Sorry about the spelling. I'm am horrible at it; always have been, always will be.
Disclaimer: I don't own Kel or any of the original character, Tamoria Pierce does, she also owns Tortall and all that.
CHAPTER 1
I can do this. Kel thought to herself. I will do this. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She looked straight ahead at the blue sea that stretched under her. Looking at the front of the boat you could see the first traces of land but she didn't want to think about that. Right now she was content to stare absent minded at the lovely ocean.
"Princess Kel you need to change we'll be docking soon," Lady Haniseia said tugging on her arm. "As you represent their imperial majesties, the first time the Tortallians see you, you simply can't not be in breaches."
"Hani," Kel said signing to herself. "I lived her for a year, remember? They have seen me in breaches."
"I remember," Hani said. "But neither the less you were not here as a princess then, so go and change."
"I'm going." And with that Kel went below deck to change. She preferred breaches to dresses any day, and most the time she avoided kimonos other than royal events but as Hani pointed out she was representing her grandparents.
She slipped into a bright blue kimono and light pink and purple kimono on top and fastened both securely with the obi. Then she went over to her trunk were she had stored her weapons for the weeks long ship ride. Now she pulled them out and started to secure them to her body; she placed two throwing knives in her shoes, strapped 2 long knives to each thigh, a couple daggers here and there, several more knives, a beautiful but deadly fan that she put in her sash along with her lock set and a couple small weapons. By the time she was done she had a total of 16 different weapons on her. She had briefly thought about caring her sword with her as she was a knight/warrior but decided to would draw to much attention. With that she ran a brush through her long brown hair, put on some face paint, though not as much as most women wear and looked at herself in the mirror.
She was beautiful. She knew it. In Yaman she had many men after her, despite being the best warrior on the island, but was not planning on marring. She liked her job and was content. And she was only fifteen, too young to marry just yet.
Kel heard the horn bellow, signaling they were getting ready to dock. Hastily she made her way on to the deck and to the stern of the boat. Princess Shinko was already there as was Yuki and Hani. All three looked beautiful as ever. But to Kel, Shinko looked a little nervous, so she walked up to her and let her hand rest on her shoulder.
Shinko looked up briefly and said, "I'm fine."
"He'll love you," Kel said. "I know he will. He'd be draft not too."
"If anything I should be worrying about you. Not the other way around"
"Oh? And why is that? As I seem to recall you're the one getting married."
"While you are the one that is returning and going to have to face all your former year mates."
"I'll be fine. I became the warrior I always wanted, end of story."
Shinko opened her mouth to reply then closed it. She knew if Kel wanted to talk she would. But despite Kel's instance she was fine Shinko couldn't help but worry about her. This must be so hard on her, Shinko thought. I can't imagine the strength it would take to turn and such an embarrassment. Out of the corner of her eye she looked Kel up and down and realized that Tortall was in for a surprise; the girl who left in shame was coming back a fierce women. All of the sudden Shinko was looking forward to seeing the reaction of the foreign court when they saw what could have been theirs.
Kel was remembering the last time she set foot on Tortallian soil. Lord Wyldon had just told her she could return next year and she had run through the halls screaming I get to stay. I get to stay. She and her friends had stayed up celebrating that night, and when they woke in the morning they were surprised and shocked to learn that a messenger had some in the middle of the night for Kel and she had immediately packed her things and left. She had told no one why she went other then she would not be returning; ever. She left without saying good-bye to her friends. Only Lord Wyldon and King Jonathon knew she left and that morning Lord Wyldon was left the task of telling the pages and squires that Page Keladry had left in the middle of the night due to an emergency and would not be returning.
Kel signed to herself. She was not looking forward to facing her friends again. But it was too late to turn back now.
Lord Raoul of Golden Lake, Knight and Knight Commander of the Kings Own, sat patiently on his horse Drum. He and all of Third Company were waiting to escort the Yaman delegation to Corus. He didn't know what to expect. Jon hadn't told him much other than the basics. Prince Roald's future bride was coming along with 2 lady's-in-waiting, some every important people of the Yaman court were coming too, and represent the Emperor and his wife would be their only granddaughter. Also they would have several warriors with them though he didn't know how many.
He looked up and realized his wait was over; the boat was docking as he thought. Standing in front were 4 of the most beautiful women he had ever seen, the one in front looked like she was in charge and there was something familiar about her but he couldn't place what.
The 4 women walked forward once the boat was docked and with noble some men, several warriors instantly surrounded them, but after the woman in front made a quick order in Yaman, one he didn't understand, they moved so they only partially surrounded the party. They all showed no emotion on their faces, which slightly disturbed him, but he knew that displays of emotion were considered weaknesses.
Dismounting and handing his horse to Laurent, the standard bearer, he stepped forward and bowed in common he said, "Welcome to Tortall, we are most pleased to see you all have arrived in good health and hope you will make Tortall your home."
The women who had ordered the warriors now stepped forward and with a graceful bow said in perfect Tortallian without an hint of an accent, "We are most honored by this gracious welcoming, Lord Raoul of Golden Lake, Knight and Knight Commander of the Kings Own." She bowed to him there, he bowed in return. Raoul was puzzled how she knew who he was on sight. Continuing she said, "If I may introduce to you and your men to our representatives." She listed off the names of the Yaman princess and Nobles who bowed at their name.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all," He replied in Tortallian, puzzled how she spoke it so well. He bowed to them before facing and speaker. "And might I ask who you would be?"
"I would be Princess Keladry noh Hitore, sister to Crown Prince Anintko noh Hitore." She replied with a bow. "Warrior status of Shemakelimis and representing their Imperial Majesties, my grandparents."
"I welcome you and your party," He said with a bow. "I have horses here for you all and a carriage for the Ladies. May I suggest that we head to Corus?"
"You may, Lord Raoul," She said with a bow. And with that she said several things in Yaman and the party moved forward towards the horses and the luggage was loaded up in the cart. He was slightly surprised to see that Princess Keladry mounted a horse instead of getting into the carriage as was expected of a Noble woman. When everyone had mounted and was ready he turned to the Princess and said, "May we proceed?"
"Lead the way," She said with a bow. With that Raoul signaled for Third Company to move out by raising his hand then lowering it. He noticed that the Princess did the same thing. He smiled at this and looked at her closely. He knew he had met her before but couldn't remember when or where. The Princess caught him looking at her and with a snap of her fan opened it and covered her face. This just made him more curious.
"Were did you learn to speak such good Tortallian," He asked.
"After my Father died, my mother remarried a Tortallian who taught me your speech and ways," She replied. This intrigued Raoul all the more.
"If I may be so bold as to ask who this Tortallian would be," he asked curiously.
"You may ask but I would rather not say."
Raoul was about to reply when he was interrupt from replying when Sergeant Domitian of Masbolle road up.
Dom was thoroughly enjoying the ride to Corus. He was content to just stare at the beautiful Princess. She was the most gorgeous thing on two feet he had ever seen and that included Queen Thayet the Pearless. She had long brown hair, hazel eyes, ivory skin, perfect body, and she moved with such grace he had never seen before. The way she had stood when he first saw her was that of a lady and an experienced warrior. Though she kept her face blank he could sense that she wasn't as confident as she seemed. He couldn't tell you how he knew this, he just did.
Deciding that he wanted to be introduced to the lovely Princess he quickly came up with an excuse to talk to Raoul and moved his horse forward to talk with him, in between him and the Princess.
Raoul saw him and introduced him to her as was polite, "Imperial Princess Keladry may I present to you Sergeant Domitian of Masbolle."
Dom bowed to the Princess from his saddle and said, "It is a pleasure to meet such a beautiful woman, Princess Keladry."
She returned the bow and said, "Please just Kel, Warrior Kel or Princess Kel if insist on being formal, but I really don't like Keladry."
"Oh? Why is that?"
"Keladry reminds me of a time I'd rather not remember," She said somewhat reluctantly.
"Then I shall call you Kel, My Lady."
"Thank you, Sergeant Domitian," She replied with a bow.
"Then I insist you call my Dom."
At this she simply raised one eyebrow in question. Which made him laugh and say, "My cousin does that exact same thing with his eyebrow."
"Who's your cousin, if I may ask?" She sounded curious.
"Nealen of Queens Cove. Or Meathead as I like to call him," I laughed at my own joke. But stopped at what she said next.
"You're related to Neal?" At this Both Raoul and Dom looked at her curiously.
"And may I ask how you know Neal?" Dom asked carefully.
Though her face still showed no emotion both men got feeling this was something she had not been planning on telling.
"Neal and I were friends during the year I trained at the palace," Though Dom wasn't sure he could have sworn she was struggling for control. Both men simply stared at her. They couldn't believe what she had just said.
Dom was thinking that this was his favorite cousin's best friend, he knew so much about her just from Meatheads letters. He was thinking that he finely got to meet Keladry of Mindelan. The Keladry. He was shocked that after all these years she was returning; his cousin would be so happy.
Raoul thinking was along the same lines. This beautiful woman was the Girl. She had made a huge impact on Tortall and he couldn't believe she was back. Then he did a quick calculation in his head and realized this woman was in fact just a girl. Was couldn't be older than fifteen, yet she seemed so much older.
Both men were staring at her and not paying much attention to were there horses where going. Thus Lord Raoul didn't realize that his horse had walked very close to a tree. He was surprised when he felt something smack him in the chest then the next thing he knew he was on the ground with the wind knocked out of him.
