Disclaimer: Anything you've read before, I don't own it.
Chapter 1 – Valen
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It wasn't until they were on the road for a week that the magnitude of the changes in her life had really hit Kel.
For that first week, she remained mostly numb. She was conscious only to the fact that she was traveling across northern Tortall with one of Lord Wyldon's squads and Tobe. Tobe seemed worried and nervous, but Kel was still too out of it to register this. She rode with them, her mind not really focusing on anything. The squad began to think that maybe there was something wrong with this girl, whom they had heard so much about.
A week into the journey, Sergeant Aidan told Kel that they would be arriving at Valen in two days, if the good weather kept. That was when it hit her. This wasn't just another travel; this was her final travel. She was going to Valen, and she was never leaving. She would never see her parents, her sisters, her brothers, Neal, Owen, Lady Alanna, Lord Raoul, Dom, her other friends, even Lord Wyldon. If it hadn't been for her Yamani training, so many years ago, she would've broken down and cried right there. Instead, she let her Yamani mask fall into place as she contemplated what life would be like for her now.
She had failed. That's what it all came down to. She had failed, just as countless people had said she would. What must her friends think? What must Lady Alanna think? She had disappointed them all. Lady Alanna must be infuriated. Kel smiled at the thought of what she must be saying to King Jonathan right now, but then she sobered almost immediately when she thought of her friends and year-mates.
They had not so much as glanced back at Kel as they left her. Not one of them spoke up in her defense. A part of her told herself that that's what she wanted, that's what she had been praying for them to do. But the other part of her wished that they had given at least some sign of regret, some sign that they would miss her. But she probably would've done no different if she had been in their shoes.
There was a positive side to this predicament. She would be in a remote town where no one would recognize her, if they had even heard of her in the first place. She wouldn't have to take on the role of a knight, and therefore would not have to deal with others who were condescending and doubtful of her and her abilities. She wouldn't even have the burden of being a noble. For the first time in her life, she would be able to lead a normal life.
Well, as normal as she could ever be, riddled with her past and constrained by a contract she really didn't have a choice but to sign. Kel sighed, knowing she was sinking into a depression. She turned her mind to contemplating what might be awaiting her at the town of Valen.
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Four days later, Sergean Aidan's squad left Kel, Tope, Hoshi, Peachblossom, Jump, and the sparrows outside the gate of Valen. Sergeant Aidan said a hasty goodbye and left in a rush.
A little anxious to leave, isn't he? Kel thought. Is it that awkward? She glanced at Tobe, who nodded to show he was alright, and guided Peachblossom through the gate.
Kel was surprised at the welcoming party that awaited them. She dropped off of Peachblossom's back, signaled to Tobe to stay where he was, and took a few steps toward the crowd.
"Hello…" she said hesitantly, "I'm Keladry Templar-"
"The lady knight!" Kel turned to the voice and found a teenage girl. The girl had a faraway look in her eyes, that seemed somewhat familiar to Kel, yet she couldn't quite place it. "I knew you would come. You will save us from the Scanrans!"
"Look, I don't know what you've been told, but I'm not here to save anyone. I'm a refugee," Kel said guardedly, using the explanation that she had thought up during her trip over here.
"I know who you are, Keladry of Mindelan. I was told you would come. You cannot hide here. I have Seen that you will protect us, you are the Protector of the Small."
Kel instantly remembered where she had seen those eyes. Irnai from Scanra had that same look whenever she talked about what she Saw.
"Who's your leader?"
"You are," said a middle-aged man close to the girl.
"Well, then, who used to be your leader?"
There was silence for a moment before the man pointed over to the left. "Over there, third grave back on the left."
Kel frowned. "Dead, you mean?"
"He died three days before you came. From a Scanran raid."
"You see?" said the girl, excited once more. "You must help us!"
Kel looked at the townspeople, at their pleading looks and hopeful eyes. She looked over at Tobe, who looked slightly amused at her predicament. Finally, looking back at the Seer-girl, she sighed.
"Alright."
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Kel walked beside the girl down a row of houses. Tobe had gone off to take care of Hoshi and Peachblossom, while the girl had taken her off to show her where she would be staying.
"I'm Deirdre, by the way, did I say that?" the girl, Deirdre, said suddenly. "You'll be staying with my brother and me."
"Oh, I don't want to impose…"
Deirdre giggled. "You don't act like a noble, do you?"
Kel paused, then said, "I'm not a noble."
Deirdre stopped and looked at Kel, her eyes seeming to bore into Kel's own. Then she blinked and said, "That's right. Not a noble, not anymore. I keep forgetting. You were a noble though, weren't you?"
Kel almost hung her head. "Yes."
"Well, you don't act like one." Deirdre started walking again.
They passed a few more houses in silence before Deirdre abruptly stopped in front of one. "Here we are!"
"Uhh…won't your parents mind me coming to stay with you?"
"My parents? They're dead. It's just my brother, who I take care of, and me. And you're coming to live with us, not stay! Come on!" She shoved the door open and shouted "Sean! She's here, she came!" (A/N: Those of you who know me already now what's going to happen now. Hahaha. I am so sadly predictable.)
Kel grimaced. Her identity was supposed to be unknown here. It was a violation of one of those articles, she couldn't remember at the moment which one, but it really wasn't her fault, so she didn't think she would really be punished for it.
A man came in through the doorway that must have led into the kitchen. He was tall, taller than Kel, with black hair and green eyes, making him look extremely handsome. Kel stared at him, shocked. She had been expecting a child. This man looked about Kel's age, maybe a year or two older.
"So soon, Deirdre? We used to have much more warning next time." He smiled at Kel, which made her melt. What was wrong with her? It seemed like she fell in love with every man she saw these days. "You must be Keladry."
"Kel. It's Kel."
"Ahh. Deirdre, can you see to supper?" Deirdre bounced off into the room her brother had come from. "You look pretty well shaken. My sister can do that to people."
Kel stared at him again. Was she that transparent? What happened to her famous Yamani mask?
He gave her a knowing smile and said, "The Gift. Deirdre said you didn't like to have people know how you felt. Sorry."
"Oh, uhh, it's okay." Real eloquent, Kel. You've got him captivated now. "It wasn't really Deirdre anyway."
"It's a lot to take in all at once, I know. Well, I don't actually know, but I can imagine. Anyway, come, Deirdre will have supper almost ready by now." He led the way into the kitchen, where a small table with four single-sized benches (A/N: Does that make sense? Just think chairs, but bench-styled.). They all sat down and began to eat.
It was the nicest meal Kel had had in a long time. It was nice to be able to eat methodically and casually, with no one interrupting. She wondered how long this would last, now that the people of Valen had proclaimed her to be their leader.
Deirdre and Sean were explaining what Valen was like. They had a lot of Scanran raids, though not as many as Haven did. There was no one from the army here, and the only fighters were the villagers, of whom Sean was what amounted to a captain. A lot of the time, Deirdre Saw an attack before it happened, which was why the town was still standing. The latest battle, during which their previous leader had died, had come about without Deirdre getting a vision of it before. This, however, was rare, and mostly the town had plenty of time to prepare for an attack.
Kel learned that their parents had died in a battle 6 years ago, when Sean was 13 and Deirdre was 10 (That makes Sean 19 and Deirdre 16, btw.). Deirdre said the same quip about taking care of Sean, which made him laugh good-naturedly and Kel smile.
They told Kel there might be one or two people who would be averse to having her become their leader, but most of the residents of Valen accepted Deirdre's word on what she Saw.
All in all, it seemed like Kel wouldn't be in such a bad place after all.
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OMG! So many reviews so soon!! Thus, I was prompted to update quickly. Don't count on this often, I was just lucky enough to finish my Spanish HW early. Anyway, thank you for all the reviews, they've made me SO thrilled and EXTREMELY hyper. Maybe not a good combo, hey? ^_~
In other news, I'm sorry this is so long. I have a habit of writing novel-style. So this is probably going to be rather long. I'll try to refrain from dragging it out too long, just for you.
Jackie: Hahahah, thanks. Is this predictable or what?? But then again, you've seen all my other fanfics. Speaking of which, I'll get working on soon. I 3 you!!
Midnight Knight: I have this affixation in which I don't like Jonathan. I don't even know WHY I don't like him, I just don't. Well, he did kind of screw Kel over with that whole probation thing. And it's not so much that Thayet is all gung-ho about it, it's just that she's the queen and Jon's the king, etc. That's about it.
Frosted-Darkfox: Oh definitely. Alanna will never talk to Jon again. ^_^ I 3 her temper!
As to why Neal and Owen, etc didn't look back, I had to incorporate Kel having a reason to be slightly angry at them, and that was the only way I could do it without making them seem like COMPLETE jerks.