Chapter 5. I own no one. Have a good time.
Within a week or so, they had reached the Shang training grounds. It was pure magic. Gardens full of lush greenery and Chinese styled ponds with koi in them and so on. People were walking around in robes and stuff. On her first night, Alanna was brought to the Shang council.
In front of her was an intimidating table of judges, The Shang Bear, Koori, The Shang Horse, Huakim, The Shang Eagle, Dashini, The Shang Fish, Keira, The Shang Monkey, Ked, and most importantly, the Shang Dragon, Liam. All of them were the best fighters, known across the land for their agility, speed and prowess.
"Good morrow child." Said Liam.
"Good morrow sir." She said, wrinkling up her nose at the annoying titles.
"Would you fight with me?" he asked her.
"Yes sir." She replied and when he stood infront of her, she bowed. Liam made the first move, he attempted to punch her stomach. Alanna easily side-stepped. She knew that in this fight, she would most definitely need to rely on her escape techniques. He hit again, she ducked. Alanna crouched the third time and swiped at his legs. Liam jumped and the council chuckled appreciatively. Then, Liam stepped forward. Alanna couldn't duck, so she bent backwards and in her slight confusion, Liam managed to trip her over. She fell to the ground and grinned. Liam held out a hand, which she accepted.
"Very well." Keira said. "mental testing commences now."
She began shooting questions at Alanna, which she very skillfully (for her age) answered.
"Now one last question." Ked said.
Alanna looked at him. "Are you gifted."
Alanna's heart stopped. She could feel her face turning red. "yes." She whispered.
"Then Leave." Dashini said. Alanna knew there was nothing to it. She had to go. She turned around, her head hanging.
"Wait." Said an old croaky voice. "wait." An old lady hobbled out of the shadows. "She will stay and become Shang… She is valuable…" she said. Alanna observed with her purple orbs that she was draped in a shawl covered with ancient markings and such.
"She is gifted Ah Mei." Liam protested.
"Fool… look, I have seen the probable future… This child will fight… she could become the first lady knight… in fact, in an alternate universe, she already is…" Alanna's eyes widened.
"You mean me?" she interrupted. All eyes turned to her. "sorry, you mean me? As in, I could defend the realm?"
"Yes child… You would dress up in men's clothes and passed knight training, saved the realm many times over… You would have married, and had children…"
Alanna's face scrunched up in disgust. Liam chuckled. "You would have been known as the Lioness… A name to strike fear and awe into the hearts of thousands. You would have been a legend. Children would have chased their brothers down streets telling them to surrender to the provost. Child, she approaches…"
"who--" Alanna was about to ask, but was stopped by a figure in the sky.
"Hi." It said. If Alanna squinted, she could make out a woman with short red hair in purple armor and a flag with a lioness on it. "I'm Alanna, Lady Knight…"
"Hey, are you really me?" she blurted out.
"Yes." Alanna (original) said, laughing.
"I can't believe you got married." She said.
Alanna (original) burst into laughter. "I love George…"
"What do you think I should do?" Alanna asked, ignoring Alanna (original's) previous statement.
"Well, become a knight. But, get some Shang training first. Knight training starts when your 11. You can work on Shang till then."
"Ok, thanks, and how's Thom?" Alanna asked.
Alanna (original's) face turned down. "erm, I… don't know… He's probably safe, having a good time, driving the immortals crazy…"
"Immortals? You mean…" Alanna asked in horror.
"Yeah." Alanna choked a sob.
"Fine, I'll work on Shang until then… Goodbye Alanna, Thank you."
"No problem. Remember, you can succeed." Alanna (original) said, fading out.
"Well then." She said, turning to the awestruck council. "I'll have to start work now…"
Unseen, Dashini sneaked out of the council's holdings… She didn't like Alanna, no, not at all…
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