Alanna

Chapter 2- Redo

Almost all the characters in this story belong to Tamora Pierce. Thanks.

Author's Note: This is a redo, so please read and enjoy! I lengthened it! Thank you.

Italics refer to thoughts.

(Three years later)

Alanna took a deep breath to calm down her frazzled and tensed nerves and stepped into the market place. It all came back to her like hurricane- memories and more memories. Taking in a deep breath, she stifled her emotions with the ease of a practiced Yamani. Had it really been three years since she had left this place? It seemed more likely to be a decade. Yet, thankfully, she could still remember the place well. Every nook and cranny, nothing much had changed in her period of exile. In a few years, the place had remained mostly dormant, with little changes, unlike much of the world around Corus.

However, she had changed and she knew it. Whether for the better or not, she was not too sure, and something told her that she may never come to a decision herself. Alanna had grown to appreciate being a woman, even to like the feminine part of her; yet, she had not given up being a man. When she was younger, in her growing years, she had detested being a woman, loathing her body and the restrictions it gave her. Now, she embraced it, which was something the Shang had thought her. The Shang was one of the few communities which were unbiased against both sexes, unlike the rest of Tortall, which was largely a male chauvinist society. The female population at the Shang village had thought her an important concept- balance between her feminine and masculine side. Equality. Yin and Yang.

In that few years, she had trained, harder than she had ever done, and she was now, proud to say, strong enough to beat any thief who dared to stop her on the way. (To do so would be hazardous and foolish) Her muscles were well developed, and her speed lightning fast. Her agility was like that of monkeys too. However, her hair- it had changed. Alanna had stopped cutting her hair short. Her hair was now long, and reached half way down her back. It did not flutter freely in the wind; Alanna could never bear the feel of her hair down. Instead, her hair was tied up into a knot on her head.

Alanna wished she could tell herself that she was back for no reason, just to see the place she had spent fun-filled months in, to reminiscence. No, that would have been deliberately lying to herself. Alanna clenched her fist into a tight ball. She was here to seek revenge. Revenge on what they had taken from her- her dream. Alanna took a deep breath, and quelled the burgeoning feeling of rage. She would not take revenge by bloody murder, no, she would enter the annual sword joust, and she would win.

That would be revenge in itself- humiliation.

The knights competition was held for knights and commoners or nobles (She was still a noble- Thom had not disowned her after their father's death). Anyone could participate but few could win. It was one of the few competitions that all of Tortall was eligible for. For the past few decades, the coveted prize had been bestowed on a knight every single year. A male and that went, in their opinions, without saying. But this year... it would be different. Alanna swore to herself- she would win the prize. Snatch it away from them, right under their nose. To see their expressions on their faces when they saw who won…

Pure, undeniable bliss.

She had been training for this for very long. Months and months of training...

After leaving the city that night, Alanna had traveled miles to the Shang village. Rows and rows of grass-thatched houses, splat right in the middle of a savage forest. At first, she had been shunned by the Shang people. They had flat down refused her plea for tutorage. She was too old, they had said. However, filled with determination and a thirst for vengeance, she refused to give up. Despite being dragged away countless times, she would still pull herself back to the village. Hide somewhere discreetly and watch the Shang train. Daily repeated routines, over and over again. Alanna had secretly copied their moves, and practiced hours a day. She lived harshly in the forest, setting up makeshift tents and lighting fires with stones. It was a primitive way of living, but Alanna never complained. The drive was there.

Every week, she would still plea with the Shang- take me, she would say. Please. They still refused- adamant. Finally, she had lost her temper. In her fit of uncontrolled emotions, she had drawn lightning. There was a loud gasp from everyone. Did she want a fight? She would be slaughtered- they had thought. Who could beat the Shang Dragon? It was simply impossible!

Alanna knew immediately what she had done was rash and uncalled for. However, her pride would not let her give up. She was from Trebond- and she would do her home proud. She stood crouched, ready to fight. The Shang dragon drew his sword and the metals met with a 'clang.' The fight had begun.

Alanna had not given up sword play. The hours of repeated practice took up immediately. She leapt into a series of complicated patterns and routines. However, the Shang dragon met each with competently. The look of complacency disappeared and a grim smile crept onto his face. The fight went on for hours. Alanna would attack, the Shang Dragon would block. Then the Shang Dragon would attack and Alanna would block. The duo was perspiring profusely and their muscles ached. However, both refused to give up. Instead, the fight dragged on. Suddenly, Alanna picked up a burst of speed. With lightning speed and monkey like agility, Alanna's mind began to work in a flurry; she thrust her sword forward unexpectedly. The Shang Dragon was taken of guard and hurriedly blocked the shot. Taking advantage of this, Alanna withdrew her sword in a flash and set on into a series of patterns she had created. Before the Shang Dragon knew it, the edge of the sword was kissing his neck dangerously...

"Watch where you're going!" Someone hollered. Alanna blinked and snapped out of her reverie. She had banged into an old withered man. Muttering her apologies, Alanna looked up and started. The castle was there- within sight. Towering into the sky, stretching for miles by the sides, the castle which held the Conte family, and the castle where the Fight would be held...

She could already see revenge in the air, feel the tangible taste of satisfaction at the tip of her tongue, and her fingers could touch success…

Alanna grinned grimly.

TBC