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Alanna paused for emphasis. " Either Nealan of Queenscove or Keladry of Mindelan if nobody has any objections." Alanna looked around the room, and focused on Jonathan, practically daring him to object.

To her suprise, Myles was the one who spoke up. " I have an objection to that. I would like the services of Nealan if you don't mind Alanna."

Alanna smiled at him. " No objections."

" Keladry of Mindelan. Report to the Lioness. Nealan. Report to Sir Myles." Lord wyldon barked.

The two squires bowed, and went to the knights. Alanna turned her attention away from Kel, who was trying not to lose composure, towards Gary, who was trying to determine which squire he would like the services of. At the same time, Jonathan and Raoul. The three seemed ready at the same time.

" I would like to harbor Faleron of King's Reach." Gary said simply.

" At the same time, I would like to host Prince Roald." Raoul added before Lord Wyldon could bellow once more.

Everyone looked at Jonathan. All the squires seemed to be holding their breath, nervous as to who the king would choose.

" Cleon of Kennan." Jonathan informed the waiting people. The breath that they had held was let out simeltaneously.

As there were no objections, Lord Wyldon again bellowed. Causing everyone to cover their ears ." Squires, to your knights."

And so the tedious process continued. Each squire being paired with a knight. until the only squire left, was Joren. No knights were left, so Joren was assigned to do Lord Wyldon's bidding.

Alanna pulled Kel aside before the choosing was over." Let's sneak out now. There is a secret exit behind that statue of King Roald." she wispered. Kel gave a barely noticable nod, and she and Alanna slowly began to walk backwards.

Before she could reach the curtain, jonathan pulled her aside. Alanna motioned for Kel to go on.

" What is it your Majesty?"

" Are you never going to call me Jon again?"

Alanna stared at him, then pulled out of his grasp. " Not at this moment in time Jonathan."

" At least you stopped calling me ' your majesty'"

" I can change that. Don't test me Jonathan." She gave him a warning look. " If you're trying to apologize, get it over with. Kel is waiting."

" Alanna..." Jonathan said giving her a pleading look. Then he shook his head, and motioned for her to go. Alanna left, shaking her head
* he's gotta apologize sometime. Until then, I'll just have to learn how to be civil.*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Lioness?" Kel asked as Alanna emerged a moment later.

" Call me Alanna Kel."

" ok. Alanna. Why did you pick me?"

" You don't waste time do you? I picked you because you have the makings of a great knight. And i don't have a squire. I need a break from home for a while. Besides. I haven't been to the palace in a while. I figured, I would need a squire."

" Ok. If you don't mind my asking, why haven't you been here?"

" I don't mind your asking kel, I'm just not going to answer that question right now. Come on. Let's go fence or something."

Kel obediently followed Alanna. * Wow. She thinks I can do it. I hope She'll answer my question.* Kel replayed the last hour in her mind. Kissing Neal. Cleon telling her that he liked her. The apprehension of the lioness's desicion. Being chosen. sneaking out the back. They reached the practice courts, and finding no one else there, they took the largest.

" How good are you at this?" Alanna asked Kel.

" I'm not the best, but i can survive. against other pages and squires at least." Kel answered honestly. She picked up a sword from the barrel. She and Alanna began to stretch. Once they were done, The took up the guard position.

" Fence!" came Alanna's signal to begin. Kel made the first attack. She knew that Alanna was testing her. On they faught. Alanna's strikes coming faster and stronger.

She was concentrating so hard she didn't hear the door open. With one lucky move, Kel dodged being disarmed. she had let her mind to the situation with Roald, Cleon and Neal. She was getting tired, but the lioness seemed to be full of energy. Alanna disarmed her. Kel bowed, and shook her opponent's hand.

" Good job Kel." Raoul called from behind her. Kel spun around. He and Merric stood there. Clapping. Kel quickly resumed her Yamani face, hiding her suprise.

" Not many can face the Lioness that long." Raoul added in a joking tone.

" Are you begging for a challenge Raoul?" Alanna called from the court.

" Of course not. I'm not that crazy Alanna."

" So you admit some trace of insanity?"

" You've got it. But just a trace." He yelled back, grinning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Neal watched as Kel and the Lioness backed out of the hall. Sir Myles saw where he was gazing.

" Something troubling you Neal?"

" Why would you say that Myles?"

Myles nodded his head towards Kel. " That's why. Come with me Neal."

* Oh man. He's gonna chew me out or something.* Neal thought. * Why can't I just get over it. She's gonna choose Cleon or Roald anyway. She hasn;t spoken to me since this morning anyway.*

They had reached Myles' rooms. He gestured at the table. " Sit Neal." Myles sat across from him. " Now tell me what's troubling you."

Neal could tell that Myles was honestly interested, so he began.

" Well, It all strted a few days ago...."