A/N: This is my very first fanfic so I would appreciate peoples creative criticism. Not that I don't mind being told that my story is really , really bad but could you please put a soft edge on the blade?
Chapter One: Arrival
She said nothing but turned out of the room and down the hall until she reached the sitting room and then she flopped into a big cosy armchair.
"I'm sorry Lanna but we knew it would happen sometime." Her brother Thom said as he joined her in the armchair.
"But I don't want to go to the convent. They'll tell me what to do and I won't get to do any fighting." She complained.
"I still think there's something wrong in your head, for some reason I can't work out why you like fighting so much. I mean all you do is get bruises and cracked bones." He told her, trying to make her feel better.
"Yes but at least you get to do something fun. The priestesses at the convent will be even worse than Maude. I can just imagine what it'll be like." She said. Then putting on a high pitched, strict sounding voice she said:
"Sit straight Alanna, that's not the way a Lady acts Alanna, be quiet Alanna." "It won't be that bad." Thom said.
"Yes it will." Alanna said miserably.
"Just think, at the end of it you'll get to join me in Corus at the Palace." Thom told her.
"Like that's something to look forward to. They'll all treat me like a soft sissy." Alanna snorted.
"Oh well, you'll cope and at least you won't have to live with the bruises you get on the training courts." He said, trying to cheer her up.
"I wish father hadn't decided to go with you at the last minute. It's so unfair, if he hadn't decided to make a rare court appearance then we might have switchd." Alanna whined.
"We should probably go and pack, we'll both be leaving in a few days and there won't be much time after that." Thom said reluctantly.
"Oh alright." Alanna sighed, pushing herself out of the chair.
"Take care of yourself and don't forget to reply to my letters or I'll use the fire." Thom warned her.
"I'll reply, besides at the convent they'll be able to tell if someone's using magic." Alanna told him.
"Well in extreme cases I'm sure they won't mind."
"And you call us an extreme case?" she asked.
"Let's just say that I'd call anything with you there an extreme case." He said with a grin. She swatted his arm.
"I'm not at the convent yet." She said as she did so.
"Thom come along, we are on a schedule. I want to get back so that I can finish my paper." Their father said from up ahead.
"Well I guess this is it." Thom said.
"Be careful that you don't get your head knocked in by someone bigger and dumber than you." Alanna said as Thom rode away.
"Don't worry about me sister dear, it's you I'll be worrying about." He said over his shoulder.
The First Daughter of the convent looked interestedly over the new arrival. Lady Alanna of Fief Trebond had copper curls and violet eyes, unusual traits normally but doubly so together. Lady Alanna was very short yet in spite of this she had a commanding stare which would rivet many people to her gaze.
"Welcome Lady Alanna." The First Daughter said.
"Thank you First Daughter." Alanna replied.
"I hope you will feel comfortable within these walls whilst you are here. Priestess Nadia will show you to your rooms and help you to settle in. If you need anything you consult her for she will be like a mother, or maybe an aunt, whilst you are with us. She shall dole out punishments and rewards as she sees fit and you shall obey her and the other priestesses." First Daughter said.
"Yes First Daughter." Alanna said.
"Give me your hand." The First Daughter commanded. Alanna held out her left hand and was surprised when the First Daughter squeezed it comfortingly.
"You shall do well here Lady Alanna, see that you do." Was all the First Daughter said before indicating that Alanna leave with Priestess Nadia. Alanna followed the priestess through the halls until they stopped outside a door.
"These will be your rooms whilst you are with us. If you need anything just send your woman for me. I will come to get you before first meal tomorrow so that you are not late." Nadia said.
"Thank you Priestess Nadia." Alanna said as she opened the door.
"You are welcome Lady, and you may call me Nadia, no need for the Priestess." She said as she walked away. Alanna closed the door behind her and looked around her room. She could see a door leading off the room and assumed that it was the dressing room. Maude was sitting by the fire stirring what looked to be a herbal tea in a pot over the flames.
"Here milady Alanna, drink this, it will soothe you." Maude said offering Alanna a cup of the tea.
"Thank you Maude, have you unpacked things already?" Alanna inquired.
"Yes I have. Now once you finish that we shall get you into a night gown and get you off to sleep for I have the feeling you shall need it if you're to survive at the convent." Maude told her.
"This is the dining hall where we eat our meals. The young ladies eat in groups and the young men who are to move on to become sorcerers eat in their own groups. They do not mix with the young ladies and it is unlikely that the ladies mix with them." Said Nadia as they walked into the dining hall.
"Is it not allowed for the ladies to sit at the same tables as the young men?" Alanna asked her as they got her some food.
"It does not occur but it is not actually forbidden although it is highly unsuggestive. The girls will think you odd if you eat with the boys and you shall be labelled an outcast." Nadia said.
"Oh." Was all Alanna could manage in reply.
"So if you'll just eat up then I can take you to your first lesson." Nadia said as they sat down. Alanna ate in silence and then allowed herself to be led to a classroom. Lessons had already started but since this was Alanna's first day it was excusable that she arrive late.
"This is Priestess Gloria's class of needlework. In you go, you are expected." Nadia said giving Alanna a push towards the door. The priestess at the front of the class looked up as the door closed behind Alanna.
"Lady Alanna of Trebond?" she asked.
"Yes Priestess." Alanna replied.
"Take a seat there in between Lady Katerine and Lady Delia." The priestess instructed. Alanna did as she was bid and sat between the two ladies indicated who were eyeing each other with barely disguised hatred.
"Excuse me Lady Alanna, do you know where you are going next?" Lady Katerine asked her at the end of the lesson.
"No, actually, I don't. Would you be so kind as to tell me?" Alanna asked.
"We're going to writing lessons with Priestess Cornelia, she's an old priestess who can be very mean at times and she loves Lady Delia to bits. Would you like me to show you the way?" Lady Katerine asked.
"Yes please." Alanna said gratefully.
"By the way, I'm Katerine of High Pass but you may call me Katerine if you like." She said.
"Thank you Katerine, I'm Alanna of Trebond but you can call me Alanna. You are very kind." Alanna added.
"I like you and I didn't want to leave you in the clutches of Delia and her gang where most newcomers are left to sink or swim." Katerine said.
"I have the feeling I'm going to enjoy staying with you." Alanna said.
"Thanks, I like to think of cheering up people as one of my gifts." Katerine said as the walked into a classroom filled with inkpots and quills.
A/N: There it is. That's my first chapter over and done. Please R/R, if only to tell me that I should stop writing. On second thoughts, don't say that. But I won't update until I have at least 5 reviews. Luv Alenor.