Kel and her brothers got to the barracks at the same time, she knocked twice – waited then knocked once more – it was a code they had made when they traveled together. It was to signal a woman coming into the man's barracks – she had learnt it quick when she was a squire. They walked in to find most of the men in small groups or lounging/sleeping on random beds. A table in the corner of the room was where she heard Dom's unmistakable laughter.

"Dom, are you trying to corrupt my nieces?" He was defiantly able to corrupt her if given the chance – currently he had not shirt on and Emily was leaning back on him – sound asleep it seemed. Meanwhile Jamey was sitting on a nearby desk – cards held tightly to her. It seemed by the money on the table that she was winning her fair share to.

"Oh beautiful Protector of the Small, come play with us." He was goading her and she knew it, however this time she surprised him by walking over and leaning on the back of his chair. "Looks like I got another good luck charm men, not that I need any." The men all smiled – paying more attention to Kel, who was currently signaling the men his cards. Anders and Inness soon joined the group and when Anders went to pick up Emily Dom shook his head – telling Anders she was ok for now and to let her sleep. Jamey won the next round and Anders – fearing his pregnant wife's temper – rounded her up and started leaning her to the door. Wolset made a non-appropriate joke about taking away the fun, to which her brothers and Dom all got in there attacking position. Dom attacked in a non physical matter – joking about Wolset's new hair – which Jamey had decided would look the best braided and tied in random places. The men howled with laughter and when Anders removed Emily, he quietly told Dom about his father wanting to meet him as soon as possible.

"Sorry men but it seems the women love me, I'm going to escort this lovely little lady to her room." Kel looked at him in surprise as he got up – she followed him out the door with her eyes. Soon making her excuses and walking aimlessly around the castle, trying to remember every day she spent here when she was young. She also reflected on her future – would this child have fond memories of their childhood?

Dom for once was nervous – not that he often meet any girls parents. He didn't court long term. He paced up and down the hallway before coming to stand at Kel's father's door. He knocked hesitantly, Piers quickly called him in – he was sitting in his high backed chair – his face impassive. Dom sat when he motioned to a chair.

"Sergeant Domitian of Masbolle I presume. I would say my pleasure, but given the circumstances you can surely understand my refrain from doing so." Dom would have smiled, his voice held the same calm as Kel's.

"And what circumstances would that be sir?" Piers had to fight back a frown and a smile at the same time.

"My youngest, non- married daughter is pregnant, and the baby is yours is it not? Yet you have not as I understand it offered to marry her, nor made anyone aware that you are courting her, if you are indeed courting her. Do you love her Domitian?" Dom's head hurt – Piers was good at his job, this he knew.

"You can call me Dom, as for Kel you make a lot of presumptions, I cannot marry because of my position of the Own, and if we were courting – we would both understand that marriage is not in the foreseeable future, neither of us would be easily willing to give up our duties and even if one of us was we wouldn't allow the other to be unhappy."

"I notice you didn't answer my last question and as for not courting her, you sure have been thinking about a possible future for the two of you an awful lot." Dom sat back – looking at Kel's father, they were very similar.

"Sir, with all due respect your daughter is probably the most beautiful, brave, and stubborn woman I have ever met. Every man in the King's Own – along with all her friends loves her like a sister." He was walking a tight rope; he was good at reading people and was happy when he got the response he was looking for. Pier's face broke out into a slight grin.

"But you don't feel the same do you? Shall I re-state my question; you are in love with my daughter aren't you?" Dom knew he could not directly lie nor try to dodge this question.

"I would like very much to court your daughter sir, with your permission of course, and eventually – I would like to marry your very opinionated, self-sufficient and attractive daughter." Piers smiled and laughed – breaking his Yamani control – for the first time in a while around someone who was not his immediate family.