Disclaimer: I surrender everything and anything to Tamora Pierce. Even the original ideas are hers since, since it was her work that sparked our imagination.
CHAPTER 4
Dom was in the courtyard the next morning overseeing a weapons check when Kel exited the stables and came to stand beside him. He handed her an apple which she grudgingly took a small bite out of.
"You were gone when I woke up" she said to him as he dismissed his men to find their horses.
"I needed to make sure everything was ready and I thought you deserved a bit more rest." She simply nodded at him, taking another bite of the apple. Secretly she was glad he had not been there to see her throw up the remnants of the previous night's dinner. Thankfully the apple seemed to agree with her stomach for the moment, but she wasn't in the mood to deal with Dom's concern. What he doesn't know won't hurt him, she thought.
The couple was interrupted by the arrival of a very cranky Neal who looked extremely displeased with the idea of leaving his wife and child for a mission to the coast. Grumbling about Lionesses and their tempers, he led his horse to stand beside Kel and Dom. He barely acknowledged Kel's greeting before swinging himself into the saddle and crossing his arms.
"I see this will be a cheerful ride" Dom observed as he held Hoshi for his wife to mount. Mounting his own horse, Dom gave the signal for the men to assemble. Positioning himself in the front of the column, with Kel to his left and Neal behind him, Dom led his men out of Corus and onto the road towards the coast.
Kel waited until the sun marked the tenth morning hour before attempting to talk to Neal. Falling behind Dom, she positioned herself between Neal and Merric who was also riding with them.
"Can you at least pretend you like us as much as your wife?" she asked with a smile. Neal offered her a small smile in return.
"I know it will only be a couple of weeks and then Yuki and Cai will join us at the Swoop with Roald and Shinko, but I feel like every time I'm away I miss something important. Last time I went to Port Cayn for three weeks, and when I came home he could sit up by himself. I hate it." Neal sighed with frustration and longing.
"I know. I'm lucky the crown allows me to patrol and ride with the Own, even if it's not Dom's squad, I feel closer. But they are coming to visit" she acknowledged. "Speaking of which, Merric what brings you from the North to the coast?" she asked. Merric had only been in Corus for a few weeks since being released from border patrol in the North.
"Well I've missed the Own, to be truthful. And when Raoul mentioned the Swoop needing reinforcements, I volunteered for the change. I didn't know I would have to deal with a homesick Meathead though." Merric grinned recklessly at Neal who glared back.
"I didn't get to volunteer. I got ordered. You would think the Crown could find another healer to baby-sit you lot, but no. Healer Nealan is told he is the only one who manages to patch you all up and stay sane" Neal hissed sarcastically.
"I think they should rethink their idea of 'sane' if they lump you in that category" Kel shot back before dodging Neal's arm that swung at her. Those around them laughed as Neal feinted a hurt look.
"Under appreciated as always" Neal remarked to himself as they continued towards the ocean.
They made camp just as the skies began to darken, shooting pink and gold streams of light into the indigo sky. The skies were clear and the air warm, proof that summer had recently arrived.
Gathered around the central campfire, listening to the knights and the soldiers' conversation, Kel smiled as she carefully sipped the cider from her camp mug. Steam rose and she inhaled the scent of cinnamon. Dom squeezed her close with the arm he had wrapped around her waist.
"You didn't eat much at supper" he told her in hushed tones.
"I wasn't hungry" she told him quietly. It was the truth although she neglected to add that the smell of sausage coming from his plate had twisted her stomach into knots and ruined her appetite for the evening.
"Maybe you should go to bed early. It's been a long day and you look exhausted" Dom suggested softly. "I'll join you in a moment."
She nodded and stood, bidding Neal and some of the men good night as she picked her way through groups of men seated outside their tents and preparing for sentry duty.
Finding her and Dom's tent, she slipped inside and undressed. Throwing on an oversized shirt and setting her sword within reach of her pillow, she climbed into her bedroll and promptly fell asleep. Dom chuckled to himself when he entered their tent only minutes later. Sliding in beside her, he tucked the blankets around them to keep out the chill and fell asleep with his wife's face buried in his neck.