Kel was horrified to see the enemy freed from the Jewel's power. The surge of Tusaines overwhelmed the Tortallan knights. To top it all, Sir Gareth was down. Neal positioned himself over the fallen knight, using any break to heal the older man.
Grimly Kel fought, bringing down many Tusaines. She glanced a peek over her shoulder, to see that King Jonathan lay on the ground, unmoving. It frightened her. She had come to respect the King, for all that he allowed her to be put on probation.
Snapping out of reminiscing, she realized that a Tusaine Knight was riding down on her. She brought up her shield just in time, and then shoved her glaive underneath it to gut the man. Unbeknownst to her, another Tusaine soldier was behind her. She felt his sword cut into her shoulder. With a cry of dismay Cleon was on the enemy, and soon killed him. He closed his horse with Kel.
"No biting," she croaked to Peachblossom. The pain in her shoulder made her wince.
"Are you okay?" Cleon asked anxiously, gray eyes worried.
Kel nodded and tried to smile. Blood loss started to make her dizzy. She watched two of General Vanget's infantry soldiers approach with a stretcher, and carefully placed the Younger Naxen onto it. Cleon turned to interlock swords with a Tusaine foot soldier, and Kel trotted over to Neal, shield covering her side.
"Will Sir Gareth be okay?" she asked solemnly.
Neal's face was pale from exhaustion. "I don't know," he replied. "It was a nasty wound. I'm sure my father can take care of it, though."
"What of the King?"
"The King?!?!" he looked over to where Jonathan lay. "Mithros, why is no one assisting him?" He looked at the fight on their hands, then at Jon, torn between his duties.
"Go," Kel said quietly. Without further urging, Neal galloped off to aid the King.