A/N: Forgive me, it's another short chapter, but I need to think this all through a bit more. Wouldn't want to make it too easy for Kel, now would I? Also, as a warning for this chapter and possibly future ones, I think this is a bit OOC. Sorry!

-Wildmage of Emelan


Kel's jaw dropped, her Yamani mask shattered by the news.

"WHAT?! How is that possible? Vanget's the one holding the border together! He has companies of soldiers and mages to protect him! And why would Master Numair contact us? I barely have seventy men to guard New Hope, how could I help? Lord Raoul or Lord Wyldon could do much better..." She knew that, for once in her life, she was babbling, but she couldn't stop.

"Anyway, how many people are attacking them?"

"Um..."

"HOW MANY?!"

"About... five hundred."

"FIVE HUNDRED! WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?! I HAVE SEVENTY TRAINED SOLDIERS WITH ME, THERE ARE HUNDREDS AT NORTHWATCH, THEY'RE BETTER EQUIPPED THAN ME!"

"Except they don't have a commander."

Kel breathed deeply, squashing her panic and shoving it away into a small corner of her mind.

"Agh, sorry Neal. Just caught me by surprise."

It was then that she looked up and realized that everyone who had been within earshot of her little rant was staring at her in fear and horror. Woops, need to be more quiet, she thought.

"Alright, I have an idea. Get everyone to meet at the flagpole, soldiers and refugees alike. Even the ones manning the walls, the Scanrans won't be coming back just yet." They both headed off in opposite directions, yelling at everyone they saw to go to the flagpole.


"Okay, here's what I know. Vanget's been assassinated by the Scanrans, who had an army waiting to attack once there was no commander. The soldiers are panicking and being slaughtered. Mater Numair managed to get the news out to Neal via mage-message." The refugees were all gasping and whispering to each other. Vanget dead? He was the one holding the border together! They were doomed...

"The besieging army numbers five hundred--" Kel was cut off as the more flighty refugees began screaming and yelling about how they were all going to killed and Tortall conquered by barbarians.

"And I would-- I would--" Kel fumed, no one could hear her over the little ninnies' screams. She pitched her voice to carry over distance, the way Lord Raoul had taught her when she was a squire.

"I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, IF YOU'RE ALL DONE SHRIEKING AND MOANING AND DESPAIRING!" All the refugees froze, she NEVER yelled unless they were really doing something wrong.

"I want volunteers. I'm going to Northwatch, no matter how many people I have behind me. You've all been training with weapons, and I know you can fight. You have done so on numerous occasions to defend New Hope. I will not take all the trained soldiers, you will still have protection. But I have faith that you will be able to defend this camp in my absence. I will take any man or woman who wishes to come with me, but I will not take children." Her assistant Tobe opened his mouth to speak. Kel lowered her voice.

"Tobe, I will NOT take you with me. I will not risk children in a fight like this, even if you have been training." She began to speak more loudly once more.

"Anyone who does not wish to come will not be forced to. Anyone who does wish to, please come up here when I'm done speaking."