Chapter 29: Of Dresses and Banquets

Adalia was standing in a soft violet coloured dress. It was simple, had a modest neckline and delicate silver embroidery along the trims. She hated every single moment of this day.

She was still a bit shocked that they had actually got her into the dress, but it was by no small effort on their part. She had pulled a dagger on the poor maid who had brought a corset for her to wear, and although her Mother, Grandmother, Queen and EPS (Evil Personal Shang) had searched her person for daggers, they hadn't found anywhere near all of them, which became evident when they had tried to get her in heels. She had won the argument about the corset, but not the shoes.

Even though she had conceded defeat at the Royal Order, she didn't like it, and had decided to make things as difficult as possible.

At this moment, she was finished and deemed suitable for attending the ball. When she stood up, she saw that all the women in the room were looking at her, obviously astounded at the change in her appearance. She crossed her arms and scowled at them. She didn't like the way they were looking at her. Flick, noticing her expression, shook her head and pointed to the mirror behind her.

Adalia didn't want to look. This was the moment she didn't want to come to pass. If she didn't see herself, maybe she could stay away from what was closing in on her. Alanna grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face the mirror. There wasn't enough time for her to close her eyes against her own image, and she found herself looking at an extremely beautiful young woman. The dress complimented violet eyes. Long raven black hair flowed in waves around her shoulders and down to about the middle of her back. She was stunningly beautiful. Her worst fears confirmed, Adalia covered her eyes with her hands and swore.

This seemed to shock the women who were captivated by the young woman's beauty, enough that they broke out of the amazement at seeing Adalia in something other than oversized practise clothes. Even her mother and grandmother were shocked at seeing her like this.

Adalia slumped down into a chair, resolutely looking away from her reflection. Thayet said dryly, "I don't think we've ever had that reaction before."

Adalia was fighting back frustrated tears, "I don't want to be beautiful. I didn't ask to be beautiful. No one will ever leave me alone now."

Aly went over to hug and comfort her daughter, but raised her eyebrows, "You don't get to choose. I bet all the young ladies at court wish they could be half as beautiful."

Adalia looked up at her mother and grumbled, "They can have it then, I don't want to be."

Alanna went over to her and hugged her as well, but said carefully, "No one can choose. You are how you are made, and no one can change that."

Adalia looked at the floor, depressed. She was also trying desperately to think of a way she could get out of attending. She hated that people that she had trusted had taken it upon themselves to force her into this. She understood that she needed to be at the banquet, but did not want to be seen like this. Her common sense was telling her that she had been lucky to fly under the radar for so long. Her gut was twisting with nervousness at what the reactions to her 'transformation' would be. She would have to do a lot of fighting. All of a sudden she grinned.

"There ya go. You'll be fine. Nothing will change." Aly said.

Thayet nodded and said, "Now we are done, Alanna will escort you back to your room in Kel's suite. Kel will collect you and take you to the Hall soon."

Adalia looked up at them, hiding the confusion she felt inside. She hadn't thought they would leave her alone until she was actually in the banquet hall.

She followed her grandma out into the corridor silently; mind whirring with the numerous ways she could escape attending now. As her grandma hugged her reassuringly and ushered her into the room, Adalia realised why they suddenly trusted her not to run. It was because she had smiled. The bluff wasn't her intension, as she had been delighting in all the new 'challengers' she would attract, and the chances she would have to kick their butts. She shrugged mentally. It was much easier to avoid the whole situation.

Striding over to her window, she relaxed against the sill. She was able to spot at least three men watching her window. This actually reassured her some, as it meant that the Monarchs weren't so gullible as to allow her an easy escape. She sunk back into shadows, so she could see out, but the guards couldn't see her, and examined the familiar grounds.

I will have to hide on the roof until it starts, then I should be able to go back into my room and climb into regular clothes. I don't have time now. How will I get past the guards? Ah, I know!

Grinning in anticipation, Adalia called to some crows that were lounging in the nearby forest. They promptly created a huge distraction, one that drew the lookout's eyes immediately.

Almost sad that it wasn't harder to distract the soldiers – almost, but not quite – she stepped towards her window. She had one leg out the window when the ruckus caused by the crows suddenly stopped. Adalia frowned as she realised she was frozen with one leg out the window. She looked out into the grounds and saw that everything was frozen. Crows were stuck in mind flight; one of the sentries was in the process of falling - Ow. That looks like it will hurt in the morning - and nothing made a sound. Everything was silent… until Adalia heard a soft but powerful voice question lightly, "Adalia, have you forgotten your promise to me?" Adalia's eyes snapped towards the voice.

Standing in front of Adalia was the Goddess.

She was still the tallest woman Adalia had ever seen. Her skin was perfectly white, setting off slanting emerald eyes and full red lips. Her hair was unbound, falling loosely below her shoulders in black, snaky locks.

Examining the unnaturally perfect face, she saw clear amusement, which seemed to starkly contrast to the question that she had just received.

Adalia, very aware of her uncompromising position, just stared at the Goddess. She smiled, and suddenly Adalia was able to move again. Carefully she pulled her leg back into the room, and pulled a face when she realised her current attire. Adalia, not quite sure what the Goddess was on about, curtseyed just as Thayet had taught her that morning, thinking of what to say. She decided on the truth, "Of course not. But there hasn't been much extra things I could do, other than what I have been doing."

The Goddess nodded regally, having already known this. "There is one last thing you must do."

Adalia was confused, but at once became excited. This could be the thing she had been searching for to avoid attending the banquet. It could provide her with a reason not to go, and she may not get in too much trouble.

The Goddess smiled and said, "I don't think you will be so happy to do this, my daughter. But you must."

Adalia tilted her head to the side and gazed questioningly at the Goddess.

The Mother stated firmly, "You must attend the banquet. This is the last barrier between girls coming to train to be knights. You yourself identified it soon after our first meeting. You will be brilliant, my daughter."

With this, the Goddess put her hands on Adalia's chin and lifted her face, so that she was looking her directly in the eyes. She gave her a firm look, and the glint of defiance in Adalia's eyes disappeared, to be replaced with bleak resignation. The next moment the Goddess was gone.

Suddenly the grounds sprang back into motion, and Adalia stood as if frozen. She turned back to look out the window, where the crows were flapping away, and the guards eyes were trained back on her window (excluding the one rubbing his head, lying prone on the ground).

Suddenly she threw her hands up into the air and cursed explosively. After that was finished, she settled down onto her bed, head in her hands.

Just great. I was actually willing to disobey a Royal Order, but I can't disobey a Greater God. Even so … No. Not a good idea. And I did promise.' Adalia would have to walk down the stairs and join the nobles. Unable to stay still, she started pacing and thought over the Goddess's words.

Her mind was spinning. 'Why do I have to wear a dress? What is the last barrier between more girls becoming pages? They are accepted now, ever since I was kidnapped. All the past female knights have proven that we can be battle ready… what…'

Suddenly Adalia scowled grimly. The reason had presented itself as she caught her reflection in her small mirror.

She remembered what she had thought the morning after meeting the Goddess; 'The problem is that the girls are afraid of being seen as unwomanly.' Yup, that sounds exactly like what my predicament could fix. Trust the Goddess to take pleasure in my worst nightmare coming to pass. Obviously she couldn't have me running, so decided to come on down and make me go. Great. First Royalty ordering me, and now the Gods. The world is against me.

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Adalia was still pacing around her room, waiting was nervously waiting for Kel and Alanna to come get her and direct her to where she would be forced to descend the stairs, an hour later. The only thing she liked about this whole situation was that Kel and Alanna had to be introduced as well. They were slightly happier about it that Adalia, but not by much.

She grinned sheepishly as she thought about how much of a struggle she had put up. It probably wasn't the best idea to pull a dagger on a maid with a corset… but at least I can breathe. The only good thing about having this long to wait was that she had taken the opportunity to position as many daggers on her person as possible. She had also put on breaches underneath her skirts. No one would even know they were there, and she would feel much more comfortable.

She had had much time to think about why she had covered up her beauty, and was in the process of imagining the reactions she would get. The only things she could think of, however, were her valid reasons for covering it up. She was glad her friends hadn't seen her yet. They had not had time to come try and break her door down for a glimpse of this 'momentous occasion' because they had to eat an early dinner, in preparation for serving at the dance that would be held after the banquet.

There was a small chance that they wouldn't see her and Adalia was clinging to this; it was the only hope she had. She hoped that her friends wouldn't see her looking this way. The reason she had wanted no one to notice her beauty was that the boys would become weird, and she didn't want to be treated differently. Although she knew that Daniel, Kaden, Charlie, Nathan and Dameon would not change, she hated to think of the others males that would try to take advantage of her. She would just have to pound these notions out of their brains.

Another reason was that the boys were already weaklings, and if they saw her as a lady they may want to 'not hurt her' meaning they wouldn't try to beat her, meaning she may accidentally hurt them more than usual. And she wouldn't get good matches with any of them.

Suddenly there was a tentative knock on the door connecting her room to Kel's, and Adalia took a deep breath. She slowly walked over to the door and opened it. She scowled when she saw her knight master, who was deriving pleasure from her compromising situation, "I was hoping that you had forgotten me."

"Sorry, No such luck." Kel said with a small smile at her errant squire, although she was not so much looking like a squire as a shockingly beautiful lady.

Kel was in a sapphire blue dress, looking graceful next to her handsome husband, Dom. He looked shocked upon seeing the girl, but he quickly covered it up with a smile. He turned to Kel, 'Wow. Where did your unruly squire go? I don't recall a lady."

Adalia stuck her tongue out at him, violet eyes sparkling, and made a show of gathering her skirts and stepping out of the room. She was happy that he had only made a joke of it. She then followed behind the couple, getting more and more nervous at seeing the amazed looks on the servants.

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Adalia was softly moving nervously from foot to foot. Kel had told her not to pace, so she had resorted to walking on the spot. It was disconcerting at how many looks she was attracting, and she wasn't even in the hall. There were only a few more lords and ladies waiting to be introduced, and very soon it would be Adalia's turn. Her parents and brother would be introduced once everyone was seated.

There were some court ladies, about her age, who were glaring at her. She got the distinct impression that they were jealous of her. It seemed at that moment, they wanted to be her. She would have been more than happy to let them be her at that moment. She turned her back to them and continued muttering about how ridiculous it was that she should be here. She approached Kel and pleaded with her in Yamani, "Can I please not do this?"

Kel looked at Adalia and grinned in amusement, "Why? Even I would have liked to be as beautiful as you are. It won't be bad. All you have to do is walk down the steps."

"But I'll be going down alone. Gods that's scary."

Kel looked over her shoulder and grinned, then addressed Adalia again in Yamani, "I don't think you have to worry about that either."

Adalia was confused to feel a tap on her shoulder. She turned around, and upon seeing Rye, looking extremely handsome in formal attire, let out a stifled yelp and hugged him. Thank the gods that I don't have to go alone. She thought fervently. She also couldn't help but be delighted he would be her escort; at least the meal wouldn't be boring.

She quickly released him, blatantly realising that this was not what a proper court lady would do. She stepped back and curtseyed gracefully, just as she was taught that morning.

He started laughing, "Ah, I guess the lessons were learnt then, Ady?" Rye noticed her face darken, and said quickly, "I must say, I'm surprised they got you in a dress, Ady. I thought you would rather have hypothermia than be stuffed into a dress. What do you say now, having experienced both?" He teased.

Adalia scowled, "I'd still take the hypothermia. Gods, everybody has been looking at me weirdly…wait a second, why didn't you?"

He laughed and leaned in close, then whispered into her ear, "I always knew you were this beautiful, Ady."

She shivered agreeably and turned slightly pink. He stepped back and teasingly bowed to her, offering his arm. She took it, in slightly better spirits now that she had talked to Rye. She realised that he had been trying to cheer her up, and was slightly annoyed that he had been even slightly successful. She wasn't in the mood to be cheered.

In no time at all, Kel and Dom were introduced. Adalia was standing next to Rye, who was trying to joke with her. She had stopped listening to him, and had started looking for exits again, almost subconsciously. They were introduced as "The Mage Rikash Salmalìn and Squire Adalia of Pirates Swoop."

Adalia tightened her hold on Rye as they walked out the door. She got more than a little amusement at seeing many mouths fall open in surprise. She somehow endured the walk, quickly curtseyed to the King and Queen, the later of which seemed relieved that she had turned up, and went to take her place at a table near the Royals. She and Rye would be sitting next to her parents.

Shortly afterwards, Her ma, da and brother were introduced, and the proper formal greeting was given by the King in front of the assembled nobles. Aly took the chair on Adalia's right, giving her a subtle squeeze on the shoulder for reassurance. Very soon after, pages entered the dining hall, in varying states of (visible) nerves, carrying water bowls for washing hands, and towels. Adalia felt sympathy for each and every one of them. The third year page that brought the bowl around to her table stared openly at her as he offered the bowl. She raised her eyebrows at him. He was two years younger than her, and even though they were not close friends, they were friendly towards each other. As she dipped her fingers, she whispered teasingly, "Shut the door, you're letting in flies."

He shut his mouth, but as he moved on to offer Rye the bowl, he couldn't help but glance back at the transformed Adalia. He knew her as the extremely ferocious and deadly page that could move at least five times faster than the average person… to see her like this was weird. She looked vulnerable, even if, in his mind, he was remembering the countless times he had seen her beat a Shang at various weapons. It was hard to connect his memory with the present. Everone seemed to be having similar problems reconciling both images.

Adalia was twitching with the annoyance of constantly feeling many eyes on her.

She joked around with Rye, and they had bets running on who would be the first page to drop a plate. Rye had her laughing at some stories that sounded ridiculous. They mostly involved either he or Sarra, while they were getting a hold on their magic. They had a mock challenge with each other, to see who could think up the weirdest thing that happened while they were mastering their abilities. Rye won that one, having managed to, as a child, turn into an eagle and be adopted by a nest of the birds. Daine had found him a few days later, thankfully unharmed.

Adalia laughed as she told Rye that, as a six year old, she had entered an arm wrestling contest and beaten huge men, much to their dismay, for the others had bet against her, not realising that even as a six year old, the crow's strength was still great.

Aly joined in and told them hilarious tales that occurred during the raka rebellion in the Isles, as well as some of her earlier pranks when she was still in Tortall. Adalia liked the idea of blue hair. A devious twinkle in her violet eyes, she asked thoughtfully, "Do you know the potion the mages used?"

Aly caught her daughter's eyes, and thought carefully. "No. But you could always ask at the university."

Rye felt uneasy at the smile that Ady made, which was the essence of mischief. She turned to him and looked at him imploringly, "Do you know it?"

He couldn't resist laughing, and replied, "Yes. But I don't think it'll work on your black hair. Remember that we used it in your first break on Lord Padraig? But we turned his hair pink."

Adalia grinned sheepishly and said, "Oh. Forgot about that."

Aly was laughing, "Is that all you forgot about? Or is there a series of pranks that I should know about?"

Adalia grinned hugely and said innocently, "No. Why would you think that?"

Aly raised an eyebrow, green-hazel eyes twinkling in curiosity.

Adalia laughed and clarified, "I haven't forgotten them."

Aly laughed and prodded her daughter for details of her pranks. Adalia obliged, with Rye adding details that her daughter had forgotten.

Between Rye and her mother, with the occasional comment from her da or Aidan, the banquet turned out to be enjoyable, even if people wouldn't stop constantly looking at her. She simply forgot about all the eyes after a while, and before she knew it, everyone was standing up.

The King and Queen lead the way to the large hall dedicated for the dance. Rye led Adalia by the hand into the large room, following the stream of people. She tried to pull out of his arm, in favour of attempting to hide behind something – like a large drape – but Rye tightened his hold and smiled charmingly at her. She glared at him, but he grinned wider at her. He knew that she knew that she would not be able to refuse, and he highly doubted that she would use physical violence to get away – at least on him – and he decided to take advantage of this situation. They hadn't really been able to act as a proper couple, being surrounded by people the whole time, and he wasn't going to pass up a chance to dance with her.

As the musicians struck up a tune, they danced around in time with all the others. Rye was annoyed at all the glances Ady was attracting, but he knew she wouldn't give them the time of day. He gazed at Adalia, with all the intensity of his feelings, and he could feel her shiver.

When Rye gazed at Adalia like that, she couldn't help but be afraid, even as she felt herself responding to him. The gaze burned her as it warmed her. She didn't think it was possible to feel this intensity of feelings towards another. Gods, I'm only sixteen. Is it possible that this is real, or is it only lust? If it is love, do I really want it to be that? I don't know about the forever kind, but I know right now, I love him. But will it stay this way? I know that I have known him for ages, but…

Adalia hated the intensity of her thoughts. She would prefer to be light and carefree, and she hated thinking so deeply into something. She supposed that came from her crow side, which made her a natural trickster. She definitely did like Rye – a hell of a lot – but she was scared of how much she felt for him.

The dance ended and Adalia was sorely tempted to kiss Rye right there, but was held back when she blatantly realised this would fall under the definitely not section of the courtly manners rulebook. She grinning sheepishly, and tapped him on the cheek playfully. She was surprised when a man stepped up to request a dance. She sighed, but was resigned. Thayet had told her she couldn't refuse unless she had a very good reason.

Rye, extremely annoyed, grudgingly let go of Adalia and made his way over to the group of squires who were carrying trays with refreshments on them. He had not gone for the drink, but rather the conversation. "Having fun?" He drawled.

It seems that they had been caught unawares, and all six squires turned to him. After realising who it was, they turned back to watching their friend, clad in a simple violet dress, which somehow had been transformed into the most beautiful of gowns by the young woman wearing it. Kula commented dryly, "How the hell did we not see it?"

It seemed that the boys had been bursting to ask this, but thought it would sound extremely weird. Daniel said, "So this is obviously why she didn't want to wear a dress. But I can't believe it. She looks so different like that. It is so hard to remember she is the fierce Adalia, our friend, and not some air-headed court lady."

As they watched, the man that was dancing with their friend lowered his hand further down her back. Before they could do more than growl in anger, they watched her deal two precise and hard punches to his gut, and then turn on her heel, calmly making her way towards them.

"Then again…" Kaden dryly said in-between laughter.

They all laughed as the man fell to the floor, clutching his belly. No one else knew what happened to him, as Adalia had done it so that anyone not on their angle wouldn't have seen a thing. Adalia fluttered her hands at them, making her way over cheerfully. It made them laugh even more. "That was just the thing I needed to help me cheer up!" Adalia said, when she could speak to them without announcing it to half the ballroom.

"Good job, Cub." Charlie said, giving her a pat on the shoulder.

She smiled sheepishly at them; she had realised they were watching her strangely. She looked at the floor and cleared her throat to explain, but Dameon cut in, "Don't worry, Ady. Nothing changes. We don't need an explanation."

Adalia smiled genuinely at them, and then said apologetically, "Hmm. You guys may want to get to serving." The squires started, and started slowly walking over to the idle bunches of nobles, forming clusters around the edge of the hall.

Adalia blatantly refused to go out on the dance floor for a while, and instead stayed talking with Rye. They were running bets on which pompous nobleman would come ask Adalia to dance next. When the number of men coming over to her increased, so she was surrounded, she looked pleadingly to Rye for help.

Rye suppressed a smile and offered his arm to her. He detected a small exasperated sigh, but she knew this was the only way to escape her admirers, so she went out and danced with Rye. It wasn't that she didn't want to dance with him; it was that she didn't particularly want to dance at all.

It was a slow dance, and Rye whispered, "Having fun?"

Adalia rolled her eyes, but gave a smile, "I didn't want to. But with your brilliant company, how could I not?"

Rye smiled and pulled her in closer. "Of course." He agreed lightly.

At the end of what would be their fourth dance, yet another nobleman approached Adalia. He was a knight, and Adalia recognised the son of one of the hardcore conservatives.

"Care to dance?" He asked arrogantly, at the same time grabbing her hands and pulling her away from Rye.

Adalia yanked her hands away from him and practically snarled at him, "No. I wouldn't actually." She turned back to Rye, but was furious when he grabbed her arms again. He pulled her to him, and snarled in her ear, "You are a slut, so that means you have to go with whoever asks, wench."

Adalia pushed her thumbnail deep into the vulnerable spot between his fingers, clinging on. He yelped in pain and tried to pull away, but her grip was like iron. She gave him an icy stare, and he actually flinched, "For your information, I am not. It's your stupid, ignorant, rigid father and his friends that concoct those stories, to explain why women can't be just as good as men." She released him, and in his haste to get away, he stumbled backwards a few steps, away from her fury.

She laughed scornfully, and spat, "Now go fourth and multiply." (a/n: means get fked)

She stood there; gaze steely, and watched as he practically ran out of the ballroom. She was pleased to notice a lot of the men that heard her little speech were backing away. They were looking at her, apparently shocked to see her display her prowess in a dress.

She stood rigid in anger for a few more moments, until Rye grabbed her arm and pulled her into the dance. Even so, it took her a while to become more relaxed. She just glared at the men who approached her for a dance, and they apparently got the message and walked over to ask one of the safer females to dance.

Two more dances, and Adalia approached Kula for a drink. "How is serving working for you?"

Kula sighed, but had to say, "not as bad as how dancing seems to be working out for you." Adalia gave a sharp ferocious glare at an approaching man, who turned around quickly. Kula laughed, "You seem to have perfected that art."

Adalia smiled delightedly at her friend, "Yes. Or maybe they are realising now isn't the best time to irritate me."

"Probably both." Rye said, having escaped a talk with his father.

"How the hell am I going to get away from this bloody banquet?" Adalia asked, frustrated.

Nathan said, "We get to finish serving very soon, then they let people go when they like."

"Thank the gods!" Adalia exclaimed.

Rye forced Adalia back on the dance floor, and before she had time to blink, the King was standing up, saying that everyone could now leave when they wished.

Adalia practically skipped over to the door, relieved that no one called her back in when she left. Rye escorted her back to her room. At her door, she hesitated, unsure of what to do.

Rye sucked her breath away with another blistering look, and swept her into his arms, kissing her passionately. She responded quickly, and kissed him back. Fire was running through her veins as she pulled Rye closer against her. She had no notion of how long that kiss lasted, but they jumped apart when they heard footsteps approach. Adalia waved half-heartedly at Rye, who was quickly sweeping around the corridor, out of sight.

She was attempting to take off her dress when she heard a knock on the door connecting her rooms to Kel's. She opened it a crack, and smiled innocently at her knight master.

Kel opened her mouth, but Adalia beat her to it, "Um… could you help me get out of my dress? It's impossible!"

Adalia knew that answered the question Kel was about to ask, but noticed that her knight master scanned her room. Finally released from the dress, Kel exited and Adalia slumped under her sheets, thinking about what may have happened had her knight master and husband not come home. She wasn't sure how she felt about the interruption. Part of her was relieved, the other disappointed.

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Disclaimer: Not TP

Well, I hope you liked. Please R&R. I have been pleasantly surprised by all the new reviewers I am getting, and I would love to thank new and old for the constant kind words I am receiving about this story!