day 23 45180

Bree was over to her first, and so was the one to hug her. Looking at Robert she said. “What are we missing here?”

Kell said. “It is just rough. Sorry. I knew coming here all I kept from you all would come out. But I didn’t, wasn’t, expecting it to be like it is. I did not know what I was walking into.”

Robert said. “She is worried that you will see her different. That you will be hurt by what she has hidden. And Kellver has always terrified her though they have never given her a reason to be scared.”

Kell shook her head. “I feel silly being so scared for no reason. Sorry guys. I guess everything just caught up to me. I was working hard not to let the full impact of that last battle, then this.”

Bree shook her head. “You have nothing to be sorry about and I do wish you would stop saying it. You are one of use, and nothing will change that. We take care of each other. Now what is the deal?”

Kell took a breath and said. “I have never had proof that Kellver has ever tried to do anything. Though I am certain that they were behind at lest some of the attempted poisonings.” She nodded. “Yes that is why. There was so many that it was decided that the only way to keep me safe was for me to build up immunity to as many drugs as possible.” Ashe shook her head. “As I was saying there is no proof that Kellver did anything. Reland though us anther story. When I was six I woke to find a knife with the royal seal on my pillow, and yes it was a real knife. It was taken then to be a friendly warning. I was eight when the next assassin turned up. There have been more since then. It, well there was little doubt that there was royal backing.” 

Van said. “That man last year. Why didn’t you say something? There was no need for you to be so scared. You know I would have went with you.”

Kell said. “I didn’t think they would be coming and didn’t want to force you. I thought I would be all right. I was silly, and no you do not need to go back with me. But it helps to know you will be there before they are.”

One of the others growled. “Bree I am going to break off Amerdeen, and see if there is a Reland tie. Kell where have you guys been looking?”

Kell relaxed, convinced that they did see her still as one of them. “I thought you guys would take up where you left at Ariby, so I didn’t try. Instead I have, that is the guys have, been looking at Sunhallow and Elfdome area back roughly a hundred years. I have been looking at the family records for the same time. Once we have something solid there are two groups of students that can be put on it, letting us keep after the hints. And once we get a location more will be pulled in. All so the librarian is searching the locked archives for the symbol. He was sure he had seen it someplace and knowing him he will not stop tell he finds out where.”

Bree nodded. “Sounds good. Now those who on the scholar list will be better off using that unless they need to go to other places right?”

Robert nodded. “But if you are going to be roaming, ware the pin when you enter, putting it on latter will attract more attention.”

Kell said. “I can get the mages into the testing room so you will know where you stand on the locale scale should you want. Robert have you though about what rooms you and Jordan will be using? Ell can set Jordan you with formalwear. If you don’t want dresses just let him know. Though some events will require them, but you might be able to duck out.”

Robert nodded. “I have all ready told her and tried to talk her out of coming. She said it sounds like fun.”

Jordan laughed at their faces. “It is not my first time in a court, and he said that I could be a shocking as I wanted to. Though I am glad to know I won’t have to be in dresses all the time.”

Kell nodded then frowned. “I think I was so worked up last night that I forgot to tell you, Rick, that there was a letter from the plains that hinted they will be attending the meeting.” Matt face went strange again and this time Kell noticed it. “Matt didn’t you know? Wait you said something early about leave to? You mean they haven’t given you a list?” Matt shook his head. Kell’s look went from relaxed to angry as it sunk in at last. “If I hadn’t been so scared and fogged. I am sorry. Forget about hiding the pin. Put it on. It is. I am going to cut my shopping short I think.” She stood up. “Anth and Rick why don’t you two stay in town and find a place to get a drink. I think you will be able to get in on you own.”

Robert said. “I will see them in town and put them to work, that way I can make sure they know the way.”

Kell nodded. “You will have to bring them back to my rooms. They haven’t been to the family wing, so won’t know the way.”  Kell stood and head out of the park.

Athions looked to protest, but Robert caught his eye and shook his head. “Trust me you do not want to go with her. You might think you have seen her mad, but look at how she is walking now. The fewer witness to what she is about to do the better for everyone.”

Kell walked into the palace and straight into Philp’s office. Glad to see that there was just the two arms masters and him in there. She carefully closed the door and raised a shield before starting to speak. “Excuse me for interrupting but I have a problem. One that might be a bit childish, but all the same you are going to hear it. I realize that I have made it plain that I do not wish to be treated like a princess but that doesn’t change who I am.” She took a breath. “When I was here at ten years old and a student I was asked to pick out table linen and consulted on each guest, I hated it, but as I was the only Dragonthorn here it was explained that I had to be. I am no longer a student, and have long since had the right to speak for the throne in my father’s absence, and that did not change when I left. Yet I have not been informed of one thing since arriving here. Yes I have not been in court, but when I was ten I didn’t meet with you at any time. Wail I am thrilled not to consulted over everything, and would not want you to, and acknowledge that it is your house, I still would love to know why it is that I learn of guest lists in a storeroom!” her voice went up, and she had not been quiet to start with. “Why I have not seen a letter! I am glad you sent an answer without waiting on me, But I should have had a copy. And By hell I need the one from Reland so I can demand the full names with the backing of the Dragonthorn name. Something you cannot do! If it was that first visit I would have been presented with a guest list the moment my name was on that log, And yes I used my full damn name when I signed in.” She looked over at Master Relgan, but saw no sign that her old teacher though she was out of line. “Further more why the hell am I the one to inform your chief of security that there will be assassins in residence? He should have had the full guest list the minuet you hired him and updates soon after you get them. If you can’t trust him then you shouldn’t have hired him for that post! I have given him my support and he will now be warring my symbol and if I find out he is not getting full brief against I will make this public next time. So help me and to hell with the politics!” It was only as she stopped, her anger and fear ebbing, that she realized what she had said. “And I sounded like a spoiled child. But”

Philp said, “What do you mean my chief did not know?”

Kell sat. “Matt, the new hire, is one of my, one of the mercs I have been traveling with. In talking with him I let slip a bit of my worry over who was coming and from his face it was plain he didn’t know. I hope you can understand why that would terrify me.”

Philp nodded. “Paul I want to know where the messages have been going, and who eve has been diverting them in chains by tomorrow night. Highness I assure you that copies where ordered to be sent to you the moment you left me. I should have know by the lack of response you were not receiving them. I am sorry I missed it and am glad that you brought it to my attention.”

Kell nodded. “I am sorry I let my anger get ahead of me. But I meant what I said. This is your home and your domain. I am grateful that you are willing to make your own decisions I do not want to. However I am sure that you can see there are things I need to know. I will not change my mind about having Matt ware my mark but if things are seen to change I will at a late date suggest that he put it aside at times. There are steps I have taking that you need to be informed of. In the next few days there are going to be a lot more with pins in the halls. Both mine and my brothers, but they were all giving with my blessings. Also I have made arrangements for a personal guard, who is a trained assassin to join me here. He will likely be trying to get past security a few times before formally entering. Master Reland he will use the warrior door and was told he will be tested before being shown where I am. All are expecting some testing of skills.” She met Philp’s eyes half afraid of what she would see there.

It was pride not anger that was in his voice. “Well said. I can see that the time away has done good by you. Before you would have wavered. I am glad to see your backbone but hate the way it came about. If you do find that Matt is left out of the loop again you had better call me on it, and in public. That is inexcusable, no matter who is coming but giving who is it is worse. I have no problem with him wearing your pin. Given what is coming it will be a good idea to have it established that you back my security. Even if that was not the original meaning. If you will lower your shield, which I thank you for putting up, your Father wouldn’t have, Relgan can have a student bring up the guest list. We were going over the letter from Reland, so I have it here.” He handed it to her as she drooped the shield, and unsealed the door. “I fear it doesn’t say much they don’t do more than hint at who they are sending. And here is the one from the plains, even more of a puzzle.” He nodded to the tray of food. “Have you eaten?”

Kell nodded. “But I could use a drink after that shouting I was doing.” She started to move, but remembered and remained where she was. Paul nodded and then got the drink for her. She looked at the letter and shook her head. “Father still keeps messengers on staff here, or at lest mounts and clothes right?” Philp nodded, she took the cup from Paul without looking. “Good can one of you have one sent to my rooms in a few hours, or should I ring? Protocol and I, well I still need to work on it.”

Paul said. “I will see that one gets to your rooms, and I should get a page assigned to you. It will make it easier on you when you need the Royal symbols on something. I should have done it when you got here. Going though the house servants would take longer.”

Kell grimaced but nodded then took a sip of drink and then shook her head and set it down. She grabbed a pen and a blank sheet of paper. “I am going to demand that we have full names for the members of there party no less than a week before they get here or they will find that they can not get though the gates. I know a week is not much, but it is the best I can get. And most likely the only names we get will be of the dignitaries, not there gauds and servants. But even that much will help. Don’t worry this is my rough draft. The final will be on letter head and dully sealed.”

Philp said. “Just how are you going to do it? We don’t have that right.”

Kell said. “You don’t have, but I do. Hence the reason I needed to see what we were given so I would know what they failed to provide. See as they have long been on the list of enemies, of all they are a part of the empire, the treaty that binds lets me make certain demands of them.  I was required to memorize the thing for reasons like this, it is in section eight page twenty, half way down if you want to check.  But basically I have the right to bar them entry until they give the names. Then once I can prove that they lied about them I can restrict their movements in the castle. Or rather my father can. But as he is not here yet I can.”

Philp nodded. “I might have to look that you sometime next year. Did you really memorize the whole thing?”

Master Rergan said. “Yes she did, and I can tell you that she is right on what it says. Krelly where was you pet assassin trained are you sure he is up to par?”

Kell smiled. “He is hardly a pet, but yes he is up to it. But you can judge that for yourself. No doubt he will give you an earful about security breaks as you are testing him. And don’t pull any punches. As to where if I know I am not telling. Make of it what will.”

He nodded and handed her a sheet. “This is the guest list as of now, and this is a copy of the letter we got from the plains.”

Kell took them, tuked the list away. Read the letter, then reread it. “This is odd there is something I am missing.”

Philp said. “That is my take to.”

Kell said. “Well if I find out I will let you know. It just so happens I know a plainsman. I am going to let you get back to what you were doing.” With that she stood and left.