(-a/n- Hi guys! Super quick update as my deadline is looming closer and there is still seven chapters to write…I'd better get a move on! Lol)
Erytha:Thanks!
Soul of Power ROCKS OUT LOUD: hehe! Thanks!
lemsterette:Yup there is now a baby to add to all the palava!
Mrs. Dom Masbolle:Dom will be back before the birth, I promise!
Confusedknight xxx
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Kel was glad that she was sailing back to Corus rather than riding. After all a two week ride would definitely classify as 'strenuous activity' which the healer had expressively forbidden. She wasn't entirely sure how Peachblossom would take to being sedated on a ship for two weeks but she had promised to make it up to him with double portions of apples when they returned to Corus.
Kel's last two weeks in Mindelan passed very quickly and she spent as much time with Anders, Tilaine, Rory and Lu as possible. The weather had got a lot warmer as summer began and Kel did not mourn the loss of her pink and orange knitted sweater.
Kel had promised Rory and Lu a tour of the Palace when they came to visit Corus in five months time. Rory would be entering page training, but Lu would be returning to Mindelan as she had to wait another year before she could begin her training. Lu was deeply disgruntled about this, saying that she could keep up with Rory; he was only one year older than her. But Anders stood his ground, telling Kel privately that he thought it would be good to separate them. It would give them a chance to make new friends of their own, as they wouldn't always be together in later life.
Finally it was time to leave, after eight weeks of holiday in her home fief, (she had had to extend the holiday slightly to catch the ship home,) she set out on the two week journey home.
Kel stood at the prow of the ship as it made its way into the harbour at Port Caynn. The two week sea voyage had gone remarkably well with only a very minor storm, the rest of the time Kel had enjoyed immensely. The crew was friendly and had been willing to show Kel how the boat worked and ran. Now as they docked Kel stepped out onto dry land and stumbled at the suddenly solidarity of the quay.
'Easy there,' said one of the sailors steadying her.
It took a while for everything to be unloaded, including Peachblossom, who was being particularly uncooperative. Finally Kel paid the Captain and left, trotting along the road to Corus on Merla who was delighted to be back on land again.
She had barely dismounted in the courtyard when four men came hurtling out of the Palace towards her. Neal, Owen, Merric and Roald had all come to welcome her back and Kel greeted them all happily. Neal was still wearing the sweater Alanna had given him. When Kel pointed this out, Neal replied despairingly,
'I've had this thing on for six weeks now and it won't come off. I've tried everything, it can't be cut, pulled or even unravelled. Alanna is the only one who knows how to get it off but she's gone to Trebond and says that she'll only remove it when I've learned to respect her knitting.' The others all snorted. 'What?' said Neal defensively.
'I'm not wearing this piece of knotted string? What do you take me for you deranged woman?' Said Owen in a crude imitation of Neal.
'You were all thinking it too, you can't deny it.'
'Neal,' sighed Kel, 'The difference is that they were all thinking it, but you speak your thoughts, which judging by your jumper situation,' Alanna did not take kindly to.
As they all made their way happily back to the Palace, laughing and joking, Roald fingered the ember-stone that hung around his neck. He smiled; Neal's jumper was glowing gently with the Purple gift that was Alanna's. Roald looked around; he could see evidence of magic everywhere from strengthening charms on the buildings to old healing spells. His ember-stone had been a gift from the God's and not many people knew about it. Alanna had one of course, but hers only showed magic that had been recently performed. His ember-stone showed him traces of magic everywhere, even if the magic had been performed long ago.
Suddenly he caught sight of Kel, she glowed a light turquoise all over. I wonder why thought Roald, it was not in his nature to be nosy but he didn't recognize the colour of the gift or know what sort of magic was upon Kel. So catching up with the rest of the group he stared across at her and his eyes widened. The turquoise gift was being projected from a charm of some sort on Kel's neck. If it was on a charm that suggested it was serving some sort of job or… his thoughts trailed away as the wind blew Kel's shirt flat against her stomach and Roald saw the rounded bump there. Abruptly letting go of the ember-stone the bump and the turquoise light disappeared. Roald's stomach sank. Kel was pregnant.
His first thought was; how can she be pregnant? But realising there was a very obvious answer to that, he blushed inwardly. Putting aside his initial shock he smiled knowing Kel would be a great mother. The real question was, why was she trying to hide her pregnancy? From the size of her belly she must be at least half way through her pregnancy. I wonder if Dom knows, he thought.
Roald realised that he'd have to ask Kel about it, he simply wasn't a good enough actor to pretend nothing had happened, and if Kel was hiding her pregnancy then she might need someone to talk to now and again. Deciding to wait and see if she told them herself, Roald followed his friends, joining in with their discussion on whether animals should wear clothes or not.
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Once Kel had rescued Jump from the ridiculous yellow sweater which Alanna had forced on him, she decided to pay a visit to Lalasa. The dress-maker was delighted to see Kel, insisting that Kel stay for tea.
The two women chatted for a long time, Kel telling Lalasa all about her nieces and nephews and Lalasa telling Kel all about the various commissions that she'd received in Kel's absence.
'You know just before you left you had a stalker, did you ever find out who it was?'
'No,' Lalasa blushed violently.
'You're lying,' said Kel teasingly, 'Please tell me Lally.'
But Lalasa had insisted that the stalker had stopped following her without ever revealing his identity.
'So who are those flowers from over there?' asked Kel her eyebrows raised.
'Just someone who was thanking me for their dress,' said Lalasa hurriedly.
Kel was not convinced, but dropped the subject, thinking that she would find out in time.
'So did you get sent one of Alanna's infamous jumpers?' asked Kel changing the subject.
Lalasa nodded, a slightly pink tinge to her cheeks and pointed to a small wicker basket in which a small grey cat lay on top of a lurid lime green jumper.
Kel laughed, 'That has to be the one of the most creative uses for a jumper that I've seen yet! When did you get a cat?'
'Oh I found her about a month ago and took her to the wild mage. Daine said she was healthy so I decided to keep her. '
Deciding that she'd better head up to the Palace for dinner Kel thanked Lalasa for the tea and biscuits and walked slowly up through the streets of the city, staring up at the Palace that was her current home.
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All throughout dinner Roald waited for her announcement or for Kel to ask for them all to come to her rooms but it was obvious that Kel had no intention of letting anyone in on her secret. So gathering up his courage he left the dining room five minutes after Kel and followed her up to her room. He knocked softly on the door.
'Come in,' called Kel cheerfully.
Roald slipped inside and closed the door, then staring at Kel with his sapphire blue eyes and said quietly with a sigh,
'Kel…I know.'
'What?' Kel spun around to face him.
'I know,' he repeated quietly.
'Oh,' said Kel, sinking onto her bed. 'How did you…' she trailed away.
'My ember-stone reveals magic and things hidden by magic.'
Kel looked up in panic, 'How many people have ember-stones?'
'Don't worry, as far as I know only Alanna and I.' There was an awkward silence before Kel said in a whisper.
'Please, please don't tell anyone.'
'I won't,' Roald promised, 'But I don't understand why you're hiding it, surely you know that we'd all be happy for you.'
'It's not that, its just that I wanted Dom to know first and I can't tell him in a letter I just can't. But if I told all my friends then he'd hear by the gossips and…promise me you won't tell anyone?' she pleaded quietly.
'I promise,' said Roald slowly, 'But I really think you should tell Neal.'
'Neal?' said Kel distractedly.
'Kel, Dom isn't coming back for another three months; Neal is going to notice some changes about you. When you're eight months pregnant you're hardly able to charge about. He's your best friend and he's a healer, he'll understand. He'll be able to help you far more than I can.'
'It's just this…it's all a big mess, with Dom up North and it was…well it was hardly planned.'
Roald smiled ruefully, 'These things never really are. Still, Kel you'll make a great mother you know that don't you?'
Kel smiled weakly, 'You think so?'
'I know so,' said Roald.
'Thanks,' replied Kel, and she went over and hugged Roald, 'You're a good friend Roald.'
'I'm always here if you ever need a talk.'
Kel nodded.
'How far along are you?'
'Five months,' said Kel smiling, placing her hands on her flat-looking stomach.
'Kel, go and find Neal now and tell him.'
'Now?' asked Kel suddenly alarmed.
'It'll be worse if you put it off, trust me if you tell him now you'll feel so much better.' Kel looked at him worriedly, 'Trust me,' Roald urged.
'Alright,' and slowly Kel stood up.
And together they exited the room, Kel heading off toward the Queenscove suites and Roald to his bedroom.
However Neal was not in the Queenscove suites, Yuki told Kel that it was his night on duty in the infirmary. Hoping that Neal would not have any patients, Kel hurried away to the infirmary. Seeing that the infirmary was empty except for one bed Kel walked over and knocked on the door to Neal's office.
'Come in,' called the familiar voice.
Kel slipped inside, Neal was sitting at his desk writing notes, looking up his smile broadened when he saw who it was.
'And what may I do for you Lady Keladry?'
'Neal…I have something to tell you.'
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(-a/n- I'm so evil! Sorry! But don't worry I'll update soon. Please review!)
Confusedknightxxx