(A/N:uhm well i re-did this chapter because \i noticed people didn't continue reading after the first. My sister said that if i double spaced this one more of you guys would read the next three so i hope this'll be a fruitful experiment...)
Disclaimer :I own nothing but tights a leotard, pointe shoes, ballet flats and five pesos.(which by the way isn't much here)
Kel was just lying on her bed sobbing into her pillow. The air smelled of rain and wet something that Kel could not distinguish due to her stuffy nose. She heard horses stomp with fear as a boom of thunder sounded. It just made Kel sadder; it reminded her of that dreaded evening. News had gotten to her two days ago.
She could remember that day so clearly.
Flash Back
She was in the stables with Neal, the Lioness had given him a day off because they had just gotten back from Pirates Swoop, Raoul also allowed Kel to go out with her friend. They had decided to head in after visiting the 'Dove.
As she was unsaddling Hoshi (Neal insisted that Kel ride Hoshi instead of Peach blossom as he did not want to go meet the Lioness for a few rounds of fencing with a horse bite on his hand) a runner came in.
"Th' Baron, and Sir Iness wish to see you at Sir Iness's rooms Lady Keladry." He said panting.
"Neal-" Kel started.
"Oh you are Nealan of Queens Cove? The Lioness asked you to pack for exactly two days. No more, no less. No healing 'til you get t' th' City. She says you'll be healing people 'round Corus." The runner said.
"Alright then I'll see you in two days." Neal said running toward his room.
"What's your name?" Kel asked as she finished putting away her saddle, no one replied the runner must have taken off while she took off Hoshi's saddle.
When Kel got to her brother's chambers she was greeted by frowns of two men none of which was her father's. Kel wanted to worry but she simply slipped on her Yamani face.
"Hello Iness. Hello Anders, the runner didn't tell me you would be here, where's father?" when no answer came Kel started to worry but her face still didn't show it.
"The runner said the Baron where's the Baron?" Kel said loudly but she did not shout it.
"Kel, Mindelan it-it was burned by r-raiders. Father, mother and Conal died. The answer to your question -where is the Baron –well… you're looking at him." Anders said sadly.
"Kel, you have to make a political marriage. You'll have to stop training and go to the Convent." Iness continued cautiously.
"Kel?" Anders said worriedly. He reached out to hold Kel's shoulder but she ceased his hand.
"I-I need to be alone for a while, I-I'll be in my room."
END OF FLASHBACK
Maybe I should just do it, for Mindelan and father and mother and our people and Conal. She thought to herself. No! I'll finish my training I've worked so hard, just two years to my Ordeal, people won't mind me going to the Convent to be a lady after being a knight.
Suddenly she heard rapid knocks on her door.
"Kel, I'm back! I'm hungry so come out already!" Neal yelled still knocking rapidly.
No reply came and Neal started to panic. "Kel! Kel! Are you alright? Open up!"
"I'm uh…sick." She replied.
"Then let me in! I'm a healer."
Damn, wrong lie. You'll never win now. Kel thought to herself.
Reluctantly Kel stood up and opened the door feeling light headed.
"Kel." Neal sighed with relief.
Suddenly Kel collapsed forward. There he lay under Kel he fought a slight blush. He got up and stiffly carried her into her room.
Kel felt a cool hand on her forehead and sat up abruptly. Only to accidentally brush her lips on Neal's. Neal just looked at her worriedly, reluctant to the slight kiss they shared as Kel fought a battle to put on her Yamani face. She won just barely.
"Have you eaten at all?" Neal asked.
Kel just shook her head.
"When was the last time you ate?"
"Two days ago." Kel replied as if it didn't matter.
"YOU must be dense or-or insane? OR BOTH! Why didn't you eat?" Neal exclaimed overly dramatic- in Kel's opinion.
The scene reminded her of the first time Neal brought her to his father for a healing.
Kel bit her lip and turned her back toward him. Neal put a hand on her shoulder,
"You know that you can tell me anything, right?"
Kel just sighed.
"You could just tell me, or I could shove a potion down your throat? Or here's an idea how's about I go down to your brothers' rooms and sit down with some cider and have a talk-"
"NO!" Kel croaked.
"Then tell me."
Kel took a shaky breath and somewhat calmly said: "M-Mindelan was set on fire by raiders two days ago, Father and mother died so did Conal we have nothing left."
"Oh Kel-" he trie to console her by wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"That's only part of it I have t-to get m-married and leave training for the Convent. It's my –duty." She said shakily breaking down in to sobs after.
Neal enveloped her in a big hug and she fought tears. He leant his best friend his shoulder to lean and cry on. This was something he thought he'd never have to do.
All the tears she held back from the beatings she took from Jorren and his cronies, and when Lalasa and Jump were kidnapped or when Wyldon insulted her made her climb trees and all the other difficulties in her life came.
"I'll go get some food. I'll be right back. We can eat here."
Neal instead of going to the mess hall, rushed toward his father's office. A few squires were looking at him as if he was some sort of deranged dancing bear. He didn't notice their stares he just kept on walking.
NEAL'S P.O.V.
"Father?" I called.
"What is it son? Have you finally given up this knighthood folly?" he replied flatly.
"NO! It's Kel."
"What in Mithros' name did she get herself into again? I just healed her injuries from jousting with Raoul a few days ago. I swear she becomes more and more like Alanna each day-"
"Father, it's not that. Mindelan burned Piers, Ilane and Conal of Mindelan died and many of the villagers also passed."
"May they rest in peace."
"That's not the half of it. Although it is sad that we've lost very good people, Kel has to get married for Mindelan. That means no-"
"Knighthood" he finished for me.
"Don't tell me you're here for what I think you're here for." He warned.
Taking a chance, I just let the words flow out of my mouth.
"If it's proposing to Kel is what you have in mind. I believe that I am." I said in my most scholarly voice.
"Do you love her?" he asked.
Both men's eyes met, Neal's bright emeralds and Baird's tired, and pale greens.
"That's the whole point of doing this. She doesn't know it but I do love her."
"Well then, I believe Baron Anders and Sir Iness will be meeting with me. And that, congratulations are in order. Goodbye Neal."
"Goodbye Father." Duke Baird brought out a letter he sealed 6 years ago.
Flash back:
Duke Baird of Queens Cove, chief of the realm's healers, was a tall, weary-looking man. A dark gray over-robe protected the black velvet tunic and hose he wore in mourning for the two sons he had lost. His eyes were a darker green than Neal's set deep under straight brows. There was a red tint to his brown hair that was absent in his son's, but they had the same nose and the same direct gaze.
While Neal paced, Baird rested big hands on Kel's shoulders, easing her stiffness and taking the edge off of her pain, as he did an assessment of her injuries.
At last he let go of her and rubbed his hands."I am impressed, young lady," he told her with a wry smile.
"You have been royally pounded."
Kel smiled at him."You should see the other fellows."
"There!" cried Neal, holding up his hands. "You see what I have to deal with!"
"You may have noticed my son has an endless capacity for drama," Baird told Kel.
She couldn't help it: she grinned, and winced as her split lip opened.
"Ah," said the healer duke, "we can't have this." He touched an icy finger to Kel's lip.
The hurt vanished. Next he touched the cuts in her eyebrows and on her hands; they went cold, then painless. The swellings on her knuckles shrank. Scraped places scabbed, as if Duke Baird had put three days' worth of healing into her.
"So much for chivalrous ideals, eh?" Neal demanded. "Three pages in their third year of training jump a first-year – a first-season page-"
"I started it," Kel informed her friend.
"Tell me another," he snapped.
"I did, on my honor." Kel looked at Neal's father. "I think Lord Wyldon just wanted my nose seen to, your grace. Not the rest."
"Since he sent you without written instructions, I may exercise my judgment," Baird told her. "I will indeed see to your nose. You've also pulled muscles inn your left side – I can mend that and reduce the swelling around your eye. It will not do if you were to miss training because you could not see. I can also ease that headache."
"What possessed you?" demanded Neal. He seemed as vexed with this matter-of-fact discussion as by Kel's story. Baird listened to him and Kel as their conversation flew back and forth.
"I didn't like the shape of Jorren's nose," Kel said with a sigh.
Neal stared at her, eyes bulging. Finally he said, "If you meant to impress the Stump, you wasted your time. Don't you realize that he'll never let you stay?"
Kel looked down."He could change his mind," she insisted. "You always think the worst of him."
"I what?" Neal began to produce a series of outraged noises that included squawks and whistling inhaled breaths. He sounded he had when he was a young child having a tantrum, not like a fifteen-year-old who'd been raised at court and at the university.
"If you cannot be quiet while I work," his father told him patiently, "go into the waiting room."
Neal marched out. A moment later, they hear him arguing with himself.
Duke Baird closed the examining room door and placed his hands on either side of Keladry's head. "This may sting a bit," he warned. He finished Kel's healings, making polite small talk.
When at last Baird opened the door to his waiting room, Neal stood in the middle of it, hands on hips. "I've decided," he announced"She's insane. The entire palace is insane."
His father lifted reddish brown eyebrows, amused."Does this mean that you have come to your senses and will return to the university?" he asked mildly.
Neal choked, glared at his father, and stalked out of the room.
"I didn't think so," Baird remarked softly. "Keladry I would like to say I hope we only meet socially in the future. Somehow, I don't think that will be the case."
Kel grinned at him."You're probably right, your grace."
"Don't mind my boy. He gets…overenthusiastic, but he has a good heart."
"I know that," Kel reassured the duke, and yawned.
"To bed," the healer ordered. "You need the sleep."
Kel bowed, covering another yawn. Duke Baird watched her run off down the hall after Neal, thinking that the he hadn't seen such spirit in a page since the Lioness.
End of flash back
Duke Baird walked happily as he reminisced his first encounter with the infamous Keladry. He shook his head. Numair owes me 5 silvers. Numair has to have more faith in my son.
With that all said and done I left before he changed his mind. I was very relieved that Kel could continue her training. But what if they say no? I thought to myself.
Silently I made my way to the mess. I avoided every one.
Why didn't Raoul talk to her? Where were Merric, Seaver, Owen, Roald and Shinko and Yuki? Hell, even Wyldon could've done some thing. But they didn't. I guess I'll talk with them tomorrow.
I took two trays and went in line. I waited patiently as the servers piled food onto the trays. I asked for an extra serving of vegetables. I couldn't risk angering Kel now.(A/N:couldn't resist the vegetable pun hehe) After getting food for the two of us, I walked toward Kel's rooms.
The pages were staring at me but didn't care. I didn't notice the guys calling after me.
"Neal!" they all yelled.
"Nealan of Queens Cove, I command you to come here!" Roald called jokingly but forcefully.
"I guess Lady Alanna must be rubbing off on him…" Owen said.
"He just ignored a direct order, a royal command!" Merric said shocked.
"Let's follow him." Seaver suggested.
Baron Anders' Chambers
"Baron, Duke Baird is here to speak with you." said a page.
"Of course let him in please."
Duke Baird stepped in to Anders' Sitting room.
"Hello, Duke Baird."
"Hello Baron Anders. Hello Sir Iness. I am very sorry for your losses, may Piers, Ilane Conal of Mindelan rest in peace." He said sadly.
"We are coping with the losses and thank you for your concern is that all?" asked Iness.
"No, not really. I have good news."
"What is that your Grace?" asked Anders.
"I have heard that Squire Keladry of Mindelan will be discontinuing her training, is that true?"
"Yes it is." Anders replied, keeping his curiosity to himself.
"That is such a shame; she is a very skilled fighter. That is why I'd like to make an offer, my son Nealan and squire Keladry."
"We'd have to ask Kel herself first-" Anders replied but was cut off by Iness.
"You know pages your grace, always in trouble for all we know; they could have been enemies back then."
"I assure you that hey are the complete opposite of what you think. You don't know your sister very well do you?"
The brothers shook their heads sheepishly.
Duke Baird handed them a letter that looked to be about 4 to 6 years old addressed to Kel. "Well, I must be going now, Iness, Anders, I bid you good night." Duke Baird nodded.
"Good night your Grace." the pair said in unison.
Out side the Lady Squire's room
"Neal? Shouldn't you be at the mess?" Raoul said grinning, inwardly he was thinking, Buri owes me 7 coppers.
Neal was silent, for the first time in his life. Neal was speechless-again a first- he simply pointed to Raoul's slinnged arm.
"Weren't on such good terms with a certain lady squire?" he said when he recovered.
"Well yes. Kel wasn't ummmmmmmmm in the mood for a talk she felt more like decapitating anyone within a 3 foot radius. So, why are you back, Alanna said she'd only come back for the Ordeal."
"Well you see, she came to terms with King Jonathan. Laid down their arms so to speak."
"You mean Jon laid down his arms."
"True."
"Well at least she's back."
"If you'll excuse milord, I have a lady squire to cheer up." Neal's said motioning his head toward Kel's door.
"Oh, I have to speak to your father about this cast so I'll be at the infirmary if you two need me." Raoul said winking like a mad man.
"Alright. We'll be here having dinner."Neal waited until Raoul was out of sight but Raoul wasn't going to let this oportunity pass him by. So when Neal had gone in side he went into his room to "over hear" their "conversation".
"Kel?" Kel once laying motionlessly on her bed was now holding her beautiful and deadly shukusen to Neal's throat.
"Kel, it's me."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"Here." Neal said passing Kel a tray of food.
"I'll make us some tea." A few moments later Kel appeared with a tray with a tea pot, two tea cups, sugar and milk, and to Neal's great surprise multiple cakes, cookies, and sweets.
"I never knew that you had so many treats stashed here in your room."
"Well, I have to admit that i was surprised you never smelt them..."
"You made these?"
"What do you think I do when Lord Raoul gives me so much time off because King Jonathan keeps on punishing him?"
"I never knew you could cook or make lovely sweet treats."
"Mama taught me along with Yuki and Shinko, she always said that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, that is how she found love in Papa."
They both chuckled.The two jumped at loud knock on her door.
"Kel? Are you in there? Ke-el?"
"Anders." Kel hissed under her breath.
Kel slipped on her mask. "Yes Anders? What do you want?" her voice was dangerously emotionless.
"I need to speak with you in private."
"Anything you want to say to me, you can say in front of my friend."
"I think I'll go check up on Raoul..."
"No."Kel objected blankly but forcefully
"We have an offer..."
"Impossible."
"Well, do you know a Nealan of Queens Cove?" Anders asked handing her an old letter. Kel checked it in the light of the candle.
"Neal," Kel warned.
"Yes?" he asked innocently.
At this point Anders left the room.
"Is this your doing?"
"What's that letter?"
"Don't change the subject."
"Well the letter is part of the topic."
"It's old."
"I can see that" he said. "What does it say?" Neal continued.
"I guess a… betrothal agreement, wait look at the date…"
Out side Kel's door:
What a betrothal agrrement? Merric asked his companions whose ears were plastered solidly on the door.
Hush Merric. Roald commanded.
"Wait don't you want to come into my rooms? the door is much thinner there." Raoul invited.
"Alright." they all replied and entred his chambers.
Kel's room:
"This was when we met…"
"You remember?" Kel smiled.
"There we go a smile." Neal beamed. "The curiosity must be killing you." Neal teased.
"Curiosity killed the cat."
"As Aly always says, satisfaction brought it back."
With that Kel opened it, read through it and re-read it- twice before she handed it over to Neal. Her eyes opened wide and hands shaking.
Raoul's room:
Merric:We mustn't tell them we know.
Roald:They have to tell us at their own time
You know who:A conpiracy, how JOLLY!
Who wants to bet 10 silvers that I'll be the first told? Raoul asked.
The group then proceeded to debate who would be the first to be told of the news.
A/N:well what do you think?