i dont know how long of a ride it is from the convent to corus... so lets just be imginative and say that it takes a little for than a day or two... since they only have a week break and they go for 3 days + 3 day ride there and back + 1 day to recoup before classes = 1 week alright??:) ~

The City was busy, Alanna's eyes widened as the small party of women rode into the city. She had never seen so many people all crowded in one place at the same time. Since it was Midwinter, there was snow covering the ground, but it didn't seem to dampen the spirits of the many people celebrating. Decorations of different colours were everywhere! There were merchants selling everything from small polished pebbles to large weaponry to horses and livestock to any kind of clothing one could imagine. It was a sight that she will never forget. A hand out of the corner of her eye made her glace quickly to her right saddlebag. She slapped the hand swiftly, making the boy reaching into her bag yelp and run off. "of all the stupid, little boys in the city…" she muttered and glanced up to see where her party had gone when she caught the eye of a man, looked to be about 20 or so with wicked hazel eyes and dark hair. (a/n – I don't have the book right now -> george's eyes are hazel right?? Or green?? Lets just say their hazel.) The man grinned, winked and was gone before she could say a word to anyone. "Don't give anyone like that a second look, my dear." Said a chaperoning Sister, "they'd steal their own mother's teeth if they could make a few coins." Alanna shook her head and made her horse ride a little faster so she wouldn't get lost in the mess of people.

The Inn they stayed at was prepared for the arrival of the 30 odd ladies and took in their horses and bags, and brought them to their rooms. Each had a bath ready to remove the grime of the ride and most spent the day getting their nice dresses washed and counting the allowance from their parents, excited for the next day when they'll be in the market eager for a day of shopping. Alanna was excited as well, although not for the same reason. She would be looking at the goods in the weaponry section, and counting her gold coins, she should have enough for a decent sword if she could barter her way down low enough. But dressed as a woman, many men could take advantage of her femininity, so for at least her first day in the city, she will dress as a male in warm breaches and a shirt. She got up early the next morning, and as much as she hated to she magiked her hair short before getting dressed. The ladies at the convent would squeal like pigs if she cut it for real – and maybe make her wear a wig as they had for a while during her first year when she had cut her hair boy-short. It wasn't too nice an experience and she would rather not re-live it. She looked at her mirror. Why I look like Thom! She thought excitedly. This will be wonderful. I'll be sure to get a decent price like this. Alanna stepped into the common room of the inn and winked at Kat, who was back for her last time in Corus before she was presented to court, as her jaw dropped to the floor. She jumped out of the table and followed her out.

"What on EARTH are you doing Alanna??!" she exclaimed, not believing what she saw. "What did you do to your hair??! The sisters will have a cow when they see that!! And what were you planning on doing dressed like that anyway?? We're here to shop!"

"And shopping is what I'm here to do, Kat, just oh drat I forgot about my voice." She looked grim as she slowly said an incantation to make her voice lower. "There, now I'm here to find myself a good sword, and I know I will get a better bargain if I'm a boy. Now if you'd excuse me, I'd like to go shopping."

"oh no, dressed like that and your temper, I KNOW you'll get yourself into trouble. Plus you don't know how to bargain with these men, I'll school you in the ways of negotiating." Alanna grinned and didn't complain. She liked Kat's company, even if she was a bit of a chatterbox.

The girls had stopped at a few shops and both had a few purchases of midwinter and midsummer gifts, as well as some jewelry and Kat had bought a new dress that would be suitable for summer during her 2 weeks off. The two were making their way to the armory when a mans voice came from behind them.

"Hey there, fire-top! I thought you weren't allowed to come to the city today!" Alanna and Kat turned around. "Why haven't you come to the Dancing Dove yet? I'm sure George would want to see you again, you haven't been down here in a while." The speaker was a big youth, with black hair that matched the colour of his eyes that seemed to gleam of mischief. Alanna and Kat looked at each other confused. Do you know him? She mouthed. Kat shook her head. The Youth didn't seem to notice the confusion on their faces, but did notice the girl with Alanna the boy. "Oh please forgive me, I did not know we were accompanied by a Lady," he said shooting a look at Alanna. Katariina held out her hand as training would tell her too and the youth kissed it gently then looked back at Alanna. "So, Thom, are you going to introduce me to your friend?" Alanna's eyes lit up. They think I'm Thom! That explains it. She looked to Katariina and smiled. "of course, Katariina of Hollows Wood, this is um-"

"Raoul of Goldenlake, at your service, Lady." He said politely while bowing. Katariina smiled and curtsied slightly. "So, Tommy-me-lad. Shall we show the Lady the fun part of Corus?" he grinned evilly.

Alanna not sure what she should say nodded and replied, "To the Dancing Dove then?" she asked, hoping she remembered the name correctly.

Raoul didn't show if she said it wrong or not, he seemed taken with Katariina at the moment, Hopefully he won't notice I have no idea where we're going. Alanna thought as they walked away from the armory stalls. She sighed, I guess I shall have to wait until tomorrow. Right now I'll stick to being Thom, it seems like it should be fun.

Raoul brought Kat and Alanna to the lower part of the city, which made both of them nervous, since this was where thieves and cutthroats spent their free time. Slightly huddling together they continued to follow the young man farther into the city, as he talked on and on about who knows what. Him and Kat seemed to be having a conversation about what? Court functions? What a boring waste of time. Raoul seemed to agree with Alanna's point of view, and Kat who loved any social function was arguing on the finer points of court. The finally reached an Inn call The Dancing Dove, and Raoul walked inside holding the door open for Kat, but swinging it shut on Alanna, who didn't expect it and just missed getting hit in the face before her hand whipped out to catch the door. She glared at Raoul, who didn't seem to notice.

A young man playing dice in the corner looked up to see who had walked in, and frowned when he saw her. "Thom! What are you doing in the city?"

Alanna only half heard what he said. The youth was utterly breathe-taking. He had dark hair and piercing blue eyes, looked to be older than Alanna, but wow, he was gorgeous. Funny thing was that she had seem him somewhere before. Where have I seen this boy before? He looks so familiar…

The boy was obviously confused at why Alanna was staring at him so long. "Thom? Hello? "I thought you were under punishment since you magiked the chalk to write tongue twisters on the board in etiquette class."

Uh oh.. what am I supposed to answer to that? "Uhhmm, I – I- "

"Actually, on second thought don't tell me how you got out, I don't want to be apart of you getting into more trouble, but don't say I didn't warn you, if you get caught you'll be in deep."

Thank God for these boy's habit of interrupting.

"Want to have a game of dice?" he asked.

"Err… not this time, thanks though." She answered and looked around to find Kat. They should get out of there soon. She was in a stall still talking to Raoul, oblivious to Alanna's predicament of pretending to be someone she's not with people she doesn't know. She sighed and sat at the bar.

"Why hello there youngster, it's been a while since ye've been here." A lilting voice said from a few seats down. It was the man that had winked at her in the market earlier! "So ye come into the Dancin' Dove an' ye don't even say a word to me?" He faked surprise.

Alanna looked him over, not knowing what to say. The man frowned at her reaction. Uh oh.. trouble. She smiled, hoping to ease the man into thinking she knew who he was. "I just didn't see you when I walked in, with almost getting knocked in the head by Raoul and then having to save uhm this one from losing to me in a game of dice."

He didn't look convinced. Alanna swallowed, and looking around, not wanting to make eye contact with the man. She saw Kat, still in conversation and tried to think of an escape route. She looked back at the man to say goodbye he saw her looking at her very, very oddly, and instead said, "well I'm sure I'll be back again – soon, hopefully anyway, but now I err we, Me and Kat, we uh have to leave and go back to meet her father – back in the market… now. Bye!" she called while almost running across the room. She grabbed Kat's arm and pulled her away from her admirer saying firmly "Kat, don't you remember we have to meet your father in the market?… Now!"

" Oh but Ala-I mean Thom- we have a few more minutes, surely!" Raoul looked at her with a pleading look.

"Sorry no, We. Have. To. Go. Now!" She looked apologetically at Raoul who waved her off. And Alanna dragged Kat off who was yelling goodbye from across the Inn. She stuck her head in to yell "Courting Flower Inn, midday!" before Alanna pulled her away again.

~

~CJ~