Time:  There is no specific time on this, but I just read Lady Knight, so it's after that book, but aside from that it could be any time. 

Disclaimer:  I do not own Kel or any other things that were created by Tamora Pierce.  Maybe if I'm really lucky someday I'll be able to create characters that good, but for now, I can't even come close.  All original characters belong to me though!

Kel reached the market as the sun began it's decent from the sky.  It painted all the buildings in a reddish orange color.  If she was lucky the weapons smith would still be open.  Several of the shops were packing up their goods and closing the shutters.  Behind them the cities jail loomed in the shadows.  It's dark presence seemed oppressive.  Of course, the residents deserved they're sentences.  Kel shook her head, even in poverty, why they turned to crime was beyond her. 

            Just as she passed the jail's entrance the shutters on the weapons smith's shop banged closed.  Kel knocked on the side, but there was no response.  She used a word learned from the palace stable master.  A few heads turned, but they moved on at the sight of the knife in her belt.  She didn't plan on using it, but its presence stopped most pickpockets on its own.

            A commotion outside the jail drew her attention.  Two men in a guards' uniforms threw someone through the gate.  The figure lay where it fell until one of them kicked it.  When it staggered to its feet Kel could see it was a young man.  Dirty dark hair covered his face.  He brushed it back and leaned against the wall.  Kel wondered briefly what he had done to deserve his punishment, but pushed it from her mind.  It would be dark soon and she had to get back to the palace. 

            Jump glanced up at her from where he was lounging on her bed when she banged the door closed behind her. 

            "It was a pointless trip.  I already know that, there's no need for you to laugh at me too.  I'm going to go back tomorrow.  Maybe he'll be open this time.  I need to get the binding on my knife fixed before this winter.  No, you can't go along.  You upset the shopkeepers."  Jump whined and Kel smiled, rubbing his head.  "It's alright, I'll bring you something special for supper." 

            She pulled on her nightclothes and climbed into bed. Her last thought before she fell asleep was to wonder if the prisoner had a home to go to tonight.  Jump settled in beside her disturbing the sparrows who were sleeping there as well. 

            The next morning she headed for the weapon smith's shop as soon as she could.  There was no way she was going to miss him two days in a row.  It didn't take her long to reach the market.  The first thing she saw was not the smith, but the prisoner.  A group of black robed men surrounded him.  Apparently he hadn't had anywhere to go last night, again Kel felt sorry for him.  It was becoming very cold here at night.  One of the men slammed him against the stonewall.  The prisoner just hung limp in the big man's grasp. 

            This, whatever it was, wasn't legal.  Kel strode over and pulled the man away.  The prisoner crumpled to the dirt.  She glared at the man who stood above her.

            "Clear out of here."

            "And why should we, girly?" They leered at her.

            Kel kept her face Yarmiari straight and answered, "Because as a Knight of the Crown it is my duty to protect the citizens of this city.  You are harming one.  If you do not leave, I will make you leave."  Her voice was cold; one of the things she hated most was when bullies took it upon themselves to hurt those who were helpless. 

            The man shifted nervously, "But he's a thief."

            "I saw him leave the prison, he served his sentence.  Maybe you need a similar experience." 

            He glared at her, "Maybe later, you will want to take those words back, missy."  He spun on his heal and quickly disappeared with his friends it the growing crowd of shoppers. 

            Kel turned to the thief.  He was smaller than she had thought.   He barely reached her shoulder when she pulled him up.  She shook him gently to try and wake him, but he didn't move.  Finally she sighed and picked him up putting him over her shoulder.  Luckily he was very light as well, maybe too light.  Hopefully Neal could do something for him.  The sooner he woke up the better.  Something about those men bothered her.  She wanted to know who they were and what they wanted here as soon as possible. 

You'll have to tell me what you think of this idea.  This is really just a preview.  I'll get the plot going as soon as I get more written, but I just wanted to see if this is interesting or belongs with the many other fanfics I have produced that will never be seen because they have no value to anyone else.  I hope you like it!  (If not, at least I'm enjoying this.)