Moving her head descreetly, in a way that made her hair fall over her face, to cover it, Lexa followed her Knight mistress through the Great Hall of the palace. Although it was mostly used during the social season, the growth of competitions in resent years had lead to an annual award ceremony for the winners at the palace.
Unfortunately, Lexa herself was a winner, so she no only had to be here as part of her duty to the Lioness she was required to go to the top table and receive her prize from the King.
But Lexa would rather not be anywhere near the King right now, because Alanna had told her about their argument over her.
Looking around absently she saw a couple of Squire's including her friend's were serving. She was exempted because she was a winner.
Due to her lack in attention Lexa nearly walked straight past her Knighmistress and their assigned table. Blushing furiously she backtracked and took her place at the table.
Their dining parters were, Baron George Cooper, the Lioness's husband. Also Sir Miles, his wife, Elaine and even more uncomfortably, Sir Merric of Hollyrose.
He nodded her head in greeting, while the Lioness was hugged by her father. The plan for the evening was a meal first, then the awards and a ball afterwards until the midnight toll.
As an extreme hater of dancing and socialisng Lexa had already asked the Lioness if she could leave early. Because although her brother wasn't at the palace, he was sure to have someone at the palace to report back to him on her. Possibly even interfere and make her dance with someone.
Which would be a complete disaster as she couldn't dance to save her life. Plus she wasn't exactly pleasant to anyone who dared.
''So, I hear you're a talented swordswoman, Squire Alexia?'' Sir Miles asked her as she was about to take her first sip of soup.
Attempting not to choke, she replied, ''Uh, I'm alright.'' she replied, uncertainly. Very few Tortallen nobles rarely spoke to her in a kindly manner.
''More than a fair hand I'd wager.'' commented Lady Elaine, pausing to take a spoonful of her own soup. ''Your the only Squire to win a competition in this years tournament.''
Lexa's blush deepened, she didn't like praise or attention, from being a Page, even HaMinches compliments had embarrassed her. ''Practice makes perfect,'' she mumbled in reply. Across the table from her the Lioness smirked, descreetly.
The Lioness understood that Lexa was a hard worker, but prefered to do so quietly.
Hour an hour later, during which they spoke of harmless things such as weapons and Page training, the King got to his feet as the presentations began.
A herald began to call out the winners. ''Champion of Tilting, Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan.'' Lexa applauded along with everyone else. Lady Keldadry had been made a Knight the midwinter before she'd began her own training. Her talents in tilting was well admired despite her sex. Lexa had seen her in action, she was as good as they said.
Tournament winners recieved a plaque with the year and fief that they won at, as well as prize money. Corus, being the capital and the only tournament that the king was involved in had the biggest prize money in all of Tortall.
Several other winners were called, until finally it was her turn. ''Champion of Sword-on-foot, Squire, Alexia of Darkmoore.'' getting up she prayed she would trip over her own two feet as she made her way to the top table on the dais.
Firstly she bowed formally to the King, whom then shook her hand, regarding her through level, sparkling sapphire blue eyes. He was quite handsome, despite the beard. Next he politely handed a plaque and a large, heavy looking pouch. He gave her one then the other, the bag was even heavier than it looked. She somehow held them in one hand and bowed again.
She joined the other winners in a line, facing the rest of the room. Looking around the grand room, she wanted to run away. Right at the very back of the hall was, Bronwen - her governess. Well sort of, she hadn't seen her since she'd left her home fief to begin her training as a Knight, but there was no mistaking that iron grey hair, severe looking face and big built body.
Her attention was brought back to the proceedings as applause broke out. The ceremony was over, but her night was just about to begin. She quickly hoping to make it to her seat then out of the hall before Bronwen got through the crowd to her. However she'd just reached the table and was about the excuse herself again Alanna caught her arm. ''Now come on there's someone I want you to meet.'' and towed her throught the crowd of people now walking around.
Attempting not to and failing, Alexia groaned reluctantly. Bronwen would catch her for sure now. But all thoughts of avoiding dancing were banished from her head when she saw the person the Lioness was intending on introduce her to. ''Uh, you don't mean the king my any chance do you?'' Alanna didn't reply, instead she used her surprising strength for someone so short, and push her through the last bit of crown separating them from the monarch.
''Jon,'' she began, the king turned his blue gaze on Alexia again and she wished he didn't have such blinding eyes. ''I don't believe you've been formally introduced to my new Squire, this is Alexia, of Darkmoore.'' Jon regarded her silently for a moment.
Then inclined his head.
''Very nice, to meet you Squire Alexia.'' he said at last, and Lexa could have sworn that Alanna let out a sigh or relief at that. ''I saw your semi-final sword fight, if the final was anything like that I imagine you also finnished that comfortably. Squirming inside she replied.
''Thank you, your Majesty, you are too kind.'' she even attempted a small but reasonably lady-like smile. The King nodded once and left to dance with the Queen.
''There he wasn't so bad now was he?'' Alanna said as they made their way back to their seats.
''Would it be pert to give that question an honest answer,'' she half replied, very sarcastically. The Lioness merely grinned again. They made it all the way back to their seats by the time Lexa remmebered she needed to leave. ''Excuse me Lioness, may I leave?'' Alanna, whom had just laughed at something someone had said looked surprised at the girls request.
''But why? You'll miss all the fun.'' Baron George said. However before she could bumble out something resembling an half passible excuse, it was too late to make a get-away.
''Ah, Alexia, my lady. There you are.'' said a deceivingly soft voice. The attention of the whole table now focused on the voices owner. Forcing yet another smile Lexa turned round in her seat.
''Bronwen? Um, what are you doing here?'' then she caught her Knightmistresses eye, whom was clearing hinting at an introduction. ''Oh..Lioness, this is my former governess, Bronwena Terrence.'' Bronwen bowed.
''It is an honour to meet such a formidable Lady.'' were all Bronwen said, bowing, her eyes not quite saying the same thing. But only she seemed to notice. Alanna, after having looked her over, indicated she should say what she'd come to say.
''My lord, your brother, Sir Jake sent me, upon having heard you would be here. I am to serve you until ordered otherwise.''
her words puzzled her. Serve her? What at the banquet? That was over already.
''Excuse, I don't understand. Is that to say you are to accompany her everywhere?'' Bronwen bowed again.
''Yes, your ladyship. So that she may be marrigable after her training is completed, if not sooner.'' Now she wanted to
hide her head in a napkin she was blushing so hard. Alanna's eyebrows went up and she exchanged one of those silent glances like she had been all evening with her husband. He took a stab at it.
''You mean to follow her and her Knightmistress, here, there and everywhere?'' Bronwen merely nodded this time. Why did Jake have to be so concerned with her being married. It wasn't like she'd get a good husband anyway, her family were social outcasts to most of the court. Painted with the same brush as people like Raouls standard bearer, whose aunt had been a traitor.
Alanna politely dismissed Bronwen, whom seemed to have something else to say, but was prevented from doing so by George, whom blocked her path to Lexa until the Lioness had walked far enough away with her. ''Does your brother realise that your fourteen?''
''Unfortunately yes. Apparently that's the age to start looking.'' she replied with a grimace. Having to speak louder now because the band was playing a lively number. Alanna couldn't help but to burst out laughing. ''What?''
''Sorry, but you married? Maybe when you've calmed down in ten years or so, otherwise you'd end up killing your husband out of boredom.'' Interesting perspective. ''Besides, your brother can't make you quit your Knighthood, and after that your sworn to obey the Crown, first and foremost. So I doubt he could make you.''
That in mind, Lexa decided to stay, if that were true it didn't matter who she danced with, badly or not. Which was a good out look she realised after the fifth young man she'd danced with. His name was David of somewhere, she'd hadn't paid attention when Bronwen had said where. He was quite handsome, if you like the classical look. He was eighteen, and had just earned his Knighthood the previous mid-winter.
''So it must be hard work having the Lioness as a Knightmistress,'' he said, attempting conversation.
''Hard works to be expected, but I'm learning a lot.'' I answered plainly.
''You don't look fourteen, you know.'' I nodded absently. Praying I could leave soon. I hadn't exactly worn dancing shoes. Giving it one last try he said. ''I saw your sword-fight against Sir Jameson in the final, your pretty handy with a sword, but your blade looked a little too light.''
''Thanks. I favour a light blade because of the extra manouvrability. With a blade more fitting to my size I couldn't have turned it so fast and got under his guard like I did.'' he nodded as if he understood.
''Have you ever used a Kyprish doubled edged spinning sword? They're good for that sort of thing, but with more weight to it.'' she hadn't, but it sounded good as he explained about it to her in detail. All to soon the song ended, but somehow Bronwen hadn't realised and come over to lead her to another dance partener.
Instead they discussed the pro's and con's of different blades, and their charecteristics. He even showed her his Raven Armoury blade. Heavier than she like but it was long and also slightly too wide, but the hilt allowed for extra force to be applied in a thrust, and the edges were tipped with diamond making them razor sharp. But because it was such an expensive blade, he told her, he usually only used for ceremonial things like these, because of the big and fancy looking ruby in the top.
The sword itself told her his family must be one of the very rich ones, but he seemed nice enough, though perhaps he didn't know what her family name was infamous for. They talked for a while longer until, Alanna found her. After that the night went down hill.
Firstly she'd been asked to dance by Merrick, who was nice enough, but his first words had been of gratitude for her healing him, thus making her even more uncomfortable that she was ussuallly when dancing with members of the oppisite sex.
Then as if Mithros himself were punishing her, the King himself asked her if she would like to dance. Though she dearly wished she could decling she knew that it would be an insult of the highest order for her to refuse.
''Alanna tells me you're an aspiring healer.''
''Yes, your Majesty. Thanks to Alan... I mean the Lioness's instruction.''
''You know, of course that I took your friend Kerry as my Squire?''
She nodded, not wanting to converse with the man who'd wanted to keep all the wonderful things the Lioness could teach her away from her.
Seeming to guess why she wasn't very sociable bluntly the King said, ''I imagine Alanna told you of our disagreement. Well, I'd like to apologise if I seemed rather harsh toward yourself.''
Good manners dictated that she should decling his apology, she however was too curious. ''I understand to pressure of the conservertives, your majesty. But how did you come to know about it, according to Al..the Lioness you were informed by a messenger. Might I ask whom the messenger was from.'' to say the King looked surpirsed at this deviation from custom would have been an understatement, but a moment later he smiled it away.
''A reasonable question, I'd wager. Well I found it odd myself, a noble I myself haven't spoken too, or indeed heard much of since we were Pages informed me, a Ralon of Malven.'' Malven? No way!
''Your sure.'' the king nodded as the song ended and he let go of her hands. Lexa knew her temper would land her in bigger trouble than she could get out of one day, but that failed to prevent the scowl appearing on her face, she hurriedly bowed to the king, brushed straight past Bronwen and the Lioness and straight into the serving room.
Her eyes searched the room for a moment before she spotted him, he'd just returned a serving tray for the light refreshments being served to the table where they were kept. Roughly she grabbed a fistful of his tunic, promptly lifting his feet of the floor and slamming him forcefully into the wall.
Adrain gasped, half winded. ''Nice to see you too Lexa.'' he choked.
Scorchingly she glared at him. ''Remind me again, why your father whom hasn't been to court since he was a page suddenly finds something out that even the king doesn't know and just happens to decide to send him a message about it?'' Adrian was still trying to free himself from her grasp, which she knew he wouldn't escape, her arms were built up from her use of the glaive and sword since she was young.
A crowd was gathering around them now, someone - Nathan she guessed from his voice - put a hand on her shoulder that was attached to the arm being used to hold Aidan in place. ''Hey, Lexa. Don't you think you should put him down?'' he suggested reasonibly.
She ignored him, instead she tightened her hold on Aidans throat, crushing his larynx, ''Well?'' she asked strongly, he squirmed more, but he could barely breath by now and soon gave up.
''Alright...'' he wheezed, ''Just let me down.'' she held him a moment longer, looking him in the eye, silently letting him know she'd do it again if she didn't like what she heard.
He choked for a few moments on the floor while, Nathen as well as Cal and Maya bent to see if he was alright. Kerry who'd just arrived along with Rachel who was staring, said dryly, ''Bad day?'' That dispelled her anger a little.
Nathen helped a still slightly breathless Adrian to his feet. She took a step forward, to look directly into Adians face., which was a head higher than hers. His gaze focused. ''Alright I told my father, but I had no idea he didn't like Lady Alanna. And I didn't know he'd told the king.'' normally she would've believed him, but not now. Evin had shown her how to use some weird dust that enabled a Gifted person to tell if someone was lying. And the red colour that indicated lies flashed at his denial of his fathers hatred and that he'd told the king.
''Nice try,'' she said, then flicked the magical dust at him and walked as far as the door before saying, ''And Adrian you'd better watch your step from now on.''
From there she went straight to her room, she didn't cry . But still the fact that someone she'd thought of her friend had tried to ruin the best thing that had ever happend to her royally pissed her off.