CHAPTER 21

"We, the Judges, declare Lord Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak the winner over Sir Nealan of Queenscove!" called the official as the spectators in the stands cheered.

Masbolle was well into its second week of the Harvest Festival, with the tournament being one of the final events. The leaves on the trees had turned to brilliant colors of reds, yellows and golds. The apples were in the final stages of harvesting and the golden fields of wheat had been ploughed and bundled for the winter. The castle staff was preparing for a ball that evening to officially end the celebrations.

Kel clapped for her commander while offering Neal a sympathetic smile. She winced as he peeled himself off the ground and spat the dust from his mouth. She was well familiar with the feeling of being unhorsed by the Giantkiller.

"Now I know why Neal never jousts" came Dom's witty remark from beside her.

"Be kind or you will find your name in the lists" Kel warned, flashing a smile.

"But I, Lady Knight, am not a knight" Dom pointed out as the next set of contenders made their way onto the field.

"Please tell me you don't think that would stop me, Captain" Kel told him, raising an eyebrow.

Dom simply laughed and reached an arm out to wrap around her waist. Dragging her closer, he watched as the herald announced the next round.

"I've never seen your brother joust, even during Progress" Kel mused from in front of him. She leaned closer to the railing and rested her arms on the rough wood.

"He was in the desert during Progress" Dom replied from over her shoulder.

As they watched, Danric pumped his lance at the signal and kicked his horse into a gallop. Lowering his lance over the shoulder of his horse, he aimed for the shield of Alan of Pirates Swoop. The Lioness' son was renowned for his sword and archery abilities, as well as his hand to hand combat. Kel had to admit his tilting capabilities were not bad either, but his slight stature was against him. Danric had no trouble popping the young knight from his saddle. Dom whooped with glee as Danric tore off his helmet and bowed to the crowds.

"That's not fair. Neal could have beaten Alan" Kel told him sharply.

"Thank you, Kel. I will remember who you cheer for the next time I take the field" came the waspish voice of Neal from behind her.

She turned to see him freshly clothed and void of armor. A bruise bloomed brilliantly on his jaw and she saw a slight limp as he swung Cai into the air. Yuki had joined them only moments before.

"I was optimistic" Kel argued.

"Against Raoul? Kel, I'm not even optimistic about you winning against Raoul" Neal retorted.

"I haven't been unseated by My Lord in over a year, thank you very much" Kel snapped.

"True. Except you have only competed twice since the war ended and for the last six and a half months you have been pregnant. The odds are still against everyone but the Stump" Neal pointed out.

"The Stump is currently taking the field" Dom interjected.

Kel and Neal fell silent as they turned their attention towards Lord Wyldon and Lord Haryse of Galdran's Ridge. Cai pulled on a lock of Neal's hair and Neal distractedly pushed his hand away. Chatter was scattered on the air as those around Kel whispered about Wyldon competing. She herself hadn't seen him tilt in almost three years. She had been surprised to find her Chief Commander among the number of knights and nobles who had arrived at Masbolle within the last week.

The match was over quickly with Wyldon saluting the other man as he was carried off the field. Kel couldn't understand why anyone would willingly tilt against the Lord of Cavall. The only times she had done it recently was under order.

"I should go see to him" Neal sighed. "Yuki could you find father? He was with Owen earlier. Silly boy could never tilt. I don't understand why he would go against Roald."

"Kel, can you take Cai while I fetch his Grace?" Yuki asked as Neal left.

Kel nodded and took the child in her arms. She listened absently to his cooing and gurgles as the herald called the next set of contenders. She recognized the shields of King's Reach and Dragon's Inlet. The match ended in a draw.

She looked up, startled, at Dom's voice.

"I'm sorry?"

"I asked if you were staying for the next couple of runs. I am going to see if Father has any requests or needs for this evening's event" Dom told her with a wide smile. They both knew she wouldn't leave the field. "I'll be back."

She grinned and shook her head. He dropped a kiss on her cheek before leaving. She watched him go for a moment before returning her attention to the field again. Raoul had retaken the field opposite Roald as the judges sought to find an overall champion. Kel didn't even tear her eyes away when a squire appeared beside her.

When Raoul had finally managed to break two lances against Roald's shield and have himself declared victorious in the match, Kel acknowledged the squire's presence. It was then that she noticed the owl's crest on his tunic.

"What can I do for you, Squire" Kel asked. Switching Cai to her other hip, she placed a hand at her back.

"My Lady Ilane of Mindelan has requested that you find a seat and stay there. She also instructed me to tell you that she is not asking so much as telling" The young boy said with a bow. "She said if you don't, your brother is likely to tell you the same."

"Which one, Squire? I have a few of them and I was unaware anyone from home was arriving" Kel said with a smile.

"Sir Inness and Sir Anders, my Lady. We arrived this morning. It was meant to be a surprise."

Kel sighed and scanned the crowd with her eyes. At the far end of the field, Kel could make out her elder brother's imposing build and Inness's flashing mail.

"Squire, I require your services to deliver a reply to my mother and a message to my husband" Kel told him.

"Anything, my Lady" the boy said eagerly.

"Tell my mother that sitting is impossible unless she plans to help me stand back up and find my husband and tell him that his brilliant plan of avoiding certain future grandparents has backfired." The squire bowed at her request and scurried off, no doubt wondering if Captain Domitan of Masbolle found Ilane of Mindelan as imposing as he did.

"May I steal my sister away from you, Captain?" Dom grinned and nodded at Anders of Mindelan as he released Kel's hand and let her brother have the next dance.

Kel watched her husband's retreating back head towards Neal and Yuki before turning her attention to her eldest brother. The Mindelan fief had gone all out in preparation for the ball.

"Your arrival was quite a surprise" she told him quietly.

"So was your news in June. I hadn't expected a niece or nephew from you for years yet" Kel couldn't tell if Anders was teasing or disappointed.

"It was an accident. We're happy about it, but it was unexpected."

"Well I just wanted you to know you look radiant. You really did it- proving you could get anything." He smiled gently into her eyes.

"That's why you came here? Decided it couldn't wait until we visited?" she teased.

"Not that at all" he laughed. "I knew you would try to find a way out of visiting before midwinter. I convinced Mother it would be better for you if everyone was in one place for a short time."

"Does she know that?" Kel asked.

"That you're avoiding a visit. I suspect so. She grumbled through the entire tournament today about how you refuse to sit."

"I don't know how she did it. How any court lady can do it and still look put together" Kel sighed.

"Well whether you like it or not, she plans to impart all her motherly wisdom on you while she's here" Anders told her.

"O Mother Goddess have mercy" Kel hissed.

AN: So its been quite awhile, but exams and papers and assignments caught up to me and I found myself drowning in actual work. I have every intention of finishing this story in the next two weeks so keep the reviews coming so I can find some inspiration. I have also been sidetracked by a piece I am working on for fictiopress so if you want read it, find my profile and check it out.

-Jez