âWhile Alanna mixed swordplay with spellsâboth where no one could watch herâJonathan met the people of his city. That winter he and Alanna went down to the Dancing Dove whenever they could. Here Jon was "Johnny," the rich merchant's son George had taken a liking to. At the Dancing Dove men didn't fall respectfully silent when Jonathan spoke. They were more likely to tell him, "Ye're but a lad. Wha' d'ye know? Hush and listen t' yer elders!"
Jonathan hushed and listened. He made friends with the most dangerous thieves and murderers in theEastern Lands. He learned to pick pockets and throw dice with ease. He flirted with flower girls and watched as thieves divided their night's haul. He was seeing life very differently from the way it was seen from the palace, and he was eager to learn all he could. No one ever guessed that the heir to the throne was sitting there, sipping a tankard of ale and occasionally tossing a set of dice.â - Song of the Lioness by Tamara Pierce
