Disclaimer: I dont own anything. Tammy owns it all. Except Tya.....and Kalerik
Chapter Two, Keladry the brave heart
"Everyone have everything! If you forget something we aren't coming back!" a firm man's voice snapped through the group of Shang. A group of muttered 'yes' responded. Kel was in the back of the group as a watch. She was wide awake her glaive there for easy excess. She watched the wood around them cautiously.
"Do you hear something?" Alanna asked cautiously.
Kel shook her head. "No, I feel it though."
"What's going on?" Neal rode back. "We're moving." he said sighing.
"Nothing." Kel responded moving along a bit closer to the group. Hours passed and yet Kel still couldn't shake that foreboding feeling. They stopped for a midday rest. Kel stood at the edge of the shaded clearing watching the woods. Alanna watched the girl with curious fascination.
"Keladry is hard worker, strong too." Kalerik said. "She's a great fighter. Strong willed. Uses weapons though. We still can't shake that from her but then again most of us have throwing stars."
Alanna nodded and turned toward the tall lean blond haired man. "Something isn't right. You should send scouts into the forest."
"Why?" Kalerik asked incredulously.
"You never know what's out there." Alanna said still gazing at the trees.
"We are ready." Kalerik replied confidently. "For anything that may come. There's enough warriors here." Alanna shook her head and turned back toward Kel but she's wasn't there. She stepped toward where Kel was and hesitated. She didn't seem the type to need rescuing. She headed back into camp shooting glances over her shoulder to the trees.
"Where's Kel?" Tya's voice said over the chatter angrily. "She didn't help check and water the horses."
"I'm not sure." Alanna replied gazing at the flustered girl.
"Well when did anyone last see her?" Neal asked coming to stand by Tya.
"About fifteen minutes ago." Alanna replied thoughtfully.
"Oh she'll come back. She probably just went to train." Tya replied dismissively.
"Who's not here?" Kalerik asked.
"Kel." Tya said rolling her eyes. "Alanna thinks something is wrong."
Kalerik smiled dryly. "Are you always so optimistic?"
Just then Alanna sneezed twice. She swore under her breath. "Who's using magic?"
"No one here." Kalerik answered and turned his eyes to Neal.
"Me! No." he exclaimed defensively.
"Check the woods!" Kalerik cried out. They were surprisingly quiet as they all headed off in different directions.
Alanna and Neal took off in the direction she saw Kel disappear to. The two stumbled into a clearing to find Kel standing next to Numiar Salmalin fighting a group of bandits. Alanna charged in and took out one when she saw flash behind her and Kel's glaive swung cutting off the head of a man behind her. Before Alanna could thank her she was after another retreating form. Alanna ran after another dropping him. She glanced around the clearing and found them all dead. Neal was kneeling by a figure lying on the ground. Kel was sitting leaning on a tree. Numiar kneeling by Neal.
"Lioness!" Neal's voice called. "It's Daine!"
Alanna knelt down. "Go see if Keladry is hurt." she said. "Numair are you ok?"
"I'm fine." he said quickly stroking the cheek of the girl. "She was attacked in fox form."
"Kel?" Neal asked approaching her slowly. She seemed to only have minor injuries a cut on her cheek.
"Hello." Kel replied gazing over the scene before her.
"Do you need healing?" he asked.
"No." Kel replied. "Who is he?" she asked gesturing to Numair. "And who is the girl?"
"You don't know?" Neal asked incredulously raising one arched eyebrow.
Kel shook her head. "Would I ask if I knew?" she asked shortly.
"That's Numiar." Neal said and grinned when Kel almost fell over.
"The mage!" Kel exclaimed. "Dear Mithros...he didn't need my help." she muttered. "I was probably in the way."
"No actually I thank you for your help." Numair called across the clearing.
Kel studied the ground a moment. "The girl?"
"Daine." Neal replied. "She's a wildmage." He looked over at Numair, Daine and Alanna. Alanna and Daine were enveloped in a purple glow.
Kel nodded having heard of her and paused. She gazed up at a tree. She caught a flash of movement. She slid a throwing star from her belt and threw it. A loud swear and crash were heard as a man fell from the tree. The man stood up having only been hit in the arm. "Kalerik!" Kel exclaimed. "Sorry."
"Your aim is good Kel, Too good.." Kalerik growled. He ripped the star from his arm wincing.
"What were you doing?" Alanna asked. She left Daine to Numair and walked over to Kal, Kel, and Neal.
"I was scouting and I saw you guys I was about to jump down when she threw the star." he muttered and tossed the star on the ground in front of her.
Kel picked it up with stiff movements. "Sorry. I didn't realize it was you."
Kalerik grinned. "That is an amazing arm Keladry."
"Thank you." Kel said wiping her star on the ground.
"What happened here." Tya walked over to Neal who smiled.
Kel lowered her eyes and attached her star to her belt. "Where's Numair?"
Alanna looked behind her and he was gone. "I'm not sure."
"I'm right here." Numair said emerging from shadows with the girl at his side. She was a little older than Kel with gray eyes and curly brown hair.
"Hello." she said.
"Daine." Alanna said. "Daine may I introduce you to Keladry of Mindelan, Tyana, and Kalerik."
"Hello." she repeated wrapping an arm around Numair. "Thank you."
Alanna waved a hand dismissively. "It was no problem."
"Well Lady Alanna are you done trying to play hero?" Kalerik said sarcastically. "I suppose we'll camp here tonight. Too much excitement to get everyone moving again."
"Yes lets head back." Alanna said nodding.
"Will you be coming also?" Kalerik asked Numair and Daine.
"If we aren't to much trouble." Daine said with a sweet smile.
"No it's fine." grumbled Kalerik and turned leave.
"What are you doing here?" Alanna said turned to the new couple smiling.
"Jonathan sent us for you." Numair replied.
"For what?" Alanna asked eyes narrowing.
"He just wondered what was taking so long." Numair replied with a grin.
Alanna scowled. "Just checking up on me. I suppose." She continued on muttering something about spoiled royalty. Kel pulled herself up leaning on her glaive.
Numair eyed her. "You did a great job." he said. Kel nodded her thanks.
Alanna looked at her. "You have some skill with that glaive."
Kel nodded again. "Thank you." she replied taking a step still leaning on the glaive.
"Keladry are you ok?" she asked studying the girls pale face.
"Yes." Kel replied quietly blinking a couple of times.
Tyana looked at her worriedly. "Kel you look really bad." she said stepping toward her friend. "Are you sure you're ok?"
Kel swayed a moment. "I-i-m fine." Neal walked toward her as she fell forward running to catch her. When she fell they saw the wound to the back of her head.
"Let's get her back to camp, get her head healed." Alanna ordered.
Kel blinked a moment. She was strapped to her horse. "It's bright." she murmured. "I'm moving." she added.
"Kel!" Tya voice exclaimed. "Your up. You're awake! Finally. Mithros you scared me to death."
Then Kel was being shaken. "Ok ok stop." she growled. "I'm awake I get it." Kel sat up straight and gazed around. Tya continued to shake her.
"Will you stop that the girl has a head injury." the lioness barked from behind Kel.
Tya drew back onto her own horse sheepishly. "Sorry."
"Welcome back." Alanna smirked looking at Kel. "Do you feel ok? Hungry probably."
"Where?" Kel asked blinking rapidly. She looked around them.
"We'll be at Corus in a little over an hour." Alanna replied eyeing the girl. "You were out for about a day. We were a bit worried."
"What!" Kel flung herself up. She would have fallen off if she wasn't strapped on.
"Careful!" Alanna said steadying her. "Are you trying to kill yourself?"
"We were like two days from Corus before!" Kel complained.
"You were asleep." Tya said nodding. "I was really worried."
"You should have just told me." Neal coming up to the girls. "But no you were fine. To high and mighty to be healed by me!"
Kel glared at him. "Stuff it." she growled.
"Nealan cut it out." Alanna warned. "Stop patronizing her."
"I was not!" Neal said indignantly. "But would it have killed her to tell me she was injured. We wouldn't had to deal with this mess."
"Ah Keladry you're up!" Daine exclaimed falling back to ride with them. "Numair is up talking to Kalerik. Thank you very much for helping us. I'm glad you're ok." she smiled.
Kel smiled. "It was no problem. Always glad to help."
"Keladry the brave heart." Neal muttered. "They'll be songs and poems about you." he said sarcastically. Kel reached over and smacked him on the back of the head. "Ow!" he cried. "You've been around Alanna way to long already!"
"Is that a bad thing?" Alanna asked raising her eyebrows at her squire.
"We don't need another Alanna the Lioness." Neal retorted. Alanna swung and swiped him in the head. "Ow! What is with you women!" he glared at them both. "I'm going to ride up with Numair and Kalerik."
They four laughed. Alanna shook his head. "He's a dramatic."
Kel gasped as the group entered Corus. Neal smirked at her. "Catching flies Keladry?" She leaned over and tried to swat him but he pulled out of her reach and grinned at her. Alanna reached over and smacked him. The market was lively and colorful. They got through the throngs of people and headed toward the castle gate. Once inside, the horses were stabled and the shang gathered in a courtyard.
Alanna turned toward the group. "I'm sorry I however have buisiness to attend to. I'll talk to you later. It was great to meet you all." she smiled and walked away down a hall.
"Alanna your back." John greeted the lioness walking down a corridor.Alanna scowled and continued on her way right past him."Lioness!" John called regally after her.
Alanna halted and turned around facing him. "Yes your majesty?" she asked bowing, glaring at him the whole time.
John flinched slightly. "Have you found the shang?"
"Yes. They are resting in a courtyard. With Daine and Numair." Alanna snapped. "One of them is to stay and train with the wildcat."
John winced. "Oh. Who?"
"Keladry of Mindelan." Alanna answered with a slight grin.
"Mindelan. Shes-" John stopped.
Alanna nodded. "I must take my leave." she said with a satisfied half smile.
"Wow!" Kel whispered in awe. She had taken a path leading from courtyard to a garden.
"You like the garden?" a voice rang from a bench.
Kel spun around and came face to face with a red haired young man . Her was tall and could only have been a year or two older than her. "Hello."
"Hello" he responded. "Cleon of Kennan." he bowed. "And you are my lady?"
Kel raised her eyebrows. "Keladry, Kel of Mindelan."
"Well Lady Kel what are you doing here?" Cleon asked sweetly.
"Oh Cleon stop it." a voice drawled from the entry way. Kel turned around.
"Ignore Cleon he's a flirt." Neal grinned stepping into the garden. 'His eyes are so green. He seems fit for a garden' Kel thought and smiled. Then Tya walked in wrapping her arms around Neal. Kel turned back to Cleon.
"Well Sir Cleon my shang band was brought here to council with the king. I however am staying to train with the wildcat." Kel smiled.
"I'll look forward to seeing you around the palace."
"Keladry, Tyanna" Kalerik's voice called from the courtyard.
"Coming." Tya called back smiling at Cleon and winking at Neal before she left.
"I will be seeing you." Kel said to Cleon and took her leave. "Bye Nealan." Neal watched her go confused at her sudden cold manner.
"Kel, you wish to stay." Kalerik asked.
Kel nodded. "Yes sir"
"Are you sure?" Kalerik pressed. "I'm not sure we will be back here for several years."
"I could adjust." Kel answered with a nod.
"Well I think I'll stay too Sir." Tya said with a smile. "In case Kel gets lonely."
Kalerik raised an eyebrow at Tya but nodded. "Very well." He looked at the two girls. They would surprise a lot of people. People mislead by their dreamy hazel, and seductive blue eyes. "I'll be sad to see two good fighters leave. But happy to get you out of my hair."
"Oh Kalerik you know you love us." Tya teased smiling. "You've still got two days in the palace before you leave you know. You haven't even made council with the King yet." Kalerik nodded.
"Misses I'm to show you to your room." a meek servant woman approached them.
Tya looked at Kalerik. "You won't leave without saying goodbye to us will you?"
"This way please." the woman instructed. Tya walked ahead of them.
"What is your name?" Kel asked the woman.
"Lalassa my lady." she said quietly.
"I'm Kel." Kel introduced herself.
"My lady Kel."
Kel shook her head. "Just Kel is fine."
"These are your rooms." Lalassa said motioning to rooms across from each other.
"Thank you Lalassa." Kel replied with a smile.
Tya smiled sweetly. "Thank you."
Lalassa handed to each of them their keys. "If you need anything just ask." She bowed and headed off.
Kel opened her door and stepped inside. It was small but comfortable. She laid back on the bed and started to drift off. There was a sharp knock on the door. A very groggy Kel nearly fell out of bed. Standing she made her way to the door and yanked it open.
"There's going to be a ball!" Tya's voice screetched into the room. She nearly pounced on Kel.
"What?" Kel asked rubbing her eyes.
"There's a ball tonight! In honor of us!" she said happily bounding into Kel's room.
"Why us?"
"Well. Not us exactly. Just in honor of the shang being here!" Tya said happily. "We have to go get dresses!"
"I'm not going!" Kel exclaimed. "The last thing I need is to be evaluated by every person at court." she shook her head. "And I don't want to get dressed up."
"You have to go." Kalerik's voice snapped through the air.
"Lovely of you to drop by." Kel said dryly. "Just walk in."
Kalerik grinned. "You have to go to this ball. You two will be introduced."
Kel groaned. "I don't have to get dressed up do I?"
Kalerik grinned again. "Yes you do."
Kel glared at him. "I hate you. You know that right?"
"I knew you'd be thrilled." he replied.
"You'll be there right?" Tya purred.
Kalerik nodded. "We leave in a week."
"Yay!" Tya exclaimed. "Come one Kel we have to go shopping!" She pulled on Kel's arm.
Kel rolled her eyes. "I'm coming."
Kel walked back into her room two hours later, Tya right behind her. "You know I'll never use half this stuff again."
"You should. You'd be really pretty if you put some effort into it." Tya said.
"I'm sorry I'd prefer to do something useful with my time other than gazing at myself in the mirror." Kel snapped indignantly.
Tya glared at her. "I don't spend that much time gazing at myself. Well I must be off to get ready." Kel shook her head and set off to get ready herself.
Chapter Two, Keladry the brave heart
"Everyone have everything! If you forget something we aren't coming back!" a firm man's voice snapped through the group of Shang. A group of muttered 'yes' responded. Kel was in the back of the group as a watch. She was wide awake her glaive there for easy excess. She watched the wood around them cautiously.
"Do you hear something?" Alanna asked cautiously.
Kel shook her head. "No, I feel it though."
"What's going on?" Neal rode back. "We're moving." he said sighing.
"Nothing." Kel responded moving along a bit closer to the group. Hours passed and yet Kel still couldn't shake that foreboding feeling. They stopped for a midday rest. Kel stood at the edge of the shaded clearing watching the woods. Alanna watched the girl with curious fascination.
"Keladry is hard worker, strong too." Kalerik said. "She's a great fighter. Strong willed. Uses weapons though. We still can't shake that from her but then again most of us have throwing stars."
Alanna nodded and turned toward the tall lean blond haired man. "Something isn't right. You should send scouts into the forest."
"Why?" Kalerik asked incredulously.
"You never know what's out there." Alanna said still gazing at the trees.
"We are ready." Kalerik replied confidently. "For anything that may come. There's enough warriors here." Alanna shook her head and turned back toward Kel but she's wasn't there. She stepped toward where Kel was and hesitated. She didn't seem the type to need rescuing. She headed back into camp shooting glances over her shoulder to the trees.
"Where's Kel?" Tya's voice said over the chatter angrily. "She didn't help check and water the horses."
"I'm not sure." Alanna replied gazing at the flustered girl.
"Well when did anyone last see her?" Neal asked coming to stand by Tya.
"About fifteen minutes ago." Alanna replied thoughtfully.
"Oh she'll come back. She probably just went to train." Tya replied dismissively.
"Who's not here?" Kalerik asked.
"Kel." Tya said rolling her eyes. "Alanna thinks something is wrong."
Kalerik smiled dryly. "Are you always so optimistic?"
Just then Alanna sneezed twice. She swore under her breath. "Who's using magic?"
"No one here." Kalerik answered and turned his eyes to Neal.
"Me! No." he exclaimed defensively.
"Check the woods!" Kalerik cried out. They were surprisingly quiet as they all headed off in different directions.
Alanna and Neal took off in the direction she saw Kel disappear to. The two stumbled into a clearing to find Kel standing next to Numiar Salmalin fighting a group of bandits. Alanna charged in and took out one when she saw flash behind her and Kel's glaive swung cutting off the head of a man behind her. Before Alanna could thank her she was after another retreating form. Alanna ran after another dropping him. She glanced around the clearing and found them all dead. Neal was kneeling by a figure lying on the ground. Kel was sitting leaning on a tree. Numiar kneeling by Neal.
"Lioness!" Neal's voice called. "It's Daine!"
Alanna knelt down. "Go see if Keladry is hurt." she said. "Numair are you ok?"
"I'm fine." he said quickly stroking the cheek of the girl. "She was attacked in fox form."
"Kel?" Neal asked approaching her slowly. She seemed to only have minor injuries a cut on her cheek.
"Hello." Kel replied gazing over the scene before her.
"Do you need healing?" he asked.
"No." Kel replied. "Who is he?" she asked gesturing to Numair. "And who is the girl?"
"You don't know?" Neal asked incredulously raising one arched eyebrow.
Kel shook her head. "Would I ask if I knew?" she asked shortly.
"That's Numiar." Neal said and grinned when Kel almost fell over.
"The mage!" Kel exclaimed. "Dear Mithros...he didn't need my help." she muttered. "I was probably in the way."
"No actually I thank you for your help." Numair called across the clearing.
Kel studied the ground a moment. "The girl?"
"Daine." Neal replied. "She's a wildmage." He looked over at Numair, Daine and Alanna. Alanna and Daine were enveloped in a purple glow.
Kel nodded having heard of her and paused. She gazed up at a tree. She caught a flash of movement. She slid a throwing star from her belt and threw it. A loud swear and crash were heard as a man fell from the tree. The man stood up having only been hit in the arm. "Kalerik!" Kel exclaimed. "Sorry."
"Your aim is good Kel, Too good.." Kalerik growled. He ripped the star from his arm wincing.
"What were you doing?" Alanna asked. She left Daine to Numair and walked over to Kal, Kel, and Neal.
"I was scouting and I saw you guys I was about to jump down when she threw the star." he muttered and tossed the star on the ground in front of her.
Kel picked it up with stiff movements. "Sorry. I didn't realize it was you."
Kalerik grinned. "That is an amazing arm Keladry."
"Thank you." Kel said wiping her star on the ground.
"What happened here." Tya walked over to Neal who smiled.
Kel lowered her eyes and attached her star to her belt. "Where's Numair?"
Alanna looked behind her and he was gone. "I'm not sure."
"I'm right here." Numair said emerging from shadows with the girl at his side. She was a little older than Kel with gray eyes and curly brown hair.
"Hello." she said.
"Daine." Alanna said. "Daine may I introduce you to Keladry of Mindelan, Tyana, and Kalerik."
"Hello." she repeated wrapping an arm around Numair. "Thank you."
Alanna waved a hand dismissively. "It was no problem."
"Well Lady Alanna are you done trying to play hero?" Kalerik said sarcastically. "I suppose we'll camp here tonight. Too much excitement to get everyone moving again."
"Yes lets head back." Alanna said nodding.
"Will you be coming also?" Kalerik asked Numair and Daine.
"If we aren't to much trouble." Daine said with a sweet smile.
"No it's fine." grumbled Kalerik and turned leave.
"What are you doing here?" Alanna said turned to the new couple smiling.
"Jonathan sent us for you." Numair replied.
"For what?" Alanna asked eyes narrowing.
"He just wondered what was taking so long." Numair replied with a grin.
Alanna scowled. "Just checking up on me. I suppose." She continued on muttering something about spoiled royalty. Kel pulled herself up leaning on her glaive.
Numair eyed her. "You did a great job." he said. Kel nodded her thanks.
Alanna looked at her. "You have some skill with that glaive."
Kel nodded again. "Thank you." she replied taking a step still leaning on the glaive.
"Keladry are you ok?" she asked studying the girls pale face.
"Yes." Kel replied quietly blinking a couple of times.
Tyana looked at her worriedly. "Kel you look really bad." she said stepping toward her friend. "Are you sure you're ok?"
Kel swayed a moment. "I-i-m fine." Neal walked toward her as she fell forward running to catch her. When she fell they saw the wound to the back of her head.
"Let's get her back to camp, get her head healed." Alanna ordered.
Kel blinked a moment. She was strapped to her horse. "It's bright." she murmured. "I'm moving." she added.
"Kel!" Tya voice exclaimed. "Your up. You're awake! Finally. Mithros you scared me to death."
Then Kel was being shaken. "Ok ok stop." she growled. "I'm awake I get it." Kel sat up straight and gazed around. Tya continued to shake her.
"Will you stop that the girl has a head injury." the lioness barked from behind Kel.
Tya drew back onto her own horse sheepishly. "Sorry."
"Welcome back." Alanna smirked looking at Kel. "Do you feel ok? Hungry probably."
"Where?" Kel asked blinking rapidly. She looked around them.
"We'll be at Corus in a little over an hour." Alanna replied eyeing the girl. "You were out for about a day. We were a bit worried."
"What!" Kel flung herself up. She would have fallen off if she wasn't strapped on.
"Careful!" Alanna said steadying her. "Are you trying to kill yourself?"
"We were like two days from Corus before!" Kel complained.
"You were asleep." Tya said nodding. "I was really worried."
"You should have just told me." Neal coming up to the girls. "But no you were fine. To high and mighty to be healed by me!"
Kel glared at him. "Stuff it." she growled.
"Nealan cut it out." Alanna warned. "Stop patronizing her."
"I was not!" Neal said indignantly. "But would it have killed her to tell me she was injured. We wouldn't had to deal with this mess."
"Ah Keladry you're up!" Daine exclaimed falling back to ride with them. "Numair is up talking to Kalerik. Thank you very much for helping us. I'm glad you're ok." she smiled.
Kel smiled. "It was no problem. Always glad to help."
"Keladry the brave heart." Neal muttered. "They'll be songs and poems about you." he said sarcastically. Kel reached over and smacked him on the back of the head. "Ow!" he cried. "You've been around Alanna way to long already!"
"Is that a bad thing?" Alanna asked raising her eyebrows at her squire.
"We don't need another Alanna the Lioness." Neal retorted. Alanna swung and swiped him in the head. "Ow! What is with you women!" he glared at them both. "I'm going to ride up with Numair and Kalerik."
They four laughed. Alanna shook his head. "He's a dramatic."
Kel gasped as the group entered Corus. Neal smirked at her. "Catching flies Keladry?" She leaned over and tried to swat him but he pulled out of her reach and grinned at her. Alanna reached over and smacked him. The market was lively and colorful. They got through the throngs of people and headed toward the castle gate. Once inside, the horses were stabled and the shang gathered in a courtyard.
Alanna turned toward the group. "I'm sorry I however have buisiness to attend to. I'll talk to you later. It was great to meet you all." she smiled and walked away down a hall.
"Alanna your back." John greeted the lioness walking down a corridor.Alanna scowled and continued on her way right past him."Lioness!" John called regally after her.
Alanna halted and turned around facing him. "Yes your majesty?" she asked bowing, glaring at him the whole time.
John flinched slightly. "Have you found the shang?"
"Yes. They are resting in a courtyard. With Daine and Numair." Alanna snapped. "One of them is to stay and train with the wildcat."
John winced. "Oh. Who?"
"Keladry of Mindelan." Alanna answered with a slight grin.
"Mindelan. Shes-" John stopped.
Alanna nodded. "I must take my leave." she said with a satisfied half smile.
"Wow!" Kel whispered in awe. She had taken a path leading from courtyard to a garden.
"You like the garden?" a voice rang from a bench.
Kel spun around and came face to face with a red haired young man . Her was tall and could only have been a year or two older than her. "Hello."
"Hello" he responded. "Cleon of Kennan." he bowed. "And you are my lady?"
Kel raised her eyebrows. "Keladry, Kel of Mindelan."
"Well Lady Kel what are you doing here?" Cleon asked sweetly.
"Oh Cleon stop it." a voice drawled from the entry way. Kel turned around.
"Ignore Cleon he's a flirt." Neal grinned stepping into the garden. 'His eyes are so green. He seems fit for a garden' Kel thought and smiled. Then Tya walked in wrapping her arms around Neal. Kel turned back to Cleon.
"Well Sir Cleon my shang band was brought here to council with the king. I however am staying to train with the wildcat." Kel smiled.
"I'll look forward to seeing you around the palace."
"Keladry, Tyanna" Kalerik's voice called from the courtyard.
"Coming." Tya called back smiling at Cleon and winking at Neal before she left.
"I will be seeing you." Kel said to Cleon and took her leave. "Bye Nealan." Neal watched her go confused at her sudden cold manner.
"Kel, you wish to stay." Kalerik asked.
Kel nodded. "Yes sir"
"Are you sure?" Kalerik pressed. "I'm not sure we will be back here for several years."
"I could adjust." Kel answered with a nod.
"Well I think I'll stay too Sir." Tya said with a smile. "In case Kel gets lonely."
Kalerik raised an eyebrow at Tya but nodded. "Very well." He looked at the two girls. They would surprise a lot of people. People mislead by their dreamy hazel, and seductive blue eyes. "I'll be sad to see two good fighters leave. But happy to get you out of my hair."
"Oh Kalerik you know you love us." Tya teased smiling. "You've still got two days in the palace before you leave you know. You haven't even made council with the King yet." Kalerik nodded.
"Misses I'm to show you to your room." a meek servant woman approached them.
Tya looked at Kalerik. "You won't leave without saying goodbye to us will you?"
"This way please." the woman instructed. Tya walked ahead of them.
"What is your name?" Kel asked the woman.
"Lalassa my lady." she said quietly.
"I'm Kel." Kel introduced herself.
"My lady Kel."
Kel shook her head. "Just Kel is fine."
"These are your rooms." Lalassa said motioning to rooms across from each other.
"Thank you Lalassa." Kel replied with a smile.
Tya smiled sweetly. "Thank you."
Lalassa handed to each of them their keys. "If you need anything just ask." She bowed and headed off.
Kel opened her door and stepped inside. It was small but comfortable. She laid back on the bed and started to drift off. There was a sharp knock on the door. A very groggy Kel nearly fell out of bed. Standing she made her way to the door and yanked it open.
"There's going to be a ball!" Tya's voice screetched into the room. She nearly pounced on Kel.
"What?" Kel asked rubbing her eyes.
"There's a ball tonight! In honor of us!" she said happily bounding into Kel's room.
"Why us?"
"Well. Not us exactly. Just in honor of the shang being here!" Tya said happily. "We have to go get dresses!"
"I'm not going!" Kel exclaimed. "The last thing I need is to be evaluated by every person at court." she shook her head. "And I don't want to get dressed up."
"You have to go." Kalerik's voice snapped through the air.
"Lovely of you to drop by." Kel said dryly. "Just walk in."
Kalerik grinned. "You have to go to this ball. You two will be introduced."
Kel groaned. "I don't have to get dressed up do I?"
Kalerik grinned again. "Yes you do."
Kel glared at him. "I hate you. You know that right?"
"I knew you'd be thrilled." he replied.
"You'll be there right?" Tya purred.
Kalerik nodded. "We leave in a week."
"Yay!" Tya exclaimed. "Come one Kel we have to go shopping!" She pulled on Kel's arm.
Kel rolled her eyes. "I'm coming."
Kel walked back into her room two hours later, Tya right behind her. "You know I'll never use half this stuff again."
"You should. You'd be really pretty if you put some effort into it." Tya said.
"I'm sorry I'd prefer to do something useful with my time other than gazing at myself in the mirror." Kel snapped indignantly.
Tya glared at her. "I don't spend that much time gazing at myself. Well I must be off to get ready." Kel shook her head and set off to get ready herself.