Alanna stared at the ground as her and Maude worked their way down the rocky and winding path. Her and Thom had tried to switch places, so that she could go to Corus and become the first Lady Knight in centuries. But, at the crossroads where they should have gone their separate ways, it was Coram who noticed the difference and made them change their minds.
"Ye'll both do better doin' what yer meant t'! Alanna, ye learnin' the life of a Lady, an' Thom ye doin' a knights work, its how its meant t' be!" He had said.
She knew it would have been hard, being a girl pretending to be a boy for the 8 years she would be a page and a squire, not telling anyone her secret, never taking her shirt off or going swimming as the other boys would. Working harder to keep up with the boys, (even if she didn't want to admit it, she knew that girls can be weaker than boys) and her being small wouldn't help her cause.
But that's exactly what she wanted! A challenge, excitement, something that she would be remembered for forever! No matter how much work she would have to do, she wanted it so badly that nothing could stop her…. Except being denied her way the way to her dream and being sent to the convent: a downer for any girl wanting to be a knight. Alanna shuddered, the thought of being turned into a Lady made her sick… learning how to walk, dress, talk, and act. Being told how to move, being molded into something that she didn't want to be, this was not the life for Alanna of Trebond! She sighed. This was going to be a long 6 years…. very long.
Maude, guessing what she was sighing at, tried to cheer her up. "Don't be too depressed, child. I know this isn't the life you pictured you'd be in… but you never know – you might enjoy it! Don't make it seem like a chore, if you do that's what it will turn into! Make the best of the training you receive here, it might come in useful when you least expect it."
Alanna rolled her eyes and kept her eyes on the path. She'd heard that speech before.
"Alanna." The warning in her voice made her look up at Maude.
"I'm serious, don't be a cynical girl while you're here. Use your head! I know this is just a set-back in your plan, so use the time to your advantage, remember that women know much more than most men think we do, and most know how to defend themselves. This is just an obstacle you have to deal with until you can overcome it, and overcome it you will, one day." Maude rode ahead a little, letting Alanna think it through.
~
The big stone wall towered over her, the gates slowly opening as the men lead their horses into the place Alanna would be calling 'home' for the next 6 years. So this is my prison she thought, well I hope its ready for me! The hostlers took her horse and carried her bags into the big stone building. Girls looked out of their room windows and whispered about the new girl that just arrived. Many giggled at the breaches and man's shirt she was wearing, what an odd girl! They said. Alanna clenched her jaw just you wait ladies, you haven't seen anything yet.
"Alanna of Trebond, my Lady." Said Maude to the woman behind the desk.
The woman looked at Alanna with her piercing blue eyes, then she stood up and walked to Alanna, putting a hand under her chin, and raising her eyes to meet hers. Clearly to everyone in the room it wasn't a normal part of the registration of new young girls.
"Why do you look as though you have been erased of everything you ever hoped for? Think that this isn't an end, but just a beginning. You haven't been summoned to death – even if it seems as though your dreams are unattainable at the moment, the future holds twists that not even the greatest seer couldn't predict. Don't look so sullen child, you can be whatever you wish, if the want is high enough." She walked back to her chair, leaving everyone – including Alanna – in shock. The Mother Superior cleared her throat as an indication that they should leave, so Alanna and Maude followed a servant out of the room and to Alanna's bedchambers. Maude kissed her on the cheek and once again warned her to be good, and left her alone with her thoughts and her bags. Well that was interesting…she spoke as if she knew what I want! But that's impossible… isn't it?? Alanna shook her head and went to unpack her clothes. What a funny way to begin my life here.
*********woooohhhh eeee! first chapter done.. i think i'll post a few to see what people think. hehe if i get enough reviews then ill put up some more.. suggestions TOTALLY welcome....(i'll swollow my pride and take critism --->VERy hard for me to do trust me lol) yeah yeah so review? pwease? for me??
~CJ~
