A/N: This takes place after Kel's ordeal, when she is about to be knighted.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Tamora Pierce
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If her ordeal was frightening, this should be nothing. Nothing, no competition what-so-ever. Just walk up, kneel, and take the shield. After all, this is what you've been waiting for, hasn't it?
Kelardry of Mindelan drew a deep breath and took her first step towards the rest of her life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The King's Champion, for the first time in eight years was once more sitting by the kings side. Not that the court had really missed her. She was loud and she was well, a she. Just now they could see another crazy female striding down the carpet to take her place as a bonified nut case, just like the Lioness. The crowd remained remarkably silent while King Jonathon the 3rd swore in the new knight.
"Keladry of Mindelan, are you prepared to give your oath of fealty and serve your county of Tortall, it's citizens and King for the rest of your life?"
"Yes."
"I dub thee-"
"Wait." A new voice appeared in the throne room. "I have proof that Keladry of Mindelan has been given magical help by Alanna of Trebond and therefore is a cheat and a disgrace to the crown. She deserves nothing but a warrant."
Alanna of Trebond had jumped out of her chair and started toward Vinson of Gareth but was restrained by a firm word and glare from the King.
Kelardy of Mindelan was still kneeling when she looked back at her old foe. He gave he a smirk and said to the whole court:
"The proof I have will require a mage, for it is inside Keladry herself."
The court stirred and the Lioness stiffling with anger shouted to the whole court as much as Vinson,
"This is ridiculous! I've only seen Kel once, and that was last night after her ordeal!"
"That's right Lioness. You did see her after the Ordeal last night because you were the one to heal her after it was over, weren't you?"
"Well yes, but-"
"But you've never shone interest in knight's ordeals before, let alone come to heal. If you helped Keladry in this way, who is to say you have been helping her magically all along."
"No! No, this is proposterous! That was the only time I've ever seen Kel before in my life. As for healing her, I did, just that one time. Even if I had helped her magically before, which I couldn't of due to a law by King Jonathon, there are no rules saying I couldn't have. So you will shut your mouth Vinson of Gareth before I come shut it for you."
The King intervened,"That's enough Alanna." To the whole court he said, "I did place a order on the Lioness of no communication with Keladry of Mindelan. She has been gone from court ever since the law was placed, for eight years, now she is back, and Keladry deserves her shield so please step aside Vinson."
The court of people, who were fully enjoying this witch hunt, had already convicted the obviously lying knight but decided to stick around for the full show.
"Now, I may be mistaken sire, but is there not a spell which allows one to see the amount of magic placed in a person?"
"Vinson, I told you to step aside."
The crowd then began yelling, yelling to hear Vinon of Gareth out. The King waved his hands for quiet, "Alright Vinson, what are you proposing to do."
The sly man took a few steps closer to the throne, "Well, I suggest we test Keladry of Mindelan and one of her year mate's magical input levels. If Keladry has around the same level as the boy then she is blame less and earned her shield herself," he put extra emphasis on his next words, "But, if she has much more we'll know she has been given her shield through someone else's magical ability."
At his last word the audience seemed to come to life with conversation. Most were yelling in favor of the tests, while a select few of Kel's friends and teachers were shaking their heads and protesting, loudly. Kel herself was deathly quiet, eyes wide open.
The King stepped forward, "Keladry of Mindelan, Merric of Hollyrose, Alanna the Lioness, Numair Salamin, and Vinson of Gareth will report to my study imeddiately." With that Jonathon of Conte walked stately out of the room, well as stately as he could manage with the Lioness pulling his arm and hissing in his ear the entire way.
Merric of Hollyrose stepped forward and helped a dazed and pale Kel to her feet. When she stumbled upon getting up, he took her arm and guided her the rest of the way out. Vinson of Gareth mock bowed to Kel and Merric on their way out, and followed with a bounce in his usual slump-shouldered step. Numair Salamin on the other hand frowned, and jogged to the study, because he knew exactly what was going to happen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: All right, that's my first chapter. So, what do you think? Review, review, review!
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Tamora Pierce
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If her ordeal was frightening, this should be nothing. Nothing, no competition what-so-ever. Just walk up, kneel, and take the shield. After all, this is what you've been waiting for, hasn't it?
Kelardry of Mindelan drew a deep breath and took her first step towards the rest of her life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The King's Champion, for the first time in eight years was once more sitting by the kings side. Not that the court had really missed her. She was loud and she was well, a she. Just now they could see another crazy female striding down the carpet to take her place as a bonified nut case, just like the Lioness. The crowd remained remarkably silent while King Jonathon the 3rd swore in the new knight.
"Keladry of Mindelan, are you prepared to give your oath of fealty and serve your county of Tortall, it's citizens and King for the rest of your life?"
"Yes."
"I dub thee-"
"Wait." A new voice appeared in the throne room. "I have proof that Keladry of Mindelan has been given magical help by Alanna of Trebond and therefore is a cheat and a disgrace to the crown. She deserves nothing but a warrant."
Alanna of Trebond had jumped out of her chair and started toward Vinson of Gareth but was restrained by a firm word and glare from the King.
Kelardy of Mindelan was still kneeling when she looked back at her old foe. He gave he a smirk and said to the whole court:
"The proof I have will require a mage, for it is inside Keladry herself."
The court stirred and the Lioness stiffling with anger shouted to the whole court as much as Vinson,
"This is ridiculous! I've only seen Kel once, and that was last night after her ordeal!"
"That's right Lioness. You did see her after the Ordeal last night because you were the one to heal her after it was over, weren't you?"
"Well yes, but-"
"But you've never shone interest in knight's ordeals before, let alone come to heal. If you helped Keladry in this way, who is to say you have been helping her magically all along."
"No! No, this is proposterous! That was the only time I've ever seen Kel before in my life. As for healing her, I did, just that one time. Even if I had helped her magically before, which I couldn't of due to a law by King Jonathon, there are no rules saying I couldn't have. So you will shut your mouth Vinson of Gareth before I come shut it for you."
The King intervened,"That's enough Alanna." To the whole court he said, "I did place a order on the Lioness of no communication with Keladry of Mindelan. She has been gone from court ever since the law was placed, for eight years, now she is back, and Keladry deserves her shield so please step aside Vinson."
The court of people, who were fully enjoying this witch hunt, had already convicted the obviously lying knight but decided to stick around for the full show.
"Now, I may be mistaken sire, but is there not a spell which allows one to see the amount of magic placed in a person?"
"Vinson, I told you to step aside."
The crowd then began yelling, yelling to hear Vinon of Gareth out. The King waved his hands for quiet, "Alright Vinson, what are you proposing to do."
The sly man took a few steps closer to the throne, "Well, I suggest we test Keladry of Mindelan and one of her year mate's magical input levels. If Keladry has around the same level as the boy then she is blame less and earned her shield herself," he put extra emphasis on his next words, "But, if she has much more we'll know she has been given her shield through someone else's magical ability."
At his last word the audience seemed to come to life with conversation. Most were yelling in favor of the tests, while a select few of Kel's friends and teachers were shaking their heads and protesting, loudly. Kel herself was deathly quiet, eyes wide open.
The King stepped forward, "Keladry of Mindelan, Merric of Hollyrose, Alanna the Lioness, Numair Salamin, and Vinson of Gareth will report to my study imeddiately." With that Jonathon of Conte walked stately out of the room, well as stately as he could manage with the Lioness pulling his arm and hissing in his ear the entire way.
Merric of Hollyrose stepped forward and helped a dazed and pale Kel to her feet. When she stumbled upon getting up, he took her arm and guided her the rest of the way out. Vinson of Gareth mock bowed to Kel and Merric on their way out, and followed with a bounce in his usual slump-shouldered step. Numair Salamin on the other hand frowned, and jogged to the study, because he knew exactly what was going to happen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: All right, that's my first chapter. So, what do you think? Review, review, review!