Author's Note: Okay so I know it been like eight months since I've updated, but I've decided that I will because I am bored out of my mind right now. So here we go.


Chapter Seven – En Guarde

"Delia, what do you know of Lady Alanna of Trebond?"

"Lady Alanna," Delia snorted, "She is hardly a lady. All she does is mock people that are actually heading somewhere. She's a cow, has no looks or morals. She enjoys torturing people, especially by pranking them. Oh I remember one time she made me look like such a fool, she rigged a can of syrup above my door then threw feathers on me, I-"

"That's enough my dear, don't you worry comeuppance will find her eventually."


A few days after their eventful ride in the forest, the girls from the convent were split up. Every one of them was given their own set of rooms. Alanna's overlooked the practice courts. This particularly brought sadness to her; she hadn't gotten a chance to use her sword since she'd left the convent.

One night after all of the ladies had retired for the evening, Alanna changed into a pair of breeches and plain cream coloured shirt. She strapped her sword to her belt and walked to her window. Outside was a beautiful maple tree. One of its branches ran almost parallel to her windowsill, making the perfect way down without her being seen in the hallways.

Alanna made her way to one of the least used practice courts; it was unlikely that anyone would be practicing at this time. She began to run through her stabs and strikes, cuts and parries.


"Alex!" Roger called his former squire into his study.

"Yes, Roger?" he asked curious as to what his older friend could want.

"I've been informed that the Lady Alanna is in one the indoor practice courts practicing sword play, if you'd be so kind as to show her why ladies do not play with swords."

Alex got the message soundly. He nodded his head and left at a trot heading towards the indoor courts. He checked in every single one, each one as empty as the next, until he came to the last one. He peered into it and the blur of a silver blade and copper hair.

"You amaze me, Lady Alanna." He said loud enough for her to hear him.

Alanna spun to see who'd caught her with her sword. She recognized the man, but didn't know him well. He was Alexander of Tirragen.

"Sir Alexander, you startled me."

"My apologies, you seem to know the sword quite well," he replied, "I was wondering, would like to spar against myself."

Alanna was suspicious he was smiling, but that smile didn't seem to reach his eyes. She wiped the sweat from her face and nodded. Alex walked over to a cupboard near the wall and pulled out two dull practice swords.

"Just for safety," he told Alanna as he handed her one.

Alex began to do some warm up stretches and Alanna chose this as the perfect time to sum up her opponent. He was tall, though not as tall as Raoul or Gary. He was slim, yet muscular.

"Ready?" Alanna nodded to him, and they began.

Alex brought his sword down in a complex overhand move, landing inches from Alanna's face, only a quick jump backwards saved her. They began to circle. Alex lunged, slicing up her stomach. Alanna stumbled backwards, though not quick enough for the tip of Alex's sword cut her thigh.

"Sorry, Lady Alanna," he muttered, though Alanna knew he truly wasn't.

Alanna lunged, bringing them body to body. She knew immediately that it had been a mistake; he could use his larger build to force her to her knees now. She broke off, smacking Alex in the cheek with the flat of her sword by accident. She began to mumble an apology. His eyes were glittering, but Alanna couldn't name what it was.

Alex brought his sword up again, "Guard."

Alanna lunged at Alex, bringing them back into a lock. This time Alex succeeded in knocking her to the floor. She rolled away, hearing Alex bring his sword down where she'd been only moments ago, chipping a piece of wood out of the polished floor.

"Alex, I want to stop." She said this while she dropped her sword down to her side.

She was thankful she hadn't put her sword down altogether for she got her sword up just in time to stop Alex's blow. He was sparring as if he actually wanted to kill her, with the dull blade it would be a very painful death. Alex brought his sword over his head and brought it down hard. Alanna dodged it just in time, saving it from hitting her skull, but he landed his blow on her collarbone. Alanna fell to her knees with a cry of pain. He watched him ready to slice at her neck.

"Very interesting Alex, I didn't think you'd ever spar with young Thom. You've certainly proved you're better than he is, of course you are four years older and have had much more training with the weapon."

Alex let his weapon drop and acknowledged Myles presence, whom didn't seem to notice that Alex hadn't been sparring Thom.

"Now, I do believe that the Provost is looking for you, your border patrol is ready."

Alex nodded to Myles and left without a word. Myles looked at Alanna, finally realizing that she wasn't her brother.

"Lady Alanna?" He asked concerned, "Oh my dear are you alright?"

Myles rushed over to the girl. He had just assumed that it was Thom, one by the appearance and two by the fact that he had never thought that a lady would be sparring with a knight.

"I think, my collarbone is broken," she whispered in a barely audible voice.

"Stay he I'll go find a healer – and some servants, we'll probably have to carry you out." Myles stood preparing to leave.

"How did you know I was here?"

Myles smiled and pointed to a black kitten by the door.


Cythera was very upset with Alanna. One she had made Alanna promise she wouldn't use her sword once they'd left the convent and two for injuring herself with it. Alanna had asked Sir Myles and the others who had aided her after her little game with Alex not to tell anyone.

November finally crept upon those at the Royal Palace. The last of the colourful leaves left the trees. More and more knights came in off of border patrol. As Midwinter began to fast approach it became quite clear to Alanna that Cythera and Gary were quite smitten for each other. Near the end of November the first snow fell, leaving a dusty white powder on the ground.

Alanna was not happy when winter began to set in. She slept with about a million blankets on her bed and never went with no less than a sweater and a cloak. Of course in the winters at the convent it had been far colder, but it was still cold in the capital.

Finally the pond had frozen. The Gary, Raoul and Jon had invited the girls to go ice skating. Elexa and Cythera had said yes without a second thought. Alanna however was unsure. She hadn't gone ice-skating since she'd fallen through the ice when she was five at Trebond.

"Please Alanna, I promise I won't let you fall," Jon begged her one afternoon.

Alanna finally caved. There was no way that she could refuse his beautiful eyes. So the group of them made their way down to the pond on that beautiful December afternoon.


Author's Note: Yes I know you know that Alanna's going to fall through the ice, but I've decided to include a bit of twist into this. But you'll just have to review to find out what that little twist is! REVIEW!!!!!!