Chapter 6

Still grinning like an idiot from the lady knight's letter, he opened the next one, which was from Cleon.

Neal,

Hey. How's everyone there? I heard that Kel is back at the palace, recovering from a wound. How is she doing? Is she okay? I would write her myself, but…well, it might be kind of awkward.

I got sent back to Kennan for a little while. Ermy is with child, and she requested that I be there. No one could say no to my Ermy, so I was given some time off.

We plan on naming the child Mora if it's a girl and Griffin if it's a boy…after Kel, though Ermy of course doesn't know that. She just liked the sound of it. Either way, I hope that the child becomes in a knight. Ermy, of course, doesn't want her daughter to become a knight. She of course realizes that if it is a male, it will become one most likely. She just doesn't like the idea of female knights. If I hadn't gotten to know Kel, I might have agreed that our daughter shouldn't be… but anyone can see how much she loves it, how good she is at it.


All's well at Kennan, with the exception of Ermy's temper…you can hear her screaming sometimes from the practice grounds! But gods, I love her. I truthfully hadnt expected to. I didn't think I would've been able to love anybody that wasn't Kel. Now, I can't sometimes remember why I loved her.

She was good, and kind, and strong. But she's nothing like Ermy. Ermy has all of those qualities, but she also has a temper, which I love. Kel didn't have that…she wasn't passionate.

I hope she finds someone, though, that can love her for all of her; that can accept everything about her. I think that might be difficult…but she seems to like Sergeant Domitian, doesn't she? She liked him even when we were courting…I could see it in how she flirted with him. And you could see it in her eyes. Maybe she finally got him.

I feel sorry for the man she does marry…she certainly is a mean hand with a sword! They would have to be able to accept the fact that she could kick their butts with most weapons (especially her glaive) from here to Scanra! And she will never be home, always off doing her duty to her country, around all those men. It probably would have worried me, to have so many men around my wife.

Not that she would have done anything, of course. It would be the other men I would be worrying about. She's too good to do something like that to someone.

Anyway, how is everything with you? How's Yuki? Or have you forgotten her, after all this time she's been gone, and moved on to someone else?

Oh, damn it all, I forgot the actual reason I was writing this letter. After Ermy has her baby (in less than a week, the healers believe!), I'm going to be heading for your fort to join you. They thought it better to pull some knights back from the border, for which I am eternally grateful for. Owen doesn't seem to like the idea. Ah, well…we always knew something was wrong with him.

Anyway, can you tell Kel that I'm coming? I don't want it to be weird between us. I think it might be, anyway.

Anyway, I'll talk to you later!!

Sincerely,

Cleon of Kennan

Neal stared down at the letter in his hands, trying to glare holes through the parchment. How dare Cleon insult KEL like that! Like "Ermy" was better than her. That wasn't even possible.

Still giving the letter dirty glances, he moved onto the next letter, grateful for the light-heartedness (AN:okay, I'm guessing this isnt a word…I didn't know how else to put it, so get over it.) of the younger knight.

Hey Meathead!

How is everything there? I talked to Kel recently. She said she's healing, but hates being alone in the "bloody, pain in the arse palace" as she put it. Oops…I wasn't supposed to repeat that one. She made me promise not to tell you, because "how can she chastise you for cursing if she does it too?". Ah, well…just don't repeat it.

Anyway, she said that she'd send me some chocolate…and a few books. The fort is sadly lacking in both. It's the only thing it's lacking in, however. We have a skirmish (not really a battle or anything) at least once a week. It's jolly!

They've been talking about bringing some of the knights back that way. I really hope I'm not one of them. Cleon was here with me…he's really been a huge moron. I think he still has feelings for Kel, too. He refuses to write to her, and won't even let me say hi for him in a letter. What's annoying is that he's always talking about Ermy. "Oh, Ermy's so wonderful! Oh, Ermy's so beautiful!"

I swear, he says it because it's the only thing he can say about her. While its true, she is beautiful, she is also rather stupid, and cares mostly about her gowns and parties and friends…she practically fawns over Cleon, too. Which is really bloody annoying, to tell you the truth. Kel would never have done that. And the bloody woman is always pouting!

I forgot to tell you…I'm at Kennan for the time being. I was sent back with Cleon, because he couldn't go alone, and because they claimed I need a break.

Anyway, she was pouting because I came home with him. She wanted him all to herself…and trust me, I'm okay with that one. He's been worse, now that he's here, practically cooing at her!


And gods does that woman have some lungs on her! The other day, I was in the courtyard, the opposite side of the bloody keep, and I can hear her shouting very clearly, for Cleon. She had just woken up (it was almost midday) and he hadn't been there to give her a kiss. How lame can you get, for Mithros' sake?

Anyway, when they aren't acting all mushy (gross), they're arguing. Cleon, if he has a daughter, wants her to be a knight. Ermy hates that idea, because she obviously realizes why he wants that one. Even she's not that stupid. Anyway, she wants her to go to a convent for a little while, and wants to betroth her at Midwinter (three months from now) to some little twelve year old from a different keep. Cleon threw a fit, saying that it wasn't right, that it's too big of an age difference, and that he wants his daughter to be able to choose for herself who she marries, a chance that he didn't get. Of course, she starts crying and says, "What, aren't you happy with me?" and he has to reassure her…and the mushy begins all over again. It is extremely disturbing. It will be jolly to get away from this bloody keep.

Anyway, I hope everything is going well for you. Kel really misses you. She sounds so lonely…and, to tell you the truth, lost. Its like she doesn't know what to do, so she practices all day, or spends the day reading books…its as if she does it to remind herself of you, for I doubt she would do it otherwise. Its really strange. Then we were talking about Dom (who she used to have a crush on….it was so obvious) and she wasn't weird at all…she just said he was a lot like you.

It was weird. She kept saying things about you…I think you two are a little too attached. As I said, it seems as if she doesn't know what to do without you. I'm rather worried, to tell you the truth.

Oh, I forgot to tell you something! Cleon doesn't call Ermy "pearl of my desire" or all those other odd (sickeningly disturbing) names he used to call Kel. He just calls her Ermy, or honey, or baby, or sweety. Just the stuff that you would normally (okay, not normally, for I have never called anyone any of these, nor do I plan to…and I doubt you, or Kel for that matter, have either). It's strange.


Anyway, write me back soon please! Who knows, maybe I'll end up there along with Kennan!

Ugh. I don't like that idea. One, I'd have to miss out on being at the border (which, as I said, is extremely jolly) but I would also have to be there with Cleon and Kel and you…and I can bet that you aren't very happy with him…I read his letter. It was sitting on his desk in the "library". Do you know what they consider the library? A series of seven books on their family history! It's ridiculous! Its mostly a place for Cleon to work!

Anyway, I wouldve liked to throw the stupid thing away, but he would've known I'd done it…I'm not good at keeping things from people. Anwyay, as I said, write me back soon!

Your friend,
Owen

(I don't need to put my title, do I? I cant remember…the writings master was just so boring. Anyway, if I do, here it is)

Sir Owen of Jesslaw

(I sound all stiff…I'm not sure I like it.)

Neal let out a hearty laugh. Owen's letter had cheered him up considerably, after Kennan's bloody letter.


1509 words. Can you believe that I was only gonna post Ch 5 today? I'm surprised that I actually have done all this. Total, I've posted 4600 words on this story today. I'm quite pleased that I've gotten this much up after two months of not updating…at the least. Anyway, if you have any comments or complaints, please review. Well, even if you don't, review!!

Oh, do you know whats totally amazing? Ive updated like 17 chapters, with a total of 15332 words (not including little notes and things at the bottom). Well, that includes my Ella of the Ashes story…and I just sent it to my writing buddy to read over it and post it. So technically, its not posted, but I sent it to her finally today.

Umm, just so you know, something IS going to come of the Cleon thing later. It does serve some point...you'll see whats gonna happen with it later, i swear. Now, read on to the next chapter!!!!!!