Disclaimer: All these characters belong to Tamora Pierce, even if I had enough patience to write so many books, I would not have been able to come up with such great characters.

Chapter 1: A day for shocks

Squire Alan walked purposefully down the deserted corridor, just returning from an errand for his knight master. He whistled as he went, not noticing the dark elegant shadow trailing in his wake. Alex had once been a friend, a companion, a trusted person towards Alan but what was once, was not now. They had drifted apart after Alex became squire to Duke Roger, Alex had thought it was jealousy and their constant rivalry in swordsmanship, but his instincts told him otherwise. Yet, strangely enough now he knew why, Alan was definitely not fond of the Duke or vice versa, and his theories had been proven when Roger sent his old squire to spy on the small stocky boy.

Jonathan opened the door and stared down at a boy with startling violet eyes and wild copper red hair, this small boy definitely was not what most thought to be an adequate fighter or an appropriate choice for the prince's squire, but those who thought this did not know Alan.

Jon stepped aside to allow entry to his squire, smiling mischievously as the small "boy" glared at him and walked in.

Inside, Alan let go of a small sigh and collapsed on a large chair in front of the empty fireplace as Jon gently shut the door behind him.

Jon laughed at the expression on his squire's face and said: 'Alanna, my darling, are you tired, perhaps you would be better suited to the life of a lady.' He leant down and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek then turned to nuzzle her neck, she swatted him away, a shiver running down her spine at the thought of having to dance and curtsey and, and flirt like a lady.

'Don't be silly Jon, you're making me sick even thinking about it.' The small girl commented blandly. Jon laughed and retorted: 'Well you'll have to accept it one day, after all, I would like the chance to court you properly when you've earned your shield.' Alanna looked up into his sapphire eyes, searching them for something she wasn't sure she wanted to find.

She quickly dropped her eyes and stared round the room as she felt the heat rise in her cheeks, she skillfully diverted the subject and seeing her discomfort, Jon decided not to pursue it either.

Instead he spun on his heals and walked to his desk, he shuffled through the messy papers and emerged with a wax sealed letter held in his hand bearing the Trebond crest.

Alanna stared wearily at the letter, she knew that nothing good could come out of that simple piece of parchment. Carefully she reached for it, holding it in her hands; she slowly read the black ink words written skillfully on the front:

'Squire Thom of Trebond,

The Royal Palace,

Corus, Tortall.'

She smiled gently at the name written on the front, she knew that none of the fief's servants had figured out her secret, at least not yet. Impatient, she broke the seal of the letter and scanned the parchment anxiously.

With each sentence that she read, grim lines slowly set into the corners of her mouth. Her eyes glazed over with suppressed tears as she re-read the letter again and again making sure she had not misunderstood or missed the section where it said "surprise" or "just joking". But she knew it was hopeless.

Jon sat in a large chair opposite her. He watched as her expression turned from bewilderment to despair to grim determination. She ruthlessly scrunched up the note and watched emotionlessly as purple fire engulfed the mysterious letter in her hand and fell into a pile of black ashes on the deep blue rug.

She stood up in a swift flash of movement; her glance sliding carelessly by Jon's concerned face. She stormed silently into her room and slammed and bolted her door all before the prince even had a chance to twitch a muscle. Jon knew something was terribly wrong but decided that in Alanna's current state, it was best not to bother her.

He sat in the large chair, contemplating what had just occurred, what could have been so bad that her reaction would be so violent, how could one letter bearing the Trebond crest have such an effect on his squire.

A muffled sob broke through his thoughts, Alanna was doing her best to be silent but this news, whatever it was, obviously had affected her.

Jon knocked on her door, pleadingly he said: 'Let me in Alanna, tell me what's wrong, maybe I can help.' Inside he heard her sob louder in return as she yelled: 'Go away Jon, this is something that you can't fix and I don't want to talk about it!' 'Please Alanna, will you at least come down to the mess hall for some food?' 'NO! LEAVE ME ALONE!' As Jon opened his mouth to protest, he heard a large object smash against the bolted door, he sighed and walked away knowing that something was definitely not right.

Jon strolled down towards the mess, deep in thought. He nearly collided with a small figure in a flowing dress. 'Oh, dear, my prince, please accept my apologies, I was slightly...preoccupied.' Delia of Eldorne battered her lashes as she smiled seductively. Jon cringed inwardly at the obvious flirtation, but instead he smiled politely and brushed his lips on her delicate fingers, he flinched at the thought of Alanna seeing him like this, so he immediately straightened up and tried to get away.

'Wait my prince, would you honor me with a private meal, together?' Jon awkwardly stared at the beautiful maiden, his mind working furiously to come up with an excuse, 'I regret to say that I have previous plans with my friends, though I am honored by the offer.' Delia opened her mouth to protest but Jonathan had already rushed away.

Emerging in the mess hall, Jon instantly spotted Gary and Raoul, sitting on a corner table hidden from prying ears and eyes. Hastily, the prince grabbed an assortment of food and rushed to them.

Gary looked thouroughly depressed, he stared at his untouched food while Raoul tried to cheer him up. Jon sat down without care, sliding in opposite his friends; he slammed down his tray making Raoul jump but didn't even make Gary blink.

Raoul looked helplessly from Jon to Gary, both emersed in their own thoughts and not speaking a word, the atmosphere between them was so tense that you could cut the it with a butter knife. He cleared his throat and attempted to speak, but Jon cut him off suddenly, coming out of his reverie. 'Is there something wrong Gary? Perhaps you can tell me things, unlike Alan.'

Gary stared at him with haunted eyes and got straight to the point: 'Jon, I...'

He dropped his eyes and said one single sentence. When Gary looked up again, Jon was stark pale and his eyes were wide with shock. Gary took this as a friend's sign of pity; he had no idea what was running through Jon's head at that very moment.

Hope you enjoyed that, I will update as soon as I can, probably after exams, please R&R.

Luv C.