Author's note: I know, I know. It has taken me a disgraceful amount of time to update this story that many of you have left reviews for. Well, here you go!

Chapter 9

Numair had made his decision. Tonight was the banquet and tonight was the night Numair would show Daine how much he loved her and how sorry he was for breaking her heart.

Only Numair didn't know that at the exact moment that he had made his decision, Daine was mounting Battle and saying goodbye to her friends.

Daine had put all of her belongings that she was taking with her, which were very few, onto Cloud who was a little upset that she was riding Battle and not her.

Daine stood in front of her dear friends and spoke to them each.

"Onua" she began as a solitary tear rolled down her cheek. Onua reacted by placing her hand on her cheek and wiped the tear away.

"You saved me from becoming a wandering child and gave me work. You have trusted me with your life and I mine. You supported me when I was going through changes and I had no idea where they would take me. Thank you for being my friend and my family."

Onua was trying not to cry, but let out a quiet sob. She held Daine in a tight hug, knowing that it was what the girl needed to do.

Daine next went to Alanna. Whose fierce eyes were now dulled by the sorrow and the tears that threatened to fall.

"Alanna" Daine said and smiled at her friend's stubbornness not to cry. "You saved my life a great many times, and showed me that being strong is nothing to be ashamed of. You showed me that it is ok for women to be more powerful then men. Thank you for amazing experience of meeting The Lady Night and the many adventures that came with it."

Daine bowed to the Lioness who reacted by hitting her in the shoulder and pulling her into a deathly tight hug.

"Don't you get into any trouble, you hear? I really don't fancy making a trip to Dunlath just to punish you" Alanna said with a wink.

Daine moved to her last goodbye.

"You're Majesty, Thayet. You have provided me with a home ever since I came to Tortall. You provided me with dresses on my trip to Carthak, and I felt horrible for destroying them. I will always remember meeting you, because you acted like no queen I had ever met before. Thank you for your generosity and hospitality."

Thayet gently hugged the young girl and gave her a soft smile.

Daine mounted Battle and with one last wave started on her way to Dunlath.

Ok....see...no cliff hanger....well not really....

Sad chapter...I know

Everyone thinks that this story is going to be all sad and depressing..

I promise you, I PROMISE that this will NOT be sad and/or depressing.

It will be a good ending....lol

Now please review!!

thanks