Author's Note: I do not any of this, except for what you do not recognize. I'm sorry about taking so long ot update. I planned on writing a bunch of chapters before I updated, but life got in the way. Also, one review said about George flirting with Alanna. That is not what was happening. George just knew there was something about Alanna that should have him keeping an eye on her. Remember when you were a little kid and you would have little crushes. I know my sister knew who she was going to marry in the first grade. Sadly, there relationship ended tragically in the second grade. lol. Alanna just had a little school girl crush, and George knew there was something special about her. That's it. It will be Alanna/George with maybe a little twist of Jon. I love George. In my opinion, he is better than Jon, but I love Jon too. Who doesn't? Please review. I have a vague idea about where I'm going with this, but there is an idea. If you have any ideas, I would love to hear them. Please review. It lights up my world to get a review, but a nice one. I don't mind constructive critisism, but that does not mean that you can totally tear me to shreds. I have fragile feelings. lol. Anyways, if you review, you can at least know that you made someone happy that day. Thanks to amishamj, ionalama, BeauxbatonBoy05, TwilightShades, KnightQueen, Elfsquire90, epobbp, charlie and lola, tortallanrider, crazydancer, confusedpink, MoonSeaEarth, and Drone233248! Enjoy!

Chapter 2 - Orange Magic and Hooded Figures

My body quavered. What was going on? Was there an earthquake happening? I felt small, delicate hands grip my shoulders and shake me violently. Gwendolyn was standing over me attempting to wake me up. When she realized gently whispering my name was futile, she resorted to this method. I glared at her for waking me from a good dream that involved a hazel-eyed youth. Maude stayed with me for six months and a week later, Gwendolyn is making sure I wake up. I don't know how anyone gets up around here. They don't ring bells in the City of the Gods, because it would disturb spells and experiments, so a sister comes around and knocks lightly of each door to wake us up. I can never hear it.

I crawl out of bed and stumble into an aqua cotton dress. I sit down at a tiny vanity in the corner. I pick up a silver brush that had belonged to my mother. It was nice to have a little bit of her with me every morning. I pull it through my long copper locks. I just set the comb down when Gwendolyn called this it was time to go. We walked in side-by-side into the Dining Hall, together with a flood of other girls. The ladies formed a single file line along a buffet. I don't favor a large breakfast when there is no need for it in the leisurely convent day. So I picked up a fruit for some sugar, just enough to keep me awake for lessons, and a roll, to stop my stomach from growling loudly and getting in trouble for rude bodily sounds.

I slid onto the end of a wooden bench made smooth from years of sliding butts. The servants took their breakfast with the nobles and Gwendolyn and I often found the company of three servant girls interesting. Jessamine Taylor was an independent and sassy girl. She was of medium height and showed the potential to be prettier than the most beautiful girl at court. She was eleven just like me, with sleek muscles, glossy black hair, and vivid emerald eyes.

The other was the assistant to the second sister. She was plump and orderly. She appeared to be quiet and like the company of books and food too much. She did like food and books, but was really very outgoing and silly.

Cinda was almost seventeen. She was not married, and was not sure if she wanted to be. She acted sort of motherly to us. The sisters were to distant to give us any real advising. She was a hard worker, but had a trouble making side. She often caught men's eyes, even the ones in an academic fog. She had long dishwater blond hair and hazel eyes. She worked in the kitchen and carried messages. Other nobles did not sit with the servant even though they had to eat with them. Gwen and I were comfortable with them. Servants are people too.

"There was a drunk at the gate last night. Did you hear? He called out for someone to let him in. Hello, Alanna. They said they needed to know why he wanted in. He just yelled that he was an important person and wasn't to be asked questions like some sort of thief. His speech sort of slurred off and you couldn't tell what he said next, but then a bright orange light shone around him and the gate caught on fire. He disappeared after that, but it took a half an hour to put the fire out. What excitement!" Jessamine was a total gossip and loved to share with us what was going on in the world.

"I was there with the second sister when the men were putting out the fire. The front gates will have to be rebuilt. The fire was so hot and burnt through the gate as though it was ice. It just melted away. It was a frightening, but amazing sight," Emiliane, the second sister's assistant, reflected.

"So, he just disappeared. They didn't even go after him?" Gwen inquired horrified.

"They couldn't, Gwen. The gate was burning. There was no way out. Before the news got to the servants' gate, it was too late. He was long gone and every hand was needed to stop the blazes before they spread," Cinda responded.

I rolled my eyes and sat there quietly cringed at the destructive power of magic. I took my plate to the dishwashers and waited for the others to join me. We were headed to prayers. That would be an half and hour long of listening to someone drone out loud, and then another half hour of silence, except for a few whispers and some mumbling nuns.

I was a great time to talk, and just think. It was a social time, unless you got stuck next to one of the sisters. I usually pray for the first half and gossip the rest of the time. They don't let enough stuff to pray about happen before they make us pray again. I guess I could find something, but I don't see the point. We have four sessions of hour long prayers every day. Since we pay to come here and are not staying here our whole lives, we don't have to attend all of the prayer services. Mithros know I would lose it if we did.

Incense fumes filled the air of the chapel. I choked silently as I tried to filter the air through a handkerchief. I sat down in a pew. I was all the way at the end along the wall. A tiny window let me see the courtyard outside.

I concentrated on the monotone voice. My attention did not waver one bit. Then silence swept over the room, interrupted only by the humming whispers of impatient girls. I wordlessly prayed to the Mother and to Mithros as I always do.

I lifted my head and blankly watched a family of sparrows just outdoors. A hawk was swooping overhead and the family huddled together nervously. The hawk came closed and dived towards that nest. The father sparrow saw the danger his family was in. He lifted into the air and took the predators attention on himself. He craftily flew away from his nest. The hawk found a warm gust of wind and was coming down on the smaller bird. The father turned and slashed out with his miniscule but razor sharp talons. The hawk soared away to find easier food.

The brave sparrow reminded me of my dream. Thoughts of knighthood wheeled around my head. The feel of a bow in my hand and loosing an arrow replayed in my mind, as well as the smooth wood of a staff gliding through my hands and the thud when it successfully hit its target. I played through a sparring match I had with one of the boys of Trebond. It just felt right to me, to be able to fight for myself, my people, and my country. How did I get stuck acting like a fine noble lady?

The next thing I knew, everyone was standing up. They were headed off to lessons. I stood up slowly to follow Gwen. A cloaked figure walked past the window. Their hood hid their face. The stranger carried itself with confidence and perfect balance. I glanced back to see if I was mistaken, but they were gone.

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Starlit Emerald-Eyed Empress