A/N: Here are two important tidbits that needed to be shown, but I will leave it up to your imaginations to fill in the drabble. This chapter is tiny, but I wanted you all to know I am back, and we are getting to the good stuff!

Thom slouched in the chair, feet stretched before him during Duke Roger's class. They had been rehashing the theory behind this particular spell all week, and it was one the young mage had known before he arrived in Corus.

"Child's play…" He whispered to himself as one of the other pages finally got to attempt the spell.

Prince Jonathan, who had started sitting next to Thom in class, spared a smile for the redhead. He felt just as encumbered by his cousin's glacial pace. The heir to the throne was by no means as advanced as Thom, but the younger boy figured Jonathan was a distant second to him.

"That is all for today boys. Make sure you read the chapter on shields before our next class where we will begin to discuss the different types."

Thom's eyes rolled as he gathered up his books. Any hopes he had cherished of using Duke Roger's knowledge to become a great mage had quickly been dashed by his curriculum. It had been almost two months now, and the young man would have been hard pressed to think of anything new he had learned.

"Thom, if you would." The duke motioned for the young man to hang back, and reluctantly, he obeyed.

"I can see you are getting frustrated with the speed of the class."

Thom wanted to laugh, but he gave the gentleman a blank stare instead. "Sir?"

"No, don't do that." Roger smiled knowingly down at him. "Let's be honest with each other, one mage to another."

"Well, if we are being honest, I could do most of this in my sleep."

The tall man chuckled at the young page. "I do not doubt you could. And were all my students like you, it would be a formidable class indeed. Unfortunately, most of these lads can barely grab hold of the small Gift they possess. I wish I could teach in a manner that would best suit you, but my uncle would hardly approve of tailoring a class to a single student, even one as exceptional as you."

It made sense, of course, but it wasn't what Thom wanted to hear.

"If only the king took this more seriously." Roger heaved a sigh over his relation, catching Thom's confused look. "A king who clings so tightly to peace can never see the benefit of fully equipping his best weapons."

"I think that is silly. There can never truly be peace among nations. He may enjoy being the Peacemaker, but most others in power only seek to increase their own."

The older mage shrugged. "He has a good heart…"

Thom wondered if that really made for a good king. Roger's comment didn't seem like much of a stamp of approval. When the redhead looked up again, Roger was giving him that appraising look again.

"If you want…" His blue eyes closed in regret when he stopped himself. "No, I'm sure you wouldn't have the time."

"What?" Thom leaned in, interest piqued.

"I thought maybe, if you could find a little time after your classes, I could tutor you privately."

"Really?!" The young page could not keep the excitement out of his voice.

"I know you are busy with your studies, but it would be a shame to let a Gift like yours go to waste."

"Yes, of course!"

Libraries were amazing things. Thom had always thought so, but Alanna had only recently learned to love them. It turned out that the collections of books included not only knowledge on history and mathematics but also practical things like fencing! After all, the library was intended for young noble boys as well as the ladies-in-training. She had already learned new forms and exercises from the books; between those and the advice Prince Jonathan gave in his infrequent letters (which still dwarfed Thom's in both frequency and length), she felt almost competent with a sword. It was a good thing too; her nightly practice was the only thing keeping her sane, now that Cyth had moved to different classes.

Her marks and manners had improved by leaps and bounds. She quickly learned that most of the Daughters had it out for her since she absconded from the convent. In order to finish out her year, she rose to the status of star pupil... and hated every minute of it. But she staunchly refused to give them so much as an un-dotted 'i' to complain about.

Every curtsy was perfect, and she went through every sword exercise she could with a book on top of her head to correct her posture. As she parried invisible foes, she properly greeted a Lord, a Duke, and a Baron while politely refusing gifts from all three. Of course, if those same nobles knew she imagined them on the business end of her sword, they probably would not have offered so much as a flower.

Some of her instructors actually believed she had changed her mind about becoming a lady, but then she was very careful to hide the gashes in her linens. On her first allowed outing, she even spent her entire allowance on a good pair of gloves to cut down on calluses. Now, her time served was ending, and she could move on to her year with the Mithran priests.

It was to that end that she once again went to visit the place she feared even more than the Black God's Realm she had once visited, at least he was merciful.

"Lady Alanna…"

The young redhead gave the First Daughter a curtsy just deep enough for a priestess of her status and not a bit lower. It stood to reason that Satinder would have been pleased with her troublesome pupil's turnaround, but if anything, it rankled the old woman more. Alanna's continued presence in her convent became a personal affront that had deepened the wrinkles on the Daughter's face.

"First Daughter…" Alanna smiled beatifically. The thought that this might be their last ever meeting lending lightness to her heart.

The older woman's responding smile of triumph almost made halt Alanna as she came towards her usual seat. No, she told the sudden fear that gripped her heart, we are both just glad not to prolong our acquaintanceship. Alanna spread her skirts out gracefully before she sat, only a tightening in her eyes betraying her anxiety.

"Your time as a lady in this convent is almost over..." Satinder held Alanna's gaze, the silence a resounding 'however' hanging in the air between them.

"So it is, First Daughter. Is that why you called for me?"

"Yes and no." The woman was enigmatic and infuriating. "Queen Lianne and I have been corresponding about your… unique situation."

This did not bode well, but Alanna listened with hands clasped in her lap and back perfectly straight. "If you manage to make it through your first year of training in magecraft, you will be dealing with all manner of people, including the upper echelon of our society. Your studies here may have improved, but you are by no means ready to be presented at court."

"Am I no longer to train as a healer? Her Royal Majesty was part of the planning with Duke Baird." It was a real struggle to keep the panic from her voice, but she would not give the woman the satisfaction.

"Duke Baird still believes you should come apprentice under him, but he has agreed to your continued tutelage while still in the City of the Gods and while at court. So, your evening meals will not be taken with the other mages in training but here."

"With the other ladies?" Alanna asked the hopeful question.

"Of course not, the queen wants to ensure you know how to treat dignitaries, not that you can sup with friends. No, you will dine with myself and other teachers or visitors when your lessons call for it. That will not be a problem, will it?" It was Satinder's turn to sound hopeful.

"Of course not. If that is what Her Royal Majesty thinks is best, then that is what we will do." Honestly, Alanna was not quite sure why the queen she had met so briefly even cared to remember her, but it didn't change the fact that this was now something she had to do.

"Wonderful." It was hard to tell if the First Daughter was pleased she would get to inflict unknown tortures on the young girl or upset that it had not dissuaded Alanna from her path.

Either way, the redhead was sure of two things. It was going to be a long year, and a pillow would meet an early end tonight on the blade of her sword.

A/N: And it will be for Alanna, but for my readers, Alanna will be returning to Corus in the next chapter. I just wanted to give you all an idea of the interesting training that our young twins will be having during our time lapse.