"Keep your guard up or I am going to knock you on your back again!" A young girl yelled, simultaneously swinging a double edged scythe at the man in front of her, the 's' like curve of the instrument whistling in the air.

"Don't threaten another in battle unless you are watching your own back!" the voice of a woman screeched from above, a longsword cleaving down upon the young girl who lifted the edge of her scythe and jabbed the air in front of her while looping the edge of the other blade around the man's throat. The older woman landed on the ground and looked up, her eyes meeting the second edge of the double-scythe.

"If you stab me, he dies. If you make one more, he dies. Choose wisely." The young girl's narrow eyes were a deep crimson read as they looked down at the woman in front of her. She knew that that woman would give in as she usually did when the man's life was in danger.

"Oh no, I am slain!" The man fell to the ground, grasping the side of his neck as red liquid came pouring out.

"NO!" The older woman dropped her sword and ran to the man's side, pulling him up off of the ground, tears stinging her eyes, "It's not fair, Domnitan, we haven't had enough time. Don't leave me."

"Keladry…I…I…lov…" And his eyes closed, his head going limp in the older woman's arms.

"Please tell me how I am related to you both again? I honestly can't believe that I wasn't dropped off on the doorstep anymore." The young girl shook her head, looping her scythe so that it was held securely on her back and picking up Kel's sword.

"Aofie, don't say things like that. You are so much like your mother it isn't even something to joke about." Dom opened his eyes, pulling a small packet of pigs blood from his neck and holding it in his head as he stood up, extending a hand to help up his wife.

"I know, I know, you remind me every time I ask. I still swear that I'm adopted." Aofie heaved a heavy side when her father came to her side, heaving his strong arm around her shoulders and kissing her forehead.

"Sweetheart, you are ours. You just better come to face it before Alanna decides to take you from us.

"And I would, of course. Aofie is a fine young fighter, well bred and certainly fierce enough to become a Knight of the realm." As if on cue Alanna showed up at their home, accepting a shake of the hand from all three of the Masbolle bunch.

"Not only is she a great fighter but she is way much nicer than all of you put together." Neal came up behind Alanna, his green eyes flashing as he received a running hug from Aofie.

"Cousin Nealan! Please tell me that I am adopted." Aofie looked up at the man who had become almost like a second father to her, her crimson eyes locking with Neal's.

"Sorry, love, you are 100% Dom and Kel." Neal took his hand and patted his cousin on the head before walking towards Dom and Kel, pulling them both into a hug. "It's been a long time."

"It's been nearly twelve years, actually." Alanna said, coming behind Neal and smacking him upside the head for practically no reason whatsoever.

"Which makes me wonder why we are seeing you? We told you that after the last attack three years ago that we were done unless another large war was going to force Tortall to its knees." Kel said sternly.

"Keladry, as long as I've known you, you've never given up on fighting. It was your dream to become a great Knight." Alanna moved over to Kel, placing her hands on the other woman's broad shoulders.

"Kel and I came to the decision because of Aofie. She needed us more than Tortall does, and we told you and everyone else that once it came to the point where Tortall needed us more we would fight." Dom moved over to where Alanna held Kel, slipping his own hands on his wives shoulders, pushing the lionesses off.

"Well, I guess that time is now." Alanna heaved a heavy sigh as both Kel and Dom's eyes opened wider.

"Then we are ready to serve." Aofie's parents nodded, "But what about Aofie?" The girl was curious as well, her eyes expectant.

"And I'll need all of you, including you Meathead"

A grin leapt to Aofie's face as she turned to face Neal.

"I know you are related to them because, when you smile at me like that, I know I am going to regret everything that comes next, and I am going to get smacked a lot." Neal gulped as Aofie grabbed him around the middle.

IIIII

A/N – I know, this took forever. I am sorry, but I have been working on other projects that are more planned out, plus I have been finishing college and beginning a summer class, so I've been busy. I know this is really no excuse, but I am hoping to be able to write more soon. Thank you all for reading. Review if you please!