A/N: hey everyone! Thanks for reviewing! U guys are what really pushed me to update, although now, I'm not so sure that was a good idea. I have writer's block, so please don't be mad that this is bad…

Keladry of Shang chapter 15

A war in Scanra

"Nealan!" a voice rang out over the lunchroom din. The addressed person flinched before going rigid. 'No' he thought, 'it can't be…' an expression of fear dawned on his face, and he trembled. 'Please Mithros and the Lady Mother, don't let it be her!' Steeling his resolve he stood and turned towards the direction of the voice, and came face to face with a redheaded Lioness. He stared at her as she gazed confusedly back at him. He idly wondered if either his father of the King would mind if he killed the woman standing in front of him. He sighed and settled for a rant.

"Alanna! How could you! You know how much I fear that word!" His former knight mistress raised a skeptical eyebrow. "You're name?"

The young man scowled. "My name is Neal! The only person horrible enough to call me Nealan is my aunt!" Once again he shuddered in horror. Alanna, while used to his dramatic reactions, could not resist rolling her eyes, despite knowing that this would only cause more protest from the taller knight.

"It got your attention." Seeing his mouth open in protest once more, she grimly shook her head, effectively silencing him. Inwardly, she sighed in relief. Perhaps he'd gained some control during his years with her. As a page, he would've continued his performance, either oblivious or pointedly ignoring her warnings. She brought herself back to reality as Neal shifted tensely, waiting for her to speak. "Neal, we've been called to the border. The war in Scanra is really starting to heat up. There've been reports of strange metal machines that slay twenty men at a time, and yet we can't confirm it because nobody who seems to have seen them firsthand has come back alive. None of the people on our side, anyways. Myles is worried, and so is George. The Kings ordering everyone we can spare to go up North."

Neal nodded grimly, his eyes dark. "When?" he asked finally.

"Soon. As soon as possible. We're mustering and preparing now, we'll leave within a week." Alanna sighed and massaged her temples. Neal's mouth quirked up at the sight; he recognized that habit as one of the King's. His smile faded quickly.

"Do you think Kel will come?" Neal's head shot up at the Champion's question.

"No! She can't!" He gasped, shut his mouth and swore internally. What had possessed him to say that? He sighed. "She might. I don't know. Sh'es not exactly fond of the King, but she won't want to abandon innocents." Silently he wondered why he hoped she wouldn't come with them. 'She's perfectly capable of defending herself. More than capable. Why am I so worried?' He shook himself and glanced at the mistress of Pirate's Swoop. She was watching him with an unreadable, knowing smile that he found both intriguing and somehow irritating. Soon Alanna too shook herself out of her thoughts.

"Begin preparing. And tell Kel. We can't force her, but should she wish to help us, it would be enormously reassuring. I have seen a Shang Dragon in action, if she surpasses that level, she will without a doubt be a great asset." Neal nodded reluctantly. Alanna patted him on the shoulder reassuringly before leaving.

'Liam… please watch over this girl. You would have liked her. Oh Liam, what were they thinking when they sent her away?' dismayed and angered by the stupidity of her King's actions, she gritted her teeth before going off to see Raoul about supplies.

Neal stared silently at the door through which the realm's only lady knight had exited. Once again rousing himself from his dark thoughts with a shake of his head, he walked quickly out the same door and went in search of his best friend..

He found Kel sitting with her eyes closed under the shade of a tree in the courtyard. Her head rested against the trunk of the tree and her long, shimmering hair framed her luscious face as beautiful hazel eyes fluttered under delicate eyelids.

He sat down next to her, waiting awkwardly for her to come out of her quiet trance. She opened her eyes slowly and smiled at him. He thought for a second that she looked a little sad, but when he re-examined her, he found no trace of such an emotion.

"Hello, Neal."

"H-hi. Kel." He hesitated, and she frowned, noticing that something was wrong. He understood the silent question in her dreamy, concerned eyes and steeled himself. "Kel, we've been called to war. This issue with Scanra is heating up. We're leaving next week." Kel paled.

"Next week!" she drew a breath and calmed herself. Her face smoothed out, peaceful as a lake on a windless summer's day. Neal watched, his old admiration for her impeccable Yamani mask returning. "So soon?" Neal nodded bleakly. Kel's eyebrows drew together as she processed this information. "Well," she said finally, "I'll just have to come with you then." Neal's heart rate quickened, but he wasn't sure if this was due to fear for her or…enjoyment? Kel sensed his doubts about her combat abilities and stared sternly at him, daring to him to say anything. Their eyes locked. Neal looked away first. Kel relaxed, patted him on the back and whispered, "Don't worry," before standing and walking away. Her best friend watched her go before standing and walking off in the opposite direction.

Alanna leaned back, smiling in satisfaction. While she felt a little guilty for spying on the two, she hadn't been able to resist. As she sat back and sighed, happy that at least some things were going right, the tall, handsome man standing in the corner of the room asked, "So, was it interesting?"

As Alanna tucked her scrying mirror into her pouch, she replied, "Everything's fine." The man, more respectful of the ways of love than Alanna, shoved away his curiosity, nodded and dropped the subject.