I dont' own Protector of the small or any of the characters in this story, they belong to Tamora Pirece.
Usually Keladry of Mindelan hated social events. Maybe it came from having Lord Raoul of Goldenlake for a knight master, or maybe it came from being on the receiving end of the cruel gossip that came with these events. But no matter how much she usually hated social events the midwinter festivities at New Hope were different. At New Hope the people knew that she wasn't a trollop, they knew how hard she worked to keep them safe and they respected her for that. At New Hope the festivities weren't the boring, proper affairs that were held in Corus, here they were more rustic, and definitely more fun. Here Kel could do what she wanted without worrying about stuffy nobles looking down their noses at her. Here she could have fun. Well, as much fun as she could with Neal around.
"And how is the great Protector of the Small on this fine evening?" Neal asked in the drawling voice that made so many people want to want to punch him.
"Well, I was having fun until just now."
"My dear lady knight, you wound me so!" Neal replied with all the skill of a player. "Is that anyway to treat your best friend?"
"When my best friend is you I think it's the perfect way to treat you."
"Your words pierce my heart!"
"Nealan I swear I will put you on latrine duty for a month."
"Easy Kel! All I did was ask how you were."
"And how did you think I would react when you started using those ridiculous nicknames?"
"Meathead, what have you done to make Mother so angry?" Domitan of Masbolle said as he joined them.
"It's SIR Meathead to you!" Neal snapped at his cousin.
"Don't you start with these ridiculous names too Dom!" Kel groaned.
The two cousins grinned at each other.
"Oh, marvelous Protector!"
"Oh, powerful Lady Knight!"
"Oh, wondrous Mother!"
"Oh, Great-"
"if you two don't stop now, not only will you get latrine duty for TWO months, but you will also find that all your clothes will mysteriously turn pink in the wash!" Kel snapped.
The two cousins turned pale.
"You wouldn't…" Neal gulped.
"Oh wouldn't I?" Kel asked sweetly.
Neal and Dom looked at each other.
"She would, she definitely would."
"Maybe we should leave her to her own devices them?"
"I couldn't agree more."
With that the two cousins turned to leave.
"Oh, Domitan? Nealan?" Kel called
They turned back nervously.
"If you ever call me one of those names again you will be put straight onto latrine duty, understood."
They glanced at each other and grinned.
"Yes Mother."
Then they ran,