Disclaimer: All characters belong to Tamora Pierce, except for Deylnar. He is mine!!! * grins evilly *
Kel drew her sword and charged. As she ran forward, she felt a hard punch to her stomach. She fell to the ground, the wind knocked out of her. Kel hit the floor and her vision went black.
"Do you think she's okay?" an unfamiliar voice said in the background.
"I'm awake now." Kel said, her lips dry. Someone handed her a drink. "Thank yo-" but stopped as she looked up. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!?!?! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD."
"What do you mean?" Blayce asked curiously.
"I killed you two years ago. I watched you die," Kel replied, very agitated.
"Ah. That would make you Lady Keladry, doesn't it." Kel nodded her head warily. "But I'm not Blayce. The one thing he forgot to mention to anyone is that he had a son. I am his son Deylnar."
Kel remembered where she was and what had happened. "Why did you point your sword at me and how did you punch me from way over there?"
"I was cleaning it. Then you came in and I stood up to see who it was and I forgot to put my sword down." Deylnar said. "As for how I punched you, I didn't. Your dog rammed into your stomach."
Kel looked at Jump, sitting ashamedly in the corner. "Why doesn't it hurt?!?! I've been rammed like that enough times to know that it hurts."
"Oh right. Well, I'm a healer. I should have asked first though, I'm sorry Lady Keladry."
"Kel please." Kel replied, as she finally understood why Jump stopped her. Deylnar could be her healer. She could bring him to the king! Over a meal at the Wooden Swan, Kel explained her dilemma to Deylnar, who in return offered to help.
The next morning Kel and Deylnar set out for Corus. Kel watched Deylnar warily. He held up his hands and said, "Why are you looking at me like that? I'm not going to attack you."
"Why do you not hate me?" Kel asked.
"Should I have reason to?" Deylnar asked. "You're nice enough to me."
Kel stared at him dumbfounded. "But I killed your father. Why would you want to help us? We are fighting against your country."
"First of all, my father did some disgusting things. The only reason he didn't kill me for his machines was that I was a little to old and a powerful mage and healer." Kel's eyes opened widely with shock and horror. "Scanra attacks for little reason. They do not care about anything but power and money. I will swear my fealty to your king once we get to Corus."
They rode the rest of the way in silence, with only a few questions about each other. Finally, Kel saw the walls of the palace in the distance. She challenged Deylnar to a race and won on Peachblossom.
As they came up to the gates, Kel told the guard her name and why she was there. After they had groomed their horses and put them in the stable, Kel asked to see the king. She was told to meet him in the courtyard. Kel brought Deylnar with her and in front of many witnesses, Deylnar swore fealty to King Jonathan and Queen Thayet.
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Thank you Keita, Camisole, Mystery Warrior Maiden, and Pegataur Cat