Adventure Follows

Princess Tortall: Thank you for the email! You, and many others, have inspired me to continue with this story. I hope you review and give me ideas!

And to DomLuvr4Ever: I'm sorry I didn't mention your name! You also have inspired me to keep going, thank you for that!

And to everyone else who has given me advice and helped me to keep going. I'm sure you don't want me to waste all your time listing every single person, but thank you all!

Unsurprisingly, Kel and Dom were not let off the hook, as Neal proceeded to tell everyone he knew about what happened. To make things worse, as gossip does, each time the story passed through a mouth, it was tweaked slightly, so at last the end result story was quite far from the truth. The stories passed were absolutely scandalous, and Kel truly believed it would be best to crawl in a deep, dark, warm earthy hole and live there for twenty years, before coming out. Dom did his best to just laugh off the stories and funny glances, if for Kel's sake more than his own. Nothing seemed to be working. And to top it all off, no matter what Kel threatened, Neal could not help but talk; it was in his nature. Kel threatened him, as did Dom, but by the time it had any effect whatsoever, the story was so out there and turbulent, there was no stopping it.

But to both Kel and Dom's relief, the rumors began to fade as new topics arrived, especially Sir Edmond of Nicoline's affair with a beautiful commoner girl in Corus, which spread stories like wildfire. Kel felt guilty for being happy about this turn-around, but couldn't help herself. It was the perfect story the courtiers wished to hear. A handsome rich heir to his father's fief, falling in love with an ordinary working class girl in the city, and Esmond continuing to persuade his father to allow him to marry the girl he loved.

Kel made it a priority to take a look at Hoshi's foal every day. Finishing her lunch, Kel got up from her table mumbling about horses, and walked out of the hall. Neal quickly followed after her; Kel sighed. Striding into the stables, they saw that Hoshi's filly was as healthy as ever, bouncing around and kicking up her heels. Kel couldn't get enough of that tiny soft muzzle, adorable little perky ears, and bright blue eyes. She was very beautiful, just like her mother. She imagined riding the filly into battle after her mother had retired, just as Alanna had done with Moonlight's foal, and later his foal, Darkmoon.

"Kel." Neal said.

"Hmm?" She grunted.

"I…well. Yuki and I, we're…" He trailed off. Kel's lips parted in sympathy for her friend. She interrupted him.

"Oh, Neal. I' m so sorry."

"You're sorry? Oh." He sounded unhappy. "I am quite excited, surprisingly!"

"I'm happy if you are, Neal. So..um…how did this happen?" She asked gently. Neal turned bright red.

"Kel, I don't think I really need to explain. I mean, I thought you knew. I…you know…isn't it obvious?" Kel shook her head, so he continued. "Do I really have to explain it? I mean, there are some books in the library, and healers all around the palace and the city…and…just people. I guess, well you did grow up with all of us boys. I thought that, you know, you would have caught on…." He was babbling by now, red as a beet.

"Neal, what on earth are you talking about? Library books, healers…?"

"What are you talking about?" He asked, surprised. She frowned. "Kel, Yuki and I are pregnant."

"What? Oh my gosh. That's great Neal!" She cried.

"Umm…so, can we…um…forget the how's and why's now?" He asked. It was Kel's turn to blush.

"Neal, I…I thought you were trying to tell me you and Yuki broke it off! I know how babies are made you fool!" And she cuffed him lightly on the side of his head. Both of them broke out in laughter at their awkward conversation and hugged each other tightly. It was then that Kel remembered what Irnai the seer girl told her about Neal's first child. She chuckled, and congratulated him again.

"You had me worried there, Kel." Neal said, and they both burst out laughing, clutching their sides. "Because, you know, I thought you KNEW already that we were pregnant, and you thought we were breaking up, and you kept asking me HOW it happened. I was sure you were going to make me explain…" Kel blushed again and punched his arm.

"I'm not stupid Meathead! I'm sure I knew waay before you and the rest were aware…"

"I think not!" Neal replied haughtily. "I am quite wise beyond my years, and have been since I was a small child. And I also-" Kel cut him off my smothering his voice with her hand and rolling him onto the stable floor. She had had no idea Dom was several stalls down. He was too far away to hear their conversation, but he definitely noticed the laughing and hugging, and Kel's shocked expression as both of them blushed profusely. Dom cast his eyes to the floor as he finished tacking up, and left at a gallop on his horse. No one saw him leave.

Kel worked hard all day long, exercising herself, taking care of her horses, congratulating Yuki and Neal again, and finally was allowed three last hours before dark to do as she pleased. The day was bright and sunnyz, despite the dying sun as she led the saddled Hoshi out of her paddock. Kel easily made her way down to Corus, and headed into her favorite building. She had found it when she was just twelve; Neal had showed it to her. He thought maybe she wouldn't have the same passion as she did for that building, as she always did make fun of him about philosophy. But she insisted, and he took her there. Ever since, it had been her favorite place to visit, and did so at least three times a week: The Corus Strip Bar.

(just kidding guys!) But she insisted, and he took her there. Ever since, it had been her favorite place to visit, and did so at least three times a week: The Bookshop. Kel entered the little shop, and a small bell jingled. The shopkeeper greeted her warmly, and she smiled back before browsing. The bookstore was so calming. There were thousands of interesting books, and she loved buying them. She didn't want to tell Neal about her collection, afraid he would take it as a sign that she would just love to talk philosophy with him constantly.

Kel walked through the small halls, savoring how the freshly printed books smelled. In History, she found a thick, ordinary volume, Lady Knights of the Centuries by Uline Canaca. In Practical, she found a book with many exercises in it, some that were even taught by the Shang. Kel picked it up too. Passing through Animals, she found a book authored by a famous horseman. It taught methods for communicating to your horse and making them obey without force, to create a personal everlasting bond. Wishing that someday people would understand there were better ways to handle problem horses than to use fear, Kel collected the book too. She knew that with Hoshi's little foal needing to start lead training soon, and wanted to do it properly with professional advice. Kel continued on, and found several interesting fiction novels, all by her favorite authors. Pleased with her finds, Kel took all of the books up to the counter, and paid for them. While the shopkeeper totaled the price, Kel looked around. It was a beautiful little shop, but something crossed her eye. Behind one particularly large shelf, the hall turned sharply. She could see that there were books there too. The shopkeeper noticed her expression and told her she could go look while he finished. Kel turned into the small area. It was lit with three beautiful lamps in the room. The books themselves were for the most part uninteresting. She walked around in silence, enjoying herself. It was then that a particular book caught her eye. She lifted it; it was heavy! The cover was ornate; rich with deep colors and gold leaf around the edges. In the center, the title read: Inklove. She cracked it open, and was startled by what she saw. The pages were blank, utterly blank, except for a small envelope attached to the inside hardcover. Kel opened the envelope and pulled out the note.

I am Inklove. You are lucky to have picked

up this book. I contain far more than the eye

can see, despite my blank pages. This book,

when you make me your own, will always be yours.

I shall never be read or examined by anyone,

except for you. Take me, cherish me, use me to do good

around this earth. I am Inklove. Your confidant,

your friend, your ultimate resource. Take the blood

from your finger, and paint a small heart on my cover.

Your name shall accompany this, and I am yours. Magic,

Inspiration, happiness; I bring them all, and to you only.

I am Inklove.

Kel was quite intrigued to say the least. A book full of blank pages, save for one tiny odd note. The book was priced high, very high. 250 crowns was nearly a weeks pay for Kel, yet she couldn't help but feel that it was important. She knew it was magical of course, but many books were. This one seemed…special. Real.

Kel approached the counter and placed it upon the desk for purchase. The shopkeeper smiled.

"You are very lucky, Keladry. Only four of these books exist in the world. This is the last."

"Sir, may I ask, what exactly is this book? I mean, what is it's purpose? What makes it so unique?" She asked. The shopkeeper shook his head.

"You will see, all in due time. Follow the instructions, you have found a lifetime."

Kel frowned and paid for the book, grabbed the others, and rode home on Hoshi. The book was magical, surely, but could it really be as great as he seemed to think