Time and Again
Chapter 7
Rated PG13 (I have exactly ONE use
of profanity…LOL)
By LynaQT
E-mail: Lyna_Q.T@miakaandtamahome.com
Disclaimer: These amazing characters
belong to Tamora Pierce. I haven't a dime, so don't sue. The plot is mine, however.
Chapter 7: Classes and Homework
"We already had training earlier,
so I don't think you'll need a sword. Besides—"
"What am I thinking?! It
is my first day here, and I haven't made good impression on our Overlord!" With
that Alexis jumped from her seat and was on her way back up to the dais.
Kel grabbed Alexis's hand as she
passed by. Although Alexis's words had been innocent enough, there was a devious
glint in her eyes. "What exactly are you planning?"
"Well, I simply plan to make a LASTING
impression on Lord Wyldon…of my FIST in his face!" Alexis snatched her hand
back from Kel's grip. "WHAT?!?! Don't look at me like THAT! Come on, you know
that a face like that can't get any prettier!"
"FINALLY, a person after my own
heart. Alex, we MUST get together and plot Wyldon's demise. Is after dinner
fine with you? I have a lovely little nook in the corner of this retched palace.
Simply DIVINE. I do so hope you like—"
"That tongue of yours is going to
get you in trouble one day Nealan of Queenscove."
"Well, that temper of yours will
do NO good Alexis of Trebond! What kind of husband will you catch with that?!?"
An odd smirk appeared on Alexis's
face at that remark. "One that collects ears, I'd imagine…"
Kel could tell that Alex had exhausted
her burst of temper. "Whatever Lord Wyldon said, I would take it with a grain
of salt. He has no comprehension of what a female is capable of. None. But one
thing you have to keep in mind it that he just wants to make the best knights
he can."
"I know that I should take whatever
he gives me in silence. It is what I've been trained to do," Alexis had calmed
herself enough to see straight. "It was just that, what he said… really shocked
me. Don't worry about me, Kel, so let's change the subject before my temper
flares up again. What are you all going to do next, if you've already had your
training?"
"Studies, my dear," Cleon had polished
off his meal and was waiting for the rest to finish.
Then we have our dinner duties to attend to. By the way, who is sponsoring you?"
"I'm not exactly a page and I don't
really think I'll need someone to sponsor me," Alexis picked up her spoon to
try the soup. At least the food has gotten better. "Thanks for the thought,
I think I'll just attend lessons and afterward I'll check up with Alanna. Oh,
and please call me either Alexis or Alex, anymore endearments or nicknames will
go to my head." Plus, I can only remember so many names to respond to!
At the mention of her heroine's
name Kel couldn't contain her curiosity, "How is Alanna like? I've always wanted
to meet her."
Alexis had to think about that question
for a moment. Okay, how can I describe myself? "Um, Alanna is…Alanna.
She disguised herself, so that one day she would have the training necessary
to protect those she loved. I'm also positive that Alanna wants to meet you,
Kel, and I'm sure, in some left handed way, she already has."
Thank the Goddess! Those Mithran
priests NEVER change their curriculum! Yayin, the teacher of reading and
writing, assessed her skill, and gave her a poem to analyze so that she could
write a three-page report comparing it to transcendental thought.
Alexis took one glance at the poem
and recognized this assignment as one she did before and finished within the
class period. Such was the same in all her classes. Alexis would go in, be assessed,
and given work she had already done when she was a page. For the first time,
Alexis though that she might actually have FREE TIME! I can EVEN do the MATH!!!
She wasn't even going to have magic classes until later in the year. For right
now she was to familiarize herself with the physiology of immortals and simple
biology with a teacher who WAS an immortal.
The only classes that might give
her difficulty were history and decorum. Alexis had no idea about what had occurred
over the past years, but luckily Myles surmounted it to the fact that the spell
that sent her here eclipsed those years for her.
Still, Alexis had to study those
years and what she discovered…well, she didn't really want to know. Roger
dies by my hand and everyone discovers that I'm a girl the same day I become
a knight. Then Roger comes back from the dead. Just lovely. Isn't the future
grand?
And there was Upton Oakbridge, the
Palace Master of Ceremonies, the teacher of decorum and such useless drivel.
There was only one word to describe that class: a bitch. Not even Eleni could
have prepared her for the sheer tenacity of spirit Oakbridge wanted in his curtsies!
That was ALL she did the whole HOUR! He assigned two chapters for her to read.
He also wanted her to start learning Yamani, to practice her singing abilities
and piano forté, and to practice her dancing skills.
While the boys were there to learn
how to be men, Alexis was there to learn how to entice one. Yeah, and I'm
sure that once a big, strong, dependable MAN listens to how well I play the
piano, he will drool all over me and go on his knees BEGGING me to marry him!
Because of COURSE, a noble woman is nothing without a HUSBAND!
After class, the pages and squires
had dinner duty and Alexis found out that she had some more classes. One was
with the Queen's Riders and it was basically a class that went over self-defense.
Alexis would ONLY be allowed to attend the defense class since she was already
supposedly taking training with the pages.
The other class was a pain. All
the eligible ladies of the court were in this class to learn how to become a
lady to attract a husband. A class of war paint, interpretive dancing, ritualistic
body preparation and a thing called exfoliating cream, chanting spellbinding
rhymes with harp/piano—GODDESS save me! The 'class' was full of the biggest
snobs, who made Delia more like and ANGEL then the prig she actually was. They
had all looked down on her because of the unseemly way she spent her day with
all the pages.
Being in this class, I truly
believe hell has frozen over, and the cherry on this sundae is that who should
teach this class, but a LADY Wyldon of Cavall! And she certainly took SPECIAL
interest in me. Lady Cavall had spent most of her time 'tsking' over Alexis's
red clauses, scars, and rough skin. Then afterward she came up with a strategy
to 'catch a gentleman for the poor girl.'
By the end of class, Alexis's homework
was to make the creams, shampoos, conditioners, etc. and put herself though
the agony of making her skin and hair gorgeous, creamier, and—cringe—kissably
soft.
She went on to eat dinner with the
pages and hear King Jonathon wish good luck to the new pages and the lady who
would partake in the training with them. After dinner Alexis made a stop at
Neal's to find out who to ask to get the tortuous ingredients that would beautify
her.
Once she had everything, she escaped
to her own room to avoid being seen using such ridiculous cosmetics. She made
the infernal beauty products, took her bath and slathered the stuff on. While
she had to wait for the cucumber mask to dry, her cuticles to soak, and her
hair deep condition, she did the rest of her homework and waited for Alanna.
Alanna had better have one hell
of an explanation!
A/N. Sorry for this chapter being
2 weeks late! I've been deliberating on how I wanted to write it…more physical
action or more description…blah. Anyway I GOT MY DRIVERS LICENSE!!!! That was
AMAZING! I can't believe I can drive…once I have a car and insurance….I'm also
making a web site to post my story… Don't know if I should have a section for
my favorite books….hmm…Basically, I'm planning to have only my anime winamp
skins on the page and my story. I should think about that more…THANKS FOR THOSE
THAT REVIEWED!!! YOU'RE GORGEOUS PEOPLE! PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!! You guys make
me so HAPPY when you do! Hope everyone else saw SPECTACULAR fireworks! Happy
4th of July! Plot © LynaQT, July 2001.