I'm so sorry that it has taken me so long to update, but I had a little writer's block for what would happen next. Well, I hope that you like it!

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Dmoe gazed out long and hard into the rising sun from the tallest tower. She took in the graceful dance of the gulls, the gentle pound of the waves, and the sweet smell of the pinewood. She wanted to have one last look at her home before she left. She wanted to remember exactly how everything was: the chickens in the street, the early merchants in the market, the change of the guards. Just in case she felt homesick, she needed these feelings of home to remind her that times always get better. The captain of the guards came out on to the lower wall.

Time for breakfast,' she thought to herself. My last breakfast here for a while."

She casually walked down the flights of stairs, and lingered a little longer than usual in the halls before she came to the breakfast room. Dmoe had been invited to have breakfast with the Lioness before their departure.

"Good morning!" Alanna smiled.

"Hullo," Dmoe responded with a cheerful glare.

"Well, aren't we the happy one today! Not that I blame you or anything..." Alanna trailed off. Dmoe grabbed an apple from the dish in front of her, took a bite, and placed it gingerly on her plate.

Alanna gave her a crooked glance. "You're going to eat that, aren't you?"

Dmoe sighed, "I'm not really that hungry."

"Too bad," the Lioness shrugged. "You have to eat something. We have a very long ride to Corus ahead of us, and I won't have you complaining about your stomach."

"But-"

"Don't argue," Alanna replied with a smug look on her face. Dmoe groaned and took another bite of her apple, as Alanna placed a muffin on her plate, smiling.

The Lioness put jam on her muffin, and then looked at Dmoe, long and hard, thinking to herself. Dmoe felt her eyes on her and looked up, right into Alanna's eyes. They stared like that for a minute before Dmoe spoke.

"What?"

Alanna paused. "You are sure that you can go through this." Dmoe nodded. "Alright. Remember, my father had a sister. She had a brother in law, and he had a niece, you. And I am your closest living relative. You think you can do this?"

"Yes, but won't they check the records?"

Alanna let an evil grin spread over her face. "Well, they can try."

Dmoe was in shock. "Wha- what did you do?"

"Oh nothing. Let's just say that I used my position for all the wrong reasons. But please don't ask again. I won't tell you. If you're caught, it will all be my fault, understand? You don't know anything."

Dmoe nodded, and took another bite of her apple, closely followed by a swig of juice. The Lioness and her relative' of some sort ate the rest of the meal in silence, thinking and planning of how to keep Dmoe from getting caught.

i

An hour latter, Dmoe and Alanna were mounted on their horses, heading for Corus, the capital of Tortall. As they were leaving the town, Dmoe whipped around to see her home, for just one last time. She started at the tallest tower, as watched as the Lioness' flag slowly made its way down the pole. She took in a breath.

Life will be better. I can do this. I'm going to become a knight and do great things, just like Alanna. I will become a legendary knight. I'm going to be a knight!'

The adrenaline finally got to her, and she let out an excited squeal. Alanna glanced at her a let a smile creep across her face.

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I'm so sorry this is such a short chapter, but I really want her to be at the palace, soon. Don't worry, next chapter she will be. And again, so sorry this took me so long to get up. I feel terrible. I'll try to get more up soon, but exams are next week. Who know, maybe I will use this as something to procrastinate studying with!

~Kalle