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Prince Jonathan of Conté stared out the window into the night. He watched as a cloaked figure cantered out of the palace and into the rain without looking back.

"You did the right thing." Jonathan flinched at the sound of his father's voice; he hadn't heard the man enter the room. "I can only imagine what would have happened had she made it to knighthood," King Roald went on, coming to stand behind his son. "Tortall would have been the laughing stock of the world. Even the gods would mock us."

Jonathan sighed and turned to his father.

"I don't want to talk about it," he said, glancing at the door that connected his chambers to that of his squire's.

Roald followed his eyes and frowned. "You did the right thing. I am glad you informed me immediately after you found out."

"She was my friend and I –" Jonathan swallowed and averted his eyes in shame.

"Your friend?" interrupted King Roald, scowling. "If she was your friend, she wouldn't have lied to you for all these years."

"But she saved my life!" Jonathan exclaimed, returning his gaze to his father. "Many times!"

"Yes, I know." Roald drew himself up. "That was the only reason she did not see the noose."

Jonathan glared at his father but refused to reply.

"We will not speak of this- this abomination again. Are we clear? As far as the rest of Tortall is concerned, Squire Alan was banished for being accused of treason." Roald spoke in sharp, clear tones.

Jonathan gave a curt nod and bowed. "Your Majesty." His response followed King Roald out the room.

Gary and Raoul walked in and stared at Jonathan.

"Is it true?" Gary asked his long time friend.

Jon clenched his jaw, fighting to hold back tears. "Yes," he whispered hoarsely.

Raoul sighed and flopped into a chair; Gary followed suit.

"And you turned him- her in?" demanded Raoul.

Feeling ashamed at the look of betrayal Raoul shot him, Jonathan nodded again. "I had to. It was my duty." Even to his own ears, his excuse sounded weak.

"So Alan, is really Alanna?"

Jon nodded and took a seat. "She switched places with her twin brother Thom, who went to The City of the Gods to train as a mage."

"Well, it certainly explains a few things. Like how she never went swimming or how she never seemed to grow," Gary murmured, trailing off weakly at the end when he realized his friend was really gone.

Apparently unable to speak, Prince Jonathan nodded again.

Gary and Raoul exchanged a glance before staning.

"It's not forever, Jon," Gary said.

"We can see her in seven years." Raoul gripped Jonathan's shoulder. That is when her banishment is terminated."

"What if she dies?" Jonathan cried, swallowing hard. "It will all be my fault!"

"Do not talk like that!" Raoul shook Jonathan hard. "She has been trained well!"

Gary took a step forward, adding, "She is one of the best. She has Moonlight, Faithful and Lightening. She will be okay."

Jonathan sighed and nodded, his blue eyes troubled. "I know. I just..."

He looked away in a clear dismissal. Gary and Raoul left after assuring Jon that Squire Alan or Alanna would be okay.

As Jonathan lay on his bed, unable to sleep, he thought of Alanna, his squire, his best friend, and...his lover.

Sir Myles of Olau took another skull from his wine bottle, draining it dry. Rubbing his face, he put the empty bottle down and placed his hands over his belly. Sighing, he muttered into his beard and stared into the fire. He, like the rest of the palace, was thinking about a certain redhead squire to the crown prince. Alan.

Myles sighed again and looked into his empty wine glass, annoyed to find the contents nil. He had known since Alan—Alanna- had cured Jonathan from the Sweating Sickness and what his spies had reported about the family at Trebond. Snuffing the fire, Myles begged the gods to protect Alanna and guide her well.