After a few long minutes of searching in all of the wrong places, Kel discovered Raoul in the library, practically buried in dusty volumes of history.
"Raoul!" She cried upon his sight. "Might there be something that you've forgotten to tell me about? Maybe something...oh, say...like a ball? Maybe...one that your own squire will be attending?"
"Ah, yes..." The large knight rose and resettled himself on the leather. "There is something you should know about that."
"Save you breath, Sir Knight. Lalasa has already filled me in. But isn't there some sort of unwritten contract that binds a knight to tell his squire when she's required to don a formal dress?" She threw him a quizzical stare that was foiled by her dancing eyes.
"I'm sorry, Kel. I really did mean to speak with you, but there's been so much going on with the ambassadors visiting and everyone returning to court. I'll eat my armor if the the king can pull this one off smoothly." He stood and began to stack the books on a nearby table. "I'm not exactly thrilled about this little arrangement either, you know. Social function don't rest well with me."
"I know." Kel relpied. "We're in this together." She spoke as if embarking on the quest of the century. "I'd best get back to Lalasa now. I'd rather find her than have her come and find me in the middle of practice." She presented her knight master with a slight bow from the shoulders before turning to leave the chamber.
~*~*~*~*~
Thrust. Perry. Crescent. Thrust again. Kel shoved her sword toward that of her opponent. She cut in and then turned on tip-toe to avoid Faleron's blade. Searching for an opening, she distracted him with a series of short blows near his right shoulder, and then whipped her weapon around to rest just above his hands. With a flick of her wrist and a slight twist of her knees, her friend was disarmed.
"All right. I give." The knight gasped. He leaned over to rest his hands on his knees. "I haven't dueled like that in a long time. All we've seen are raiders, and well...I'm sure you're familiar with their code of honor." Faleron straightend and grinned at the lady squire.
"I'm glad you're back." Kel told him. "It's wonderful all of us are together again. At least for awhile. I swear, you all go off and become knights and we never see you again!"
"It's a big season for reunions, I guess." He replied. "I know my family's doing the same. Everyone spread out across Tortall, and finally coming back to see one another." He began to walk toward the armory and then brought up his sleave to wipe the sweat from his brow. "So, you're coming to the ball, aren'y you? For midwinter? Cleon will be there, you know."
Kel laughed. "Yes, I'll be there. Lalasa's already almost finished with my gown." She followed the knight and proceeded to hang her borrowed sword on a rack with the others.
"I'm almost looking forward to it." Said Faleron, placing his sword next to Kel's. "I haven't spoken to many of these people in ages, and I'll enjoy food if not the company."
The squire laughed out loud once more. "We'd best be heading back to the palace. The sun's almost down."
"Yes." Her friend answered. "And Kel-" He paused before continuing. "It was good seeing you again." She smiled.
"You too." And with those final good-byes, the two of them went their separate ways.
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Okay, I know a lot didn't happen in that chapter, but it was kind of like a transition, you know? :) Anyway, more coming soon.
