A/n: Here's the next chapter. I apologize for the last chappie that I wrote. I'll try to fix it up as soon as possible, but I have other stories that I have to attend to. I thank you scant few that reviewed. Made me happy to know that my story was liked.
Kel woke up cocooned in her sheets and halfway off her bed. Even dead tired, she had still woken up before the sun had risen. Old habits die hard, she thought as she untangled herself and stood to change into her regular training clothes. She scratched her head with one hand and covered a yawn with the other while bending backwards in a stretch. She fed the birds and Jump before going down to the mess to feed herself.
When she caught herself looking at her barely touched porridge she knew that something was wrong. It didn't help that she still had to go to Lalasa's shop to make sure that her dress for that night's banquet fit right. That she had yet to do her pattern dance.
That she remembered nothing from after downing a tankard of strong drink.
Her Yamani Lump face was immediately put into action as she fought a blush. She couldn't believe that she had gotten drunk in Dom's company. It also didn't help that she didn't remember what she had done. She was skittish and didn't notice someone sit next to her until they cleared their throat. She looked over and saw Neal.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, not unkindly but he did have his healer air about him.
"Fine. Why? How should I be feeling?"
"Fine. I was just curious."
"Neal…you would tell me if I did something that would embarrass me right?" She looked straight into his eyes and didn't blink. Compared to the newly made leader of New Hope, Fanche, Neal wasn't the least bit intimidating.
He hesitated. She stiffened. Did she do something that bad? Usually he would come up with a smart, sarcastic, response. Not this time.
"Of course Kel."
"Okay. Then what happened last night? I don't remember anything Neal."
"Oh dear. Well, a lot happened last night you see…" He broke off as he saw Yuki headed their way. He stood abruptly.
"Something wrong love?" Yuki scowled a bit.
"You have fittings to go to. All of your clothing is out of fashion," She said, smiling towards Kel before turning steely eyes to Neal again. "Come on." She grabbed his hand and dragged him off.
So much for finding out what happened last night, Kel thought as she finally gave up on her breakfast. I'm still left in the dark.
Kel returned to her rooms and grabbed her sword then headed for the Own's training grounds. She saw Wolset and Fulcher, along with Raoul. The Knight Commander waved and she waved back. She was looking for a certain blue eyed sergeant but to no avail. He didn't seem to be about. She shrugged to tell herself that she could find out what she had done from Merric or Owen, not just Neal and Dom.
Once she had worked up a sweat she bowed out and went to take a bath before heading towards Lalasa's shop.
...
"How does it fit Lady?" Lalasa asked around some pins in her mouth. She had gotten away from her other clients-a feat that Kel wouldn't have managed-to help her former mistress.
"It fits fine. Really. I love it." Kel looked in a mirror. Her dress was grand and was orange-reddish with gray trim. This one was also made to make her look smaller than she actually was and she already had thoughts running through her mind as to what to do with her hair. Lalasa still insisted that it needed a bit more work done to it and Kel waited talking to Lalasa about how the shop was doing. When she finished Kel waved good bye after paying her the proper amount and left to go on her trek back up to the palace.
A man watched her leave from the shadows of a building, smiling mysteriously at her retreating figure.
...
Kel spoke with her friends and laughed when was needed. Her thoughts were wandering however, and she finally excused herself to escape from it all to sit down in a separate room away from all the noise. Everyone was talking about Roald and Shinko's wedding that was coming up in spring. Also, there was a new knight favored by the court women. Sir Knight Dafarr of Kitamyn was in his late twenties, with reddish blond hair and dark blue eyes. He had fair skin and perfectly chiseled lips, chin, cheek bones, and nose. He was the second most best looking man Kel had ever seen, right after Joren of Stone Mountain.
I want to go to sleep, she thought as Merric, Owen, Cleon, Ermelian (Cleon's wife) Seaver, Esmond, Faleron, Neal, Yuki, Raoul, and Buri walked into her sanctuary looking at her and smiling.
"We are going to stay here instead of being out there," Raoul said, infamous for his utter dislike of parties held by the crown. It didn't even matter that he was now betrothed to Buri; the memories still pained him enough to influence his judgment. "You know, keep you company."
Kel grinned and their private party inside a bigger party began. Of course, they took turns going out to fend for themselves among the vicious court nobles and their chattering. When it was Kel's turn she walked out and went to go get a drink from a passing squire. He smiled then went along on his way and she surveyed the crowd.
"And you must be Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan, correct? I'm sorry that I hadn't gotten to talk to you before this. I was ambushed by stunning-well you probably don't want to hear that do you? I am Dafarr of Kitamyn. Pleased to meet you," He added in as an afterthought and he took her hand and kissed it. Kel gave her polite meaningless smile.
"Ah. Forgive me; I didn't realize you had come to keep me company. Yes, I am Keladry of Mindelan. How nice to finally meet you." She curtsied and then looked up into his eyes. He looked amused.
"You mean after all the gossip you heard? Trying to see how I fit into it?" He asked, voice sarcastic as his eyes danced.
"Yes. That was my plan." She said, smiling genuinely. He was easy to like, although admittedly a bit straight forward. It was refreshing.
Of course, all of this was observed and put away into a file in the mind of Domitan of Masbolle. He watched as she smiled and looked up at the taller knight and he secretly dreamed of marching over there and breaking the fellow's nose, just as he had done with the man from last night. But he couldn't as another wave of court noble women bombarded him. For once he actually didn't want the attention.
