Author's Note: As some of you may realize, I have not updated for like one
month... I apologize profusely! :D I had been very super busy for the last
month...yea! Anyways, this is Chapter 6, as promised.
Chapter 6
Alanna noiselessly followed the slowly burgeoning crowd which headed towards the castle. The crowd was walking (or running in some cases) briskly towards the colossal stone building. Alanna's heart was filled with emotional turmoil. She did not know what to do. Was returning to the castle such a good idea?
The castle doors swung open, and all honored guests were ushered into their guest compartments. Alanna noticed, with a small smirk, that they had not shown her into the squire rooms, but a guest room instead. This was actually part of the Tortallan protocol. Alanna was a noble- and she deserved a noble's treatment, no matter what she had done in the past.
Alanna knew that there were many people in the castle who would have her banished from Tortall if they could. Not many people saw eye to eye to what Alanna felt and desired- the ability for girls to become knights. Most nobles felt that the punishment Alanna received was not harsh enough. They had wanted her to be exiled from Tortall forever. Secretly in her heart, Alanna was afraid. Yes, the lioness, (her Shang nickname) was afraid.
That evening, a grand banquet was prepared- for two reasons. Firstly, to honor her win. Secondly, to make up for that day's horrific event. Alanna unpacked her trunk. There was almost nothing inside. Just a few breeches and tunics for practice, and two evening dresses. Alanna picked the nicer of the two and slipped it on. Staring into her mirror, she managed, somehow, to tie her hair up into a twist. She did not bother to smear on any make-up, which was something she did not believe in...yet. Finally, putting on a pair of high-heeled shoes, she reassured herself that she was doing the right thing, and left her room.
The ball room was instantly covered in an eerie soporific silence as Alanna entered the room. There was a thick layer of tension, as well as an underlining layer of awe and admiration. Unbeknownst to Alanna, she was held in admiration by many. After all, how often did you get a daring fighter who could dress as well? Not very often! Alanna calmly strode on, (As much as a stride she could do with a skirt) silently cursing her dress, before sitting at the allocated seat near the Royal family. It was traditional custom that the winner of the annual Knights competition sits next to the Royal Family in the banquet that followed.
The King snapped his fingers and waiters, clad impeccably in clean and neat leggings with a matching tunic, carried sliver trays filled with food. Expertly maneuvering through the hall, they placed the food on the table with alarming precision. The king got up and said a prayer. Alanna only half listened; she concentrated on something else. Something like, trying to sneak a peek at Jonathan without actually doing it. Quite impossible. Soon, Alanna heard the murmurs die down as the king ended the prayer. The eating soon began.
A thousand miles away, Roger of Conte cursed.
"Blast that stupid girl! She again!" he cried furiously. Clenching his fist, he banged it onto the table; which wobbled dangerously. Delia of Eldorne instantly kneeled down in front of him.
"My lord, what is the matter?" She said softly.
"That that... Alanna! She has ruined my plan... again!"
"How?" Delia prompted him.
"That plan was infallible. The king, the queen and my good-for- nothing cousin should have died within a few seconds if not for that...idiot. Plunging onto Jonathan like that... She ruined my plan! "Roger paused. "Those arrows were coated with a lethal poison that had taken up a huge chunk of my gift to brew, and its not wasted... all wasted!" Roger snarled angrily. "Never mind though..." He consoled himself. "Its time for plan B..."
Authors Note: I like short chapters- sorry. Based on self-experience, I have found out that although long chapters are more exciting, they tend to be pretty exhausting and hard to read. The words go blur after a while. So... yea sorry... my chapters will stay short.
Quite a Cliff hanger eh? Just wait for Chapter 7, up very very soon!
I would like to thank all my fantastic reviewers who had given me such positive feedback! Thanks! (
Chapter 6
Alanna noiselessly followed the slowly burgeoning crowd which headed towards the castle. The crowd was walking (or running in some cases) briskly towards the colossal stone building. Alanna's heart was filled with emotional turmoil. She did not know what to do. Was returning to the castle such a good idea?
The castle doors swung open, and all honored guests were ushered into their guest compartments. Alanna noticed, with a small smirk, that they had not shown her into the squire rooms, but a guest room instead. This was actually part of the Tortallan protocol. Alanna was a noble- and she deserved a noble's treatment, no matter what she had done in the past.
Alanna knew that there were many people in the castle who would have her banished from Tortall if they could. Not many people saw eye to eye to what Alanna felt and desired- the ability for girls to become knights. Most nobles felt that the punishment Alanna received was not harsh enough. They had wanted her to be exiled from Tortall forever. Secretly in her heart, Alanna was afraid. Yes, the lioness, (her Shang nickname) was afraid.
That evening, a grand banquet was prepared- for two reasons. Firstly, to honor her win. Secondly, to make up for that day's horrific event. Alanna unpacked her trunk. There was almost nothing inside. Just a few breeches and tunics for practice, and two evening dresses. Alanna picked the nicer of the two and slipped it on. Staring into her mirror, she managed, somehow, to tie her hair up into a twist. She did not bother to smear on any make-up, which was something she did not believe in...yet. Finally, putting on a pair of high-heeled shoes, she reassured herself that she was doing the right thing, and left her room.
The ball room was instantly covered in an eerie soporific silence as Alanna entered the room. There was a thick layer of tension, as well as an underlining layer of awe and admiration. Unbeknownst to Alanna, she was held in admiration by many. After all, how often did you get a daring fighter who could dress as well? Not very often! Alanna calmly strode on, (As much as a stride she could do with a skirt) silently cursing her dress, before sitting at the allocated seat near the Royal family. It was traditional custom that the winner of the annual Knights competition sits next to the Royal Family in the banquet that followed.
The King snapped his fingers and waiters, clad impeccably in clean and neat leggings with a matching tunic, carried sliver trays filled with food. Expertly maneuvering through the hall, they placed the food on the table with alarming precision. The king got up and said a prayer. Alanna only half listened; she concentrated on something else. Something like, trying to sneak a peek at Jonathan without actually doing it. Quite impossible. Soon, Alanna heard the murmurs die down as the king ended the prayer. The eating soon began.
A thousand miles away, Roger of Conte cursed.
"Blast that stupid girl! She again!" he cried furiously. Clenching his fist, he banged it onto the table; which wobbled dangerously. Delia of Eldorne instantly kneeled down in front of him.
"My lord, what is the matter?" She said softly.
"That that... Alanna! She has ruined my plan... again!"
"How?" Delia prompted him.
"That plan was infallible. The king, the queen and my good-for- nothing cousin should have died within a few seconds if not for that...idiot. Plunging onto Jonathan like that... She ruined my plan! "Roger paused. "Those arrows were coated with a lethal poison that had taken up a huge chunk of my gift to brew, and its not wasted... all wasted!" Roger snarled angrily. "Never mind though..." He consoled himself. "Its time for plan B..."
Authors Note: I like short chapters- sorry. Based on self-experience, I have found out that although long chapters are more exciting, they tend to be pretty exhausting and hard to read. The words go blur after a while. So... yea sorry... my chapters will stay short.
Quite a Cliff hanger eh? Just wait for Chapter 7, up very very soon!
I would like to thank all my fantastic reviewers who had given me such positive feedback! Thanks! (