A/N Sorry for the long update. By the way, the Daughter's name is pronounced Pat – Ree – Zah.
Alanna and George arrived at the convent ten days later. The journey had been a good one; George had entertained her and there had been no mishaps or attacks. Alanna had enjoyed herself but now she pulled Moonlight up short, worry washing over her as she gazed at the grey building in front of her.
"Lass," George said, stopping. Alanna shook her head.
"It's nothing," she said quickly. "Let's keep going." About to nudge her horse into action, Alanna felt a strong hand on her shoulder.
"If you wanted to give up and run I'd be happy to hide you for the time bein'," the thief said. Knowing he was joking, Alanna laughed and felt her courage return. They moved on.
As they rode through the Convent Yards they saw various groups of girls: ten-year-olds learning to walk properly, twelve-year-olds learning to courtesy and older girls learning to accept flowers from a gentleman.
As they rode into the stable, a Daughter came to greet them. She stared disapprovingly at Alanna, who realised that she was not riding the traditional side-saddle. Alanna blushed a deep red and quickly dismounted from her horse.
"You are Lady Alanna of Trebond?" The Daughter asked. Alanna nodded and, quickly remembering her manners, added, "Yes, My Lady." The Daughter looked her over before turning to George.
"We thank you for accompanying our newest student to us," she said. "I think it best you leave now."
George bowed to the Daughter and turned. He gripped Alanna's shoulder with a big hand.
"Good luck," he said. "Remember, you're not alone. You have Faithful -,"
Faithful, hearing his name, put his head out of the saddle bag he had been traveling in. After finding the cat sneaking into her belongings time after time, Alanna had given in and Faithful had traveled with her to the convent.
"Excuse me," the Daughter's voice interrupted. "I'm sorry but we do not allow animals here." Her nose wrinkled in distaste as she looked at Faithful, who was climbing to his favourite position on Alanna's shoulder. "We find that it – er – interrupts the girls' studies.
Trying to look as though this information meant little to her, Alanna picked up the yowling Faithful and handed him to George. The cat, safe in George's arms, continued to hiss insults at the Daughter that Alanna hadn't realised Faithful knew. Thanking the Gods the Daughter couldn't understand what the cat was saying, Alanna gave Faithful a pat, and George a last hug.
"Goodbye," she whispered.
"Make sure you write," George instructed. "I'll take good care of Faithful." George bowed to the Daughter again and mounted his horse. "I'll see you soon, I'm sure," George said to Alanna.
"How are you sure?" Alanna asked, clinging onto any comfort she had left.
"I couldn't stay away too long," George said, winking. Then he was gone.
The Daughter turned to Alanna.
"I am Daughter Patrizah," she said. "Come. I'll show you to your room."
Alanna followed her up a long staircase and into a corridor dotted with doors.
"These are the bedrooms for the young ladies of your age," The Daughter informed her. "There is a common room at the end of the hallway in which you can spend time with the other girls." She unlocked a door on the right and opened it, handing Alanna the key. "A maid will be up in a minute to run you a bath. When you've finished please ring the bell and a maid will escort you to my office. I'd like you to wear a dress if possible." Daughter Patrizah turned to leave, and then turned again. "Lady Alanna, there are male staff here. If you are ever found with a male in your room you will be thrown out. Is that clear?"
"Yes, My Lady," Alanna answered, wondering why the Daughter was saying this. It was obvious she didn't like Alanna, for what reason Alanna didn't know. Shaking her head, she entered her room.
After rinsing the roads dirt, Alanna surveyed her room. It was small and basic, holding only a bed, a closet and a mirror. Looking into it, Alanna saw Page Alan looking back at her and felt a small stab. She had no idea what people at the Palace thought of her. She hadn't heard anything at all.
Alanna was still dressed as a boy, in breeches and a shirt. Sighing, she dug through her belongings fro her only dress. She would have to visit the dressmaker tomorrow and order some more.
Alanna tugged on the dress and pulled her shoulder-length hair up, hoping she looked respectful enough. Glancing around, she saw the bell and then hesitated. Alan the Page was not someone who required people to escort him places. He was unafraid and independent. Alanna drew courage from him and stepped out of her room.
Then she stepped back in again. A crowd of girls were heading her way, talking softly and walking straight. Feeling intimidated, Alanna hid back in her room. Sighing, she reached for the bell.
The maid took her to a small room on the bottom floor. She knocked three times on the door and then said to Alanna, "You wait out here, Milady. She'll call y'in when she's ready for you."
Alanna nodded and thanked the maid, who left. She stood alone in the silent corridor, her hands twisting nervously. She wasn't used to this sort of situation. The times she had been called into an office, she had been treated like a boy. Alanna didn't know how to act when she was being a girl.
A solitary girl heading up the stairs stopped to look at her. She was tall and slim, with pert nose, full red lips and bright-green eyes. She looked a little older than Alanna, maybe fifteen or so.
"Who are you?" The girl wanted to know. Her tone was bossy and aloof and Alanna felt irritation prick at her.
"Alanna of Trebond," she replied, as pleasantly as she could.
"Oh," the girl said, in a tone that indicated she didn't think very much of this. "So you're the one who pretended to be a boy for three years." The girl smirked as she looked Alanna over. "I must confess, I see plainly how you could have gotten away with it. You do have a sort of – masculine look."
Alanna fought to keep her temper down.
"I did have a rather easy time of it," Alanna said dryly. "It would have been much harder for you, I'm sure. Then again, you look the sort that would try to get any man who didn't agree with you into bed. Maybe you could try Duke Gareth?"
The girl's sneer transformed her from being beautiful to ugly.
"Is that what you did? Or perhaps you were busy bedding Prince Jonathon? I hear you two were quite close."
Alanna temper snapped. She could handle insults for herself, but for the girl to insult her friend was more that she could take. Alanna's fists came up.
"You want to say that again?"
"I don't fight," the girl snapped.
"Then maybe you're going to have to learn." Alanna leapt for the girl. She rammed herself into the girl's chest, causing her to fall to the floor. Alanna was reminded of the day she first arrived at the Palace and met Ralon, except this time there were no witnesses and no Princes to save her. She was brought back to reality when the girl let out a yell.
The door opened behind them, revealing the Daughter.
"Lady Alanna!" She shrieked. "What do you think you're doing?" Alanna stood up, as did the girl she had been fighting. "Lady Delia," Daughter Patrizah said, turning to the girl. "I don't know what Lady Alanna was doing, but I assure you she will not do it again. You may go."
Lady Delia shot a triumphant smirk at Alanna and left. Alanna followed Daughter Patrizah, who was plainly furious, into her office.
"Lady Alanna," she began, in tones of forced calm. "I understand that you have a somewhat different background than most of our girls but at our convent you do not fight the other girls. This behaviour is unacceptable. If I catch you fighting again you'll find yourself back at Trebond before you can blink." Alanna swallowed.
"I understand, My Lady," she answered. "I apologise." Daughter Patrizah sighed and composed herself.
"The girls will be at supper," she said. "You will join the other thirteen year olds for meals, free time and written lessons. In the practical lesson, such as walking and mounting horses gracefully, you will join the youngest of our girls, the ten year olds." Alanna felt her face burn with humiliation. "I will take you to the dining room and introduce you to the girls."
Alanna followed the Daughter to a large room on the same floor. The sounds of chatter and plates clinking came from it. Alanna licked her lips. She was hungry.
Opening the doors, the Daughter walked in. Immediately chatter stopped and all the girls in the room stood up.
"Ladies," Daughter Patrizah said. "I would like to introduce our newest student to you: Lady Alanna of Trebond."
A hundred eyes were suddenly fixed on Alanna. She went red.
"I will leave you to your meal," the Daughter said, leaving again.
The girls sat down again, all staring at Alanna. There was silence in the room, not one girl spoke. Alanna looked back at them all, panic rising. What was she supposed to do?
A/N so, what did you think? As school is starting soon I won't be able to update much for a while so I made a longer chapter than normal. Don't expect much because I'll be busy, I've decided I'll do well this year. Sorry about that, I hope I'll be able to update sometime soon! Thanks for reading!
