A/N: yay! I just got back from north Carolina, and tomorrow I leave for Malaysia, but I still managed to get a chappie out. No review replies this chappie, I have to pack. Still, have fun with this chappie. I wrote it out on paper on the flight to nc, and it was like five pages! TT it doesn't look so long here though… oh well. At least I managed this last chapter before I leave for the next five weeks or so. Hope you guys have great summers.

Chapter 11: A Decisive Duel

A few days later, a banquet was held in honor of Princess Lianne. To her surprise and pleasure, Kel found herself seated with the Knight Commander of the King's Own and his longtime friend, the Lioness, along with her husband, the Baron George Cooper of Pirate's Swoop.

They chatted comfortably together throughout most of the luxurious feast. At first, Kel had been nervous: at least two of her companions were legendary warriors, including the Lioness, who was her childhood idol. As the time passed, however, she found herself enjoying the clever playfulness of the Baron, the sharp and witty comments of the Lady Knight, and the good-natured teasing of the man admiringly called "Giant Killer." She was fascinated by their show of humor and humaneness. This was the side of them that stories and songs did not show. She was just as interested in the Baron as she was in the other two, for Neal had informed her that, while Sir Myles drew attention as the royal spymaster, it was George who truly dealt with the spies as he worked behind the scenes. Myles's area of expertise was using information and organizing it to piece together the big picture. George knew the field work behind such acts.

Eventually, they fell silent, and Alanna cleared her throat to make sure that no one was too deep in their own thoughts. When she had their attention, she turned to Kel and asked, "Kel, I have seen that you are extremely skilled, and I would like to test myself against you. It's been a long time since I lost, and I think it would do me some good to have my ego bruised. Will you spar with me sometime?"

Kel could have jumped for joy, but instead she nodded shyly. Inside, her mind raced. The Lioness wants to spar with me! She thinks I'm good enough to beat her! She ignored the part of her brain that told her cynically that, as the Shang Goddess, she probably could defeat Alanna. Still, why did Alanna want to lose?

She voiced her question aloud. Alanna chuckled ruefully and shook her head. "Of course I don't want to lose, Kel. However, if a prophecy says you are the best, I am almost certain to lose. So I have prepared myself for the sting of losing." Alanna grinned slyly. "But watch your toes. An uppity youngster like you won't beat me without a fight."

Kel laughed.

The next morning, Kel woke bright and early. She and Alanna had agreed to meet in a small and more secluded practice court, in hopes of not attracting a crowd. They had decided this in secret, whispering so that Raoul and George would not know the time of the match, nor the place. This would save both women embarrassment.

Kel warmed up and stretched before leaving for the match. She found Alanna was already there, having decided to do her stretching out under the warmth of the sun.

Finally, they were ready. The two women settled into a "guard" position, nodded to each other, and began.

Kel attacked, chopping swiftly at Alanna, rebounding to attack the other side as Alanna blocked calmly and expertly.

Soon, Alanna forced Kel to switch to defensive mode as she used a split-second hesitation in Kel's attack to counter with a beautiful butterfly sweep that sliced through the air only to clang against Kel's own sword. They broke apart, circling warily, eyeing each other's chest and shoulders for signs of movement. They charged at each other once more.

Back and forth they went, slowly tiring. Alanna, however, was worse off. While she still fought with incredible skill, Kel should see she was tiring fast. It took much more effort for her to execute moves she had used easily earlier. Kel was also tiring, though not as quickly. Seeing her advantage, she gathered her strength and rushed at Alanna, jabbing, slicing, stabbing . . . Alanna struggled, blocking Kel's attack, but slowly being forced near to the courtyard wall . . . Kel lunged at Alanna, certain of her win.

Suddenly, the doors to the practice court were frantically thrown open. A young page raced in and skidded to a stop in front of the two staring women. He blushed, even as he panted for breath. He tried to speak, but was too out of breath and merely began wheezing. Soon he managed to gasp out, "The king's holding a meeting in half a candle's mark. Something about Scanra, I think."

Alanna's face turned grim. Searching about her, she found a coin and tossed it to the still-exhausted page, before nodding to him as a dismissal. The young boy trudged wearily away.

Alanna turned regretfully to Kel, who watched her with worried eyes. The King's Champion looked old and much more tired than during the fight. That told Kel just how stressful the war with Scanra was, and she didn't like it.

Alanna grinned weakly at her friend, trying to reassure her. It didn't work. "I suppose I should be thankful that I escaped defeat," Alanna feebly joked. "I guess I'm just not as good as you," she shrugged. "After all, I'm a Chosen of the Goddess, too, so I can't claim you won because you're her vessel."

Kel shook her head and stated truthfully, "No. It's our age difference. I am young and strong, you are past your prime, although still amazing. Had I fought your younger self, you would have at least fought me to a standstill, though it's very possible that you would have won."

Alanna stared at Kel, who blushed, only just realizing that she'd called the Lioness decrepit. "I am so sorry! I didn't mean it that way, I swear!" Kel blurted out, completely embarrassed. She stood there, red as a tomato, waiting to hear some of her companion's famous temper. She was shocked when she heard a strangled noise come from Alanna. When she stared, Alanna burst out laughing.

"Well, that makes me feel better," Alanna said, once she regained control of herself. She wiped tears of laughter from her eyes. "I suppose it might be true, though. Nobody ever warns you that, even with healers, your body adds up the breaks and bruises and gives you the bill in your late thirties," she said wryly. She chuckled at Kel's look of mock-horror. "You've been spending too much time with Neal." She got up, nodded farewell, and left to prepare for the meeting.

She never noticed Kel's blush.