A/n: The regular stuff…I own none of the characters…Tammy does of course.
(Kel is at Steadfast after killing Blayce)
There was a knock at the door. Kel opened it to reveal Sir Raoul of Goldenlake and Malories Peak.
"Oh, Hello sir," she stood aside to let him into her room.
"Hello, Kel," he said amiably. " I was requested to bring you back to New Hope… Are you up to it?"
Kel nodded and grabbed her packs, then went to the barn to tack up Hoshi. Very soon, the two knights were riding and joking.
Kel stopped. "Giantkiller Road," she said suddenly, gazing at the stretch in front of them.
"Not a very happy place, is it," Raoul observed.
"Hmm."
There was a snap of a twig, and both knights strained to see through the dense trees.
"Not again…" muttered Raoul. Kel beckoned him forward along a small path. He followed hesitantly.
In the trees, the was the faint smell of a bonfire.
"Someone's here," whispered Kel.
With a roar of Victory, a squad of Scanrans was upon them. Most were trying to pull Raoul from his saddle. Kel thought quickly. If they kill him…well the realm needs him more than they need me.
She launched off of Hoshi, slamming into the majority of the attackers.
"No, Kel!" Raoul bellowed. Kel threw herself at the final Scanrans, and slapped Drum's flank with all the force she could muster. The frightened horse bolted, Raoul atop him.
"Kel," he moaned. She was in deep trouble. He heaved on the reins, to no avail. Miserably, he turned in the saddle to look for Kel.
"Submit to my sword," commanded the Scanran captain. "Tell us Tortall's battle plans."
"Never!"
Drum galloped away, and Raoul saw no more.