hi o! heres the next! review please?

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The next day Alanna decided to visit George for a part of the day, but left earlier than usual to go to the palace. George accompanied her to the gate.

"Tis as far as I'll go lassy." He said at the beginning of Palace Way. He turned his chestnut mare around.

"Thanks George!" she answered in reply. "I'll come see you tomorrow again."

He grinned. "I expected nothing less."

Alanna turned to ride up Palace Way, amazed at all the different temples to all the different Gods. I heard there were hundreds of Gods worshipped here… it seems like there's enough temples for that many she thought. She reached the palace gate and told the men-at-arms who she was, and that she was visiting her brother, a page at the palace. The allowed her entry, and pointed her in the direction of the stables. Alanna walked her horse there, to be met by a hostler.

"Aye there," he said. Alanna stopped, puzzled. No one knew she was coming today. Seeing her look he continued. "I'm Stefan, George told me ye was comin' up 'ere and asked fer me t' take yer horse."

Alanna smiled. Leave it to George to think of something like that. She gave the hostler her horse.

"Oy! Timon!" a young man ran up to him. "Take Lady Alanna t' a room where sh' can change."

"Yessir."

Alanna followed the man through the palace to a room on the second floor. "Thank you very much." She said to him and gave him a coin for his service. Timon bowed and walked away. Alanna sighed and grabbed a dress out of her bag. She shook her head and changed her mind. Instead she grabbed a shirt, breaches and tunic, and pulled her hair back away from her face. She smiled at her reflection. She almost looked like a boy. The bagginess of the tunic pretty much concealed her breasts and without her hair she looked identical to Thom.

She then walked out of her room and realized that she had no idea where she was headed. Picking a direction, she walked down a flight of stairs and wandered, trying to find a way to the courts where the boys would be practicing.

Ending up in a library, she turned to walk in another direction when she ran into a man. She looked up to apologize when she realized she had met him before. At least, she thought she had. The man had scraggily hair and beard, and was wearing a tunic it looked like he had slept in. His hose bagged at the knee, but a glimmer in his eye told her he was very intelligent.

"I-I'm sorry, sir." She began, but the man cut her off.

"As am I, Thom." He said, "Should you not be in the practice courts?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, sir, I'm not Thom, I'm his sister, Alanna. I came to visit him from the City of the Gods."

"Oh, I see." He said, "Alright, Alanna, You seem to be lost. Here let me show you to him."

"Thank you, sir?"

"Myles is fine."

"Thank you, Myles."

He smiled. "So you have come for a social visit then? Should you not be at a convent? You don't look quite 16 yet,"

"Yes, and we have a few weeks off during summer, I came to see how my brother was doing," she answered.

"I see."

They continued their walk and Alanna found that she enjoyed Myles's company. He had a lot to say and talk about, he even talked to her about a Knight's life. She learned that he was a knight, and the teacher of history and warfare at the palace. By the time they reached the courts, Alanna had forgotten why she walked there, she was very compelled by the stories this man Myles had to tell.

"Are you staying long at the palace?" inquired Myles.

"Just today, I'm afraid. I head back the convent the day after tomorrow."

"That's too bad, I would have liked to speak further with you." Alanna agreed, and was about to say so, when she saw her brother walking towards her. "Thank you for everything, Sir Myles." She said one last time and walked to meet up with her brother.

"So you made it sister dear." He said with a smirk. "And all set to test your skills I see."

"Always ready for a test, brother." She answered smoothly.

"Always ready to dress as a man as well." He replied.

"Of course – but are you ready to fight like one? Or have you been slacking in your training enough for me to win – just like usual?" she retorted.

His eye's gleamed. "Let's see what you're made of, Lady Alanna."

Alanna picked out a sword from the stores and got ready to fight Thom. Timon had strategically taken away their teacher – Aram Sklaw – and sent him on a wild goose chase to find something or other. Leaving the court open for a fight between Thom and Alanna.

Alanna and Thom assumed the 'guard' position, and waited for Thom to begin.

He lunged at her, attacking first. Alanna held her ground and blocked. She disengaged and followed the 'crescent moon' drill swirling her sword in a half circle around Thom, nearly cutting his side. Thom blocked her just in time, and was wary of his sister's speed. Before he had time to recover, Alanna attacked again, forcing Thom to block again. He recovered faster this time, and it was his turn to attack Alanna. Alanna was ready to block it easily, but didn't expect him to quickly switch directions mid-air and attack her other side. Swiftly she switched hands with her sword and blocked Thom's down swinging sword, thanking that she had learned how to fight with both hands. Thom not expecting this, stepped back, letting Alanna have a second to wipe the sweat from her eyes before attacking him again, he blocked hurriedly, and took another step back. Alanna, thinking he had him, went to his throat for the 'kill' position, when he snuck out of her way and went in for another smooth attack. They taught him well… he seems to have a grasp for this at least. She thought, Thom attacked once again, seeing an opening that would end the bout. Instead Alanna slid her sword under Thom's and twisted her blade deftly. Thom's sword flew from his hands, and he was unable to grab it. Alanna placed the tip of her sword at Thom's throat.

"I Yield." He said. Alanna pulled her sword away, gasping for breath.

"That was a good fight, Thom! I'm impressed at how well you can fight."

Thom turned red. "They've drilled it into me, it's hard to forget."

Alanna felt a clap on her shoulder. "Well done Alanna." Said Jonathon from behind.

"Thank you," she answered. "So, who's next?" she asked with a grin.

Unfortunately, just then was when their teacher returned, to see that the boys were talking instead of practicing. "What's this?! Social hour?? Get back to practicing!!" he bellowed. The boys jumped at the voice and went back to work. Some clapping her on the shoulder, one in particular came from behind and shoved passed her. She looked to see who it was and her jaw dropped. It was the boy who had attacked her and Kat that day in the Alley! Alanna's mind raced. Who is this boy? He's a page at the palace?? No, he must be a squire. Alanna noticed he went to work with the older boys, including Raoul and Gary. What should I do?? He shouldn't be here!! That wasn't a thing nobles do to other nobles! I wonder if he would recognize me…

The boy was across the field by now; there was nothing she could do about it this minute. She realized she was staring when he turned to look at her. He sneered and continued to work, hacking at his opponent endlessly. Alanna turned and walked back to the palace, deep in thought.

hey darlin's!! hope you like... sort of short.. sorry im sleepy! its nite nite time for moi!

~CJ~