Chapter 2 Court Functions

Chapter 2 Court Functions

All peoples bow to the King and Queen as they enter the grand dining room. After suspended silence the king gestures for them to return to their seats. He too seemes weary of his scheduled life. Murmurs go from the head tables to even the pages mess hall. The Queen is extravagant tonight. She is quite pleased with the longing glances received by some of the men both from Tortall and the Tusaine delegation. Silently thanking the mistresses at the convent for teaching her the colors that wake her complection. She graciously nibbles bits of her dinner, save the chocolate dessert cake, which even she could not help gobbling down. After the feast fit for a queen, the members of both delegations went to talk of raiders, crop harvest, and other things superficial to a queen. Alanna and her ladies retreated to a sitting parlor where they gossiped like ladies do.

So involved was she in a conversation about various types of cheese and their spoiling rate, she could not help overhearing a piece of news that ran her blood cold, then hot.

"She wears breeches and hose just like the other pages do."

Evidently, she was not the only one to overhear. Lady Dana abandoned her talks of cheese to listen intently to the words of Lady Cynthra. The entire flock of ladies surrounded Lady Cynthra, who was obviously pleased at getting all this attention. Alanna sits stiffly, the tension in the air making her want to cry out in fury. Who was this girl that wanted to be a knight? In a flash Alanna realized all the fame she could have gotton from being the first Lady Knight. Could have. That would haunt her forever. Cynthera giggles excrutiatingly long. Finally she says in her most gossipy tone. Her name is Kelandry of Midelen. A wave of shock and wonder penetrates the room. All the ladys ask more questions of Cynthra, except Alanna. She is still fantasizing about being a lady knight, much like she had so many years ago.