Disclaimer: All the characters in this fanfic are owned by the one and only Tamora Pierce. I own only the storyline.
A/N : This story has been completely edited so that it can be set after Lady Knight, so if there are any discrepancies, please tell me because I might have missed something. I know the chapters are still short because I haven't changed the basic contents of the chapters and as for the later chapters, I'm still experimenting with how the number ofpages ofa word document are displayed on this site P Anyway I hope you enjoy it. This time I mean to continue it since last time I lost interest half way and was extremely busy (doesn't really make sense since I'm now currently supposed to be studying for my final year of high school P)
Chapter One - Friends to be Had
It was the night of the last banquet of the winter season and Kel was glad to be back at the palace and all its luxuries after the rough lifestyle at war without its regular hot baths. She smiled feeling finally at ease knowing New Hope was in good hands while she was south.
The banquet had finished and the dancing had begun in the ballroom. Kel looked around for the Lioness, Lady Alanna of Pirate's Swoop, the King's Champion and the first Lady Knight in over a century, Keladry herself being the second. She spotted her well-wisher for the 8 years she was in training and all the time after it, talking to King Jonathon in a deep violet dress that accented her violet eyes. Her eyes continued to roam the room until they found her friend, Princess Shinkokami, new wife the Crown Prince of Tortall, Roald. Finally, she met the brilliant blue eyes of the man she had been looking for; she went up to engage him in a conversation while others danced to the flowing music.
The night continued on with much merriment, until an angry shrill filled the air. All present turned to stare. The Lioness, in a state of calm naught but half an hour ago, was now red with fury. Her anger centred at the King who stood before her, calm and composed as always.
"I can't believe this!" the Lioness cried.
"What is there not to believe." replied the King calmly, a brilliant contrast of his Champion's mood.
"Three more girls have requested to train as pages, and you try and make me stay away again!!" Alanna raged, her anger mounting at the fact that Jonathon could find nothing wrong about that.
"The conditions for you are the same as with Keladry of Mindelan while she was undertaking her training to become a knight." the King clearly struggling to stay calm as his friend spat words at him.
"I have had to spend 8 years staying away from the one person who was making my dream come true for another Lady Knight, under your orders!" the Lioness was literally screaming now. Those who had thought to ignore the dispute had stopped unable to douse their curiosity and shock.
"I gave you orders to stay away from Lady Keladry to show everyone that she earned her shield on her own with no help from you to satisfy even the conservatives." Jon hissed, his calm and composure crumbling when he realised he could do nothing to stop this conversation before Alanna humiliated him even more.
Queen Thayet, Jonathon's lady, knew better than to join the conversation as all she had to say would show her support of Alanna and infuriate her husband even more.
"I can't believe you. I thought being unable to contact Keladry during her training was bad, but this is even worse! Are you even going to let me see the girls when I'm dead?"
"You have no right to speak to me this way! I make the decisions to benefit the larger population of Tortall. You are but one of my vassals. You have no say in what I decide!" even as the words left his mouth, Jon knew he had gone too far.
White, hot fury seemed to emit from Alanna's small, stocky form. "So be it. I resign as your Champion," her voice dangerously quiet, her rage had gone beyond simply yelling, "I no longer serve you nor your country." With that finally note, she turned and walked out of the room, leaving shock in her wake.