AN: I'm sorry it's been a while, Ms. Raley was having us actually work in computer programming...I know, God forbid. Anyway, here it is, your next chapter

Disclaimer: The character's you recognize ain't mine, they belong to Tamora Pierce...

Looking around the room, Alex was confronted with one of the men who had blocked her path in the lesser library. About to say something, she noticed he was the one behind the large desk sitting in the throne-like chair. Further, she noticed that though he had iron gray hair, his eyes were unmistakable the Conté blue. This had to be King Jonathan, 25 years older than she had ever pictured him.

Not quiet sure how to respond to meeting such an important personage, Alex inclined her head respectfully before sliding into one of the three gilded chairs which faced the King in front of the desk. The room went silent, the shock resonating through the air.

"This is King Jonathan," Alanna said, as if trying to illicit a response from someone who had gone momentarily insane. Indeed, to her, Alex had lost her wits, because second before she had seemed knowledgeable and in control. After reading the books or whatever they were, she should at least have attempted a bow. And hadn't she met nobility before? At least minor ones, if she was a commoner. Alanna doubted Alex was common, seeing as she read for fun and seemed so well educated. So where was the bow?

"Yes I know. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Alexandra Woodward." Alex stuck her hand out across the desk, remembering how her father had instructed her to always shake hands with adults and make eye- contact. Then it dawned on her. They expected her to bow. Alex grimaced slightly as she asked, "You don't expect me to bow or anything, do you? I'm sorry but I'd rather not."

Despite Alex's effort to be respectful and mature, she could tell she'd made a glaring social error. First, King Jonathan's eyes widened with further shock. Then, the ring of swords being drawn behind her was heard. Gulping down panic and reminding her self that she was an American and bowed to no one, Alex rushed to explain.

"I'm sorry, I really didn't mean any disrespect but, number 1, you're not my leader; number 2, I'm not particularly fond of monarchies to begin with; and number 3, you just dragged me here from my home without my permission so there is absolutely no motivation for me to stand here and genuflect."

At this point, Alanna stepped in, for which Alex was very grateful because she had the feeling she was very close to being run through.

"Why don't you like monarchies?" She queried, giving Alex the opportunity to explain herself. "What else is there?"

"I don't like monarchies because, though this hasn't happened that I know of in Tortall, sometimes people are born with the right to inherit a throne they aren't ready for or will never be ready for. Some people aren't mean to rule. Period. Why inflict a bad King on people simply be it's in said King's blood lines? I live in the United States of America, which is a democracy. That essentially means that the people vote for the leaders and their agendas. It gets really complex from there, but it is a 100% people friendly. Ok well maybe not 100 percent, but friendlier than yours!"

After this little speech (Alex's second of the day) silence followed, as everyone in the room attempted to regain their tongues. Alanna was the first to have any success.

"I thought you were from Rockville, Maryland," she ventured tentatively.

"I am, my city's name is Rockville, in the state of Maryland in the U.S. of A, which is my country. I'm an American citizen and I don't bow to Kings." Alex couldn't help but remarking with pride. The guards behind her took a step toward her, swords still drawn. Eyes flashed at her impertinence.

"Tell them to back off," Alex's nervousness dissipated at her memory of all the blackmail she had at her fingertips. "Or I'll tell them about the time on Lady Alanna's 17th birthday when..."

King Jonathan cut her off, hurriedly motioning for the guards to lower their weapons. "Find, don't bow," King Jonathan said rubbing his temples and glaring at Alanna as if it was her fault. "Stay seated and we'll discuss our current ...errrr... situation."

"Why do I have the feeling you will be doing most of the talking." Alex acquiesced, immensely proud of herself for annoying King Jonathan the Prick. Ignoring the comment, King Jonathan continued.

"Now, you're here, but we have no idea what to do with you, or how to send you back."

"Way to plan ahead," Alex interrupted, earning another glare. She wondered if what she was doing was a good idea, but she couldn't help it. Something about King Jonathan screamed: talk back!!

"Well we didn't exactly..." began King Jonathan's angry refute, before he was interrupted by Alanna.

"We're going to put you into knighthood training until we know the extent of your abilities. According to our research, you are some sort of weapon, so we figured real weapon training would be a good place to start." Alex picked up the conversation before King Jonathan had a chance to say that was no their original plan.

"That sounds great, but I hate to disappoint you. I'm not Gifted. In my world, there's no magic and if there was, I don't have it. I never got a reaction headache or played with fire or saw things or any of that stuff you told Kara and Kourem and Ishak about. Controlling the weather...I don't remember them all. Anyway, I should have shown some kind of sign. I don't even have a deep connection with animals like Daine had before she knew about Wild Magic."

At this final statement, King Jonathan nearly fainted. (Alex was secretly disappointed that he didn't) Knowing that between that last speech and Alex's remark about Alanna's birthday, Alanna would have to explain their earlier conversation, she gave Alex a smile and a nod.

"Ok, we'll have to explore this subject later. For now, there's a servant outside who will take you to the pages' wing. You'll meet the Training Master tonight."

"Ok, goodbye and Thank you Lady Alanna."

As she turned to leave, Alex paused for a second before giving a mocking bow. With that she exited through the double doors she had entered through.

Outside, the promised servant was standing out there.

"My name is Selma," the woman was old, her face aged to a pale silver, but her bleached blue eyes were kind. Alex smiled tentatively; suddenly shy in the face of all that wisdom.

"Alex," she offered.

"Please follow me Lady Alex," Selma began down the hallway. Stunned at the new title, Alex had to run to catch up.

"I'm sorry, I'm not a Lady, Miss Selma," Alex explained, half afraid of all the knowledge she would lose if she erected the class barrier. This woman had been around a while and had known Kel as a page.

Shrugging with acceptance, Selma ushered Alex down the corridors and into a plain room. "This is yours, I'm sorry it's a bit sparse, but we had little warning of your arrival." At this comment, her eyes sparkled with laughter. Alex grinned back.

"Thank you very much," Alex said as Selma closed the door, leaving her alone. Smiling to herself, Alex savored the dream she was living. She was in Tortall!!

AN: Ummm, yeah that's it for this chapter, I hope you enjoyed it....I'm still looking for a new title, so any suggestions would be welcome

Thanks to Mango Sam: I put that bit with the guards in just for you, I hope that was kind of what you meant....Thanks for your review...