Well.some of u have been getting slightly eggy at me because I neglected to
mention the small fact that JOREN IS OBVIOUSLY NOT DEAD. Ahem.I thought
that this small fact would be made obvious by the fact that this is a
JOREN/KEL STORY, and that Kel obviously isn't gonna be with a DEAD PERSON.
No offence to those who reviewed to tell me that. I would also like to say
that this is set a while after Lady Knight. Maybe around a year. Well.now
that that's cleared up, I would like to apologise for my appalling grammar
and punctuation. I feel really bad, coz I get mad at people who spell like
that, and now I've done it myself. *hangs head in shame as she is thrown
into a dark deep dungeon and the key is thrown away*
Anyway. I only got around 5 reviews so far! *sniff* and half of those were from people who I asked to review me! Well, not half, coz u can't really get 2.5 reviews.but yeah, please review. *she begs pathetically, giving you this really cute puppy dog look, which makes you just want to review*
And if u'r feeling really bored, then please check out my soon to be updated story on fp.net, where I still write under the pen name of Amber Faerie. Also, my last thing to say because u'r obviously sick of my rantings by now, is, I can't believe she killed him, but it still seemed to fit in, didn't it. We all knew it was coming. Well actually we didn't, but anyway.that's for all the others who have read HP5.
Chapter 2
Kel walked along the corridor, her footsteps echoing against the ancient stone. She was heading towards the Royal Quarters, to visit Shinko and Yuki, and maybe have a game of fan toss. Merric and Neal had both been allowed a few weeks leave to get their affairs in order, and they had both opted to return to Corus with her, where she had been sent to get some lessons from the Lionesses husband, Baron George. Among other things, she had learnt how to disguise herself, walk without making a noise, how to conceal weapons, and, quite worryingly, how to stop going mad if she was caught and put into solitary confinement. Kel sighed softly, thinking of her meeting this evening with Sir Myles, who would brief her and her companions on their mission. The problem was, she didn't yet know who her companions were to be.
She turned a corner and clattered down the stairs, her mind swirling with the possibilities. Most knights were away at the border right now, so she would probably be going with some of the agents. Then again, many of the agents were also away, why else would Sir Myles have requested her help?
She walked down another corridor which also served as a balcony, overlooking a courtyard, gazing at the stone floor. She rounded a corner and hit something that felt like a tree trunk, standing there.
She stumbled backwards, holding her head, before noticing that the tree trunk was doing the same. In fact, if she squinted through her blurred vision, she could make out blue and brown. The brown she understood, but a blue tree trunk, in the middle of the corridor?
She shook her head to clear her vision and her mind, before looking up into an equally surprised pair of grey eyes.
*Oh crap* She thought.
Cleon of Kennan shifted his weight from foot to foot uneasily. After a while, he broke the uncomfortable silence.
"It's er.nice to see you again..er."
"Yeah."
*About as nice as it would be to have to kiss Joren in front of the entire court* she thought. She decided to attempt some small talk.
"So, er.how are you?"
*happily wed* Kel thought to herself, *while I'm still here, alone.single.with nobody else.*
"Oh.fine, yeah. You?" Cleon replied, attempting to look like he was enjoying this, and failing wretchedly.
"Yeah, good.so, I'll er.see you around"
*Or maybe I'll just check around corners with a mirror to make sure you aren't there, hide every time I see you coming, and just avoid you in general*
"yeah.er, that'd be nice" Cleon gave her a very false smile.
"Yeah, er.ok then, bye." Kel walked off down the corridor again. It was strange to think now how intense they'd once been, talking and joking. She just couldn't imagine them doing that now. It was just way too awkward. She reached the princesses rooms and was dragged inside, her brain feeling just as befuddled as it had before.
*****
She knocked hesitantly on the door that bore a brass plaque , engraved with the Letters, 'Sir Myles, Baron of Olau, and advisor to the King'.
"Come in", a voice called from inside. She entered, to see Sir Myles sitting at his desk. Facing him were two of the strangest people Kel had ever seen.
The woman was taller than Kel herself, without the calf length, high heeled, boots that she was wearing. Her breeches were loose and flowing, and her shirt looked expensive, yet casual at the same time. It was her hair that startled Kel. It was black, with streaks of light brown and red in it. It was done up in zillions of tiny braids, which were tied back, and each braid had a few metal circlets, of around a centimetre in length, wrapped around it at some point.
Kel could see that she was wearing a lot of eye paint, especially kohl, and her lips were painted a deep wine coloured purpely red, that complimented her pale brown skin, and dark blue eyes. Her ears stuck out comically, and her nose was slightly bent. Kel could tell that it had been broken before. She regarded Kel curiously, her head slightly cocked to one side, her expression humorous.
The man sitting next to her looked completely ordinary, quite tall, fair build, brown eyes, quite handsome.except for one little thing. His hair was bright pink.
Kel stared at it, blinking as if it was blinding her. The man turned to Sir Myles.
"You see!" he said, "Everyone does this to me! I so should have gone for blue"
The woman regarded him, one eyebrow raised, "Yeah", she said, sarcasm flowing in her voice, "And people wouldn't stare at that at all."
The man muttered something and turned away. Sir Myles rolled his eyes and turned his attention to Kel.
"It's good to see you again my dear, now just sit down there, and I'll introduce you while we wait for remaining member of this little ensemble ", he gestured at a chair next to the lady, and Kel noticed that there was an extra one next to hers, presumably for the last person.
"This is Keita", said Sir Myles, gesturing to the Lady. "She's the Shang Unicorn"
Kel's eyes widened as she reached out and gripped forearms with Keita, in a formal greeting. Unicorn was a high status in the Shang, and this woman looked like she was more than capable of living up to the expectations of the title.
"And this", Sir Myles said, indicating the man, "is Ratash, he's a mage, with a slightly.unusual gift which we find useful." The man grinned at her, as he reached across to grip forearms, "Rat for short, but not Ratty", he said, giving her a warning look, "Or Candyfloss"
Kieta snorted, "Why on earth would we be compelled to call you candyfloss ?"
Rat shrugged, "You never know", he muttered.
Kel smiled, it was obvious that these two were going to get along very well. "Erm, exactly what sort of.unusual magic do you have?", she asked. She had never known that you could have different types of magic apart from the gift.
Rat grinned at her, "This sort", he said, and with a slight pop, his ears promptly disappeared, just as the door opened and the remaining member of the group walked into the room, looking slightly startled.
"Ah, here he is!", Sir Myles said, glancing at the clock on the wall rather pointedly.
Joren cleared his throat and sat down without being asked, "I got caught up in some business. Can we just get this over with?"
Kieta raised her eyebrows, as did Rat. Kel heard a loud whooshing in her ears, and tried to dispel the shocked reaction she was feeling.
*I have just agreed to go on a mission, with him. I'm dreaming, please let me be dreaming*
She pinched herself softly.
*OUCH!!! Okay, fine.I'm not dreaming, not hallucinating. So it's real.**** * She swore for what was just the 7th time in her life, even if it was mentally.
Joren looked around, glancing at her, looking away, and then freezing, as if he had just realised what he had seen. He looked back at her.
"No" he whispered. Kel wasn't able to appreciate the humour of the situation when he pinched himself and then winced slightly. He looked quickly at Sir Myles.
Sir Myles looked slightly annoyed at Joren's rudeness.
"Well, since you're here, I'll just introduce you to your companions. You already know Keladry of course."
Joren looked slightly shaken, though he was managing to cover most of it up well. "Companions", he echoed hollowly.
"Yes, is there a problem?" Sir Myles said pleasantly. Folding his hands.
"You want me.to go on a mission.with a whore.I would say there's a problem"
Kel stiffened at the word. Sir Myles looked directly at Joren, and though his expression was cool, his eyes were blazing.
"In my office, you will not refer to your fellow knights in that manner. Do you understand me?" He and Joren kept their gazes locked for a few seconds, before Joren looked away.
Kel decided to get involved. "Sir, I'm sorry, but I have to say, you want to put me.on a mission.with him.and have a reasonable chance of success.well.I just can't see that happening"
Myles looked at her, "I understand my dear, but I'm afraid that you'll simply have to put up with each other. Sir (he said the word mockingly) Joren and yourself are two of our best knights, we can't send anyone else". Joren made a slight spluttering sound at the mention of Kel.
"Well", Keita muttered, looking like she was thoroughly enjoying this, "Some people have issues"
Joren's face hardened, as he turned to look at Keita. "We", he said, "Do not have issues." Keita merely raised an eyebrow and turned to inspect her nails.
"Ahem", Myles cleared his throat loudly, "If we could please continue as before" Joren turned away, his cold look back, and his emotions controlled. Kel ground her teeth as looked down, keeping her mask on.
"Well, back to introductions then" Myles said jovially, as though nothing had happened.
"This is Ratash, he used to be a thief, but when we caught him, instead of throwing him in prison where he would be pretty useless, we decided to use him. He has an unusual sort of magic that Numair has recently been running some tests on. He has the ability to change his appearance at will. And this is Keita, the Shang Unicorn who has agreed to work for us for as long as she wills"
Joren nodded, and Kel leaned back to let him grip forearms with both of them. Myles turned to the other two.
"You two of course already know each other from previous missions-"
"You bet we do", Ratash interrupted, raising his eyebrows suggestively. Keita rolled her eyes, but Kel could see the amusement in her face. Joren looked slightly sick.
Myles cleared his throat again, "As I was saying, You already know each other, so allow me to introduce Sir Joren Of Stone Mountain, and Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan." Both pairs of eyes flickered at once to Kel, brimming with curiosity. Sir Myles cleared his throat and they looked back at him.
"I'm sending the four of you on a very important mission. There are 5 men whom we have in mind, mostly mages, who are very close to Maggur Rathausak. We want you to find them, get any information you can, and if that is not possible, then you must assassinate them."
Sir Myles looked all of them in the eyes, one by one, to make sure that they understood.
"You will travel in disguise as peddlers with a stall. We will give you some things to start off with, and 4 purses of gold to keep you going. You will send a letter back to me once a month, but make sure that you make it seem as if you are simply writing to your family or something in case someone opens the letter."
Sir Myles stood up and regarded them again. "That will be all. You will leave before dawn tomorrow, so say any goodbyes you must now. And make sure that you don't tell anyone where you are going, no matter how trustworthy you think they are."
He nodded again to show that they were dismissed, and closed the door behind them after they had filed out.
Joren immediately brushed past them without a word, and strode down the corridor. Kieta looked at Kel as if she wanted to say something, but then shook her head, and walked off. Rat shrugged and followed her, leaving Kel to find her friends to say goodbye.
*****
Kel walked into the mess, and caught sight of not only Neal and Merric, but also Faleron, Owen, Cleon, Prosper, Iden, Warric, and several others gathered at a table, talking merrily among themselves. She got her food and was beckoned over by waves and calls from the table. She walked over, and took the seat that was offered to her opposite Neal. She noticed that Cleon kept his head down.
"Well," Neal said, "What are you going to be doing once this little holiday is over?"
Kel sighed, and made sure that everyone was listening before speaking. "That's what I have to tell you all. I'm going away. I won't be able to write to you much, and you won't be able to write to me at all."
Her friends for a moment, then Owen spoke up, "For how long?" he asked, his grey eyes questioning.
Kel avoided their gazes. "For a long time, possibly a year or more."
There were expressions of disbelief, "What're you doing then Kel?" Iden asked, innocently.
Neal rolled his eyes lazily, "Isn't that just a little bit obvious"
"Well no actually, not for us who don't possess your fantastic brain power", Iden said sarcastically.
Owen kicked him, and bent over to whisper something in his ear.
"Oh!!!!! I get it!!" Iden said, his eyes widening.
"Keep it down", Merric growled, "We don't want the whole mess to know"
Iden blushed and shut his mouth. Neal turned to look at Kel again.
"All I can say to you, is that you'd better write to us when you can, and that if you get yourself killed, I'll never talk to you again"
Kel felt a lump in her throat as she smiled at him. "Helpful as always", she responded.
Neal grinned and gave the best mock bow that he could whilst sitting down, without bumping his head against the table.
"I live to serve", he said. Kel snorted, and got on with her food, glad that she had friends like these.
*****
Kel let herself into her room that evening after a last hour at the practice courts. Tobe was sitting there waiting.
"You're leaving", was all he said.
Her heart swelled up with grief. He already knew then, from the way she had been treating him, that she was going, and that she was not taking him.
Tobe looked up at her, his face pleading.
"No", Kel said firmly, keeping her face emotionless, "I'm leaving you with Stephan, he has horse magic too, and he can teach you. I've already sorted it out with him."
Tobe looked down again, the firelight throwing sharp shadows across the contours of his face.
"When?" he muttered, finally.
"I'm leaving tomorrow, you'll keep the same room, so you won't have to move your things."
He looked up at her again, and stood stiffly. Then he suddenly ran to her and threw his arms around her waist. She bent and held him tight, murmuring to him, and stoking his hair.
"Remember what I said to you Tobe, back when Haven was attacked. You must still act the man", she whispered into his ear.
Finally he drew back, fighting hard against tears. "Promise you'll write?" he said, looking her straight in the eyes.
She nodded, and drew him close one more time. "I promise", she whispered. Finally they separated. He paused at the door to give her one last weak smile, before turning and leaving.
She felt her stomach wrench. She had never truly realised just how close she and Tobe had become.
*****
Kel stood back finally, and observed the bath tub, filled with red coloured dye. She had just dyed her hair red, as had been instructed to her by Sir Myles, and Baron George. Now she would have to let her hair grow, and wear shabbier clothes, and a bit of disguising face paint. Joren would find some other way to disguise himself, and Kieta and Rat apparently weren't that well known. Kel sighed, and tried to ignore the strange noises that were coming from outside, so that she could contemplate on the days events. The noises however, just grew louder and louder.
Then she suddenly heard it, a familiar voice. She strode over to her window, and threw it open, to witness her friends standing in the shadowy light, 'singing', whilst a crowd gathered to watch.
But it wasn't this that made her splutter; it was what they were singing. A Protector of the Small ballad.
"She fought her way to Scanra, every obstacle she overcame"
Kel closed her eyes as idea popped into her head.
"She bested Blace the evil, his power she did drain"
Kel rushed over to where she had left the tub of red dye, and hoisted it up.
" Fighter for the common people, saviour of one and all"
The voices rose to a high crescendo as Kel carried the tub over to the window seat, and waited for the right moment. Her friends closed their eyes and struck poses as they came to the last line
"Keladry of Mindelan, Protector of the SMMMAAAAALLLLL- ARGH!!"
The voices were cut off as the tub of red water tumbled down on their heads, not missing one of her friends. Kel grinned in satisfaction at the thought of what their hair would look like in the morning. Each of them would have a magnificent new hair colour!
"She bowed to the applause and laughter of the crowd who had been watching, and waved off the yells of protest from her friends, before stepping inside with a smile, and closing her shutters.
*Maybe this won't be so bad*, she thought, cheerfully.
Anyway. I only got around 5 reviews so far! *sniff* and half of those were from people who I asked to review me! Well, not half, coz u can't really get 2.5 reviews.but yeah, please review. *she begs pathetically, giving you this really cute puppy dog look, which makes you just want to review*
And if u'r feeling really bored, then please check out my soon to be updated story on fp.net, where I still write under the pen name of Amber Faerie. Also, my last thing to say because u'r obviously sick of my rantings by now, is, I can't believe she killed him, but it still seemed to fit in, didn't it. We all knew it was coming. Well actually we didn't, but anyway.that's for all the others who have read HP5.
Chapter 2
Kel walked along the corridor, her footsteps echoing against the ancient stone. She was heading towards the Royal Quarters, to visit Shinko and Yuki, and maybe have a game of fan toss. Merric and Neal had both been allowed a few weeks leave to get their affairs in order, and they had both opted to return to Corus with her, where she had been sent to get some lessons from the Lionesses husband, Baron George. Among other things, she had learnt how to disguise herself, walk without making a noise, how to conceal weapons, and, quite worryingly, how to stop going mad if she was caught and put into solitary confinement. Kel sighed softly, thinking of her meeting this evening with Sir Myles, who would brief her and her companions on their mission. The problem was, she didn't yet know who her companions were to be.
She turned a corner and clattered down the stairs, her mind swirling with the possibilities. Most knights were away at the border right now, so she would probably be going with some of the agents. Then again, many of the agents were also away, why else would Sir Myles have requested her help?
She walked down another corridor which also served as a balcony, overlooking a courtyard, gazing at the stone floor. She rounded a corner and hit something that felt like a tree trunk, standing there.
She stumbled backwards, holding her head, before noticing that the tree trunk was doing the same. In fact, if she squinted through her blurred vision, she could make out blue and brown. The brown she understood, but a blue tree trunk, in the middle of the corridor?
She shook her head to clear her vision and her mind, before looking up into an equally surprised pair of grey eyes.
*Oh crap* She thought.
Cleon of Kennan shifted his weight from foot to foot uneasily. After a while, he broke the uncomfortable silence.
"It's er.nice to see you again..er."
"Yeah."
*About as nice as it would be to have to kiss Joren in front of the entire court* she thought. She decided to attempt some small talk.
"So, er.how are you?"
*happily wed* Kel thought to herself, *while I'm still here, alone.single.with nobody else.*
"Oh.fine, yeah. You?" Cleon replied, attempting to look like he was enjoying this, and failing wretchedly.
"Yeah, good.so, I'll er.see you around"
*Or maybe I'll just check around corners with a mirror to make sure you aren't there, hide every time I see you coming, and just avoid you in general*
"yeah.er, that'd be nice" Cleon gave her a very false smile.
"Yeah, er.ok then, bye." Kel walked off down the corridor again. It was strange to think now how intense they'd once been, talking and joking. She just couldn't imagine them doing that now. It was just way too awkward. She reached the princesses rooms and was dragged inside, her brain feeling just as befuddled as it had before.
*****
She knocked hesitantly on the door that bore a brass plaque , engraved with the Letters, 'Sir Myles, Baron of Olau, and advisor to the King'.
"Come in", a voice called from inside. She entered, to see Sir Myles sitting at his desk. Facing him were two of the strangest people Kel had ever seen.
The woman was taller than Kel herself, without the calf length, high heeled, boots that she was wearing. Her breeches were loose and flowing, and her shirt looked expensive, yet casual at the same time. It was her hair that startled Kel. It was black, with streaks of light brown and red in it. It was done up in zillions of tiny braids, which were tied back, and each braid had a few metal circlets, of around a centimetre in length, wrapped around it at some point.
Kel could see that she was wearing a lot of eye paint, especially kohl, and her lips were painted a deep wine coloured purpely red, that complimented her pale brown skin, and dark blue eyes. Her ears stuck out comically, and her nose was slightly bent. Kel could tell that it had been broken before. She regarded Kel curiously, her head slightly cocked to one side, her expression humorous.
The man sitting next to her looked completely ordinary, quite tall, fair build, brown eyes, quite handsome.except for one little thing. His hair was bright pink.
Kel stared at it, blinking as if it was blinding her. The man turned to Sir Myles.
"You see!" he said, "Everyone does this to me! I so should have gone for blue"
The woman regarded him, one eyebrow raised, "Yeah", she said, sarcasm flowing in her voice, "And people wouldn't stare at that at all."
The man muttered something and turned away. Sir Myles rolled his eyes and turned his attention to Kel.
"It's good to see you again my dear, now just sit down there, and I'll introduce you while we wait for remaining member of this little ensemble ", he gestured at a chair next to the lady, and Kel noticed that there was an extra one next to hers, presumably for the last person.
"This is Keita", said Sir Myles, gesturing to the Lady. "She's the Shang Unicorn"
Kel's eyes widened as she reached out and gripped forearms with Keita, in a formal greeting. Unicorn was a high status in the Shang, and this woman looked like she was more than capable of living up to the expectations of the title.
"And this", Sir Myles said, indicating the man, "is Ratash, he's a mage, with a slightly.unusual gift which we find useful." The man grinned at her, as he reached across to grip forearms, "Rat for short, but not Ratty", he said, giving her a warning look, "Or Candyfloss"
Kieta snorted, "Why on earth would we be compelled to call you candyfloss ?"
Rat shrugged, "You never know", he muttered.
Kel smiled, it was obvious that these two were going to get along very well. "Erm, exactly what sort of.unusual magic do you have?", she asked. She had never known that you could have different types of magic apart from the gift.
Rat grinned at her, "This sort", he said, and with a slight pop, his ears promptly disappeared, just as the door opened and the remaining member of the group walked into the room, looking slightly startled.
"Ah, here he is!", Sir Myles said, glancing at the clock on the wall rather pointedly.
Joren cleared his throat and sat down without being asked, "I got caught up in some business. Can we just get this over with?"
Kieta raised her eyebrows, as did Rat. Kel heard a loud whooshing in her ears, and tried to dispel the shocked reaction she was feeling.
*I have just agreed to go on a mission, with him. I'm dreaming, please let me be dreaming*
She pinched herself softly.
*OUCH!!! Okay, fine.I'm not dreaming, not hallucinating. So it's real.**** * She swore for what was just the 7th time in her life, even if it was mentally.
Joren looked around, glancing at her, looking away, and then freezing, as if he had just realised what he had seen. He looked back at her.
"No" he whispered. Kel wasn't able to appreciate the humour of the situation when he pinched himself and then winced slightly. He looked quickly at Sir Myles.
Sir Myles looked slightly annoyed at Joren's rudeness.
"Well, since you're here, I'll just introduce you to your companions. You already know Keladry of course."
Joren looked slightly shaken, though he was managing to cover most of it up well. "Companions", he echoed hollowly.
"Yes, is there a problem?" Sir Myles said pleasantly. Folding his hands.
"You want me.to go on a mission.with a whore.I would say there's a problem"
Kel stiffened at the word. Sir Myles looked directly at Joren, and though his expression was cool, his eyes were blazing.
"In my office, you will not refer to your fellow knights in that manner. Do you understand me?" He and Joren kept their gazes locked for a few seconds, before Joren looked away.
Kel decided to get involved. "Sir, I'm sorry, but I have to say, you want to put me.on a mission.with him.and have a reasonable chance of success.well.I just can't see that happening"
Myles looked at her, "I understand my dear, but I'm afraid that you'll simply have to put up with each other. Sir (he said the word mockingly) Joren and yourself are two of our best knights, we can't send anyone else". Joren made a slight spluttering sound at the mention of Kel.
"Well", Keita muttered, looking like she was thoroughly enjoying this, "Some people have issues"
Joren's face hardened, as he turned to look at Keita. "We", he said, "Do not have issues." Keita merely raised an eyebrow and turned to inspect her nails.
"Ahem", Myles cleared his throat loudly, "If we could please continue as before" Joren turned away, his cold look back, and his emotions controlled. Kel ground her teeth as looked down, keeping her mask on.
"Well, back to introductions then" Myles said jovially, as though nothing had happened.
"This is Ratash, he used to be a thief, but when we caught him, instead of throwing him in prison where he would be pretty useless, we decided to use him. He has an unusual sort of magic that Numair has recently been running some tests on. He has the ability to change his appearance at will. And this is Keita, the Shang Unicorn who has agreed to work for us for as long as she wills"
Joren nodded, and Kel leaned back to let him grip forearms with both of them. Myles turned to the other two.
"You two of course already know each other from previous missions-"
"You bet we do", Ratash interrupted, raising his eyebrows suggestively. Keita rolled her eyes, but Kel could see the amusement in her face. Joren looked slightly sick.
Myles cleared his throat again, "As I was saying, You already know each other, so allow me to introduce Sir Joren Of Stone Mountain, and Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan." Both pairs of eyes flickered at once to Kel, brimming with curiosity. Sir Myles cleared his throat and they looked back at him.
"I'm sending the four of you on a very important mission. There are 5 men whom we have in mind, mostly mages, who are very close to Maggur Rathausak. We want you to find them, get any information you can, and if that is not possible, then you must assassinate them."
Sir Myles looked all of them in the eyes, one by one, to make sure that they understood.
"You will travel in disguise as peddlers with a stall. We will give you some things to start off with, and 4 purses of gold to keep you going. You will send a letter back to me once a month, but make sure that you make it seem as if you are simply writing to your family or something in case someone opens the letter."
Sir Myles stood up and regarded them again. "That will be all. You will leave before dawn tomorrow, so say any goodbyes you must now. And make sure that you don't tell anyone where you are going, no matter how trustworthy you think they are."
He nodded again to show that they were dismissed, and closed the door behind them after they had filed out.
Joren immediately brushed past them without a word, and strode down the corridor. Kieta looked at Kel as if she wanted to say something, but then shook her head, and walked off. Rat shrugged and followed her, leaving Kel to find her friends to say goodbye.
*****
Kel walked into the mess, and caught sight of not only Neal and Merric, but also Faleron, Owen, Cleon, Prosper, Iden, Warric, and several others gathered at a table, talking merrily among themselves. She got her food and was beckoned over by waves and calls from the table. She walked over, and took the seat that was offered to her opposite Neal. She noticed that Cleon kept his head down.
"Well," Neal said, "What are you going to be doing once this little holiday is over?"
Kel sighed, and made sure that everyone was listening before speaking. "That's what I have to tell you all. I'm going away. I won't be able to write to you much, and you won't be able to write to me at all."
Her friends for a moment, then Owen spoke up, "For how long?" he asked, his grey eyes questioning.
Kel avoided their gazes. "For a long time, possibly a year or more."
There were expressions of disbelief, "What're you doing then Kel?" Iden asked, innocently.
Neal rolled his eyes lazily, "Isn't that just a little bit obvious"
"Well no actually, not for us who don't possess your fantastic brain power", Iden said sarcastically.
Owen kicked him, and bent over to whisper something in his ear.
"Oh!!!!! I get it!!" Iden said, his eyes widening.
"Keep it down", Merric growled, "We don't want the whole mess to know"
Iden blushed and shut his mouth. Neal turned to look at Kel again.
"All I can say to you, is that you'd better write to us when you can, and that if you get yourself killed, I'll never talk to you again"
Kel felt a lump in her throat as she smiled at him. "Helpful as always", she responded.
Neal grinned and gave the best mock bow that he could whilst sitting down, without bumping his head against the table.
"I live to serve", he said. Kel snorted, and got on with her food, glad that she had friends like these.
*****
Kel let herself into her room that evening after a last hour at the practice courts. Tobe was sitting there waiting.
"You're leaving", was all he said.
Her heart swelled up with grief. He already knew then, from the way she had been treating him, that she was going, and that she was not taking him.
Tobe looked up at her, his face pleading.
"No", Kel said firmly, keeping her face emotionless, "I'm leaving you with Stephan, he has horse magic too, and he can teach you. I've already sorted it out with him."
Tobe looked down again, the firelight throwing sharp shadows across the contours of his face.
"When?" he muttered, finally.
"I'm leaving tomorrow, you'll keep the same room, so you won't have to move your things."
He looked up at her again, and stood stiffly. Then he suddenly ran to her and threw his arms around her waist. She bent and held him tight, murmuring to him, and stoking his hair.
"Remember what I said to you Tobe, back when Haven was attacked. You must still act the man", she whispered into his ear.
Finally he drew back, fighting hard against tears. "Promise you'll write?" he said, looking her straight in the eyes.
She nodded, and drew him close one more time. "I promise", she whispered. Finally they separated. He paused at the door to give her one last weak smile, before turning and leaving.
She felt her stomach wrench. She had never truly realised just how close she and Tobe had become.
*****
Kel stood back finally, and observed the bath tub, filled with red coloured dye. She had just dyed her hair red, as had been instructed to her by Sir Myles, and Baron George. Now she would have to let her hair grow, and wear shabbier clothes, and a bit of disguising face paint. Joren would find some other way to disguise himself, and Kieta and Rat apparently weren't that well known. Kel sighed, and tried to ignore the strange noises that were coming from outside, so that she could contemplate on the days events. The noises however, just grew louder and louder.
Then she suddenly heard it, a familiar voice. She strode over to her window, and threw it open, to witness her friends standing in the shadowy light, 'singing', whilst a crowd gathered to watch.
But it wasn't this that made her splutter; it was what they were singing. A Protector of the Small ballad.
"She fought her way to Scanra, every obstacle she overcame"
Kel closed her eyes as idea popped into her head.
"She bested Blace the evil, his power she did drain"
Kel rushed over to where she had left the tub of red dye, and hoisted it up.
" Fighter for the common people, saviour of one and all"
The voices rose to a high crescendo as Kel carried the tub over to the window seat, and waited for the right moment. Her friends closed their eyes and struck poses as they came to the last line
"Keladry of Mindelan, Protector of the SMMMAAAAALLLLL- ARGH!!"
The voices were cut off as the tub of red water tumbled down on their heads, not missing one of her friends. Kel grinned in satisfaction at the thought of what their hair would look like in the morning. Each of them would have a magnificent new hair colour!
"She bowed to the applause and laughter of the crowd who had been watching, and waved off the yells of protest from her friends, before stepping inside with a smile, and closing her shutters.
*Maybe this won't be so bad*, she thought, cheerfully.