A/N: Here's my excuse for not updating in so long: I had a seizure a couple weeks ago and have not been able to be on the computer because of the medication I'm taking. But now I'm back for a bit.
Midori suddenly broke from a third passionate kiss, eyes wide. "Kalen…do you remember when Lord Ceylon told us to meet him in his office? The day I was told my uncle Dom and Shale were pronounced dead?"
"Yes…but why do you bring this up?"
"Is this the spring equinox?" Midori asked.
"I believe it is…oh no…I can't." His face suddenly paled as he realized if the training master knew if he was not dead, he could be forced to take the Ordeal, which he definatily did not wish to do just yet.
Midori gripped his shirt, "You can't." she whispered, tears prickling at the back of her eyes.
"If I appear in court again, I have to, I agreed." Kalen sighed, holding Midori close as he leaned against a tree.
"Nicole, where are you?" she whispered, hoping the cat was nearby. Kalen shifted so he could stand and sighted the cat grooming herself and trying to hide behind a bush. The cat sighed, "Why don't I just wear a collar and a bell that rings every-time I try and hide from you?"
"Why don't you go and catch some fish, or give us some privacy?" Midori replied, hoping the cat shapeshifter would take the hint.
Hazel-green eyes rolled in response but a tail flicked at the mention of fish and she turned her back and trotted off muttering, "Mmm, I hope these rivers have some sort of trout, or salmon…not the slippery anchovies!" as she ran off.
Midori hid a grin and helped Kalen to stand, "You should see her before supper!"
"Spoiling her appetite I'm sure. When did you get the news that I…how do I put this?" "How long since I passed into the Peaceful Realms?"
Midori's grin faded. "A couple months ago, I think."
"Months!" Kalen ran a hand through his black hair and buried his head in his hands, sighing deeply and almost tripping over a fallen branch, Midori grabbed his arm to steady him.
"It must be a shock" she admitted, "When I heard you weren't dead, well…you can imagine the reaction"
"Yes. But Midori that means…you're sixteen…I'm to take the Ordeal…"
"Calm down. You're not taking it in this year alone, Kalen, I'm going to take it with you…and if we convince Oriana, Sheba and Amyl they'll take it as well. You don't turn seventeen until this fall which still hasn't come." Midori's face broke into a wide grin.
"This is strange." Kalen commented, walking over to Yukiko and patting her off-white flanks. "She recognizes me" he chuckled as the mare lipped his hand.
"She smells a bit of Velvet, I think" Midori replied, helping him to mount.
"Actually Velvet's dead as well." Kalen sighed sadly as he urged the mare on.
"Aren't the others going to have quite a shock when they see you?" Midori laughed.
"Yes. By the gods, yes they will" he replied, hoping that the court would understand Midori's idea of her and his friends taking the Ordeal of Knighthood earlier then expected.