Note: Before we begin the story I want to take care of the age issue. When Kel killed Joren she was fifteen and Henrik was sixteen. They were married when she was twenty-one and he was twenty-two. In order to cut back on confusion if I go back or forward in time I'll state their ages. Also when I'm going back in time it is in relation to when the letter was received by Kel's mother.

Disclaimer: I'm not Tamora Pierce. I'm not Tamora Pierce. I'm not Tamora Pierce. I'm not Tamora Pierce. I'm not Tamora Pierce. I'm not Tamora Pierce…Since we all know how much I hate disclaimers, this will be the only one I write during the whole story and it applies for the whole thing.

"Your Majesty!" Ilane exclaimed as she burst into his chambers, "I just received a letter from Kel. She has evidence. The time has come."

Ilane handed the letter over to the Emperor as she bowed in the proper fashion. He took it skimming through the pages until he came to the end and the chosen phrase. I can't wait for your next visit. I have great news for you that is not proper to write about in a letter. Tears silently slid down the Emperor's cheeks. Kel had finally found the proof necessary to declare war on Tusaine and revenge what they had done to his nephew, Jenrish. He let his thoughts go back to before Jenrish had been kidnapped. He had always been a violent boy, but his violence would have been dealt with and possibly even used for the good of the country if he had not been taken from their hands. It had hurt his sister so much when Jenrish had been taken that she became a ghost. Her husband was soon killed in a fight and it was after that terrible event that her health plummeted so much that she became dreadfully sick and died. He was left with her other son Henrik to raise as his own. They shared many similar interests and when he expressed his wishes to become a knight he granted them.

Four Years Earlier… (Kel is 17. Henrik is 18)

Kel let out a sound of frustration and banged her head on the table.

"What's wrong Kel?" Henrik asked with concern.

"Michael wasn't able to make it into the school. He's the fifth person we've tried to get into there. I don't care what anyone says, but I have to get in there. It's the only way that we are going to find out anything. Now all I need is an excuse to leave the palace for a while."

"Are you sure there isn't any other way?"

"There isn't any other possible way. It would be so much easier if we knew whether or not they have found out about your brother's death. If they didn't then we could just send you in and get the information a lot quicker, but of course we can't even figure that out so I'll have to waste a lot of time earning everyone's trust and learning the system."

"Well if that's the case then you can say you're going to go on a pilgrimage and no one will question it."

"Good idea. I leave within the week."

Later that week…

"Do you have to leave?" Neal questioned.

"Yes, Neal," replied Kel.

"Are you sure there isn't any other way to figure out what this vision is?"

"Neal. As I told you before, it's Yamani custom when you have a dream like I did to go on a pilgrimage and figure out the meaning."

"But you're Tortallan. You were born here and…" he was cut of by the stern look she gave him.

"Yes, but I'm also Yamani. I did become a Yamani knight after all. Tortall made it quite clear that they didn't want me."

"I thought you got over that."

"I did Neal, but it still doesn't change the fact."

"You better get going my love," Henrik said as he led Sakuyo out of the stables. They had decided that it would better if Kel showed up with a smaller horse, rather than a warhorse. Thus Peachblossom would remain in Daine's care while Kel was away. Daine was the only one who could control the large and very temperamental horse besides Kel. Kel swung here leg up and over Sakuyo's back.

"Promise me you'll be back for my ordeal," Neal pleaded.

"That's over a year and a half away, Neal. I'm sure I'll be back in time for it," she said with a laugh.

"Sure. Last time you left it was several years before I saw you again," he sarcastically replied, which only brought more laughter from Kel as she sent Sakuyo into a gallop.

"I promise I'll return as soon as I can Neal," she called out, before disappearing through the gates.

"Come on Neal," Henrik said leading the worried man back into the palace, "Alanna's going to be mad if you're not ready to leave by lunch.

"I've been ready since I was up, she's the slow one. But don't tell her I ever said that."

"I won't Neal. I won't."

As soon as Kel was out of sight of Corus she changed her direction from south to east and towards Tusaine. She soon came to a selected grove of trees where she had hidden her assassin tools. She changed into a black shirt and breeches. She wore light boots that had places in which she could hide knives and they had sharp pieces of metal on them that could be used to cut rope. The metal had been disguised to look like it was an ordinary part of the boot so no one would know its purpose. She removed the saddlebags, saddle, and bridle from Sakuyo and replaced them with ones that were all black. Lastly she tucked a letter into her shirt. It was a letter of invitation for The Star to join the Tusaine assassins and become a teacher at their school. After making sure to hide her knight gear where Henrik would find it and double-checking for the letter, she spurred Sakuyo into a gallop and headed towards Tusaine.

Note: Not much of a chapter, but it will get better. I promise. The faster you review the faster that the next chapter is completed and the sooner I update. So, review!!