Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters they all belong to Tamora Pierce (as you probably know).
Alanna bowed to her father, who was still staring openly.
'This is my proof that women can fight, if you need more evidence, I'm sure Queen Thayet or Buriram Tourakom wouldn't mind showing you some of their weaponry skills, then there's the Queen's Riders or the Queens Ladies. Even the law now states that girls can try for their shields. If you can accept this then I will abide by your wishes and you will spend your last week in the living realms, with your long awaited grandchildren.' She looked hopefully at him, longing for him to be proud of her, for him to forgive her and be the father she always hoped he could be.'
He continued to stare and then he turned to look at Jon and the others, all of whom were holding their breath. Myles had been a great father to Alanna, but if Alan could accept his daughter then she could remember him as a man who was proud of her and not as the uninterested father he'd always been.
'No Alanna, you will never be my daughter. How can I be the father of one who has achieved so much, changed so much, given so much to the realm? It would be an honour I am not worthy of, that I will never be worthy of. To Sir Myles you owe that honour, he has always helped and looked after you, ever since he met you.' He bowed to Sir Myles.
'It has been an honour in itself to be able to guide Alanna,' Myles replied.
'Father..' faltered Alanna.
'No,' said Sir Alan shaking his head. 'It is too late, I will stay in the palace until it is time for me to return to the Divine Realms.' And he began to walk back up to the Palace, Alanna watched him go tears streaming down her cheeks.
