Title: Knotted Destiny
By: QT
Edited by: buttons7

Summery: A new era is arising as darkness sets over the vast kingdom of Tortall. People are slain ruthlessly, cities are destroyed, people's hope diminishes rapidly. The only one who can turn the tide and return things to a balance is an unknown and unexpected hero.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of Tamora Pierce's characters, however, I do own this plot.

"..." Talking
'...' Thinking

Merric looked down at the ebon-haired boy and then gazed over to where his Prince and friend sat. 'They look almost identical,' he thought to himself, dumbfounded. "Why don't you come sit with us, boy? You look like you could use some company and I promise we won't bite." Without waiting for a reply, the man pulled Kalasin up out of her chair with a strong sturdy grip and tugged her along, not noticing her attempts to pull away.

"Here, I got us a new fellow to keep us company while we're here. This here, to our right, is Prince Roald, which you already know...anyone can pick him out of a crowd. Beside him is Gamba, and I'm Merric. There are some others around here somewhere, but they aren't as important as us, isn't that, right Roald?"

Roald nodded slightly, his eyes never leaving Kalasin's. "And who is this Merric? Or have you forgotten to ask?"

"I'm Kale," blurted the girl, "Kale from Langston. It's near the southern border."

As soon as the others showed they accepted her answer, Kalasin let out the breath she had been holding and mentally thanked the few geography lessons she had had in previous years. After a few moments of awkward silence, the conversation picked up and the three of them talked about the war, what it's like to be a knight and, lastly, upcoming events, one of them being Midwinter Festival.

Kalasin sighed and rested her head against her fist, gazing out the window. 'Midwinter Festival is only a month away and I'm going to miss it. It's my favorite time of year too...' Soon she was pouting without realizing it, as she continued to dwell on the fact she wouldn't be home. 'Well, it'll probably be quiet at home anyway, since everyone's out fighting. That's where I belong as well; out fighting amongst my people, equal status. No one realizes that we're the same as everyone else, just in different ways. I'm human too, I have feelings, I have imperfections, and I have a heart. I bleed the same blood, I cry the same tears, I breathe the same air. I am one with my people and I must fight for them'.

"What is it, Langston, you got a girl on your mind that you'll be seeing during Midwinter?"

Kalasin blinked and gazed at the companion who had asked that question. "No, do you?" she asked the tall black youth they had called Gamba.

His honey eyes flashed in amusement, "back in Corus there's a girl I'm interested in. She works in a dress shop."

The girl nodded and then looked at Roald and Merric. 'Roald has Shinko...I wonder if he knows she went back home to help settle a rebellion. She took some of our best soldiers so she'd be safe and Numair had been planning on dropping by to see if she needed help. He'll be lonely, Roald will,' she thought as her gaze settled upon those deep blue pools of her brother's. "Are you gentlemen leaving tomorrow for Corus?"

"Yes. A handful of us are going home for a break and then being shipped back out," replied Roald coolly, as his eyes narrowed a bit at Kalasin.

Shame-faced, she looked down at her lap before standing up. "It's been fun, but I'm tired and should turn in for the night. Have a safe journey m'lord," said the girl quietly, with a wobbly bow, "and you, gentlemen." Hurriedly she left and clambered up the stairs. Once she was safely in her room with the door locked, did she let out a sigh of relief and walk over to her bed. Lifting up the mattress, she retrieved her bags and pulled out some parchment and ink. Carefully and quickly she wrote to her father:

My King,

Do not worry about me, dear father. I am choosing the path that I have always wanted to take; to be beside my kingdom in battle, fighting for what's right with all my heart, body, and soul.

I know that you and mother didn't want me to attempt knighthood, and instead wanted me to do my country well with being the lady who gets married off for treaties. I wish not to be a lady but a warrior, wielding a sword and defending the defenseless. I am not afraid to kill, nor am I afraid to die. I am where I belong, and you are where you belong. Don't send anyone after me.

I suppose you should know I tricked the stable guards in thinking I was a messenger so as they wouldn't question me. I then rode as fast as I could as far away from the castle as possible. I am in good health and have seen, even talked to Roald, Sir Merric of Hollyrose, and Sir Gamba. I'm not sure where Sir Gamba from, but he's nice enough. He's a bit quiet, and doesn't look like much at the first glance, but he appears to be faithful. If all goes well, you will hear from me soon. Wish me luck. I send my love with this letter.

Yours Truly, Kalasin

After folding up the letter and tying it with a piece of ribbon, she stepped out of her room and looked around. Seeing no one, she closed her eyes and let go of her Gift, seeking out the familiarities of her brother. Feeling his power within a room caddie-corner of hers, she felt around it. There were two others there, whom she assumed were Merric and Gamba, and they were well awake. 'I'll just have to be fast, I suppose,' she thought as she opened her azure eyes.

Swiftly and quietly she padded down the hall to Roald's room and stopped in front of the door. Crouching down, she took her letter and slipped it under the door then ran back to her room. Shutting her door, she locked it, and then opened her window. Grabbing her sack, she slipped onto the roof outside her window and landed on the ground with a thud. She groaned as she stood up and rubbed her rump before running towards the stables.

Roald and the others fell silent as the parchment slid under the door. Nodding to Gamba, who had stood up and retrieved it, he held out his hand and took the letter from him. Carefully, he untied the ribbon and unfolded it. His eyes widened as he read it out loud to his roommates. Narrowing his sapphire eyes at the door in thought, he suddenly gasped and stood up quicker than an eye blink. "Kale!" he suddenly yelled in alarm.

Out of the room tumbled the three men, their eyes wild with mixed emotions of excitement, worry, and astonishment. Roald closed his eyes and focused on an image of "Kale", letting his power leak out around him in search of this person. Gamba had gone downstairs to see if anyone saw someone leave. Merric stood there, frowning. When Gamba came back, shaking his head, Roald snapped out of his trance and glared at no one in particular. "She's not in the building!"

Merric grinned, "She's a smart one. Left out her window, I bet. She's probably leaving right now, knowing you would have read her letter, and also knowing that as much as you'd like all of us to go galloping after her, we can't. We have to get you home to Corus. You have to give that letter to your father. After he reads it we will venture out after her, risking our lives and going against her wishes."

"Shut up, Merric," growled Roald as his fists clenched and unclenched.

Gamba decided to leave them alone and start packing their things.

Merric put on a serious look and stood straighter. He had grown in the last few years and was now as tall as Roald. "My Prince, you are our priority. We have our orders to get you safely home and that is what we'll do; get you home."

Roald refused to accept this answer and started pacing, his thoughts racing through his head like wild horses on the run. "She can't get that far. I wonder when she left...how she got out of the castle un-noticed. If we leave now we'll catch up to her...or one of us could go after her."

"No. Absolutely not!" cried Merric, his blue-grey eyes wide.

Roald glowered at him and tried to stand a little straighter. Taking on the air of someone with authority, Roald smirked devilishly. "I order you and Gamba to go after her. I have the other soldiers to look after me, you two will not be needed, I guarantee it."

"Roald, don't bother ordering me around. My orders came from someone whom I'm more scared of than you," was Merric's calm response.

Clenching his fists until they were white-knuckled, Roald stormed off down the stairs, just as Gamba came out with their packed items. Ignoring protests from Merric and Gamba, as well as the odd looks of their fellow soldiers, Roald marched out the door and took off at a run to the stables, stopping for a moment only to see the image of a white horse carrying a shadowed figure south of the inn and Corus. Taking off at a run once Merric and Gamba caught up, he cussed.

"Roald, we can't follow! She's heading south where the fighting is heaviest and most dangerous!" said Gamba, his voice ringing with alarm.

"We have to follow her."

Merric shook his head and mounted up, tossing a coin to the stable boy. Looking up into the starry sky he prayed to Mithros for protection, and to the Goddess to look after his Princess.