Dom was sweating heavily as he circled his opponent. He and Ackerley were matched in strength and size, but the Lord of Tirrsmont probably had been trained in fencing since he was five years old. Dom, by contrast, had picked up most of his skills after joining the Own. The men had been sparring for over ten minutes now, and Dom wasn't the only one who showed signs of weariness.

Ackerley lunged in gracefully and Dom parried and sidestepped. Ackerley recovered and stepped back as he started to circle again. Instead of continuing the chase, Dom paused and let his opponent take come closer. As Ackerley approached, Dom closed the remaining distance and quickly touched his sword to Ackerley's heart.

The younger lord of Tirrsmont snarled and knocked Dom's blade away. Swinging his blade wildly, Ackerley tried to bring it down on Dom's head. Dom brought up his sword to block, and the clash made his arms quiver. Grunting, Dom pushed Ackerley's sword away and launched a ferocious series of jabs and strikes. Ackerley was forced to backpedal almost to the wall of the training room, where he gathered his remaining strength to stop Dom's attack. Their blades locked and the two men glared at each other as their arms bulged over the strain.

"What's going on here!?" Kel demanded as she walked briskly over to the dueling pair. The men disengaged and Ackerley smirked at his opponent. Telling Kel the truth would be also mean admitting Dom was trying to protect her.

"Just practice." Dom smiled innocently. "Our Lord Tirrsmont here needs all the help he can get."

Ackerley's face, already flushed from the fight, turned a deep shade of red. "We had a philosophical discussion and thought this would be the best way to resolve our differences." He drawled; giving the standard noble's excuse. Nastily, he added, "in case you were wondering, he finds trollops in men's clothing attractive; and I do not." With that, Ackerley turned on his heel and strode out of the room haughtily.

Kel crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at Dom. "Why do I have the sneaking suspicion I'm the trollop in question?"

Dom's ears burned red, either with anger or embarrassment, Kel couldn't tell.

"You. Are. Not. A. Trollop." Dom said firmly, his eyes boring deep into hers. "And you look damn good in anything you choose to wear." He added, as his gaze softened.

Kel sighed and ran her hand through her short hair. She had just finished her joust, and her hair was matted with sweat. "Domitan of Masbolle, I thought you, of all people, would be past this. Men who don't like me always go for the easiest insults. And…" She sighed. "I've lost count of how many times I've said this; but I AM capable of defending myself."

"And here I was, thinking that you became a commander so you could delegate the grunt work."

Kel punched him playfully in the arm, and he responded by drawing her into a bear hug she couldn't escape. Not that she wanted to.

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After a bath, some healing ointment, and a long 'philosophical discussion' with Lalasa, Kel was ready for another night of "celebration." The Protector of the Small had tried valiantly to shoo Lalasa back to her dress shop (where the seamstress SHOULD have been working on clothes for paying customers).

There are some battles even I can't win. Kel thought, as she studied herself in the mirror. The dark blue dress was elegantly simple and the sash around her waist was flattering. While she'd often worn dresses as a page, that had been to prove a point; Kel didn't normally dress up for…well, just to look nice.

You could always test that statement Dom made earlier. Try showing up in some old tunics and a burlap sack and see how he reacts.

'It's his mother I'm worried about.' Kel thought to herself. She thanked Lalasa profusely and headed down toward the dining hall.

Dom was waiting outside, and he was dressed in a similar color. Kel blushed, and she couldn't help but wonder if Lalasa had known about this. Taking his outstretched arm, Kel followed him into the room. Heads turned, and then glanced quickly away. Rumors had been flying already, and now the couple was sending a clear message.

"We're together. We don't care what you think."

Dom could almost feel the heat of his mother's fury. She was seated at a table over on the far right of the room, and she glared daggers at both her son and the lady knight on his arm. Lord Garrick and Lady Blythe waved courteously at the young pair, while Edolie simmered and clenched her hands in her lap.

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Roald and Shinko watched as Kel entered the room. From their vantage point at the top of the table, the young royal couple saw everyone's reaction—particularly that of Dom's mother. The Yamani princess shared a knowing look with her husband. They owed Kel; and it was time to repay some debts. Shinko rose gracefully and drifted down to Lady Edolie's table. The Lady of Masbolle stood and curtsied deeply as her husband and mother-in-law rose to do the same.

Shinko nodded regally and the older nobles retook their seats. "I wanted to congratulate your son on his choice of company this evening." The royal said smoothly. Her hands were folded neatly in her kimono and she smiled with her politest Yamani mask. "I have known Keladry of Mindelan for many years; she is one of the greatest friends I have ever had. My husband has also known Kel for a great deal of time. I believe he once promised to treat her with the same amount of reverence he reserves for the crown jewels." Shinko chose to speak loudly enough so that people nearby could hear. She bowed slightly, and then returned to her seat.

In the meantime, Roald had also risen to greet Dom and Kel. He shook hands with both commanders and invited them to join him on a hunting excursion later in the week.

As Roald returned to his chair, he noticed his father was staring at him intently. "You know the conservatives will be very upset about that." Jonathan remarked casually.

"Would you have done anything less for the Lioness?" Roald challenged. "I am well aware that Kel can take care of herself, but a little royal favor won't hurt her either. Just look at the Lady of Masbolle now."

Edolie had risen to greet her son, and she welcomed Kel with a polite, if not reserved, greeting.

Jonathan studied his realm's second female knight of the century. In so many ways, she was the opposite of his Lioness. While Alanna was short, Kel stood taller than most of the men around her. Where the Lioness had an infamous temper, Kel had a seemingly infinite patience. As Kel turned, she glanced up at her King. When she did, Jonathan caught a glimpse of what lay behind those hazel, dreamer's eyes. Keladry of Mindelan was exactly what a knight was supposed to be—female or otherwise.

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Three days, five winning matches later, and Kel was now facing Cleon. She risked a look up into the stands; she needed to know Dom was there for her. He sat in the royal booth, enthusiastically waving a banner with…oh gods; he'd sewn another flag with her shield on it! It wasn't much larger than a handkerchief. The Lady Knight shook her head as her chest filled with warmth. Dom had to be the silliest, most untraditional—

The horn sounded. Abruptly, Kel threw her emotions away as she whispered for Peachblossom to charge.

Iness had taught his squire well. Kel was thumped back into her saddle, but she had the sickening feeling she'd risen a few inches when the lance hit her. Another few inches, and she'd have been lifted clear out of her seat. Her legs clamped even tighter around Peachblossom. She could barely breathe, her ribs…

They turned and readied for a second bout. Each knight had scored two points. Kel tried to ignore the pain in her chest. I almost break his heart, he almost breaks my ribs. Seems fair en—

Her lance shattered again and her back protested loudly as it slammed back into her saddle. She looked at Cleon's lance. It wasn't broken. She breathed a sigh of relief. She was now ahead by one point. All she had to do was break her lance again, and try to remain seated. Yeah, that's all. Even the voice seemed out of breath.

She called to mind a warm, summer day on the lake. She tried to inhale, but her breath caught. RELAX. She told herself. Relax! New Hope's future rests in your hands, and you want to be calm right now! Sometimes, you need a little passion to get through it all.

Something stirred in Kel's heart. She had pretended to be a Lump for long enough. Lumps didn't have feelings, didn't care who won tournaments, didn't fall in love…

Kel steadied her lance and spurred Peacblossom into one more gallop. She leaned forward, squinting as she focused on the center of Cleon's shield. No margin for error here, but Kel was a perfectionist.

POP!

"OOMPH!"

Peachblossom whinnied in satisfaction as he watched Cleon topple. Victorious, the roan reared on his hind legs.

"Peachblossom, you idiot, now is not the time f—ahh!"

Kel lost control and tumbled from her saddle. She let out a yelp when her amour pinched her in all the wrong places.

She must have blacked out for a moment. Where was she? Dazedly, she stumbled to her feet. Someone large, carrying a white…banner was running toward her. Whether he meant to surrender or not was unclear. Kel groped for her sword but couldn't find it. She wanted to snarl in defiance, but…

"Kel, you alright?" The banner man called.

She knew that voice…she liked that voice—a lot. Her snarl turned into a very contented, "Mhmmm?" She plopped back down on the ground. "A bath and a long night sleep, Dom." She mumbled breathily. She wondered if he could hear her. Everything went black again.

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Dom felt like several Lord Tirrsmonts were strangling him. He couldn't breathe. Kel had fallen back to the ground, and she wasn't moving. Peachblossom realized he'd lost her and turned. The big charger lowered his neck down and whuffled through Kel's hair, trying to apologize and wake her up. Healers ran out across the field and Neal was among them. For once, Peachhblossom didn't even nip at the knight.

Kel groaned, and Dom let out a sigh of relief. He looked over at her opponent. Cleon was standing; albeit a little unsteadily. He stumbled closer.

"She alright?" Cleon rasped.

"If she isn't, I'll be sure to let you know." Dom growled. His eyes glittered with an unspoken challenge. Gently, he leaned down to start taking away her armor. It must have been crushing her. Neal smacked his hands away.

"She'll be fine, and she'll recover a lot quicker once you let me heal her. Get out of the way." Neal's drawl was gone, his voice allowed no argument. Dom slowly backed away. Green fire poured over Kel.

As she was carried off the field, Dom trailed behind the healers, praying to every God he knew.

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She must have landed somewhere soft. Mud? She wondered. No. She was dry, and didn't feel very dirty. It didn't make sense. Last thing she remembered was flying…

Her right hand twitched and explored the area around her. She felt a coarse blanket and the hard edge of a cot. Med tent, she guessed. She'd been here before—OUCH! With similar injuries, (she'd just attempted to sit up).

She cracked open one eye, letting the light trickle in slowly.

"I think Daine should give you a few flying lessons before you try that again." The Lioness's violet eyes were steady, but they held a trace of mirth. "Gods youngling, you gave the men folk quite a scare. Now, hold still. Neal fixed your lung—it collapsed—but let me take a look at those ribs."

Kel braced herself as the Lioness called up her magic. Cooling fire accompanied the pain, overtaking it and smoothing Kel's chest. She blinked. That wasn't bad, for a healing. "Just some bruising." The lioness muttered, almost to herself.

"Which err, men folk were the most scared?" Kel asked gingerly.

"Like you need to ask." Alanna quirked a suggestive eyebrow.

Kel blushed. Suddenly, she heard squawking and crashing noises. She lifted her head off the pillow just enough to see Neal clamber in.

"Keladry of Mindelan, when your lung collapses, it is time to surrender the joust!" Neal was waving his finger as if she were a misbehaving child.

She frowned at him, pretending to be puzzled. "How am I supposed to win if I surrender? I did win, right? I'll feel rather silly if I put myself through that and lost anyway."

Neal gaped and starting muttering incoherently and Alanna stood to shoo him out of the tent. "You know what his nerves are like. That was unusually cruel of you, Kel." Despite her tone, Alanna's eyes still twinkled with amusement. "And you did win. You were a point ahead of Cleon before the last bout, you stayed on longer. Besides, it wasn't Cleon who knocked you out of the saddle."

The Protector of the Small leaned back into her pillow and yawned. "Does this mean I don't have to go to the feast tonight?" She felt ready to go back to sleep—after she ate something. Alanna procured a stuffed roll and Kel munched on it happily.

"You sound like Raoul." Alanna grinned at her charge. "I suppose you aren't feeling well enough for visitors either, hmm?"

"I think I can handle one or two." Kel replied, meekly.

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Dom paced outside the med tent. He couldn't go in there when Kel was being treated for her ribs; the healers would need to see the injury…Dom stopped pacing. Maybe it wasn't just concern for Kel that made him want to invade her tent.

Behave Domitan. Broken rib or not, Kel could probably still kick your arse if she wanted to.

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Kel watched as Dom crept in, the banner still grasped tightly in his hands. Alanna had helped Kel put clothes back on, but she still felt unusually vulnerable.

"Is it okay that I'm here?" Dom asked.

"I'll chaperone, if that's what you meant." The Lioness purred.

Dom turned beet red. "Yeah. Uhh, Kel, I made this for you." He held out the banner. "Sort of a token, but I don't really know how this happens when the woman is on the receiving end…"

Kel giggled—she couldn't manage a full laugh at the moment—and she took the small flag.

"Thank you, Domitan of Masbolle. I'll wear it proudly under my armor as a sign of…well, you know how this goes." She carefully folded the cloth and set it down on her lap.

Throwing a cautious glance at Alanna, Dom leaned over and kissed Kel's forehead. "I love you." He whispered.

Kel looked up at him, needing to see those sparkling blue eyes as she responded, "I love you too."