a/n: This is my first fic so bear with me… Please tell me what you think
Kel the… Yamani Princess???
It had been four years since Kel had been rejected by Lord Wyldon and had returned to the Yamani Islands. She had tried to become a Shang warrior but they said she was to old. Kel, left with no choice, returned to the Islands knowing that she couldn't bear to stay in Tortall after all that had happened. She felt her anger rising at the unfair treatment she had been subject to just because she was a girl. That's all going to change, thought Kel I'll show them that I can be as good a warrior as any man. I will be the greatest warrior of all time. The determined 15 year old set her mouth in a firm line and started practicing with her glaive. She had just finished a complex pattern dance when she heard clapping. She turned to see a tall, golden skinned Yamani in her doorway.
"Hakuin Seastone!" exclaimedKel as she bowed to him in the traditional Yamani way. Hakuin returned her bow.
"I'm surprised you remember me," replied the Shang Horse.
"How could I forget anything from my first and only year of page training?" asked Kel slightly sadly.
"Well Kel, when I came back and learned that you were here I decided to pop in and perhaps train you in some of the ways of knights that I picked up over the years but now that I've seen how fit and willing to fight you are I think I might take you as a student," explained the warrior.
"But I'm too old," protested Kel surprised.
"Anyway I tried to become a Shang warrior before but they said I was too old then," added Kel once again slipping into a sad mood.
"Keladry, it's quite obvious that you are in perfect warrior trim. I don't doubt that you spend at least an hour of your day training. In these past four years I am sure you've learnt much more Yamani style fighting and if you almost beat me then I'm sure as hell that you would be able to beat me now. Kel I saw how determined you were before and I see that you're even more determined now. Let me teach you to become a Shang," said Hakuin.
"You would really teach me?" asked Kel, her face Yamani blank.
"Of course," said the Shang with a smile.
"Then I would be honoured to be your student," said Kel with another bow. The Shang Horse bowed back and said "Now I'll go speak to your parents about this but I expect to see you at the practice courts early tomorrow morning," farewelled the Shang Horse. Kel nodded and watched him go. I'm gonna be a Shang! I'll show Lord Wyldon and everyone else who thought I could never be a warrior, thought Kel fiercely.
"Keladry," called Kel's friend Yuki.
"Yes?" asked Kel.
"Come on, aren't you coming to practice with us?" she demanded.
"Oh right, sorry it's just that the Shang Horse just accepted me as his pupil," said Kel in a daze.
"That's great news but it really is no reason to keep Princess Shinkokami waiting," reprimanded Yuki with a smile as she dragged Kel from her room.
2 years later…
Kel was down at the port among a delegation to meet a group of Tortallan ambassadors carrying information on the engagement of Prince Roald and Princess Shinkokami. She watched as the ship came into view and fidgeted impatiently, she wanted to get away from this as quickly as possible; although she was skilled in the game of politics doesn't mean she enjoyed it. She continued to watch silently as they disembarked from their ship. With a sigh she walked up to tem and started the introductions, her parents had taught her to be the diplomat and so it was inevitable that she got chosen to step into her parents' place every now and then.
"May I also introduce the Lioness?" said the tortallan ambassador. Kel's eyes narrowed at this but other than that she showed no sign of surprise.
"We are honoured to be graced by your presence," said Kel while bowing to her Yamani style. Alanna replied in a distracted manner and stared around them while fidgeting with her necklace. Suddenly her eyes narrowed in alarm and her hand flew to her sword.
"Watch out!" she shouted as she drew her sword. Attackers jumped of the roof of a building and ran towards them. The two delegations were trapped against the pier and the commoners just ran for their lives. They only had a token guard as it would be very bad manners to come with a fully armed escort when meeting an ally. Their only defence was Alanna and, well who really knows?
"Neal!" shouted Alanna over her shoulder.
"I'm here," said Nealan of Queenscove as he stepped up beside her.
"I advise you to let the guards to take care of the situation," said Kel calmly as she joined them.
"And if the guards fail?" asked Alanna grimly.
"Then it's up to us," said Kel coolly.
"Kel?" asked Neal with a surprised look on his face.
"Please Neal, now's not the time for a cosy little reunion," replied Kel.
"Wow, it is you," said Neal.
"Uh, Kel, I think we have a problem," said Alanna. Kel turned her attention back to the fight to see that the guards had been defeated by a stun gas and now there were twice as many attackers.
"Let's see, the odds are ten of them to one of us. Not bad," calculated Kel as she tied a handkerchief around her face and passed one to Alanna and Neal.
"Not bad?" asked Neal incredulously also donning his handkerchief.
"Watch and learn," advised Kel. She took out her many hidden shurikens and started throwing them rapidly. She struck down ten attackers that way.
"Well, I've done my ten now you can kill yours," said Kel.
"Kel!" squawked Neal as he turned to look at her amused face.
"Now's not the time squire," advised Alanna.
"Well that was a cheap trick so I guess I will help you," said Kel with a mock sigh. Neal gave another squawk. She drew a hidden dagger from within her kimino and took a ready stance.
"Alanna -," started Neal nervously.
"I don't suppose you could use your Gift to shut him up?" asked Kel.
"Smart," said Alanna. Purple streams of magic flew from her fingertips and bound all the attackers.
"Hmm, I better knock them out, just in case," Alanna sent another shot of purple magic to each of the assailants.
"Well I just meant for you to use your Gift to actually force Neal to shut up but this works too," said Kel with a shrug.
"Oh no, I did that too," laughed Alanna. They both turned to Neal who had taken off his handkerchief and was now clawing at a band of purple Gift encircling his head and covering his mouth. The two ladies started laughing their heads off as Neal started sending them death glares. Alanna raised her hands to release the spell only to have them pulled down by Kel.
"Can't we leave him like this? Just for a little while, I mean I've never seen Neal so quiet before," pleaded Kel also taking her handkerchief off (a/n: the stun gas disappeared astonishingly quickly).
"You're right and I am kinda enjoying it myself," agreed Alanna. They turned to Neal to see him put on his 'so misunderstood' pose and shook their heads. They started walking over to the Yamani and Tortallan delegations and left Neal standing there with his hand to his forehead as he stared off into space. They escorted the shaky nobles to the escort of carriages that awaited them. Neal suddenly realised that everyone was gone and started running toward their retreating backs. The trio got the nobles settled in the carriages and were forced to wait until the drivers came back (they had fled too).
"Perhaps I should go find the city guard to take care of this mess them as well as the drivers so we can get to the palace and if you would be so kind as to revive our fainted soldiers it would be much appreciated," said Kel politely.
"Yes, I think that would be a good idea," said Alanna turning to look at the guards in question. Kel walked off leaving Neal and Alanna to get to work.
"Come on Squire," said Alanna. Neal followed behind her with his head bowed like a miserable slave. Having contacted the city guard and located the drivers and three horses Kel returned to find Alanna and Neal helping the last person up.
"I thought that we should ride with the guard in case someone attacks again," said Kel.
"Very smart," said Alanna as she mounted up. Neal stayed silent because, well he had no choice.
"When do you think we should let him talk?" asked Kel as they rode to the palace. Neal looked up hopefully.
"When we get to the palace," replied Alanna. Neal's head drooped in disappointment.
After all the formalities were finished with getting the Tortallan nobles settled in Kel took Neal and Alanna to the practice courts (at Alanna's behest of course).
"So Kel, I hear you're training under Hakuin," commented Alanna as they watched the others warriors train.
"Yes, how'd you here about that?" asked Kel.
"I kinda kept tabs on you," replied Alanna sheepishly.
"KEPT TABS??? You virtually stalked her!!!!" shouted Neal, glad to have his voice back.
"Neal stop shouting or I will use my Gift to shut you up. Permanently," warned Alanna. Neal paled and decided to quiet down.
"I've never seen Neal back down so quickly," commented Kel quite impressed.
"I have to use threats but I've seen Duke Baird make him back down by just saying his name," said Alanna with a sigh.
"Impressive, oh well, I can always dream of having that ability," replied Kel.
"Kel, I need to ask, how come you were so, I dunno, different during the battle?" asked Neal.
"Out of habit; Yamanis are expected to always be polite even when they're about to be attacked," replied Kel.
"I say manners be stuffed and just fight," grunted Alanna.
"Yes well the Yamanis are different," said Kel.
"So what do you want to do?" asked Kel.
"What is there to do?" asked Neal.
"Not much besides practice fighting," said Kel with a shrug.
"That's not bad," said Alanna.
"But I guess that I should give you a tour of the palace, tomorrow though, I've forgotten that you guys probably want to freshen up and get some rest after all that travelling. Alanna you look quite pale, I really think you need the rest," said Kel.
"Yeah, the great, magnificent Lioness was seasick the whole trip," laughed Neal.
"I will deal with you later, Squire, but for now let us listen to Keladry and rest up," said Alanna.
The next few days were spent catching up with Neal and training with the Lioness. It seemed all too soon when they had to leave.
"Well, I'll se ya Kel," said Neal sadly.
"Don't worry Neal, I have a feeling that we'll meet again," said Kel mischievously.
"Do you know something I don't?" demanded Neal. Kel sighed.
"Do I have to spell out everything out for you? I am going to become a Shang and once I do I will be free to travel anywhere I want and the first thing I'm going to do is show all those stuck up nobles that girls can fight," explained Kel. Neal stared at her in awe.
"Good for you Kel," said Alanna coming from the ship. "It's about time that someone showed them. I would have but Jonathan banned me from challenging men on personal grounds a long time ago," she continued.
"Goddess bless, Kel," said Alanna.
"See you in a few years," replied Kel.
"Bye Kel," said Neal with a hug.
"See ya Neal," said Kel returning the hug. She waved as they sailed off.
"So my student, are you ready to continue training?" asked Hakuin as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You bet your life on it," replied Kel.
a/n: So finally this stupid default chapter is done!!!! If you liked it so far please please please review and if you didn't please please please review. I'm going away for 5 or six days but if I get enough reviews I will update so please please please review (I know this is getting repetitive but I'm desperate)