Ok, here it goes. All the regular stuff - tamora pierce owns all the great characters (lucky woman) since she was clever enough to create them. And please review it or there wont be any more chapters!


Shock, Horror!


"What? Come on Yuki say it!" Kel snapped at her shaking friends, eyes glazed with fear.


"He's dead Kel," Yuki said, keeping the sadness from her face like a good little Yamani.


"Who?" Kel said softly, fearing the answer.


"Cleon," Yuki whispered, voice barely audible.


"Dont lie Yuki! You're lying! This is just another stupid prank well its not funny! Its-"


"Kel, Yuki wouldn't lie about something like this," Neal said quietly.


"Its not true! I won't believe it! I just wont!" Kel shouted.


Raoul, hearing the commotion from his own quarters knocked on the door.


Neal got up and opened the door, face sad.


"Whats all the noise about? Kel? Whats happened?" Raoul asked, looking confused.


"Cleon is alive! He is! I don't care what you say! You're lying! LYING!" Kel screamed.


"Keladry, of all the years you've known me you think I would lie to you? I know its hard but you ahve to accept it Kel. Denial only makes it worse," Yuki said, sitting next to Kel on her bed.


"Kel," Raoul said softly. As a friend and ex-knight master he would speak to her. "Look at me Kel."


Kel would not look. Hher lover and best friend was dead? No. They were lying to her. It wasn't possible. No.


"Acceptance is the first step to recovery," Yuki whispered, saying an old Yamani prophet in Yamani. Only Kel knew what she said.


"What?" Raoul asked.


"Acceptance is the first step to recovery," Kel whispered.


"Yes," Yuki said softly, "Denial will only make it worse."


"But I-I love him Yuki," Kel said, tears rolling quietly down her cheeks.


"I know Kel, I know. But bad things happen its the way of the world. Come here," Yuki said in Tortallan, for the sake of Neal and Raoul.


Kel leaned forward and hugged Yuki, tears rolling down her cheeks. Her crying was no longer silent. Loud sobs were heard all around them, though none came to see who was crying.


"Come on," Raoul said to Neal.


"What? I can't leave her like this. I have to-"


"Mindelan," Raoul replied, "Lets contact her parents. We can write a letter and send it with a messenger. I think she'd do better at home, and with her family. You could always visit her there."


"I guess," Neal agreed.


"Thanks," murmured Kel quietly to them, still weeping.


Raoul walked out of the door, with a quiet I'm sorry to Kel. He gestured to Neal, and left the room.


Once in Raouls quarters, the two knights sat down and Raoul began to write the letter.


Dear Ilane and Piers,
I'm sorry to write this letter so informally, but it must be done quickly. I believe you know all about Cleon, as he was Inners squire. He was also Kels lover. We must believe they were truly in love, and sadly, he has been killed by a scanran. Kel is terribly upset and as her friends, we think she would be better off at home with her family. We would come to visit her of course, but I think you can take care of her fine. Thank you.

Lord Sir Raoul Of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak

P.S. Sir Nealan of Queenscove is also with me. Please hurry.


"I think thats sufficient, dont you Neal?"


"Yes," Neal said quietly, clearly still thinking about his dead friend.


"I'm sorry," Raoul said gently.


"I know," Neal replied, "Its just, awful. I'll miss him a lot."


"We all will Neal. And even the greatest knights can cry."


"What? I'm a knight. True knights of the realm never cry over deaths," Neal replied, voice even.


"I wont tell anyone," Raoul replied.


"Thanks," Neal replied, giving into tears.


When he finished crying he went into Raouls washroom, and washed his face in a fresh bowl of hot water.


"Take this to Baron Piers and Lady Ilane of Mindelan quickly. Its important. Go," Raoul said to a messenger, watching as the messenger ran off to do as he was bid.


"Lets hope it gets there soon," Neal said, face still slightly blotchy.


"So mote it be," intoned Raoul.


"The black god has his soul now," Neal murmured, more to himself than Raoul, "He's safe now."


[A/N: You want more review. You want to know whats in Cleons box for Kel review. Also, just remember what I said. Truth is rare *big grin* don't try and predict what will happen either. I dont like that. Sorry but its irritating. Please review anyway.]