A/n: not a particular interesting chapter but as I say often "I'm leading up to something." And as my summary states "Alanna's final duel and the events leading up to it.

Chapter 1: Practise Bout

Alanna sat in a chair across from the king's desk, looking at the young man Alanna saw that his once youthful face was hardening and there was a sprinkle of white at his left temple.

"Alanna, you know that the nobles have been talking about you and I have tried to stop it but they've made a good point and have asked me the question-" Alanna interrupted and recited like a child in school, ' "- Am I able to fit the requirements of champion anymore?' "

King Roald looked slightly amused, "I see and I assume you know what I am going to say to you regarding this matter?" he asked.

"Perhaps." Alanna said uncertain.

Roald took a deep breath, "Alanna I'm afraid that I am the one to tell you that in three weeks, whether you like it or not, you'll be relived of your duty as King's Champion and be retired." King Roald looked as though he expected an angry comment or an argument from Alanna and when her received none he said, "You may go."

Alanna didn't try to argue: it was too pointless, when her said 'You may go.' She did just that left and took a short tour of the palace on the way to her quarters at the palace. Sitting on her bed head in hands Alanna knew her days as King's Champion were numbered and deep down she knew that she had to make those few days last.

The next morning Alanna went to the practice yards to see how fit she was after a few hours of practice, Alanna found that she was still the same if only a tad bit slower, finishing up she saw Dom junior practising with a few of his friends and boasting of his ability, feeling vexed that he was boasting that he could beat anyone, Alanna walked over to him and asked him for a practise bout, Dom agreed.

Feeling good that she was going to (hopefully) deflated Dom's head a bit, she slid the practise armour on, it was hotter that she remembered, taking a wooden practise sword from one of her friends that was practising but had stopped to watch.

Dom junior and Alanna was ready, they crossed swords and stepped apart, Dom came in quickly with a series of chopping attacks, Alanna blocked feeling her bones scrape as she blocked, twisting her blade around Dom's Alanna managed to send it flying and land in the dirt, Dom looked at Alanna shocked, Alanna herself was equally shocked: she had won.

Dom looked at Alanna with something akin to hatred in his eyes and he ripped the armour off, threw it in the dirt and ran off. The knights that were watching her started to cheer: the King's Champion could still fight and win at that.

Taking an offered towel and a waterskin Alanna wondered what Dom would do now that his son was upset, deciding that she would deal with it when the time came Alanna left to get ready for some sort of 'party' the king was planning.

The Tusaine Knight wondered around boasting loudly and drinking far more wine than he should, "Someone should kick him out." Gareth the younger commented to Alanna.

"He's only here because someone insisted that he should try new things." A Tortall knight said, half listening to their conversation.

Looking around Alanna saw another Tusaine Knight but he appeared more relaxed, more focused if that was possible, "Who is that knight?" Alanna asked Gary.

"Him?" Gareth gestured toward the silent knight, Alanna nodded, "I think he that guy's-" Gary gestured towards the now drunk Tusaine knight, "-friend? Brother? I'm not sure."

Alanna kept further such questions to herself as the silent knight had his gaze upon her, making her feel awkward.

Gary noticed and turned his eyes towards other notables, noting how the strange, silent knight kept watching Alanna.

A/n: Any ideas for this story would be helpful even though MOST events are plotted.