General Disclaimer: Probably all the characters of any importance in this fic are property of Tamora Pierce (a truly excellent author). The plot is mine. I keep very good track of what I've read and where, but in the unlikely event that you feel I've copied your work, please let me know, so I can either remove the offending material or offer explanations.

A/N from Erkith: OMG! I actually updated this fic! Shock all around I know! Two fics updated in the same week! It's unbelievable! Writing the other one helped me write this one, which I've been stuck on for so long... YAY! So incredibly happy: D

Erkith


The Lady

"Lady knight. I need you sit there, and I need you to hear me through. I need to know that you are completely aware of our situation. Do you swear?" asked King Jonathan of Conte.

"Of course, Sire. This sounds very serious." Kel said by way of answer. She glanced at Myles and Alanna, wondering, no doubt, why they were here.

"Myles and Alanna are here because they are my advisors and are intricately involved in what I'm about to tell you. It is serious. Our situation as it stands is this. Scanra is ever gaining strength and allies. I'm sure you've heard that Maggur's successor, Belrak, has now successfully united all the clans, and he is now petitioning our enemies. Tusaine and Galla have mentioned offers. They are warning us that our position is becoming precarious." The King said gravely. "I agree. Even united, as they are, Scanra cannot hope to beat us, but allied with others on our borders, they could be a real threat. Tortall is powerful, but to defend that many borders would be slaughter.

"You may be aware that there have been a growing number of raids on our Gallan borders. Myles' men are concerned that they may have a political goal. I am being warned, Lady Keladry, that our allegiance is strained at best." Jon paused, pinching the bridge of his nose in thought. "Lianne will be marrying the Gallan prince this summer to secure it."

"Sire, why are you telling me this?" Kel asked. She was confused. The King had never shown very much interest in her. Now, suddenly he was pouring the troubles of the country on her shoulders?

Jon ignored the question. "Yesterday, Tusaine withdrew their ambassador from Corus. They're throwing in their lot with Scanra."

Kel nodded. She already knew that.

"But what you don't know is this. This morning I received a message from a man who claims to be the new Emperor of Carthak informing me that Emperor Kaddar and my daughter, Kalasin, have been overthrown. Myles..."

Myles frowned. "From what my spies can tell me, the new Emperor is from an ancient and powerfully Gifted family. He has a legitimate claim to the thrown. He himself is a fully-fledged black robe mage, and his attack on Kaddar was largely supported by his Gift. They are saying that it is black as night and snakes daily through the village, reminding the citizens of their Emperor's power."

"And there is more." The King's troubled blue eyes watched her as he spoke. "This Emperor Neffari has informed me that he would like to renew our alliance. He assures me that Kaddar and Kalasin are neither harmed, nor even within his power, and that this alliance would be mutually beneficial. Apparently, Neffari has a bad history with the Yamani Isles. It should be pretty obvious why Carthak's allegiance would be useful to us."

"Simply said," Myles interjected softly, "We need them to help us stop Scanra, and they need us to stand between them and the Yamani Isles."

Kel's eyes widened. She didn't like the sound of this. "What's your plan, Sire?"

Jon looked at her. Kel was still very young, having not yet lived a score of years, but she was tough. She had to be. "We need a strong alliance, Keladry. Without it, we will not be able to keep their armies on the borders. There will be war in the heart of Tortall."

"Kel," Alanna said from her corner. She waited for the younger woman to turn to her. "Kel what we're about to ask you to do is our last resort, and you can refuse. No one will force you to accept it. No one. Do you understand?"

Kel shook her head.

"You don't?"

"I understand that you're giving me a way out, but not what you're asking..." Kel looked at each face in turn. Alanna looked a bit guilty and angry. Myles was weary. And the King looked like he was visiting the darkest parts of Usuae's kingdom. What was going on?

Meeting her eyes, the King said, "Kel, I have no more daughters to seal and alliance with. I have no ward onto whom I can place a large dowry. I have none of Carthak's prisoners. In short, I have nothing to offer Neffari that Scanra does not."

"I'm not following you."

"Kel. I offered him gold, jewels, trade – anything and everything except Tortall and the Dominion jewel! He wouldn't accept them."

King Jonathan of Tortall, the monarch who had put her on probation, helped her down Bachelor's Needle, and changed a law for her, leaned forward and clasped her hands between his.

"Kel, all he asked for was you."


The Lady hadn't known what else to say. She'd known she was hurting him, hurting him so badly. "I love you. I'm so sorry, but I love you." She'd had to say it – say it once before she lost the chance forever. She could feel the pain ripping through her chest. Tearing her to shreds of the woman she'd been. As the final words flew by her and she lost all hope... she remembered.

"I love you. I'm so sorry, but I love you." I threw her arms around him, holding tight. Crying. This could be the last time we ever met – ever! I didn't want to let go.

"Kel?" Concern was flooding his voice. He tried to pull away to look at me, but I clung tighter. Hot salty rivers coursed down my face, seeping into his shirt. Oh, Goddess it hurt! "Kel, I don't understand. You have to know I love you."

I nodded into his chest. Of course I did. I was crying for him as much as me. I was crying for what we had lost. The pain turned my voice into sobs. "That's why I'm sorry. Dom... I'm betrothed to another."

My eyes shut tightly, hoped against hope to wake up, hoping it was all just a horrible dream. But in my heart I knew it wasn't. This was real. So horribly, inescapably real.

"Can we still be friends, Dom?" I asked in a choked whisper.

"Of course we can," he answered, but we both knew he was lying. Staying so close to what I knew I couldn't have would tear me apart. I could never see him again. Never stand so close. Never.

Gently, I drew away, forcing him to meet my eyes. He watched me with eyes blue both in colour and spirit. I memorised his face. Then I lay a small kiss on his cheek, my last touch, and ran down the corridor; fleeing as much from my future as from the man I left behind me.

The words were said. The Lady repeated them dutifully. She heard a faint noise behind her, but she didn't turn. It didn't matter who or what it was. Nothing mattered anymore. Nothing. The Lady was wrapped in cold – body and soul.

"I pronounce you husband and wife."

It didn't matter. It couldn't matter... An anguished cry rang throughout the gardens. The Lady turned and saw nothing but a whirling crowd. Women were screaming as two men locked in a deadly combat rolled among them. She couldn't see them. Suddenly, the crowd cleared and the Lady saw the men lying still.

It couldn't be him. Ten steps to the Soldier. Eight steps. He wasn't supposed to be here! Five steps. Three...

They pulled her away, screaming as she fought to get to him... They were torn apart.

Nothing mattered anymore. There was nothing left.

The Assassin had died. The Lady had not.

The Lady was beaten. The Spy was not.


A/N: I'm begging for reviews! They inspire me and put me on extended vacations on the guilt trip ships. Thanks so much for reading! YAY! Still happy hyper or maybe is hyper happy: D

Queen Tigress: lol I think we're all a little crazy. If you don't remember who Neffari is, read chap 2 again... lol might make more sense now.

Caremel: It's really strange to write this stuff, because I don't even READ angst...

Jamie Lynn: lol love the prediction. I think we're going to have a little trouble on the ASAP ... sigh

Dragon Shadows: thank you

Rowenhood: glad you like it! Hope you like it enough to come back and read this...

The ORIGINAL Meathead: lol now you really have a clear reason for the betrothal... happy? As for if it will all be changed... for all you or i know he's dead...lol I haven't decided.

Goddess of the Moon: In case you're still confused. I switched because Aiko Neffari left the Yamani isles and went and took over Carthak. And I'm confused. Why should Dom die if it would make a more interesting story if he lived?

Yume Li: We all love Dom don't we : D

Warrior of tortall: lol apparently I am continuing...

HeartKel: Can you teach courses about how to write a constructive review? I can give my flamer your addy. Ok I looked up the whole Isle thing, because I wasn't exactly sure and they are reffered to as the Yamani Isles plural. Oh crap, did I misspell "Isles" as "Iles"? ... sorry I'll try to remember that one. Thanks for pointing that out!

Ossini: yup, Jon betrothed Kel (it was the only thing that made any sort of sense)

Alianne of Conte: clearer now? Aiko left the Isles and went to attack Kaddar in Carthak...

Irish Violinist: lol you are positively the most energetic reviewer!

Atlanta Enchanted: Oh the use of both was deliberate. Hope this chap helps you sort everything out.

Wake-Robin: You want Dom alive? Lol there's a shocker : p I really hope you like this chapter... it took less than one tenth of the time it took me to write "The Perils of Wine" which I was very annoyed with... I'm sorry I haven't reviewed your fic yet... I'm having trouble getting to actually take my reviews... pulls hair ack! Hurry up! I want to start guessing at your plotline again : p

Soccerchick-08: lol I know you're kidding. Although I deserved much harsher treatment for my pathetically intermittent updating... I am afraid that you're going to have to satisfy yourself with knowing the other fic's secret because I'm keeping the ID of the Spy very hush hush : p