Summary: Alanna doesn't think of switching places with Thom. She heads to the convent, where a Shang warrior trains her along with 4 other girls. They form a sisterhood to try to rid Tortal of bandits, but things get interesting when they run into a group of knights, including a certain blue-eyed prince.
Author's Note: Hello everyone! This is my second fanfic and I hope you like it. I am also writing Emperor's Rose. I didn't see anything out there like this, and the idea seemed like a lot of people would like it, so review and tell me if my instincts are right. Now read and enjoy!
Note: I might change a few of the facts from the book, because obviously this is a fanfic and you change things about the book to fit your story. However, I hate it when fanfics stray too far from the books, so if it looks like I changed something from the books and I didn't mean too, please tell me. Thanks
Chapter 1 - Moving Forward
My golden pony brushed my brother Thom's pony, Chubby. We finally came to where the Great Road North met Trebond Way. Thom slouched with the separation from me, the only person he loves besides himself. His doomed destiny to the palace and grueling training didn't help to lift his spirits any. He lifted his head, revealing startling purple eyes, and a forced smile. I stretched out my arms and hugged my twin. It reassured him, but it made me feel better too. I won't see him for four years, since he'll be in Corus and I'll be at the convent. I push the convent out of my mind and focus on my last few moments with Thom. "Have fun. I'll see you later," I whispered.
He breaks away from our embrace and sees my sad smirk. "I love you, Thom. I'll miss you," I murmur more seriously.
"I love you too, and I have a feeling that the palace will definitely make me miss you … a lot," he grunts.
We both fall silent, looking downward, caught up in our own thoughts. Finally, Maude wonders over on her own chestnut pony. She wraps her arms around Thom, and then meandered up the road to wait for me. I take Thom in my grasps once more. I squeeze him firmly, but not too hard as to make him squirm. Tears started to come, so I closed my eyes and I forced them back. I breathed in Thom's scent of old books. I let go and followed Maude towards the City of the Gods. Thom headed the other way with his manservant, Coram Smythesson, on his way to becoming a knight of the realm.
"Ugh." Now going to the convent seems so real. If only I was a boy, then I wouldn't have to go to this mind-numbing place. I could be a knight instead and do great deeds. I wouldn't have to learn how to curtsy properly, and how to stand with the correct posture. But, I'm not a boy, and I should stop dwelling on something that the gods did not will and I can not change. I'm headed for the convent, and I had better make the best of it or there is no chance that I could be happy or have fun there.
(Note: This place coming up may sound like the Dancing Dove, but it is just some inn that George stops at while on some "business.")
Maude and I stop at an inn along the road. It was getting dark out side so we bought a room. The place was a little run down and dirty, but there wasn't enough time to ask about other inns because the night was coming quickly, and it was better than sleeping outside. The hostlers took my pony, Starshine, and Maude's pony, Rose-Mary, so we carried our stuff to our rooms. My stomach growled just as Maude walked in to see how things were going. "Let's get something to eat downstairs, Alanna."
I nod and follow her out of the room, and I make sure to lock the door. The people here looked as though their honor was questionable and I wasn't about to have some sticky-fingered grease-ball swipe my stuff.
Maude led me into a smoky room. The middle-aged man who gave us a room was behind a bar. A fireplace was on the other side of the large room. Round wooden table surrounded by chairs occupied the rest of the floor space. People crowded around the tables where it appeared that thieves split their loot for tonight, even though the darkness is young. The inn's serving girls flirted, trying to get more admirers then the other scantily clad women that were visiting the tavern. The fittest men and the curviest women had gathered around the fireplace. They were trying to impress someone at the center of their group, but I couldn't see who.
My eyes were wide at the site before me. I had seen nothing like this at Trebond. Maude maneuvered her way to the bar. "What can I do fer ya, m'lady?" the middle-aged man asked, winking at her.
Maude's cheeks turned slightly pink. She ordered dinner. We were not allowed to take it to our meals to our rooms, and Maude seemed displeased to expose me to this environment any longer than she had to. There was an empty table close to the fire. The group that was there was beginning to thin. They were probably going of to rob some unfortunate person. Some of the women felt ignored and went off to find someone more attentive.
Finally, I could see who drew all of the attention. It was a young man, about seventeen, with nose too large to be considered comely, brown hair, and hazel eyes with flecks of green. He was attractive and I could feel my heart beat faster and my head get lighter when I looked at him. He lifted his tankard up and analyzed the setting. He noticed me looking at him, and winked at me. Just like Maude, I ducked my head with embarrassment, but instead of turning a light shade of pink I was a fiery red. Maude didn't notice that I was uncomfortable and said, "I have to go to the privy. Don't get in trouble, especially with this crowd, while I'm gone."
When she left, I concentrated on my food. Then, I sensed someone behind me. I tensed up, and slid my hand to the dagger that lay sheathed at my waist. This was not good. What did this person want? I could feel the warm body slide into the chair next to me. "Ease up lass," a male voice slurred, with an accent that I was not familiar with.
I looked up to see the hazel eyed man. He grinned. "Well, would you look at that, a lass with purple lamps. That's not something you see everyday."
He was still grinning and his eyes twinkled in amusement. I lifted my lemonade to find that it was empty. The man saw my disappointment and snapped his fingers. A serving girl came running. "Another lemonade here for my friend. It's on me."
The girl rushed to get what he wanted from the bar. I reached for my purse. The man stopped me, insisting that he would be honored to buy me a drink. "You didn't have to do that," I muttered.
"It was my pleasure, m'lady. I'm George Cooper, and who might you be?" he inquired.
I thought of denying him of this information, but he was being genuinely nice to me so far. "Alanna," I replied.
"What brings you to a place like this, lady Alanna?" he asked.
"I'm headed for the convent in the City of the Gods," I responded, rolling my eyes. He chuckled at this. I could feel my stomach so somersaults, but I felt I needed to explain myself. "There's nothing wrong with becoming a lady, its just they think I have nothing better to do with myself than learn useless dances, different curtsies, and how to flirt without being too forward. I want to be a knight, but it's just not proper. Knights get to save lives and fight for their country, and that's more than those ladies at court can say."
"If you're one thing, you're spirited lass. It's one of your charms. Don't let the sisters at the convent beat that out of you," he laughed playfully, before slipping out of the chair. Just then, Maude sunk into her seat looking harassed. "Come on. We need to get to bed. We have an early start tomorrow," she growled, exasperated.
I checked for the charming young man who calls himself George when I reached the door. He was nowhere to be found, but I didn't expect to see him anyway. Disappointed, I head for my room.
The rest of the journey was uneventful. Then one day, we saw a huge fortress rise among the mountains. We had reached the City of the Gods in a desolate area with very little vegetation. I don't know how I will be able to stand looking at this scene for the next four years, before I go to Corus to be presented at court.
The first sister met us at the gate of the convent. Her stern face was not inviting in the least. She led me to my rooms. I learned that I would have to have a room mate. I was not happy. I don't want to have to put up with some flighty, twittering girl. Since Maude wasn't going to stay with me the whole time I was there, they had a cot set up on my side of the room for her. Maude helped me unpack, and tried to lift my mood.
When I had finished changing for dinner, a blonde girl of medium height entered the room. She stopped abruptly at the sight of us. Her icy blue eyes pierced us for a long moment. All at once, she seemed to come to life, and timidly said, "Oh! You must be Alanna of Trebond and Maude, her maid. It is a pleasure to have you here. I'm Gwendolyn of Angel's Snare. Dinner is about to start. If you are ready, I can show you where the Dining Hall is."
She was shy, but she wasn't brainless noble-girl you find at court and in convents. I had a friend in this lonely place. The other girls gave me suspicious and mean looks when I entered the room. Maybe things will turn out all right, since I have someone who will be there for me. I can only hope for the best.