Chapter 2: Diner
"Thia?" Alex called sheepishly across the corridor.
"Yes?" the princess replied, stepping out from her room.
"When do I get my timetable? May I sit with you for diner, and how do I get to the dining hall? We were told diner started at 7o'clock but I don't know the way, it could be a good thing to learn, no?" Alex queried, slipping out into the corridor and locking her door.
"Honestly Alex, I'm going to look after you. I was on my way to take you down to diner and you'll receive your lesson plan then." Thia replied linking arms with her friend and setting a smooth pace back down the corridor.
At the end of the corridor the girls reached the stairs that lead up to what must obviously be, due to the inane giggles and bustle that could be heard, the female dorms. Alex made a face, causing Thia to laugh, "Thank you so much for rescuing me from that fate." She whispered. "You must be my knight in shining armour! Rescuing me from a fate worse than death!" she proclaimed in a slightly louder voice as the continued, gesticulating wildly, pretending to swoon on her friend promptly making them laugh louder.
"Thia, I never thought you to one for rescuing damsels in distress." A sandy haired man called from a corridor joining onto theirs. He turned to Alex, grinning cheekily,
"Tell me, my dear, from what fate did my friend save you?"
"Ah she was so brave! She saved me from a fate worse then death!" Alex proclaimed before dropping her voice to signal the terror of her threat, "She saved me from bunking with hordes of brainless, giggling blonds that would gradually drive my sensitive mind insane."
"Alas my lady what a fate! You are most lucky to be saved, tis lucky for this school to gain such an independent woman, we need more. But alas our hero has not introduced us, where are your manners princess?" he gently chided Thia, who continued to grin.
"I have no idea where they have scampered, Alex, Thum du Maltie, son of a North Mandrain lord; Thum, Princess Alexeika Volvn, daughter of my father's best general." The two bowed and curtsied respectively.
Alex noted Thum's purple trims, "My princess has not told me what house is purple, if I may be so bold as to inquire?"
"Purple is for those of us who has no such magical ability, most Mandrians are so by choice, it is a part of our beliefs." He replied back with no rancor as they reached the dining hall. "I take it you will go gather your lesson plan." He said, "I shall save two seats for you, at our usual table." He said the last part to Thia who nodded happily.
"Come on Alex we must get your timetable, I have first class off tomorrow so I shall show you around then." Thia lead her friend through the throng of men already waiting for sustenance and the female population to a raised table. "Since you are in fire Professor Mcana will be your head, he also teaches self defence." Thia said leading to a wiry raven haired man with hazel eyes that could easily belong to a falcon. Once reaching him they bowed, Alex's eyes never leaving his face earning a look of respect.
"So ye are my new ward." The man said, "Ye look like yer mother but you have your father's spirit. I was not expecting ye for another 2 years." Alex bowed again in reply.
"Here is yer timetable." He continued handing over the paper, "Good to have another Volvn in the academy and a woman in the house. I shall see ye in class." He gave a perfunctionary nod and when returned resumed his meal.
Thia smiled and started leading her friend into a table in a secluded corner, "I knew you would be happiest in that house, you're much like my brother." Her friend's absent smile dropped into an indignant squark at the end.
"I am NOT like your brother! That was an evil thing to say!"
"Oh thank you, I didn't think I was that bad a person." A strong male voice came from one end of the six seating table.
Alex blushed and dropped into a curtsey, "Forgive me your majesty", 'Big fat stupid mouth, I've been so rude to him!' The eldish eyes remained ice cold, Alex inwardly grimaced, 'I've pissed off my future king and I've been her how long, 3 hours!'
"She has probably been hearing all your sister's stories I could hardly blame her." Thum joked melting the eld eyes into laughter.
'Wow he has a nice laugh. Oh did not just think that!' "Tis true your sister has told me many scary stories, I hope they were merely exaggerated on her part, is it true you got into a fight with the mandrian prince on your first day?" Alex sat down next to her friend, and consequently opposite the prince.
The prince had the grace to blush, "It was not very tactful of me, however I did not know who he was at the time, have you met him as of yet?" he asked dislike lacing his voice and dropping it even lower in pitch.
"Nay I have not, and now I am worried to do so." She replied serving herself some chicken and vegetables, "I fear I have little patience and may cause a similar diplomatic disaster. This is brilliant food, much better than my old school." She started on her diner, savouring every last bite till her plate was clean. For some reason this gained a look of respect from the prince, she raised her eyebrow quizically.
"Most females pick at their food so that it goes to waste, tis an insult when there are so many who starve." He explained softly.
"Aye hunger bites hard." She replied, remembering numerous campaigns and missions with little food. They locked eyes and came to an agreement before Alex began quizzing Thia and Thum on the teachers and classes.
"So what is professor Mcana like as a teacher, he seemed really good, what weapons does he teach? Hand to hand? Sword? Archery? Staff? Tactics?"
"Whoa! You're taking SD?" Thum said, "When did you meet Mcana?"
"Yes I'm taking it and I just met him a few moments ago he's my house head." She replied calmly.
"You're in fire?" Dain asked, impressed, "Mcana teaches everything you need to know about defence, he'll see where you're at and get you learning under your level for all forms, everyone learns a bit of everything, what do you know so far? When's your first class?"
"First thing tomorrow, 8 o'clock in the practice courts. I think I'll take my breakfast early and do my exercises just before class to warm up, care to join me Thia?" Alex nudged her friend who gave a prompt nod. "I have PA straight after, they have the same uniform, I'll have to change though. With Madame Vera, what is she like?"
"She's very sweet but a bit flighty, we study acting on Mondays, music on Wednesdays and work on projects on Fridays." A small flaxen haired girl spoke as she sat at the table and was quickly introduced as Sandrina Minacov, the youngest daughter of a lord on the southern coast of Nether, another friend of Thia who was moving into the lilac room 25 so as to be closer to the kitchens as she had a rather unorthodox interest in cooking. Alexeika instinctively knew she would like this girl.
Which is more than she could say for the sneering golden haired boy that followed, oozing sickly piety. His sapphire eyes snapped disdainfully to her, "Don't tell me, another trollop who like to parade around in leggings pretending to fight." He sneered.
The table stood to defend her but not before her fist connected with his soft stomach and his nose. The pretty-boy flew back in a graceless heap sporting a bloodied nose. "You'll pay for that, I'm the prince of Mandria..."
"I don't care. You're a spoilt brat looking for a fight, until you act like a prince I shall not treat you as one." she said coldly, "I think I shall retire, I shall see you all tomorrow."
"A moment please princess." Mcana walked up to her, "I shall escort you to your room, I wish a word." Alex nodded slowly and proceeded out of the hall ignoring the stares.
"Firstly as your head of house I must ask you to attempt to avoid such displays in public eating areas, you may have upset someone's meal." He added wiry, "may I ask what prompted it?"
"He insulted my honour and ability to defend my self and gave a concealed insult to my friend." She replied, "I acted rashly, I should have ignored him."
"If you had not hit him I am certain the prince would have, those to already have a terrible record for fighting, many worry Gavril will cause trouble once king. It is nice to see him defeated by a female, mind his pride will never forget it you have an enemy for life now." Alex shivered at the warning. "As a defence teacher I must say you pull fast punches even I didn't see the last one, who taught you?" he was grinning now.
"My father, and the men in camp. My father always I should be able to think and look after myself and not rely upon a man, I met one of the island fighters once, he taught me the fastest way to through a fight, he claimed speed gave power and agility." She replied as they reached Thia's and her corridor.
"Hmm, well I shall learn more of your skills tomorrow no doubt, good evening princess." He nodded thoughtfully and walked back the opposite direction. Alex bowed and continued to her rooms, entering she sat and meditated on the day's turn of events before retiring fully.
"Thia?" Alex called sheepishly across the corridor.
"Yes?" the princess replied, stepping out from her room.
"When do I get my timetable? May I sit with you for diner, and how do I get to the dining hall? We were told diner started at 7o'clock but I don't know the way, it could be a good thing to learn, no?" Alex queried, slipping out into the corridor and locking her door.
"Honestly Alex, I'm going to look after you. I was on my way to take you down to diner and you'll receive your lesson plan then." Thia replied linking arms with her friend and setting a smooth pace back down the corridor.
At the end of the corridor the girls reached the stairs that lead up to what must obviously be, due to the inane giggles and bustle that could be heard, the female dorms. Alex made a face, causing Thia to laugh, "Thank you so much for rescuing me from that fate." She whispered. "You must be my knight in shining armour! Rescuing me from a fate worse than death!" she proclaimed in a slightly louder voice as the continued, gesticulating wildly, pretending to swoon on her friend promptly making them laugh louder.
"Thia, I never thought you to one for rescuing damsels in distress." A sandy haired man called from a corridor joining onto theirs. He turned to Alex, grinning cheekily,
"Tell me, my dear, from what fate did my friend save you?"
"Ah she was so brave! She saved me from a fate worse then death!" Alex proclaimed before dropping her voice to signal the terror of her threat, "She saved me from bunking with hordes of brainless, giggling blonds that would gradually drive my sensitive mind insane."
"Alas my lady what a fate! You are most lucky to be saved, tis lucky for this school to gain such an independent woman, we need more. But alas our hero has not introduced us, where are your manners princess?" he gently chided Thia, who continued to grin.
"I have no idea where they have scampered, Alex, Thum du Maltie, son of a North Mandrain lord; Thum, Princess Alexeika Volvn, daughter of my father's best general." The two bowed and curtsied respectively.
Alex noted Thum's purple trims, "My princess has not told me what house is purple, if I may be so bold as to inquire?"
"Purple is for those of us who has no such magical ability, most Mandrians are so by choice, it is a part of our beliefs." He replied back with no rancor as they reached the dining hall. "I take it you will go gather your lesson plan." He said, "I shall save two seats for you, at our usual table." He said the last part to Thia who nodded happily.
"Come on Alex we must get your timetable, I have first class off tomorrow so I shall show you around then." Thia lead her friend through the throng of men already waiting for sustenance and the female population to a raised table. "Since you are in fire Professor Mcana will be your head, he also teaches self defence." Thia said leading to a wiry raven haired man with hazel eyes that could easily belong to a falcon. Once reaching him they bowed, Alex's eyes never leaving his face earning a look of respect.
"So ye are my new ward." The man said, "Ye look like yer mother but you have your father's spirit. I was not expecting ye for another 2 years." Alex bowed again in reply.
"Here is yer timetable." He continued handing over the paper, "Good to have another Volvn in the academy and a woman in the house. I shall see ye in class." He gave a perfunctionary nod and when returned resumed his meal.
Thia smiled and started leading her friend into a table in a secluded corner, "I knew you would be happiest in that house, you're much like my brother." Her friend's absent smile dropped into an indignant squark at the end.
"I am NOT like your brother! That was an evil thing to say!"
"Oh thank you, I didn't think I was that bad a person." A strong male voice came from one end of the six seating table.
Alex blushed and dropped into a curtsey, "Forgive me your majesty", 'Big fat stupid mouth, I've been so rude to him!' The eldish eyes remained ice cold, Alex inwardly grimaced, 'I've pissed off my future king and I've been her how long, 3 hours!'
"She has probably been hearing all your sister's stories I could hardly blame her." Thum joked melting the eld eyes into laughter.
'Wow he has a nice laugh. Oh did not just think that!' "Tis true your sister has told me many scary stories, I hope they were merely exaggerated on her part, is it true you got into a fight with the mandrian prince on your first day?" Alex sat down next to her friend, and consequently opposite the prince.
The prince had the grace to blush, "It was not very tactful of me, however I did not know who he was at the time, have you met him as of yet?" he asked dislike lacing his voice and dropping it even lower in pitch.
"Nay I have not, and now I am worried to do so." She replied serving herself some chicken and vegetables, "I fear I have little patience and may cause a similar diplomatic disaster. This is brilliant food, much better than my old school." She started on her diner, savouring every last bite till her plate was clean. For some reason this gained a look of respect from the prince, she raised her eyebrow quizically.
"Most females pick at their food so that it goes to waste, tis an insult when there are so many who starve." He explained softly.
"Aye hunger bites hard." She replied, remembering numerous campaigns and missions with little food. They locked eyes and came to an agreement before Alex began quizzing Thia and Thum on the teachers and classes.
"So what is professor Mcana like as a teacher, he seemed really good, what weapons does he teach? Hand to hand? Sword? Archery? Staff? Tactics?"
"Whoa! You're taking SD?" Thum said, "When did you meet Mcana?"
"Yes I'm taking it and I just met him a few moments ago he's my house head." She replied calmly.
"You're in fire?" Dain asked, impressed, "Mcana teaches everything you need to know about defence, he'll see where you're at and get you learning under your level for all forms, everyone learns a bit of everything, what do you know so far? When's your first class?"
"First thing tomorrow, 8 o'clock in the practice courts. I think I'll take my breakfast early and do my exercises just before class to warm up, care to join me Thia?" Alex nudged her friend who gave a prompt nod. "I have PA straight after, they have the same uniform, I'll have to change though. With Madame Vera, what is she like?"
"She's very sweet but a bit flighty, we study acting on Mondays, music on Wednesdays and work on projects on Fridays." A small flaxen haired girl spoke as she sat at the table and was quickly introduced as Sandrina Minacov, the youngest daughter of a lord on the southern coast of Nether, another friend of Thia who was moving into the lilac room 25 so as to be closer to the kitchens as she had a rather unorthodox interest in cooking. Alexeika instinctively knew she would like this girl.
Which is more than she could say for the sneering golden haired boy that followed, oozing sickly piety. His sapphire eyes snapped disdainfully to her, "Don't tell me, another trollop who like to parade around in leggings pretending to fight." He sneered.
The table stood to defend her but not before her fist connected with his soft stomach and his nose. The pretty-boy flew back in a graceless heap sporting a bloodied nose. "You'll pay for that, I'm the prince of Mandria..."
"I don't care. You're a spoilt brat looking for a fight, until you act like a prince I shall not treat you as one." she said coldly, "I think I shall retire, I shall see you all tomorrow."
"A moment please princess." Mcana walked up to her, "I shall escort you to your room, I wish a word." Alex nodded slowly and proceeded out of the hall ignoring the stares.
"Firstly as your head of house I must ask you to attempt to avoid such displays in public eating areas, you may have upset someone's meal." He added wiry, "may I ask what prompted it?"
"He insulted my honour and ability to defend my self and gave a concealed insult to my friend." She replied, "I acted rashly, I should have ignored him."
"If you had not hit him I am certain the prince would have, those to already have a terrible record for fighting, many worry Gavril will cause trouble once king. It is nice to see him defeated by a female, mind his pride will never forget it you have an enemy for life now." Alex shivered at the warning. "As a defence teacher I must say you pull fast punches even I didn't see the last one, who taught you?" he was grinning now.
"My father, and the men in camp. My father always I should be able to think and look after myself and not rely upon a man, I met one of the island fighters once, he taught me the fastest way to through a fight, he claimed speed gave power and agility." She replied as they reached Thia's and her corridor.
"Hmm, well I shall learn more of your skills tomorrow no doubt, good evening princess." He nodded thoughtfully and walked back the opposite direction. Alex bowed and continued to her rooms, entering she sat and meditated on the day's turn of events before retiring fully.