AN: This chapter is coming really late because I had to be talked into doing this thing again so everyone who cares thank Alana then GIVE ME A FREAKIN TITLE NAME…. Sorry go ahead
Disclaimer: Don't own it, still trying to get over it, let's move on
Alex's jaw dropped. Quindin? Like the Joren's crony, Kel's enemy, "women shouldn't fight" Quindin? Just her luck. Was she on probation? That would be kind of stupid cause she had never really opted into this in the first place. Thoughts of doubt and slight fear raced through Alex's mind, as she slowly realized Lord Quindin was still talking.
"Now, Maryland…"
"If it pleases you milord," Alex hated to interrupt but she would never answer to "Maryland", so she tried to be as polite as possible. The things she had said to the King just wouldn't go over well here. "I would prefer if you used Woodward. I don't believe it is possible for me to respond to Maryland, being as it's such a general area and I don't own the land, only my house."
"Very well," It seemed that Lord Quindin could hardly get the words out of his mouth; his glare was like a laser beam boring through Alex's skull. She cringed, waiting for the lecture, but none came. Well, let me rephrase that. None came on her name change. "Now, Woodward. The King has made it clear to me that you are not from around here, so are not aware of our various customs. While he might be lenient of you ignorance, I will not be. Nothing vulgar or lower class will be permitted under my supervision. If you even think that you are going to be given leeway, you are wrong. See Queen's Cove for whatever you need, other than that, I expect you to act the same as everyone else. You have two bells in the armory for your lateness next Sunday. Dismissed."
Okay…. that was weird. Alex thought, wandering away from the dais. Who put a stick up his bum? Then she remembered, it was Quindin, he had always been like this.
Outside she found a rather impatient Lily and Eleni. Eleni was rocking back and forth muttering about stupid training masters who take too long and Lily would roll her eyes every once and while. It was really quite amusing and Alex stopped to watch them for a while, waiting to be noticed.
"Alex!" Lily called, waving. "Finally. Please do me a favor and silence our dear friend over here."
Before Alex could reply, Eleni cut into the conversation, looking glad to have someone beside herself to talk to. "Mithros, do you think he could take any longer? So, do you have punishment work? Cause that would be so unfair but so like My Lord of Marti's Hill. Grandmamma and everyone hates him but there's not much we can do cause we need a stupid conservative training master. He hates us girls. It really stinks but there's not much we can do about it. Do you need help getting back to your room?"
Eleni said all this without taking a breath, something Alex had tried to do for years. Impressive. Alex contemplated what she said, trying to discern the questions from the idle chatter before answering.
"No, Yes and definitely Yes."
"Great!" Was the enthusiastic reply before Eleni set off down the hallway, practically skipping. With a final eye-roll Lily fell into step with Alex, behind the still enthused Eleni.
"How did you understand all of that?" Lily whispered as the turned yet another corner.
"I have a friend like that at home." Alex replied, thinking of Trish. She couldn't wait to tell her about this. Trish would never ever believe this. Then maybe she would stop teasing Alex about her books. Oh, and she had to tell her brother, Jason, too, he was, after all, the one who had introduced her to the Tamora Pierce series and it was thanks to him that she knew so much.
Then it hit her. She couldn't go home. She would never see any of them ever again. There was no way. She would never see her mother or father, tell them that she loved them though they were increasingly annoying as she entered middle school. She would never have her brother there to try to teach her what was "cool" or laugh with Trish, Izzy and Bekah. Never find out if Jay got the guts to ask Izzy out. Her throat tightened. She felt so stupid. She had been so excited at this dream come true, she hadn't even thought about the consequences.
Lily was about to question Alex about this friend, when she saw the look on Alex's face.
"You okay?"
But there was no response. Alex was too caught up in her own folly and the mistakes she had made to hear Lily's inquiry. She barely remembered they were there. She was an idiot. She wanted to go home.
They arrived at Alex's door in silence, even Eleni noticing that something was wrong. Without a word Alex flung herself onto the bed and cried herself to sleep.
She wanted to go home.
AN: Sorry bout the short chapter but I'm debating what to do about Alex's current crisis. Please let me know about the suggestions you may have and read and review like always. Again, apologies about the long update time and my current sporadic update pattern, but I also no longer have computer programming to update during. Lo siento.
Thank you to my reviewers:
Miliko01: In case you didn't notice, I hardly ever update, but it will be more than once every two months with Alana constantly bugging me. I'm glad you like and feel free to make suggestions
Lady Leah of Chaos: I hope I explained the unwanted presence of Quindin in this chapter, and who knows if Roald will fire him, or even get the chance…bum bum bum, ask your sister bout that one
Word to the sis: I am not a twit, so here's your stupid update. And I know the title sux but no one's helping me out with my title problem besides you and we all know that you need to work harder, come on girl!
Lady Leah of Chaos: Shut up, I'll read them eventually
AznMetalHeadGurl: Glad you luv it, here's another chapter for you!!
Thanks to all and to all a good night
Ps I know Leah and her sister Alana and that's why im so mean to them, so don't let that scare you away from reviewing….