A/N Hi! This is my first fic hope you enjoy! In First Test Kel asks Neal why he left the university to become a page. In the book Neal says that "My brother's thought that knighthood was the greatest service they could give." This is my version of the story behind that statement.

Disclaimer: I am not and never will be Tamora Pierce and anything you recognize belongs to her. If I were Tamora Pierce, I would be at home contemplating the idea of releasing Bloodhound earlier than expected.

For Kay

Nealan of Queenscove stood at his brother Kaylom's freshly dug grave. If anyone had been near they would have noticed the tears gathering in Neal's already over-full eyes. Kay was the last of Neal's older brothers and now he was dead. 18 year-old Kay had been the favorite brother and one closest in age to Neal's fifteen years.

At the funeral the stern-looking Mithran priest had spoke about Kay's bravery, courage and never wavering sense of duty as a newly mad knight. And though that was one side of Kay, Neal knew there was so much more than that small description to his brother.

Thousands of images flooded his mind. Kay joking and laughing with his knight friends at his official celebration. Nine-year-old Kay attempting to use his feeble healing gift to teach a six-year-old Neal the basics of his own gift. Kay teasing him with his cousin Dom, using that ridiculous nickname the both of them had coined for him. Kay practicing his weapons around the palace. Kay stoically silent as his father and Neal tried in desperation to heal his mortal wounds. And now here he was buried in the nard ground of Queenscove's cemetery. Again Neal's mind wandered off, this time to the day when Kay chose to become a knight…

Flashback

"But why do you have to leave?" a seven year old Neal pleaded/asked his favorite brother Kay.

"I don't have to leave meathead, I want to," Kay replied. Neal scowled at the use of that nickname.

"So why do you want to leave?" he persisted. Kay sighed and began to explain.

"Queenscove is a major ducal house, a pillar of the realm. It's my duty to help uphold that honor by earning my shield. I want someday to be able to give something back to my country and king and this is the way."

"You could serve by becoming a healer like father," said Neal.

Kay snorted,"Come on Neal, do you really think I could do as good a job as a healer as father is of as you're going to be? My gift is a spark compared to you two. And also Queenscove hasn't yet supplied a knight this generation who hasn't died…" he trailed off and lapsed into silence as they both remembered the deaths of their older brothers, Sareth and Kristof. I owe it to them, Neal don't you see? To them and Queenscove and King Jonathan," he sighed again, "I know if it was you, Neal you'd do the same…"

End Flashback

And he was right thought Neal I will do the same, even if I'm five years too old and even if I love the university. He turned to his father who had walked up to him during his reverie and met another pair of eyes, red and full of tears.

"Father," he said, "I want to become a knight." For Kay he thought.

Thanks for reading my first fic! Now please go and review (you know you want to). Constructive criticism is welcome but no flames please!