Sorry guys, its been a while. And only a fairly short chappie this time. It was gonna be a major plot point now, but then it would be too long and I thought you deserved a new bit sooner rather than later.

Turning Again

The first thing that popped into her head was that her family was in terrible danger.

She must do something.

But as she sat in the makeshift meeting room, Kel listened and thought.

"We cannot possibly allow combined war efforts from Scanra and the Copper Isles to take control of the border." Kel's eyes shifted to the speaker, a middle aged man who had barely a spot of hair on his head.

"But under the rems of our alliance with the Yamanis we must come to their aid. We simply need to-"

"No. Unless we send some of our best forces, there is no way we can help regain control of the Islands."

"But we can't just pack up and walk away from the border."

"Listen. If we'd only try and…" Kel was surprised to see even Neal join in on the arguments. She thought it had been obvious enough that it was wiser to leave the matter to other hands. This was not their decision.

The arguing continued, ever louder, and Kel was no longer able to pick out individual cries.

"Silence!" King Jonathan slammmed his palm on the table, standing. Everyone obeyed.

"We are not progressing like this." He sat down, the lines creasing on his forehead.

"The first thing we need to address is the safety of those in the islands." The listeners gave mumured responses, agreeing.

"Your majesty, I would like to propse an idea." The King nodded at the speaker, who stood to adress the group.

"I suggest we assemble a special force assigned to the protection of the Crown Prince and his wife. If we can send this task force to the Yamani Islands we might be able to break through the enemies surrounding the Yamani Imperial Palace."

"I believe you are forgetting, Sir Dirake, that as soon as these warriors leave their homeland, both the Scanrans and Copper Islanders will attack at the border," Sir Myles of Olau's eyes flashed sternly.

Kel sighed. He was definitely right. They wouldn't be able to free Roald and the 'Yamani Troupe' without letting their country fall into the hands of their enemies. She had to admit, it was a perfect plan to throw on your enemy. Lose their country and its people or the future king. But why have a king without a country? They might have to end up having to surrender…. But her family - No. She had to do something to help. And she wasn't doing much for Tortall at the moment, anyway.

She couldn't leave her family too…

Neal glanced at her. He knew her mind would be racing wildly, trying to figure out her own way of saving the universe. He bent his head carefully and whispered in her ear.

"Whatever you're thinking - no." Kel furrowed her eyebrows. Neal had already realised that they wouldn't allow her to be sent. She was personally involved, and that would provide too many new problems…

"Look, we seem to be getting nowhere at the moment. I wish each of you to prepare your ideas for a plan that will save those in the Islands and protect the people in our own country. We shall meet again in three hours. I must stress to you the severity of this situation. We cannot afford mistakes." Kel felt the King's eyes resting on her. She fumed silently. Did he really believe that she was just a silly little mistake? Neal touched her arm gently and she looked up. All the others looked in a similar state.

'Could one person have that much of an effect on so many people?' She wondered.

King Jon stood again, walked out of the room, thereby dismissing all who had a part of the meeting.

"What does he think he's doing? "... Kel glanced up quickly, he eyes screening the room. She didn't believe anyone would be able to do a better job than her King, under the circumstances (even if she didn't like him that much). But the speaker had been hushed, and she saw others that were completely enthralled by their King. They looked young, like nobles that had recently absorbed their parents' wealth and new to the capital.

'Oh well. Now you can tell just how differently everyone thinks around here,' she thought ruefully. They would have to think of something soon.

~ ~ ~

"Keladry, a word please." Sir Myles asked as she headed along the corridor with Neal to her rooms. She raised an eyebrow at the plump man behind them.

"Yes, yes. Queenscove can come with you."

* *

Myles closed the door quietly then turnd and sighed.

"What's wrong?" Neal asked.

I'm gonna leave it there. Only tell me what you think if you can be bothered, I guess. Short, but hopefully a bigger chapter in the next update.