Dom sat at the top of the watchtower, idly wishing he had Kel's spyglass. There was a party approaching, and his eyesight wasn't sharp enough to identify them. As he squinted, someone in the party hoisted a familiar banner. Double banded, with an owl in the center. Dom grinned as he imagined Kel's embarrassed blush. He also remembered sewing that flag himself.

Soon enough, the group passed under the archway and entered the Steadfast courtyard. Dom jogged down the tower stairs, determined not to look too eager. Nevertheless, by the time he reached the courtyard, his face was flushed and his breathing was heavy.

"Merric." Dom gasped. "You made it." He wiped his brow and straightened.

Merric dismounted in a graceful leap. The man had recovered from his injuries in the Scanran war. "Kel, look who's rushed out to greet us." The noble exclaimed.

Kel handed Peachblossom's reins to Tobe. She crossed over to them and grasped Dom's forearm. "Glad to see you." Her voice was warm; but it lacked the friendliness of an interested female. Dom tried not to let his disappointment show. Kel wasn't reacting to him as he'd hoped. He'd imagined there was a spark between them when she was a squire, but it seemed to have faded. "Thanks for coming with us." She added softly. Dom grinned.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." He purred. A flicker of confusion crossed her features. She shook her head slightly and turned away.

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Kel prowled the grounds as she searched out Raoul. Her thoughts flickered briefly to Dom's over-warm greeting. If she were anyone else, she would've sworn Dom was flirting with her. She grinned self-depreciatingly. No, her pride wanted her to believe Dom was flirting.

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The next morning, Kel, Merric, Dom and Tobe set out for Kennan. It was just after dawn, and each traveler was still fighting sleep. Raoul had thrown a party the previous night, and Merric in particular seemed to be nursing a hangover.


last night:

Kel tried to stick to the outer fringes of the dance floor. Some of the taller men in the company were brave enough to ask her a dance, and she graciously accepted them all. They were her friends, and it would be rude to refuse. Ladies were in short supply, and Kel soon found that she'd danced to almost every song.

Finally, she managed to escape from Lerant and she made a beeline for the tables. She breathed deeply and poured herself a glass of hard cider. The bench creaked as a familiar blue clothed figure sat down beside her. "That's an interesting dress, Kel." Dom remarked, as he reached for a cup of his own.

She smiled distractedly, sipping her drink. "Lalasa can make anyone look good." She answered.

"Your former maid?" Dom asked.

"Yes. You know her?" Kel responded.

"Only through Neal's letters. He said you abused him most cruelly as you taught the woman to defend herself. I can't help liking her for that."

Kel choked on a laugh. Dom patted her back as she coughed; there was a familiar mischievous glint in his eye. "Mindelan, if I'm to escort you to the wedding, shouldn't we practice a few dances?" He suggested.

Kel pursed her lips, thinking. "That might help." She answered slowly. "But it's unnecessary. If I can survive Lerant, I don't see why I'd have any trouble dancing with you. All court gossip says you're quite good at twirling the ladies about."

"On the dance floor or off?" Dom asked innocently. Kel punched his arm.

"Both." She admitted. A look of inexplicable disappointment crossed her features. Dom almost recoiled. It was plain that she disapproved of his numerous flirtations. She rose and wandered off. Dom's eyes rested on her retreating figure; fully aware of how the dress hugged her frame. Talented Lalasa may be, but she'd had plenty to work with.


They arrived at Kennan by the end of the week. Merric moaned in relief at the thought of a warm bath and clean sheets. On the other hand, Dom lamented the piteous lack of mud that lay behind the manor's walls. "You sound like Milord." Kel commented. "I hope you don't plan to spend the entire party behind a curtain." She shot him a wicked grin and kicked Peachblossom into a gallop.

"Did Kel just make a joke?" Merric asked. He blinked rapidly. "Did Kel just…

Dom didn't answer as his spurred his own horse to chase after her. Merric growled and set out after the two. Tobe brought up the rear, wondering what had his lady acting so odd.

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Cleon and Ermeline greeted the travelers warmly. Merric and Cleon clasped forearms; then Cleon turned to Kel. First, he raised his arms as if to hug her. Kel moved to accept the embrace, but then he stopped. He held out his hand, which she took. For an agonizing moment, he struggled to decide whether to kiss the hand or not. Kel ended his inner debate by withdrawing her hand and bowing. Kel saw the tense look in the couple's eyes; Cleon had been honest with his wife about his relationship with Kel. The Lady Knight tried not to blush. Ermeline's eyes were plainly worried; did she think Kel envied her? Kel bowed deeply to Ermeline and stepped back.

"Lovely home you've got, Kennan. Lovely wife too, if I may be so bold." Dom reached out and gently placed a kiss on Ermeline's hand, breaking the tension. Kel held in a sigh of relief as the lady blushed prettily. With a sinking sense of self-pity, Kel noticed Ermeline had dimples. Cleon's wife also had long blond curls, bright blue eyes and a petite, curvy figure. Kel felt ten feet tall and clumsy.

"Kel, your family arrived a few days ago. Anders said he wanted to see you as soon as you arrived." Cleon remarked.

Kel nodded numbly. "I'd best not keep him waiting then." She said, with a lightness she didn't feel. She bowed to the couple and strode away, wishing she didn't feel everyone's eyes on her back.

A/N: I wanted to get past Steadfast as quickly as possible. Sorry for the lack of details, it'll get better soon.