1st Chapter! longer than the prologue i promise
Hey folks
OK please excuse any offences made to grammer or spelling. because of all the made up names going through spellcheck is hell!!! and i'm posting it to encourage me to write more! so it will probably get worse before it gets better and i need an editpr in cheif and i'm fairly sure one of my mates will compily. but i like comments and reviews and i accept POLITE constuctive critism.
cheers
phoenix
Now to the chapter.
Chapter 1
The knock on the huge wooden door in the early hours of the morning brought a servant running. He wondered briefly what a visitor would be calling at this hour for but then he was a duke’s servant and the duke had many important visitors at all hours.
“I have a message for the Grand Duke of Tallen. Former king’s warrior.” the messenger was a tall brown haired young man with green eyes that danced with laughter. The servant nodded and opened the door wide.
“Come in, come in out of the cold.” beckoned the servant “Katrine lead this man to your fathers study and then wake your father” a young tall willowy tanned girl with long curly dark hair and extraordinary eyes had accompanied the servant to the door. She smiled at him.
“Come on my fathers study is this way” she said walking up the stairs and opening a door on the right of the corridor.
She entered a large panelled room with lots of tapestries and windows the messenger following closely. Katrine wasn’t surprised to see her father already awake and dressed. He would already know about the messenger. She grinned at him sharing the joke; he smiled in his quite way. The messenger entered behind her.
The messenger was deep in thought. So this was the infamous daughter who trained as a knight and then disappeared after her mother had died in battle. He thought to himself. As he rarely visited the dukedoms of the kingdom. The king had surprised all and visited this girl many times since she had left but not many knew that until now. But then this was a daughter of the king’s best friend and she had been visited by the most famous of people when she had been born.
The King, the Queen and most famous of all Gorathian the sorcerer! Although many did not know she was his granddaughter as he was her mother’s father, they did know he was also her teacher. When he visited, he had left a tattoo on Kat’s left wrist, a dragon and horse entwined around a sword.
Gorathian was the first disciple of the God of strength, Leana, the disciple hood of Leana consisted of two sorceress’s Kathrand and more recently Katrine but Kat didn’t know that. Yet. There were seven men, Gorathian, Trolbroath, Morse, Brisna, Leiv, Belra and his twin Landra.
These people were the most powerful people of the world as they were talented people to the extreme, when they said something the whole world listened to them. The other three gods didn’t have disciples instead they had races Fread had the Frians and Hametels, Gyred had Graedians and Revans and Trolard had the Trals and Katans. The Trals lived to the west in the desert lands, Graedians lived in the forest and swamps lands to the south, the Frians and Katans lived everywhere occupying cities and towns in between the other races. The Revans occupied the desert wastelands to the far south and the few islands. The Hametels occupied islands and were traditionally neutral in any wars or political struggles. The Trals were traditionally nomads but some had settled down and now there were two main cities of the Trals: Kora and Trolf. Trals bred hardy horses and they were forever on the move. The Trals, Frians and Katans lived in peace with each other but the Greadians, Revans were bent on gaining more land, so the Trals, Katans and Frians were constantly at war with Greadians and Revans who, having the advantage of being the largest races and having the characteristics of being huge, tough and hardy are defeated regularly, But only because the other races had the advantage of numbers, and they were united under the one king, King William. When the Trals and Frians went to war the Frians were the navy, the Trals were the cavalry and the Katans the army. It had always been like this since the races were divided. Frians ships were hardy and fast and their men were traditionally not afraid of anything so they made good seamen. The Trals while being traditionally the most devious race, having the nest spy network also had the best knights and horsemen giving them a huge advantage as Graedians didn’t ride very well.
The Ring had always being the protection and basic generals as the races weren’t the worlds greatest tacticians and generally these wars were between gods and the Ring were always in direct contact with Leana. The other races such as elves, dwarves, merpeople, giants and fairy folk like pixies are all loyal to Leana and the Ring. This made them the best army as they not only had powers but they forged the best weapons.
The messenger followed Kat through the door and saw the duke and his daughter standing next to each other. There was surprisingly no resemblance except for the eyes they had each other’s steady hazel eyes usually. But Kat’s were a little more remarkable as they changed colour to suit her mood.
Roald bowed deeply to the messenger who had dropped his hood “Welcome Alexander I thought you had forgotten us”
“Forget you Baldy? Never!” Alex grinned cheekily “but call me Alex please I hate Alexander as you full well know!”
Kat gasped and turned away from her former lover. She did not want to see him, it was too painful.
“I see William has yet to teach you manners,” the duke observed dryly.
“Oh he has but I let them lax in face of old friends” Alex smiled indulgently.
Roald sighed and said “So what does the heir to the throne and the thrones itself want with an old retiree and his family?”
Alexander or Alex as he was known was the prince of the realm. His father King William was Kat’s godsfather. William had visited earlier that year and when he had returned to court he could not stop raving about Kat. Her knight skills and prowess with sorcery had not faltered when she had left because she had kept up the training but what he forgot to mention was her flawless beauty. When she was training to be a knight the men tripped over themselves to be her partner at balls but she had always gone alone in her regal way. No one thought she would fall for someone. She had and not for anyone but the Prince himself who had fallen just as hard for her, when she had left she had left him and he was inconsolable for months. It had taken Gorathian to explain something before Alex would calm down.
Kat was smiled sadly at that exchange between Alex and her Father. She remembered him as a young cheeky faced boy then as her best friend in school when she had trained in the castle but Kat avoided thinking about that, it brought too many memories of her mother who was killed in battle between Grean and Lorna.
Her mother was a Queen’s warrior woman who was trained to protect the Queen but she was also a knight, one of the few women who trained to be a knight. Kat had also had trained to be a knight when she had completed her training she was 17 and knighted when her mother died. 3 days after the King knighted her. Kat never used her title (although she had topped her class and had the highest of Knights titles the Commander and Advisory to the King) and she joined her lands to her fathers because they bordered each other and tried to forget her best friends, Alex and everyone else whom had lived and trained with her. She had tried to forget her past. Now it was here. She turned away, tears springing to her eyes, the memories hurt too much.
Roald looked at her sympathetically “What is it you have come to ask? As you are obviously not here for a social visit”
Alex looked at her in concern just wanting to take her in his arms and never let go. He took a deep breath.
“I have come to ask Kat if she will assume her position and titles but also become Headknight of the academy,” he said looking at her; she returned his look with a sigh they knew each other to well, he wanted her to return. Something she wasn’t sure she could do; she knew he missed her, hell, she missed everyone.
Kat turned away breaking the moment
“Let me think about this” was all she said before she walked out. Alex looked to Roald who sighed and spread his hands
“She’ll be back for dinner with her answer hopefully. Just leave her, this is a hard decision to return to the palace; too many memories of Alara lurk there, they were so close she hasn’t yet recovered. That’s why she came here after the funeral, Alara had never come because we had only just finished building the castle so there was no memories for Kat to skirt but I know she miss’s you and all her friends maybe she will say yes!”
Roald left him to his thoughts. So much had changed Kat but she must come back it wasn’t the same without her; everyone missed her spark. He thought sadly he missed her the most. They had always been close, hell he had loved her, he still did and he had just spent four year without seeing her and he felt guilty somehow but he didn’t know why. Kat and Alara were always the closest anyone could be and it had hurt Kat more than anything when she died.
Kat left the castle and saddled her horse Starfire (He was a spectacular chestnut with a blaze and four white socks. He had been bred by the Trals was on of the best stallions ever bred or so they said.) quietly as a groom was only in the next stall, she crept out and went for a gallop to clear her head. When she stopped she had arrived in her lands at a lake where she came regularly to swim and relax. By the time she had arrived she had thought it out and decided that he mother would have wanted her daughter to be happy and this is what would make Kat happy, being Headknight. Kat also wanted to see her friends and relatives that lived at the castle including her teacher and grandfather Gorathian the sorcerer. This is what Kat needed to do to face her grief and win.
Kat rode back quickly as the light was fading and her father would be worried. When she arrived she quickly handed her reins to a groom and raced up to her room where she washed and put on a sky blue gown with a white silver necklace with a small emerald hanging from it. Then she added a silver circlet to her hair and then she hurried down to the dining hall where Roald and Alex were waiting.
They were seated when Kat arrived. “Sorry” she said regally.
“You know that tardiness kills people Kat” Alex quipped repeating what they were taught at the K.A (Knights Academy) She always had a certain regal ness about her he thought looking at her.
Kat glared at him knowing he was uncomfortable and was trying to make it like the old times
“I know full well that code but if I remember correctly you never grasped it fully you were even late to your Knighting on you birthday”
Alex groaned knowing she had got him there but there was no real feeling in it he was still stunned at her beauty. For the second time he thought of how much she had changed. She had grown up much in the past four years since Alara’s death. Although she used to be pretty she had grown into a beautiful woman who was totally flawless. A spitting image of Alara except for the eyes her eyes changed with her mood. Everyone thought they were wonderful. Alex was mesmerised. Roald watched them knowingly.
Suddenly she jumped up and ran outside. Alex and Roald looked at each other bewildered then they too followed her. When they arrived they saw a huge scarlet dragon to which Kat shouting at ”You sly old dog” suddenly it shimmered and a old man with a long white hair and short beard which was a interesting contrast but it also marked him this was the most powerful man in the world… Gorathian. Kat glared at him
“Stop shouting Kat” he said irritably “And don’t glare at me like that don’t you realise I did it to annoy you”
“Yeah well you achieved your goal” Kat glared at him then gave him a huge hug “I’ve missed you grandfather”
He looked startled but gratified “I’ve missed you to Katrine”
Alex and Roald exchanged a look this was a different side to Gorathian was for all his power he always appeared to be a grumpy irritable old man who rarely showed affection for anyone and loved his ale and was rarely seen without a tankard.
“What are you here for Gorathian?” Roald asked after they had broken apart.
“To talk to Kat but I was waiting for her decision before I revealed my self” he replied. ”That’s what she was yelling at me for, now is any one going to offer me and ale or am I going to have to waste my energy and get it myself?”
“Waste the energy and come up to the castle,” Kat said dismissively. Gorathian grinned at her and a tankard appeared in his hand and he took a long swig from it as they swaggered up the hill. Kat sighed. Arguing with Gorathian about his habits was a cornerstone of their relationship. He knew just what to do to irritate her.
Kat and Gorathian talked about the sorcery he had just performed. When he explained how he had hid she burst out laughing making him feel a little sheepish. Alex listened carefully as he had a talent, which is specialised to one limited area whereas sorcery is a broad range of magic basically but Alex had a rare talent in which he had a combination of talents plus the general area, which is just basic stuff, like lighting candles. The reason he had the extra talent was because he was heir to the throne, all royalty and their heir had had a combined talents although the talents themselves varied. Alex himself had a combination of battle magic and healer, which he thought was ironic.
They returned to the dining hall and started on dinner, which had been kept warm for them.
When they had seated themselves and had started eating Kat turned to Gorathian
“So what are you really doing here you haven’t yet answer me and I know you have a talent for avoiding questions!”
Gorathian glared at her reproachfully as he chewed and swallowed but she just stared calmly straight back at him.
Roald and Alex grinned at each other knowing how close these two were if you wanted a straight answer from anyone Kat could get it. But Gorathian was a different matter entirely his old mind was quick and cunning and only Kat could fathom it as he had taught her everything. Because of this they had very similar minds. It helped to be as close to him as she was but she was his student and granddaughter so it was not surprising.
Gorathian sighed, “I need to tell you something”
“Ok what is it?” Kat asked not really expecting what the answer would be.
“My Mistress has asked my to tell you that you have been given a place in our hood in short you’re a disciple of Leana”
Kat nearly fainted what ever she had expected this was not it. She was speechless no words could describe how she was feeling.
Gorathian smiled “That shut her up”
But he nodded understanding what she was feeling despite his words. Kat was stunned this was great honour and pleasure. She wasn’t stunned enough not to give Gorathian withering look though he noticed.
“It was you destiny to become a disciple but we didn’t think it would be so soon but the Mistress obviously has plans for you” Gorathian explained smiling.
Kat just nodded not trusting herself to speak.
“You will still become headknight at the palace you just have an extra title that’s all and you will have a tower in the Ring of Life our sacred valley well its sacred but not secret I never get a moments peace sometimes when I’m there”
Kat grinned and began to eat again. The moment was broken.
While he was between mouthfuls Roald asked “She took that quite calmly is that normal? I mean did everyone else take it that calmly?”
Gorathian thought for a bit then nodded “Everybody took it differently I took it calmly but Brisna was hyper. It differed from person to person”
Roald nodded then suddenly burst out laughing Kat looked at him and understood and she then cracked and started to laugh. Alex and Gorathian just looked confused till Kat choked” I have just been given the biggest honour and joy of a lifetime and he’s asking question like it was classroom” at that she let go another peal of laughter as Alex and her grandfather caught on. Suddenly the hall’s high ceiling was ringing in laughter.
The servants looked in confused; who just made them laugh harder. They eventually calmed down and finished their dinner. The men hung over their drinks while Kat left them to go and pack.
She reached her room she leant against the door the events of the night overwhelming her. Suddenly she smiled and in that small smile the whole tension and ceremony of the evening was relieved.
Kat packed turning things over in her head. She was to become Headknight and teach a new era which was exciting but it also meant she would have to face her demons and she wasn’t sure she was ready. Alex turning up clearly showed he still loved her no matter what. She just wanted throw herself into his arms and feel safe but she wasn’t so sure she could. Kat mulled these things over while she completed her packing. Then she went to bed head buzzing.
Kat was alone in the dining hall eating breakfast, she was no morning person, and everyone knew not to talk to her until lunch.
Alex walked in and nodded to her knowing she wouldn’t be in the mood for chat. Alex sighed and sat down pulling a bowl of porridge to him and the milk jug. Kat grabbed a cup of the bitter, sweet beans that melt into a hot drink called coffee. Kat loved it she drank it in the gallons. She and Alex had always disagreed on this. He hated the stuff and thought it disgusting but she had loved it from the day she had tried it for a knight’s dare, everyone had thought she would hate it and spit it out but she didn’t and Rals of Trone had to pay her 20golds. It was the best laugh the floor had had in years. Rals hadn’t spoken to her for a week then he forgave her because he, Alex and Hatria were her best friends and they were the top of their intake, they knew more about sorcery and fighting than most and they were the pride of the kingdom until Kat left then they all just…
Alex wretched his thoughts away from that, Kat was here now and she was coming back, thanks to his father and his great ideas. Kat got up, Alex looked up startled
“I’m going to grab my stuff we leave in an hour.”
Alex nodded and watched her as she left. Then he returned to his porridge mulling over events.
They were soon ready to leave. Roald came out to say goodbye. Kat kissed him and told him not to worry. Then she leapt onto Starfire. She blew her father another kiss before she galloped down the drive. She halted briefly and lifted an arm to Roald who returned the gesture as she wheeled around and galloped onwards, Gorathian and Alex following. Roald sighed, she had always been a fiery one but when he mother had died something in Kat had died with her.
********
Kat slowed once they had left Tallen. Tallen wasn’t actually far from the capital. It would take then the rest of the day to get there but they would be there by nightfall. Kat and Alex rode along beside each other companionably chatting about their past experiences and the future the only subject they avoided was Kat’s knighting. When they stopped for lunch Kat decided to go for a swim in the pool nearby it was pool they had come to when they were blue levellers (trainee knights the level they are on is decided by the colour they are wearing the lowest is Red then Blue then Green when the trainees who are on these levels are called pages. Bronze where they are classified as squires but have no knight masters they just complete their lessons and finally Silver on this level they are squires with knight masters this level is mostly training and field work they then undergo trials to get their knighthood) Kat stripped of to the band she wore around her breasts and the small underwear she wore when in armour because huge ladies underwear was cumbersome and this was easier to carry and wear under causal clothing. Her and Hatria had designed the underwear and they often swan in it cause it dried quickly and it was easy to swim in without having to get completely undressed and being the only girls out of 40 boys it just made life easy, the boys didn’t mind swimming with them so long as they wore that and modesty was preserved on both sides as the boys wore shorts. Alex followed her down to the pool after he collected wood and jumped in splashing her. Kat laughed and splashed him. Then she swum up and kissed him cheekily. This was her way of letting him know. He looked at her in surprise and delight before he powered after her and caught her in his arms, quietly in her ear he said “Lets do that again properly”
She turned in his arm and murmured “I’d thought you’d never realise”
Kat don’t know how long it lasted but she knew she would never forget it.
When they arrived back to where they had tethered the horses a sharp-faced man was seated next to Gorathian on the grass.
Gorathian looked up “Hi how was your swim?”
“Fine” Kat not expanding but looked pointedly at the man seated next to him
“Oh this is Karian or Lightfeet as he is known Karian this is His highness Prince Alex and my student her Ladyship is Katrine Lady Knight of the Realm, Commander and advisory to the King”
Karian got up and bowed to them and then said to Gorathian “Which one is Phoenix?”
“Kat”
Karian nodded thoughtfully “Know anything about spying Phoenix?”
Kat looked startled and nodded finding her voice she said, “My father taught me as he is a spy mage and I spent the majority of my time as a leveller working for mum I was one of the top, don’t I know you; your Riche’s brother!”
Lightfeet nodded “Yes Riche and I are twins he will be helping us a lot and his huge companion also like I could separate them anyway. I don’t know if Lion here has briefed you…” Gorathian shook his head
“Ok well what he wants is for you to head the network again I know your mum was the head bit we need some one with your talent. We also want to start an academy to train the up and coming.”
He said this all very fast but Kat understood although Alex was looking a bit lost.
Kat nodded “I can see we are going to have to do some organising when we start riding ride next to me and we can talk but right now I need lunch”
They got food from their bags and ate then they set out again Karian and Kat in front Gorathian and Alex behind. Kat and Lightfeet rode heads bent together discussing their plans and Gorathian did some useful eavesdropping to make sure they were doing what he wanted. Alex rode in a half doze. After they had ridden for about an hour Kat and Karian had decided the basics for the academy and they were a bit bored of talking, Kat turned to Alex
“Wake up sleepyhead I’ll race you” Alex’s head jerked up at that. Kat laughed, “Ready… set…are you ready?” Kat moved forward suddenly Alex just stood there “Your not ready” Kat said with a smile and then she kicked Starfire and was off and racing Alex gave a yell and urged Gold forward Gold responded by breaking into a gallop and soon they were gaining on Kat who was just cantering cheekily but when Alex came up beside her she and Starfire surged forward. They were head to head when Kat yelled at Alex
“Finishing line is that corner” Alex nodded to show he understood and they continued. Starfire gave one last surge and they were ahead as they raced around the corner. Kat stopped and turned in her saddle
“That’s right who’s got the skill?” she teased him. Alex sulked for a bit about. Then he saw where they were they were on the crest before Kora.
“How did you do that?” He demanded.
“I didn’t feel a thing and I am sensitive to sorcery” She smiled mysteriously.
“Fine keep your secrets” Alex laughed
“I will”
“Grr”
They both laughed as Karian and Gorathian came bounding up.
“Kat what did I tell you about that” Gorathian growled
Kat sobered up “It was easier than doing what you were doing why you did it the slow way I will never know”
“Yes well mine was subtle at least; you alerted the whole forest to our position do you realise that we were being followed?” Gorathian demanded.
“I realised it but as you obviously didn’t realise that the person who is following us is Hatria and Rals they’d been following as soon as we left I’m just leading them on.”
Gorathian looked ashamed. Kat nodded, satisfied.
Then she turned to the seemingly empty road and called
“Alright you can come out I knew you were there from the beginning when Alex arrived he didn’t arrive alone. I was wondering where you had got to”
Two riders appeared from nowhere looking sheepish.
Kat swung off her horse “Aren’t you going to give me a hug or have I been rejected?”
Hatria yelled, “Katrine of Tallen the day we forget you is they day we forget our heads” as she leapt off her horse and gave her friend a fierce hug. Kat smiled sadly over Hatria’s shoulder. When Hatria finally let her go; Rals came forward in his gruff way he said
“Hat and I have missed you Kitty Kat” he used a pet name that had been a joke between them and her mum. Kat lowered her head tears springing to her eyes.
“Oh Kat I’m sorry” Rals whispered embarrassed. He put his arm around her shoulders she hid her face in his shoulder. Alex and Hat crowed round and comforted her Gorathian and Karian looked on in sympathy and concern. After a while Kat looked up her eyes dry but the sadness had not left them. Hat gave her another hug “We always there for you Kat just remember that”
Kat looked at her in surprise “I never forgot it”
“Yes you did, the day you left without a word to any of us, us you best friends and companions, we all loved Alara and we know you were especially close but still we all lost heart when you left and now…” Hatria left it hanging. Kat looked at all of them.
“Is this how you all feel” she whispered they nodded. She turned and walked slowly away then she swung up onto Starfire then she kicked him into a canter then she stopped at where they were all standing; confused.
“If that’s the way you feel how the hell did you think I felt when you all ignored me after I saw the king about giving up my mothers’ title which I inherited? Did you even think I might have wanted to talk and have fun like normal? Just to have friends to talk to have fun with you like she would have wanted me to? Did you even think? I left because I thought it was the right thing to do I left to find help to cope because no one else would help! I left because you deserted me in when I needed you most! Happy! I left because my life was in ruins and I was alone to build it again, how the hell did think that felt? Well you know what I have rebuilt it without your help so if you want to cleanse yourselves of guilty feelings, stop, its not going to work.”
Starfire reared and raced away leaving five desolate figures in the settling dust. Kat didn’t stop running until she arrived at the city gates then she slowed. She pulled he cloak on and put her hood up so no one would recognise her, then she rode through a place the last time she had seen was in the dead of the night on the night she left. William had let her through the gates and kissed her goodbye saying he would come and visit her.
Kat followed a route she knew well and soon she was at the palace gates, which were open so she rode right in and up to the knight stables that lined a courtyard on the edge of the palace. She dismounted and handed her reins to a waiting stableboy whose eyes bulged but he took Starfire away silently as his training decreed that he must not say anything unless he was given permission.
Kat walked through an archway and followed the corridor until she arrived at the Kings study. She knocked loudly.
“Yes, who is it?” a voice asked, tired.
“An old friend’s daughter returning on orders” Kat answered. She heard the door wrench open and a tall broad shouldered gruff man was standing in front of her.
“Kat” he said hugging her. “Long time no see”
King William of Lorna held her at arms length.
“Come in come in” He said beckoning after he had given her the once over and let her go.
Kat followed him in but she baulked at the doorway it looked exactly the same as it did the night she left except for one thing in the corner was obviously a shield with its cover on. William glanced at it.
“I kept it for you”
Kat nodded moving over to it. She lifted the cover and gasped. On the shield was and exact replica of she the scar on her hand but the horse looked like Starfire and the dragon was magnificent. Behind in the background, were her mother’s arms on one side and her fathers on the other. She let out strangled sob it was still to hard for her cope. William gathered her into his arms.
“I’m sorry but remember Alara helped with the design and it was her who went to the elves to make it.”
Kat looked down “I miss her so much, Will; no one understands I just had a fight with Hat, Rals and Alex.”
William nodded “Its ok Kat remember you told me how it was when she died with them”
Kat looked away “I told them how I felt and then I raced away.”
William put his arms around her shoulders and gave them a squeeze. “It will be alright I promise but use this shield and your mother’s sword” Kat looked at him in surprise “I kept her sword so you can use it, your own sword is well enough for its elvan finery but Alara’s sword has real power to ensure your protection, she told me to give it to you”
Kat nodded briskly “I’ve been living in my grief for too long its time for me to move on just as mother would have wanted me to.”
William nodded approvingly and moved to stand on the other side of his desk. “Then I give you your orders, you must move into the masters apartment which I hope you remember where it is” Kat nodded. William nodded in return as he handed he a sheaf of papers.
Kat turned to go. “Umm Kat” William said
“Yes?” she turned around inquiringly. William looked pointedly at the shield and sword. Kat gulped then picked them up and started to leave William again cleared his throat Kat sighed and turned to see William holding out yet another sheaf of papers.
“You’ll need these to start and I will meet you in you office to show you the ropes the day after tomorrow I have something else on tomorrow. Although I think I might have very little you don’t know. The boys have begun to trickle in as term starts in two days”
“Thank-you I will see you later.” Kat said as she left.
**********
When Kat arrived at her rooms there was something wrong with the standard magic seal that was placed on all doors in the palace the only way to get in was with the key and word, But this door had been tampered with it was subtle tamper but Kat with her skill in that area noticed it. She drew a dagger from her boot and opened the door with a whispered password (Master has arrived) and the key. She pushed at it with her foot cautiously suddenly it swung open to reveal Gorathian standing there laughing in her face. She scowled and sheathed her dagger and stormed past him, swearing.
“One of these days you are going to have a dagger in your back and you’ll have no one to blame but you!” Kat exclaimed looking round her rooms.
“Yeah well life’s a risk, take it!” Gorathian smiled lazily.
Kat shook her head. She poked her head into all the rooms then returned to her sitting room and small kitchen. All her stuff had arrived and had been unpacked.
“Do you want a hot chocolate?”
“Is that that stuff that’s really sweet but looks like the disgusting stuff you love?”
“Yep I make the best”
“Well I can’t resist go on then”
Kat grinned at him over her shoulder as she set to the stove alight and put a kettle on to boil.
Gorathian settled himself in a squashy armchair and stared into the fire thoughtfully.
“What did he say to you?”
“What did who say to me?” Kat asked as she sat on a chair opposite him waiting fro the water to boil.
“William; who else? Do you think I’m stupid? You went straight to him after the fight just like you did when she died.”
Kat bowed her head.
“Did you seriously think I didn’t know about that or the problems you had with your friends?” He asked leaning over and lifting her chin so she looked him in the eye. “Kat I know better than anyone. You are the pride of the kingdom for your skills in various areas but you can’t cope with your emotions, your friends and family or personal fights. You can have the coolest and calm head in the battlefield and you can deal with problems in an instant but you need to learn to stop running away!”
Kat started to protest but Gorathian waved to her to silence. “You are finally facing the facts now that you came back but you’re a long way from getting over your problems. It’s going to be a long haul,” He warned but then he smiled “But I have faith in you”
Kat jumped up embarrassed and busied herself with the kettle and chocolate. She returned with two steaming mugs. Gorathian accepted one and sipped it quietly staring into the fire. Kat settled into the chair she had previously been sitting on. She sat quietly her thoughts far away.
They sat like that for about ten minutes then Gorathian drained his mug and stood up startling Kat into movement. She collected his mug and finished her drink. Gorathian silently gave her a hug, understanding her need to just go to bed. Then he left. Kat rinsed their mugs, unpacked her clothes, got changed and sank into bed.
The next morning Kat woke at her usual hour of 5:00am. She got dressed into her training clothes of a shirt and breeches. She made herself a coffee and drank it on her balcony staring out across the land; she could see the sea to her right. She then sealed up her door with magic and a new password (Tallen). Kat walked down to the training area and started some warm up exercises. She then went on to practice hand-to-hand combat. She was so absorbed with getting it right that she didn’t notice she had an audience until she heard someone sneeze. So swung around in alarm her hand going to her waist dagger. She relaxed when she saw it was just some teenage boys and one girl.
“Oh hello” she said smiling.
They smiled nervously back then a tall dark skinned boy blurted out “Are you our new Headknight?”
“Yes I am” they all quickly bowed. Kat acknowledge their bow with a nod and said “So what level are you?”
The only girl a tall bright eyed one with straight black hair and tanned skin said “I’m new just a red leveller with the twins over there” she pointed to two identical boys who were identical to her except for the fact that she was a girl and they had short hair “These are my brothers we’re triplets” she said catching Kat’s look. Kat nodded as a small blond boy spoke up “We’re blue levellers” he said pointing to the other boys.
“So… can you introduce your selves then I will introduce myself?” Kat grinned. The pages giggled nervously.
Then the girl piped up “My name is Alyce my brothers are Rorwan and Nicolias.” She then pointed to the blue levellers “The red haired fool is called Ralson, the blond haired short one is Straata and the tall lanky one with blond hair is Katsa or Swiftfeet as we nick name him”
Kat acknowledge each of them then she said “As you know I’m your new training master and my name is Katrine Duchess of Tallen Peak, Advisory and Commander to the King”
All those present gasped then Ralson stuttered “You would know my brother Rals your old friend at school”
“Yes of course I know Rals” Kat said thinking of the fight yesterday “Hey you wouldn’t know where he is right now would you?”
“He should be down here soon he generally practice now with Her Ladyship Hatria and the Prince, we came down here to have a ride then watch them but then we saw you and were amazed your even better that they are and they are the best except for Katrine Of Tallen” Ralson stumbled to a halt blushing “Which is you, of course, I’m so stupid” He looked down shaking his head.
“Don’t beat yourself up about it I’ve been gone a while,” Kat said gently smiling.
He looked up and smiled tentatively at her. She smiled at him and then at the rest of the group who all smiled back. Suddenly she heard footsteps behind her, she swung around her hand going instinctively to her dagger.
“Whoa I can see she still as wary as a before” Alex observed to Hatria and Rals. They nodded. Kat swung away abruptly and said to the levellers “I’ve got to go and ride my horse now so I’ll see you later” all the levellers looked disappointed but curious as the friendship of the four adults was infamous what was wrong? Kat strode towards the stables feeling wretched. She hadn’t meant to be so abrupt but then she hadn’t decided what to do about her friends yet.
Kat was so occupied with her emotions that she didn’t hear the three sets of running feet behind. She had just entered the stables when someone laid a hand on her shoulder. She turned startled to see her friends standing before all with determined expressions on their faces.
“Kat” Alex begun “We need to talk” the other two nodded.
Kat nodded and said “Well saddle up cause I’m going for a ride join me if you want to because I only have 2 hours before I’m due in the castle” she walked down the aisle to Starfire’s stall. Kat didn’t look around to see if they were getting ready but just grabbed her riding saddle and bridle. Starfire was feeling his oats that morning and wouldn’t stand still for her to saddle. Finally she got him ready and walked him outside to where the other three were standing ready. She nodded to them and they mounted.
“Where do you want to ride?” Alex inquired looking at them.
“Across the spine and down to the river” Hatria answered. Rals and Kat nodded their agreement. They all headed off in pairs, Kat and Hatria in front Rals and Alex behind.
They rode in silence for a while. When they hit a wider part of the trail they boys came up to ride next to the girls.
“Kat” Alex begun. Kat opened her mouth. He shook his head. “No don’t say anything for once just shut up and listen” Kat closed her mouth.
“That’s better” Alex nodded approvingly.
“Ok now what we wanted to say is that we didn’t mean to hurt you but when your mum died you closed up and we didn’t know what to do.” Hatria said looking concerned.
“And when you left, we all felt wretched and we wanted follow you but Gorathian stopped us even when we tried to sneak out.” Rals added “He said something about you needed to sort your life out.”
“Alex was very prepared to knock him out” They all smiled at Hatria’s last comment.
“Well what we really wanted to say was that we’re sorry and we don’ want our friendship to suffer because of our stupid mistakes” Hatria said.
Silence fell then Kat looked around at them and said, “Well?”
“Well what?” Alex asked cautious.
“Are you going to say sorry or not?”
They all laughed.
“I’m sorry,” They said in unison that set of another bust of laughter. They were still laughing when they rounded a corner to a clear beside the river.
Kat let a gasp in the clearing was… Filled with people and a huge banner.
“WELCOME HOME OR BACK TAKE YOUR PICK BUT WE DID MISS YOU!”
Kat leapt off Starfire into her friend’s arms.
“Thank you, Thank you!” She gasped, laughing at the banner. They all hugged her and walked to towards the crowd whom of many Kat recognised as many of her friends from the castle. The one person she was really looking out for was her mentor and the knight who had taken her under his wing. Lord Cyriac of Framshire. Kat only had to look once there he was right in front as usual. Not that you could miss him anyway her was about a head taller than anyone with broad, strong shoulders. He swept Kat up into a massive hug and crushed the breath out of her. Next to them they heard small wry man by the name of Riche in his usual irritating way said
“Cy you’re crushing her put her down.” Cyriac or Cy as he was known put Kat down to glare at his companion, who just laughed at him. Kat knew these two better than most although they teased and argued with each other that they were best of friends. Inseparable. Kat shook her head and hugged Riche.
“How are you?”
“Fine and dandy you know me. Although I hear Lion and my brother has roped you into their spy academy?”
“Yeah well you two and I are the best in what is left of the business since Boss died I gave up when it happened so did everyone else apparently. But she was my mother.”
“We all loved her Kat”
“I know but she was so much more than a mother to me. She was my best friend and mentor. She had every possible title and she did so much, titles didn’t matter to her. Well now I am going to continue what she started. I’ll collect the entire network together and put them to work. I’m also going to start an academy for the training of new recruits”
Riche smiled and did a little jig of joy “Most are living off what they have left. Doing their jobs but their heart just isn’t in it.”
Kat smiled and nodded but was distracted by other people wanting to talk to her. She quickly signalled to the boys that they would talk later with the code they had learnt from her mother involving the hands. They both nodded and let her be swept away into the usual tiresome pleasantries. Kat didn’t mind these pleasantries so much because most of the people were her friends but a few were just along for the ride which annoyed her as this was obviously her friends welcoming her back or home.
William gave her quick hug but moved on, as he knew they would have a chance to talk later. Eventually they all sat down on tables that Gorathian decided to cut a couple of trees down for. His excuse was that so long as the tables are here you could have something to sit on. Kat just looked at him when he said that. The rest of the Ring had turned up also. Golbroath, Morsun, Brisna, Leiv, Belra, Landra and Kathrand all hugged her and congratulated her. Everyone sat down to a meal Kathrand had prepared Kathrand was the best cook in the world and had taught Kat everything she knew but Kat was a little rusty. Kat sat with William and members of the Ring. Alex, Hatria and Rals were spread between tables although Cy, Riche and Karian soon decided that they must join Kat’s table. They kept her well entertained as William caught up with the Ring although conversation was very general. Suddenly William stood at the end of the meal.
“Welcome friends we all here to welcome Her Ladyship Katrine of Tallen’s Peak Commander and Advisory to me but she’s more than that she our friend and we all missed her a lot but she back now and I toast you” William raised his glass to her and everyone echoed her name. She raised her glass in acknowledgment and waited him to sit and stop embarrassing her but he didn’t. He apparently had more to say. Kat raised her eyebrow at him but he ignored it and continued talking
“Kat also has been granted the honour of becoming a part of the Disciple hood of Leana” Kat groaned “But she has also become our Headknight and we thank her and wish her luck.”
He sat down as Gorathian rose and presented her with a silver medallion with the symbol on her hand on it.
“Katrine of Tallen Peak we welcome you into Leana arms and we wish you the best my daughter.” As Gorathian said these words and placed the chain around her neck she noticed two blue-white shimmery figure standing near the edge of the trees one she recognised as the spirit of Leana and the other was Alara who nodded and Kat heard a ghostly voice in her head
“You will go far my daughter. I love you” Then they were gone. It only lasted a moment but it was an eternity to Kat.
The rest of the day was spent catching up and dancing on the grass to Hatria’s beautiful singing and Gorathian use his power by having a good band going on in the background. Although there was no instruments or people to play them.
When everyone had finally trickled home early in the afternoon, as there was a ball on that night in the castle in commemoration of William’s coronation he’d been on the throne for seventeen years now and there was a ball on every year to commemorate his coronation.
Kat was finally left with the members of the Ring, Hatria, Rals, Alex, Karian, Riche and Cy. She was discussing the network with Riche and Karian when Alex drifted over. She saw him motion that he wanted to talk so she excused her self and they walked away down the river for a couple of hundred metres and they sat on a boulder. Kat looked at him seriously when they had sat.
“Alright Alex what’s wrong?”
“Well you know how we….” He trailed off motioning with his hands trying to get her to understand. Suddenly she did.
“Alex I love you”
Alex nodded and said “I love you too I always have you have no idea how hard the last few years have been. I missed you so much.”
Kat melted and kissed him softly letting him know what she said was true. Soon after when they were wandering back he asked her if she was coming to the ball. Which she said yes she generally went to functions on her own because Alex had to be all princely and the small talk was so tedious so she snuck off early so know one missed but tonight there would be a lot of people to talk to.
About an hour later she was waiting in her customary blue dress with a silver circlet and a diamond at her throat, Alex waiting next to her. They were in a side room waiting to be announced. The herald announced them and they made their way down the staircase conscious of the silence and the eyes watching her. When they had finally reached the dance floor they moved towards the monarchs at the end of the room to pay their respects. The crowd was continued watching her. She curtsied to William and his wife Genevieve, who inclined their heads in return. Alex bowed and kissed his mother on her cheek.
As Alex and Kat moved away from the dais, the crowd returned to their talk. Gorathian in a flowing white robe and Riche in a scarlet doublet smiled at her as she approached, Alex was swept away to meet dignitaries.
“You look stunning Kat” Gorathian said smiling. “Blue has always suited you”
“Thanks I can see they forced you to look like the old man you are”
“Thanks I appreciate that,” Gorathian said dryly.
“Your welcome” Kat said smiling a saccharine smile.
“Ahem, Kat do you want to dance?” Riche said grinning at her.
“How could I refuse such an offer?” Kat said holding out her arm. They walked toward the dance floor and started to dance. Kat lost herself in remembering the court dance and the way they are danced. She was startled when the music changed. Riche smiled and started to leave the dance floor. Suddenly they were intercept by a smooth rich voice “Ah look who it is, I never thought I would see this orphan wench again”
Kat turned to see the face of her archenemy. Legra of Swordpoint.
“Legra I do believe you’re in our way, I suggest you move or I will move you for you.” Kat said coolly not in the mood for him. Legra was a traditionalist and traditionalists didn’t think women should be knights. So for their years at the academy he had made her life hell all because she was a girl and she was better at everything than him. Now he thought he could insult her.
“Excuse me you haven’t been here for four years, I don’t think you in a position to do anything, you’d be out of practice.”
Kat laughed and flicked a look at Riche who eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Legra you have no idea!” Kat flicked her hand and Legra rose about ten feet of the ground (indignant and childish sounds coming form his mouth) into the air above their heads. The small crowd of onlookers that had formed gasped. Kat flicked her hair and started to walk away with Riche.
“Oh and by the way I still have a father and my mothers with me in spirit, so I think you need to check the definition of orphan and as for the wench bit, well, you should stop describing yourself or someone might pick up on your little secret”.
Kat turned and strode away, the crowd parting for her. When they were about 20 feet from where Legra was hanging in the air Kat waved her hand negligently again and he feel to the ground slowly at first then he just dropped. Some onlookers smiled and others looked shocked. William grinned boyishly until his wife nudged him while hiding a smirk of her own. Kat walked away not caring just glad she had showed Legra up. Gorathian was scowling so she averted her gaze from him and continued to where Alex was standing. He smiled at her and wrapped an arm round her waist.
“You realise that he won’t be happy about this you have made an instant enemy”
“He was already my enemy when I left his feelings haven’t changed, why should my?”
“Umm…because… he’s your co-worker.”
Kat looked at him “You’re kidding right?” She said unsure.
He shook his head.
Kat groaned and swore. “Kat that’s sort of language I hope you didn’t learn from me correction I hope you did learn it from me as I spent much time studying it!” a sparkling baritone voice interrupted them. Kat grinned and turned to see a tall, lanky old man with bright greens eyes with long black hair and a long staff to lean on.
“Katra you know very where I learnt that sort of language and I’m fairly sure you played a huge part in it.”
Katra grinned impishly “Well apparently I taught you well!”
“Yes you did, I now know the outer and more colourful reaches of the language.”
Katra barked his laughter. “Yes well I spent a long time researching that!”
“Don’t we all know it, I swear I’d feel for your family if you had one but I suppose being an old and dirty bachelor would put anyone off!”
“Oh well you don’t have to get offensive about it!” Katra grinned.
“Yeah but you know it true”
“True, true if I had a family they would have taken my research away from me and where would I be now?”
“Happy”
“I don’t know. I was never the settling down type.”
“Sure you aren’t that’s why you haven’t changed your job as a master of the academy for how many years is it now?”
“Sixty”
“Exactly”
“That’s not the point!”
Alex grew bored at this point and noticed Karian had just appeared at his elbow and they started chatting.
The evening progressed uneventful and Kat fell into bed just before midnight.
The next morning after her exercises Kat joined William in his study and learned her duties. After lunch she met the rest of the staff including Legra and Alex. Kat’s old master Katra was also her deputy.
“Hello all I’m sure you all know me. Unfortunately fame precedes me.” All present laughed. “Ok well I’m going to make changes where necessary. I will try to keep with tradition but society has moved on!”
Everyone looked at each other, uncertain. Kat grinned “good they will be on their toes. Nervous and scared”
Kat spent the rest of the meeting listening to request and complaints.
After she wandered over to the throne room where William was holding court. She slipped in the back, unnoticed, as a peasant presented a complaint about the legionnaires (they were carousing and bullying the peasants.) William frowned and noted down the complaint. He suddenly looked to the back and noticed her and smiled then continued to hold court with her watching after an hour he ended the session and everyone trooped out Kat stayed where she was. William sighed and slumped in his seat as Kat slipped up to him. He smiled at her. “I have your first assignment.” He said, “I want you to go and see if that peasant’s claim is correct on the legionnaires report back to me tonight.” Kat nodded “I’ll take Karian, Cy and Riche with me so to cover more ground.” William nodded and she left after telling him to get some sleep she will get Gen to wake him when she came back.
Kat ran back to her rooms and dressed in nondescript but appropriate clothes and then slipped over to the Lords tower and woke the boys. She ran down to her private armoury and picked up a few extra daggers and slipped in to various sheaths on her body. Kat joined the boys by the gate and briefed them on where they were to go and whom they were to observe and interrogate.
Kat watched them leave then she left to a dodgy inn called the Black Sheep she knew in the cheap part of town. She walked through the door and was greeted with some curious looks and some peoples’ eye lighting up in recognition then they hid it with curious looks like everyone else. She smiled and wandered over to the bar.
“Hey George can I have the old usual and a fool for Fred?”
“Cause Kat anything for you”
“Thanks I feel loved and remembered.”
George chuckled and got her, her drinks.
She was joined by a dark tall burly man who smiled at her and she slid a drink across to him he nodded “Cheers”
“Cheers”
They downed them in one.
“So Kat long time no see!”
“Gods I know.”
“What brought you back?”
“I got the job of Headknight.”
“Nice” Fred nodded “So what can a dirty rotten thief like me do for a lady of high calibre like you.” Kat snorted.
“Have you heard of the legionnaires carousing?”
“Haven’t we all” Fred said shaking his head.
“Well to make a long story short I’m investigating what’s been happening.”
“Ok one question does this mean the network is up and running again?”
“Oh yes so can you gather the crew and I’ll meet you tomorrow night at the old place at the old time. The assignments have been set and the stage is ready.”
Fred grinned “Finally something to do I’ve been bored out of my brain without you lot and the crew, the whole network will be there, with a few extras, that are trustworthy and good, they have been P.I’s small scale.”
“Great” Kat smiled “So what can you tell me on the legions?”
“Well they have always been going out on the town on weekends but it got worse after the war they had nothing to do except patrols. So they been bored and they are now thinking they have a huge authority and they really don’t, but they are taking advantage of their profession and the town’s folk are scared!”
Kat nodded grimly “Great thanks”
“Aren’t you their commander now you’re Headknight and that may be part of it, they have had no commander for two months and they think they can get away with it!”
“Oh yes I forgot, I guess I’ll see what I can find tonight then crack down hard on them. They will wish they hadn’t done that.”
“By gods Kat I’ve missed you” Fred laughed “you had better get going I’ll see you later”
“Ok see you”
Kat walked out of the Black Sheep and walked to the better part of the city were the taverns were noisy and crowded. She walked in to the tavern she had allocated herself. The Pixie Pub, “Stupid name” she thought “but it was an extremely popular pub.”
Kat walked in and the first thing she noticed were the legions you could pick them out like a sore thumb. She wandered casually over to a table near the first group keeping her hood up as she knew some of them would recognise her just as she recognised some of them. She ordered a drink but didn’t drink it she was going to be ordering a lot of drinks tonight at various places and she wanted to be able to understand what she heard. The blistering headache in the morning was something she didn’t want tomorrow as it was her first day. Kat listened to the conversation going on behind her and she didn’t like what she heard. She slipped out after a few minutes and moved on to the next pub hearing much the same. She visited two more pubs and she had heard enough. Kat met up with the others outside the gate and compared notes. They all came to the same conclusion. The legions were going to regret this.
Kat reported to William what she had heard and he ordered her to deal with it as it was her job then she sunk into bed feeling worse for wear and dreading the morning.
Did ya like? sorry bout the length i might have to change the placing of my chapters but this will do!!
c-ya phoenix
OK please excuse any offences made to grammer or spelling. because of all the made up names going through spellcheck is hell!!! and i'm posting it to encourage me to write more! so it will probably get worse before it gets better and i need an editpr in cheif and i'm fairly sure one of my mates will compily. but i like comments and reviews and i accept POLITE constuctive critism.
cheers
phoenix
Now to the chapter.
Chapter 1
The knock on the huge wooden door in the early hours of the morning brought a servant running. He wondered briefly what a visitor would be calling at this hour for but then he was a duke’s servant and the duke had many important visitors at all hours.
“I have a message for the Grand Duke of Tallen. Former king’s warrior.” the messenger was a tall brown haired young man with green eyes that danced with laughter. The servant nodded and opened the door wide.
“Come in, come in out of the cold.” beckoned the servant “Katrine lead this man to your fathers study and then wake your father” a young tall willowy tanned girl with long curly dark hair and extraordinary eyes had accompanied the servant to the door. She smiled at him.
“Come on my fathers study is this way” she said walking up the stairs and opening a door on the right of the corridor.
She entered a large panelled room with lots of tapestries and windows the messenger following closely. Katrine wasn’t surprised to see her father already awake and dressed. He would already know about the messenger. She grinned at him sharing the joke; he smiled in his quite way. The messenger entered behind her.
The messenger was deep in thought. So this was the infamous daughter who trained as a knight and then disappeared after her mother had died in battle. He thought to himself. As he rarely visited the dukedoms of the kingdom. The king had surprised all and visited this girl many times since she had left but not many knew that until now. But then this was a daughter of the king’s best friend and she had been visited by the most famous of people when she had been born.
The King, the Queen and most famous of all Gorathian the sorcerer! Although many did not know she was his granddaughter as he was her mother’s father, they did know he was also her teacher. When he visited, he had left a tattoo on Kat’s left wrist, a dragon and horse entwined around a sword.
Gorathian was the first disciple of the God of strength, Leana, the disciple hood of Leana consisted of two sorceress’s Kathrand and more recently Katrine but Kat didn’t know that. Yet. There were seven men, Gorathian, Trolbroath, Morse, Brisna, Leiv, Belra and his twin Landra.
These people were the most powerful people of the world as they were talented people to the extreme, when they said something the whole world listened to them. The other three gods didn’t have disciples instead they had races Fread had the Frians and Hametels, Gyred had Graedians and Revans and Trolard had the Trals and Katans. The Trals lived to the west in the desert lands, Graedians lived in the forest and swamps lands to the south, the Frians and Katans lived everywhere occupying cities and towns in between the other races. The Revans occupied the desert wastelands to the far south and the few islands. The Hametels occupied islands and were traditionally neutral in any wars or political struggles. The Trals were traditionally nomads but some had settled down and now there were two main cities of the Trals: Kora and Trolf. Trals bred hardy horses and they were forever on the move. The Trals, Frians and Katans lived in peace with each other but the Greadians, Revans were bent on gaining more land, so the Trals, Katans and Frians were constantly at war with Greadians and Revans who, having the advantage of being the largest races and having the characteristics of being huge, tough and hardy are defeated regularly, But only because the other races had the advantage of numbers, and they were united under the one king, King William. When the Trals and Frians went to war the Frians were the navy, the Trals were the cavalry and the Katans the army. It had always been like this since the races were divided. Frians ships were hardy and fast and their men were traditionally not afraid of anything so they made good seamen. The Trals while being traditionally the most devious race, having the nest spy network also had the best knights and horsemen giving them a huge advantage as Graedians didn’t ride very well.
The Ring had always being the protection and basic generals as the races weren’t the worlds greatest tacticians and generally these wars were between gods and the Ring were always in direct contact with Leana. The other races such as elves, dwarves, merpeople, giants and fairy folk like pixies are all loyal to Leana and the Ring. This made them the best army as they not only had powers but they forged the best weapons.
The messenger followed Kat through the door and saw the duke and his daughter standing next to each other. There was surprisingly no resemblance except for the eyes they had each other’s steady hazel eyes usually. But Kat’s were a little more remarkable as they changed colour to suit her mood.
Roald bowed deeply to the messenger who had dropped his hood “Welcome Alexander I thought you had forgotten us”
“Forget you Baldy? Never!” Alex grinned cheekily “but call me Alex please I hate Alexander as you full well know!”
Kat gasped and turned away from her former lover. She did not want to see him, it was too painful.
“I see William has yet to teach you manners,” the duke observed dryly.
“Oh he has but I let them lax in face of old friends” Alex smiled indulgently.
Roald sighed and said “So what does the heir to the throne and the thrones itself want with an old retiree and his family?”
Alexander or Alex as he was known was the prince of the realm. His father King William was Kat’s godsfather. William had visited earlier that year and when he had returned to court he could not stop raving about Kat. Her knight skills and prowess with sorcery had not faltered when she had left because she had kept up the training but what he forgot to mention was her flawless beauty. When she was training to be a knight the men tripped over themselves to be her partner at balls but she had always gone alone in her regal way. No one thought she would fall for someone. She had and not for anyone but the Prince himself who had fallen just as hard for her, when she had left she had left him and he was inconsolable for months. It had taken Gorathian to explain something before Alex would calm down.
Kat was smiled sadly at that exchange between Alex and her Father. She remembered him as a young cheeky faced boy then as her best friend in school when she had trained in the castle but Kat avoided thinking about that, it brought too many memories of her mother who was killed in battle between Grean and Lorna.
Her mother was a Queen’s warrior woman who was trained to protect the Queen but she was also a knight, one of the few women who trained to be a knight. Kat had also had trained to be a knight when she had completed her training she was 17 and knighted when her mother died. 3 days after the King knighted her. Kat never used her title (although she had topped her class and had the highest of Knights titles the Commander and Advisory to the King) and she joined her lands to her fathers because they bordered each other and tried to forget her best friends, Alex and everyone else whom had lived and trained with her. She had tried to forget her past. Now it was here. She turned away, tears springing to her eyes, the memories hurt too much.
Roald looked at her sympathetically “What is it you have come to ask? As you are obviously not here for a social visit”
Alex looked at her in concern just wanting to take her in his arms and never let go. He took a deep breath.
“I have come to ask Kat if she will assume her position and titles but also become Headknight of the academy,” he said looking at her; she returned his look with a sigh they knew each other to well, he wanted her to return. Something she wasn’t sure she could do; she knew he missed her, hell, she missed everyone.
Kat turned away breaking the moment
“Let me think about this” was all she said before she walked out. Alex looked to Roald who sighed and spread his hands
“She’ll be back for dinner with her answer hopefully. Just leave her, this is a hard decision to return to the palace; too many memories of Alara lurk there, they were so close she hasn’t yet recovered. That’s why she came here after the funeral, Alara had never come because we had only just finished building the castle so there was no memories for Kat to skirt but I know she miss’s you and all her friends maybe she will say yes!”
Roald left him to his thoughts. So much had changed Kat but she must come back it wasn’t the same without her; everyone missed her spark. He thought sadly he missed her the most. They had always been close, hell he had loved her, he still did and he had just spent four year without seeing her and he felt guilty somehow but he didn’t know why. Kat and Alara were always the closest anyone could be and it had hurt Kat more than anything when she died.
Kat left the castle and saddled her horse Starfire (He was a spectacular chestnut with a blaze and four white socks. He had been bred by the Trals was on of the best stallions ever bred or so they said.) quietly as a groom was only in the next stall, she crept out and went for a gallop to clear her head. When she stopped she had arrived in her lands at a lake where she came regularly to swim and relax. By the time she had arrived she had thought it out and decided that he mother would have wanted her daughter to be happy and this is what would make Kat happy, being Headknight. Kat also wanted to see her friends and relatives that lived at the castle including her teacher and grandfather Gorathian the sorcerer. This is what Kat needed to do to face her grief and win.
Kat rode back quickly as the light was fading and her father would be worried. When she arrived she quickly handed her reins to a groom and raced up to her room where she washed and put on a sky blue gown with a white silver necklace with a small emerald hanging from it. Then she added a silver circlet to her hair and then she hurried down to the dining hall where Roald and Alex were waiting.
They were seated when Kat arrived. “Sorry” she said regally.
“You know that tardiness kills people Kat” Alex quipped repeating what they were taught at the K.A (Knights Academy) She always had a certain regal ness about her he thought looking at her.
Kat glared at him knowing he was uncomfortable and was trying to make it like the old times
“I know full well that code but if I remember correctly you never grasped it fully you were even late to your Knighting on you birthday”
Alex groaned knowing she had got him there but there was no real feeling in it he was still stunned at her beauty. For the second time he thought of how much she had changed. She had grown up much in the past four years since Alara’s death. Although she used to be pretty she had grown into a beautiful woman who was totally flawless. A spitting image of Alara except for the eyes her eyes changed with her mood. Everyone thought they were wonderful. Alex was mesmerised. Roald watched them knowingly.
Suddenly she jumped up and ran outside. Alex and Roald looked at each other bewildered then they too followed her. When they arrived they saw a huge scarlet dragon to which Kat shouting at ”You sly old dog” suddenly it shimmered and a old man with a long white hair and short beard which was a interesting contrast but it also marked him this was the most powerful man in the world… Gorathian. Kat glared at him
“Stop shouting Kat” he said irritably “And don’t glare at me like that don’t you realise I did it to annoy you”
“Yeah well you achieved your goal” Kat glared at him then gave him a huge hug “I’ve missed you grandfather”
He looked startled but gratified “I’ve missed you to Katrine”
Alex and Roald exchanged a look this was a different side to Gorathian was for all his power he always appeared to be a grumpy irritable old man who rarely showed affection for anyone and loved his ale and was rarely seen without a tankard.
“What are you here for Gorathian?” Roald asked after they had broken apart.
“To talk to Kat but I was waiting for her decision before I revealed my self” he replied. ”That’s what she was yelling at me for, now is any one going to offer me and ale or am I going to have to waste my energy and get it myself?”
“Waste the energy and come up to the castle,” Kat said dismissively. Gorathian grinned at her and a tankard appeared in his hand and he took a long swig from it as they swaggered up the hill. Kat sighed. Arguing with Gorathian about his habits was a cornerstone of their relationship. He knew just what to do to irritate her.
Kat and Gorathian talked about the sorcery he had just performed. When he explained how he had hid she burst out laughing making him feel a little sheepish. Alex listened carefully as he had a talent, which is specialised to one limited area whereas sorcery is a broad range of magic basically but Alex had a rare talent in which he had a combination of talents plus the general area, which is just basic stuff, like lighting candles. The reason he had the extra talent was because he was heir to the throne, all royalty and their heir had had a combined talents although the talents themselves varied. Alex himself had a combination of battle magic and healer, which he thought was ironic.
They returned to the dining hall and started on dinner, which had been kept warm for them.
When they had seated themselves and had started eating Kat turned to Gorathian
“So what are you really doing here you haven’t yet answer me and I know you have a talent for avoiding questions!”
Gorathian glared at her reproachfully as he chewed and swallowed but she just stared calmly straight back at him.
Roald and Alex grinned at each other knowing how close these two were if you wanted a straight answer from anyone Kat could get it. But Gorathian was a different matter entirely his old mind was quick and cunning and only Kat could fathom it as he had taught her everything. Because of this they had very similar minds. It helped to be as close to him as she was but she was his student and granddaughter so it was not surprising.
Gorathian sighed, “I need to tell you something”
“Ok what is it?” Kat asked not really expecting what the answer would be.
“My Mistress has asked my to tell you that you have been given a place in our hood in short you’re a disciple of Leana”
Kat nearly fainted what ever she had expected this was not it. She was speechless no words could describe how she was feeling.
Gorathian smiled “That shut her up”
But he nodded understanding what she was feeling despite his words. Kat was stunned this was great honour and pleasure. She wasn’t stunned enough not to give Gorathian withering look though he noticed.
“It was you destiny to become a disciple but we didn’t think it would be so soon but the Mistress obviously has plans for you” Gorathian explained smiling.
Kat just nodded not trusting herself to speak.
“You will still become headknight at the palace you just have an extra title that’s all and you will have a tower in the Ring of Life our sacred valley well its sacred but not secret I never get a moments peace sometimes when I’m there”
Kat grinned and began to eat again. The moment was broken.
While he was between mouthfuls Roald asked “She took that quite calmly is that normal? I mean did everyone else take it that calmly?”
Gorathian thought for a bit then nodded “Everybody took it differently I took it calmly but Brisna was hyper. It differed from person to person”
Roald nodded then suddenly burst out laughing Kat looked at him and understood and she then cracked and started to laugh. Alex and Gorathian just looked confused till Kat choked” I have just been given the biggest honour and joy of a lifetime and he’s asking question like it was classroom” at that she let go another peal of laughter as Alex and her grandfather caught on. Suddenly the hall’s high ceiling was ringing in laughter.
The servants looked in confused; who just made them laugh harder. They eventually calmed down and finished their dinner. The men hung over their drinks while Kat left them to go and pack.
She reached her room she leant against the door the events of the night overwhelming her. Suddenly she smiled and in that small smile the whole tension and ceremony of the evening was relieved.
Kat packed turning things over in her head. She was to become Headknight and teach a new era which was exciting but it also meant she would have to face her demons and she wasn’t sure she was ready. Alex turning up clearly showed he still loved her no matter what. She just wanted throw herself into his arms and feel safe but she wasn’t so sure she could. Kat mulled these things over while she completed her packing. Then she went to bed head buzzing.
Kat was alone in the dining hall eating breakfast, she was no morning person, and everyone knew not to talk to her until lunch.
Alex walked in and nodded to her knowing she wouldn’t be in the mood for chat. Alex sighed and sat down pulling a bowl of porridge to him and the milk jug. Kat grabbed a cup of the bitter, sweet beans that melt into a hot drink called coffee. Kat loved it she drank it in the gallons. She and Alex had always disagreed on this. He hated the stuff and thought it disgusting but she had loved it from the day she had tried it for a knight’s dare, everyone had thought she would hate it and spit it out but she didn’t and Rals of Trone had to pay her 20golds. It was the best laugh the floor had had in years. Rals hadn’t spoken to her for a week then he forgave her because he, Alex and Hatria were her best friends and they were the top of their intake, they knew more about sorcery and fighting than most and they were the pride of the kingdom until Kat left then they all just…
Alex wretched his thoughts away from that, Kat was here now and she was coming back, thanks to his father and his great ideas. Kat got up, Alex looked up startled
“I’m going to grab my stuff we leave in an hour.”
Alex nodded and watched her as she left. Then he returned to his porridge mulling over events.
They were soon ready to leave. Roald came out to say goodbye. Kat kissed him and told him not to worry. Then she leapt onto Starfire. She blew her father another kiss before she galloped down the drive. She halted briefly and lifted an arm to Roald who returned the gesture as she wheeled around and galloped onwards, Gorathian and Alex following. Roald sighed, she had always been a fiery one but when he mother had died something in Kat had died with her.
********
Kat slowed once they had left Tallen. Tallen wasn’t actually far from the capital. It would take then the rest of the day to get there but they would be there by nightfall. Kat and Alex rode along beside each other companionably chatting about their past experiences and the future the only subject they avoided was Kat’s knighting. When they stopped for lunch Kat decided to go for a swim in the pool nearby it was pool they had come to when they were blue levellers (trainee knights the level they are on is decided by the colour they are wearing the lowest is Red then Blue then Green when the trainees who are on these levels are called pages. Bronze where they are classified as squires but have no knight masters they just complete their lessons and finally Silver on this level they are squires with knight masters this level is mostly training and field work they then undergo trials to get their knighthood) Kat stripped of to the band she wore around her breasts and the small underwear she wore when in armour because huge ladies underwear was cumbersome and this was easier to carry and wear under causal clothing. Her and Hatria had designed the underwear and they often swan in it cause it dried quickly and it was easy to swim in without having to get completely undressed and being the only girls out of 40 boys it just made life easy, the boys didn’t mind swimming with them so long as they wore that and modesty was preserved on both sides as the boys wore shorts. Alex followed her down to the pool after he collected wood and jumped in splashing her. Kat laughed and splashed him. Then she swum up and kissed him cheekily. This was her way of letting him know. He looked at her in surprise and delight before he powered after her and caught her in his arms, quietly in her ear he said “Lets do that again properly”
She turned in his arm and murmured “I’d thought you’d never realise”
Kat don’t know how long it lasted but she knew she would never forget it.
When they arrived back to where they had tethered the horses a sharp-faced man was seated next to Gorathian on the grass.
Gorathian looked up “Hi how was your swim?”
“Fine” Kat not expanding but looked pointedly at the man seated next to him
“Oh this is Karian or Lightfeet as he is known Karian this is His highness Prince Alex and my student her Ladyship is Katrine Lady Knight of the Realm, Commander and advisory to the King”
Karian got up and bowed to them and then said to Gorathian “Which one is Phoenix?”
“Kat”
Karian nodded thoughtfully “Know anything about spying Phoenix?”
Kat looked startled and nodded finding her voice she said, “My father taught me as he is a spy mage and I spent the majority of my time as a leveller working for mum I was one of the top, don’t I know you; your Riche’s brother!”
Lightfeet nodded “Yes Riche and I are twins he will be helping us a lot and his huge companion also like I could separate them anyway. I don’t know if Lion here has briefed you…” Gorathian shook his head
“Ok well what he wants is for you to head the network again I know your mum was the head bit we need some one with your talent. We also want to start an academy to train the up and coming.”
He said this all very fast but Kat understood although Alex was looking a bit lost.
Kat nodded “I can see we are going to have to do some organising when we start riding ride next to me and we can talk but right now I need lunch”
They got food from their bags and ate then they set out again Karian and Kat in front Gorathian and Alex behind. Kat and Lightfeet rode heads bent together discussing their plans and Gorathian did some useful eavesdropping to make sure they were doing what he wanted. Alex rode in a half doze. After they had ridden for about an hour Kat and Karian had decided the basics for the academy and they were a bit bored of talking, Kat turned to Alex
“Wake up sleepyhead I’ll race you” Alex’s head jerked up at that. Kat laughed, “Ready… set…are you ready?” Kat moved forward suddenly Alex just stood there “Your not ready” Kat said with a smile and then she kicked Starfire and was off and racing Alex gave a yell and urged Gold forward Gold responded by breaking into a gallop and soon they were gaining on Kat who was just cantering cheekily but when Alex came up beside her she and Starfire surged forward. They were head to head when Kat yelled at Alex
“Finishing line is that corner” Alex nodded to show he understood and they continued. Starfire gave one last surge and they were ahead as they raced around the corner. Kat stopped and turned in her saddle
“That’s right who’s got the skill?” she teased him. Alex sulked for a bit about. Then he saw where they were they were on the crest before Kora.
“How did you do that?” He demanded.
“I didn’t feel a thing and I am sensitive to sorcery” She smiled mysteriously.
“Fine keep your secrets” Alex laughed
“I will”
“Grr”
They both laughed as Karian and Gorathian came bounding up.
“Kat what did I tell you about that” Gorathian growled
Kat sobered up “It was easier than doing what you were doing why you did it the slow way I will never know”
“Yes well mine was subtle at least; you alerted the whole forest to our position do you realise that we were being followed?” Gorathian demanded.
“I realised it but as you obviously didn’t realise that the person who is following us is Hatria and Rals they’d been following as soon as we left I’m just leading them on.”
Gorathian looked ashamed. Kat nodded, satisfied.
Then she turned to the seemingly empty road and called
“Alright you can come out I knew you were there from the beginning when Alex arrived he didn’t arrive alone. I was wondering where you had got to”
Two riders appeared from nowhere looking sheepish.
Kat swung off her horse “Aren’t you going to give me a hug or have I been rejected?”
Hatria yelled, “Katrine of Tallen the day we forget you is they day we forget our heads” as she leapt off her horse and gave her friend a fierce hug. Kat smiled sadly over Hatria’s shoulder. When Hatria finally let her go; Rals came forward in his gruff way he said
“Hat and I have missed you Kitty Kat” he used a pet name that had been a joke between them and her mum. Kat lowered her head tears springing to her eyes.
“Oh Kat I’m sorry” Rals whispered embarrassed. He put his arm around her shoulders she hid her face in his shoulder. Alex and Hat crowed round and comforted her Gorathian and Karian looked on in sympathy and concern. After a while Kat looked up her eyes dry but the sadness had not left them. Hat gave her another hug “We always there for you Kat just remember that”
Kat looked at her in surprise “I never forgot it”
“Yes you did, the day you left without a word to any of us, us you best friends and companions, we all loved Alara and we know you were especially close but still we all lost heart when you left and now…” Hatria left it hanging. Kat looked at all of them.
“Is this how you all feel” she whispered they nodded. She turned and walked slowly away then she swung up onto Starfire then she kicked him into a canter then she stopped at where they were all standing; confused.
“If that’s the way you feel how the hell did you think I felt when you all ignored me after I saw the king about giving up my mothers’ title which I inherited? Did you even think I might have wanted to talk and have fun like normal? Just to have friends to talk to have fun with you like she would have wanted me to? Did you even think? I left because I thought it was the right thing to do I left to find help to cope because no one else would help! I left because you deserted me in when I needed you most! Happy! I left because my life was in ruins and I was alone to build it again, how the hell did think that felt? Well you know what I have rebuilt it without your help so if you want to cleanse yourselves of guilty feelings, stop, its not going to work.”
Starfire reared and raced away leaving five desolate figures in the settling dust. Kat didn’t stop running until she arrived at the city gates then she slowed. She pulled he cloak on and put her hood up so no one would recognise her, then she rode through a place the last time she had seen was in the dead of the night on the night she left. William had let her through the gates and kissed her goodbye saying he would come and visit her.
Kat followed a route she knew well and soon she was at the palace gates, which were open so she rode right in and up to the knight stables that lined a courtyard on the edge of the palace. She dismounted and handed her reins to a waiting stableboy whose eyes bulged but he took Starfire away silently as his training decreed that he must not say anything unless he was given permission.
Kat walked through an archway and followed the corridor until she arrived at the Kings study. She knocked loudly.
“Yes, who is it?” a voice asked, tired.
“An old friend’s daughter returning on orders” Kat answered. She heard the door wrench open and a tall broad shouldered gruff man was standing in front of her.
“Kat” he said hugging her. “Long time no see”
King William of Lorna held her at arms length.
“Come in come in” He said beckoning after he had given her the once over and let her go.
Kat followed him in but she baulked at the doorway it looked exactly the same as it did the night she left except for one thing in the corner was obviously a shield with its cover on. William glanced at it.
“I kept it for you”
Kat nodded moving over to it. She lifted the cover and gasped. On the shield was and exact replica of she the scar on her hand but the horse looked like Starfire and the dragon was magnificent. Behind in the background, were her mother’s arms on one side and her fathers on the other. She let out strangled sob it was still to hard for her cope. William gathered her into his arms.
“I’m sorry but remember Alara helped with the design and it was her who went to the elves to make it.”
Kat looked down “I miss her so much, Will; no one understands I just had a fight with Hat, Rals and Alex.”
William nodded “Its ok Kat remember you told me how it was when she died with them”
Kat looked away “I told them how I felt and then I raced away.”
William put his arms around her shoulders and gave them a squeeze. “It will be alright I promise but use this shield and your mother’s sword” Kat looked at him in surprise “I kept her sword so you can use it, your own sword is well enough for its elvan finery but Alara’s sword has real power to ensure your protection, she told me to give it to you”
Kat nodded briskly “I’ve been living in my grief for too long its time for me to move on just as mother would have wanted me to.”
William nodded approvingly and moved to stand on the other side of his desk. “Then I give you your orders, you must move into the masters apartment which I hope you remember where it is” Kat nodded. William nodded in return as he handed he a sheaf of papers.
Kat turned to go. “Umm Kat” William said
“Yes?” she turned around inquiringly. William looked pointedly at the shield and sword. Kat gulped then picked them up and started to leave William again cleared his throat Kat sighed and turned to see William holding out yet another sheaf of papers.
“You’ll need these to start and I will meet you in you office to show you the ropes the day after tomorrow I have something else on tomorrow. Although I think I might have very little you don’t know. The boys have begun to trickle in as term starts in two days”
“Thank-you I will see you later.” Kat said as she left.
**********
When Kat arrived at her rooms there was something wrong with the standard magic seal that was placed on all doors in the palace the only way to get in was with the key and word, But this door had been tampered with it was subtle tamper but Kat with her skill in that area noticed it. She drew a dagger from her boot and opened the door with a whispered password (Master has arrived) and the key. She pushed at it with her foot cautiously suddenly it swung open to reveal Gorathian standing there laughing in her face. She scowled and sheathed her dagger and stormed past him, swearing.
“One of these days you are going to have a dagger in your back and you’ll have no one to blame but you!” Kat exclaimed looking round her rooms.
“Yeah well life’s a risk, take it!” Gorathian smiled lazily.
Kat shook her head. She poked her head into all the rooms then returned to her sitting room and small kitchen. All her stuff had arrived and had been unpacked.
“Do you want a hot chocolate?”
“Is that that stuff that’s really sweet but looks like the disgusting stuff you love?”
“Yep I make the best”
“Well I can’t resist go on then”
Kat grinned at him over her shoulder as she set to the stove alight and put a kettle on to boil.
Gorathian settled himself in a squashy armchair and stared into the fire thoughtfully.
“What did he say to you?”
“What did who say to me?” Kat asked as she sat on a chair opposite him waiting fro the water to boil.
“William; who else? Do you think I’m stupid? You went straight to him after the fight just like you did when she died.”
Kat bowed her head.
“Did you seriously think I didn’t know about that or the problems you had with your friends?” He asked leaning over and lifting her chin so she looked him in the eye. “Kat I know better than anyone. You are the pride of the kingdom for your skills in various areas but you can’t cope with your emotions, your friends and family or personal fights. You can have the coolest and calm head in the battlefield and you can deal with problems in an instant but you need to learn to stop running away!”
Kat started to protest but Gorathian waved to her to silence. “You are finally facing the facts now that you came back but you’re a long way from getting over your problems. It’s going to be a long haul,” He warned but then he smiled “But I have faith in you”
Kat jumped up embarrassed and busied herself with the kettle and chocolate. She returned with two steaming mugs. Gorathian accepted one and sipped it quietly staring into the fire. Kat settled into the chair she had previously been sitting on. She sat quietly her thoughts far away.
They sat like that for about ten minutes then Gorathian drained his mug and stood up startling Kat into movement. She collected his mug and finished her drink. Gorathian silently gave her a hug, understanding her need to just go to bed. Then he left. Kat rinsed their mugs, unpacked her clothes, got changed and sank into bed.
The next morning Kat woke at her usual hour of 5:00am. She got dressed into her training clothes of a shirt and breeches. She made herself a coffee and drank it on her balcony staring out across the land; she could see the sea to her right. She then sealed up her door with magic and a new password (Tallen). Kat walked down to the training area and started some warm up exercises. She then went on to practice hand-to-hand combat. She was so absorbed with getting it right that she didn’t notice she had an audience until she heard someone sneeze. So swung around in alarm her hand going to her waist dagger. She relaxed when she saw it was just some teenage boys and one girl.
“Oh hello” she said smiling.
They smiled nervously back then a tall dark skinned boy blurted out “Are you our new Headknight?”
“Yes I am” they all quickly bowed. Kat acknowledge their bow with a nod and said “So what level are you?”
The only girl a tall bright eyed one with straight black hair and tanned skin said “I’m new just a red leveller with the twins over there” she pointed to two identical boys who were identical to her except for the fact that she was a girl and they had short hair “These are my brothers we’re triplets” she said catching Kat’s look. Kat nodded as a small blond boy spoke up “We’re blue levellers” he said pointing to the other boys.
“So… can you introduce your selves then I will introduce myself?” Kat grinned. The pages giggled nervously.
Then the girl piped up “My name is Alyce my brothers are Rorwan and Nicolias.” She then pointed to the blue levellers “The red haired fool is called Ralson, the blond haired short one is Straata and the tall lanky one with blond hair is Katsa or Swiftfeet as we nick name him”
Kat acknowledge each of them then she said “As you know I’m your new training master and my name is Katrine Duchess of Tallen Peak, Advisory and Commander to the King”
All those present gasped then Ralson stuttered “You would know my brother Rals your old friend at school”
“Yes of course I know Rals” Kat said thinking of the fight yesterday “Hey you wouldn’t know where he is right now would you?”
“He should be down here soon he generally practice now with Her Ladyship Hatria and the Prince, we came down here to have a ride then watch them but then we saw you and were amazed your even better that they are and they are the best except for Katrine Of Tallen” Ralson stumbled to a halt blushing “Which is you, of course, I’m so stupid” He looked down shaking his head.
“Don’t beat yourself up about it I’ve been gone a while,” Kat said gently smiling.
He looked up and smiled tentatively at her. She smiled at him and then at the rest of the group who all smiled back. Suddenly she heard footsteps behind her, she swung around her hand going instinctively to her dagger.
“Whoa I can see she still as wary as a before” Alex observed to Hatria and Rals. They nodded. Kat swung away abruptly and said to the levellers “I’ve got to go and ride my horse now so I’ll see you later” all the levellers looked disappointed but curious as the friendship of the four adults was infamous what was wrong? Kat strode towards the stables feeling wretched. She hadn’t meant to be so abrupt but then she hadn’t decided what to do about her friends yet.
Kat was so occupied with her emotions that she didn’t hear the three sets of running feet behind. She had just entered the stables when someone laid a hand on her shoulder. She turned startled to see her friends standing before all with determined expressions on their faces.
“Kat” Alex begun “We need to talk” the other two nodded.
Kat nodded and said “Well saddle up cause I’m going for a ride join me if you want to because I only have 2 hours before I’m due in the castle” she walked down the aisle to Starfire’s stall. Kat didn’t look around to see if they were getting ready but just grabbed her riding saddle and bridle. Starfire was feeling his oats that morning and wouldn’t stand still for her to saddle. Finally she got him ready and walked him outside to where the other three were standing ready. She nodded to them and they mounted.
“Where do you want to ride?” Alex inquired looking at them.
“Across the spine and down to the river” Hatria answered. Rals and Kat nodded their agreement. They all headed off in pairs, Kat and Hatria in front Rals and Alex behind.
They rode in silence for a while. When they hit a wider part of the trail they boys came up to ride next to the girls.
“Kat” Alex begun. Kat opened her mouth. He shook his head. “No don’t say anything for once just shut up and listen” Kat closed her mouth.
“That’s better” Alex nodded approvingly.
“Ok now what we wanted to say is that we didn’t mean to hurt you but when your mum died you closed up and we didn’t know what to do.” Hatria said looking concerned.
“And when you left, we all felt wretched and we wanted follow you but Gorathian stopped us even when we tried to sneak out.” Rals added “He said something about you needed to sort your life out.”
“Alex was very prepared to knock him out” They all smiled at Hatria’s last comment.
“Well what we really wanted to say was that we’re sorry and we don’ want our friendship to suffer because of our stupid mistakes” Hatria said.
Silence fell then Kat looked around at them and said, “Well?”
“Well what?” Alex asked cautious.
“Are you going to say sorry or not?”
They all laughed.
“I’m sorry,” They said in unison that set of another bust of laughter. They were still laughing when they rounded a corner to a clear beside the river.
Kat let a gasp in the clearing was… Filled with people and a huge banner.
“WELCOME HOME OR BACK TAKE YOUR PICK BUT WE DID MISS YOU!”
Kat leapt off Starfire into her friend’s arms.
“Thank you, Thank you!” She gasped, laughing at the banner. They all hugged her and walked to towards the crowd whom of many Kat recognised as many of her friends from the castle. The one person she was really looking out for was her mentor and the knight who had taken her under his wing. Lord Cyriac of Framshire. Kat only had to look once there he was right in front as usual. Not that you could miss him anyway her was about a head taller than anyone with broad, strong shoulders. He swept Kat up into a massive hug and crushed the breath out of her. Next to them they heard small wry man by the name of Riche in his usual irritating way said
“Cy you’re crushing her put her down.” Cyriac or Cy as he was known put Kat down to glare at his companion, who just laughed at him. Kat knew these two better than most although they teased and argued with each other that they were best of friends. Inseparable. Kat shook her head and hugged Riche.
“How are you?”
“Fine and dandy you know me. Although I hear Lion and my brother has roped you into their spy academy?”
“Yeah well you two and I are the best in what is left of the business since Boss died I gave up when it happened so did everyone else apparently. But she was my mother.”
“We all loved her Kat”
“I know but she was so much more than a mother to me. She was my best friend and mentor. She had every possible title and she did so much, titles didn’t matter to her. Well now I am going to continue what she started. I’ll collect the entire network together and put them to work. I’m also going to start an academy for the training of new recruits”
Riche smiled and did a little jig of joy “Most are living off what they have left. Doing their jobs but their heart just isn’t in it.”
Kat smiled and nodded but was distracted by other people wanting to talk to her. She quickly signalled to the boys that they would talk later with the code they had learnt from her mother involving the hands. They both nodded and let her be swept away into the usual tiresome pleasantries. Kat didn’t mind these pleasantries so much because most of the people were her friends but a few were just along for the ride which annoyed her as this was obviously her friends welcoming her back or home.
William gave her quick hug but moved on, as he knew they would have a chance to talk later. Eventually they all sat down on tables that Gorathian decided to cut a couple of trees down for. His excuse was that so long as the tables are here you could have something to sit on. Kat just looked at him when he said that. The rest of the Ring had turned up also. Golbroath, Morsun, Brisna, Leiv, Belra, Landra and Kathrand all hugged her and congratulated her. Everyone sat down to a meal Kathrand had prepared Kathrand was the best cook in the world and had taught Kat everything she knew but Kat was a little rusty. Kat sat with William and members of the Ring. Alex, Hatria and Rals were spread between tables although Cy, Riche and Karian soon decided that they must join Kat’s table. They kept her well entertained as William caught up with the Ring although conversation was very general. Suddenly William stood at the end of the meal.
“Welcome friends we all here to welcome Her Ladyship Katrine of Tallen’s Peak Commander and Advisory to me but she’s more than that she our friend and we all missed her a lot but she back now and I toast you” William raised his glass to her and everyone echoed her name. She raised her glass in acknowledgment and waited him to sit and stop embarrassing her but he didn’t. He apparently had more to say. Kat raised her eyebrow at him but he ignored it and continued talking
“Kat also has been granted the honour of becoming a part of the Disciple hood of Leana” Kat groaned “But she has also become our Headknight and we thank her and wish her luck.”
He sat down as Gorathian rose and presented her with a silver medallion with the symbol on her hand on it.
“Katrine of Tallen Peak we welcome you into Leana arms and we wish you the best my daughter.” As Gorathian said these words and placed the chain around her neck she noticed two blue-white shimmery figure standing near the edge of the trees one she recognised as the spirit of Leana and the other was Alara who nodded and Kat heard a ghostly voice in her head
“You will go far my daughter. I love you” Then they were gone. It only lasted a moment but it was an eternity to Kat.
The rest of the day was spent catching up and dancing on the grass to Hatria’s beautiful singing and Gorathian use his power by having a good band going on in the background. Although there was no instruments or people to play them.
When everyone had finally trickled home early in the afternoon, as there was a ball on that night in the castle in commemoration of William’s coronation he’d been on the throne for seventeen years now and there was a ball on every year to commemorate his coronation.
Kat was finally left with the members of the Ring, Hatria, Rals, Alex, Karian, Riche and Cy. She was discussing the network with Riche and Karian when Alex drifted over. She saw him motion that he wanted to talk so she excused her self and they walked away down the river for a couple of hundred metres and they sat on a boulder. Kat looked at him seriously when they had sat.
“Alright Alex what’s wrong?”
“Well you know how we….” He trailed off motioning with his hands trying to get her to understand. Suddenly she did.
“Alex I love you”
Alex nodded and said “I love you too I always have you have no idea how hard the last few years have been. I missed you so much.”
Kat melted and kissed him softly letting him know what she said was true. Soon after when they were wandering back he asked her if she was coming to the ball. Which she said yes she generally went to functions on her own because Alex had to be all princely and the small talk was so tedious so she snuck off early so know one missed but tonight there would be a lot of people to talk to.
About an hour later she was waiting in her customary blue dress with a silver circlet and a diamond at her throat, Alex waiting next to her. They were in a side room waiting to be announced. The herald announced them and they made their way down the staircase conscious of the silence and the eyes watching her. When they had finally reached the dance floor they moved towards the monarchs at the end of the room to pay their respects. The crowd was continued watching her. She curtsied to William and his wife Genevieve, who inclined their heads in return. Alex bowed and kissed his mother on her cheek.
As Alex and Kat moved away from the dais, the crowd returned to their talk. Gorathian in a flowing white robe and Riche in a scarlet doublet smiled at her as she approached, Alex was swept away to meet dignitaries.
“You look stunning Kat” Gorathian said smiling. “Blue has always suited you”
“Thanks I can see they forced you to look like the old man you are”
“Thanks I appreciate that,” Gorathian said dryly.
“Your welcome” Kat said smiling a saccharine smile.
“Ahem, Kat do you want to dance?” Riche said grinning at her.
“How could I refuse such an offer?” Kat said holding out her arm. They walked toward the dance floor and started to dance. Kat lost herself in remembering the court dance and the way they are danced. She was startled when the music changed. Riche smiled and started to leave the dance floor. Suddenly they were intercept by a smooth rich voice “Ah look who it is, I never thought I would see this orphan wench again”
Kat turned to see the face of her archenemy. Legra of Swordpoint.
“Legra I do believe you’re in our way, I suggest you move or I will move you for you.” Kat said coolly not in the mood for him. Legra was a traditionalist and traditionalists didn’t think women should be knights. So for their years at the academy he had made her life hell all because she was a girl and she was better at everything than him. Now he thought he could insult her.
“Excuse me you haven’t been here for four years, I don’t think you in a position to do anything, you’d be out of practice.”
Kat laughed and flicked a look at Riche who eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Legra you have no idea!” Kat flicked her hand and Legra rose about ten feet of the ground (indignant and childish sounds coming form his mouth) into the air above their heads. The small crowd of onlookers that had formed gasped. Kat flicked her hair and started to walk away with Riche.
“Oh and by the way I still have a father and my mothers with me in spirit, so I think you need to check the definition of orphan and as for the wench bit, well, you should stop describing yourself or someone might pick up on your little secret”.
Kat turned and strode away, the crowd parting for her. When they were about 20 feet from where Legra was hanging in the air Kat waved her hand negligently again and he feel to the ground slowly at first then he just dropped. Some onlookers smiled and others looked shocked. William grinned boyishly until his wife nudged him while hiding a smirk of her own. Kat walked away not caring just glad she had showed Legra up. Gorathian was scowling so she averted her gaze from him and continued to where Alex was standing. He smiled at her and wrapped an arm round her waist.
“You realise that he won’t be happy about this you have made an instant enemy”
“He was already my enemy when I left his feelings haven’t changed, why should my?”
“Umm…because… he’s your co-worker.”
Kat looked at him “You’re kidding right?” She said unsure.
He shook his head.
Kat groaned and swore. “Kat that’s sort of language I hope you didn’t learn from me correction I hope you did learn it from me as I spent much time studying it!” a sparkling baritone voice interrupted them. Kat grinned and turned to see a tall, lanky old man with bright greens eyes with long black hair and a long staff to lean on.
“Katra you know very where I learnt that sort of language and I’m fairly sure you played a huge part in it.”
Katra grinned impishly “Well apparently I taught you well!”
“Yes you did, I now know the outer and more colourful reaches of the language.”
Katra barked his laughter. “Yes well I spent a long time researching that!”
“Don’t we all know it, I swear I’d feel for your family if you had one but I suppose being an old and dirty bachelor would put anyone off!”
“Oh well you don’t have to get offensive about it!” Katra grinned.
“Yeah but you know it true”
“True, true if I had a family they would have taken my research away from me and where would I be now?”
“Happy”
“I don’t know. I was never the settling down type.”
“Sure you aren’t that’s why you haven’t changed your job as a master of the academy for how many years is it now?”
“Sixty”
“Exactly”
“That’s not the point!”
Alex grew bored at this point and noticed Karian had just appeared at his elbow and they started chatting.
The evening progressed uneventful and Kat fell into bed just before midnight.
The next morning after her exercises Kat joined William in his study and learned her duties. After lunch she met the rest of the staff including Legra and Alex. Kat’s old master Katra was also her deputy.
“Hello all I’m sure you all know me. Unfortunately fame precedes me.” All present laughed. “Ok well I’m going to make changes where necessary. I will try to keep with tradition but society has moved on!”
Everyone looked at each other, uncertain. Kat grinned “good they will be on their toes. Nervous and scared”
Kat spent the rest of the meeting listening to request and complaints.
After she wandered over to the throne room where William was holding court. She slipped in the back, unnoticed, as a peasant presented a complaint about the legionnaires (they were carousing and bullying the peasants.) William frowned and noted down the complaint. He suddenly looked to the back and noticed her and smiled then continued to hold court with her watching after an hour he ended the session and everyone trooped out Kat stayed where she was. William sighed and slumped in his seat as Kat slipped up to him. He smiled at her. “I have your first assignment.” He said, “I want you to go and see if that peasant’s claim is correct on the legionnaires report back to me tonight.” Kat nodded “I’ll take Karian, Cy and Riche with me so to cover more ground.” William nodded and she left after telling him to get some sleep she will get Gen to wake him when she came back.
Kat ran back to her rooms and dressed in nondescript but appropriate clothes and then slipped over to the Lords tower and woke the boys. She ran down to her private armoury and picked up a few extra daggers and slipped in to various sheaths on her body. Kat joined the boys by the gate and briefed them on where they were to go and whom they were to observe and interrogate.
Kat watched them leave then she left to a dodgy inn called the Black Sheep she knew in the cheap part of town. She walked through the door and was greeted with some curious looks and some peoples’ eye lighting up in recognition then they hid it with curious looks like everyone else. She smiled and wandered over to the bar.
“Hey George can I have the old usual and a fool for Fred?”
“Cause Kat anything for you”
“Thanks I feel loved and remembered.”
George chuckled and got her, her drinks.
She was joined by a dark tall burly man who smiled at her and she slid a drink across to him he nodded “Cheers”
“Cheers”
They downed them in one.
“So Kat long time no see!”
“Gods I know.”
“What brought you back?”
“I got the job of Headknight.”
“Nice” Fred nodded “So what can a dirty rotten thief like me do for a lady of high calibre like you.” Kat snorted.
“Have you heard of the legionnaires carousing?”
“Haven’t we all” Fred said shaking his head.
“Well to make a long story short I’m investigating what’s been happening.”
“Ok one question does this mean the network is up and running again?”
“Oh yes so can you gather the crew and I’ll meet you tomorrow night at the old place at the old time. The assignments have been set and the stage is ready.”
Fred grinned “Finally something to do I’ve been bored out of my brain without you lot and the crew, the whole network will be there, with a few extras, that are trustworthy and good, they have been P.I’s small scale.”
“Great” Kat smiled “So what can you tell me on the legions?”
“Well they have always been going out on the town on weekends but it got worse after the war they had nothing to do except patrols. So they been bored and they are now thinking they have a huge authority and they really don’t, but they are taking advantage of their profession and the town’s folk are scared!”
Kat nodded grimly “Great thanks”
“Aren’t you their commander now you’re Headknight and that may be part of it, they have had no commander for two months and they think they can get away with it!”
“Oh yes I forgot, I guess I’ll see what I can find tonight then crack down hard on them. They will wish they hadn’t done that.”
“By gods Kat I’ve missed you” Fred laughed “you had better get going I’ll see you later”
“Ok see you”
Kat walked out of the Black Sheep and walked to the better part of the city were the taverns were noisy and crowded. She walked in to the tavern she had allocated herself. The Pixie Pub, “Stupid name” she thought “but it was an extremely popular pub.”
Kat walked in and the first thing she noticed were the legions you could pick them out like a sore thumb. She wandered casually over to a table near the first group keeping her hood up as she knew some of them would recognise her just as she recognised some of them. She ordered a drink but didn’t drink it she was going to be ordering a lot of drinks tonight at various places and she wanted to be able to understand what she heard. The blistering headache in the morning was something she didn’t want tomorrow as it was her first day. Kat listened to the conversation going on behind her and she didn’t like what she heard. She slipped out after a few minutes and moved on to the next pub hearing much the same. She visited two more pubs and she had heard enough. Kat met up with the others outside the gate and compared notes. They all came to the same conclusion. The legions were going to regret this.
Kat reported to William what she had heard and he ordered her to deal with it as it was her job then she sunk into bed feeling worse for wear and dreading the morning.
Did ya like? sorry bout the length i might have to change the placing of my chapters but this will do!!
c-ya phoenix