Chapter Nine

Storytellers

"You look like hell Kel," Raoul informed her.

"I feel worse," she muttered as she trudged up the steps to see Jonathan.

"Duke Baird's got it almost cleared up now. Turns out, that Mage only had it disguised as Consumption, but now that he's gone, Jon's coming out of it real fast, along with Thayet," his face was alight with the recent good news, of victories on different fronts.

Despite Kel's present state, that was amazing news, and it brought a smile even to her lips.

"Thought that'd cheer you some," Raoul slapped her on the back and opened the door to King Jonathan's chambers.

"Ah, Lady Keladry, do come in," a voice from inside instructed.

Kel just stood in the door, shocked. The voice was that of King Jonathan. He was sitting up, propped on a bunch of pillows, signing a stack of papers one at a time that a scribe held for him.

"Yes, I know, it is pitiful isn't it?" he stared in distaste at the room around him, letting his eyes rest on Duke Baird who smiled and held out his hands.

"What do you want from me Jon?" he asked, and the King glared.

"Yes honestly, what do you want from us? As if we haven't done enough, worrying after you for Goddess-knows-how-long, just sitting here, twiddling our thumbs while…" Alanna stormed in, but her words trailed off when her violet eyes met Kel's "Kel!"

Kel bowed her head, "Lady Alanna…"

"You did a good job…I knew I could count on you," the Lioness smiled at her, and Kel blushed.

"Thank you Lady-Alanna," she corrected hastily when Alanna opened her mouth to speak.

"Looks like she's got you down pretty well Alanna," Raoul commented, and Jon nodded in agreement.

"I'd say so, must be a fast learner, or a sharp tongue, or maybe both…" Jon mused, and Alanna glared and pointed a finger.

"Not another word from you; you have no right to speak."

"The King has no right to speak in his own castle? What are things coming to these days?" King Jonathan questioned playfully, and Kel stifled a giggle behind her hand. When Alanna turned her flaring eyes on her, she cleared her throat and turned it into a question.

"How's Neal?"

"Fine, fine," Alanna answered and spun to glare at Jon who was laughing with Raoul and Roald about something, presumably something about Alanna. She challenged them with purple sparks that flew from her hand.

Jon raised his hand to counter, but Duke Baird looked at him from over his nose and across the room, and he was forced to lower it. Alanna stuck her tongue out at Jon, who fell back into the pillows, almost like a pouting child.

Kel giggled again, and Alanna grinned and turned back to her, "Yes, Numair brought him back quite safe, with all his body parts still attached and everything. I just came back from tending to him. He had quite a power drain, but he's requesting to see you."

Kel nodded and bowed quickly before heading to the door.

"And Lady Keladry?" Alanna called over her shoulder, and Kel turned to look at her, "We'll need a full report of events after you left the castle, tonight."

Kel winced and nodded, "Of course, King, Lioness," she bowed again and left, shutting the doors behind her. Once outside them, she sighed heavily; she was not looking forward to giving a report on what happened. She shuddered, just thinking about it gave her shivers.

She smiled though, excited to see Neal, despite what the evening report might hold. But something told her that her meeting with Neal wasn't going to be entirely pleasant either.

*

"Lady!" Tobe ran into Kel's outstretched arms when she approached Neal's room.

She knelt down to him and hugged him close. A smile appeared on her lips when she heard the soft 'click' of a door and saw Numair strolling out of Neal's room.

"How is he?" Kel inquired as she released Tobe and stood up once more.

"Very well, considering the past few weeks. Dom's with him now," Numair gave her a curious look, and Kel tilted her head.

"Should I not…" she pointed at the door, but Numair shook his head quickly.

"I think they've had their heart-to-heart so-to-speak; you should be fine."

"Lady Keladry," Daine smiled as she walked down the hall. Numair smiled at her and kissed her quickly before Daine turned and called, "Jump!"

Jump came barreling up the hallway and leapt into Kel's arms, covering her face with wet kisses.

"Jump," Kel laughed but didn't protest. When he had finished, she let him down and looked at him seriously as his stump tail thumped on the ground. "Thank-you, for saving our lives, especially me, but especially Neal."

He whined, and his tail hit the floor harder. She bent down once more and let him lick her fingers before she scratched him behind the ears and then stood heavily.

"I 'spose I should go in now then," Kel looked at Numair who nodded, and Daine smiled encouragingly.

Kel sighed, said a quick prayer to the Goddess and knocked on Neal's door. She heard someone stand and footsteps against the ground, as the person approached the door. It opened and Kel met Dom's soft blue eyes, "Kel," he smiled and opened the door for her.

"It is you, I thought I heard your voice outside with Master Numair," Neal was being unusually cheery, and it frightened her.

"H-how are you?" Kel asked softly as she took a seat next to Dom near Neal's bed.

Neal glared, "As well as possible I guess, after that low down coward…" his hands balled into fists, and his fast screwed up into a vicious scowl. Despite the tense subject, Kel fell back into her chair, somewhat more relaxed. This was the Neal she knew. "I assume you were wondering how we knew one another," Neal looked at the two, and they both nodded.

"The question did cross my mind," Dom admitted; Kel just waited patiently for his explanation.

"Well, he was friends with Master Numair; they were in school together. Their friendship was always based on competition though, so when Numair surpassed Coriolis in final examinations he couldn't stand it. Their friendship ended.

"A few years ago, Master Numair got word that Coriolis had done something crazy. He went to go and try to help his old friend, but there was no helping him. He enlisted a few Mages to keep an eye on him, Alanna and I were two of them, and we failed. See Kel, I knew all along what we were facing. I just never told you because I didn't want you to go off on your own, in fear of endangering everyone else. It wasn't until the end that I began to slip. I wasn't exaggerating when I said he sold his soul to Chaos; he truly did.

"I was in the Yamani Isles when Numair sent me word that Coriolis was stirring," his eyes lowered. "I missed Tortall so badly," here he quickly raised his emerald eyes and looked at Kel. She turned away under his gaze, and he continued. "I told Yuki I would be away a long while, a couple years possibly. I offered her to come with me, but she said she loved her home too much, she couldn't leave again. I told her I couldn't abandon Tortall, and she told me she couldn't be alone two years. We broke our engagement, I came home to Corus, and she stayed in the Yamani's. The rest of the story you know."

After a long silence, Kel raised her voice, "Neal, are you going to go back? It hasn't been that long. You could go back and…" she trailed off because Neal was shaking his head.

"Don't you understand Kel? Neither of us loved one another enough to compromise. Both our hearts were with diff…in other places. Besides, I would miss Tortall too much, as greatly as I hate our weather. Those Yamani's are cold enough to make their tropical weather seem not as much. I don't ever see passion in words or love in gestures," Neal had always been big on expressing emotions. Kel had wondered how he would manage that in the Isles.

She nodded, understanding Neal's words but not understanding Dom's downtrodden expression. She turned her head slightly as she examined him and was about to question when someone burst into the room, "Captain Domitan, I apologize for the interruption," he bowed swiftly to Kel and Neal, "but Lady Alanna wants to see you. She says she wants you to perform that special assignment she discussed with your previously."

Dom nodded and stood heavily, "Well Kel, Neal, the Lioness calls so therefore I must depart. See you at Midwinter."

"Midwinter?" Kel looked at him, confused. "That's nearly three weeks, don't be silly, you'll…" then it hit her, and she jumped up. "Wait, where is Alanna sending you?" Kel was almost as astounded at her informality as the messenger was. Dom and Neal seemed to be unfazed by it.

"To the village nearest the castle. We're going to start there and work our way out. We're getting a break for Midwinter though," he explained and waited for the inevitable.

"Well surely I'll be coming…" Kel started, but Dom was shaking his head.

"No Kel, Alanna wants you close by, not on clean-up duty."

"She wants me to do paper work and wants me here to keep an eye on me while she interrogates me," Kel grumbled.

He smiled sympathetically and looked out the window toward the stables where everyone was already saddling up, "'Tis a Knight's duty fair one, sorry to say. Neal, feel better, Kel, look out for him. I'll be seeing you in three weeks," he held her shoulders and leaned close to her. "Take care of yourself Lady Knight," he kissed her forehead softly, gave her a quick hug, winked at Neal and walked out, leaving Kel stunned.

After a few moments silence, she turned, realizing Neal's eyes had never left her back.

"Sit," he commanded, and she walked over to her chair by his bedside.

Now that she was alone with him, she had to keep herself from fidgeting too much, or blushing. Coriolis' words had been haunting her ever since the night of the final battle, "The woman you care about…"

"I'm sorry you couldn't go Kel," Neal told her quietly, and she tried a smile.

"Yeah, me too, but I'll live. Besides, it's only three weeks. After Midwinter, I'm sure I'll be out of here."

"I can't help but feel partly responsible," Neal mumbled, looking at his long, nimble fingers that twisted around his bed sheets.

"What? How could you possibly be…?" Kel started to argue, but Neal interrupted, ready for the argument.

"If I weren't ill I could be subjected to Alanna's torment."

"Yes, but Neal, you saved our lives. We would have been killed without you. I'm just glad you're alive to tell the story, I'm not going to make you tell it," Kel protested.

"I wouldn't-shouldn't have been hurt. I let my emotions get away with me and made some bad calls. If Numair hadn't shown up, and if you hadn't been smart enough, we all would have been killed. We were spared a major consequence and given minor ones; me being bedridden, you being castle-ridden, and Dom being forced to leave witho…" he stopped. "Never mind. The point is, it all comes back to one thing-me."

"Neal, don't be so hard on yourself. Master Numair's arrival was fortunate, and my part in it all was stupid. Facing a Mage with only a sword, that could have killed us all. Dom and I, we don't know about magic, without you there we wouldn't have lasted more than five minutes," she defended him fiercely, even against himself.

Neal smiled weakly, "Thanks Kel, that means more to me than you know."

She smiled and sat back in an attempt to relax, "Speaking of my ignorance in magic, your old Knight Master wants me to give her a full report on what happened. She's expecting me to have it all sorted out myself by tonight. I expect she'll want all the details and be very interested in the magical ones. I don't know anything about what happened magically; I don't even know what all happened physically or mentally," Kel glanced the subject on her mind, but Neal either didn't catch it or pretended not to.

"Easily fixed, I'll request the meeting be held here, in my presence," Neal ended it.

"But how…? King Jonathan needs to be there, and you're both bedridden," Kel frowned. She liked the idea of having Neal to back her up, and it was too quickly dampened.

"There's a fire; Numair can cast the image in the flame."

She grinned and nodded, "Mages."

"Yes, Mages," his eyes were clouded, as if in deep thought, as if remembering something…Quickly, his eyes snapped back into focus, and he contacted Alanna, told her to meet them there.

"What's wrong?" Kel dared to ask. She didn't want to upset him, but she needed answers. Something was missing inside her, and her heart told her if Neal answered her questions she might not be so…missing.

"Nothing," he smiled wanly, and she shook her head; she wasn't letting him off that easily. Maybe she could find a more subtle way around it though.

I'm sorry, I don't want to hurt you Neal, but your silence gets us nowhere. Please forgive me, she thought; then she spoke aloud, "Is it Yuki?" his head shot up, and she saw pain flash in his green eyes. "Do you think she left you because of magic?"

"That's not who he was talking about Kel, and you know damn well it wasn't," he whispered vehemently.

She was taken back by the soft growl in his voice, "I…" she caught herself and went on her with her plan, "don't know what you're talking about."

"You don't know what I'm talking about, about as much as you don't know how to use that sword at your side," he muttered. "We're both too smart for that Kel."

She smiled weakly, "Then why don't we just cut to the chase and…?"

Neal stopped her, "Alanna's outside; she wants to come in. Master Numair's with her."

Kel sighed and opened the door for the two. Her head was pounding.

"Feeling all right Kel? You look a little pale. You're not getting sick now are you?" she questioned, but Kel gave a meek smile and shook her head.

"Not this one, she's a fighter this one," Raoul entered the room and put a large hand on Kel's shoulder. She smiled up at him, thanking him with her eyes.

"Well we've all always known that Raoul, but I'm not sure you were invited," Alanna grinned and took a seat near Neal's bed, facing the fire.

"Guess I am now," Raoul took a seat next to Kel, who sat next to Alanna. He gave her a sideward glance when she couldn't stop fidgeting and threw his eyes to Alanna who shook her head.

Numair quickly distracted Kel; he was pacing in front of the fireplace and muttering to himself. Sparks of magic were flying into the fire as sparks of fire were flying out. She watched curiously and was about to suggest madness when an image appeared in the flames. Lying in bed, but propped up on a pillow, was King Jonathan. Prince Roald was sitting in a chair by his side.

"Good, now that we're all here," Alanna's fiery purple eyes met Kel's and held them. Kel stared back, trying to be strong despite the churning feeling in her stomach. "Kel, I want you to go over everything, don't leave anything out, not a feeling, not a thought, not a step. And you," she pointed at Neal, "not a spell."

Neal nodded solemnly, and Kel sighed heavily, "We left Corus…"

Kel went through everything, with Neal filling in details and dry opinions. She couldn't follow Alanna's every word though. She couldn't tell her about all her feelings, because she couldn't figure out most of them for herself yet.

Then, they got to the battle with Coriolis, and Neal closed his eyes and sighed when Kel turned to him, "Neal, maybe you should explain this part. I don't understand it all."

"I told Coriolis that the reason Kel turned him away was because of hate. Then I attacked him, and he grabbed me. He plays mind games, lies. I attacked again; I used a burst of magic with my heart. Then he just grabbed Kel," Neal closed his eyes.

Kel picked up from there aggravated that Alanna hadn't questioned him further. She had drilled Kel relentlessly, but her old Squire was exempt from the questioning.

When they finished, Alanna sighed heavily," Good work," she looked at Kel who nodded, and all the anger was drained from her body and fresh anger came flooding in.

"Really, without Neal I wouldn't have lived," she insisted in a light growl. Why wouldn't Alanna reward him? Why were the mistakes his and the victories hers? Kel had heard Alanna desired perfection, but this was too much.

Alanna grinned and nodded, "Mind if I have a word alone with my former Squire?"

"Not at all," Jonathan said through the fire, so Numair snapped, and it was fire once more. Raoul stood up heavily, and Neal winced.

"Alanna, haven't you had more than enough words with me already today?" he demanded, and she smiled mischievously and nodded.

"More than enough, one is more than enough, but it seems this is necessary," Alanna grinned when Raoul chuckled and clapped Kel on the shoulder.

"I feel the same, I assure you, your presence is no greater desired," Neal informed her curtly. Numair's eyes twinkled as Alanna began to speak when he shut the door behind the other two.

"Master Numair, I do believe I'll have a few words with my former Squire as well," Raoul told Numair who grinned and walked down the hall without so much as another word.

Raoul took hold of Kel's shoulder and began to lead her down the hall, "So how long have you and Neal been friends? Eight, nine years?" he questioned.

"Eight," Kel answered, smiling. She remembered her Page years. Even as Squires, far apart at some times, they had managed to stay best of friends.

Raoul nodded and changed subjects drastically, "You didn't leave anything out about the battle with Coriolis did you?"

"What?" she turned and looked into his eyes, trying to discern his expression. "Raoul what is this all about?"

"Kel, you know I just want you to be happy," Raoul sighed.

"Of course I know that, I am too…at least I think I am, or will be…as soon as I find…" Kel stopped and shook her head.

"What?" Raoul persisted.

"It's nothing, never mind, I'll figure it out."

"Kel, if you ever need someone to talk to," he put his hand back on her shoulder, "you know I'm here."

She put her hand on his and smiled up at him, "I know that, but I have no idea what you're talking about."

He chuckled softly and clapped her shoulder, "You will, very soon, if Alanna has her way at least."

"What do you…?" Kel started, but Raoul shook his head.

"Time, everything needs time," he answered softly.

She tried to understand but was somehow oblivious, "Okay…"

"Good, now care to tilt?" a grin spread across his face, and Kel grinned back and nodded emphatically. "Let's go then."

*

Kel walked back into the palace, almost dripping with sweat. Her muscles ached, and she could feel bruising already appearing. She was smiling despite, glad for the workout, and looking for a good night's sleep.

She smiled blissfully as she fell under the covers and fell into a deep sleep. Unfortunately, it was plagued by terrible dreams.

She was pacing the palace halls, outside Neal's room. Alanna was there, waiting with her. Her face was pale, and her eyes had black rings beneath them. Kel watched herself pace, and Alanna stare distractedly at the door.

"What's taking so long?" she heard herself growl.

Alanna shook her head. Kel had never seen her look so frightened before, not even when the King was sick.

"It shouldn't take this long, just a simple Healing and…" Kel began.

"Coriolis was a very powerful Mage," Alanna whispered.

Kel started to pace once more, but stopped when Numair walked out. He wiped a hand across his brow that was sweating. His face was pale, and his expressions sunken.

"Come in," his voice was hoarse as he opened the door with shaking hands.

Kel and Alanna walked into Neal's room, and Alanna waited by the door as Kel slowly approached his bed. She knelt by his side and pushed his bangs away from his closed eyes. The sweat on his forehead was cold, and Kel soon realized his skin was as well. She didn't get a chance to ask, because Numair was speaking.

"I tried to get him healthy, but the procedure is long and hard. Coriolis was…he wanted to take someone with him, someone that meant everything to Kel," he looked at Kel's back, but her eyes were on Neal. He wasn't saying…no…any minute he was going to spring up, healthy and well. This wasn't real, but the tears began to come.

"I'm so sorry Kel," Numair told her. "Alanna…I…"

"We know," Alanna responded quietly, and Numair turned and left the room.

"Neal," Kel sobbed into his chest. "Neal, wake up, come on."

"Sh…" Kel opened her eyes and met light green eyes that flashed like a cat's in the dark. His hands were on her arms in a half embrace, and Kel sat straight up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Neal, I had a dream that you died."

He slowly put his arms around her and gave her a tight hug, "I'm not dead; I'm right here," he didn't let go until she pulled away, and even then he stayed close. "Are you okay?"

She nodded and smiled weakly, "I don't know what's gotten into me lately."

"You've been through a lot," he stood. "Now try and get some sleep."

"Neal," she stopped him from exiting, and he closed his eyes and then turned. "What are you doing up? Doing here?" she questioned.

"I couldn't stand being in bed, so I got up and was wandering the halls. I heard you screaming in your sleep and came in," he answered in a fluent lie. "But now I must take my leave. If that Devil that calls herself King's Champion finds me I will be dead."

Kel smiled and nodded.

"Good night, Keladry of Mindelan," he said softly and left, the door shutting quietly behind him.

For the first time in her life Kel found herself musing, 'Keladry of Queenscove…'

*

"What stunt were you pulling last night Neal?" Kel was walking down to the stables when she heard Alanna's voice. This time it seemed her fiery tempered was unleashed upon Neal. She couldn't help but stop and listen. Through a crack in the door she saw Alanna hovering over Neal's bed, blocking him from sight. Then Neal's smooth voice interrupted her rant.

"I have entirely no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh come off it, you were out of bed last night. Your father came to see you when Numair relieved him, and you weren't here. It doesn't take an idiot to know where you were either! Who is she now Neal?"

"I resent that," Neal spat back, and Kel's heart began to race. She didn't want to hear anymore, but she forced herself to stay.

"Do you want to ruin everything just to calm your hot blood?" Alanna was livid; Kel could tell by the way that she threw her hands into the air.

"Don't compare me to men in your past," Neal whispered hatefully. "You know that I do not fall into temptation quite so easily."

"But presented the opportunity…"

"Presented the opportunity all I can do is think of…I will not discuss this further. Kel would you just come in and stop hiding in the doorway?" Neal snapped.

Kel jumped and blushed deeply as she opened the door slightly. Alanna looked surprised, and Kel looked at the floor, "I was just on my way to the stables. I'll go; I didn't mean to interrupt."

"No," Alanna stopped her from leaving. "I'll go, Neal, get well soon," she said gruffly as she strode past Kel and shut the door behind her, leaving it open only a crack.

Kel watched the door, then turned to see Neal scowling at it.

"Well come in, come in," Neal urged, and Kel nodded and sat beside him.

There was a long, awkward silence, in which Neal seemed to study her until she cleared her throat, and, still looking at the ground, asked softly, "What was that…um…about?"

Neal sighed heavily and looked out the window, tearing his eyes from her, "Alanna and my relationship is quite different than yours and Raoul's as you've already observed. She still cares for my welfare, believe it or not, and that's what that was about."

"Your welfare?" Kel raised her brows; it sure didn't seem it.

"Yes, Alanna feels that I have a tendency to act with other parts of my body instead of my head, like most males. I, unfortunately, don't have that luxury," he smiled, and Kel shook her head.

"Because you're lovesick again, I should have known. Who is it now Sir Nealan?" Kel teased.

"Not now, always," he stared into her eyes, and she had to turn away.

"Who is she Neal?" she had to force her words out. She knew there was only one name she wanted to come from his lips, and that was hers. She'd always had a crush on Neal, but in the last year of his absence, it had evolved into something more, something greater.

"I'm afraid that information is classified," he answered, grinning. She looked up and glared, and he laughed, "Sorry Lady."

"Why you…" she jumped up and pulled one of the pillow from under him, smacking him playfully.

"Hey, you heard the short tempered Lady Lioness, I'm still ill," he held his arms in front of him for protection as she raised the pillow once more.

"Ill? You didn't seem very ill last night!" she hit him again. She turned quickly though when she saw him giving a smug look to the door. She saw a flash of copper colored hair before Neal caught her wrist and pulled her down. She tackled him before he could jump up, but he pulled from under her and jumped up.

"Tada," he grinned, holding out his arms. She got up, holding a glass of water from his beside table behind her back.

"Okay," she smiled, walking toward him. "Truce?"

He smiled and held out a hand. She gave him her left hand in return, then dumped the glass down his back while he was distracted with his victory. He jumped away when he felt the water touch his skin and glared, "Oh…not cool…"

"Oh I think it's very cool," Kel smiled impishly, and Neal tackled her to the ground. They were play fighting until they heard someone clear his throat and stopped to look up. Duke Baird was standing the doorway, his eyes twinkling.

They both disentangled themselves and jumped up, brushing themselves off.

"Father," Neal looked at the ground as he spoke, and Kel turned scarlet when Duke Baird spoke.

"Nealan, Keladry, I trust you're both feeling better," there was a smile in his voice.

"Very much so," Kel stayed silent while Neal responded.

"I guess I will have to trust you then, but I don't believe Lady Alanna would approve of you being out of bed. Though, I do believe she may make an exception," Kel felt his eyes on her, but kept her head lowered.

"Is there something you wanted father?" Neal seemed to be gritting his teeth.

"Just to see how you fair, but it seems you're well enough. I'll leave; I think you're in good enough hands," he turned, but Kel beat him to the door. She couldn't imagine being in the same room with Neal after that embarrassing experience.

"I was on my way out anyway. I need to see to Peachblossom. Neal, I'll be back later to see how you're doing, Duke Baird," she bowed, and the other two bowed back before Kel exited. She saw Neal's temper rise and grinned as she bounded to the stables.