Alan and I stayed at the camp near the Drell River Falls rather than go with the others to the main camp—there were actually three camps—but Alan and I preferred our camp, rather than admit that we were avoided Duke Roger. Alan and I quickly became friends with most of the other soldiers, except for Jem. The first day, he accused of us being spies and I leapt to my feet and grabbed my tray and snapped, "Excuse me, but I was just enjoying my lunch. Maybe next time I'll eat alone." Alan grabbed his lunch and said, "I'm coming with you, Fabie." I grinned and hissed, "I think I might learn to like that nickname." Alan snickered and hissed back, "Raoul's taken to calling you Fabie?" I nodded quickly and said, "Gory details tonight." Then Big Thor, our first friend, said, "Leave 'em alone, Tanner. They're just eating, not spies." Then he said to us, "Sit down, spare us your pride and give us the news from the rest of the country." Gary, Raoul, Jon and Sir Myles all went to the main camp for their meals while Alan and I stayed behind at our camp for our meals.
That night,—Alan and I shared a tent by ourselves, so we could be ourselves: just two girls disguised as guys—I hissed, "Alanna, listen, you were right. Raoul has started calling me Fabie. And, um, Alanna, I think I might have a crush on him, but, I just, I don't think that I can be with him. Not to mention, he's definitely the cutest one out of every other single guy at Court." Alanna smirked and said, "Elphaba's got a crush on Raoul." I kicked her and hissed, "Alanna, shut up. D'you want everyone to know we're girls before we're ready to tell them?" She sighed and said, "Elphaba, listen, after you reveal the truth, maybe then you can be with him." "What if he hates me? What if he gets angry?" I asked. "I'm sure he won't." she reassured me. I nodded and said, "You're probably right. Goodnight." "G'night," she muttered.