Chapter 1

Kel walked into loud Dancing Dove later that night. There was laughter and games of cards and dice going on al over the lounge of the cramped pub.

Kel pushed her way to the sign in desk. There she got the owners attention and said, "Stefan sent me."

"Stefan, eh? How's the old coot? Still working in the stables I bet. The best spy for the rouge. Well if he sent you I guess that means you need a place to stay. Watch your purse there are many who could use a few extra coins tonight. By the way my name's David, but most people call me Dave. If you don't mind me asking who are you?" he asked.

Kel slapped a hand that was reaching for her purse and was about to answer when a voice rang out above all of the others. "Keladry! What are you doing here? You should be at the castle in bed by now!"

All the voices quieted, "I'd have to be a page to sleep in the castle," she replied to the Shang Wildcat.

"You mean he kicked you out! What an a!" came the Shang's reply.

"I mean to prove him that he is wrong about all girls I just don't know how!" Then Kel blushed realizing that she was talking to the Shang Wildcat who was halfway across the room and everybody was listening.

"Hey does that mean that you're the girl who 'lanna has been trying to help out at the castle." Slurred one of the drunks at a table.

"Ya and didn't Alanna marry George. The best rouge that me have ever had, too bad he had to be reformed." Another slurred.

"Hey Fingers I thought you said I was the best rouge that we have ever had!" said a voice from a far corner of the room. "Dave take her up to her room and then bring her down I am sure that Catty will want to talk to her with out having to yell"

"Just let me get my bags I left them with my horse..."

"You left your bags with all your possessions outside? I am sorry Keladry but they won't be there anymore they will have been stolen by now..." just then a man staggered in gasping for air and limping then he collapsed.

"Demon horse! I tell you it's a demon horse out there. I thought hey free stuff someone had just left their stuff with their horse. SO I walked over to the horse to get the stuff and it bits me, I go for it again and it kicks me, then I am starting towards it again and it picks up this huge staff in its mouth then I realize that the staff has like a huge blade on the end and it breaks off the post it's tied to and starts chasing me! AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here it comes!"

"PEACHBLOSSOM! STOP!" Kel yelled to the charging horse.

Peachblossom stopped just at entrance to the Dancing Dove and sure enough he had her glaive in his mouth. Kel put her hand under his mouth and said, "Drop it."

When he did she got the packs off of the saddle and then took him outside and tied him up again.

When she came back in the Shang Wildcat was laughing at all the men, who had their mouths wide, open. When she finally stopped she said, "Dave, weren't you about to show her a room?"

Dave snapped out if his trance and said, "Oh ya, sorry Keladry,"

"You can call me Kel."

"Kel, follow me," he said as she started walking away.

"Hey! Wait a minute! Can you really use that big stick or is it only to scare people?" asked the Rouge himself.

"I wouldn't have the courage to carry something I didn't know how to wield," she replied in an even toned voice.

"Well, little missy if you can wield it would you mind giving us a little demonstration?" asked the one who went by the name of Fingers.

"Sure but I am going to need a lot of room if you don't want to get hurt. I just sharpened this blade," Kel told them and they cleared an area for her to do her patterns. When she had her back turned to the head table the guy who sat at the head and Eda Belle (the Shang Wildcat) made a bet. Eda said that Kel could easily wield the weapon and the man said that she would stumble or at one point either drop the weapon or hurt herself.

Kel firstly started doing her exercises slowly and then got faster and faster until the glaive was a blur twirling and spinning in the air. When Kel finished her patterns she heard Eda again laughing. All the men in the room and the serving girls had their mouths wide open. Kel blushed a little.

"Kel go put your stuff away, let these boys have some time to close their mouths," Eda told her.

Kel nodded and snapped Dave out of his trance.

Kel came back down ten minutes later. Everybody had retuned back to normal. Kel looked around to find Eda. When she spotted her she was sitting beside the man at the head of the table. (Don't worry he's going to get a name shortly.) He was handing her a small bag which could only hold coins.

"Kel over here, I want to introduce you to someone," Eda called her over.

Kel walked over to her and sat down beside her.

"Hey Kel, I want to introduce my younger brother, Rick, now don't tell anyone but he's the rouge himself. I know it's not supposed to be pleasant being related to the man whose supposed to have the blackest heart around but hey George turned out alright didn't he?" Eda asked her.

"Hello," she said to Rick, "Eda I wouldn't know if he turned out alright, I've never met him!"

"Oh that's right

"A pleasure to meet you Rick," Kel shook his hand. "Well dear brother I do believe you owe me three gold nobles." Eda informed her brother.

"Oh blast! I was hoping that you had forgotten about that bet, I mean I am your dear brother and all," Rick said.

"Well that is what happens when you bet with me! I don't forget! So hand it over," Eda told her brother.

Kel giggled as Rick grudgingly handed his older sister the money. "This is so embarrassing, sis. I mean in front of my men,"

"Hey Rick, it's not the first time you lost a bet in front of us. Remember the time in..." Fingers started.

"Yes I remember and I would prefer it if you didn't tell everyone about that since you are such a good friend," Rick pointed out.

"Ok but it's only because you!" Fingers told him.

"So Kel he kicked you out!!" Eda said.

"Ya, he did and I am going to prove him wrong I am going to be the best fighter ever! Well the best fighter I can be! I so want to prove to him that girls are just as good as girls," Kel told her.

Eda smiled and said, "Determination like that will take you a long way! I am going to help you reach your goal. Well that is if you want the help!"

Kel smiled and replied, "What kind of help were you offering?"

"Well since his Lordship thinks females are below men when it comes to fighting I think it's time I gave him my resignation. Then I would take you with me to visit my village elder and see if I could teach you the ways of the Shang. After teaching you all that I know and you perfect it you would take your Ordeal and find out what Shang you would be! So what do you say?" Inquired Eda.

Her response was Kel jumping out of her chair and giving her a huge hug!

"Well since the palace guards will be looking for you all along the roads I suggest you stay here a week or two until things quiet down and then you and my darling sister can leave! While we are waiting for the time to pass I don't see why we can't teach you a few things that no one else can teach you other than thieves! So what do you say?" asked Rick.

"Thank you!"



So how did you like it! It's going to get better I Promise!

Thanks for reading (Mystical Moonstar(