Disclaimer: If I was Tamora Pierce, I wouldn't be spending my time on fanfiction (wait, yes I probably would), and Kel and Roald would end up together. Needless to say I am not, in fact, Tamora Pierce. All characters and places you recognize belong to the genius that is Tamora Pierce. No infringement of copyright intended.
Cheers!
Kel woke up with a groan. After telling everyone about the tournament, she had stayed up past midnight organizing the officials and taking care of various other details. She had a pounding head-ache and it was all she could do to open her eyes and drag her feet out of bed.
She threw open her curtains as a servant came in with heated water for her bath.
Kel relaxed in it until the water went cold and then chose breeches and a flowing shirt that not only showed her few curves but was very comfortable and practical to practice in. Applying enough face paint to hide her most recognizable features and slipping in her colored contacts, she grabbed her glaive and set out for the practice courts.
Kel brought her glaive down, swinging it in an arch and twisting in the air. She focused in on the surface of a lake and imagined the cool metal of the glaive slicing through the still water like it sliced through the cool and crisp morning. The practice courts were deserted save a few fellow knights and shang, it was silent save the odd swords clashing or the sound of hands and feet smacking the dirt. This was how Kel liked it, and the serenity of the moment reminded her exactly why she felt it was necessary to get out of her bed at five in the morning.
To finish up her routine, Kel prepared for the most challenging move she had attempted yet. Not noticing the cloaked figure standing by the side fence, arms crossed and studying her, she tossed the glaive high in the air and flipped in the air, spinning through a shang kick.
As she prepared to lunge for the end of her glaive, she noticed the figure. Her attention was diverted for a split second, but it was enough to lose sight of the glaive while she was lunging and she could hear the heavy object coming down, ready to hit her. She braced herself for the impact as someone yelled at her to move and she was tackled from the side to the ground, as the glaive landed in the dirt beside them. There was a crash as they hit the shed and she could hear a few things collapse from inside.
"Thanks," Kel croaked, mouth dry from the dirt they'd landed in. Looking up at her rescuer, who was now on top of her with his hands on either side of her face in what could appear to be a very compromising position, she found herself staring into deep blue eyes. Roald. She groaned inwardly, eyes still locked with the crown prince. Snapping out of it when people came rushing over to see if she was all right, Kel noticed a few too many conservatives among the crowd. Groaning once again at the rumors this would start, Kel blushed when she thought about what this must look like. Jumping out of the war path of a deadly blade would not be what came to mind first.
As Kel started to ease herself up, Roald, snapping out of it, started to do the same, dusting off his breeches and offering his hand to Kel, who took it gratefully and sprang up out of the dirt. Face burning with embarrassment, she heard Roald tell Yuki, who was among the crowd now gathered, that he was taking her to a Healer. Roald offered his arm and Kel took it, ashamed of the slight blush that had started to form along her cheekbones.
When they got to a deserted hallway, Kel stopped abruptly and tuned to face Roald.
"I'm sorry for what I've done, but I wouldn't do it differently if I had another chance. You have to understand this is the same country that crushed my dreams and now I'm supposed to be its Queen? I mean no disrespect, but it seems messed up to me." Roald sighed and leaned on the wall, crossing his arms, a position in which Kel noticed emphasized his lean frame, broad shoulders and muscular upper arms. Her eyes travelled up his chiseled face to his eyes, which were now locked on hers, and she knew she'd been caught staring. She could feel a blush starting up on her cheeks as he spoke. Had she just been checking out the Crown Prince of Tortall?
"What I can't understand is why you wouldn't tell your friends. I know we're betrothed, but our friendship still matters, at least to me. Besides," he stated, a small smile starting to tug at his mouth, "changing the flaws in the knighthood sexism sector is easier, still a challenge, but easier if you rule the country."
"Your highness, that doesn't make me feel any better, it just scares me." Kel would have seemed completely serious if Roald had not noticed the way her eyes danced as she said this.
"Come on then, Healer Nealan of Queenscove awaits. And while he's checking you're head, you can try to convince him that you're Kel and not just delusional." Roald offered Kel his arm and she took it, protesting as they walked in he directions of the Tortallans' rooms.
"But I don't need a Healer. I'm perfectly fi-." "I insist, princess. It would be entirely irresponsible for me to allow you to preform your daily routine without seeing a Healer."
"But Neal? And if we're to be friends, I insist you call me Kel." "Only if you'll stop calling me highness. It makes me feel old." Kel pulled out her shunksen and covered her face as she laughed. "Deal."
Kel found herself imagining the ways she would tell Neal as she and Roald continued down the palace hallways. She was picturing him fainting for the tenth time when Roald stopped abruptly. Not expecting this, Kel fell into the prince's arms for the second time that day. Roald smiled down at her. "I know you like falling into my arms and all, but this isn't going to get you out of talking to our dearest meathead." Kel felt herself going red at both the accusation and the realization that this could be true. She rather liked the pleasant shivers racing up and down her arms. Flushed, she decided to change the subject.
"Meathead?"
"Ah, that is a story for another time, but it involves a visit from his cousin and the entire Third party of the King's Own."
"Sounds fascinating."
"Oh, it is. Now onto Neal," Roald paused to knock on the door. "It'll be fine, after all, what's the worst that could happen? Neal could announce your presence to the entire Tortallan delegation, but..."
Kel turned a shade paler as they were interrupted by a disheveled Neal opening the door for them, leaving Kel with the sense that Roald had grown out of his shell that she remembered as a page, becoming more sure of himself and gaining a sense of humor. At least, what she hoped was a sense of humor, and not the bitter truth. One never knows what Nealan of Queenscove would do for more sleep in the morning.
"What do you want, highness?" Neal obviously hadn't seen Kel, who lingered behind Roald. Kel thought this to be the perfect situation until Roald, gesturing behind him, siad "Allow me to introduce you to my betrothed, the Princess and Lady Knight of the Yamani Isles, Keladry noh Kami. Kel, this is Neal."
"Pleased to meet you," Neal said with an extravagant bow.
"Still looking like an overdramatic player as always." Kel noticed Neal's brow furrow as he looked her over. "Do I know you?" he questioned.
"How is that possible? I have lived in the Yamani Isles for 9 years, I left Tortall when I was a mere 10 years old... that would have made you... 15?"
"Yes! How did you know that? Do you have the sight?" "No, no magic. Although I've heard you have a tremendous Healer's gift." Roald spoke up, "Speaking of Healing, her higness took quite a spill this morning, and I need you to check and make sure she's ok." Neal let his magic flow over Kel's head and shoulders as he continued to interrogate her, and she him.
"I demand to know what spies you have."
"You think you're interesting enough to have spies set on you, Meathead?"
"Ok, now I must ask, how did you know that?" "Roald." At this Neal set a glare at the prince.
"It's not even breakfast yet and you're spreading rumors about me? Tsk, tsk, your highness." "That would be a true statement of only they were rumors, Sir Nealan."
Don't use that name! Only my-" Kel cut in here, surprising Neal further.
"Great Aunt uses that name,"
"Ok, this is ridiculous, how did you know THAT?" Just then the bell for breakfast rang and Roald proceeded to tell Neal goodbye. Kel could hear Neal muttering, "Mithros forsaken early risers, waking me up before breakfast, of all meals..."
"Oh, and Neal?" added Kel as they were about to leave, "Eat your vegetables." At this, Neal's eyes nearly popped out of his sockets, and they could see realization dawn on his face as the door closed and they chuckled. It was a while until either of them could speak and when Kel caught her breath, she said,
"He still really isn't a morning person, is he." It was more of a statement than a question. Roald chuckled and offered her his arm again. Kel gladly took it, thinking she rather liked his deep laugh and the way it made his whole frame rumble.
They walked into the mass hall and Roald took her hand and kissed it, giving her a slight bow before walking past her to his side of the table. As he walked past her, he whispered,
"Look at our dearest Nealan's face."
Kel whipped around and sure enough, Neal looked like he was in shock and he was glaring at someone. Oh wait, that was her. With a hidden smile, she turned and went to go and greet the Yamanis.
"Your Majesties," Kel bowed, palms flat on her thighs.
As she went to sit down, she was passed a sheet of paper from Yuki. "What's this?" "Read it." Kel unfolded the paper and read the title: Sign Up for Tournament. It was full of signatures of people who had already signed up. There were names scrawled in corners and along the very bottom of the sheet. She looked up, face calm but surprise running through her.
"It seems your endeavor has proved to be a wild success. We've had to put out another sign-up sheet and expand the plans," spoke the Empress, "Congratulations."
"Thank-you, your majesty, this is amazing. If there's anything I can do to help prepare, I would love to." "It is all taken care of, but perhaps you can organize the groups. You know the areas of skill of many of these people. Arrange it so it is fair, so the worst have the chance to fight for more than 2 seconds and the best can take it all, albeit with many challenges."
"Yes, your majesty." "Good, then let us eat. Kel, how was your morning? I could't help but notice your walking in with the prince..." As they ate, Kel filled them in on the morning's events.
" ...and then he took me to a Healer, and the bell rang for breakfast and we came here."
"Are you ok?" inquired Yuki, "You hardly ever lose control when you're practicing, or even when you're in a battle. What happened?" "I saw someone by the practice courts this morning. He was studying me fighting, but I didn't notice him until I threw up my glaive, and it distracted me, I threw the glaive on an angle and then it came down towards me and I didn't have time to catch it."
"Which is where his highness comes in...," stated Yuki.
Unbeknownst to Kel, Nariko had walked in midway through her story. "Hold on," she demanded, "Back it up. You lost control? You never lose control-" "That's what I said" "Whoever that was, he unsettled you."
"It was nothing, I'm sure of it."
"Well, whatever you say your highness, but perhaps it would be safer to look into this."
"Absolutely not, it was-"
"Nothing, I'm sure," interrupted the Empress, "But just to be absolutely sure, Nariko I give you full discretion: find out who it was. There are many people who would not be happy with the princess' approaching nuptials with the Crown Prince of Tortall."
"Yes, your majesty."
"Ok, now onto a more pleasant topic. Now that the Tortallans have had enough time to accustom themselves we are throwing a ball to welcome them. Most of them will be leaving after the tournament next week, so this will be one of two grand balls, One to welcome, and one to say goodbye to our foreign guests." The table erupted into excited murmuring and squeals among the younger adolescents. "Ahem," the Emperor demanded the attention back to his wife. The Empress continued after a moment,
"There will be many parties and gatherings, but only two balls, so I expect everyone's attendance," with this she narrowed her eyes at Kel, "and everyone's diplomatic faces."
As the breakfast trays were cleared, the royal table stood up, exiting the dining room.
As they were going back to their rooms, a warning bell rippled through the castle, calling all Yamani Knights stationed at the castle to their battle stations. Bandits were riding through the capitol city and buildings were burning. Everyone rushed around and Kel ran to her rooms, grabbing her glaive, boots and shield before rushing to the knights' stables.
As she was running through the crowds of people closing down the castle gates and groups of soldiers loyal to the Yamani crown lining up and marching through the massive gates to the city, she felt someone running beside her. She caught a glimpse of fiery hair and immediately recognized her companion.
"What are you doing? You should be with your monarchs! You're their champion." Kel yelled over the commotion.
"And you're a princess!" Retorted the famous lioness.
"Fine, follow me. Where's your horse?"
"Being brought to the knights' stables." "How did you get permission for that? That ground is off limits to everyone but Yamani Knights." "I told them you allowed it." Kel groaned at the prospect of explaining this to Nariko.
"Alright, but if you get killed, I'm not explaining this to your King."
"Fine by me." They arrived at the knight's stables amongst a flurry of preparations. Kel went to go and get Peachblossom saddled as Alanna went to get her horse. She was rounding the corner when she bumped into Nariko.
"One, what's a Tortallan Knight doing here? Don't answer that. Two, I need you to command the Second Imperial Company. Their commander got run over by a horse that went out of control on his way here."
"Take command? But I don't, I mean-" "I've watched you in combat and in battle. Few have what it takes to be a commander, but then again, few have what it takes to be a Lady Yamani Knight. Bandits are good training."
"Yes Sir."
Kel bowed to her training master and rounded the corner, only to stop dead in her tracks. Joining the Second Imperial Company, it seemed, would be a small part of the Tortallan army. She would be commanding Neal, Roald, Merric and Cleon along with a few other knights she had never heard of. From behind her came the voice of Nariko,
"The Tortallans thought it proper that they lend us some knights. They also didn't think a princess should be out on the battlefield without her prince to protect her."
Kel scowled at this, but behind her calm facade, her stomach was churning with the first real dread she had ever felt before a battle.
Author's Note: If you were to leave a review (hint, hint!), then I would love some constructive criticism. If you feel the need to flame, go ahead, but offer some suggestions on how to improve what you thought was wrong with it. I'd love to know what you think. Hope you enjoyed it, and the next installment will hopefully be up faster then this one was.
ALSO, I've never had a Beta, or been a Beta, but does anyone know how that works? Thanks.