Funeral

Disclaimer: I think tha tyou are all smart enough to realize what few charactersI own...I don't own the time, place, or any ofthe people you may recognize from any Tamora Pierce novels.

A/N: War! Not this chapter, but it's coming soon!

"Hey," Alanna called, gazing sadly at Raoul.

"Hmm?" the large knight looked up, seeing his squire's face his heart broke even more. He knew Alanna was sad because she had never seen him like this: completely and utterly broken. He hadn't been the same since Isabelle's death.

"Are you going to be alright?" asked Alanna softly.

"I will. I just need some time, maybe we'll leave court for a little while."

"We can't, we have to welcome the Tusaine's again," she said, her voice bitter. The realm of Tortall knew the state of the relationship between their neighbour to the east, and it looked like a few of their nobles wouldn't be happy until they had the entire right bank of the Drell River. "Maybe this time they won't be so insulting and an embarrassment to their own country!"

Raoul's voice was dry when he replied, "if they weren't rude and such, then they wouldn't be Tusaines."

Despite the fact that a friend has died, Alanna smiled, the first real smile in over a week; she started to glow slightly, a natural glow, nothing violet. Even her violet eyes lessened in their grief; but she turned somber quickly. "Come on, we have to get to the Chapel."

When Raoul nodded they started to short trek to the Sun Chapel. They didn't see many people, and the few they did see were wearing dark colours, or the colours of soft, bland lilacs. Alanna was wearing a regular uniform of Goldenlake colours, but she wore a black shirt instead of a white one and black breeches. Her hair was growing, it was now shoulder length, so she tied it back with a black hair tie.

Isabelle's lover was wearing nothing but black, but it suited him. He seemed more serious than anyone had ever seen him, and his black hair was gleaming in the little sunlight that showed. Alanna sighed. Raoul was not like this, even after his ordeal.

Alanna was walking when she felt something by her foot. She looked down to see a large brown- black snake gliding down the stone path, brushing against her legs, revealing sharp fangs and diving towards Raoul's ankle. "Raoul!" she screamed.

Raoul whirled around and cried in pain. The snake had bit him!

Later Alanna would remember yelling in fury, throwing a ball of violet fire at the snake, gasping when it merely threw off her attack and fleeing into the bramble by the rest of the castle. "Oh, Goddess!" what if the snake was venomous?

Alanna knelt, examining the wound and grasping the ember stone to see if there was any poison. What she saw relatively shocked her. Orange flames around the bite. She couldn't focus on that though, there was a fast acting poison flowing through Raoul's veins. She reached inside herself, and poured healing magic into him, trying to find and destroy the venom. She cloth rustle by her ear, but she didn't pay it anymore attention than that.

Soon she felt another Gift, and another. Alanna grabbed her necklace, an emerald green magic was now destroying every single bacteria it found. Another blue shade was healing the wound itself.

A sharp sting ripped her concentration away from Raoul. She looked down to see the same snake, sinking his fangs into her arm, drawing blood. Before she ever thought about what she was doing she reached down, grabbed the snake, creating a fire in her hand and hurled it into a wall. It fell into plants and no one saw it.

"Alan! What are thinking? You're insane!" Jessica's voice shrieked. "Uncle! Another bite!"

Duke Baird was beside Alanna before Jessica had even finished her sentence. Hers was easier than Raoul's. she was more compact and easier to heal.

"Can you stand?" asked Baird.

With a little difficulty Alanna stood, leaning on Jessica for support. "How's Raoul?"

"You did a good job on him," Baird assured her. "I didn't have much left do."

Though she was relieved, Alanna still persisted with questions, "is he awake?"

"He's getting up with a bit of help right now."

Alanna turned, seeing Gary help his friend to his feet. Jonathan was walking towards them, too fast for Delia to keep up. Even Alex was walking towards them. Probably seeing is Roger had done a good enough job, Alanna thought viciously.

"Jessica?" Alanna said, turning towards her small friend. The lady's blue eyes looked up at her. "Could you help me to Raoul?"

"Gladly, squire," Jessica replied.

By now a group had gathered around the knight of Goldenlake. Douglass was waiting for his future wife when they reached the circle. Before he took Jessica inside he told Alanna, "he'll be fine, just help into the church and let him rest!" his voice was tight with anxiety.

The girl squire nodded and shoved her way through the mob. "Raoul, let's go."

He put his hand on her shoulder and helped push her out of the crowd and into the Chapel.

The difference between now and when squires were to become knights was incredible. Instead of objects that promised better times ahead, anything to be a good omen, there were death objects, olive branches, and black alters.

Alanna choked. It was horrible, not only the fact that a friend was dead, but it was just horrible to be cooped up, when all Isabelle had wanted was to be free. In a way, she get her wish.

The priest who Alanna had enraged stood at the front of the room and began the prayers, to the Black God, the Great Mother Goddess, and Mithros. Alanna let her mind wander, but all she could think of was Roger. And why he was trying kill Raoul.

You know, he is your knight master, and nothing happened to him while Douglass was his squire, a voice that sounded like Faithful said to her. And remember the incident at Lake Naxen? How could she forget?

It was Alanna's third month of being in service to Gary, and they decided to go see his mother at Naxen. Everything was fine until the second week they were there. The two went out riding, and were stopping by the lake to let the horses drink. They were leaning against a tree, gary was sleeping lightly, while Alanna stroked the violet- eyed cat, Faithful.

All the peace was shattered with the sound of thundering hooves. Alanna thought it was just the Guard. Terrible mistake.

"Wake up!" Faithful snapped.

"Why? There's nothing happening," she argued.

"You mean a group of men, who aren't from Naxen aren't unusual?"

Alanna's eyes flew open as she saw a group of ten horsemen (possibly from Scanra to the north) descending on them at top speed. She quickly shook Gary into full wakefulness, grabbing their weapons, her Lightning and Gary's halberd.

As she collect the weapons, her master rushed to get their horses away from the fighting. "Give me Moonlight!" Alanna shouted. She needed her horse, who was trained as a warhorse, because she didn't have Gary's size or the length of his weapon.

The men were closing in; starting to circle the pair. One man jumped to attack, and was almost speared by Alanna's sword.

"Think the kid can use a sword?" mocked one of the men. "I'm surprised he can even lift it! You might as well go back to convent!"

"What do you want?" cried Gary. "I am sir Gareth of Naxen, what right do you have insulting myself and my squire?" he used old phrases, furthering any authority he had.

"Squire?" one of the said his voice cracking. This one was the largest, about the size of Raoul, he was holding a heavy broadsword in one hand and war hammer in his belt. "Let's see if he's really that good." he darted in, sword raised, and forced Gary to the side as he locked swords with Alanna. She blocked and attacked, and had to admit he was good. She had just finished a slash towards his middle when she saw an opening. She thrust her swords toards the small gap in armour and cut towards his other shoulder. The metal fell to the ground with a loud clatter; the giant soon followed.

A yowl called Alanna's attention behind her, seeing faithful clinging to a mans face. Scared for her cat, she stabbed the man through the stomach, realising only one man had armour on and she had killed him already.

Footsteps made her turn and bring Lightning up just in time to block a blow to her head from a staff. Before she even had a chance to inflict a blow, a piece of metal showed through his stomach and her opponent fell, Gary standing behind him, sweating. Now only two men remained, and Alanna wanted to know who wanted Gary dead. She held out her hand and purple fire made her fingertips glow. She made a small fireball and threw it at one of the men, immobilizing him. The other turned to flee but Gary caught on to watch she was doing. He maneuvered himself so that for a second the man to no place to turn, between the bodies of his fallen comrades. Alanna took the opportunity to freeze him as well.

"Ropes," said Gary.

Alanna walked Moonlight to the bags, grabbed the rope and noticed the men were starting to move again. Instead of walking, she made Moonlight gallop, it was the only way to get there in time.

She handed the ropes to her friend, and as he tied the first man, the smaller of the two tried to run. Stupid, thought Alanna wearily. She rode towards, not hard, and drew Lightning. The man looked back and cried, "don't do this to me! I was paid to do this! You were supposed to be easy prey!"

Easier than I thought. "Who paid you?" she hadn't stopped riding; now she was level with him and turning so that her sword could press down to his throat.

He gulped. "I couldn't see him. It was in a dark tavern, and he had a cloak on and everything."

"Was he tall?" asked Alanna sweetly, having fun tormenting the killer.

"He was sitting down." the man was terrified.

The torture had lost it's fun. "Was there anything special about him? Did he have the Gift? Did he seem to have a sense of authority? Almost royal? Or close to royal?"

The man nodded. But before he could speak she said, "yes what? You have to give me more than that to live."

"Alan," Gary called. "Leave him be, we have reinforcements."

She turned to see a wave of men in Naxen colours being led by a small fragile looking lady. She had waist length blonde hair, and brown eyes, matching Gary and Morgan's.

Movement beside Alanna drew her from the memory. She looked to her left and saw Raoul tighten with anger, his knuckles were white. She listened to what the man was saying and she almost jumped to her feet in protest.

"This world did not know how to deal with such a free spirit...while she had committed a terrible act, she will forever live on in all our hearts," he finished. A small applause started, and it grew, but Alanna and Raoul never joined in.

They were walking back and Alanna finally decided to ask why Raoul had been so angry. She understood that he had been infuriated by what the man had said, she wanted to know why he was so mad. "Why were you so angry at the funeral?"

He looked startled. "Weren't you listening?"

"I tried, but I knew he was going to go on about what a 'heinous' act she committed."

"He did. But it's also because he was judging her. He said how she wasn't worthy to fall into the Mother's gracious hands, and that she would never rest because she took her own life," Raoul murmured, his tone held a sharp edge.

"Oh my,"Alanna remarked.

"Yes," Raoul mouth curved into a wry smile. "If it happened to anyone but her she would be making jokes about the miserable old man."

Alanna grinned. Isabelle was as bad as Gary when it came to jokes. "I remember most of the plots to set the two of you up."

Raoul laughed. "They must have been good."

"You two were together."

Another laugh. "I feel a bit bad right now."

"There are more reasons?" said Alanna, raising an eyebrow.

Raoul sighed with fake exasperation. "Of course there are!"

"Like what?"

"Well, for the a long time after you went to Gary, I was drinking worse than ever before," he explained, shocking Alanna. "And then I kept being out close to Isabelle, and I felt something different. But I still drank.

"Finally, Isabelle came with me, she never had a problem with it before. But I got drunk and I must have said something to her, because she slapped in front of everyone at the Dancing Dove. It went silent and they waited to see what was going to happen. Isabelle started to yell, 'you drunken idiot! I've had enough of you! I didn't know you were so horrible! No wonder Alan left you!' and stormed out. George took me upstairs to sober up and Morgan left to get Isabelle."

"Then what?" Alanna was very intrigued by the story.

"When they got back to the Dove, I was almost sober, and I was starting to really feel the effect of her slap. And the way she brought you up. I didn't know how much everything hurt. I held strong, but she saw through it."

"Thus the beginning of a happy relationship," Alanna concluded.

Raoul nodded. "There was a reason I never tried to make a relationship start while you were my squire."

Alanna frowned. "I thought you just didn't want one."

"I didn't. Well, at least not with one of those ladies."

Her mouth went dry. "Why not? You might have had a chance with Delia."

He laughed again. "Who doesn't?"

"Not the point."

"Fine, I wanted a girl who was willing to be different, who wanted to make a change," Raoul corrected himself

"And you did," Alanna insisted.

"Isabelle still went to the convent. You lied about everything."

"Not everything! Just my sex!"

"You still didn't just accept that you were supposed to go to the convent," he argued.

"It's-" Alanna didn't know what to say. The fact was, she wanted him to want her like that. But she had lost her chance. "Never mind."

"Alright," he said resigned. "You might as well get some sleep, we have meet the Tusiane embassy tomorrow."

"Good night," Alanna said. Not for the first time happy about saying that to Raoul.

Alanna was awake, or at least it seems this way. Everything seemed normal, except for the figure standing in her room. She almost screamed.

"Did I frighten you?" the voice was soft, but it still made Alanna's head ache. As long as she lived, she would never forget how this voice sounded.

"To be perfectly honest you did," Alanna replied tiredly. Then she looked around and asked, "am I still asleep?"

The Goddess smiled at her. "Yes, it is the only way for us not to be overheard. It was difficult to make arrangement with Ganiel though..."

"Why have you come?" Alanna asked too suddenly. Her eyes went wide and she bowed low the immortal.

"I have a few things to discuss with you," the woman said, rather business like. "You see, you weren't supposed to be in service to Raoul, you were supposed to serve Jonathan. And things were supposed to change based on your choices. But Raoul changed this, and I'm not sure if it's for the worst."

"Why would it be for the worst?" asked Alanna

"It all depends on your choices, and certain obstacles."

"What kind of obstacles," inquired Alanna, confused.

"Fears."

Alanna swallowed hard.

"You have overcame almost anything thrown at you," the Goddess was saying, "but you have not even tried to deal with three of these challenges." when she saw Alanna still looked confused, she continued, "the Ordeal."

"No matter what, I'm going to be afraid of the Ordeal; even when I'm a knight."

"Of course you will, but your time will come, and you can defeat it, when the time comes. But for the time being, you shouldn't think about it." she paused and noticed how Alanna still wanted to hear more. "Another fear is love."

"I'm not scared of love!" she denied. "I just don't want, or need, it!"

"If you are not scared, then why did you get so jumpy?"

The squire was getting tired of not having answers; but she tried to make one up on the spot. "I don't like being accused like that."

"Obviously you don't," she said with a joking smile. "Why do not need love?"

"It will only get in my way," she replied, feeling very small. "What if I have to choose between my loved one's life, or the entire realm of Tortall? I'll probably choose my lover's life. Practically killing everyone else."

"But what if you do feel love but won't accept it?"

Alanna had gotten tired of this game. "What's my third fear?"

"Duke Roger of Conte."

Icy fear trickled down her spine. "I don't..." she didn't mean for this to happen, but it all spilled out. "It was all him! He was the snake who tired to poison me and Raoul. He was the one who paid those men to attack me and Gary. He sent the Sweating Sickness. He dared me and Jon to go the Black City. And he was the one who made Isabelle kill herself!"

"How can you be sure?"

A small smile appeared on Alanna's face. "Your token."

"Keep it. And keep your suspicions to yourself as well! Duke Roger is far too powerful for you to accuse him without solid proof," the tall woman advised. "Everything will come in time."

About to ask what everything was, but having the Goddess disappear put Alanna off. Shuld have known she would leave with something cryptic, she thought grumpily. And fell back asleep, only to wake up and hear a cry. Not loud, just a small sob.

She pressed an ear to Raoul's door and heard him mumble, "why her? Of all people, why her?"

She knocked softly, unsure of what she wanted. He answered the door, and Alanna knew he had been crying. His eyes were once again red rimmed and swollen. He bent down and hugged Alanna tightly, whispering in her ear, "please, don't let go. Not yet."

"I won't,"she breathed. "I promise, I'll always be here."

They stood like that, just letting Raoul grieve. Alanna knew this was what the Goddess was talking about. And while Raoul didn't know it, she had never been happier that he was holding right now.

A/N:I have no idea what qualifies as fluff, so if you could help me it would be greatly appreciated. Please continue to review. Thanks.