I had every intention of letting my story sit for a while, with that cliffie there… But Irish Violinist told me I was bad to have a cliffie like that. (It's mostly cuz I'm a wee bit Irish and a violinist too, so you're automatically on my good side I.V.). And I'm pretty bored. So I'm going for the 3rd chapter tonight. I'm on a roll!

Disclaimer: I don't own NUTHIN' ya hear?? Oh, except Sir Leighmont. I've decided to keep him too.

A very disheartened group of boys trudged in late to the practice courts for their tilting practice. They had missed their archery practice and staff training because they had been searching all over the castle for Kel. Lord Wyldon, who had returned to join Sir Leighmont, looked disapprovingly at them.

"Nealan of Queenscove, Merric of Hollyrose, Seaver of Tasride, Faleron of King's Reach, and Prince Roald, report to me after class please." The five boys exchanged despairing looks. Prince Roald looked the most frightened, which was understandable. As the crown prince of Tortall, the heir to the throne, he had to be the model of perfect behavior. This was the first time he had gotten in trouble since he had started as a page.

Neal couldn't concentrate on the target, resulting in him being repeatedly buffeted by the sandbag. None of Kel's other friends fared much better. They were all grateful when it was over, but even that was short-lived, because next they had to face their training master.

As they congregated before 'The Stump', Sir Leighmont came hurrying over. Lord Wyldon eyed him disdainfully, but didn't address him. "I would like to know why the five of you were so late today, and until you come up with a reasonable explanation, nobody is leaving."

Before anyone could answer, Sir Leighmont cut in, "Nealan, where is Keladry? She didn't arrive with the rest of you."

"That's why we were late Sir!" Merric blurted, then clapped a hand over his mouth.

"We beg your pardon Sir, but we have been searching for Keladry of Mindelan. It seems she has gone missing," Roald explained.

Lord Wyldon looked around, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I see. Cleon of Kennan is gone too. Do you have any idea where he is?"

"No Sir, but we think his disappearance and Kel's have something to do with each other." Said Seaver.

"You will all serve the laundry maids for two bells on Sunday afternoon, one for each classes skipped," Lord Wyldon said. "As for Mindelan and Kennan, we'll alert everyone in the palace of their absence."

Neal wasn't listening. He had just seen Joren slip by, and hearing what was being said, smirked. Like he knows something, Neal thought.

"Oh thank you Sir," Faleron exclaimed, bowing. The others followed suit, and then they were dismissed to lunch.

Sir Leighmont stopped Neal before he'd gotten ten steps. "Nealan, I understand you were very close friends with Keladry," he said in a voice surprisingly gentle for a man of his gruff appearance. "How are you doing with this whole thing?"

Touched, but made a little uncomfortable about how much this man knew, Neal shrugged. "I'm really afraid," he said quietly, almost whispering. "She's… She's my best friend," And so much more, he added to himself. "I honestly don't know what I'd do if anything happened to her…" His eyes were burning from the tears forming there, and he quickly blinked them back.

The short knight clapped him on the back. "Don't worry, Keladry is a very strong girl. She'll be fine, I'm sure of it."

Neal thanked him and hurried up to the castle after his friends.

"We got of so easy today with The Stump," Merric commented, looking glumly at his friends.

"Yeah," Seaver agreed, "But I don't really believe he's going do much of anything to help Kel. I wouldn't be surprised if he was glad she's missing."

Neal spoke abruptly; "Joren knows something."

"What?"

He explained his thinking to them. "When we were talking to The Stump, he walked by and the way he looked at us… Yeah, he definitely knows something."

Roald looked pensive. "It would make sense," he mused, "his family is very rich and powerful, and he does really hate Kel… But why would he get rid of Cleon too?"

"Maybe," Merric thought, "he knew Cleon liked her and Joren had to have him out of the way because he knew Cleon would protect Kel."

Seaver shook his head. "Nah. It's not likely. Why would he get rid of Cleon and not any of the rest of us?" Merric shrugged.

"I still want to know," Faleron said, "why on earth Cleon was so mad last night. Did that have anything to do with Kel?"

Roald and Neal looked at each other. "Uh… I might know," Neal said. "See, a few days ago, I walked in on Cleon kissing Kel. I guess I'm not the only one who loves her. Did you say that he was with you when you all found us together?"

Everyone nodded. "But I've never known Cleon to get angry so easily," Faleron said, "I'm sorry Neal, but his temper is as slow as yours is quick." Neal glared at him. "I prove my point," he finished.

Seaver spoke up, "Fal, where was Cleon when you saw him last night? Because he obviously didn't go straight back to his room."

Faleron thought for a moment. "I think he was near- Ah! Joren's room."

"And here we are again," Neal said dryly. "So we're at an agreement? Kel being gone is Joren's doing. If he so much as touches her-"

"Kel will probably beat the snot outa 'im," Merric finished for him. Neal smiled wryly at him.

Seeing Joren get up and leave, he stated, "I think I'm done eating. See you later," and with that, he strode out of the mess hall. The remaining four shot worried glances each other.

Neal caught up with Joren halfway to the stairs and whirled him around by the shoulder to face him. "The trick's over, you filthy little swine," he hissed, "Where is Kel?"

Joren twisted his beautiful face into an ugly sneer. "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," he said infuriatingly. Neal grabbed him by the collar of his tunic and pulled him close until their faces were scant inches apart.

"I asked you once, you worthless scum, and I will not ask again: Where is Kel?"

Joren spat in his face.

Neal seethed as he wiped the saliva off his face, his insides boiling as he looked at Joren's pleased smirk. Without warning, he pulled his fist back and smashed it into Joren's pretty nose. Neal smiled in grim satisfaction as he heard something crunch. "That was for Kel!" he shouted as the other boy collapsed. He kicked him in the stomach, reveling in his pain. "And that was for me," Neal was starting to lose control. His friends rushed out of the mess hall to see him kicking a curled up Joren, shouting at him.

Faleron stared. "He's gone bloody mad…" he said slowly.

Roald raced over to Neal to pull him away from the whimpering Joren. "Neal! Neal! Listen to me, calm down! This isn't helping anything." He stopped struggling against him and Roald let go. Neal jerked away, looked icily at everyone, and stormed down the hall to the classrooms. Everyone else looked with disgust at Joren's prostrate form.

"We can't just leave him here," Roald said.

Merric snorted. "Why the hell not?" Seeing the prince's look, he sighed. "All right, somebody help me out here. We'll bring him to the infirmary."

Seaver, Faleron, and Roald came forward to help.

"We're not going to tell who did it to him are we?" Seaver asked cautiously.

Faleron smiled bitterly. "Let 'im tell 'em he 'fell'."

How was that for my third chapter in a row? Please make all my efforts worthwhile and review!