Kel awoke as normal. She was in the second week of her training. She dressed and went down to the practice courts, holding her wooden stave. She bowed deeply to Master Kasumi, and her training commenced. They started with the Dance of the Dragon, a series of poses that helped with mental, physical, and emotional relaxation. It also built up Kel's muscles. She was learning a simplified version of the Dance, after watching in awe as two of the Elders performed the intricate forms of the various strenuous stages.
They stretched and began reviewing the drills she had been taught. They went through a mock staff battle, where Kel applied her learning, and then switched into hand to hand combat. She went through various forms and tested her strength. When midday arrived, they took their meal on the bluffs. Kel was startled to see a ship anchored not too far away, yet far enough to stay clear of the treacherous coral reefs that provided protection from pirates. Because Kel had not left the training field, she had not seen the vessel come to the coast. She remembered seeing several attendants hurrying to and fro. She peered at the ship, squinting against the sun. It looked familiar, in a strange way. Green fire glinted as someone aboard the ship used their Gift to do something. Kel jumped up in surprise, her hazel eyes sharp as she looked at the ship. "Master Kasumi, may I go down to see that ship?" Kasumi smiled. "Certainly. In fact, I shall be detained for the rest of the afternoon. You may do as you wish, as long as you remember to meet the Masters in the library."
Kel bowed deeply, scrambled down the path leading to the top of the bluff, and careened towards the dock. As she neared the ship, she was greeted by roars of, "Lady Kel!" "Keladry!" and "Kel!" A red-haired figure dashed up to her and swept her up into a hug. Kel grinned and pushed him away from her roughly. Her voice rough, she punched Marcus in the arm and said, "Well I thought I'd never see you again." Marcus grinned. "Well, you'll find I'm not that easy to get rid of. Look, here comes Captain Matale." The swarthy man came up and hugged Kel quickly, then shook her hand formally. "Well, young Water-warrior, I'm glad to see you well. Come along, greet the others." Kel shook hands and hugged the rest of the crew, than was drawn aside by Captain Matale. "I see the storms of confusion swirling in your mind, young miss. Come with me and Vani, and we'll explain as much as we can."
Kel gave him a watery smile and followed him into a small housing complex. They settled into cushions around the low table, and Kel poured tea from a pot into small cups. Passing them around, she settled back and looked at Captain Matale. "Why is the Morning Sage here? When did you arrive? Is it just the Sage, or are there any hidden ships around? Where-" Captain Matale laughed and Vani smiled into her teacup, taking a small sip. "Whoa there, young miss. So many questions! Take a sip of tea and I'll explain everything that I can." Kel obeyed, taking a calming sip of tea to quell her excitement, trying to smooth her expression and her mind, thinking fervently of rocks at the bottom of a calm lake.
"You see, Miss Kel, we supply the Shangs here at the Order of the Phoenix. You will soon see that their arms stretch far, farther than any kingdom's spymaster's. The Order has a hand in nearly everything. One incident involving a member of our Order is not too subtle. You may have heard of Liam, the Shang Dragon?" Kel, shocked to hear this new information, remembered the stories of the Shang Warrior who had accompanied the Lioness herself and helped save the kingdom. She nodded mutely, and Rig continued, "Well, he was one of the Order's Elite. A brave man he was. He was sent to keep an eye on the new Lady Knight, Sir Alanna of Barony Olau. He sent back valuable information that helped the Order take steps to try to restore the peace that was straining between Tortall and the other countries.
"He succeeded in his mission, and his sacrifice allowed the survival of Tortall. I told you this story in order to help you understand the hand the Order has in many governments and "coincidences." Did you think it was chance that the Sage was the only passenger ship available at the time of your departure? The owners of the other ships found sails torn mysteriously, rigging fouled, oars broken, and their mages in a temporary coma-like sleep. Don't worry- the Order put everything back to rights afterwards, but by that time we were at sea. Everything happens for a reason, young miss, and the Shangs here have a few of their own." He put down his tea. "That's enough talk for now, my old bones are getting creaky, and a young snip like you should be out on the rigging or getting underfoot or something, right? I hope your stay has been eventful?"
Kel grinned and filled him in on what had happened to her. He chuckled when she told him of her "kidnapping". She told him that she was enjoying training, but she didn't go into details. When she was done, the tea was finished, and they all stood up to go outside.
The sun was low on the horizon, but not yet setting. Captain Rig headed down to his cabin for a good sleep, and Kel and Vani strolled on the deck, enjoying the slight sea breeze that blew in, filling her nostrils with the refreshing, salty scent. Kel seated herself on top of an overturned crate, while Vani sat on a barrel that was half-full of the oh-so-precious fresh water. They sat in companionable silence for a while, and Kel sat back and watched the gulls swoop above them and the light of the sun hit the rippling waves of the sheltered bay. Vani finally stood, thrusting a hand at Kel. "I wish you well, young one. I feel that this will certainly not be our last meeting. May the Mother light your path." Kel shook her hand. "And yours," she replied. Vani wove her way through the cargo that littered the deck and climbed disappeared as she climbed down the hatch. Kel looked around, lonely. Suddenly a call from above her frightened her out of her wits. "Miss Keladry!"
Kel looked up. In the crow's nest sat a red-haired figure waving down at her. She smiled and waved back. He gestured wildly for her to come up, but Kel hesitated. Finally, he carefully descended and led her to the rigging. She stared up at the seemingly sea of ropes that extended for what looked like eternity to her. Hesitantly she climbed up a few feet, then jerked to a stop as she felt someone climb up behind her. "It's just me, Miss Kel." Reassured by Marcus's voice, she climbed shakily up to the crow's nest, entering and squeezing her eyes tightly shut, afraid of the distance. Marcus climbed up behind her, and he turned her around, so that she felt the railing in front of her. "Open your eyes, Miss Keladry. It's alright." Calmed, but not totally reassured, she opened her eyes a crack. Then she opened them a little more. Then she opened them fully, so that she could see everything. The scene before her was beautiful. Rippling waves spread out far into the horizon on one side, while the peaceful jungle and few Shang buildings stood before her. The intricate Yamani architecture of the buildings enhanced nature, not blocked it. She took in a slow breath.
Marcus grinned at Kel's facial expression. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked. A shadow crossed his face. "Almost like-" He trailed off, leaving his words to hang in the air. Kel, not wanting to press, and enjoying the scenery, rested her hands on the railing of the crow's nest and drank in the rippling light reflecting off the water and the quiet splashing of waves on the sides of the boat and the rock face not too far away. They stood in silence.
Marcus quietly said, "A person very dear to me showed me the wonder of Yaman from such a view as this. She was beautiful, and I wish you could have met her. She would have liked you, I think." Kel nodded, asking, "Who was she?" Marcus shook his head firmly. "It's not important now; she's gone, and nothing will change that. I think it would be best if you go now, Miss Kel. Your Masters may be waiting for you. Do you need help going down?" Kel, seeing the need for solitude in her friend's face, shook her head and quietly lowered herself to the rigging, where she descended, thinking about what Marcus had said. She didn't even notice the height of the crow's nest or the distance down she traveled.
When she reached land, she turned back and waved at the small figure in the crow's nest. There was no reply. Thoughtful, Kel headed towards the library.
A/N: Hello! I suppose I should get around to writing one of these. This is one of my shorter chapters. Now you say, "What, I waited these long weeks, and all you've got to show for it is some crummy two-and-a-half pagechapter!" Forgive me, readers. School is overwhelming, and in the whole- what- two months or so I haven't updated, I have worked perhaps two to three hours on this chapter total… This is also one of my shorter chapters in that I couldn't settle on a more fitting ending. Please read and review! If I don't feel like there are enough reviewers, I shall quit writing this totally! Mwahahahahahaaa, ha ha… erm. cough I'm kidding. But please, R&R. Thanks!
