"Wh,wh,why me, your highness?" Kel managed, overcoming her initial
hesitation to be involved in such matters,"If I may ask, of course."
"The Ethandrians would not question your motivation to defect, they opened their armies to women long before Tortall, and would fully believe your betrayal of your homeland due to its prejudices."
"Surely your highness, you do not truly feel I would be most like to betray my country?" Kel phrased akwardly, thinking frantically of what she could have done to have earned her King's mistrust.
"My feelings in fact, are in the exact opposite direction. You, Keladry, would serve Tortall to the bitter end and never would I question your loyalty. Were I to send another knight, I would spend my nights worrying of his allegiance, whether he was not in truth, spying for the other side. I have already made such a mistake." Kel raised an eyebrow, staring at him in confusion. "A knight in my service already resides across the border, Sir Orin of Mavren. I appointed him, fulfilling a debt I owed to his father, but the appointment may prove damaging. For weeks, the information he's been feeding us has been incorrect and nearly cost good men their lives. He can no longer be trusted and a new spy must be appointed."
"I will go where you command me, your highness," Kel responded obediently.
"The choice is not mine alone to make. Your are being asked to, in appearances, betray your homeland. You must abandon your family and risk the disgrace that will be brought upon them by your treachery. Those you care for will be filled with revulsion and disgust at your actions." She struggled to accept the consequences soon to fall upon her. "Everyone will hate you, Keladry. Those you loved will seek your death, are your prepared?"
"No one can ever be prepare for that, my Lord. But I took an oath and I will fulfill that oath, I will serve Tortall in every capacity that I am able."
"Noble words Keladry. I know your emotions must be raging beneath that Yamani mask you wear," the King prompted, but Kel knew if she attempted to answer, she would lose what little control she had. "A horse is waiting in the stables, with the provisions you will need. Take nothing else, as no one must suspect your departure. Hurry to the border Keladry, for once you leave this room I can no longer guarantee your safety. Once the door closes behind you, you are a traitor, and Tortall wants you dead."
Nervously she stepped towards the door and placed a quivering hand upon the knob. King Jonathon watched her silently, emotions she couldn't identify painted across her face. Slowly she pulled back the heavy wooden door and walked into the corridor, loneliness plaguing her as she hurried down the empty hall to the awaiting horse.
A scarlet cloak was laid across the horses back and she donned it as she mounted the unfamiliar mare. Riding swiftly from the palace grounds, she passed a group of men returning from the city, and pulled the hood further over her face. Vaguely she heard talk of their latest exploits, and the newest tales they'd passed over the bar. She grimaced at the thought of the things they'd be saying once all Tortall knew of her betrayal. It would only reinforce the conservatives arguments, that women were fit to be knights. All the land would talk of her horrible sin, condemning her when she was merely trying to save them all. Curse the life of a spy.
"The Ethandrians would not question your motivation to defect, they opened their armies to women long before Tortall, and would fully believe your betrayal of your homeland due to its prejudices."
"Surely your highness, you do not truly feel I would be most like to betray my country?" Kel phrased akwardly, thinking frantically of what she could have done to have earned her King's mistrust.
"My feelings in fact, are in the exact opposite direction. You, Keladry, would serve Tortall to the bitter end and never would I question your loyalty. Were I to send another knight, I would spend my nights worrying of his allegiance, whether he was not in truth, spying for the other side. I have already made such a mistake." Kel raised an eyebrow, staring at him in confusion. "A knight in my service already resides across the border, Sir Orin of Mavren. I appointed him, fulfilling a debt I owed to his father, but the appointment may prove damaging. For weeks, the information he's been feeding us has been incorrect and nearly cost good men their lives. He can no longer be trusted and a new spy must be appointed."
"I will go where you command me, your highness," Kel responded obediently.
"The choice is not mine alone to make. Your are being asked to, in appearances, betray your homeland. You must abandon your family and risk the disgrace that will be brought upon them by your treachery. Those you care for will be filled with revulsion and disgust at your actions." She struggled to accept the consequences soon to fall upon her. "Everyone will hate you, Keladry. Those you loved will seek your death, are your prepared?"
"No one can ever be prepare for that, my Lord. But I took an oath and I will fulfill that oath, I will serve Tortall in every capacity that I am able."
"Noble words Keladry. I know your emotions must be raging beneath that Yamani mask you wear," the King prompted, but Kel knew if she attempted to answer, she would lose what little control she had. "A horse is waiting in the stables, with the provisions you will need. Take nothing else, as no one must suspect your departure. Hurry to the border Keladry, for once you leave this room I can no longer guarantee your safety. Once the door closes behind you, you are a traitor, and Tortall wants you dead."
Nervously she stepped towards the door and placed a quivering hand upon the knob. King Jonathon watched her silently, emotions she couldn't identify painted across her face. Slowly she pulled back the heavy wooden door and walked into the corridor, loneliness plaguing her as she hurried down the empty hall to the awaiting horse.
A scarlet cloak was laid across the horses back and she donned it as she mounted the unfamiliar mare. Riding swiftly from the palace grounds, she passed a group of men returning from the city, and pulled the hood further over her face. Vaguely she heard talk of their latest exploits, and the newest tales they'd passed over the bar. She grimaced at the thought of the things they'd be saying once all Tortall knew of her betrayal. It would only reinforce the conservatives arguments, that women were fit to be knights. All the land would talk of her horrible sin, condemning her when she was merely trying to save them all. Curse the life of a spy.
