Hello! So, um yes *coughs guiltily* It has been 2 months since I finished my exams. Unfortunately summer finds me with the attention span of a goldfish so this chapter has been a long while in the making.

Thanks for your lovely reviews that make me smile so much, it's wonderful to hear that you're still interested in my story. For the third summer running I'm attempting to finish Fallen, hopefully with weekly updates!

Much love as always,

Confusedknight xxx

Alex, who had no horse and who refused to ride Prince when Kel offered, jogged alongside the group as they travelled west. Kel didn't even try to wipe the broad grin off her face but jabbered away to her friend, feeling like she was fit to burst with happiness and relief.

Aware that George, if not several of their companions had a grasp of Scanran, Kel kept her questions to asking after Fassin, Tor, Marthea and other friends rather than details on Maggur and their campaign. Alex was equally keen to hear of Kel's adventures, in particular their foray to Rathhausak.

'And you have the villagers safe?' he asked.

'Those that were left of them,' said Kel, sobering from her happy haze.

Alex's face was dark. 'All that's left,' he shook his head, pain contorting his features. 'Our mighty Clan, a few refugees scattered, a desolate castle...'

'It will rise again,' said Kel softly but confidently. Alex's gaze was searching and Kel saw a tiredness in Alex's hazel eyes that hadn't been there five years before. A wave of guilt hit her; she had no idea what they must've been through evading and fighting Maggur since she'd been gone.

Silence fell between them until Kel worked up the courage to say, 'We stopped in Queensgrace last week.'

Alex's head whipped around and Kel just knew from his expression that Alex knew of Tobe.

'He's brilliant Alex, got a spirit that would make you proud and horse magic to boot.'

'Horse magic,' whispered Alex in amazement. 'The last time I saw him was just before I met you,' he admitted. 'Another person I've let down.' There was a bitterness to Alex's tone that Kel didn't like.

'You kept him safe,' she protested. 'What more can a father do?'

They stopped for lunch on the roadside, to let the horses drink and eat. Bread and dried meat were shared around. Kel handed Alex extra portions of everything; his skin was stretched far too taught across his cheekbones for her liking. He joined in their conversations in Common, Kel finding it strange to hear him speaking so.

'This is the Alex then?' Raoul asked Kel quietly, looking over at the young blonde who was deep in conversation with George.

Kel nodded, her eyes still drinking in every tiny detail of Alex's appearance, quite unable to believe he was actually sitting less than twenty metres from her.

'I don't think I've ever seen you this happy,' said Raoul smiling fondly at his normally serious squire.

Kel turned to Raoul's gentle face. 'Five years of worry, five years of not knowing, and he just appears on the road in front of us... I feel like I'm dreaming,' she confessed.

'So what's the connection?' said Alanna loudly, as though she could no longer contain her curiosity. 'How are you best friends with one of George's associates.'

Both Alex and George looked up at this question.

'Alex taught me how to fight,' said Kel carefully. 'We travelled together for a couple of years.'

'You must be some teacher,' commented Lord Wyldon mildly, his eyes sizing the Scanran up.

'I had a dedicated pupil,' Alex shrugged. 'Scanra's a dangerous place.'

They continued their journey and stopped in the small town of Hedgeford. Kel was privately glad that they had passed Queensgrace without stopping. At least Alex wouldn't have to revisit those painful memories.

When Kel had finished rubbing Prince down and checking his hooves and joints, she found Alex waiting for her in the yard, leaning on a fencepost.

'Ready to show me what these impressive knights have been teaching you little one?'

'I thought you'd never ask brother,' Kel replied using the Scanran word for "brother".

They both began to limber up. Ten minutes later Kel was just finishing stretching out her arms when Raoul poked his head out of the back of the Inn. 'Are you coming in? The barman wants to know what we want for dinner.'

'I'll eat anything,' replied Kel. 'We'll be in shortly.' She drew her sword with a grin. 'I've waited a long time to be able to do this again.'

Alex drew a blade of the same design to Kel's and feeling that this was not a fight the others would want to miss, Raoul called over his shoulder to Alanna and Wyldon.

The three knights, spy and squire settled themselves on a hay bale. 'Watch and learn my lass,' said George, patting his wife's knee. 'This is going to be something special.'

Kel and Alex bowed deeply to each other.

'Swords only,' Alex clarified.

'Swords only,' replied Kel, beginning to circle.

Almost in response to an unknown signal they dived forward instantaneously at the Kethlun-forged blades met with a resounding clash of steel. So began the most intricate dance of swordplay that Raoul had ever seen.

Because Kel had learnt so much of her craft from Alex, there was a sort of perfect symmetry to the way they moved, gliding from one move to another, blades arcing, cutting and twisting, both fighters relying on the other's skill to prevent serious accident. Their swords met at an alarming frequency, attacks and blocks blurring into one.

Elation flooded through Kel. This is what she was trained for; the time when the surroundings melted away and it was just her and Alex, when it was just two swords and she didn't even have to think, her body just reacted. It wasn't easy, they were battling furiously but the burning chest and arm muscles didn't seem to matter, it was all part of the perfectness of the fight.

'Switch,' called Alex and with only a hairsbreadth pause both of them transferred their weapons to their left hands.

Kel threw in Tortallan moves and even if Alex wasn't used to countering them, his innate speed compensated and neither was able to gain the upper hand. Both fighters began to use all the most complicated and risky moves they knew, but Kel and Alex were adept at dodging and skipping out of the way, their speedy footwork never a toe out of line.

Sword hilts locked, Kel suddenly found herself drawn close to Alex's sweaty face.

'Shall we call this a draw for now? I think our dinner will be ready,' Alex panted.

'Yes,' gasped Kel and they both withdrew their swords.

There was a round of applause. Alex drew her into a one-armed hug and they made their way across the yard to their spectators, grins plastered across both red faces.

'If you trained Kel,' asked Alanna interestedly, 'Where did you learn to fight?'

'I was taught as a boy,' said Alex, sheathing his longsword. 'Just by a man in the town.'

'Well I bloody hope there aren't too many Scanrans who can fight like you,' exclaimed Alanna.

'It is a matter of practise, Lady Knight,' said Alex modestly. 'As I'm sure you're aware.'

They trouped into the inn, Kel feeling Raoul's gaze on the back of her neck. Not for the first time she felt slightly awkward, suspended between her two loyalties. She knew it was only a matter of time before Alex's reasons for coming south were broached in more detail. Sure enough, by the time their main course had been cleared away, after Alex and Owen had both unashamedly had seconds of everything, Lord Wyldon's attention had turned to Alex.

'Tomorrow we'll be back at Steadfast, what plans have you then, Master Alex?'

Alex took a sip of his spiced apple juice, set the goblet down and replied, 'I need to speak to the King.'

'You do?' Wyldon's eyebrows were raised.

'The time approaches when we can stop this war.'

'Is that not what we've been doing these last few years?' asked Raoul, 'Trying to stop this war.'

'And since those blasted machines have disappeared, Maggur's hardly dared attack at all.' Alanna pointed out.

'You have been fighting this war yes, and have slowed Maggur's advances; something I never cease to be grateful for.' Said Alex, his bright hazel eyes meeting the gazes that were directed onto him. 'But no, you have not been stopping this war. As we speak an army of ten thousand warriors from the North is being outfitted at Hastanne. Most of them are not warriors by trade it is true. But they are men used to hard work and Maggur has the winter to train them. Even your Tortallan companies will struggle when surrounded by the numbers Maggur has at his disposal. It will be slaughter.'

'We've seen it before.' Kel spoke quietly. 'Them dying, our friends dying and to what purpose? So that, that' -Kel struggled to find words to describe Maggur-. 'Power-crazed monster can lead both countries to ruin. It is him that needs to be stopped, not his armies.'

'And you think that you have come up with a way to stop the war, just like that?' asked Alanna incredulously.

'I have a chance, an opportunity,' he sighed. 'Which is more than most.'

'And the hope of thousands upon you,' said Kel quietly.

'There is a chance here lass.' George lay a comforting hand on his wife's arm, but spoke to the room as a whole. 'This isn't something we're going to enter into lightly, but it has long seemed to be one of our only options. The Crown has been funding this man for eight or nine years as he's laid down the foundations for this plan, aided an abetted by a certain squire.'

'I still don't understand,' said Lord Wyldon. 'Who are you?'

'The rightful king of Scanra.'

'What?' spluttered Alanna.

'The last true heir to the Rathhausak clan,' said Kel seriously. 'Maggur stole a title that was never his.'

'And if we can get him on the throne by Scanran law and heritage they will accept Alex as their leader,' said George. 'Killing Maggur under any other circumstance would just lead to his replacement by another of his followers.'

'This is insane' breathed Alanna. 'You just plan to walk up to Maggur, kill him, and expect the rest of the country to fall into line?'

'No, and this is why I come to seek help. We know it's crazy, we know it's a gamble, but ten years of work has led up to this. Thousands have died for this chance.' Alex drew a shuddering breath. 'I must speak to your King.'

'Do you plan to travel to Corus?' enquired Lord Wyldon.

'I had hoped, given the urgency of the matter that a mage-link could be opened.' Alex admitted, interlacing long, calloused fingers.

George gave his wife an enquiring look.

'I'll not open one on my own, but I believe Master Harailt is at Mastiff. Together it will be a lot less effort.'

Kel secretly marvelled at the fact that the Lady Knight had enough power to open a mage-link all the way from the border to Corus.

'Thank you,' said Alex, relief evident across his tired face.

They rode into Mastiff under the warmth of late afternoon sun. Men waved and saluted their party from the battlements. Some of their faces were familiar, but none of them were Dom or his squad; they had returned to Steadfast several days previously.

Alex did his best to remain unnoticed as the group was welcomed by the fort's temporary commander and other officials. He fiddled around with the horses, his entire body language not suggesting that he was worth enquiring after.

Once Wyldon had departed, deep in conversation with Captain Noel who'd been running the fort, the group began to disperse.

'Where are they?' Alex muttered, approaching Kel from behind.

Kel glanced at Raoul for his approval. Her knight-master nodded and signalled for a stable boy to collect Drum and Prince.

Kel led the way to the barracks that housed the refugees. Washing was draped over sagging lines, swinging lazily in the breeze. Men were wrestling in the dirt outside the barracks, a small circle of onlookers egging the fighters on. More men sat playing dice or whittling, interspersed with groups of women sewing and darning in the sunshine. Kel and her companions ducked inside the barracks, blinking as their eyes adjusted to the gloom.

'Kel!' Hal was the first to spot her and he charged over for a hug. The rest of the Scanran refugees glanced up, and as they saw Kel's companion a hush fell. Eron was the first to rise and make his way towards Alex, his newly-healed eyes searching.

For a long moment Kel thought that Eron was about to drop to his knees, but slowly, meaningfully, he raised his closed fist to his heart and saluted Alex. One by one the other Scanrans followed suit. Kel wasn't sure what Eron had told them, but hope and admiration gleamed in every face.

Raoul looked taken aback by the intensity of the gesture. Alex looked completely overwhelmed. He stepped forward and embraced Eron like a brother, muttering in Scanran. When they broke apart, Meah who had stepped forward, curtseyed delicately. Alex picked the small girl up, seating her over one hip and surveyed his people. Then he went amongst them, shaking hands and greeting, crying with those who wept for a Rathhausak long destroyed and comforting the people who'd lost everything.

Kel backed slowly out, tears pricking her eyes. Raoul followed her. It was moments like that when Kel felt like an intruder. For all she had fought, for all she sympathised and understood their cause, she was still Tortallan, had not known the country as it had been before Maggur.

'I don't understand,' Raoul admitted slowly. 'I mean I know he's the rightful heir and has fought against Maggur but...' The Knight trailed off, his eyes troubled.

'I think we find it hard to understand,' Kel replied quietly, 'because we've never been in a situation like it. Our country has never come crashing down around us...' Kel paused as she cast around for the best way to explain herself. 'Imagine if the entire structure of Tortall had fractured. The prosperous fiefs are no more, the nobles with no power or money. We're waging war against a powerful country, say Carthak. Men are being conscripted up and down the country. Families now have no one to protect them, no income. Much fewer people are farming, food becomes scarce, being funnelled directly to the army. No one is safe, no one can speak out for fear of being made an example of. People scrabble to stay alive, to escape the attentions of Maggur. Is it any wonder that when presented with a real, living way to restore their country to it's former glory that they act the way they do.' She rubbed an eye tiredly.

'We came across a village once. Completely slaughtered, all because Alex's contact had refused to reveal information to Maggur's men. We fight risking our own lives for the crown and kingdom, but could you watch thirty of your friends and family being murdered just to safeguard Tortall's secrets?' She shook her head, a pained expression on her face. 'We find it frightening...Alex must be terrified.'

'Well I hope we can assist,' said Raoul heavily. 'This war needs to stop.'

In the mess hall that night the refugees were unusually rowdy. Kel sat with Raoul and other men of the Own, as was her place. Glancing over at Alex, surrounded by his blonde haired compatriots she felt oddly left out, but knew that it must be this way. She was sworn to King Jonathan first and foremost, must be content to know Alex from a distance rather than his right-hand swordswoman.

Once the meal was over, clapping and cheering caught Kel's attention. As the group quietened, a lone voice began to sing, soaring up to the rafters of the wooden hall. A fiddle, played by one of the other Scanran refugees joined in. It was a merry tune whose tempo quickly sped up as a second voice supported the first.

Kel watched, a smile tugging the corners of her mouth. Fondness for the Scanrans welling in her heart.

'What are they singing about?' Asked Sergeant Osbern.

'A fiddle and a moon,' Kel shrugged, it was one of those nonsense songs that didn't seem to make sense.

Even though the Tortallan refugees clearly had no idea what they were singing about, they joined in by stamping their feet and clapping appreciatively. Hal and Meah got up and danced with the carefree spirit of children.

Most of the soldiers on Kel's bench turned around so they could watch the spectacle without straining their necks. It wasn't long before men were pushing benches aside and full scale dancing broke out.

Hal ran over and pulled Kel into the fray. She picked the tune out of her memory and joined in with the chorus. Twirling and galloping was difficult due to the height difference between Hal and herself. Indeed when it was time for the men to lift the ladies, Kel scooped the young boy up and hefted him into the air until he shrieked happily.

As the music fell away there was more clapping and the dancing pairs broke up. Someone began a slow, lazy beat with their hands on the bench they were sitting on. The fiddle player picked gently at chords, his skilled fingers dancing across the strings. It was Eron's voice this time. A lilting, slightly melancholy tune the lyrics spoke of the old Scanra and soon tears were running unashamedly down many cheeks, including Alex's.

Kel, who'd sat back down next to Raoul, found herself transported to memories of a midwinter spent at Sekholm, or the harvest and spring festival's she'd so enjoyed. The next couple of songs Kel recognised vaguely. Then it was Alex's turn and not for the first time that day the onlookers quietened unnaturally.

He began his performance with a song from one of the most famous plays in Scanra. It was a good choice; all the Scanran refugees new the harmonies of the chorus; it sounded impressive. Isra and Hal danced the steps gracefully for anyone who'd care to watch.

Alex caught her eye and she knew then why he'd picked this song. It was the same song they'd often performed as a duet. As the chorus came to an end, Kel forced her own voice to take over, ignoring the surprise of the soldiers that surrounded her. She closed her eyes and let her voice float above Alex's, trying not to think of the last time that she had sung in public. It had been as a bloody, battle-weary thirteen year old who'd believed she'd die on the plains of Somalkt.

After what seemed like no time at all, the closing lines of the song left her lips and a silence hung in the air for a brief moment before the applause.

'What was that one about?' Lerant demanded.

'It's taken from a play,' she said turning to the man on her left. 'A powerfully gifted lady who promises to protect her home clan whilst her childhood friend is off adventuring.'

There were faces of baffled amusement all around her. Kel sipped her water goblet.

'We'll need to be going soon,' Raoul said meaningfully.

Kel stood up, 'Lord Wyldon's office?' she checked the location of the mage-link. Raoul nodded in confirmation.

She was halfway across the room before she caught Alex's eye. The Scanran rose gracefully and walked serenely through the new song that had started, over to where Kel was waiting.

On the pretence of giving her a friendly one armed hug, his lips barely moving Alex told her.

'Show them how much you know of Scanra.' Alex straightened and the pair followed Raoul out of the mess hall.

As Kel watched purple and silvery fire entwined, both Mages stood with their eyes closed and palms outstretched. Sapphire blue sparks began to flare in the blazing window of fire and the onlookers gasped as King Jonathan the fourth's face appeared amongst the flames.

'Alanna?' the King's expression was surprised. 'Is everything alright?'

'Are you alone?' The Lioness demanded, ignoring the King's question.

'At the top of Balor's Needle,' Jonathan answered. 'I've been feeling you prodding me with magic for the last half an hour.'

'Pfft, well you could have responded a bit sooner. I was about to do something drastic. Your magical defences aren't very strong,' the Lady Knight scolded.

'I was entertaining the Tusaine ambassador,' the King replied with a sigh to mirror his exhausted face. 'I've had to leave him with Thayet which means in the morning I'm going to have not only an affronted ambassador but also an angry wife. This had better be important Alanna.'

'It's just a social call,' retorted Alanna innocently, 'I was wondering how Alan was-'

'Lass,' George interrupted the Lioness's fun.

'George is that you?' the King asked in surprise, 'I thought you were...oh never mind.'

'Anyone else there that I should know about?'

'Hello Jon', Raoul spoke up.

'Raoul! This is a right little gathering.' The King banged his hand on the table. 'I wish I could be up with you, not dining with poncy little men who want to take advantage of our situation.'

'We are at war, your Majesty,' said Lord Wyldon, politely reproachful. 'It's not all fun and games on the border.'

'Ah ha,' Alanna interrupted and as the firey window shivered Jon began to look around, evidently now able to see the whole room.

He looked slightly embarrassed to discover that his outburst had had an audience, but dignified none the less he bowed his head to Lord Wyldon.

'I know Wyldon. It's just sometimes her majesty and myself feel we are contributing little to the war effort.'

'You're keeping the country ticking over and the other scavengers off our backs,' Raoul said gently.

'Yes I know I'm not completely useless,' sighed Jonathan. 'And who else is that with you? Ah, Squire Keladry and...'

'Squire Owen of Jesslaw,' introduced Wyldon, noticing that Owen seemed uncharacteristically tongue-tied in the presence of royalty.

'Alexei of Rathhausak your Majesty,' Alex introduced himself, nodding his head not one iota more than was necessary. 'It is I who have requested this urgent conversation with you.'

Although his stance was casual and voice unwavering, Kel could spot the tiny signs of strain displayed all over Alex's body. One wrong word, if the King didn't agree to help him then all of the fighting, all of the preparing would have been for nothing.

Kel listened as Alex told his story to the King of Tortall. She saw the pain, able to comprehend some of what Alex had been through these last ten years.

Eventually the conversation came down to the crux of the matter.

'What would you require of me?' the Tortallan leader asked.

'Men,' said Alex. 'Eight squads of fighters to overcome Maggur's personal guard. And a diversion. A diversion that will occupy the full extent of Maggur's army and concentration.'

'A diversion I can understand,' frowned Lord Wyldon. 'But you believe eighty warriors will be enough to conquer Hamrkeng?'

Alex ran a hand through his blonde hair. 'Every able-bodied warrior in Scanra has been either killed or enlisted into Maggur's army. The people I lead are women, children, grandparents, the crippled. They are cooks, farmers, tanners and traders, not warriors. What hope would they ever have against a company and a half of the realm's finest sword and axemen?

But the last few years we've been preparing. He spoke to the room at large now. A cook might not be able to chop down an axe-wielding war veteran, but she can be placed inside the keep, poised to drug the guards on the gate. A nine-year old boy mightn't have the muscle to heft a longsword but he could sit atop a cart with two warriors and give credibility to their "family."

An elderly couple running an inn can provide a safe-house for a squad of soldiers once they're inside the city... Don't you see? We can smuggle around eighty men into the city. We've got hidey-holes ready and waiting. When the time comes to act we've a means to let them inside the keep. I just need eighty men to bear arms. But not any warriors mind. I don't want the biggest, brawniest. I need fighters who are clever. Who can learn quickly, keep their head under pressure.' A fire was alight in those hazel eyes. 'I just need to get to that council room. To challenge Maggur to a duel under the ancient laws. A duel he won't refuse. A duel he won't win.'

The King, though exhausted was looking more alert now and addressed the room. 'We all know that this war is costly both to purses and livelihoods. Perhaps here we have a chance to act for the good of both countries. However, as King my concern must be and always will be for Tortall and it's people. I will not send eighty men on a suicide mission nor will I jeopardise the lives of my warriors in the armies if I am not satisfied with the plans in place. I want to know everything, the exact details of your people, the locations of these resources and safehouses, when you plan to act, as much as you know of the Scanran forces. Only then will we consider the logistics of granting your request.'

'Your Majesty understands that if this information fell into the wrong hands the kind of slaughter that would result.'

'It is my price,' replied the King firmly. 'You ask me to risk my men, I require this information in trust and as an insurance that we won't be crossed. George will verify the truth of your words.'

'Then you will have the information you desire,' Alex replied, his face serious. 'I will need maps, and paper.'

The meeting stretched on into the night, Alex, his voice growing hoarser by the minute outlining in meticulous detail the plans to get eighty warriors into Hamrkeng. His monologue was frequently interrupted as the strategic and tactical minds of the warriors and spymaster picked over the plans with a fine-tooth comb. Frequently Alex called on Kel, asking her to sketch a plan of Hamrkeng, it's outer gates, main streets and walled keep.

Kel remembered Alex's abrupt request and forced herself to interject using her knowledge of not only the places they discussed but also Maggur's likely battle plans.

At first Jon had been surprised to discover that it was to Scanra Kel had disappeared to. 'You were spying for George the whole time?'

'Spying,' Kel had replied, 'Fighting to delay this war, fighting to survive. Fighting to save the people, your Majesty.'

On and on the discussion went, Kel marvelling at Alex's thorough knowledge of his network of allies. Names were mentioned that Kel knew; Marthea, Fassin and Tor amongst others.

Even Owen, who was fighting to stifle yawning made no mention of retiring for the night. There was a sense of importance, of perhaps having reached a turning point in the war.

As they set about discussing where they would recruit the eighty warriors from, warm relief seeped into Kel's bones. Alex had done it. Next spring they would have their shot at Maggur. After all the years of working there was finally an end in sight for Alex's campaign.

It was agreed that the eighty men would be hand-selected. Drawn from the Own, regular army and riders so that no force would be weakened. They debated over whether to conscript the warriors to the mission or offer them the chance to volunteer. It was agreed that they would be given the opportunity to turn down the mission and also that one eighth of the force would be women.

Alanna had queried about whether mages would be required, but Alex, pointing to the names of his network of mages said that magically, they were prepared.

No horses would be used; they were too conspicuous. The fighters would be smuggled through Scanra on foot or in slave wagons or merchants caravans. The whole operation would take place over several weeks such that if one cell of fighters was discovered not all eighty men would be lost.

It was sobering, discussing ways to minimise losses, realising that it was incredibly likely that some of the men selected for this mission would not return. In fact, the whole force would not rendezvous until the night of the attack itself.

'Where will you be whilst all this is going on?' Lord Wyldon wanted to know.

'I'll be around, overseeing in Hamrkeng, coordinating the mages and other factions that must come into play. Once we've breached the keep a third of the force will split to secure behind us, whilst I will lead the rest on, to Maggur.'

'How soon will you be returning to Scanra?' Raoul asked.

'As soon as possible,' Alex replied, 'I have places to travel before the snows arrive.'

Kel's heart sank; their reunion was to be a short one.

'Then to whom are we entrusting the training of our fighters?' asked Master Harailt wearily. 'I was under the impression you would be giving them an education in Scanran subterfuge.'

'I can send my second in command, Torrien, down here, although it may take several weeks for him to get here. I was rather hoping, however that Kel here would oversee their training.'

It took Kel's brain a few seconds to process what had just been said and she didn't bother to hide the shock from her face.

'But Alex, I'm still a squire,' she reminded the Scanran, suddenly realising why he'd wanted her to try and display all she knew about Scanra.

'You won't be a squire after midwinter,' he pointed out quietly.

Her knight-master's expression was unreadable and Kel suddenly felt panicked that Raoul might think that she'd had this planned all along. Trapped in the middle of threads holding the two countries together, torn between the two lives she'd led, between a man who was like a father and the other like a brother to her. And as she sat, surrounded by some of the most influential people in Tortall she realised how Alex had had this planned all along.

'You want Keladry to lead your invading force?' Jonathan questioned. 'Forgive me for saying so Keladry, but wouldn't you be better off with a more experienced leader?'

'Kel's the best swordfighter I've ever trained.' Alex replied levelly. 'She has had to learn the Scanran language in just a few months and has been intimately acquainted with the slave trade. She's lived amongst the highest and lowest of Scanran society and knows how to behave accordingly. She knows the landscape of my country, the layout of Hamrkeng. At the age of thirteen she was training and commanding a company of soldiers who she rallied into battle under the worst circumstances imaginable. More recently she lead your own soldiers against Stenmun and Blayce. I have absolute belief that if anyone is qualified for this job, it's Kel.'

Her face was hot and Kel stared determinedly at the wood grain of the table in front of her, wishing that she hadn't been present whilst Alex was singing her praises.

'Is that true Kel?' Asked Raoul quietly. 'You commanded a whole company at the age of thirteen?'

Kel nodded, still not looking up at anyone.

'A thirteen year old shouldn't have that burden,' Wyldon tutted. 'No matter how prodigious their talent at fencing.'

'We did what we could with who we had available,' Alex snapped. 'Maybe if you had recognised her potential then she wouldn't have been there in the first place.'

Lord Wyldon looked affronted and opened his mouth to argue back.

'This isn't helping.' Kel intervened swiftly, looking up at last. 'Alex didn't force me to do anything, I volunteered-'

'You would,' muttered Raoul.

'-He never asked too much of me.'

'Of course I did, little one,' Alex interrupted and Kel glanced around at him, shocked. He was now opposing her defence of his actions.

'Every time I picked you up whether you had narrowly escaped burning or had been shot, or were two inches from death through starvation or delirious with fever, of course I asked too much of you. The point is, you handled it, you battled on more determined than ever. You know what is at stake for both Tortall and Scanra and here is your chance to act.'

There was silence following this speech until Kel said.

'I serve the King, if he wills it then I will gladly train you an army. If not...' she let the end of the sentence hang.

'How will we explain her absence?' the King mused.

'We could say that she's been posted to the Tusaine border,' replied George. 'Little correspondence travels from there to the north without travelling via Corus.'

'And where will this new force be trained?'

There was a few minutes pause.

'Stonewell?' suggest George again. 'It's been vacant since the fourth and eighth companies moved up North. Relatively isolated, we could hand out a couple of army uniforms to fool the neighbours into thinking it was just new recruits.'

The others nodded in agreement, it was a good plan.

'Very well,' the King now spoke directly to Kel. 'Spend the next few months thinking long and hard about the training programme. Raoul, you can help her in this. After Midwinter you shall travel to Stonewell where your fighters will be waiting.'

Kel bowed as low as she could in her chair, hardly able to believe her ears.

'Alexei of Rathhausak, may the gods will it so, I will be in contact next summer with treaties of peace and trade between our two countries.' King Jonathan nodded to the Scanran.

'I long for the day in which our countries will be as sisters,' Alex replied seriously. 'For the day when this bloodshed will end.'

More goodbyes were handed around and the mage-link ended. It had been a long meeting. Harailt sat grey and exhausted in his chair whilst Alanna swayed alarmingly as she stood. George helped his small wife from the room.

Lord Wyldon hauled the nearly dead-on-his feet Owen and lead him out of the room. Master Harailt staggered out not a minute later.

Kel looked over at her Scanran friend, who had slumped in his chair. Face in his hands he was mumbling incomprehensible thanks to the gods for his fortune. Kel got up and placed a gentle, steadying hand on his shoulder.

Alex clutched the hand as though it were a life-line. Looking deep into Kel's eyes, he said.

'I'm sorry.'

'Pardon?' Kel was surprised.

'They're all right. I should never have got you caught up in all of this, and now I'm dragging you back into the thick of things. I'm sorry.'

'Hey,' said Kel sharply. 'No more of that talk. I made a promise Alexei of Rathhausak that I would see things right in Scanra. No matter what the cost.'

'I know,' he replied red-rimmed eyes unreadable. 'And you stand by that?'

'Always,' said Kel intensely.

'Then,' Alex pulled out his dagger and swiftly cut across the base of Kel's palm. Kel gasped in pain as Raoul got to his feet with a cry. Alex mirrored the cut on his own hand and pressed their bleeding palms together. Interlocking fingers that were now slippery with blood.

'Do you, Keladry of Mindelan, agree to be my blood-bonded sister?'

'To death and beyond,' Kel whispered.

'Then we are bound by blessed Yahzed, Great Mithros and the Goddess to be brother and sister always.'

As they separated their fists Kel saw that shiny white scars existed where moments ago had been a gaping would. Kel's jaw dropped.

'The gods have accepted our pledge.' Said Alex, tired but pleased. 'Kel, sister, if anything should happen to me at this, the end of our campaign. You will-'

'I will fight to my dying breath to bring up Tobeis in your stead.'

They embraced, emotions to thick for words. Kel knew he would be gone in the morning, his task accomplished. Tears leaked from two sets of hazel eyes.

'I will be in touch,' Alex promised. 'We'll be ready for you in Hamrkeng next April.' With one last squeeze and an affectionate ruffle of Kel's hair, Alex left.

'Did he just make you-' Raoul struggled to find his voice.

'Second in line to the throne of Scanra?' Kel supplied. 'Yes, Goddess help me.' She sank back into her chair, palm throbbing.

Well there you have it! A nice long chapter to get Fallen up and running again.

Please review, it'd be nice to know you haven't given up on me! (Though it's been so long I wouldn't blame you if you had!)

Confusedknight xxx