Disclaimer: I'm crazy, I'm weird, I'm out-insane and also also own nothing you might recognise.
Please review.
The Scanrans had been pushing harder near the border for some time now. Almost all warriors that could be spared had been called upon to join in battle.
The King was busy every minute of the day, trying to build up the alliances with other nations like Tyra and Galla, so they would not turn on Tortall while pre-occupied with Scanra.
Kel herslf was waiting for a call-up to join the near-war. Things were desperate, and anyone would gladly accept the assistance of even a female knight.
Cleon of Kennan was already at the border, having had given her a goodbye kiss two weeks before. She hoped he was alright. Winter was coming, and they would be unable to send their letters quite as often. Kel dreaded being sent up to the border during winter: it meant a tiresome journey from the palace, where she was staying.
Finally greeting her knighthood, Keladry of Mindelan had decided to stay in the Corus for a few months, and was grateful for her private rooms in the palace. Jump and the next generation of sparrows came and went as they pleased, the dog bringing a visitor every few days.
And Kel had been able to talk to the Lioness without people accusing her of something before she too was sent to help deal with Scanra.
Only a few of Kel's frinds remained: Merric of Hollyrose, Owen of Jesslaw and Neal of Queenscove. Neal had been trying to study more healing skills, so as a Gifted kinght, he'd be able to do more than knock the enemy's heads off. He had also been observing while his father worked; learning as quickly as possible.
Kel had wanted to see Raoul, her former knightmaster, but that was impossible as most of the King's Own was in on the battle too. She really missed everybody who was away from the palace. Of course, she was able to visit people like Lalasa as much as she pleased, but Kel found hereself longing to be where everything else was happening.
.
Finding herself with nothing really important to do, Kel went to the temple of the Goddess to pray for all those involved with the near-war. It seemed all the people talked of nothing but the most recent attacks, It all left her feeling rather depressed.
A priestess nodded to Kel upon her arrival; she was a daily visitor.
After some more aimless wandering through the capitals' markets, Kel went back to the palace. The stables looked inviting. Perhaps a ride with Peachblossom would help her deal with her thoughts.
At first she just guided the gelding slowly around the yard, but decided a ride through the Royal Forest might ease her mind.
"I don't seem to be doing much", Kel said softly. Peachblossom snorted in agreemnent. He had taken notice of her miserable routine. Nothing happened to help Kel be at peace.
She sighed. "I know, I know." They headed back for the stables. "I think I'll try some more glaive pattern dances when I get inside." Surprisingly for Peachblossm, she produced an apple as a treat after grooming him and dealing with the tack.
But, instead of practising with her glaive, Kel ended up in the Healers WIng of the palace. She found Neal alone in a dark study. He was poring over some ancient scrolls that might assist him.
Kel sat down silently, and began to wonder of he'd actually noticed her - "Head wounds aren't to my liking. Are you here to give me one? I'm getting tired of your offers to beat me into a bloody heap." She couldn't help but smile. He was only trying to make her feel better.
Neal looked up at her, grinning. Something about the mischevious twinkle in his eyes made her heart flip over. Not again! She had gotten over her silly little crush 5 years ago! She was probably just missing Cleon too much (or her lunch).
Kel didn't bother retorting, not today. They drifted back into that comfortable silence. Neal slowly turned a page.
"Oh fine! What's wrong? It's tiring me to see you acting like this! What's actually bothering you, Kel?"
She was a little surprised. Sometimes he would just think her quietness was because she was Yamani-plastered in her thoughts.
She opened her mouth to say 'I'm fine' but found she couln't. Kel felt tears form as she spilled out how she performed some kind of daily half-in-death routine which made her all the more miserable and anxious for their friends, Neal listened with attentive ears and caring eyes. He laid a hand on her arm. She started feeling more and more like crying.
She began to speak of how much she really missed and felt for Cleon, but she felt Neal stiffen at the mention of the subject. She realised it made him uncomfortable, for some unknown reason. Perhaps its strange for him to hear one of his riends talked about like that by his best friend, Kel thought.
"I'm sorry", she said and tried to wipe her eyes without Neal noticing too much.
"Oh - no. You... I know you and Cleon...Umm..." Kel heard herself give another aplogetic response, but things remained a little awkward.
"Well.. maybe if you really are that worried about everybody, go up there and visit them. Look-" Neal closed the book. "I'll come with you" and he led her out of the study.
Please review.
The Scanrans had been pushing harder near the border for some time now. Almost all warriors that could be spared had been called upon to join in battle.
The King was busy every minute of the day, trying to build up the alliances with other nations like Tyra and Galla, so they would not turn on Tortall while pre-occupied with Scanra.
Kel herslf was waiting for a call-up to join the near-war. Things were desperate, and anyone would gladly accept the assistance of even a female knight.
Cleon of Kennan was already at the border, having had given her a goodbye kiss two weeks before. She hoped he was alright. Winter was coming, and they would be unable to send their letters quite as often. Kel dreaded being sent up to the border during winter: it meant a tiresome journey from the palace, where she was staying.
Finally greeting her knighthood, Keladry of Mindelan had decided to stay in the Corus for a few months, and was grateful for her private rooms in the palace. Jump and the next generation of sparrows came and went as they pleased, the dog bringing a visitor every few days.
And Kel had been able to talk to the Lioness without people accusing her of something before she too was sent to help deal with Scanra.
Only a few of Kel's frinds remained: Merric of Hollyrose, Owen of Jesslaw and Neal of Queenscove. Neal had been trying to study more healing skills, so as a Gifted kinght, he'd be able to do more than knock the enemy's heads off. He had also been observing while his father worked; learning as quickly as possible.
Kel had wanted to see Raoul, her former knightmaster, but that was impossible as most of the King's Own was in on the battle too. She really missed everybody who was away from the palace. Of course, she was able to visit people like Lalasa as much as she pleased, but Kel found hereself longing to be where everything else was happening.
.
Finding herself with nothing really important to do, Kel went to the temple of the Goddess to pray for all those involved with the near-war. It seemed all the people talked of nothing but the most recent attacks, It all left her feeling rather depressed.
A priestess nodded to Kel upon her arrival; she was a daily visitor.
After some more aimless wandering through the capitals' markets, Kel went back to the palace. The stables looked inviting. Perhaps a ride with Peachblossom would help her deal with her thoughts.
At first she just guided the gelding slowly around the yard, but decided a ride through the Royal Forest might ease her mind.
"I don't seem to be doing much", Kel said softly. Peachblossom snorted in agreemnent. He had taken notice of her miserable routine. Nothing happened to help Kel be at peace.
She sighed. "I know, I know." They headed back for the stables. "I think I'll try some more glaive pattern dances when I get inside." Surprisingly for Peachblossm, she produced an apple as a treat after grooming him and dealing with the tack.
But, instead of practising with her glaive, Kel ended up in the Healers WIng of the palace. She found Neal alone in a dark study. He was poring over some ancient scrolls that might assist him.
Kel sat down silently, and began to wonder of he'd actually noticed her - "Head wounds aren't to my liking. Are you here to give me one? I'm getting tired of your offers to beat me into a bloody heap." She couldn't help but smile. He was only trying to make her feel better.
Neal looked up at her, grinning. Something about the mischevious twinkle in his eyes made her heart flip over. Not again! She had gotten over her silly little crush 5 years ago! She was probably just missing Cleon too much (or her lunch).
Kel didn't bother retorting, not today. They drifted back into that comfortable silence. Neal slowly turned a page.
"Oh fine! What's wrong? It's tiring me to see you acting like this! What's actually bothering you, Kel?"
She was a little surprised. Sometimes he would just think her quietness was because she was Yamani-plastered in her thoughts.
She opened her mouth to say 'I'm fine' but found she couln't. Kel felt tears form as she spilled out how she performed some kind of daily half-in-death routine which made her all the more miserable and anxious for their friends, Neal listened with attentive ears and caring eyes. He laid a hand on her arm. She started feeling more and more like crying.
She began to speak of how much she really missed and felt for Cleon, but she felt Neal stiffen at the mention of the subject. She realised it made him uncomfortable, for some unknown reason. Perhaps its strange for him to hear one of his riends talked about like that by his best friend, Kel thought.
"I'm sorry", she said and tried to wipe her eyes without Neal noticing too much.
"Oh - no. You... I know you and Cleon...Umm..." Kel heard herself give another aplogetic response, but things remained a little awkward.
"Well.. maybe if you really are that worried about everybody, go up there and visit them. Look-" Neal closed the book. "I'll come with you" and he led her out of the study.