A/N: I've finally read Trickster's Choice. I still can't believe there'd been a Tamora Pierce book out for *counts* four months and I hadn't read it! Still, reading it gave me a dilemma with this fanfiction, I think I've figured it out though. Just pretend that Alianne is safe and happy in the Isles (I know she goes on more adventures, but…) and pretend that Alanna isn't too overly worried about her, she has bigger things to worry about. ^.^

Chapter Eight

Fire's Ordeal

Yvenne chewed anxiously on her pencil, trying to find something perfect to write. She stared at the question. She had thought of it so many times before today. So many times and never a solid answer. There were so many reasons and yet the question demanded only one. It never specified only one, yet she was sure the test asked for only one.

Vengeance- yes, that was a big one. To find the men who had killed her friends or at least men like them.

Protection- another good one. To make sure no one else was killed needlessly. To see no more innocent blood spilt.

Honor- for the family she had been adopted into. For the Rogue, to show they were capable of producing those who could be bound to the Crown.

Duty- something that the Rogue had forced into her. Duty to those who had died, duty to females everywhere.

Finally, she settled on one answer that made her glow with pride when she reread it.

To prove to myself, to women, and to Tortall, that we can do anything a man can. To show them all and finally pass their test of acceptance.

*

"I passed!" Yvenne glowed excitedly.

Aiden smiled and nodded, "I knew you would."

"Great job Yvenne!" Alanna grinned as she strode up the hall with Kel by her side, and Raoul trailing behind them.

"Aiden, I'm sorry, we have to leave tonight, we'll back in a few weeks for your Ordeal, but until then we have to go," Raoul told him briskly.

Aiden's eyes darkened, but he nodded and gave Yvenne a quick hug before he followed his Knight Master away. Yvenne watched him leave, sadly shaking her head.

"Hey, you'll be able to do the same thing soon," Kel winked, and Yvenne brightened. That's right, she was going to be a squire now!

Kel and Alanna surrounded Yvenne as they began to walk down the halls of the palace.

"Um…what did you write on that last question of the test?" Yvenne asked nervously, wondering if it was okay to talk about.

Kel and Alanna exchanged looks and laughed.

"I wrote that I wanted to bring glory to the Crown and protect its ruler with my life if need be," Alanna answered, and Yvenne nodded, that had been when Alanna was secretly in love with the prince that would become King. That sounded about right.

"I said that I wanted to protect those that could not be protected, that being a knight was about the glory but also about the simple things, and the Crown protected all people, great and small," that sounded very much like Lady Keladry of Mindelan.

"What did you write?" Alanna inquired.

Yvenne blushed, "Nothing so noble as that, just that I wanted to prove to the realm that I could."

"That's a very noble reason," Kel said softly. "Do you know the point of that question Yvenne?"

She shook her head, and Kel smiled gently.

"Its purpose is to see what a knight wants out of being a knight. When a page becomes a squire it only gets harder. I know it doesn't seem that it could get much harder, but it does. The Crown needs loyalty, and the most loyal knights are the ones that have a purpose, a goal. If your reason for becoming a Knight of the Realm is simply for glory, or because your parents demand it of you, or its in your family, your heart isn't in it fully. You have to have a reason to want it; it makes you fight harder. Those kind of knights are rare, but the Crown wants to see those through to the very end."

"We're not saying it's going to be easy, or automatic. You'll have days that quitting will seem much easier, days where you're barely hanging on by your pinky nail, but…those days pass and new ones come. You'll be soaked and muddy and tired, and all you'll long for is a bath, but you'll have to dig latrines or scrub down horses. You'll have those days for days on end. It won't be easy, but if you have your goal in mind, you'll come out on top," Alanna continued where Kel left off.

Yvenne stared at them with awe in her eyes. They understood; they understood what it meant to be a woman and be a knight. She prayed to the Goddess that she would be able to live up to them.

*

"Come on girl," Yvenne was desperately trying to persuade her bay mare out of her paddock. "I know it's cold, but you hafta!"

The horse snorted and turned to look at Yvenne.

"That's it!" Yvenne shouted and was about to storm away when that mysterious boy appeared in front of her. She jumped back, startled, but then managed a smile. "Are you a stalker or something?"

He laughed and shook his head; he was very handsome, Yvenne had to admit. "She's wanting something for her efforts," he told Yvenne, and she turned back to her horse.

"What?"

"She says that if she's to go out in the cold she wants something for her efforts. It's not easy for her; she says that you're nice enough, but you demand a lot out of her. She wants to be of help, but she'd like to lighten the load," he leaned against the stall door carefully.

"You can hear her?" Yvenne asked, completely turning around to face him and the horse.

"I have some horse magic," he responded calmly. "Now, my suggestion would promise her you'll get another mount and give her a nice blanket with a bucket of oats. I can arrange the last two, but I'm afraid you'll have to work on the first one."

"I may be able to help with that Tobe," Kel appeared in the doorway, and both Yvenne and Tobe bowed quickly.

"Milady," they mumbled in unison, and Yvenne turned to take another look at the boy.

"It's required for a Knight Master to provide her squire with a new mount, that is," Kel looked at Yvenne's gaping jaw, "if you accept."

"Of course!" she shrieked and barely kept herself from leaping in the air. "I'm honored Milady."

"I'll never be able to get you to call me Kel will I?" Kel laughed when Yvenne shook her hair so her long blond hair flew around her shoulders. "Well, so be it, I don't think I liked the idea of calling Raoul by his first name for awhile. I suppose you'll come around. Now, Tobe, I want you to provide my new squire with whatever mount she chooses. I trust you'll find her a good one."

"Of course Lady Kel," he bowed once more, and Kel smiled.

"Good, it's all settled. After you're finished with Tobe here, I'd like you to come to my rooms and we'll deal with other matters," Kel instructed Yvenne, who bowed deeply and looked up at her new Knight Master with admiration.

Without another word Kel walked from the stable and headed back toward the castle, smiling softly to herself. Now, things would get interesting.

*

"How do you know Lady Kel?" Yvenne asked once her Knight Master had left.

"She bought me from a master of mine awhile ago. He treated me very poorly, but she saved me from him. Ever since then I've been in her service, only…she allowed me to stay near the palace until she chose a squire. Now that she has I'll be with her again," Tobe kept his head bowed as he began examining horses, gently urging them to lift hooves and examine teeth.

"Wow…that's odd," Yvenne muttered. "You would think that she wouldn't need another servant, with picking up a squire."

"Well," he looked up and grinned at her, his blue eyes flashed with mischief. "The Lady remembers all too well being a squire; she wants to make sure there's someone to look after her new squire as well. Besides," he laughed at Yvenne's astounded look, "I'm good with horses, and someone good with horses can always be used."

She nodded and smiled as he went back to work. Her stomach was filled with butterflies. She was to be Lady Keladry of Mindelan's squire!

In another few minutes Tobe had settled on four horses, two geldings, a stallion and a mare, "Any of these four should be good," he told her, and she looked them over in awe. He had easily picked out the four best horses in the stable.

"I can't afford any of these," she whispered, blushing slightly.

He shook his head, "Didn't you hear Lady Kel? She's to supply you with a new horse, it's her duty as a Knight Master."

"I wouldn't want her to have to pay-"

"She'll get any at a good price," he interrupted. "Trust me, Stefan won't cheat her."

Yvenne smiled, she should have known. Stefan would take good care of Yvenne and Kel. Relieved of her worries, she looked back to the horses and stared at the stallion for a long time. He was beautiful, such a light gray that he was almost white, while his mane and tail were deep black. He seemed to be almost as fiery as she was.

"Good choice," Tobe told her before she said a word.

"How did you-"

"It's obvious," Tobe cut her off once again, and she glared.

"You think you know everything or what?" she demanded.

"Not everything, just everything about horses," he smiled despite her tone, and she was a little flustered. "I'll just get you the tack you'll need and you'll be all set."

*

Yvenne knocked hesitantly on Kel's door. So many thoughts ran through her head, what would Kel say? She didn't already doubt her did she? No, of course not, it'd only been two hours. Once you chose a squire you couldn't unchoose them could you? Stop squirming, it's rude, her mind scolded, and she held herself still as the door opened.

"Yvenne!" Kel shouted excitedly and ushered her inside.

"Milady," Yvenne bowed and turned her eyes toward Kel's guest. "My Lord," she did another small bow to Dom, who laughed and shook his head.

"I'm not a Lord."

"You're not? You should be," Yvenne smiled her best smile, and Kel eyed the two. Upon realizing that this wasn't about her anymore, she cleared her throat and brought the two back to earth. Yvenne blushed madly and bowed again, so Kel had to smile. That was going to have to go.

"I wanted to outfit you in Mindelan colors and of course go over your weapons," Kel informed Yvenne who nodded, wanting to hit herself for thinking it was anything but. "Dom and I are going to go over your weapons now, and then we'll take you to the tailors to get you measured for new clothes and boots."

Yvenne bowed again, "Then I should go get my things?" she asked, and Kel nodded to her, which sent Yvenne scurrying to the door.

Once she had left, Kel sighed and fell into a chair, "Was this a mistake?" she asked Dom, who grinned at her and shook his head.

"Of course not, she needs a good friend, and I'm sure the fact that you're always with Raoul helps. I mean, you're always with Raoul's squire, more importantly," Kel laughed at this and then grew grim once more.

"But he won't be a squire for much longer, will he?" she shook her head wearily. "I hope that the King keeps them together, I couldn't imagine what she must go through to constantly be missing that boy. I know if…" she stopped herself, when Dom's brows raised in curiosity. "That's for another day."

He laughed, and Kel put on her best Yamani mask to keep from blushing.

*

Yvenne fell back into bed once she had been equipped with all her new things. She smiled at the glaive that was now hanging on her wall. That would be her long weapon; she had come to love the glaive since her training with Lady Kel and the others. What a day! She thought to herself, exhausted, but she was too excited to sleep yet. In the morning she would be moving into a room next to Kel's and right after the Ordeal she would be leaving with her new Knight Master.

As always when she thought of the upcoming Ordeal she thought of Aiden. Would he be all right?

She fingered the crystal that sat on a small table next to her bed. She had considered using it on him before, and every day the Ordeal grew closer she thought of using it more and more. It was just…scary.

A knock on her door made her jump. She laughed silently at herself as she rose to answer the door, jumping at nothing, and you want to be a Knight, she scolded herself.

She held back another gasp as she opened it and met the fiery eyes of Numair, "Master Numair," she mumbled and kept her head low.

"I've just heard that Kel has taken you on as her squire," he got straight to the point, which was an odd mood for him.

"Yes Master," she bowed her head again as he waltzed into the room, not waiting for an invitation. She guessed Great Mages didn't worry too much about invitations.

"Which means the next phase of your knight training has begun," he spoke in those whispery words that made it seem like he was talking to himself. Yvenne guessed he probably was. Her magic teacher did have that effect on people.

"Yes Master," Yvenne mumbled.

"But you have yet to even begin to master your magical talent," he rounded on her, and suddenly Yvenne felt hot, she was blushing! She gritted her teeth and forced herself to meet his angry eyes. As if it had never been, he fell back, and his eyes softened, a smile lighting on his lips, "It takes talent to meet my eyes," he told her, and she bowed her head, allowing her eyes to lower. "You have to use it eventually, or it will break free in terrible ways," he told her in the same soft voice, yet his expressions spoke seriously.

"I…the first time I tried to use the crystal, I saw one of my fellow pages die Master Numair," she whispered, telling him of the terrible events of three years before.

"I guessed something like that might happen. That doesn't mean everything Yvenne. Everyone dies; it's a matter of what they do in life that determines their meaning. You didn't see all the good. The more you use it the more you'll be able to refine it. Eventually you won't even need the crystal anymore. Trust me, you have to work on it," he put a hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. She smiled back and nodded. "If you ever need me, tell one of the animals to fetch Daine, and we'll come right away."

She thanked him softly and bowed once more before he exited. Now, she had a lot to think about.

*

A light tap on Yvenne's door made her jump so high she almost touched the roof, "Come in," she mumbled hoarsely, and her Knight Master walked in, followed by Domitan of Masbolle. Yvenne rarely saw them out of one another's company anymore. They were always planning for the upcoming wars that awaited them. Generally Yvenne was with them, learning and trying to help wherever her skills applied, which was generally on the magic side of things.

"We didn't think you'd be able to sleep," Dom smiled his same charming smile, but it was a little weak. Kel gave her an apathetic glance that Yvenne quickly learned she used when she was worried.

"I don't doubt he'll be okay," Yvenne mumbled quickly, then realized she had no need to say anything. After at least a month in one another's company they had learned how to recognize what they were thinking without words.

"I didn't doubt Neal wouldn't make it out either," Kel told her gently, taking a seat on her bed. "But Yuki and I stayed up all night anyway, it's easier to do it with someone. You'll have to be doing it alone soon enough."

Yvenne tried to hide a gulp unsuccessfully, "I know knights aren't supposed to talk about the Ordeal, but…"

Kel smiled slightly, "It was only a matter of time before you asked, every squire asks. The Chamber…" Kel shook her head, remembering entering the Chamber twice. "It makes you experience your greatest fears; it's different for every knight. It has a mind of its own, more than that I can't tell you. But you come out looking at the world a little differently. And if you think it'll help you conquer your fears, it might…but for some it just makes their fears that much more real."

Yvenne immediately wished she hadn't asked.

"Come on, we'll go down and get some tea and try and talk it out," Dom grabbed her hand and helped her from the floor that she had somehow sunken onto.

"Yeah…right…" she muttered and walked out with the two, thoughts spinning angrily through her head. Aiden!

*

She barely managed to control herself when Aiden stumbled out of the Chamber of Ordeals with the sickest look she'd ever seen on his face. She tried to smile encouragingly for him, but it was no use. The corners of his lips curled upward, but Yvenne couldn't be sure it was a smile or a snarl.

"There, there lad," Raoul almost had to carry Aiden back toward his rooms, but he was out. He was out and that night he would be a Knight of the Realm. Yvenne couldn't help but let her heart swim with pride.

On her way out of the Chamber, she saw a man and a woman, obviously nobles, talking to Kel and Raoul. She cocked her head and examined them until Raoul gave her a sharp glance, and she scurried away. She had the oddest feeling about those two. Reaching into her pocket to grip the crystal orb she had yet to try, she ran back to where Kel and Raoul were standing with the noble couple. She hid just out of sight of the four, where she could get a good view of them, safely behind a few stone pillars. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and focused her magic in a small stream through the crystal.

A procession led by a man and a woman rode back to a good sized manor in the countryside, only to find it in ruin. The man shouted for the soldiers to move to the front of the escort as he rode his horse to sit in front of the lady beside him who had cowered in fear. They would only find ruins though; the raiders had taken everything and moved on. Some were left injured, others dead, but most had been carried off as slaves. The man clenched a gauntleted fist and vowed revenge.

The same woman, young and beautiful, bowed over a cradle and touched the nose of her son with a finger, smiling warmly, "We will call you Aiden, it means little flame in the old language."

"An appropriate name," her husband placed a large hand on her shoulder, and she turned to smile at him.

Yvenne let the magic fade and nodded, still shuddering from the sight of Aiden's home in ruins. She thought that might have already happened, but she couldn't be sure. At least no one died this time, she thought to herself and managed a weak laugh. And I found out why I thought those two were suspicious. I wonder what they want with Lady Kel and Sir Raoul…

A heavy hand gripped her shoulder as someone else grabbed her other and spun her around. She gulped when she saw that it was Raoul and Kel who held her.

"You think you're terribly clever don't you?" Raoul inquired venomously. "I thought you got the picture, but Kel guessed you would be a sneak."

"Tisk tisk Yvenne, I hope I won't have to tell this to Merek," George smiled viciously from nearby.

Yvenne shook her head fiercely, "I'll be more careful next time, honest," she apologized to George which made Kel and Raoul exchange glances.

"Well al…" George started.

"There had better not be a next time," Kel said firmly, and George grinned and nodded to her before disappearing down the hall. "Where did he come from anyway?" Kel pondered at his back.

"He has a way of doing that," Raoul muttered, "always has."

Kel shook her head and looked back to Yvenne, releasing her as Raoul did, "What did you see?"

"I…" Yvenne faltered. "N-nothing."

"Don't lie, Numair told me what it does. What did you see?" Kel repeated patiently. So she was still part of the Rogue, at least at heart. I'm not so sure how you can be a thief and serve the Crown, but I guess it's possible, Kel thought to herself. I know it would make my head spin.

"I just…just- that it was Aiden's parents," Yvenne revised her lie quickly, so that it was almost the whole truth. It was always easier to incorporate the truth in a lie- that made it more believable. She was really slipping up.

Kel's eyes narrowed for a split second and then she nodded, sighing, "Yeah…those are Aiden's parents."

"And?" Yvenne guessed this was as good a time as any to ask.

"Nothing to be concerned with," Raoul said quickly, and Kel looked at him, but nodded after a moment.

"Yeah, it sure looks like nothing," Yvenne muttered, but Raoul smiled and clapped her shoulder.

"'Tis a knight's privilege," he laughed, which made Yvenne scowl angrily. Which, of course, made Raoul laugh harder.

"I'm hungry, let's go get some lunch, and then you can have the afternoon to pay Aiden a visit. After his parents get through with him he may need some company," Kel joked, and Yvenne looked at her worriedly but nodded all the same.