DISCLAIMER: I own none of this. This setting and these characters all belong to Tamora Pierce, not me.

It all started with that one day. That one fateful day…

"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," he said, and continued, "Consider the future. Soon, your body will change. What if you fall in love and foul up a group of knights because your thoughts were on your heart? Or you get crippled by an accident? Girls are maidens, and not warriors. You will leave for the convent tomorrow morning. Keladry of Mindelan, you are dismissed.

Keladry of Mindelan, known to her friends as Kel, did not allow herself to glare at the training master. She did not let herself succumb to the tears that threatened to overwhelm her. Instead, she forced herself to rise and walk out the door without once looking back. Once she reached her room, however, her emotions got the better of her.

"I didn't deserve that!" she screamed into her pillow. "I worked harder than anyone. I was the best in the class. How could he? How could he?" Her screams gave way to sobs, great body-wrenching sobs. Kel heard a quiet peeping by her ear and turned only to see Crown and ten other sparrows watching her concernedly. She realized that she needed to pull herself together, and fast.

"I have to go. I'm very sorry. I'd stay here if I could, but I'm being forced to leave. Don't worry about food; I'll make sure that Salma feeds you. I'll miss you all," Kel told the sparrows quietly.

She made her way to Daine's rooms, making sure that no one saw her as she slipped through the halls. It didn't take long before the door was opened by a cat-sized, light blue dragonet.

"Who is it, Kitten? Oh, it's you, Kel. What would you like?"

"I… can't stay… I leave the palace tomorrow. Would you please look after Peachblossom? Just make sure that he doesn't get sold to someone who will use him as a plow horse, or used by someone who uses spurs…" Kel looked at Daine with pleading in her eyes.

"Of course, Kel. We'll miss you at the palace, and I'm sure all the animals- especially Peachblossom- will miss you, too. I'll make sure that Peachblossom is waiting for you when you come back someday. I have faith that you will. Goddess bless, Keladry," Daine stated solemnly.

Kel looked away, unable to look at Daine's pity-filled eyes. "Thank you, Daine, but I doubt I'll be back. Thank you for everything. Farewell."

That done, Kel returned to her room. She couldn't bear to face all of her friends who had helped her, loved her, and believed in her. She couldn't stand their anger at the training master, their protestations, or their looks of pity. She wouldn't, couldn't, tell them that she had failed. So she quickly packed up a small bag containing tunics, breeches, and the like, in addition to her blade-sharpener. She grabbed her glaive, bow, and arrows, and carefully strapped on her precious belt knife.

Keladry of Mindelan looked around her rooms one last time with tears in her eyes. This was where she belonged, but she couldn't stay here. But even if she couldn't stay here, she refused to go to the convent. No, Keladry of Mindelan would just have to keep fighting. Little did she know just how difficult that would become.

A/N: this is my first story, so bear with me. It might be a bit rough, but just give it a try. Feel free to give criticism, because I know that it won't be top notch.