A/N: Thank you so so so much to all of you who reviewed!
Disclaimer: Not mine.
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The layout for the city of Casr had to be an archetype for every Scanran city out there thought Kel, as she peered at it the Inn's doorway. At the center was a wide green field, on which couples were happily dancing, and bordering the field on three sides were various Inns, bars, and restaurants. Partiers were busy strolling in and out of these, drinks clutched in their hands. The excited, vibrant atmosphere was marred only by the dark construction on the far side of the field. A deadly reminder of harsh Scanran law, the gallows were silent tonight, ignored by the general public. Kel however shivered as she glanced at them, all too aware of their bloody promise would she fail tonight. But she would not think of that.
He gaze shifted farther past the gallows, resting instead upon the jail just beyond. She just make out the glint of her glaive resting casually against the bars of the prison. She smiled to herself though her eyes belied her mirth. This really wasn't that funny. It was business. This was what she had been working for eight years. She would not fail now.
Finally she turned to Neal, who was leaning on the doorframe beside her. "Ready?" he asked softly looking into her eyes.
Kel nodded stoically. "Let's do this."
She was mildly surprised to be swept of her feet as Neal gave her a tight hug. Squeezing her he whispered in her ear. "Be careful. I need you. Please don't get hurt."
"I'll try not to," she murmured back. After a few seconds he let her go and started down the stairs.
"Be careful," Kel's voice was raspy. Neal turned back and gave her a short wave. Kel watched him go and was shocked to feel a prickling in her eyes. Wiping away a stray tear she picked up her skirts and walked down to join the partiers.
Everything will be okay. I'll see Neal again. We'll be fine.
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Kel strolled through the throngs of people. She was searching for certain general. It's actually somewhat ironic, she thought, I'm searching for the one person in this crowd that I never want to see again. Yet despite her reluctance, she knew her duty. Putting on her best fake smile, she made her way over to the edge of the dance area. She scanned the area, searching, when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"My lady."
She turned, and smiled at Burgad, who was standing there, his hand still on her shoulder. Managing a small curtsy she inclined her head. "My lord."
He chuckled, a sound that turned her stomach. "Please, call me Burgad."
Kel widened her eyes. "Oh but I couldn't address such an outstanding general such as yourself so… familiarly." Funny, I've always despised these flirtatious ladies. And now I'm trying my hardest to be one of them.
Burgad obviously didn't notice her lack of acting ability. "Of course you could. Especially if you agree to dance with me."
Putting on a simpering smile, Kel batted her eyelashes at him. "I would be honored to." She placed her hand on his arm and followed him, thanking the Gods that she had learned Scanran dances during her 8 years of instruction as a page.
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Neal crept around the outside of the jail, pausing at the front. He eyed Kel, who seemed to have found Burgad and was dancing with him. Perfect. He took a moment to savor her graceful form when he felt a heavy hand on his arm.
"Hey, you're not supposed to be here." A guard's rough voice penetrated his stupor. Neal whirled around, silently drawing his belt knife. "Yes you sir. I'm sorry, but you'll have to stare at the general's lady some other time."
Neal smiled. "Oh of course. I apologize. And she's not the general's lady." He couldn't stop the hint of jealousy that entered his voice. "She's mine." He was only stretching the truth a little bit… "My accomplice from Tortall." As the guard's mouth dropped open, he raised his knife, and he pounded the guard's head with the hilt of the blade. Before the falling body could make a sound, Neal grabbed the body and laid it down gently. He hoped the man wouldn't have too much of a headache when he woke up.
Neal continued on his way, knocking out each guard he ran into. Finally he was able to enter the jail without being intercepted. He drew his sword, anticipating the guards that awaited him.
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Kel continued to dance with the general, albeit feeling a bit sick during his wandering hands. As one palm graced over hip she drew away, plastering a coquettish smile on her face. "My lord, I fear the dancing is getting dull. Would you be so kind to take a stroll with me? Just around the town square. I would really appreciate the tour." She purposefully emphasized the 'really,' and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
He caught her hint. Stepping away from her he smiled and offered his arm. "Shall we?"
"I would be honored." Kel caught his arm. Gods, I despise this man. He is an imbecile. But I will do this. For Buri and Fal. They're worth it. And you never know how Neal will fare. I will be a good diversion, if it's needed.
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Neal grabbed the keys from the unconscious guard. No blood marred his sword's shiny blade; he had substituted using his Gift to put them to sleep instead. They may be Scanrans, but just because they had the bad luck to be guards didn't mean that they deserved death. Stepping into a dark, dank hallway, he attempted to find his friends.
"Fal? Faleron? Buri? FAL?" He started by calling gently, but his stress overtook him and he found himself screaming their names. "BURI!"
Straining his ears he heard a faint noise down the hall. Creeping towards the sound he heard a voice murmuring.
"Buri, did you hear that? It sounded like Neal. Is that impossible? I must just be hearing things."
Neal finally located the door behind which the man was muttering. He stuck the key in and clicked the lock open.
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Kel and Burgad strolled around the square, talking about inconsequential subjects. When they finally reached the jail, she turned to him. "Did you say how I was going to pay you back for this lovely evening." She grinned, and turned her face up to his.
"I can think of a few ways." He took his chin between his fingers and tilted her face farther upwards. Then his lips touched hers.
Kel attempted to kiss him back. Don't gag Kel. Think about kissing someone else. Like who? Um, Neal, that's good, you're kissing Neal. Somehow that helped her enjoy it just a little bit more.
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The door creaked as Neal pushed it open. He gasped as his eyes adjusted to the darkness before him.
"Fal? Oh my god, I am so sorry."
He rushed to Faleron's side, his eyes on Buri's unconscious form. Both Tortallans looked a bit worse for the wear, but Buri's arm was gashed, and blood still trickled out of it. Her skin burned at his touch.
"Fal, are you ok?"
"Yeah, I mean bruises, but I'll be fine. Help Buri. Please help her. She hasn't been conscious for a day now. Since they hit her with that club. On her arm. Neal, please!"
Neal nodded and placed his hands on her. His green magic streamed into her, healing all her wounds. Thank god I had Alanna train me. After her eyes fluttered open he moved on to Faleron.
"We have a hard ride to do. Let me heal you now."
Fal nodded his ascent and Neal healed him as well. Helping a staggering Buri to her feet, Neal led them to the four horses waiting outside. Kel would meet them soon.
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Burgad was becoming a little to hot and heavy, Kel thought as he pawed her. Pulling away slightly she asked, "don't you think this is the wrong type of place for this sort of thing?"
"Nope," Burgad answered before pulling her close again. Kel resigned herself to another round of kisses before a loud voice interrupted.
"My lord, I- I- was attacked. Tortallans, the prisoners, I…"
Burgad quickly disengaged himself. "What?"
"A man, he told me he was Tortallan, he knocked me out. And this woman you were dancing with was his accomplice. Oh my head…"
Burgad narrowed his eyes. "My dancing partner? But I only danced with one girl…" He turned to Kel, who quickly stepped into the light. Now she was holding her glaive. "You!"
"Yes, me." Quickly and silently, Kel placed the edge of the blade on Burgad's throat. Smiling at the guard she said, "I'd keep this quiet if I were you. Your general is in my hands."
Burgad whimpered, he actually whimpered, and motioned for the man to keep his mouth shut.
Kel was happy, even though this was a minor setback, it had all worked out. "We'll be going now."
Leaving the stunned guard behind, she led Burgad to where Neal was waiting with the horses and Fal and Buri. She was glad to see that they were ok.
Neal was a little shocked when Kel showed up with her glaive's blade on the general's neck. He gave her a questioning look, and she shrugged.
"There was a guard who found out. He gave me a safe getaway."
"Ok," Neal replied. What the hell am I going to do with a general? Drag him kicking and screaming? Well, I guess I can fix that problem. Neal reached his hand out and touched the top of Burgad's head. Calling up his gift, he sent the man into a deep sleep, then hoisted him up and slung him over the saddle. Well we can't just leave him here. So I guess he's coming too. Kel mounted up, and just then shouts started.
Kel's eyes widened. "The guard must have told someone. Ride!"
They all started off quickly, galloping away as fast as they could. But it wasn't fast enough. Neal felt, rather than saw the arrow go whizzing past him. When he looked up again he saw Kel slumped forward in the saddle, blood gushing from her shoulder. Neal cursed, and reached for his gift, only to find that he had used almost all of it up over the course of the night.
Shit.
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A/N: Hehe was that an evil ending? I can't tell. But regardless, it is not really the end, as all of you know. So you can just wait for the next chappie. Which I will get up as soon as possible. To quote 10 things I hate About You, "the shit hath hitteth the fan-eth." In my life at least. But maybe if you all give me lots and lots of reviews it will happen more quickly. Hint hint. So REVIEW and tell me what you think of my attempts at a story. Please.
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PrincessPeach