Diplomats?

Disclaimer: i don't own any of the characters mentioned in this chapter. they all belong to Tamora Pierce.

A/N: the fight to begin the war! and thanks to all reviewers.

Within the next week, Alanna and her friends, particularly Jon, were stressed. The Tusiane ambassadors were in the capital and Jon had been forced to attend every meeting, even the most useless ones; it was starting to try his patience and often his friends bore the brunt of his rage, frustration and cruel words. While Alanna didn't like it, she had to admit, she would have reacted even worse in Jonathan's situation.

"Alan," Jon said.

Alanna looked at him. Lately, it was hard to see Jon when he wasn't in a temper, and was relishing it now. "What's up?"

"I'm sorry, I know I've been saying this a lot, especially to you. But I really want you to know that what I say I don't mean," he said, sounding as he normally did, depressed.

Alanna couldn't help it. She grinned. "You dolt! Relax, I didn't take anything personally and you can ask anyone, I would be screaming and cursing and probably throwing punches if I were in your shoes!"

"I thoroughly agree with that!" cried Raoul from the corner.

"I'm not about to deny it," replied Gary with a shrug.

The four of them laughed. Alanna missed the days when they were pages and they could do this all the time. Sarcastically, Gary went on, "so, what's the meeting about tonight?"

With a wicked glance to Alanna and Raoul, the prince replied, "no meeting, just a party. And no, Alan, the squires aren't serving. You're to show the Tusaines how well- mannered us Tortallans are."

"I'm sorry to say this, you Highness," Alanna said dryly, " but I think if you want to show how well- mannered Tortallans are, I don't think I should be used as an example."

A soft chuckle passed through the prince's room before Jonathan said, "I am, mostly because you still believe in the Code of Chivalry."

Alanna snorted. "Good reason."

"Better you than one of the other squires who don't know what to do," Gary said.

"I'm not sure about that," Raoul argued. "Yes, some of the others don't know what to do, but at least they won't be ready to fight at the slightest insult."

"Maybe so, but Alan knows how to handle himself," Jon pointed out. "And he wouldn't object to fighting one their knights. And my mind is made up."

"Jon," Raoul said in his attempting to be persuasive voice. "Why are you being so cruel to myself and my squire?"

Jonathan's sapphire eyes lit with a smile. "Because you are the most respected knights of our realm, and Alan is being known for his fencing ability."

"Well, couldn't you just continue with the meetings?" Raoul sounded so pleading.

"I'm sorry, Raoul," Jonathan told him, "but it has to be this way."

"Well either it be this way, or wage war," commented Faithful, his violet eyes roved around the room until he spotted something. "Take your sword."

"Why? What good is it going to do me?" asked Alanna, earning her stares from her friends. "Ask faithful!"

"Why should they? Only you can understand me."

"Well, say it so they can understand too!" said Alanna, hoping he would warn her friends as well as her.

He rolled his eyes and said, "all of you take your swords. There might be some trouble tonight. Raoul, no drinking."

Alanna's three friends were gaping. Finally Gary swallowed hard. "Maybe he's right."

Jonathan looked immensely startled. "You're taking orders from a cat?"

"Why not? You heard Alan talk to him a moment ago," Raoul said, grinning. He was used to Faithful.

Identical glares.

"For the love of the Goddess!" snapped Alanna. "Just bring the damned swords!"

Jon and Gary left to grab their weapons and Alanna looked at Raoul, who started shaking his head. "Temper, temper. That tongue of yours will really make a cripple of you."

Alanna rolled her eyes. "How so? If they had done it to begin with I wouldn't have sworn at them."

He placed a hand on his squires shoulder. "Because, others might not be so willing to follow someone who treats them like that." he looked up, and said, "we should be going."

"Alright," Alanna mumbled. Though he had taken his hand away, Alanna could still feel that heat. Gods bless it all! Not now of all times!

They met up with their friends at the hall doors. Jon looked Raoul and Alanna over before nodding and saying, "Alan, stay close to Raoul, make sure no alcohol comes into contact with him."

"Easy enough, since he quit drinking," Alanna replied.

Jon looked over the room and said, "there are my parents. I have to go see them." he clapped her on the shoulder and trotted off.

A hand on her shoulder drew Alanna around and her hand went for the hilt of her sword. A tall, brunette, fair skinned, blue eyed man stood over her. A flashback to Ralon of Malven surfaced, but she pushed it aside: she needed to focus on this man. Alanna bit her tongue, it was the only to prevent herself from snapping. "Yes? May I help you?"

"I was looking for squire Alan of Trebond. I heard he was one of the better fencers," the man said, looking a little uncomfortable.

"I am squire Alan," Alanna replied.

"Really?" the man was astonished. "I thought you'd be bigger."

Alanna smiled slightly.

"Alan!" a male voice shouted across the room.

"I'm sorry," she said and started to walk away, but he grabbed her arm.

"No. You are not going anywhere. Not yet, at least," a demented grin on his face.

Turning quickly, and managed to get the an to release her arm and walked towards the person who called her, Douglass. "What's wrong?"

Douglass looked around, and said, "why were you talking to that man?"

"He was looking for me," the female squire answered. "He said he'd heard of my fencing ability."

"Interesting."

"Why'd you call me over anyways?" Alanna asked.

"Raoul wants a word," he smiled and added, "it looks like you needed someone to call you away from Dain of Melor."

She nodded and walked to her knight-master. He was standing in a clump of knight, not all Tortallan; and most of knights looked tense and ready, as if anticipatinga fight to come. "You wanted me, sir?"

"Yes," he answered, glancing around the group and leading them away from it. "If one of those knights asks you anything out of the ordinary, don't answer. I don't care what you say, play dumb, it doesn't matter."

"Why all the precautions?" Alanna inquired.

"Because there are plenty of knights her who want to have a shot at some of our best fencers. They already decided to try Alex."

At the mention of his name, Alanna searched the hall for the Tirragen knight. She looked until she found him at the table, quietly chatting with Sir Myles of Olau. "Why are they trying us like this? We haven't done anything wrong, we haven't provoked them in any way."

Raoul sighed. "No, but they want to prove that they have better fencers and weapons masters than we do."

"Are they going to try and joust against you?" Alanna asked, hoping they would. Hardly anybody could unhorse her largest friend.

Another sigh. "I wish they would. But none of them want to joust, they'd prefer to beat us in archery or sword fighting or even just trick riding."

Wearily, Alanna rubbed her head. Imbeciles, take on Alex and they'll see who's amazing.

"Trebond!"

Alanna jumped a foot in the air and turned to see the man walking towards her again.

"So, squire," the sneer was back on the Tusaine knight's face. "Want to have a go?"

"My apologies, Sir Dain of Melor, but I must be going, I have duties," the man made her extremely uncomfortable.

Dain stood there, watching the red-head walk away, trying to think of a way to challenge the young man.

For an hour the evening was quiet. Everyone ate in polite conversations, not just talking to their own friends, but to Alanna and her friends. But halfway during the first course, Dain shouted, "fencing! I've seen what you call fencing. Back home we call it dancing."

A shocked silence fell over the room, no one moved. Well, Myles did, but he hasn't showed any indication of sober either. Jonathan looked at him, completely calm, as if expecting this would happen and said, "I'm afraid I must disagree. Even our pages and squires can fence against a blooded knight."

"Are you saying that your knights are that weak?" Dain jeered.

"No, I'm saying that our pages and squires are that talented," Jon answered. With a hand gesture he called Alanna over. "Would you be willing to accept a bout with one our best fencers? Alan of Trebond."

"Why would I want to fence a squire? They aren't as good as knights," he scoffed.

Alanna took her cue. "But Sir Dain, earlier this evening you asked for a match."

His eyes widened. "I did no such thing."

"Fine," Gary interrupted, "you may joust with Sir Raoul of Goldenlake, who is a knight."

The other man visibly paled. "I will not risk possible death by jousting! I will battle your squire then."

"Good," said Jon decisively. "Mother, Father, will you meet us in the fencing courts?"

Alex excused himself from the drunk Myles to Duke Roger of Conte's company.

Roger only glanced at his former squire and asked, "do you honestly think Alan has a chance against the knight?"

A small smile appeared on Alexander's face before saying, "Dain has no idea of what he charged into."

"You aren't saying that Alan is actually as good as, you are you?"

"He might even be better," Alex said, his confidence was as plain as the nose on his face.

Deciding to ponder this later, Roger said no more but walked to the fencing hall to see the small squire stretching and sizing up his opponent. He's taller, and heavier than me. But he's been drinking and he doesn't think I'm any good. He might try to play a few games with me. Alanna smiled savagely. I'll show him.

"Are you sure you can do this?" asked Faithful.

"What are you doing here?" asked Alanna quietly, she knew if she spoke too loud people would stare.

"I'm a spectator," the cat replied. "But do you really think you will win?"

"I have to try don't I?" questioned Alanna.

"Well, good luck in any case." andambled away.

Someone put Lightning into Alanna's hand and shoved her into the middle of the room. When she looked back to see who had pushed, she saw Raoul, giving her a thumb up with a large grin on his face. At least he thinks I can win, Alanna thought as elation filled her. She inwardly sighed. This has to stop.

Dain was there, waiting, sword out and his legs braced. When the king said "Begin" Dain swung his sword in an overhead chop, trying to drive Alanna to her knees. She blocked and the room echoed with a loud ringing sound. She backed away, trying to find any advantage.

"Prepare to die!" he shouted at her.

Alanna refused to answer, she always thought it was pointless to yell out insults. It wasted you breath , and while you were talking, someone could find an opening to beat you. Also, her silence often made her opponents wary. Her violet flicked around, trying to find opening. He swung at her side, but she blocked, and mirrored the attack, was blocked and swiftly lunged in, ready to back away if need be. Dain skipped away, losing his balance.

The Tusiane ambassador cried, "a child's trick!"

King Roald looked at him, a smile in his eyes. "Maybe so, but it nearly worked."

Alanna started to notice the sweat forming on Dain, and the sweat on her forehead. She moved in, sword pointed at his stomach, only when he back away did she jump back and wipe her forehead. She thought she was fast enough, but he was faster. He leaped in with a triumphant cry and slashed her right arm. The first drop of blood made her put her sword down. She had lost.

The knight moved in again, looking crazed, a frantic gleam in his eyes. She dodged left, barely managing to save herself from being skewered on Dain's sword. Alanna was furious. She loved the laws of chivalry and this barbarian had just broken them! Duke Gareth the Elder walked forward, sword out and was ready to show the Tusaine the error he made. Alanna shook her head, she would teach Dain some manners.

Painfully she switched sword hands, and moved away from the puddle of blood. She moved in like a flash, slicing a lock of hair off. She went downwards and slashed at his leg, forcing him to jump or be wounded. Once in the air Alanna tried a cut to his middle. He blocked and blocked another blow, and another. Soon Alanna found the opening she needed and slid her sword past his to rest the pont at his throat.

Alanna was about to speak when he kicked her in the stomach. Raoul bellowed from the sidelines, "Foul!"

If he wanted to fight this way, let him, Alanna would fight using her own rules as well. While he moved back to get his balance, Alanna healed her right arm. She could use both hands now. She ran forward, cut for his middle, switched hands and turned so that when she cut he would have to turn. She continued to move in a circle, until the Tusaine knight fell over his own feet; he landed flat on his back.

Sword point pressed to Dain's throat so that a small drop of blood popped up, she said coldly, "you idiot. You broke the laws of chivalry, twice. You now lost to a squire, and as the victor, you should apologize to everyone."

Dain shuddered but said clearly, "I apologize for my actions, and my words."

Alanna smiled. "And they say conservatives can't learn."

A/N: as you may have noticed,I took some things from "In The Hand Of The Goddess". You know the drill.