DISCLAIMER: Don't own it. Don't like it? Don't read it. R/R

luv ya!

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Kel sat in the seat until she had cried herself out. Pulling her knees to her chest, she thought about her first escape from the Convent, in her first year.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

FLASHBACK

She had run away, hopefully for good from that gods awful Convent. Dressed in breeches and an old tunic, Kel ran along a path in the hill country.

It was the beginning of summer, and it was her twelfth birthday, not that she really cared or anything.

Before she had left, her hair had been cut, and wrapped under a scarf, giving her a boyish look.

She held a strung bow, its quiver hanging on her back. Her sword, from the mysterious benefactor swung at her waist, and tree spears, each with broad leaf shaped blades were strapped beside the quiver of arrows.

Her beloved glaive had been taken away from her, as she had refused to stop practicing with it. The spears, though nat as strong, and a little different to handle, could serve the same purpose.

She was out hunting when she heard a horn call from close by. Having sworn to herself to help anyone in need, she raced around the rock cliff until she saw a group of pages cornered by bandits.

She searched for a way to get them out, and finding a small path leading up the slope, she made a quick plan.

She ran to the pages, firing arrows at the hill men as she went. A few went down. She quickly called out to the pages.

"Which ones of you have the Gift?" Two hands shot up. Had she been paying proper attention, she would have notice that one of them was distinctly older than the others, and had startling green eyes. "Alright. I want you to flash some light. Only momentarily when they start coming closer. Got it?" they nodded. "Are either of you healers?" Green Eyes nodded. "Lessen up a bit, we might need you. Whoever has the horn, keep it calling." a tall dark haired youth nodded to her, apparently relieved that someone had taken over command. The rest of you follow that path up. Mages first, then you with the horn. After, you three with bows will cover me and red hair with spears. Got it?"

Everyone immediately followed Kel's orders. She walked backwards up the path, trying desperately not to look at the edge of the cliff. Her fear of heights had always been an impediment to her. Feeling an arrow graze her leg and tear her breeches, she began to walk faster.

She didn't realize that she was at the cave until hands reached out and pulled her in.

Looking around, she assessed the damage. A handful of somewhat terrified pages stared at her. Only Red Hair was injured, and Green Eyes was bent over him.

"Alright, I want four of you with bows at the mouth of the cave. Stay low, and only shoot if they start coming up. Choose each shot carefully. Make each one count. Every arrow should be in a bandit. No arrows on the ground." turning to the dark haired boy, she added, "Did you call again?" he nodded.

Four pages, armed with bows, crept to the front of the cave. Kel walked over to Red Hair and knelt beside him.

"You did really well today," she said calmly with a hand on his shoulder. The boy looked nothing short of terrified at having had an arrow pulled out of his shoulder. All she wanted to do was calm him and convince him that everything would be alright, even if she herself didn't know if it would be. "What's your name there?"

The boy was shaking as he answered, "Merric. Merric of Hollyrose."

The name echoed in her mind as she realized who she had just saved. That meant that Green Eyes was-

"Nealan of Queenscove at your service, lad. What's your name?" Kel's eyes widened. They were all there: Seaver, Esmond, and Faleron, with two boys she didn't know.

Luckily a horn sounded at that moment, and she heard the clash of metal. Grabbing a handful of arrows, she shoved them into her quiver, sheathed her sword and grabbed her spears.

As she ran out of the cave, the first thing she noticed was the bald head of Lord Wyldon. With one more look at the pages, she took off up the hill.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Unaware as to where she was, Kel had strayed too far north a week later, and was found by the guards of the Convent, who had been sent to find her. The punishment had been unbearable when she got back. She didn't eat for nearly four days, and her corset ties were tightened an extra inch. It was one of the last times she had ever shown her spirit. Everything had gone downhill from there.