A Stranger in Corus
Disclaimer- none of the characters featured in this story are my own, the are the copyright property of Tamora Pierce, with the exception of Leah Salmalín
Chapter One- A Strange ArrivalKeladry of Mindelan sighed, 'why did Cleon have to wander off today of all days' she wondered. Saddling Peachblossom she hoisted herself into the saddle and set off towards the forest.
A pair of twinkling brown eyes watched her go, Nealen of Queenscove stepped away from the window, dropping into his chair he picked up the book on Philosophy Kel had given him for his birthday but he found his mind wandering away from it. It wasn't fair; Cleon had everything he wanted yet he still wanted more, namely Kel. In anger Neal threw the book at the door just in time to clip Prince Roald on the ear as he stepped in.
"Hey watch what your doing Neal, what's wrong?"
"Oh nothing just Cleon and the way he still has Kel at his beck and call, he went into the forest this morning for a 'ride' and he hasn't come back yet."
"Why is that a problem?" asked the Prince looking confused.
"You of all people should know Roald- the Catharki Party arrive today and your father wants all the Knights who are in residence to be in the main courtyard two hours after noon, some kind of parade or something." Neal replied with a note of exasperation in his voice.
"Oops must have slipped my mind, thanks for reminding me, my father would have been furious if I missed that. I don't understand what that has to do with Kel?"
"Kel went out to look for Cleon, if he makes her late... anyway I told Kel there was no point looking for him he'd find his own way back and if he was late he was late so what why should she get herself into trouble for him? But then she got cross and said that I wouldn't know how it felt to worry about someone which is completely untrue, I am permanently worrying about her and Yuki."
"You poor thing" said Roald, sympathetically "still only a week left till your own happy nuptials,"
"How is married life treating you?" asked Neal referring to the Royal Wedding of Roald and Princess Shinkokami that spring.
"Excellently," replied Roald gazing tenderly at the gold band on his finger "Shinko is wonderful, anyway must dash I'd better to ask mother if there's anything special I need to do for this parade see you later Neal"
Neal raised his hand by way of a departing gesture and returned to staring out of the window.
Meanwhile Kel was riding quickly north, along the path she'd seen Cleon take that morning. As she rode she thought about her argument with Neal earlier. It wasn't true, she wasn't dependent on Cleon, she didn't come to his beck and call, she was an independent woman capable of surviving on her own without any male assistance, and anyhow Cleon was married. However as she thought these angry thoughts a nagging voice inside her head told her that Neal was right, she did rely on Cleon, she craved his approval even though they had not been a couple for over two years now. Suddenly out of nowhere a low branch knocked her clean of Peachblossom's back in a neat summersault cutting off her thoughts and her breath, she cursed as she picked herself up, winded. Looking ahead Kel saw the way lined with low branches- it would be pointless to ride if she was going to fall off at every step. Taking up the horse's lead rope she began on foot. She did not see the thin rope half buried in the grass until she had tripped over it, jerking Peachblossom's head as she did so, he snorted furiously.
"Well I'm sorry," Kel said crossly "Finding Cleon is more trouble than it's worth, he's probably back at palace already"
Trudging on thoroughly annoyed now with everyone Kel heard a triumphant shout, before she could move something tall and strong hit her hard in the stomach knocking her to the ground for the third time in less than an hour.
Kel attempted to dislodge whatever it was which had bound her arms tightly and forced her to her feet but the thing was fierce, she caught a glimpse of jet-black hair but it grew long hiding the face.
"Oh no you don't Lady Keladry, your coming with me."
The voice was female with an accent Kel could not place, though there was nothing feminine about her strength. Kel felt herself being propelled by one strong arm as the other led Peachblossom who so far had made no move to help Kel, as he would normally do which worried her.
They reached a small clearing with a cave in it and a stream running through it. Out side the cave, tied to a rock shaped like a needle was Cleon, his horse was tied to a nearby tree.
"Cleon, what are you doing here?" Kel asked astonished
"I could ask you the same" he replied with none of his usual cheekiness
"Lady Keladry came looking for you to make sure you weren't late for the Parade" the female had answered for her, Kel twisted to look at her but a hand snapped her head back. A flash of bright white magic bound Peachblossom's reins to a tree.
"Now lets play a game" Kel could hear the malice in the females voice.
"Sir Cleon choose please- number one, I set her ladyship free unharmed but slit your throat or number two I set you free and slit hers, what do you say?"
Kel felt a trickle of terror slide down her spine this woman talked of murder as though it was a common occupation, Cleon looked terrified, his eyes were wide and his mouth opened and closed like a fish.
"Are you a man or a cod?" asked the woman impatiently "I don't have all day you know"
Kel shut her eyes "he's going to sacrifice himself to save me," she thought her eyes shut tight,
"D...do I have your w...word that if you k...kill one of us the other will go free unharmed?" Cleon said his voice shaking.
"You have my word, I swear on the Goddess" she replied in her curious accent.
"Very well, kill her" he said, Kel's eyes shot open
"WHAT?" she shrieked, she heard a chuckle behind her "nothings funny" said Kel angrily.
"Kel, I'm sorry it's just that it think it would be less controversial if you died."
Kel stared open mouthed at Cleon and then felt a cold steel blade against her throat she couldn't believe it- a knight always saved others not themselves and she thought Cleon was her friend. She waited for the deadly cut but it didn't come instead she felt the blade move to the ropes binding her hands, she was free. Kel spun round and saw the woman doubled up with laughter, she reached out to grab her but came into contact with a hot barrier. When the laughing subsided the woman stood up straight surprising Kel completely, the woman was over six-foot tall, taller than both Kel and Cleon. Long curled black hair with bright silver streaks running through it hung to her elbows and brilliant golden eyes glittered with mirth. She was slim but with wiry muscles which didn't look very strong. The woman was dressed in breeches and a loose shirt; they were dirty and travel worn.
She grinned evilly at them.
"Explain" choked Kel.
"I told you we were going to play a game, I wanted to see what your friend would do, I was never going to slit anyone's throat!" she giggled again.
Cleon looked horrified; Kel turned to glare at him.
"Kel I swear I didn't mean those things" he pleaded
"No? So you just wanted me to die believing them did you?"
"Come on" said the woman "lets go to the palace you have an hour before you have to parade for the Emperor" she made a move to untie Cleon,
"Stop, I think Cleon should stay here." Said Kel, her voice cold
"Kel, no I'll be late and it's going to rain"
"What a shame" she replied sarcastically
The woman laughed again and leapt up on her own horse- a black stallion with a white star on his forehead, she threw a bolt of white fire at Peachblossom releasing him from the tree and galloped off. Kel followed on a sulking Peachblossom wondering at the way the branches parted allowing them easy access through, in the background she could hear Cleon shouting for them to come back. Kel ignored him; she thought back to what he had said is that what he really thought of her?