Chapter 24

Jonathan and Alanna quickly arranged for there to be a banquet in the banquet hall that evening. It amazed Eliena how quickly it was thrown together, but there she was, sitting in the banquet hall, dressed in a simple, yet event-appropriate, gown.

"May I have everyone's attention please?" Jonathan asked, voice filling the room. Everyone fell silent. He was a commanding presence, being just over six feet in height and stunningly handsome. Even in his early forties, he was well built, with sapphire eyes that still made women swoon, and the blackest hair you've ever seen—both on his head and in his beard. There was no white yet, making Jonathan entirely perfect. He was a god on earth. And Tortall's king. "Her majesty-" Alanna rose, "-and I are proud to announce that our daughter-" Eliena got to her feet, "-Eliena is betrothed." Leo stood up, sending a murmur through the group. The princess was engaged to her father's squire? Weren't they related somehow? "Eliena and Leonard of Pirate's Swoop, my squire, were betrothed this morning. Queen Alanna and I couldn't be happier for her. Leonard is a wonderful person, and we're sure that they will be as happy together as her majesty and I are." That sent a chuckle through the group. The king and queen were crazy about each other, and everyone knew it. Their closest friends had to contain themselves—Jonathan and Alanna were deeply and passionately in love, something that they had (unfortunately) been witness to several times.

"As his majesty said, we're thrilled for Eliena and Leo—nard. Eliena and Leonard. We're close to his family, and he and Eliena have been friends a long time. We're happy for them, and I know that they will one day rule this country brilliantly together. Cheers!" Alanna raised her glass.

"Cheers!" the room echoed. Eliena and Leo locked eyes and smiled, sitting down.

In the kitchen, Kel was explaining to Master Oakbridge, "Neal said he's sick. He couldn't come down. He sounded horrible."

The master of ceremonies sighed. "Fine, then. You'll be serving the royal table then, Page Keladry." Kel froze up.

"Excuse me?" she squeaked.

"You're taking Nealan's place. Is that a problem?" Oakbridge's tone told her that it had better not be.

"No, master." Kel bowed and scurried over to her friends.

"Isn't it odd," Cleon remarked, "that our friend Neal, the healer, is sick?"

"You know the real reason, don't you?" Merric asked the older redhead.

"Of course," Cleon replied.

"Well, I don't," Esmond said.

"Eliena and Leo," Kel told him. "You know he's still in love with her. That's what she told him earlier during staff practice—that they were betrothed. He's been moping around the rest of the day."

"Poor Neal," Cleon sighed, "to be broken-hearted so young."

"He'll get over it. After writing some awful poetry, he'll be over it," Merric said. Everyone looked at him strangely. "What? Don't you remember that's what he did after he and Eliena weren't friends anymore?"

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As people filed out of the banquet hall, Eliena pulled Leo aside. They were in plain view. She kissed him on the mouth, causing some of the conservative nobles to gasp and hurry away.

"Eli." Leo pushed her away gently. "You can't do that."

"Why not?" Eliena asked, eyes dancing. "We're betrothed now, aren't we? I'm allowed to kiss you whenever I want."

Leo smiled. "That's true." He pulled her against him and kissed her deeply.

"Must you do that in public?" a familiar voice drawled. "You'll scare the children." They broke their kiss and smiled at Neal, who stood with Kel and Co.

"Children?" Cleon asked, looking offended. "I'll have you know, Neal, that I am hardly a child!"

"Right, I forget. You're all of, what, twelve?" Eliena asked. "Compared to us, you're a child."

"I was referring to the ten-year-olds," Neal said. "Sorry, some of you are eleven."

"And I'm thirteen, thank you," Cleon told them. "And Neal acts ten most of the time, so he doesn't count as older."

"That's true," Eliena laughed. Neal scowled.

"Thank you oh-so kindly for defending me, your highness," Neal said with a mocking bow to Eliena.

"Yeah—Neal only acts ten about twenty percent of the time," Leo corrected.

"Thank you!" Neal looked at Eliena. "At least someone has the courtesy to defend me."

"Neal, didn't you ever learn when to shut up?" Eliena retorted.

"Eliena! Come here," Jonathan ordered.

"Excuse me." She went over to her parents, who stood in a side hallway with a man who was sweaty and out of breath. He bowed to her and she inclined her head. "Yes?"

"Its Scanra," Alanna told her. "They're moving in and attacking the forts."

"And you're telling me this… because?" Eliena prompted. "I was having a conversation."

"El, be serious. They've a new king," Jonathan told her.

"Who, that Maggur fellow?" Eliena snorted. "No other king lasts that long. Why d'you think he will?"

"Because he has every clan flying under his banner," Alanna replied. Eliena winced.

"Oh." She turned to the sweaty man. "Who're you?"

"He works for George, El," Alanna told her. Eliena nodded.

"I see. So, what does this mean?" she asked.

"Several of the knights ride out in two days. The King's Own—with Raoul—rides in a week. Groups of Riders are there already," Jonathan replied.

"And I get to go?" she asked hopefully. Jonathan nodded slowly. "Yes!"

"But," he said firmly. "With Numair and Daine."

"And? This is a big deal?" she questioned. "I've gone off with them before! When do I leave?"

"With the Own," Alanna replied. Eliena snorted.

"Please," she said, holding up her ember stone. "Remember the dragons?"

Author's Note- in case you couldn't already tell, things are going to get interesting. REVIEW.