How exciting is this?! I finally am posting the sequel everyone has been bugging me for! It's amazing right? Lol Anyway, I really hope this lives up to your expectations. Hopefully I'll be able to update regularly, but I have to do all my college applications and what not, so I can't promises anything.
Anyway, PLEASE let me know what you think! Obviously I don't want you to yell and scream at me about how much I stink, but feel free to tell me where I can improve etc. REVIEWS are awesome!!!
Disclaimer: You're only getting this once, so listen up. All the characters and places and most of the good stuff isn't mine. It's Tamora Pierce's. Sad, but true.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Keladry of Mindelan pulled her water-proof cloak tighter around her body as the rain continued to pour down upon her and her companions. Having already been riding for two weeks, none of them were in the mood for the sudden downpour. The hooves of the horses was churning the ground into mud, making for slow progress. Kel, along with her best friend Nealan of Queenscove, and a few guardsmen, were heading north towards New Hope, the refugee camp Kel had once commanded. Although it was now a town, Kel had been sent there to check on their progress.
When the high walls of New Hope finally came into sight, the men sent up a loud cheer. After riding for hours in the pouring rain, the warmth and food the town would provide was welcomed by all. She watched as a flag was run up the pole. A slight blush colored her cheeks as she recognized the owl and double border as her own.
"What's the matter Kel? Not embarrassed by the flag your beloved Dom made are you?" Neal teased, receiving a glare for his comment.
"No. The whole situation is ridiculous. I'm not even their commander anymore. They're a town now, not a refugee camp." Despite what she said, she was glad that these people still looked up to her. No matter where she went later in life, this would always be one place she would always be accepted in.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
When the group had finally made it though the gates, the entire town rejoiced at the return of their Kel. Fanche, one of the new leaders of the town, came bustling up to the front to greet Kel.
"You just couldn't stand to leave us alone for too long, could you? We were getting along just fine without you," the woman stated, though her smile shone through her eyes. Giving Kel a quick hug, she talked as she showed the knight the new additions to the town. "We have begun to build houses to replace the barracks. They'll do for now, but everyone wants their own space. And the King granted us more land, so we have enough room now for everyone," the woman said, pointing to each area as she talked about it.
Night had fallen by the time Kel was done being shown around the town. Stumbling into headquarters, which had been left open for her, Kel pulled off her boots and flopped onto the bed, still fully clothed. She was asleep within minutes.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Kel blinked sleepily as sunlight streaming in through the open window fell on her face. She sat up and groaned as an unexpected wave of nausea washed over her. As she got out of the bed and dressed, she decided against telling Neal. I'd really rather not have him documenting each of my sneezes for the next three months, she thought to herself as she made her way to the mess hall.
Still not feeling well, she grabbed food and sat down without saying good morning to anyone. Lifting her gaze, she looked into bright blue eyes. A large smile spread across her face as Domitan of Masbole smiled back at her from across the table. Handing her tray to the cooks, she walked outside. She wasn't even given a chance to turn around before she was swept up in a hug.
"You have no idea how much I missed you," he said before kissing her swiftly.
"I think I might have a slight idea," she said as a slight blush appeared on her cheeks as she realized people were staring at them. Turning her back on the broadly grinning people, she led him towards headquarters. Once inside, she opened her mouth to speak, only to be cut off by a passionate kiss. All thought flew from her head as he began to tug at the lacing of her tunic.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Kel groaned as someone pounded on the door. She gave Dom a grateful smile as he pulled on a pair of breeches and got up to answer the door.
"You couldn't even wait until after you said hi to your cousin before starting these shenanigans?" Neal asked as he stepped into the room. "The only reason I even knew you were here was because all these people kept asking me who was that man that Lady Kel was kissing," he said, displaying a classic Neal grin as a blush graced Kel's cheeks.
"You do the same every time Yuki comes for a visit. And would you mind getting out of here? I'm not exactly decent," Kel stated, getting a blush from Neal. She rolled her eyes as Neal closed the door behind himself. Picking up her clothes, she quickly got dressed, pushing Dom out of the way as he tried to pull her back into bed.
"You're awful. I have work to do. I'll see you later." She was half way to the door before she was swept up in a final kiss. Smiling, she lightly punched him in the shoulder. "Go make yourself useful," she said as she left the room.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Thanks again for putting up with me and waiting so long for a sequel! PLEASE review! It makes me feel good and makes me want to update faster! Anyway… yeah.
