Tamora Pierce owns all characters, places, etc, except for the ones that I made up.  Don't sue!

Prolouge

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

(Excerpt)As the boat ground against the river's Tortallan shore, Neal shook her awake.  Kel groaned, stood, and led Peachblossom onto solid ground.  Only then did she see that a welcoming committee awaited them: Lord Wyldon, Lord Raoul, and Duke Baird.  Behind them stood Merric, Seaver, and Esmond.

Kel knelt and bowed her head in submission to Lord Wyldon, awaiting his judgement.  Neal and Owen knelt on either side of her.  Jump and the sparrows put themselves in front of Kel.  She felt Peachblossom's warm breath on the back of her neck.

"Sergeant Domitan, tell me these children aren't the result of your squad's Scanran frolics," Kel heard Raoul say cheerfully.  "Though I do admit, some of them a little old to be yours."

"Well, sir, my men helped," Dom said, the picture of boyish mischief.

Kel almost smiled.  At least Dom would get away from this with a whole skin, it seemed.  She'd wondered if his tale of Lord Raoul's sending his squad to help had been just that, a tale.  It was a relief to know it was the truth and Dom had been acting under proper orders.

"You missed a tidy fight," Raoul said.  "Smashed one of King Maggot's little armies to bits.  Come along and I'll tell you about it."  Dom and his remaining men followed him up the path.

Kel looked sideways when she picked up movement on the edges of her vision.  Duke Baird was gathering up the children who had already landed.  He was telling them, "We'll just have a look, to see how well you are.  I know some mothers and fathers who are eager to see you all."  To the civilian adults, Scanran and Tortallan, he said, "And you look as if you could use proper meals and beds.  Come along."

Kel lowered her head once more.  Only she, Neal, and Owen remained with Lord Wyldon and the friends who had brought the adult refugees home.(End excerpt)

There was a brief silence before Kel burst out, "My lord, please, don't punish anyone but me.  I told the others that you had ordered me to take them on a rescue mission.  They had no idea they were disobeying orders.  I am entirely and solely to blame."  She closed her mouth abruptly, sending a prayer to the Goddess that Neal and the others would have enough sense to stay quiet and accept this gift she was giving them.

A stunned silence followed her outburst which was only broken when Lord Wyldon said, "I see.  In that case, they really cannot be punished for aiding you.  You are dismissed.  Go."  They went.  Not one of them looked back as they left.  Lord Wyldon turned back to Kel.  "Well, that's one I can honestly say I've never heard before.  I suppose I should congratulate you on managing to get them all cleared from blame in one clean sweep.  I must say, you are the worst liar I have ever met.  But I'll not punish your friends for it."  He paused, then continued, "Keladry, I will speak plainly to you.  I have received direct orders from King Jonathan himself.  Because of your 'mutinous' acts, you are to be stripped of your knighthood and title, and then exiled to a small village in the northeast of Tortall.  Do you understand what I am saying?

"Yes, sir.  It is more than I had hoped for."

"It is stupid."  Kel looked up at him so quickly her neck cracked.  She even forgot to cover her shocked face with her customary Yamani mask and instead just let her mouth hang open.  Was Lord Wyldon actually criticizing an order?  "If it was up to me, you'd be pardoned in an instant.  Yet, as it is, I really have no say in the matter.  Originally, the punishment included all who aided you, but thankfully you took care of that.  I regret that there is nothing I can do for your situation, however."

"I understand, sir."

"There was another pause, during which Lord Wyldon looked at her regretfully.  He then shook his head, as if to clear it, and continued, "I have a contract that you have to sign, agreeing to the terms the King has laid out for you.  I must then sign, as a witness that it was indeed you who signed it."

"Yes, sir."

Lord Wyldon took a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Kel.  She opened it and read it over twice.

Article 1: The lady knight Keladry of Mindelan is hereby stripped of her noble title and position.  She shall henceforth be known as Keladry Templar.

Article 2: Keladry Templar shall be exiled to the fort town of Valen, where she shall live for the rest of her life.  She is not to reveal to the citizens of Valen her former identity.

Article 3: Keladry Templar is forbidden to marry without the express permission and oversee of King Jonathan and Queen Thayet.

Article 4: Keladry Templar is not to participate in any military organization against Tortall, its rulers, or its people.

Article 5: Keladry Templar is not to contact or attempt to contact any persons from her former life.  This includes family members.

Article 6: Keladry Templar is to make no attempt to restore herself to her former position of prestige.

Article 7: Their majesties reserve the right to add, remove, or otherwise alter any of these articles.

Article 8: Any attempt or inclination on Keladry Templar's part to defy or disregard these articles will be met with death.

King, Jonathan of Cont

Queen, Thayet of Conté

There were two lines headed "Former Lady Knight, Keladry of Mindelan" and "Witness, Wyldon of Cavall" with space for signatures.

Kel looked up at Lord Wyldon.  He had a mixture of concern and question on his face.

"Very thorough, sir."

He paused, as though to calm himself, and said, "You agree then?"

Kel replied by signing the paper with the pen Lord Wyldon had given her and handing the paper back to him.  He signed it, folded it up again, and put it back inside his pocket.  "I don't really have a choice, do I, sir?"

Lord Wyldon cleared his throat.  "Look, Keladry, I just want to make sure that you understand that I have no choice in this matter.  It's just not up to me."

"I know, sir.  I don't blame you.  I don't even blame him.  I think I just blame me."

"In any case, I've arranged for you to keep your horses and servant.  We'll get you a change of clothes and you'll be off, with one of my squads to protect you."

"Thank you, sir."

"Keladry…"

"Yes, sir?"

"We'll miss you.  I'll miss you."

"I know, sir."

An hour later, Kel was riding down the road on Peachblossom, with Tobe on Hoshi next to her, and a squad surrounding her, headed to Valen.  As the rain started to come down, she sighed, knowing that she had really gotten herself in deep this time.