Two days later they returned to the palace, a quiet and weary group. They had packing to do, and one final supper in the mess hall. To the pages' surprise, they were joined by the Shang warriors and the men of the King's Own who had been on the hunt. They all stood by their seats, wondering why Lord Wyldon had not said the prayer and allowed them to sit.

The answer came when the king arrived. As he'd done on the first day of classes, he said nothing before they ate. He dined with Lord Wyldon, Lord Raoul, the two Shangs, and Captain Flyndan at Lord Wyldon's table. No pages were asked to wait on them. Servants performed that task while the pages and the men of the Own relaxed over their food. There was a treat, pies made from the first berry harvests of the summer. Only when they could eat no more did the king rise to stand at the lectern.

"You've had your time of fire," he told the pages quietly. "Lord Wyldon reports that you all did well."

Did he? Kel wondered tiredly. Or did he say the boys did well?

The king went on, "I am glad not to have to tell your parents you will not be coming to help with the harvest."

Soft chuckles passed around the room. King Jonathan waited for them to fade.

"You and these warriors did important work, as bloody, dangerous, and frightening as it was. It is the kind of work knights must do in our modern age. You may get thanks only from me, but I hope you know the value of what you did. Go home, now. Laze in the sun and steal apples. Try not to get too out of practice. The realm needs your arms as strong, your hearts as steady, as when you faced those spidrens." He nodded to them and left so quickly that they were still trying to rise as the door closed behind him.

Lord Wyldon came to the lectern. "I know you all wish to pack. Get to it. Keladry of Mindelan, report to my office at the next bell."

"I'm sorry," whispered Merric. He got up awkwardly and fled the room.

"You saved my life," Seaver added, his voice cracking. He hugged her one-armed around the head as if she were one of the boys, and followed Merric out.

When none of her other friends moved, Kel forced herself to rise and pick up her tray. "Have a good summer," she whispered, and took her things to the servants for the last time.

She had thought she'd resigned herself to being packed off for good. From the way her food turned to a lump in her belly as she trudged back to her room, she hadn't done it was well as she thought.

There was a letter from her mother on her bed. With all the preparations needed for Kel's older sisters Adalia and Oranie to be presented when the court social season began that fall, her parents had come to stay at their Corus town house for the summer. They looked forward to seeing Kel there. As Kel read the letter, her gloom deepened. She could not stay in town with her parents and sisters. She might encounter people she knew from the palace. How could she live in the city, watching knights come and go, knowing she would never be one of them?

I'll ask them to send me home to Anders at Mindelan, she thought sadly. They'll understand. It was a good idea, but the thought of the 'I-told-you-so's' that her sisters-in-law would hurl at her made her cringe.

Her sparrows were nowhere to be seen as she entered her room. They had rejoined the flockmates who had stayed behind, whirling around the courtyard to celebrate their return. Now they chattered as they perched in the small tree in the courtyard.

"I'll miss you," whispered Kel. She would ask Daine if she could still take Peachblossom. With two daughters to present at court, her parents would be hard pressed to also buy a warhorse.

Thinking of the birds and Peachblossom, she felt her eyes sting with tears. I am not going to let Lord Wyldon see I've been crying, Kel told herself. Fetching her glaive, she did a pattern dance to pass the time.

The dreaded bell finally rang. Kel put her glaive down, combed her hair, and washed her face. Then she walked to Lord Wyldon's office, feeling like a prisoner on the long walk to the gallows.

The servingman bowed to Kel, then opened the door and announced her. She entered the office, listening to the door as it closed at her back.

Lord Wyldon stood with his back to her, staring though a window that opened onto a palace rose garden. Was he looking at flowers, she wondered, or maybe at the nobles who walked there as the skies grew dark?

"You sent for me, my lord," she said.

Lord Wyldon sighed and turned. "Sit down, girl."

Kel hesitated, then sat.

Wyldon absently massaged his right arm. "I want you to listen to me. I speak to you as I would to my daughters."

Kel blinked at him, startled. She supposed she knew that Lord Wyldon had a wife and family, but she had forgotten it. It was hard to imagine him with any life other than that of training master to the pages and squires.

"Now that you have made your point, consider the future. Soon your body will change. The things you want from life as a maiden will change. Pursue the course you have, and you might be crippled by an accident." He looked at his right arm and smiled crookedly. "What if you fall in love? What if you come to grief, or cause others to do so, because your thoughts were on your heart and not combat? This year was the easiest."

You think so? she asked him silently. It wasn't your year, was it? She opened her mouth to reply.

"Not now," he said, raising his hand. "Do not answer me now. Go home and think about it." He sighed. "You are dismissed."

She had to hear him say it. "I can't come back, then."

The training master shook his head wearily. "No, Keladry. You are not allowed to return come fall."

Now Kel was really confused. She stood, her knees trembling. "I can't return?"

Lord Wyldon nodded. "That is what I said. Good night, Keladry."

"Good night, Lord Wyldon."

Outside his office, she felt a wave of sorrow sweep over her. She turned and pressed her face against the cool stones of the wall.

Back in her room, she reread her mother's letter but tears in her eyes blurred the writing. She still wasn't sure what options were open to her now. Her mind was reeling and it was impossible to string two coherent thoughts together at the moment.

She threw down the letter and ran into the hall, trembling with suppressed sobs. "Neal!" she yelled as she pounded her fist on his door. He opened the door and held it to allow her into his room. He protested when she closed the door behind her. She shook her head. "Neal, it doesn't matter anymore. Lord Wyldon won't let me stay." The tears that had been swimming, unshed, in her eyes finally fell and Neal enveloped her into a bone crushing hug without a word.

They stayed in each other's embrace for sometime before Kel pulled away to wipe her eyes. Neal looked at her searchingly. "What are you going to do now?"

Kel shook her head. Her throat had constricted painfully. When she swallowed past the lump, she said, "I'm not sure yet. All I know is I can't stay here tonight. Word is bound to leak out soon, and I don't think I can stand the talk that's sure to follow." She didn't have to explain that it was what Joren and his cronies would say that she wanted to avoid the most. Neal understood completely.

Neal took her hands and squeezed them. "Kel," he started. She looked up and met his eyes. "Kel, you're still my best friend. If you ever need anything, please, come to me. And promise me something?" She gave him a quizzical look and he continued. "Don't stop fighting. Don't ever give up."

Kel squeezed his hands in return. "I promise."

Kel entered her parent's townhouse only two bells later, dripping wet. The storm that had been building all afternoon finally broke as she had made her way into town. To her surprise her mother met her as she came in. Ilane looked at her, then shook her head. "I'm still shocked by how much you grew this year. How much was it? Three inches?"

Kel nodded. "I'm five feet three inches tall now," she said. "Another inch and I'll catch up with Papa."

"He'll be delighted, poor man," said her mother teasingly. "Now, I think a bath and dinner is in order. After that we can talk with your father about what you'd like to do now."

Kel nodded mutely. She appreciated her mother's calm demeanor and common sense. It was exactly what she needed at the moment.

It was late when Kel knocked on the door to her father's study. She entered when she was bid and sat in a chair that faced the desk that Piers sat behind. Her mother came to take the chair next to Kel. Piers looked at her with sympathetic eyes. "Kel, your mother and I were sorry to hear of Lord Wyldon's declaration," he started. "However, you knew it was always a possibility that you would be unable to return in the fall."

"We just wanted to say that we are so proud of how well you did, regardless of what Lord Wyldon believes," Ilane added. "We know you did your best to prove yourself."

Kel gave them both a small smile of gratitude. It was nice to know that her parents weren't disappointed in her. It helped ease the knot of turmoil that had lodged itself in her chest.

"Without a doubt," Piers agreed with a nod. "But now we must discuss how you would like to proceed and what you wish to do now."

Both her parents looked at her and waited for an answer. Kel heaved an internal sigh. She still didn't know what she wanted to do with herself now, but there was one thing she did know. "I can't stay in the city," she said shakily. "There's too much of a chance I'll see somebody I know." She continued, "I think I would like to return to the Yamani Islands with you in six months. At least there I can get some more training. And perhaps after my fifteenth Birthday, I can return to join the Queen's Riders."

Piers nodded his understanding. "What will you do for the six months until we leave, if you won't remain in Corus with us?"

Kel bit her lip, undecided.

"You could go to the convent for that time," Ilane suggested softly.

There were tears in Kel's eyes as she shook her head vehemently. "I'd rather go home to Mindelan with Anders than go to the convent, Mama." She would rather endure the taunting I-told-you-so's her sisters-in-law would say rather than go to the convent, even for so short a time. She had promised Neal that she wouldn't give up, and leaving for the convent felt too much like running away with her tail between her legs.

"Well, I believe that's what you must do for the time being," Piers sighed. "I will talk to Harvey about renting a carriage to-"

Three heavy knocks on the front door to the townhouse made the occupants of the room sit still for a moment. Three more heavy knocks sounded as Piers lifted himself from his chair. She heard a maid's foot steps travel down the hall and to the door folllowed by muffled, undiscernible voices in the foyer.

Kel was confused. It was only two bells before midnight. Who's knocking at the door so late? And in a thunderstorm no less, Kel thought to herself. She looked out the window to see rain lashing the glass panes.

The maid poked her head into the office where Kel and her parents were. "A visitor for you, Baron Piers," the woman said. It was clear that she was also confused by this guest's appearance at such a late hour.

"Send them in," Piers said. Ilane was on her feet now as well. The three of them watched as the study door opened to reveal the newcomer.

A flash of lightening lit the man's silhouette briefly. Kel saw he was tall and thin. He had a crooked nose that looked slightly too large for his face. His hair was a dark brown that lay plastered to his head from the rain. His hazel eyes were sharp and the smile that he gave them was relaxed. The man nodded to each of them. "Baron Piers, Baroness Ilane, Keladry. I'm sorry for intrudin' at such a late hour, but there's something important that I need to discuss with you all." The man's voice was a light baritone and held a trace of a city lilting accent.

Kel looked back to her father, still confused. She still had no idea who this man was and the fact that he knew who she was unsettled her. However, her parents seemed to know the stranger. Piers moved forward to grip the man's hand in a shake before saying, "Baron Cooper. How can we help you?"

The man thanked Ilane who offered him the chair next to Kel's as he sat. Cooper. Baron Cooper. Where have I heard that name before? Kel wondered to herself. Ilane went to stand behind Piers who had resumed his seat behind his desk.

It finally hit her and she jumped from her seat. "Baron Cooper? As in Baron George Cooper? The Lioness's husband?" Kel squeaked.

George chuckled and patted the chair, indicating that she should sit. "The very same."

Kel did as he bid and sat, trembling from head to toe. This man sitting calmly next to her, who addressed her by her name, was her hero's husband; and a legend in his own right. Stone, Kel thought futilely. I am stone.

"I was just informed of Lord Wyldon's refusal to allow Keladry to continue her knighthood training," George said, eyes intent on Kel. "Lass, have you thought about what you want to do now?"

Kel thought she saw a mischievous glint in the man's eyes as he waited for her reply. "Well, my lord-"

George let out a bark of laughter before saying, "I work for a living, please just call me George." He inclined his head toward Ilane and Piers to extend the offer to them as well.

Kel was flabbergasted. The Lioness's husband wanted her to call him by his first name! "We had just decided that I was to return to Mindelan for six months before going to the Yamani Islands to continue training until I could join the Queen's Riders."

George looked from Piers, to Ilane, then back at Kel with a thoughtful expression. "If there were a way for you to continue training for knighthood, if Lord Wyldon's declaration wouldn't keep you from resuming your training, would you take the chance?"

Ilane and Piers were giving him questioning glances.

Kel looked at him incredulously. "Of course. I would do anything to continue to train for my shield, but Lord Wyldon made it clear that I wasn't to return in the fall. I don't think you'd be able to make him change his mind, and I doubt the king would over rule his decision."

George was grinning as he replied, "True, on all counts. But I needed to make sure that knighthood wasn't just a passing fancy for you before I make you this offer." George looked to her parents and said, "If this offer goes against your wishes, I apologize before hand. I don't mean to encourage Keladry to do anything against your wishes, however, this is something my lass and I have been considering for a while. Ever since we learned the terms of her probation, actually."

"Keladry makes her own decisions," her father replied after exchanging a look with his wife. "She knows we will support her in whatever endeavor she pursues."

George nodded at Piers and returned to looking at Kel. The mischievous spark was clearly visible in his hazel eyes now. "Well, lass, you know how Alanna achieved her knighthood, yes?" Kel could only nod dumbly. "We want to offer to help you achieve your knighthood in the same fashion."

Kel was having trouble breathing. Return to the palace in disguise as a boy to continue her knighthood training? She desperately wanted her shield, but could she lie to everyone to get it? Lying was dishonorable, but would that dishonor be worth it when she could roam and help people as a knight of the realm? Would they take her shield when her secret was discovered, for they would certainly find out at some point? Alanna had been allowed to keep her shield after she was discovered, certainly she would be allowed to keep hers as well?

"George, your offer is generous indeed," Piers said quietly. "However, I think Kel needs some time to consider it in it's entirety. Could we contact you with her decision-"

"I'll do it," Kel's voice was calm and strong. "I'll hate lying to everyone, but if I can help people after I win my shield, it would be worth it."

Piers and Ilane shared a smile. They couldn't be more proud of their daughter if they tried.

George smiled at Kel and rose from his chair. "Alanna will be happy to hear that you agreed. If it's alright with Baron Piers and Baroness Ilanne, I'll come to collect you and your belongings and take you to Pirate's Swoop the day after tomorrow." Again George inclined his head towards Kel's parents. At their return nod George added, "I'll be in contact with more information about Keladry's backstory and whatever she might need. I don't think I need to remind you all to tell no one of this arrangement."

Piers met George's eyes calmly, his Yamani mask in place once again. "No indeed. We know what is at stake."

George nodded and walked to the door before saying over his shoulder, "Goddess bless, lady page."