Disclaimer: I own some of the characters in this story and some are owned by the glorious Tammy. Figure out which ones are which yourself.

Chapter Three: Help Comes

Northern Tortall near the Gallan border

Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan wiped a strand of hair from her sweaty brow. Who knew the north could be so hot! She placed he helmet under her arm and signaled her men to halt. They really weren't her men. They were just under her command.

Keladry, called Kel, looked at her dog, Jump. "Jump, find water," she commanded. As he trotted off, Kel turned to the men of the King's Own. Her friend Dom was their leader. "We should take a break a midday break. We'll rest our mounts until Jump comes back."

Jump bounded back shortly after and led them to a small stream. He was preparing to leap in when Kel shouted: "Jump! Stay out! I don't want a wet dog."

As the men sat down to eat, Kel commanded their attention. "We should arrive in the village before nightfall. We need to talk about our mission before we arrive. I have been trained for this kind of work, but you have not. I trust Raoul that you can do this, but I need to be sure. I don't know how helpful the villagers will be. Nobody needs to you that you have no real purpose. You need to walk with a purpose, talk with a purpose; and act like you have a purpose. Dom, why did my lord send me with the King's Own?" Kel asked suddenly.

"Because he didn't trust anyone also to treat this situation fairly," Dom answered with a grin. Raoul told him to expect this.

"Why was only one squad sent?" Kel asked Abrin, the newest man.

"Because my lord believes that one should be enough," he answered.

Kel continued asking them until she believed that they all had the story straight. They finished eating and mounted up. "Now remember," Kel said. "Be on the look out for anything unusual. I have my griffin feathers for magic, but I need you for everything else. People the wouldn't talk to me, may talk to you."

Once in the village, Kel went straight for the large manor house. Kel dismounted and handed Hoshi's reign's to her new assistant, Soland. She missed Tobe, but knew that he had a new life as a horse mage and was needed elsewhere. Kel rapped on the broad wooden door. She waited. The door swung open to reveal a small dark-haired young woman.

"I am Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan," she told the woman. "I am here to see Lord Abelard."

"You have the wrong house," the woman replied. "I am Lady Marianna. This is my household. Marianna grabbed her arm.

"Wait! If you want to see who I think you need to see, come back later. We need to talk."

"Thank you so much," Kel said as she mounted. "You can be sure we'll be back in a few days."

Miran Castle

A serving boy motioned for Kel to enter. She took a calming breath and told herself, I am stone. Kel walked into the office and looked at the man behind the desk. She didn't know what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this. She thought that she would find and crabby old man in a bare study. His study was plush with a lot of color. Abelard was young, only 30 or so. He had short dark brown hair and intelligent green eyes.

"Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan," the boy announced and shut the door as he left.

"It is nice to finally meet you, my lady," Abelard said. "I am Baron Abelard of Miran."

"It is a pleasure to meet you," Kel replied. "Please call me Lady Knight."

"I understand that the King and Lord Raoul sent you with a squad of the King's Own," Abelard said.

"Yes, my lord," Kel answered. "Lord Raoul sent me with one squad of the Own.

"Why did Lord Raoul send only one squad? If my men can't handle it, then many of the

King's Own will be needed."

"Well, my lord actually wanted the Queen's riders to be sent, but the King convinced him otherwise. There are two squads of the Own stationed nearby if we need their help. I was sent because my lord felt that I would handle this situation more fairly than one of the officers. Could you tell me more about what has happened?"

While Abelard was telling her of things she already knew, Kel thought of the strange young lady she met earlier. She couldn't figure out why the woman's offer sounded so appealing. Kel brought her attention back to the matters at hand.

"The only reason that he spared you is that you had armed men with you," Abelard stated. "You can stay here in the castle while you are here to help us. Your men can stay in the barracks and take their meals in the hall."

"We'll begin our search in the morning."

"Thank you for coming," Abelard said. "You can get settled now. The evening meal starts in about an hour. Tam, the boy outside will show you to your quarters."

"Thank you," Kel said and left.