Disclaimer: I don't own these brilliant characters. Save me from legal action, please great and wonderful Mithros!

I wrote an author's note and now I have to write a new one, damn me for reading the reviews (though, don't stop!). I want to keep you in suspense. Now let's clear things up…

Pheep: Stuff Veldine if he died, I just wanted Dom to 'proclaim' his love for Kel; I liked Jon when he was younger, he was cute, I can't make him a prick, I don't think he would be. My head won't roll anyway…you know why. I don't think I want Alanna to overreact, next chapter she will freak out…

An anonymous geek: You're not the only one who loves Neal (I am giving you a hint)

AJ 4EVA: You've been reviewing so long, thanks, I can't tell you what's gonna happen.

Alexis of the Westlands: Thanx, I need all the luck I can get with Pheep on my back *Runs screaming from Pheep*

I also have to thank MiraxHalcyon, Lady Bee, Sw33t T3mptations, insane werewolf luva, Vamperfly and I'm not Weird, I'm gifted. And you'll never believe it, my brother reviewed, anonymously, and said this story sucked! How rude.

Kelly *-*

Chapter 9

Kel sat by either Dom or Neal. They had fallen into unconsciousness. She barely moved from the infirmary and was still in the same dress. Someone brought her food through the days and she accepted it thankfully. She was barely emotional, refusing to let people see more than what she was willing to show.

It was the third night, and Kel was sitting by Dom. The window was wide open, even though there were only 5 people in the room, only five that had been shot by arrows with the poison.

A bird flew in the window, and Kel shooed it out. She wished that it would be that easy to do so with the poison. But it wasn't.

Alanna walked in the door, in a very simple dress. She checked on all the others before coming to Dom and Kel. She checked over Dom and then took a seat next to Kel. Alanna herself was suffering too; she had the same regret as Kel, not being on the field. She turned herself towards Kel and smiled. "You're holding it all back Kel. That's why I have a temper; it's very useful for getting feelings out. Why don't you try telling me? I blew my top at George last night and feel slightly better."

Kel nodded and looked down, gathering courage. She then looked up at Alanna and began. "The King isn't being unfair. I've realised that. We've barely been here five days and us ladies, we've gotten drunk, been stuck in dresses, someone attempted to rape me, there was a battle, the chamber appeared and 5 people are just about mortally wounded. Chaos follows us, it's like the gods attached it to us. And then there's the fact that I've just been raped and yet I left that behind so quickly! It's still in me, but it doesn't scare me. The last thing I'm dealing with is two of my closest friends are just about mortally wounded. If I lost them I couldn't live. Neal's my best friend and Dom, he's my…" Kel looked down.

Alanna grinned and raised Kel's head. "Love?" she asked. Kel nodded.

"It's too much, why are the gods always burdening us?" Kel complained. "I wish that for once it would be O.K. for me to do something, without trouble. It follows me." Alanna laughed at Kel, they both knew that she was acting like a stubborn child.

"Look Kel," Alanna chided, "The gods are like that. But you need to leave these cousins behind, because you are going to catch the sickness. Come out, get changed, have a bath and then come to the mess hall. I'll come with you to make sure it happens." They left together, Alanna looping her hand round the waist of the tall girl.

***********

Alanna had Kel all done up, and then walked her to the mess. They opened the door to the own, and they cheered at the sight of the ladies. Somewhere in the crowd a man stood up. Kel recognised him, but couldn't place him. He walked over and Kel grinned. It was her brother Inness.

"Do you know what I've done Inness, I've outdone you." Kel said mockingly. "And I'm the youngest, oh, what a life."

Inness punched her lightly on the arm and then said, "Yes but I couldn't manage the torment of your roll, plus you have much to deal with at the moment."

Kel went to the line and grabbed some food before sitting next to Inness, just to annoy him. "I never really liked you." Said jokingly.

Inness grinned. "Then maybe I won't give you letters. They thought they'd send a squad out here to check the area, and bring any letters or items, and supplies. Here." He passed Kel a bundle of letters.

She had letters from Anders, mama, papa, Shinko and even Roald. She sifted through them quickly and then glanced thankfully at Inness. "You realise this is a ray of sunlight into my life of sadness, it might even pull me out."

Inness smiled. "Your dramatics are improving. Was it that Neal you told me about?"

Kel chucked a roll at him. "This is the torment of my roll." She chucked a second one.

Yuki unexpectedly burst into the room panting. "Lady Alanna, please come something weird is happening is happening to the wounded." Alanna jumped from her seat, knocking soup out of its bowl and ran out the door. Kel ran out and so did his majesty. No one really understood what was happening.

***********

Review and I will update, promise. I wanted to write the perfect fic, but sadly that is impossible. Alas.

And yes trickster's choice is out, and I live in Australia! My mum just went to the book store and picked it up, no ordering or anything!

Kelly *-*