I Own nothing.
The Palace Stables
They sky outside was barely light, showing he had only gotten a few bells worth of sleep. Groaning, he dressed and headed for the men's' bathhouse that was connected to the barracks. Once he had rinsed the sweat off him, he redressed and went to the mess hall kitchens. He was able to flirt some food out of a maid as well as some food for Jump. The dog happily devoured his food and some of Dom's before looking up expectantly at the sergeant. He took two apples from a basket and headed to the stables. Once there he gave on to his mare, murmuring compliments and praise to her for her hard work. Then he left one on the stall door for Peachblossom. The gelding sniffed it and then ate it while Dom praised him as well.
A small movement from the gelding's stall caught his eye. Lying asleep at the horse's feet was Tobe. He had been staying at the palace to practice his horse magic with Stephan the holster, while Kel had gone North with Dom's squad in order to gain better control of his horse magic. Dry tear tracks could be seen on the boy's face. Dom wondered if he had found out about Kel's condition. He glanced at Peachblossom.
"It's time for him to get up. Can you wake him for me?" he whispered. The gelding lowered his head and touched the twelve year old. Tobe mumbled something and turned over. Peachblossom nudged the boy again and nickered. Tobe slowly awoke and rubbed his eyes.
"Tobe?" Dom called softly. The blond boy whipped his head to look at the man.
"Sergeant Dom? What time is it?" he asked hoarsely, getting to his feet. His eyes widened suddenly. "My lady! Oh is she alright? How is she?"
"Peachblossom told you?" The boy nodded.
"An' he says it's his fault e'en though I said it wasn't."
"And you are completely right. Don't worry, I took care of the people who did this too her. Now, why don't you come with me and wash up. After that we can grab you some breakfast before we go check up on the lady," Dom suggested. The blond boy rose dusting himself off and patted Peachblossom before he exited the stall.
About fifteen minutes later, the pair made their ways towards the palace infirmary. The palace was beginning to awake as the bell rang for eight. When they reached the infirmary, the sergeant knelt before the boy. Blue eyes met blue eyes.
"Now Tobe, I will go speak with my uncle and see if it is alright for you to visit Kel. Just wait here and I will be back for you in a few moments." The boy sighed and reluctantly nodded his head.
Upon entering the main room to the infirmary, Dom could see empty cots, four on each side of the room. There were three doors that led to private rooms, one of the doors currently being closed. Shelves and cabinets were filled with herbs and potions for healing. A large desk sat in the far corner of the room. Duke Baird and Neal sat in large chairs, sound asleep after a long night awake. Domitian approached the pair and gently shook his uncle awake. The Duke awoke and smiled at his nephew.
"I had a feeling we would see you this morning," he glanced at his son "the poor boy is drain almost completely."
"And Kel, is she alright?" the older man sighed and rubbed his face.
"We were able to bring her fever down, but it refuses to fully break. Her broken bones are not finished healing and won't be for at least two weeks. The back wound has been sealed shut and set on the path to mending."
"Is it alright if she has a visitor? Her servant boy, Tobe, is waiting outside and is concerned about her. She has been like a true mother to him for the past few years."
"Allow me to check on her first and then we shall see. Come," he said rising to his feet. They left the sleeping Neal and entered the closed door. Kel lay pale against the cotton sheets of her bed, her cheeks giving off a slight red tint. A female healer had dressed her in a clean gown that had a button on the back of her right shoulder. Her hair lay spread out on the pillow, damp with sweat. The broken arm was wrapped in a proper cast on top of the sheet and her leg looked three times larger under the blanket with a cast.
"Gods," Dom whispered still shocked after seeing her many times like this over the past few days. The girl on the bed began to stir as the healer rested his hand on her forehead. She let out a groan and slowly opened her eyes. Their hazel color was glassy with the fever.
"…Ur'grace...wha…" she let out a deep, painful cough. Dom fetched a glass of water and held it to her lips. She slowly sipped the cool beverage.
"Easy lady knight," soothed her best friend's father. "You are at the palace. I need to know how you feel pain wise and be honest."
"It…hurts a little…not too bad," she croaked. The man nodded and sent a spark of his gift into her.
"There is someone here to see you. Are you willing to have a visitor for a few minutes?" she nodded and Dom left to get Tobe. The boy paced outside the infirmary, jumping when the door opened.
"So, can I see her?" he asked.
"Yes, but I need to let you know Tobe, that she doesn't look like Kel normally does. She has a fever so she is very pale and you must be gentle when you touch her."
The boy's eyes looked nervous, but he nodded all the same. He quietly followed behind Dom and stopped in the door frame. Kel' head slowly turned to gaze at him and she weakly smiled. Tears welled up in his eyes as she whispered "Tobe" and he rushed to her side. He carefully wrapped his arms around her frame and cried. She held him close as she could in her frail state.
"Mama," he quietly murmured. She stroked his hair and placed a kiss on his head. Her eyes meet Dom's and he smiled softly.
awww r and r
