A/N: Hey guys, sorry about the massive gap between chapters, I've been a very busy little bee the past month or two. School production took up a lot of my time, and of course the ever present evil that is mass loads of homework. However, here it is, chapter 9 (finally). Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 9
The sun set over the forest surrounding the palace of Corus, and the inhabitants of the palace were returning to their rooms after Yuki and Neal's wedding reception. Servants bustled backwards and forwards, tidying up the hall.
Neal opened the door for Yuki, stepped back to allow her to enter, then closed and locked the door. Yuki sat on the bed and Neal walked over to join her. He sat next to her and Yuki slid closer to him, winding her arms around his strong neck. He claimed her mouth with his, sliding his tongue into her mouth and twining it with hers. He slipped his arms around her waist, and she slid her hands down over his strong, muscled arms, down to his waist, then brought her hands back upwards to caress his chest. He slid his hands around to her stomach and untied her obi, then began to remove the many layers of kimonos. She lowered her hands to his waist and undid the hooks holding his breeches then, together with his shirt, slid them off and to the floor. He removed her breastband, then cupped her full breasts in his hands and ran his thumbs over her pink peaks. She gasped, tilting her head back, an expression of pure ecstasy etched upon her delicate features. Her hands ran down his chest to his loincloth, removing it, where it joined their clothes on the floor. She then closed her hand around his hard shaft, sliding it slowly downwards. He groaned and rolled her onto the bed, saying, "Yuki love, if you do that I won't last much longer." She giggled, which quickly turned into a gasp as his tongue dipped into her belly button, then began travelling lower, where he grasped her loincloth with his teeth and slid it slowly down, interspersing the movement with tiny licks upon her legs. He then pressed hot, open mouthed kisses back up the insides of her legs. When he closed his mouth over her women's heat, she cried out. She could feel his tongue sliding back and forth over her sensitive spot. When his tongue slipped inside her, she gasped, the exquisite sensations assaulting her, driving her almost mindless with need. Neal drew his tongue out, then looked up at his wife. He smiled at her passion–flushed face, then entered her and began to move back and forth. Yuki arched up into him, rubbing herself wantonly against him. His rhythm became faster, more urgent, then together they went over the edge, spiraling into pleasure, their cries mingling together, hanging in the still air. Then they curled up together under the covers and slept a sated, contented sleep in each others' arms.
Kel threw the covers back angrily. I'll never get to sleep like this! she thought. Her mind had been turning on Larsen. Although they were lovers and had shared many a stolen kiss, ducking into hidden alcoves and behind bushes, she still felt as though she knew nothing about him. I know! she thought, I'll go and see if the Chamber of the Ordeal can help! It helped me with Blayce, so maybe it knows something about Larsen! She quietly dressed and snuck out of the room, not wanting to wake Tobe.
The castle was a very different place at night. Most of the servants were in bed, and the castle was quiet and dark. Kel walked down the hallway past the knights' quarters. She shuddered as she heard a feminine gasp from Neal's room; she didn't particularly want to know what Yuki and Neal were doing in there. She continued on to the Chapel of the Ordeal.
The heavy doors creaked shut behind Kel. She crossed to the metal door leading to the Chamber. Kel took a deep breath, then slipped through the doorway.
Kel stood in a thick forest, the trees blocking out the light from the sun. She drew her glaive and walked cautiously through the trees.
"Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan, we meet again," came a voice. The voice of the Chamber.
"Indeed we do. I have come to ask a few questions of you," replied Kel. The Chamber replied, "What is it this time, Lady Keladry?"
"Sir Larsen of Pirate's Swoop. There's something wrong about him, something I just can't seem to find. You are all–seeing, can you tell me?"
"Ah yes, Larsen of Pirate's Swoop. I know what it is you wish to know, but I am afraid I cannot tell you. To do so would be to upset the balance of our world, and many others beyond it."
The scene around Kel shifted. She was now standing in a dark tunnel. The walls were rock, and it was dark. The Chamber continued.
"However, I can tell you that Larsen of Pirate's Swoop has not told the truth. You are on the right path. Just continue straight ahead," light appeared in front of her, "and you will reach the knowledge you seek." Kel thanked the Chamber, and was about to leave, when the Chamber said, "Lady Keladry, when you reach the truth, do not think too harshly of Larsen of Pirate's Swoop. He did what he did out of love." The light rushed towards her, and Kel was surrounded by the bright flash. She cried out and fell to her hands and knees. Shakily, she stood and, as she left the Chamber, it whispered, "Godspeed, Lady Keladry."
Kel fell through the doorway, sweating and shaking violently. She lay on the cool floor for a few moments, recovering from the blow the Chamber's light had dealt her. Then she struggled to her feet and left the Chapel.
Kel walked tiredly and shakily along the corridor, passing Neal's room, and although there were no more sounds issuing from behind the door, Kel had to suppress a shudder at the thought of Neal and Yuki's activities. She stumbled back into her room and fell, still fully clothed, into bed.
Kel woke early the next morning. The sun had barely risen, yet Kel felt no desire to sleep again, nor to rise. Tobe was peacefully slumbering on his pallet near the door, Jump and the sparrows awake and watching her. Kel patted the bed next to her and Jump climbed up to lay next to her, the sparrows settling on her bed's headboard. Kel thought about her visit to the Chamber last night. 'I know what it is you wish to know, but I am afraid I cannot tell you', Kel thought, then snorted derisively, What is this, a fairytale? She buried her face in Jump's thick fur. Larsen isn't telling the truth, eh? Well, I'll just have to go and find him and force it out of him.
Kel left her quarters, and hour and a half later, and headed down to breakfast. Larsen wasn't there. I should have come down earlier, Kel chided herself, the pages have started their lessons and he's a teacher, or, at least, that's what he told me… Kel wasn't sure what to believe anymore. Kel finished her breakfast and wandered down to the training yards. Larsen was jousting with one of the pages, who Kel thought was called Niralo of Anak's Eyrie. He must be teaching them to joust, she thought.
"Ah, Lady Knight!" Padraig hurried over, "A word, if you will?"
"Of course, Padraig. What can I do for you?" replied Kel.
"Are you available this afternoon, my lady?"
"Yes sir, why do you ask?"
"Well, I was hoping you might be bale to tell the first year pages about the Scanra/Tortall war you came home from a few weeks ago? I've got them studying it at the moment."
Kel smiled, "I'd love to, Padraig."
"Excellent! We'll see you this afternoon then!"
Kel nodded and bowed, then went back to the castle to prepare her speech.