(-a/n- You know I so shouldn't try to predict when I'll next update, because I'm sure it's jinxed. Every single time that I try to say…'oh I'll update within the week' something (-or many somethings) manage to pop up and occupy my time. I had an awesome music tour, and for those of you who asked, I played my flute in the orchestra and sang in the choir :D
The other things that loads of you have been asking are; a) how much time has passed and b) how long is this fic going to be. Well, it's currently spring in what would've been Kel's third year of page training.
As to how long this is going to be…I'd estimate that I'm possibly half way (possibly) I have an incredibly detailed plot all planned out, but I haven't assigned chapters to events because sometimes I get a sudden idea of how to make a minor event more exciting and it escalates…:P Still I hope you'll all still be enjoying this in another 30 chapters time…:P
Thanks as always to the amazing 92 people who reviewed!! (Those who did have been listed below…) If you were one of the 1400 people who did not review, I would say that reviews really do inspire me to write, despite having about six hundred other things that I need to do, and it would be great if you could leave me reviews (even small ones!) It doesn't take long! (Not compared to the 4-5 hours or so that it takes me to prepare each chapter!)
BSGirl, Salute the Star, Lady Knight Keladry, Eclipsa, Serilia, Mint Tea Rose, LadyCrazyMonkeyPants, geka0taitsume0taikaiyou, Golden23, LadyKnightSusan, Grace of Masbolle, killinguwithumbrellas, the. dead. addict., The Sherberty Lemon, Behind Crimson Eyes, Me, Night-Player, Yabberli, Venuspixie, Arid Tundra, Transfiguration, ObSeSsEd WiTh ROXAS, seekerchick06, Erynfaer, Cede, wAstxd1pRocrasTinator, Kaia Papaya, epobbp, omateido, Nyleve, I love Fallen!, Lady Sapphirea, peddyviolin, Forget Me Not Blue, BlackWidow12, Firgof Raina, Uncertian Destiny, Hasamaki, Evil Bunny of Death, jesi ki kage, PsychoLioness, 13.shimer.13, .yashamew, AMulata, truffletruffle01, youdontwant2no, Kathy, after.a.hard.day, PuddyTatt, Blaz-Grl, Eternityfalls, bookworm-4-ever2012, daydream princess, brezzybrez, ACertainJustice, SaoirseWaveglow, Vicky-Lee-47, Skyheart92, x17SkmBdrchiczxx, Abbs of the faeries, oirishgoddess, SavingSaturn, stardust718, mangolady, On top of cloud 9, soupcan, Mrs. Dom Masbolle, Arsera345, Krae Z. Rokke, mountainelements, DeliciousNewYork, ), SongOfSilk, katieoso, kgwoozle, Tearainy, heartdamoose, Hisshou, pinnapleonpizza, BasementPrincess, NotAfraidToLive, dark03rose, Lil' Miss All dat, JaBoyYa, crazyhrsegirl & Rycr.
theknightofkonahaNope, no songs on youtube, we're not allowed to post anything videos/photos on the internet, because the school gets angry…lol
SarahE7191 Brotherly! The music tour was with my school :D
Right or Ryn hehe, nope I'd never even heard of it! But it sounds good though, I might see if I can rent or something ;D
Pie of Doomeh Don't worry my hamster was in the capable hands of my father, who was under instructions to play with him every single day and feed him lots of treats! The bandit attack was in 'Page' so this was the first time that Kel took charge!
fairydust000 Thanks for the wonderfully long review! I went to the USA with my school, we just signed up for it, rehearsed several times a week for about 4 months and then flew out there! It was such a laugh! (The tour, not the rehearsals :( hehe)
elfie-may wow is that how long ago I updated –cringes- man, but anyway, you were right I did so love the Victorian evening!!! –coughs- I hope you are taking good care of the moose :D Calais on Saturday! See ya tomorrow :P
Hunchbook Thanks, I've felt like it's improved too, and that is all down to lovely people like you, who review and offer CC :D
liberator of captured angel... Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths and P.E!
Mandaius Meander I've read his Slaves of the mastery and the Noble warriors :D
Confusedknight xxx
It was Mid-March before Kel regained the full use of her arm. After the initial rest period, it had taken Kel a few weeks to rebuild the muscle and gradually recover, both mentally and physically from the battle.
Although spirits were high after the triumph of the escape from Sekholm, Kel thought that she could sense an undercurrent of unease. For the people of Sekholm, the threat from Maggur had become a reality and without homes, their army depleted, they were vulnerable.
Llatimor spent his days deep in conversation with Shimunght, the leader of Rokang, going over plans for a new settlement. Couriers had also arrived from Moshaus, extending hands of friendship and alliance.
Alex sometimes attended these meetings, and from the looks she occasionally caught Llatimor giving Alex, she wondered if there was something Llatimor knew that she didn't. Nevertheless, Kel knew that the men were holding their breaths and praying that Maggur would turn his attentions elsewhere.
'Block harder,' shouted Alex, his face inscrutable.
Kel felt like retorting, 'I'm trying,' but she swung her sword up to meet Alex's mustering all the strength that she could. Her left shoulder ached and protested as Kel forced her sweat-soaked body through all manner of exercises.
Kel's injury had been a real wake-up call for Alex, and although the arrow had had nothing to do with Kel's swordplay, he was working her harder than ever, determined that he would never have to watch Kel's blood splattering the ground like that again.
'Alex?' called Rhonda, as she walked on to the practice court.
Alex disengaged his sword from Kel's and turned to face Rhonda. Meanwhile, Kel staggered gasping to the side of the court and gulped at her water canteen.
'We'll call it a day,' Alex called over to Kel, 'make sure you do a proper warm down,' and without further ado he left the practice court.
It took Kel a good while to stretch, warm down and trudge back to her room in a lodging house nestled behind the huge defensive fort that spread across the Rokang valley. She washed and changed into a clean set of shirt and breeches, untying her long straggly hair.
With nothing else to do, Kel lay down upon her bed and stared at the ceiling her mind full of thoughts. For the first time in days Kel thought of Neal and all of her other page friends. Roald and Cleon would be squires now, she thought shocked, as a pang of loneliness stabbed through her.
Not for the first time, Kel wondered what she would be doing had she been allowed to stay. One thing she was certain of; that she was certainly more skilled with a sword than any page was. Concentrating on one weapon had allowed her to hone her skills to a much higher level; she had to, for out in the field her skill was what kept her alive.
Sighing, Kel rolled over, deciding that pointless speculation was only causing her heartache. She stood up with the intention of finding Fassin -the ex-slave knew few people in Rokang and might appreciate some company, when Alex and Rhonda burst in through the door, arguing furiously.
'- I still say that we don't have enough proof to condemn-' said Rhonda before Alex cut across her;
'You know the sort of man that Wilhelm is; he's power hungry and is probably feeding out of Maggur's right hand.'
'You can't let old prejudices cloud your judgement,' argued Rhonda. 'If there is even the slightest chance that he might aid our cause then you should investigate-'
'We're stretched bare as it is Rho, a hasty appointment could bring this all crashing-'
Alex broke off, looking at Kel.
'I don't have anyone free Rho, maybe in a few months when I can transfer Jasperr from Maeslund.'
'But it will take maybe months for him to integrate himself and gather information,' pointed out Rhonda mulishly.
'I know,' said Alex tiredly.
'Is it something I can do?' asked Kel bluntly. She was growing tired of being cooped up in the haven of Rokang. 'I can do information gathering.'
Alex started to protest, but Rhonda overrode him.
'Are you serious?' she asked, scrutinising Kel.
It may have been Kel's imagination, but ever since fighting alongside Kel in the pass Rhonda had been less derogatory towards her.
Kel nodded.
'It'll be dangerous,' said Alex worriedly, it won't be like your other tasks, where I've been around to assist you.'
'You weren't there when Vishnaucht's house was torched,' pointed out Kel softly, 'I can take care of myself.'
'There you have it Alex, a spy, ready and willing to go. She could pose as a slave I suppose, but on the plantations they all need to be registered…'
'It's alright,' said Kel pulling up her sleeve to reveal the fading red characters burned into her flesh.'
Rhonda's eyes widened, but she said nothing, waiting for Alex to give his seal of approval.
'You volunteered without even knowing what we wanted to be done,' he said slowly.
'It sounded like it was pretty important to me, and someone has to do it.' Kel shrugged, 'Everything has risks Alex, and I'm prepared to take risks.'
'Why though?' demanded Rhonda suddenly. 'You aren't Scanran, why do you care so much?'
'Because Maggur is hurting innocent people and destroying all that they have. Besides, when he does unite Scanra there will be a war and the longer that takes, the better prepared Tortall will be. Which means that the Tortallan armies can hold back Maggur and you two can implement whatever it is that you are planning for Maggur's defeat.'
'Very well,' said Alex, 'you've got just as much right as any of us to do your bit. But it will be dangerous; you hear horrible tales of things that happen to the slaves and workers of the plantations.'
'I can survive a bit of bullying Alex,' replied Kel, her eyes shining with determination.
'If you're sure then,' said Alex his face unreadable. 'You can travel down to Gentlund with Rhonda, but I've got some things to sort out, collecting Prince for one thing.'
Kel smiled, knowing how much Alex would be missing his precious horse. She bowed once and left the room, striding down the corridor and feeling in a much better mood than she had been before. She was off again on another mission.
Warmth licked Kel's cold, chapped cheeks as their little fire burned merrily away. Fassin fed dry timber into it carefully and the flames leapt ever higher, warming the three weary travellers.
Rhonda too was sat by the fire, seeking enough energy from it's flames to sustain her a little longer. They sat in silence, each buried in their own thoughts, concentrating little upon anything except the warmth that was flooding their veins.
After what seemed like hours Rhonda pulled her gaze from the dancing fire and stood up. Immediately Kel got up to help, as did Fassin and together they erected the tent. They were well practised by now, having been travelling for well over a week. The first couple of days had been torturous; wading through deep snow drifts and trying to navigate their way through icy mountains at sub-zero temperatures.
In the last couple of days however, they had reached some flatter ground and the worst of the weather had passed leaving wintry sunlight in it's wake. Despite the more pleasant daytime temperatures, at night it was as cold as ever and soon the three travellers would hole up for the night, sheltering from nature inside their thick canvas tent.
The plan was that Rhonda would deliver Kel to the plantation in Gentlund, where she would assume the role of one of many thousands of slaves who worked the land there. The idea was to slip around unnoticed from all of the other slaves and try to glean any information which might suggest that Maggur was in collaboration with Wilhelm –the clan chief of Gentlund. Kel could then pass that information on to a blacksmith who would regularly visit whichever plantation she was stationed on. The blacksmith would then relay anything important on to Alex.
Their other travelling companion, the quiet but amiable Fassin, had decided to accompany them as far as the borders of Gentlund, where he would veer North, catch a ship from Maeslund and return home, bearing the news of his Shang master's death.
Kel had lain awake some nights, imagining in her mind's eye following him back to Tortall and being reunited with her parents, Neal and Lucie. These fantasies never lasted more than five minutes, when she would give herself a mental shake. She was needed here; sentimental reunions would have to wait. Besides, she thought, it was all very well dreaming about returning, but am I ready to face them?
The next morning Kel was shaken awake by Fassin.
'Get up,' he hissed, as Rhonda opened a bleary eye.
'Not you, just Elinah,' whispered Fassin. Rhonda grunted and rolled over, Kel resigned herself to her fate.
Five minutes later shivering in the crisp morning air, Kel stood opposite Fassin, sword aloft.
'We'll just run through some warm up phases,' explained Fassin in Common, 'copy me.'
He lead her through several slow exercises, making a point to exaggerate and then hold the position to thoroughly stretch all of the muscles involved. They then went through some patterns at medium speed; Fassin attacking, Kel blocking.
'There is no strength behind that block,' Fassin criticised, 'you must block and defend as though you were attacking. I have seen blocks that have shattered wrists before.'
Gritting her teeth, Kel poured a whole new level of concentration and energy into the basic exercises than she had done previously.
'Better,' commented Fassin, 'now convince me you really know what you're doing. I want you to attack me and all I'm going to do is block.'
Kel began to fight –she had done these sorts of drills with Alex. It was a way to demonstrate and practises new skills but was exceedingly hard to gain the upper advantage in, because the opponent was only concentrating upon one thing.
She worked hard for over ten minutes, showing off the full range of her skill and yet never quite managing to get through Fassin's iron-hard blocks. Once or twice her sword nearly slipped past his, but only for a fraction of a second. After yet another close try on Kel's behalf Fassin stepped backwards and bowed.
'You've been taught well,' he said, looking at her through level gaze, 'you have a natural ability.'
Kel accepted the compliments with a slight twitch of a smile at the corner of her mouth and waited for Fassin to finish speaking.
'I've no doubt that in a few years time you will be a formidable fighter indeed. Do you fight with anything else?' he inquired.
'I know a little staff and hand-to-hand combat,' admitted Kel warily.
'Show me,' said Fassin with a grin.
Without warning he lashed out with a punch and Kel ducked, spinning round to produce her own counter attack. He blocked her punch with such a force that Kel's whole arm went numb as she pulled away and circled him warily. Fassin moved again, like all Shang warriors he was very fast, and soon had a grip on her arm. Kel pivoted and performed the counter move instinctively, just as she had done on her first ever day of training. Fassin allowed himself to go with her move, using the momentum and then breaking away, turning and aiming a kick at her. Kel tried to doge but was a fraction of a second to slow. His padded foot crashed into her stomach, knocking the wind out of her and sending Kel reeling backwards.
Kel stumbled backwards gasping for breath and clutching her stomach, before tripping and landing on her behind on the cold, hard ground.
'Are you alright?' asked Fassin.
Kel waited for several moments until she'd regained enough air to speak.
'I'm going to have a wonderful bruise,' she replied with a sigh, still massaging the place where Fassin's foot had connected.
'It was a quite a strong kick,' said Fassin ruefully, 'but you'd countered or dodged everything else...' He held out a hand and helped Kel to her feet.
'I'm a bit out of practise,' explained Kel.
'Well that's not a good state to be in when out in the field,' Fassin said seriously. 'I can teach you a better kicks, blocks and punches if you want, but you must practise them.'
Kel nodded, feeling that over the next couple of months, hand-to-hand combat was going to be far more useful than swordplay.
As Rhonda woke up and cooked breakfast Fassin made Kel isolate her attacks and blocks, scrutinising them and telling Kel what could be improved. Rhonda handed Kel and Fassin some oatmeal as they sat down.
'Your basic punching technique is fine,' said Fassin as he shovelled food into his mouth, 'and there's no time to teach you anything fancier, the same goes for your blocks, with them you just need more power behind the movement. I will however try to teach you a better kick, as the one you know, leaves far too much of your right side open.'
True to his word, over the next few days Fassin did just that. He taught Kel a new kick that was much trickier to practise, but faster to execute. They also practised sword play for hours, Kel relishing to practise against an opponent other than Alex.
Sometimes during the day Kel and Fassin would let Rhonda go on ahead whilst they practised and then run to catch up with her. In doing this they didn't waste any travelling time and were also improving their fitness daily.
On the final night before Fassin departed for the coast, he gave her a small wooden charm of a hawk.
'If you're ever in the Southern Desert, call upon my people and show them that, and they will provide you with shelter and food,' he said seriously as he handed it to her.
Kel thanked Fassin and placed the charm on the chain alongside her Yamani lucky cat, and tucked it back inside her shirt.
They parted with a brief hug and Kel watched the large, friendly black man disappearing into the distance, wondering if she'd ever see him again. It was unlikely, but Kel had no idea where she would be in a couple of year's time or what she would be doing. I'll just take it one small step at a time, she thought as she set off after Rhonda, trudging ever closer to Gentlund.
Gentlund was a clan settled on the flat, fertile plains of western Scanra. It spread across many leagues and had a huge population. Gentlund town, where the Clan Chief lived, and where all the administration was based, lay in the north-eastern area and it was there that Kel and Rhonda were headed.
When they arrived in the crudely constructed city three days later, it was with an air of foreboding that Kel observed her surroundings. As she walked up the street she saw a great line of despondent slaves all chained at the hand, following a pompous looking official.
'They'll either be headed to the market, or to one of the plantations,' whispered Rhonda, following Kel's gaze.
It sickened Kel that the slaves were transported like animals to market and how when they arrived there, their lives were sold and bought on the whims of rich men.
Rhonda led Kel up an alleyway and into a dingy lodging house. At the end of a grimy corridor, she fitted a key into a door and Kel stepped inside the tiny, box-like room.
'Are you still sure that you want to do this?' Rhonda asked seriously, her eyes boring into Kel's.
Kel nodded defiantly; she wouldn't be put off by the thought of a little hardship.
'Very well then,' replied Rhonda, 'we need to make you look more like a slave.' She examined Kel for a moment, before saying, 'well you certainly can't keep your swords with you, or that jade necklace.'
Kel silently removed her swords and necklace, before handing them to Rhonda. Rhonda moved over to the wall and prised one of the floorboards up. Beneath was a whole jumble of things and she placed Kel's swords and necklace on the top.
'If you ever have to leave suddenly for a reason, or when Alex comes to collect you, they'll be in here waiting for you.'
Kel nodded. Rhonda straightened up, marched over to Kel and without warning punched her in the side of her head. Kel reeled backwards, disorientated for a few moments. She could feel blood dripping down her face from her split eyebrow.
'What was that for?' she asked, looking up at Rhonda and probing gently at her injury with her fingers.
'We can't have you looking too pretty,' replied Rhonda, 'or else you'll be purchased as a pleasure slave. You have to look tough and used to manual work.'
Rhonda used the blade of her knife to wear down Kel's shirt at the sleeves and start a couple of tears in the material. She also rubbed some dirt from the grate onto Kel's hands and smudged the un-bloody side of her face. By the time Rhonda had finished knotting Kel's hair even more and dirtying her clothes, Kel felt as though she was finally ready to face the slave markets.
Rhonda rummaged around in her bag and bought out two objects, the first Kel placed around her neck, the familiar coolness of the slave collar bring back memories of Vischnaucht's house and the second made Kel's eyes widen in surprise. If she was not very much mistaken, it was an anti-pregnancy charm.
'Um…I don't think that I'll be…well…I'm not old enough to be laying with men…' said Kel uncomfortably, shifting slightly on her feet.
'You don't always have a choice,' replied Rhonda grimly, as she washed her own face in a cracked wash bowl.
That's not happening to me again, thought Kel as her trembling fingers attached the charm onto the plain cord, from which hung Fassin's token and her Yamani lucky cat.
'Let's go,' said Rhonda and without another word they left the lodging rooms.
It didn't take long for Rhonda to navigate their way through the milling crowds to the slave market.
'Number?' demanded a voice at the entrance to the market.
Kel tugged up the sleeve of her shirt.
L0258
The pink scars were still vivid upon her left arm and the man noted down the number on a tablet in front of him.
'Work?'
'Labour,' replied Rhonda promptly, and again the man wrote this new piece of information on the tablet.
'This is yours,' he said handing Rhonda a piece of parchment on which read LO258, Afternoon lot 87. 'Present this to the accounts table this evening and you will be paid according to the price she goes for, I will remind you that we take an eight percent selling charge and the auctioneer requests a further two percent.'
As the man at the desk shuffled some papers, Rhonda gripped Kel's arm and gave it a squeeze.
'We will meet again,' she whispered in an undertone, before slipping away into the crowd.
Kel didn't look back as a burly guardsman attached a chain to her collar and led her down into a large open space. All along the far wall, slaves were chained, large black numbers above their heads. Kel realised what was happening and allowed herself to be tied underneath the number eighty-seven.
The bidding was quick; buyers quickly deciding the value of each slave present. The burly young men sold for the highest, as no doubt they would be expected to carry out the heaviest labouring.
Kel noted that her fellow slaves all stood as impassively as she did, all except for a group of three further down the line. They appeared to be a family; at least the young girl bore a resemblance the woman. The man was holding the woman's hand in a comforting manner and whispering soothingly to her.
Kel's heart went out to the family for she knew as well as they that if the family was sold to different plantations it was unlikely that they would ever see each other again.
Finally after an hour lot number eighty-seven was called.
' Lot eighty-seven, for manual labour,' called out the auctioneer.
The bidding rose until finally only one man remained.
'Sold, for a sum of five silver pieces!' announced the auctioneer.
Five silver pieces. Was that all thy considered her to be worth? Was there any human worth so little? Maggur, she thought savagely, Maggur is worth so little for what he is doing to this country.
Her anger at all of the injustices done to her and others kept her from truly noticing where she was going until she was shoved into a pen that was already occupied by five other slaves; four men and a woman. The other slaves waited in silence, no doubt worrying over their new home and master, and paid little attention to Kel.
About an hour later, just when Kel was wondering if they were going to be left there all night, the weedy man returned with just one more slave. He chained all seven of them together without speaking and led them out of the market.
(-a/n- As always reviews would be lovely :P Please pretty please give me some feedback! I hope this was worth the wait, )
Happy 1st November everyone!
Confusedknight xxx