Disclaimer: All the characters in this fanfic are owned by the one and only Tamora Pierce. I own only the storyline.

Chapter 2 - When the World Turns

King Jonathon silently fumed despite the shock of the previous event. He knew better than to stay, with the talk soon to fly around in the still ballroom as all of its occupants stared at the door from which Alanna had exited with mouths half-open in a kind of stunned stupor; not to say he didn't feel like doing that. Crisply, he turned on his heel, and exited through another door behind him, slamming it in his wake.

Talk in the ballroom resumed after the people within its wall had registered the fact that Lady Alanna, had resigned as King's Champion and withdrawn her support for her country; and that King Jonathon had just stormed out of the room in obvious anger. Needless to say, rumours were being started and spread like wildfire.

Sir Raoul of Golden Lake and Malorie's Peak and his wife, Buriram, former Commander Buriram Tourikam of the Queen's Riders, shook their heads in disgust as their ears caught snatches of the rumours being born. No doubt more would be created with the number of people exiting the room all whispering and most probably dying to spread the news of their close friend's resignation. Personally speaking, Raoul didn't think it was anything to worry about as Alanna supposed resignation was most possibly a product of her famed temper, though with Alanna, one could never be sure.

Keladry was filled with great, but odd sense of satisfaction, though she hid it well behind her Yamani-schooled face. That will surely teach him to be fairer in the future, she thought.

After Alanna stormed out of the room she blindly walked down the corridor, rage clouding all her senses. All who were unfortunate enough to greet her on her rage path, quickly jumped out of the way, frightened beyond comprehension by the violet fire that seemed to smoke off her very skin.

Her fury cooled slightly, as her physical body rippled when a cold breeze rustled her dress and froze her flesh; she was on the roof of the palace. She had no idea how she can to be here, but she didn't mind being in the tranquil air above it all, despite the chilling winds of this time of year. She walked to edge and gazed upon the serene white city before her. All I wanted was for the world to have lady knights like me to protect the people of the city and this whole god's damned country, to show the world that woman can do the same things as men. The world should be fair. Time to start again, I have spent so much time here, trying to achieve that, and where has that taken me. I watch my dream succeed, but it is wrenched away from me at the same time, by the one person I thought would let me help other girl succeed to be Lady Knights while as the same time, watch my dream succeed. My time here is up. Alanna sighed and turned to make her way back to her chambers to pack.

How dare she? Jon raged, storming into his chambers. "How dare she humiliate me in front of the people who serve me? How dare she!"

Queen Thayet had watched her closest friend resign as her husband's Champion and then him storm away in anger. She was torn between comforting her friend or her husband. Either choice would hurt someone. She reasoned, and decided to follow her husband as she had no idea where Alanna had gone. Now she stood in the doorway listening to her husband blame it all on Alanna.

"You know you shouldn't have said what you did about yourself making all the decisions." she remarked calmly, her inner struggle hidden within.

"Oh, so you're siding with her now are you?" he hissed, turning to face her.

"I am not siding with anyone. But you of all people should know what you said wasn't true."

Inside, Jon did know it, but anger clouded his mind. "She has no right to question me like that." he roared.

"She does," the Queen replied, her resolve strengthening, "You are being unjust to her. You know how much the prospect of more girls trying for their shields means to her. You are the only one who can undo what you have caused. You have pushed away a close friend of ours."

"No, I will not apologise," Jon yelled, "Go away woman, and join Alanna since you support her so much."

Thayet shook her head and left the room.