"Keladry, Vereiwng of Citadellyan." The Lioness introduced them. Kel observed the page. Her hair was black, and cut just shy of her shoulders. Those eyes were the same as two years ago, deep and focused. Her skin was nicely tanned, with a healthy glow to the cheeks. She was built like an acrobat, lanky and muscular, with perfect posture.

Kelput on what she hoped was a friendly expression. "I've heard about you."

"Not too much, I hope, Lady Knight," grinned the girl, eyes dancing.

At that, Kel chuckled. "You don't have to call me that. Vereiwing, call me Kel."

The page smiled. "And call me Verei."

"Well," said the Lioness, clearing her throat. "It's nearly lunch. Kel, is Neal here?"

Kel's head snapped up. "Yes, he is. Actually, I saw him with Yukimi about ten minutes ago…" Verei frowned.

"Neal? As in, Queenscove?" she asked.

Kel rolled her eyes. "The silly lump will be eating with us today, I'm afraid. We'll try and keep your sanity intact." Alanna grinned.

"I highly doubt that will be possible," the older knight said. The three generations of female warriors walked toward the palace as the lunch bell rang above them.

They were greeted with an unintelligible shouts and chatter as they entered the hall. Something chicken – like and cheesy was cooking.

Kel watched as Verei slid easily into a place next to an older boy, asking, "What's for lunch?"

"Chicken pie," the boy answered. "Verei, pass the salt?"

Verei grinned, and picked up the salt but withheld it from him. "Verei, pass the salt…"

"Please," sighed the boy.

"You know, you are really lucky that I teach you manners, Soran," she said in a mock serious tone. "Lord Wyldon would've had your hide!"

Soran grinned. "And my horse's," he reminded her.

Kel smiled, and turned away from the happy scene, and got the shock of her life when she saw Yukimi.

"Hello," the Yamani said, her face glowing.

"Yuki – you're – you're wearing Easterners clothing!" Kel sputtered finally.

"Not only that," Yuki said, a mischief playing in her eye. "I'm also pregnant."

Kel closed her eyes momentarily, and wished she had the courage to ask the gods for strength. "You're pregnant," she repeated, the shock apparently too great for simply saying it once being enough to let it soak in.

"Keladry!"

Kel whirled around, to see Neal, Cleon and Merric motioning for her to sit at their table. She turned to Yuki, and smiled. "Shall we?" she said.

Upon seating themselves, Neal said, "You look as though you've seen Lord Wyldon in a dressing gown." That raised a laugh.

"No," said Kel, maintaining her composure. "Your wife has just informed me that she is pregnant."

Cleon and Merric's eyes went wide. "Yuki's WHAT?" they chorused.

Oh, gods, Kel thought. But this is what you get when you come home, I suppose. She glanced once more at Verei. The girl was apparently deep in discussion with another dark haired boy. He apparently made some inexcusable remark, kicked him from under the table. Kel suppressed a laugh. She remembered doing that to Neal in her day.

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A/N: yeah, I know. It's crap. But I had to add something…thanks for reviewing, despite the fact that you probably haven't yet…sorry I took so long to update, but I do have 14 other stories to take care of, you know. ;)