Summary: you already know it
Disclaimer: are you stupid?
Rating: PG for non-graphic violence.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*break in time or space*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
*Wow,* thought Alanna as she made her way through the Corus marketplace, *this place is amazing* She spun in her saddle trying to see everything.
"Keep an eye to yer saddlebags," She heard Coram yell, "There are some here who would steal their own mother's teeth."
Alanna looked at a young man, around 17, that Coram seemed to be directing his comment at.
"Who, me?" he asked, flashing her a smile, and them slipping off into the crowd.
She wasn't sure how she got to the palace, but her pony followed Coram's, and she found herself dismounting.
Then a servant was leading her and Coram, along with a small blonde lad and his manservant to see His Grace, Duke Gareth of Naxen, the training master of pages.
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Alexia looked across the table at the duke. She was so exited that she barely heard what he was saying.
"You're here, Alan of Trebond and Alex of Malgentia, to learn what it is to be a knight and a noble of Tortall. It's not easy. You must learn how to defend the weak, obey your overlord, to champion the cause of right. Someday you might even be able to tell what right is."
Alex hoped that he was joking, but it was impossible to read the Duke's emotions. A quick glance at Alan told her that he was thinking the same thing.
"Until you are fourteen you will be a page. You will wait on table at the evening meal. You will run errands for any lord or lady who asks you. Half your day will be spend learning fighting arts. The other half you will spend with books, in the hope that we can teach you how to think."
During his speech Alex watched Alan. There was something about him that called to her. A familiarity that she couldn't recognize. She'd have to look into that.
"If your masters think you are ready, you will be made a squire when you are fourteen. Perhaps a knight will chose you as his body squire. If so, you'll tend to your masters belongings, run his errands, protect his interests. Your other lessons will continue-they'll be harder, of course."
*of course* she thought.
"When you are 18 you'll undergo the Ordeal of Knighthood. If you survive, you will be a knight of Tortall. Not everyone survives." He held up his left hand, revealing a missing finger. "I lost this in the Chamber of the Ordeal." He sighed.
Don't worry about the ordeal now. You have eight years to think about it. For the present you will live in the Page's wing. Your men room with you, but I hope they'll be able to serve in the palace guard in their free time."
Coram nodded. "I'd like that, yer Grace"
"As would I, your Grace" Said Rupert.
"Excellent, we can use men of your ability." He looked at the pages once again. "One of the older pages will sponsor you and show you how things are done. You'll be in his charge until you are familiar with the palace and your duties. If you are obedient and work hard, you wont see me often. Misbehave, and you'll learn how harsh I can be. When you prove yourself worthy, you will be granted free time to go down into the city. And make no mistake-you'll earn every privilege three times over. You are here to learn chivalry, not to have a good time. Timon" -The new pages looked at each other, they had forgotten that the servant had been there the whole time.-"take them to their rooms. Make sure the boys are properly clothed. Also, guardsman's uniforms for Masters Smithson and Giles.."
The Duke looked over Alan and Alex. "It's a hard life, but you get used to it."
Alexia bowed and kissed his hand, "Yes your Grace"
"Alex, you will be waiting on me at dinner. Alan, you will be waiting on Sir Miles." He held out his hand to Alan, and he didn't move."
*She must not know what to do!* Alexia softly pushed on his back. Alan started, and reapeated Alexia's actions.
"Thank you, Your Lordship."
"A Duke is called Your Grace, Page Trebond. Don't worry, you'll get used to it." They then turned and followed Timon to the fitters.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*Alanna's point of view*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
when they walked into the fitters Alanna's mind shot into overdrive. *What if I'm forced to strip, what if I'm sent home before I even start?* Luckily, there was no such problem. She was measured with a quick, precise rhythm, the tailor calling out numbers to his apprentice in the back room. The others were measured in the same quick, precise method. When the clothes were held up against the two new pages the tunics that were supposed to fall just above their knee's fell instead to mid calf.
"Ain't they a wee bit big?" asked Coram with a smile on his face.
"They're more than a 'wee bit big'" Stated Alex. "there's no way we're gonna be able to move in these!!"
"Lad's grow." Said the tailor in a gruff voice. "You rip 'em, you mend 'em. Don't let me see you for at least tree months." They were then bustled out of the storehouse.
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And now a response to my wonderful, beautiful, most gracious reviewers:
Smugget: I'm going to try to go through all 3 series', adding in more BTVS characters as I go along. I still have to read Trickster's Choice, Is is good?
blackbeltchic: Stop watching me type. Stop it!!! I'm updating today, and then again on Friday during internet Technology *if you ever want credit for a study hall, this is the class to take!!* Oh, K? Lauren Kearny's at the Dojo tonight, and at SoPo dojo w/ Sempi Tara tomorrow. We're allowed to go to 1 or both. REMEMBER YOUR BO!!
Gidgergirl: thanks! I'll try your challenge, but it may take me a while.
Sigma1: Sorry 'bout that. I fixed my settings. Thank you for you enlightening review.
ME TIME!!! Ok, I fixed my settings, you shouldn't have to sign in anymore. Willow and Xander are out of character because there is no way of knowing how much godly time has passes. And I think that they both have very mature sides. I'll try to be more goofy.
Have I mentioned that I love those of you that review? I do. I worship you in my sleep. I pray for you with 30 different religions before bed. I wish health and wealth on all reviewers.
Please review?