Wow it's been a few months hasn't it. Well no one reviewed this story but someone so crazy person added it to their favorites and so I will push on forward and write the next chapter. That is I hope…

"Her servant?" Alanna looked from George to Numair for an answer. "Whose servant? What did he mean by that? George?"

"I'm not sure lass. I have no idea what he was going on about." George looked at Numair.

"I couldn't tell you anything unless you know something I don't." Numair said nervously it was very pleasant to be in the room with the spy master and the kings champion when it seemed that both of them were about to take a trip over the edge.

"The key she wears I can't believe it's the real thing. I doubt she even knows what it does. It'll open any door or make a door where there isn't one. That's all I know maybe you could ask Daine's parents next time you speak with them." George said.

"I know her." Myles said as he slipped into the room.

"You do?" George was shocked.

"Yes she's a healer in the lower city she's help birth more babies than any one healer has done here in the palace. She'll help anyone who needs it and she doesn't let anyone pay her. She lives by her wits but not as a thief. She merely live in the court of the Rouge but she isn't in their serves. I've spoken with her many times those she never drops the city talk around me I know for fact that she is beyond brilliant. She would make a wonderful spy I tried many times to drawl her into it but she acts as thou she simply doesn't understand what I'm talking about which I know isn't true. She makes it appoint to speak poorly of you Jonathan but only in regards to you as the king and only when she knows no one will hear her. What she keeps even more closely guarded is the fact that she actually likes you quite a bit thou I've no idea what that really amounts to and lately she been dropping hints about some sort of treason thou I still haven't figured out how she would know that or whom she is referring to. She's a good girl strong and stubborn but that's nothing new to us now is it." Myles finish with a smile at his daughter.

"Yes we are in no short supply of strong stubborn women." Numair said with a smile. "Do think that she might be willing to talk to us."

"Talk? Yes why wouldn't she. She loves to talk to people she like to talk around people. That doesn't mean she'll tell you what you want to hear and it doesn't mean that once you've made her mad that she'll get flustered. She likes to speak only the truth she once told me it was good practice in case she ever needed to weave the truth for a god." Myles told them seriously. "I've hear that she and Alan were getting close and I thought that it wouldn't go very far since she is so against nobility but I suppose she made an exception. I'm sorry I didn't tell you because it seemed clear that Alan was trying to hide their association. I don't know what all the fuss is about she'll do no harm. It's not in her nature. Much like you Numair she is powerful but she'd rather study except her study is of people not of books." Myles took a seat and the continued to talk.

However on the other side of the palace Alan was having a hard time sleeping. He took his pillow and threw it across the room.

"That'll teach it." Flari laughed.

Alan sat up so quickly he nearly fell out of bed. "Flari?"

She walked over and sat on his bed. "I hear you were back so I came to see you."

"I'm so sorry. My family they…"

"I know but I don't care." She said flatly.

"Really?"

"Really." She smiled at him in the darkness. "Well this is a stimulating conversation. Don't you have anything to say you've been away for ages."

"Yes well I spent all my time working until I passed out or being relentlessly mocked by the men of the Own."

"Yeah well at least they aren't suggesting you like men anymore. So why were you throwing your pillow?" Flari asked once again laughing.

"I couldn't sleep."

"Now it all makes since. So you were hoping that by throwing your pillow across the room that that would help you sleep. You should have just come to see me. I can help you get to sleep." She hopped up and grabbed his pillow. "Lay down and close your eyes." She ordered him.

And without thinking he started to do as she said. "Flari I…"

"Don't talk that doesn't help. I just want to lay here with you nothing more. Last time was… Well it was surprising. And I'm not saying that I wouldn't like to repeat it but right now I'd like nothing better than to just lay in your arms and talk or sleep which ever you'd like." Flari watched him carefully lay down when she laid next to him he pulled her close.

"I missed you." Alan whispered into her hair.

"I missed you to and the scares me quite a bit."

"Why?" Alan knew the answer but he wanted to know what answer she would give.

"You know why."

"Yes I suppose I do. It scares me too." He held her tight.

"Yes I know it does that why you're throwing pillows and snapping at your father."

"You saw that?"

"No I just figured it had to happen. You didn't want him to know about me. I didn't want him to know about me. But who cares now it doesn't matter. I don't want to be scared of loving you Alan. But I can't give you the things you deserve so I am. And I do."

"Do what?"

"Love you. I do love you. " She said quietly.

"But that doesn't really change anything does it?"

"No it doesn't." She confirmed.

"Me too. I love you too." He said softly.

"Doesn't change anything does it." She smiled sadly at the wall across from her.

"No I guess it doesn't. I wonder how long we can carry on like this." Alan wondered.

"For as long as you'd like. I'm not going anywhere."

"But you won't marry me will you?"

"No." She whispered. And for the rest of the night they just held each other.

Well sorry if I stop here for a while. I kind of want to go home and reread my Tortall books before I go any farther.