Here is another update:) Happy Halloween.

Kel's body ached all over. She woke on the floor of her rooms. Lord Burchard had beaten her for hours. Swearing and spitting on her in intervals. Kel had tried to fight back, but with the surprise attack and her skirts, she had no chance.

Kel's eyes were so swollen that she could barely crack them open. When she was able to, Kel looked at her windows, only a dim light shown through the cracks in the shutters. It was barely past dawn and it would be awhile before someone checked in on her.

Moving to get up, Kel winced and yelped. She couldn't help it. It felt as if all her ribs had been broken. Her right arm hung at a strange angle and she couldn't get her fingers to move. Tears of pain flowed silently down her face. She couldn't help it. If it had been only that, she could hold it in. But it wasn't.

Both her legs were broken; her left knee cap was mush. All the fingers on her left hand were sticking out in strange directions. Her jaw wouldn't move without pain, it was broken. Kel lay on the floor, trying to breath through the pain. Never had she been beaten so thoroughly. Carefully, Kel checked one more thing. She dreaded what she would find.

She had no reason to worry. She was still wearing her loincloth. But her body hurt down there. Lord Burchard had made sure that he hit her everywhere. She tried to curl her body into a ball and started to cry. Kel hated to feel helpless.

This has just strengthened my resolve. She thought as she shook with shock. All she could think of was the pain. Kel knew that she needed to get her shield just to show the men that women could fight too. And the next thing she was going to learn was fight a dress.

A chirping brought Kel out of her thoughts. She lifted her aching head and looked at a tiny bird. "Crown." Kel said quietly as she nearly feinted. "Get-" She stopped talking as she started to cough up blood. The bird shrilled and flew out the window. Kel struggled to breathe as she coughed.

Someone knocked on her door. It was a leisurely knock, telling Kel that this wasn't the help Crown went to get. The knock came again as a voice called.

"Kel? Are you in there?" Roald's voice came through the door.

"Roald." Kel tried to call loudly, but couldn't raise her voice. But somehow Roald heard her, he opened the door. He took one look at her and called the guard as he stooped down to Kel.

"Oh, Kel. Who did this to you?" Blue started to glow around his hands as he started to heal her.

"It was-" Kel choked and fought for air. Roald quickly moved his hands to her chest.

"Gods Kel, all of your ribs are broken and one punctured your lung." He whispered; his face had turned white. Kel's vision started to blur and then started to turn dark. "Kel! Hold on, you must fight!"

She fought for consciousness as she heard feet stomping in the hallway. She turned her head and saw Duke Baird enter the room. Then her vision went black.

Duke Baird stood looking through the papers on his desk. Reports about the stock in the infirmary and possible assistants were strewn across the desk spotted with candle wax. In the next few days he knew he would have to respond, but it was the holiday he would answer them later. Sighing he stood and went into the main infirmary. There were about a dozen people being ministered a steaming mug by the assistants.

He chuckled. These were the ones who drank a little too much wine at the first Midwinter ball the night before. Duke Baird settled in a chair looking out the open window and gazed at the beautiful sight. It was a winter wonder. The white snow covered the rooftops of the surrounding outer buildings of the palace. He was day dreaming when a shrill roused him. He watched as a small sparrow dived at him. He jumped up from his seat and the bird flew to the doorway. Not needing another shrill, he followed the bird, grabbing his medic's bag on the way out.

Duke Baird was surprised as he was led to the nobles' wing. And even more surprised to arrive at an open door to find a glowing prince. He could see a skirt of a ball gown.

"Your Highness?" The prince turned to him, face white. Now Duke Baird could see the patient. Lady Keladry.

"Duke Baird. I need help. She's dying."

Cliffie!  Do you likie?

Macko