Summary: Keladry tries out for knight training and completes her probationary year as in the original story. However, as a conservative, Lord Wyldon does not approve of Lady Knights and sends her home. Pierre and Ilane are busy with the political negotiations between Tortall and the Yamani Islands. So, they plan to send Kel to the convent. She however, convinces them to allow her to become a nurse and aid gifted healers. She does this because she's too old to train as a shang. The compromise with her parents mandated that she attend lessons at the convent in the City of Gods.

Fighting for Approval

Chapter 1: The Road Home

552-553 H.E.

She walked down the halls. The last bell had already rung. All pages were back in their rooms, sleeping. Keladry opened the door to her rooms and began packing her belongings. She changed into a gown, her plain, warm-brown colored one. To her, it symbolized a final act of defiance, reinforced by her calm anger and disappointment.

Gower had summoned an additional five servants to help pack her belongings while she changed. The packing of her essentials—clothes, her few weapons, and the meager amounts of jewelry—was completed within two hours. Kel walked down to the carriage awaiting her swiftly, her face blank as a rock at the bottom of a lake. Keladry of Mindelan would begin her journey home that night.

It wasn't a just analysis of her performance as a page. She had tried just as hard, if not harder than the other pages. Mithros knows she was put through more trouble and work than most other pages. Kel couldn't help but form a grudge against Lord Wyldon, for allowing his conservative ideas to bias his judgment, and the King, for allowing a probationary year. I wish Wyldon had allowed me to bid my friends farewell, at the least, Kel thought as she climbed into the carriage. She thought about the Stump and how the name fit him well. Lord Wyldon was truly a stump: strict and unyielding. No tree stump could bow with the wind and neither could Lord Wyldon change his conservative beliefs for the truth.

"Neal was right all along," she muttered as the carriage began it's rocky movements forward. Keladry shifted into a comfortable position and fell asleep. It would take four days to make the journey home. She hoped it would pass by quickly.

Keladry stretched as the carriage came to a stop. Her back ached and her neck was stiff after her night's rocky sleep. She felt sore and could feel the pinch in her legs when she attempted to move them. Kel was a mess. The carriage door opened and the footman stood at it's side.

"Why have we stopped?"

"Milady, to rest and water the horses. We thought you could use a stretch of your legs. It was as good a time as any to get a bite to eat as well, milady."

Keladry stepped out and looked at her surroundings. It was a small inn on the side of the road, available to any traveling passengers. The Bountiful Inn. Kel realized they were half a day's ride away from Mindelan. That thought relieved her: she would be home by nightfall.

She made her way up the front steps and entered. Bountiful Inn had a homely and warm feel to it. It was inviting. The hardwood floors and walls were dark and clean. The fireplace was set into the opposite wall, empty, for the summer heat was heat enough. Round tables and chairs took up the entire floor. Already, there were many customers sitting, scattered, at the tables for the midday meal. The room was loud with talk and laughter. To the right of the entrance was a staircase, most probably leading to guest rooms.

"Good evenin', dearest. I'm Gretchen, innkeeper's wife. How may I be of help to ye'?" The voice belonged to a short, plump lady with brown hair and blue eyes. She was wiping her hands on her apron as she talked.

"It wouldn't be too late for a midday meal would it?" asked Keladry.

"Nonsense! We've got spiced chicken soup, mashed potatoes, steak, rice, fried vegetables, and pork chop pie. What would you like?"

Gretchen pulled Keladry to a table as she listed the menu. She seated her and brought her a mug of barley water.

"The soup, potatoes, and steak, well-done, will do fine, thank you."

"And what of drink? There be spiced cider, you've already got water, and the sweetest prune juice you've ever tasted! I would offer ale, but you'd be too young for that, isn't that right." She winked.

"Just the barely water. Thank you."

"Don't be shy. I'll get right on the food. If you want anything else, there be servers. Just ask 'em."

Keladry relaxed, stretching her legs one by one underneath the table and sipping her water. She looked around. George, the footman, was sitting at another table filled with effervescent men, all chatting amiably. She sighed. She knew she would be judged and mocked for her failed probationary year. No one wanted her to become a knight. Women did not have the ability or the skills to protect Tortall. They're too fragile, they said.

She scoffed to herself. Fragile! The people cannot stand to face the truth and detest any who bring about change. Everyone should be given a chance to achieve the things they wish to do most.

"Good evenin', milady. Hope we didn't keep you waiting too long. Here's you go. Spiced soup, mashed potatoes, and a well-done steak. Here's some extra gravy for the potatoes and steak if you need it. If you need anything else, just ask." she said, placing down the bowls, plates, and utensils. "You can pay after your done at the desk right over there. Take your time and enjoy." She left to serve another table.

Keladry quickly ate. She wondered at how commonly she was treated and realized she enjoyed the sweet hospitality she was given better than the stiff treatment usually given to a noble. She stood and made her way toward the front desk, payed for her meal and thanked them for the service. As she was leaving, Gretchen called out to her.

"Dearie, you leaving already?"

"I must be on my way. I want to be home before nightfall. It's still six bells worth of a ride until I reach."

"Well, you must tell me your name."

"Keladry."

"That's a lovely name, Keladry. And you must stop by again if you're ever traveling through here as well. Yes?"

"Of course. I will. Thank you, Gretchen."

George already had the carriage door opened. She stepped inside and soon, the bumpy road rocked Kel back and forth in the carriage. Keladry sighed. She almost forgot how much she hated carriages when she sat at the inn. It was going to be a long ride. And all Kel had to look forward to was bread, cheese, and some dried meat.

Night had already fallen by the time Kel reached Mindelan. The driver was forced to use lamps to light the way after the sun set, thereby traveling slower.

It was quiet at the Mindelan house. Kel entered through the main doors and stopped by the kitchen for a quick meal before she retired. The cooks and maids had already left for bed. Keladry found a soft loaf of bread and cheese. She ate half the loaf and the cheese quickly. Still hungry, she went to bed, wishing for a stable bed after the long day's ride.

She trudged up the marble steps, passing a number of doors before reaching her old bedroom. Greeting her family would have to wait for the next morning.

Doubtless, they've already heard the news. Lord Wyldon must have sent a messenger to Mindelan to announce my departure from the palace, Kel thought to herself.

Changing into her nightclothes, Keladry went to bed.

The twittering of birds began the start of Keladry's day. Exhausted and having already accepted the fact that she would not complete her knight training, Kel dressed in a shirt and breeches. A bath would have to wait till that night for the staff of the Mindelan household were not aware of Keladry's return as of yet. After dressing, Keladry began some training exercises with the glaive, flowing from one dance into another. By the time Keladry finished, the sun had risen on the horizon.

She made her way down to the dinning room for the morning meal. The gold and red room contained one large table in it's center. A chandelier hung above it's center. At the head of the table sat a gray-haired man. His beard was kept short and his eyes, hazel-green, rested beneath bushy, black brows. This was Baron Piers of Mindelan. Beside him, to his right sat a tall and elegant woman. Her black hair was striped with silver and her face sat calm and beautiful. This was Baroness Ilane of Mindelan.

The remaining chairs sat empty but for Anders, his wife, Vorinna, and his five children that sat further down the table.

"Good morning," called Keladry as she walked into the room.

Ilane, Piers, and Anders turned their heads toward her voice. Vorinna looked up shyly and her children couldn't be bothered by the newcomer when their bellies whined for food. Lachran, the oldest, ate sleepily, half-aware of his surroundings.

"Keladry," said the Baron calmly. "It is nice to see you again." He smiled at her, a kindly smile that made Kel smile back. "Come sit. Eat." He gestured to the platters of food placed on the table.

Kel sat to the right of her mother, filling her plate. "I cannot say how much I have missed being home. And how much I have missed Yamani food."

"Did you practice your Yamani while you were away, Keladry?" asked Ilane as she sipped her tea.

"No, mother, not as much as I should have."

"No worries. We'll deal with that soon enough."

"Meanwhile, Keladry, your mother and I wish to speak to you after you have had your breakfast and refreshed yourself." Piers stood. "Come to my study when you are ready. Do not be too long, please, Keladry." He excused himself and left, soon followed by Ilane.

"Knight training didn't work, did it, Keladry?" asked Anders. Keladry shrugged. "Well, I'm sorry, if that's any consolation. You tried. At least you won't regret not attempting to be the first, official Lady Knight, hmm?"

"I suppose."

Silence quickly encompassed the room once again. Kel dug into her breakfast once again, concentrating to keep her calm demeanor. Kel left to her rooms as soon as she was finished. Calling a maid to ready a bath, she set about unpacking the belongings that had already arrived. The remainder of my things should arrive in a few days time, she thought.

She removed her sword from above the pile and looked at it reminiscently. Taking it out of it's sheath, she swung it through the air. Sighing, she replaced the sheath and rested it within her bottom drawer, covering it's shape with garments of clothing.

"Your bath is ready, milady." Keladry stood and thanked her. "Milady. If you've no problem with it," she began shyly, her hands fidgeting with her skirt. "I can unpack your bags for you."

"Thank you, Alisa." Keladry continued toward the bath, removing her clothes. She quickly washed off and got dressed. Soon, she was standing outside her father's study, knocking.

A low voice invited her in. "Ah, Keladry. Take a seat." He motioned to the last empty chair in his study, facing both him and his wife.

"Keladry, we are so sorry about what happened. Truly," Ilane said. She reached over and covered Kel's hand with her own.

"Kel," Piers began. "As you know, your mother and I are dealing with the negotiations between Tortall and the Yamani Islands. The King wants to arrange a marriage between the Prince Roald and a princess of the Islands. Soon, we'll have to travel to complete and make the negotiations official." He sighed. "Meanwhile, we have no choice but to send you to the City of Gods." He paused, waiting for it to sink in.

After a moment, with no reaction from Kel, he continued. "You will be attending the convent under the supervision of the priestesses. You will leave for the City of Gods in a months time. One of the major requests made, specifically, by the main priestess was that you bring no weapons of any sort and restrain from participating or practicing the art of weapons and fighting from the time you enter the convent's doors.

"I understand that you don't wish to go to the convent, but you must do something with your life. Since becoming a Knight of the Realm is not an option anymore, I am forced to have you complete the education most young women complete at the convent. This way, you can wed a man and, hopefully, lift a portion of the financial stress that Mindelan is in."

"Father, I understand the reasons for which you are sending me to the convent, but could I not do something else. I want to help the people. I want to bring about change, no matter how small. Can I not study a subject instead? I can...be a nurse! I can help healing mages. Can't I do that instead. I would be paid after I learned." Keladry had laced her fingers and was looking intently at her father.

Piers sat silent for a long time, thinking. She could possibly complete these things, but this plan could fall through. Just like her hopes to follow the Lioness' footsteps. Piers did not like doubting his daughters ability to accomplish and succeed, but he did not wish for her to lose more than she gained. She was now eleven years of age. The convent did not accept young women older than the age of 13 and Keladry's plan would potentially need more time to be completed. If problems came up after Kel turned fourteen, there would be nothing she could do. He had decided.

Hope you liked it! =D

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