Ok, I'd just like to warn you for starters that I've invented something for this chapter. I wanted Neal to get involved with the trial first hand, so I created a law where one noble can stand in as representation for another noble in a court of law if the noble is absent or otherwise incapacitated. I'm hoping that you all don't mind this, and that you enjoy this chapter!

Oh, as a second note (and I'm hoping this will make you all very happy) the next couple of chapters will come fairly quickly since I'm drawing quite a few scenes directly from Squire. So let me thank you for reading the one, the only…

The Lady Knight's Squire

Representation: action or speech on behalf of a person, group, business house, state, or the like by an agent, deputy, or representative

Things continued along the same vein for the next few days; Kel mocked my poetry, her, me and the rest of the squires talked about our experiences with squiredom, and trained. The first day of December came, and Alanna came to my room after supper, leaning against my wall. I was polishing my armor, a fact which made her smile. "I'm going home," she said. "It turns out that Thom got permission from the Mithran priests to return home for midwinter, so I'm going to Pirate's Swoop to see him. In the meantime, you're going to be entrusted to Lord Wyldon's care. You need to be here for the winter festivities."

I looked up, surprised. "Really?"

"What cause would I have for lying?" Alanna asked a little crossly. "George has already left. I had some things to finish up with Jon, so I'll be leaving tomorrow."

"Alright," I said. I hesitated for a moment; I had managed to spend the afternoon in Corus a few days ago and picked up my Midwinter gifts, but I hadn't had time to wrap anything. I had assumed that Alanna would be around. Since she wasn't, I held up a hand for her to wait, and dug hastily in my trunk.

I had asked Sir Myles, her foster father, for advice, but he had been most unhelpful, assuring me that whatever I chose to get her would be fine. Actually, he first assured me that I didn't need to get her anything at all, but when I insisted, that's what he told me. I had gone to my father next, and he hadn't been much more help. It was actually Lady Eleni, George's mother and Sir Myles's wife who had been the true help. She had said that even now, Alanna had a soft spot for jewelry. I had hoped initially upon my venture into the city to find a small set of earbobs, or a necklace, but found something even greater.

A merchant had been peddling a set of five crystals (amethyst, snowflake obsidian, crysoprase, bloodstone and amber) known for their healing properties. They laid in a simple oak box, carved into different healing glyphs. They were without magic, so Alanna could use them to store healing as she chose, and then later use it to bolster any healings that she desired. "Here," I said, giving it to her. She looked surprised. "Just promise not to open it until Midwinter, alright?"

Alanna smiled, and somehow it made her look years younger. "Of course. Selma already has your gift tucked away for the first morning of Midwinter." She paused for half a second, then pulled me into a brief hug, then was gone before I knew how to respond. So I smiled slightly to myself, and returned to polishing my armor.

The strangest part of winter was the fact that once I was returned to the Stump's care, I found the work startlingly easy. So easy, that even Wyldon was forced to say, "Good work." Of course, he made up for it by giving me more tasks than ever, but I suppose the sentiment still stands. He even had me tilt against Lord Raoul, much to my chagrin and Kel's laughter. Being sent off your horse and landing in the snow is the single most unpleasant situation I've ever been in. By the time I was done, my shirt was soaked not with sweat, but with melted snow, causing me to shiver.

However, barely two weeks had passed before Kel and Lord Raoul were recalled to duty. I wasn't surprised so much as I was disappointed. Like before, Lalasa told me of the change, which I passed on to everyone else. Owen was the most affected. He tends to live in an optimistic world, and I think he genuinely believed that Kel would not be called back to the field all winter. Owen almost has a sort of hero worship for her, which is sweet and irritating at the same time.

So while I had been prepared for that eventuality, I hadn't been prepared for another. Kel had been gone for about a month, when my father came to the practice field.

My father never comes to the practice field. His patients are brought to him, with the exception of the King, of course, since he has to many materials in his workshops to be constantly moving them. I was unsaddling Bluemoon when I caught a glimpse of him. His voice carried into the stables, where every person was silent.

"Lord Wyldon," my father began, "I would like to request that I have the midday meal with my son. Would you please excuse him?"

I couldn't tell what the Stump's expression was, but I'm sure it was as mystified as my own. Prosper and Merric nudged me, as if I should now what was going on. Cleon just looked shocked. I shrugged in return, and inched closer to the voices. "Of course, Duke Baird." I could practically see the curiosity in the Stump's voice, but he was to well bred to ask it.

"It is simply a personal matter," Father said to his unasked question. There was a rustle of cloth; they had most likely bowed to each other. Then my father was at the stable door. "Neal, come see me when you are done, alright?"

Then he was gone.

I gaped in a rather unmanly fashion, and then finished my work as quickly as possible. Seaver's face was worried, so when I turned to my tack, he simply pushed me away. "I'll do it," I said quietly. "If it's not so big an emergency that it needs to be handled right away, then I'll do it myself."

Seaver hesitated. "Something tells me it's not a good idea. I've never seen your father here, Neal. It's big. Big enough that he asked Wyldon for permission. Just go."

I hesitated a little longer, but Merric was already taking the saddle out of my hands. "If we're a little late, it won't kill anyone. News will already be spreading like wildfire. Everyone knows that he was here."

I sprinted off. I didn't want anyone to see, but my heart was hammering in my chest. The last time my father had made a trip away from the palace, it was to tell me that my brothers were in the Black God's arms. I stopped outside of Father's room, and went to knock. My hands were shaking badly. "Father?" I called as a knocked, once I was sure that my voice wouldn't quaver to much.

I was let in instantly by Father. His face was serious. "Neal, sit down."

I couldn't, I was to agitated. "Just tell me!" I insisted. I could feel the blood draining from my face.

"It's Lalasa…the man who hired her kidnappers has been found." This time I listened to his plea that I sit, and collapsed into a chair. "Neal, I just found out this morning that the trial will be taking place starting tomorrow."

I felt as though my gaze should set the world around me on fire, I was in such a temper. "I'm going to see Lord Wyldon," I growled. "I'm attending the trial, no matter what it takes. Kel isn't here. Someone needs to stand with her."

Father knew better than to argue with me when I was in a mood. Instead, he shoved some bread, cheese, cured ham, water, and some fried greens on a plate towards me.

"Neal, slow down. First off, you cannot go gallivanting off to see Lord Wyldon. He is still attending midday. At least wait until he is back in his rooms. Secondly, eat." This part I obeyed. I was in fact ravenous.

"Neal, you have to be patient. You cannot simply go charging into the courtroom. Turomot will have your head for it."

"So I accompany Lalasa," I said around a mouthful of food. "No one will question me standing in for Kel if Wyldon and Turomot agree to my presence."

My father held his tongue. He knew I was right. Settling back into his chair, he closed his eyes. "Go to see Turomot first. If he agrees, Wyldon will be more inclined. Turomot is the stickler in the courtroom, so try to win him over first. It's unlikely that anyone will contest you if you actually gain access." He sighed heavily and suddenly looked…old. "Remember Neal, just because you might- and I stress the might- be able to stand in for Kel, and sit next to Lalasa as representation of the noble class, you will not be able to speak as Kel would. You were not Lalasa's employer. You cannot defend or argue actions. You must be silent at all costs. I don't care what happens, who is being charged, or what the verdict is. And if you should not be permitted to stand in for Kel until she arrives, do not do anything that would cause you to be removed from the spectators benches. Lalasa needs all the support she can muster against a noble opponent. Do you understand me?" There was iron in his voice.

I meekly agreed, "Yes, sir."

"Go, then. See Lord Turomot."

I darted off, and the cold of the palace, usually not terrible even in the harshest of winters, frosted my bones and iced my veins. The magistrates could be found in the lower floors of the east wing. I grabbed the lapel of the first clerk that was in my sights and asked roughly, "Where is Lord Turomot? It is essential that I see him."

The clerk eyed my hand, and I released him immediately. "I'm sorry," I apologized. The better the clerks thought of me, the more likely I was to see him. Mollified, the clerk straightened his color, and sniffed.

"What is the matter of your concern?"

"I wish to represent Kel- Keladry of Mindelan- in the upcoming case over the kidnapping of Lalasa Isran this past April."

The clerk raised his eyes, and apparently deemed the matter of great enough importance that he whisked himself into Turomot's office. He returned several minutes later, carrying a sheaf of papers. He appraised me for a long time, and I resisted to urge to ask if he had a problem with the fact that I was planning on representing the only known female squire. I resisted.

See? Sometimes I manage to have good sense.

After another set of several long moments spent under the clerk's weighty gaze (I also resisted the urge to fidget) he finally motioned to the door. "Lord Turomot is willing to see you, but state your case quickly. His current case will not remain adjourned for more than another twenty minutes."

Eager to do just that, I raced into the room and properly executed the bow that Lord Turomot's station deserved. Still in my bow, I said, "Thank you, my lord, for seeing me on such short notice. I greatly appreciate the honor."

Lord Turomot didn't bat an eyelash at the flattery. "The case is coming quickly. I had no choice. My clerk tells me you wish to stand in for Keladry of Mindelan. Why do you wish to take this course of action?"

I paused, fighting for the right words. "Keladry did the honorable thing," I began slowly. "She abandoned her personal desires to rescue Lalasa knowing full well the weight of her consequences. She-" Turomot interrupted me with a rasping snort.

"I don't care why you as a person want to defend a friend, boy," Turomot snapped. "Why do you as a noble wish to defend her servant in her stead? What makes you qualified?"

This brought me up short. I didn't have any wish to defend Lalasa as a noble. All my interest came from being Kel's friend, and I'd like to think Lalasa's too. "Why does my wish as a noble matter?" I drawled out, trying to buy time to think.

"Because I have no care about friendships! They do not matter in the court of law! The reasons for a noble to defend another is very much in the realm of law; alliances, trade agreements, that sort of thing. Is that why you want to defend her?"

"No, that has nothing to do with it!" I exclaimed, beginning to get a little upset. Or rather, a little more upset. "I have no reasons as a noble. At best I can give you my reasons as a squire- that no servant under a squires or pages care should have to suffer when the quarrel is with the master. The law dictates so. Is that reason enough?"

"Don't be smart with me, boy!" Turomot glared at me, a formidable sight indeed. "I am here to uphold the law. If you want to quote it at me, be sure that you can defend yourself well using the law!"

Before I opened my mouth, I paused, breathing heavily. I was not about to risk being able to represent Lalasa because of this parsimonious old man. "What do you wish to hear?" I finally said quietly. "No matter what you think, my reasons are first and foremost because Kel is my friend. I can't get around that. I'm not going to fabricate answers for the law."

Something softened in Turomot's eyes. "Ah, now that is an answer I can appreciate," he said steadily, if grudgingly. "Fine. If you wish to represent the maid Lalasa until such a time that Kel is able to report to the court, you have the court's blessing."

I broke into a wide smile. I could no more help it than I could forgo eating. "Thank you, Lord Turomot," I said eagerly. I bowed again, but the magistrate wasn't done with me.

"But if I hear one word of quarrel over your representation, from either Lord Wyldon or the maid Lalasa, you'll be out on your ear, squire. And I'll have no tomfoolery. And Squire Keladry may do as she wishes with you if she is displeased by your representation." Therein lay the reason that most nobles didn't represent each other; most believed that it wasn't worth it. Why give anyone a cause to be upset over such a small thing as what nobles represents as servant in a court of law? Despite the warning, I didn't falter. I knew Kel- if such a thing had ever happened to me, I would prefer to know that my servant was in the hands of my friend.

"Thank you, Lord Turomot," I simply said again, and he waved a hand to dismiss me.

I raced off once more, this time to see the Stump. I knocked hard on his door. I expected him to be surprised to see me, but he grimly told me to enter. I knew that he had taken Lalasa's kidnapping as a personal affront, but I hadn't realized that he was so affected by it. "I assume, Squire Nealan, that you are planning on asking my permission to attend Lalasa's hearing?"

"Yes, sir," I agreed after I had bowed. "I've already asked Lord Turomot, and he has agreed to allow me to represent Kel in the court of law until she returns with the King's Own."

Wyldon nodded slowly. "I see. And does Squire Keladry's maid know of this?"

I suppressed a flash of irritation. Her name was Lalasa, not just some vague embodiment of a servant belonging to Kel. "No, sir. I believed that I should get permission before proposing my idea to Lalasa. That way, if she accepts, I wouldn't have to go back on my promise."

The Stump thought for a pair of moments that trickled by like molasses. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. The Stump steepled his fingers, gazed off into the distance, then leaned back slowly in his chair.

I was ready to scream. No matter what my father thought, Lord Turomot was not the hard part. He didn't share a mutual dislike, as the Stump and I did. I managed to keep my silence, and was duly rewarded. "Yes," he mused, almost to himself, "that would be fine. I've already handed over all other squires left to my command." His steely gaze focused on me. "However, I expect to you behave as though it was your servant in the case. Also, you will report to me when Squire Keladry has returned, and if she has an issue with your representation you will report that as well. Do I make myself clear?"

It took a lot of energy to keep both relief and sarcasm out of my voice as I answered, "Crystal." Like Turomot, the Stump waved a hand to dismiss me.

I left his room, then sagged. The anger and fear and pent up frustration that had been coursing through me system left abruptly. I felt that I had aged a million years, when only this morning I hadn't had a single thought about Lalasa's kidnapping since I left with Alanna. I felt briefly guilty about that. I was pretty sure that Kel hadn't let it slip her mind. I walked off slowly.

Before I went to see Lalasa, I had one last task to accomplish. I'm no great hand at scrying. At my best, I managed to make it last five minutes. Regardless, Alanna had insisted that while I travel with her, I carry a palm-sized mirror in case something happened.

I used it now, and luckily for me, Alanna was in her room, working at putting in some earbobs. She was surprised to see me, but a few worry lines set in at the corners of her mouth. "Neal, is there something wrong?"

"They've found the person who paid the thugs to kidnap Lalasa," I told her quietly. Alanna's eyes narrowed. "And I'm going to stand in for Kel until she and the Own get back. I'm sure there's already a messenger headed for her, but I don't know where they are. I know you're at Pirate's Swoop, but I figured that you might want to know."

Alanna gave me a sharp, quick nod. "Thanks, Neal. I'm glad you told me." My strength was fading fast, but I kept the connection going for a little bit longer as Alanna continued, "Be careful. Whoever it is, they've been clever enough to keep things from catching up to him- or her- thus far. Talk to me in the evening, and tell me what's been going on, Neal." Her image abruptly disappeared and I put the silvery mirror back into its case and returned it to my trunk.

I sat on my bed then, head hanging. I breathed slowly, clearing my mind. Then, once I was calm, I left my rooms. Lalasa's shop was near the palace, luckily enough for me. When I entered, it was filled with people. Lalasa had hired two more seamtresses, while her friend Tian also helped her work. From the pinched look on both their faces, they had long since heard the news. I felt better then, knowing that despite everything they had kept the shop open. They were dealing with it.

Lalasa was attending the question of one of her employees, a short, round woman with a face that was smooth and clear green eyes. When they had finished talking, I placed a hand on Lalasa's shoulder. Fine tremors shivered against my palm. "Can I speak to you privately?"

Even though she shook, Lalasa's gaze was clear. "Of course, Neal." She led me into the back of the shop, where she motioned that I should take a seat. "I've come to offer my help. If you want, I can stay with you as representation until Kel comes." I didn't try to persuade her. I wanted Lalasa to make the decision freely. Her eyes widened for a second, then she closed them. "I'm sure that Kel will be contacted by messenger, but I'm not sure where she is or when she will return." I continued, then stopped, allowing Lalasa the chance to think.

Lalasa's smile was gentle. "That's very kind," she said.

"Its no less than you deserve," I was quick to reassure her, then smiled a little wryly. "And Kel would have my head if I didn't do everything to help you in her stead." My intention to let her make her own decision crumbled; I genuinely wanted to help, so I continued fervently, "Lalasa, I know this must be hard. I want to do anything I can to help, and if that means that I represent you in front of the crown, it would be my honor." I leaned forward, watching her carefully.

Her brave exterior crumbled, and she covered her face with her hands. I let her be, and after a few moments she pulled them away slowly. "Thank you, Neal." Her voice was raspy, and I had a quick insight. My nightmares from the attack on us as pages lasted weeks. Lalasa's experience was certainly as terrifying. I was sure she had been wracked by nightmares since Kel helped her off Balor's Needle. "I'd be very thankful if you would represent me."

She stood up, and on impulse I gave her a hug before drawing back. Tian knocked then, fisting a hand on her hip. "What's this all about then?"

"Lalasa's agreed to allow me to represent her," I informed Tian. Something flashed in her eyes to quickly for me to see, but she smiled gratefully.

"I'm sorry, Squire Neal, but we're busy. Lalasa, we need you," Lalasa's back straightened at Tian's words, and she followed her friend out.

Lalasa paused at the doorway. "Thank you, really, thank you." Her smile was sweet. "It gives me hope for the future if you and Kel are the types of nobles that will be defending us."

I flushed bright red at her compliment, but she was already through the doors. I made an unobtrusive exit, satisfied with what I had accomplished today.

Upon reaching the castle once more, I informed my father of what had occurred, as well as my friends among the pages and squires. They gathered in my room after supper, where I had refused to breath a word. Cleon, who had heard the news from Inness, followed my lead. I didn't need endless, stupid rumors flitting through the halls based on what someone overheard in the mess hall. When I had explained what had happened, I was gratified to see that everyone agreed with what I had done. Cleon, Owen, and a few others even said that if I hadn't done so, they would have.

Topic of conversation aside, seeing everyone crowded into the room brought be back to when Kel had started rescuing the other pages. We even took the same spots that we had before we moved to the library. "I won't be able to come to the trial," Prosper and Merric said with regret at the same time. We all laughed briefly. Obviously, none of the pages would be allowed to come. Seaver said he was ask his knight master, as would Cleon.

At that moment, there was a knock on me door, and there stood Prince Roald, just back from Port Legann. After our hellos, we filled him in. "Lord Imrah has already given me the next few days off, so I can at least come for the first few days of the trial," he said, taking a seat against the wall. We sat quietly for a few moments.

"Has anyone notified Kel's parents?" Owen asked suddenly.

"It's customary for the magistrate to send a message to all members of the family," Cleon volunteered. "That's how I found out, from Sir Inness. He says his parents are already on their way here for the midwinter celebration and should arrive sometime tomorrow. He's instructed that the wall guards to direct them to him as soon as they get in, if they haven't already heard."

We all nodded our understanding, and lapsed into silence again.

"Has anyone heard anything of who the perpetrator is?" Prince Roald said in his calm, low voice. As one, we shook our heads.

"With all the people arriving for the Midwinter celebration, it will be almost impossible to guess," Merric said after some thought. "And if Lalasa or Tian didn't say anything, they might not know either." He frowned, faint red eyebrows snapping together. "Whoever did this is disgusting," he snarled. "Lalasa wouldn't harm a fly!"

"It's not about Lalasa," Seaver reminded him quietly. "It was never about Lalasa."

"Fine!" Merric said, exasperated. "Lalasa wouldn't hurt a fly, but neither would Kel!"

"No, she'd just break all you fingers, or slice you open with that glaive of hers," I volunteered.

Merric treated my to a scowl. "You know what I meant."

"The thing is, Kel has more than a few enemies. Besides pages and squires that were dead set against her coming, there were probably more than a few nobles who would just as easily done that," Prince Roald said. "And all we can do is act properly without enticing suspicion or giving anyone cause to anger." With that, Roald stood. "I'll see you tomorrow, Neal. And good night. I was in the saddle a long time, and I'd like to get some rest."

That called everyone back to reality. As people slowly filtered out of my room, Cleon clapped me on the shoulder. "Inness and I will both be there," he promised. His gaze was steady and serious. I nodded my thanks.

"Have a good night's rest."

"And you."

As much as I wanted a good night's rest, I spent the evening tossing and turning under my sheets. Two hours before dawn, I finally crawled out from my bed and went to the hot baths, where I soaked for an hour, trying to relax as much as possible. I had the baths to myself; there was an attendants, looking sleepy near the entrance, but no one was in the deep pools with me.

I came out as wrinkled as an old man, and had a few characteristics in common with prunes as well. I dried off and dressed before wandering back to the palace. I met Lalasa on my way to the gateway, and Tian was there with her. We exchanged tired and quiet greetings. The city was just really beginning to stir as dawn crept towards the palace walls. The court would open the second hour after dawn, but we had all agreed that those who could come would join Prince Roald, my father, and I in my father's rooms. I extended the invitation to Lalasa and Tian, who accepted. Besides Roald and my father, Cleon, Sir Inness. Lalasa stood awkwardly at the doorway, and seemed to be debating over something.

"What's wrong?" I asked her.

"Would it be alright if my Uncle Gower joined us?" she said, eyes pleading. As a whole, we all agreed, sending a runner immediately to ask Selma to spare Gower from his duties for the morning.

The dour man joined us within fifteen minutes of the request. The morning meal was all but silent, and no one wished to change that fact. Once we were done, we filed silently towards Lord Turomot's courtroom. The room was still quiet, though a nice fire was flickering in the corner and the room was brightly lit by candles. The room was fairly open in its design, with two benches at the very front, with tables in front of them for the defendant and the prosecutor. Behind was a wooden railing that separated the remainder of the benches, where spectators could chose to sit in, in the event that the case was open to the public. Since Lalasa's kidnapping had already been proved, we needed no advocate despite being the wronged party. Lalasa and I said in the front benches while everyone crowded close behind.

This time, we did speak to one another, though it was in low hushed tones. Few other people filed in, and most of them were clerks. I raised my eyebrows when Lord Paxton of Nond stepped into the room, along with Ebroin of Genlith, my heart beating faster when Jorden didn't join them. Although I believed that he was the prime suspect, this was the first real sort of proof that I had gotten. I was less surprised when Wyldon joined us, sitting near those who had gathered near Lalasa. To my surprise, he nodded at her before he sat. Tian and Lalasa looked at one another somewhat blankly, but quickly turned to the front. No one occupied the bench next to us, an unsurprising fact. Lord Turomot would go over all the previous evidence before continuing, in his stickler fashion.

The morning was fairly boring; it was filled with testimonies, that of Lalasa, and Tian, the kidnappers, even Lord Wyldon and I were called to the stand to tell what had happened from our perspective. Turomot, face impassive, stood leaning on his staff on his dais. His eyes flickered over everyone's face as they spoke to him, a clerk on his right scribbling with amazing speed what was being said. We broke for midday. Wyldon had actually arranged for some servant to bring food to an adjoining room to the courtroom. Like breakfast, midday was enjoyed mostly in silence.

Lalasa held her head straighter, and I was glad for it. She was finally going to see justice for the attack. Lalasa curtsied to Wyldon at the end of the meal, thanking him for his kindness. His gaze remained inscrutable, and I didn't even have an inkling what was going on.

Just was the servants were packing up the meal, the Baron and Baroness of Mindelan came storming into the room. Lady Ilane kissed her son on the cheeks while the shorter Lord Piers clasped his son's hand. "Does anyone know when Kel will return?" he asked. While we shook our heads, Lady Ilane enveloped Lalasa in a hug.

"My dear, are you doing well?" she asked, sounding as if Lalasa was her own daughter. "You were very brave."

Lalasa flushed. "Squire Kel did the work, Lady. I just followed her down the Needle. She was far braver than I."

If Lady Ilane wanted to contest that, she held her tongue, saying instead, "Well, you are both safe and the one who planned this is being brought to justice. That's was truly matters." No one contested that grain of truth as we made our way back into the courtroom.

Not even Wyldon. We took our seats once more, Kel's parents joining the group that had gathered behind us. I smiled at all the familiar faces as the Duke once more called attention to the case. The afternoon carried on in the same vein as the morning, more evidence being reported from the palace guards who had discovered the men, all the way to the kidnappers telling of how they followed their hirer back through Corus to discover his identity. The court adjourned mid-afternoon, and Kel's family insisted that we all join them for supper, and asked that we catch them up on the events of the morning. The Stump and Gower were the only ones to refuse the offer, both claiming that they had work that needed to be done. Prince Roald refused on the grounds that he wished to spend time with his parents. I could see Lalasa hesitate, but after some thought, she agreed.

The evening passed without excitement, though Cleon and I told our fellow pages and squires what had happened that day. After everyone had left my room for the night, I attempted once more to fall asleep, but like the night before I didn't get much. When I woke up, there was a message under my door, a brief message from Kel that reported she would probably be back in two days; tonight then, since the messenger took a day to get back.

When I met Lalasa that morning, I reported the news dutifully to her, then later to the Stump. When we actually got to the courtroom, I told the rest of the group the news as well. The second day passed in the same vein as the first, and once more, Lord Paxton of Nond and Ebroin of Genlith attended. I thinned my lips, all but openly glaring at the pair. This was all but a confirmation. There would be no reason for them to put such interest in the case unless the one thing they had in common- Joren- was the cause.

Lalasa saw my look, corners of her mouth tightening with displeasure. She'd seen the results of Joren's handywork on Kel more than once, and if possible, she carried even less love for him than I did. It didn't take long for anyone else to put together the pieces either, for all we lacked the confirmation. I watched Wyldon carefully, and was pleased when his eyes darkened, snapping with displeasure.

As the day passed, I kept expecting Kel to arrive at any second, but things continued smoothly until Lord Turomot deemed the case closed for the day, a few minutes before supper. I stretched as we left, this time separating. Lalasa caught hold of my arm for a second. "Tian and I are going to stay," she said. "We're going to wait near the Own's barracks until they arrive."

I chewed on my lip momentarily, and felt bad as I admitted, "I'd like to spare the time, but I can't. I promised my father I would spend the evening with him. When Kel gets in, would you mind sending me a message? I don't care how late it is, I'd rather know." She nodded.

I was on the verge of falling asleep when I heard the pounding on my door. I opened it, yawning, and a messenger held out a scrap of paper. Tipping him a coin, I pulled it open.

Kel has just arrived with Lord Raoul and the rest of the King's Own. They came in during supper, but were exhausted. Tian and I took care of them, and now they are resting. Kel asked to see you tomorrow morning privately, before Duke Turomot begins. Thank you again for all your kind help.

Lalasa Isran

TBC