Disclaimer: Keladry, Domitian, Nealan, Tobe, and Yukimi along with their nicknames (Kel, Dom, Neal, and Yuki) are all Tamora Pierce's work. The plot of this story however is my own little imagined endeavor into Tamora's world.

Chapter One: Arrival

General Perspective

Keladry of Mindelan, Lady Knight, Protector of the Small, or just Kel swung down from Hoshi's saddle; beside her another knight, Nealan of Queenscove (called Neal), and Tobe, Kel's servant and friend, did the same. They were at a castle to attend Lord Raoul's marriage to Buriram (soon to be ex-commander of the Queen's riders), however Neal was as much, if not more, excited about getting to see his betrothed, Lady Yukimi. Not long after his feet touched the ground Yukimi came running towards him.

She looks almost as excited to see him as he is to see her. Kel thought as Neal and Yukimi kissed. I'm just glad I don't have to hear more about her. Although Kel was happy to see her friend, Yukimi, she was quite tired of hearing about her as the whole ride from New Hope, a soon-to-be town that Kel commanded and Neal also worked at, Neal had not refrained from talking about Yukimi. Kel and Neal were good friends, but even she had trouble listening without interrupting. Tobe along the way had also tired of Neal's conversation and had tried multiple times to get Neal to shut his mouth for a minute or two, but nothing seemed to work. As Kel and Tobe walked away to give the two lovers some privacy, Domitan of Masbolle walked towards them.

"Hey Dom" Kel said and Tobe echoed her. Kel was surprised that her stomach still flipped at Dom's smile as it had in her squire years.

"Hello, Mother, I promise I've been a good boy while we've been apart." Dom said laughing at the joke that to Kel had been used a few too many times.

"Oh, shut up, Dom!" Kel said and slapped him lightly. Dom fake yelped and Tobe, who was leading Hoshi, Pie, and Neal's horse, muffled a laugh behind Kel.

"Did she hurt you?" Tobe asked mockingly, trying not to laugh.

Seeing Neal for the first time, Dom fake pouted, "Yeah, but my mean cousin healer back there is too busy kissing to come help me."

"Ok…" Neal said. "What did Mother do to you?" Neal said because he'd missed the whole exchange until he was mentioned.

"So that's what I have to do to get Meathead to stop all that kissing…." Dom pondered jokingly.

"Shut up." Neal said.

"I should've tried that on the way hear." Tobe said and Kel was in agreement though she didn't say so. Dom and Yukimi listened to Tobe's very short summary of Neal's extra long one-sided conversation. Dom and Yukimi laughed and Neal blushed.

"Did I really say all that?" Neal questioned Kel.

"Well," She didn't want to hurt his feelings, but answered anyway. "Yeah"

"I'm sorry if I made your trip miserable, Mother." Neal said, everyone joked with Kel about being too motherly and it kind of annoyed her now when she wasn't acting motherly at all.

"You did" Tobe answered for both of them. Then Dom led them to the stables and then everyone, but Neal to their rooms because Neal was staying with Yukimi.