Authors' Note: Hiya all! Ummm, We're having a power Outage, so I can't put up chapter ten of Squire (It's typed up on the normal computer). However, I DO have a laptop (my mom does, anyway), so I'm just going to type up a first chapter/prologue of my new fic. Be warned: Do not expect a lot of updating for this fic, maybe once a week at best—I am still working on Squire, so this is just a preview. Review please!
Disclaimer: All belongs to Tamora Pierce. Yada yada yada. Saphron (her name at least,) belongs to Saphron of rainy day and *math thing*+ girls stories.
Prologue
"Who?" Kel asked. "Who died?"
"Lady Saphron of haMinch." Khari replied.
"Why are we going to the haMinch household then?" Neal asked.
"Because," Alanna replied, "The haMinches' found that book I told you about, and they need a mage."
"Right," Cleon said, "So WHY are we going?"
"Because I wasn't you to." Issen said cheerily.
"Because King Jonathon wants Alanna to have an escort." Raoul said, "And we DID volunteer."
"Why Sir Alanna?" Khari asked.
"Because," Issen replied, "She is one of Tortalls' best mages."
"Shush!" Alanna said, "Or I'll blush."
"I came because I was bored." Khari muttered.
"No one cares." Cleon said. Then added thoughtfully, "Except Faleron of course." Khari veered Nimue into Cleon's horse, who promptly reared and dumped Cleon in the snow.
The haMinch household was large and comfortable looking—despite the harsh winter weather. Kieran and Uline of haMinch were there to greet the travelers with mugs of hot apple cider and chocolate.
"Kel!" Uline exclaimed, delighted, "You're here! How are you?"
"Fine, Thank you," Kel replied, gratefully sipping her cider. "I'm Sir Raouls' squire now, so I had to come."
"Come on in!" Kieran called. He was a handsome young man, as friendly and cheery as his wife. "Let the hostlers take care of your horses, and warm yourself inside."
"Actually," Uline contradicted, "the dinner isn't ready yet dear. So, our guests may want a bath first, and then we can rejoin for dinner."
"That would be splendid." Alanna replied, grinning. "My skin tells me I haven't had a real bath for ages!"
A knock on Kels' door woke the girl from her long soak.
"Who's there?" Kel asked.
"Us!" Khari, Neal, and Cleon hollered.
"Come on out!" Khari added, "Dinner's almost ready!"
"Give me a minute!" Kel replied.
As she was dressing, Kel heard voices outside.
"Still in there?" Raouls' voice said.
"Yep." Cleon replied. "Alanna?"
"Issen's still hollering at her door." Raoul said, "I'd better go help him."
"Gods!" Neal said. "Women!"
A muffled yelp followed his comment.
"Mithros!" Neal howled. "That hurt!"
"Serves you right." Kharis' voice shot back.
Banging.
"Kel!!!" Khari and Cleon called. "We're hungry!"
"Kel?" Khari asked. "Are you dead in there?"
"Hurry!!!" Cleon called. "Or Neal won't kiss you anymore!"
Kel opened the door to a flash of passing squires—a redhead suspiciously reminiscent of Cleon, followed by Neal's long form.
"Come on!" Khari grinned. "Let's go!"
Dinner was a pleasant event, full of chatter and laughter. Later, all retired to the sitting room.
"Well," Alanna said. "Let's see that book."
Kieran of haMinch pulled out a large leather bond volume.
"Great Aunt left this in her room," Kieran said, "We found it after her funeral last spring."
"Since then," Uline said, "Noone has been able to open it. We know you and Master Numair are great mages, so we asked one of you to help us." Kieran passed the book to Raoul.
Said Knight tried in vain to open the book as did Issen, Neal, Cleon, and Khari. When Kel tried, however, the book opened easily.
"Gods!" Neal cried in astonishment. "It opened!"
"Amazing!" Khari said in awe.
"The pages are blank." Kel said, puzzled.
"What?" Alanna asked, holding out her hand. "Let me see."
Kel handed the book to Tortalls only lady knight, for now at least. The book snapped shut in the womans' hands. However, Alanna reopened it with ease. This time, though, a light green light came from the book, so bright, Alanna had to close her eyes. When she opened her eyes again, the pages were filled with dark green ink.
"They were blank before." Kel said. "I don't know what happened."
"Goddess." Alanna breathed.
"Read it please." Neal said, "We are dying of curiosity."
"Learning patience is something you have to take on." Alanna said to her obnoxious squire. But, she did begin to read.
Kel, Khari, Cleon, Neal, and the adults settled back in comfortable cushions, waiting to hear the reading.
"Dear Lady Knight," Alanna read, "My name is Saphron…"
Dear Lady Knight, My name is Saphron, of haMinch. I am the last remaining companion of the Rose of Tamreh, Lady Knight of Tortall. But since you have opened this successfully, I believe she is not the last anymore. My dear friend was the best of her line…and the most loyal of friends. Although the others have died, I remain to write this last tribute to her. Her name is Maris of Tamreh, and this is her saga…
