A/N: I only own that which you do not recognize. Hope you all like it!
Chapter 1: the escape and the arrival
"Keladry! Sit straight! Do not slouch like some child! Sit tall, let the corset support you" Sister Caine yelled at Kel. They were in etiquette class and were learning proper manners at a banquet. For the eating portion that is. Kel had been at the convent for 2 years, and still couldn't believe how awful it was. She was yelled at in every class except for riding, and she really didn't fit in. Every class was torture; she was yelled at and ridiculed by the handful of Sisters. They always wanted her to be more lady-like, to stand taller, and to sew neater. Everything she hated was what she was becoming. Her muscled body was starting to become curvy and petite, that of a proper noblewoman. She had no way to keep in shape, all her hard work was disappearing, just like her dreams had.
Kel sat straight and daintily pretended to eat fake food on the empty plate just like all the other girls there. The bells chimed finally and they got up in a proper fashion. Kel rushed out the door as fast as she could without getting in trouble. She needed to find a way out of this hell hole, and soon. She had plans for her escape in her room, she needed to steal a horse, run out the gates during the guard changes and then escape to Corus, maybe dress as a boy to become a page again, the same way Alanna had. She was planning on it for that night.
She hurried to her rooms to see her bag on her bed, still packed. It only contained a small amount of riding clothes, a small knife that she had brought with her from the castle, food supplies, a couple simple dresses and 4 gold crowns from before she came. She picked up the bag and locked her door. She put on her riding breeches and boots and waited by the window for the next bell.
Finally she heard the bells chime, grabbed her bag and climbed slowly and quietly out her window. She fell to the ground with a small thump and snuck to the wall by the gate. She watched as the guards turned towards the outside and ran towards the stables. She snuck in and went to the stall at the very back. There was a chestnut mare in the stall named Gerrie, she was very placid and calm. Kel hurriedly saddled Gerrie with the saddle she had put in the stall earlier and hopped on. She trotted Gerrie out the door and galloped out the gate as the guards were changing positions. Luckily they missed spotting her as she galloped into the darkness, Gerrie's hoofs silenced by the soft grass. Kel knew the way back to Corus… sort of. And she knew that it was a 3 day ride at least. She only had enough food for two of the days. She needed to save as much as possible for Corus, but she would use the money for room and food.
Kel slowed Gerrie to a calm trot as she came to the main road. She needed to ride straight through the night if she were to make it in three days. She trotted along and as she progressed she noticed familiar land marks, from her journey to the convent.
By sunset on the third night, Kel was much farther then she had anticipated. In fact, the Palace and the city of Corus was in plain view, only a 30 minute ride away. She picked up the pace to a canter. When she arrived at Corus they were just about to close the gates. "State your name and purpose here" the guard commanded her.
"Uh… Megane… Bartel" she made up, thinking of the first name of the girl at the convent. "I'm here for maid service." She lied. The guard looked closely at her and nodded her through the gates. She rode up and stopped at a small in called the dancing dove.
She handed Gerrie to the stable boy who offered his hand, and walked in through the door to see roudy men and wench women in a smoky room. She walked to the bar and waited for the man behind the counter to come to her. He walked over with a small smile. "What can I do you for miss?" he asked politely. She looked around the room and smiled. "I need a nice small room please" Kel said and he nodded. He pointed for her to follow him and walked up the stairwell. He led her to room 13. "Here you go miss, that will be 2 silver nobles for the night" he said, holding out his hand for the money. Kel reached into her bag and pulled out the required money. She handed it to him and he handed her the key. She opened the door and entered the room.
Her room was small. It contained a small bed, a desk with a mirror and an attached privy and change room. Kel put her bag on the bed and sat down at the desk. If I am to return for page training… I will have to look much different. Her hair was long, past her shoulders at that point. She really didn't want to cut it… she covered her options. She could wear it back in a low horsetail. Many of the boys did that. Her face though…. She wasn't sure how she could change it. Maybe… I could… well, die my hair to a black. And um….. Maybe…. Oh well. I will think of something tomorrow she thought to herself as she got ready for bed. She lay down and fell asleep instantly.
The next morning Kel awoke. She still had no idea what she would do about her appearance. She put her hair into the horsetail and put on breeches and a pale green tunic. She looked at the simple appearance in the mirror. She still looked like herself. Even with her hair black it wouldn't help. Finally an idea came to her mind. She ran to her trunk and pulled out her most simple gown. The skirt was of a dark green fabric, with a simple white apron overtop. The blouse she wore with it was a pale green that went well with the skirt. She pulled her short hair into a small bun at the back of her head and looked at herself in the mirror. She looked simple enough that her plan might just work.
She went to the door and walked the streets. She knew her way perfectly to the pages wing in the palace. She arrived past the gates and walked briskly to the hall with the offices. She would have to play the part perfectly; she put a simple look on her face, her eyes dreamy and entered through the thick wooden door of the office.
A/N: I know it's not much of a cliff… and it's a short chapter, but I don't like giving away to much in one chapter. Can you guess what her plan is? The next chapters to follow will be longer because they have more stuff in them… And I really didn't want to write too much about the convent...Please don't get angry because of the long paragraphs. It was simply because there was no talking. It will be different for the next chapters. R&R please and thank you.
