Revealed

Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce owns everything you recognize.

A sudden rap on Sir Myles' class ceased the class-wide debate for a moment. A small, frightened looking boy stood at the doorstep...clearly one of the Duke's messanger boys. Looking toward the timid boy, Sir Myles waved a hand to inform the boy that he was welcome to speak.

"D-Duke Gareth would have permission to see Page Alan of Trebond by his desk at this moment." The boy spoke almost completely smoothly, although it was obvious by his looks that he was quite nervous.

Myles gave the red haired, lavender eyed lad a look, giving him permission to leave the classroom.

Alan of Trebond, actually Alanna of Trebond, reluctantly exited the classroom. As whenever she was called to the Duke's office, a feeling of nervousness swept over her body? After three years of Alanna of Trebond acting as Alan of Trebond, had her secret been found? Fears thrashing throughm her brain, Alanna silently followed the Messanger back to Duke Gareth's office. He allowed her inside, then fled.

The first sight that Alanna noticed as she entered the room were Duke Gareth's cold, stormy eyes. In a frantic, Alanna attempted to recall anything that she had done to set the Duke off, but could think of nothing.

"Duke Gareth." Alanna spoke in her false male voice, bowing in a man's fashion that had been well taught to her.

"Alan of Tebond. Please sit." With a notion with his hand, Alanna sat on a well made chair, nervously eyeing Duke Gareth. He did not wait to speak to her, but began right away.

"I suppose that you remember the letter to your brother that your father mistakenably wrote a couple moons ago." With a swift nod from Alanna, the Duke continued.

"Well, against your wishes, I wrote back to him, explaining that he had written to the wrong child. Once again he wrote back, insisting that I was mistaken. Because of earlier...feuds if you may call them... with your father, I had determined myself to prove him wrong. So once again I sent a letter, this time cursing him for failing to remember his two sons. Once again he wrote back, saying that he had not two sons, but a daughter and a son...Alanna and Thom of Trebond."

Alanna took a gulp of air, disbelieving what was happening to her. Why? And how? She could feel sweat tickiling down her red face.

"After a few more letter, everything was cleared. But I must ask you, Alan of Trebond, are you actually Alanna of Trebond?"

The question acted as a dagger, piercing through her skin and to her heart. By the notion, Alanna could tell that Duke Gareth was using a Truth Spell. She tried to free herself with her Gift, but could not. Weakly, she muttered, "Yes. I am Alanna of Trebond."

Duke Gareth let go of his magic, a disheartened frown on his lips. "Then I must ask you...Alanna...why?"

Alanna sighed and struggled back tears. This was the end. "I wished to be a knight. I did not want to go to a Girl's school. And Thom would be a terrible knight...he only wishes to use his Gift."

"And when were you going to tell us of this?"

"When I became a Knight." Finished Alanna softly, her voice piercing her skin. Why?

Duke Gareth sighed, wishing that he was not the one to force this upon Alanna. He...no she, would have been a great knight. But he had duties, and he could not rid of them for a young girl. For maybe he was doing her a favour, ridding of her before the truth of Knighthood became too much.

"I fear to say, Alan...na of Trebond, that you are going to have to be dismissed from court. I am sorry, but duty counts. And already you have broken law." With a wave of dismissal, Alanna stood and left the room, feeling empty and broken.

"I do not care of your excuses, girl! You have betrayed the Court, the Palace, and your family! There is no excuse for the wrong you have done!" Lord Alan of Trebond's voice was loud and high, sending shivers down Alanna's spine.

"But father I..." Alanna sputtered, attempting to speak and hold back all the emotion that she had carried back from Corus.

"I am not father of a liar, traitor of a girl. I know it was your idea, this whole mess, for your brother has not the mind to think of something of the sort! It is too late to pull him away from his wicked sorcery. Girl...go. I do not wish to see you again. Leave Trebond by evening."

Alanna cast her purple eyes to her father in bewilderment. Banished? For...life?

"GO!" Lord Alan roared, his throat tightening. In a hurry, Alanna dashed from the room, hurrying to her own rooms, where Coram had already prepared a bag of clothing and other necessities.

"I am deeply sorry, Lady Alanna. I know you would have made a well Knight." The elderly man reached out to hug the shocked thirteen year old girl, holding her shaking body.

"Coram...what shall happen to you?" Alanna whispered softly, sucking in streams of tears.

The middle aged knight smiled wearily and replied,"I suppose I shall move to Corus permantly... although it will take persuasion to allow myself into the eyes of the King."

Alanna gulped deeply, realizing she had ruined Coram's career and life, and reached out to hug her guardian. He held her tight and then let her go. "Be safe, Alanna. I would come with you, but I suppose your father will keep me here for awhile...so that I may not follow you."

Alanna smiled to the man and responded, "The gods with you."

"And also with you." With Coram's words, Alanna vanished from sight of Trebond. The bag she carried felt heavy and dead in her arms. A cool night breeze forced its way through Alanna's skin. As a last resort, she used her small Gift to create a warm aroma around herself. She continued on in the night, stopping not to sleep, eat, nor rest. The road was luckily familiar to her, as she had travelled it two times before.

It was a day and a hald's length before she reached the city of Corus. The palace loomed afront of her, the marketplace to her left. With a heavy sigh, Alanna made her way through the marketplace, until she reached the Dancing Dove. She knocked cautiously at the door, and as expected, Lightfingers answered.

"Alanna! What are you doing here?" Questioned the thief, straling her into the Dancing Dove. Realizing she was not up to repeating her story, Alanna questioned for George. In a moment, her greatest friend turned up, face sullen.

"Alanna...what?"