Disclaimer: ya this doesn't belong to me, its all tamora pierces, except for the plot and all the characters you don't recognize, those are all mine!!!

----And now for chapter 6----

***Buri and Thayet***

Things didn't look good for both Buri and Thayet, and that night they sat discussing what should happen next. They heard word from the gate that another person had come looking for Thayet, but they had covered for them and said that no one of that description was here in Table Rock.

Buri wanted to go to Corus and look for Alanna, at the palace they would be safer. However Thayet was still too proud to return and admit that she had been wrong. She wanted to stay here and continue living their lives like normal.

She had been listening to Thayet's arguments when growing increasingly frustrated when she finally erupted, "By staying here we are insuring our death, these people will soon find out that we live here and it will be a matter of time before we can't handle one of them. I say we leave to Corus as soon as possible."

"We have a life here, I don't want to just give that up, and I think I might love Arazo. We can handle anything that comes our way just as well here as we could in the capital," Thayet argued, she had made up her mind and it was going to stay that way.

"As your guard I know what is best for you, in this case I think it would be best if we proceeded to Corus immediately tomorrow morning. No questions asked that is the end. When everything dies down we can come back."

Sulking Thayet meekly nodded her head in defeat, and went off to tell her friends the news. After telling the Lady of the house and many of the other maids she had become friends with she went to tell Arazo.

After knocking and getting no response she decided to walk in, she hadn't realized how late it was. She looked around the room to find it dark with only the moon shining through the window to help her find her way. There lying on the bed was her dear Arazo, sleeping still in the clothes she had seen him in earlier, smiling.

It all looked so peaceful and after some debating she left him in peace with a note by his head. Reading:

Arazo,

Tomorrow at dawn Buri and I are leaving for Corus. Against my will we decided that that was the safest path, this way no one here in Table Rock can get hurt. I will write to you frequently, and as soon as everything dies down I shall return to you.

Thayet (Lili)

Sneaking out of the room as quietly as possible she made the mistake of closing the door just a little to loud, waking up Arazo.

As he looked around the room, knife drawn, he found the note by his bed. She couldn't get away that easily, he would meet them at dawn ready for a trip to the capital. For now he needed some sleep.

That next day dawn came fast, Thayet woke to a tapping at her door. At first she disregarded not wanting to raise at such an hour, usually she got at least an hour more of sleep. Ignoring the tapping didn't work, finally she grumpily got out of bed and answered the door.

"What took you so long? I was beginning to think you ran away," Buri said, frustrated.

"Lets see, I think I was sleeping," She replied, still trying to rub the sleep out of her eyes.

Quickly she went and got ready, only five minutes later she had her all her possessions packed and was heading past towards the stables.

Surprisingly quite a few familiar faces were standing around the stables. Getting through the people took longer than they wished, each person gave a hug and said a few words.

Finally they were reached their horses and started to saddle up, turning around Thayet saw Arazo standing waiting.

A smile spread across her face, and her eyes lit up as she ran towards him, embracing him in a loving hug. "I'm glad you came. I was worried I wouldn't see you before I left."

"Wouldn't see me?" He asked, putting on a puzzled look. "Now you didn't think you could leave me? I'm going with you my friend."

At this she laughed, never did she imagine that Arazo liked her that much. This was just confirmation that last night was real, not just a dream.

Overhearing their conversation Buri decided to interrupt the two lovebirds, "Shouldn't we be on our way? The way you to are moving we won't be out of here until tomorrow."

Blushing the two of them finished getting ready and headed out. They were on the road once more, heading south to Port Caynn and then going inland to Corus.

The road was familiar to Thayet and Buri, however Arazo had hardly left Table Rock before and everything was a gasp of amazement.

Tiring of all of Arazo's comments she rode up behind him and tied a cloth over his mouth. With much protesting from Arazo she finally got to the point where he was quiet without the cloth.

Buri was their scout, with her bow drawn she road up ahead keeping an ear for any unusual noises. Riding for most of the morning they hadn't encountered much but a few friendly locals.

It was almost lunch when a stranger approached asking, "Are you Buri, Thayet's guard?"

"Who wants to know?" She replied cautiously.

"O, excuse my manners I'm Sir Myles of Olau, Alanna's adoptive father. I've been looking for you, along with some assassins. Don't give me that look, I am not one of those wretched folk. I want to take you to Corus where you will be safe, well at least safer."

"How do we know you are Sir Myles? I didn't think that he left the Capital often."

"I don't, but in this case I was forced to leave by some of your assassin friends."

"I see, well I guess you can travel with us for now."

Thayet and Arazo had caught up by now and were staring at this odd man. Finally he introduced himself as Sir Myles, although Buri was suspicious Thayet thought he was exactly like Alanna had described him.

Together they continued riding on, only stopping to send a message out to George in the town Myles had stayed in the night before. Time went by quickly and it wasn't long before the sun had set and they were forced to set up camp in an opening along the road.

"Arazo, you can take watch tonight. Make sure to stay awake," Buri said, she was not very confident in his abilities to stay awake, but decided to trust him anyways.

That night everyone was fell into a restless sleep, it had been a long time since they had slept on the floor and for Thayet this was a large difference. Arazo survived until midnight, when his eyes got heavy and drifted off.

Buri awoke to the forest feeling all together too quite, something was not right. Drawing her crossbow she snuck around the tents only to find Arazo asleep. Annoyed she shook him awake, and they both went around.

Out from the cover of the trees came a group of bandits, Buri turned around to see one of the men ready to cut her down. Shocked she yelled to warn the others, "Wake up, Thayet stay in the tent. BANDITS ARE ATTACKING!!!"

Soon Myles, Buri, and Arazo each had a man trying to get by. Thayet having woken to the war cries, was particularly annoyed at being left out of the battle. This time she wouldn't sit around she was going to fight, taking her hand knifes and a throwing star she headed out waiting for any opponent.

Myles had a particularly large bandit, matched in talent, but it was clear that this man outweighed the old knight. Each blow shook Sir Myles and with each blow he came closer to admitting defeat, finally he found an opening and went in. His opponent was to quick, he beat him to it by slashing him in the stomach.

Falling to the ground, Myles allowed this man to get by. Seeing Thayet fighting one of his friends, he decided it was the perfect opportunity. Quietly sneaking up he killed her from behind. A look of shock was at Thayet's face as she dropped down, cold and dead.

Buri finally gutted the man second man that had attacked her. Looking around for a new opponent she saw Myles on the ground bleeding, frightened for what this could mean she slowly turned around. There on the ground lay Thayet dead, swimming in a pool of blood.

Letting out a piercing scream she attacked. Her rage took over and with the help of Arazo they managed to chase away the remaining bandits.

Immediately the two went to Thayet's side. Arazo collapsed in tears, she had just come into his life and now she was gone. Buri was another story, she looked ashamed of her failure. Trying to keep tears from her eyes she walked over and bandaged up Myles' wounds.

Myles looked bad, the color had drained from his face and it was a strain for him even to say how sorry he was. The man that had chopped him down had a dirty weapon, and Buri had a rising suspicion that the wound was infected.

Arazo and Buri realized that Myles needed to get to a town, although they were reluctant to leave. Properly burying Thayet, they promised to return as soon as possible. Strapping Myles onto his horse, the three rode off into the night looking glum.

***George***

He had searched every town he came to, but hadn't come across anyone that looked remotely like Alanna's description. Thinking of Alanna made him sad, if only she loved him back. He had to keep reminding himself that now was not the time to think of Alanna, now was the time to look for Thayet and Buri.

Drinking away in the inn that night, he seemed to have forgotten all his troubles, nothing mattered. He had met some of the Rouge from these parts and discussed business with them. It wasn't until he was about to head up to sleep that a messenger burst in and handed him a note from Myles

So he had found Thayet and Buri heading for Corus. This wasn't good news, they would only be on the road if something had given them a reason to leave, possibly an assassin? If his suspicions were right then they would be in trouble.

Running out of the inn he saddled up and headed for Port Caynn. If he road through the night he might be able to catch them.

***Alanna***

Waking up before dawn, Alanna got out of bed. For her it was a relief to be awake, in her sleep she had to much time to think. Now she needed time to really know what was going on, last night she had made up her mind. Even if she wasn't completely convinced she knew what she had to do.

Taking Lightening she went out to the practice courts. Her muscles groaned as she got back into routine, since she had returned home she had neglected her practice.

Finally she was content with the excersices and she went back to her room. Slowly getting dressed and washing up she was avoiding going to breakfast. When there was nothing left to do she started walking to the Knights dining hall.

Most people will have only just woken up and will be slowly making their way to breakfast. After grabbing her food she spotted Raoul and Gary and reluctantly trudged over to join them.

It wasn't long till Jon was with them eating as well, he had taken a seat next to her. When he thought she wasn't looking he glanced her way, wondering. Seeing this Alanna smiled.

As if her smiling was a que he asked, "Do you have an answer for me my Lioness?"

Looking at him she said in tears, "Yes, Jon. Yes, Yes."

He had been dreading the worst, but with her response he just stared. Finally it sunk in and he got up. Taking her off her feet he gave her a tight hug, squeezing the air out of her.

All Alanna could do was laugh in between her tears, it was so right.

With puzzled looks plastered on their faces, Raoul and Gary gave each other inquisitive looks. Neither of them had any idea what was going on.

Tired of being left out Gary asked, "Are you to going to tell me what's going on? Or do I have to find out from the court gossips?"

Standing up on his chair Jon announced their engagement (A/N no I can't spell the other word with a b... bethrolal?). The people looked surprised, but soon they realized that this was their lioness. Nothing could be better than to have her as their queen.

The cheering erupted, even the servants seemed to approve. Everyone was reminded of the day Alanna was knighted, very few people hadn't come and everyone had applauded. It wasn't the kind of applause that was respectful, but it was pure happiness.

Looking around the room Alanna knew how happy she was. The Sun was shining through the stained-glass windows, reflecting on her husband-to-be. People they didn't know had come up offering their congratulations. Smiles were everywhere, except on Alex of Tirriegans face as he stormed out of the hall.

***Roger***

"O, how this is great, now I can get rid of both of the little lovesick brats in one wing. We won't even have to worry about any heirs, wait will we?" The Duke said in the most evil voice possible.

"No, Alanna always wore a pregnancy charm around her neck," Alex assured him.

"Good, nothing can go wrong now, the coronation will be quite a day. Alex you understand that it's your job to kill Alanna. DO NOT FAIL ME!"

"Yes sir." Alex knew, but now he was having doubts. These people used to be his friends and now he was going to kill them off? Maybe it would be best to let Alanna go by so she could kill the Duke. No she had disgraced knights, they were supposed to be men, but she... she was even the best. He had to beat her, if just to prove that women shouldn't be knights.

Hmm... I don't like it but tell me what you think. Sorry to anyone who liked Thayet, I didn't know how else to get rid of her. Yes she had to go I mean it was just like her destiny. Well any ideas or suggestions feel free to review, I mean really review right now!