Disclaimer: Not. Mine.
A/N: Sorry about the wait...it's taken forever for me and my beta to get things worked out...I hope you like this chapter, enjoy!


Thanks to my reviewers - Firetop - DropletsOfSalt - Eclipsa - Branden - deathequalsoul - lady knight keladry - neverlife - ACertainJustice - Mystical Moonstar - sochop14 - Lightish Red - Pandora of Ithilien - x17SkmBdrchiczxx - epobbp - Cede - GoonlaLagoon - SongOfSilk - AJ - stagflower13 - Tenshi's-Wings - onyx-jade potter

Flames of Tartarus - Good point, there...I know it doesn't mean Thunder Mountain in Common, but considering that in Japanese, nari means 'sum of money', I don't think that Yamani and Japanese are the same language, since, in Protector of the Small, it states that nari means thunder...although hoshi does translate into star in Japanese...it's just plain confusing, so I picked something that made sense to me...eh...and if you have a suggestion for his name, please, do send it to me, I'd like to see if I can find a name that I like better. ANd thank you for the compliment, I hope that this chapter meets your expectations, and that you will continue to give me some much appreciated creative criticism.

Orohippus - I actually came up with the title before I started the story, but it does have some meaning. Since she was kicked out, Kel's had a harder life than she would have had had that not happened, so basically, her story's been a harsh one, but sometimes something really beautiful will come out of what seems to be a tragedy...so yeah...I think I just confused myself...

LadyoftheRisingSun - In that order: this chapter is set in Corus, at the Palace, I don't know yet, you'll see, and yes. I'm glad you're curious, and I hope you like this chapter. Thanks for reviewing.

youdontwant2no - Kel is twenty-one. This story takes place about ten years after when Page would have started, if this wasn't AU.

Thanks again for reviewing!


CHAPTER ONE: The Palace

Kel glared out the window of the carriage. She was not pleased to be back in Tortall. It just didn't seem right, coming back after all these years. Not after what had happened last time. She most definitely wasn't looking for ward to seeing Lord Wyldon and King Jonathan. King Jonathan had been the one to allow, maybe even force upon her, the probation. And Lord Wyldon…well, he'd never liked her, as far as she knew.

The carriage slowed to a stop in front of the Palace. Stepping out, Kel took the first look at the Palace that she'd had in almost ten years. She smoothed her kimono, made of pale blue silk with a dark blue over robe, and white obi; and took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead.

Inside, as she walked up the staircase she saw a group of knights standing at the top, of to the left. She watched them as she moved closer. Amongst the group were Nealan of Queenscove, Merric of Hollyrose, and others who had been her friends during her single year in Corus. She cast them as passing glance, though she kept herself silent, she didn't want to get back into the relationships if she was going to leave once more after this meeting with King Jonathan.

Neal noticed her as she passed, and caught her gaze, and almost stared at her as she departed from the area. Following his gaze, Merric and the others turned to see where his attention had been caught.

Kel stiffened slightly, trying to keep walking away. She hated doing that, she wanted to talk to them. They had been her only friends when she'd been in Tortall. They'd done so much to make her feel like one of the boys.

If she'd learned but one thing Yamani Islands, it was that walking away was always one of the hardest things to do. It was even more so for her now, with her old friends standing there.


At the welcoming celebration, which was directed toward her, Kel looked around, her eyes attentive on a few small details. Many of her old yearmates, and the pages who had been among those training at the palace, were in attendance, some of them with young wives.

She could see no girls among the pages, squires, or even the knights. It was apparent that no other girl had tried after she'd been rejected, they'd probably all been too scared. One of the knights she'd seen earlier, Neal, in fact, was watching her. From what Kel knew, Neal had married one of her best friends in the Yamani Islands, Yuki.

Yuki had written frequently, at first about Tortall and what Princess Shinkokami had been doing, but eventually the letters had become more sketchy on details such as that, and the main focus had been the love of Yuki's life, Nealan of Queenscove. She was glad that Yuki was happy, but the letters made her miss her old friends even more.

She met his gaze, knowing that he didn't recognize her as Kel; she'd changed alot since she'd left. Somehow, even though they were in the same room, this made her miss him more. She missed the times they'd had together, and the times they might have had. Now, more than ever, she wished that things hadn't been the way there were. But she couldn't change that, no matter how hard she tried.

Maybe one day she'd have the chance to start anew, and not worry about the pain she had to deal with now. Maybe someday, but not today.

Averting her eyes, she looked away from Neal, shaking her head. She wanted those thoughts out then and there. She didn't have time for that; she had to focus on her duty.

Then King Jonathan stood up, making a motion for her to join him, and Queen Thayet on the dais. She did as he wished, her feeling of foreboding growing stronger. When she reached him, she curtsied, not in the Yamani way, but in the Tortallan style, catching him off guard. Very few Yamani ladies, excluding the three who had become permanent residents in his court, used that style.

"Lady Narimou, my wife has reminded me that I usually make a point to take the time to get to know the ambassadors in my court, so that we might work better together as King and ambassador. The meeting will be informal, no titles, or anything. During that, I will just be Jonathan the person, not Jonathan the king. Would you join me and a guest in my study at the eighth bell?" Kel nodded sharply, not trusting herself to say anything. Somehow, the only thought in her mind was that this could only be trouble.


Kel knocked on the door to King Jonathan's study at the appointed time, though she was unsure whether it was a good idea or not. Either way, whatever was going to happen would happen. It was a private, unofficial meeting, no formality or diplomacy. They were so speak as equals, not as ambassador to the King and his Training Master, just as people. "Enter," a voice from inside called. She did as she was told, closing the door behind her.

She walked toward the desk, her breathing was becoming heavy as she neared; she was getting very nervous. "King Jonathan. Lord Wyldon." She nodded to each in turn, her voice holding just the barest hint of ice. Obviously the two men noticed, because King Jonathan frowned, glancing at Lord Wyldon, who was also frowning severely, and watching the king.

"Is there a problem, Lady Narimou?" Jonathan asked, his voice cool, but not icy.

"Yes, Your Majesty. There is. I do not want to be here, but my Emperor sent me anyway. Every second I spent in Tortall is like vinegar in a cut." Kel was becoming increasing angry; her entire body was shaking, and she was fighting to keep a civil tone in her voice. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Jonathan took that opportunity to speak again.

"Is it? Why is that, Lady Narimou?" Kel sighed, trying to let go of the anger that was taking hold. She bit her lip, resisting the urge to yell. That would completely ruin things. "I can see the reasons, milord. Both of them are right in front of me." Kel turned her blazing hazel gaze on King Jonathan and Lord Wyldon, making it apparent the reasons she was pointing out.

Lord Wyldon's frown deepened, he didn't seem to know why she was upset with him, or with the king. Kel watched him, almost not believing what she saw. "You don't remember, do you, Lord Wyldon? You don't remember the girl page who you put on probation, do you? The only girl to try for her knighthood as a distaff knight in near two centuries. Keladry of Mindelan." Kel could see that he remembered that much.

"I am Keladry of Mindelan. I'm the one you dismissed." A silent tear slipped down her cheek, even thinking about it hurt more than she had words to describe it. "I'm the one who you destroyed," she whispered, her eyes now full of tears. Even with ten years of Yamani training, she couldn't keep it in. After a moment, she wiped the streaming tears away; sniffing, she looked up at Jonathan and Wyldon.

"After I was dismissed, I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to be a court lady, and I didn't have a future as a knight, like I had so hoped. So I went back to the Yamani Islands with my parents. When they came back to Tortall, I stayed there, learning how to live in their court again. I married the lord of Narimou when I was eighteen. He died the same day in a bandit attack. I am the sole holder of Narimou, now; and I am the Yamani ambassador to Tortall. All I ever wanted was to be a knight. Now I'm exactly what everyone thought I should be." Kel took another deep breath, even though she was through speaking.

Lord Wyldon was practically staring at her, the shock evident on his face. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again, trying to find his voice. Finally, he did. "My lady, I…" He shook his head, unable to think of what to say "I...I am sorry. I never thought about it from your point of view. I regretted dismissing you, after I'd done it, but I had no idea what I'd done to you until now. I cannot say how wretched I feel for what I did…" Wyldon trailed off, he didn't know what else to say, at that, he didn't know if he could actually say anything more.

King Jonathan watched her thoughtfully, "I, too, regret your dismissal, but more so do I regret ever allowing you to be put on probation. It was an unfair choice for me to make; but I made it all the same. I am sorry for your loss and for your unhappiness, Lady Keladry, but I cannot change what happened."

A smile touched Kel's lips, lingering for a moment. "Thank you, milord, I understand. I apologize for my display today. I am still tired from my journey here, and this is a rather trying experience for me to have returned to Tortall. If you don't mind, I'd like to retire to my quarters." When Jonathan nodded his acknowledgement, she bowed to them, placing her hands on her thighs, and walked as calmly as she could from the study.


A/N: Hey, if you guys get bored while you wait for the next update, check out Finding Freedom by DropletsOfSalt. It's an awesome story, that I've really enjoyed reading. Oh, and before I forget, I want at least 30 reviews before I update next, okay?