Kel found Neal in the infirmary, immersed in a rapid discussion with his father. Upon glancing up and seeing Kel in the doorway, her fist still clutched around the letter and accompanying papers, the Duke gently pushed Neal toward her. With a gracious bow, he excused himself to the both of them and left, leaving Kel and Neal alone.

Neal, seeing that Kel had on her mask, didn't begin to yell at her. Instead, he sat down on one of the cots and gestured for her to do the same. Mutely Kel sat, and handed him the letter.

She watched as Neal's ruddy skin slowly began to change color. With each word he read his face became a brighter shade of red. With a touch of amusement Kel shook her head, after all these years her friend still could not conceal his emotions.

Finishing the letter, his face now crimson with unmasked fury, Neal stood. Shaking, he held his hand down to Kel. Confused, she looked at him, but when he shook his hand again, she grasped it as he pulled her to her feet. Without a word Neal kept hold of Kel's hand and towed her out of the building.

When they had reached the mess hall door, Neal finally let go of Kel. Turning, he said, "Please, stay here." With that he whirled around and bolted through the door, leaving her with no time to answer.

Before Kel could even really begin to wonder what was going on, Neal returned. Behind him, to Kel's immense surprise, was Raoul of Golden Lake and Malorie's Peak, knight and Knight Commander of the King's Own guard.

"Kel!" The big knight's shout echoed through the enclosure, reverberating in their ears. Sweeping her up in a hug he continued, "It's so good to see you here! Buri and I couldn't wait until you arrived!" As he put Kel back on the ground, a solemn gravity crossed his features.

"Neal said you needed help."

Looking at her former knight master, Kel couldn't believe how much just seeing him had raised her spirits. She had missed the big man, and seeing him was almost like seeing her father, because he cared for her like she was his own.

Before Kel could say anything, Neal stopped her. With a hissed, "Not here," he led them to another section of the fort. Kel was just about fed up with following her friend around, but she knew he had his reasons, even if he was being annoying with all the secrecy.

With a sigh, Kel looked at Neal, "We were just here." The infirmary loomed above them again, imposing in its size.

"Yes, I know," Neal laughed, "It's the best place for the coming discussion."

Giving Neal a good-natured shove, Kel led the way into the building. Back in the room where she had found Neal and Duke Baird, Kel finally showed Raoul the letter from King Jonathan.

His face giving away no hint to his emotions, Raoul read. When he finished he slowly and deliberately folded the letter before handing it back to Kel. With a calm demeanor he asked, "Have you even bothered to look at the other papers yet?"

Even Kel could not hold back a small smile at this. Raoul knew her too well, and he knew that when something upset Kel she did nothing else until she had remedied the problem. With a shake of her head, Kel told him no.

"I figured as much," A quick flick of his wrist and a quiet laugh told Kel he would like to see them. Unfolding them as she placed them in his hand, she saw the writing was of a different style than that of the letter.

Kel could tell that Raoul had noticed this too. As he quickly scanned the sheets, reading only parts, his laugh deepened. "Well, mark me very impressed and ship me to Carthak!"

Intrigued, Kel took the papers as Raoul kept laughing. Neal, standing a little behind Raoul, came to sit with Kel as she began to read. As his jaw dropped open in surprise Kel began to read it on her own.

Finishing the papers and setting them aside, Kel calmly waited until the laughter had subsided. With a serene, calm face she said, "Well, I bet that would have astounded our King."

Raoul rose up and gave Kel a friendly slap on the shoulder, "I bet it would have, but then again, a little surprise wouldn't hurt Jon." Standing in front of Kel, he crouched until he was face-to-face with her, "The only thing I can say about that letter of his is to tell you that even though he sounds like an ogre, he really is a decent man."

"Yes sir, that is also what Lord Wyldon told me," Kel looked down, unsure of how to phrase her next question. Although she didn't want Raoul to think she was whining, she had to ask, "Why… Why does it seem as though he hates me so?"

She needn't have worried about Raoul's reaction to her question, she could see the understanding in his eyes, "Well Kel, that is a, a difficult question." He moved until he was sitting beside her, then continued, "Jon, he's a hard man to understand. He has had to go through things we've never even dreamed of."

He paused for a moment, deep in thought, "You also can't forget the fact that he is a ruler. I know I've told you that rulers are seldom nice people."

At this Kel nodded, he had told her that very thing when she was a squire. After watching her for a moment, Raoul continued. "So the thing is Kel, I don't think he hates you, I think… Well, it's hard to put into words."

Neal, who had been standing somewhat forgotten near the doorway, gave voice to his own opinion. "What I think Raoul is trying to say is that although the King is harsh, he is only doing what he feels needs to be done. He may not like it, but he knows he has to do it because of the office he holds."

"That's it. Neal is right Kel, that is what I wanted to say. Does that help?" Raoul stood, and offered Kel a hand up.

She took it, and as he pulled her to her feet Kel said, "Yes, thank you."

Raoul smiled as he spoke, "Alright then, what say we go out and greet the rest of our friends? And may I remind you that you never call me sir?"

When Raoul had mentioned friends, Kel's body began to heat as she thought of Dom. With an unintelligible sigh she said to Raoul, "I would like that, but right now I must see to something else, if you don't mind. Sir," she added with a hint of laughter.

Raoul cuffed the side of her head lightly, "Look! Our Kel's turned pert!" Smiling, he told her, "I'll see you around, both Buri and I have been anxious to have you here for the wedding."

With a smile and a nod to both Neal and Raoul, Kel headed out. She wanted to have that discussion with Yuki.

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Okay, I'll tell you that Queen Thayet is the one who wrote the orders for Kel. I didn't get time to put those in right now, but next chapter, yes.

I'm sorry I didn't update over the weekend, but my niece was born, I didn't have time. Sorry!

Again, to all my reviewers, thanks! It helps.

Sull89