DISCLAIMER: Don't own it. Don't like it? Don't read it.

By now I'm expecting that all of my original readers and reviewers have abandoned me in disgust, so now I'm extending a greeting to a new wave of readers. I hope you like my stories.

Well Here you have it. The third and final instalment of my Rider Kel trilogy. It's been a long time coming, but I hope you like it. Please review.

Song of the Chapter: Ordinary Day by Great Big Sea (I'm keeping with the Canadian-theme)

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It was finally Midwinter, and the Eighteenth Rider Group, named 'Queen's Hope' was finally riding back to Corus on leave. They had only been out for two months to adjust themselves to life as a group. Their commanding supervisor, a man named Evin Larse had recently left them to rejoin the Seventh Riders, deeming them able to look after themselves.

To someone unfamiliar with the ways of the Queen's Riders, this was an ordinary Rider group: seven young adults riding on ponies all dressed in green and brown tunics, two men and five women.

To someone familiar with the Riders, this was a rather unusual group. There were only seven of them, in contrast to the customary eight Rider members. They were also young, looking barely out of training: the youngest was sixteen, the oldest eighteen. They were also surprisingly quiet, which was unnatural for a homecoming Rider group.

In reality, they were recent trainees, they had been the remains of that year's batch of recruits, a surprisingly small amount. They were placed together in one group because they had shown tremendous teamwork and co-operation.

But what was the strangest of this group of Riders was that contrary to first view, they were not in fact silent, but bubbling with conversation. For what others couldn't realize, was that these five women and two men shared a magical bond, which connected their minds and allowed them to share thought, Gifts and converse silently.

We're going home! Conner's voice rang through their minds. There was a collective groan.

We know that, you haven't quieted about it since we set out from Steadfast. Besides, only you're going home. Colleen snapped My home is far south, and we're going away from Kel's home.

I know, but I can't wait to get to the Palace.

Me neither. Kel agreed. All of my squire friends are going to go through their Ordeal tomorrow. I hope they all make it. I know that they'll all make good knights.

Well they all have my prayers, even though I've never met most of them. Flanna spoke up, making Kel smile.

Well you met Neal when we went to Pirate's Swoop, and then again at Steadfast. You met Merric, and Esmond as well. Brekke met Cleon and Faleron, and Conner got along with Owen well.

Can't imagine why. Brekke said sarcastically. If I hear the word 'jolly' one more time, I might have to stick my dagger-

Please don't finish that sentence. Quinn laughed. Look we're getting close to the Palace. I can see Corus in the distance.

We'd better look like a proper Rider group then. Kel rode to the head of the line, Trysten right behind her. In name, she was the commander, and he was her second, but when they were riding out, they considered each other all equals. Everyone got a say and an opinion, and was heard, but when in a tight situation or battle, it was agreed that Kel would lead them without argument.

Most of the other soldiers, Riders, knights, and men of the King's Own had already returned, if they were being given leave. The Eighteenth Group had to stay behind to scout out a remaining bandit group, which had been effectively dealt with. Unfortunately, the prisoners had been brought back to Corus, and Kel's group was required to attend their hanging. This was to be Kel's first attended execution.

"Ho there! Who be you? What business have you in the city?" A call reached their ears. They had reached Corus' walls. Kel was puzzled for a minute, then realized that they hadn't raised their banner, and with the dirt of the road, it was impossible to tell who they were.

She raised her hand, and lowered it to the side. The group stopped. A flick of her wrist and Flanna raised their red banner, which sported a gold horse with their group number on it.

Even with their connection, they were taught hand signals and used them regularly. They were quick and direct, and when they rode with squads of the King's Own, which they often did, it enabled them to communicate between groups.

"Keladry of Mindelan, sir. Commander of the Queen's Riders, Eighteenth group. We're here on leave."

"Very well. Open the gate!" this call was directed to a man on the ramparts beneath him. Kel sighed and passed through.

They made their way carefully though the streets of Corus. It was Midwinter, so the streets were teeming with men and women of every rank. Most made way for the official looking Riders. As much as it annoyed Kel to have to parade through the city, it was proper for them to do. The king maintained that it increased peasants' confidence when they saw the squads a groups proudly walking through their streets.

Once they reached the palace gates, they were accosted again.

"We're here to pass through to the Riders' barracks." the man on the wall nodded, and the gate was raised. Kel and her group rode through, and entered the world of nobles and politics. Now their every move would be watched.

She heard a number of her fellow Riders sigh in relief as the gate was closed behind them. Colleen let out a peal of laughter as they sped towards the stables.

Kel stabled Peachblossom, who she had been riding, and took care of him. Then she went over to Quinn, who had been leading the ponies in the train, and took off Hoshi and Nightflower's halters, stabling her other mounts next to her strawberry roan.

When they were all finished, the seven of them left the stable yard and started towards the mess hall as the midday bell rang.

"Kel! Kel! Over here!"

"Kel!" she heard a number of voices calling her. Turning, the girl in question saw three women and four men walking towards them.

Kel waved to her friends, who smiled and continued to their rooms, while Kel ran down the hill, shrieking wildly, something very un-Kel-like.

"Mama, Papa, Anders, Inness, Orie, Adie" she paused, "Conal." She hadn't seen any of her family since her page training had begun, eight years previous. Inness and Conal, she hadn't seen since she was eight. Reaching them, she threw herself into her eldest brother's arms, a little awkwardly. Anders still used a walking stick, and was shorter than his little sister.

Kel hugged each of her family members in turn. When she reached Conal she hesitated, but her brother quickly scooped her in his arms and hugged her.

"I'm sorry Adie, I've gone and got dirt on your good dress I should have cleaned up before seeing you."

"Nothing on it, Keladry." Adalia was a cheerful as ever as the family began to make their way to the Palace. "We waited for you all morning. Even Conal and Inness came out to see you." That was met with remark of "Hey", and "I would have come out anyway."

"Well Keladry, you've gone and become a hero right under our nose." Anders said lightly, "When I heard that a certain Keladry was a commander in the Riders, I could hardly believe my ears."

"We're proud of you Kel, you have no idea." Ilane said, squeezing her daughter's hand.

Kel happily made her way to the palace, chatting with her family.

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This is going to be a sort of parallel to Lady Knight, only with Kel as a Rider instead. Don't worry, I will brin back her episode with the Chamber of the Ordeal. The timeline will be off for this story, because Kel's being kicked out will have an impact on further events. For example, there never needed to be a trial for Lalasa's kidnapping, so the King could turn to something else first.

Anyways...

peace

Alanna