Hey everyone! In the first Alanna book, who picks on Alanna? I forgot his name so I didn't add it. I'd like to know if anyone knows it, because I'd like to use it. I'm gonna set one 'rule' I need five reviews before I update. All right, that's all. Enjoy!
James walked back into the castle, and immediately got lost. he didn't really remember how Raoul had gotten him to the pages quarters earlier, and he had wandered around a bit before he went to the stables. He sighed and chose a direction. As he walked along, he found himself thinking of that poor horse, Stardust, It was like he was trying to tell me something, but what? Stefan said he could get 'testy.' What does that mean? Should I take him as my horse? He seemed kind enough.
A sudden noise brought James out of his musings. It sounded like running feet. James took a step forward, curious. Just then Colin came hurtling around the corner, a look of terror on his face. Behind him came a brawny boy, looking like an older page, "Get back here, scum!" He screamed.
Colin ran past, and as the bigger boy made to run past as well, James stuck out his foot. It was a childishly easy defense, but it worked. The bully came tumbling down at James' feet. He looked up at James and growled. James took a step back and ran into the wall. He was trapped.
The bully grinned, "What's your problem, page?" he asked.
James stood erect, "You can't call me page when you are one yourself!" he said bravely. he felt like he should be more afraid, but he felt OK, good even. His blood was pumping, and he felt light on his feet.
The bully snarled, "You calling me a page?"
"Obviously," James said, rolling his eyes.
This was too much. The boy lunged forward, swinging his fist at James, who ducked out of the way. He managed to swing his foot forward, and knock the boy to his knees again. He moved swiftly to the middle of the corridor. The boy staggered to his feet once more. he lunged forward again, but at the last second, he moved his fist on a curious S shape. Somehow James managed to dodge the blow, and he swung back his fist and punched the other boy in the face, knowing that the boy would have a black eye the next day. His opponent gasped and reeled back.
"Fine." He spat, "You won this one. You will regret this one day boy. You'll wish you never met Stephen of Tirrsmont!"
James shuddered, something about this name seemed familiar, but he wasn't sure why. . . "Will I? What exactly will I regret?"
"You will wish you had never been born." Stephen glared daggers at James, and James glared right back.
"Right." James snorted, "The only thing I will regret is getting scum on my boots." James spun on his heel and walked down the corridor. He heard a low oath, and knew in an instant that Stephen would charge him.
He was right. He heard muffled footsteps, and he spun around, thrusting the heel of his hand into Stephen's jaw. He heard a low crack, and Stephen crumpled without a sound. He turned again and strode forward. He took a left to the next hallway division, and came face-to-face with Colin and the other pages.
He cleared his throat, "Hi everyone."
They just gawked.
What?" mumbled James, uncomfortable.
Colin burst forth, breaking the silence "You just took out a third year squire!" he exclaimed, awestruck.
"Did I?" James asked, bemused.
Reeve spoke this time, "You did. Colin said he saw it all. Did you really break his jaw?"
James shrugged, "Maybe. I've never fought before, so I don't know." James stated honestly.
The boys gaped again. "You've never fought?" asked Alistair incredulously.
James shook his head.
"HAHA! That ought to teach that squire!" Whooped Drew, his eyes glinting.
The other boys remained silent, so quiet that James started to feel uneasy.
"What? Did I do something wrong?"
Reeve answered again, "Nah. We're just in shock. That's pretty amazing, what you did. We'll get over it." He grinned, and the mood abruptly lightened.
James grinned too, relieved. He felt odd, though. Why hadn't he been afraid? Usually he was polite and easy-tempered. But he had felt so in control just then, so strong. Somehow he had known exactly what to do, and he hadn't had to think about anything. Should I have been afraid? The other boys think so. I'm never mean, so why could I toss out insults like that? Why could I hurt someone else? The thoughts kept running through his head in a never-ending circle, neither answered nor forgotten.
"When's dinner? I'm starved!" Carson exclaimed, breaking James out of his reverie.
"I dunno! I'm as new here as you are, O wise one!" Mocked Colin.
The playful banter continued, and James found himself joining in, all of his complicated thoughts pushed away, for the time being.
Eventually the boys made their way back to the page's wing. They washed up before dinner, and when they cam out, there was a group of boys waiting in the corridor. They were all much bigger than James, and he felt his muscles tense, preparing for these boys to be friends of Stephen's. None of them looked tense, in fact they all looked very much at ease. One of them glanced at James and winked.
James grinned back in spite of himself, and relaxed a little. Then Sir Gareth the Younger of Naxen stepped forward. "Hello, boys!" he said, smiling kindly to the new pages.
"Good evening, sir!" They responded cheerily. Sir Gareth had a way of making people comfortable.
"Today, sponsors will be chosen," he continued, "I want your full names and I want to know why you came here. All right?"
The boys all nodded, and Colin and Carson threw sympathetic glances to James who sighed.
"Ok, starting with you." Sir Gareth pointed to Reeve.
"My name is Reeve of Dunlath, and came here because I want to become a knight and fight at the borders with my father and brothers before me."
"Thank you Reeve. Now, who would like to sponsor Reeve?"
One boy stepped forward, "I will. I've had brothers knighted as well." He smiled at Reeve, who stepped to the older pages side, "I'm Peter of Tyria."
Next was Colin, he gave his name and reasons and was sponsored by Toly of Ferrard. Carson was after him, and was quickly sponsored by Toly's twin, Turstin. Alistair went before James. He was sponsored by Hugh of Scart's Peak. Then it was James' turn.
"I'm James and I came here to be a knight. I want to fight for my King and Queen, and I want to explore the lands." he skipped as fast as he could from his name to his reason for wanting to be here. Gareth; unfortunately, noticed this.
"Where are you from James?" he asked kindly.
James looked down, "Nowhere." he mumbled.
"Sorry?"
"I- I'm not from anywhere." James said, still quiet.
There was an uncomfortable silence, then the boy who had winked at James earlier spoke up, "I'll sponsor him, sir."
Gareth looked up, "All right."
The boy grinned at James, "I'm Frederick of Sadilia." he said cheerfully.
James grinned halfheartedly, "Nice meeting you."
Gareth cleared his throat, "All right boys! Time to go to dinner! Eat a good amount, you'll be starting lesson tomorrow!" The boys cheered, and the sponsors started to lead them to the dining hall.
"James," said Gareth quietly, "I'm sorry to put you on the spot like that. I didn't know. . ."
James smiled a little, "Don't worry, sir. I'll be alright. Raoul will tell you about it if you ask I'm sure."
Gareth nodded, "Thank you."
Then Frederick sauntered up, "Ready for your first meal at the castle, page?" he asked jokingly.
"You bet!" James exclaimed. He walked to the dining hall with Frederick telling him all about the castle. And so James headed off for his first meal of thousands he would eat here. He was ready to be a page!