Author's Note:
At the midday bell, Kel locked her door, and made her way towards the Meeting Chamber. Tentatively, she knocked on the door. Footsteps sounded, and the door creaked open to reveal Myles' hairy face.
"Ah, Keladry. It is good to see you. Come in," he said as he ushered her in. Besides Myles and herself, King Jonathan was the only other person in the room.
"Thank you, Myles. You may go now," Jon said; Myles bowed and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. "Kel, come and sit." Jon motioned to a chair beside him. She cautiously sat in the aforementioned chair. Jon smiled, and spoke again.
"I am sending you North. I'm afraid that the Scanrans may be gaining the upper hand. We need all the help we can get. You, Sir Neal, and several other knights will be staying and fighting with the Third Company of the King's Own. This means that you will be under the command of Lord Raoul."
"When will we be leaving, Your Majesty?" asked Kel.
"In three hours," Jon replied. "Do your duty to the Crown, and try to be careful. Good luck, Keladry." Before Kel could say anything, he dismissed her with a nod of his head. She stood up, bowed, and walked out the door.
Roald advanced towards his room, where he hoped to find Shinko. He opened the door, and there laying in front of him, gazing into each other's eyes was Cleon and Shinko! Both looked up. The latter started to cry with shame while the former stood up, a pillow covering the appropriate places, and tried to speak.
"Don't
even start, Cleon," the prince said dryly, "I need no words to see what has
happened. My wife fell in love with one of my best friends. Very well. You
should have kept in mind that this is high treason. You know the punishment."
Cleon
and Shinko both bent their heads in acknowledgment, for they knew they would be
tortured then beheaded for this affair.
Roald
continue mournfully. "Although I can't change the fact you will die, I shall
make it less cruel. One hour of torture instead of three, and the cut will be
swift."
The two bowed and murmured, "you are too kind" to the
prince before royal guards came and brought them away. Cleon and Shinko shared
one last clinging kiss before they were put in the torture chamber.
Kel
lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling and trying to stop her tears from
flowing. The whole palace could hear the screams of Cleon and Shinko,
especially those of Cleon, as they were tortured. In fifteen minutes, Kel,
along with the rest of the city, was expected to be at her friends' death
ceremony. Part of her said, I don't know
why I'm even upset. Its not like I care about them anymore. But Kel's other
half, the good Kel, replied Of course you
still care about them. Shinko is still your friend deep down, even though a
fight ruined your friendship. Cleon is still you friend, even though he hurt
you. You know that somewhere inside of you is love for them.
The
great bell rung seven times, signaling the execution was about to take place.
Kel rose and headed towards to the courtyard. Thousands were already there,
everybody with bowed heads. Cleon and Shinko were brought out onto the platform
followed by two strong men carrying sharp swords. Kel knelt and buried her head
into her arms until she could hear their bodies being dragged away. She stood
shakily, then joined Raoul, who just gave her a comforting glance. Silently,
they walked over to the stables.
When
the Third Company was assembled, followed by Kel, Neal, and the other knights,
Raoul gave the hand signal to start the long journey up North.
