Hey everyone, I'm kinda nervous/excited here cuz I'm about to post my first ever fanfic (fireworks go off, streamers float to the ground, the marching band plays…) I'll cut to the chase here, I will try to update as often as I can but I'm in marching band and taking 8 classes a day and one is an AP class while 6 are honors. To be frank, I get loads of homework plus I have to keep up my fluting skills. I will probably have time over the weekends to at least work on this story if not update it. I won't be doing these long intros just so u know, lots of people spend half of their story thanking everyone who reviewed. So, I am now thanking you in advance. Thanks its very nice of you to review and I appreciate both the compliments and criticism and will take into account all that you have said when I continue writing. Feel free to email me or AIM me whenever though I don't actually go on AIM much so it'd be better to email me or post here or whatnot. I will stop babbling soon. I hope you like this fanfic, happy labor day weekend, and all the best for those who got caught in hurricane Katrina.
Kel took a moment to brush her chin-length brown hair out of her eyes. She needed to focus on the task at hand. "Trey, check the defenses behind us and make sure the others are doing their job. Nari, get two or three of your sparrows to search to the east. It's getting dark over there and if I were Dom, I'd be over there so that the enemy couldn't see me." Kel didn't turn as her orders were followed. It was Raoul's idea to practice her commander training with Dom's squad. It's just so daunting to be telling men twice my age what to do. How would I know more than them? Kel thought. And Mithros, why must we be playing more of those games that Wyldon taught us at dinnertime!
Kel hastily turned her attention back to her sentries. She must focus on her task or else she will win against Dom. She was on the defense and must pay attention for the slightest of details. If she didn't, Dom would sneak up on her and win. Kel grinned underneath her Yamani mask as she thought of the look on Dom's face if he won. She pictured his startlingly blue eyes looking into her own as a grin spread on his face. Stop thinking like that! Are where on earth are the…
But Kel was suddenly cut off from her own thoughts as a roar of sound hit her ears. Creatures of all species started shrieking and running off towards the palace. Kel's ears seared in pain at the massive amounts of chittering, barks, yowls, and every other animal sound that can be imagined. What in the name of the Goddess is going on? Is Daine up to something? Kel thought feverishly. The men Kel was in charge of grouped around Kel looking to her for orders.
"We'd best just leave it be," said a familiar voice. Kel turned to find the handsome sergeant walking towards her. "Daine will know what's going on. We can finish this little game of ours for another day. Why don't we go down to dinner?" Kel was uncertain as she watched the sparrows and Jump sprinting away becoming just a dot in the horizon. Dom, sensing her hesitation added, "Someone's got to be there to make sure Meathead eats his vegetables."
Kel gazed up into his smiling eyes and muttered, "Like he'll listen." This brought a warm smile onto Dom's face. Kel's stomach flip-flopped as she saw him smile. I must be quite hungry for dinner. Kel half-heartedly thought. Kel sighed and trudged back towards the castle with Dom and the Third Company at her heels.
Kel arrived at the mess hall with her stomach rumbling. She smelled the aroma of some sort of meat and vegetable soup and grabbed herself a large helping. She grabbed a slice of bread as she turned to survey the dining hall looking for a place to sit. The tray landed with a soft clunk across from Kel's best friend Neal. Kel chose to ignore the fluttering in her stomach as Dom chose a seat next to her.
"So, Meathead, what's new with Yuki?" Dom asked with a sly grin as he slurped down some of his meal. Yuki had left a few weeks before to go with a Tortallan delegation to the Yamani Islands to negotiate over trading issues between the two countries.
"You are the most ungrateful, selfish relative I've ever seen. Most people might ask me how my day was or what I've done all day but all you can do is ask about my fiancée. I am doomed to be misunderstood," Neal said with a flourish.
"I think you're just avoiding the question," Dom pointed out, his eyes dancing with laughter.
"So what have you been doing today Neal?" Kel asked as Neal opened his mouth to retort.
He shot a quick glare towards Dom before replying, "I've done nothing but paperwork. I'm bored stiff. I can't believe I'm saying this but I would even like to be doing knightwork than all of this stuffiness."
"Why don't you just talk to the Lioness?" Dom suggested. "I'm sure your former knightmistress would be happy to find you something to do."
Neal sighed before saying, "I would, but ever since she got pregnant again, her temper's been flaring nonstop. It'd be best for me to stay away from her right now." Kel grinned at the mental image of Neal cowering in front of a raging Alanna.
Dom, Kel, and Neal were later joined by their friends Owen and Merric. All of them talked animatedly about their duties. All of them, that is, except for Kel who remained quieter than usual throughout the meal. What happened with all of the animals out there? It can't mean anything good. I must go talk to Daine as soon as I can slip away.
Kel started to get up to put her tray away when the sound of the mess hall door being thrown open made her look the other way. In strode Kel's former knightmaster Lord Raoul looking pale. Kel quickly put away her tray and headed towards him. This couldn't be good news.
"Kel, I need you and your friends to report to the meeting room as soon as you can. It's urgent," Raoul said without hesitation. Kel looked at Raoul carefully to see if anything could be revealed on his face. The worry in his eyes stuck out like a charred tree in the middle of a wild, vibrant forest. Kel nodded as she hurried to the table to tell her comrades.
Okay, that's it. Hope you liked it. I will try to get the next chapter up soon.
Disclaimer: I don't anything. It belongs to the ever-talented Tamora Pierce though I do own the plot.