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Chapter Two

( Back to Alanna)

Finally the dress fittings were over. Alanna was heading back to her room when she saw Thom. She smiled warily.

"Don't worry," he said, "My friends went riding, I came here so we could catch up."

"I don't know why you are even friends with that snobby prince," Alanna scoffed.

"Not to mention his squire right?" asked Thom.

"Well, yeah," she replied.

"He's just mad cause you didn't curtsy and fall in love with him," Thom said bluntly, "but don't worry, you were completely right," he added quickly, remembering how Alanna used to stick his head in the fishpond. She smiled.

"So how's our smiling friend," she asked.

" I still have no proof," he said angrily.

"Don't worry you'll get it." was her reply.

"Ahhhhhh what's that? He yelled suddenly.

"That my dear brother is a cat," Alanna drawled, "his name is Faithful."

"Oh, did you notice that his eyes are the same as ours?"Thom asked.

"No," she said sarcastically, "I didn't."

"Well sorry, anyway I got to go."

"Bye Thom," Alanna called.

(Night)

Alanna slipped into dark breeches, a dark tunic, and her most used boots and crept into the hallway. She exited the palace and set off toward the city at a jog, she didn't need a guard to get suspicious as to why a girl wearing boys clothes was going to the city in the middle of the night. As she entered an inn called the Dancing Dove she was greeted by the roar of noise made by the thieves and their ladies. Alanna squinted through the smoke to see George seated at his "throne". He of course saw her come in and got up to greeted her. "I thought you might have forgotten about me," he teased.

"How could I possibly forget about you," she said in her sweetest voice.

"So how was your first day at the palace?" George asked

"Well first I was greeted by Thom and his friends, which, other than that snooty prince are pretty polite. Next, snooty Delia came in to tell me I had a dress fitting for the ball tomorrow night." As she finished she made a face. She HATED balls.

George smiled, "well, Jon isn't so bad and if you think about it at least you got the fittings over with if not the ball."

"Ugh, your friends with him too?" Alanna asked.

"Sorry lass, but Thom introduced us, and he's not too bad ,for a prince,"

"Well, I guess I could try to give him another chance." Alanna grumbled, knowing that once she disliked someone she almost never changed her mind. George laughed knowing the same thing. After catching up, Alanna headed back to the palace without trouble, since all the thieves had seen her talking to George.

(Morning)

Alanna forced herself to get up early so she could practice her fighting uninterrupted at the training courts. She grumbled to herself all the way down. "I just had to want to learn how to fight. I couldn't have become a soft noble lady. If I had I would be asleep right now," she sighed, she was never satisfied.

After stretching she went through her many exercises with each of her weapons and without weapons. She was practicing with her sword when Thom came out.

"Wanna duel?" he asked.

"Sure," she said. She had the sword out of his hands within minutes. Thom had a look of respect on his face.

"You beet me even faster than usual," he said shocked.

"Well I have been practicing for the past six years," she said.

"Jon is crazy to think girls can't fight, of course you are not a typical girl," Thom told her.

"I'm sorry, when did his highness say this," she asked in a strained voice. Thom could have smacked himself, why couldn't he keep his mouth shut?

"Um, after you left," Thom mumbled.

"Hmpf, I have to go," Alanna replied, "people will be coming out here soon," and she left before Thom had a chance to reply. I HATE that prince, she thought, he is so stupid and annoying and... speak of the devil. The stupid, annoying for mentioned prince had just turned the corner. He had spotted her and looked confused.

"Have we met before?" he asked her. Alanna almost burst out laughing, he thinks I'm a boy, she thought amused.

"No highness," she said in a boyish voice, if he doesn't know why should I tell him.

"Oh, would you happen to know squire Thom, you look just like him," Jon asked.

He is so stupid, "no, I do not your highness," she replied.

"Oh, well I'd best go find him, goodbye," he said and left.

Alanna ran to her way and gave way to giggles, wow, she thought, that is one stupid prince, sure makes me feel good about the future of this country. She sighed and got into a dress, yuck a dress. It was a simple pale dress, Alanna was not big on fancy dresses. Unfortunately ,she realized as she got her dress for the ball, she would be spending the night in one. It was an elaborate, off the shoulder, violet gown with sleeves tight to the elbow where they became loose and flowing. The neckline was too low for her taste, but to any other woman it was a pretty modest neckline. It had a tight bodice, but long flowing skirts. She made a face, it was way too fancy in her opinion. When she got to her room Cythera was there. Cythera wasn't her friend, but she was nice enough.

"I'm here to help you with your hair and face paint, the daughters don't trust you," she told Alanna with a smile. Alanna made a face.

"I hate face paint," Alanna said. Cythera smiled again.

"Yes, I think that's why I'm here," she said.

(On the Practice Courts)

"Thom, there you are," Jon yelled as he ran onto the practice courts. "You'll never believe it, but I saw a boy that looked just like you only a little shorter."

"Was er... this person wearing tan breeches and a big, loose, white shirt?" Thom asked.

"Yeah, how'd you know?" asked Jon, but was only answered by Thom's laughs.

"I can't believe she tricked you," she laughed.

"She? Thom what are you talking about?" asked Jon.

"That was Alanna, not a new boy," Thom replied. Suddenly Gary, Alex, and Raoul joined Thom's laughter.

"You got tricked by a girl," laughed Gary.

"Obviously that girl is smarter than him," joked Raoul.

"Jon you have to admit, it is kinda funny," said Alex. Jon was very angry. How could he get tricked by her?

"I'm going for a ride," Jon grumbled and left.

"He's been sore ever since she talked back to him," Gary said.

"She did have a point," said Thom, always loyal to his sister.

"Actually, she had quite a few points," added Raoul.

"Very true," said Alex gravely. Silence. And then...

" I still can't believe she tricked him," laughed Gary, and the others joined him.

SoOoOoOoOo tell me wat ya think! Thanx:)