AN: Sorry this took a while to be finished and updated because there were AP exams and I'm not gonna have much time to type everything. It's a pet peeve of mine but I like to have complete chapters before I post...Anyway, enjoy Chapter 3 Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce has the privilege of owning most of this...not me I'm afraid
Alex, for the first time, appreciated Alanna's short legs as she strode to catch up, trying to sort out her thoughts.
"King Jonathan the Fourth?" she asked, falling into step. Alanna glanced at her, slightly surprised at this strange girl's knowledge, before she answered.
"Yes....Where are you from?" she returned.
"Rockville, Maryland." Alanna's mind raced again. She had never heard of the place, how could the girl be so knowledgeable about Tortall, but have Alanna know nothing of her homeland? Alanna was brought back to the present by Alex's question.
"How old are you?"
Alanna sputtered, coming to an abrupt halt. How old was she?!? What a rude impertinent question! Alanna had just been starting to like this girl and then she has the nerve...
"I'm sorry," said Alex quietly next to Alanna. All of her earlier fire seemed to have gone out, and she was once again reduced to a young confused girl. Alanna almost felt bad for her, almost. "I didn't mean to offend you or anything," she continued. "I'm just trying to find out how much time has passed since...since what I know has happened."
"What you know?" Alanna repeated dumbly. She knows something, that's what makes her so valuable; Alanna mused and consoled herself that there was a good reason behind the question. Then she sighed and gave the inevitable answer.
"59." It came out as a grunt. The champion did not need the world to know that she was old! She had to distract the girl before it spread. "How do you know about Tortall? What does my age have to do with it?"
Alex muttered some calculations before answering, "Books, from where I come from all of you are characters in books. Unfortunately, the most recent one to come out, Trickster's Choice, happened about 15 years ago." She grimaced at how much could have changed in that amount of time. Oh well, now she'd get some spoilers.
"My world is some crap book?!?" Alanna exclaimed before she could stop herself.
"Not crap!" Alex responded, offended. "They are awesome books! I've been reading them forever! Trickster's choice is awesome! Though I never thought it had as good a portrayal of you."
"Of me?" Alanna questioned, not sure she wanted to know the answer to this particular query, especially after her charges latest outburst.
"Yeah," Alex responded, oblivious to the other woman's thoughts. "When you were training to be knight and all that, you were so cool and open-minded! Then, when Aly said she wanted to be a spy, you made it seem so bad! You were all about bloodlines, where as you used to not give. I don't know much about old and it was told from Aly's point of view, but you acted like someone stuck a stick up your rear!"
By the end of this, Alex had fallen so deeply into her familiar tirade about Pierce's destruction of her favorite character; she had forgotten that she was talking to the character herself. Realizing it as she stood in the middle of the hallway, Alex blushed and bit her lip.
Alanna, however, did not notice. She was lost in thought, recalling the incident. Alex was right, in retrospective. She had acted like a stuffy old lady, afraid of change! She had been all about rank, but in the end, Aly's work had proved invaluable. The Copper Islands had a new Queen, Sarai, and a new King, Alanna's son Alan of all people. Alanna's grandchildren were next in line for the throne!
Maybe having her here wasn't so bad, Alanna thought. She has such a unique perspective, and she'll certainly shake up court, which had gone a long time without a good shaking up. We'll see how she does as a knight, since she's supposed to be a weapon.
The rest of the walk down the various halls passed in silence, both women deep in thought. Finally they reached two great double doors. Alanna nodded to the guards who stood stationed on either side of the door. On her cue, they pulled them open.
There was no turning back now. Besides, Alex thought wryly, I'd hate to be put to sleep again...
AN: I hope you like this chapter, remember, R&R!! Oh, and I had Sarai marry Alan cause that's how I always pictured it, Don't ask why, maybe because it just gives Aly something else to tease Alan about. Anyway, thank you to:
Mango Sam: Thanks!! I'm glad you like it!
Keladry of Queenscove: I couldn't agree with you more...hence the little rant about the "old Alanna"
QueenofConnaught: thanks for being such a faithful reviewer...I really appreciate all of your support!!
Shadowdancer: Thank you for letting me know, I personally haven't been having that problem but I'll see if I can fix it so it doesn't interrupt your reading or anything
PS: I'm trying to find a better title, I guess it's a contest type of thing but please give me suggestions and the winner will get a....ummmm....a big wonderful THANK YOU!! Anyway thanks to all my reviewers and please let me know
pps: I finally figured out how to bold everything!! this will be much better for you all i hope!