Trying Times

Chapter 6

Author's Note: Hey guys. I know it's been awhile and I know this chapter is short but I felt that a short chapter was better than no chapter at all. I'm a bit sick so my editing might be a little off. I apologize for that as well. I'm trying to get back on track with my old stories and I haven't been able to find my Tortall books so I can't get a real feel for the characters. Well I do hope you enjoy.

The next day found Keladry rolling over in bed, barely conscious and trying to get away from the warmth striking her face. Succeeding she snuggled back in the covers and fell back to sleep.

Half a candle mark later the warmth was beating down on her face again. Scrunching her face up (in that half awake-half asleep state one always finds itself as the waking world tries to pull the body from dreams into reality) and rolled over. This time there was no relief though and eventually her eye lids fluttered open.

Hmm…that's what woke me up, she thought blinking in the sunlight that filtered through her window.

Kel still felt the pull of sleep, and like a cat she stretched her arms above her head and closed her eyes again.

Her window! Kel shot up her eyes opening wide in shock, the sun never hits me! My window only opens to the north!

Kel's heart rate started to pound in her ears…no that was the bells….she counted the rings.

Four rings past the noon hour! She'd greatly overslept!

She'd overslept in a strange room!

Kel swung her legs over the side of the bed and her face went pale as the events from the night before played out in her mind.

Kel put her elbows on her knees and dropped her head in her hands.

Not only had she over slept in a strange room, she'd slept in Joren's room, in Joren's bed!

Kel needed to get out of there.

Taking a few deep breaths she reached for her boots and put them on with shaking hands. They were shaking so bad that she couldn't tie her laces so she sufficed for pulling them tight and lurching to her feet.

Quickly she stood, ignoring the dizzy feeling she got from standing so fast, and crossed the room to Joren's door.

Just as her hand was poised to turn the handle she froze.

She had to be smart about this. She couldn't very well go waltzing out of Joren's room. Someone might be out there. She had to get a hold on herself. She couldn't continue to function in this discombobulated state of mind and body.

Kel leaned her forehead against the cool wood of the door, her hand resting lightly on the door handle. Slowly she brought her breathing under control until she was taking even breaths in and out.

Innn…

Out….

Innn…

Out….

Inn.

Out.

In.

Out.

Having composed herself she cracked the door open and listened. The hall was empty.

It's now or never, she told herself.

Taking a deep breath she opened the door and quickly stepped out pulling the door quietly shut behind her. Kel then took off at an even pace down the hall, not once looking back. She didn't relax until she had reached her quarters and was safely inside with her door locked behind her. Sinking down into her overstuffed arm chair she let out a sigh that was followed by a giddy giggle.

I made it! Safe and sound!

Kel's giggle turned into a chuckle. She was lucky. So many things could have gone wrong with what she'd allowed Joren to do that she couldn't bear to think of them. So she laughed.

Oh sure things could still go wrong. Joren could black mail her, Raoul could question her whereabouts, a servant could have been hiding in the shadows and seen her, and someone could have heard her and Joren talking in his room last night with the door closed. But Kel chose not to worry about the what-ifs of the ordeal. Surely it was a fluke. She had not been in her right mind and Joren had finally had an attack of conscience that made him want to act like a human being. It would never happen again.

Keladry was startled out of her laughing by a knock on the door.

She got to her feet and headed to the door as a voice called, "Kel? Are you in there?"

Kel pulled her door open to a serious looking Neal.

Immediately worried by the joker's serious look she frowned and asked, "Neal? Is something wrong?"

Neal sighed and raked his hand back through his hair, "Kel, can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked lifting his brown eyes to meet hers before quickly dropping them to his toes.

Kel, puzzled by his actions, pulled the door open wider and motioned him in, "Of course you can."

Neal stepped in and paced a bit while Kel shut the door most of the way. She was about to break the silence when Neal did it for her.

"Kel…I've been a horrible friend. I'm so sorry," he told her looking much the chagrined boy.

"Can you ever forgive me for my behavior?" he implored bringing his haunted gaze to meet hers. It was obvious Neal was very worried about the situation.

"Oh Neal, there's nothing to forgive," she told him kindly opening her arms so that he could smother her in a crushing embrace.

"No Kel, you're wrong," he murmured into her hair as he hugged her, "I claim to be not like the other nobles with their ignorant ways and what do I do? I go and try to put you down for your convictions. It is not that I do not respect the Yamani codes, I just didn't want to see you suffer. I hated that you had to go through these horrible times alone. I didn't know how to handle the tragedy. I'm so sorry I left you to fend for yourself," he told her softly giving her another squeeze.

His speech had them both a bit misty eyed she saw as he stepped back an arms length still holding on to her.

Kel sniffed and smiled at him, "Alright Neal, I forgive you. Besides this has been hard on all of Tortal. These aren't easy times for us mere mortals," she told him with a chuckle, "And you're a silly git for thinking you could get rid of me that easily."

Neal laughed and gave her a brotherly kiss on the forehead relieved that their friendship had been repaired.

"Well what do you say to an early supper followed by a rousing game of chess?" he asked, "The boys are missing you and I'm certain they want to offer up their own apologies as we've all been feeling a bit guilty," he confided with a slight blush.

Kel laughed, "Well with an offer like that there's no way I can refuse. You just let me go soak in the baths and change and I'll meet you and the rest of the group in the mess hall in about an hour."

Neal grinned at Kel, ruffled her hair, and walked out the door calling over his shoulder, "You best be there or we'll come looking for you! And you'll be in for it if we have to!"

Kel chuckled as she gathered her coin for the bath payment and put together a parcel of clothes to take with her. It seemed things were getting back on track. Though her soul still hurt, the pain was not unbearable as it had been at first.

I will make it through this. I will.