Chapter Eight: Kelanar

Kelanar sits on her bed. It's soft and warm. She just wants to curl up and cry herself to sleep. She knows she can’t, as she needs to pack to leave in the morning as well as talk to her mother and sister. They will want some answers. Answers she herself didn’t know. She doesn’t know why she attacked Gage. What made her pick up that rock and smash it into his skull? She hears her mother come in.

“What did the judge say? It must not be too bad if you’re home, my dear. Tell me what happened?” begs Sarah.

Kelanar turns to Sarah, trying to not cry.

“He realized that I was sorry and not sure what happened, but thinks it could happen again. I am sentenced to the Guard Tower for a year and only allowed to come home on the weekends.” 

Sarah sits on the bed beside her daughter and holds her.

“Oh, my daughter, a year is a long time. At least it wasn’t jail or banishment. My heart couldn’t take that. We will see you on the weekends. This could be part of a bigger plan. We have to trust the goddess has a reason for you to be at the guard, keep my darling.”

Kelanar hugs her mother and tries to put on a brave face.

“I know mother, I have faith and I know I must live my path no matter where it takes me. A year isn’t that long. I am sure I will learn much while I am gone. I worry for Eve. We have never been apart before. I hope it will strengthen our bond and not hurt either of us.” 

“You have always taken care of your sister. She will be fine. She will have me. I worry for you, my child. The keep is a day's ride away from here. You have never been that far from home without your family before.”

Kelanar just lets her mother hold her for a while.

“I know mother I will be ok, but I must pack my bag. I leave in the morning.”

“I know. Once you’re done, come downstairs. We need to have a meal together before you go.”

Kelanar nods, gets up, gathers blouses, skirts and pants and places them in a small bag. She picks up a locket Hector gave her and puts it around her neck. She needs the comfort it always brings her.

A short time later, she smells her mother's famous Shepherd's pie and her stomach growls. She gets up to have dinner with her family and faces her twin sister.

Kelanar goes down the stairs. She hears her mother and sister sing as they cook. She thinks I am going to miss this.

She prays to the goddess, “Please keep them safe and help me take on this path. Give me the strength to survive this.”

She walks into the kitchen.

“About time you came down, mom wouldn’t let me come up to bother you. Mom told me what is going on. I am sorry, Kelanar, what a rough day, ”says Eve.

Kelanar hugs her twin sister.

“I know, but it will be ok. I will be home on the weekends, and this will go by fast. Until then, help mother and the healers for me.”

Eve nods and sets the table for dinner.

“Can I help with anything?” Kelenar asks her mother.

“No, darling, we've got it. Just sit down, we will say grace and eat,” says Sarah.

Kelanar sits at the table. She watches her mother place the food on the table, her eyes not dazzling tonight, and her hair is pulled back in a bun. Sarah's gray was showing.  Kelanar knows this is hard on her mother and she feels terrible about causing her this unneeded stress and worry. Once everyone is seated and everyone has a plate full of food, Sarah takes Kelenar and Eve’s hands.

“Let’s say grace. Goddess, we ask that you bless the food we are about to receive.  Watch over Kelanar in this alternative path she is about to embark on and keep her safe,” says Sarah.

Kelanar squeezes her mother's hand and adds,“And please keep my mother and sister happy and well while I am gone. Keep us all well. In your name we pray."

“Amen,” all three of them say.

They all eat in silence, lost in their own thoughts. Kelanar knows she won’t sleep much tonight.

Kelanar tosses and turns all night, unable to sleep much. In the morning, Sheriff James shows up. Kelanar hugs her mother and sister.

“I will see you this weekend. It will be ok," she tells her mother and sister.

They hug her back. Kelanar picks up her bag and gets on the sheriff's wagon. It's a long ride to the tower. She had been there only once, when she was a young girl. 

The ride is mostly silent, besides a few words here and there from Sheriff James until they are about 20 minutes from the tower.

“Kelanar, you will be fine. They are just a bunch of men and boys learning to be guards. Just do as you’re told, and it will be fine. Master John will be the one you will answer to. I sent word last night that you will be coming today, and he already said he will look after you,"  says Sheriff James.

Kelanar looks at him.

“I know I will be fine. I heard how the tower is, and that is why I am being sent here. In case I act out again. Will you keep an eye on my mother for me, please?" 

“I will check in with your mother and sister and I will come get you every weekend unless I get word otherwise.”

“Thank you.”

Kelanar spies a wall and a small castle. The wall is to keep the neighboring kingdom from crossing into their kingdom. The castle is old, but made of stone and is thus sturdy. It houses the guards and their training center.

They go to the front of the castle, coming to a stop.She grabs her bag. James takes her inside. They head to an office close to the front door. James knocks and goes in.  There is a man in his forties with black hair and green eyes sitting at a desk.

“Hello, old friend, I got your letter about a woman being sentenced here. That is odd. We've never had a woman here before,” says Master John.

“I know John, it is an odd thing, but that's the order. She is a sweet girl who just got into some trouble. Nothing you can’t handle, though.”

John looks her up and down.

“Yeah, she will be fine. I have set up a room for her by mine so she could feel safe, and the boys will leave her alone. We will see you next time, friend. I will take her from here.”

Sheriff James nods and turns to Kelanar.

“I will see you later. Listen to Master John and all will be well.”

Sheriff James leaves Kelanar alone with Master John.