Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters originally created by Tamora Pierce…you get the idea.
A/N: OK, this is gonna have some action in it – srry about the last chapter…kinda lame, I know. Special thanks to: boppy, nothing else worked, warrior of tortall, and DominionJewel! I think I'm going to keep Tobe's dialogue the same…just because it's more fun Ok, here goes:
Kel Takes On a Squire
"C'mon! Let's go!" Tobe urged a groggy Kel, "we don't wanna be late!" Kel chuckled. I hope Daine and Numair are awake… Kel thought, amused.
"Don't worry, we'll be on time," she assured her young friend. The sparrows fluttered excitedly around the room. Jump sat patiently beside Kel's feet, while the nameless cat was purring contentedly in Tobe's arms. Seeing Kel was ready, Tobe hastily ushered her out of the room. The walk seemed like forever to the boy, and Kel almost laughed out loud when she saw his scrunched up face.
"What's the frown for?" she asked through a yawn.
"I'm tryin' t' be patient, jus' like ya told me to."
"It's alright," Kel said good-naturedly, "this is a very exciting day for you." After what seemed like forever to Tobe, the knight and her friend reached Daine's quarters in the palace. Tobe knocked loudly. The door was opened by Daine, her raven-black hair tied up neatly. In her hands, she held a tiny kitten.
"Ah," she said in her melodious voice, "you must be Tobe. Of course I know you, Lady Keladry." She smiled at the knight. Daine had helped Kel many times as a knight, and as a page and a squire.
"Please, call me Kel." Tobe, who could hardly hold back his excitement, followed Daine into her quarters.
"Numair is out on some business or another," she remarked absently as she set the kitten down. Her charge mewed loudly in protest, and Daine sighed and picked the kitten up and set it on her shoulder. It had a pale black coat and glowing green eyes. It watched Tobe curiously, and eyed the older cat with interest.
"Oh, Daine," Kel remarked when she saw the kitten looking at her new friend, "this cat helped me when I was fighting Blayce, and I still don't know his name." (is the cat a she???) Daine nodded.
"What's your name?" she asked aloud for the sakes of Kel and Tobe. After a pause, Daine translated. "He says his name is Kraken, because he is a veteran of war," she smiled, "and he also says he was happy to help you." Kel nodded her thanks.
"So do I get t' learn how t' talk to the animals?" Tobe blurted, not able to restrain his excitement. Daine laughed.
"I can't make any promises, but I suppose so."
"Maybe I should leave you two be. Do you want me to take Kraken?" she asked Tobe. He shook his head.
"If you wouldn't mind, I would like to have him here while I'm working with Tobe. Misty here would like some company." She motioned to the kitten perched happily on her shoulder. Kel nodded and walked out of the room, closely followed by Jump and a handful of her sparrow friends.
"Kel!" Kel turned to see Dom running towards her.
"Hi Dom, what brings you around here? I thought you were leaving for Pirate's Swoop today." Her friend nodded.
"I am, but m'lord wants to see you." Kel followed her friend to Lord Raoul's quarters in the palace.
"Ah, Kel! How are you?" her former knight-master greeted her. She smiled as she was swept into an akward hug. Buri, his new wife, shook hands with Kel.
"You called for me?"
"Yes, yes of course. Now, you'll need your own housing, near the palace of course." He showed her the map of Tortall. "Here is where I've had your estate built." He showed her a point on the map. It was a lot of land, Kel noticed. She hoped she could repay him somehow.
"Thank you so much!" she exclaimed. Raoul shrugged.
"It was nothing really…" he chuckled. "Aside from that, I hear that the knights are to look over the new squires today. Would you like to come with me?" She accepted gratefully. She and Raoul walked to the dining hall, where the pages and new squires were serving breakfast. They sat down with Neal and Dom.
"Do you know if there are any girls here?" she asked them. Neal nodded.
"There are two," he answered.
"So, where's your little shadow?" Dom asked good-naturedly, referring to Tobe. Kel grinned.
"He's with Daine. Apparently she believes that he has some wild magic in him." One of the squires came toward them and offered them drinks. He smiled when Dom flipped a coin at him, and hurried off to show his friends.
"Are you going to take a squire?" Neal asked Dom.
"Possibly…"
After the meal, the four of them were seated as the squires sat near Lord Wyldon's replacement. He was a big man, and looked to be around 40. His muscular build and sharp gaze were intimidating.
"Welcome, gentlemen," the man bellowed; he noticed Kel, "…and ladies." Some of the squires giggled. "These are squires who would like to be taken by a knight-master," he paused, then caught himself, "or knight mistress." Kel noticed that Lady Alanna wasn't there. She decided to ask Raoul about it later. Maybe that was why this man was singling her out. She turned to see Neal unsuccessfully trying to hide a smile. She sighed.
"Now," he continued, "Would Bartholomew of Elder please come forward." The boy rose and stood beside his teacher. He was a stocky child with cautious eyes that darted every which way. His mousy-brown hair was short, and was neatly combed.
"Bartholomew is the oldest of our squires here." He beckoned to a small boy who didn't look more than ten years old. He had blonde hair that was also combed neatly. He was lanky, and the breeches he wore looked two sizes too big for him. His green eyes were large in proportion to his face. "This is Marcus of Tasride, who is the youngest of our squires." Kel wondered why he was showing the oldest and youngest of the squires. Tasride! She thought suddenly, that must be Seafas' son! Seafas, was her friend and year mate from when she was a page. Neal too, seemed to have noticed their friend's name.
"Now, these two boys will show you what they have learned so far as a page." Murmurs rippled through the crowed. Wasn't it obvious that the young boy Marcus would be hurt? Kel watched curiously.
"Begin." Both of them armed with spears went through a series of attacks and blocks. Then, at their teacher's command, they began a real fight. Bartholomew's attacks were strong, but he wasn't very fast. Marcus jumped away from his opponent's barreling stabs with ease. The blonde boy jabbed, but Bartholomew blocked just in time. Bartholomew struck, and was blocked by Marcus, but the impact sent the small boy sprawling. Seeing an opening, the older boy lunged. Marcus rolled away and sprang up to attack. Marcus' aim faltered, but Bartholomew received a slice into his arm. Muttering curses, he ran at his year mate, holding his spear in front of him. Marcus ducked and hit Bartholomew's spear aside with his own, and rested the sharp point at his throat. Bartholomew swore loudly.
"Well done, both of you." Marcus joined the other squire's, receiving high-fives as he went to his seat. Lord Travr, who now held Lord Wyldon's position, sent a glowering Bartholomew to the palace healer Duke Baird. "Now, to present the squires. Their names will be called off by the position where they are sitting." Kel could see that this Lord Travr was still getting used to his new position.
"Trevor of Elm, Fredrik of Anchor…" the knight's voice droned on. "Mikal of Kennon…" Kel jumped. Kennon? That can't be Cleon's son she thought in horror. Cleon had once been her boyfriend (would you call it that???) and they had been forced to separate by Cleon's mother. Kel put the subject at the back of her mind. "…and finally," Kel looked down the row to see two girls sitting together at the end, "Eleanor of Fairview and Lisle of Kennon." Twins! Kel thought astounded. She had to admit Mikal and Lisle looked very much alike. So many people she knew were getting married…Neal had told her Yuki (her Yamani friend and Neal's wife) was expecting. She sighed.
"You will be able to see these squires in during training and meet them in person afterwards."
"Do you like any of these squires in particular?" Neal murmured in her ear. She shrugged.
"That Marcus boy is good…" she sighed.
"Ahh, you recognize Cleon's children," he said sympathetically.
"Yes. I'm not dwelling on it or anything, but I just can't believe…" He nodded
"What about you?" she asked him, changing the subject.
"Well, if I take a squire I want to train them in the gift." She nodded.
"I think I might take that Carlos boy," commented Raoul. Kel excused herself and walked up to Daine's quarters to see how Tobe was doing. With Jump at her heels, and the sparrows Arrow and Nari perched on her shoulders she entered Daine's room.
"…that's it," she heard Daine's voice float to her ears, "very good!" The wild mage turned and greeted Kel.
"So? How goes it?" Tobe sprang to his feet and ran over to Kel. Jump leaped onto his young friend.
"I'm gonna learn how to heal animals, 'n' learned how ta talk to um today!" he told her. She smiled.
"Maybe you should try to teach him some grammar," she told Daine.
"I'm not that bad, am I?" he asked solemnly. Kel chuckled.
"I was just joking." He looked relieved. "So, can you show me what you learned?" He nodded his head vigorously.
"Can I try it wit' Jump?" he asked Daine hopefully. She nodded her approval.
"Jump! C'mere." The dog obeyed. Tobe sat down in front of his charge and closed his eyes. Deep in concentration, he reached out with his mind:
"Jump?" he tried to reach the dog.
"So, you're one of the People now." Tobe stared at Jump. He had never expected such a knowledgeable response out of the dog.
"He says I'm one of the People now," Tobe translated finally. Daine nodded.
"I'd like to take him in as a squire of sorts. If you don't mind," she added to Kel. Kel shrugged.
"Would you like that Tobe?" The boy hesitated.
"Yes, but if that squire o' yours don't serve you right tell 'im ta come ta me. I'll teach 'im a thing or two." He held his fists up, making Daine and Kel laugh. Kraken meowed lazily from the couch. He was curled up with Misty, his new kitten friend. He rose slowly and stretched. He trotted over to Kel, and meowed loudly, demanding to be picked up. Misty imitated her new friend, padding over to Daine and mewing loudly. Daine laughed and picked the kitten up. She purred loudly in accomplishment. Kel left with the sparrows on her shoulder, Kraken in her arms, and Jump at her heels. She sighed as she closed the door. She was going to miss her young friend. So would Peachblossom… She shrugged off the sad feeling and walked to her quarters.
"COME BACK HERE YOU TWERP!" Kel heard a bellow from up the hall. She turned to see the boy she recognized as Marcus racing down the hall. Behind him, the squire she recognized as Bartholomew, was lumbering after the smaller boy. Marcus turned a corner. Bartholomew grinned as he reached the entrance of the corridor.
"Dead end, hunh? Pity, you could have made a good squire – maybe to the lady knight!" he laughed hoarsely. Kel was deeply troubled by the squire's remark.
"I didn't mean t'…" the younger boy's voice trailed off. Two boys waltzed down the hall to stand by Bartholomew.
"No tricks this time, Marcus of Tasride." He motioned to the two boys on either side of him.
"Yeah," jeered one she didn't know, "we'll make it quick if ya don't struggle."
"Otherwise it'll be slow and easy," taunted another boy Kel didn't recognize.
"Let's get 'im!" Bartholomew bellowed. Kel, seeing trouble ran down the hall to the squabble.
"What do you boys think you're doing?" she said loudly. Bartholomew turned around and looked at Kel. Kel thanked Mithros for years of Yamani training. She couldn't let her emotions get the better of her.
"Aw, it was nuthin' miss," Bartholomew said innocently.
"Yeah," said another boy, "we was jus' horsin' around." Kel shook her head.
"From what I could gather, you were out to kill."
"Us?" said the third boy defensively, "we wouldn't hurt a fly!"
"What are your names? I know you, Bartholomew of Elder. And I know you Marcus of Tasride. Who are you two?"
"Nathan of L-lofren." The second boy with brown hair and green eyes stuttered.
"Lorenzo of Corus." The third boy was tall and lanky. He had black hair and brown eyes.
"This is useless. Pardon me, Lady Knight, but I would ask that you please leave us to our work. This does not concern you." Kel frowned.
"And if I said no?" she asked Bartholomew with the same sweetness.
"Well, m'lady, there are three of us and one of you – you'd be surprised at our strength."
"So, you're planning to fight me?" she asked amazed. Without a word, Bartholomew lunged for her.
Ooooh, cliffie! Not a very good one, but hey, I try. OK, srry this chapter was so long, (and hopefully NOT boring) R&R!!!