A\N: okay, sorry this took so long, but I hadn't originally planned to
write anything about her time as a knight. I'm also looking for a beta
reader at the moment, so if you're interested, please email me.
After a short council with Master Goldeye, Kel decided that she and most of her men would push on towards the palace with the news of the imminent invasion. Much to her surprise, the four younger mages elected to accompany her, meaning that only Master Salmalin, Master Goldeye and Earl Vensir were left with an escort of five men. This was a satisfactory arrangement for both Kel and the mages, since none of them was particularly fond of the pompous and incompetent bodyguard. Kel was given a letter detailing all of the information to bear to the king from Duke Vedris.
They galloped through the streets of Corus to the palace gates a few hours later. They'd come as quickly as possible, at a breakneck pace that possibly only the Queen's Riders could have equalled.
"Wow," said Briar as he got his first good look at the palace. "I thought I'd seen some impressive things before, but I have to say this tops it all."
"It's not bad," Kel said neutrally. "But I have to admit that it isn't up to the architectural standards of the Emperor's palace in Yaman. That's a true work of art. Merric!"
"Yes Commander," the squire said, passing his reins to an ostler and jogging up.
"Inform his majesty of our arrival, and of the guests we bring with us. They'll require quarters for now in the guest wing of the palace. Tell him that I recommend that he convene the council as soon as possible, because I bear news from Emelan of an invasion threat that threatens Tortall."
"Yes Commander," he replied smartly, bowed and sprinted inside.
"If you would come with me, honoured mages," Kel said, mentally changing back to formal court manners. "You can change before we go before the King. I would advise formal dress for your presentation, although after the first time, it is of less significance. You do have presentable clothes with you, don't you?"
"Briar doesn't, of course," Tris said irritably, glaring at the ex- thief. "He doesn't realise the value of proper clothes, and he's left all of his nice ones back in the wagon with Niko. He doesn't think that any of us noticed."
Kel looked thoughtfully at Briar, wondering what on earth she could find for him to wear that wasn't a Prince's Cohort uniform. He was looking very embarrassed now at all this attention, since he had, as Tris had guessed, thought that he'd easily got away with his minor deception without anyone noticing.
"It would be a privilege if you would consent to accepting a set of lightweight armour and a fine tunic as a gift. Many warriors wear this outfit as formal dress, so it would conform with the present customs of the court."
"Armour!" exclaimed Briar, looking horrified at the thought. He'd never worn anything remotely resembling armour in his entire life - he was no soldier. Sandry and Daja were looking very amused at this outburst.
"Yes lord mage," Kel replied, hiding her amusement. "Master Niklaren has spoken to me about combat training for all of you, so you will be starting to wear it soon anyway. This lightweight kind is no use in combat, but far more comfortable than conventional armour, weighs much less and is very popular this season."
"I thought that you were calling me Briar."
"We're at court now, my lord mage. Until you are formally accepted by a number of prominent public figures, you and I are going to be under great scrutiny. I've been trained to be formal in such circumstances as these, and would honestly recommend that you accept a similar approach. Meanwhile, I would be honoured to act as your advisor in the short term. If ever my duties take me away from you, young Merric will assist you. He's received all of a page's training in etiquette and should serve you admirably."
"Thank you Commander," Sandry said, closing her eyes for a moment in concentration as she rose admirably to the occasion. "Your extensive knowledge of Tortallan etiquette and nobility will be a great asset to us."
"It is my privilege, Lady Sandrilene. May I assume that you will be the ceremonial head of this embassy until Master Niklaren's arrival in the future?"
"It would be prudent, Commander," Sandry said, looking ruefully at her friends. "I'm more used to court behaviour than the other mages, and I think am able say that I'm more used to using formal court language also."
"I'm glad that Master Salmalin is in the hands of your esteemed bodyguard," Kel said conversationally, leading them inside towards her own quarters. "I know that he will be safe during his journey back to the palace now."
"In truth it is your warriors that make him safe, and we are the ones who should be grateful for their dedicated guardianship of our Master Niklaren."
Briar stared at the pair of them in amazement, both so informal and friendly on the road just twenty minutes ago, but now acting as though they'd never met before in their lives. Nobles, he'd never understand them. He knew exactly what his teacher would have said about all this pointless foolery. Really, his life had been so much simpler when he'd been a thief.
Kel quickly had them inside her own spacious quarters. She showed the girls to her private bedchamber, where they could change in privacy, and took Briar through to Merric's room. There, she helped him into a royal blue tunic topped with a lightweight silver mail shirt that wouldn't have stopped a blunt dagger, but looked very pretty. He was not at all happy, but could see no alternative, and it was entirely his own fault.
At last, Kel found she had time to change into her own court gear, the latest in a long line provided for her (or forced onto her) by Princess Shinkokami. This set was all made from rich velvet - black stockings and shirt, topped with a rich silver tunic and a foppish looking black had that she only wore under protest. Unfortunately, it was the latest fashion. More practically, she belted on a rapier and dagger at her side. Due to her almost unique position as the prince's champion, she was one of the few allowed to wear weapons in the king's presence.
Much to her relief, Merric came running in soon after she was ready. He was panting breathlessly, but managed to say,
"His Majesty says that he will see you in the lesser council chamber. He requests that you come there with the greatest rapidity and escort his honoured guests to his presence."
"Thank you Merric, that was quickly done. However, you shouldn't be that out of breath after so little exercise at your stage in training. Join the sakuro group for training tomorrow. For now, accompany us and guide Lady Sandrilene if I am dispatched away from them. They'll have rooms in the guest wing, the servants will know where, I'm sure, and they'll be being prepared at this very moment."
"Yes Commander."
Kel smiled at him before turning her attention back to the foreigners. Just six months ago, he would have been strenuously objecting to being ordered to train with a bunch of formerly illiterate commoners by a girl only just his age, but it appeared that greater experience had also brought greater wisdom.
"May I escort you, my lady," Kel said, offering her arm to Lady Sandrilene. As a knight, one of only two Lady Knights, she was expected to act like a man in formal court procedures. She had once decided that this was because no one had ever bothered to make up a new set of etiquette for lady knights specifically, especially when there were only two.
"Of course, sir knight."
They walked briskly through the maze of corridors, trailed at a discreet distance by two of the King's Own and two of the Prince's Cohort. This was just a common security procedure, and only Briar and Daja paid them any notice at all. Both they and Tris were very nervous about the whole affair. Sandry had been doing this kind of thing since she could walk, as had Kel, and besides, they'd had training in it too.
Their unfamiliar faces earned them curious looks from passing nobles, but they reached the council chamber without having to speak to anyone. The two members of the king's Own standing guard on either side of the door to the council chamber came smartly to attention when Kel stopped in front of them.
"Lady Sandrilene fa Toren and the Mages Daja Kisubo, Trisana Chandler and Briar Moss to see his Majesty," she said quietly. "You know who I am." One of the men nodded, stepped inside the doors and announced them loudly to the people inside, notably the King, Prince, Lord Raoul, Duke Gareth the Younger and Commander Buriram of the Riders.
Kel led Sandry gracefully in, followed more awkwardly by the other three. Kel knelt in front of King Jonathan, and Sandry swept into a deep court curtsey. Neither of them could see what the others were doing, which was probably just as well.
"Please rise, Lady Sandrilene. You are welcome at my court," King Jonathan said formally.
"We are overjoyed to be in your august presence, your Majesty, but could wish that our visit came under different circumstances. I am the bearer of the terrible news of a threat to your country. In Knight Commander Keladry's possession is a letter from my uncle, Duke Vedris of Emelan, detailing the entire intelligence report that came into his possession. My teacher, the black robe mage Master Niklaren Goldeye, is also in possession of the full details, and he will be arriving here in a few days."
"We thank you for your timely warning, knowing that we respect his grace of Emelan greatly. Commander, you have the letter?"
"Yes your Majesty," Kel said, handing it to him with a flourish. He waved them to take seats as he read the letter thoroughly. Kel took her usual place between Prince Roald and Lord Raoul, the four young mages taking the empty seats at the end of the table. When he finished he looked up looking somewhat resigned.
"They are correct in that this could become a serious threat. Gary, I need to know what funding we have available. Raoul, muster the Own and recall the second cohort from the Scanran border. They're no longer needed there, the guard posts can handle any skirmishes easily, especially with the convict troops. I want Cavall back here as soon as possible with all the men they can spare. Buri, speed up the training schedule for the Riders as much as possible, and increase recruitment. Keladry, take over the pages, squires and resident knights. I want a list of all of those capable of fighting if necessary as soon as it can be obtained. I assume that both the Own and the Prince's Cohort troops are ready for battle, and that your recruits could also be used if necessary."
Kel thought for a moment, then spoke,
"All but the very newest group, Your Majesty," she confirmed. "The five who came in last month aren't ready yet, but in another two months they will be. The Own is in much the same situation, I believe. May I be excused? There are preparations that I should see to at once."
"Of course Commander. Raoul, would you start immediately also. The sooner we have the army regulars here the better."
After a short council with Master Goldeye, Kel decided that she and most of her men would push on towards the palace with the news of the imminent invasion. Much to her surprise, the four younger mages elected to accompany her, meaning that only Master Salmalin, Master Goldeye and Earl Vensir were left with an escort of five men. This was a satisfactory arrangement for both Kel and the mages, since none of them was particularly fond of the pompous and incompetent bodyguard. Kel was given a letter detailing all of the information to bear to the king from Duke Vedris.
They galloped through the streets of Corus to the palace gates a few hours later. They'd come as quickly as possible, at a breakneck pace that possibly only the Queen's Riders could have equalled.
"Wow," said Briar as he got his first good look at the palace. "I thought I'd seen some impressive things before, but I have to say this tops it all."
"It's not bad," Kel said neutrally. "But I have to admit that it isn't up to the architectural standards of the Emperor's palace in Yaman. That's a true work of art. Merric!"
"Yes Commander," the squire said, passing his reins to an ostler and jogging up.
"Inform his majesty of our arrival, and of the guests we bring with us. They'll require quarters for now in the guest wing of the palace. Tell him that I recommend that he convene the council as soon as possible, because I bear news from Emelan of an invasion threat that threatens Tortall."
"Yes Commander," he replied smartly, bowed and sprinted inside.
"If you would come with me, honoured mages," Kel said, mentally changing back to formal court manners. "You can change before we go before the King. I would advise formal dress for your presentation, although after the first time, it is of less significance. You do have presentable clothes with you, don't you?"
"Briar doesn't, of course," Tris said irritably, glaring at the ex- thief. "He doesn't realise the value of proper clothes, and he's left all of his nice ones back in the wagon with Niko. He doesn't think that any of us noticed."
Kel looked thoughtfully at Briar, wondering what on earth she could find for him to wear that wasn't a Prince's Cohort uniform. He was looking very embarrassed now at all this attention, since he had, as Tris had guessed, thought that he'd easily got away with his minor deception without anyone noticing.
"It would be a privilege if you would consent to accepting a set of lightweight armour and a fine tunic as a gift. Many warriors wear this outfit as formal dress, so it would conform with the present customs of the court."
"Armour!" exclaimed Briar, looking horrified at the thought. He'd never worn anything remotely resembling armour in his entire life - he was no soldier. Sandry and Daja were looking very amused at this outburst.
"Yes lord mage," Kel replied, hiding her amusement. "Master Niklaren has spoken to me about combat training for all of you, so you will be starting to wear it soon anyway. This lightweight kind is no use in combat, but far more comfortable than conventional armour, weighs much less and is very popular this season."
"I thought that you were calling me Briar."
"We're at court now, my lord mage. Until you are formally accepted by a number of prominent public figures, you and I are going to be under great scrutiny. I've been trained to be formal in such circumstances as these, and would honestly recommend that you accept a similar approach. Meanwhile, I would be honoured to act as your advisor in the short term. If ever my duties take me away from you, young Merric will assist you. He's received all of a page's training in etiquette and should serve you admirably."
"Thank you Commander," Sandry said, closing her eyes for a moment in concentration as she rose admirably to the occasion. "Your extensive knowledge of Tortallan etiquette and nobility will be a great asset to us."
"It is my privilege, Lady Sandrilene. May I assume that you will be the ceremonial head of this embassy until Master Niklaren's arrival in the future?"
"It would be prudent, Commander," Sandry said, looking ruefully at her friends. "I'm more used to court behaviour than the other mages, and I think am able say that I'm more used to using formal court language also."
"I'm glad that Master Salmalin is in the hands of your esteemed bodyguard," Kel said conversationally, leading them inside towards her own quarters. "I know that he will be safe during his journey back to the palace now."
"In truth it is your warriors that make him safe, and we are the ones who should be grateful for their dedicated guardianship of our Master Niklaren."
Briar stared at the pair of them in amazement, both so informal and friendly on the road just twenty minutes ago, but now acting as though they'd never met before in their lives. Nobles, he'd never understand them. He knew exactly what his teacher would have said about all this pointless foolery. Really, his life had been so much simpler when he'd been a thief.
Kel quickly had them inside her own spacious quarters. She showed the girls to her private bedchamber, where they could change in privacy, and took Briar through to Merric's room. There, she helped him into a royal blue tunic topped with a lightweight silver mail shirt that wouldn't have stopped a blunt dagger, but looked very pretty. He was not at all happy, but could see no alternative, and it was entirely his own fault.
At last, Kel found she had time to change into her own court gear, the latest in a long line provided for her (or forced onto her) by Princess Shinkokami. This set was all made from rich velvet - black stockings and shirt, topped with a rich silver tunic and a foppish looking black had that she only wore under protest. Unfortunately, it was the latest fashion. More practically, she belted on a rapier and dagger at her side. Due to her almost unique position as the prince's champion, she was one of the few allowed to wear weapons in the king's presence.
Much to her relief, Merric came running in soon after she was ready. He was panting breathlessly, but managed to say,
"His Majesty says that he will see you in the lesser council chamber. He requests that you come there with the greatest rapidity and escort his honoured guests to his presence."
"Thank you Merric, that was quickly done. However, you shouldn't be that out of breath after so little exercise at your stage in training. Join the sakuro group for training tomorrow. For now, accompany us and guide Lady Sandrilene if I am dispatched away from them. They'll have rooms in the guest wing, the servants will know where, I'm sure, and they'll be being prepared at this very moment."
"Yes Commander."
Kel smiled at him before turning her attention back to the foreigners. Just six months ago, he would have been strenuously objecting to being ordered to train with a bunch of formerly illiterate commoners by a girl only just his age, but it appeared that greater experience had also brought greater wisdom.
"May I escort you, my lady," Kel said, offering her arm to Lady Sandrilene. As a knight, one of only two Lady Knights, she was expected to act like a man in formal court procedures. She had once decided that this was because no one had ever bothered to make up a new set of etiquette for lady knights specifically, especially when there were only two.
"Of course, sir knight."
They walked briskly through the maze of corridors, trailed at a discreet distance by two of the King's Own and two of the Prince's Cohort. This was just a common security procedure, and only Briar and Daja paid them any notice at all. Both they and Tris were very nervous about the whole affair. Sandry had been doing this kind of thing since she could walk, as had Kel, and besides, they'd had training in it too.
Their unfamiliar faces earned them curious looks from passing nobles, but they reached the council chamber without having to speak to anyone. The two members of the king's Own standing guard on either side of the door to the council chamber came smartly to attention when Kel stopped in front of them.
"Lady Sandrilene fa Toren and the Mages Daja Kisubo, Trisana Chandler and Briar Moss to see his Majesty," she said quietly. "You know who I am." One of the men nodded, stepped inside the doors and announced them loudly to the people inside, notably the King, Prince, Lord Raoul, Duke Gareth the Younger and Commander Buriram of the Riders.
Kel led Sandry gracefully in, followed more awkwardly by the other three. Kel knelt in front of King Jonathan, and Sandry swept into a deep court curtsey. Neither of them could see what the others were doing, which was probably just as well.
"Please rise, Lady Sandrilene. You are welcome at my court," King Jonathan said formally.
"We are overjoyed to be in your august presence, your Majesty, but could wish that our visit came under different circumstances. I am the bearer of the terrible news of a threat to your country. In Knight Commander Keladry's possession is a letter from my uncle, Duke Vedris of Emelan, detailing the entire intelligence report that came into his possession. My teacher, the black robe mage Master Niklaren Goldeye, is also in possession of the full details, and he will be arriving here in a few days."
"We thank you for your timely warning, knowing that we respect his grace of Emelan greatly. Commander, you have the letter?"
"Yes your Majesty," Kel said, handing it to him with a flourish. He waved them to take seats as he read the letter thoroughly. Kel took her usual place between Prince Roald and Lord Raoul, the four young mages taking the empty seats at the end of the table. When he finished he looked up looking somewhat resigned.
"They are correct in that this could become a serious threat. Gary, I need to know what funding we have available. Raoul, muster the Own and recall the second cohort from the Scanran border. They're no longer needed there, the guard posts can handle any skirmishes easily, especially with the convict troops. I want Cavall back here as soon as possible with all the men they can spare. Buri, speed up the training schedule for the Riders as much as possible, and increase recruitment. Keladry, take over the pages, squires and resident knights. I want a list of all of those capable of fighting if necessary as soon as it can be obtained. I assume that both the Own and the Prince's Cohort troops are ready for battle, and that your recruits could also be used if necessary."
Kel thought for a moment, then spoke,
"All but the very newest group, Your Majesty," she confirmed. "The five who came in last month aren't ready yet, but in another two months they will be. The Own is in much the same situation, I believe. May I be excused? There are preparations that I should see to at once."
"Of course Commander. Raoul, would you start immediately also. The sooner we have the army regulars here the better."