Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to Tamora Pierce.
AN: Here's the next installment of Coming Back Home, I can't promise how long before the next update, seeing as I never truly planned on continuing this story!
Kel had been surprised when she had received the royal letter calling her back to Corus, and shocked when she found out that neither of her fellow knight friends, nor other strategically placed units had been called back home. The letter contained nothing but a cryptic order to be back in Corus by the month's end.
Upon entering into Corus, a city that Kel had last left on her way up to the Scanran border after being knighted, she couldn't help but smile at the look of wonder on Tobe's face when they actually entered the capital.
"Why'd they make such a big city for? What's wrong with havin' a small village? And why is the palace so big, nobody needs a house that big not even if them that live there are royal."
Kel laughed at the young man's questions, while she would have loved to be able to travel home with her friends like she had on the move north, she couldn't help but be thankful for the company of the young man whom she traveled with. "Well Tobe, they need such a large palace to house not just the royal family, but to also keep those nobles of importance close when there are important discussions, all the boys and girls who are becoming knights, the knights, and other warriors, like the Riders and the Own, who use the capital as a home base, and then you have all of the servants. She paused and thought for a moment, "And I have no idea why the city is so large, I just assume that it started small and then over the years began to grow and expand."
By now they had reached the palace gates. With a sigh Kel dismounted and turned towards the nearly empty knight's stable, it seemed that most knights were still out in the field, or at their home fiefs. Kel frowned, if the knights were still needed in the field, then how come she was here? If it was for new orders along the border than General Vanget would have told her.
Knowing that it would be pointless to stand pondering a question that would be answered soon enough, Kel waited for Tobe to finish grooming Peachblossom before leading him into the palace. She let a small smile grace her face as she watched him look around in wonder at the inside of the palace, "This place is huge, I'm never gonna learn how to not get lost here!"
Kel let out a laugh, "That's what I first thought when I entered the palace, but don't worry, you'll find your way soon enough. How about after a bath and a hot meal I take you on a tour and show you around? I'll even take you to all the stables so you can meet new horses." She smiled warmly at the look of happiness that spread across his face.
As Kel had known Tobe was delighted to visit the many stable yards, even if they were more than half empty with the exception of the Page's stable. It was here that Kel introduced Tobe to the people shy Stefan Groomsman. Kel joined in the laughter as he told stories of the mischief caused by Kel and her friends while they were training.
"Milady, you never told me that Sir Nealan started a brawl. He seems so…bookish." Tobe looked up at Kel with wide eyes.
She laughed, "True, he still would rather read a book than join me for practice, but he needed the training to become a knight. I scolded him that night." She smiled fondly at the memory, and let out a laugh at Tobe's wide eyes, he'd only been scolded by her a few times. Having said goodbye to Stefan they made their way back to the palace and Kel's room. It had been a long journey and tomorrow she would most likely get a summons from the king.
After a restful night Kel woke at her usual time and began her morning exercises. She smiled when Tobe came out to join her. After a thorough workout she led the way to the mess, opting for the Knight's mess hall as she didn't know who was there, and all of her favorite people of the Own were still on the border.
People were slowly trickling into the mess when they had finished, just as they were heading out the door Kel finally saw someone she recognized. She just hoped that things were ok between them; after all, it had been awhile since they last saw each other. "Hello Cleon."
Her big friend and ex-sweetheart looked up. "Kel." He quickly looked down at his hands. "I didn't know you were back. Neal no longer need a baby sitter?" He tried to force a smile on his face. Kel had to stop herself from groaning out loud. He was still mooning over her.
With a tight smile she replied as cheerfully as she could, "I highly doubt he will ever not need a keeper. I still hope Yuki is up to the challenge." Tobe snorted. Remembering her charge she fondly gripped the boy's shoulders as she introduced them. "Cleon, this is Tobeis Boon. Tobe Sir Cleon of Kennan."
Kel was more than relieved to receive a message after the two shook hands. "Excuse me Cleon, I need to get ready for a meeting I have in an hour. Maybe later we can catch up." After his curt nod Kel continued on her way, letting out a large sigh once she was out of earshot.
"He was uncomfortable Lady Kel. He didn't act like no friend." Tobe piped up.
"He didn't act like a friend, Tobe." She corrected him automatically, and then sighed as she thought over the words she just spoke, "We used to be sweethearts." She paused for a moment, "I was more than relieved when he called it off, he had to marry to help his fief. He still cared."
"That's all well milady," Tobe got a mischievous eye, "you would be better suited with a certain sergeant of the Own anyways." Kel scowled at the boy. They continued up to her rooms in quiet.
When Kel entered into the King's private study she could not help the huge grin that spread across her face as she saw her former knight master. "My lord, it's a surprise to see you here! I thought you were still on the border commanding your men."
Raoul got up and hugged his favorite squire, "Well, I had important business to deal with here in the capital, and how many times must I tell you, it's Raoul." His face was one of mock anger, "Even Alan has no qualms of calling me by my name."
"Raoul, we all know that Alan views you as an uncle." King Jonathan's voice cut through the playful argument. "Besides the Lady Knight does have a point, you are never this eager to reach Corus, unless I'm out on Progress. And you are hardly ever this cryptic. Why have you demanded I call home your former squire?" Jon raised his eyebrow at his older friend.
"I'm retiring in six months. There is nothing you can say to change my mind Jon." Raoul interrupted the King when he opened his mouth to complain. "I have been married to Buri for five years. The wedding was held in a war zone fort, I had a honeymoon which was cut short. We have been separated more times than we can count on both of our hands even with her resigning from her place as commander of the Riders."
Jon sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "You had to spring this one me now? You know the pressures of finding a suitable knight. The conservatives might not have liked the changes you made, but they have finally stopped fighting me in my decision."
"Jon, I already have a knight in mind. I know they are up for the job. They have worked with the Own. They already know the basics. I just need six months to rekindle this knowledge." Raoul cut in, looking Jon in the eye.
"Me?" Kel couldn't help but speak up, making the king jump; he had obviously forgotten Kel was still in the room.
Raoul's face broke into a smile, "I thought it would take longer for you to figure it out." He laughed, "Jon you're getting slower."
Jon let out a snort while mumbling under his breath, "They are going to love this."
"Jon you know this would work, Kel trained as my squire, riding four years with the Own, helping me with the paper work," he grinned, "making the calculations and running the errands when I didn't want you to know I was planning on riding north, with or without your orders. She can do this. The people already view her in a favorable light, Protector of the Small is the most known of the younger knights."
King Jonathan held his hand up, "Raoul, you don't have to try to sell me." He looked at Kel, "The conservatives are not going to like your placement in this position, but I agree with Raoul's reasoning. It would be foolish to place any other knight in this position and have them learn from the ground up." His eyes almost looked pleading to Kel, "Will you do it Lady Knight? Will you accept the position of Knight Commander of the Kings Own in six months' time?"
Kel sat up straighter, "It would be my honor your majesty," and bowed her head. The king returned the gesture.
"We will not tell anyone of your intention of retirement Raoul, there will already be enough of a fire storm when we state you're leaving, all of Chaos' realm will break free when we state our intent of replacing you with Keladry."
With that Jonathan stood and exited before either could leave their seats. Upon exiting the study Raoul whooped then gathered Kel up into a crushing hug.
"Well now former squire o' mine, we have work to do. You have six months to rekindle your knowledge of the Own. Get all the rest you can today, we start tomorrow. If first or second is called out, we'll leave with them. It is important that you get to know all these men, and that they respect you. When third returns in a year you'll have to rekindle your knowledge of them as well. I will leave it up to you who you ride out with, and who you make your second when the time comes."
Kel beamed, "I look forward to it Sir." As she started to walk away she turned back and looked at her former knight master, "Two things though, one I will want to inform third in person upon their arrival." She waited for his nod before she continued, "Second, you planned this since I was your squire haven't you?"
His grin was all she needed to see before she muttered under her breath, "You're a bad man my Lord." He laughed as he walked away.