( A/N: Just to explain some stuff, Malven, is like neighbors with Trebond. So this chapter will make sense later. I'm not really sure how it is, but to make it work, that's where it has to be, so they see each other often, and Ralon is a bully even then. Also, really snobby lords set up there daughters to make sure they marry well. Keep the reviews coming.)

Disclaimer: This doesn't belong to me, but Tamora Pierces. So don't sue.

Once out of the door, she took off running to her rooms to find Coram. Once there, she threw open the door, threw her books down and cried. "He's here, Ralon's here Coram!"

"What's this? Ralon? The one who made you blind? I thought he went to the University."

"No, he came here, he's the one who beat me up! How am I going to do this? Will he see through my disguise? Coram!"

"Look, I doubt he will. He probably thinks he put you in your place. He won't be expecting you to be here. Especially after your guys' last meeting. Besides, he's never seen you with you're hair short. Only Thom, and you look close enough to him that anyone but me or Maude would notice. So, just play it cool, be yourself. How close is he to squirehood anyway?"

"I think a year."

"So, that's not that long. Don't worry. You'll be fine. And he shouldn't be in every class of yours'. At least not fighting wise." He slapped her on the back. "Go on to bed, I'll be on palace watch if you need me. Relax, and sleep well lady page." He smiled and left her to her own thoughts.

His words left her on her bed thinking back to that day.

She was out riding her pony, Chubby, through the Orchard. Her brother was here as well, somewhere not far behind her. Her hair was tied back, and she wore her brother's breeches and shirt, that she had hidden around the place. Wearing them only when it was certain that her father wouldn't see. She was against the inferiority that women went through all the time. Boring and useless. Thought of only as ornaments for court, to watch the land while the men were away, and bring about heirs for the lords… it was stupid. The beating of hooves could be heard easily now, and she slowed to let Thom catch up.

"Alanna. Slow down. I know that you don't want to be betrothed to Ralon, but there's nothing we can do about it. Face it, there's no way to escape it. You're going to the convent to learn how to be his Lady, and I'm going to the palace to be a knight."

"Great, I'm marrying my worst enemy. He's a prig. Its men like him that ruin the world. Otherwise, who knows, maybe girls would actually want to marry." She pouted.
"You know Alanna, I think you're the only girl who thinks that way. All the other girls go to convents willingly. Look at Claire, and Trinity."

"Yeah? Well, they're clueless, not to mention they have no brains. Anybody, even Ralon, has more brains than those two combined."

"Why thank you." The two Trebond children started in surprise as the boy walked out from his hiding place behind the trees. "But, I think you have it wrong."

Alanna recovered quickly, her angry tongue ready to lash out at the topic of their discussion. "Oh, that's true. I can see where I did go wrong, please forgive me Ralon. I really did mean that only you would have less brains then them." She bowed mockingly at him, since she was dressed in breeches rather than a skirt. "What can I ever do to repay such an injustice?" She smirked up at him.

"Surely you're joking and can see I meant that you were the one with no brains." He smiled down at her. "My little mistress"

"Why you little-," no more could be heard of the angry whisper as she threw herself on top of him. Wildly punching and kicking at his thin form. She left behind the little training she had received from Coram. Forgetting completely in her anger about aim. Only caring that she got enough force into her blows to make him hurt for a long time for making that comment. "There is no way that I will ever be married to a pig." She whispered as she continued hitting him, emphasizing her last comment with a well placed kick to the groin, and a pointing finger jamming into his chest. It was clear who was winning this fight. Ralon was covered with bruises, while Alanna only had two. One over her eye, and another large one on her shin.

But at this comment, Ralon got new life and came back at her with a vengeance. "Boy's aren't supposed to hit girls, and all. But you don't count. You're an IT." His punch to her stomach made her double over in pain. "I won't marry an IT. No, I won't. So I'm just going to have to teach you a lesson aren't I?" He kicked her some more, and tried to initiate some wrestling, which she sucked at, due to her small size. Beating her horribly. "This should be easy." He rummaged through his pockets while Alanna was doubled over, biting her lip and refusing to cry, or shout in pain. Finding what he wanted, he pulled her hair, forcing her head up, so that she had to look at him. He took the stopper off the vial. "There is no way that I will ever marry you, Farmers Daughter." His voice layered with snobbery and disgust. "Perhaps this will even teach you that you're no fighter." He tipped the vial down to her eyes, letting the potion drip into them. Alanna cried out for the first time she could remember. The pain eating her up from the outside in. Knowing that it hurt more for her to hear herself give in and scream, Ralon laughed at her and jumped atop his horse. "After all, my father would want no less than perfect for me. See you at the palace Farmers Boy." And with that he left, leaving her alone with her brother.

"Alanna, what's wrong? What did he do?" cried Thom, once Ralon had left. He knelt down beside her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. She shrugged him off and looked around.

"Goddess,"

"What? Alanna, what did he do?"

"Thom, I, I think I'm blind!" She reached out and grabbed him. Nails tearing into him as she tried to see him. All hopes banished in that one moment. "What am I going to do?"

"What do you mean blind!" He asked incredulously.

"I mean blind! As in can't see. Nothing. Whatsoever. No sight."

"You never had the sigh-"

"Don't joke, you know what I mean this is serious Thom!"

"Okay, come on, we'll go see Thom and Coram and see what they can do."

Those few days surrounding that incident were the longest days of her life. She lived in despair thinking that she would never ever get to do her dream. Be who she was. Her whole life seemed pointless. She had stayed with Maude for a week, while she tried cures, but to no avail. Nothing worked. The potion had done its job. She would never see again.

But it was also in those days that she found more determination than ever to go through with it. Wild as it seemed, she wouldn't give up. She had to prove to Ralon that there was no part of her that would be diverted from her dream. She stayed by Coram endlessly. Learning the sounds of the sword and swordsmen, as they moved through the air. Coram taught her things that he could never have dreamed of teaching someone that was blind, but her determination made it easy. She would never give in. Over the next year she had honed her other senses, particularly sound and touch. She could tell the differences of armory's now, as well as when, and where other's were around her. She could read, slowly, but could nonetheless, read by the raised ink in books. Her temper had definitely reached and all time high, along with her defiance. But none of it was for waste. She was here now, at the palace. Learning to become a knight, and no one, especially not Ralon would stop her now.

She pulled down the covers on the bed and hopped in not knowing that elsewhere in the palace, she was the topic of discussion.

Down the hall in the Raouls' room, the boys were discussing their small friend. They sat in a circle, homework completely forgotten.

"Did you see the poor kid.?" Asked Gary

"Yeah, I've never seen someone with so many bruises, even a first day page should have been able to deflect more blows than he obviously did. And to not even say anything, that's what really surprises me." Answered Raoul. "Most kids would have said something, or at least have gone to the healer."

"I'll bet you anything it was Ralon." Said Jon quietly. " Did you see the way Alan tensed when he heard his name? And how he left immediately afterward? He was also extremely evasive." He sighed. "It would also be just like Ralon, to go for a small kid."

"He was also on his own. He asked me to leave, and next thing we know he's been beat up." Explained Gary.

"Can we teach him a lesson? No one can beat up Alan and get away with it. The poor kid will never be able to fight him himself, he's way to small."

"We've just got to make sure that Alan, doesn't find out. I'm not entirely sure he'll like the idea of us fighting his battles. He's strange that way."

"Sure, we better go give him one." Answered Jon.

They all got up, and silently marched to Ralon's room. Opening the door, they trooped in, waiting for him to get back from his duties in the stable.

And now to my reviewers…

Twilight Shades- You guessed it right, I really should give you a prize! Must be ESP… darn it! How can I keep up the suspense if you know everything ahead of time.

Coeur Casse- Don't say that! I mean I enjoy the fact that you like my story and all, but I've read yours and it's good too. Keep posting and reviewing.

Red Rose of Love- You know, I never thought about that idea. Hmm… I could go somewhere with that… I hope you don't mind if I do, although it will have to come back awhile later or in a sequel I'll try and find out where it comes in best. Thanx for the support.

Pink Squishy Llama- You know, that's pretty frightening idea, that I don't want to go through that… so here it is.