"Xlelon Padrifamay of the court of King Jonathan the Third!" Xlelon cringed at the title. She hadn't exactly agreed to it, but the page announcing her had argued for a half hour before she had given in. She looked at her dress, it was dark green with gold thread stitched in the hem, and smiled. She had thought it rather boring, so had asked a seamstress for a needle and gold thread and sewed in stars at random places. They were the simplest kind, but they suited it well. The smile was from the memories of what the seamstress had done when she saw the dress. Remembering where she was, and why she was there, she started out of the doors. How could stairs be so incredibly long? Ignoring it, she started down the stairs, trying her best not to look stupid. She must have managed, because when she got to the bottom, people came to talk with her. None of her male friends were there, as most of them were with Master Oakbridge. She was very glad that her status as a training diplomat excused her from that particular post. Myles came to talk to her, along with a red-head. Xlelon gulped, it was Alanna. She had not met her yet, but knew enough about her appearance to know who it was. After all, how many red-heads were there in Tortall? Especially with purple eyes! Finding her mind again, spread out amoung the people, she gathered it and curtseyed. "Good day Alanna." She hoped that the knight didn't mind her addressing her by her first name on first meetings. Based on the books, she didn't think so. It turned out that she was right, because Alanna smiled broadly. "I am amazed Myles. This is the first time that anyone has known to call me by my name! How did you know to do that youngster?" Xlelon smirked. "Trust me on this one, you don't want to know." Myles nodded. "She's right, you really don't, it's quite disconcerting." Alanna looked at her as if rumors really did come true. Xlelon was sure that she had a reputation as a foreteller of some sort, and in a way, it was true. "So I've heard. Tell me Xlelon, what exactly are you learning? I've only heard that your to be a diplomat, but I don't know what that calls for." Xlelon started, being caught off guard by her question. She then proceeded to scold herself for being surprised, after all, it was Tortall. "Well, I'm kind of a special case, for one thing, I'm younger than most." Alanna nodded. "And, well, I already knew enough math and writing." She smirked. "Myles got me out of philosophy Thank the gods." Alanna concealed a giggle while Myles laughed. She continued telling her about her studies until Alanna asked a peculiar question, which she had never really considered. "What country are you going to be a diplomat to? Have they been teaching you the language there?" She paused. "Come to think of it, I havent really been told. I know a bit of another language, but you've probly never heard it." Both Alanna and Myles cocked their heads. It was Myles that spoke first. "Really now? You had not told me that you knew another language." She shrugged. "I didn't think it was important, I know there isn't a country called Germany or Austria here." Alanna looked as if she were about to ask a question, but Myles cut her off. "Xlelon, could you possibly speak a bit of this 'other language'?" She smiled, already forming the sentence in her mind. "Sure, Hallo, meine namme ist Xlelon Padrifamay. Ich komme auch Tortall." The looks on their faces were extremly familier. Oh yes, she thought, that look of sheer amazement that I've grown to hate, I wonder what it means now? Myles shook his head. "Xlelon, I will be old and frail by the time we discover all of your talents, that was Scanran wasn't Alanna?" The lady-knight gulped and nodded. "Good thing too, we need diplomats up there." Xlelon's jaw dropped. "You mean to say that that's an actual language here?" They nodded, and she put her hands to her temples. "Gods! Why does my life have to be so convoluted?" Myles smiled kindly. "We all feel that way sometimes." He patted her shoulder. "When the midwinter parties are done, we shall tell the king of this. I'm afraid that we have to go now, I have to speak to Sir Gareth." Xlelon nodded as they turned to walk away. She wandered around a bit, sipping on a small glass of wine that someone had given her. She spoke to people who she knew, and some she didn't. A few people had heard of her, whether it was by gossip, or royal connections she was never sure. Wydlon and his new wife stayed well away from her, only speaking breifly and polietly about the weather conditions. Apparently, this was a wolf winter, but Daines presence had kept them from killing people. The farmers had made peace with the wolves now because Daine apparently paid them for all livestock lost. Xlelon was very glad for it, and personally thanked Daine the minute she saw her. The lady, sitting with Numair, seemed slightly surprised, but replied politely to her just the same. Looking at them, she decided that despite the age difference, they were a good couple. She had finally figured out how long it was between the books when she asked after Neal's age. Duke Baird had thought it odd, but told her quite nicely that he was eight. Shaking her head, she deicded that Neal would develop a taste for older women, Daine was eight years his senior. She ran into her friends from classes, and finally spotted the older Neal's straight dark- red and brown hair. He apparently saw her too, because she stayed where she was, and he suddenly appeared. She could have sworn it was a conspiracy, because as he did, the band decided to begin playing. Grinning like an idiot, he swept her a deep bow. She in turn gave him a polite curtsey. When they had both stood up straight, he held out his hand. "Oh lovely lady, would you give a lowly squire this dance?" She smiled and shook her head. "You need not even ask my good lad, I am but too glad to dance with you." As he pulled her to him, he made a pathetic puppy face. "You wound me my dear! I am not a mere lad, but a man!" She put her head on his shoulder, giggling. "Of course you are, and I am a horse!" He pushed her back and inspected her closely. She blushed, and hoped that he didn't notice. Nodding, began to hum and hah. "Well then, you are most certainly the loveliest horse I have had the pleasure to dance with!" Feeling playful, she decided to keep the conversation going. "And how many horses have you danced with in you lifetime?" He grinned. "Well, there was the one my uncle recommended for my father. Rich, but she was a horse no doubt." Putting a hand to her mouth, he winked. "Of course, she never held a candle to you." He had whispered the last sentence so softly that she wasn't sure that she had heard it correctly. When she had finally worked out what he had said, which took no more than a few seconds, she raised an eyebrow. "As you are much better than most of my friends here.and certainly more chivilrious!" "I am glad to hear it mi'lady." She rolled her eyes. "Honestly. Can't you ever just call me Xlelon?" He shook his head vehemently. "Never mi'lady! It would be an injustice!" "Sheesh. What a ham." She said it, but was flattered just the same, Neal always joked with her, but it was fun just the same. Her dancing partner raised an eyebrow. "Whats this? Am I now the best pig that you have danced with?" She giggled. "Sorry, ignore me." He sighed. "Very well."

And for the rest of the song, he didn't talk, though he certainly didn't ignore her. They had no more chance to dance that night, as Imrah called Neal to meet some friends of his. Promising to catch up with her later, he trotted after his knight master. Xlelon sighed, then went to find someone to talk to. ~^~ Ok. First of all. I AM SOSOSOSOSO SORRY! BLAME MSN FOR MY LACK OF UPDATES!!! You see, we no longer have internet. MSN (Micro-Small- Nincompoops) Told us that their internet would work with windows 95, but IT DOESN'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. So therefore, updates will be slow to come, but they may be done a few at a time.