x17SkmBdrchiczxx: Thanks! I rather like Neal as a hedgehog too… another name to add to his collection!
wildace keladry2005: Thankies times 8 million! He he he! This could go on a while.
anonymous girl : there will be lots of conflict in this chapter…
Aly the Spy: yeah sorry about the whole updating thing…we had guests and then I got confused so I had to update today instead, don't worry I'll get back on track.
Lady Leah Of Chaos: Ooh! A new reviewer! Yay ! Thanks!
Terzatrack: Tortall books are definitely better than Emelan/circle of magic ones. Lol! But if it had turned into a fit guy then it might have got mown down by a train…lol! Thanks for your wonderful reviews :D
Kelly Masbolle: lol! I'll try and fit more fluff in…
Ionalama : sorry about the lack of parade detail, but I didn't have much time… I put some classic Neal in chapter 17 for you, hope you liked it!
king's-own-knight: yeah, I have so many characters to fit in…(poor author sitting at computer typing frantically) lol! I'm glad u updated, I'll try and read…( once I've finished this chapter…
imakeladrygirl: he he! I had to make Liam special to get Dove to fall for him…lol!
queenoftheostlers: hmm… not to sure we'll win…but hey! A chance to get hyper with my friends…wouldn't miss it for the world…lol!
Cry of the Wolf Child: Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!
anonymous girl: Thanks, the whole Wyldon thing was a last minute inspiration…lol!
nativewildmage: Thanks!
Pink Squishy Llama: Hmmm… I don't know…ah well, thanks anyway! lol
Lady Leah Of Chaos: Thanks! Btw. You were reviewer 200!
WeirdChild666: A new reviewer! Thanks
I-Like-Llamas: Thanks!
Saphron: Well done in you finals! He he he! Why do you think I'm looking forward to chapter's 19 and 20? You are such a darn good guesser, shh! No one else knows what's coming…
LadyKnightOfHollyrose: Thanks! I'm sorry about the internet being messed up, that's so annoying, it happened to our old computer, but now I have my own :D (its blue! And I love it to pieces…!)
As Kel entered the mess hall the next morning she spotted Dom and Neal. Dom was patting Neal on the back and trying very, very hard not to laugh.
'You look tired Neal, didn't you get any sleep?' Asked Kel.
'I have been mentally scarred for life.' Said Neal dramatically, staring unseeingly ahead.
'You two let me walk away from the infirmary practically naked, and you don't even tell me?'
'You were spying on us…' reminded Dom.
'Anyway how are your wounds today?'
'They sting like Mithros knows what, and I'm tired.' Said Neal grouchily.
A messenger came in carrying a letter, it was from Yuki. After reading it he announced that Yuki was healthy and, worries and pain forgotten, he tucked into his breakfast happily humming under his breath. Dom rolled his eyes and Kel, who was finding it increasingly difficult to hide her laughter these days, turned away to go and get some food.
She sat down to eat when in came the women Kel had seen on the dockside, except today her hair was tied back elegantly and instead of a sarong she wore …shorts?
The stranger seemed to know who Kel was, because upon seeing Kel, she walked directly to where they were sitting and plopped down beside them.
Neal who was staring into space was bought back to reality by a large roll hitting his head, hard.
'Ouch. What the..' He looked about.
'Aly?' The woman grinned widely.
Rubbing his head where the roll had hit him, he said, 'There is only one person who can throw bread that accurately and that hard, and I haven't seen you for years.'
'Where have you been? What have you been doing?' Questions poured out of his mouth.
'Jeez, how do you guys put up with him.' Said the woman, nonplussed that the two people she were addressing hadn't the faintest idea who she was.
Thinking it would be impolite to ignore the stranger, Kel said, 'We have ways of dealing with him.'
He glared at her, 'Yes mother.'
'Shut it hedgehog.'
'Oh mighty protector.'
'Meathead.'
Neal struggled for an insult.
'Daffodil boy,' finished Kel, 'I win, now shut up.'
'I'm married and I'm going to be a father.' He said proudly.
'I'm married with two kids.' Aly informed him.
'What? But you're younger than me… how?'
'Neal, you of all people should know how babies are made, but I don't think we should go into this topic at the breakfast table, I mean if you really need an explanation here and now then I will of course oblige.'
Neal shook his head violently, while Kel and Dom sniggered.
'You should be telling these two love birds, then they can have little babies of their own.'
Kel and Dom now gave Neal murderous stares.
'Also I had another topic to discuss Nealan, I want to know why you were wondering the castle last night, dressed only in your loincloth.'
Neal buried his face in his hands, it seemed like Neal had met his match, this 'Aly' seemed to be able to outwit him left right and centre.
Anyway, now that's sorted out, 'I have a message for you from my dearest mother. Though she's a little cranky this morning after being kept awake by a man who felt like dressing up as a hedgehog in the early hours of the morning, she had the unfortunate task of de-hedgehoging him and therefore didn't get much sleep.'
'Kill me now,' wailed Neal, 'Aly has returned.'
'Oh I have much worse stories about you, what about the time when you got drunk and …'
'I think we've heard enough of that tale…' Interrupted Neal, 'Keep going, you had a message for Kel.'
'Ah yes, she wants you to meet her in her rooms in about five minutes, I'll come with you.'
Suddenly Kel remembered that Aly must be Alanna's daughter and she now understood why Aly and Neal knew each other so well, Neal must've spent a lot of time at the Swoop during his squire hood.
Aly got up, followed by Kel.
'Dom, keep an eye on our dearest Meathead, and keep him away from any potential hazards such as trellises or rosebushes.' Called Kel over her shoulder.
'Mithros, you're never going to let me forget that are you.'
'Nope.' Said Dom and Kel simultaneously.
Kel was not the only one to have been summoned to Alanna's rooms. Also meeting there was Onua, Daine, Thayet, Buri, Dove and Lalasa.
'Attention, fellow rebels, today we take the rebellion further. I would like to welcome to our ranks Onua, Dove and Aly. Lalasa here has prepared us our uniform.'
Lalasa held up blue shorts, and each woman had a different coloured tank top. Violet for Alanna, Red for Buri, Pink for Thayet, Turquoise for Daine, Light blue for Kel, Pink for Thayet, Green for Aly, Yellow for Dove and Lalasa already wore a bright orange top.
'Also, I have asked my daughter here to say a few words, since I gather she is used to planning rebellions.'
'First thing we have to do is to predict any enemies and eliminate them. Not by actually killing them but by removing them from our way. For example I hear that Aunt Thayet has threatened Jon with a month of sleeping on the couch if he dares object to shorts.' (-a/n- Thayet's be inventive… and use your imagination for the rest.)
'Ma, I want you out there challenging conservatives to your hearts content. We need to assess how many people support our cause, I want everyone to hand out these shirts to significant leaders of a group e.g. head cook and for everyone else ma thinks we should have badges.' Aly sighed and held up a badge that squeaked shorts for justice happily.
'I think our main opposition will come in when the Carthaki and Yamani delegations come in. Kel, it will be your job to persuade the Yamani's. Daine, you know the Carthaki's that can be your task. Dove you are an amazing asset to us, your joining the rebellion shows Kypin support.'
Suddenly the air went fuzzy and Kyprioth appeared.
'My my, dearest Aly, you have barely stepped foot in Tortall and already are stirring up trouble.'
'Me stirring up trouble, It was your idea in the first place that I participate in this whole affair.'
'True, true, but then you are one of my favourite mortals.'
'Really, and why is that?'
'You amuse me. Its quite amazing you know, this room is full of the Gods chosen ones. Well of course my Tricksters Queen and Tricksters Choice, but then you are the Mother Goddess's chosen one Alanna, and you Daine, well you parents are gods, you three have k'miri Gods protecting you and you,' he said looking at Kel, 'The hand of the Chamber is on you, temperamental elemental, still I didn't know it had a chosen one, well there is a first time for everything I suppose.'
And with a click of his fingers he too, wore shorts.
'Until next time, Aly dearest.'
'Show off,' called Aly after him.
Everyone sat speechless.
'Don't worry, he has a habit of turning up randomly, he thinks it's a game, meddling in the affairs of Mortals.'
'But it's a jolly good game.' Echoed a voice around the room.
The meeting dispersed, and the second stage of the rebellion began.
Over the next week any conservatives who apposed the shorts, were suddenly called away to family affairs in fiefs far away and the unlucky ones were humiliated by Alanna on the practise courts. Gradually people became used to ladies in shorts.
Whether by chance, or by divine intervention, bad weather prevented the Yamani and Carathaki delegations from arriving, the atmosphere in the palace relaxed and the ladies were relieved that they wouldn't have to challenge two formidable enemies for their shorts.
(-a/n- I know I'm a kill joy, but seriously, I can't fit their whole visit into one chapter…. It wasn't worth it, it would have been so rushed and bad..)
A surprise came one morning in the form of a pregnant Yuki, who was accompanied by Shinko, who had been having time off to recover from the birth of her second child. Prince Roald and Neal ran out to greet them delighted by the return of their loved ones.
Kel and Dom walked over, to greet their friends.
'Its good to see you Kel,' said Yuki smiling, letting a grin escape her mask.
'Neal honey, what have you done to your face and arms?' She asked concernedly, looking at the puncture marks, made by the rose thorns.
Kel and Dom sniggered and as the six friends walked up to the castle, Kel and Dom related the incidents of that fateful night.
Just outside the entrance to the castle they met Aly who had a child on each hip. Roald introduced his wife to Aly.
'I would introduce you to my husband Nawat, but he is currently deep in discussion with Daine. Probably about wild magic.' She sighed, 'Well I'll see you around. Kel would you mind walking with me a short way?'
'Sure,' said Kel confused.
As the two set off up the path, Aly handed Amber to Kel, who placed the child on her shoulders, and bounced up and amid gurgles of delight from Amber.
'While we try and teach our children about life, it is our children who teach us what life is all about.' Commented Aly quietly.
'Aly, how did you know when you were in love with Nawat.'
After a moment's pause, Aly replied, 'I didn't know, but I followed my heart. My ma, though sometimes she doesn't act it, (thinks about talking badges) is actually a very wise person, and she taught me a valuable lesson, that you'll miss 100 percent of the shots you never take. Time is precious, life is precious' said Aly seriously, and then smirking she added, 'I think that Dom would make a perfect husband for you.'
'Whaa…?'
Grabbing Amber off Kel's shoulders, she hurried away leaving Kel rooted to the spot. Now thoroughly confused our dear Protector found herself deep in thought, Kel stopped, brought back to the present by a bell clanging in the castle. It was only then that she realised where her wanderings had taken her, to the Chapel of Ordeal.
Looking around her, there was no one in sight, she pushed open the door gently. As it swung shut behind her she shivered. Although it was a hot day outside, the air inside the chapel was cold and still. Her legs, exposed by the shorts were covered in goose-pimples, as were her arms.
Still not quite sure what she was doing, Kel stared at the door to the Chamber. Since she had killed the nothing man she hadn't thought about the chamber at all.
'Come to visit me, Protector of the Small?' Asked the chamber's amused voice in her head.
'It seems like you have your thoughts in a right scramble mortal..'
'Do you normally talk to mortals?' Asked Kel.
'I don't make it a habit, I think I talked a knight about seven hundred years ago, but he wasn't as interesting as you. Anyway, you should be getting on with your life, mortals don't have long to live as it is… but I will say one thing, I named you Protector of the small for a reason, you follow your heart and care about all beings, if you continue to live like that you won't go astray.'
'Wait a second, you didn't give me that name, Irnai did.'
'Who do you think appeared to her in her dream?' And the chamber's presence faded from Kel's mind.
Kel stepped into the sunlight and walked slowly back to the castle, everyone seemed to be telling her to follow her heart, but at the moment her heart seemed pretty confused…
(-a/n- Ok, this chapter is a bit random, but it provides a base for the last few chapters… Happy Advent)
Confusedknight xxx