(-a/n- Oh dear… a month has passed without an update…where does the time go?? I apologise yet again for my optimistic thinking that I could update sooner…sighs…It's so frustrating…I want to write but I simply cannot find time. Anyway almost there on the exam front (well not really, but I keep telling myself that to make me feel better!)

(For those of you who were asking, ball-girling is when we go down to the International tennis competition and as the competitors play we have to feed them balls, collect the balls etc. If you look at any professional tennis match you'll see the ball crew running across the net etc. It's really fun! And we've got the ladies world number one coming this year so that will be really good!)

Thanks to everyone who did review though, your messages are all very much appreciated, I'm sorry I couldn't answer them individually this time, but I don't have a spare hour to do so –sighs- I hope you continue to enjoy the story :D )

Thanks to all of these wonderful people for their lovely reviews:

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Confusedknight xxx

Hamrkeng looked much like any other city from a distance; buildings sprawled higgledy-piggedly all over the place and at the very centre some tall, official looking buildings.

'That's the Government centre,' said Alex in answer to Kel's unspoken question.

'I didn't know that Scanra had a government,' said Kel in surprise.

'It doesn't,' said Alex grimly.

'So what is-'

Alex interrupted, 'Let me explain.' He glanced surreptitiously about to check they were truly alone.

'You know that Scanra has many different clans who all protect their own interests-'

Kel nodded.

'Well Hamrkeng is meant to be an impartial city. In other words no one clan is meant to have control of the city. It's where the army is based, well what little "national" army there is.'

'Why do I get a sense that things aren't quite as they're "meant" to be?' asked Kel sardonically.

'Maggur,' said Alex grimly, 'is all but running the city. His pal Mizvah, incidentally the head of the "free" army is in control. He sighed, 'The concept of Hamrkeng might be quite difficult for you to grasp. You know of course that Scanra is made up of the Clans. The Clans are nomadic, moving every two years or so to find better farming land. To some people, the life of constant change is not how they want to live. Many have no choice; Clans offer protection, food and shelter which is hard to come by if you aren't allied to a clan.

However, if you have money, and can afford to buy and keep yourself installed in Hamrkeng, it is seen as the height of luxury. Even the Clan leaders do not live so well. Hamrkeng is mainly a city full of rich merchants who've retired.

Traditionally, the city is seen as a free town, where, if you have money you can escape Clan-life. The Inner district is where all the big houses are and in the centre is the Government buildings where the "free army" is based.

Of course big houses for wealthy people need manning and a shanty-town has been built around the Inner district for those who serve the wealthy. Vendors have found a demand for their wares. Inns have sprung up for travelling merchants…' Alex trailed off.

'What is this "free" army you speak of?' asked Kel.

'It is a not so much an army, more a band of soldiers who do the bidding of Mizvah. They patrol the borders.' Alex snorted, 'Not that it does any good. Scanra is so huge; three hundred men cannot possibly hope to keep out foreigners.'

'So that is where I'm going?' asked Kel, 'To work in the house of a wealthy, retired merchant.'

Alex nodded, pleased that she had picked it up so quickly.

'The man's name is Vishnaucht, he is moderately wealthy and has a decent sized group of slaves and servants.'

'How is he important, relating to Maggur?' asked Kel.

'I'm not going to tell you that, it could make the information you give me biased. You see if I tell you "that man is in cahoots with Maggur" or something similar then you might interpret information differently because you know that. I want you to report anything and everything that could be important to me and fresh, undistorted information.'

'And am I going to be a slave or servant?' asked Kel coolly, taking everything in her stride.

Alex didn't answer her directly, instead he asked,

'How much do you know about slavery?'

'Not much,' Kel admittedly, 'Only that it's illegal in Tortall and all but illegal in the Yamani Isles.'

'Slavery means different things in different countries,' Alex said slowly. 'Slaves are expensive and therefore are a sign of wealth in many countries. In Scanra in particular slaves are a sign of skill in combat. In big farms and plantations like in Carthak, Northern Scanra and Maren slaves are needed all the time to work the huge fields. Most wealthy merchants will have the odd slave or two, but an esteemed warrior will have a whole bunch of slaves, which he'll have won through trials of combat.

Now a warrior who travels a lot isn't going to want to have fifteen slaves following him, so he might station some at his residence, have a couple of women and a manservant to travel with him, but the rest of his slaves, he "rents" out. He might "rent" his slave to a plantation for a season and the owners of the plantation will pay him for the labour done. It's the only way in which big plantations can function as often the farmers do not have enough money to buy all the slaves they need.'

Kel was silent and her face Yamani-smooth.

Alex knew that Kel was outraged by the news and had slipped back into her 'blank face'. He had however been training her to show some emotion at all times, even if it was false emotion.

'Face,' he reminded.

Kel scowled, her eyes immediately darkening.

'It's disgusting,' she remarked, making every effort to keep her voice calm, 'how people can exploit their fellow humans as though they were nothing more than cattle.'

'I agree, but let's not forget that the situation in Tortall is far from perfect as well. There are many peasants who are treated worse than slaves, made to scratch a living on a quarter of what they should be earning.'

'At least they can earn something,' said Kel hotly, 'no one in Tortall belongs to someone else!'

Alex didn't reply to her comment and he rode on in silence, Kel walking alongside Prince and Alex, travelling closer and closer to Hamrkeng.

When they eventually entered the city, Alex dismounted and whispered in Common,

'Keep your face hidden, don't draw attention to yourself.'

Kel did as she was told, instantly tilting her head forward, so that her messy, tangled hair covered her face. She slouched down and slowed down her walking speed until she was several metres behind Prince. She looked just like all the other miserable kids that were going about their daily lives.

Alex obviously knew where he was heading because he strode purposely through the busy streets leading Prince behind him. On several occasions Kel had to jog to keep them in view; afraid that if she lost sight of them in the turbulent crowd she'd never find them again.

After twenty minutes of dodging, weaving and doggedly making her way through the crowds of a busy Scanran market day, Alex ducked into a side street where a grubby sign proclaimed 'Lodgings available' in crudely formed letters.

Kel followed close behind, watching curiously as Alex tethered Prince and let himself into the lodging house.

'Quick,' he whispered, and together they hurried up a narrow staircase and down a dingy corridor. Alex pulled a key out of his pocket and let himself into a room, pulling Kel in after him and shutting the door.

Kel stared at the room, surprised by it's cleanliness. What she had seen of the lodging houses so far had given her an impression of dirtiness and shabbiness, but this room was clean, neatly arranged and very roomy. There was a small, neatly made bed tucked in the corner, a small desk beneath a paned glass window and a fireplace, currently empty. In the middle of the floor was a large open space. There appeared to be a privy behind a small wooden door in the corner and a chest of drawers stood opposite the bed.

'So this is our base, I own this room courtesy of George and if you ever get into trouble, or need to meet me, this will be where you come. There is another exit, if you climb out of the window, concealed in the vines are iron footholds, either to get in or out, but be very careful to make sure no one sees you,' said Alex.

Kel didn't know what to say. Alex would never divulge more than he had to, and she wasn't going to waste her time asking pointless questions.

'Right, you know where you are going, to the house of Vishnaucht the Merchant and you are going to be my slave which I'm lending to the house for probably a six month contract. I know the cook so I'm sure that she will find you a place in the house.'

Kel took note that Alex 'knew the cook' because these were little seemingly insignificant things which she had learnt to pick up as they might be important later on. She doubted that being acquaintances with the cook would get her a job, so Kel thought that perhaps Alex knew the cook better than he was letting on.

'You were captured in Tortall recently and I won you off of the man who had bought you from the slaver. That should explain your Tortallan accent and your basic grasp of Scanran.'

Alex picked opened his packs and drew out several items, the first of which was a slave collar. Made of a dull metal, it was almost identical to the one Natsu, the Yamani slave had been wearing.

'It doesn't have any magic in it, so you should be able to pick in off in under a minute if you ever need to,' said Alex, fastening it around Kel's neck.

Alex also handed Kel a grubby, knee length skirt and a thread-bare cloak. Kel pulled on the skirt, rolling her breeches up so that they didn't show beneath the fraying material of the brown skirt.

'I'm not forgetting my promise little one,' he said seriously, placing a hand under Kel's chin and forcing her to look him in the eyes. 'Each day you'll be given three hours or so of spare time, if you come to these rooms I'll be there for your lesson.'

Kel inwardly relaxed, she had been worrying that she would lose all of her hard earned fitness if she spent the next six months cleaning a house instead of fighting.

Alex looked Kel up and down.

'You'll do,' he said smiling briefly. 'You'll be absolutely fine, more than fine. I really think that the information you give me will make a difference, the more information I have, the more I can act on.'

Taking one final look at the room around them, Alex said,

'Right, let's go find you a job in Vishnaucht's house.'

And so they left the way they had come, collecting Prince, who greeted them with a snort, expressing his disapproval at having been left for fifteen minutes. However, instead of riding Prince, Alex led him round to a stable at the back and swiftly unsaddling him, left their travelling companion munching happily on a pile of fresh hay.

Then Alex set off, twisting his way through the crowds, Kel following. Kel was paying close attention to the route they were taking; after all, soon she would have to find Alex's rooms alone and it wouldn't be a good thing to get lost in the City.

All around Kel were the sights and smells of Scanra, people calling out, rowdy and clamorous in the evening air, but not many had a smile on their face. These people were going about their daily jobs to survive, selling belts or pottery to feed their children. There was a sort of grim normality to their struggle and it showed in the faces of the old to the very young.

Eventually, they left the grim markets and grubby children far behind, as they entered the wealthy part of Hamrkeng. Here the houses were tall and gleaming, freshly painted with fancy, wrought iron gates and brass door knobs.

Alex led Kel around the back of the house, and knocked hard upon the side door.

'Coming, coming…' shouted a woman in harsh Scanran.

Moments later the door was flung open to reveal a plump lady with greying hair and tiny, beetle-black eyes set in a wrinkled face. She wore a flour-stained black dress, rolled up at the sleeves and a burned, discoloured apron around her rotund middle.

'Alexei?' she questioned.

'Marthea! Good to see you,' said Alex stepping into the woman's embrace.

'Great Clan chiefs above! Where have you been these past weeks? We heard nothing, nothing! We know you like to come and go, that's ok, but when you say you'll be somewhere you normally are!' Her voice had taken on a reprimanding tone.

'It was important,' said Alex earnestly.

Kel stood there, completely confused.

'Alexei, everything is important with you, far more important that I think you know. Anyway, the cause is growing, everyday more and more people Alex… it's not surprising, but every day our hope grows and to see you there...but never mind I'll save that for someplace else. Who is your young friend?'

'Marthea, may I introduce you to Lia, I won her off of a merchant who was unwise enough to challenge me.'

'Unwise indeed,' agreed Marthea, 'but can I ask why you are keeping her?'

'It draws too much attention, a man with no slaves,' Alex said vaguely and Kel had a suspicion that he was trying to brush off the question. Marthea had a similar thought, but both knew that if Alex didn't want to tell them, then they weren't going to find out.

'She knows?' asked Marthea tentatively.

'No,' said Alex bluntly, 'it's safer that way.'

'Quite right too,' said the plump cook, 'she is too young, too young by far. Right girl, come here and let me have a look at you.'

Kel stepped forward, allowing herself to be scrutinised.

'Humph,' said Marthea, 'she is too skinny…like every other child in this godforsaken city. I suppose you want me to get her a job.'

Alex smiled, 'It'll be safest,' he seemed to stress the word 'safest', 'for all.'

'Quite right,' agreed the woman for the second time. 'Well I suppose we can come to an arrangement. Yes…quite…it should be absolutely fine, come along then Lia, there's work to be done. Yes…work…I'll be seeing you around Alexei…Gods all bless…' The woman spoke distractedly, as though she wanted to say far more than she was doing.

Alex bid the woman goodnight and slipped off into the darkening city without another word, leaving Kel feeling quite alone.

'Come in child,' said Marthea, 'Greta! Come here...Where is that blasted child? Greta!'

The older woman led Kel into the kitchen. It was a large room with several long trestle tables which were laden with an assortment of vegetables, knives, bowls and other culinary utensils. A large open fire with a pot bubbling merrily stood at the far end of the kitchen and all down another wall were several black ovens, coal-burners by the look of it.

From the low ceiling hung an assortment of birds and smoked hams. At the end of the kitchen where Kel stood there were huge cabinets containing a great variety of spices and salts and a door stood slightly ajar that led down to the larder.

Suddenly a tall girl with long black hair and a pock-marked face appeared through a side door. She was carrying a sack in her hands and her face was set in a perpetual frown.

'There you are!' exclaimed the cook. 'This is Lia, the girl I told you about yesterday.' Greta looked puzzled, Kel didn't blame her; as she had only arrived two minutes ago there was no way that Marthea had told Greta anything about her new job. But Kel went along with it anyway; it would look a bit strange if everyone knew that Kel had been employed on the spot.

Greta shrugged, deciding that it wasn't worth arguing over.

'Once dinner is ready I want you to show Lia around. She'll be working solely in the kitchen and will run errands for me.'

Greta nodded, placing the sack on one of the tables.

'I got the rice you wanted.'

'Right then, get to work preparing it. I'm going to be preparing the sauce…' she turned her beady eyes on Kel. 'Can you peel vegetables?'

Kel nodded, grateful for her months spent helping Fanche in the kitchen because before that she'd never lifted a finger to help in a kitchen.

Greta set Kel up with a pile of vegetables including carrots, leeks and marrow and handed her a sharp kitchen knife. Kel set to work peeling and chopping, perspiring slightly in the steamy kitchen.

By the time dinner had been served and all of the washing done it was late in the evening. She sat with Greta, both of them eating their spiced noodles sleepily. As they ate, Greta told Kel about the Vishnaucht household.

Although sometimes Greta's thick Scanran accent made it difficult for her to interpret precisely what Greta meant, Kel got a general idea of how the house ran. Vishnaucht lived with his wife, three children – two boys and a girl, his grandmother and his wife's sister. Every day they would eat breakfast when the bells chimed seven, lunch at one bell past midday and supper at the seventh evening bell.

Vishnaucht employed eleven, (twelve including Kel) people at his Hamrkeng residence. There was the housekeeper who oversaw the running of the house and gardens. Vishnaucht's manservant/butler, a gardener, a young boy slave who did odd jobs, a governess, a tutor, a ladies attendant, two maids; one free and one slave and finally Cook and Greta.

Once they had finished their supper, Kel followed Greta up a back staircase to the attic where the servant's quarters were. As Kel was posing as a slave she had to share a tiny box room with Greta and Leanna, the two other slaves. It was hot and stuffy in their windowless room and Kel's pallet was nothing more than a thin mattress and two blankets. However despite her discomfort Kel fell asleep almost immediately, dreaming of Mindelan and it's beautiful countryside.

Fief Queenscove

Neal lowered his sword, from where it had been resting on the padded tip of the guardsman's nose. He bowed formally then extended a hand to the sweaty man with whom he'd been practising for the last hour.

'Well fought Master Neal,' said the man, sheathing his own sword. 'You have the makings of a fine swordsman. That Padraig haMinch seems to know what he's doing up at the Palace.'

Neal shrugged, too hot and bothered to do much else. He was in the middle of his long summer holiday, visiting his mother and brother at Queenscove. Emmeline had arrived the day before and when his father arrived in two days it would be the first time that his family had been together since his brothers' funerals three years previously.

Neal didn't often speak to anyone about Ethan or Marcus, his elder brothers who had died in the Immortals war; Ethan as a first year Knight and Marcus as a Squire. They had been part of a squad which had fallen prey to a group of Spidrens and Centaurs. Their death had been the main reason why he had given up his healer's training to become a Page, feeling that with his brothers dead then it was his duty to become a Knight of Queenscove.

He had only discussed this painful topic only with Kel, his closest friend. But now that she too was dead…Neal swallowed painfully and sheathing his sword, began to walk away from the practise courts.

Ten minutes later he flopped down on a grass bank, watching a dragonfly hover momentarily above the water of the sparkling pond, before it flew away. Neal sighed, staring gloomily out across the water.

He came to this place whenever he wanted to be alone. It allowed him to think. He had come here a lot last summer, thinking about the unfairness shown towards Kel –his best friend who had died over six months previously.

He still couldn't quite believe that she was gone. It had been over a year since they had parted, but she'd promised Neal that she would come back. He ran his hand agitatedly through his hair. He didn't want to believe she was gone yet he had to face the facts…

'Thought you might be here,' said a voice from behind him.

Neal jerked up, it was Emmeline. She was wearing a simple green dress that matched her eyes and a ridiculously wide straw hat. Noticing the direction of his gaze, Emmeline smiled.

'Yes it's quite hideous isn't it? But I couldn't find my parasol and…' She stopped, noticing that her older brother was not really listening.

She sat down next to him, leaning back against the tree.

'Coin for your thoughts?' she asked.

Neal sighed half-heartedly, 'I'm surrounded by ignorant people. The phrase is 'a penny for your thoughts' which is in fact an idiom descending from the popular-'

'Neal,' Emmeline groaned, elbowing her brother.

It was strange, thought Emmeline, that her brother could seem so familiar yet so different to how she remembered him. He still had a quick tongue and a wicked smile, yet he seemed more serious that the Neal she remembered.

'So how's life as the oldest page?'

'Fourth oldest actually,' said Neal. 'It's going fine, two more years until I become a Squire. Unfortunately we didn't have our summer camp this year because we were going to go the hill country between Lake Tirragen and the Drell River but the week before we went bandits were discovered there. It turned out that the district commander was taking pay offs…' he trailed off, still staring out across the water.

'I miss Kel,' he said suddenly, admitting the unspoken feeling of many of the Pages.

'Keladry of Mindelan?' said Emmeline.

'Did you ever get a chance to talk to her at the Convent?' asked Neal.

'Rarely, we met on her first day though. She was a quiet little thing, went around with Lucie of Cavall, got herself into trouble for being rude to one of the older girls…There is a rumour that she had a great Yamani spear in her room which she threatened Sister Maera with one time.'

Neal smiled, imagining his friend wielding her glaive; all five foot of it's iron-shod length, and a Sister cowering in the corner.

'You know Neal, they never found her body. I overheard one of the Sisters talking; she may still be alive.' Emmeline didn't mention how unlikely she thought this.

'I live in hope,' sighed Neal, 'I live in hope.'

(-a/n- How was that? I hope my writing skills haven't gone rusty! I thought you might like to find out what Neal was up to. I'll try and update when I can…)

Please review, I'd love to hear what you think of this so far…

Confusedknight xxx