She is the Protector of the Small.
I am only Nealan of Queenscove, her former best friend. Sometimes I am jealous of Yuki - the more time Kel spends with her, the less she has left for me. I was young and foolish, falling for one court lady or another: Veralidaine Sarrasri, Lady Ulline, and even Queen Thayet. Some of the ladies were out of the question – Daine already has Numair, and Thayet has the King. But as I said, I was young and foolish. My cousin Domintan of Masbolle or Dom calls me the Meathead. It suits me very well. The Meathead. The worst of fools. Yes, you have guessed it – I am in love with Keladry of Mindlelan. She will never know it, because I have vowed never to tell her. I cannot, on a good conscience, do so. She is with Dom, and I am with Yuki.
"What wrong, Neal?"
I nearly jump out of my chair in surprise. "Kel! You nearly gave me a heart-attack!" I complained.
"Answer the question, Queenscove," she chided.
"So it's Queenscove now, is it?" I ask, feigning offence. What's wrong? Everything. "What gave you the idea that anything was wrong?"
She shrugs. "Well, if you don't want to tell me, it's alright... Want to go to the training yard?"
"Sure. Sword, staff, or dagger?"
She gives me a wicked grin. "Glaive."
