A/N: Hey guys! Thanks to all who reviewed for the last few chapters! Sorry, this one's a bit shorter than the others; I had a LOT of homework to do, and I've come down with tonsillitis, so I'm feeling pretty tired. I'll see what I can do as I type. This is the chapter where we really start to get into the story. There are quite a few developments in this one.

This chapter jumps 2 weeks forward after the end of the last chapter, just to let you know. Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 6

Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan led her companions through the gates of the palace in Corus, ending a two week long journey from New Hope on the border of Scanra and Tortall to Corus, on the coast of the beautiful Emerald Sea.

"Here we are, ladies and gentlemen, home again," announced Kel. She dismounted and led Hoshi and Peachblossom to the stables, Tobe and Sprite close on her heels.

"'Ere milady, allow me," he said, taking Hoshi and Peachblossom's reins.

"Thank you Tobe, I don't know how I ever managed without you," she replied gratefully, taking her bundles of clothing, armour and weaponry from Hoshi and Peachblossom. Her companions were untacking and cleaning their horses nearby as she left the stables. She crossed the courtyard and entered the palace.

It was bustling with activity, as usual. Pages and squires hurrying about, noblemen trailing in the wake of beauteous ladies of the court, and servants cleaning and running around busily. Kel headed off to her apartments and the blissful quiet and privacy they promised. As she walked through the palace, she noticed a handsome young man staring after her. He's quite handsome. Must be a new knight, he looks too old to be a page or squire, she thought. She smiled at him, and his face turned bright red. He hurried away down a side corridor, his long dark brown hair bouncing as he ran, leaving Kel's heart fluttering wildly and her face pink.

Larsen ducked hurriedly around the corner and ran a little way, his face still red. I don't know who she was, he thought, his long dark brown hair falling into his face, but she's beautiful. So majestic…almost a warrior princess. Her dignity is amazing. He walked back to the corner and stared reverently after Kel as she disappeared from view. He walked back around the corner again, almost crashing into a young boy who was hurrying up the corridor behind him.

"Oh, sorry, milord. Lady Keladry!" the boy called.

She turned, and replied, "Ah, Tobe, finished with Hoshi, Peachblossom and Sprite?"

Tobe hurried over to her, taking her armour and weapons from her, "Yes milady, they's all tucked up nicely for the nigh'."

She opened a door, "Well done, Tobe." Kel ushered Tobe inside, then closed the door. Lady Keladry, he thought, I'll have to investigate her.

Larsen headed down the corridors to Sarara's room, where they were gathering that evening to study, dreamily contemplating Kel, Her bearing was almost regal, she looked so strong, fearless…and the way the light fell on her hair, making it shine in the dusk… Larsen sighed, and knocked on Sarara's door.

"Come in!" she called. Larsen entered the room, and Sarara looked up.

"Hello Lars, you're the first one here!" Sarara said happily.

"Yes, hi Sari. I wanted to ask your advice about something," he replied.

"Fire away, Larsen."

Larsen sat on the bed next to Sarara. "Well, when I was walking over here, I took a detour past the knight quarters, and -"

"Why were you taking a detour through the knight quarters?" Sarara interrupted.

"A group of knights returned today from the Scanran border today, and I wanted to see them. Well, I saw one of them, and she was beautiful! She seemed so strong and powerful! All I know about her, though, is her name. Lady Keladry."

"Wait a minute…did you say Lady Keladry? The Lady Keladry?!" Sarara was suddenly excited, "You mean Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan?!"

"I-I think so. Do you know her?"

"Tall, with short mousy hair?" Larsen nodded. "Yes, that's her. I don't personally know her, but I know of her. She was – is my heroine! She inspired me to become a page. She'd be…" Sarara thought for a moment, "18 by now. I'm pretty sure she's single right now too. She had a lover a while back called Cleon of Kennan, but they broke up a while ago."

Larsen digested this information. Single, young, pretty. Perfect! he thought, I'll introduce myself at the royal ball tomorrow night.

"Thanks Sari, you've been a great help!" he said happily, as Doran and Tamsin entered.

Kel woke the next morning at her usual early hour. She fed her sparrows and Jump, her dog, dressed in breeches and a forest-green shirt, then began her usual glaive exercises, thrusting, slicing and twirling in the pattern dance. By the time she was finished, Tobe was up and dressed.

"Mornin', milady," he said, as she finished her glaive exercises.

"Good morning Tobe, how are you feeling today?" she asked, hooking her glaive back onto its rack on her wall.

"No' bad, milady. Shall we go to breakfas' now?" he asked. Kel laughed, opened her door, and left, with Tobe at her side.

Tobe and Kel entered the dining hall, where Tobe veered off to the kitchens, with the other servants. Kel crossed the hall and sat at the knight's table, not noticing Larsen watching her every move from the page's table. She looked around for the handsome knight she had seen yesterday, or so she thought, and was disappointed not to see him there. Maybe he came and had his breakfast earlier, she thought. Sighing, she began to eat her toast.

After breakfast, Kel and Tobe hurried over to the squires' quarters. She had thought last night that she might look the squires over, to see if there were any suitable for her to take on. She was sorely disappointed though. All the decent ones were already taken, Kel and her friends having returned to the castle too late to get first choice. Never mind, you still need to settle back in to the palace, she thought consolingly, Maybe next year. She left the squires' wing slightly disappointed.

Kel left the castle and walked over to the stables, intending to practice some tilting in time for the Progress in a month's time. She walked to the stables and saddled Peachblossom, collected her lance, and rode out to the practice lanes, where a target was set up. She positioned Peachblossom at the end of the lane, lowered her lance and said, "Charge" to Peachblossom, who took off in a gallop towards the target. Kel aimed for the ring, hitting it slightly off-centre, and winced as the sandbag on the other end walloped her back. Come on Kel, focus. You used to be able to do this, she thought, annoyed. She rode Peachblossom back to the start of the lane, set her lance and rode at it again, this time hitting it squarely. She heard a round of applause, and realized that three pages had gathered at the fence to watch. They approached her slowly, until Peachblossom snorted and stamped his hoof.

"Easy, Peachblossom," she said warningly to her horse, then said to the pages, "Don't come too close, he's a real pain to strangers."

"Oh, ah, thanks," replied one of the girls, "I'm Tamsin of Cavall, and this is Sarara of Malorie's Peak and my lover, Niralo of Anak's Eyrie."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Keladry of Mindelan."

"I know, you're my heroine," replied the blonde girl, who Kel was pretty sure was called Sarara, "You inspired me to try for my shield, Lady Keladry."

"Um, I'm honoured. Just Kel, though." She dismounted from Peachblossom, "Well, I'm sorry, but I have to go put Peachblossom away. I might see you tonight at the ball."

"Of course, goodbye Lady…sorry, Kel," replied Sarara. Kel led Peachblossom away. What a nice group, she thought, Shame they're only pages, I would have liked one of those girls for my squire. After putting Peachblossom away, Kel headed back to her rooms for a bath and to prepare for the ball, which the king had insisted everyone in the palace attend.

Kel had dressed in a deep indigo gown, with semi-transparent sleeves, a flared skirt with ruffles , and a neckline cut across the shoulders, as was the latest fashion. Her dress had a silver sash around the waist and silver slippers to match. Her hair was swept up into a delicate coiffure on top of her head, with two curls framing her face. Lalasa, her maid of her page years, had made the dress and come tonight to help her ready herself for the ball. Lalasa curled Kel's eyelashes, as Kel complained, "I don't see why I have to go tonight, Lalasa. I'm a knight, not some simpering lady obsessed with finding a husband. I tried for my shield to avoid that."

"But the king wishes you to go, my lady. And you do look lovely tonight," she replied, "There now, finished!"

Kel walked slowly to the mirror in the corner and apprehensively looked at herself. She was, however, pleasantly surprised.

"Wow, you've done a fantastic job Lalasa, thank you!"

"Not a problem, Kel." Lalasa curtseyed, "You'd best be off, my lady, the ball is starting."

"Thank you so much, Lalasa," said Kel gratefully. Kel hurried down the corridors to the grand hall, and entered. She spotted Neal and Merric and hurried across to join them.

"…yeah, she's a lovely girl, and a great tilter," said Sarara, "Oh, hey, look, there she is Larsen, go for it!" she gestured across towards Kel, Neal and Merric. Larsen nodded, straightened his tunic, and left. Nervously, he approached Kel and said, "Lady Keladry, may I have this dance?" He bowed, feeling his stomach flipping around wildly.

"Um…of course, er…I'm terribly sorry, I don't know your name," replied Kel. She sounded nervous too, "I'm afraid I'm not a very good dancer."

"Neither am I, my lady. I am P –Sir Larsen of Pirate's Swoop."

Guilty at his lie, Larsen took Kel's hand and led her onto the floor.