Savior Ch. 15

Disclaimer- Not mine

The King of Talla was one for the history books. But that being said he was always a source of wonderment and mystery. Many thought (though never said) that he was not just man. He was much older than any human mortal had ever lived. Close to two hundred years, though it was a fact that could not be confirmed. He brought balance and respect to a group of people who had left their native Tortall for a new way of life. Using an unknown source of magic he had been able to close off Talla from the outside world. He was a force to be reckoned with. And Rowena was reckoning with him.

The King padded silently along the smooth stone floor moving through the castle. It was quiet with no one around and not a peep heard. All thought he was in bed resting. Death was finally coming for him. The moon gazed through high glassed windows shining on the stones, the foundation of the castle. Stars glistened.

He stood at the window watching the outside world. He was not just the King of Talla. He was Talla. The kingdom was in his blood and his own blood and sweat was in every single part of the nation. So why after all these many years was this evil coming?

"Because I can," Rowena's voice entered his mind without the King ever seeing her face.

"Have you no good in you?"

"None," the wicked whisper came back to him.

"Talla has done you no harm ever."

"But I want it," Rowena told him. "I am the evil people fear. The thing parents try to raise their children not to be. I care for no one but me."

"So you are really just an unloved child?" the King closed his eyes.

"It does not matter," the whisper grew bolder in its tone. "Talla will be mine."

"You did not win last time."

It took a full minute for Rowena to reply back. The King did not think she would even speak back.

"Six years I have waited for you to die. And when you do the bitch that has stolen the crown will be crushed by my army. I will destroy your pride, your people, and your kingdom."

The voice disappeared and the King stood standing. Was this war really about an unloved child? He turned moving slowly back to his bedchamber. No. Talla was made on balance. If somebody had enough dark magic to hurt so many people then there was someone who had enough good in them to stop it. And that person was Kel.

King Jonathon walked into the palace. It was nerve wracking and awe inspiring at the same time. He had been to many castles in his life time but this one was different. Its majestic beauty yelled out how regal and proud it was.

Servants bowed politely to him. Brooke kept stride next to him directing his movement through various doorways until stopping at a large door made of smooth wood painted a deep blue. Brooke knocked on the door. Jonathon did not hear a reply but Brooke made his excuses before leaving the King standing outside. He pushed open the heavy door. It was dark inside with no lights lit and the sun not bright enough to peek through the windows and warm up the long rectangular shape. Stepping forward Jon noticed the noisy buzzing sound of nothing making any noise. It was a type of quiet that only occurred when it was too quiet.

Kel stood in her lush gold gown looking more like a woman than he had ever seen her. Her back was straight. Jonathon had always known that she was sure of herself. She couldn't not be with all the things she had to overcome to be a knight of Tortall. While he had thought he had seen her grow up he didn't realize until this moment that she really was a grown up. A woman. She was something completely different now. A force to be reckoned with.

She heard the door open but she had not turned around to face him. The left half of her body brushed the window sill she was standing so close her face gazing intently out of it. The sun was coming up signaling a new day. Brushing a strand of dark brown hair out of her face she kept her hand up balancing her elbow on the other arm draped across her waist. She waited to speak and Jon felt like as a guest he shouldn't be the first to say anything.

"I am now what I most hated," her voice was lower than he thought it would be. Her back was still to him. "I could not stand at times how you treated your people. How you could not stand up for the weak ones that really depended on you more than the ones that just used you for the status you could give them. Raoul would remind me how much good you've done for Tortall but I watched you breeze through court nodding favors to people who gave nothing to the Kingdom but glamour."

Jonathon felt it was time to defend himself. "You forget that those people with glamour also give the kingdom good knights and men to the Own."

"Yes," Kel turned to him. He now faced the King of Talla. "But you also let a village burn down because of your politics with other nobles."

"You'll never forgive me for that," Jonathon had always known that.

"It doesn't matter," Kel told him. She took a moment to go on. "I'm sorry you had to find out like this."

"Well," Jonathon blew out a breath. "You certainly surprised a few people with your announcement on the balcony."

Kel started to walk towards him just a few steps. "I don't know what the future holds for us or our two nations. But I know that for the time being we must work together."

"I agree," and he did.

Kel took three more steps so that for the first time she was by his shoulder. "If this was Tortall even in war time I believe you would have some type of welcoming party but this is Talla and we do not play as many games as Tortall. Today you and most of your court will be able to move into the castle room permitting. We must start the grind as soon as possible. Our next piece of business should be aligning our armies and leaders. Do you agree?"

"Whole heartedly," King Jonathon nodded. "Thank you for your kindness in offering lodgings."

"Don't thank me yet," Kel walked to the door and opened it. "I know that this isn't what you expected. Me. Here. Any of it. But I'm willing to work if you are."

"We have to work. We can't win if we don't."

"Exactly," Kel turned back to him. She bowed her head politely signaling the end of the meeting. "I'm sorry this meeting was so short but I have more to attend to before more strategy planning. Is Brooke working out?"

"He has been very helpful."

"Good," Kel nodded. "Then I believe it would be best if he acted as your guide. There will not be a party but a nice dinner will be served to night to your court. I hope to see you there if not soon at any meetings."

Kel bowed her head once more and started to walk away after signaling to a passing servant to please show her guest out of the palace. Without any more pomp and circumstance she tried to end their personal meeting.

"Kel,"he called out. "I hope you know that you're still in the hearts of many Tortallans."

She paused not looking back. "I don't care if I'm in their hearts as long as Rowena doesn't kill them."

His hazel eyes were trained on the canvas wall of his tent. He was not milling around confused like the rest of Tortall. So the lass was King? Interesting. He stretched his long legs out leaning back on the brown wooden chair. The wood strained underneath him but it would hold his large frame.

Instincts. Instincts. Instincts. He was supposed to trust his instincts. That's how he had come into power at such a young age. So what did his instincts tell him about the Lady Knight now being King of Talla. Something wasn't right. Pieces were missing.

The tent flap opened with a whoosh and his step father stepped through. Myles took of his cap and handed him a bottle. "I figured I might find you here, George."

George Cooper barely nodded. He did motion for Myles to sit in a similar wooden chair beside him. The elder man took him up on his offer sitting down with a groan. Then they got right down to business.

"So how should we go about this?" Myles narrowed his eyes.

George was still staring at the cloth wall in deep thought. "She knows us too well. She knows our best tricks."

"True," Myles leaned back. They were spies but they were pressed in a hard corner. Kel had a sharp eye and she knew Tortall like the back of her hand. Even their best trained spy would be spotted by her. And Talla. Oh Talla. It was a shield of secrecy. It was their history. Their way. They could keep their mouths shut. "What are you looking to do?"

"Obviously I would like to know more information on the country as a whole," George began. "We need to press Brooke on giving us more information on Rowena and of course we can let Wyldon and Raoul deal with battle tactics."

"I think our best plan of action will be lurking in the shadows listening to conversations."

"Agreed. It's a tried and true method when it comes to gathering intelligence. I think we should focus on the Order."

"Aye," it was Myles' turn to agree. "Something's off isn't it?"

"Perhaps their all just a little too green," George mussed. "But I also think that something is off with Tristan."

"Ah," Myles nodded. "Yes, the heir. He has some heavy shoulders."

"And heavy shoulders usually mean there is a heavy story." George repeated one of Myles's favorite saying.

"Exactly." Myles paused for a minute. "I believe that the Gods are playing a game. We are just pieces being moved around."

"It seems the only explanation." George smirked. "But we are men who believe information is a different form of gold. Maybe more useful than gold. And we need more of it."

"George," Alanna popped into the tent pulling the two men out of their conversations. She paused searching their faces. She was about to say something of their dark serious expressions before thinking better of it. "Jonathon's been spotted coming back. Do you want to come with me to meet him? I'm sure he has much to tell us."

"That's my wife," George stood smiling. "Not even waiting for an invitation from the King."

Alanna shrugged a smile also on her lips. "Come on, we don't want to be late."

They weren't. They reached Jonathon's tent before he did. In fact when he did slip through the opening into the biggest tent of the camp his hair was wild from the wind and out of breath from the ride. Everybody stood waiting to hear from him. His shoulders sagged and he shrugged.

"I don't know what to say," Jon licked his lips. "Well first things first. We will be moving into the palace. Our things are already being moved. Space permitting of course. Our court is much larger than their castle is. Tonight we will be-"

"Jon," he was cut off by Raoul.

Jonathon stepped back and stared at his friends. Friends. That was what they were. In that moment he realized that his most privet court consisted of his closest friends and that was invaluable. He looked at Raoul. And Alanna, Daine, Wyldon, his wife, Gary, Myles and George. He hoped that Kel, in her new position had that kind of support. She needed it.

"Is she alright?" Raoul's voice was low and even. They needed to know that the girl they all helped train was okay. They loved her. Especially Raoul.

"I can't speak for her," he admitted. "But she looks strong and right now that's all she can ask for."

"She's only the second King Talla has ever had." Myles informed everybody.

"I hadn't realized that," Alanna scrunched her nose. "When you say it like that."

"It makes the stakes so much higher for her," Thayet finished. "How old did the first king live. I mean if legends have some fact to them that leads me to believe that he would have been close to two hundred years old."

"That wouldn't be possible without help from a God," Alanna shook her head trying to grasp that thought.

"This place is like that though isn't it?" Daine spoke in her soft voice. "Something's so very different than anywhere I've ever been."

"Even I'll admit I pick up on something strange." Wyldon gruffed.

"Jon what were you saying about tonight?" Thayet asked.

"There will be a small welcoming dinner to welcome us," Jon said. "More of a formality than an actual festive activity."

"What's next?" Gary asked. "Did she speak of any plans?"

"No," the King shook his head. "She had more meetings to attend to. I think we all agree that we should be learning their battle plans from the last time."

"Myles and I have been discussing that we would like to ask Brooke for more information on their last war with Rowena."

"I would like to be privy to that," Wyldon nodded to George.

Jon lowered in his seat, the night and early morning surprises finally getting to him. His bones felt weary and his eyelids had a hard time staying open. The rest were running on no sleep as well, but they couldn't sleep. In war you just didn't have the time for slumber. Instead they huddled around anxious and worried as they tried with all their might to come up with defense plans as well as how to assure the public of their safety. But George Cooper's fears had a basis that many were now realizing. They didn't have the information they needed. Yes, Brooke had given them countless primary sources and they had all been quizzed by Myles who had the skill for teaching history. But something was lacking anyway. So while their stuff was being carted to the royal palace and people had finally started to shuffle into the city out of the temporary camps they had been housed in a lull finally broke in the King's privet court. Alanna was the first to say it.

"We have to talk to her." The lioness's voice was softer than usually. She spoke quietly but her voice carried in the silent room.

"I don't know, Alanna," her adoptive father shook his head sighing. "George and I have already spoken of this and I'm sure you have all noticed the culture of these people. They are quiet and privet. No they do not wear the blank faces of the Yamini but they do not speak freely especially when they have never had visitors."

They all stared forward with the same tired faces. All were bedraggled. All were scared.

Raoul bent his head back, the joints in his neck cracking. "The world we live in is a mystery."

"You miss the girl," Wyldon didn't have to ask him.

Raoul nodded slightly. "She's sad."

It hung in the air. Nobody shifted. They just soaked up what Raoul had just said.

"She has twins," Daine smiled softly her cheeks rosy.

"What?" Alanna gasped. "I had not heard that! When did you hear of that?"

"I'm surprised you didn't hear it. The soldiers saw the whole family. Even Tobe in the stables. Why it was Neal who was the first to meet her younger son."

"That rat," Alanna spewed. "That's what I get for training him to be a knight for four years. How could he not tell me this information?"

"Well, in his defense several things have been thrown at him, at all of us, at a very fast rate." Gary tried to say but was cut off by Alanna anyway.

"Twins," she may have been angry at being one of the last to know but it was slowly turning to joy. She swung her body to Jon and then looked sharply back at Raoul looking back and forth between the two. "See, this is why I want to talk to her. She should tell us her life."

"When did you become such a gossip, Alanna?" Jon rubbed his eyes.

"When Kel came back as the king of a mythical land."

"Get up," Dom kicked at Neal's shoe. "Now, come on get up."

"Sod off meat head," Neal mumbled. He was leaning against a stone wall, just mere yards from the entrance to the palace. A steady stream of elite Tortallans passed them by on the path up to the castle.

"If you want to camp out here, I'll lend you my tent," Owen teased as he walked by the pair.

"You can sod off too," Neal said tensely.

"You sod off," Owen spit back with a vengeance causing Dom and Neal to look at him sharply in surprise. The sunshine usually in Owen's eyes wasn't there at the moment. Instead his face was ashen and his lips tight. Neal lifted himself off the ground commanded by Owen's body language. "Let's not sugar coat it anymore Neal, Kel left. She left and she didn't come and no, she'll never come back. But you're an ass for not being the friend she needs. You know why I'm a better friend than you? Because I'm happy for her. She has a great life and you just keep pissing on it because you're so selfish."

"I'm selfish," Neal chocked out in a sputter.

"Do you see her?" Owen asked his voice hard. "Neal, do you not see how sad your friend is? Neal if Yuki died how would you feel? If you had to run a country knowing you're just seen as a foreigner, while also raising two young children. Put yourself in her shoes and stop being a donkey's rear end."

And with that Owen marched past the two and followed the path into the castle. Dom looked down at his shoes before blowing a breath out and running his hand through his black hair. Neal stood frozen.

"He's right," Neal admitted.

"And who knew he had such language," Dom rubbed his cheek his eyes still downcast.

"Come on you too," Merric breezed past everybody in a surprisingly good mood. "I want to check out Kel's new digs."

Neal watched his friend pass by without so much as a second glance. His mouth dropped open and his face scrunched up in confusion.

"What in Mithros name has happened to our friends," he wondered out loud.

Dom shook his head not knowing what to think of his friends' attitude changes. "Merric's begun to be friends with Archer."

"Let's go," Neal tapped Dom's shoulder and they marched to the home. Dom would still be staying in the camp as one of the leaders in the Own. There wasn't enough room for them all but accompanying Neal who did have a room was a good excuse to see the inside of Kel's new home.

"Wait up," Seaver trailed behind dodging a moving carriage full of trunks. He sprinted till he was side by side with them. "Well this is a little surreal."

"You can say that again," Dom huffed. Then they all stopped. Just stopped as other people bumped into them on their way in. They all took a breath.

It was grand. And it was a palace. But none like they had ever seen before. Its dark gothic architecture would seem cold but light streamed through the hundreds of panels of stain glass windows. Neal moved forward looking at the art work. His head tilted back to look at the windows high on the wall his gaze slid down the wall and he took a step forward touching the black wall in front of him. It was stone, rocky and gritty under his fingertips.

"It's brilliant," Dom said in disbelief.

"Excuse me," a soft voice behind their backs caused them to all look back. A girl curtsied deeply. She was familiar. "I ask for word with Sir Neal."

"That's me," Neal stepped forward cautiously.

"We'll see you later Neal," Dom nodded goodbye.

Neal turned his focus back to the young girl. She spoke calmly. "I know this is highly inappropriate but I must ask you to follow me."

She turned around and walked at a fast pace. She turned around once as if to say hurry up. Confused, Neal fell into step behind her. He noticed that she was hurrying and would sway if he was in step next to her. He realized she didn't want to be seen with him. It was at the same time that he took sight of the turned heads around them. Eyes turned to see where the girl was walking. One stern man scowled.

"You're Isobel, correct?" they turned into a narrow corridor and Neal felt safe to talk.

She nodded and turned her head back to look at him again. She stopped abruptly causing Neal to almost collide with her. "I have worked with my lady since the moment she stepped into this castle."

Neal opened his mouth to talk not quite sure what to say. "Who is your lady?"

"The King of Talla," Isobel said solemnly. "I have been requested to gather you for a meeting with her. I'm sorry for the dramatics but in her new position she is being watched constantly. In fact she should be at another meeting. I'm sorry if this is any inconvenience for you."

"No," Neal shook his head. "I would actually like to see Kel."

Isobel nodded and lead the way once more. She came to a smooth red door and tapped three times. She stepped aside and signaled for Neal to go in. He nodded his thanks.

"Kel," Neal stepped through not sure what to expect. A woman turned to him and Neal stopped. Her dress was magnificent and her hair framed her face beautifully. He had never seen her so nervous.

"Hi," she finally said. She took an unsure step towards him.

"Kel," Neal rushed to say shaking his head viscouly side to side. "I'm sorry."

"You're sorry?" Kel's words sounded chocked. "No, I've wanted to tell you everything for years now and to have to tell my closest friend in the entire world that I'm king. I'm a king. It sounds so ridiculous."

"I think it sounds appropriate," Neal took her shoulders. "You've always been a leader. And not just any ordinary leader."

"But this is different," she shook her head and Neal looked into her eyes. They were panicked. "And to have such an audience as Tortall. I feel like every step I take is on thin ice."

"Keladry," Neal said sternly. "You've always been able to prove yourself."

His vote of confidence struck her silent. She embraced him and for a full minute they stood hugging. He was just barely taller and his large hand stroked her hair soothingly. His hand glowed green taking away her headache.

"You know I am still upset that I never got a wedding invitation," he said after a while.

"Oh," Kel pushed him back and laughed shaky tears off her cheeks. "Mithros I hated him."

"You hated your husband?" Neal questioned her amused.

She wiped her face and smacked him. "Yes, no. I hated the blubbering woman he made me into."

Neal laughed his smile wide and crooked. He hugged her once again. "That's what husbands are supposed to do."

"Ugh," she groaned. "I'm so glad to have you as my friend again."

"Me too," Neal agreed. "Me too. And I'm glad that I got to meet your little Griffin."

Kel smiled her head still on his chest from their hug. "You better not be a bad influence on him."

"Me?" Neal sounded flabbergasted. "Why I never. How could you think of me that way Kel? A bad influence. Nope not me."

"Oh, meathead."

"This is incredible," Alanna fidgeted in her chair. She couldn't stop herself from twisting around in her chair every five seconds taking in her surroundings.

"Alanna keep calm," George chided her while Raoul let out a deep chuckle.

"It's beautiful," she ignored them.

"We know," they said at the same time. She had only stated that fact about fifty hundred times.

"Oh fine," she roughly sat back in her chair. "I suppose since you don't like my commentary on the architect you won't like my gossip either."

The two men stood still in their chairs both holding out. Finally Raoul looked down at his shorter friend. She smiled up at him knowing she had caught his interest.

"And how did you come across this gossip?" George asked her.

"Well for one I've already made friends with several chamber maids."

"They were just willing to tell you things?" George raised an eyebrow.

"I had some pointed questions," Alanna explained. "See once I realized my oaf of an old squire was holding out details I realized that I needed to hear what some of the soldiers were saying. I asked Seaver how the trip here was for them."

"What did he say?"

"He told me of some of the most unusual characters," Alanna replied. "Other than Tristan I haven't met any of the other Order members."

"As we haven't either," Raoul said.

"He gave me a description of three of the other members besides the prince and Kel."

"Pray do tell," George sounde like he was only putting up with his wife's talk but he really was interested.

Alanna paused for a moment trying to decide where to begin. "Well Seaver spoke of how they tried to find Tristan first. They actually talked to him in a pub before they realized it was him. I guess he lives in that first village town we passed through shortly after the border."

"Did he tell you why the kid is so dark?" Raoul asked. Tristan was certainly the brooding type.

"In fact he did." Alanna replied but then sat silent making them ask for more.

"Fine, I'll bite," Raoul was the first to recede. "What did Seaver tell you? What is the cause for Tristan's dark mood?"

"Heart break," Alanna said.

"Of course," George rolled his eyes at the obviousness.

"Oh but it gets quite interesting." Alanna assured him. "See there's a divide between village and city people. Culture and such so it was a big deal when the seventeen year old prince married a rural village girl. I don't know how old he is today but since he was seventeen he hasn't lived in the palace. I asked the friendly chamber maid if it was true that the prince didn't usually stay here and she replied that this was the first extended stay since his brother had passed away."

"Which was six years ago," Raoul's face squinted in thought. "Any visits."

"Not many though she assured me she was in his nephew and nieces life." Alanna told him. "She told me that he was with Kel when she went into labor and that he helped raise them almost as if they were his own."

Their heads turned to look at her sitting in-between them.

"Where is his wife?" Raoul asked slowly.

"She and the baby died in childbirth when he was still in his teen years."

The three sat in silence despite the festive dinner going on around them.

"Alright," George finally spoke again. "Now that we know about Tristan what else do you have?"

"Hmmm," Alanna rolled her head trying to decide who to speak about next. "Well Seaver spoke of a man named Arthur Archer. He's the royal huntsman and Seaver spoke highly of his arching skills."

"Oh, I believe I've heard of him," Raoul nodded in thought.

"Not much to say on him. But I've only heard good things of his character. Baron on the other hand has no character to speak of at all." Her face soured.

"What do you mean?" George asked.

"I got this part of the story from another chamber maid," Alanna explained. "Has either of you two heard of a girl named Isobel?" they shook their heads no. "She's Kel's lady in waiting and from the sounds of it one of her closest confidants. She's also one of the only maids to work with the twins."

"So she's very close to the royal family," George nodded.

"Very," she confirmed. "But she comes from a village family who are very strict. And let's just say Baron took something of hers when he got her in his bed."

Raoul sat back not needing to hear any more of the story. "I'm guessing when he left her behind with no means of anymore romanticizing he made an enemy out of Kel."

"There's no love lost between the two." Alanna said.

"And who is the last man of the Order?" her husband asked.

"His name is Death," Alanna informed them.

"What?" Raoul was confused.

She shrugged. "Seaver told me a story about the man, but I'll be damned if I've ever heard anything like it. As a child Death slipped on some rocks at a nearby watering hole. Rumor has it that he died before taking another breath again and opened his eyes."

"Just to make sure," George stopped her. "He is still alive right?"

"Right." Alanna said. "But he is unusual. To say the least he's very hermit like."

"Interesting," Raoul was about to go on when somebody took the floor in the middle of the grand dining room.

"Welcome, welcome," it was Brooke speaking. "Tonight we celebrate the coming together of our two nations despite the terrible times. Tonight's entertainment is the telling of our two histories."

Brooke stepped back and another man stepped forward. In a narrative voice he began the story of Tortall. Alanna tuned him out and turned back to her friends.

"The boy's name is Griffin," she whispered to her two companions.

"What boy?" Raoul whispered back.

"Kel's child," she spoke in a low voice. "And the girl is named Aribell. The maid told me that the sister looks at her uncle as if he is the world. She always has."

"That maid sure does have a lot of information," George smirked.

Alanna was about to reply when the entertainer came to a finish. He bowed his head, stepped back and another man took his place in center. This man was from Talla. He opened his mouth to talk and all the bodies that were from Tortall leaned forward in anticipation their ears strained.

"For Tortall was a nation full of strength. Courage. And charitable people. But some became unsatisfied and choose to migrate east. They wandered for months. Through storms and famine they stayed true and strong. Alas they had their faith worn down as their stomachs grew hungrier and hungrier. With snow on the ground one man stood up from his camp ground and walked further into the forest. Turning his head up he yelled up at the clouds above him in an effort to speak to those holier above. 'Please led us to our safety is all I ask.'"

The crowd was silent waiting for the man to go on.

"And so it appeared," the actor's voice was alive with revere as he spoke. "The horse that guided us to the lands known as Talla today. For where is this horse now you ask. This image of grandness. This holy beast that led us to the land that has sheltered us for years. That appeared to our Prince Gavin to symbolize to us simple folk how we should have faith in our prince. And in our fallen hero we have only praise. Why I hear from the wind that its hoof beats are silent waiting for it's time to come again. To lead us into victory. For when it appears it chooses to bow down its long slender neck to only the strongest, bravest men and allow such a man to brush it's glorious mane. It signals who shall lead us into the future. For we would not be Talla without that magnificent sign from the Gods."

The man bowed his head similarly to the one before him. He stepped back and clapping occurred. Hoots from Tallans who loved their country. Raoul poked Alanna. When she turned to him he jutted his head towards where Kel was sitting. Her face was blank. So after all she still did have her Yamini mask. Her reaction was unsettling to them.

I love gossiping Alanna. It's fun to write her like that. I had a hard time writing this chapter and I'm not sure if it shows. But I can say that the next couple of chapters have some fun stuff in them. If you have any questions you would like answered in the next coming of chapters please leave a review. I don't want any confusion or anything like that. Thanks for Reading!