Chapter Two

Emerging from the carriage the small delicate red head gave her gloved hand to the footmen, and came out into the sun. Alanna raised her head and gave a toothy smile. Her nose was delicate and her lips were drawn into a small polite smile.

She abounded the footman's grip and spread her arms out. "Brother," she said and embraced the identical red head. Her brother, Thom gave a smile and hugged his sister back.

"So good to see you Alanna," he smiled and held her out, looking her over. "Is this my twin who used to insist on wrestling in the mud and used to be more the page than I?" Alanna gave a small bitter laugh.

Indeed, she thought somewhat bitterly. It's still me, but ah, I've adapted, have you? She was different, and Thom saw that, saw that this was not his sister from before, she was hardly the same. "No," she lied. "I've changed, and realized how stupid I was when I was ten. Silly dreams, silly things, I gave up on them when I was eleven." She gave a perfect smile. I didn't, she thought to herself. I loathed that stupid convent, and I still loath it, I will burn it to the ground as soon as I can. She gave a small laugh and kissed her brother on the cheek to make sure she did not scowl.

There was a sound from the carriage and Delia stepped out, smiling. She and Alanna were… friends. Of course, they were friends; a lady always was friends with another lady. Alanna turned back and smiled, holding back vomit as she saw the expression on Delia's face.

"Oh, is this your brother?" Delia asked with a delicate smile. Alanna quickly glanced up and said a short prayer.

Dear Graveyard Hag, strike her dead! Oh, she was not fond of Delia, not in the least bit, still, she put up with her. Over the years they had been forced together, to be with one another constantly. As practice dance partners, room mates, in the same sewing circle, sitting next to one another in classes and Delia had become rather clingy to Alanna once her father had died. Both of them were missing a parent and Delia saw that as a base to be friends on. It had annoyed Alanna when she was eleven, and continued to annoy her now!

Now that her father had passed away to, Delia just wouldn't leave her. With a deep breath, Alanna smile and took Delia's hand. "Yes, this is Thom and he's a squire here, and he's Prince Roger's squire." She kissed her brother's cheek again. "But the sword didn't get you a master, it's his magic."

At the convent she had hidden her magic, and pretended to be very proud of her brother because it.

"His Gift," a new voice said. Alanna looked up, and her purple eyes stopped on the prince. He was gorgeous.

Dressed in a gray tunic and with a sword at his eyes, Alanna felt her heart began to melt. Well, not really, rather, she was enjoying looking at him, and analyzing him. He was doing the Sam to her, and she like it, or at least letting him watch her.

"Your Highness!" Delia said first and gave a perfect curtsey. Alanna rolled her eyes and gave her brother another hug. She also, gave a curtsey, one that was hardly perfect. She went low, but now low enough for the crown prince. She did it just so she could show that she respected him, but he had to earn more. "It is so nice to be here," Delia continued to babble about how nice it was to be. Alanna simply held back rolling her eyes, and stayed silent.

"Lady Delia," he said with a bow. "Lady Alanna, welcome to the palace." He kissed Delia's hand, smiling. "A beauty like yourself is always welcomed here." Delia gave a grateful smile and nodded. Roger than turned to Alanna and kissed her hand.

"And this," he said, standing up and looking her in the eye. "Is the Lady Alanna?" He bowed and smiled. "Very pleased to meet you." He took her hand and escorted her down the hall, motioning for the footmen to carry the lady's bags. "Your brother has told me such stories." Alanna gave a small smile and laughed.

"Were they stories of an unruly ten year old girl who had dreams of being a knight?" She laughed and rolled her eyes. "Sadly, yes, that was me." Roger smiled at the girl and walked her down the hall to the guest's wings. Her suites would be next to Delia's and the other ladies, of course.

"Yes, those often made me laugh," Roger said, a stunning smile, again Alanna smiled back. "But hearings of the wild young red head, and seeing you, a delicate beautiful lady, make it very hard for me to identify you as Alanna, the twin sister of my squire."

"I can't even remember why I wanted to be a knight, it's all rather silly," she smiled and folded an arm around his as he offered it. I can! she thought and growled silently. I wanted to make a difference! And make a difference I shall! Watch me change things, oh, sweet prince, you will be wrapped around my finger, and I shall make you, and this country mine.