Ok well, I would respond to your reviews, but supposedly it isn't a rumour…So until I know otherwise, there won't be any more responses, unless you want me to email you. That's why I've edited out the responses in this chapter, sorry if you didn't get to see yours, but it's better than losing the story.

This won't be as long as the other chapters (Which I'm quite proud of actually- they're getting like 1,300 words each JUST for the story part- not bad, eh?) because I'm going out to the beach soon, but better to update one shortish chapter than not one for another couple of days.

Disclaimer is as always if you don't know what it is, read the other chapters please…

Chapter Eighteen : Squirrels, moose and pages

Recap: Up in the King's study, the body of Kai, now fully changed back into her old self, twitched.

"Saddle the horses, we'll be leaving within the hour." Alanna's stomach grumbled in disagreement. "Wait, we need lunch first- saddle them in an hour instead." She didn't say this to anyone in particular, or knew if anyone was actually listening- but she didn't care, someone was bound to take orders from any old voice they heard. What she didn't realise was that there were plenty of people around, but they were hiding from her. Strange what a reputation like Alanna's can do to people…Scanning the corridor up and down, it seemed to be deserted. "Where's a passing page when you need one…" She mumbled to herself. Then she spotted a blur of movement. "Ah, you there!"

"Yes, um…Lady Knight- what can I do for you this jolly fine day?"

"You look like a page- would you be able to make sure King Jonathan's, Numair's, Neal's, Dom's, Daine's, George's…well just make sure every horse in the stables are saddled?"

"Don't pages do that sort of thing usually?" Alanna was drawn to the boy not just because he was the only one for what seemed like miles- but because of his hair. It was a ginger red, much like her own. She found herself lost in a mass of carrot coloured hair…she was brought quickly back to reality when she heard frequent coughing from the boy in front of her.

" Are you alright lad?"

"Fine erm thanks…I was just saying…I'm not a page sir, er miss, erm I mean lady, no wait.."

"Alanna will do finely."

"Yes of course…Alanna."

"Really; you're not a page?"

" I was once a page- it was such a jolly time- but no, I'm a well established Knight now. If I may say so myself."

"Seriously? O, my mistake then. I do remember know- lapse of memory, you know how those things go…Darwin right?

"That's not my given name.."

"Ok, give me two more guesses-"

"I could just tell you if you wanted, it's no trouble on my part."

"No, no, it'll come to me. Jess!"

"Jesslaw sir- I mean Alanna. I'm from the Jesslaw fief…"

"Oh! Don't worry, I've got it now- Owen, am I right?"

"Yes!"

"See, I never forget names- only misplace them. Let that be a lesson to you lad."

"Rightio, if you could just repeat that last bit again…"

(Numair's POV)

The room was in a mess- books covered every surface, unwashed clothes were scattered about the floor, the bed was unmade. It was perfect. You know what they say, most geniuses were untidy- and in Numair's case, that was very true.

The window was open making the curtains float in the gentle breeze. Daine must have been outside with the animals. Numair wondered if she'd found anything out from them. He hoped she had.

As if on cue, Daine entered the room through the open window. She rarely used doors unless she had to- she felt they were unpractical- unlike windows.

"Daine, you're back!" He took her into an embrace, careful not to step on any of her furry, feathered or scaled friends who had followed her in. This time it was three squirrels, four starlings, 2 lizards, and curiously, one mole. He wasn't even going to enquire to how it had got in. At least it wasn't as bad as the time he'd found her trying to fit a moose through the window- antlers and all. He subconsciously rubbed his arm; considering that they were vegetarians, the moose had had a painful bite on him- if he wasn't as quick he could have lost an arm.

"Numair, are you all right sweet?" Daine looked worried, and put a caring hand on his shoulder.

"Yes magelet, I was just thinking back to that moose incident last midwinter…" Numair shuddered at the thought.

"You mean Barry?"

"What?"

"Barry, that was his name. Thinking about it, I haven't seen him since then…I wonder if he's ok?"

Numair began to questions the sanity of Daine- Barry? Well, it was best not to tell her about the new addition to the King's study above the fireplace- she never went in there anyway.

"So, what did your animal friends have to say?"

"What?" Daine seemed lost in conversation with a timid rabbit. When did that get here? He put all queries to the back of his mind, but made a mental note to put locks on the windows in the near future.

"You know, the problem about Keladry? Do you remember her? She's your friend- the one with the ugly dog?"

She tore out of Numairs grasp, seemingly offended by his humouring tone. "Yes thank you, I do remember. And spot isn't ugly- just unfortunate looking. There's no need to speak down to me Numair- I'm not a student of yours any more, so stop treating me like one." With that Daine turned to go, to come face to face with George. "Eavesdropping George? I thought better of you…"

"No lass, I'm here to invite you to another emergency meeting in the stables."

"The stables?"

"Yes- the stables."

"Are you sure you heard correctly?"

"Lass, let me give you a word of advice- never question the King of the Rogues."

"But you're not King of the Rogues any more, are you?"

"Why is everyone around here so curious? Aye, you're right there- but you can take the man out the rogue but you can't take the rogue out the man. Shouldn't you be at the stables by now?" Daine and Numair quickly left the room, George lagging a few seconds behind after staying to watch the squirrels fight over some seeds. It was quite amusing.