*Oh, I love writing this story XD. Well, had a bit of writer's block but I'm over the worst now so should be back on track soon. Meanwhile, next chapter.*

Disclaimer: Don't own Eddings, don't own any of the characters that he created. But Yuka is mine. So is Damare. I think… most of the others belong to David Eddings.

~o~

The next morning was grey and dull, with overcast skies that threatened rain. Yuka stood at her window for a while after washing and dressing, inhaling the smoky Chyrellos air- it was better than the stuffy air inside the inn. Then she left the room.

Just down the corridor, she suddenly felt like she was going to faint. Her head spinning, she sat down abruptly against the wall and leaned her head back, gulping deep breaths of air and praying she wasn't going to be sick or pass out. As the world settled back into place, she heard voices.

"I only went and made a complete ass out of myself," said the first. She knew she shouldn't eavesdrop, but she didn't think she could stand without fainting, and she couldn't help but hear.

"What did you do?" sighed the second. Tynian?!

"I heard some men talking about how they hated Styrics, just before you arrived," replied the other, and Yuka realised it was Sir Bevier. "I was concerned for Lady Yuka's safety, especially after I saw the looks those men were giving her when you did arrive."

"You didn't," Tynian said, disbelieving. "You stood guard outside her room, didn't you?!"

"Don't make it worse," Bevier sighed. "Although it couldn't get much worse, really. She woke up and found me. Couldn't be worse than that."

"It could," Tynian pointed out. "If she knew the reason. She's a good girl. She probably just thought you wanted to speak to her."

"I suppose," Bevier replied, "but…"

Yuka didn't hear the rest. Her face flaming, she picked herself up and left, ashamed and unhappy.

The taproom was quiet, almost empty. She positioned herself at a table and waited in silence for her companions.

The outside door opened, and three people came in, looking around. "I suppose it is a bit early," one said, a tall, blue-eyed young man. "They're probably not up yet."

"I expect that's it," another replied. Yuka knew him. She knew all three.

As the trio gazed around the taproom, she raised one hand and waved it timidly. The third knight, a large blond, grinned at her and nudged his companions.

"Someone's up and about early. If I'm not mistaken, that's our very own Lady Yukana over in the corner." He strode over, followed by his friends, and took a seat at the table Yuka had taken.

"Hello, Your Majesty, Sir Kalten, Sir Berit," she said shyly. The broken-nosed Prince Consort sighed.

"Yuka, I've told you and told you. Just Sparhawk is fine. We've known each other for long enough now, surely."

"It'll be a lot longer, Your Majesty" she informed him. "I've known Sir Berit for almost fifteen years, and I'm still calling him Sir." She dropped the formalities- after all, she knew all these knights well. "Where's Khalad?"

"He's helping the stableboy with the horses," Kalten said. Yuka laughed shyly.

"I suppose most stablehands need help with old Faran," she said. "He must be getting near retirement age."

"Not yet," Sparhawk replied. "He's still perfectly healthy. Besides, my daughter would not be happy if I got rid of him." He grinned. "Where're the others?"

"Sleeping, as far as I know," Yuka lied quickly. "I haven't seen them this morning." She thought of something. "You knew I'd be here, didn't you?"

The knights looked sheepish. "Why didn't you tell me?!" Yuka demanded, then blushed. "Sorry. But I got such a surprise when I was told I'd be going."

"We knew," Kalten said. "Sparhawk got strict orders from Darellon not to tell you."

"Darellon?" she asked, not sure she knew that man.

"You mean… You went through all those meeting with him without knowing his name?" Yuka blushed more.

"The Alcione Preceptor?"

"That's him," Kalten replied, grinning.

"Lady Kaeli didn't tell me his name! I was forced to just call him "my Lord" the whole time."

"It could have been much worse," Berit pointed out. "He could have wanted to be on first-name terms." The half-Styric giggled.

"What are we laughing about?" a new voice asked from over Berit's shoulder.

"Khalad!!" cried Yuka in delight. Her family and Khalad's family were old friends. "It's wonderful to see you! How are you?"

"I'm fine," he replied, sitting down. "It hasn't been that long, you know."

"I know. It seems long," she said fondly. He grinned a bit nervously.

"I'll get some drinks," Sparhawk said, standing.

"It's a bit early, no?" Yuka commented. "I'll come too." She followed him to the bar and waited for the barman to come over.

"Sir Sparhawk," she said quietly. "Might I ask how your daughter is?"

"Kaijia?" he asked. "No change, I'm afraid. Hopefully we can heal her. Ehlana is very upset about it all."

"I'm sorry to hear it," she replied. "Speaking of the Queen… I don't mean to intrude, but the word was she was barren after Princess Danae…"

Sparhawk looked at her sharply, and sighed.

"You're a Styric. I suppose it's alright to tell you. Aphrael interfered. Sh- Danae was tired of being an only child."

"Aphrael always interferes," Yuka said, thoughtfully. "That's why I worship Setras. He might be a bit scatter-brained, but he doesn't demand kisses all the time."

The Queen's Champion laughed. "That's true. You get used to it. Aphrael is lovely, really."

"You're only saying that because she might be listening," Yuka accused.

"What happened to the formalities?" Sparhawk shot back. Before Yuka could answer, the barman came over and took their order. They took the drinks back to the table. By that time, Ulath had joined them.

"Hello, Sparhawk," he greeted his friend.

"Morning, Ulath," Sparhawk replied, sitting.

"Oh, Yuka, before you get comfortable- Tynian wants to see you," the Genidian said before the girl sat down.

"Alright," she said, more than a little apprehensive. "Where is he?"

"In his rooms," Ulath replied. Yuka nodded and left.

She knocked on the door, and it was opened immediately. "Hello," Tynian said. "Come in, sit down." She did so, nervously. He sat too. "What happened last night?" Obviously, the Deiran was not one to beat about the bush. She decided to make things as simple as possible.

"Something woke me up, and I heard Bevier outside. I got up to see who it was, I think I surprised him. He went away when I came out, what was wrong with him?"

"It doesn't matter, Yuka," Tynian replied, sounding relieved. "He was a little bit worried, that's all. He's like that sometimes." He paused. "Bevier's a good lad."

"I can tell," she said softly. "He seems very nice."

"He is, really." A gong sounded somewhere in the inn. "Well, I won't keep you from your breakfast any longer. I want to go and see if he's alright. You go on down and get some food."

Yuka smiled at him and left the room.

She really, really liked Sir Tynian.

~o~