I own nothing. I just love Tamora Pierce's books. long live Keldom
Northern Tortallan Border
Pain. Sharp, burning pain was what she felt as she struggled with consciousness. The darkness faded away into a blur of color as Keladry of Mindelan sluggishly woke. Biting her lip, the lady knight fought back a wail of agony as a tear slipped down her cheek. Voices could be heard, but what they said fell on deaf ears. Firm, yet gentle hands held her in place as another pair lightly touched her temples, sending a wave of coolness through her body. Slowly Kel's vision came into focus to meet a pair of emerald eyes.
"Kel? Kel can you hear me?" asked Nealan of Queenscove softly. He had dark circles under his eyes and looked utterly exhausted. His brown hair messy and his tunic wrinkled, this didn't look like her best friend.
"N-Neal?" she croaked before going into a harsh coughing fit. The hands that held her down carefully angled her torso up a little as Neal held a cup of water to her lips.
"Easy Kel, you're safe." Her eyes meet a brilliant set of blue ones.
"Dom?" she mumbled, worn out from coughing. He gave a small smile.
"Rest Mother, we can talk once you wake up." Before she could scold him, Kel returned to sleep.
Dom glanced at his cousin taking in his pale complexion and shaking hands. Neal had used up almost all his magic just to stop the bleeding and start the healing process on the other wounds. He stood and went to support him.
"Come on Neal, you need rest as well," he ordered, leading him to a palate on the floor not far away. His stubborn cousin shook his head as Dom lowered him to sit.
"Someone needs to stay up with her in case she wakes up and I must write my father…"
"And that is why I am going back to sit with her once I know you are comfortably resting my dear Meathead and you can write Uncle later," Dom explained while he pulled up the blankets.
"It's SIR Meathead," Neal mumbled as he dosed off immediately. Dom gave a rueful smile before returning to his post at Kel's side. Jump raised his head from his post at the end of the bed.
The "Infirmary" was actually a few tents strung tightly together to form a shelter that gave Neal enough room to work until it was safe to move his patient. They were currently too far from Fort Steadfast and thus they worked with what they had. No one had expected Kel to be unhorsed in a small, unexpected border skirmish or that she could even be severely injured by this. The fact that it was the beloved lady knight shook Dom's squad of me to the core. The thought of his men reminded the sergeant that he had yet to inform them of the lady's condition. Quietly he stood and exited the tent. Wolset was the first to spot him standing there and quickly rushed over.
"So how is she?" he demanded as more of the men followed close behind. The corporal noted Dom's weary look and haunted eyes.
"Sleeping, she woke up for a moment and then fell back to sleep. Neal is exhausted and resting now, but he wants us to be ready to move when the time comes. He hopes that Kel will be stable enough to be transported to Steadfast within a few days."
"Um, Sarge? You never told us what happened," said one of the men
"Kel was unhorsed when an arrow cut her helm strap. Peachblossom turned to attack an approaching man and unbalanced her. Kel landed on her left arm wrong and now it is broken as well as her right leg which occurred when another man stepped on it. A mace dented her back armor and caused her mail to break, creating a large gash on her back." The men were silent with fury. How dare anyone hurt their Protector! Dom sighed.
"I need a few men to construct a liter to go between the two largest horses. We can use Peachblossom and my horse. Neal will ride behind the liter on Magewhisper and the rest of you will form a circle around us. We don't want any more surprises. I will also need a volunteer to ride ahead to Fort Steadfast and alert them to what has happened. That person will carry a letter to Duke Baird once Neal awakens and writes it. Until then, rest up." With that the men dispersed and Dom returned inside the tent.
The courier left early the next morning for Steadfast carrying the letter to Duke Baird. Neal was packing up his medical supplies when Dom entered. Kel lay still on her cot, her leg tightly splinted for the ride.
"The men are finishing loading the horses and the liter is ready for Kel," the sergeant told him. Neal nodded and handed Dom a fur lined blanket to wrap their friend in. Though it was near the middle of spring, they couldn't risk Kel getting a chill. With extreme care Dom lifted Kel into his arms. Jump followed closely at his heels, determined t stay with his mistress. When he exited the tent, the men froze from what they were doing to stare. The woman in their commanding officer's arms looked pale and, dare they think it, fragile. Dom walked over to where his horse and Peachblossom stood with the liter hanging between them. Qasim came over and the pair cautiously lowered Kel onto it. Once she was placed Neal came over and did a final check on her, placing another blanket over her. When he nodded to Dom, his cousin gave the order to mount up and Jump crawled in beside his lady. Dom's Squad took up the planned formation and the group set out for Fort Steadfast.