Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or places, they all belong to Tamora Pierce (lucky duck!), except for Ilane, Markel and a few others I made up.
A/N – hi everyone! Thankyou thankyou thankyou to everyone who reviewed! You roc my world! There was a bit of confusion. I'll clarify for you: the chamber has transported her away from the palace. I.e., she will never come out into the chapel and all those waiting will most probably think her dead if/when the door opens and she had just disappeared. I figured the chamber could take Kel from scanra into the chamber, why can't he transport Ilane for real? The bit at the end is a flashback to what happened in the chamber. The chamber brought her here, but she is all on her own for now. Hope that's a bit clearer. Just ask about anything else.
I can't remember who mentioned sequels and spinoffs, but in case anyone was wondering, I do plan on writing a sequel when I finish this - I'm not sure how long it's going to be yet. I might write a prequel to this story about Ilane's time at Shang. I have also started a little fic set roughly 20 years before this one, about Kel and Dom on their honeymoon in the Yamini Islands. If anyone wants to read it and review I'd be very grateful…
12. Meanwhile… In the Yamini Islands
Keladry looked over sadly at the sleeping form of her mother. Ilane had always been so strong… now she lay weakly, exhausted with age and illness. Her face was creased and her skin pale and paper thin. Her whole body was too emaciated. Her cheekbones were hollowed, and her arms bony. Kel knew it was a product of her illness – the healers had said there was not much they could do – but it brought tears to her eyes. She wished Dom were here. Neal as well. It wasn't that she did not trust the Yamini healers, but she was sure there was something Neal would be able to do… At the moment she felt so alone. Her father was asleep in the next room, and when awake he never left Ilane's side. She understood his anguish. She missed Dom desperately, even though she often left him for weeks at a time on campaigns. She also missed Josef, Kieran and dear little Rinley. But she did not regret coming, not at all. How could she have stayed in Tortall when Mama was so sick…? The idea that she might die pushed its way through Kel's thoughts, and she hurriedly shoved it back. Ilane would get better.
The gentle chime of the wind catcher hanging next to the entrance of the house turned Kel from her mother's bed. She walked into the adjoining room to see who had come to the door. A girl stood there, straight black hair brushed to hang just below her shoulders and dressed in a plain red kimono and obi. Kel stopped and bowed her head, palms flat on her thighs, as did the girl. Keladry did not recognise her specifically, but knew her from the insignia on the fan dangling beneath the obi to be a messenger from the lower palace. The first thought to come to mind was news from Tortall, though Kel could not imagine what would be so urgent as to demand a royal courier.
'Lady Keladry?' the girl stepped forward daintily, voice gentle and soft. 'My Lady Ekeera asked if you would please come to her rooms in the lower palace as soon as possible. It is quite urgent. The Master Healer's apprentice is coming to sit with your mother in your absence.' Kel bowed her acquiescence.
'I will leave in just a moment. Please tell my Lady Ekeera that I will see her within the hour and give her my thanks.' The girl bowed low and left. Keladry turned and went back into the other room. Her brow creased slightly in worry. What would Ekeera want to see her for? The lady was a good friend of her mother, and had known Kel since childhood. She had the Gift, and worked in the lower palace as a communicator in the tower. She received and sent messages to the main cities across the Yamini Islands. There was no reason for Ekeera to see her now. If she wanted to visit Kel socially, she would have come round in the evening. And to send the Master Healers apprentice…? That spoke of a prolonged absence. Kel looked around the room. There was nothing here she needed. She walked back into the outer room just as the apprentice arrived, and nodded to him in passing as she hurried out the door.
A half hour later Keladry sat frozen in Ekeera's study. The words played over and over in her head. 'Keladry, I'm sorry. I just received word from Sir Nealan. It's your daughter Ilane. She has gone into the Chamber of the Ordeal.' Ilane, the chamber, Ilane the chamber… Kel stood up without a further thought. 'When does the next ship for Tortall leave?'
A/N – I'll get back to Ilane… soon… hope you like this chapter. Please review!