Chapter One, Dom

August-September

Scanra

Domitan of Masbolle had slight habit of eavesdropping; the number of things a man could learn from a private conversation were endless. Not that he was eavesdropping. He was just... keeping his ear's open. He was using the privy one afternoon and overheard two of Haven's sergeant's talking. They had just come from a briefing with Wyldon.

"I just can't believe my Lady went off on her own like that." Hevlor was saying.

"I can believe that Kel would do sommat like this." Dom knew that voice belonged to Connac, another of Haven's sergeant's. "What I can't believe is that she didn't trust us enough to let us come with her."

So Kel's run off on her own to rescue Haven's missing people. I wonder how Wylden couldn't have guessed. It's just like her. Dom thought, with a slight grin. He didn't want to be Lord Wylden when Raoul found out, that Dom was sure. He left the privy and wasn't surprised when Raoul signaled him to bring his men to the stables. Dom figured he knew what Raoul wanted and so he told his men to be subtle.

About ten minutes later all ten of Dom's men, Dom himself and Lord Raoul were crouched in the stable loft. "I have a mission for you lot, if you'll take it. But it's volunteer's only. If anyone want's out when I'm done talking I'll understand. This isn't a fight or a patrol, it's behind enemy lines I've no doubt. Way behind."

"We're following Kel?" Dom asked eagerly. Keladry was like a little sister to him; he wasn't about to let her go behind enemy lines without some back up.

"What's this about milady? We've heard nothing." Fulcher one of Dom's corporals asked. Raoul looked a question at Dom.

"I had to use the latrine. I overheard Connac and Helvor in there." Dom explained. Raoul made some comment Dom didn't hear, before ordering Dom to tell his men what he knew. "The rest of the Haven burial detail got here safe. They managed to lose Kel though. She went after her refugees didn't she?"

Raoul nodded. "Alone. I need volunteer's" Dom wasn't surprised to see every hand go up. Raoul started to talk about supplies and maps, calculating Kel's position ect. They set out less than an hour later. Dom was in no real hurry, he planned to met up with Kel at Giantkiller. They got to the fort a little before dawn.

Lofren started a fire, so the men could cook breakfast; a stream of dogs, cats and sparrows came from one of the barracks. After a few moments Hoshi (Kel's riding horse) followed them. Dom and Wolset manned the fire, cooking breakfast. Once the everyone had been served, Dom started on Kel's. "What is going on here? Are you out of your minds?" A harsh voice demanded.

Dom handed the sticks of bacon he was cooking to his corporal and turned a mischievous grin on his face. "We wondered if we should wake you but your breakfast isn't done yet. We figured you could use as much sleep as you could get."

They had found the refugees, alright. But the children weren't with them; Dom knew that Kel had half expected that. Kel was ordering the men to hide the bodies and wagons. When you don't want the enemy to know you're about, cleaning house is important. Raoul had once said. "Everyone collect weapons and food. You'll need them on them on your way back."

"What do you mean you'll need them" Esmond asked voice suspicious.

"Exactly what she says. She's going after the little ones, and Stenmun and Blayce. You'd better tie me to my horse after I get this lot fit to ride." Dom shook his head, a smile in his eyes as Kel tried to convince Neal to return with the others. His cousin could be very stubborn; then again so could Kel.

"They go without me and my boys. Our order's are to stay with you." Dom told Kel, his green eyes meeting her hazel one's. He felt a warmth in his belly when she smiled a reply. He then scolded himself thoroughly. In no way could he start to think of Kel as a girl; although she was very pretty, the traitorous part of his mind observed. Kel was as good a fighter as any man (better than most) and would never think of him like that. They were friends, nothing more.

When they rode on, Dom buried these new, uncomfortable thoughts and hoped he would only see the comrade Kel from now on.

"The banner's don't flap." Dom said his brows knit. "We've a good wind but they're banner's don't flap." This was a real puzzle; the wind couldn't have lessened that much down in the valley. He turned to look at Kel as she announced it was an illusion. Kel was getting to her feet when his meathead of a cousin yanked the girl down to her feet. Dom bristled (it was only natural for him to want to protect Kel. She was a little sister to him, he reasoned) and half wanted to hit Neal.

Kel put her griffin feathered band over Neal's eyes; he apologized. Dom surveyed the griffin feather band thoughtfully. "It almost makes it worthwhile to raid a nest." Owen made a remark about Kel and Neal being illusions, and Kel made a biting reply.

"While we pick our noses the quarry's getting away. And there's still the village to worry about!"

It was Fanche who made the very stupid decision to irritate Kel more by saying "There's a village?" Kel thumped her forehead with a fist. Dom took Kel's hand in his own and lowered it. Both Neal and Owen noticed the way Kel calmed down almost immediately, and the way Dom held her hand for a breath to long, before dropping it like a hot rock.

It was after the battle, and Kel was nowhere to be seen. Owen had sent sparrows to see if they could find Kel. They came back and gave the signal for wounded friend. Dom was among the men that fetched Kel. He kept his worry's to himself, or so he thought. When Kel woke he was helping Saefas mount a horse so he couldn't rush to her side like a worried lover; and he wanted to do just that, too.

Once Saefas was mounted he walked, in most dignified manner over and picked up the young tortoiseshell cat Kel had named Lady; for her queenly manner (and a joke Dom had made). "She's bone dry. Any of you battle baits have a flask of water?" Neal demanded. Dom offered his own.

Dom followed Kel as she inspected the damage. When she knelt to console the girl-child Loesia, he had to help her to her feet again.

Five and a half days later they banked on the south side of the Vassa. Home at last. Dom thought ruefully. "Sergeant Domitan please tell me these children aren't the result of your Scanran frolics. Tough I must admit some of them look a bit old to be yours."

"Well, sir, my men helped." Dom replied, eyes twinkling. Dom followed Raoul off, the light from his eyes fading slightly. "You don't think Wyldon's going to be to harsh on her, do you?" Dom said aloud, not really to anyone on particular.

Wolset came up behind him grinning wolfishly. He slung and arm around Dom's shoulder and replied "I'll bet Lord Wyldon's just glad she's back. You can still write poems about the sparkle in her eyes or glaive work mark my words." Dom scowled to hide a slight blush, before muttering "Don't be ridiculous." and moving away from his guffawing squad and an amused Raoul.

Why would Wolset think he thought of Kel that way? She was nearly eight years younger than him, and he only had older brotherly feelings for her, right?