ATTENTION READERS: you know I don't usually do notes at the start of the story without good reason so please take note. There will be character death in this chapter If you don't want to read it DON'T READ PAST THE ~(0)~ or just skip this chapter, whatever floats your boat.

"Tumbleweed."

" What?"

" Tumbleweed." Repeated Faleron

" I heard you the first time."

" Then Why'd you ask me about it?"

" I wanted to know why you were saying 'Tumbleweed'"

" Oh,right, um, Right. I was trying to find a name for my horse."

" Tumbleweed is what you came up with?"

" mmmhm I like it."

" It's a good name for a 'child of the winds'," affirmed Kel "I thought for the chestnut ' Kaji' might work."

" That's Yaman right? What does that mean?"

" Kaji? Fire, or to be more precise destructive burning."

" but the chestnut's still Neal right?"

" we might have to find a more feminine derivative of that name, and that's hardly fair to the horse!"

" Nealina?, Nealana? Neala? Nealiana? Lady Nealan the first? Ohp, Duchess Nealan the first?" Faleron's eyes widened " Wa- was that a-a giggle?"

Kel pursed her lips and shook her head furiously from side to side

I'm certain that her laughter is the most beautiful sound in the whole of Tortall mused Faleron

The heavy gray clouds on the horizon threatened to bring rain, as the two knights awaited the departure of the imperial ship.

~(0)~

Thunder clashed and lightning flashed, the wind howled and the waves roared. Rain still deigned to fall.

" It'll be a rough crossing for them." murmured Faleron, as the Yaman boat finally pulled out

" mmm."

Then it happened, it was so quick that if Faleron had blinked he would have missed it. A stray knock had torn through the harbor, the bright, cherrywood boat in the center of the fury. It didn't stand a chance. The wind turtled the boat, and it was going down fast.

Kel was frozen for only a second, before sprinting down the pier towards the stricken vessel.

~(0)~

Sailor speak translations ( sorry if it confused you, I'm a sailor so there's no excuse for not using the proper terminology)

Knock = a strong gust of wind, you have to look out for these or you will flip

Turtled = Like capsizing but going completely over in stead of half way