a/n: Thanks to all those that reviewed. Special thanks go out to theknightofkonaha who has reviewed every chapter and Cow-Lick thanks for the tip on the reiews, I didn't realise I had that option disabled… anyway I'm sorry that this chapter is a bit late in coming especially after that cliffie but school just started along with dozens of other things so I didn't have much time but finally here's the fourth chapter…

Chapter 4: Shang Warrior

Everything was black. Kel felt like she was sinking into a nice fluffy cloud if only I could stop falling she thought. Suddenly a small dot of light appeared on her closed eyelids. It grew bigger and bigger until all she could feel was light. She struggled to open her eyes when she suddenly realised she wasn't in the water anymore, she was literally lying down in a white, fluffy cloud. I've died and gone to the Black God's Realms Kel thought to herself. She looked up to see a huge, old white wolf staring at her. But why would a wolf be in the Black God's Realm staring at me? she mused.

"You haven't gone to the Black God's Realm," said a voice in her mind. Kel stared at the wolf.

"Are you speaking to me?" she asked.

"Ah, humans. You are being held in a type of stasis, you are not dead. Of course you, being a human, are wondering why I am here? Well all you really need to know is that I am the God of Wolves and I have come to take you under my paw," said the wolf.

"What do you mean?" asked Kel who was incredibly confused and disorientated.

"You are a silent, swift killer, you are logical, you take only what you need, you can go on for hours on end without rest, you are loyal to your pack, you are fiercely protective of your packmates, you are the leader of your pack. You are Keladry of Mindelan, Shang Wolf," announced the wolf. Kel stood dumbstruck.

"You have been through a lot but you shall face harder obstacles in the future. As a sign of my favour and a retreat for when you seem to have lost yourself I bestow upon you this necklace which will appear at need. Only call on it when there is no other option, it can be a perilous gift," said the Wolf God as he trotted up to her and breathed on her. A silver mist emitted from his mouth and formed a necklace with a silver wolf pendant on it.

"My part is done, now onto the next stage of your journey," said the wolf now trotting away and fading into the clouds. Next stage? wondered Kel. Suddenly before her were three human looking celestial figures. She looked closer and recognised the Yamani Gods. The one she recognised as Yama stood foremost.

"We have had you on loan but now our fellow gods demand that you be returned. Keladry we are grateful to you for the crisis that you will soon divert. Not only are the Yamani Gods grateful to you but also the other gods of the other kingdoms and empires. You have survived a harsh and harrowing experience. It's time to rest," said the goddess. Kel felt her eyes closing and a warm cloud surround her. She was soon in a deep sleep.

"Keladry?" asked Hakuin his face wrinkled with worry. Kel's eyes fluttered open and she smiled.

"I had the pleasantest dream just then" she said with the dreamy smile still on her face.

"What happened?" asked the Shang Horse.

"I'm the Shang Wolf," replied Kel. She sighed and snuggled down into her pillow leaving her teacher beaming with joy.

After properly awakening Kel informed Hakuin and the Emperor's mages of what she heard and what she accomplished.

"We will have to ferret out the agent in Tortall. Keladry I think it's best for you to travel to Tortall and try to find out who it is and prevent any developments while we deal with Prince Reash," stated one of the mages.

"I have to go back to Tortall?" the Shang Wolf asked.

"Yes."

Keladry of Mindelan stared out at the very sea that had almost claimed her life. Thoughts were racing through her head. What happened, what's happening, I'M GOING BACK TO TORTALL!! was all she could think. Everything happened so fast. I'm the Shang Wolf and supposedly I was 'on loan' to the Yamani Islands. Does that mean my future lies in Tortall? How will I face them all? What am I going to tell all of them? How will I save Tortall from Reash's agent? she thought. I'll take it one step at a time, I can do this she thought determinedly.

Kel stepped of the boat to see a three people waiting for her.

"Hello Alanna, Neal and Lord Raoul," she said to the smiling faces.

"Well come on Kel, we have a lot to do," beamed Neal.

"You're helping me on my mission?" asked Kel dubiously.

"No, we're making you a knight," said Alanna sighing impatiently. Lord Raoul grinned at her.

"You're in for hell," he said.

"Come on then," beckoned Alanna. Kel hesitantly joined the group and they dragged her off to explain their plans.

a/n: Iwasn't sure if the wolf had a name or appearance mentioned in the other books so I kept his bit minimal and for those of you who wanted Kel to be a legendary, well it's not that realistic and I thought being a wolf suited her. Please review... the next chapter should be up soon...