mygerbil: Good. You just might.

Smidjett: Thank you. And that probably will happen for a bit.

PsychoLioness13: Sorry about the long wait between updates. But here's a new chapter!

ally: Thanks. I try.

Dragon Girl Revlis: Thank you. I shall grant your wish for me to keep writing.

Jedi Keladry: It does make a difference, although ultimately, the decision is Kel's not mine or yours.

sw33t t3mptations: Thank you.

dawn of the new world: Thanks. The reason it has taken me so long is that I couldn't really figure out how to interpret them either.

Midnight Knight: Thanks, I plan to do so.

Tears Washed Away: Well thanks. However, I think your ship hints were too subtle for me to catch. Who do you want Kel to end up with again?

DaughterofDeath: Yes ma'am.

Princess Alyssa: I accidentally put your review response in Chapter 2 when I revised it. Go to that to read it.

Griffingirl: I'm quaking in my boots. Seriously, I'm quivering. I'll get it up as soon as my Muse allows.

YellowPost-ItNote: Thanks. That's probably the best compliment I've received on my writing.

Here we go!!

Three years later.....

Kel retired to her room after leaving a typical Yamani gathering early. One can only take so much gazing at the moon reflected in ponds surrounded by cherry blossoms. She slipped away to write a letter to her parents before Yuki returned.

She plopped onto the floor and leaned back against the bed, propping her feet up on a table. Her room at the palace was airy and large, but the emperor was on progress, and she was with him. This room was much smaller, and she shared it with Yuki. She rummaged around in her sack, and pulled out some writing utensils.

Dear Mama and Papa,

I'm enclosing several packets of green tea, since you are running out and I know how expensive it is in Tortall. The progress is almost over, and we should be returning to the capital within two months. I decided not to return to Tortall yet, but I certainly am glad that Ady's betrothed's grandmother approved of her.

Nariko is putting me through my paces again, though I have been getting better. She was furious yesterday when we threw her a surprise party for her eightieth birthday. To quote her, "We are on progress! What kind of impression will this foolery make on the noblemen? And YOU! I certainly expected better from the daughter of Ilane. You will wish you can die after training tomorrow." She was right. She threw me into a tree twice.

Sorry that Princess Tinyakami didn't work out for the treaty. They may have told the king that it is because she is ill and sickly, but I'll share something with you. She's not. She's pregnant. The emperor was so furious with her. I don't even like her, but I felt sorry for her. She was sent to live in the mountains with her uncle who had fallen out of favor, and her lover was executed. As always, the emperor sends his regards. Tell my siblings that I love them

Kel

Kel looked up at the sound of a door swinging open and closed.

"Care to explain what that was about," Yuki asked, her eyes twinkling.

"I am sure that I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about."

"Liar. I saw you and Rukoven together. You talked to him the entire night! You can't fool me." Yuki paused. "Not that I blame you. He is very good looking, and he seems very sweet. His older brother courted me."

"Who in this whole gods forsaken country has not courted you," Kel muttered, her fan hiding a smile.

"I will choose to not to respond to that comment," Yuki replied loftily.

The next day...

Kel rose before dawn as habit insisted. She dressed in a kimono, and slipped out of the door and into the gardens. Seeing a familiar figure by a fountain, she walked over to see him. "Good morning, Rukoven." He turned, and smiled at her.

"And good morning to you. Did you enjoy yourself last night?"

"No," was her frank answer. He chuckled. "And don't you pretend that you did either, Koven. It won't work with me."

"I would never dream of it," he responded, lightly brushing her forehead with his lips. "Come walk with me." Smiling, she took the proffered arm. "So," he said, leading her through the gardens, into the labyrinth. "We are to arrive at my home next."

"I know. You are going to stay with the progress aren't you?" Kel asked. "You won't stay there?"

"I don't know," Koven answered. "Both options are open to me. I am weighing the pros and cons of both."

"Well surely there are more pros to staying with the progress! If you do not, who knows when you'll return to the palace? Please, Koven?"

He continued to walk, quickening his pace slightly. "Well, I might not see you for a while, but I have not seen my family either. I want to spend some time with my nephew."

Koven halted in his steps. "However, there are several reasons for staying with the progress. But, somehow I find that the only one that matters is standing right in front of me." He took Kel's face in his hand and brought his lips to hers.

Kel's mind spun. She gently pushed him away. "Koven," she breathed. "What was that?"

He smiled, and brought his face down back to hers. Hidden by the hedges, they stayed and kissed until the sun came up.

Kel returned to her room to grab her glaive for morning practice. As she walked in, she sighted Yuki perched on the edge of the bed. "Where have you been, Keladry of Mindelan?"

"In the gardens, Your Highness."

"That is the respect I should receive." Yuki stood and walked to where Kel stood, squinting up into her face. "And you have been well and thoroughly kissed."

"What?" Kel sputtered before her Yamani mask took over and she was able to compose herself. "I am sure I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about," she told Yuki disdainfully.

"I bet," she replied, grabbing her own glaive and exiting the room. Kel turned and followed her. "So Kel. Do you know where we are traveling to today?"

"Koven's hometown."

"And do you know who else lives there?"

Kel looked over at Yuki. "No, great one. Please enlighten us lesser mortals."

Yuki covered her face with her fan, hiding a smile. "Remember Shinko?"

"Cricket?"

"That's the one."

"Oh good, I haven't seen her since the Midwinter after I arrived here," Kel said, as they arrived at the practice courts.

"Well, she's here. But don't expect her to be in good spirits. She's betrothed to a horrible old man with a horrible reputation and a horrible family."

"GIRLS!" someone roared. "STOP CHATTING AND STRETCH! YOU THINK LEARNING TO DEFEND YOURSELF IS A GAME? WHERE WILL YOU BE WHEN YOU'RE CORNERED BY A RAPIST IN A DARK ALLEY?"

"Raise your hands if you love Nariko," Kel muttered as she grabbed her feet with her hands and pushed her legs straight.

A/N: Those of you who are confused about the Yuki/Shinko situation, reread Kel and Shinko's meeting in Squire. Shinko did not tell Kel her station, so she would not be intimidated.