Whee hee! Now that I'm done part two I can finally solve the mystery on what Kel does! This is simply brilliant! Remember: the law was never passed that women could be knights…
Disclaimer: none of TP's characters belong to me, etc. etc…
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Tortall's Twin: Part 3
~Kel~ Chapter one: The Unicorn
Keladry of Mindelan, five years old, practically groveled at her father's feet.
"Pleaaaaaaase! I'll be very good! Very good! Everyone else is goin, and I'll prob'ly never get tis chance again for th'rest of my life! Please!"
The baron sighed. "Fine. You can go see the Shang Unicorn, just go with someone older. Now shoo!"
Kel happily skipped off and would have whooped for joy, but the Yamanis discouraged such behavior; emotion was a weakness. So it was a mental chant. I'm gonna she the Unicorn, I'm gonna see the Unicorn.
In her joy, Kel completely forgot about her father's orders to take someone with her. But it hardly mattered, all children six and under, plus many spectators, went to see Unicorn, Kylaia al Jmaa. They said she was the most beautiful woman in the world, even more beautiful than the Queen. Kel would believe it when she saw it. Walking down the cobbled streets, Keladry could scarcely contain her glee. The Unicorn! She would actually see the Shang Unicorn. Absorbed in her thoughts, she bumped into someone. Kel had reached the pavilion where the Unicorn would be looking at young children for Shang.
"Oops- excuse me- sorry, ma'am- 'scuse me." She said it all in Yamani, of course. He knowledge of the language was basic, and mostly limited to 'hello,' 'goodbye,' 'please' and 'thank you'. But it got her where she wanted. Finally, Kel saw her. She was beautiful, though not exceptionally so. But what caught your eye was the lithe smoothness, that perfect balance in the way she moved. Beside that, the beauty of a goddess would not affect a thing. Kel didn't know how long she sat there, staring at this woman. Then someone talking to her snapped her out of her reverie.
"Hey," a voice said. It was the Unicorn! She had actually noticed Kel! The Unicorn spoke in Common, which surprised Kel. I suppose it's my un-Yamani like look. She thought. "What's you're name?"
Kel was dumbstruck. "Uh, Keladry of Mindelan,"
"I've heard about you, and your mother." She smiled. "You'd be good in Shang."
Kel melted. Her, the clumsy little foreigner, in Shang? But anything could happen. Keladry rushed home.
***
Keladry of Mindelan, five years old, practically groveled at her father's feet.
"Pleaaaaaaase! I'll be very good! Very good! Everyone else is goin, and I'll prob'ly never get tis chance again for th'rest of my life! Please!"
The baron sighed. Why do I have this feeling of deja vu? He thought. But I don't want to lose her, and she's just a little girl! The baron of Mindelan knew full well that some children were taken even younger than Kel was now, but Kel? His little princess?
"I'll think it over,' he said resignedly. "Maybe we can invite Kylaia al Jmaa for dinner, and talk to her about it. This is a decision that will change you life, Keladry. After you go there, there's no turning back."
"I know, father, I can do it. Please?"
"I'll think about it."
***
That evening, as they had their dinner at the long table, Kel's father put forth his question.
"Well," said the Unicorn, "I am grateful for your hospitality, but there isn't really anything to talk about. Either Keladry goes, or she doesn't. Talking about it isn't going to change anything; you already know what it means to be Shang. It's hard, with strict discipline. Many don't make it. I just think that she has what it takes. It's not strength or skill that we look for when we find children, it's endurance. And Keladry has it."
The baron and his wife had gone through lengthly discussions about this last night, and finally they did what they thought was the right thing.
"Tomorrow, when you leave, Keladry will go with you to the school of the Shang." Said Elaine (I think that's her name) of Mindelan.
Kylaia al Jmaa rose and smiled. "I think that your decision is the right one, and I hope your sacrifices are rewarded. Keladry can meet me at the pavilion at dawn if she still wishes to come."
"I do," Kel whispered softly as the Unicorn left, and hearing it, Kylaia smiled.
***
Keladry woke early; dragging her already packed bags out from under her bed. She was really going to do it! She was really going to Shang!
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I can't believe that nobody could figure out Kel was going to Shang! Man, I thought it would be obvious, her living in the Yamanis and all. And one more thing…R/R!!