Kel started packing as soon as Neal left her room
Hey! This is chapter 2(obviously…)! Please tell me if you think Lalasa should be in it, I'm not sure yet! Thanks!
Kel started packing as soon as Neal left her room. What to do with Peachblossom? She wondered. There was no way she could afford him. After contemplating, she decided to go with her original plan and ask Daine to take him. That would be a good home.
She turned, startled, when she saw Stefan Groomsman standing in the doorway. She almost breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him. She was expecting Joren and his cronies any time now.
"Kel, Kel! Thank you so much! I don't know what would have happened to him if you didn't own him!" Stefan was practically bouncing with excitement. Kel would have smiled if she didn't feel so sad. He rushed into her room, and almost threw the papers he held in his hand at her. She scanned them, and felt a big grin break out on her face. It said 'Paid in Full' and was made out to Keladry of Mindelan. There was red wax and everything. There were other papers to pay for food and lodging, for the next 5 years, wherever that may be. She had never seen anything more official looking.
"He's purchased? But how? I didn't! This must be a mistake." She added the last part quickly, hoping he didn't notice and try to fix it.
"No! He's bought, in your name! I can't tell you who it was, though. They threatened me if I did…"
"That's alright. I know who it was." Kel's mask was back, firmly in place. It not, she would start bawling with happiness. Life without the big, ill tempered horse she had come to love would have been terrible. It had to be her unknown benefactor, right? Who else? Stefan left, and Kel felt herself fall back into her original stupor. Grief.
She decided to clear her head, and walked outside into the cool night air. She still had to figure out how to tell the sparrows. Her friends. Her parents. Kel sighed. She loved looking up at the stars. She tripped over a mound of fur, lying in the dirt. She rolled and slapped the ground, as she was taught. She picked it up, and saw the ugliest dog she could have imagined. After looking around and seeing no one looking for it, she picked the poor pup up and carried him to Daine. On the way, she wondered how to tell her what had happened. At least she could do a bit more good before leaving.
Kel knocked on the door, and leaned in when it opened. Daine saw the dog right away, and started examining it. Kel poured out the story of how she came to meet him, starting with the news. Daine went to hug Kel, and told her what she had learned of the mutt.
"He says his name is Jump, and he needs some healing, and something for worms. Oh, he's just a pup. You should take him, after I give him some medicine," She told her friend, handing him back. Kel nodded reluctantly, and started to walk back to her room, when Daine called out. "Kel! I really am sorry. I know you would have done great things as a knight, and I know you're going to do great things anyway. Don't stop trying for your shield. Lord Fish face is old, I'm sure he'll retire soon. When he does, try again for your shield. I know you can do it. And I've never seen a noble kinder than animals, other than a few. You're something special, remember that." Kel tried to say something as beautiful and kind back, but knew she didn't have it in her. Instead she settled with an answer more to her abilities.
"Lord Fish face?" She couldn't help but smile.
"Yes. I don't normally show so much disrespect, but in this case he deserves it," Daine answered, laughing. Numair joined her at the door and asked her what was going on. Daine told him the news Kel couldn't bear to repeat again, and he looked as her in sympathy. Kel's anger blazed, but she kept it well hidden. She didn't need his, or anyone's, sympathy. Instead she nodded and, holding her new companion close, walking slowly back to her room. Opening the door, she saw a nasty surprise.