The social season had begun. There were to be dances and balls and banquets nearly every night. Lords of fiefs and their ladies would be arriving with all their finery. Ladies, fresh from the convent, would arrive looking for husbands at court. And the meals that Alanna usually took with her friends would no longer occur. The pages and squires would serve their knight masters or assigned guest to wait upon.

Also, specially prepared classes for Delia, Alanna, and Kayoko would begin immediately. Most of their lessons would include proper Carthaki etiquette and manners. This meant even less time with her male friends and less training from Alex. Her visits with George would also be restricted. Alanna definitely disliked the social season.

Alanna sat in her first class terribly annoyed. It was taught by one of the Mirthan priests who Alanna decided she did not like much. He counseled the girls in the proper way to go about anything that concerned any of the Gods. Well, apparently in Carthak the Graveyard Hag was patroness. That was the only thing Alanna had learned during the lesson. Everything else they were told Alanna either already knew, or was no different from what they already did in Tortall.

Her next class involved food. What they ate, how they ate it, delicacy or not, which fork to use, which spoon to use, which hand to use, polite conversation while eating, a proper thanking for the meal. This would be one of the only classes Alanna would pay attention in. However much she didn't want to believe she would need it, Alanna knew that she would. And so learned or memorized whatever she was told. The fact that the teacher was a rather good-looking young Carthaki man helped a bit. This class ran somewhat late intruding on their lunch.

All three girls walked as swiftly as was possible and still be considered ladylike to lunch. Alanna ate silently having no one to talk to nearby. Her friends were seated at a far away table together, with the exception of Prince Jonathon who was seated by his father. As his mother was still sickly. Her appearances at court were becoming more and more rare.

After lunch the girls were given classes on Carthaki court etiquette. This lasted quite some time and ended up being the only class they had before dinner. Two hours were allowed before dinner for personal time.

Alanna took straight to the practice courts. She was disappointed to find them empty. Not a soul was there, which was quite odd, there were normally two or three people always there. After ten minutes of waiting Alanna gave up and decided to wander the corridors looking for Alex. After quite some time it occurred to her that he might be in his rooms. She proceeded to the hall where the knights were housed and walked along looking for the chalkboard that had Alex's name on it. Alanna came upon it, but hesitated slightly before knocking. Maybe he didn't want to have lessons today, but if that was the case then he could tell her himself.

She knocked. There was no answer. She heaved a sigh, had the palace suddenly become deserted? She went back to her rooms to practice with her daggers and read until dinner.

Dinner was completely uneventful, as was the time after it.

For the next three days the palace was the same. Nearly empty. Where ever she went there were few people, if any. Alanna spent most of her time alone, in her room. Well, the time that she didn't spend in classes.

Neato neato neato neato neato neato neato neato neato neato neato neato neato

I am completely and utterly disgusted with myself. A short, poorly written chapter, that is what I give you after months.

Like I said before, I am self punishing myself.

Only review if you feel it absolutely necessary. I mean it. I am going to be mean to myself and say, at the moment, I do not deserve reviews from you after you have been so nice to me. Flames are welcome though. Mean stuff.

Love ya'll, you do be amazing.