Previously:

Inness grabbed the man by his shirt collar and lifted him off the ground slightly (Mindelan height…), "I am warning you, watch yourself." he practically growled in the man's face which still held a mocking smirk.

I shakily tried to stand without the assistance of whoever held me steady, I turned and realized it was Dom who had caught me. His face was as frightening as Inness' at the moment which would explain why he stood stiffly without removing his eyes from the soldier.

I tried to place my mask on but it was failing me and so I kept my face turned down. But I did not miss Dom pushing me behind himself.

I also noticed that the entire mess was eerily silent as they watched our group. Suddenly the doors of the mess banged open loudly,

"What is going on here?" A stern voice asked leaving no room to question his position.

"Milord Raoul!" Wolset shouted causing Inness to put the man back on the ground and take a step

back. Hearing Milord's sturdy voice helped me gather my emotions and firmly place my mask on, wiping my

face of emotion. I squared my shoulders and lifted my head despite the throbbing of my arm.

"Keladry?" Milord called out to me, I looked towards him standing by the open doors. Milord was

dressed in typical work clothes yet his stature and voice screamed commander. As of now he was looking at

me confused.

I took a deep breath and spoke in a monotone voice, "Hello sir, nice to see you again."

"Nice to see you too, but what do you think your doing out of the infirmary?"

"I was hungry" I felt like that answer was dumb now. Why did I just not wait? I knew my answer

was a poor one. If Milord could have he would have rolled his eyes at me answer. He then took in the full

scene laid before him my brother and Dom's threatening stance, an enraged solider, the watching crowd,

and the tense atmosphere.

"What happened?" Milord asked again.

"Just a misunderstanding" I responded, I did not want this to go on any longer. The attention that it

was drawling was embarrassing enough without the gossip the conservatives will create if they hear about

this.

Raoul actually did roll his eyes this time and turned to Inness. "Sir Inness I hope you and Domitian

have a reason for trying to kill this man."

Inness stepped away from the man to his feet slowly. The man looked smug as he turned to Raoul.

"This man, Sir, attacked me for trying to make use of the entertainment the crown provided for us

lowly soldiers." Dom growled next to me, I could feel the anger that Dom and Inness were radiating. The

tension in the air grew and even my mask faltered.

"Entertainment? What kind of entertainment?" Milord asked obliviously.

How I dearly wished I could disappear. This had to be one of the most embarrassing things to

happen and there was no escaping it. I tried to ignore what was being said and focus on my throbbing arm

but Mirthos would show no mercy.

"This Trallop" the man said grabbing me by my injured arm. I could not help the cry of pain I released

but tried to focus on prying his fingers off me instead of the pain. Before I got the chance Inness had the

man by his collar again and Dom broke his grasp on me. Neal, Yuki. And the Lioness had arrived by now and

Yuki pulled me to her. They were all treating me as if I was a porcelain doll that could break at any moment.

I am a Lady Knight, not a fragile court lady. With this thought I brushed Yuki off of me growing

frustrated by the attention.

"Who do you think you are talking to? Keladry is purer than anyone in this room. You idiot! She is a

Knight. Loyal to the crown, civil, brave, strong, honorable, a lady! Mirthos! She could beat you to a pulp in a

sword fight even with her injured shoulder! How dare you even touch her, I have half a mind to throw you

out of this fort on your face!" Magic sparkled in the Lioness' hair as she screamed at the man. My mask found

permanent residence on my face as I determinedly stared at my abandoned food.

Ironically I was not hungry in the least anymore.

"I believe we should relocate to a more private location." Milord said tensely. Alanna nodded and

grabbed the solider and shoved him towards the door. "Inness, Domitian, Keladry, Nealan, Alanna, Yuki

follow me we have some talking to do."

I was seated on a bench in between Yuki and Inness, Dom sat beside Inness and Neal sat beside Yuki.

Wolset stood, leaning against the door. The solider sat in one of the two chairs facing Milord's desk and

Alanna filled the other.

Milord was pacing behind his desk I focused my eyes to the wall behind Milord ignoring the presence of

all the others.

"What happened?" Milord directed the question towards me.

I kept my mask in place as I answered, "I already told you sir, it was a misunderstanding."

"Keladry drop that darn mask and give me a proper report!" Lord Roald exploded, the few times I had seen him angry were rare and all intense.

"It is not my place to say" I responded monotone.

If possible Milord's face grew even redder from frustration. "Keladry. I am your commanding officer. I ORDER you to report!"

I bowed my head debating how I could possibly get out of this situation.

"Stubborn Trallop ain't she?" The solider mocked. Before the others could act I looked up, directly into Milord's eyes.

"I awoke and felt hungry. No one was around so I went to the mess to eat supper and was joined by

Domitian and Wolset. I was grabbed by the arm and yanked out of my seat. The solider insulted me and

attacked me physically. Inness and Domitian intervened. Inness punched the man. Domitian stood guard.

Inness declared his and my title and the man insulted us both. That is all." I said my final words broke

through my monotone voice and came out angered. I then folded my hands and returned my gaze to the

wall.

It was silent I saw them all staring at me, shocked by my harsh words to Milord but I care not.

I was tired and upset. My mask was firm but exhausting. It was useful to have learned to hide my

emotions Yuki often warmed me not to hide my emotions as much as I do. She claims that it will cause me to

misunderstand the emotions I feel.

"Thank you Kel" Milord responded as he turned to Inness next. "Your report Inness?"

Inness gave a stiff nod, "I walked in from watch and saw a shocked mess hall all eyes were locked on

what appeared to be Sergeant Domitian. Corporal Wolset was holding Dom back though and I hurried forward

to see what the problem was. I saw Keladry trapped forcefully in a solider's arms. The solider was... well he

was kissing her and groping at her" Inness' voice was uncomfortable, I kept a stiff face. "I pulled the man

off of Kel with force and declared myself and Kel. The man insulted Kel again and I informed him he had no

right to be throwing names around. Then you entered Milord."

Milord nodded and turned to Dom who mumbled his reply.

"Wolset and I saw Kel from across the mess and joined her. We were talking about the Own when that

man seized Kel by her injured arm and yanked her to her feet. He insulted her and women then... attacked

her..." Dom glared at the man, "I tried to help Kel remove him from her, but Wolset held me back.."

Milord cut Dom off and turned to Wolset, "Why did you stop Dom?"

"I thought he would kill the man and while I would't mind I knew he'd be in trouble." Milord nodded and

turned back to Dom.

Dom continued with his report, "Inness entered and helped Kel he stated his name and title as well as Kel's. The man insulted Kel again and you entered soon after."

Milord turned again this time to the solider, "Do you have anything to say?"

"What turned again this time to the soldier, "Do you have anything to say?"

"What is there to say? The Trallop was dressed as a wretch it was natural that I believed such things."

"It's NOT natural that you attacked a woman without knowing who she was!" Dom snapped.

"A Sergeant stands up for this girl. Sergeants aren't much better than privates you know? I have served in the Kings army for 30 years boy. I know a Trallop when I see one, and she is defiantly a Trallop."

Dom stood up, "Stop calling her that, you know nothing about her."

The soldier laughed harshly, "I would say you don't either. Looks to me like she does not let anyone know her."

"That is enough!" Milord cut in, "Sit down Dom. Keladry would you like to press charges?"

I felt all their eyes turn towards me, the embarrassment and humiliation washed over me. Tears stung my

Eyes as I though of having to deal with this stupid misunderstanding in front of all the conservatives. I act

like I don't mind what they say, but at night their words come to haunt me. I know the truth but I can't help

but feel like trash when faced with their words. This though is what pushed me to answer Milord with a

strong, "No. It was a misunderstanding. Am I free to go?"

"Kel!" Inness shouted, I turned to face him a question in my eyes, "Your not not going to hold him

accountable for his actions?"

"No Inness." I replied and turned to Milord for permission to leave. Lord Raold nodded after a pause and I

stood and walked out.

I never thought about how Lalassa must have felt when she was attacked until today. I showed her

moved to defend herself from attack and yet when it came to me being faced in the same situation I was

unable to defend myself. What a hypocrite I am.

I get injured in a simple raid and get attacked by a man in one week. What kind of knight am I? I can't

protect myself let alone the refugee's at New Hope. If Lord Wyldon was in command they would not have

even been captured.

Try as I might to hide it or ignore it, I am a woman, I am human.

I don't think I have cried since Haven fell- I take that back- I did not even cry then. I have been holding in

my emotions since Cleon.

I had reached the Infirmary, and entered still silent. I sat on my cot and began to meditate to reign in my

emotions before they busted out.