Disclaimer: These character do not belong to me, they belong to Tamora Pierce.

A/N~ I know I'm a slow updater, but I shall keep working on this story. Writing without a proper i key on my keyboard is quite interesting. At least it still works. I uploaded two chapters this time, since I found the last one saved on my computer but not uploaded. Luckily I found it before I uploaded this one, so it was finished and uploaded as well.

Chapter Twelve

Kel's POV

Our night passed uneventfully and morning arrived early as we started packing up the camp, being handed a cold breakfast to be eaten as we walked through the forest. Wyldon didn't appear to be wasting anytime in getting back to the castle. I wasn't sure what he was worried about. It could be the fact that her brother disappeared, that the men had shown up to seemingly remove her without anyone knowing. It could be that he just didn't like the idea of being caught by the men in the woods. In the end the reason didn't truly matter to me. I wanted to see her return to safety. Her brother's story was bugging me. I felt a need to investigate it. There was a chance that it was connected to all the disappearances I was investigating. This could be a chance to follow it from beginning to end. I felt bad thinking like this, but if it gave us the key to spot it all and catch the person behind it I want that chance.

Alyxina moved closer to me as we walked further on. Looking down at her I could tell that she was worried. I took Alyxina's hand in my own, "Do not worry we shall be back to the castle soon and then we can begin to look for your brother."

She nodded and continued to look at the forest floor. I walked with her in silence, keeping an eye on the two groups of boys. The three pages were walking ahead of us as per their usual place during this outing. The other three were behind us. We only had a little further to walk at this point before we would reach the area just outside of the city. This is where we were to all meet before heading back up to the castle. I felt a small tug on my hand causing me to look down. Alyxina had started to trip over a root but had managed to catch herself. "I'm alright, just missed my step."

"You're worrying about something, I can tell. It should help if you tell me what it is that you are worried about, maybe I could help."

"It's just the whole thing, going into Corus and the castle, traveling with this group, the people who are willing to help me find my missing brother for no reason, it's is a lot to take in."

"You will get used to the castle and Corus quickly and you are traveling with a group of great men. We wish to help you as there may be something off about the situation. You can also still talk to me whenever you need to as I told you before."

"Thank you Kel."

"Now get yourself ready you are about to walk into the clearing, from here we will be able to see Corus. We will first travel through the city to the palace and then from there we shall have to follow Raoul's and Wyldon's orders. Although I think we should be able to take you to get cleaned up a bit first."

Alyxina nodded again, concentrating on the ground in front of her.

It was shortly after that when we walked into the clearing outside of Corus, I felt better knowing that soon I would be able to read the letter and if I was lucky talk to the King. I finished going over the lists of names and comparing the two, giving me a full list of people whose families I should talk to. Hopefully some of them would have similar stories to tell that would help me find clues.

Raoul waved me to come over to him. I tilted my head slightly at Alyxina to see if she should come too. He nodded in reply so I walked over to him with her and sat on the ground next to him. "We aren't spread far apart so it shouldn't be too long before the next couple groups come out. Once there are a few members of the Own here I'm going with the two of you back up to the castle so that we can go over the letter and see about talking to Jon."

I nodded, and then looked at Alyxina to see if she realized he was talking about the king. She did not seem to make any connection between the name and our king. I fear slightly she will frighten when she learns just how important we are making her brother's case. Yet, if his case aligns with the others it also gives a greater chance of finding him, maybe even finding out something about the case.

A third group after us had come into the clearing making Raoul stand and look around. He walked called Dom over as Alyxina and I stood. "I want you to take charge until Wyldon comes out. I want to take the girls back to the castle now."

Dom nodded, and after Raoul turned back to face us, he wiggled his eyebrows. If anything, being the Lump was good for keeping control of my emotions and reactions when in front of my knight master.

We left the rest behind as we started to Corus. We still had a bit to walk but the closer we got to the city, the more Alyxina tried to hide herself behind me. I pulled her back to my side, so that she would be between Raoul and me, and put an arm around her shoulders. "Just stay calm and walk through. No one is going to do anything. Don't forget you are walking with a knight and his squire."

"I know, it's just so big, and it's the castle we are heading to. Not something normal like someone's house or an inn."

"Really the castle is kind of like a giant house and inn. People live there all the time and guests are always coming and going. Today you just happen to be joining that guest list."

She nodded as we continued making our way to the castle. She remained silent as we made our way through the city. She kept looking around, I don't know if it's because she isn't used to such large crowds or just the people here are different from what she is used to. Depending on where in Tortall you come from you might not be used to seeing foreigners. I'm going to have to find out where she comes from eventually, although I don't know how long that will take.

As we started up the hill to the castle I could hear a sharp intake of breath come from her. I'd forgotten how seeing the castle for the first time can be quite a surprise. It has been a home for me for a few years now so to me this was more like a homecoming after a short trip. We made our way up the hill and through to the castle. Walking inside she started looking around, mouth all but agape. Raoul looked at the two of us. "I want to go talk to Jon first by myself. You two go get cleaned up and try to get something cleaner for her. Even if it is just some of your older clothes, they might not fit but it will be cleaner."

I nodded and led Alyxina through the halls to my room. I wasn't sure if we would have time for a full bath so I had us use the pitcher and some cloths to clean off the majority of the dirt from our arms and legs. Once we were finished I went through to find my smallest dress to see if it would fit her. She tried it on and although it was a little loose around her stomach it fit her fine up top so even though it was long on her it would work for today. I gave her my comb so that she could fix her own hair while I changed into a more formal set of clothes for seeing the king. After she finished her hair I ran the comb through my own.

Ready for when we were called down, or Raoul returned I sat on my bed and started going through my pack. I was surprised none of the animals were in my room with my return but that might have something to do with Alyxina being here. I put that thought out of my mind as I started searching through my bag for the book.

I looked up when I heard a knock at the door. Alyxina looked surprised and it was only then that I noticed that she had not moved from where she stood in the centre to do her hair. I moved her away from the door, making her sit in a chair. I opened the door slightly to reveal Joren. He smiled at me and laughed a little as I let a confused look cross my face. "We just returned ourselves and I picked up a little something while we walked through the city." He said holding up a few ribbons for me to see, "I thought a new one would be nice for Alyxina but didn't know which colour to choose."

I moved away from the door to let him into my room. Alyxina looked at me as he walked in. "Joren has brought a little something for you."

Joren walked over to Alyxina and held out his hand. Picking up a blue ribbon he held it out to her. "This seems to be the best match for what you are wearing right now. The rest you can put away until you have better matching clothes for them."

She smiled as she took the ribbons from Joren. She placed all but the blue one in her lap, tying it in her hair. She looked down a little shy and gave her thanks for the ribbons. There was another knock at the door. This time when I opened it there was someone in castle livery, "The King and Sir Raoul are awaiting the presence of you and the girl. I am to lead you to them."

I waved Alyxina over from the chair; she stood up and looked at the ribbons for a second. "Just put them on the chair, you can come back with me and get them later."

She nodded putting the ribbons on the chair and shuffling quickly to where I was. Joren walked over too, "I'm going to head to my rooms to clean up and unpack. I will see the two of you later."

He walked out the door and down the hallway. He was out of sight by the time we were leaving my room, after I grabbed my book and notes from my bed. Alyxina started fidgeting nervously with her hands. I smiled at her and took one of her hands in my own. "Be calm, King Jon is very kind and only wants to hear your story most likely. You can hold my hand as long as you need to."

We were led to a set of large doors where we were left to walk in on our own. I looked at Alyxina; she took a deep breath and nodded. I opened the door and led her into the room where the King and Raoul were waiting.

A/N~ So happy to be writing this again. I have some thoughts for next chapter already. Please leave a review. I love reading them even when it is only to say something about how I can improve my writing. Believe me when I say I get happy at every review regardless of its content.