(I like to thank everyone that reviewed. wigitdog and Guardian of the Small)

Chapter 2: Bad News

"What, you can't be serious." Cassandra of Nond yelled after Kel told them the bad news. "He can't do that" she thought for a second "can he?" Kel looked at her and nodded.

"You know he can Cass. You all know that." She looked around to see all of them looking at her in shook. "Don't look at me like that." She told them.

"Its all my fault" Mara said sitting in a corner away from everyone. "This wouldn't have happened if …" she started to cry.

"Mara stop." Kel said walking over to her and hugging her. "Its not your fault. Do you hear me." Mara nodded and buried her head in Kel's shoulder.

"Will you tell us what happened Mara?" Natasha of Hollyrose walked over to her. "You barely said a word since this happened." Mara just shook her head.

"The King has not been himself since his father died from that fever" Kel told them. "Maybe it's taken a greater toll on him then I thought. Ever since then his views have changed. We used to be close when we were younger, but he changed"

"Kel what are we going to do?" Isabella of Trebond asked. Everyone looked back to Kel.

"Yeah, if the King doesn't believe in us anymore why should we serve him" Phoebe of Golden Lake Malorie's Peak asked looking out the window. "If the King loses faith in his Lady Knights, then others will surly hate us."

"Not are parents and friends. They wont hate us," Evelyn of Mindelan said. "But Phoebe's right mother, we can't let the King do this"

"What can we do, Eve? The King's made up his mind" Cass said looking away from Mara.

"I'll think of something" Kel told them sadly. "Right now all of you go get some sleep." As they all started to walk out Kel asked Mara to stay, when they were out Kel looked over to the small girl. "Mara, I know I haven't been around you that long. You barely know me, but I want you to know you can trust me. Do you understand?" Mara nodded. "Please tell me what happened."

"We were sitting next to the fire" Mara started.

"When you say 'we' you mean you and the other squires?" Mara nodded.

"We were talking about what were going to do when we became knights. Everyone else except three guards had gone to sleep. I heard something but the others said it was just my imagination. If … if I had sounded the alert those men might still be alive," Mara said voice shaking.

"Its not your fault. I promise everything is going to be ok," Kel said smiling a little. "Go and get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow" as Mara left Kel was left thinking of what she was going to do"

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