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

Author's Note: IF YOU DON'T READ THIS, I'M LETTING THE STORY GO... Now that I have your attention. I need ideas. The rough outline is that the story will be a series of Flashbacks showing the deterioration of Kel's spirit. Her friends, and possible love interest help pull her back. Get it? Got it? Good. Now I need details. Ideas as to events at the convent which break her, so to speak. I still need an idea as to why Kel didn't join the Riders, a fact noted to me. For those of you who have borne with me through the long Author's Note and are still reading: Neal- 0 Dom- a lot (10) Merric- 2 Seaver- 1. More votes.

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Kel quietly stepped onto the first step of the Grand Stairs, as a herald called out her name. Eyes turned to stare at her, the only girl who had been bold enough to openly try for her shield. In particular, Kel felt a pair of strong violet eyes gazing at her. It took all of her crumbling Yamani training not to blush, and to keep her head high.

Walking to the thrones, she curtsied deeply to the monarchs, subconciously angling herself more towards Queen Thayet, than the King. She had never quite forgiven King Jonathan for what he had done to her, but the Daughters would most likely punish her beyond anything else she had experienced if she showed any form of disrespect to the monarchs.

She noticed Prince Roald's wide eyes as he watched her rise. Turning, she walked into a now chattering crowd. She quietly walked through the nobles now watching Gabriella of Eagle's Point presented. Walking to a corner of the hall, she sat in a window seat overlooking the Palace Gardens. Next to her was the man she recognized as Raoul of Goldenlake, notorious for his evasion of court functions. They sat in silence until Kel noticed a flash of red in the crowd moving toward her. Not wanting to come faced to face with her hero, Kel ducked out of the hall into the gardens.

She was walking swiftly down one of the paths when a hand came down on her shoulder. Spinning around, the tall girl looked down into a pair of startling violet eyes. Quickly she swept into a low curtsy with a polite murmur of "Lady Alanna"

The older woman pulled her up to face her, but when she spoke, it was in a soft and kind voice. "I'm sorry, Keladry. I did everything I could. It was that hard headed bloody Wyldon," she spat out the name.

"I'm sorry that I failed you, and all of the women of Tortall, my lady. If only I had trained harder-"

"You trained as much as you possibly you could have. Up before dawn every day. You nearly killed yourself for that training. You did everything you could possibly have." The woman's famous eyes shone with pity and sorrow for the girl. "I'm terribly sorry." Turning, Alanna strodde back into the hall, leaving a somber Kel behind her.

Kel herself pondered Alanna's words for a minute, before herself returning inside.

As she entered the hall once more, she was stunned to find herself faced with a pair of starting green eyes. Behind him was a handful of squires. She sank into a deep curtsy, fit for their rank.

"Kel. I never knew. You were the last person I ever though would have become a-"

"Lady, Nealan?" Even Kel herself was surprised at her sudden outburst. Seven years of pain and sorrow seemed to be surfacing once more. Unable to stop, she continued, "Yes, I believe those were your parting words with me. You said that I's never-"

She stopped as a hand pulled her back roughly by the neck, and slapped her across the face. "You ungrateful wench!" It seemed that the Third Daughter had found her, again. "You shall not speak in that manner to the heir of a ducal house. He could have you in irons for your words. You will apologize for your unsupportable behavior, and then you will fast for two whole days. Apologize!"

With tears in her eyes, Kel sank to her knees before Neal. "I apologize most profusely for my behavior, Squire Nealan. I ask you to find it in your heart to forgive me."

Standing up, She fled quietly to the doors, before bursting into tears, and running full out down the corridor. She barely notice when she collided with a man wearing a blue and silver tunic, who looked to her vaguely familiar. Pulling away, she sprinted to her room, slamming the door behind her.

She collapsed onto the bed in a sobbing heap, ignoring the soft knock on the door, from a concerned sergeant checking up on her.