The next morning, Kel was up and ready to work by dawn. She was ready to be back into her work. She hadn't really been enthusiastic about it since Cleon died, but now she was ready to give it her full attention again.
She also knew that when she was working, she wasn't thinking of Dom.
She did a quick pattern dance in the morning while Jump and the sparrows observed silently. Afterwards, she checked the morning activities to make sure everything was running smoothly. Jump ran along beside her, and the sparrows flew around her head. They were glad to have their Kel back.
She went to the kitchen to see how breakfast was coming.
"Morning, Sir Keladry!" One of the convicts working in the dish pit called out, waving to her. Kel smiled. He didn't have much to do before the meal, but the men and women cooking the breakfast didn't even notice her.
"Everything alright back here?" She asked.
"Jasper burned the bread!" Someone called out.
Kel frowned. "Is it still edible?" She asked. They couldn't afford to use more food than they needed to.
A young man near her, covered in flour, nodded quickly. "It's only singed a bit, sir! I promise!"
Kel smiled. "Very good," She said, "just be careful."
She went to the infirmary next. It was quiet, only a few people in it, all of them sleeping. "Morning, Kel!" Neal whispered audibly, poking his head out of his office. "Come in!" He said, waving her towards him.
"Morning, Neal." She said when he closed the door. "Just doing a daily check. I've decided that it's an important thing to do."
Neal nodded. "Of course. Everything's pretty good around here. A woman came in this morning with morning sickness, I let her stay here and get some sleep. There's an old man on his last legs in the corner, I'd be surprised if he lasts the rest of the day. He's had a good run. Almost eighty, and a peasant at that."
Kel smiled. "These people are strong," she said. "I've got to check with the wall guards. I'll see you at breakfast."
Neal nodded. "Bye, Kel." He said.
Kel jogged across the square towards the front wall. She walked carefully up the stairs – it had been a while since she had tested her limits with heights – and bowed the man at the top. "Morning, soldier," she said, as he bowed to her in return. "Anything new outside?"
He shook his head. "No sir, the cattle have been calm all night, and there has been no other unusual activity, either."
Kel nodded her head in thanks and began her descent of the stairs as the guard pulled out his spyglass for another look. "Sir, wait!" He said quickly.
Kel turned and bounded back up the stairs to him. "What is it?" She asked, peering out into the forest.
"On the road, sir, a few miles out; there's something. Single figure, on foot."
"Tortallan?"
He shook his head. "I can't tell from here, sir. But she's female."
Kel took the spyglass from the man and searched the road. Sure enough, there was a young woman far along the road, moving slowly and precisely towards New Hope. "Scanran," Kel said, squinting at the girl.
She folded the spyglass up and handed it back to the guard. "I'll handle it from here. Carry on, soldier," she said, bowing again and walking down the stairs as quickly as her legs would allow her. "Tobe!" She called out, seeing the boy across the square. He turned and ran up to her.
"Morning, Lady." He said.
Kel smiled. "Morning, Tobe. Can you please prepare Hoshi and take her to the front gate for me? Just saddled and bridled, please – no fighting gear. I need Merric's horse as well, and bring an extra – a slow one, preferably."
The young boy nodded and ran off in the direction of the stables. Kel went to the soldiers barracks next. She went in and knocked on Merric's door. He opened it, still looking sleepy.
Kel sighed. "First of all, Merric, you know you should be out of bed by now, and secondly, get dressed. I need you at the front gate in five minutes. There's someone on the road. Bring your sword, but I don't think we need more than leather armour. It's just a young girl."
Merric disguised a yawn with a nod. "Be right with you." He said sleepily, closing the door.
After running back to her room and strapping on a leather breastplate under her tunic, Kel walked back to the front gate and called up the stairs to the guard. "Still on the road?" She asked.
"Yes sir," the guard called. "Moving pretty slowly, but she seems to be trying to get here."
"Thank you, soldier!" She called up to him as she saw Tobe and Merric approach. Tobe held out Hoshi's reins for her and Kel mounted. "Tobe, I'm going to be signaling to that guard up there. If he tells you something is wrong, I want you to run and get a squad of men to help us, alright?"
The boy nodded. "'course, Lady." He said, and settled himself at the bottom of the stairs as the gate opened a crack for Kel and Merric to ride out.
They had been galloping for barely ten minutes on the road when they caught sight of the girl a few hundred yards away. Kel brought her horse to a halt and checked her surroundings. There was nothing.
"She's alone." She said, loudly enough for Merric to hear her. Kel took out her sword and rode slowly up to the girl as Merric pulled out his bow and aimed an arrow at her. Kel came to a stop a few feet away from her.
She looked up at Kel, this starved, dirty, young girl. "What's your name?" Kel asked in the common tongue. The girl just stared at her. "Who are you?" Kel asked in Scanran.
"Someone of no consequence." She said, picking up her feet and beginning her trudge again. "I'm simply passing through." With that she walked past the two riders.
Kel quickly rode past her and blocked the girl's path with her horse. "I asked you your name." The girl still did not answer. "Where are you headed?"
"Corus."
Kel sighed. "Number one, you are going in the wrong direction. You chose the wrong fork. Number two, you are half dead and a four days ride to Corus – in good conditions, on a fast horse. You wouldn't make it there alive. Number three, you are a Scanran girl. Not a Tortallan girl. You will not be as welcomed as you might think if you just stroll in there yourself."
The girl glared at her. "I don't care."
Kel smiled. "Of course," she said, "but if you'd like to change your mind, we've got an extra horse to take you, a bed, and a hot meal waiting back at the camp."
The girl stared at Kel long and hard. She looked determined, but weakened by hunger and cold. "Are you going to send me back?" She asked after a moment.
Kel shook her head. "Not if you don't want to go back. You are welcome here. This is a refugee camp, full of people like you. Stuck in a place they don't belong. What's your name?" Kel asked again, knowing that the girl would soon be getting on the horse and joining them.
"Perrin." The girl said after a pause, leaning forward slightly, eyeing the empty horse. Kel nodded, and Merric let go of the reins and pushed the horse towards the girl so she could mount.
"And don't think of running, we have much faster horses than you, and we can shoot while riding. Don't think we won't." Kel said sternly as the girl mounted.
Perrin nodded again, and they began the walk back to New Hope.
"Kel, what are you doing?" Merric hissed. "You have no idea who this girl is! She could have been followed, or she could be trouble!"
Kel rolled her eyes. "Don't be so melodramatic, Merric. I am perfectly aware of the dangers this girl holds." She sighed. "She's just a child. She's a starving young girl in a foreign country. She's lost. I'm going to find out who she is and why she's going to Corus, and then, if there's nothing left, I'm going to send her on her way."
Merric gaped at her. "You are a madwoman, Mother."
Kel shrugged. "We'll see." She said with a smile. "We'll see."
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Well, I hope everyone enjoyed it! I'm sorry it took such a bloody long time, but I've been busy. It's only been three weeks, right?
HeartKel: Ok, it seems I'm weird and can't read. That comment last time about the plot bunny was supposed to be for you. Don't know how that happened. Aww, no more plot bunny? That always sucks. And don't worry, it will all work out for the best in the end.
Alenor: Thank you! And thank you for understanding, it makes me very happy. Don't worry, the great thing about conflict is that it usually has a resolution.
Lady of Masbolle: I know, emotions are sad… but checking my facts on the spelling of the constellations and stuff was so much fun!
Jennyvre Moss: haha, it's true. Neal does make everything better.
Goddess Usagi: confusing? How so? Tell me why, I will be happy to oblige and explain anything to you.
Rowenhood: thanks!
Laelai: I know, I know!
Atlanta Enchanted: I'm afraid that she knows better than that. Don't you just hate common sense?
FanFictionFantom: I will, don't worry! I have been apart from my notebook a while… it's back now, which means more writing!
Heeardamoose: umm… very nice…
Smiles28: Tru dat. Thanks a lot!
AJ 4EVA: aww, I agree. Don't worry, it will happen!
Please read and review, people!
"The memories of my family outings are still a source of strength to me. I remember we'd all pile into the car - I forget what kind it was - and drive and drive. I'm not sure where we'd go, but I think there were some trees there. The smell of something was strong in the air as we played whatever sport we played. I remember a bigger, older guy we called "Dad." We'd eat some stuff, or not, and then I think we went home. I guess some things never leave you."
-unolimbo