DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but the plot.
Author's note(s): Hello! Welcome to my newest story. This is not my first story on ff.net, but it is my first in this genre. I just want to say that I know where are some die-hard fans of Tamora Pierce out there that know every nook and cranny of the books. I've just gotten through re-reading Protector of the Small, and I have a copy of them all right beside me, but, well, I hope you'll forgive my mistakes. ^-^;
I'm picking up right where the book left off. ^-^ Hope you guys enjoy it.
Destined
'The Messenger'
****
They arrived in Steadfast with the beautiful sunset as a backdrop. Kel strained her eyes to make out the person rushing towards them. Owen's face broke into her vision. Though his face glowed with excitement, he dropped into a clean bow before speaking.
"Kel! I haven't seen you in months!" His head bobbed up and down as he greeted Neal as well. Neal's face held a look of impatience. Kel tried to keep her smile to herself as she realized Owen was oblivious.
She climbed off Hoshi, hoping Owen would get the polite hint. His face turned a bright red and he stepped forward to receive Neal's reins. With a mumbled "thank you", her friend raced forward before he realized he didn't know where to go. Turning sheepishly, he waited for Owen's laughter to die down.
"She's in headquarters, waiting for you," he shouted.
They watched as Neal wordlessly turned and ran inside. She heard Tobe's snort while the other two shook their heads.
Tobe moved forward and grabbed Hoshi's reins. Owen gave him a polite nod, fully aware of the kid's protective nature.
"I didn't know you would be here," she said politely.
His smile drooped a little. "My lord wanted to check up on Steadfast and attend the wedding." Owen shook his head, a fond grin appearing. "Kill two birds with one stone, he said."
Kel ignored the sparrow's peeps as they protested the saying. "Oh hush," she said fondly, "It's just a saying."
Owen watched the excited birds, shaking his head. "They're still with you, then?"
Kel nodded. "Couldn't drive them away if I wanted to."
Arrow settled down on her soldier, watching Owen curiously. The squire extended a finger, frowning when the bird pecked it. Tobe, behind her, laughed lightly.
"Well, I had best see to the horses. I'll see you in the officer's mess?"
Kel nodded to him, waving to Tobe.
"So have you seen any jolly fights lately?" asked the squire eagerly. Shaking her head, she headed towards the mess. She was glad the boy hadn't changed.
****
Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle glanced up as soon as the door opened. A scowling man he recognized as Corporal Hanf entered. He sighed and looked back down at his food.
Wolset, who was sitting right next to him, spoke lightly. "Expecting someone, are you?"
He glared at the man, making Wolset and the rest of the table laugh.
"It's the lady knight. He's been interested in her for a while now," supplied a smirking Fulcher.
Dom fought to keep a straight face as the men erupted in laughter. "I wonder if you'd be so brave if you weren't sitting so far away."
Fulcher grinned. "Of course not, sir. You're scary when a girl's involved."
Dom laughed, opening his mouth with a retort when the door opened. He lost his train of thought as the subject of their conversation stepped over the threshold. He smiled as he took in her short brown hair and solid build. Her hazel eyes were scanning the room, looking for someone familiar, when they settled on him. His heart fluttered when he saw her smile and wave.
He watched as she walked over to the food line, helping herself to a plateful. A sharp elbow hit him right in the ribs. He broke his gaze, turning angry eyes on Wolset.
"It's not polite to stare, sir," he said simply.
The other officers laughed. Again Dom was deprived of his retort as Kel showed up.
"What's so funny?" she asked, a smile on her face.
The other men continued to laugh. Her eyes found Dom, still looking for an answer. He shrugged, avoiding her eyes.
She frowned. "May I sit here?"
Fulcher, nearest the aisle, started to move over when the two men to Dom's right jumped up. He fought to hold his growl back as he saw Kel's eyes widen.
"We're finished, Lady Kel. You can have our seats," said Wolset, a mischeivious glint in his eye.
Kel cautiously placed her tray down next to Dom, watching the men wearily. "If I find a spider on the seat, you're in trouble."
"No spider, lady, although Dom can be pretty scary." Wolset laughed before walking away.
Silently, Dom ran through his list of curses. After so many years in the King's Own, it was quite a long list. He was surprised when Kel leaned closer to him, whispering in his ear.
"What's going on? They act like I've something on my face."
Dom swallowed his mouthful of stew quickly, hoping she wouldn't notice. "I think the cook's put some sort of laughing powder in the stew."
She smiled at his joke before pointing down to his half-eaten own bowl. "But you're not laughing."
He smiled charmingly. "Well that's because the cooks like me."
He earned a laugh from Kel and some pieces of stew from his officers. He managed to duck, avoiding most of them.
****
The next morning was a mess with the brides both rushing to get ready for their weddings. The soldiers quickly decided a morning inside the barracks was preferable to going out and most stayed holed up in their beds, emerging only when ordered to.
Kel found the grounds eerily quiet until she got closer to Lord Raoul's room. She poked her head in to check on her former knight-master. He was staring at himself in the mirror. She smiled, recognizing the pre-wedding anxiety and walked over to him.
"You'll be fine, sir," she said, patting him on the back.
He jumped, seemingly surprised to find her there. Her smile deepened.
"You have brothers who are married, right?" he asked suddenly.
She nodded.
"Were they this bad before their weddings?"
She laughed. "Worse. One refused to get out of his bed. It took one of mother's sternest looks to get him up."
He smiled grimly.
Seeing he wasn't quite convinced, she kept speaking. "You're marrying a woman you love and who loves you. Don't be so nervous. The wedding will go fine." Quickly, she added, "And besides, look on the bright side, sir. Now you won't have to worry about all those matchmaking mothers anymore."
He turned to her, finally flashing her a true smile. He gave her a fatherly hug before pushing her towards the door. "Neal will be in the same state I am," he said. "You should go help him."
****
The weddings both went smoothly. She smiled as she watched her Yamani friend struggling to remember not to hide her emotions. Yuki knew it would not bode well with the Tortallan people if she kept a straight face on her "happiest day".
After the vows were said, the reception took place. Kel wandered around, speaking politely with many of the guests. She spotted Dom talking to Corporal Fucher and headed towards the two.
She nodded to Corporal Fulcher, who promptly fled, murmuring some excuse about needing more wine.
Dom flashed one of his charming smiles towards her. Kel smiled back, ignoring the flutter in her heart.
"You're being silly," she told herself. "It's just Dom."
He looked at her hands, seeing she held no glass. His smile widened. "Still have that aversion to wine, eh?"
She smiled weakly. "I found out that drinking any gives me a serious headache."
He laughed. The two stood together in companionable silence before Dom broke it. "Meathead sure looks happy."
Kel smirked at Dom's name for his cousin, looking over at the happy couple. Yuki was on his arm, talking softly to Duke Baird while Neal watched with a grin. He certainly did look happy.
She felt Dom's presence beside her and, using her Yamani training to ignore the tingles his closeness brought, turned to him.
He shifted his eyes, looking at her briefly before looking away again. Finally, he opened his mouth. "Kel, there's something I've been meaning to tell you."
She watched him curiously, waiting for him to spit out the words.
A messenger rode into the fort, hovering near the outer ends of the reception. Kel turned, looking him over before she felt her blood drain.
"Not again," she thought fervently. "My people have been through this. This can't be happening again."
The messenger threw himself from his mount, racing straight towards Kel.
****
Author's Note2: Hah, don't you wish you knew what it saaaaaaid? Hmm, well, quick note. I'm sorry to be kinda just throwing Dom's feelings on you guys, I don't normally let romance start this quickly, but this story, thought it will have romance between the two, isn't centered around them. I needed to get their romance stuff out of the way in the beginning before the rest could happen. Sorry!
Author's note(s): Hello! Welcome to my newest story. This is not my first story on ff.net, but it is my first in this genre. I just want to say that I know where are some die-hard fans of Tamora Pierce out there that know every nook and cranny of the books. I've just gotten through re-reading Protector of the Small, and I have a copy of them all right beside me, but, well, I hope you'll forgive my mistakes. ^-^;
I'm picking up right where the book left off. ^-^ Hope you guys enjoy it.
Destined
'The Messenger'
****
They arrived in Steadfast with the beautiful sunset as a backdrop. Kel strained her eyes to make out the person rushing towards them. Owen's face broke into her vision. Though his face glowed with excitement, he dropped into a clean bow before speaking.
"Kel! I haven't seen you in months!" His head bobbed up and down as he greeted Neal as well. Neal's face held a look of impatience. Kel tried to keep her smile to herself as she realized Owen was oblivious.
She climbed off Hoshi, hoping Owen would get the polite hint. His face turned a bright red and he stepped forward to receive Neal's reins. With a mumbled "thank you", her friend raced forward before he realized he didn't know where to go. Turning sheepishly, he waited for Owen's laughter to die down.
"She's in headquarters, waiting for you," he shouted.
They watched as Neal wordlessly turned and ran inside. She heard Tobe's snort while the other two shook their heads.
Tobe moved forward and grabbed Hoshi's reins. Owen gave him a polite nod, fully aware of the kid's protective nature.
"I didn't know you would be here," she said politely.
His smile drooped a little. "My lord wanted to check up on Steadfast and attend the wedding." Owen shook his head, a fond grin appearing. "Kill two birds with one stone, he said."
Kel ignored the sparrow's peeps as they protested the saying. "Oh hush," she said fondly, "It's just a saying."
Owen watched the excited birds, shaking his head. "They're still with you, then?"
Kel nodded. "Couldn't drive them away if I wanted to."
Arrow settled down on her soldier, watching Owen curiously. The squire extended a finger, frowning when the bird pecked it. Tobe, behind her, laughed lightly.
"Well, I had best see to the horses. I'll see you in the officer's mess?"
Kel nodded to him, waving to Tobe.
"So have you seen any jolly fights lately?" asked the squire eagerly. Shaking her head, she headed towards the mess. She was glad the boy hadn't changed.
****
Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle glanced up as soon as the door opened. A scowling man he recognized as Corporal Hanf entered. He sighed and looked back down at his food.
Wolset, who was sitting right next to him, spoke lightly. "Expecting someone, are you?"
He glared at the man, making Wolset and the rest of the table laugh.
"It's the lady knight. He's been interested in her for a while now," supplied a smirking Fulcher.
Dom fought to keep a straight face as the men erupted in laughter. "I wonder if you'd be so brave if you weren't sitting so far away."
Fulcher grinned. "Of course not, sir. You're scary when a girl's involved."
Dom laughed, opening his mouth with a retort when the door opened. He lost his train of thought as the subject of their conversation stepped over the threshold. He smiled as he took in her short brown hair and solid build. Her hazel eyes were scanning the room, looking for someone familiar, when they settled on him. His heart fluttered when he saw her smile and wave.
He watched as she walked over to the food line, helping herself to a plateful. A sharp elbow hit him right in the ribs. He broke his gaze, turning angry eyes on Wolset.
"It's not polite to stare, sir," he said simply.
The other officers laughed. Again Dom was deprived of his retort as Kel showed up.
"What's so funny?" she asked, a smile on her face.
The other men continued to laugh. Her eyes found Dom, still looking for an answer. He shrugged, avoiding her eyes.
She frowned. "May I sit here?"
Fulcher, nearest the aisle, started to move over when the two men to Dom's right jumped up. He fought to hold his growl back as he saw Kel's eyes widen.
"We're finished, Lady Kel. You can have our seats," said Wolset, a mischeivious glint in his eye.
Kel cautiously placed her tray down next to Dom, watching the men wearily. "If I find a spider on the seat, you're in trouble."
"No spider, lady, although Dom can be pretty scary." Wolset laughed before walking away.
Silently, Dom ran through his list of curses. After so many years in the King's Own, it was quite a long list. He was surprised when Kel leaned closer to him, whispering in his ear.
"What's going on? They act like I've something on my face."
Dom swallowed his mouthful of stew quickly, hoping she wouldn't notice. "I think the cook's put some sort of laughing powder in the stew."
She smiled at his joke before pointing down to his half-eaten own bowl. "But you're not laughing."
He smiled charmingly. "Well that's because the cooks like me."
He earned a laugh from Kel and some pieces of stew from his officers. He managed to duck, avoiding most of them.
****
The next morning was a mess with the brides both rushing to get ready for their weddings. The soldiers quickly decided a morning inside the barracks was preferable to going out and most stayed holed up in their beds, emerging only when ordered to.
Kel found the grounds eerily quiet until she got closer to Lord Raoul's room. She poked her head in to check on her former knight-master. He was staring at himself in the mirror. She smiled, recognizing the pre-wedding anxiety and walked over to him.
"You'll be fine, sir," she said, patting him on the back.
He jumped, seemingly surprised to find her there. Her smile deepened.
"You have brothers who are married, right?" he asked suddenly.
She nodded.
"Were they this bad before their weddings?"
She laughed. "Worse. One refused to get out of his bed. It took one of mother's sternest looks to get him up."
He smiled grimly.
Seeing he wasn't quite convinced, she kept speaking. "You're marrying a woman you love and who loves you. Don't be so nervous. The wedding will go fine." Quickly, she added, "And besides, look on the bright side, sir. Now you won't have to worry about all those matchmaking mothers anymore."
He turned to her, finally flashing her a true smile. He gave her a fatherly hug before pushing her towards the door. "Neal will be in the same state I am," he said. "You should go help him."
****
The weddings both went smoothly. She smiled as she watched her Yamani friend struggling to remember not to hide her emotions. Yuki knew it would not bode well with the Tortallan people if she kept a straight face on her "happiest day".
After the vows were said, the reception took place. Kel wandered around, speaking politely with many of the guests. She spotted Dom talking to Corporal Fucher and headed towards the two.
She nodded to Corporal Fulcher, who promptly fled, murmuring some excuse about needing more wine.
Dom flashed one of his charming smiles towards her. Kel smiled back, ignoring the flutter in her heart.
"You're being silly," she told herself. "It's just Dom."
He looked at her hands, seeing she held no glass. His smile widened. "Still have that aversion to wine, eh?"
She smiled weakly. "I found out that drinking any gives me a serious headache."
He laughed. The two stood together in companionable silence before Dom broke it. "Meathead sure looks happy."
Kel smirked at Dom's name for his cousin, looking over at the happy couple. Yuki was on his arm, talking softly to Duke Baird while Neal watched with a grin. He certainly did look happy.
She felt Dom's presence beside her and, using her Yamani training to ignore the tingles his closeness brought, turned to him.
He shifted his eyes, looking at her briefly before looking away again. Finally, he opened his mouth. "Kel, there's something I've been meaning to tell you."
She watched him curiously, waiting for him to spit out the words.
A messenger rode into the fort, hovering near the outer ends of the reception. Kel turned, looking him over before she felt her blood drain.
"Not again," she thought fervently. "My people have been through this. This can't be happening again."
The messenger threw himself from his mount, racing straight towards Kel.
****
Author's Note2: Hah, don't you wish you knew what it saaaaaaid? Hmm, well, quick note. I'm sorry to be kinda just throwing Dom's feelings on you guys, I don't normally let romance start this quickly, but this story, thought it will have romance between the two, isn't centered around them. I needed to get their romance stuff out of the way in the beginning before the rest could happen. Sorry!