Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and places; (except for the ones I made up and the plot – all mine) they belong to Tamora Pierce.
16. Water
Keladry had never suffered from sea sickness before. In fact she had quite enjoyed previous journeys by ship. But this time, every wave sent her running to the side. She could not keep any food down and her stomach soon ached from heaving into the ocean. She didn't sleep at night, and spent the days looking toward the horizon. She snapped at everyone who spoke to her, and soon the other passengers and crew learnt to leave her alone. It was a Tortallan merchant ship and the captain did his best to look after the well known Lady Knight, but received only an ill glare for his efforts.
Keladry was going out of her mind with worry. It had only been hours after Ekeera had told her the news passed on from Neal before Kel had boarded this ship bound directly for Port Caynn. It had been two heart wrenching days since then, and Keladry willed the ship to go faster. Two days! What could have happened to Ilane in that time? Her only daughter… Kel wondered where she had gone wrong. She had worried about her for some time, ever since she had come back from Shang. She was so cold… the girl had to learn to laugh. She had changed so much. Keladry had been happy to let her go and study at Shang eight years ago, but now she wondered if the decision had been wrong. But when Ilane had entered page training Kel couldn't have been happier. She at least knew what her daughter was going through. But Ilane had never confided in her or asked for advice. She had stayed at the palace over the summer instead of returning home, and Markel had said she did not get on well with the rest of the pages. Letters from the training master, Sir Keril, had said that Ilane was advanced in many areas of combat, but needed to learn diplomatic skills badly.
And now she had entered the chamber. And only a page! Kel knew the Chamber as well as anyone could, and knew that its immense power did not care if you were only a little girl. It had no concept of mercy. And so much could have happened in two days! Her little girl…
Once more Kel wished desperately that Dom was here. At times she just wanted to break down and cry. But closer to the surface, a fierce rage brewed. The Chamebr would not have her little girl. Kel would see to it.
A/N – another short chapter, I know, but please review!