Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and places, they belong to Tamora Pierce.

4. Inside

Ilane waited in silence, back straight, shoulders back, face blank and still. She breathed deeply and evenly, forcing herself to calm and allowing her years of training to take over. She felt like she was preparing for deadly combat.

Suddenly she heard a muffled shout from the passage, and then silence. She kept taking deep breaths, using the Yamani methods to control herself that her mother had taught her. She didn't allow her muscles to tense, even as the Chapel door slowly swung open, first a crack, then wider until it stood fully open.

Ilane stifled a gasp. She hadn't been prepared for this. Markel stood there, at the front of a group of around ten other people. She could see knights and other nobles, as well as a few servants. She had expected people. What she hadn't expected was the three crossbow bolts pointed at her chest. It took all her will power to stifle the gasp that threatened to slip from her tightening throat. She didn't move an inch.

'Ilane.' It was just a statement, but she could sense the suffering behind Markel's expressionless voice, see the turmoil and pleading in his bland eyes. She realized how well she did know him. 'I thought you would be here.'

She didn't reply. There was nothing to say. She kept her expression guarded and her eyes unemotional, not letting even Markel in.

There was tense silence for at least a minute. Then one of the men holding a crossbow lowered it and cleared his throat. He looked like he was about to take a step forward but hesitated and stayed where he was. No one else had moved, and they just sort of stood there, hovering on the doorstep of the Chapel but not entering. No one seemed to want to be the first to breach its sanctity, so everyone was perched against the invisible line across the doorway. She was grateful that they all stayed back.

As he cleared his throat again, Ilane realized she knew the man with the lowered crossbow. He was captain of the palace guard, an imposing man by the name of Nolan. Nolan was a giant of a man, with broad muscled shoulders and arms like tree trunks. His shaved head and shaggy beard gave him an air of menace, which was well deserved. He could probably snap you in two with his bare hands, and he was a wonder with the crossbow and longbow. For this reason Ilane was extremely grateful he had lowered his weapon.

Nolan began to speak. 'Ilane of Masbolle, in the presence of these witnesses you are hereby under arrest and at the mercy of the king's justice. You are charged with the assault of Sir Keril of Meron, and it is my duty to take you into custody. If you do not come peaceably, I have authority to command the use of deadly force. Do you here me and understand?'

Ilane nodded silently. She wouldn't be going with them. She would die first. She met Markel's eyes steadily, and he just looked at her with despair written across his face. He had obviously tried to talk them out of coming, and was regretting telling them where she was. But Ilane had known he would tell if he knew. He was so scrupulously honest it was at times painful. Markel thought she was trapped, and was blaming himself. She could see it in his eyes. But he should have known her better. Ilane was never trapped.

Nolan's gravelly voice was cold and hard. 'Then I would ask you to please step outside.' Even now, no one wanted to enter the Chapel. Many of them looked shocked at seeing a page in the sacred place, and she knew Markel was horrified. But Ilane wasn't moving. She shook her head. They would have to come in if they wanted her. But she wasn't going to let them get close, and she didn't want Markel coming in. The Chapel had already ruined her life, without taking his as well. She knew he wanted to be a knight more than anything.

'Ilane, be reasonable.' Markel said. 'There's nowhere for you to go. Just come out here.' He was pleading her, and by the anguish in his eyes Ilane knew that he had seen the escape route she had settled on. And he didn't want her to go there. But it was too late for that now.

'Markel, you know I can't.' She spoke quietly, but every syllable rang across the silent, empty expanse of the Chapel of the Ordeal. 'But I will see you again. I promise. Just don't come in here.'

Nolan and the other men looked at each other, confused, and one started to take a step forward. Markel just stood there, silently pleading, but already knowing the answer.

Ilane spoke again, this time addressing herself to Nolan. 'Would you please give Sir Keril my apologies. Tell him I would have been happier as a squire, and I never meant for this to happen. He'll understand.'

And with that Ilane turned, opened the Chamber door and slipped inside. She heard the men's startled shouts and the clang of crossbow bolts hitting stone. The last thing she saw was Markel lunge futilely down the aisle toward her.

'Nooooooo! Illlaaaaa...'

The iron door thudded shut.

A/N – so, whadya think? A little bit of drama and anguish… but they'll be no more heart touching scenes. At least not for now. So go on, review and tell me what you think. Please…the button's right there…

Until next time, Liss