Disclaimer: Honestly, I don't think I own anything Tamora pierce wrote. For
one, I would be a helluva lot richer than I am now. I think. Well, I don't
own them! Ok?
Thank yous go to: Angel, B, Xelena, Lady Aladaine, Snow*flake, jilla kala, miss julep, Serenity, CrystalRose, Katy, Christine, Paige, White-wolf, Squire Kali, and MagixPawn. Thanks soooooo much!!! ^_^
Rebound - Chapter 2 - Bad Men
Raoul opened his eyes to find a blanket loosely draped around his body. A warm scent filled the air, intoxicating his senses. He rolled over, half expecting to see Buri there next to him.
Instead, he saw Kel.
She was a beautiful thing, lying placidly cloaked in only a thin beige sheet. Not the type of beauty that you find in some court girl, mind. It was the type that filled you and saturated you until you couldn't bear to stay away any longer. She would never be one of those thin, fragile dolls that paraded their looks to the world. And that was the way that Raoul liked it.
He gingerly ran a finger across her cheek. Would she regret what they did last night? He didn't want to ruin what they had. He would never give up the companionship that they had shared throughout their four years together. She was-used to be, that is-his squire. She had saved his life more than once, and for that, he had given her something few other knights would have conceded to.
He had given her a chance to prove herself to the world.
And she had proved herself to them, on numerous occasions.
Last night, Kel had proven herself to him. She had came forth as a vulnerable, shaken girl, and had emerged as a strong, brave woman. She had given herself to him, trusted him, and loved him all at the same time.
He would never be able to forget that.
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
Kel smiled a sweet, sardonic smile and rolled over to rest her stomach on the man she had loved so thoroughly last night. He wasn't smiling at her. He wasn't grinning, laughing, or even playing with her hair as he had so fondly done last night before they had both fallen into a deep slumber.
He was gazing at her so intently, in fact, that it started to make her feel uncomfortable.
Kel raised an eyebrow playfully, to try to break the heavy-laden tone of the atmosphere. "What?"
Raoul raised a hand to her forehead, smoothing back her hair. "You're beautiful," he whispered so softly she had to strain to hear him. She smiled and blushed, as he lovingly stroked her tawny locks.
"We have to talk about this, you know," Raoul said gently. Kel smiled and sat up, letting the blanket casually fall to her waist.
"Later," she replied. "Now, I'm hungry, and you're paying for breakfast."
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
Raoul had brought her to a well-known breakfast bar among nobles. It was a fancy sort of place, where you could end up paying a pretty steel piece before any food even passed your lips. Red drapes hung from high ceilings, cascading to the floor in an effortless manner, while white linens draped from the tabletops.
"So how is the situation with Scanra?" Kel asked intently.
Raoul shrugged as a waitress brought him eggs and pancakes. "They've simmered down, for the most part. They haven't been too much of a problem ever since we left from border patrol before you had your ordeal. We haven't heard of another sighting with those mechanical beasts since we left. Jon and Myles have been organizing a spy effort to learn what they are and who created them, but that's about it for now."
"Ah. So we're basically just sitting around waiting for them to make a move," Kel said.
"Pretty much. Although, if you want my opinion, they've been quiet for far too long. The ceaseless waiting is driving me insane. At least if we were doing something I could make use of myself."
Kel smirked. "Anything is better than going on progress, though." Raoul laughed.
"Yes, I suppose you're right. I still wonder how I survived those endless balls." They both smiled. Raoul snaked his hand across the table to meet hers, causing her to blush.
"Thank Mithros I always had you to keep me sane," he said affectionately. Kel grinned and put her other hand over his, entwining their fingers together. He took her hand and brushed it across his lips.
"Raoul, stop that! Think of what would happen if people were to see!" Kel exclaimed, though not pulling her fingers from his lips.
"Oh really?" He traced her fingers with his, then returned her knuckled to his lips again. "What would they do, Lady Knight?"
"Well, most likely, they'd start some obscene rumor about the two of us being in bed together-" Raoul raised his eyebrow and smirked.
"The fact that we are in bed together is not the point in this matter," she said in a hushed voice. "People would talk."
"Let them," Raoul replied as he stood up abruptly and kissed her, Kel blushing like mad all the time. When he pulled back, Kel looked positively livid.
"I should slap you!" she exclaimed, forcing her voice to be quiet.
Raoul leaned back in his chair and grinned. "But you won't," he said with utter certainty. Kel pursed her lips together and glared at her one-time knight master.
"You are a bad man," she uttered, positively fuming.
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
"Look, Celeste, look!" Marie exclaimed vividly. "Look, isn't that the commander of the king's own, Raoul?"
Celeste glanced over to where Marie was looking. "Why, Marie, I do believe it is!" But what would he be doing here? He never comes to any place other that the pigs pen those soldiers keep themselves in. And who's he with?" Marie scrutinized the young girl sitting across from Raoul and frowned.
"I'm not sure. Did you hear about his affair with that Sarain whore? Buriram, I think her name was." Celeste rolled her eyes and waved her hand in dismissal.
"That's old news, honey. They've been sleeping together since before the great progress tore up Eldorne's economy. But that new one, I don't know who she is!" Celeste replied. "Look, what's he doing? He's kissing her! Well, the nerve! Public displays of affection in that manner are so inappropriate."
Marie sneered when she saw the girl he was with go red with rage. "Looks like she didn't like it that much."
"Yes, yes. She looks like she didn't like it at all. Look, she's getting up!" Celeste said as the girl Raoul was with sat up from the table. A flash of steel appeared under her cloak. "Marie, I think she has a sword!" Celeste exclaimed.
"Celeste, I think you're right! Could it be that Mindelan whore? She was his squire, as I do recall. I wonder how long they've been in bed together. Well, I can't say it was unexpected. We all knew that she must have had to repay him in some way. I guess sleeping with him was the only way that low- class harlot could do it correctly."
Celeste looked disdainfully at Marie. "Honestly, Marie. Don't say such abhorrent things like that in public. Even if they are true." Celeste grinned mischievously. "I can't wait to tell Harriet this! It's so scandalous!" she said with an evil gleam in her eye.
Marie laughed. "How right you are, my dear. Check, please!"
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
Cleon waited impatiently for the carriage to pull up in from of the royal palace. His betrothed was to arrive today from her fief, Dargaard Keep (A/N: Just a frivolous Dragonlance reference ^_^). He had never met her before, which was practically unheard of when you were betrothed for two months. Apparently, her mother had misgivings about her daughter's marriage partner and decided to withhold her from him until she was completely sure about the arrangement. He heard the girl's name was Kitiara (A/N: 'Nother arbitrary Dragonlance reference here *grins*) or something like that. She was a hell of a beauty, they said. She had been introduced at court when Cleon was out doing border patrol with Iness. She was supposed to have been here and hour ago.
From somewhere in the distance, the cobblestones sounded with the clanking of hooves striking against them. Two grand horses, each with regalia good enough for the king himself, were leading an elegant carriage up Palace Way.
'Finally,' Cleon thought, getting up from the step he had been sitting on to engage his betrothed. 'Just smile and pretend you're happy to see her. Just smile and pretend she's Kel. Just smile.'
The carriage pulled up at the entryway as the footman got up from his seat and opened the door. "The Lady Kitiara of Fief Dargaard Keep," the footman announced as a woman with a regal bearing stepped out of the carriage. Her hair glowed like honey flowing from a pitcher. Her intense eyes were an icy blue, sending a chilly shock through Cleon. Her dress was embroidered with tiny red roses contrasting a deep blue fabric. Dainty feet peeked out of the folds of her garb, red slippers complimenting the color of the roses. The neckline on the dress was low enough to be tasteful, and revealed just a little bit of cleavage. On the all, she couldn't have been more perfect.
With one exception. She could have been Kel.
"My lady," Cleon beckoned, holding up a hand for her to take. She smiled and took his hand.
"Sir Cleon, I presume?" she asked politely. Inwardly, Cleon sighed. She would never be as brazen or outgoing as Kel. He would be lucky if he got her to talk about anything but dresses and balls. Suppressing his disappointment, he nodded and smiled.
'Just nod and smile, Cleon. Nod and smile.'
A/N: Well, there's chapter two for you. May I say, I am in love with the whole concept of reviewing. Therefore, I am in love with all you who reviewed. I cannot be more happy with the feedback you sent me. ^_^ As leaf said, it will be "funfunfunfunfun!" Thanks again, and keep them coming! *smiles*
*~KK~*
Thank yous go to: Angel, B, Xelena, Lady Aladaine, Snow*flake, jilla kala, miss julep, Serenity, CrystalRose, Katy, Christine, Paige, White-wolf, Squire Kali, and MagixPawn. Thanks soooooo much!!! ^_^
Rebound - Chapter 2 - Bad Men
Raoul opened his eyes to find a blanket loosely draped around his body. A warm scent filled the air, intoxicating his senses. He rolled over, half expecting to see Buri there next to him.
Instead, he saw Kel.
She was a beautiful thing, lying placidly cloaked in only a thin beige sheet. Not the type of beauty that you find in some court girl, mind. It was the type that filled you and saturated you until you couldn't bear to stay away any longer. She would never be one of those thin, fragile dolls that paraded their looks to the world. And that was the way that Raoul liked it.
He gingerly ran a finger across her cheek. Would she regret what they did last night? He didn't want to ruin what they had. He would never give up the companionship that they had shared throughout their four years together. She was-used to be, that is-his squire. She had saved his life more than once, and for that, he had given her something few other knights would have conceded to.
He had given her a chance to prove herself to the world.
And she had proved herself to them, on numerous occasions.
Last night, Kel had proven herself to him. She had came forth as a vulnerable, shaken girl, and had emerged as a strong, brave woman. She had given herself to him, trusted him, and loved him all at the same time.
He would never be able to forget that.
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
Kel smiled a sweet, sardonic smile and rolled over to rest her stomach on the man she had loved so thoroughly last night. He wasn't smiling at her. He wasn't grinning, laughing, or even playing with her hair as he had so fondly done last night before they had both fallen into a deep slumber.
He was gazing at her so intently, in fact, that it started to make her feel uncomfortable.
Kel raised an eyebrow playfully, to try to break the heavy-laden tone of the atmosphere. "What?"
Raoul raised a hand to her forehead, smoothing back her hair. "You're beautiful," he whispered so softly she had to strain to hear him. She smiled and blushed, as he lovingly stroked her tawny locks.
"We have to talk about this, you know," Raoul said gently. Kel smiled and sat up, letting the blanket casually fall to her waist.
"Later," she replied. "Now, I'm hungry, and you're paying for breakfast."
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
Raoul had brought her to a well-known breakfast bar among nobles. It was a fancy sort of place, where you could end up paying a pretty steel piece before any food even passed your lips. Red drapes hung from high ceilings, cascading to the floor in an effortless manner, while white linens draped from the tabletops.
"So how is the situation with Scanra?" Kel asked intently.
Raoul shrugged as a waitress brought him eggs and pancakes. "They've simmered down, for the most part. They haven't been too much of a problem ever since we left from border patrol before you had your ordeal. We haven't heard of another sighting with those mechanical beasts since we left. Jon and Myles have been organizing a spy effort to learn what they are and who created them, but that's about it for now."
"Ah. So we're basically just sitting around waiting for them to make a move," Kel said.
"Pretty much. Although, if you want my opinion, they've been quiet for far too long. The ceaseless waiting is driving me insane. At least if we were doing something I could make use of myself."
Kel smirked. "Anything is better than going on progress, though." Raoul laughed.
"Yes, I suppose you're right. I still wonder how I survived those endless balls." They both smiled. Raoul snaked his hand across the table to meet hers, causing her to blush.
"Thank Mithros I always had you to keep me sane," he said affectionately. Kel grinned and put her other hand over his, entwining their fingers together. He took her hand and brushed it across his lips.
"Raoul, stop that! Think of what would happen if people were to see!" Kel exclaimed, though not pulling her fingers from his lips.
"Oh really?" He traced her fingers with his, then returned her knuckled to his lips again. "What would they do, Lady Knight?"
"Well, most likely, they'd start some obscene rumor about the two of us being in bed together-" Raoul raised his eyebrow and smirked.
"The fact that we are in bed together is not the point in this matter," she said in a hushed voice. "People would talk."
"Let them," Raoul replied as he stood up abruptly and kissed her, Kel blushing like mad all the time. When he pulled back, Kel looked positively livid.
"I should slap you!" she exclaimed, forcing her voice to be quiet.
Raoul leaned back in his chair and grinned. "But you won't," he said with utter certainty. Kel pursed her lips together and glared at her one-time knight master.
"You are a bad man," she uttered, positively fuming.
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
"Look, Celeste, look!" Marie exclaimed vividly. "Look, isn't that the commander of the king's own, Raoul?"
Celeste glanced over to where Marie was looking. "Why, Marie, I do believe it is!" But what would he be doing here? He never comes to any place other that the pigs pen those soldiers keep themselves in. And who's he with?" Marie scrutinized the young girl sitting across from Raoul and frowned.
"I'm not sure. Did you hear about his affair with that Sarain whore? Buriram, I think her name was." Celeste rolled her eyes and waved her hand in dismissal.
"That's old news, honey. They've been sleeping together since before the great progress tore up Eldorne's economy. But that new one, I don't know who she is!" Celeste replied. "Look, what's he doing? He's kissing her! Well, the nerve! Public displays of affection in that manner are so inappropriate."
Marie sneered when she saw the girl he was with go red with rage. "Looks like she didn't like it that much."
"Yes, yes. She looks like she didn't like it at all. Look, she's getting up!" Celeste said as the girl Raoul was with sat up from the table. A flash of steel appeared under her cloak. "Marie, I think she has a sword!" Celeste exclaimed.
"Celeste, I think you're right! Could it be that Mindelan whore? She was his squire, as I do recall. I wonder how long they've been in bed together. Well, I can't say it was unexpected. We all knew that she must have had to repay him in some way. I guess sleeping with him was the only way that low- class harlot could do it correctly."
Celeste looked disdainfully at Marie. "Honestly, Marie. Don't say such abhorrent things like that in public. Even if they are true." Celeste grinned mischievously. "I can't wait to tell Harriet this! It's so scandalous!" she said with an evil gleam in her eye.
Marie laughed. "How right you are, my dear. Check, please!"
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
Cleon waited impatiently for the carriage to pull up in from of the royal palace. His betrothed was to arrive today from her fief, Dargaard Keep (A/N: Just a frivolous Dragonlance reference ^_^). He had never met her before, which was practically unheard of when you were betrothed for two months. Apparently, her mother had misgivings about her daughter's marriage partner and decided to withhold her from him until she was completely sure about the arrangement. He heard the girl's name was Kitiara (A/N: 'Nother arbitrary Dragonlance reference here *grins*) or something like that. She was a hell of a beauty, they said. She had been introduced at court when Cleon was out doing border patrol with Iness. She was supposed to have been here and hour ago.
From somewhere in the distance, the cobblestones sounded with the clanking of hooves striking against them. Two grand horses, each with regalia good enough for the king himself, were leading an elegant carriage up Palace Way.
'Finally,' Cleon thought, getting up from the step he had been sitting on to engage his betrothed. 'Just smile and pretend you're happy to see her. Just smile and pretend she's Kel. Just smile.'
The carriage pulled up at the entryway as the footman got up from his seat and opened the door. "The Lady Kitiara of Fief Dargaard Keep," the footman announced as a woman with a regal bearing stepped out of the carriage. Her hair glowed like honey flowing from a pitcher. Her intense eyes were an icy blue, sending a chilly shock through Cleon. Her dress was embroidered with tiny red roses contrasting a deep blue fabric. Dainty feet peeked out of the folds of her garb, red slippers complimenting the color of the roses. The neckline on the dress was low enough to be tasteful, and revealed just a little bit of cleavage. On the all, she couldn't have been more perfect.
With one exception. She could have been Kel.
"My lady," Cleon beckoned, holding up a hand for her to take. She smiled and took his hand.
"Sir Cleon, I presume?" she asked politely. Inwardly, Cleon sighed. She would never be as brazen or outgoing as Kel. He would be lucky if he got her to talk about anything but dresses and balls. Suppressing his disappointment, he nodded and smiled.
'Just nod and smile, Cleon. Nod and smile.'
A/N: Well, there's chapter two for you. May I say, I am in love with the whole concept of reviewing. Therefore, I am in love with all you who reviewed. I cannot be more happy with the feedback you sent me. ^_^ As leaf said, it will be "funfunfunfunfun!" Thanks again, and keep them coming! *smiles*
*~KK~*