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Chapter Eight
Neal couldn't sleep. Midwinter festivities had died down as lovers returned to their chambers to celebrate in private. Yuki was already asleep after being an emotional wreck during the holiday. It may have been the fact that he told her briefly of Kel's dangerous venture, despite the King's order of silence about the matter, her being pregnant, or being away from her own family.
Either way he finally managed to lull her into a gentle sleep after her tears dried, before venturing out to the main rooms. He couldn't help but look towards the table which was laden with crystals and maps for scrying. Despite Numair's failure to be able to find Kel, he Neal himself refused to stop trying. He was no mage by far, for his gifts lay in healing, but he had enough strength to try. Perhaps tonight the gods would give him luck.
His fingers brushed the map, dancing up the mountain range to where the pass into the land they called Gaul lay. Letting out a heavy sigh he placed channeling crystals around the location before closing his eyes to focus.
He had barely taken his second breath when he felt the pull and was thrown into the main hall of what he could only assume was their castle. Kel looked as if she were about to pass out as the man at her side escorted her to a set of rooms.
"Do you know what time I leave tomorrow?" She tried not to yawn, though it did not work very well. Neal couldn't help but smirk, his Kel was safe, or rather better then safe. She looked at ease even in a dress, wherever she was. It was the man before her that bristled Neal's feathers, his form looming over her.
"With the Maidens, they normally leave after lunch hour." She frowned before stopping in front of the door.
"So how long will I be gone? I don't..." He put a finger to her lips as she froze. Neal could feel his blood boil at the man's audacity; how dare he touch Kel like that. No one was allowed to touch Kel. He had been outraged when he found out Cleon had tried to court her, and then at Dom's fruitless and harmful flirting, so how dare this man even try.
"Till the Shield Mother decides you are ready and you take your vows. You must learn everything you can from her," he paused before brushing her hair aside. Kel sighed before looking up to him. "I know of Westly's gift to you. I'll try to make sure to be at the faire." He leaned in and she pulled away shaking her head.
"I can't do this." She breathed as Neal puffed up, proud of is friend for putting off the man's advances.
"I heard of your fox." the man snarled taking a step so she was pressed up against the door their bodies almost touching. He could see the man flexing his hands to control his rage.
"The man was a fool, you've a fire in you like no other woman I've met, Keladry, it is the quiet ember that can bring an entire city to the ground, or warm a house on a cold winter's night. I will do as you wish, however." He took her hand as he stepped back, bowing to kiss it. After that he reached up and plucked the last of the white berries from some brush. He popped them into his mouth before walking away, leaving Kel breathless and shaking.
Minutes passed before the door across the hall opened and a woman as tall as Raoul leaned against its frame. She wore a robe wrapped around her form, the sash loosely tied so one could tell she wore nothing under it. All she did for a moment was smile at Kel. The robe was a thin silk much like the ones he'd seen Carthak's wear over their clothing to keep from dirtying it while lounging. It left little to his imagination of the woman.
"He is a good man Keladry, a true loyal warrior." Kel blushed in a way Neal had never seen when this woman spoke. Where was her mask, her self-control? "He knows the pain you felt over your fox, but you need a man to walk with you, not to view you as one of the men. You deserve better."
"Brynha, even if I wanted to, when I leave here it wouldn't end well. I can't ask that of anyone." Kel sighed and started to turn enter her rooms. It was the woman who forced something into her hands.
"Burn it, if it burns well then so will the fire between you. Do not fight the Fates Keladry, and do not think you deserve any less, you need to learn to do things for yourself sometime." She said nothing more before slipping back into her room and leaving a baffled Keladry in her wake. Neal wished he could comfort his friend, help her. He watched her enter her bedchambers and look to the fire before tossing the branch in it.
"I will never ask something of someone if I could not do it myself." She managed. Neal saw the branch spark and pop before the heat felt as if it were overwhelming him, burning him as well. He could hear himself scream, though it was drowned out by the crack of flames. As the seconds passed he felt cool hands on him, calling to him. The last pop of the fire ripped him free of the spell as he lay on the floor looking up at Numair, Alanna, his father, and a crying Yuki.
"Neal, what were you doing! You scared me!" She screamed at him before brushing his hair from his face. He could feel the magic racing through his body still as Alanna let out a sigh of relief.
"What happened?"
"I don't know, you tell us. Yuki's scream woke me up and I brought Numair and Alanna when I couldn't break your spell." His father snapped as he started to examine Neal, healing small burns along his hands.
"I saw her, Kel. I was scrying and..."
"You were scrying and got locked into your vision." Numair grumbled looking the young man over. "When did the vision start to hurt, or change?"
"Kel burned something, a twig of sorts." He panted as his father's cold fingers brushed across his forehead to ease the pain.
"What did it look like?" Alanna pried. Neal tried to sit up, Yukie and his father helping him to a chair.
"It had leaves that were dark green, almost the shape of a tear drop. It had..."
"White berries?" Numair finished with a groan. "It's called Mistletoe; a sprig of it can act like a gryphon's feather. If it was around her, it brought down the magic guarding Gaul. Some cultures hang it for Midwinter." He explained to a rather confused group.
"So that's why you could reach Kel, and when she burned it the power left and the magic encircled her again." Alanna finished explaining before looking to Yuki. "You two should get back to bed, nothing can be done now." With that the men rose as Alanna squeezed his shoulder before starting toward the door. Neal yawned and let Yuki help him to bed, they would figure out more tomorrow and what 'faire' he was talking about.
The following afternoon Kel was at nerve's end as she checked over Peach's gear for the third time. The women who were leaving home to train as Maidens had all gathered about the courtyard, though few spoke to each other.
Kel knew instantly which of the girls were common born, the pony's or horses they held were issued by the order or crown, nothing fancy but enough to start learning on. Kel had lucked out when she found Peach all those years ago, she could only pray he'd make it to retire in the lush thick green pastures of Tortall, and accept his successor of course.
It felt like a lifetime before the King and the Maidens strolled out of the castle. Westly was behind him, beaming as he broke formation to go to Kel. His hand's twisted about themselves as he neared her before pulling her into a tight hug.
"Remember what we taught you about combat, Little Wolf. The Maidens will test and try to break you!" He started to lecture as she could help bursting into laughter. Slipping away her hands found his shoulders and gave them a squeeze.
"Why Westly, are you getting emotional over my leaving for training! I'll see you come spring remember!" She teased him as he let out a huff and pulled her into yet another bear hug.
"Shut your trap lass. You're like one of my own girls, even Bryn was bawling her eyes out at you leaving us. But it's for the best, I have to remember that." He pushed her away to look her over one last time. "You'll do well."
"Of course I will, I had a great teacher along the way." She laughed elbowing him as she saw the King and Prince wandering around to greet the new trainees. "Westly?" She hesitated on a lingering question as his eyes searched her face. "What are the lights?"
"Lights?"
"Lights, in the sky up on the mountain?" Her question caused him to stare at her for a moment, somewhat blank faced.
"You… you saw the lights?" He questioned her slowly, as if leery of her reaction. Her mind raced to find a cover up, something to keep him from questioning who or why she was up on the mountain side.
"I couldn't sleep after I saw the pools, so I came out to groom Peach and saw them." She covered as the man looked up at the sky quickly then back to her. One could see the worry lift from his face, his brow unknitting itself.
"They say it's the gods actually visiting us, or the spirits of fallen warriors riding across the sky. You are very blessed to have seen it. Few do." He smiled and leaned forward to kiss her forehead. Laughing she looked toward where the King and Byron were standing a few feet away.
"Westly taught you well, I can only imagine what the maidens will teach you." Baltasar laughed as he clasped his son on the shoulder. "He chose well to name you sword sister Keladry, having a woman of your prowess with us is a true honor, both to our lands and to our family." The king was nearly knocked over as the rest of the squad that lead Keladry to Gaul came to see her depart.
"My snowflower, how will I survive the winter without the warmth of your smile…" Kelland took her hand and held it to his heart as he spoke, which only resulted in getting clocked upside the head by Haden.
"I'm sure you'll find another snowflower, Kelland, I've faith in that much." Kel laughed now as she pulled her hand away. Scanning the crowd she saw the faces of Erikk, Ian, Rian, but Xamos was missing. The horns blared as families said their final goodbyes and helped their daughters, nieces, or friends to mount up. Kel took the reins and slipped up and into the saddle with ease. It was Erikk who closed the distance and patted her knee.
"Who were you looking for Little Wolf?" He dropped his voice to barely a whisper as he pretended to double check the straps to her saddlebags. Kel said nothing as she saw him slip a parcel in one.
"Xamos…"
"He won't come, he never has. Though a good lad, you should not fret over him. He does his duty." His words were hollow as he spoke, no hint of emotion even lingered in his eyes.
"Well, if you see him can you thank him for showing me the pools. I never really thanked him for the honor." The tall man looked up to her before nodding once.
"As you wish it, Little Wolf." He let go of her pack as she moved Peach to follow after the others, keeping a good bit of distance so he didn't lash out at them. "See you in the spring!" He called out after her. Turning in her saddle she smiled and saluted the men as she passed through the gates.
The ride to the village the Shield Maidens called home was a short and quiet one. Those who still had not taken their vows rode together, the women boasting about their prowess with a blade, axe, spear, or sword.
They were rather chatty, and for once Kel was all too happy to join in. They didn't talk of men, marriage, dresses or face paint. But of weapons, armor, fighting styles, and horses. A few girls came with dogs, some were nobles, as seen by the tack and mounts they rode and the breed of dog that followed behind them.
It was one young, shy girl that caught Kel's interest. She was common born and wore little in the way of coverings. Her hair looked to be light brown in color, but her eyes were haunting. Unlike the light blue and green eyed beauties of the area, this girl had dark blue, almost stormy, eyes. She was breathtaking, or would be in years to come and the mud cleaned from her face. Though she didn't speak much, Kel had managed to get her name early on: Ashely.
When they reached the village, the Maidens and their champions went off to do as they wished while the new girls and women were ushered into a building that looked like several stables put together. When the huge doors swung open, Kel's eyes popped. It was an indoor training area, for combat on foot as well as mounted.
"This will be your home from now on. Wherever you came from, fief, keep, or castle, no longer matters. Here we are all equal, be it duchess or farmer's daughter. Some of you can fight; others have never lifted a blade. I will pair you off in teams. It will be your task to teach your teammate." The woman that had brought them here spoke quickly as she spun her mount around.
"We are a sign of hope for our people, the first on the battlefield and scene. To protect our people we often have to train them to protect themselves. Those who are using the village's ponies, you will be expected to treat them as equals. You will receive a stipend from appointed tasks of the Crown in which to outfit yourself with a proper war steed before you take your final vows. Now, mount up and let's begin!"
Kel could have hugged the training master when she was paired with Ashely. It was going to be a hard first few weeks, but it would be well worth it in the long run, at least that's what she kept telling herself.
"Like this." Kel instructed Ashely to grip her sword differently. Unlike the other girls who were already working on attacks, Kel circled Ashely, correcting her footing or grip along the way. Instead of giving her a metal practice blade,she held one made of a light wood. Small bags fashioned into circles were upon the girl's wrist, just above her elbow, and then weights on a harness near her chest.
She didn't question or argue with Kel's methods, but followed. They had spent hours of drills practicing blocks. While Ashely seemed to ignore the other girls' sneers as the days went on, Kel did not. Even their teachers mocked Kel, though they did not dare do so to her face.
If it was one thing Kel hated, it was bullies. Though these people never sunk to the level of Joren and his cronies, they still verbally berated Ashely when Kel was not around to defend her pupil. She worried about the girl when she was at her own training lessons in the afternoon. What was she doing? How was she doing?
"Lady Keladry." Ashely finally spoke up during drills after nearly two weeks of training. "Why do we still do this while the others are already dueling?" Kel looked to the other girls before pointing to one.
"Do you see what's wrong with them as they fight?" The two blondes moved quickly, exchanging blow for blow as the metal rang out. Ashely watched them before shifting a bit.
"Well?"
"Her footing, it's not secure, even a nudge could probably trip her up." She spoke very quietly, the hesitation clear as day. Looking to the girl she noticed how she tensed up as if ready for a blow, Kel could only nod yes.
"Very good, learning quickly lets you learn, but not properly. Fighting is a dangerous dance. If you don't work everything at once, a single move can leave you for the worms."
When the girl didn't ask any more questions Keladry didn't press the matter. In time she would open up, but for now Kel had no desire to push her away.
She had been teaching Ashely for nearly one full month and had just begun to show the girl some aggressive moves before the training master gathered them to the center.
"Now, I've heard some rather unsettling reports from the elders. They fear you are not training each other properly. Most of you do not realize in training your partner, you yourself are learning to be humble. It is a double edged sword, and for that reason it is why we embrace such. Now I want to see what progress you have made, so shall we? New girls line up for pairings. The winner and her teacher shall be granted two weeks leave to visit their families." With that Ashely blanched before looking to Kel.
"We only just started learning attacks." She whispered as Kel placed her hands upon the girl's shoulders.
"Let them attack, you block and protect yourself. They will grow tired, and then you can bring them down. A wise warrior thinks before rushing into battle." Kel smiled as the girl's eyes flashed; again she saw the hint of the storm brewing behind them and smiled as the girl left moved toward the center ring.
"A gold that the outsider's girl doesn't even make it past the first round!" A couple of the elders laughed and started to make bets. As they did, Kel's temper began to flair. By the end of the betting it was up to nearly fifty gold pieces. She couldn't help but give in to both her temper, and the pool.
"All or nothing, I'm in. However, she will last till the final round." Kel pushed as a couple of women scoffed but nodded at such a bet. Smiling, Kel dropped three gold pieces into the pouch that now rested on a chair. If Ashely did make it, that money would be enough to outfit her with a decent mount and tack.
The first round passed rather quickly, the girls sizing each other up before one was brave enough to attack. When Ashely was up, Kel watched her like a hawk. The woman who lunged moved quick and threw her weight into her sword. The laughter of the other women seemed to drown out as Kel's focus was on Ashely's hands and legs. Each blow was blocked flawlessly as she let the bigger girl's attacks and rapid movements start to tear her down. Ashely saw her slowing and snaked her sword around the woman's, ripping it free before biting up under her nose. The training master nodded in approval before calling the next round.
Each round Ashely grew more confident, finding her opponent's weaknesses faster and making quick work out of each girl. Kel couldn't help the smug look on her face as she looked to the last who had made it to finals. Kel knew she was nobility, and trained. Hopefully Ashely had enough smarts to find this girl's weakness before her own was rooted out.
The duel started and instantly Ashely was forced back, the girl's blade moving as quick as a snake. Seconds turned into minutes as no girl had a clear advantage. The next move Kel saw before it happened. The girl dipped low, letting her sword rip into the practice sands and flick it up into Ashely's face. Outraged, she moved to rush forward before holding her ground. Ashely was scrubbing at her face, squinting to rid herself of the sand as she tried to look for the next blow. She barely dodged it before bringing her own pommel up as hard as she could into the biceps of her opponent. The girl yelped, nearly dropping her blade as Ashely switched to using the blade as a one hander and punching as hard as she could into the other arm. This time the girl dropped her sword as Ashely stood, sword in one hand as she glared at the girl.
"Very good Ashely, I am impressed!" the training master laughed, clapping the girl on the back before raising her chin. "Best see the healers to make sure all the sand is out of your eyes." The girl nodded, saluted the training master. Grinning from ear to ear Kel collected her winnings before going toward where her pupil was standing and speaking to the training master in very hushed tones.
"Keladry, you produced a very good fighter so far. I cannot wait to see what you will do with her in the weeks to come." The training master saluted her before Kel paused.
"Actually, is there a chance of having something built to train with?"
"What is it?" The woman's brow perked at the suggestion as it was matched only by Kel's smile that went from ear to ear.
"It's called a quintain."
So after spending six hours in a chair getting a new tattoo I got a lot of time to think about what I want to happen in the future of this story. I now have some great filler ideas after bouncing them off my artist. I know weird but he made for a great sound board. AND I'm going to need some names for both male and female characters. If you have a idea or suggestion please sign it in your review and keep an eye out in future chapters for it!