Chapter 6! This is going to be pretty long, by the way, but not too long. At least three more chapters. At least. On we go!

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Chapter 6: Captured

Kel just lay there, hands almost numb, thinking morbid thoughts. Really, what was the Realm of the Dead like? She shook off that idea. There was still hope. What made her sick was the way the bandits used her, though she highly doubted that assholes like them had near as high values. All she could do was pray to the gods and hope for a miracle. But people hoped for miracles all the time. Why should the gods care about one little mortal who was too stupid to avoid Scanra? But wait, she could just remember… It was long ago, when she had met Daine. She was in big trouble with Carthak, and came to Tortall for a while to rest from her life on the run…

"If you're ever in real trouble- I mean real trouble, like life-or-death situation," said Daine, "pray to the Green Lady. She's only a very minor goddess, but if you make your plight known to her she may be able to persuade a bigger god to help you."

"What is she the goddess of?" Kel asked.

"She is like the Mother's little helper, I guess. She helps with birthings or matters of the heart around Snowsdale, the village where I grew up."

Kel had nearly forgotten about their conversation, and now she remembered, wondering what relationship Daine had with the Green Lady. But it could never hurt to pray, and Kel hoped really and truly that her prayers would be answered.

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Sarra's head snapped up. "Odd," she said. "This isn't like my normal calls…" she racked her brains, sizing up the young woman's situation. "Must've been Daine, helping out a friend. She's been very…odd…lately, but she still retains some of her old kindness."

Weiryn looked in on his mate, sitting down opposite her. "Odd my ass. She's been acting like a whore, and though she has gotten better of late, if I could get my hands on her she'd get the spanking of her life."

"Weiryn! She a grown woman-"

"You'd think she's a sixteen-year-old prostitute for the way she acts. In fact, when midsummer comes around, I am going to tan her hide!"

Sarra, a.k.a. the Green Lady, frowned. "Let's deal with the present situation first. Are there any huntsmen around that might give her aid?"

"Sure. But rescuing her may be going beyond my limits. Who do you think I am, Mithros?"

"Weiryn-" she said warningly.

"Yeah, sure. I blame you if one of the Great Gods says I'm overstepping my authority." Weiryn sighed, rubbed his antlers, and closed his eyes. In a minute or two he opened them again. "Right. A huntsman has had a mystical vision and he is rescuing your little cookie after sunset. Happy now?"

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Kel woke yet again to someone shaking her awake. A man of maybe thirty took a knife and cut the bonds at her wrists and ankles, leading her to her mare, which was already saddled and provisioned with her bags. She checked the secret pocket and sighed with relief when she saw her keychain, with the three tokens still attached. She then silently led Starshine away, following the man into the forest for ways before they came to a pony tethered on a tree. He mounted it, she mounted Starshine, and they both galloped off as fast as the man's pony would go. They slowed to a trot, and the man led her to a little ramshackle hut just ahead.

"Phew," he said, "I wasn' sure I'd make it. But whatever Weiryn says…"

"Who's Weiryn?" asked Kel.

"I'll explain once we're inside. I could use some hot tea."

They stabled their mounts, and got inside where the man explained over some tea and traveler's bread.

"Well- I'm a huntsman." He started, "I've lived alone in these woods, as peaceful as you please, for more'n a decade. Then, just as I was eatin' m'dinner, when I got a strange feeling in my head. It was a vision- of Weiryn. He's the god of huntsmen, see, with antlers like a deer. He said that a friend was captured by dem bandits not far from 'ere, and that I was t'bring ye away from 'em, see? An' now I'm done, an' I can have a peaceful living again. But the gods will meddle, ye can't stop 'em, not would I try. But ye're welcome to a warm bed and a hot meal, before ye go. Ye have the look of a traveler, an' I think ye can take care of yeself now on."

Kel accepted his story and his hospitality, and was soon bedding down on a straw-filled mattress. It was luxurious, compared to what she'd been having recently, and she fell asleep immediately.

***

Kel woke up at dawn, happy and refreshed. After eating a breakfast of warm porridge, she bode the kind man farewell.

"Oh-wait," she said, just as she was walking out the door, "do you have any extra bits or scraps of leather, or some sort of cloth? Just a tiny piece, mind."

The man fished a scrap of half-tanned leather out of his pocket and tossed it to her. "What de ye want it for?" he asked.

Kel smiled mysteriously. "Oh- I can't tell you, but I am very grateful for it."

The man shook his head in the bizarreness of it, and smiled as he shut the door of his hut.

Kel smiled, and took her belt-knife out of her pocket to punch a hole in the tough hide. Then she fit it onto the last chain, looking at the four tokens on it before stowing it in her pack. She still had plenty of time to get back to Shang, her ordeal was almost over…

Mounting Starshine, she traveled south, going at an easy pace, enjoying the scenery. She was out of Scanra before too long, and back on Tortallan soil. Only then did she realize that she didn't even know the kind man's name.

***

Kel traversed through the city streets of Corus, glad to be back at the capital again. There seemed to be some kind of party going on, and she asked a passers-by what it was for.

"What's it for?" he said, shocked. "'Tis midsummer. What planet are you from?" (***I know that's not exactly a Tortallan saying, but oh well!***)

Kel had completely forgotten. You know, it's only fitting, she thought. I come back to Cleon on midsummer. How romantic. But Kel's thoughts were far from sarcastic.

She approached the gate guards, who weren't really paying attention, and only belatedly realized she was there. "Business?" he asked.

"I've come here to visit my knight in shining armor," Kel joked. "It is midsummer, after all."

The guard chuckled and let her pass.

The long walk to the Palace seemed routine, and she stabled her mare without fuss. She practically pranced up the staircases, greeting people she knew. Finally she was standing outside Cleon's room, knocking on the door. He probably wasn't around , but there was no harm in trying. He opened the door, unchanged from all the time she was gone.

"How come you aren't partying with everyone else?" she asked cheerfully.

He stood there, openmouthed. "Kel?"

"I said I'd come back."

He picked her up in an enthusiastic hug, squashing her. "I'm so happy you could make it! Just think! Midsummer's Day, my true love returns!"

"Am I your true love?" Kel asked softly.

"I sure hope so," he said just as softly, and swept her up in a passionate kiss, which she returned. They backed into his room, and he closed the door behind them. Kel was finally happy, with the man she loved.

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Aw, isn't that sweet! I am pro K/C, no please no flames Neal fans! But this story is far from over. It's got a ways to go yet…