So, here's my next chapter. Nothing too exciting, just following up Roald's night of...Erm, "tomfoolery"...I really couldn't find another way to describe it. Shame on you, Roald...(But we still love you! Mwah!)

Now...Enjoy.

Chapter Five

Roald's POV

I woke up, my mind a bit fuzzy and my head feeling as if someone had taken a warhammer to it.

"Ugh," I groaned. Propping myself up on my elbow, I surveyed my surroundings. The room I was in looked awfully familiar...

A couple of birds (which I realized were sparrows) flew into my face. I waved them away and for the first time, noticed a small dog at the foot of the bed, wagging his crooked tail.

Realization dawned on me. I lay back down. I swore under my breath. Wild thoughts entered my head. What in Mithros' name did I do?

As I lay back down, I heard a crinkling sound. Startled by the sudden noise, I bolted straight back up. Turning around, I looked behind me to see where it had come from. I saw a small portion of a piece of paper underneath the pillow. I lifted the pillow up to reveal a note, written for me from Kel.

It read:

Salma gave me an extra key to your room. It's on the bookshelf.

I'm at the practice courts if you need me.

Kel

I stared at the note, puzzled. Why would I need an extra key?

Nevertheless, I took it and instead of walking down to my room, headed for the practice courts. It was late morning. I knew that Kel liked to wake up at dawn on her days off and stay at the practice courts till lunchtime, bringing a self-made meal with her, so I knew she'd still be there.

As I approached her, I grinned at the sight of her, biting her lip in concentration as she handled her glaive with deadly speed, yet at the same time, looking as graceful as a dancer. She paused, panting a little, kneeling and placing her glaive on the ground beside her.

I clapped, awed by the performance. Not aware that she had an audience, she turned her head sharply in my direction. She smirked when she saw me.

"Have a good rest, my Prince? I hope your head doesn't hurt too bad," she said, her eyes filled with amusement. "I hope you've learned your lesson."

"And what lesson would that be?" I asked her, still confused.

"You mean you don't remember?" She chuckled to herself, shaking her head. Now, I was afraid. What had happened? "Your Highness, you really shouldn't be drinking. It's bad for the health, you know."

"Oh..." I blushed furiously, recalling everything that had happened. Getting locked out of my own room, Kel showing up, and what I had said to her. "Listen--" I started.

"You don't have to apologize, Roald," she interrupted, her eyes now filled with sympathy.

I shook my head. "Mithros, Kel, what would I do without you?" I asked. What would I do without her?

She rolled her eyes at me. The bell rang, signaling that it was time for lunch. "Come on, let's get something to eat." I nodded.

We started walking towards the mess hall. She grabbed my arm and frowned. "You should change your clothes. People will be wondering why you're wearing the same ones as yesterday."

I ran to my room to change, leaving Kel standing in the middle of the courtyard. "I'll catch up with you later!" I called to her, not wanting her to be late.

"Okay!" she yelled back. I gave her a little wave and disappeared into the palace.

Kel's POV

I sighed, watching his back as he entered the palace. I resumed my walk to the mess hall.

Why?!

Why was this happening? The only explanation I could find was that the gods were punishing me. Or that they just liked to toy with people's lives.

Why did it have to be now? When I was so close to earning my shield?

Why Roald? Of all the people to fall for, why did it have to be the Crown Prince of Tortall?

Why me?

Haha, I just recalled a conversation I had with my best friend Mariah, having to do with being punished (as Kel seems to feel is happening to her right now). This was back when I only had 1 chapter up. I was complaining to her about how I had reached 4 reviews, but my reviewers must hate me (you can't tell, but I'm shooting a meaningful glare at the computer screen at this moment) because they were making me suffer, seeing as I only needed 1 more review. Just 1 more. And I told her (and I intend to copyright this as soon as I figure out exactly how to copyright)...

"I'm being punished because I'm so good-looking!"

So, there. Your AlissaMoment of the Day.

Now, I won't be updating until my total reviews (as in all the chapter reviews put together) reaches 26. Yep, 26. No, it's not a joke.

Get to it!

-MidwinterLuck