And it's all too familiar

And it's all too familiar
And it happens all the time.
All the cards begin to stack up,
Twisting heartache into fine
Little pieces that avoid an awful crime,
But it's you I can't deny.

-Taking Back Sunday-Blue Heaven

Disclaimer: I own nothing and never will. Happy?

Dedication: To Confusedknight because her fic Fallen is awesome and she wrote me a sweet birthday fic that you should check out. It's called The Best Birthday Present. And I suggest all of you read and review these masterpieces, if you know what's good for you. It's truly excellent fanfiction people. So, review it!

Jzet sat up in her bed, gasping for breath. Her hands instantly went to her sweat soaked face for the comfort that she was still alive.

That was so horrific, so disturbing, but yet so real. Jzet thought to herself; feeling the fear of her enemy begin to weigh down her heart.

She could still picture it: The sharp sword fragments were puncturing his very skin and then, suddenly, all of them slid off him like butter. It was just unbelievable.

It didn't even leave a mark. Jzet shook her head in utter disbelief at the gruesome thought, as she rose up from her bed to go wash her face in the water basin.

That; that was the monster she had to defeat. He was a monster that could use magic with ease, probably not even breaking a single drop of sweat, when she would be weakened. He was a monster that could not even be injured at the point of her sword, unless stricken in the heart. He was a monster that probably possessed vast swordsmanship skills and most likely moved with unbelievable quickness. He was a monster that, if he got the chance, could strike Jzet down with one blow.

Jzet shivered in dread. The odds certainly seemed against her. And now, it appeared that she was going to be closer to the monster then ever before. Almost in his very grasps.

Tortall and Carthak were going to war. There was no denying that. Jzet knew for certain that she would have to follow her future knight master to the forts along the great Inland Sea and possibly, even to her very death.

Why did this have to happen now? Jzet wondered with utmost despair. She would have at least liked one year as a squire during a time of peace, before heading out to war. But now…

We are at war.

Filled with bitterness, Jzet splashed her hand across her water basin, temporarily blurring her own reflection and then cursed.

"It just isn't fair." Jzet muttered out loud to herself.

"What's not fair?" A voice from behind her asked.

Jzet jumped in surprise and turned swiftly around to see Lee standing there, towels in hand.

"Lee," Jzet cried, "you scared me!"

"Opps, sorry," She apologized sincerely with a small giggle. "I just thought it was just oh so intriguing to hear you talking to yourself." Lee grinned widely. "I kept telling myself you weren't insane, just maybe a little cracked. But now, this proves everything."

Jzet chuckled sarcastically. "Very funny Aileen, you're such a comedian."

"I know." Lee threw back her shoulders in a regal matter. "I try."

Jzet snorted at her haughty maid and made her way towards her changing screen. She needed to get ready for the day's lessons.

"I'm going to Chuck's today." Lee announced on the other side of the screen. "He's going to teach me how to cure some poisons. Is that okay with you?"

"Oh really?" Jzet began with a continuing sarcastic matter. "Is he going to teach you how to heal viruses too?"

"Well actually…" Lee began, but then changed her tone. "Hey, you were being sarcastic!"

Jzet rolled her eyes, but stayed silent.

"Just because you hate your Gift, it doesn't mean you have to scorn my interest in it!" Lee told her sternly.

"Sorry Lee," Jzet said as she pulled her gold tunic over her head. "I got a little carried away. But seriously, is he teaching you anything new and exciting like…"

"Like what?"

Jzet came out from behind the screen. "Like kissing,"

"Wh- What?!" Lee spluttered, nearly choking on her own saliva.

"You heard me." Jzet said calmly.

"That's ridiculous Jzet. You've obviously read too many fictional novels." Lee countered, quickly scooping up Jzet's dirty bed clothes.

Jzet smirked. "I prefer nonfiction, thank you very much."

Before Lee could respond, there was an audible knock on the door.

"I'll get it." Lee announced, looking rather relieved. She trotted up to the door and answered it. "Oh, hello my grace," Jzet heard her say to the person at the doorway. "Come in, please, and make yourself comfortable."

A second later, her father appeared in the room and was smiling broadly at her. "Jzet it's great to see you!"

"Father!" Jzet cried, joyous to see him. It felt like months since she last laid eyes on him, even though it was only a few days. She ran up to him and hugged him affectionately. "What brings you here so early?" She asked after she was done greeting him.

He ruffled her hair and then sat down in an arm chair. "Just felt I should pay a call to my favorite daughter."

Jzet rolled her eyes. "Seriously father, why are you here?"

He sighed in defeat. "Fine, I was visiting the king this morning and I decided, since I was in the neighborhood to come and see how you're doing." Her father answered and then smoothed back his slowly thinning brown hair.

"You visited the king this early?" Jzet asked, flabbergast.

"Yes," His tone of voice was suddenly low and became suddenly serious. "I don't know if you heard, but Carthak's war declaration against Tortall arrived last night at the king's office. He was calling a conference this morning."

Jzet, who already knew about the declaration of war, attempted to look surprised when he told her, but instead, her Yamani mask only made her appear somber.

"What did it say?"

Her father sighed again. "Oh, you know the formalities and stuff like that." He waved his hand in a casual matter. "It basically informed us that Emperor Zulch was declaring war upon Tortall on account of a 'threat' he saw in our country." He snorted. "I personally believe that it's a whole bunch of bologna and that he is twisted and sick immortal only seeking power and world domination. But of course, that's my own opinion."

Jzet nodded. She knew he was right.

"I only wish…"

"You only wish what, father?"

"Well, the king has informed me that I will be leaving for the Fort Stauton in early April and that means-"

"You'll be missing my Page Examinations." Jzet finished sadly.

"Yes, and-"

"You'll be missing Chuck's graduation from the University." Lee's cold voice notified him from the corner of the room, causing Jzet to wince.

"Excuse me?" Her father replied with a shocked expression on his face. Jzet did not know if it was either from Lee addressing him the way she did, rudely, or the fact that she knew Chuck well enough that he informed her he was graduating in May.

"You heard me, my grace." Lee shot back, coming out of the corner. Her hands were placed firmly on her hips and she was tapping her foot in annoyance. "Chuck wants you at that graduation. He's been waiting for years just to see you finally be proud of him."

Jzet's father's eyebrows furrowed deeply in thought as he looked her over thoroughly. "Aren't you that thief girl?"

Jzet saw her friend's fists clench. Lee did not like to be reminded of her past days in Queenscove. They unfortunately brought back painful memories to her. Memories that she would personally like to forget.

"Yes, I am your grace." She told him through gritted teeth. Jzet could tell she was trying to control her anger. "I am also a student of your son."

Jzet's father frowned.

"Oh, I was not aware Chuck had a student." Her father informed them rather tersely. Jzet had never seen her father look so peeved before. "But really, student or not, you have no right to meddle with my family affairs."

"Stupid noble," Jzet heard Lee mumble her voice filled with dislike. This had caused Jzet to groan loudly, as a signal for her maid to close her mouth. Then, Lee, who seemed to catch on, said with a sickening sweet voice. "Sorry, your grace, I shall be leaving then."

"Lee-" Jzet began, but Lee's cold glance cut her off so abruptly that she decided to stay silent.

Lee exited the room swiftly with the dirty clothing and closed the door, hard, behind her.

After Jzet was certain she was gone, she said, "Father-"

He interrupted Jzet with raising his left hand to silence her. "I know what you're thinking." He began and then sighed. "I acted impolitely, but your maid, Lee or whatever her name is. She was atrocious."

Jzet nodded reluctantly, but still rolled her eyes at his love for drama. Although, she didn't like what her father was saying about her friend, she knew it was true.

"Lee is Chuck's friend." She told him firmly. "She was just trying to protect him."

"Does she really think I am happy to miss Chuck's graduation?" Her father cried.

"No," Jzet mumbled. "She's just-"

"I can't help a war, Jzet, and I want your friend to know that too." he snapped back. "War is a terrible thing. Death lurks everywhere in war. Death and horror that you would never imagine is there. I hate it and I would trade everything just to stay in Corus and see that graduation, I honestly would."

Jzet sighed and suddenly felt sorry for her father. She should have realized how upset he was about the whole situation and not pressed the matter any further. But now, she got him even more worked up and distraught. She felt truly ashamed.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you." Jzet apologized, getting up from her chair and embracing him.

Her father sniffled into her shirt. He was actually crying to Jzet's surprise. "It's my fault too; I shouldn't have gotten so caught up in it. But, you know how dramatic I am." Jzet smiled softly. She deffinently knew. "And, with the talks of war and everything…"

"I understand." Jzet let go of him, happy to make amends.

She watched her father sympathetically, as he took out a handkerchief and began to blow his nose in it.

"Sorry, I just have a cold and then before something got it my eye." He babbled as an untruthful explanation to his current state.

"It's okay father, I understand." Jzet whispered softly, trying to smile. Anything to cheer him up would be a blessing to her. She hadn't seen him cry since she had entered his study four years ago and saw him for the first time. His tears before were shed out of the pain of losing his wife and then, seeing his long lost daughter for the first time. Now, it was out of pure stress and suffering. She absolutely hated to see her father this way.

When he was finally done with his tears, he put away his handkerchief and grasped her hands. Jzet suddenly felt truly like a kid again. Her hands were so small compared to his big ones. But, she did not care. As long as it made her father happy, it was fine with her.

"I wanted to talk to you, before I get too busy to visit you on account of the preparations, about how war is a terrible thing." Jzet raised her eyebrows at his last statement. She was certainly not expecting a talk about war. Jzet thought her father would have at least wanted to forget about it for the time being. I guess I was wrong. She thought, before turning her full attention back to him "Don't listen to all those fairytale stories that go on about the glory and the honor. It's none of that. It changes people's lives for the worst. Young innocent men," Jzet glanced up at her father, "and women," He added hastily, "lose their lives for no apparent reason, except for the greed of their rulers. It's a waste of lives in my opinion and if I had it my way, I would have never joined the knight's ranks." He sighed bitterly. "But, things happened, when I was a lad, and I decided to make a life changing choice. I do not regret it, but still, if my brothers were not killed, I would have never become a knight and you wouldn't have either." He added sternly. "Killing is certainly not a thing I wanted to do or that I wanted my children to do, especially my daughter."

Jzet shrugged. She always knew he was initially against her knighthood because of her Aunt Kel's experiences, when she was a page, and he was probably still a little reluctant about it. But, she did not care. She was happy to serve her new country in any way she could, even if she had to give her life for it. "When I was first started at the University it was the opposite. Saving lives was what I desired to do. Now, I do both. Kill and save." He shrugged himself. "It's not what I wanted, but I try to make up for those I kill by healing as many people as I can. That's what I want you to do. Use your Gift and save as many people as you can." His voice became a whisper. "Because, Jzet, those young people do not deserve to die, not a single one."

"But, I don't know how." Jzet whispered back, ashamed. She possessed the famous Queenscove Gift, but could not use it. It was a terrible feat in her mind.

Her father's eyes became wide. "You don't know how?" He repeated. "How could my own daughter, a Queenscove, not know how to use her Gift?"
"I was never taught." Jzet admitted. "Shang aren't allowed to use the Gift."

Her father patted her hand sympathetically. He knew it wasn't her fault or his own. She had just lost so much time. So, many years that she spent away from her true home in Tortall. But, those years were long gone and could never come back. Jzet and her father had learned to accept it with reluctance. "Well, I hope you get a knight master, who can heal, because I am too busy and so are you, to learn right now."

"I hope so too, father."

A small silence fell between them.

"Well, I must be going and so should you." He rose up from her chair and father and daughter made their way towards the door.

"Bye father," Jzet kissed him on the cheek. "Good luck."

"I'll try to see you soon Jzet, but don't count on me visiting till next week." He told her wearily. "I have a lot of concoctions to brew."

"I understand."

They embraced one last time and then each went their separate ways.

A week went by in what seemed like a blur. The castle was on full alert. Pages, squires, knights, nobles, and even commoners, were making preparations to fuel the long war ahead. No one seemed idle.

"Who knew that preparing for war was so exhausting?" Audrey remarked, one night as Jzet and she sat in the knight's armory polishing weapons. They were doing punishment work from the master of etiquette, Oakbridge. Apparently, shouting out his name and looking away like they hadn't said anything made him very angry. After the fifth time of him hollering, 'Who said my name?' a first year page, Harold, squealed on them.

Stupid Harold, Jzet thought bitterly as she placed a dagger back in its sheath. But, their revenge had indeed been sweet. During their staff practice in the afternoon, Audrey had tinkered with a staff, smothering it with glue, and then handed it to Harold, causing his hands to be stick to it. Luckily for them, Madison of Pirate's Swoop was his partner and his fingers got a proper breaking.

Jzet grinned at her reminiscence. That had to have been one of the funniest moments of her life.

"I know." said Jzet wearily. "I can't wait till we're squires. Then, we won't have to waste our time with this junk." She threw down her polishing cloth in disgust. "I really do hate first years."

Audrey grinned and then chuckled. "But still, you'll have to admit our revenge was pretty funny."

Jzet nodded in agreement. "Yep, it deffinently was."

The two friends and partners in crime continued on with their polishing in silence, waiting anxiously for the bell to chime.

Suddenly though, the door to the armory swung open revealing the prince himself. He had a wide grin on his face.

"Well, well, well, look at we have here." He said smugly. "What have you two done this time?"

"Annoyed Master Oakbridge," Jzet told him, looking up at Jonathan as she polished an axe on her knees. She felt her heart beat faster. She still hadn't told him that they couldn't be together.

"And then, we glued a first year's hands to his staff." Audrey added with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Madison of Pirate's Swoop then performed the duty of smashing all his fingers into tiny bits."

Jonathan winced at the thought of the pain Harold must have been in, but he still grinned. "Wow, you guys are pretty evil if I do say so myself."

"We don't like tattlers." Audrey told him. "Especially those that are in their first year."

"Well, I guess then I shouldn't cross paths with you two."

"Never," Jzet said, grinning.

"Ever," Audrey finished.

"So, when are you guys done with your punishment work?" Jonathan questioned.

"When the bell-" Audrey began, but was suddenly cut off by the loud chime. When it finally stopped she ended, "rings."

Both girls got up and placed the weapons they polished back in their proper places. When they were about to head back to the Page's Wing, Jonathan put a hand on Jzet's shoulder.

"Jzet can I talk to you, alone?" he asked, glancing at Audrey.

Jzet's heart seemed to skip a beat, but she hid her nervousness under her Yamani mask. "Sure," She turned to Audrey. "I'll see you later."

Audrey looked confused, but said, "Okay Jzet," She then glanced at Jonathan. "See you around Jonathan."

They watched her walk away and Jonathan did not say anything until they could no longer hear her footsteps.

"Jzet, we need to talk." Jonathan told her.

"Now?"

"Yes, now, Jzet," he said firmly. "You have been avoiding me for the last week." Jzet shifted uneasily on her feet. It was true. "This has been the first time I could find you."

"I've been busy." She argued.

Jonathan rolled his eyes. "I know you haven't been busy every single day for the last week. You have days off."

"That's true, but I had punishment work and I went to the city with Audrey."

Both lies, Jzet thought guiltily. But, I can't admit to him that I was actually avoiding him on purpose.

"Maybe you're too much of a trouble maker to be with me." He teased.

Jzet chuckled nervously. "About that…"

"What?"

Jzet took a deep breath. She knew she was going to regret this. "Jonathan, I can't be with you like that. All I want is your friendship, nothing more."

The prince looked completely shocked. "But- but why?" He spluttered, his confidence thrown off by her abruptness in the announcement.

"I have my duties and you have yours." She told him frankly, making her face as unemotional as a smooth stone, although her emotions swirled around in her troubled green eyes. "You have to marry for the sake of the country and I want to achieve my knighthood. If we had that kind of relationship, it would not only ruin my reputation as a Page, but also prevent a treaty between Tortall and Tyra."

"I don't care what people thin-" Jonathan began, but Jzet cut him off with a sharp tongue.

"I care Jonathan." Jzet informed him and then sighed on account of his stubbornness. "I just want to be your friend." She added quietly.

Jzet watched him chew nervously on his lower lip. His hands were locked together behind his back and she could tell they were twitching nervously.

"Please," She practically begged him. "I just don't want to get hurt again. Not by you, especially not by you. I've already been disappointed enough."

The prince sensed her pain. Even her Yamani mask could not hide it. Just the mention of Rae's name and her heart seemed to shatter into tiny pieces all over again.

No, she was not going to be naïve and stupid like last time and rush into a relationship like that. Jonathan might be one of her best friends, but that did not give her an excuse to just run into his arms and live happily ever after with him. No, she knew better now and she knew that a relationship with the prince simply would not work. Ever.

Jonathan opened up his mouth to speak, closed it as he changed his mind, and then sighed in defeat. "I understand."

Jzet considerably brightened up. She did not expect him to understand her feelings so quickly and easily. He was extremely stubborn, after all. At that moment, though, she could not help, but hug him.

"Thanks Jonathan," She whispered into his tunic. "I just don't want to lose my best friend."

He patted her back awkwardly.

"As long as you're happy,"

Jzet spent the next two weeks buried in her academic assignments. The Mitharian priests and Master Oakbridge apparently had plotted in secret to try to torture the Pages with tedious and boring assignments. Well, according to Brandon anyway.

It was the night before Jzet's weekly day off and she was sitting at her desk, finishing an extra long algebra assignment, when there was a knock at the door.

Lee answered it of course and ushered Audrey inside.

"What's up?" Jzet asked, looking up from her assignment.

"I've got some big news." Audrey announced, not even caring that Lee was still in the room. "I heard from Kate, whose uncle is the magistrate or something that Jacqueline is going to be executed tomorrow."

Jzet's eyes widened.

"I thought her execution was going to be weeks ago."

"Nope, apparently Jacqueline hired a pretty good attorney. The best money could buy." Audrey told her enthusiastically. "He carried out the case for a few weeks, but the jury still proclaimed her as guilty. Thank Mithros," Audrey breathed in a sigh of relief. "Could you imagine if she was actually let out of jail?"

Jzet swallowed hard. She had a pretty good idea what would happen. Jacqueline would try to go after her. Kill her perhaps, if she got the chance. Jzet shook her head as an attempt to get rid of the dreary thoughts. Thank goodness they're executing her. That's at least one problem I won't have to deal with anymore.

"No, I couldn't."

Audrey collapsed into the arm chair in front of her fire place, where the flames crackled and danced around carelessly. Jzet actually envied them.

At least they don't have to worry about war or executions or stupid prophesies. Jzet thought to herself with resentment.

"Do you want to attend the execution tomorrow?" Audrey asked. "Brandon, Kate, and Madison are going. Brandon's even bringing rotten fruit. He wants to peg her with some."

Jzet rolled her eyes at the thought of her mischievous friend. "I guess I'll have to go. After all, he does have rotten fruit." She added with pure sarcasm.

"Good," Audrey replied, suddenly getting up from the chair. "We'll meet after breakfast in the stables and try not to be late."

"Why?" Audrey's last statement surprised her. She was late to Master Lindhall's class all the time. When did she suddenly care if Jzet was late or not?

"Because, my dearest friend, I wouldn't miss this execution for the world,"

So yeah, that's it...

Review and all that jazz because this is the 2nd to last chapter in this series.

I promise the next chapter will be good and a little more exciting then this. This was mainly a filler chapter.

So review,

Caiti & Juliette