Redemption

Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce owns all of PotS. Everything you recognize is hers; everything you don't recognize is mine.

A/N: Yes, it's another looong chapter. I just didn't feel like breaking it up any further. I used a lot of italicized font to convey people's thoughts. I'm not sure it's effective, so I'm open to suggestions about that. And yes, I know there are some OOC things going on, but I hope you enjoy it anyway!

Chivalry

"If you survive the Ordeal of Knighthood, you will be a Knight of the Realm. You will be sworn to protect those weaker than you, to obey your overlord, to live in a way that honors your kingdom and your gods. ... To wear the shield of a knight is an important thing. You may not ignore a cry for help. It means that rich and poor, young and old, male and female may look to you for rescue, and you cannot deny them."

-- Tamora Pierce, Squire

Cool, sky-blue eyes stared directly into guarded, long-lashed hazel eyes. Neither person flinched as they stood face-to-face, forearms gripped in the traditionally polite greeting of men of their social class. Keladry of Mindelan, Commander of Fort Stonebridge, was fulfilling her official duties to "conduct business and maintain fraternal bonds with the Lord of Stone Mountain." Joren, as the Lord of Stone Mountain, was fulfilling his role, too - as a gracious host and loyal noble citizen.

"Commander Keladry," Joren spoke smoothly as he inclined his head toward Kel, "Welcome to Stone Mountain. We are honored by your company. We apologize for not inviting you sooner, however, grieving the loss of my father and then our ongoing recovery from the recent earthquake made it quite difficult to receive company until now."

"So ... this is my future," thought Joren, as he assessed Kel's firm grip on his forearm. "Mithros! She's as tall as I am now! And she's got such a strong grip, too ..."

"Indeed," replied Kel, returning the nod as custom dictated. "Thank you for inviting me into your magnificent home. Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your esteemed father. The earthquake has affected all of us, but I understand that your recovery efforts are proceeding well. If I or my soldiers may be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to call upon us."

"Mithros! He's more gorgeous than I remembered." Kel thought, reminding herself to breathe normally and keep her face calm.Joren stood barely an inch taller than Kel, but he held himself in such a way that he seemed even taller than that. He was wearing a sky-blue velvet tunic over a cream-colored shirt and gray hose. His shoulder-length, white-blonde hair was pulled back into a horsetail and fastened with a silver clasp. Kel's eyes were momentarily drawn to the large medallion Joren wore around his neck, signifying that he was now the Lord of Stone Mountain. Its center was a highly polished piece of blue marble which was surrounded by intricately wrought silver. The stone matched Joren's eyes perfectly. "It seems as though the seven years of Deep Sleep didn't harm his looks any. I'm so glad Daine warned me. Honestly! I know women who would die for hair like his."

"Thank you. It is very kind of you to offer your assistance." Joren released Kel's arm and ushered her into the great hall. He smiled inwardly as he watched Kel looking him over. "I hope your ride across the pass wasn't too tiring. May I offer you some refreshment before we tour the quarries?" And he gestured to a small table covered with pitchers of wine and cider. "Look at her - she's still the same old Lump - all stiff and proper. But I know it's all a ruse - she's thinking about a thousand things behind those long lashes of hers."

"Most of the snow has blown away, so the ride over the pass was quite pleasant." Then she remembered his offer and added. "I would prefer the cider, please." "So, this is the charming side of Joren that everyone else saw all those years. I suppose I'd better enjoy it while it lasts."

Joren poured Kel a goblet of cider and led her to a small receiving area off to the side of the large, beautifully decorated hall. As she looked around at the fine tapestries and well-crafted furniture, Kel noticed that Stone Mountain's colors and her own Mindelan colors were almost the same. There was a subtle difference in the blue of each of their tunics - Joren's blue perfectly matched his eyes, while Kel's blue was more of a muted shade. Both she and Joren wore cream-colored shirts and gray breeches, but his clothes were made of a rich satin fabric and hers were more practical linen and wool.

"I was wondering - how does it feel to be considered a hero of the Scanran War?" Joren asked suddenly, thinking to catch Kel off guard. "You know - 'Protector of the Small' and all that? My mother has tried to bring me up to date on most of the things that happened in the past seven years. I must say, I'm rather impressed. Who would have thought you would become so famous?" "Certainly not me, but we both know that."

Kel blinked at Joren's sudden question. She finished her cider before she replied, "I was just doing my duty. That nickname came from a child - in fact, most of the people I helped rescue were children. I've always felt that it is important to defend those who are not able to defend themselves." "Ugh - 'Protector of the Small' - I despise that nickname! Of course Joren would have to find out about it. I won't be able to stand it if he starts calling me that."

"Yes, I remember you defending quite a few defenseless pages back in our brawling days," Joren began carefully, "I know I've asked for a fresh start with you before, although I acknowledge that I behaved very badly afterward. But, but do you think we might be able to ... well ... start fresh again?" "We may as well get this out of the way now."

Kel blinked again. "I don't see why not. After all, we're both adults now and those days are long past." "Good gods! I never would have expected something like this. Maybe the Chamber straightened him out after all. Maybe it just took longer with him because he was such an as-"

Kel's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Jem Carver, the master stonecutter, as well as Marcus Tanner, the village headman from Stonesedge, where most of the workers at Stone Mountain lived. After Joren introduced the men, they all went out to their horses and rode to the main quarry. The men explained the different types of stone and how they were quarried and processed. Kel noticed all the curious glances that the workers gave them, but she was used to folk being surprised when they realized that she was not a man. Joren noticed the stares, too, and they amused him for a while. Usually, when he rode around the quarries or went down to Stonesedge, most of the people greeted Joren with a mix of respect and wonder that he enjoyed. But now there were always a few superstitious people who did not understand how he could be alive again. This day, he had only seen two people making their subtle signs against evil when they thought he wasn't looking. As Joren realized he would just have to get used to that reaction, it suddenly made him think that perhaps his situation wasn't so different from Kel having to prove herself over and over again to ignorant people such as these.

The sun had burned off the morning fog and the sky above the mountains was a brilliant blue. The tour group had made their way to one of the newer quarries where there was a lot of activity. Marcus Tanner was showing Kel and her soldiers some roughly-hewn samples of the new greenish brown stone, as well as an older lot of the rarer blue marble for which Stone Mountain had long been famous. The headsman's words suddenly faltered when Jem Carver whispered something in his ear. Kel noticed that many of the nearby workers had stopped what they were doing and were now watching the tour group intently. Both men turned to look directly at Kel's face.

"What is it? Is something wrong?" Kel asked, looking back and forth between Joren and his guides. "I wonder what's going on. I hope nothing has happened to any of the workers."

"My Lord, take a look," Jem reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, nearly oval piece of the new stone that had been polished and held it out for Joren to take from the palm of his hand. Joren held up the stone and looked at it carefully. As the sunlight glinted off of its polished surface, Joren thought about how much money the new stone would bring to Stone Mountain. Then Jem whispered something in Joren's ear and nodded in Kel's direction. Joren's eyebrows went up, but then his expression turned into a frown. Kel was unnerved by all the attention, but she held her face in its mask.

"Lady Knight," began Jem, "It's ... the workers. They've noticed something strange and ... um ... we've got a lot of peculiar legends and customs and such here on the mountain." Jem paused and shifted in his saddle.

Marcus Tanner interrupted, "There's this song that talks about the 'greenish brown and blue', and everyone always thought it was just about the stone and the silver - because of the earthquake and such. The people have their beliefs, my lady, and ... well, you know our lord here ... his eyes always matched the old stone, just like his father and his father's fathers before him. It's always been that way with Stone Mountain."

Kel was thoroughly confused now. She had tried to follow what the headman was talking about, but it didn't make much sense to her. Sure, she remembered the song - she had heard it about a hundred times a day since the earthquake. But what did it have to do with this piece of stone in Joren's hands? And why was everyone staring at her? She knew her face had to be a bright pink by now, but she stayed outwardly calm.

"It's probably just silliness," continued Jem Carver, "but the workers are all excited because they can see how your eyes match the new stone and well, there's these prophecies and such and ..."

"That's quite enough, Jem," interrupted Joren. "Yes, it is silliness and we need not give the people reasons to be more superstitious than they already are. I think we've seen enough for today. Let's end it here. Thank you, Jem. Thank you, Marcus. That will be all." "Mithros! I will not have her thinking we're a bunch of superstitious ninnies here at Stone Mountain. It's just a song for Goddess' sake!"

Kel took another look at the stone in Joren's hand. The strange mottled pattern of the greenish brown polished marble matched the hazel of Kel's eyes perfectly. She knew it was true. "I can hardly believe this! It's too strange."

Kel thanked the master stonecutter and the village headman for their time and attention. She told them she looked forward to being able to buy items made of the new stone as soon as they had some available. They invited her to return to Stonesedge during their Midsummer's festival, when the craftsman would have their work on display and for sale. Joren nodded in agreement and then escorted Kel and her soldiers back to the castle.

"Sorry about that," he said, almost sheepishly. "The common people do tend to take their legends and bedtime tales rather too seriously. Some of them might even try to name the new stone after you now." "Idiots!"

Kel managed to keep a straight face as she replied, "People are people. We can't help it if they think the new stone looks like my eyes. Just don't let them name it 'Protector of the Small-stone', or I'll have to hurt you." "That would be unbearable."

Kel's soldiers snickered and coughed at their leader's dry comment. They all knew how much she disliked being called by her nickname. They even knew not to sing the ballads and tavern songs that had circulated about their famous commander - she would get very grumpy whenever she heard them. In the practice yard, Kel had a tendency to choose to spar against anyone who had called her 'Protector of the Small' - and she usually beat them soundly.

Now it was Joren's turn to blink. "Did she just make a joke?"

"My chamberlain will be here soon to assign a servant to you for the duration of your stay," Joren said to Kel as they walked back into the great hall. "And I'm sure your men will find their accommodations in the garrison better than adequate. Would you care for some more cider?" "I don't want her pondering silly people and their prophecies the rest of the day. I've got to change the topic. Think, man, think!"

"Actually, juice would be nice." Kel replied, wondering if she would have the opportunity to take a bath before dinner. She accepted the goblet from Joren and started to look at her surroundings.

The large granite castle at Stone Mountain was very impressive. Hanging above the grand foyer was a massive silver chandelier. The floor of the great hall was made of black marble, with the family crest of inlaid marble prominently displayed. The crest was a blue marble, which matched Joren's medallion, and the outline was a smoky gray marble. In the center was an inlaid silver outline of a mountain above crossed silver swords. Kel supposed it was only natural that so many of the accessories in Joren's home were silver, since there also had been silver mines here at one time. Kel blinked when she realized that Joren had asked her a question.

"Pardon me?" Kel said as she felt a blush creep into her cheeks. She instantly fixed her face back into its unreadable mask, but she knew the color was still there. "Pay attention, Mindelan!"

"Ah, good, she's impressed by her surroundings," Joren gloated inwardly. "I've caught her off guard. Let's see if I can keep the advantage." Joren practiced his own version of the 'Yamani Lump' face by biting the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling at his private thoughts.

"I merely wanted to know how your friend, Cleon, is doing," replied Joren. "I would have thought you might be wearing the Kennan colors by now." "Why hasn't anyone married you? Even the Lioness had scrounged up a husband by the time she was your age. What's the problem - other than the fact that you're a lady knight and a commander and a war hero? "

"I understand that Cleon and his wife Ermelian are doing quite well." Kel tried to make her voice sound pleasant. "I believe they have two children now." "Gods above! I thought we were making progress today. Maybe the Chamber didn't help him get his head out of his behind after all."

"How nice for them," Joren nearly smiled, but kept his expression pleasantly bland. "Yes! Now she has on her 'Yamani Lump' face. I really must be on to something. Let's see if I can get her to tell me why she didn't marry one of her pathetic crushes."

"How is Lord Raoul, your old knight master?" Joren asked. "And your other friend, Nealan of Queenscove?"

Kel's memory of the time Joren told her she should marry either Cleon or Lord Raoul and "settle down and raise young giants" suddenly flooded into her thoughts. She knew her cheeks continued to burn, but she stubbornly held on to her mask. "Mithros' shield! Now I know what Joren's doing, but his guesses about my prospective suitors are terribly stuck in the past - seven whole years worth of the past!" Kel realized, and struggled to stay calm. "I am a rock. I am stone."

"Lord Raoul is fine," she said evenly. She would not let him fluster her with his line of questioning. These could be perfectly innocent sociable inquiries, and she would answer politely. "I am stone."

Kel continued, "He is married to Commander Buriram Tourakom, formerly of the Queen's Riders. They now ride together with the King's Own. Neal married one of Princess Shinkokami's ladies-in-waiting, Yukimi noh Diaomoru, and they have one daughter." "As if it's any of your business."

Kel paused and then, in a fit of mischief, added quickly, "And Owen of Jesslaw recently married Lord Wyldon's youngest daughter Margarry. Let's see ... Merric of Hollyrose is betrothed to Owen's sister, and Faleron of King's Reach will be married to my cousin this summer. I'm not sure if either Esmond of Nicoline or Seaver of Tasride is married, but I think it's safe to assume that they are, too. There, I think that's most of my old gang. How are your friends doing? Have you heard from any of them?" "I am stone. I am stone. I am stone!"

Now it was Joren's turn to blink. "I ... uh ... well, the earthquake and all ... no, I haven't heard from anyone really," he managed to stammer out. "Blast! She caught me off guard!"

"Oh yes, the earthquake." Kel nodded her head slowly. "Take that, you snake!"

Joren recovered and drawled smoothly, "I do plan to visit friends in Corus when I have my audience with the King." "Humph! I won't let the Lump bother me, not in my own house."

"Oh, I have good news to tell you," Kel spoke quickly, happy to have a different topic to discuss. "I received a message from Master Numair Salmalin that the roads should be clear enough for supplies to get through within three weeks. Is King Jonathan going to call for your loyalty as the new lord here? Do you think he will knight you soon?" "Even if it's just an inherited title for you now?"

"Yes, I believe so. We have kept in contact with our steward in Corus by using messenger birds. I am to appear before the King at my earliest convenience. The royal court has been informed of my ... status. So, three more weeks, hmm? That is good news." Joren said as he thought, "Mithros! That's not a lot of time to rebuild my skills with a sword. Now I have to ask for her help - I can't do this by myself anymore."

"So ... I suppose we should start making plans for the guard escort of all this new silver and stone. Our caravan will be quite a tempting target for bandits, and we'll need every available sword. How are things coming along here with your men?" said Kel. "Here we go ... I wonder if he'll jump at this."

"Actually, I have been working on getting back into fighting condition here, with my men," Joren admitted, trying to sound nonchalant. "But I might like to join you and your officers for some sword practice - maybe even some tilting. I know that the indoor practice yards at Fort Stonebridge are some of the best in the realm. Sometimes I would train there - when I was a boy." "Gods, this is embarrassing! But I must do what I must do."

"Really? I think that would be fine," said Kel, still keeping her face calm. "It's been a long time since you and I have worked out on the practice courts together. How's your sword arm?" "I'm going to beat you like a dusty tapestry!"

"Well, I think some good workouts will help." Joren met Kel's calm gaze with one of his own, "My grip seems to be a little off right now, but my healer believes that hard work will give me the improvements I need." "I can't wait to use some of the Lump's very own moves against her. She won't know what hit her."

"Your grip?" Kel asked. "Have you done any staff work or sword drills?" "We both remember that you used to be the best swordsman."

"No, and I hate to ask on such short notice," Joren tried to sound humble but he didn't really succeed, "But, would you mind if I were to spend some time, say, next week ... training at the fort ... with you? I really do want to be prepared when we take the new stone down to Corus." "I really, really, really hate to ask, but I have no choice."

"You know I cannot refuse a request for assistance," stated Kel smoothly, "The Code of Chivalry dictates that I help you in any way I can. Of course you may train with me - with us. Most of my officers are fine swordsmen. Please, as the Commander of Fort Stonebridge, I insist that you come to visit us - next week is fine - before the mountain passes are open again. We will be honored." "Well, there it is. I'm sure he cannot resist that flowery invitation."

"We can continue to plan for the caravan to Corus, too." Joren added quickly, wanting to further justify his trip to Stonebridge." "That's what I'll tell my mother. I don't want her to worry any more than she already does."

Kel finished her juice just as a dignified-looking elderly man dressed in the Stone Mountain livery entered the foyer. A cheerful, middle-aged maid accompanied him.

"Pardon me, my lord ... my lady," the chamberlain said, as he bowed toward Kel. "I have brought a maid to assist my lady with all your needs. We took your things to your room while you were touring the quarries. If you like, she will show you to your rooms now, my lady."

Kel and Joren bowed to one another and then Kel followed the woman through an arched doorway and down a long, torch lit hall. The maid opened the heavy wooden door and ushered Kel inside. The fire in the fireplace was nice and warm, and Kel could see that a steaming bath awaited her. She was grateful for the service. After the maid placed a clean drying cloth next to the tub, she turned to address Kel.

"My name's Molly and I've been at Stone Mountain since the young lord was born. I started out here as his nursemaid." she said and smiled warmly at Kel. "Tis an honor to be servin' ye, milady. My cousin's husband stayed at New Hope for a while afore he came this way. He speaks highly of ye, milady."

"Thank you, Molly," replied Kel, slightly embarrassed by the compliment. "It's very good to meet you, too. And thank you for preparing my bath so quickly."

"Ye're most welcome, milady," Molly beamed and headed for the door. "I'll be back to help ye with gettin' dressed and doin' up yer hair fer dinner."

Molly had already closed the door before Kel could tell her that she really didn't need help with her gown or her hair. She would just have to wait until the maid returned. "Imagine that - Joren's old nursemaid!" Kel undressed and slid into the warm water. She let her thoughts drift for just a little while before she started to scrub away the travel dust with the sweet-smelling soap Molly had provided. Kel wondered what kind of boy Joren had been before she met him as a page. Would he have been a happy little lad like her nephews, or was he already an arrogant little tyrant at a young age? Kel suddenly wanted to know. She wondered whether Molly would be tight-lipped about her former charge or if she'd tell lots of entertaining stories the way some maids did. This was shaping up to be quite an interesting visit.

When Molly returned to help Kel dress for dinner, she found the lady knight already completely dressed in a green velvet dress with brown lace accents. Kel had decided to wear the same gown that she wore to Owen's wedding. Molly was disappointed that she could only help Kel with her hair. Since she had cut it short again, Kel wore her hair in a net, studded with small pearls. Molly helped her arrange the fringe across her forehead into a smooth line. The last time Kel had visited Corus, Lalasa and Tian had spent a lot of time fussing over different ways to make Kel look like a proper lady when she wasn't wearing her uniform. Kel knew they would be dismayed that she had cut her hair, but Lalasa would know the reason behind it and hopefully make few comments. Kel looked at her reflection in the mirror and Molly nodded her head in approval.

"Ye're a right lovely sight, milady," commented Molly. "Ye'll be givin' that Groten Lady a bit of competition, I think."

Kel felt a chill of recognition at the name, and then she asked the maid, "Who is the 'Groten Lady'?"

"She's the healer's sister, milady," replied Molly. "Her husband was killed by one of them bad machines what ye stopped. Sir Ansil of Groten he was. Lady Celeste is stayin' here with her brother, Sir Alwin, but mostly she's glommed onto young Master, I mean, Lord Joren, milady."

Kel remembered Ansil of Groten all too well - he was the first of many hostile conservative knights, most of them Joren's cronies, against whom she jousted. That was also the first of many jousts that Kel won during the King's Progress. It seemed like such a long time ago. Kel was truly sorry for Lady Celeste's loss, especially because she had tried so hard to find Blayce before too many people died. She felt sad that she was too late to save Ansil, even if he was a bad knight. Obviously, the widow was finished with her period of mourning.

"So are they - Lord Joren and Lady Celeste - courting now?" Kel quietly asked, not wanting to seem too nosy.

Molly chuckled and said just as softly, as though she was telling Kel a secret, "Nay, milady, but I've never see any noblewoman refuse our lord's attentions. They just can't seem to help themselves. He's always been a charmer - if you know what I mean."

"I see," said Kel, as she smoothed the folds of her gown. "Well, I don't think that Lady Celeste has much to worry about from me. I have no intention of being 'charmed' by your lord. And I doubt very seriously that he would even try."

Molly looked at Kel as though she possessed two heads, but she didn't say anything more before she ushered Kel down the hall toward the small banquet hall.

Joren and his mother, as well as Sir Alwin and Lady Celeste, were already waiting in the banquet hall. His back was to the doorway and he was explaining to them his upcoming visit to Stonebridge. Suddenly, Joren saw their facial expressions change, and he knew that Kel must have entered the room. When he turned around to greet her, he stopped in his tracks. Commander Keladry was now attired as Lady Keladry, and even Joren could appreciate the difference. The sight of Kel in her gown - and without a sword strapped to her side - momentarily caught him off guard. It only took him one heartbeat to regain his composure and resume his role as gracious host.

"Ah, Commander Keladry, may I present to you my mother, Lady Virryn of Stone Mountain." Joren held out his hand to bring his mother closer to Kel, as he fought to keep a straight face. "Now I am impressed. I remember those plain ugly gowns she always used to wear to dinner when we were pages, but this ... Mithros! Maybe there's hope after all."

"I am very pleased to meet you, my lady." Kel curtsied to the older woman. "Oh, she looks so tired and frail!"

"Welcome to Stone Mountain, Lady Knight." Lady Virryn replied, and inclined her head toward Kel. She smiled to herself, "Yes, she'll do very nicely indeed."

Kel suddenly remembered how much different Joren's mother had looked the last time she had seen her - the morning after Joren's failed Ordeal. Back then, Lady Virryn had looked distraught as she tried to calm her raging lunatic of a husband. Kel hoped there were no lingering bad feelings about the past, but she didn't have time to ponder it because Joren had moved on to introducing his healer, Sir Alwin of Jennsmont, and the healer's sister, Lady Celeste of Groten. Sir Alwin was a short, stocky man with bushy eyebrows over wide brown eyes. He touched his lips to Kel's hand as he bowed to her and she curtsied to him. Lady Celeste was very pretty, with brown eyes and long brown hair put up into a Tyran twist. The bodice of her crimson dress was cut very low. Kel could understand Joren's attraction to his friend's widow - when they curtsied to one another, Kel feared the other woman's 'assets' would pop out.

Joren invited everyone to their places at the dinner table. He and his mother sat at opposite ends of the long table. The Jennsmont siblings sat next to each other on one side of the table, with Lady Celeste seated closest to Joren. Kel sat alone, opposite Sir Alwin. The food was absolutely the best that Kel had tasted in a long time. She had to restrain herself from gorging on the delicious offerings as each course arrived. She knew that everyone was watching her in some way. Joren boldly watched Kel from his end of the long table, not bothering to hide his interest in her eating. Lady Virryn stole sideways glances at Kel, not wanting to seem too obvious. Sir Alwin also sneaked an admiring glance or two in Kel's direction. Lady Celeste kept looking at Kel was as though she was trying to solve a puzzle.

Joren smiled inwardly as he watched Kel eat heartily. Somehow, it just pleased him to know that Kel was truly enjoying her food. At the end of the meal, she really looked content, even under her mask of serenity. Joren remembered - from his many 'visits' - the way Kel always felt at mealtimes. This was one way he thought he could put his 'hidden knowledge' of Kel to good use. He had specifically requested his cook prepare dishes that he knew that Kel would like. "It's a good thing she gets so much exercise."

Lady Celeste, who had consumed too much wine and not enough food, suddenly pushed aside her plate and blurted out. "I remember you now, Lady Keladry! We - my mother and I - were at the Cavall girl's wedding last autumn. My mother and Lady Vivienne have been the best of friends since childhood, and I accompanied her to Lord Wyldon's home for the party. You were wearing that same gown! I knew it seemed familiar. But ... but you've cut off all your hair! Why would any lady do that - or were you wearing a wig?"

Kel was appalled by Celeste's outburst, but she kept her face blank. It reminded her of the 'catfights' her sisters used to get into before they were married - they would tear each other apart when they both liked the same suitor. Evidently, this woman had mistakenly taken her as a rival for Joren's affection. Kel placed her hands in her lap, squeezed them together and calmly asked, "I beg your pardon, Lady Celeste, but did we meet at the wedding? There were so many people at Lord Wyldon's that day - I'm sorry I just don't remember you."

"Oh, no, we never met." said Celeste. "My mother doesn't agree with women like you and the Lioness becoming knights and all, so we didn't introduce ourselves at the party. I saw you flirting and dancing with all those men - even the groom! Mother thinks it's just ... well it isn't proper to associate with ..." and her voice trailed off.

"What my sister means to say," interjected Sir Alwin, as he removed his sister's wine goblet from her hands, "Is that, while the true conservatives of the realm are grudgingly grateful to you lady knights for saving our collective behinds so many times - they really wished you'd been born men in the first place. Personally, I thank you for stopping those horrid killing machines and fighting off the Scanrans, since some of us are no longer capable of doing so."

Lady Celeste glared at her brother, who pretended not to notice. Joren felt embarrassed by both of them, but he wanted to see how Kel would react. Lady Virryn decided in her mind that it was time for Celeste and Alwin to return to Jennsmont, especially since Joren seemed to be healthy again. Kel kept her face Yamani calm, thought about a calm pond, and waited for her pulse to slow down. She knew she was in conservative territory, but it had been a long while since anyone had been so bold as to state the real issues the way Sir Alwin had.

Kel replied carefully and with great poise, "I respect everyone's right to express his or her own opinion. I enjoy being a knight, and I believe that I am good at what I do. I hope that you all enjoy whatever it is that you do; because that's part of the reason I wanted to help defend our realm. May the gods all bless Tortall!" "I am a rock. I am stone."

Joren was almost proud of the way Kel defended herself against the crassness of the Jennsmont siblings. He raised his goblet and said, "So mote it be!" "Nice speech, Kel!"

"I think perhaps we all should retire for the evening, and have a fresh start in the morning." Joren stood up, excused himself from the table and everyone else followed. He wanted to escape to his own rooms as soon as possible. He needed to think about everything he saw and heard that day. He did not intend to visit Celeste's room tonight. Kel fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

The next day was clear and bright without a cloud in the sky. Kel and her soldiers saddled their horses and said their farewells to their hosts. Joren sauntered down the castle steps to wave them off. He was the epitome of a stately lord, dressed in a gray velvet tunic and blue cloak that matched both the sky and his eyes. He looked good and he carried himself as though he knew he looked good. Kel inwardly smiled at Joren's blatant vanity, but she kept her face calm as she carefully walked her horse to the bottom of the steps.

"I have an idea about what you can do to improve your sword grip," began Kel, as she reached into her leather pouch on Peachblossom's saddle. "You need some balls. Here, you can borrow mine. Just remember to bring them back to me when you come to the fort next week."

Kel's Yamani training kicked in as she held out the small leather balls that she used for exercising her hand muscles. They were a gift from the Lioness when Kel had returned as a second-year page. Kel's face was a smooth mask of calm. Joren slowly took the balls from Kel's outreached hand and looked at her with a strange, almost pained expression on his face.

"The exercises are easy, you just squeeze them in your hands," Kel fought hard not to smile or have any humor in her voice, while she demonstrated with her empty hand. "You know, like you're crushing nuts. That'll build up the strength of your grip in no time. I'm just trying to help." She bowed her head and quietly cleared her throat. "Thank you again for your hospitality, sir. We will look forward to your visit next week."

Joren just stood there with the leather exercise balls in his hand, stunned that Kel had gotten the best of him, as the lady knight turned her horse around and slowly headed for the castle gate. Kel's soldiers followed her lead and no one even cracked a smile until they were well past the outer wall. Then they all laughed until they cried as they headed toward the pass.

A/N: Well, now Kel and Joren have become reacquainted. I have a Girl Scout campout this weekend, so I won't be able to update for a while. I hope the long chappie satisfies you. Tell me what you think. Thanks!