a/n: Finally the next chapter… just so you know I have nothing against Neal… all his misfortunes just happen I do not mean it… I'm sorry to all you Neal lovers out there
Chapter 7: Scarred for life
The four related their story to Alanna.
"So what was it?" she demanded.
"I'm scarred for life!" wailed a very pale Neal.
"Well, you see," said Kel hesitantly.
"I believe the best words to describe it are…," started Myles.
"WHAT?" Alanna demanded in her haste to know what they were had seen.
"Well," said Raoul.
"I'M GOING TO DIE!" wailed Neal.
"That feels much better," commented Neal.
"What's this?" asked Alanna with a serious expression.
"Well we saw a whole host of portraits of Neal in the process of dieing a horrible gruesome death as well as a few of the weapons used in the portraits," explained Raoul.
"I always thought it was weird that he kept on glaring at you and Neal but I think I understand now; he wished to become your squire!" declared Myles in triumph.
"Or maybe he's jealous of my dashing good looks," said Neal as he posed.
"We're still left with the problem of who's the spy in our midst," said Kel pointedly ignoring Neal.
"This is going to be a hard problem to solve," said Alanna.
"Does no one care that there's someone who wants to kill me?" demanded Neal.
"Neal being attacked by someone, hmm, it could present the perfect opportunity," muttered Raoul to himself.
"What did you say Raoul?" asked Myles with a knowing look.
"Perhaps we could lure him out with bait, yes bait," said Raoul with a thoughtful look in Neal's direction.
"Why do I get the feeling we're talking about two different things?" asked an exasperated Alanna.
"But how can we use bait anyway?" asked Myles.
"Well, if you think about it, in the end the agent will try to take the lives of all the royalty of Tortall even if the marriage negotiations fail," said the Shang Wolf.
"Right because if the marriage fails then they'll just take Tortall by force," agreed Alanna.
"But won't that mean we'll have to use one of the Royal family as bait?" asked Myles.
"Probably, or maybe one of the defenders of the Royal family," said Kel.
"Why?" asked Neal.
"An assassin can't get to a target surrounded by guards Squire," said Alanna.
"I'm up for it," volunteered Alanna.
"But how do we lay the trap?" asked Raoul finally becoming serious.
"Well for one Alanna must be vulnerable and easy to access. Also she must have a fierce reputation of protecting the Royal family and the agent must have access to her," said Myles.
"What, so we have her to pretend to become injured protecting Jon and then have her walk around like that?" said Raoul.
"I don't think that will work," said Kel her brow furrowed in thought.
"What if we play off the rift in Alanna and King Jonathan's relationship?" asked Neal.
"What?" asked a confused Raoul.
"Yes, it could work; King Jonathan will be the main target of the agent because he is the biggest threat. They probably think that the family and kingdom will fall apart if he dies. What I propose is that Alanna ask the king to ride with her privately in the forest and then have a row with him and leave him alone and vulnerable," said Neal.
"Ah, one of the few uses of having Neal as a squire; he has brains," said Alanna.
"But we can't use the king as bait!" protested Keladry.
"And he is far from vulnerable," reminded Myles.
"Hm, this could work. What if the agent simply thinks its King Jonathan?" asked Raoul.
"You mean an illusion?" asked Kel.
"Yes and Numair's here at the moment so we can enlist his help," said Raoul.
"It still doesn't solve the 'vulnerable' problem," pointed out Neal.
"Well then you think of something genius," challenged Raoul.
"You forget I came up with the original plan," said Neal triumphantly. Raoul simply glared at Neal.
"Well his horse could get spooked and throw him off," suggested Myles.
"Good idea, he'll be left injured and unable to move," said Alanna.
"What if the spy doesn't fall for the trap?" asked Kel.
"We'll come up with a new plan. Meanwhile we'll have to monitor all the nobles going in and out of the palace but for now let's just go clear our plan with the king and Numair," replied Alanna.
"I think we should keep a close eye on Neal as well," said Kel. They all looked at her incredulously.
"Well his life is in danger from that crazy noble," she explained.
"Kel I love you," said Neal as he gave her a big hug.
"Right, Raoul and I will guard you," said Alanna.
"You must stay with us at all times," she continued.
"Yes, stay with us at all times," echoed Raoul. Neal gulped.
"I think I'd rather take my chance with the crazy noble, at least I stand a chance against him," muttered Neal to himself. Myles hid a small smile.
"Well we better be going," said Myles.
"Right," said Alanna and they all promptly left to find the king and Numair.
a/n: well that's that chapter done.. now comes my nagging about the reviews… PLEASE REVIEW!!!