First of all i have to apologize for not mentioning on my last update that i was going on holiday for awhile so wouldn't be updating for about three weeks...sorry! On the upside, while i was on holiday i scribbled down a few more chapters that just need to be typed up, thickened up a bit and edited.
I don't have a beta and am not really in the market for one...at the moment so if you wont to point out a mistake (especially in my grammar) then go ahead. Just don't point out too many :)
Special thanks for Mrs D of M for the private message after she couldn't review the last chapter. See the thing is that i deleted the authors note chapter and every other chapter moved forward one, silly really. I should just have left it as it was.
Thanks for Jean for spreading the word (its like having my own agent) and to ladykeladryofmindelan for putting me on the C2 – Random Good Tamora Pierce Fanfics, you have no idea how happy i am to be there. I feel honoured.
Anywho this story is now on 137 people's alerts...Why aren't i hearing from more of you?
Oh and I'm thinking about changing my name. Either to something containing my name (Mhairi) or something very Scottish. So don't be worried if this story appears under another name, its still me!
After searching frantically round Neal's room, Don finally found an old burka that he fixed around his head before opening the door a fraction and checking that the cost was clear.
Finding no one in the corridor Dom left Neal's room, pulling the door shut behind him and hurried down it only to turn the corner and run smack bang into one of the people he did not want to see.
Owen of Jesslaw, a squire in his final months, had seen a lot of odd things in his life but a sergeant of the Kings Own buttoned up from head to toe with only his slightly blood shot eyes showing through his burka was a sight he had never seen before.
"Sergeant Domitan? Is that you?"
"Its me Owen. Sorry but don't have time to stop..." Dom began before he was interrupted.
"I've been looking for you. Captain Whiteford wants to see you right away. He's up at the watch tower" said Owen before giving Dom an odd look, turning aside and continuing down the corridor.
Dom stood there for a minute cursing his bad luck and wondering if there was anyway of getting out of meeting with Whiteford. However orders where orders, there to be followed.
Making his way stealth fully along the corridor and down the stairs, Dom managed to avoid running into anyone else inside the fort.
The courtyard was going to be a problem though. Packed with soldiers practicing with their swords, the Own checking that their kits were in working order and farm animals gandering about in their pens.
The latter weren't going to prove a problem and, as Dom thought about it more, might be a help rather than a hindrance.
Hugging himself to the wall, Dom walked round towards the stair entrance of the watch tower, careful to keep himself in the shadows of the tall walls.
He had successfully negotiated half of the distance when disaster struck. Keeping half of his attention on the figures he could see in the watch tower Dom failed to see the chicken that was laying in his path till it was too late.
Placing his foot down on the tail feathers of the chicken, Dom realized his mistake as the bird let out an almighty squawk. Dom instantly lifted his foot and as he did so, the small bird launched its attack. Flapping its wings and pecking his its beak, the bird went for the unfortunate sergeant who's vision was suddenly observed by feathers.
Unable to see where he was going Dom began to walk backwards only to slip on a recently deposited cow pat and land flat on his back with the chicken continuing to attack his legs till it felt he had suffered enough.
As he lay prone on his back Dom thought to himself that only the intervention of the gods themselves would have prevented those up in the watch tower from hearing the commotion below.
Sure enough as he sat up and looked towards the watch tower a group of faces could been seen. All looking down at the spectical below, with Dom right in the centre of it.
He was sure that he could point out the faces of his uncle, cousin, Lord Wyldon, Evin Larse and Captain Whiteford among others, and more notably Kel. He swore he that could see the smile on her lips and the satisfied twinkle in her eyes.
Sitting in the mud Dom plotted. He had had enough of being Mr nice guy, he had to come back strong and hard. She may be a Knight of Tortall but he was a member of the Kings Own. Known for their bravery, strategies, prowess and ability to think up better and messier pranks that the Riders.
"Will you be joining us today sergeant" came Lord Wyldon's booming voice from above "or would you like more time to wallow?"
"I'll be up in a moment my Lord" answered Dom as he picked himself up and, ignoring the calls and geers from fellow soldiers, hoisted himself up the stairs. Leaving behind a trail of sludge and slime as he went.
On reaching the top of the stairs Dom came across the party of commanders waiting expectantly for him so that they could begin their meeting.
Looking around the group Dom could tell that both Lord Wyldon and Captain Whiteford weren't happy at all while his uncle was trying his best to hide a smile.
Neal wasn't bothering to hide his amusement and was openly but quietly laughing at the state that his cousin was in.
Standing by his side, and supporting Neal who was threatening to collapse with laughter, was Kel who in Dom's eyes was looking annoyingly calm and tranquil.
The army commanders whom Dom was friendly with all had looks of amusement of their faces as they him wipe off some of the mud from his hair and others parts of his body.
After wiping off more mud from his breeches he straightened up to look into the confused faces of the commanding group.
Neal lost it at that point and bent over double with laughter tears streaming from his eyes as he grabbed a hold of Kel's arm to prevent himself from falling over entirely.
His uncle seemed to have figured out something as his eyes quickly darted from his nephew to his son and back again quickly while Lord Wyldon was turning an interesting shade of red (I leave it to the reader to decide whether the colouring was a result of his anger at having his meeting delayed or his efforts to keep himself from laughing from the site in front of him)
It was Captain Whiteford who broke the silence.
"What in the name of Mithros have you done to yourself sergeant?"
Standing there Dom wasn't sure for a moment as to what the Captain was referring too till his uncle helped him out.
"I think that what the Captain means, besides the mud, is the spots" Duke Baird said.
Dom felt his face heat up and his eyes flicked momentary to Kel before they focused back to Captain Whiteford.
"I'm not sure sir. I was called here on the way to visit my uncle in the infirmary with a hope he could tell me what they are"
Wyldon turned to Duke Baird, pulling on his own nose in frustration and asked him if he knew what they where and if it was contagious
"Without having a closer inspection i cant tell for for sure but I'm pretty confident that i know what it is and no, its not contagious
"Very well" Lord Wyldon said resigned. Turning to Dom he said "Sergeant stand over there" he gestured "down wind. I don't want that smell wafting in my direction"
Dom did as he was bid and after giving him one final look Lord Wyldon began his meeting.
Dom half paid attention to what was being said and the other half on Kel almost willing her to look his way.
Because of his he completely missed what was being said and snapped suddenly to attention when he realised that he was being addressed.
"Sorry sir?" he asked
"Pay attention Masbolle, or did you hit that head of yours in your fall?"
He was dropped as an infant my Lord and has never been the same since" came the quip from Neal "I've yet to discover whether it was an improvement or not"
"When i want your opinions Queenscove, I'll ask for them. Till that day, if it ever comes, keep then to yourself"
Neal opened his mouth as if to reply but a well timed elbow in the stomach from Kel prevented him from expelling anything but hot air.
"I said, Sergeant, that you and your squad will be returning with the Lady Knight to New Hope and then on with her to Corus in ten days time. Lord Raoul suggested your squad as you and the Lady Knight work well together. Do you have any problems with these orders Sergeant?" Lord Wyldon said bearing down on Dom.
"None at all my Lord" said Dom while he thought to himself "Why are we going to Corus?". His graze drifted over Wyldon's head as the Lord continued to address those gathered, and settled on Kel. The young Knight seemed unfazed by the orders.
"As i was saying" continued Wyldon, turning so that he talk to everyone "While i am gone Lord Finchly will be in charge though we don't expect any trouble over the winter" Here he stopped and his gazed drifted out to the mountains, their tops covered with the bearist sprinkling of snow "Commander Yanis" he called.
"Yes my Lord?" said one of the army Colonel standing to attention.
"You and your men already have their orders?" Wyldon asked.
"Yes sir"
"Good, then i don't have to go over anything with you. Meeting dismissed" he said before striding to the steps and down.
Dom only made it a few steps towards Kel when he was waylaid by his uncle and escorted down to the infirmary
Everyone slowly disappated leaving Kel and Neal along on that part of the battlements.
"So" began Kel to Neal as he bent his head over the edge to watch his cousin being lead away "How come your spot free?"
"My dear Kel" Neal said, straightening up and slinging an arm around her shoulders "When you plotted your recent activities to under estimated my fathers thirst for new medicines and herbs. Especially Yamani ones"
"Your father had some?"
"Yup. He got talking to a Yamani medicine man while on Progress. My fathers always looking to expand his medical knowledge whether it be magical or natural"
"I just didn't expect him to have any of that"
"Well he does and that means Dom is going to be spot free in about one bells time"
"Its a shame it wasn't for longer"
"Now he's going to be looking for revenge"
Kel scoffed.
"All I'm saying it that you should watch your back" Neal said walking backwards as he talked.
Since he was walking backwards he failed to notice a bucket laying in his path till he collided with it and when tumbling over.
Holding out her hand to help him up she said
"Perhaps i should watch yours as well"
"Very funny" said Neal brushing down his tunic and scowling at her.