Chapter 14-Yuki POV

I really was not excited by my current job.

"What do you mean I can't see him until he is stronger?" Kel was very quiet as she said this, so that was scaring me even more.

"Kel, as wounded as he is, he feels the need for some pride, don't ask me for what. He's been fretful with the thought of you coming back in. It's taken all of my efforts and Neal's to calm him." Ok, that was an exaggeration, but it would get through to her.

"But, what will I do until I see him again?" She looked so lost for a minute that I almost relented, but I pulled together again.

"I'll bring you updates so you'll know how he is. However, you need to rebuild this town, and you need to get over to Giantkiller to find out their status, report, and see f you can get any help. You've been too worried about Dom to give either of those things the necessary attention."

Kel hung her head because she knew I was right. "All right, but he better get well quickly, or I will come in there and I don't care how fretful that makes him."

"I'll pass the message on."

Kel POV

"Report, Lady Kel."

I had finally made it down to the Fort and I was giving Wyldon my report. He nodded at several of my comments, but kept still through most of it.

"Sir, why had no one else come? Domitan of Masbolle had said that his group was the advance guard, and we were under siege for several weeks. The open battle was a last desperate attempt, and even then it was a miracle it worked." I was a little shocked at my impertinence, but I needed to know.

"I apologize Lady Kel, but Maggur had sent a second army to siege us and we were not able to get a messenger out. The group attacking us had joined the group fleeing from your battlefield so our battles ended at nearly the same time. We have been cleaning ourselves for the past two weeks." Wyldon replied.

"Of course."

"Lady Kel, how are your leaders?"

I waited for a beat, wondering how to respond. "Neal is overworked, trying to heal the deeper injuries. Yuki has been running herself ragged helping him. Dom is one of the most seriously injured and so has been recuperating for the past two weeks. Merric has been supervising the rebuilding and organizing patrols. If possible, a second healer would be helpful to take some of the strain off of Neal, as I have continued everyone's training in their free time."

"Lord Raoul is bringing the rest of his company here to help with the rebuilding and guarding. I'm sure he will bring another healer for your camp. Dismissed."

I bowed and exited. I had seen the strains on Wyldon's face and I didn't want to add to them any more than I needed to. Besides I was needed back home.

Dom POV

"Dom, I am serious, if you try to get up any sooner than another week you will collapse and your proposal will lose effect if you die on me now." Neal glowered at me for a moment before turning around again.

"Neal, I don't think Kel is going to wait much longer and I need to be standing," I pleaded. This was not the first time we'd had this argument, but hopefully, with repetition I would win.

"When you can stand, I will carry you into the other room so it isn't the main area and you can propose then. Until then, I will dose her with dreamrose to keep her out if I have to. Clear?" He growled.

I still sulked. "Yes."

"Good. Now, while you are lying there, you can write your report. Raoul is going to be here in a few days and I doubt he would see convalescence as a god enough reason to escape that." He shoved some paper and a pen into my hand. I gave the obligatory groan as I settled down to write. I had nothing better to do anyway. All, I could do was wait. As soon as Neal cleared me to, I would stand and ask Kel to marry me. I would be a soldier, and not an invalid when I did, and then I'll know once and for all.

The next day, I decided to try Yuki. Unfortunately, she's also smarter than Neal. "No, I know what you are going to ask me, and you can't get up yet. Kel would have my head if you died now because you were trying to do too much too soon. As would Raoul. They both have scarier tempers than you do, and they are actually on their feet. If I have to, I will tie you to that bed, so don't make me Domitan of Masbolle."

"Yes, ma'am." I moaned.

I swear, when you are chained to a bed, each day feels like a year. There is nothing to do. I felt I was lucky when Raoul arrived because it would be something to distract me. However, once I caught a glimpse of his face, I stopped feeling so lucky.

"You just had to go and get yourself injured didn't you. Do you have a report for me?" he boomed.

"Yes, sir," I said as I handed him the finished report.

"Good. You aren't completely wasting your time. Now, did you ask her yet?"

I decided not to pretend to play stupid. If he was asking, he knew. "No, not yet."

He nearly roared, "And why not?"

"I wasn't sure how she felt before…and then I got injured and I couldn't ask her from a bed…" I trailed off. Both reasons sounded weak when I said them to him. He obviously thought so too since he snorted.

"When are you back on your feet?"

"Neal said I would be able to stand in three days. I plan on asking her then." I replied.

"Good. I'll plan on celebrating in three days. It's taken you two long enough as it is." He turned and left quickly. I felt oddly drained after he left. He was so exuberant. It was tiring just trying to watch him.

Just three days, and then I'll know for sure. I drifted into sleep with Kel's face in mind.

I am so sorry that it took me forever to update. Life kept getting in the way, and this chapter did not write very well. It's not brilliant, but it will transition into the next part of the story and that's what I needed. Please review!

~Flyer