Kel raised her hand to knock on the sturdy oak wood door. She was a bit nervous, but she didn't know why. "Neal. It's me, open up." She yelled. "I'm a bit busy, Colby. I'll see you at dinner." He called back. Then Kel heard Lalasa's voice ring out. "Come on in, Colby. He isn't busy. Just staring at the wall." Kel thought she heard Lalasa snicker when she called her by her disguise name. Kel pushed open the door and walked in. Neal sat on the bed, staring at the wall. As he heard the door creak, he quickly grabbed a book and pretended to read. Kel didn't buy it. "Take him away," Lalasa said. "He's just sitting here doing nothing. And you!" She cried turning to Neal while mending one of his tunics. "Listen to Colby. I have a feeling he has something important to tell you." "It IS important, Neal." Kel said, trying to convince him. "You'll love his little..er.surprise, Neal. Now go! Lalasa cried. Grumbling about mother-like maids, Neal got up and followed Kel. They entered her room and Kel bolted the door so no-one would hear. Neal put his hands on his hips. "So what was so important that you just HAD to come and get me?" He demanded. "I'm not telling you anything until you quit acting like that." She retorted. Neal smiled. "Fine then. I'll just go back to my room." He headed towards the door. Kel sighed. "Alright, then. News of my third cousin Kel will have to wait if you are too busy. I'll go tell Cleon now. He's in the armory." Neal stopped abruptly in the doorway, hurried back in, locked the door and stood still. "I'm listening." He said anxiously. Kel grinned inwardly. "Have you heard from Kel yet?" She asked. He shook his head no. "Neal, has it ever crossed your mind that maybe I'm not who I said I was? Like I'm.different?" Neal looked a little nervous which made her laugh. "I'm not trying to tell you that I'm a hired assassin so don't look so nervous. I think.I'm HOPING, that you will like what I have to say." She saw Neal relax a bit. "How does this relate to Kel?" He asked. "Just watch and you'll see." The girl replied. She waved a palm over her head and chest like she was touching an aura of smooth ice, and suddenly there was a bright flash of light. Neal shielded his eyes. Suddenly the boy Colby rose in the air. His squire clothing faded into a long silver kimono that flapped in the unfelt swirling wind. The old clothing appeared on the bed. Her face was tilted to the sky as her hair whipped around it. Her arms were outstretched, her feet pointing downwards. The figure descended. When Neal unshielded his eyes, Kel floated to the ground. Her eyes and hair took on their natural color, her freckles returned. She took a dagger from her desk and cut her binding bandage in the back. She smiled at his surprised face. "It's me, Neal." He whooped and ran to hug her. He began asking questions like crazy as she laced her arms around his neck in a tight hug. Laughing, she explained. "The day I left, you told me never to give up. As you can see, I'm not giving up yet. Alanna the Lioness came and suggested I do what she did. I will only have to masquerade for four years, but it will work. She got Master Numair to help her with some spelled powder to change my hair and eyes. Now, enough about me. What about you? You're skinny, Neal. I've heard that you don't read or practice anymore. What's wrong with you?" She asked worriedly. He smiled sheepishly. "I missed you, Kel." "Well THAT'S an understatement of the century. Do you remember when I promised to visit?" She asked. He nodded. "Well, I expected to see you healthy, Neal! I come back to be a squire and I find that you don't eat or practice or read or do anything. Just sit there and watch the wall. You can't do that! It isn't good for you. Now, not a word of this to anyone." "I was going to quit training and find you at Midwinter." He told her. "Oh, gods Neal. You really are a meathead." She whispered and kissed him softly. Surprised, he kissed her back for long minutes before asking, "How about some staff practice?" She agreed smiling, and gathered up her weapon.


Miss independent Miss self-sufficient Miss keep your distance Miss unafraid Miss out of my way Miss don't let a man interfere, no Miss on her own Miss almost grown Miss never let a man help her off her throne So, by keeping her heart protected She'd never ever feel rejected Little miss apprehensive Said ooh, she fell in love ~Kelly Clarkson

Cleon, Faleron, Seaver, Merric, Roald, Owen, and Esmond watched amazed as Neal and Colby practiced. Neal hadn't touched a weapon outside Wyldon's training since Kel had left. Now he had only a huge grin on his face as he practiced. They had no idea what it could be. Only Kel's return could make him this happy. "Colby must've spelled him or something." Merric whispered, afraid that if he spoke too loud it would shatter Neal's happiness. "This is just jolly." Owen piped. The quiet Roald spoke up. The others fell silent in deep thought after they heard what he had to say. "Colby doesn't have magic." Neal whooped for joy in his rooms while Lalasa sat in a chair mending more of his abused clothing. "She's back!" He cried happiliy. "Neal hush! Do you want to get her kicked out? Nobody can know. Just you, me, the Lioness and that gelding of hers." Kel had told Stephan that Kel said to give Peachblossom to her younger cousin, Colby. Peachblossom hadn't been fooled by her appearance, and nuzzled her happily as Stephan looked on, shocked. "Alright, alright. She's back!"