Disclaimer: I own none of these characters, places etc. They all belong to Tamora Pierce. I own the plot though! Anything you might find familiar is probably a quote from TP's books.

A/N: Right. This is a corrected version of the chapter. I've been going through correcting the chapters, so if you find any mistakes, let me know! I've completely changed Kel's reactions because everyone was saying that she was completely OCC, and quite frankly, I agreed. On with the story…

A Yamani Warrior

Prologue

Kel sat on her bed, reading the letter from her mother. There were many preparations needed to be done for presenting Adalia and Oranie at court when the social season began that autumn, so her parents had come to stay at their Corus town house for the summer. They said they were looking forward to seeing Kel there. Kel's gloom deepened as she realised what this meant. She would be spending the summer in the town where she might encounter people she knew from the palace. How could she live in the city, watching the knights come and go, knowing she would never be one of them?

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

With sadness, Kel remembered Peachblossom. She'd have to ask Daine to take him. With two daughters to present at court, her parents wouldn't be able to afford to buy a war-horse.

The dreaded bell finally rang, and Kel washed her face and combed her hair. Then she walked to Lord Wyldon's office, feeling like a condemned prisoner on the long walk up Traitor's hill.

Lord Wyldon's serving man bowed to Kel, announced her to the open door, and stood aside to let Kel through.

Nervously Kel entered to the study, her heart sank even further into her boots as she heard the door close behind her. "You sent for me, my Lord." She said.

"Sit down girl," Lord Wyldon said, sighing heavily.

Hesitantly, Kel sat.

Wyldon absently massaged his right arm. "I want you to listen to me. I speak to you as I might to one of my own daughters. 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 down 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 rather than combat? This year was the easiest."

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

Lord Wyldon raised his hand. "Don't reply now. You have the rest of your life to think about it. You are dismissed." He waved his hand at the door.

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

The training master shook his head wearily. "No, you are to return to your fief immediately. I shall send a servant with you. Go!"

Biting back her tears, Kel fled the room. Outside Lord Wyldon's office, she felt a wave off giddiness come over her. She placed her head in her hands and just concentrated on not crying. I am a stone, smooth and calm, devoid of any emotion, she thought slowly.

That was where Neal found her later. "Mindelan, what's the matter?"

"Gone," Kel said slowly, still trying to control her emotions. She lifted her head. "You know what I mean. I'm not allowed to return next term! But I don't understand why!"

Neal pulled Kel to her feet, and slung an arm around her shoulder. "C'mon, let's get you back to your room." He helped her along the hallway, and brought her to her room. "I'll stay while you pack if you like," he offered.

"No thanks," Kel replied. "I just want to be alone." She smiled weakly at him as he left the room. I'm not leaving with a servant, she thought viciously. I'll leave on my own.

And with that, she stuffed her things in to her travel bags, and ran to the stables.

- - -

A/N: There, a new and improved version of the first chapter. Hm…ah well.