Chapter 2

"Where are you from?" She finally managed to get a word in without being cut off. Three of the giants looked to each other before one with graying hair looked toward the map posted on the wall. He touched the camp, then traveled east, through Galla, then Sarain, then further along the mountain pass known as Chitral's pass and into the unchartered lands known as the Roof of the World before passing even further north.

"Gaul." He spoke proudly.

"How…" Merric started as he eyed the map. "We've never…"

"A vision, one you must trust or all is lost. Our people, we do not take profits and warnings lightly. It is the first in a long time."
"I don't exactly know who you are, or if and how I am to trust you." Kel finally spoke up as he nodded.

"I, I am Westly our king's advisor. I know you don't trust but hear us. The profit gave us this." He handed her a rolled up bit of parchment. As she untied the binds then opened the scroll one could see her knuckles turn ghostly white and her hands lower slightly as if ready to drop the painting. The style was much like what one would see in stained glass, detailed but choppy at the same time. It was nearly a replica of Keladry, down to Peachblossom behind her, Jump at her feet, and tiny birds perched along the saddle.

"He said you will know truth for gryphon's had awarded you such a gift. That you are blessed by them."
"I wouldn't say…" She muttered as even Merric went a little pale at the painting.

"He showed me, I am a shaman of our people, I could show you." Another man spoke, his words were quiet and choppy, but you could feel the power behind them.

"Could you not explain?"
"No, a shaman's words carry power. If he speaks, it will come to pass!" Westly spoke up quickly as she just nodded. Taking the gryphon feather headband from her drawer she handed it to Merric just incase. While she was not protected from anyone with the gift, perhaps in such close range it would allow only truth to be spoken. The man stepped forward and pressed his thumb to her temple, ring finger to another as that icy chill rushed down her spine again, raising goose bumps along the way. In seconds it felt like her world was on fire and was ripped from her body to stand among ruins. He stood next to her and motioned toward a city on fire. Kel's heart pitched, racing first at the site and sank realizing it was Corus. Grabbing at the wall she took a deep breath before spinning around to face him. Behind him one could see mounted knights all bearing the Scanra banner as a man walked between them a child in his arms as guards pulled a woman behind him. The princess Lianne.

'The warlord's son.' A voice whispered as the world pitched and spun again, this time it unfolded as if one were flying, leagues passing in seconds before she stood on another castle's walls watching as two armies advanced from distant passes, the smoke from the fires they left the only tell tail signs in the twisting mountains. Before her lay the ocean, dotted with enemy ships. These men Kel did not recognize nor could she turn or move as they spoke.

"All is lost." A younger voice spoke. "The tunnels…"
"Bombed." The words of the elder were heavy, such regret, such pain. As it spoke Kel realized she was seeing the world from that man's views. The prophet's vision was hers. All the raw emotion, pain, and thoughts nearly collided with her at once.

"They…" The younger moved right up to the side of him, and Kel could finally see his profile; strong, handsome, but twisted by what was happening.

"All." The heavy words struck an all too familiar cord after the fall of Haven and she knew what it meant. Innocence, elderly, women, children had been lost in the attempts to escape. It made her blood boil and stomach turn before once again she was ripped from the vision. Looking up she saw the shaman on his knee's sweating as he stared into her own hazel brown eyes.

"Our people will not submit." He spoke clearly and boldly. "If the warlord get's what he wants, Tortall will be a pawn, Tortall will kill us all then itself." He whispered taking her hands as Kel just shook, her mind still trying to process everything. "If this happens, all is truly lost."

"What, what do I do?"
"You are key, Protector of the Small." Feeling the stares and knowing the look on their faces as she looked to each warrior they had come with. The fear of what would come if things were to fail. Rising she took a slow deep breath before nodding.

"When do we leave?"

"You are out of your mind!" Dom roared as Kel worked on packing her gear. "What if it's a lie?"
"It's not. Remember the feathers. Dom everything they said and showed me is true and will pass, if I can fix it…" she sighed folding her lucky cats in shirts, then slid them into saddlebags.

"Stop trying to fix and save everything damn it!" He roared this time, his fist coming down hard on the side table.

"Dom…" Kel sighed turning to look at him.

"If Roule was here you would listen! You're so worried about everyone else you never worry about yourself! Don't you think we do!"

"Dom.." She mouthed trying to grasp words to instill confidence, but he just passed like some caged cat. "It's my job."
"Fine!" He said coldly before striding out of the small house and slamming the door in his wake.

Dinner was quiet, few dared to approach the table where the huge Northerners and Kel sat. She couldn't blame them, but already felt alone among them. They spoke in their native tongue as she just listened. It was harsh and cold, despite the laughter that often followed. Slowly, one woman rose and wished them luck. Keladry just nodded as the men rose.

"We will wait outside." He nodded and led them out.

"We will be waiting for you Lady."

"Waiting?" She questioned as the others finally wandered toward her table, Merric with them.

"For your return. This is our home, you helped to make it. We will wait here for you less only the king himself tries to kick us out." She grinned and embraced her in a tight hug. Kel couldn't help but smile at these people, all whom she would gladly call family.

"Then this will be my first stop when I get back!" She just laughed as Merric just hugged her tight.
"Sergeant Dom?" Kel finally asked as the woman chewed her lip.

"Lady he and…" Another elbowed her as she shot her a look to kill. "Was not feeling well." All Kel could do was nod and headed outside.

Tossing Peachblossom's reins over his neck she took one finally look before swinging up into the saddle and nudging him into a walk. The other horses formed around her almost protectively as they started toward the gate. Reaching it most men saluted as a giggle caused Kel to look up. Dom stood there in another woman's arms making her giggle. He gave Kel a half hearted salute as she looked to her and laughed before pressing up against him. It was Westly's hand on Kel's shoulder that made her jump.

"While handsome and strong, a fox is no partner or comparison to a wolf Keladry of Mindelan!" He announced so a few guards snickered and Dom looked down at them once again. Kel just shook her head as the lead horses picked up the pace and they rushed out into the night.

Writers Note: Ok, so most people are probally wondering WTH. To be honest, this entire story came to me while out riding on summer vacation. There is nothing like taking your own Peachblossom (not his real name but I swear Pierce was channeling him when she wrote of Peach) into the mountains up in NH to clear your head. Go summer vacation!

ANYHOW, back on topic. Pierce is always expanding her lands with every book, but never really talks about whats north east of Tortall and the kingdom's they had visited, all we know is lots of mountains.

I figured it was perfect grounds for expanding the world, letting many other things come into play BUT also letting everything she has written about Tortall, its people, and lore stay in play.

I will stick to lore and what was previously written, however as with any fanfictions that may create new characters, writing about the people, the lifestyle, and what would be found in the actual roof of the world is something I came up with during vacation and spend time tweaking. I hope you enjoy and can respect that bit of creativity.

Please do let me know what you think; I love feedback both good and negative. I cant learn and fix what's wrong if I don't know it!

Thank you, Huginn's Muse.