Disclaimer: You know the drill I own nothing other than Lathander, Kalerik, Tya and Lysan. (You'll meet him briefly)
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Ah sorry about the lateness of this chapter. I'm having some computer problems......again. Guess what! I just watched people toilet paper my house! I waved!
Chapter eight--- Healing, and the late night visit.
A knocking woke Kel. She sat up blinking. 'What time is it?' she thought first off. From the looks off outside it was still dark. She shook her head and went to answer the door. Opening it she realized she was still in the kimono and it was all rumpled.
"Kel." Cleon was standing in front of her. "Tya and Neal said you weren't feeling well."
Kel blinked. The ball! "Yes. Sorry I couldn't find you."
"Are you OK?" Cleon asked. "Your dress is wrinkled."
"I fell asleep." Kel replied quietly.
"Sorry." Cleon muttered. "Oh um Kalerik was looking for you. The ball's almost over."
"Oh!" Kel exclaimed. She'd forgotten that she'd told Kal she'd meet him after. "Thank you. I had better get ready."
Cleon nodded. "Night."
Kel smiled. "Night." She closed the door and pulled out clothes to change into. It seemed pointless to change now but she didn't want to wear the wrinkled kimono. She braided the rest of her hair tightly back and grabbed her key. She opened the door and walked right into something. Something tall and warm.
"Kel!" Neal exclaimed, bracing himself with one hand holding Kel up with the other.
"Neal?" Kel muttered and fought the urge to turn red. She'd realized she was pressed against him. His arm was around her waist. She coughed and stepped out of his grip. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh um, I thought about it and I can't do anything about it but maybe my father can help. Your burn that is." Neal mumbled. He was desperately trying to get his senses back. "You changed." he muttered suddenly looking at her.
"Observant aren't we." Kel replied dryly. "It'll go away. I don't need it looked at." 'I hope' she added silently.
Neal sighed. "People are going to notice a bandaged wrist. Especially if you can't move it as well. You have about twenty minutes until the ball ends and you have to meet Kalerik. Come see my father. I told him to meet us in the infirmary."
"You pulled your father from the ball for this!" Kel exclaimed. She swiped him in the back of the head.
"I just told him there was something he should see to." Neal muttered glaring at her. "Since he's already there you wouldn't want him to have left for no reason would you?" Kel scowled. "I knew you'd see it my way!" Neal said and grabbed her good wrist pulling her out the door.
He guided her down the empty corridors to the infirmary where a man that had to be Neal's father sat. He looked very similar to Neal. His hair had red in it that his son's lacked.
The man looked up at them and sighed. "What was it that I needed to see?"
"Really sir it's no big deal." Kel said quickly. "I'm sorry he disturbed you from the ball."
The Baird's gaze shifted to his son. "Her wrist." Neal muttered. Kel elbowed him.
"It's nothing that needs healing." she said to the healer.
"We're not sure it can be healed." Neal added.
"What?" the chief healer's gaze snapped to his son's. "What do you mean?"
"It's a hand print shaped burn that has no traces of the gift. I couldn't heal it." Neal continued.
Kel resisted the urge to groan. There was no way she could get out of this now.
"Come here Keladry." Baird sat her on a chair. "Let me see."
Kel knew better than to argue at this point. She pushed her sleeve up and unwrapped the bandage. Baird leaned down and started doing something with his gift. Kel assumed her was examining it. His gift was an emerald green that was lighter than Neal's.
"This wasn't made by the gift." Baird muttered. This was replied by an "I said that." by Neal. His father looked over his shoulder at him and Neal fell silent. "Who did this?"
"Goodluck getting that would of her." Neal muttered.
"Nealan." his father warned.
"It was an accident." Kel replied. "No one did it."
"Did you fall down?" Baird asked with a smile. Kel smiled back knowing the old excuse pages used. "Really it would help me greatly if I knew who did this."
"No one did this." Kel repeated. She wasn't about to tell everyone about this until she knew what exactly it was.
Baird sighed much like Neal had. "OK I can't force it out of you." He set his hand on her wrist. Kel felt coolness trickle along her arm. Baird withdrew his hand frowning. "I can't heal this either. Maybe Alanna could."
Kel shook her head and Neal sighed. "She'd prefer as little people involved as possible." he sent a glance at Kel who nodded.
Baird sighed again. "Keep it covered Keladry until it fades or we figure out how to heal it." he stood from his seat. "I have to go back for the last ten or so minutes of the ball." he left.
"Alanna could probably help you know." Neal said when his father had left.
"It's just like you said. I don't want too many people involved." Kel said. She'd given up the accident plea with Neal.
"Who did it?" he asked again.
"How'd you get away from Tya?" Kel asked trying to change the subject.
"I slipped out while she was dancing with Dom." Neal replied quietly. "I think she was flirting with him."
"She probably was." Kel muttered darkly. Her mind flashed back to Tya and Kalerik in the garden.
"What?" Neal asked raising an eyebrow at her.
"Nothing." Kel replied. "I have to go meet Kal." she muttered. She headed for the door but Neal spoke.
"Tell me if he does it again."
"Who?" Kel asked turning around to face him.
"I know it was Lathander." Neal replied. "Who else would you protect?"
Kel slid her mask into place. 'Was she protecting him?' "I'm not protecting anyone." she replied trying to convince herself as much as him. She turned and left Neal standing in the middle of the room.
Kel headed down the corridor ignoring the odd feeling that Neal was trying to protect her. She reached her door before realizing she didn't know where to meet them. she muttered a few words a lady should never use before Tya walked up.
"Kel!" she cried and hugged her suddenly. "Are you feeling better? I came to get you because Kal said to come with him after the ball but you left. Are you OK?"
Kel stood arms crossed waiting for Tya to finish talking. When she'd finished Kel responded. "I'm fine I was just a bit exhausted and right before you walked up the thought that I didn't know where I was going occurred to me."
Tya grinned. "Come on I'll lead you to him. We're meeting in the practice courts." Tya skipped off down the hall and Kel followed. "You missed the rest of a great ball. Neal disappeared on me. That's OK I was dancing with Sir Dom. His eyes oh Mithros!" Tya gushed.
Unconsciously Kel's hands balled into fists. "Really?"
"Yes! I'm really sorry you weren't feeling well. Cleon was looking for you did he stop by?" Tya asked a sly grinning spreading across her face.
"Yes." Kel replied choosing to ignore the look.
"Well what happened?"
"He asked me if I was OK. Then reminded me that I was supposed to see Kal." Kel shrugged.
"That's no fun." Tya replied. "You should have invited him in!" Kel turned and glared at Tya. "I know you would never." Tya led her to the back of one of the practice courts. Kalerik stood there along with a few other members of the Shang band.
"Kel." Kalerik addressed. "I'm glad to see you. That Cleon fellow told me you were ill."
"I was just a bit tired." Kel replied sliding her emotionless mask into place.
Kalerik smiled at her. "Glad you came to see us." He reached behind him and pulled out a small leather bag and a wooden box. He handed the bag to Kel. "For you." He slid the box over to Tya. "And for you. Open them."
Kel reached into the small bag and pulled out a bunch of Yamani throwing stars in a leather holder that she could clip to her belt. she noted the rippling blue under of the steal.
"You seem so fond of using those." Kalerik said with a smile.
"Thank you." Kel replied with a polite nod. She still couldn't get that scene from her head. She turned her attention to Tya who was pulling a crossbow from the box.
"Ah! Thank you Kal!" Tya cried throwing her arms around his neck after setting the bow gently back in the box.
"My pleasure." Kalerik replied hugging her. He stepped back and Tya stood next to Kel. "I will miss you both. You were wonderful additions to our team! Great friends and warriors."
Kel smiled at him. "I'll miss all of you."
"I'll look forward to challanging you when you're titled." a boy behind Kalerik said with a grin. He was tall with blond hair and gray eyes.
"Why when I'm titled Lysan?" Kel asked grinning at him.
"You think you can beat me now?" Lysan asked his grin widening. He stepped into the middle of the training area. "Care to test your theory?"
Kel stood in front of him. He lunged at her and she avaded his attack. She swiped her foot out and knocked him to the ground. He flipped himself up and kicked her in the stomach knocking the air from her and making her stumble.
He took this opportunity to punch her. Kel grabbed his arm and twisted it back. He yelped and knocked her feet out from underneath her sending them both to the ground.
"Enough!" Kalerik called out. "You two could go at each other all night." He walked over to the two of them lying on the ground. "Lysan you had better get to bed or you'll never get up."
Lysan jumped up and reached hand down to help Kel up. She excepted and he grabbed her wrist to pull her up. She bit back a yelp as he did but quickly slid the mask back into place.
"Kel?" Lysan asked when her saw her expression change slightly. "Is something wrong? Is your wrist bandaged?"
"No sorry. I'm just a bit sore." she lied. "It's just padding. I hit it on something and it's a bit bruised."
Lysan nodded. "Soft." he teased with a grin. Kel glared at him and stood.
"Now let's get to bed." Kalerik suggested. "So we can all get up tomorrow." Everyone nodded and dispersed. Kel noticed Tya hanging back. She shook her head and walked out.
She reached her room and sat down on her bed. Unwrapping the bandage from her wrist. It was red and a bit swollen. Cursing Lathander she wrapped it back up and made to chnage for bed.
Kel walked back into her main chamber wearing he nightshirt and found Lathander sitting on her bed.
"What are you doing here?" she asked crossing her arms and leaning on the doorframe.
"I came to see you." he replied smiling. He rose from her bed.
"Leave."
"No."
"Now!"
"No. I came to see you." he replied still grinning.
"You've seen me. Leave."
"I'm sorry about your wrist. You haven't told anyone yet." he said thoughtfully. He stood in front of her. Less than a foot of space was between them. "Why not?"
"Have you been following me Lathander?" Kel asked carefully keeping her voice emotionless.
"Just checking up on you." he replied still smiling. He reached over and smoothed her hair back.
Kel flinched at his touch. "What do you want?" she sighed. "I'm tired."
"Sweet dreams." Lathander smiled and left.
"What in the name of the dark god was that?" Kel left out a sigh of relief. She sat down on her bed and yawned. She was exhausted.
"Kel?" Tya's voice called through her door.
Groaning Kel climbed from her bed and opened the door. "Tya."
"What was Lathander doing in your room?" she asked walking past Kel and taking a seat at her desk.
"Being his usual mysterious, 'I came to see you' self." Kel replied dryly plopping down on her bed.
"Oh." Tya said, dissapointment evident in her voice.
"You sound dissapointed." Kel noted.
"No I was just hoping you got out something out of him." Tya yawned and swept her hair back from her face. "You know as to why he was here." Kel shook her head. "You know Kalerik was impressed at how well you did against Lysan."
"Why?"
"Lysan's a great fighter. Not bad in other areas either." she grinned. Kel groaned and rolled her eyes.
"No matter how much I'm uh enjoying this little conversation I'd like to get some sleep." Kel said.
"Yea. I should probably get to bed too." Tya stood up and went to the door. She paused and turned around. "Neal came to see you tonight didn't he?"
Kel froze. "Yea he wanted to tell me Kal was looking for me and ask if I was ok. He didn't know Cleon already had." Kel lied.
Tya nodded. "Goodnight Kel." she said and walked out.
Kel threw herself back onto her bed and sighed. She closed her eyes and let sleep claim her. Her dreams were haunted by fire and glowing green eyes.
"Bye!" Tya shrieked at Kalerik hugging him tightly one last time.
"Bye." Kalerik smiled at her. He climbed onto his horse and smiled at them before riding off.
Tya wrapped her arms around Neal. "I'll miss him." Neal smoothed her hair.
"I know."
Kel looked at the scene before turning around. "I'll see you guys later." she said before walking away. She headed immediately for the library. 'Damn Tya.'
She'd decided to see if she could find anything on the fire. She entered to find it deserted. Kel looked at the shelves and had no idea where to start.
After about two hours of searching Neal entered the library.
"Here you are!" he exclaimed. "Tya went off and I decided to look for you to see if your wrist was better. Kel?"
Kel realized she'd been staring at him. Very tempted to tell him all about Tya and Kal and not sure why. "Oh sorry. I was thinking. Yeah my wrist is fine." she said. Kel averted her gaze down to the book she was looking through.
"What are you looking for?" Neal walked up to her and looked down at the page the book was on. "Fire. You really don't know how he did it do you?"
Kel sighed about to repeat herself in saying it was an accident when Neal cut her off.
"It was not an accident. Lathander did this, I know it. I thought you knew how." Neal's winged brows furrowed.
"No." Kel replied quietly shutting the book and walking to the shelf she'd gotten it from. Neal followd her.
"I'll help you look. I mean I don't know what we're looking for but I'll help" Neal supplied scanning a nearby shelf.
"I'm sure you have important squire duties to attend to." Kel said pulling another book down from a shelf.
"Not until this afternoon and you have training then so I'll help you look." he said reading the title of her book and pulling out one of a similar subject.
Kel sat down at the table and flipped through the book. "I'm not quite sure what we're looking for anything about nongifted magic fire."
Neal nodded and followed suite flipping through one of the books.
After another few hours of this Kel sat down on one of the chairs in defeat.
"We're not going to find anything." she said. "We've looked in every section and found nothing. It's almost midday. We've been looking for hours!"
"Well we've hardly looked in every library." Neal drawled seating himself near her. He flipped through a book as Kel sighed and went off to find something else.
'Concentrate.' Neal's brain told him. 'So what if you've been here for several hours with her, alone.' He shook his head and looked back down at the book. He flipped through it when something caught his eye.
Neal looked at the cover. A folklore book. He flipped it back to where he was. There was a tale called 'Shang Fire'. He scanned through it. "Kel!"
Kel walked back to his table dusting herself off. "What?"
"Look at this!" Neal motioned her over. Kel bent down over his shoulder and read over the page.
"What is this?" she asked flipping the page.
Neal looked at her. She was really close. "Um folklore, legends." he replied gulping.
"Legends." Kel repeated. "Lathander has some magic from a legend. That can't be good."
There you go! Hope it wasn't too boring for you. I know not much has happened but it's getting there right.
Thank you:
Wake-Robin: I'm glad you like the intrigue.
Oceanspike: hehe. I'm glad you liked that one. I hope you like this one too.
Squire-Ron/ja: I'll put some of that in soon! I didn't want to throw way too much in at once and confuse everyone. I hope you liked this chapter.
Imogenhm: I hope I explained some things here. I know I left alot open but if I explained everything now what kind of story would it be? I hope this chapter was as good as you hoped.
BloodSoakedTiger: If you're a dork so am I....not saying I'm not. .;; Sorry it took so long to get this one up. I'll try to get the next one up soon.
Eyes of a Seer: blush oh dear. Thank you very very much! I hope I can continue to write to your liking.
Fallen spirit: Thank you
Alianne: I hope you like this chapter!
Allimba: Thank you very much! I hope you liked this chapter as well
Shannon of Tameron: I glad you like it.
Chicken puffs: Another point for Lathander. I can't promise or tell you anything. I'm sorry you'll have to wait.
Living People: Thats working it's self out. I'm glad I can make a character like Lathander.
Phsycolioness13: I'm very glad you liked the chapter. I suppose you'll hvae to wait to see how things turn out.
Soccerchick08: I'm glad you like Lathander. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
Tiffie101: I shall continue to write on....unless my computer completely dies on me.
Honestly reading your reviews I feel unworthy! You people are wicked nice.
if I missed anyone I'm very very sorry it's about 4:30 am so I'm a little spacey. I didn't leave you out on purpose.