Disclaimer: Enough said. I'm not Tamora Pierce
Thanks for the reviews! Here are some answers to your questions
Flaring Phoenix: In the first chapter, the gods saw the future of Tortall and was devastated by the outcome if Alanna wasn't to become a Knight. They must risk it, resulting in disobeying the laws of a god. I mean Gods aren't perfect. So just one mortal will, yes, change the future but that means I get to write this story.
winky-wink: There will be a poll sometime in the future so the possible pairings are of course AJ or AG.
Adjusting to Unwanted Lifestyles
Flopping onto her bed, Alanna sighed. She had just been in a practice session with the Daughters of The Convent and was worn out from it. Looking out the window of the convent, she thought of how she came to the situation she was in now. Was it just two years ago?
Flashback'Thom, rewrite the letters,' Maude said to Thom who was panting from running all the way to Maude's place.
'What do you mean rewrite them?' asked Thom, breathing in air between words.
'Okay, this is very hard to explain but I need Thom to change the names on both letters, saying that Thom is "Alan" and Alanna is "Thom"', explained Maude, going through the orders the Mother Goddess had given her through the visions.
'And why is that?' questioned Alanna.
'We go through with the plan from before but there are a few changes. Alanna, you go to the Convent as "Thom" and Thom, you go to the palace as "Alan".'
'Wait a minute…' Thom interrupted. 'So you're saying that Alanna goes to the convent with a male's name. Do you know how strange that sounds?'
Understanding what Thom's thinking of, Maude replied 'It is, but she isn't going to the convent to be taught as a Lady. Instead she'll be instructed as a sorcerer or in this case a "sorceress".
'This isn't making any sense,' said Alanna, confused. 'We are not going to the place we wish to be. As a matter of fact, we're in the position the other wants to be in.
'Now, now, don't fret. You are going to be in each other's places, temporarily. You'll both have an opportunity where you'll then swap places. When, I don't know. Since you are twins, only Coram and I are able to spot both of you out. Your father asked Coram to look out for you, Thom, so I expect you not to tell this plan to him.'
'You thought of this last night didn't you?' asked Thom. 'Why would you want to help us this much?'
'Because I -…I want what's best for you two.'
Thom ran up to Maude and hugged her with all his might.
So far I haven't revealed the Mother Goddess intentions Maude thought, thinking about what the Goddess had said to her of the things that would happen to Tortall if she was to tell.
'Only time will tell…' whispered Maude, talking to no one while returning the hug.
Alanna was looking at her suspiciously. Why did she say the Great Mother Goddess's name in her dream?
Thom, seeing his sister's suspicious look, glared at her. He gave her one of those 'at least you get what you wanted'. Seeing the look, Alanna changed her expression on her face to a happy one and hugged Maude.
'Thom, you better get packing your things or your father will be angry. Alanna, sit here while I get my scissors for your hair.'
'Alright,' obeyed the twins.
That day, Alanna left Trebond, her father and her brother and, what the Great Mother Goddess said, was on a path to her destiny.
End of flashback
I wonder what Maude meant when she mentioned the fact that we will have an opportunity to swap Alanna thought.
'Master Thom? Are you in there?' called a voice outside her room, interrupting her thoughts.
'Yes?'
'It's time for lunch, sir. In the mess hall.'
'Ok, I'll be there in a moment's time.'
Hearing the footsteps fade away, she got up and changed quickly into a shirt and breeches, making sure her top-middle section was bound tight, revealing nothing. Two years I've been called by that name and I still can't get use to it.
How can anyone be able to use the Gift and not be afraid of it? Thinking about what she had just done in the lesson, she shook her head, pushing that thought away from her already thought-filled brain. After lunch, I'll have to practise my sword training. I'm becoming too rusty.
She sighed. Getting worn out by using her Gift too much was a problem but eating with a bunch of giggly girls was worse. To think that I could of have ended up being crowded around by them. Thank Mithros for that!
During the two long years since Alanna had been in the convent, she had learned to control her Gift to certain limits. Knowing that her Gift was far greater than the boys in her class, she retained it to keep attention away from her. If she was noticed, they might ask her questions and she might have slipped something out.
With her poor involvement in classes and grades, she often received frowns on the faces of the Daughters faces, revealing their disappointment. Classes were such a bore to her when she could have been training with real knights. More than once had she regretted the idea of her being in the convent as a sorcerer-in-training.
It was a miracle that she was let in without anyone suspecting her true identity, let alone the allowance for her to stay because of her lacking performance. The Daughters had to be persistent and asked questions while probing her mind.
After the Daughters were satisfied with the questions, the dulling pain had remained in her head for one week and she had been unable to concentrate in the simplest tasks such as lighting a candle.
But she wasn't the only Trebond having troubles adjusting to the lifestyle they had been chosen for.
Somewhere in the palace, outside a certain page's room, you would be able to see a faint purple light coming from inside. Being reminded by Coram's complaints about his capabilities in fighting, Thom was training his Gift. I don't care if he prefers Alanna as his master/mistress or if he is embarrassed by my sword skills, I'm going to become a sorcerer.
If that Ralon of Maven's going to beat me up again, then I'll blast him. Making up the excuse 'I fell' to Duke Gareth had become a habit to Thom. After every dueling lesson, Thom always ended up in the Duke's office, explaining about how he acquired the injury during class.
With no companions at all and not accepting offers of having one, he had been consistently helped by the five most popular pages, the Prince, Raoul, Gary, Alex and Francis.
Ever since Thom had arrived for training in the Palace, Ralon had always used him as a punching bag. After a while, the Prince and his friends had pitied him and started defending him. This however made Ralon more persistent in beating him up.
The last time Ralon had laid hands on him; he couldn't take it anymore and had lashed out with his Gift. But unfortunately the results were ones that weren't pleasing. Ralon had broken his left leg and bruised his right eye but Ralon only received a mere red mark on his face. They were now banned from any visits to the city and him from visiting George. He had met George on the first day he had arrived in Corus.
While fascinated by the large, busy population of Corus, he immediately went looking for his purse to purchase anything that caught his purple eyes. He then realized someone had stolen his belongings from his packhorse.
Frustrated by his lack of caution, he swore. From nearby, a man had heard him explain to Coram about his problem. Moments later, he turned up next to him and gladly gave his purse back. Introducing himself, George had taken a liking to the young Lord.
Whenever Thom got sick of palace life, he would go to the Dancing Dove to release the stress that had been building up inside him. Playing dice had become one of his favourite past time games.
Worn out from practicing his Gift too much, he decided he'd secretly go to the Dancing Dove, despite the Duke's orders. He managed limping half way but collapsed when his left leg gave out. Luckily George was nearby.
'Lad, kissin' t' ground is not gonna make ye' move.'
'Oh shut up George, now could you help me up?'
'Aye? Me, a thief, helping ye, a noble? Ain't ye afr'aid ye purse be stolen?'
'Look, I've known you for two years George. You think I don't trust you?'
George chuckled and helped Thom up, half dragging him to the Dancing Dove.
'Just makin' sure.'
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A/N: Ok, I'm very sorry for this very late update but I promise to try and update a bit earlier next time. Thanks you to those people who review! If you want to read more of this story, please review!
Remember! Questions are welcomed.
Cya
Moonlight1314