Disclaimer: i own none of these charaters or places, no matter how much i wish i did.

Protector of the Small;

The Rider

1

Travelers

( flashback from4th book)


"Hurry up, Kel!" shouted Neal.

Keladry of Mindelan smiled and shook her head, lovers, she thought. Then, remembered how her heart did a funny flip-flop thing every time she thought of Dom. It was only two moths since she had seen him last; after her fort had been raided by some Scanran warriors and the refugees taken, Kel had gone in search of them. The trail was easy enough to follow, but when Lord Roul (her former knight master) had sent Dom's squad after her things went a lot quicker. With the help of her friends, who also came to her aid, Kel made it to the place where her refugees were hidden, rescued them and ensured victory for the land of Tortall.

(end flashback)


At least for that war. As they would find out, thisfight wasfar from over. King Jonathan had commanded all knights, young and old, to come to Cours (the capital city) to regroup and plan their next move. . . .

As she came back to the world of reality, Kel realized how far behind she was, and she nudged her horse into a trot. The six week trek to Cours was a long one. But they would seek food and shelter from the nearest fiefdom at sundown. Or if the night was clear and the horses fresh they would ride until dawn, covering as much land as possible. But on the third week bad weather hit them. Kel and Neal were still in high enough elevation that what would have been a bad thunderstorm in the plains was a roaring blizzard.

"It would be mad to try traveling in this weather" sighed Neal.

"And it doesn't look like it's going to give in any time soon" Kel added gloomily.

The pair had stopped at Tresford when the rain started to turn into snow. Although the Lord and Lady treated them graciously an impatient atmosphere settled over the walls.

"We'll just have to wait it out, I guess".

The storm lasted nearly two weeks. On the tenth day it blew itself out. They had started a week early but now the only had a fortnight to cover themany miles that they still had to go. They left that day. The further they progressed down the slope the nicer the weather was. When they reached the plains the days were sunny and the fertile lands green.

"We are ahead of schedule, we should see Cours within three nights" said Neal. His initial excitement at seeing his betrothed ebbed away, but never fear, it would return doubled when he saw the city.

"I guess your calculations were correct… for once" said Kel wryly as they looked at the great walled city. There were a couple of gates to enter the city, but the largest and main entrance was called the Golden Gate.

"Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names wil-".

"Hurt your feelings" Kel finished for him.

"I am above you and your snide comments"

"Race you to the gate!" Said Kel, cutting off Neal's on coming rant.

"You're on!"

When they reached the gate Kel was a full length ahead. They were out of breath from laughter and excitement.

"Great Mother Goddess! Kel, I almost forgot!" exclaimed Neal.

"What do you mean Almost forgot, you were too busy thinking about Yuki to remember that it is my first birthday as a knight, I'm 19 and by the way my name's Keladry of Mindelan, your best friend, incase you forgot that too. Shame, shame Mr. Nealan." She lectured him mockingly. He blushed, telling her that had been thinking about Yuki.

"Why do I have to have a friend that likes teasing me so?" Neal cried to the heavens.

"Because it's good for you and its fun" said a familiar voice from behind.

"Alanna!" beamed Kel. Alanna the Lioness was the first female knight in over200 years. She disguised herself as a boy for eight years to earn her shield. Neal muttered something incomprehensible, but it sounded like " Black God,take me now".

"What's that, former squire?" Asked Alanna

"Nothing."

While they were riding up to the castle, Alanna filled them in on news.

"It seems that some of our neighboring kingdoms are determined to kick us while we're down. Tusaine is drafting a declaration of war as we speak. And this war will have different circumstances than the last one" Said Alanna.

"I knew it must be bad for King Jonathan to order all of us to return, especially because it was Cours," said Neal, "but I never imagined it was this bad." The last time all Knights on boarder control had been called for a meeting was to celebrate the end of the war and that had been at Steadfast (the main dispatching post of the war). But this time it was ALL knights and at the capital city.

"Will they hold it at Dell River Valley, like they did when you were a squire?" asked Kel.

"It's too soon to tell, but we will by the time every Knight gets here" answered The Lioness.

"Thanks for telling us all this…," said Neal sweetly, "now we can really relax on our week off". Alanna chuckled and Kel rolled her eyes.

As they reached the palace and stable hands ran out to meet them and take their tired horses, Alanna said, "Please don't tell any one. Jon wants to inform everyone at the same time". They both nodded.