hey its part four, the second to the last of "those left behind." the next part will be about the plague that comes from the chaos thing, so please...help, adn keep reading!
sorry k/c fans, this is unbelievably, completely, through-and-through neal and kel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kel was clearing out the old, dry straw from the small earthen expansion they had added to the hut they previously shared with Cleon and Solane. They had received some strange glances when they had first shared the tiny extention seven months ago, yet those looks stopped once it was apparent that Solane was pregnant.
No one faulted them then, really. More like pitied them.
A horn call rippled through the early morning air. Getting up, Kel smoothed her patchwork skirt and ran out the village area into the farmland. Saluting Roald, working beside the horseman Stefan, she ran past others of various social backgrounds.
No one gave notice to rank anymore, just that they were alive was enough. Finally, a peaceful society where everyone was equal. Still...without Chaos, life would have been better.
Three horses rode up, exhausted. Thayet turned from where she was forging a metal dagger, and gasped. Her green eyes opened their widest, and she ran to the group.
"Alanna!" she sobbed. The two friends met tearfully, while George and two children stood to the side. Thom and his sister, Alyssa, looked wan and weak.
Thayet pulled back, staring at the remaining twin. "Alyrna?" she whispered, but the Lioness shook her head sadly.
Her voice soft, Alanna explained their situation. "We...we were sitting together. I was holding George's hand, Thom sitting against our legs, and Alyssa was on my lap. When Chaos struck..." she sniffed. "Everyone but us was killed. Alyrna was in the stables!" She burst into tears.
"How did you survive? Why didnt you send word?" Thayet exclaimed, her eyes bright.
The Lioness frowned thoughtfully. "I think...it was the amulet." The lady knight juggled teh glowing ember in a callused palm. "Our clothes were torn and all, but none of us suffered even a scratch." She paused. "Your messenger was found dead, from fever and some kind of sickness."
Neal ran up quickly enough to hear the last part of the conversation. His eyes gleamed, and intelligence sparkled in his mind. "Daine!"
"What?"
"She had the that claw didn't she? And she was perfectly fine!" Neal said triumphantly.
Alanna looked away. "I sent a letter to her, but she wouldn't write back. Kaddar-" She stiffened-"wrote instead, sending apologies. They were married!"
Others croweded around, eager for a glance and news. Thayet and Alanna would have to continue their coversation later.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~```
Three months after Alanna's arrival, Thayet laid the last stone on the wall. A cheer rose up from the crowds, as the 100 or so villagers regarded the new Fort with high hopes. Alanna walked over, a grin lighting her amythest eyes.
"Thayet, you've done it!" she crowed. "There is a functioning fortress here, where Corus stood in its prime!"
George walked over slowly, scanning the structure. A grin lit his face, so long devoid of happiness. "Well," he chuckled. "It looks a good job."
Kel hugged Neal around the waist in her joy. Blushing, she jumped back instantly, but Neal was rejoicing as well. This was a wonderful day for all Tortallans!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neal's heart jumped when Kel hugged him. She had felt so vibrant, alive, against him. But he didnt have the courage to hug her back for more than a second.
Damn, why was i such a ninny? It would have been perfect...just one kiss, and i could see if she felt the same way as i did.
But the moment was over.
Alanna, Thayet, George, Roald, and the many others joined in the huge procession that led from the Fort, around the farms, and back to the bonfire area.
Times like this were made for celebrations.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The nightly bonfire was a giddy, over done party. Kegs, food, and tables were dragged out by everyone, not to mention improvised musical instruments.
Neal clenched his shaking hands as he approached Kel. She stood against the stone wall, her face shadowed by the leaping flames. The simple shift, a white muslin affair that flared out into a modest skirt, made her seem like an angel.
She was an angel.
"Kel?" he asked, trying to keep his voice from trembling.
She looked up, blushing. Uncertainty and something else (let it be love, Neal prayed) flitted over her pretty face before it turned Yamani again. "Yes, Neal?" Her creamy voice floated through the evening breeze, its rich alto music to his ears.
He held out his hand. "Would you like to dance?" Nodding, she smiled timidly and placed her hand in his. They walked together out to the group of people.
Solane, a gravid yet active girl, caught Neal's eye. Winking cheerily, she brought out a lyre and gave a melodic chord. She began a slow, romantic ballad, designed for Neal's purpose and eventual discomfort.
Swaying gently to the music, Kel slowly rested her head on Neal's chest. His arms convulsively tightened around her waist, and her beautiful eyes widened. She raised her face and looked into his eyes.
He could not possibly have hidden any of his emotions. Bringing a cautious hand up, he gently stroked her cheek.
"Neal?" Kel whispered, a tremble in her voice. Her large hazel eyes were hopeful, and her hands tightened on his back.
He swallowed, not knowing what to say. Instead, he nodded and kissed her forehead. A series of emotions swam over her features, beginning with surprise, disbelief, then finally unrestrained joy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All night at the festivities, the two could not be seperated. Even through eating, dancing, and talking, their hands were clasped tightly. Both their eyes were shining with contentment and happiness.
Everyone smiled, exchanging glances.
The newest couple, Neal and Kel, were oblivious to everything but each other.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"C'mon!" Kel shrieked, dragging Neal across the empty field of wildflowers and grass. He laughed and tried to keep up.
She spun around suddenly, colliding with him. Grabbing her around the waist, he spun her around repeatedly under the moonlight.
Still holding her aloft, Kel wrapped her arms around his neck. Leaning her forehead against his, she murmered, "Neal, this is so...right. How long have you felt this way?"
"About two years."
She groaned. "I shouldv'e said something!"
He set her down gently. "Well, you still can."
With that, he swept her up in a passionate kiss. The force of his touch nearly overwhelmed Kel, but she managed to stay on her feet somehow. Not bad for a first kiss.
Neal, suddenly feeling so unbelievably lucky, held her close. Closing his eyes, he rested his lips against her hair.
"Kel?"
"Hmm?" she murmered into the front of his shirt.
"I love you."
She smiled. "Neal, love you too."
He kissed her again, this time softly instead of urgently. She met him with the same intensity this time, and he himself was overwhelmed this time, surprising the hells out of him. The scent of her skin, the soft feel of her lips swamped him and, unlike Kel, he was not able to stay on his feet.
The next thing he knew, he was sitting on the ground. Kel helped him up, while he groaned, embarassed.
Kel laughed sympathetically. "Neal, c'mon. Lets get home."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
sorry k/c fans, this is unbelievably, completely, through-and-through neal and kel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kel was clearing out the old, dry straw from the small earthen expansion they had added to the hut they previously shared with Cleon and Solane. They had received some strange glances when they had first shared the tiny extention seven months ago, yet those looks stopped once it was apparent that Solane was pregnant.
No one faulted them then, really. More like pitied them.
A horn call rippled through the early morning air. Getting up, Kel smoothed her patchwork skirt and ran out the village area into the farmland. Saluting Roald, working beside the horseman Stefan, she ran past others of various social backgrounds.
No one gave notice to rank anymore, just that they were alive was enough. Finally, a peaceful society where everyone was equal. Still...without Chaos, life would have been better.
Three horses rode up, exhausted. Thayet turned from where she was forging a metal dagger, and gasped. Her green eyes opened their widest, and she ran to the group.
"Alanna!" she sobbed. The two friends met tearfully, while George and two children stood to the side. Thom and his sister, Alyssa, looked wan and weak.
Thayet pulled back, staring at the remaining twin. "Alyrna?" she whispered, but the Lioness shook her head sadly.
Her voice soft, Alanna explained their situation. "We...we were sitting together. I was holding George's hand, Thom sitting against our legs, and Alyssa was on my lap. When Chaos struck..." she sniffed. "Everyone but us was killed. Alyrna was in the stables!" She burst into tears.
"How did you survive? Why didnt you send word?" Thayet exclaimed, her eyes bright.
The Lioness frowned thoughtfully. "I think...it was the amulet." The lady knight juggled teh glowing ember in a callused palm. "Our clothes were torn and all, but none of us suffered even a scratch." She paused. "Your messenger was found dead, from fever and some kind of sickness."
Neal ran up quickly enough to hear the last part of the conversation. His eyes gleamed, and intelligence sparkled in his mind. "Daine!"
"What?"
"She had the that claw didn't she? And she was perfectly fine!" Neal said triumphantly.
Alanna looked away. "I sent a letter to her, but she wouldn't write back. Kaddar-" She stiffened-"wrote instead, sending apologies. They were married!"
Others croweded around, eager for a glance and news. Thayet and Alanna would have to continue their coversation later.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~```
Three months after Alanna's arrival, Thayet laid the last stone on the wall. A cheer rose up from the crowds, as the 100 or so villagers regarded the new Fort with high hopes. Alanna walked over, a grin lighting her amythest eyes.
"Thayet, you've done it!" she crowed. "There is a functioning fortress here, where Corus stood in its prime!"
George walked over slowly, scanning the structure. A grin lit his face, so long devoid of happiness. "Well," he chuckled. "It looks a good job."
Kel hugged Neal around the waist in her joy. Blushing, she jumped back instantly, but Neal was rejoicing as well. This was a wonderful day for all Tortallans!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neal's heart jumped when Kel hugged him. She had felt so vibrant, alive, against him. But he didnt have the courage to hug her back for more than a second.
Damn, why was i such a ninny? It would have been perfect...just one kiss, and i could see if she felt the same way as i did.
But the moment was over.
Alanna, Thayet, George, Roald, and the many others joined in the huge procession that led from the Fort, around the farms, and back to the bonfire area.
Times like this were made for celebrations.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The nightly bonfire was a giddy, over done party. Kegs, food, and tables were dragged out by everyone, not to mention improvised musical instruments.
Neal clenched his shaking hands as he approached Kel. She stood against the stone wall, her face shadowed by the leaping flames. The simple shift, a white muslin affair that flared out into a modest skirt, made her seem like an angel.
She was an angel.
"Kel?" he asked, trying to keep his voice from trembling.
She looked up, blushing. Uncertainty and something else (let it be love, Neal prayed) flitted over her pretty face before it turned Yamani again. "Yes, Neal?" Her creamy voice floated through the evening breeze, its rich alto music to his ears.
He held out his hand. "Would you like to dance?" Nodding, she smiled timidly and placed her hand in his. They walked together out to the group of people.
Solane, a gravid yet active girl, caught Neal's eye. Winking cheerily, she brought out a lyre and gave a melodic chord. She began a slow, romantic ballad, designed for Neal's purpose and eventual discomfort.
Swaying gently to the music, Kel slowly rested her head on Neal's chest. His arms convulsively tightened around her waist, and her beautiful eyes widened. She raised her face and looked into his eyes.
He could not possibly have hidden any of his emotions. Bringing a cautious hand up, he gently stroked her cheek.
"Neal?" Kel whispered, a tremble in her voice. Her large hazel eyes were hopeful, and her hands tightened on his back.
He swallowed, not knowing what to say. Instead, he nodded and kissed her forehead. A series of emotions swam over her features, beginning with surprise, disbelief, then finally unrestrained joy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All night at the festivities, the two could not be seperated. Even through eating, dancing, and talking, their hands were clasped tightly. Both their eyes were shining with contentment and happiness.
Everyone smiled, exchanging glances.
The newest couple, Neal and Kel, were oblivious to everything but each other.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"C'mon!" Kel shrieked, dragging Neal across the empty field of wildflowers and grass. He laughed and tried to keep up.
She spun around suddenly, colliding with him. Grabbing her around the waist, he spun her around repeatedly under the moonlight.
Still holding her aloft, Kel wrapped her arms around his neck. Leaning her forehead against his, she murmered, "Neal, this is so...right. How long have you felt this way?"
"About two years."
She groaned. "I shouldv'e said something!"
He set her down gently. "Well, you still can."
With that, he swept her up in a passionate kiss. The force of his touch nearly overwhelmed Kel, but she managed to stay on her feet somehow. Not bad for a first kiss.
Neal, suddenly feeling so unbelievably lucky, held her close. Closing his eyes, he rested his lips against her hair.
"Kel?"
"Hmm?" she murmered into the front of his shirt.
"I love you."
She smiled. "Neal, love you too."
He kissed her again, this time softly instead of urgently. She met him with the same intensity this time, and he himself was overwhelmed this time, surprising the hells out of him. The scent of her skin, the soft feel of her lips swamped him and, unlike Kel, he was not able to stay on his feet.
The next thing he knew, he was sitting on the ground. Kel helped him up, while he groaned, embarassed.
Kel laughed sympathetically. "Neal, c'mon. Lets get home."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~