This is a fan made story. I don't own the rights to the Protector of the Small series, any of its characters belong to Tamora Pierce… Much to my disappointment. This goes AU about midway from the book Page. Fair warning. Constructive criticism is welcome but if you don't like it simply because you don't like the line of thinking, please don't attack me for it. This is mostly centered on Joren. This is also a slow build Kel/Joren.
AN: So sorry for the long delay. I've been distracted as hell of late. As apology, you are getting two chapters back to back today, just as soon as I finish editing them. However, from here on out, the story is going to be slowing down it's pace a little as I have to jump back and forth between perspectives for Kel and Joren to completely finish it properly. I hope you will bear with me as I finish it off.
Early Spring 460
Joren shivered in the morning cold as he saddled his horse, Kel next to him, saddling Hoshi. It was the first week of March and they were heading north. Jump and the sparrows rode with Kel. When they rode past the bluffs on the north of the city, Joren heard Kel murmur a prayer to Mithros before moving onto the Goddess and then one to a Yamani god. After that, Lord Raoul drew everyone's attention by swearing and pointing in rage to a swarm of Stormwings, all going north as well.
Joren and Kel settled into the slow grind of going north through the mud and slush. They were joined by Neal and Roald, both of whom complained and were bitter about their separation from their betrotheds, whom they were in love with. Joren could sympathize, facing the separation he would soon need to endure from his wife. Roald had been planning on marrying this spring, but the wedding had to be put off for the war and thus garnered a bit more sympathy from the married couple.
Joren had already made Kel promise to write him as soon as she knew where she was posted, contemplating how best to ensure her safety without insulting her ability to fight. He wanted to have a family with her when this war was over and this prediction from the Chamber unsettled him to no end. Joren refocused on the road they traveled. The horses of knights broke the snow and ice, the wagons of armor and supplies compacted it and made it traversable for the foot soldiers. It was slow going, the pace set by the men on the ground marching.
Fortunately, there were ample dry quarters for the military, enough troops went north regularly, so it was frequently that local farmers allowed the soldiers to bed down in barns for extra coin, while Officers and Knights slept in crown wayhouses. Between Joren's rank and the fact that Kel was female and his wife, they also got their own room at each wayhouse too. With warm beds and ample food, it was a welcome relief from the bitter cold.
Kel had taken to whispering to Joren her wish that the Stormwings only found cold, damp perches to rest for the night with ice covered wings and frostbitten human flesh, making him chuckle. When they had been on the road for ten days, they stopped in Queensgrace for the night. There were three large wayhouses there and everyone got rooms for themselves. Joren smirked as Kel relaxed into a hot bath after they had seen to their horses. When she finished, he cleaned up in the cooling water and they both dressed before going down to dinner.
All those present were too tired to converse, instead they focused on their food. Kel and Joren were no exception. When Kel finished, she collected a few apples for their horses and excused herself. Joren debated joining her before deciding to do so. They would have precious little time alone for the rest of the journey they were together for.
He took the same route as her, cutting through the kitchens to minimize his time in the cold. When he entered, Kel had a man's wrist in her iron grasp. It was the innkeeper and he started, "You dare…" The man cut off when he realized that Kel was a knight and a female at that.
"This's no business of yours, lady," The man had adjusted his tone and was attempting to free himself from Kel's grasp while Joren approached quietly. He didn't want the man aware of his presence just yet. "Look, he's allus ditchin' chores, never minds his work. Likely he's out here to steal. Leave me to deal with him."
Joren noticed a boy now, as he got closer. The child huddled in a corner of an empty stall before getting up, spitting at the innkeeper's feet and bolting across to the next stall. Joren and Kel shouted, "No!" In unison, knowing the horse, Peachblossom's, temperament.
The boy slipped in manure and only stopped when he was under the horse's nose, "Peachblossom, leave him be! Boy, he's mean. Get out now!" Kel practically shrieked. The gelding learnt to be around others like a proper horse, but he was dangerous at the best of times.
Peachblossom lowered his snout to sniff at the boy that remained perfectly still underneath him. Both Kel and Joren watched in horror as the horse sniffed at the boy, waiting for the cry of agony when Peachblossom finally bit. Only the scream never came. The horse just continued to examine the boy.
Joren's jaw dropped in shock while the innkeeper still tried to free himself, not understanding what was happening, "Milady, you oughtn't go between a man an' his servants. I'll never get him to do proper work now." Kel had tightened her grip on the man now as she examined the boy.
Joren, not holding onto the innkeeper, approached and knelt near enough for a closer look without making himself a target for Peachblossom. He and the horse had come to a tenuous truce of sorts, Joren had to broker the agreement with the help of the wild mage, but he didn't want to tempt fate.
The boy was too small, skinny, visibly abused, and defiant as could be. Joren couldn't help but take an instant liking to him. He was exactly the type of kid that would have stood up to Joren before he had gotten a divine wake-up slap to the face. As the boy stroked the horse's snout and Joren chuckled, he looked over and met Kel's eye, he could tell she was thinking the same thing he was. The boy had horse magic. Joren stood, straightening and joining Kel. Her expression had turned to absolute rage.
"Tell me he's not your son," Kel stated mildly. Joren could tell that she was controlling her rage, a skill that in a backwards way he had helped her perfect.
The innkeeper grimaced, "That stray pup? We took him in out of charity, fed and clothed him, gave him a home. He works here. I've the right to discipline him as I please."
"You would lose that right if he weren't forced to depend on you. He'd be long gone," Kel's voice was as pleasant as if she and Joren were having a casual conversation. Joren simply moved to stand behind her, his arms crossed in silent support.
"Let him starve? That would be cruel," the innkeeper insisted, clearly meaning it but not understanding his violence was cruel as well. Joren felt his mind churning as Kel's no doubt was. Horse mages were damned useful. If she took the boy north with her, it would be a level of protection for her. Peachblossom and Hoshi would be kept in prime condition with the boy around to care for them. Joren considered the idea as the innkeeper kept speaking, not understanding what would happen.
Before Joren came out of his thoughts, Kel was demanding to know what the innkeeper had paid for the boy. Joren smirked, knowing his wife was about to buy the boy's indentured contract.
"You can't buy his contract. It ain't for sale," the innkeeper protested.
Kel dragged the man's face to her own, suddenly very intimidating, "Either tell me, or I visit the magistrate tomorrow and you'll have no say in the matter. This boy is an indentured servant, not a slave. Accept my coin now or have him taken with no pay tomorrow. It's all the same to me."
The innkeeper looked from Kel to Joren and found him as hard faced as she was. Kel released the man, knowing she had won, "Two copper nobles." The man growled.
"One, only one, an' I been workin' for 'im for three years," The boy interjected, clearly understanding what was going on.
"Lyin' little rat!" the innkeeper darted for the boy in Peachblossom's stall. Joren didn't even move to save the man as Peachblossom lunged and snapped, his teeth clacking shut just before the man's nose. The man backed up too quickly and fell backward.
Kel was already reaching into her belt purse before Joren stopped her and handed her the copper nobles he had already fished out of his own. She smiled at him, pleased at the gesture, and took them before holding them up for the innkeeper to see, "I'll take his indenture papers before you have this. Get them, right now."
The man moved quickly. Once he was out of sight, Joren relaxed, "I'll go get Neal, so he can see to the boy."
Kel nodded and accepted a quick kiss from him before he headed back to the wayhouse. It took him a few minutes to locate the knight playing a game of cards and Joren dragged him from his seat, explaining as he went. Neal rolled his eyes as they went back through the kitchens and to the stables. When they returned, Kel seemed to have the boy talking.
"Auld Eulama said I musta been a boon to someun, though she din't know who," The boy was saying as they approached.
"Eulama?" Kel asked, Neal had frozen, staring at the scene before him.
"Midwife as reared me, best's she knowed," The boy gave as an explanation.
"Whose opinion is that? That she did the best she knew?" Kel asked curiously.
"All Queensgrace, lady. They all say't. Way they talk, it din't do me much good," the boy inched forward toward Kel.
She pointed to her horse, "It's not that long ago that I convinced him not to savage everyone in reach. I've known him eight years. I was sure he'd kill you."
"Aww, he's a good un," the boy hugged Peachblossom's right foreleg. "Ain't nobody likes Alvik… me master there."
The innkeeper arrived with a writing board, quill, ink pot, a sheet of grimy paper, sealing wax and a candle. Kel stood, briskly signed the boy's indenture papers, handed over the coins, and watched the innkeeper also sign, then seal the document. As soon as Kel had the completed bill of sale in hand, Alvik fled.
The man leaving finally snapped Neal out of his stupor, "Kel, that monster has a boy under his belly."
"That monster hasn't touched him," Kel replied. They all knew that Neal and Peachblossom didn't get along so there was no point in attempting to change the other knight's view of the horse. "Will you take a look at the boy? Tobe… Tobeis Boon, this is my friend, Neal and my husband, Joren. Tobe, Neal is a healer. I want him to look at you."
"Not while he's in there," Neal protested, Joren didn't blame him.
The boy also responded at the same time, "He's no healer, just some noble."
"I'm a healer and a noble," Neal glared at Tobe before turning to Kel. "What have you done now, Stone Mountain?"
Kel shrugged while Joren knelt down and worked on coaxing Tobe out from under the horse, "I need a servant. Tobe seemed to want a change, so I hired him away from the innkeeper."
"Your mean he's another one of your strays. Didn't that griffin teach you anything?" Neal asked her before turning to Joren. "Why didn't you stop her?"
Joren smirked before shrugging, "Peachblossom likes him. Besides, I'm smart enough to not waste my breath on the matter."
"Griffin? You saw a griffin?" Tobe scooted out from under Peachblossom a little.
Kel nodded with a smile, "I'll tell you about it if you let Neal have a look at you."
Tobe looked at him with suspicion, "Folk like him don't touch the likes of me."
"If you knew how I spent my squiredom, you'd know the likes of you are most of what I ended up touching," Neal knelt down next to Joren, leaving the lord between him and Peachblossom. The boy scratched himself. "I can get rid of your lice and fleas."
"Cannot," Tobe denied.
"Can too. Handiest spell I ever learned," Neal replied. Joren and Neal went about coaxing the boy out and then Joren watched as Neal healed the boy while Kel went to go order a bath and some food. Once the boy was healed, Joren escorted him to their room. Neal went back to the card game that Joren had dragged him from.
"Here we are," Joren pushed him into the room and shut it behind him. Kel smiled at them and put on a coat and slicker along with a broad oiled hat.
"Make sure he scrubs every part of himself before he eats," Kel instructed before kissing Joren's cheek. "I'm going to get him clothing from the supply wagons."
Joren nodded and handed her a little more coin from his purse to help pay for it. Once she left the room he turned and looked sternly at Tobe, "That is your bath, strip down and get in. You heard Lady Kel. You don't eat until you're clean. Use the soap. I'm going to watch and make sure you're squeaky clean."
Tobe looked at Joren before going to the bath and sticking his finger in, "It's hot!" Joren hid a smile at the boy's dismay.
"Believe me, you'll be grateful for hot baths in time, though you won't always get them. Now you will clean yourself or I'll clean you myself. My Lady Wife's orders are to be obeyed. She won't have dirty servants," Joren fixed him with a stern look. He watched until the boy stripped down and slid into the tub with a yelp.
He then went and collected the tray of food from outside the room and set out one of his spare shirts and some drying cloths. He then eyed the boy who was climbing out. He looked clean so Joren passed the boy drying cloths. Once he was dry, Joren put the shirt on Tobe and sat him down to eat. As he ate, Tobe asked about Kel's glaive and he explained what it was. He settled down onto the bed while the boy ate and allowed himself to nap while he waited for his wife's return.
When she did, Tobe reacted well before Joren could, "I don't care if you was drunk or mad or takin' poppy or rainbow dream or laugh powder, you bought my bond and signed your name and paid money for me and you can't return me to ol' Alvik. If you try, I'll run off 'n' steal 'n' when I'm caught, I'll say I belong to you, so they'll want satisfaction from you. I mean it! You can't blame drink or drug or anything and then get rid of me because I won't go." When the boy had finally stopped, Joren was forcibly holding his laughter back with his hand.
Kel just stood there, waiting until the boy stopped, once he was done Kel asked a single phrase, "What was that about?"
"See?" The boy nearly screeched, causing Joren to cringe. "You forgot me already, me, Tobeis Boon, whose bond you bought tonight. I knew you was drunk or takin' a drug or mad. But here I am an' here I stay. You need me, to, to carry your wine jug, an' cut the poppy brick for you to smoke, an', an' make sure you eat…"
Joren finally lost his battle and started laughing loudly, startling the boy, who had clearly forgotten Joren was even there at all. Kel raised an eyebrow at them both and spoke firmly in a calm tone, "Quiet." Joren managed to choke back his laughter at her serious expression. Tobe's mouth snapped shut as well which Joren knew was directly a result of Kel's words.
She crouched before the boy and blew into Tobe's face, Joren guessed so that Tobe could smell her breath, "I'm not drunk, I take no drugs, and if I'm mad, it's in ways that don't concern you. I went out to get you clothes, Tobe, like I said before leaving. You can't go north wearing only a shirt. Besides, do you think my husband would allow me to buy your bond if I wasn't in my right mind? Never mind allow me to go fight in a war?"
She tossed the sack of clothing directly on top of Joren and he chuckled, and went the teasing route, "Oh, I don't know. You're heading off to war, where the King won't allow me to go. I had to promise the King, swear by Mithros, that I was going to Stone Mountain to see to our fief for him to allow me to leave with you all. I might have let you get him, so he could take care of you, especially if you weren't in your right mind."
Kel scowled at him but focused on freeing herself from her outerwear. When she struggled with the hat ties, Joren was up and undoing them for her, a tender look in his eyes. He passed it off to the boy while Kel took off her cloak and Tobe hung it up before kneeling to help Kel remove her boots, "I have clothes." Tobe stated while yanking a boot off. Joren helped hold Kel steady during the process.
"I saw. I wouldn't let a cat have kittens on them. I ought to take Alvik before a magistrate anyway. Your bond says you get two full suits of clothes, a coat, and a sturdy pair of shoes every year."
"It does?" he asked, boot finally removed from her foot.
Kel pulled out the papers and pointed to the paragraph, "Right there. You can't read, can you?" Kel asked after the boy frowned at them in confusion.
"Alvik said I din't need no schoolin', 'acos I was too stupid to learn," Tobe answered as he started to clean her boots. He at least knew how to do that much.
Joren shook his head in disbelief, Alvik was a prime example of a person too stupid to understand what they held in their hands, much like his own father. The man had a blatant wild mage, one who had good control over his magic in some semblance and refused to educate the boy to keep control over him. Instead, he beat the boy and made him do useless chores, completely wasting the boy's potential. While he contemplated the inn-keeper's stupidity, Kel was informing Tobe that he would be having lessons in reading and writing. The boy asked what she expected of him in return for all the things she planned for him.
"Oh, that," Kel's expression showed she just realized how little she explained to the boy. "You'll look after my horses and belongings, and in four years you'll be free. For that, I'm duty bound to see that you are fed, clothed, and educated. We'll settle things like days off later. You'll learn how to clean armor and weapons. That ought to keep you busy enough."
Joren resisted the urge to comment on how drowsy his wife clearly was. She finally ordered Tobe to bed and then to cover himself while she changed. Joren changed as well and was smirking while they settled into bed. Kel had another nightmare that night, Joren gently attempted to wake her, but didn't succeed before Tobe was woken by her thrashing and muttering.
"Lady, what's Blayce? What's Stenmun?" The boy asked once Kel had calmed enough to realize he was there.
"A nightmare and his dog. Go back to sleep," Kel ordered tersely as she snuggled further into Joren.
It was pissing rain in the morning, meaning the commanders decided against traveling in the mess. Kel fought a minor battle with Tobe over the need for more than one set of clothes and the necessity of shoes. It was a pittance for the sewing and shoe fitting, Stone Mountain was vastly wealthy, never mind that investment into Lalasa's shop and the income for a serving knight meant Kel also had her own personal income that wasn't anything to scoff at either.
It stopped raining before the next day and with them on the move, Kel found a new battle with Tobe to fight, the boy refused to stay in the wagon out of sight or the damp, convinced that if he couldn't see Kel, she might forget him. Joren sympathized with the boy, he had so little good care that he didn't understand that Kel wasn't the neglectful type. Tobe ended up settled behind Kel on her horse, while Joren and Neal silently laughed at her, the boy huddled under her cloak.
That night they lodged at Wolfwood, where they were stopping a few days. It was where Alanna and her troops were splitting off, and where Joren would have to split off for Stone Mountain, to his deep reluctance. Tobe was left to tend to the couple's horses, Kel watching him briefly to ensure he did it properly, before they went to bathe. Neal questioned them about Tobe having wild magic with horses and Joren pointed out that Kel was the only person without wild magic that Peachblossom liked. Once they were clean, Kel located Tobe, ordered him to clean up and eat in the servant's wing of the house, and to ensure he ate properly. Joren smirked in amusement at his wife's hen pecking. She didn't allow him or the others to skip vegetables either, not that that was an issue as he rather enjoyed them.
Joren had to coax Kel into really eating as she was tired, and she didn't eat properly when she was. It was during this that Cleon arrived, receiving a rousing chorus of greeting. Faleron asked why he was heading south. Cleon's expression was grim.
"I got a mage message asking me to come home soonest. You've heard there's flooding in the south-west hills?" Cleon asked. He gave Joren a knowing look.
"It's bad. Father said a lot of fiefdoms lost their entire stores of grain. Yours was hit?" Faleron asked, his family lived near Cleon's.
Cleon nodded, his mouth a grim line, "The Lictas river went over its banks and wiped out our stores-houses. I've got to help Mother raise funds, so our people can plant this year."
Joren stood and gestured to Cleon to follow him. Cleon grimaced but did so. They went outside, but remained under the eaves, "If you need assistance, I can write a letter to my mother in Corus, to have you bring with you. We can loan you money if the money lenders won't. I know you're good for it."
Cleon frowned again, "I appreciate the offer, but I don't think you realize how bad the situation at Kennan is. The castle's in massive disrepair, this blow is just a bad one in a long line of bad blows. My father and grandfather were both idiots when it came to management. My mother's done her best to repair the damage but… Realistically, I have to marry Ermelian of Aminar. I knew it was unavoidable. We both did, it's why I stepped back after we discussed liking Kel. She's better off with you. You can give her the life she deserves."
Joren smiled softly, "We married just after mid-winter. She's now officially the Lady of Stone Mountain. My offer still stands. Use your bride's inheritance to stabilize your fief, use my money to strengthen it. I'm going to need extra crops this year, I was going to offer to house some refugees at Stone Mountain and I don't want to place the full burden on my people. We can think of it as an investment if you want. Use the money as an advance so you can buy extra seed. Use that seed to grow extra crops. Stone Mountain will buy up the extra crops to help feed our people. It's sound management, Cleon. While my mountain produces plenty of precious metals and gems, it isn't so good with the crops."
"That's not a bad idea. I'll take you up on it. Thank you, Joren. I appreciate it," Cleon offered a weak smile, though there was a tension that eased in him as well.
"For an agreement of mutual benefit? Please, you will be resolving one of my concerns for next winter. I still need to make sure we get enough of what we need for the summer, but that's one thing off my check list," Joren smirked. "I'm nothing if not a strategist. How do you think I got the best woman in the kingdom?"
Cleon nodded with a snort, "Very true. Come on, it's freezing out here." They reentered with Cleon in a slightly better mood.
When they went back to the table, Cleon congratulated Kel on her marriage. He got a warm smile from Kel in response. When they went to bed that night, Joren explained his agreement with Cleon which earned him a firm, passionate kiss. Tobe gave them a bit of privacy, as they only had this one last night before separating. The boy roomed with Neal for the night while Joren made love to his wife repeatedly. Kel cried a bit afterwards, not happy with the separation, but understanding the necessity. Joren forced back his tears over the matter himself until she was asleep.
In the morning, Joren's things were packed away and they bid each farewell. Joren gave Cleon as nod as he left with the Knights heading east. Joren would break off from them soon, meeting up with some of his own men-at-arms closer to Stone Mountain. He did give Kel one more passionate kiss before mounting his horse and leaving though. Cleon had the letter to Joren's mother firmly and safely tucked away for his arrival in Corus.
It took Joren another week to get to Stone Mountain, a lot of the snow was still present this far north, but he put up with it. When he arrived, Uncle Lionel was waiting and ready with the books. They needed to sort through exactly how much supplies they had at the ready and how much would be needed for the refugees. Joren made it clear that he wanted to prioritize families with young children and orphans. Once the lists of what would be needed were sorted, Joren allowed himself to review the profit revenue for the previous year and could tell that already, the fief was improving in profit. One of the things his father could never understand was that well-fed miners that were properly cared for worked harder and in turn that meant better profits. With that in mind, he got to work.
Ten days after splitting off from Joren in Wolfswood, General Vanget haMinch met Kel's group at Bearsford, the last fortress town on the Great North Road before the border. Vanget wasted no time giving out assignments. Two days after they reached Bearsford, Kel, along with the rest of the first-year knights, and fifty senior knights accompanied Duke Baird and healers, headed to Fort Giantkiller. Lord Wyldon was in command there. He was to give out their final postings. Lord Raoul rode with them for a couple of days before splitting off and heading to his new command at Fort Steadfast.
When Kel asked Raoul about the locations of these forts, Raoul informed her that she was already aware of the location of Giantkiller, as it was the fort that they had built the previous summer. He then warned her to stay alive, after all, the wrath of Alanna and her mother notwithstanding, Joren would run him through if anything happened to his wife.
During the trip to Giantkiller, Duke Baird asked Kel to keep an eye out for Neal if they were posted together, as he was the last of his sons. When they reached fief Tirrsmont, they spent the night behind the walls. Kel was grateful that the noble overlooked her when Tirrsmont invited Duke Baird and two other senior knights to dine well while the rest of them barely were given anything. Instead they were jammed into the outer bailey with the starving refugees of the fighting from the previous year before. Kel didn't want to be feasted while her comrades and the victims of the violence in the north were poorly fed. Kel and her friends ended up giving over their meager rations to the refugees who silently took them and fled.
Kel barely resisted punching Quinden of Marti's Hill when he called them all softhearted. The next day they reached Giantkiller. It was familiar territory for Kel, to her relief. The fort itself had received vast improvements, turned from a temporary home into a fortress. She was greeted enthusiastically by Owen. He gave excited greetings to the remainder of their friends before properly greeting Duke Baird, to Kel's amusement. Tobe took Peachblossom's reigns as she dismounted. The boy having proven invaluable since she purchased his bond.
Owen was reminded of his duties by Baird kindly and everyone was led off to their sleeping arrangements. He then informed them to wait in the officers' mess hall after they finished dinner, to receive their orders. Kel and the others followed those who were to guide them while Owen handled the Duke. After dinner, Owen began collecting knights in groups of twos and threes. The first-year knights were the last collected and Kel was left until the very end.
When Owen came to collect Kel, she was already anxious. As she was left alone with Wyldon, she felt her nerves spike. Wyldon gestured to the chair, "Have a seat, Lady knight. Wine or cider?" He offered with his tone normal enough.
He was at least being respectful, "Cider, please, my lord." Kel didn't like liquor or spirits, though she knew Joren did enjoy them in small amounts.
Wyldon offered a toast and she responded in kind and they both drank a sip. Once Wyldon leaned back, he gave her a serious look, "I won't dance about it. I'm giving you the hardest assignment of any knight in this district. I think you will hate it, and perhaps me."
Kel straightened, "My lord?" She questioned.
"General Vanget has asked me to build and staff a refugee camp in addition to the new fort. As soon as it's ready, we'll take about three hundred refugees, all ages, from Tirrsmont, Anak's Eyrie, Riversedge, Goatstrack village, and outlying districts. About two hundred more will arrive once fighting begins. Maybe seven hundred in all by summer's end," He tapped a map of the countryside before him. "The only ground I can get for it is an open piece of elk-dung valley between Fiefs Tirrsmont and Anak's Eyrie, on the Greenwoods River. There's the river for water, and flat ground for planting if no one expects to grow more than enough to survive. There's fortified high ground now, and troops to defend it. My new fort, Mastiff, will be here, on the other side of these hills. We'll patrol as much as we can, to keep Scanrans from getting very far, but there's just too much empty ground and too much forest to plug all our gaps."
Kel nodded her understanding, though still uncertain why he was telling her this. Wyldon continued, "I tried to get land further south. The nobles there say they pity the refugees and send old clothes, tools, perhaps some grain, but they don't want all those extra mouths on their lands, hunting their game. Perhaps your husband may be able to work on them, but for now, it's the best we can do."
It sunk in that Kel was going to be a knight assigned to this posting, and she hated that she would be in such a protected position. She wanted to be fighting, not safe. She resisted showing any emotions before asking her question, "Who's to command this place, sir?" Kel wanted to know who her commander would be.
Wyldon raised an eyebrow, "You are." The response shocked Kel.
"Forgive me, my lord… but… I could have sworn that you said I will be in command," Kel stated when her mouth worked again.
"I did," Wyldon was blunt. "It's work, Stone Mountain. Half of the men I can spare to build and guard the camp are convicts. They agreed to fight if we took them from the quarries and mines. They must be watched and further trained. All have mage marks to expose them as convicts if they run, so you shouldn't worry about desertions, unless they're fool enough to go to Scanra. The other half of the men I could find… well I did my best."
Kel was numb now, "I expected to serve under an experienced warrior. In combat."
"You are more useful with the refugees. You will have advisors. Duke Baird will reside with you temporarily, to help in matters both medical and social," Wyldon's expression said he was resolute in the matter.
"Sir, I'm only eighteen. I don't know anything about refugee camps! Everyone says it, first-year knights are so green, we're better off plowed and planted with something useful!" Kel tried anyways.
"You are not a typical first-year," Wyldon was firm in this. "The Knight Commander of the King's Own trained you in matters of supply, the building and defense of a fort, and how to command. You helped him recruit new personnel for the Own, and he says your work in supply and logistics is superior."
"He also trained me for battle," Kel blurted before thinking.
Wyldon took a moment to respond, "If this were last summer's war, I wouldn't expect much danger. Raids don't get far without help. But this isn't last summer's war. King Maggur wants to keep the ground he takes. There is no safe zone within a hundred miles of the border. You'll see combat. I guarantee that."
Kel looked him firmly in the eye, "Sir, you'll have forts and patrols close to the Vassa, between me and the enemy. I still feel like you're trying to keep me safe. That's not why I became a knight."
Wyldon stood and ordered her to follow him. He led her out of headquarters and to a large building near the rear wall. It was filled with noise: conversation, babies' and children's crying, the clatter of wood. Rows of three-tiered bunk beds lined the walls. There were lofts overhead on either side, with railings to keep anyone from falling to the ground floor. Laundry and food were everywhere. The very air was filled with the scent of people who didn't get to bath often, burnt food, and urine.
Cats and dogs hid in the shadows, lay on the beds, or played with anyone who would give attention. At the far end, a large hearth provided heat and a cooking fire. The building fell silent upon their entry like a slow wave, first those closest, then those further away. Slowly, they all turned to look at Wyldon and Kel in the low light.
"If you've come to share supper, my lord, we've none to spare," A woman by the fire stated bluntly. "We ate it all and could have eaten more."
She walked forward. There had been more of her once, from the way her stained, red wool dress hung on her stocky body. Her eyes were brown and heavy-lidded, lined with pain. She stopped before Wyldon and Kel, "Giving this pup a look at the unfortunate?" She asked, her husky voice scornful. "Something for the lad to write home about?"
The woman didn't realize that Kel was female, Kel realized quickly. Of course, she would be writing home to Joren. If she was going to be anchored down with these people, she was going to do her best to protect them. She would find out what Wyldon would give her and then Joren would hopefully supplement whatever was given.
"Good evening, Mistress Fanche," Wyldon was all curtsey. "This is one of the knights who has come to defend the border, Lady Knight Keladry of Stone Mountain. Lady Keladry, Fanche Weir."
His voice was loud enough that everyone nearby heard. For a moment, it was absolutely silent. Then everyone was whispering, the words lady knight repeating over and over. Kel bowed to Fanche, and noted a black braided ring, the woman was a widow, "Fanche's husband, Gother, was the Goatstrack miller." Wyldon explained.
"'Was' bakes no bread," Fanche stated. "I'm single enough now, and I've work to do."
With this, she turned back to the hearth and the large pot over it. Wyldon turned to Kel to explain, "The Scanrans hit Goatstrack last October, burned the mill, killed the miller and their daughters. Thirty-seven dead in the entire village. Fanche mustered those who remained and got them here, fighting Scanrans the whole distance. She saved fifty-eight lives."
"She's a handful, that one," Commented a man who now stood next to Wyldon. He was a ragged in appearance but continued as he dug his hands into his pockets. "Gods, I love a tough woman."
"You have your work cut out with her," Wyldon stated with a chuckle.
"Oh, well, I like work," the man replied. Kel realized that Wyldon had relaxed, that he enjoyed doing the fighting and protecting. Training pages was his duty, but protecting others was his passion, like it was Kel's.
"Lady Keladry of Stone Mountain, Saefas Plowman," Wyldon introduced. "He's a trapper."
The man bowed, "Not from Goatstrack, so I've had little time to wear her down. The way Squire Owen tells it, milady, you're ten feet tall and eat ogres."
Kel smiled. She could see why Owen would like this man, "I shrank in my last bath. I'm very disheartened by it and have no idea how I will explain it to my husband." She joked back.
Others came over to be introduced as word spread that the realm's second female knight was present. They spoke to Wyldon, asking for news while eying Kel. All bore the signs of hard times: Clothes that were too loose, ragged, and stained. Skin that had once covered more flesh. Their eyes were haunted by family and friends who were dead, crippled, enslaved, or missing.
Finally, Wyldon released Kel from the torment of being so close to these people without being able to do more for them immediately and led her back to headquarters. Inside his office, he poked up the fire, "I hear you have a new servant."
"Yessir, Tobe is a Horse mage. I found him being mistreated at a wayhouse in Queensgrace," Kel responded, watching Wyldon by the fire. "You took me there because you wanted to make me feel badly for them, enough that I would take the command. But all you have to do is order me."
"Sometimes its better to have understanding than obedience," Wyldon informed her, returning to his desk. "I know this is not what you wanted. No matter what I say, you and others will think this is a dung-heap assignment. I haven't a doubt that when you inform your husband of it, he will make a fuss of some sort. The truth is, you are the only one I can trust to do this job properly."
Wyldon and Kel were both seated by this point and his expression was grim, "You care enough about commoners to do the task well. I did consider Queenscove, but he is much too fair. He shares his sarcasm and his inability to abide fools with all, regardless of rank. If they didn't kill him within two weeks, I'd have to see if he was drugging their water. Anyone else will order them about, create more resentment, and turn the place into shambles, or pursue his own amusements and leave them to get into trouble."
Kel couldn't even argue with him. She knew how most nobles thought. Joren and her close friends were the only ones who didn't ridicule her for her care for the lower classes, and even some of her friends thought her too caring. Most nobles held no respect for the common folk and would do little more for them than was absolutely necessary. Kel's care for those who held less power was a rarity, and she knew it. She was just fortunate enough that her husband understood and respected her position on it, and even agreed to a lesser extent. She also knew Wyldon was right about Neal.
"Well? Will you do this, Keladry of Stone Mountain?" Wyldon asked.
Kel hated that she was being anchored down. She couldn't go after Blayce, but she knew that the only option at the moment was to accept. There were too many who needed her, "I'll do it, my lord."