I apologize to all you Cleon lovers, but I had to get rid of him. Otherwise, Kel would take him with her, and we all know that can't happen! *thinks for a minute* Yeah, he had to go. But be happy! Here's the next chapter!

The Quest Begins

Kel laid down on her bed numbly, and began to cry. She cried for what felt like hours, unable to do anything, caught in the storm of emotions running through her. Eventually, her tumultuous tears abated, leaving behind a dull ache in her heart and silent tears that streamed hotly down her cheeks.

A knock on the door roused her from her misery. Sniffling, she shouted, "Go away!"

"Kel?" Neal's voice sounded outside the door. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing! Just go away, please just go!" She sniffled again.

There was silence from the other side of the door, followed by metallic rattling and a faint click. Neal strolled in, smiling. "I knew that stuff George taught me would come in handy," he murmured, replacing the lock-pick in his pocket. He turned around, saw Kel's face, and gasped. He re-locked the door, then ran to her.

"I knew something was wrong! Kel, what happened?! Are you hurt?" he asked, concerned.

"N -- no," she stuttered. She began hiccuping.

"Well, what's wrong, then?"

"Cleon!" A fresh storm of tears caught her in their grip, and she began to sob. Neal gingerly put his arms around her, and she bawled into his shoulder.

"Not . . . he didn't . . ." Neal couldn't bring himself to finish.

"He's getting married!" Kel blurted, her voice muffled through the fabric of his shirt.

"Isn't . . . that a good thing?" Neal asked, confused.

"I'm not the one he's marrying!" she yelled, exasperated.

"Oh, gods." Neal couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't make his friend feel worse.

Kel hiccuped again, her tears slowing. "Well, it wasn't all his fault," she explained. "His mother made him."

"What, he's twenty-something and he's still his mother's pet?" That got a laugh from her, albeit a watery one. She sniffled again and wiped her eyes.

"There's someone better. Don't worry! You'll find him eventually. These things take time," said Neal kindly. Kel nodded. "Changing the subject," Neal went on, "Just what was all that hush-hush stuff with the Queen and Raoul and you?"

Kel's earlier confusion returned. She quickly explained what had happened, but Neal was just as puzzled as she was.

"So, you and one other person have to go find six things that no one has seen for centuries, and might not even exist?" Kel nodded again. "Riiiiiiight," Neal said.

"But the thing is," Kel explained, "I don't even know who I should take with me. I was thinking about asking Cleon, but --" She looked down. Even saying his name caused her pain.

"What about Raoul?" Neal suggested quickly.

Kel shook her head. "No, I already decided against that. Since he's been my knight-master, I've gotten used to obeying him without a thought, and I get the idea this is sort of supposed to be my thing, so I don't want to feel like I have to obey anyone." Suddenly she gasped. "Oh gods! I never told the King and Queen that I can't help with the attacks! What if they won't let me go?"

Neal coughed. "No problem there. The queen and I were having a conversation. While she was, um --"

"Reprimanding," Kel supplied.

"Talking to me, Raoul came up and told her you wouldn't be needing an assignment. Then he asked to speak with both of them privately, later tonight. I can only assume he was referring to this event."

Kel breathed a sigh of relief. "That's all right, then. But I still need someone to go with me."

Neal coughed suggestively and eyed her.

"You?" she demanded. "You want to go with me?"

"Of course!" he exclaimed. "This is the chance of a lifetime! Go on a quest, through far away lands, and meet beautiful maidens to rescue . . ." he began dreamily, but Kel cleared her throat and he hurriedly kept talking. "But none, of course, more beautiful than Yuki. But, of course I'd love to go with you! You know me well enough to know that!"

Kel thought. She knew her friend well enough to know he wasn't lying. He really did want to accompany her. Plus, she had known him for eight years, so she was at ease around him, and his sense of humor would amuse her on the trail. Plus, she had no reason to obey orders from him . . .

This last reason made her smile, and she looked at him critically. "All right."

Neal whooped with joy.

"But," she continued. "You have to help me every step of the way, not just when you feel like it." Neal nodded seriously.

"I'll go make sure Raoul notified Their Majesties, and I'll tell him that I chose you. You," She pointed at him. "Go pack. We leave tomorrow."

Okay, so Neal's a little clueless! Who cares?! He's a sweetie! Review!