Prologue
It was the beginning of October when Keladry of Mindelan returned to the refugee camp of New Hope from Raoul's wedding. She and her best friend, Nealan of Queenscove were greeted eagerly by many of the refugees who resided there; Fanche, Saefas and the children, Loey, Gido, Meech and Irnai. Kel had been glad to see that the child seer had begun to fit in amongst the others. It was also good to see her friend and year-mate, Merric of Hollyrose waiting inside the gates as he let one of the sergeants lead the squad on patrol in his place.
She also new that, after the loss of their killing devices, the Scanrans had rapidly decided to withdraw their forces from Tortall. This meant that she and many of the other knights would be released from their duties at the Northern border and given the chance to either return to whatever fief they called home or to spend some time at the palace. She did, however, have to get through another week or so with Neal, who was still greatly depressed at having to once again leave the side of his Yamani betrothed, Yukimi, a close child hood friend of Kel's.
There was still much work to be done on rebuilding New Hope after the terrible attack about six months previously. However, she was shocked at the fact that, given the opportunity to return home to their villages, all the refugees chose to remain in New Hope. The camp's battle hardened head woman, Fanche, was quick to send the crowd back to their individual tasks around New Hope. Many children took the horses of the squad while her servant boy, Tobe, took her own mount. Tobe was fiercely loyal but did not trust her out of his sights after she ran off to rescue the captured refugees.
Kel talked through the reports of the impending end of the war with the present sergeants and Merric, who had been left in charge in Kel's absence though he claimed to have done very little since he had left everything in Fanche's capable hands. She could tell her friend was eager to return to Corus to see more healers who did not have to spread their gifts as thin as those at fort Mastiff; although he said nothing, she knew that the injury he sustained in the attack on the camp, then called Haven, still gave him great pain. Six months ago, Despite the terrible injury, Merric had ventured out with other of Kel's close friends to attempt to bring her back to the fort. However, unsuccessful, they joined her rescue attempt with a squad of the King's Own lead by Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle, Neal's cousin and a good friend of Kel's, and Lord Wyldon's exuberant squire, Owen of Jesslaw.
She announced the news of their return to court to the refugees at dinner where the knights and soldiers were congratulated. Many of the teenaged orphan's asked to be taken to see the city for one reason or another, some of the boys hoped to join the army or the King's Own while Loey and Gydo were keen to join the queen's riders. Gydo intended to leave her little brother, Meech, in New Hope with their mother while quietly expressing her intention to Kel to buy him a knew doll once in the city; Meech had ripped the red yarn hair from his doll to leave a trail for Kel's rescue party even though he was only five.
Kel was not sure what was to be done with Irnai, the seer child, because her gifts had a habit of unnerving those around her in the camp. Kel believed her gifts might be valued in court, where she could learn to control them and use them on behalf of the kingdom. They were to leave soon for Mastiff where they would collect the army companies and knights due to return with them, who included her old training master, Lord Wyldon, and Prince Roald, who was know doubt as eager to return as Neal was. Kel knew deep down that the refugees could take care of themselves but she fretted nonetheless. While she hated to admit it, the nickname 'Mother' was rather appropriate.
The days of her last week flew by and with each one New Hope looked less like a skeleton of a village. Although it would not be completely finished by the time she left, it would not be long afterwards. It would probably grow and expand in population and land to the size of a decent town or even bigger.
Finally, the last day arrived and Kel left with the soldiers, knights and children. They arrived at Mastiff that afternoon and were boisterously greeted by Owen, Prince Roald and Duke Baird, Neal's father and chief healer. Although some forces would remain at Mastiff for a few months longer, most were to return with Kel. She was glad to see Seaver of Tasride, Esmond of Nicoline and Faleron of King's Reach upon their arrival. Seaver and Esmond were her year-mates and Faleron was only a year older. She did not, however, relish her brief encounter with her final (and least popular) year-mate, Quinden of Marti's Hill, who seemed to slink about, glaring at anyone who crossed his path.
Their stay was very short and they left with haste the next morning; Lord Wyldon had said the night before that anyone who was not present on time would have to remain at the border until after midwinter and the snow that came with it. Their journey was uneventful and rather boring with only Neal's constant cracks about the 'Stump's' glorious mood to keep them entertained. Occasionally, Owen would drop back through the ranks to where his knight-friends were ride and chatter at them about his excitement at returning, his nervousness about his rapidly approaching ordeal or anything else that crossed his mind.
They stayed a little bit longer at fort Steadfast where they met the Third Company of the King's Own and their commander, and Kel's former knight master, Lord Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak. Kel was particularly delighted to see Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle and his squad, who were all very good friends with the Lady Knight after she took command of the squad as a squire when Dom was injured in battle. The squad greeted her energetically as well as the children that came from New Hope, whom Dom's squad had helped rescue.
On the remainder of the journey, Kel alternated between the company of her year-mates and that of Raoul, Alanna and Third Company. She particularly enjoyed the company of Dom, who, as well as being Kel's friend, was also Neal's cousin and had affectionately nicknamed him 'Meathead'. the journey was fairly short since everyone was very eager to return to parents, wives and children.
At sundown towards the end of the second week of October, in the fading pinkish light, the grey shapes of towers seemed to glow at them from a few miles off and Kel knew that tomorrow, she would be home.