This chapter is going to be pretty short I think, but that's because it's more or less a prologue.

Disclaimer: I own none of Tamora Pierce's characters. The plot is mine. Actually, the whole fearless thing also kind of belongs to Francine Pascal. But anyway, don't sue. Please.

Chapter One: Kel's Return

The mess hall was silent as Keladry of Mindelan and Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau strolled to where the monarchs sat. For the most part, Alanna looked no different. She still had the coppery curls and those odd purple eyes; she was still a fountain of temper packed into a small, stocky body.

But Kel was different. It wasn't just her brown hair, which was longer, or her figure, which had slimmed, but her eyes-cold, indifferent pale green eyes that were once a lively green-hazel. Her generous mouth was twisted up in a sneer; her delicately built nose wrinkled somewhat with distaste. It was almost like she was a feminine version of Joren.

"Hi, Jon," Alanna said informally, bowing carelessly to King Jonathan and Queen Thayet of Conte. As Champion, she could get away with public greetings as such.

Kel nodded shortly to the royal couple. Alarm sprang to violet eyes as Alanna nudged her. "Bow," she whispered urgently. She rolled her eyes, but bowed, then joined her friends at a table. Reluctantly the room began to buzz with small talk again. Alanna kept her eyes on Kel.

"Uh . . . Kel?" Cleon of Kennan asked hesitantly.

"What?" she snapped irritably.

"Never mind."

"Are you okay, Kel?" Nealan of Queenscove, her best friend, asked worriedly.

"Don't I look okay?" Kel said.

Neal decided for the first time in his life to remain silent.

"What's been going on?" she finally said. Better to pretend nothing's wrong, she thought, so Al will stay off my back.

"Y-Yuki and I got married," Neal offered.

"Congratulations," she said insincerely. A little hurt, he returned to his food.

"Ermelian is pregnant," Cleon said hopefully.

"Tactless," Kel said loftily, "talking about your pregnant wife to an old flame."

Stunned, he too returned to his food. The rest of her friends, all of who had been eager to share their own news, remained silent for fear of being put down also. Except Owen of Jesslaw, of course.

"I'm a knight," he said.

"Great," she said with greatly mustered warmness, though her voice tinted with a chill. She shot a glance at Alanna, noticed her warning gaze, and knew she was in for a lecture later.

"How was your, um, trip to Scanra?" Faleron of King's Reach said.

Kel flinched ever so slightly and slipped her Yamani Lump Face on. "Fine," she said simply.

"Keladry, may I speak with you?" Alanna said, her sharp voice ringing clearly around the room. Kel groaned and stood up, following the shorter woman out.

"Is it just me, or is Mindelan looking a bit odd?" Wyldon of Cavall said.

"She's acting odd, too," Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak murmured. "I heard her talking with her friends. She seems . . . icy. What happened?"

Listening outside the door, Kel smirked. Alanna punched her on the shoulder. "Listen to me!" she hissed.

Kel glanced at her coldly. "Make me."

Alanna swallowed. If she tried, Kel would hurt her, unafraid of the consequences, unafraid of anything.

"I don't want them to figure it out," Alanna said softly.

"Figure what out?"

"You know what I'm talking about."

"I'm not scared of being found out," Kel said shortly, and left.

Of course you're not, Alanna thought, tears forming behind her eyes.

You can't be, she thought sadly. You're fearless now . . .