Protector Of The Small - The Next Adventure - Chapter 1
Kel rose as normal for her pre-dawn glaive practice, she only had to get through today and then she would be returning to New Hope. As her practice progressed Kel picked up speed releasing all the tension she still held over recent events, not the least of which was the demise of Haven.
She had done her duty and saved her charges from Blayce, but now she longed to return to New Hope, it now felt more homely and she missed it and it's inhabitants.
Coming to the end of her practice routine Kel realized she had an audience, Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle. Feeling mischievous Kel altered her last few steps causing her to finish with her glaive leveled at Doms throat, but about a foot away. Dom laughed in surprise.
Kel joined him sat on the fence,''You seem ready to be going back,'' he commented as they watched the sun-rise.
Feeling absently calm, Kel replied ''Guess I'm used to it now. Anyway,''' she added in a lighter tone, ''Neals driving me mad with his love-sick routine, you'd think, being from a family of healers he'd've found a cure for it,'' she joked.
Dom laughed, Kel found that that the sound warmed her. Since the disintegration between the relationship between her and Cleon, Kel seldom thought of her age-old crush on Dom, but she realized now that their adventure had brought them a better understanding of each other, both as comrades and as friends.
''Well I'm surprised your still here at all then, with only Sir Meathead to look after your well being.'' now it was Kels turn to laugh.
Dom smiled down at her, being one of few men that still could, given how tall she was now. Dom continued, ''Well I guess I could pitched in if he really botches things,'' he gave Kel a sly look. She looked at him, puzzled.
''Oh you hadn't heard?'' he asked rhetorically, ''Raoul wants an Own squad based permanently at New Hope, just so we don't have any repeats of last month.'' Kel smiled again, relising what he was hinting at.
''Dom, that's great!'' Kel was now really happy, it'd been comforting to have the Own at Haven, now she would have them full time. Better yet it was Doms squad.
Dom looked serious now though, he starred of into space. Finally commenting, ''I have nightmares you know? I'd seen some God-awful things - being in the Own and all - but that truly scared me. The cold heartlessness of it.'' Kel nodded, remembering what soldiers talked of as 'seeing the kraken', well perhaps there were different severities of it.
''I'm glad it's over, the dreams, - the ones Tobe mentioned - they were so horrible, then Scanra they almost came to pass, but it didn't and I thought the nightmares would end.''
Somehow Kel and Dom understood each other perfectly, they never seemed to argue, not really and she'd notice the almost telepathic way in which they were in sync during situations.
Again in a different tone Dom spoke again, ''When I found out you'd ran-off on your own into Scanra I'd already been about to ask my lord to follow you and when things looked bad, I was scarred for, you, but with every new arrival, like Neal and Owen I felt more confident, but what I'm trying dumbly to say is, the whole reason I did it all was to see you safe Kel.''
Kel's mouth had dried up and her throat stuck, she couldn't speak if she'd wanted to, all their laughter was gone now. Dom gently took her hand, but when that failed to get her to look at him, with his other hand he slowly tilted her chin up to look at him. Now their eyes met, and Kel nearly melted into the light blue pools that were Doms eyes. Softly his lips met hers, and closing her eyes, she responded.
Just as their kiss deepened, a horn sounded in the distance. Hurriedly they broke apart, Kel blushing, but neither had a chance to speak as the sound of Steadfasts giant gates opening reached them Not looking at one another they both made their way toward the entrance area.
No sooner had Kel reached it than a small, high voice yelled, in somewhat annoyed tones, '' Lady you didn't wake me, didn't you want me to practice with you?'' Kel nodded to Dom and went to console her friend.
Meeting with Whyldon one last time Kel had received yet another two surprises for her return to New Hope, the first being the not only company of Lord Raoul, and Lady Alanna for a few days at least, but also the presence of Lord Whyldon, in an unoffiacial inspection of New Hope.
The second surprise being a purse from the crown, as reward for the neutralization of Blayce and his killing machines. Which considering that she'd ran-off, disobeyed direct orders and the crown in the process was most unexpected. Kel wasn't quite sure what do with it, she'd thought of perhaps sending it to her parents or maybe even getting a squire, but now was not the time to consider it.
Now New Hope came into view. What had started out as a log village built in a week was now a fortress, if a little rough around the edges. Set on a piece of land risen forty feet high, with 16 feet deep dry moats then a barrage of rocks, large and small. Atop the twenty foot walls, dotted with archers hatches, were the inhabitants looking for the return of their fearless leader. Kel almost snorted at that, Protector of the Small was one thing.
Raoul nudged her, pointing and smirking up at something. Her flag. Her last one had been lost at Haven. Whyldon noticed it too giving her an amused look by raising his eyebrows. But he clearly didn't have too many complaints about New Hopes construction and fortification.
Merric called a formal greeting from the Ramparts, which Kel acknowledged with a hand wave, but most formalities were forgotten as they were surrounded by the refugee children, some of the more shy ones held back at the sight of the three infamous knights in Kel company. Kel dismounted, handing her reigns to Tobe, and then ruffling a few of the childrens hair.
Neal headed off to the infirmary, and Merric came to make formal introductions. Kel allowed herself a small smile, she was home.
''You did a good job,'' came a voice beside her, Kel turned and smiled down at the Lioness. ''Thanks, that means alot coming from you.'' Loesa came up to take Alannas horse, Darkmoon.
''Well, when's dinner?'' commented the Lioness