A/N—Please read and review.  Thank you.  I hope you enjoy.  Thanks, I've been getting some pretty helpful reviews and I have five more chapters already typed up just waiting to be edited and uploaded so I'll try not to let it be too long before I update again.

Mindelan, Tortall

Late Spring, 458 H.E.

Kel got the true story of what had happened from Oranie when she got back from the city.  She ate supper with her siblings and sister-in-law, Tilaine, then went up to Andera's room.  She knocked a few times and finally called good night through the door, but Andera ignored her.  Kel gave up and went back downstairs.  She shut herself in the study and got her glaive out of its hiding place.  She went through pattern exercises, only practicing for half an hour because she knew Andera would be egger to practice longer in the morning.  After practice she sat with her siblings in the library for a while then went up to bed.

Kel woke up just after the sun.  She got dressed and washed her face then went downstairs.  Tilaine was the only one up but Kel hadn't expected anyone else.  Her brothers had stayed up late and her sisters had gotten into the habit of sleeping in while they were court ladies in Corus.

"Good morning, Kel."  Tilaine greeted.

"Good morning."  Kel sat across from Tilaine at the table, picking up an apple and biting into it.  They lapsed into silence, not really having anything in common to talk about.  Kel finished her breakfast just as Iness came in.

"Hey Kel.  Morning Tilaine."  Iness greeted.  He reached over Kel and grabbed a piece of bread.  "Has Kit been down yet?"

"No she hasn't."  Tilaine answered though Kel knew the question had been directed at her.  "What is the matter with her?" 

"She didn't feel well yesterday."  Iness replied.  "You know how she gets sometimes."

"I'll go upstairs and check on her."  Kel offered.  Iness nodded and Kel stood up.  She passed Conal and Adie on the way down, saying good morning to them both.  Andera's room was at the end of the hall, next to Iness' and across from Oranie's.  Kel tapped lightly on the door, not wanting to disturb Oranie.  Andera was a light sleeper and early riser, even when ill, but she didn't answer Kel's taps.

"Kit, lets go practice."  Kel whispered through the door.  "It'll make you feel better."  Kel opened the door a sliver and slipped inside.  It only took her a moment to realize Andera wasn't inside and hadn't been all night.  Her quilt was ruffled but not pulled back, her latest book was open on her bed and her shukusen was missing from her night table.  For a moment Kel froze, her mind going through all of Andera's passed tricks.  She probably woke up early and went out riding; Kel told herself but didn't believe it.

Kel raced back downstairs.  All her siblings were in the kitchen.  She rushed to Iness' side.  "She's not upstairs."  Kel whispered to him.  "And her room's a mess."

"Are you telling me she normally cleans before she runs off?"  Iness asked.

Oranie, who was sitting next to him heard.  "She normally does everything she can think to do inside before knowingly getting in trouble."

Iness stood up.  "Conal, come on.  We'll get another search group together.  Oranie, come too, if you will."  Kel watched her brothers and Oranie rush out, frustrated that she couldn't go.  Andera would have argued with Iness until he relented and let them both go but Kel wasn't the type to argue with Iness.  Instead, she made up a quick excuse to Adie and Tilaine then went to the stables.  Daecon was mucking out stalls, his job made easier by all the absent horses.

"Mornin' Kel."  Daecon greeted while he continued with his work.

"Hey, Daecon."  Kel leaned over the stall door.  "I want to go out.  Will you accompany me?"

"You want to go look for Kit."

"Of course.  Look, Iness and the others will be combing the woods but this isn't one of Kit's regular outings."  Daecon nodded and kept working.  "I think she's headed down the road, south.  If we hurry we might be able to catch her.  She can't have more then six hours lead."

"Alright."  Daecon leaned his rake against the side of the stall.  "I'll get out horses."  Daecon saddled their mounts quickly, not giving Kel a chance to help.  They left Mindelan without being noticed since so many were out searching the woods for Andera.  When they got out on the road Kel kicked her horse, Chet, into a trot. Daecon caught up to her and they rode in silence, both desperately scanning the trees on either side of the road.  They searched for hours but found no sign of Andera.  They got back to Mindelan just before dark and Iness, Conal and Oranie came back an hour later, also empty handed.

Kel slept uneasily and woke up early the next day.  When she went downstairs everyone but Adie was already down and eating.  "I'll be gone for a few days, probably."  Iness was saying as Kel took a seat.  "I'm taking a fourth of the men at arms.  Counting the men Pa took that leaves you with half.  You shouldn't need more then that.  If pa and ma get back before I do…"

"We'll tell them the truth."  Oranie filled in when Iness trailed off.  "But I'm sure you'll find her."

"Right."  Iness continued.  "Today, with a lot of help, Conal is going to search along the north road.  Remember, not very far, though."

"I know, Iness."  Conal said harshly.  "You've only been the oldest for seven years and you're just as annoying at it as Anders was."

"Just be careful, Conal; we have enough to worry about."  Oranie scolded.

"May I go, please?  With you, not Conal?"  Kel asked.  Iness looked over at her.  "I won't slow you down or be in the way.  I can ride as well as you and you know I can hold my own if we get into trouble."  Kel finished in a hurry. 

Iness was quiet for a moment.  "As good a rider as me," he paused and Kel thought for sure he was going to say no, "Kel, you're a better rider then me.  You can come this time."

Kel blinked dumbly at him.  "Really?"

Iness smiled.  "Yes, really.  Go get ready."   Kel stood up and dashed up to her room.  She threw some extra clothes in a bag, pulled on her boots and cloak then charged down the stairs.  Iness stood up when he saw her and they walked outside together, Oranie and Tilaine following to say good-bye; Adie was still in bed. 

"Kel, what's the name of that stable boy Kit's always hanging around?"  Iness asked.

"Daecon."  Kel answered.  "He's the one holding your horse."

"I see that."

Kel went in to stable her horse, since the stable hands hadn't known she was coming along.  Emerald whinnied pleadingly at her when she passed.  "Not today, girl."  She apologized for Andera.  When she led Chet out again Daecon was astride one of the spare horses behind Iness and Mercen, the head man at arms.  Kel led Chet over and mounted up beside Daecon.  "You're coming?"

Daecon grinned.  "So are you."  His voice had finished changing and was now a smooth baritone.  "I'm just a guide."

Kel smiled at him.  "I'm just here."

Daecon laughed.  "You, Keladry of Mindelan, are hardly ever 'just' anywhere."

"Thanks, I think."

Iness called for them to leave and they followed him and Mercen through the gates, the men at arms at their backs.