Okay, first of all I'm not Tamora Pierce. This is the only time I'm writing this disclaimer, so it stands for the entire story.
This story follows directly after Lady Knight. As always I don't have a beta so I apologize for any spelling or grammar mistakes. Please read and review as this is my first Tam Pierce fic and I have no idea how good it is
REUNIONS
Keladry of Mindelan, Knight of the Realm of Tortall, Commander of New Hope and proclaimed Protector of the Small, realized that she would just have to face up to her fate. She was destined to murder her best friend.
As though begging her to commit the afore mentioned crime Neal dug his heals into his horse Mage Whisper's flanks once more, a frantic look in his eyes. "Jump" Kel sighed in exasperation. Jumping down from the back of his carrier on Hoshi, Jump gave her a look that seemed to express exactly what she was thinking. As he had done dozen of times already in the small length of time they had been traveling, the dog trotted on to the front of the column till he cut off Mage's advance. At his horse's sudden halt Neal let out an anguished yell of 'Kel!'
Urging Hoshi into a gallop Kel made her way to Neal's side. "Neal, for the umpteenth dozen time we cannot gallop all the way to Fort Steadfast." she said her annoyance starting to seep into her tone.
"I know that" Neal snapped, as he pushed his fringe out of his eyes. "It's just that…"
"I know Neal. Yuki's waiting." Kel replied. She was trying to be sympathetic but as this was the thirteenth time in two hours that they had had this conversation even her vaunted patience was starting to wear thin. "Still like I said before, if you wear Mage out or get him injured by going too fast we are never going to get there."
Neal sighed and his shoulders slumped in defeat. "I know" he said in defeat. Kel nodded.
"Jump" she called and the stocky dog made the leap back into his carrier. Kel reined Hoshi in and waited as Neal and then the other men began to pass her. She didn't rejoin the column until Tobe caught up. "I need a favor" she muttered as she pulled Hoshi close up to his mare Haven.
"A favor Lady?" he asked, giving her a startled look.
"I need you to speak to Mage. Neal's calm for the moment but we both know that won't last. If he keeps this up I'm going to have to bind him head to foot and sling him over Mage's back." Tobe giggled at that and Kel felt herself smile in response. He was such an old man most of the time that it never ceased to warm her heart to here him acting like his age.
"You want me to ask Mage to ignore Neal's prompting and stick to the same pace as the rest of us?" he asked.
"If you wouldn't mind."
"Not a problem Lady." Toby said. His eyes went temporarily out of focus, and then he grinned. "Mage says he's more then happy to do it. He's getting annoyed at all the starting and stopping anyways."
"He's not the only one." A voice muttered behind them and Kel grinned at Jedda, one of her former convicts, now part of her guard as she traveled. Turning back to face the front she whispered to Tobe. "I'm betting we have twenty minutes before Neal cottons on."
Her estimation proved to be correct. No more then ten minutes had passed when Neal started showing the first of the signs they were all beginning to recognize. Kel tucked her smile behind her best Yamani mask as she saw Neal begin to fidget in his seat and the way the two men behind him gave each other resigned looks. Next Neal started to run his fingers through his hair, shifting his weight even more. Not long after this he started on the periodical glancing at the sun, glance, look at his horse, glance, look at his horse. Beside her Tobe started to shake with suppressed laughter. They both knew what was coming next.
Sure enough not more then two minutes more had passed when Neal started to mutter. Even from the back of the column Kel could hear the argument he was clearly having with himself. Finally it all evidently became too much and he once more pressed his heals into Mage's flank. Nothing happened. Too everyone's amusement Neal seemed so wound up in his own inner turmoil he didn't even seem to notice at first. Mage had trotted placidly on for several more feet before they all saw Neal suddenly look down. He pressed his heals in once more and flapped the reins urgently. Still Mage ignored him.
Finally Neal seemed to respond to the quiet chuckles behind him. Twisting in the saddle he glared backwards, seeing Tobe who had buried his head in his hands to try and muffle the giggles that shook his frame. Next he glanced up into Kel's most unreadable Yamani blank face. Realization dawned. "Kel!" he yelled in a panicked tone. "Your boy has witched my horse!"
At this all the men roared with laughter and Kel felt her Yamani mask drop as she gave into the amusement that was overwhelming her. Poor Neal was left to wail as the entire cavalcade collapsed into hysterics behind him.
After a day of traveling however Kel began to wish that she had just let Neal go on ahead without them. After being thwarted on his original ambitions he had spent the rest of the afternoons journey loudly fretting about how long it was taking, in between pestering Kel with fears that Yuki's affections may have waned over the time he had been away. Her reply that Yuki wouldn't be coming to see him if she had, had reassured him for all of half an hour. That small period of time, she reflected, had been the best part of the entire journey. Now one day on Neal had turned to comparing Yuki to the many things they were seeing around them. It was a sad fact of life Kel knew that, despite the many books he had read, Neals poetry had not improved at all in the ten years she had known him.
They had spent the night before at Steadfast, much to the joy of the newly knighted Owen. Kel had enjoyed getting the chance to congratulate him on his success and he in turn had shared with her the current happenings back at Corus. Princess Shinkokami, the betrothed of Prince Roald, had started training many of the young noble ladies on using the glaive. They had given an example during the midwinter celebrations which had been received well by what nobles were currently residing there. It warmed Kel's heart to hear how her Yamani friend was finding a place for herself. Although the palace had been reasonably quiet (with most knights assigned to the Scanran border for the war) some had come back for the Ordeal. Owen was able to share with her news of his fellow year mates and too her relief Kel heard there had been none of the terrible occurrences that had happened two years before her ordeal.
They had left early that morning and were now approaching the edge of the Vassa, the area were the road they were on ran closest to the Scanran border. They were quieter now, on alert. Although this area of the Vassa was known for it's dangerousness they weren't about to make the assumption that they wouldn't run into any enemies.
Abruptly the sparrow scouts that Kel had sent on a head came flying back, peeping an alert. The men around Kel tensed as she waited for them to settle. "Nari?" she asked, and the peppery leader of her flock separated herself from the others. "Report" Kel ordered. The tiny bird immediately flew in the tight tiny circles that indicated 'friends'. Everyone relaxed. They had all been traveling with the sparrows long enough to recognize their signs. The sparrows alighted on Hoshi and Havens mane peeping cheerfully to each other.
Kel signaled everyone to continue forward. It was probably just another patrol. To her surprise however as they came around the bend they were faced with mounted horseman wearing the blue and silver of the Kings Own. Immediately recognizing the insignia on the horses as a squad from the third company Kel felt her heart skip a beat. As they cleared through the last part of the trees and the men came into view disappointment seemed to fill her. The squad waiting for her was not the one she had been half expecting.
Qasim grinned at her as they pulled their horses into line with her. The sparrows immediately abandoned her for him and he dug out dried cherries from his pocket. "Now I know why they were so happy to see you" Kel said dryly as she halted by Qasims mount. He flashed her a grin, his teeth bright in his dark face.
"Lady Keladry, we have been ordered to escort you to Fort Steadfast"
Kel raised an eyebrow in surprise. "And why is that?" Qasim gave her an innocent look.
"For your protection of course."
Kel gave him her best Lord Raoul impression. "And the real reason sergeant?"
"Milord wanted to make sure you didn't decide to skip across the Vassa and have a go at Scanra again" he replied with a laugh. Kel sighed.
"That's completely unnecessary." Qasim shot her a look. "Oh come on it was one time."
"As my Lady says" he said affably
"You know I get suspicious when you of the Own act polite."
"Perhaps that's because you've spent too much time in the company of a certain sergeant and his well-known squad"
Kel decided to ignore the tone Qasim used when he mentioned a 'certain sergeant' and instead gave him a skeptical look. "Is that so? I seem to recall a prank that was done on the First Company three years ago on progress which I believe may have been instigated by…" Qasim cut her off with a laugh.
"It seems you may have spent too much time with Third Company in general. You know our ways far too well." Kel grinned back.
Their conversation was interrupted by Neal as he thrust Mage between the two of them. "Kel we have been sitting here for five whole minutes already! Are we going to get a move on or not? We're no more than an hour away. If you don't hurry up I swear I'll go without you."
Kel listened to this little rant with a calm expression and as it ended simply called, "Tobe?"
"Yes milady?" said a voice behind her and Neal immediately back tracked.
"I didn't mean it Kel, really I didn't." Hi expression turned pleading as she didn't reply. "Please Kel…"
She left him in agony a moment more than smiled. "Relax Neal. Of course we can go." Qasim chuckled at the relieved expression that broke over Neal's face as he urged Mage onwards. Both of them raised their arms and signaled their men forward, even as Neal swung around in his saddle to look back at them.
"Are you coming or not?"
Dom fidgeted where he stood leaning against the bulwark. Although his shift on guard was long since over he didn't move from his post. Qasim and his squad had left early that morning in order to escort Lady Knight Keladry, his cousin Neal of Queenscove and their men the last of the way to Steadfast. Dom couldn't help the surge of annoyance at the thought. When he had found out lord Raoul's plan he'd tried to subtly urge the commander into sending his squad instead. Instead he was informed that his squad was already rostered to cover the dawn guard and he'd had to wait as someone else went to collect the delegation from New Hope.
He shifted his weight again and ran his fingers through his hair. "They should be here by now" he grumbled to himself.
"Worrying about milady?" a voice laughed from behind him. He turned to see his corporal Wolset approaching him along the walkway. Dom grunted and turned away.
"I don't know what you're talking about" he said quietly.
"Sure ye don't" the man laughed, slapping him on his back and leaning on the crenel next to him. "Which is why you're out here three hours after our shift ended."
"You're out here" Dom pointed out, ignoring the first part.
"That's because I have news you don't." Dom look at him and Wolset gave a sly wink. "Miladies party had been spotted rounding the last bend. They should be here within ten minutes."
"That's nice" Dom said in an absent minded tone, trying to ignore the swirl of exhilaration that filled him.
"You know," Wolset began, his tone suddenly changing to something as equally vague as Dom's. Dom shot his corporal a look, surprised by the sudden change in the mans demeanor. "If a man was to be interested in the Lady, now would probably be a good time to say something about it."
"An interesting perspective," Dom said in a quelling tone. "I'm sure that information must be relevant to someone."
"As you say" Wolset said with a grin. They stood there for a long moment saying nothing. Eventually Dom realized he was just going to have to give in. Wolset obviously wasn't going to go away until he'd said his piece. Besides if he was honest with himself Dom wanted to know why his corporal thought now would be the time for someone to approach Kel. There had to be a reason the man had sought him out to say this and as much as he might hate to admit it, it was usually a very good one. He remembered the last time Wolset had spoken to him in such a way.
It had been right after they had set off to go after Kel. He had pushed his men extremely hard to try and catch up with her before she made it over the Scanran border. There hadn't really been a large risk of this happening, they all knew she would be traveling slowly in order to refrain from being discovered. Still he had felt consumed with concern for her and hadn't been able to stop himself from forcing them to move faster and faster.
He could still recall the sense of relief he had felt when they found her camp at the ruins of Giantkiller. Fortunately he and his men were well known to Kel's sparrow and her dog Jump. When they had come out to greet the squad he had quickly dismounted and, ignoring the chuckles of his men behind him, had knelt down to talk things over with the waiting dog. As he expected the animals had seemed to understand him perfectly as he explained what he and his men were doing there and led them to where Kel was sheltered.
Corporal Fulcher had taken Kel's horse Hoshi to their mounts, and Dom had found himself standing in a doorway staring down at Kel's sleeping form. She had lain herself down in one of the ruined buildings, with her saddle as a pillow and her saddle blanket as cover. She really was amazing he had found himself thinking as he gazed at her. Here she was in the middle of nowhere with nothing but a bunch of animals for company, determined to cross into enemy territory and fight to get her people back. Well, he sighed, at least now she wouldn't have to do it alone.
At that point she had rolled over and he froze. She didn't wake but her movement had caused the blanket to slip from her body. As he'd stood there in the doorway, debating whether to leave her be, a small moan slipped from her lips. In spite of himself he took a hesitant step forward. She moaned again and the hand that she had extended in her sleep scrabbled slightly at the dirt. He had crouched down beside her, slightly unsure as to what he should do, when a shiver ran over her body. He had frowned in concern. This at least was something he could fix.
Carefully he'd reached down and gathered the edge of the blanket at her feet. Slowly he'd pulled it up her long body, trying not to wake her. This close to her he couldn't help but notice how taught and muscular her body was, lean not stocky like the Lioness's. He had felt the flush that had crept up his cheeks as he realized what he was doing. Telling himself not to be stupid he had pulled the blanket up till he could tuck it carefully under her chin.
He had been bent over her by this point, quite close to her body. As his fingers slowly finished tucking the blanket around her his gaze had been drawn to her face. From her shoulder length brown hair, small nose that was still delicate and unbroken after all this time, the light splashing of freckles that dusted her cheeks and her soft mouth shaped in a vulnerable looking pout. He couldn't seem to stop his hand from brushing back the strand of hair that had fallen across he face. His fingertips lightly touched her closed eyelids and he'd found himself picturing the way her eyes would look if they were open, a dreamers hazel flecked with many shades of green. Tucking the lose strand behind one of her small ears he'd let his hand drop, fingers tracing her cheek before he withdrew. As if aware of the caress even in her sleep she'd sighed in contentment, a small smile curving on the lips he had been admiring just a moment before.
The thought had him rocking back on his heels. Admiring? He stayed where he was, crouching at Kel's side as she slept, lost in thoughts he didn't completely understand. The sound of a throat clearing had brought him out of his reverie and he had turned to see Wolset standing behind him. The man had a knowing grin on his face and Dom had quickly stood up, moving away from Kel. "I think she'll sleep for a bit more" he'd muttered, not meeting his corporal's eyes.
"If you say so" the man had replied, still smiling. Dom had pushed past him but the corporal had immediately followed.
"She's a fine lady" Wolset had said, as he fell in step with the sergeant. Dom had grunted noncommittally in reply. Wolset had grabbed his arm and Dom had stopped in surprise. "She's a fine lady, and she deserves a good partner." Dom had shifted uncomfortably but the man had pressed on. "Someone who understands her and appreciates who she is. Someone who will not only support her as a knight but as a woman as well. Someone who loves her, all of her."
Dom had pulled his arm free. "Let's hope she finds someone like that" he had mumbled in reply. The man winked.
"I think she already has."
Dom was brought back to the present as a trumpet behind him signaled yet another changing of the guard. In many ways he had found it difficult to admit that his too perceptive corporal may have known something that he was only just beginning to suspect himself. Although he had always enjoyed Kel's company, taking a great pleasure in those times that he could get her too drop her Yamani mask and just be herself he'd never expected anything deeper. Certainly he had noticed the excitement he felt when he knew they were going to see each other but always he had just attributed it to the happiness one gets when they are reunited with a close friend.
The entire time they had traveled through Scanra he had found himself watching Keladry through the corner of his eye, noticing all over again all the little things about her that he had always found amazing. Now they seemed to take on a whole new flavor and somedays he was left wondering if he hadn't been walking around blind all this time. Still he hadn't been completely certain of this new and yet strangely old attraction he was feeling towards her until they had taken on Blayce and his servant Stenmum in their castle. He had been the one to go after her when she had taken on the Gallan and he was the one who had found her slumped, unconscious and bleeding at the bottom of the castle stairs. The fear that had filled him when he saw her like that had crystallized everything in an instant. He could no longer deny to himself the true nature of his feelings towards Kel. Not that he didn't try of course.
Still, it would be best to find out what Wolset was getting at. "Out with it" he sighed, turning to the man.
"Sarge?" Wolset asked an innocent look on his face.
"We both know you have something else to say so you might as well say it." Wolset still didn't reply. Dom's brow twitched in irritation but he forced himself to keep his tone as even as possible as he asked. "Why do you think that now, if someone were as you say interested in Kel, would be the time for a person to declare themselves." On the inside he groaned. He strongly suspected that his effort to appear nonchalant had just resulted in him sounding rather stupid.
"Well," Wolset replied, in what Dom felt was a far more convincing tone then the one he had just tried, "as we both know the Lady is becoming rather well known throughout Tortall for her deeds. Place onto that the added addition that there are going to be many eligible knights here for the wedding of the Knight Commander. It seems to me that if someone were interested they should get in now before another knight comes along and sweeps the lady off her feet". He clapped Dom's shoulder once more. "It's just a thought anyway." He turned and climbed back down off of the walkway leaving a slightly stunned Dom behind.
"Of course" he muttered to himself. As he waited he mulled over what Wolset had said. There was a rather unfortunate ring of truth in his words, and Dom couldn't quite ignore the sinking feeling inside that told him it was quite likely that Keladry was going to become more and more of a focus amongst her fellow single knights. But what could he do about it? He was only a lowly sergeant in the Kings Own. He had some money to him, the Masbolle being quite an old and wealthy family but he couldn't really compare to many of the well known knights around.
After a moment he shook himself from these thoughts. Somehow he doubted that if Kel chose to love it would matter to her the person's name, wealth or station. She had shown many times in the past that she was above such backward stereotyping. No, the real problem to all of this, he realized, was that everything relied on Kel actually returning his feelings.
A real problem indeed.
The welcoming horn call rang out over his head and he looked up in sudden excitement. He'd become so immersed in his own thoughts that he'd failed to notice the arrival of the very person he had been focusing so hard on. He leant over the battlements and met the hazel eyes of the knight who was gazing up at him. He couldn't stop the grin that spread across his face as he stared into the most beautiful eyes he knew.
Kel couldn't keep the sigh of relief from her lips as Steadfast finally came into view. For the last couple of miles she had had to keep her hand on Neals shoulder just to prevent him from jiggling non stop in the saddle. The moment they could clearly see the fort however Neal shot her a pleading look that she just couldn't resist. With a small smile touching the corner of her lips she let go of his arm. A broad grin lit up his face and with an excited yell he spurred Mage into a gallop.
The men around her chuckled at his exuberance and she and Qasim shared smiles. She watched after the trailing dust that was Neal and felt a surprising sense of wistfulness. As often as she had thought Neals reaction to seeing his lady had been over the top she couldn't quite suppress the feeling in her chest now as she watched him race to be reunited with his love. It would be nice to have someone in her life like that.
As she looked over the approaching battlements her eyes were caught by a figure slumped over the edge of a crenel. Her heart seemed to give a slight thump and she recognized the wind-tossed black hair and strong figure dressed in the same blue and silver as the men around her. He didn't seem to notice the approaching delegation, apparently lost in thought as he stared at something only he could see. In fact it wasn't until horns blared out in welcome that he looked up, his brilliant blue eyes seeming to find hers immediately. The moment they locked gaze an irresistible smile flashed across his face and Kel felt her heart clench again. As always Dom was just way too good-looking to bear. Still Kel couldn't resist giving him a smile in return; after all he was one of her greatest friends. He winked at her and disappeared from sight. They trotted through the gates and made their way into the court yard of Steadfast at last.
As they dismounted from their horses Kel scanned the area around her, noticing with an inner grin that Neal had already disappeared. Qasim came to her side and too her surprise offered her his arm. Slightly hesitantly she took it and let him lead her through the men till she was able to see the people waiting for her, Jump trotting after them. Standing directly in the middle of the yard was her old knight master and soon to be married friend Lord Raoul of Goldenlake and Malories Peak, Knight Commander of the Kings Own. Beside him stood his wife to be Buri, ex-commander of the Queens Riders, and next to her the Kings Champion, Alanna. Qasim led Kel up to Raoul and presented her with a bow.
"Milord Raoul, as promised one Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan." Kel felt the blush that crept over her cheeks even as she rolled her eyes in exasperation. Raoul grinned at her.
"Glad to see you made it to us Kel"
"I've said before, and I'll say it again." she replied as she rose from her own bow. "Milord is a bad man." Raoul laughed as Buri came forward and gave her a welcoming hug.
She'd just finished exchanging handshakes and greetings with the Lioness when a side door opened and the wildmage came rushing out. "Odds bobs," she said breathlessly "I wanted to get out here before you arrived."
"Daine" Kel said her smile widening. "It's lovely to see you again." Daine gave her a big hug that managed to make Kel squeak in surprise.
"It's wonderful to see you Keladry. I'm sorry I was late, I was actually in the middle of a dress fitting when you arrived. Buri brought some of my dresses with her from Corus and I had to make sure they still fit."
"Speaking of," Buri interrupted. "I've brought some possibilities with me for you as well Kel." Kel opened her mouth to interrupt but the K'miri stood firm. "But me not buts. You will be wearing a dress for my wedding and that's final."
Despite the differences in size Buri scowled so fiercely up at her that Kel found herself muttering agreement with the small women before she knew it. Buri relaxed. "I'll be wanting you to meet me tomorrow after breakfast so we can try your dress on." she said and squeezed Kels arm. "It's really good to see you again Kel."
Kel had to smile in return to that. "You to Commander" she replied, to which Buri laughed.
"Commander no more I'm afraid. It's just plain old Buri now."
"There is absolutely nothing plain or old about you." Raoul growled in protest and Buri laughed, raising her hand to his cheek. Seeing Raoul grin as he smiled down at his tiny wife to be Kel couldn't help but smile as well. It was so nice to see her Knight Master happy.
"Daine!" a voice called from above and they all looked up to see a face Kel vaguely recognized as Kuri Taylor seamstress for the riders, sticking her head out of one of the windows in the tower Daine had just exited from. "If you ever want me to get this dressed cinched in time you'd better get yourself back up here. I still have five other dresses to work on!"
"Drat it" Daine said, with a resigned look on her face. "I'll see you guys later," and she tramped her way back the way she had just come. The others laughed but Kel couldn't help a sense of impending doom. She would be in the same predicament tomorrow.
"Lady?" a voice said quietly behind them. Kel turned to see Tobe standing there, the reins for Hoshi and Haven in his grasp. "I'll be taking them to the stables now. Apparently we are being stabled with the Kings Own horses." Kel nodded.
"Take Jump with you. Once you've done the horses feel free to do what you like. I won't need you until tomorrow morning at least."
"Aye, lady" he replied as he led the horses away.
"We have to go as well" Buri said. 'There's a few things I still have to sort out."
Alanna stood up with a groan from where she had been kneeling patting Jump. "I need to go have a few words with Vanget about his majesties latest lot of orders." She made a face. "Seems things are starting to fall down around Maggurs ears. Good for us in the long run but right now it means utter chaos and unpredictable attacks." She waved her fingers at Kel and Raoul in goodbye. Watching as both small women left Kel thought back to how easily she had folded under Buri's glare.
"If you don't mind me saying so milord, I think you are in for some interesting times being married." she said looking wickedly up at him.
Raoul grinned and clasped her shoulder. "Don't I know it. You know she's already informed me that's she's riding with me and the Own from now on." Kel smiled.
"That doesn't surprise me in the least."
"Me neither to be honest." he glanced at the direction Alanna had gone. "I'm probably going to be needed by Vanget as he goes over those orders. Do you remember where you were roomed last time?" Kel nodded. "You've got the same ones. They should be setting up for lunch soon if you're interested."
"I could do with a bite" she admitted. Raoul grinned.
"Excellent, I'll see if I can join you and we can catch up" He looked over her shoulder at her men who were standing waiting for orders. "If you follow the wall to the left you'll come to soldiers' barracks. A spare one has been set up for you. Lady Keladry's insignia should be on the outside and the hostlers there can take your horses." The men nodded and looked to Kel who indicated they could go. Raoul gave her shoulder one more squeeze and left.
As her men turned and walked away Kel considered what to do now. Her bags and holstered weapons were nowhere in sight so she assumed they had already been taken to her room for her. She was just debating whether to unpack now or wait till later when hands grabbed her from behind and picked her up, spinning her in a circle. She squealed in surprise and looked down into the very blue eyes smiling up at her. "Dom!" she gasped. "Put me down!"
Laughing he did so, putting out a hand to steady her when she seemed to have trouble finding her feet. "Don't tell me our brave Protector was caught unawares" he teased, grinning down at her.
Unable to think of a witty response with her head still whirling and all too aware of the places where their bodies had touched when Dom held her, she settled for poking her tongue out at him. He laughed and slung a companionable arm over her shoulders. Kel hid the flush that tried to creep over her cheeks at his closeness behind her best Yamani mask and silently cursed the way she always seemed to react to Dom's presence. Why oh why after all these years could he still manage to make her feel like her bones were made out of jelly with a simple smile. Shouldn't she be immune by now? In all fairness though, she tried to reason, he had surprised her by twirling her around in his arms and now had an arm wrapped around her shoulders, even if it was in just a friendly way. She sighed, who was she kidding, she was just pathetic.
Dom looked down questioningly at her when he heard her sigh. She shrugged. "It was a long journey" she said by way of explanation.
"Speaking of which" he said as they made their way into the general direction of what she realized was the mess hall. "What have you done with my meathead of a cousin? Did he annoy you so much with his terrible poetry that you decided to murder him and dump his body in the Vassa?"
Kel couldn't repress her laughter as she remembered the thoughts she had had along the journey. "I did consider it" she admitted, "and I did have Tobe talk to Mage to prevent Neal from trying to gallop all the way here."
Dom laughed. "Your craftiness never ceases to amaze me Lady Knight. Seriously though if you didn't murder him where is he?"
"You really must have been deep in thought when we arrived." Kel teased him in reply, "Since you managed to miss him riding through the gates right under you." Dom looked surprised.
"Did I now" he said thoughtfully.
"He wasn't here when we made it in so I'm assuming he's off somewhere with Yuki."
"Hmm, poor thing."
"What were you thinking about?" Kel asked. "It certainly seemed to take up a lot of your focus." Dom hesitated turning slightly to look at her more as they entered the mess. He seemed about to say something when a voice called out, "Lady Kel!"
They looked up to see Sergeant Aiden beckoning them over to a table filled with members of the Third Company. Whatever Dom had been about to say seemed to be forgotten as he withdrew his arm and, giving her an elaborate court bow, offered his arm much like Qasim had. Mischievousness filled her and she pretended to giggle like a court lady, fluttering her eyelashes ridiculously as she took it. He seemed delighted that she had joined in with his play acting and giving her a wink adopted one of the ridiculous pompous walks that some of the stuffier nobleman often used at court balls. His stance and upturned nose were so over the top that Kel was lost to a fit of giggles and he actually had to help her walk the last few steps to where a seat was waiting for her. Collapsing on it she swung her legs into place as Dom slid into the spot next to her.
Looking up into his wicked grin and shining eyes Kel couldn't help but notice that despite his playing there seemed to be something hidden in his gaze. He was hiding something from her and as Kel turned to respond to the greetings being called down on her, she made a mental note to ask him what it was later. Whatever it was, it certainly seemed to be occupying his mind if his distracted behavior when they arrived was any clue. Maybe she would be able to help him with it, she certainly owed him that much.
