Disclaimer: If I was Tamora Pierce…Bloodhound would be out already.
a/n: Hello fellow Tamora Pierce addicts. This is my first Tamora Pierce fanfic so constructive criticism is always welcome. I probably won't update the next chapter for a month because I will be away but if I get enough reviews I might update tomorrow and the day after.
The fresh white snow crunched loudly underneath a horse's hoof, startling Kel in her morning practice. She finished up the last step in her pattern dance just as a loud pounding noise shook her door frame. Without being told to come in, Nealan of Queenscove strode into the room, oblivious to the glaive in Kel's hand until it touched his throat. "Mithros Kel. That's not a very nice way to welcome a wonderful lad such as me…although I can understand the impulse to attack me for my good looks," drawled Neal.
"What do you want Meathead."
"I'll ignore that jibe at my intelligence but only because it's such a splendid day outside."
"Again. What do you want?"
"Is it so much for a young lad to want to ask his dear best friend to join him in the snowball fight of the century. Either come of free will or be forced to." Kel was unaffected by this threat seeing as she had a glaive leveled at Neal's throat while he looked quite bereft of any weapons. She decided to educate Neal and tell him exactly that.
An annoyingly smug Neal replied," You are mistaken my dear Keladry. I have that bunch of fellows. What are their names? Owen, Esmond, Faleron, Seaver, Merric, Dom, Wolset, the rest of the Third Company, not to mention the Giant Killer himself and various other people."
Kel really didn't care about going out but still, she might as well have some fun with Neal. "Alright. But only if you get Alanna."
Momentarily shocked by this request, Neal gaped open mouthed at Kel. "You couldn't have picked a harder task? That woman is like a bear all day and a mad bear in the morning. But fine. I'll use Raoul as my shield."
"Excuse me for interrupting, but what is this about me being a shield for someone as cowardly as Nealan of Queenscove," said Raoul as he walked into Kel's room through the open door.
"But you don't understand you supreme Giant Killeredness, she wants me to wake up Alanna so that they both can spend a whole morning…in the cold!"
"It's not that hard. All you need to do is duck. Come. See how it's done. You too Kel."
"But sir!" moaned Kel.
"Is that backtalk I hear?" and because Kel was a good knight, she followed Raoul out of the room. But once Neal had lagged out of earshot, Raoul changed his tone and asked her kindly
"What's our strategy?" he asked in a tone worthy of Sarge.
"Sir, it's a snowball fight. Not war."
"That's what you think. Mark my words, snowball fights between knights are rarely just fights."(Yes I know that rhymes. It was an accident)
a/n: I know I know, lot's of dialogue. The next chapter will be much better. I'm bringing in George. It's going to get funny. I promise. After all, it's a bunch of knights (and mages soon) who are used to fighting cruelly having a snowball fight. All you have to do is click that little purple button.