at using the full potential of her magic, fearing the gift. Thus, she "had to be tricked and begged into trying spells"[5]. Lord Alan hated the Gift because he thought his wife's magic and his children's magic should have kept his wife from dying. He did not approve of it being taught, and he certainly did not approve of Thom becoming a great sorcerer like the boy wished to be.
When Alanna was five years old she tried ice skating. The ice broke and her skates and wet clothes pulled the girl down, nearly drowning her. This left her with a fear of ice skating for her entire childhood. As a squire she once accepted a skating match proposed by Alexander of Tirragen and experienced the same, which probably lead to a even greater fear, although this was never confirmed[6]. As children, Thom and Alanna were likely often out in the woods around Trebond, probably hiking or hunting with Coram. The manservant taught her about survival in the snow, which came in useful in later life. However Alanna had never been far away from her home, certainly never in any big city.
At the age of ten, Lord Alan arranged for his children to leave Trebond; Alanna would go to the convent to become a lady, and Thom would go to the palace to train to be a knight. Neither child wanted the future that was planned for them, so Alanna devised a plan to switch places. When they asked for Maude's help, the healer said she couldn't decide on this scheme herself and asked the gods by scrying in the fire. Not only did Maude see something in the flames, but Alanna as well—this was not supposed to happen, as Maude cast the spell and only the spellcaster would have been able to see anything. Alanna was able to see a city of black shining stone[5]. After this, Maude agreed to help the twins and to take Thom to the City of the Gods to become a sorcerer. Maude helped dress Alanna like a boy and she filled Coram's flask with strong brandy so he would be more willing to listen to Alanna when he found out he was bringing the wrong twin to Corus. He realised en route and was furious at first, but Alanna threatened to make him see things with magic and pointed out that she was by far the more capable twin and more likely to be a credit to him. He reluctantly agreed.
Training for knighthood
Page years
- "I wish I could say 'have fun'," Thom said frankly, "but I can't see how anyone can have fun learning to be a knight. Good luck, though. If we're caught, we'll both be skinned ... There are a lot of tests ahead for you."
- —Thom to Alanna when they parted[src]
Coram, although at first hesitant, eventually agreed to go with the plan. He stayed with Alanna in Corus as her manservant, sharing her rooms in the pages' wing[7]. The first days in the palace - with a whole new schedule and hard work Alanna was unaccustomed to - proved difficult for her. She even considered quitting, but Coram managed to talk her out of it and Alanna soon developed a routine and became comfortable with palace life.[7]As a page Alanna also had to serve at the evening meals. At first she was assigned to wait on Duke Gareth[7], but later she waited on Sir Myles of Olau, also one of her teachers.
In her early time at the palace Alanna made both friends and enemies. One of her first friends was Gary of Naxen, her sponsor and also the son of the Training Master. He showed her around and introduced her to his group of friends, who subsequently also became Alanna's friends. This group included Alexander of Tirragen, Raoul of Goldenlake, Francis of Nond and the Crown Prince, Jonathan of Conté. As a page Alanna also had to serve at the evening meals.
On her first visit to the city of Corus, three months after her arrival in the capital,[7] she met George Cooper, the King of the Thieves. They became friends and George later provided Alanna with a good horse of her own, Moonlight. Another friend she made was Sir Myles of Olau, her teacher in history and the knight she was assigned to wait on during dinner. He took her to visit his Barony once and Alanna found a sword in the ruins of the Old Ones, which she named Lightning.
Her earliest enemy in the palace was Ralon of Malven. He picked on Alanna and she had quite a few talks with the Training Master, Duke Gareth of Naxen, because of the fights they got in. She refused the help offered by her friends in dealing with Ralon. Instead, she decided to stand up against him on her own and asked George to teach her some tricks in fighting which the pages weren't taught at the palace. Alanna finally defeated Ralon in an even fight and he left the palace.[8]
Alanna's friendship with Prince Jonathan deepened when their other friends became squires. Thus in early 431 HE Alanna and Jon started to help each other with their classroom work in the evenings, Alanna tutoring Jon in history and Jon helping Alanna with maths.[9]
When Alanna woke one morning to find blood on her sheets, she rode down into the city to find George, since he would know a woman healer. She told George that she was a girl and George took her to see his mother Eleni. Eleni explained to Alanna that she experienced a part of growing up and that her bleedings were a sign that her body was mature enough to bear children. To prevent pregnancy Eleni also gave Alanna a charm.
In March of 431 HE, the year after Alanna's arrival at the palace, the Sweating Sickness struck Corus. There were rumors that it was caused by magic as it drained the healers of all their power. Alanna, who herself possessed the healing gift, argued with herself about whether she should go to the healers and offer them her help. Before she could decide, Francis fell ill and died. The sickness took the decision out of her hand when Jonathan fell ill as well. He was one of the last to catch the sickness and the healers were already drained from all the other patients. In a desperate effort, Alanna took care of him and saved him from death using her Gift.[9]
Some time later, the king's nephew, Roger of Conté, arrived. The king had called for him and he was to teach the pages and squires in magic. Alanna was immediately suspicious of him. However she couldn't prove or even initially understand any of her suspicions. When the squires and Alanna accompanied Lord Martin to the city of Persopolis in the Great Southern Desert, Roger bewitched Jonathan to go to the Black City of the Ysandir and Alanna felt obliged to go with him and protect him. They defeated the Ysandir and in doing so Alanna was revealed to be female in front of Jonathan.
Squire years
In the beginning of 434 HE[1] Alanna becomes Jonathan's squire. In spring that year her father dies, making her brother Thom the Lord of Trebond. Around that time Alanna is sent on an errand for Sir Myles, collecting a three-hundred-year-old document for him. On her journey home she meets a strange woman, who is actually the Great Mother Goddess. She knows that Alanna isn't a boy, as she still pretends to be, but a girl. Furthermore the Goddess knows of Alanna's three greatest fears and tells her that she will have to conquer them, even her greatest fear of loving someone. She also gives Alanna the Ember-stone. At the same time Alanna finds a black cat, or rather the cat finds her. She takes him with her and finally names him Faithful. The cat is quite extraordinary as he has purple eyes - the same color as Alanna's, and if he wishes humans may understand his speech.
The time of Alanna's squiredom are quite eventful. Not only does she still suspect Duke Roger of plotting against the monarchs, she is also attacked by a magicked boar and is nearly killed by her friend Alex, who is by then the squire of Duke Roger. Moreover, the Tusaine War breaks out in Alanna's second year as a squire. Together with Jonathan and Sir Myles she is stationed directly on the shore of the Drell River. When she is wounded in a battle the healers ban her from taking part in further fighting. As she doesn't like not being useful Alanna offers her help to the healers and even the smiths. One night, when Alanna is on watch duty, she has a peculiar conversation with Duke Roger. Shortly after that she is taken prisoner by soldiers from Tusaine. Jonathan and other friends defy the orders of King Roald and cross the Drell River in order to come to her rescue. As they can also take the brothers of King Ain as prisoner themselves, the war ends shortly afterwards as the King is very keen on getting his brother back.
In the following year Alanna and Jonathan become lovers while she still fends off the attentions of George Cooper. Shortly before her Ordeal of Knighthood Alanna reveals her true sex to Gary as she needs two Knights to instruct her before the Ordeal. In all this time, her hatred of Duke Roger, has always grown stronger and right after her Ordeal, she breaks into his rooms to find the needed evidence against him. When she presents this in front of the whole Court, Roger demands trial by combat. Thus they fight and Alanna seemingly kills Roger. During the fight, Alanna's true sex is revealed, though she is allowed to keep her shield.
Early years of knighthood
Alanna in armour with Faithful at her side
Shaman of the Bazhir
Alanna leaves Corus shortly after she gains her shield and kills Duke Roger. Together with Coram she goes to the Great Southern Desert. There they encounter some Bazhir of the tribe of the Bloody Hawk. In order to be accepted among them Alanna agrees to a fight between herself and a man of the tribe. She wins, not killing her opponent as is the custom, but only wounding him. After this she and Coram are adopted into the tribe. The shaman, Akhnan ibn Nazzir, conspires against her. He dies when he tries to kill Alanna and uses up his life-force to power his gift. Afterwards Alanna becomes the shaman of the tribe. Because she doesn't intend to stay forever she trains three young members of the tribe, Ishak, Kara and Kourrem. Ishak dies when he attempts to control the crystal sword Alanna took from Akhnan ibn Nazzir. Kara and Kourrem eventually finish their education and become shamans of the tribe. While Alanna is with the Bazhir Jonathan arrives at the tribe as he is to become the next Voice of the Tribes. They continue their love affair until it ends in an argument when Jonathan proposes to Alanna and can't accept her wish for more time to over-think it.
Retrieving the Dominion Jewel
After he returns to Corus Alanna goes to Port Caynn, where George is at the moment. There, she finds comfort and after some time also a new love in George. When George has to return to Corus, Alanna goes back to the Bloody Hawk, where Halef Seif, the tribe's headman, sends her on an errand. Alanna is to look for a friend of Seif's in the north. Alanna finds her burning on a stake and is unable to save her. However, the woman gives her a map leading her to the legendary Dominion Jewel.
Alanna follows the path given to her by the map. On the way she encounters Liam Ironarm, the Dragon of Shang, and Thayet jian Wilima along with her guard, Buriram Tourakom. They accompany Alanna and Coram to the Roof of the World, where the Dominion Jewel is supposed to be. While traveling, Alanna and Liam begin a romantic relationship which doesn't last long because of his fear of magic. After their arrival at the Roof of the World Alanna has to fight her way through a snow storm and to battle an immortal before finally gaining the Dominion Jewel. She brings it home to Corus. By then Jon is king as his parents are dead, and Roger lives again. On her return Jon convinces Alanna to become his King's Champion.
On the Coronation Day Battle Alanna lost both her brother Thom and her companion Faithful. She had to fight and kill her former friend Alexander of Tirragen in order to get to Roger and finally kill him for good.
As her brother was Baron of Trebond before his death, the lands passed to Alanna. She signed them over to her childhood mentor and companion Coram Smythesson and his wife Rispah Cooper, making them the new main Trebond line and the baron and baroness of Trebond.
King's Champion of Tortall
adult Alanna
Marriage and motherhood
After the Coronation Day Battle at the palace, Alanna returned to the Bloody Hawk. George, the newly made baron of Pirate's Swoop, visited her and they became engaged. Alanna and George married later that year in 439 HE[10]. In 443 HE[1], their first son, Thom, was born while they were on a mission. George had to deliver his oldest son himself[11]. Two years later, Alanna gave birth to twins, Alianne and Alan.
Because of her duties as King's Champion and a knight of the realm, Alanna was forced to leave home quite a bit. Her children, at least in Aly's case, were mostly raised by George with interludes of their mother. This created tension between her and Aly, and regret in Alanna. She doesn't regret her choice as a knight, though, as she knows it was the best way for her to give back to and serve her king and country. And Alanna was never long away from Pirate's Swoop unless there was a war, namely the Scanran War, that took place much later during her children's years. As such, her children still saw her as their mother, but they knew and understood why she had to leave so often.
Veralidaine Sarrasri and the Immortals War
Prior to meeting Veralidaine Sarrasri, Alanna became good friends with Numair Salmalín, a mage who had garnered the wrath of Ozorne Tasikhe, the Emperor Mage of Carthak. When Numair had turned himself into a hawk and was drugged by Synthia, Alanna rode in with the King's Own in order to help Numair back into human form. The idea was to quickly help him and then he would fly off, however they required Daine to call to him in his bird form, thus breaking the secret. She left later in order to arrest traitors as the King's Champion and executor of the King's law.
She later reconnected with Daine and Onua Chamtong with the Queen's Riders. She rode with her childhood friend, Queen Thayet to Pirate's Swoop, where the queen's children, and Alanna's children and husband, were waiting. There was a short battle with Carthaki pirates, who were interested in capturing Queen Thayet and her royal children. Alanna convinced Daine that Daine should let the animals fight because they would be protecting their home as well. As Daine managed to save Pirate's Swoop and destroy the pirates, Alanna offered her a home with her family in thanks. This started a very close friendship between Alanna and Daine.
When Yolane of Dunlath's and Tristan Staghorn's treacherous plans had gotten to the King, Alanna went up to Dunlath with Raoul of Goldenlake and the King's Own in order to aid Daine and Numair in taking down the traitors. Staghorn was working on behalf of the Emperor Mage and was turned into a tree with a word of power from Numair.
As the King's Champion and one of the king's closest advisers, Alanna was part of the Tortallan delegation sent to Carthak. She took part in the talks, and was later exiled from Carthak when Emperor Ozorne kidnapped Daine to make it look like she was a rebel. Alanna came back later after Daine won a decisive battle using the animated skeletons of dinosaurs to destroy the Emperor's palace. Alanna assured Daine that no one in Tortall would believe Daine's story, as the girl didn't want to be treated with the fear or awe that she was getting in Carthak. Coming from a woman who herself was a legend, this was valuable advice.
She took part in the fighting when the Immortals War was declared.
Along with Gary and Numair Alanna was also part of Jonathan's private council.[12]
First openly female page
When Keladry of Mindelan wants to enter page training, Alanna disputed on Keladry's behalf with Jon and the Training Master, Lord Wyldon of Cavall. She was overruled, primarily due to the fact that King Jon wanted to honor the man who saved his children from hurroks. King Jon also did not want the conservative faction of nobles saying that he did not honor Lord Wyldon by at least listening to him in part. King Jon and Lord Wyldon made it so Kel would have to go through a probationary period lasting one year before she could become a full page. He also forbade Alanna from contacting Keladry because people would think that the knight magicked the girl into earning her Shield and beating the Ordeal of Knighthood, as the more conservative nobles already thought that Alanna had cheated because of her powerful magic and her affiliation with the Great Mother Goddess. This angered Alanna, and she refused to visit the Royal Palace and even speak to Jonathan because she was so angry. Alanna helped in more subtle ways by becoming Kel's mysterious benefactor, someone not even Kel knew the identity of until much later, and after the girl had completed her training and became a Knight of Tortall. Her gifts to Kel were: Bruise balm, exercise balls, saddles and tack for Peachblossom and later Hoshi, weapons, and more. Alanna revealed that her plan was not to help Kel with magic, like the "mammering conservatives believed", but by showing Kel how to survive in that environment and different exercises.
Alanna took Nealan of Queenscove on as her squire in 456 HE. Neal was a good friend of Kel's and the son of Baird of Queenscove, a Duke and a good friend of Alanna's. Neal argued at first, saying that Alanna should take Kel on because it was his friend's greatest wish. Alanna knew that she couldn't because there would be rumors that Kel would be magicked and they would both be jeopardized. Alanna had already asked her childhood friend Raoul of Goldenlake of the King's Own to look after Kel, because he was so respected. As Alanna was one of the few knights who was a fully realized warrior as well as a fully realized mage with teaching and healing experience, she offered to teach Neal more about magic and healing, as well as fighting skills.
Scanran War
In the Scanran War Alanna was also involved in the fighting. There she was stationed at Frasrlund, a fortified town on the Scanran and Tortallan border. She was wounded at the thigh in the autumn of 461 HE; the wound still bothered her in the following spring. The war kept her in the north for more than a year, even over winter. It was the longest separation Alanna and George have had so far in their marriage.[10]
During one of her brief visits to Pirate's Swoop, Alanna nagged Aly to find something to do with her life. Her daughter, who was sixteen and unwilling to commit to anything except spy work, refused. Aly was later abducted by Copper Isles slavers when she was sailing to Port Legann in order to visit Lord Imrah and his lady. George kept news of Aly's abduction secret from his wife after she had returned to the border to fight more Scanrans. She found out later from King Jonathan IV, who thought she knew and who told her that his best mages were on the hunt for Aly. Because Aly was connected to the very power structure of Tortall, no one could search or look for her outright, for fear of alerting enemies to the fact that Aly, the King's Champion's daughter and the godsdaughter of the King and Queen of Tortall, was missing.
Tortallan delegation to Copper Isles
Alanna, along with many other delegates, took part in the Tortallan envoy to welcome and recognize Dovasary Balitang to be Queen of the Copper Isles. Of course, the Queen knew that her spymaster Aly was Alanna's daughter, and they met in secret. Alanna and Aly officially reconciled their differences.
Physical description
As children, Thom and Alanna were so much alike in face and body shape as to be mistaken for each other, if dressed alike. The only distinguishing feature of the twins at that time was the length of their hair.[5]
Alanna has fiery red hair in the color of copper and bright violet, amethyst colored eyes, the same as the color of her magical Gift. She is quite short, only five feet four inches[2][13] and has a stocky build. Her heraldic insignia is a lioness rampant, earning her the nickname "Lioness".
By 462 HE fine lines frame her eyes and mouth. Her then shoulder long hair shows strands of grey.[10] She is slightly limping from a wound to the thigh which hasn't completely healed.
Personality and traits
Alanna had a fiery personality. She was infamous for her quick temper and her sharp tongue that was said to be as fiery as her hair. Alanna had learned a rich vocabulary of curse words from soldiers and thieves, which only added to her tongue. She was known to "swear like a guardsman." Alanna's determination to achieve what she desired most was always unwavering. At the age of ten she was already "stubborn as a mule" and had enough courage to face a rearing horse[5]. She had also already enough pride to fight her own fights and felt insulted when George implied that she wanted his thieves to take care of Ralon.[8]
She also was called "serene as a volcano" in Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection of Tales, by her daughter Alianne, when asked by the midwife "Didn't your mother ever teach you to be serene in the birth chamber?"
At her early time a the royal palace Alanna could still be quite quiet listening to conversations and keeping her thoughts to herself.[7]
Alanna didn't like to eat much in the mornings, preferring light food like fruits for breakfast.[7]
The Lioness doesn't like to sit idle. She preferred having something to do. When there was nothing for her to do she found herself work, no matter if that included helping smiths and healers alike when she was wounded during the Tusaine War and therefore unable to do anything else or if she later found herself a "project" while being at Pirate's Swoop. Her daughter Alianne even ran away from home because she didn't want to become her mother's newest "project".[10]
She was originally afraid of her magic, having to be tricked into using spells by Maude as a child.[5] She was still hesitant to use her gift as a page until the Sweating Sickness struck Corus and she realized that she could help the sick by using her magic. After saving Prince Jonathan from the sickness Alanna accepted her gift as part of herself and was less opposed to using it.
Skills and abilities
- "You've a gift for healing. It's greater than mine, greater than any I have ever known. And you've other magic, power you'll learn to use. [...] It's harder to heal than it is to kill. The Mother knows why, but you've a gift for both."
- —Maude to Alanna shortly before the girl left Trebond to become a knight[src]
Physical and mental skills
Alanna "had a feeling for the fighting arts", being already an adept archer at the age of ten. She could also use a dagger, was a "decent rider" and good at tracking.[7] At the same age she could even skin a rabbit faster than any grown man that Coram knew of.[5] But all those were just basic skills and she was still considered a beginner in the fighting arts when she began her page training.[7] Soon after her arrival at the palace she broke her right arm in a fight with Ralon and had to use her left hand instead. Thus she had to use her left hand during her first real fighting lessons. Her struggle with Ralon also decided her to take lessons with George in hand-to-hand and knife fighting.[8]
Due to her father's strictness regarding book learning Alanna also already knew how to read and write and could do basic mathematics when she arrived at the royal palace. These were skills many nobleman's sons first coming to the palace didn't have, according to Gary.[7] As a child Alanna had also been taught manners, but upon her arrival at the royal palace she soon learned that her education in deportment was still inadequate regarding Court manners. In addition to filling her gaps in this area Alanna also had to learn how to dance, play a lap-harp and speak and read two other languages other than the one she was raised with.[7]
Magical abilities
Alanna had a strong magical gift in the purple color of the Trebond line. She was first taught the use of it by the local village healer of Trebond, Maude Tanner, and later learned additional things while training as a page. Although Duke Roger was made the page's teacher in magic Alanna also studied it in the library by herself to a certain degree. She also learned from the healers at Fort Drell when she was a squire and from the Bazhir as a knight.
Her gift was mainly for healing, as such it was quite powerful.[5] She couldn't only use it to heal others, but could also heal or at least accelerate healing of her own wounds. She did so when her right arm was broken in a fight with Ralon shortly after her arrival at the palace.[8]
She wasn't as adept at scrying. Later, she used a wide edge sword in order to scry, as she must have gotten the hang of it later in life.
Relationships
Family
Alan of Trebond
Alanna's father, Alan of Trebond, never cared much for her brother and her because the death of his wife hit him hard. He was always keeping to his books and scrolls. Thus he didn't even realize that his children switched places, even when Duke Gareth writes reports to Trebond on "Alan"'s progress as a page. Hence Alanna didn't have much of a relationship to her father. Alan died shortly after Alanna became a squire.
Her mother died when she was born.
Thom of Trebond
Alanna and Thom are complete and utter opposites. Thom had to be yelled at before he went hunting and Alanna had to be tricked and begged to do some sorcery, because they both wanted the opposite. She tried to ignore her Gift until one of her friends died from the sweating sickness and she had to save Jon from dying by using her gift. Thom on the other hand was always keen to use his gift and eventually even became the youngest Master in history. Although the twins were so different they had also a close relationship, which was most probably the result of their father's rejection. It is said that Alanna was the only person who Thom loved. Alanna always worried for her brother and she even consented to take part of his gift while his was purged, which involved some risk for her, too. Her brother died after giving some of his gift to resurrect Duke Roger of Conte.
Myles of Olau
Alanna first met Myles shortly after her arrival at the palace as one of her teachers. He taught the pages History and Law of the Realm and Alanna soon preferred his classes to all other, because he had the ability to present history in a realistic way.[7] Alanna was also assigned to wait on Sir Myles on evening meals, where she encounters him as the court drunkard. Soon a friendship develops and Alanna not only helps Myles get to his rooms when he drank too much but also plays chess with him. She appreciates his company because he is the first adult with whom she can really talk. Myles also invites her to his estates. In the ruins there Alanna finds her sword Lightning. He is one of the first to guess that "page Alan" is really a girl. Myles says nothing of it, however, and keeps her identity a secret until she chooses to reveal it herself. After Alanna received her shield Myles adopted her as an heir. She was adopted in the Bahzhir ceremony.
Romantic relationships
George Cooper
George Cooper was one of Alanna's first friends in Corus. They first laid eyes on each other when Alanna, accompanied by Coram, first arrived in the capital. Their first actual meeting was three months later, when Alanna had been granted her first Market Day. Although both Coram and Gary were suspicious towards George, Alanna instantly liked him and befriended George. George was also the first person in Corus, inside the palace or outside of it (aside from Coram, that is) to know Alanna's true sex. Alanna's first kiss came from George, and when she asked Faithful why he didn't intervene, he merely responded "you looked like you were enjoying yourself." After her time spent as shaman of the Bloody Hawk Bazhir tribe Alanna went to find George after she rejected Jonathan of Conté's marriage proposal. This was also when they slept together for the first time.
In Lioness Rampant, George's first appearance is when Alanna is getting off of the boat with her comrades. Although he kisses her upon first seeing her, she notes sadly later that he seems to be distant and to want nothing more than friendship. However, at the end of the book, after Jonathan and Thayet jian Wilima fall in love and Liam Ironarm is killed, they decide to get married. Between Lioness Rampant and Wild Magic Alanna and George are married and Alanna gives birth to three children: Thom, named after her deceased twin brother, and the twins, Alan and Alianne, better known as Aly.
Jonathan of Conté
Prince Jonathan of Conté became one of Alanna's closest friends when they were both still pages, and eventually asked her to be his personal squire. He is also one of very few who knew of her true identity before her ordeal of knighthood. Jon and Alanna become lovers around her seventeenth birthday, and he even asked her to marry him. However, Alanna refused his proposal due to her aversion to becoming Queen of Tortall and his duty to make a marriage that is good for the kingdom. Jonathan and Alanna accepted the fact that, although they will always love each other, they are unsuited for a life together. Alanna became King's Champion and remained at Jonathan's side for her the rest of her days, as his most trusted advisor, most loyal knight, and his best friend.
Liam Ironarm
Alanna and Liam meet on her journey towards the Roof of the World. He decides to accompany Alanna and Coram and after some arguing even agrees to teaching Alanna some fighting-skills of the Shang. They fall in love quickly but their relationship is always quite strained as they have different opinions on many topics. Furthermore Liam is afraid of the Gift and Alanna can't help herself but use hers as it is a part of her. That's why their relationship doesn't last and they separate after Alanna's fight for the Dominion Jewel.
Friends
Gareth of Naxen the Younger
Gary was Alanna's first friend at the palace. He was her sponsor and explained palace ways to her. He also helped her with her extra work whenever she could "bring herself to ask" him. Alanna also liked his humorous way.[7]
Veralidaine Sarrasri
Alanna and Daine met shortly after Daine came to Tortall. Alanna was in the area with some men of the King's Own when Onua called for help with the hurt Numair, who was in caught in his hawk-shape and couldn't change back on his own. The first meeting between Daine and Alanna didn't go all too well considering Alanna was short-tempered and brusque. She later apologized to Daine. Together they faced their first spidren and killed it. Alanna promised Daine her help if she ever needed it. Later that same summer the trainees of the Queen's Riders went to their summer camp in Pirate's Swoop. While Daine was responsible for the trainees' horses along with Onua, Alanna accompanied the group back to her home. Alanna was called away when the swoop was under siege. After her return she was grateful to Daine for looking after her family and offered her a home. As Daine got several offers for a new home at that occasion it's uncertain which offer in particular she accepted. By then Alanna and Daine counted each other as friends.
They worked together on several occasions under the threat of Emperor Ozorne. Alanna was present at the incident at Dunlath valley and later was part of the peace delegation that went to Carthak. When they were forced to leave Carthak again under false accusations against Daine and had to leave her behind, Alanna was furious that she couldn't do anything to help her, because she knew the accusations to be false. Instead she volunteers to take Numair's knowledge about the underground rebellion against the Emperor back to Tortall to enable him to stay behind.
Alanna's children would later know Daine as an aunt.
Antagonists
Ralon of Malven
- Myles: "He'll kill you!"
- Alanna: "Then I fight him till he lets me alone or till I get big enough to beat him. I can't let him walk all over me, Sir Myles!"
- — Alanna and Myles after Ralon picked on her.[src]
Ralon was already one of the older pages when Alanna arrived at the palace and entered into page training. On their first encounter she estimated his age to nearly fourteen. They began their acquaintance with an argument, started by Ralon. During her first year he repeatedly picked on Alanna until she began to take fighting lessons with George and eventually beat Ralon in a fair fight. After that he left the palace and Alanna didn't hear from him again until "Claw" began to pester George. Claw also sent thugs after Alanna to kill her while she was traveling to the Roof of the World. Later she learned that Claw was actually Ralon.
Roger of Conté
Roger of Conté was Jonathan's cousin. The prince looked up to him. Alanna disliked him from the first moment she saw the duke. She also didn't trust him and believed him responsible for several events during her time as a page and squire. Jonathan's loyalty to his cousin prevented her from pointing her suspicions against the duke out to him a second time. The first time she had spoken of her suspicions Jonathan didn't want to hear about them. Duke Roger made several attempts on Alanna's life and also influenced Alexander of Tirragen in a similar way. She finally acted on her suspicions on the evening of her Ordeal of Knighthood. During an official duel Duke Roger tried to confuse her with magic and revealed her true sex by cutting the bindings around her breasts. Alanna eventually killed him during this duel. He later hunted her in nightmares and she was shocked to get to know that her twin Thom had brought the duke back from the dead. After his ploy to disturb Jonathan's coronation and to pull as much magical power as possible to him Alanna killed Duke Roger for good.
Family Tree
Trebond Family Tree 200s HE
"Original" Trebond Family Tree 400s HE
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New Trebond Family Tree
Trivia
Tamora Pierce based Alanna on her younger sister Kimberley[25], a paramedic, but as opposed to Alanna, Kimberley is blond.[26]
Alanna appears in all of the Tortall series, not just her own, at least once. In The Immortals, she is first introduced in Wild Magic. In Protector of the Small, she appears first in First Test. In Daughter of the Lioness, she is seen in Trickster's Choice. And in Provost's Dog, she is mentioned on the front cover flap of Terrier and also in the Epilogie of Mastiff, in George's diary entry.
Appearances
- The Song of the Lioness (protagonist)
- The Immortals Template:Minor
- Wild Magic
- Wolf-Speaker Template:Minor
- Emperor Mage
- The Realms of the Gods Template:Minor
- Protector of the Small Template:Minor
- First Test
- Page Template:Mention
- Squire
- Lady Knight
- Daughter of the Lioness Template:Minor
- Trickster's Choice (chapter 1 and visions sent by Kyprioth)
- Trickster's Queen (epilogue)
- Beka Cooper Trilogy: Mastiff (mentioned in George's diary entry)
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Tortallan timeline
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Readergirlz; "Welcome Tamora Pierce"; December 8, 2009
- ↑ Random Buzz; "Alanna's Mother"; April 20, 2009
- ↑ Sheroes-Central; "a special thanks"; April 20, 2005
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Alanna: The First Adventure, Cp. 1
- ↑ In the Hand of the Goddess, Cp. 8
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 Alanna: The First Adventure, Cp. 2
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Alanna: The First Adventure, Cp. 3
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Alanna: The First Adventure, Ch. 4
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Trickster's Choice, Cp. 1
- ↑ Random Buzz; "Yuki and 'labor and delivery' in Tortall."; April 20, 2009
- ↑ Emperor Mage, Cp. 2
- ↑ She is described in Wild Magic as being at least two full inches shorter than Daine, who is three years later described as being five feet six inches tall and has most possibly grown since Wild Magic.
- ↑ Bloodhound (electronic edition) "Sunday, September 23, 247".
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Bloodhound (electronic edition) "Thursday, September 13, 247".
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Bloodhound (electronic edition) "Monday, September 24, 247".
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 There is no certain information as to whether the Trebonds of the 400s HE were descended from these people directly or were from a different branch of the family.
- ↑ Random Buzz thread as archived at Words of Tamora Pierce "Alanna’s Mother and Connection to Seaver". At the Wayback Machine June 19, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Alanna: The First Adventure (electronic edition) Ch. 1.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Myles was married to Eleni Cooper, George Cooper's mother, but adopted Alanna alone.
- ↑ Lioness Rampant (electronic edition) Epilogue.
- ↑ Presumed. It was also possible Smythe or Smythes was Coram's father's given name, however this naming convention is never mentioned for native Tortallans, only in similar names from other countries in the Eastern Lands.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Trickster's Choice (electronic edition) Ch. 9.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 24.6 24.7 24.8 24.9 Random Buzz thread as archived at Words of Tamora Pierce "Roger, Contes, Inheritance, and Children". At the Wayback Machine June 18, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ↑ Tamora Pierce's biography on her website
- ↑ Randombuzzers: Chat with Tamora Pierce - Tortall - retrieved on March 11, 2011
See also
| The Song of the Lioness | |
|---|---|
| Books | Alanna: The First Adventure • In the Hand of the Goddess • The Woman Who Rides Like a Man • Lioness Rampant |
| Tortallan nobles | Alanna the Lioness • Thom of Trebond • Alan of Trebond • Duke Gareth of Naxen • Jonathan of Conté • Sir Gary of Naxen • Alexander of Tirragen • Geoffrey of Meron • Raoul of Goldenlake • Douglass of Veldine • Francis of Nond • Ralon of Malven • Myles of Olau • King Roald of Conté • Lianne of Conté • Duke Roger • Baird of Queenscove • Martin of Meron • Cythera of Elden • Delia of Eldorne • Sacherell of Wellam • Gwynnen • Hamrath of King's Reach • Henrim of Tirrsmont |
| Commoners | Eleni Cooper • George Cooper • Rispah Cooper • Ercole • Stefan Groomsman • Liam Ironarm • Keel • Micah • Aram Sklaw • Coram Smythesson • Maude Tanner • Thor • Marek Swiftknife • Kuri Taylor • Orem • Shem • Harra • Solom • Aram • Eda Bell • Captain Chesli |
| Bazhir | Ali Mukhtab • Halef Seif • Hakim Fahrar • Farda • Akhnan ibn Nazzir • Kara • Kourrem • Ishak • Amman Kemail • Hassam ibn Farid • Gammal Sadrik • Umar Komm • Mari Fahrar • Mikal Moumir |
| Foreigners | Tusaines: Aenne of Danne • Mikal of Danne • Jemis • Hilam of Keir • King Ain • Dain of Melor; Marenites: Windfeld • Nahom Jendrai; Saren: Thayet jian Wilima • First Daughter jian Cadao • Adigun jin Wilima • Kalasin • Buriram Tourakom • Dusan zhir Anduo; Other: Liam Ironarm • Kylaia al Jmaa • Dalil al Marganit • Joesh Valany |
| Others | Ysandir • Faithful • Moonlight • Darkness • Si-cham • Chitral • Great Mother Goddess • Norrin and Anj'la • Giamo the Tyrant |
| Artifacts, weapons, and magic | Lightning • Crystal sword • Ember-stone • Dominion Jewel • Gate of Idramm • Sorcerer's Sleep • Chamber of the Ordeal • Ordeal of Knighthood • Ordeal of Kings |
| Places | Tortall: Corus • Royal Palace • Dancing Dove • Great Southern Desert • Persopolis • Black City • Trebond • Olau; Tusaine: Drell River Valley; Maren: Berat • Wandering Bard; Sarain: Rachia • Mother of Waters convent • Roof of the World • Port Udayapur |
| Events | Tusaine War • Coronation Day Battle • Saren Civil War |
| The Immortals | |
|---|---|
| Set in Galla, Tortall, Carthak, and the Divine Realms | |
| Books | Wild Magic • Wolf-Speaker • Emperor Mage • The Realms of the Gods |
| Main Characters | Veralidaine Sarrasri • Numair Salmalín • Cloud • Kitten • Badger |
| Tortallan Characters | King Jonathan • Queen Thayet • Alanna the Lioness • George Cooper • Princess Kalasin • Prince Roald • Thom of Pirate's Swoop • Harailt of Aili • Hakim Fahrar • Stefan Groomsman • Gareth the Younger of Naxen • Duke Gareth of Naxen • Martin of Meron • Josua • Imrah of Legann • Maude Tanner |
| Queen's Riders | Buriram Tourakom • Sarge • Onua Chamtong • Tahoi • Evin Larse • Miri • Farant • Kuri Taylor • Selda • Elnore |
| Dunlath | Short Snout • Brokefang • Lady Yolane • Maura of Dunlath • Tristan Staghorn • Belden of Dunlath • Rebel • Wisewing • Blueness • Scrap • Flicker • Tait Randson • Frostfur • Quickmunch • Alamid Mokhlos • Gissa of Rachne • Hasse Redfern • Huntsong • Blackthorn |
| Carthaki Characters | Emperor Ozorne • Kaddar Iliniat • Varice Kingsford • Lindhall Reed • Zekoi • Princess Fazia • Bonedancer • Tano • Iry • Teeu • Etiakret • Ilom Chioké • Cholombi |
| Immortals | Stormwings: Rikash Moonsword • Zhaneh Bitterclaws • Barzha Razorwing • Hebakh Razorwing • Jokhun Foulreek • Ozorne Tasikhe; Dragons: Flamewing • Diamondflame • Wingstar • Jewelclaw • Icefall • Cometfern; Basilisks: Tkaa; Ogres: Iakoju; Spidrens • Coldfangs • Skinners • Darkings: Gold-streak • Leaf |
| Gods | Weiryn • Green Lady • Graveyard Hag • Uusoae • Gainel • Badger • Broad Foot • Old White • Night Black • Queenclaw • Mithros • Great Mother Goddess • The Cat • Kidunka • Lushagui • Father Universe • Mother Flame • Fire Ant Queen |
| Animals | Mangle • Spots • Darkmoon |
| Other Characters | Hakkon Falconer • Inar Hadensra • Deniau Rittevon • Valmar Rittevon |
| Artifacts, magic | Simulacrum • Bloodrain • Wild magic • Sight • Gift • Darking |
| Places | Tortall: Pirate's Swoop • Corus • Dunlath • Port Legann; Galla: Snowsdale • Cría; Carthak: Imperial Palace of Carthak • Thak's Gate • River Zekoi; Divine Realms: Chaos vents • Dragonlands • Chaos Realms • Mortal Realms |
| Events | Siege of Pirate's Swoop • Tortallan peace delegation • Immortals War |
| The second quartet set in the Tortallan Universe, preceded by The Song of the Lioness quartet. | |
| Protector of the Small | |
|---|---|
| Novels: First Test • Page • Squire • Lady Knight | |
| Pages/Squires | Keladry of Mindelan • Nealan of Queenscove • Owen of Jesslaw • Cleon of Kennan • Esmond of Nicoline • Faleron of King's Reach • Garvey of Runnerspring • Joren of Stone Mountain • Merric of Hollyrose • Quinden of Marti's Hill • Crown Prince Roald • Seaver of Tasride • Vinson of Genlith • Zahir ibn Alhaz • Balduin of Disart • Dermid of Josu's Dirk • Iden of Vikison Lake • Prosper of Tameran • Teron of Blythdin • Warric of Mandash • Yancen of Irenroha |
| Knights | Alanna the Lioness • Anders of Mindelan • Conal of Mindelan • Gareth of Naxen the Elder • Gareth of Naxen the Younger • Inness of Mindelan • Jonathan IV of Conté • Myles of Olau • Wyldon of Cavall • Douglass of Veldine • Imrah of Legann • Ansil of Groten • Jerel of Nenan • Nualt of Rosemark • Paxton of Nond |
| Other Nobles | Adalia of Mindelan • Baird of Queenscove • Ilane of Mindelan • Oranie of Mindelan • Piers of Mindelan • Thayet of Conté • Tilaine of Mindelan • Harailt of Aili • Maura of Dunlath • Turomot of Wellam • Uline of Hannalof • Burchard of Stone Mountain • Cythera of Naxen • Lachran of Mindelan • Padraig haMinch • Sebila of Disart • Vanget haMinch • George of Pirate's Swoop |
| King's Own | Flyndan Whiteford • Qasim ibn Zirhud • Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak • Aiden • Balim • Derom • Domitan of Masbolle • Emmet of Fenrigh • Fulcher • Gildes of Veldine • Glaisdan of Haryse • Lerant of Eldorne • Noack • Osbern • Symric • Ulliver of Linden • Volorin • Wolset • Lofren |
| Haven Residents | Connac • Einur • Fanche Weir • Gilab Lofts • Gragur Marten • Gydane Elder • Hildurra Ward • Hobard Elbridge • Idrius Valestone • Loesia • Meechiyel Elder • Olka Valestone • Oluf • Oswel • Peliwin Archer • Qafi • Saefas Ploughman • Snalren • Thurdie • Vidur • Waehild • Weylin • Yanmari • Yngvar • Zamiel Fairview |
| Commoners | Eda Bell • Gower Isran • Hakuin Seastone • Lindhall Reed • Numair Salmalín • Obafem Ezeko • Salma Aynnar • Stefan Groomsman • Timon Greendale • Upton Oakbridge • Veralidaine Sarrasri • Lalasa Isran • Hugo Longleigh • Tianine Plowman • Buriram Tourakom • Onua Chamtong • Urfan Noll • Alvik • Breakbone Dell • Eulama • Gothar Weir • Hevlor • Lukin • Rengar • Terrec • Tobeis Boon • Tollet |
| Foreigners | Chisakami • Kaddar Iliniat • Nariko • Eitaro noh Nakuji • Haname noh Ajikuro • Maggur Rathhausak • Shinkokami • Yukimi noh Daiomoru • Blayce the Gallan • Irnai • Stenmun Kinslayer • Zerhalm |
| Animals | Arrow • Jump • Peachblossom • Hoshi • Peg • Crown • Freckle • Duck • Nari • Quicksilver • Shepherd |
| Others | Balcus Starsworn • Bonedancer • Ivor • Tkaa • Yayin • Danayne • Iakoju • Graystreak • Iriseyes • Jealousani • Maresgift • Chamber of the Ordeal |
| Places | Tortall: Corus • Tortallan Royal Palace • Balor's Needle • Olorun River • Royal Forest • Mindelan • River Domin • Haresfield • River Bonnett • Owlshollow • Queensgrace • Anak's Eyrie • Bearsford • Fort Giantkiller • Fort Mastiff • Goatstrack • Greenwoods River • Haven • Northwatch Fortress • Riversedge • Fort Steadfast • Yamani Islands • Scanra: Vassa River • Pakkai River • Smiskir River |
| Events | Scanran War • Battle of Forgotten Well • Royal Progress |
| The third quartet set in the Tortallan Universe by Tamora Pierce. | |