Author's Note: All of these characters belong to the lovely Tamora Pierce. The only ones that are mine are Sister Eventine, Carriya and Wynna.
Alanna struggled as she tried to remove the corset that was being attatched to her body. "You . . . sisters are . . . trying to kill . . . me." She managed to gasp out as the final laces were tied in the back.
Sister Eventine just laughed. "Lady Alanna, you are going to be a court lady whenever you like it or not." Alanna shot her a dirty look and began to claw at the corset around her chest. "Get this thing off of me!" She cried in distress.
This has to be worse then training to be a knight. Mithros, I wish I was there right now! Alanna complained. Sister Eventine's icy voice broke her from her thoughts. "That will be enough. I am leaving now. Put on this gown or their will be severe trouble, Lady Alanna. Remember, you are not in charge here."
And with that, Sister Eventine left the room, leaving Alanna looking down at the gown in disgust.
It wasn't an ugly thing, like she had seen court ladies wear, but it just wasn't to her taste. It was sunshine yellow, a color that clashed with her orange hair and purple eyes. You see, Alanna had been at the convent for about three years now. Her brother, Thom, was training to be a page. Both twins were about thirteen years old. From what Thom wrote me, I think he would rather wear a corset then be a page! Alanna told herself as she brought the disgusting gown down over her head. It fit snugly and she cursed the convent and all the sisters there. I wish I could be a knight. I would practically do anything! She thought with a sigh, knowing that now, it was never possible.
Alanna felt heat rising to her face. This cursed corset! She reached down under her bed and brought out her collection of assorted knives and daggers.
The girls at the convent weren't allowed to have weapons. It wasn't "lady-like" and "who would ever need to protect themselves when they have a nice, strong knight for a husband?" Is what they said. Alanna snorted just thinking about herself needing protection. It was those sisters who would be needing it more once she had left the place.
Taking the dagger, she began to fumble with the laces on the back of the corset. Trying to cut a few so she would have some room to breathe, Alanna managed to get one onto her dagger. With a swift pull upward, it snapped, leaving Alanna able to breathe once more. "Thank you Mithros!" She said under her breath as she prepared herself to leave her room.
She didn't prepare herself like most court ladies did, however. She took time to strap daggers to her legs, which were being covered with the combat boots that she insisted that she wear. The sisters can't stop me. Alanna told herself triumphantly. I'm going to win this battle and protect myself. And with that, Alanna marched out the door of her room, chin raised, walking like a boy.
She hated the convent. It was a place full of torture devices, including corsets, gowns, and face paint. The thought of that made her shudder. Just thinking about it made her moan. It was a scary thing, learning how to be a lady. So many rules! Sit up straight. Walk like a lady. Put this on. Write fancier. Eat quieter. Chew with your mouth closed. Dance more gracefully. Act like a swan, not a chicken. Put this face paint on. Be quiet. To Alanna, those were the worst, but the most terrible rule of all was no fighting. No weapons. She couldn't pick a fight with Carriya of Montan just because of that dumb rule.
Mithros, I hate it here! Alanna screamed inside of her head as her hands clenched and unclenched. She walked down the hallway to Sister Eventine's room, where a bunch of girls were chatting happily. They seem to like being ladies. I bet something is wrong with each and every one of them. She thought grimly as she took a seat as far away from the front of the room as possible.
"Look, its Sir Alanna!" Carriya jeered. "The woman warrior." Everyone knew that Alanna wanted to be knighted. Head Sister Margret had intercepted one of her letters from Thom, saying that her dream was to be a knight. Then, the Head Sister read it out loud to everyone.
Alanna wriggled in her seat. "At least I can be a warrior. You are a pansy, as weak as a newborn calf. My chickens can beat you in a fight, they don't run away like a coward!" She said with clenched teeth as Sister Eventine started the class. Carriya glared. "Rat." She muttered under her breath, knowing that it was true, as the class started.
"Ladies, I hope you are all wearing the gowns I assigned to you. They should fit and match your features right. They will be your outfits for the remainder of the semester." Sister Eventine stated. Alanna groaned. "Alanna, would you bother to share your thoughts?" She asked icily.
Alanna stood up, not bothering to curtsy. "This gown is absolutely disgusting! The person who picked it out for me must be color blind. This gown does not improve my features, it makes them travel downhill." She informed the sister. Sister Eventine sniffed as redness crept into her face. "I was the one who picked it out Lady Alanna. Sit down. Stay after class. You will be required to take another etiquette class for a month."
Alanna nodded and sat, anger burning in her cheeks. The only reason she had to take another class was because Sister Eventine thought she needed more manners. She cursed. I wish I could just get out of here! She pleaded but she knew that that could not happen until Midwinter. There, she would be dancing with knights and such. If my plan had worked, I could be at the palace now, although when Midwinter came, it would be quite weird to be dancing with girls. She thought, thinking about how it almost had worked.
FLASHBACK
"Alanna!" Thom shouted. "Father told me I have to go to the palace. I have to be a knight." He ran up to her and looked at her with pleading in his eyes. "You know I can't do it. I'm not as brave or strong as you are. It can't happen. I'll never be a good knight. And the people who depend on me will fail." Thom said, sadness edging into his voice. Alanna took pity. "Thom, it's going to be alright. Father wants to ship me off to the convent. We'll both be somewhere we don't want to be. We'll get through this together Thom, trust me." Thom sniffed. "Alanna, what can I do? I'm not as strong as I should be." Alanna patted him awkwardly. An idea then popped into her head. Can we switch places? Alanna wondered. I can become Thom of Trebond using my gift or something to make me look like a boy. He can become Alanna of Trebond, although it's not going to be easy. She spoke, "Thom, I have an idea. But you have to listen me out." Thom's ears pricked. "What is it?" He wondered out loud.
She sighed and started to explain. "Thom, what if we switch places? Then I can become a knight, and you can go to the convent." Thom looked at her with shock in his eyes. "I can't disguise myself as a girl, Alanna. It would be too hard with my gift." Alanna thought for a moment. "Can't boys go to the convent to become mages or something?" She asked. Thom nodded eagerly. "I can become a mage! Alanna, your brilliant." She beamed and turned around, bumping into her father. He glared at both his children. "What is this about going to the palace and being a female page Alanna? And Thom being a mage?" He boomed. "Nothing Father." Thom said in a calm voice. "Just our childhood fantasies." Their father snorted. "Right. Tomorrow, I'm escorting both of you to your destinations. No ifs, ands or buts." He told them sternly. Alanna gulped. This is not working. She thought as her father turned on his heel and left the two twins alone. "I'm sorry Thom." She choked. "Me too. I know how much it meant for you to become a knight." He told her and they both managed to smile weakly before being escorted to their rooms by Trebond slaves.
The very next morning, Duke Richard of Trebond escorted his daughter to the convent and his son to the palace. Alanna had put up a fight when they reached her, but the Duke managed to put her in the care of the overprotective sisters of that place. Thom was silent, obvious that his thoughts were elsewhere. Duke Richard felt no pity as he rode home for his children. It was for their own good.
END FLASHBACK
Alanna sighed, remembering the memory. It was just not fair, to her or Thom. The bell rang and she left the classroom to find herself face to face with Wynna of Kien.
The smaller girl beamed up at her. "Alanna, that was a great comeback! I wish I could stand up to Carriya like that."
"Thanks Wynna." She said in a strained voice. "Call me Wyn. I prefer it." Wyn smiled.
"Wyn, I best be on my way. Thanks again." Wynna smiled and waved, leaving Alanna alone once again.
With an inward sigh, Alanna walked towards her room, trying to ditch Sister Eventine, although she would come find Alanna. This is the worst, but I will be a warrior. I know it. She smiled at the thought. No matter who discourages me, I will become a knight, and the best one of the lot too.