A/N: You know the weirdest thing? I had no idea I was going to have Gary teach Alanna until I found myself typing it. Ah, well. The plot bunnies must be obeyed. Glad you liked it. Oh, and by the way, the big plot begins in the next chapter, so don't lose track of this story out of boredom! And thank you, thank you, THANK YOU so much to all my reviewers, and to my school friend and fellow TP fan who I use to bounce ideas off and who shall remain nameless. (You know who you are!) Try not to embarrass me too much tomorrow in school! So, without any more ado, here you have it...

Gary took a swig off water, grinning. He was having the time of his life. Alanna was really quite rubbish with a sword, but considering her circumstances she was brilliant, and she certainly had potential. It was a pleasure to teach her, especially after years of being the student. Now he had someone of his own to torture-except she seemed to be enjoying it even more then he was He glanced at her over his shoulder. She was standing with her head thrown back, hair tied up at the back of her head in a deep purple ribbon. It matches her eyes, Gary thought, smiling. For years he had hated those eyes, set into the face of her brother; now he was growing to enjoy the sight of them. They were threaded through with strands of pale lavender in the midday sun, out in the courtyard where they stood. It was solely for the purpose of sword training; instead of uneven cobblestones it was set with flat, smooth flagstones. She met his gaze evenly, a wicked expression in those innocent lamps.

"Ready to try again?" She enquired, running a hand through her flaming hair. Gary groaned. He couldn't remember ever going through this stage.

"Ready when you are, Lioness," He replied evenly, prepared to throw back every arrow aimed at him. He had learned very, very soon that making allowances for Alanna's Ladylike nature was NOT a good idea.

She glared at him fiercely, bringing her sword up. Gary regarded it enviously. It was gorgeous, folded steel with the enamelled raven on the hilt that was the sign of Raven Armoury, finest in the land. According to Cythera, she had saved up all her-generous-allowance until she could get it, and she wouldn't settle for anything less then the best. Gary could probably afford a raven armoury sword himself, but he wasn't going to let himself blow his savings on one as fine a one as hers-much as he wanted to. Alanna followed his gaze down and chuckled. "Well, you shouldn't have any problems keeping your eye on my blade, at least! And don't call me Lioness!"

"I should hope not, after eight years." Gary retorted, bringing his sword up to meet hers. "And Lioness is a title to be proud of. Certainly well- deserved enough, with that temper of yours. On guard."

They continued sparring, Gary yelling at Alanna, Alanna cheerfully insulting Gary. Neither of them noticed that they were attracting a crowd.

An hour or so later, when they both put down their swords, Alanna was ready to collapse. She grinned at her partner.

"That was FUN!"

Then she swayed, and sat down heavily on the bench. Emptying a waterskin over her head, she shook out the droplets like a wet dog, all the while smiling like a Cheshire cat. Gary raised his eyes heavenward in despair, throwing up his arms in supplication. "Mithros! I give up!"

A dry voice from the other side of the courtyard remarked dryly, "Finally."

Gary swerved, shocked, to see Jon, Raoul, Cythera, and a few other knights standing there. Raoul was in stitches. Jon, who had spoken, had a smile playing on his curved lips, and laughter dancing in his piercing eyes. Cythera was standing with her hands on her hips, glaring affectionately at the others.

"What did I tell you? She's insane!"