UPDATED! 2/25/03-Look to the end
Disclaimer: These aren't my characters. And the dream isn't mine I rendered it a bit but it still isn't mine, it is from Squire by Tamora Pierce. All these characters belong to Tamora Pierce.
Chapter 1: Meetings
What kind of leader am I if I can't leave my people alone for a few days? Besides, Merric is there to run things, he should do okay, even if he isn't entirely fair. They will be fine. Stop worrying! Raoul her previous knight commander and Buri, commander of the Queen's Riders, were finally getting married. Next to her father, Raoul was the kindest man Kel had ever known. She knew he would be disappointed if she didn't come to his wedding.
It was evening when the white flags of Fort Steadfast came into view. Neal pulled out his spyglass.
"Looking for Yuki?" Kel asked. "I hope you haven't written any poems about her eyebrows..." 'Neal had always been known for being a hopeless romantic.
"Lady Knight, I wrote poems when I was a mere boy. Surely you can see that I am a man now."
Kel scoffed. Neal pretended not to notice. "I really am looking forward to seeing her..."
They fell back into silence leaving Kel with her own thoughts, which were thoughts about Dom. She hadn't seen him in nearly two months. Will he even be here? Surely he was invited to the wedding.
"Kel!" A loud voice interrupted her thoughts. A squire in blue and grey came running out of Fort Steadfast.
As soon as Kel dismounted, Owen had wrapped himself around her waist. "It's jolly to see you!"
Neal cleared his throat from behind Kel, and Owen went to greet him. They exchanged a handshake, then Owen announced that he was to show them to their rooms.
"Kel, Lord Wyldon asked to see you when you arrived," Owen said as he left.
Kel was surprised to see two beds in her room. The other bed already had green bags at the foot, with the King's Own emblem sown to them. She thought that it was odd. No females were allowed in the King's Own they fought in the Queens Riders.
She began to unpack, in no hurry. She placed birdseed on the windowsill, hoping her unknown roommate wouldn't mind the flock of sparrows flying in and out of their room. She was glad to see her room had two doors, one leading outside for the birds and one leading to the hallway for her. She re-folded her clothes, and sat on her bed to clean her glaive. When she finished, she leaned it against the wall, along with her sword and shield. She grabbed reports from her bag and trotted down the hall.
"Come in" a voice replied to Kel's knock.
Kel opened the door to a plain office. Lord Wyldon, her previous training master and her present task manager, sat behind a large wooden desk. His desk was organized as always, with a few papers on the surface and quill and ink in the corner. He had wrinkles around his eyes and graying hair. His age had caught up with him. Lord Wyldon leaned back in his chair and motioned for Kel to take a seat.
"You wanted to see me, my Lord?" Kel asked as she sat, placing her reports on the desk for Lord Wyldon to see. He made no acknowledgement of the reports. He just sat in his chair hands folded in his lap.
"Sir?" Kel questioned.
"I won't look at the reports now. I've called you here to discuss another matter. You might have noticed that there are two beds in your room. Many people have come for the wedding, we've had to place two people in some rooms. Unfortunately, we had to place a male in your room". Lord Wyldon straightened and continued "Keladry, I cannot order you to leave your door open, but I trust this man will treat you respectably-"
The door flew open to reveal Owen dressed in Fief Cavall colors. Kel hid a smile behind her hand, she couldn't help notice that he had forgotten his lessons as a squire. He hadn't even knocked.
"Owen?" Lord Wyldon asked.
"Sir, I'm sorry to interrupt but a scout has reported centaurs in the woods north from here!"
Kel and Lord Wyldon immediately stood. Kel was on her way out when Lord Wyldon called "Lady Knight, we will finish this discussion later."
Kel ran to her room, and to her surprise, she found Tobe waiting there with her armor.
"Owen told me," Tobe said. Kel just nodded a reply.
She stood as Tobe buckled her armor on. When finished, he passed Kel her glaive. She ran down the hall to the horse stables, and prepared her strawberry roan, Peachblossom, for battle. She double checked all of his cinches, mounted up and assembled with the other knights at the entrance to Fort Steadfast. She was surprised to see Raoul in the lead, he had third company behind him. There were a hundred or so men massed together. Raoul signaled to move out.
It would be a long ride so Kel looked for someone to keep her company. She noticed that Neal looked displeased, probably because he had to leave Yuki. He wouldn't want to talk, and she didn't want to hear him swoon over his betrothed. She also noticed Cleon and Seaver riding together; she wouldn't mind talking with them later. A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts "I hope your sword skills are still sharp."
Kel turned in her saddle to be rewarded by a glimpse of Dom's blue eyes. "Dom!" her heart leaped as he smiled at her. Dom extended his hand towards Kel. She clasped it and Dom gave a reassuring squeeze before letting go. Kel felt her whole body go limp. She was sure that he could hear her heart beating. I can't be doing this, I'm not some fickle girl. I should be concerned about battle. I'm going to go fight centaurs, I hate centaurs.
"I don't suppose you've seen cousin Meathead anywhere?" he asked, using his nickname for Neal.
Kel waved in Neal's direction with her hand. "He's over there, but I wouldn't talk to him, he has just left Yuki."
"Oh yes, dear cousin-to-be Yuki," Dom replied with a mischievous grin.
Raoul raised his hand, the signal for movement to stop. He drew his sword, just as hoof beats were heard coming from the north. The rest of the company drew their weapons and within seconds the centaurs were within view.
A centaur came running towards Kel. She grabbed a spear and hurled it into his stomach. While reaching for her glaive Kel heard a grunt. Peachblossom wheeled just in time for Kel to face her attacker and put up her shield. Pain shot down her arm. He had only hit part of her shield. The rest of the axe dug into her arm. The centaur was a male, and looked old. He had graying hair raveled around beads. Kel pushed her shield towards his face, and brought the butt of her glaive down on his head. He fell over, dead. Out of the corner of her eye, Kel saw Dom take an arrow to the shoulder and fall to the ground. Kel threw her remaining spear at Dom's attacker and looked franticly for Neal. She saw him fighting a female centaur, Kel rode Peachblossom over to him, and cut the centaur down from behind.
"I had her you know," Neal grumbled.
"Neal! Dom is hit. He's over there," she shouted over the clamor of battle. Neal immediately rode over to him. Kel had no time to watch; another centaur was coming towards her. An arrow sprouted in its throat and it fell to the ground. Only a few centaurs remained. They were soon finished off by men of the Own. The battle had ended and Kel rode towards Neal and Dom.
"How is he?" Kel asked.
"Someone seems a little concerned," Neal teased.
"Neal..."
"He is fine. I stopped the bleeding and cleaned the wound. He will be healthy again tomorrow- Kel, you're bleeding!"
"I am?" Kel hadn't realized she was injured.
"Look at your arm!"
"I'm all right. Tend to the others first."
Neal pulled a bandage out of his bag. "Here, at least put this on. How would it look if Lady Knight Keladry fell from the saddle due to blood loss?"
Kel remounted Peachblossom after wrapping her arm. The company was getting ready to ride back to Fort Steadfast. Neal helped men assemble stretchers between horses to carry the injured, Dom lying on one of them. Luckily, the Own had only lost one man.
The ride back to the fort was long and painful. Kel's arm ached the entire way. When they arrived back at Fort Steadfast, Kel went to the healer. She took a bath, eyes drooping (healings always made her tired). Kel looked at her roommate's bed, and noticed that it still lay untouched. She lay down on her bed, and she was asleep before her head even hit her pillow.
Something bound her shoulders and feet. Kel couldn't move. She was at the end of a room, a line of people stood in front of her, they passed by her without even glancing her way. Among the people in the line were Lalasa, her mother, Princess Shinkokami (who was also Roald's betrothed), her friend Yuki, and her horse Peachblossom. They all advanced to a table with a centaur standing behind it. Kel had had this horrible dream before, but she couldn't wake herself up.
"Lalasa Isran," said a gray centaur, "dressmaker, strong, clean, rarely ill."
"Cull her," replied the centaur behind the table. Kel struggled to get free, but she couldn't move or make a sound. She watched helplessly as Lalasa fell into a heap on the ground, dead.
"Princess Shinkokami, a Yamani Princess," said the gray centaur, "Connections, dances, knows how to use weapons".
"A woman that knows weapons is dangerous. Cull her," replied the centaur leader. Kel watched as all of her loved ones fell to the ground, dead. Kel was crying, she was helpless she couldn't save them. She shook with fury and sadness. She tried to get free of her bonds, but pain only shot through her muscles. Her loved ones were dieing, and there was nothing she could do. Just when she thought it wouldn't end something pulled her out of her dream.
"Kel? Are you all right?" a voice questioned. Kel was sobbing, her face tear-stained, she was afraid to open her eyes.
"Kel?" the voice asked again.
She opened her eyes to Dom, leaning over her. She didn't want Dom to think that she was an emotional court lady, but she couldn't stop crying. She couldn't even answer. She just sat up and half-consciously placed her head on his shoulder. Her arms went around his neck. Kel was still crying and shaking with fright. Dom, a little bit startled, wrapped his arms around her. He leaned down until his head lay on top of hers. When her sobs slowed, Kel pulled away from Dom and wiped tears from her face. She had left a wet spot on his night shirt. Dom's hand went up to brush the hair from her face.
"Are you all right?" he softly questioned.
"I'm fine. I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you." Kel replied, tears still streaming down her face.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you," Kel said. She was incredibly aware of her surroundings, including how close Dom's body was to hers.
Dom gave her a final hug, and returned to his bed. Kel lay back down. She fell asleep again, with Dom on her mind.
Kel arose at dawn, head buzzing with thoughts of Dom. She decided to go outside to practice with her glaive. She dressed into her practice clothes under her covers, in case Dom decided to wake up. When finished, she grabbed her glaive and opened the door leading outside. Kel began her pattern dance slowly, spinning, lunging, stepping. As she completed it perfectly, she sped up. After a half an hour Kel's glaive was a blur.
Clapping broke her concentration. Kel turned, and Dom was leaning on the door dressed in brown breeches and a white tunic. She smiled at him, and Dom began to walk towards her. What could she say about last night? She didn't want Dom to think she was weak.
"Dom, about last night..." Kel began, not really knowing what to say.
"It's all right. I understand what happened." Why did Dom have to be so nice? "I came out here to tell you that you have a visitor."
"Really? Who?"
"An old friend," Dom shouted.
Kel ran towards their room.
Kel opened the door. Lalasa was sitting on her bed. She stood when Kel walked in, and gave her a hug.
"Lalasa, what are you doing here?" Kel asked.
"I'm here making Buri's wedding dress and I heard you were here," she replied. "I was wondering what dress you were planning on wearing, my lady. I haven't tailored you a new one since last winter, and surely you have grown at least a foot since then," Lalasa replied, mischief in her eyes.
"I was planning on wearing an old gown. That blue on you made me a year ago," Kel answered, knowing that her reply wouldn't satisfy Lalasa.
"Lady Kel! You can't wear that to a wedding. I'll make you a new dress, in a nice brown. It will bring out your eyes." She replied, almost to herself.
"I couldn't ask you to. You are probably busy with the Bride's gown". Kel hadn't worn a dress in at least a year.
"Nonsense, I will even come over and help you get ready tomorrow. Now let me take your measurements". Kel couldn't help but laugh. Lalasa had changed so much from when they first met. She was shy and timid then, and now she had the confidence to give orders.
When Lalasa was done taking measurements, she had to leave. "Good bye Lady Kel, I will be back tomorrow," Lalasa said as she opened the door.
NEW
Kel awoke at dawn the next day. She looked over at Dom's bed. He was sleeping soundly.
She pulled practice clothes out of her bag and dressed under her sheets. When she finished, she opened the door that led outside, paper and ink in hand.
I must be crazy. I don't need to be doing this, Kel thought as she began to climb a tree, but I can't get lazy. The sooner I start the sooner it is over with. Kel continued to climb higher into the tree. She was about fifteen feet above the ground and decided to stop. When Kel was positive she was sitting on a sturdy branch, she began to map the surrounding area.
Kel had hated heights her entire life. For the most part, her fear of heights ended when she was a page. That year she was forced to climb Balor's Needle, It was the tallest tower in Tortall, and she had to climb it to save Lalasa, who had been kidnapped. She wasn't afraid of heights anymore, she just disliked them. She needed to climb a tree to remind herself.
Kel finished mapping, climbed down, and made her way back to fort. She opened the door to her room. Surprisingly, Lalasa was sitting on her bed, waiting. She had told Kel she was in Fort Steadfast with Buri's wedding dress, and it seems she had decided to come visit. A lovely fawn brown dress lay next to her on the bed. Sadly, Dom was no where to be seen.
"You thought I would forget about you?" Lalasa stood and greeted her with a smile.
"I only hoped," Kel replied.
"Put this on and then I will help you with your hair and face paint," Lalasa said as she handed Kel the dress.
Kel grudgingly accepted the dress from Lalasa and went behind the dressing screen. The dress fit perfectly, which was to be expected, if Lalasa had anything to do with it. When Kel walked back into her room Lalasa began to pull on the dress until it sat straight.
"Beautiful," Lalasa exclaimed as she stood back to admire her work, "now sit down and I will fix your hair."
After an hour, Lalasa left Kel's room to go prepare other ladies for the afternoon wedding. Kel examined herself in the mirror. She looked wonderful.
Lalasa had curled her mouse brown hair and piled it on top of her head (she had assured Kel it was the latest style). She added a few touches of face paint to her cheeks, lips, and eyelids. Kel looked like a real court lady, not a burly knight in a dress.
Satisfied with her appearance, Kel decided to pass time by reading. She pulled a book out of her bag, and carefully settled her skirts around her as she began to read. After an hour of reading, the door to her room opened.
Dom stood in the doorway dressed in his finest. He wore black breeches with a white stripe down the side. He wore a white shirt under a blue tunic rimmed with gold. He looked handsome. The tunic brought out his deep blue eyes.
"Kel you look lovely," Dom said as he entered the room.
"You look fine as well, Sergeant," Kel replied, trying to brush off Dom's compliment. Why did he have to be so nice?
Dom straightened, trying to look like a traditional noble, "Milady, shall we depart?" Dom bowed and then offered his arm to Kel, eyes filled with mirth.
"I would be honored young sir," Kel replied batting her eyelashes, barely managing to maintain her serious countenance.
Dom escorted Kel out the door, and they walked to the Raoul and Buri's wedding arm in arm.
Kel was glad to be back in her rooms after the wedding. After feasting and dancing she was exhausted. The wedding had been perfect. Buri had looked beautiful, and Raoul looked happier than Kel had ever seen him. Not only had she sat next to Dom during the ceremony, she had danced with him two times during the afternoon. She could still feel the gentle touch of his hands on her waist.
Kel washed her face, took the pins out of her hair, and dressed in her nightgown, the afternoon's events playing in her mind.
It was one of the best days she had had that year. Kel picked up her book and began to read, but she was soon asleep, dreaming about Dom.
The rustling of clothes woke Kel up. She looked over to see Dom packing. Surely he wasn't leaving!
"Dom?" Kel questioned.
"I'm sorry Kel. I didn't mean to wake you. There has been an earthquake in Irontown. The Own is leaving to help pick up the mess," Dom replied.
"Let me help you pack," Kel offered as she sat on the floor next to Dom.
"Thank you," Dom said. Kel handed him clothes as she folded them and when that was done, she rolled up his sleeping mat. When she was finished, Dom had completed packing and placed his bags by the door.
"Raoul hasn't even been married for an entire day and he is already leaving."
"I'm sure Buri will understand," Kel replied. There was a moment of silence, and suddenly Dom took a step closer to Kel and hugged her.
"Good bye, Kel. You certainly made this visit worth while," he said with a smile.
"I'll miss you, Dom," Kel told him as they walked the few steps to the door.
"I'll miss, you too," Dom replied.
He leaned down and brushed Kel's lips with his own, opened the door and left. Kel stood, lips tingling pleasantly, stunned.
Okay that's all! Should I keep going? Or stop there? You decide. R&R! Thanks!