Chapter 2

Thanks to everyone who has read so far! Please feel free to write me a review on your take or any suggestions you have! You are all lovely

Thank you to MarchesaLace for pointing out that I am indeed spelling Sergeant wrong (for some reason my computer didn't catch that?) AND also for being the first person to review :)

As per usual, I own nothing.

Much love,
-Sass3

-

Dom often sought out the solitude and peacefulness of the forest bordering the outskirts of the palace. He was often joined by Jump, Kel's mangy yet adorable mutt and a small flock of sparrows who flitted from tree to tree singing their cheerful songs as he made his way through the dense undergrowth. He loved the forest. It often reminded him of his childhood home of Masbolle, where he had often played, pretending to fight monsters and protecting fair damsels. But now, Dom was not looking to reminisce on old memories. Instead, he was wandering through the forest in hopes of escaping his own thoughts of Kel, and what he thought was an impossible situation. Images flashed in mind- he and Kel dancing at Neal's wedding, her bright hazel eyes, usually so serious and clouded with foreboding thoughts were lit up with laughter and carefree worry, next he and Kel fighting side by side at Haven, the fierceness of the unrelenting strokes she made with her Yamani glaive. It was terrifying but also electrifying seeing her that way. Lastly, the way her eyes had widened in shock as she had fallen on top of Dom yesterday. She had said nothing, only searched his eyes for something. What she had been looking for, Dom was not entirely sure, he had been about to ask when Neal had interrupted them.

Not that there was anything to interrupt. Dom thought to himself. He let out a sigh of frustration and ran his fingers through his slightly matted hair. The small flock of sparrows that had been leading the way now fluttered over and took up perches on his shoulders.

"What do you think? Do I have a chance with her?" He asked the nearest one. Tiny black eyes stared back at him before a resounding Peep! came from its tiny beak.

"Yeah, me neither." The tiny sparrow darted up off his shoulder flew in a swift circle around his head before flying off towards the palace.

I don't even know why I'm bothering thinking about this. I mean, it's not like we could be married. Dom thought ruefully. As a member of The King's Own, he was forbidden to marry. I could always leave.. No. I've worked too hard. My lord says that he thinks I'll be promoted to Captain soon since Flynn just retired! I can't give that up! I shouldn't give it up! The Own had been Dom's entire life since he was 18. Now verging on 30, he was no longer the overeager spry boy who had rushed into the heat of battle. Instead, he kept a calm cool head and thought before he acted. It was this and his exceptional ability at tactics that had him promoted to Sergeant by the time he was only 22. The Own, especially Third Company, were his brothers, his adopted family. After his mother had repeatedly threatened to disown him for bringing shame to the Nobel house of Masbolle, being the only of her 6 sons who had not married yet, Dom had turned to Third Company and Neal for support.

Neal. That Meathead. Yesterday he had gone out of his way to embarrass Dom , dropping endless subtle clues, and even going so far as to ask him if there were any court ladies that had caught his eye while they were eating. Kel had determinedly avoided looking at him as he stumbled through some sort of answer, Neal grinning slyly at him the whole time. I'm going to challenge him to a joust one of these days. That'll teach him. I'll kill him then pray to the Gods to bring him back to life just so I can kill him again. Dom ruefully shook his head. Now who's the one who's being dramatic?

Lost in his own thoughts, his guard down, Dom as unaware that he was now alone, the sparrows and Jump having left him to wander the forest alone, nor did he notice the old log that was in his path was now rotting away. As he stepped on to the log, still muttering to himself, he was not aware of his situation until it was too late. There was a only a soft thud and a muffled yell of surprise as Dom fell through the rotted tree and fell to the soft forest floor, landing in a mass of mud on the other side. The state of his newly cleaned tunic and breeches was lost on him, however, as he was more focused on the white hot pain that shot up his left leg. His eyes began to be spotted with black dots, having had more serious injuries than this before, Dom knew that his leg was broken and gritted his teeth, fighting to keep the cry of pain that threatened to escape inside. Quickly he took inventory on the rest of his body. Now he realized that his wrist throbbed and his face was bloody, he brushed his hand across his face, wiping the blood away from his eyes, and wincing as his hand passed the splinters that studded his formally smooth cheek.

Gods, you've really done it this time, haven't you Masbolle. Dom lifted his eyes, trying to gather some grasp of where he now was, having paid no attention to his surroundings as he wandered. Lovely. Broken leg, sprained wrist, and no one has any idea where you are. Biting the inside of his cheek to keep himself from crying out, Dom slowly hauled himself up into a standing position, balancing on only one leg, he tried to hop back in the direction he had come. He was not one bit surprised as he lost his balance and fell to the forest floor once more, landing on his broken leg. Oh good. He thought to himself as he slipped from consciousness, the pain overcoming him.

-

The sound of a sparrow urgently chirping in her ear and flying around her head in a flurry distracted Kel from her practice joust with Peachblossom. Removing her helm she held a hand out for the tiny sparrow to land in. The sparrow ignored the newly produced perch and flew in the tight circle.

"Friend?" Kel questioned the bird. The tiny sparrow loudly peeped once in reply and took off in the direction of the forest. Spurring Peachblossom forward she lightly discarded her practice lance and helm on the ground and took off after the frantic bird.

After travelling for what Kel estimated to be about 20 minutes of riding at a fast canter, the mad chirping of the bird came to a stop. Drawing Peachblossom to a halt, Kel watched as the bird flew in a tight circle again before disappearing on the other side of a fallen log. Dismounting swiftly Kel ran over to where the bird had disappeared. It was now anxiously running its beak through the matted, muddy hair of someone. Kel dropped to her knees and rolled the man over being careful not to bump his leg, which was surely broken. Her eyes widening at the sight of the usually handsome face of Dom, now dirty with blood and dried mud.

"Oh Gods, Dom. What did you do?" she murmured, brushing some of the mud off his face. At her touch, Dom awoke, his eyes slightly glazed over, not registering who was in front of him. He blinked a few times and tried to sit up before Kel gently yet firmly placed her hand on his shoulder and held him down.

"Maybe you should wait." She murmured.

"Kel?" He squinted, trying to focus his eyes. "How'd you find me?"

The sparrow who had brought Kel to the fallen soldier fluttered to his chest so that he could be seen. Kel smiled. "Piper brought me. It seems she has taken a liking to you."

Dom laughed softly. "I always knew those birds of yours were brilliant Kel. Excellent taste."

Kel rolled her eyes and stifled a laugh. Looking up, she called Peachblossom over. Dom sat up, his head being cleared and eyed the big horse. Peachblossom snorted and flatted his ears.

"Peachblossom behave! Dom is hurt. We have to get him back to the castle so Neal and Duke Baird can take a look at his leg." Peachblossom snorted again and flicked his tail in reply, but unflattened his ears. Kel reached her arm underneath Dom's and slowly helped him into a standing position, and then up on to Peachblossom's back. Kel quickly mounted the horse before he could protest the new load, and spurred him forward at a brisk trot. Dom placed his uninjured arm around her small yet solid waist, ignoring the slight flush he felt across his cheeks, grateful that Kel couldn't see it.

"What in Mirthos name are you doing all the way out here?" she questioned him.

Dom sighed. "I like to come and walk out here sometimes. Clear my head."

Kel nodded, she too understood what it was like to have too much going on in her head. "You're lucky that Piper came and found me. Who knows when anyone would have found you?"

"Lady Knight you wound me! Am I of so little importance that you would not have noticed my absence?"

Kel laughed "Hold on tight. Hopefully we can get there before nightfall." She said as she spurred Peachblossom into a faster gait, smiling slightly at the closeness as she felt Dom's strong arm tighten across her midsection.

This is hardly the time to be getting all worked up over the fact that he's holding you. She scolded herself. You're supposed to be getting over this, not encouraging him!

-

Finally reaching the palace stables, Kel quickly dismounted and called for her servant Tobe who spent most of his spare time with the horsemaster and Chief Groomsman Stefan. The lanky boy with the blonde mop of hair came running out of the stables with Jump at his heels.

"Lady! Wha' appened?" he demanded, coming to a standstill at the sight of a bloodied Dom.

"Sergeant Domitan has had an accident. Run quickly and get Sir Neal from the infirmary please Tobe." The young boy took off at a sprint in the direction of the infirmary while Kel turned back towards Peachblossom to help Dom down. He slid down the horse and landed awkwardly on the ground, unable to hold his weight on one leg he began to wobble before Kel ran and flung her arm around his waist, holding him upright.

"What is it with knights and always having to rescue people?" Dom teased, wincing as he tried to move.

"We have to," Kel retorted, still maintaining her grip around his waist. "Someone has to. Our soldiers can hardly look after themselves, much less other people."

Dom laughed. "I'm already wounded Lady Knight, you don't have to add any more." Kel stuck her tongue out at him as they hobbled in the direction of the infirmary.

They had not walked more than twenty paces when Neal came running across the courtyard with Tobe at his heels.

"Dom you fathead! What have you done to yourself?" Neal cried after grasping the other side of Dom's waist.

"Fathead! Well if it isn't the pot calling the kettle black, Sir Meathead!" Dom winced as Neal jostled his injured wrist. "Hey! Watch it!"

Kel said nothing, only rolled her eyes as they made their way into the infirmary and gently settled Dom on to one of the beds. Duke Baird bustled in, shooing Tobe, Jump and Piper from the room, he looked Dom over and narrowed his eyes. He looked to Neal who quickly rattled off a short list of various bumps, breaks and sprains that Dom had sustained.

"Right. We'll start on the leg first and then go from there." Kel made a move to leave the room but Duke Baird stopped her. "You can stay if you wish Keladry. I'm sure Dom would find comfort in your presence. This break will not be pleasant to heal. It seems some of the bone has shattered."

Neal grinned and Dom shot him a dirty look while making a rude gesture that he had learned from a man in Third Company. Kel quietly made her way back over to Dom's side and sat down. Dark green magic flowed from both Duke Baird and Neal as they began the healing. A quiet hiss of pain escaped Dom's lips as he gripped the side of the bed, his knuckles turning white. Without thinking, Kel took his hand in her down and met his sapphire blue eyes, now darkened with pain before he once again lost consciousness.

Oh Kel. You are in over your head.

Unbeknownst to her, Neal had silently watched the whole encounter out of the corner of his eye. Shaking his head he returned his focus to the healing. They're impossible. Too blind to see what's right in front of them.