Disclaimer: These character do not belong to me, they belong to Tamora Pierce.

A/N- I apologize for not updating for such a long period of time. I cannot believe it has been this long since I last updated, especially since I know this isn't the world's greatest story, so I lose readers when I go so long without updating. Life can completely make me forget about things/ not give me the time to do what I want. I hope I can continue to update this story more often. Again SORRY! But here is the latest chapter.

Chapter Nine

Kel's POV

After talking with Raoul last night I went back to my tent and fell asleep without doing anything else. It seemed as if the discussion with Raoul helped clear my head of my worries a little. Especially since he had mentioned that King Jon may have already thought about our outsider knowledge theory. Out of everything we could have to report, a theory like that could cause trouble.

Of course thinking about the list and information brought worries back again. I knew I had to bring it with me so I could continue working on it, but I also had to be on constant watch out for anyone going near my bag. As well as the fact that I would have to find a way to meet up with both Neal and Roald.

"Are you already awake Kel?"

"Yeah, did I wake you Theo?"

"No, I was just hoping the movement from that side of the tent was you and not an animal."

"Don't like animals, or have a fear of them?"

"Neither, it's just too early to have to deal with them."

"True. You go back to sleep, when it comes to an exercise like this, you want to sleep when you can cause you never know what they have in store for you."

"What about you? You going back to sleep?"

"No, I think I fell asleep a little too early last night. I'm going to go sit outside for a bit."

I got out of my bed roll and packed it away allowing for more room in the tent. I pulled out a comb and ran it through my hair quickly before quietly crawling through the boys' part of the tent to the outdoors.

No one else was awake at this time. It was about the same time we had to wake up the day prior, but it seemed we were being given the chance to get a little extra rest. I walked over to the fire pit and sat on the ground with my back against one of the logs. The ground was wet from the morning dew that would burn off with the sun later.

It would've been nice if my mind stayed blank empty of all thoughts. But this time of day seems to be the perfect time for thinking. Pulling up things you didn't want to think about because you don't have to worry as much. The only thing at this point that could see you was the nature that surrounded the camp. It seemed to want to know what was on my mind to add to the collection of knowledge that it already has, and will never let go of.

As long as we would be working on the list, and trying to use what we've learnt from the other world to solve everything, I wouldn't be able to lock away everything that happened then. I wish I could. Just block out the pain, but for some reason at this point it seemed to just flow through me. If I had been in my own room at the palace there is a good chance I would have just broken down and started crying, but since I was in the middle of a clearing surround by men and boys who could wake up at any moment I knew I couldn't.

I heard a twig snap behind me. Pulling away from my thoughts I let my face fall into its blank look. I turned my head to see Merric standing a few feet away. "Sorry Kel. I didn't mean to disturb you. I looked in your tent and saw that you were missing. I was only looking for you, since I didn't want to go through your pack to find the book myself."

I laughed slightly, letting his rambling bring some joy to me. "You sound like a child who has been caught doing something."

"I feel like one. Even though I don't know what you're doing, I felt as though it would be best to stay clear which is why I was about to turn around."

"Don't worry about it. Come join me, everyone will be awake soon and this silence will be broken anyways."

"You mind me asking what you were thinking about?"

"Not much and everything. Mainly about the other world."

"Do you prefer it there?"

"No, it's just some things were so much simpler there, made a little more difficult after returning."

He just sighed a little and looked towards the trees. We both sat there in silence for a few minutes before Merric broke the silence. "Kel, did you see that?"

"See what?"

"The bushes there I swear they moved."

I looked in the direction he was pointing and saw nothing. "The sun is only starting to lighten the sky. You are probably seeing things."

"Just watch in case it moves again."

Merric was right and it did. This time we knew what was moving it. A little girl no older than ten began walking towards us. "Merric, go wake up Lord Raoul. His tent is close. Be quiet though, we don't want to scare her away."

Merric slowly got up and started walking in the direction of Raoul's tent. The girl stopped when Merric started moving, her eyes followed him for a minute before returning to me. I smiled at her a little hoping that she would not be frightened by us. I heard footsteps behind me, followed by a voice, "Kel, you shouldn't just remain sitting there like that. You don't know if she is alone or not."

"She has yet to look back to the woods, or even move back towards them. I did not want to scare her away if she is really only a little girl lost by herself."

"I understand your reasoning Kel, but next times please take more caution. Although I guess that covers the reason why you did not yell to wake the entire camp."

"Yes sir, I promise I will."

"Merric, go get Wyldon, tell him to be careful and keep an eye for anything. But tell him I don't want him to wake the camp yet."

"Yes sir."

Merric left in the same manner he had to get Raoul, this time towards the opposite side of the camp. Raoul moved to sit next to me, except on the log from which he could easily get up from. I still didn't move, and he didn't tell me to. I let my gaze move from the girl and the forest to see what Raoul was doing since I could tell he was moving.

He had begun smiling at the girl, waving her to come join us. She cautiously stepped forward, keeping her eyes on us. It took her time to cross the short distance to where we were sitting. She reached us moments before Merric came back with Lord Wyldon, who looked at the girl with surprise.

Raoul had turned his head to Wyldon, "You look surprised. Do you know her?"

"No it's just the fact that there is a girl here. Especially one so young."

The girl stood up straighter. "I'm not that young sir. I'm already eleven."

"You speak well. Where did you come from?"

"A city, sir. My brother told me to tell no one."

"Your brother, is he in the woods there?"

"No, he is in Corus. He told me if he hadn't returned within two months that I should travel along the road 'til I get there."

"Then why are you not on the road?"

"The road is dangerous. I hid from men who came to take our stuff. I heard them say that he would never return again, and they need to find me. I knew I had to head to Corus and find my brother myself, but not going near the road where I may be found."

"You're very smart for someone your age. Will you share your name?"

"Alyxina, sir."

"I am Lord Wyldon, this here is Lord Raoul. We would be willing to ensure that you get to Corus safely."

"I can't afford to pay for any sort of protection."

"You won't have to. We are travelling with a group. Many no older then you are. I even offer my help in finding your brother."

"Really sir? At no cost to me?"

"Yes."

The girl ran over and gave Wyldon a hug. He looked a little uncomfortable at it, but patted the girl's back lightly anyways. "Now, this is the girl you are going to listen to while you're with us. Her name is Kel. If you have any questions ask her. If you find yourself having troubles with something ask her. You will share the same tent that she does, and will have to obey the same rules. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir. I won't cause any problems I promise."

She turned and smiled at me, I smiled back. Since my siblings were older than me I was used to children, but I never dealt with one that was not a niece or nephew, and not since I had started my training. Wyldon looked at the sky, stretched and began walking towards the tents. I knew I only had a few minutes before Lord Wyldon had everyone awake and leaving their tents.

"Do you think this is another missing name we should look more into?"

"We may need to, but we can decide that later. For now I want you to quietly take her to your tent and for the two of you to stay there until I come from you. It would be best if we tell everyone that we have a new companion, and that they are not to speak about it, and to not do anything that will scare her."

Merric joined me in walking back to where I tents were. "I wonder why the Stump was so nice to her," he whispered eyeing Alyxina who was walking on the other side of me.

"If I'm not mistaken he has a daughter or two of his own. Makes it easier to worry about kids if you do."

"That does make sense. I'll see you later." he said entering his own tent not caring about how much noise he was making.

I opened the flap to my tent, and warned Alyxina to be careful and to go to the other side of the packs in the middle. When she was behind the packs I woke Joren and Theo up. "Raoul believes Wyldon will be making a speech to everyone, it will especially affect you two, so I suggest you hurry up and get ready. And please don't say much while you do. Just up, ready, leave, and don't worry about me."

I crawled over to my side of the tent. Joining Alyxina, I put my finger over my lips signalling her to keep quiet. We stayed quiet until the boys had left the tent. When I was sure they were not in hearing distance I began to talk. "My name is Kel. The other boy that came back with us is Merric. The two boys in this tent you don't have to worry about."

"I'm Alyxina. Do you really think I can find my brother?"

"There is a chance that we will be able to. I'm not sure if they will cut our training short, but if not we will be here a few more days. Right now you are with a group of pages, three squires and the Kings Own; you don't have much to worry about."

I looked her up and down to see what sort of state she was in. I had been only watching her before so I hadn't realized how much of a toll the forest had taken on her appearance. I pulled out a cloth and my water canteen. I wet it and handed it to her. She used it to clean her face before handing it back. "Thank you, that feels so much better."

I handed her the canteen to drink from. "I don't have any food on me right now, but we will be able to get some in a bit."

She nodded then took a long drink. I let her satisfy her thirst while I pulled out my comb and a spare outfit. "I know this is going to be big on you but there isn't much we can do about that right now. Although we might be able to find something to tie around your waist to help hold the breeches up. You may not be used to wearing them, but you're not going to find any dresses in camp to wear while we wash this one."

"It's okay; with the tunic over top they will barely be seen. I can roll up the breeches slightly to fit, and the ribbon on this dress isn't sown on. I only tied it around to look nice, so I can use that to hold them up."

I heard footsteps outside our tent. I put my finger over my mouth again. I crawled over to the flap to see who it was. Lord Raoul was standing with his back to the tent. "Kel. Please come out for a moment."

"One second sir."

I poked my head over the packs, "Get changed, I'll help you fix everything when I come back in. If any guys come in the tent, stay quiet. The comb is next to the pack, you can use it for your hair."

She nodded and began to get changed. I crawled out of the tent and walked the few steps to where Raoul was. "I'm here sir."

"We are ready for you two to come out. Breakfast is being made as we speak and everyone has been warned."

"Okay sir, we will join in a few minutes. She is just putting on a clean outfit now."

"How does she have a clean outfit to wear?"

"I gave her one of my spare ones. She cannot continue wearing her dress, it need a washing, if I can get permission to do so after breakfast before starting any tasks?"

"You have permission. We will stay here tonight and leave tomorrow. The only thing happening today is looking for tracks in the woods. Alyxina can join in. I will make sure your group is with mine, that way I can help you keep a watch on her and not worry, and we can leave a little later that way."

"Thank you sir. She is most likely ready by now."

"Ah, yes. You can go back."

I went back into the tent. "Do not worry, it is only me."

Alyxina popped up from behind the backs. "I'm almost done; I'm just having trouble rolling everything up."

I helped her re-adjust everything so that she would not hurt herself doing every day things. "Come let's go get some food before we do anything else."

She nodded and followed out of the tent towards the group.

A/N~ So there is chapter nine :D Because of the eventful beginning to the day it will be broken into two parts. Hopefully I will get the next part up soon. Please leave a review if you like this chapter.