Kel stood at the railing of the ship, waving goodbye to her parents. She was on her way to the Yamani Islands, were she would be welcome with open arms. She stayed there staring off into the horizon until dinner. After she ate all of her food as she had promised she went to her cabin and grabbed her glaive. She took it up on deck to practice since her cabin was too small. Once it was dark she went to her room to study. She had promised her parents to keep up on her studies. Everyday she practiced with each one her weapons (minus her lance), groomed Peachblossom, and studied. She peered at dusk and dawn at the horizon trying to catch a glance of her beloved islands.

The cry finally came one day as she was spinning her glaive. She raced to the railing and stayed there as the islands grew larger. They were almost to the dock when she realized that she wasn't in her kimono, she raced downstairs to her cabin and changed. She ran back upstairs just in time to see them dock.

A welcoming party waited for her. (Her parents had sent a letter on the previous ship). Prince Eitaro offered his hand as she stepped of the gangplank and onto the dock. He led her to a beautiful golden brown mare with a gold mane. Peachblossom would be brought to the palace later. She mounted and rode sidesaddle to the palace. She was greeted by Yukimi, one of her close Yamani friends.

They bowed to each other hands on their thighs.

"If you will follow me Keladry noh Dakjui (her parents had been given land in the Yamani Islands when they became part of the Emperor's close circle) I will show you to your apartments," Yuki (Yukimi's nickname) said in the required formal manner even though Kel knew perfectly well where her family's apartments were.

As soon as they entered the apartments they removed their Yamani masks and hugged one another.

"The Emperor expects to meet with you tomorrow, Kel. He has important news for you."

Kel nodded she expected he would wish to greet her. As to what the news was, well she would just have to wait until tomorrow to find out.