Today the king was present at breakfast, which was unusual. He was only present when something very important was going on. Kin Jonathan III held a hand up to silence the hungry pages and squires. They obeyed immediately.
"Good morning. I have come to discuss a matter of misfortune that has come up," this got everyone's attention, "There have been 36 Spidrens sighted near fief Naxen. Since much of the king's own is busy fighting Scanion raiders, the Tortallan army is quite short handed. That's where you come in." A low murmur filled the mess hall. The squires and pages were always eager to fight, but rarely got a chance to.
King Jonathon III held up his hand to quiet the excited people. "The squires—and squires only—will be helping to fight these creatures. You will be leaving tomorrow at dawn. The squires will have today off to pack their bags and buy any last-minute supplies."
With that, the King left. The pages and squires finished their breakfast—the pages heading towards the practice courts and the squires to their rooms to get ready for the long journey a head of them.
Kel and Neal were walking back to Neal's room. They were waiting, in silence, both thinking about what the King had said. Suddenly the hair on the back of Kel's neck prickled. She felt eyes on her back, so she whirled around. About 20 yards behind them was Joren. When he saw her looking, he quickly ducked into a different hallway. Kel groaned inwardly. Joren always seemed to be looking at her, following her, and being nice to her and her friends. Kel never told anybody, but his actions freaked her out. She couldn't figure out why he was acting this way—he had always hated her. Sometimes she didn't know if he hater her and was TRYING to scare her, or if he liked her and wanted to be friends.
They had reached Neal's room. Once they were in the room, Neal turned towards Kel and said, "Is this later?" Kel grinned.
"I don't see no reason why it's not," Neal leaned over and planted another firm kiss on her lips.
"Ohh, is that as good as you can do?" taunted Kel.
"Oh, you want my best?" Neal said while he picked her up and dumped her onto the bed. He wrapped his arms around her trim figure and they kissed passionately. After a few minutes, Kel pulled away with ragged breath.
"We better start packing, or the Stump will kill us."
Neal sighed and got up, "You're right, but we were just getting into it!"
Kel stayed in Neal's room and helped him pack enough clothes and gear for the journey. Then the two squires went to Kel's room and packed her belonging. Crown the sparrow and her flock darted around the room and landed on their shoulders, peeping inquiringly, and wondering why these big, slow creatures couldn't understand what their endless peeps said.
When Kel was all packed, they went onto one of the practice courts. There they saw Alanna the Lioness fencing with a knight she didn't know.
"The Lioness!" Kel breathed.
She watched the redhead's swift and unwavering thrusts. Kel stared in awe at Alanna's speed. Suddenly Alanna's sword tip was resting on the other knight's neck in the "kill" position.
Grinning, she lowered her blade and shook the knight's hand.
Kel bounded down to the practice courts just as the Lioness was coming off of it. She would finally get to meet her hero!
She was running so fast that she didn't stop in time to avoid running into Alanna, who was now wiping off sweat with her towel.
"Easy, youngster," the Lioness said, grinning. Kel stopped immediately, embarrassed.
She had made a fool of herself in front of the Lioness, and the Lioness didn't even know her name! Neal ran to her and stood by her placing a reassuring arm on her shoulders.
"What might your name be, youngster?" the Lioness asked.
"K-K-Keladry of M-Mindelan, my lady."
"Don't go calling me 'my lady'. The name's Alanna." After pausing for a minute, she said, "I've heard you're an excellent fencer. Why don't you show me what you can do against your friend?"
"Okay, my l- I mean, Alanna," Kel said nervously. She and Neal each grabbed one of the dull practice swords and walked onto the practice court. Kel looked around and saw Alanna sitting on a bench, watching her. Then she looked back at Neal, and he smiled at her, easing her nerves.
Kel and Neal bowed to each other, then began circling each other. Suddenly Kel started to attack in earnest, and Neal was barely able to block. Alanna's eyes widened as she watched this teenager dart in and out. She had the speed that even Alanna didn't think was possible, and Alanna was one of the best fighters, if not the best, in Tortall. But this young girl was faster than her, and maybe even stronger.
Kel did a quick crescent moon move, and she rested her blade on Neal's neck. Neal grinned and held his hands up in a mock salute.
"Okay, Okay, you win," he said kissing her lightly on the lips. Kel smiled at him and walked off the practice courts. She was handed a towel, but didn't really need one because she hadn't worked that hard. Kel was very strong, and had great stamina.
Kel saw the Lioness walking towards her. She had a look of awe on her face, and Kel wondered what had surprised her.
"You're really good, Keladry. Would you like to fence against me?" Kel didn't need to be asked twice.
"Sure! But you can call me Kel."
With that they made their way back onto the practice carts, again grabbing a practice sword. They bowed to each other and squared off, circling and looking for the other's weaknesses. Alanna feinted a few times, seeing how the younger girl would react. Kel waited patiently, never once falling for one of Alanna's feints. Alanna noticed that she wasn't falling for her tricks. She decided to try a different approach, she did a fake stab, spin, kaleidoscope jab, and then swung up her word to give a blow to Kel. Kel knew right away what she was doing, so she twisted aside and brought her sword to Alanna's "kill" position. Alanna was shocked; a 16-year-old girl just beat me, the Lioness. Alanna spoke up
"Wow, Kel, your really good. You have a lot of talent or else you were chosen."
Kel was confused at the last reason and the Lioness could tell.
"Well, being chosen basically means that the Gods and Goddesses are with you."
"Oh, I see, Okay." She replied
"Anyway, I'll have to talk to Lord Wyldon. I think your training class teachers should be upgraded." She winked.
Kel grinned. Alanna waved her had good-bye and said, "Well, I'll be seeing you around! And keep it up!"
She saw the king, King Jonathan III, and his son, Prince Roald, walking through the gardens. She ran up to them calling, "Hey Jon, are you busy or can we talk?"
"Not the busiest, I'm just going over some History with my son. You know, bonding."
Roald lightly punched his dad's shoulder while Alanna laughed and met up with them.
Alanna turned and saw that Kel was still there, cleaning her sword.
Jon, you should really watch this Keladry of Mindelan. She beat me in fencing."
"Oh, really. Let's see," he said as he turned in Kel's direction and called, "Keladry, could you come here for a moment?"
Kel gasped, "The King wants to see me?" she whispered barely enough that Neal heard and was given a nudge.
"Kel, go on, he's the King."
"I know," she hissed, "but I don't really like 'The King', okay?"
"Well, you can't say 'I don't want to see you King Jonathan.' I mean, come on now. GO TO THE KING!!!"
Neal shoved Kel forward. Kel stumbled over a rock for a second, "Mithros I'm making such a fool of myself and it's in front of the King and the Lioness!" she closed the distance between her and the King and bowed. She knew she should have curtsied, but she wasn't sure she wanted to.
"Hello Keladry, how are you?"
'Peachy' was what Kel really wanted to say, but she bit her tongue and in her best Yamani face replied, "Good, Your Majesty." 'Gods, how long is this gonna have to happen?' Kel thought.
"So, I've heard you're a rather gifted swordsman—er—swordswoman?"
Alanna laughed at the remark, she'd heard many people correct themselves for saying that about her.
"I guess you could say I'm rather good at it, yes?"
"Well, as you heard earlier, at breakfast, the squires will be going to fight the spidrens. We have to choose the 1st, 2nd, 3rd others groups to fight them. The 1st will of course fight 1st. They will also consist of the best squires. Sir Alanna and Sir Arnold of Tirvagen will be leading this. Would you like to be a first fighter?"
Kel was stunned, "W-well, of course, I guess so, I mean, why not?" she said to herself, but she was soon to realize that the King, prince and knight had also heard.
"So I take it as a yes?" grinned Alanna. Kel blushed from embarrassment.
"Y-y-yes!" she stammered.
"Okay then, I'll go talk to Wyldon," he turned to his son, "Why don't you finish discussing your history homework with Keladry." He glanced at Kel.
"He can call me Kel. That's what everyone calls me."
"Okay, Kel, is that okay?
"O sure" Roald walked over to Kel while Alanna and King Jon started off towards Lord Wyldon's room.
"Whoa, Kel! You beat Alanna?"
"Yeah, I guess so," she replied meekly.
"Awesome! I can't believe it! Wow! You're really good!" Roald yelled, forgetting all prince properness.
Kel turned a nice shade of red, and mumbled something incomprehensible to Neal and Roald. She quickly changed the subject.
"So, Roald, are you gonna go spidren hunting with us?" she asked.
His face darkened, and a look of what Kel thought was sadness swept over his face momentarily.
"No, Father said I can't because I', the 'crowned prince'" Roald said with disgust. "But I still don't know why—he got to fight against Tuisane at the River Drell!"
Kel patted his shoulder comfortingly. She knew how it felt to be forbidden to fight. Shortly before she had come back to Corus this summer, there was an attack on Mindelan by spidrens and ogres. Kel had been ordered from the fighting by her mother because she was getting over a bruised rib, despite the fact she had a good aim with a bow. Kel had gone out fighting anyway. She had been devastated when her cousin Seth jumped in front of an arrow meant for her. Seth had died right there, and Kel was convinced it was her fault for the death of her favorite cousin.
Remembering caused an unwanted tear to slide down her cheek. Though she tried to wipe her tear and turn away, Neal saw and put and arm around her waist. She rested her head on his shoulder.
Kel and Neal spent the rest of the day at the Market. Kel wanted to buy a new dress, and she wanted Neal to help her pick it out. The two squires talked, laughed, and shopped all day.