When Alanna woke up the next day she was as tired as anything. But she cleaned up and left a note telling George where she was going and headed out to the practice courts with her trusty sword in hand. As she started to perform the dance patterns she noticed that she was a little rusty from all the "relaxing" she had done back at the Swoop. She was so absorbed in perfecting her moves that she didn't even notice her adoptive father Sir Myles walk in. After Alanna decided that she worked up enough of a sweat she cooled down. She heard soft padded footsteps from one of the corners in the room and looked up in surprise.

"I didn't mean to sneak up on you Alanna. It's good to see you. We really didn't get a chance to talk last night. I just wanted to see how you are." said the shaggy knight while he gave his adopted daughter a bear hug.

"Oh that's fine. I've missed you so much. It's hard to believe haw long it's been since George and I have been at Court. But lately it's been so busy at the Swoop with this famine and all." She said trying to catch her breath

Nodding his agreement Myles replied "I think it's been hectic everywhere. Jon and Thayet have been trying to make agreements with about three other countries to try and get more seed and food."

As they left the practice court Myles gave Alanna one last 'welcome back hug' and headed down the hall explaining that he had a meeting to attend to and that he would see her later. Alanna headed back to her rooms to change and get ready for the meeting later that morning. But when she got back to her rooms she saw a note from George saying that he had gone down to the lower city for the day to check up on Marek his successor as the king of the rogues. Alanna heard the tenth bell ring and realized that she was late to the meeting. Disgusted with her folly Alanna dashed off towards the king's chambers (where the meeting was being held) but when she arrived she noticed that no one was there yet. Confused she looked around for any sign that something had happened and maybe the meeting place had changed but she found none.

"This is exactly why I told you to come to the meeting a half hour early; I knew that you would be late." Drawled the king

"Alas, you have outwitted me Jon." She replied tersely, unnerved by the fact that he would have her worry that she would be late when she was a half hour early. "Took you took you ten years to do it though" she muttered

"Ah shut it Alanna." He replied jovially

"So I don't suppose that you're going to tell me why you called me back to Corus? And why you are forcing Raoul to sit at the head table with you like a show piece? And why there are pirates coming to negotiate? Shall I continue?"

"All business today are we?" he replied nonplussed "Well I called you back because in three weeks there will be a delegation of pirates coming and I want my Champion here incase she is needed. Raoul will find out today why he is sitting at the head table with me. That is why I called this little gathering after all. And pirates are coming to negotiate our food situation and hopefully give us some incite to all the pirate raids along the coasts."

"Well that sounds like a good reason to be here today" Alanna commented satisfied with most of his answer

Just as she finished that sentence just about everyone of importance to Tortall came through the door. As Alanna tried to piece together who was in attendance and why she realized that it wasn't all knights. Gary was his advisor so it was appropriate for him to be here. Myles was the unofficial spymaster for Tortall so he had to be informed of all potential security breeches. Plus he needed to know where his spies were needed so he could intercept the best and most crucial information. Raoul was there because he had a reputation for being the strongest knight in the realm. Ouana came in after all she was second in charge of the Queens Riders. The room started to seem small with all the people in attendance but somehow everyone managed to fit in.

"As you can all probably guess this meeting was called because of the visitors that we are expecting with in the month. As many of you have already heard" pausing and glaring at Sir Myles and Gary for disclosing the information to the others, "Anyways we will be hosting a group of 'neutral' pirates as they call themselves. They are crucial in finding out the reasonings for the other raids that we've been having this year. Myles?" he asked

"When they come I'm going to need all the eyes and ears that I can get. So keep a look out." The old knight said

"Before we call this meeting adjourned I would like to make another announcement." Said Jon brightly "If he's willing to, we have an opening for a Commander of the King's Own"

All eyes were on the calm Raoul, anticipating his answer to this very interesting question. Raoul looked as if he was fighting a war inside of himself. It looked as if he wanted to yell at the king for making do this job but he was highly honored that he was made a commander. After a few moments of what seemed like an argument with his conscious he said "I would be honored"

Clapping his hands together, "Well now that we have that covered we don't have anything more to talk about, do we? What say we all go about our day now?"

As they started to get up Jon called Alanna, Raoul and Gary to stay back so he could discuss his intentions for the coming weeks. But before he could talk to them Raoul burst out.

"HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME? YOU ARE MAKING ME COMMANDER OF THE MOST PANSY ARMY IN THIS REALM?" He bellowed "AND YOU KNOW THAT I DAMN WELL CAN'T REFUSE YOU BECAUSE YOUR KING AND WE WERE IN PUBLIC!"

It took several moments for Raoul to regain himself in the mean time the other three were trying to contain their amusement at the sudden outburst that came from their usually calm mannered friend.

"For your information I was hoping that you would be able to shape the most 'pansy army in the realm' into something formidable." Jon commented smoothly "So do you still accept? Or shall I tell everyone that I thought you were an unsuitable candidate for the position?"

"No, I'll take it Jon. I just thought you were trying to punish me for something"

"I think from now on Jon's gong to think twice about threatening such an angry giant as yourself, Raoul" kidded Gary and he ducked a punch that was thrown at him with good fun intended

It had been a while since these old friends had been able to sit and have a fun chat again. The conversation went in many directions concerning fighting tactics, balls and family.

Leaning back Gary dazed off and then looked at Alanna and asked "So how long have you been married to George, Alanna?"

"We are coming up on three years this Spring." she answered with uncertainty "Weren't you at the wedding?"

"Two years and no kids?" the king asked jokingly

"If this is a whole speech trying to pry into George and I's personal life then prepare for disappointment." She said as she started to flare up at such a rude comment. With that she stood up and strode out her flaming red hair blowing behind her.

"Was it something I said? I was only kidding."

"No, but I think she realizes that it's been two years too. She knows that George wants kids but it's never been the right time." Replied the even mannered Gary

"Especially now with you pressuring her to be Champion while this pirate delegation is going to come"

"Yes, but she knows how to fight with knives and sword better than all of us. We need her here and ready just incase. Let's just get this whole pirate delegation talk over with. Then I can release her again for a few months to go off to the Bazhir."