DISCLAIMER: Sorry, I'm not Tamora Pierce.
Author's note(s): WHEW! It's been SO LONG since I could get to the computer. First of all, I wasn't allowed on for a day (we didn't have anymore internet time left) and then I spent the next day traveling from my grandmother's house home, and then the next day I couldn't get to the computer because we were running errands and today, hehe, well, I just got the new Harry Potter book and it pains me to put it down. ^_^ So yea. I'm going through a lot of pain in updating this. ^-~
WOW! 12 Reviews?! That's insane. And very welcome news. It's wonderful to hear some people like the start, and I will apologize once again. I hate rushing the romance, but I have a timeline that doesn't leave a lot of room for it. So. Oops.
Well, I've learned throughout my other stories no one ever reads my notes, so. Well, I'm an alien! Who caught that one?
Destined
'Homebound'
****
Kel took a deep breath and forced her feet forward. She took in the messenger's appearance. She knew him. He was a short black-haired man with a sweet disposition. The more she had gotten to know about him, the more she liked him. She hated to say it, but she wasn't too fond of him right now.
"Lady knight, you're needed back at New Hope immediately," he said quickly.
Kel saw Lord Wyldon striding towards them. Just as she had her feet, she now forced her voice to work.
"What's happened?"
He looked at her anxiously. "Lord Merric received word of his mother's illness. He had to leave immediately and he was forced to take a squad as escort. He wanted me to give you his apologies, milady, but he needs you to return."
She couldn't help it. Though New Hope was in danger, she breathed a sigh of relief. Lord Wyldon, who had joined them in time to hear the message, echoed the sigh. He turned to call Owen and cursed when he realized he wasn't in Fort Mastiff. He didn't have squads at his disposal.
Kel left her training-master, knowing he would come to a decision. She spoke quickly to the two happy couples, excusing herself and thanking them for their invitation.
Sighing, she headed for her room to deliver the news to Tobe. The boy grimly began packing as quickly as he could. Kel shooed him away to the stables to make sure their mounts were ready.
Kel left her room with her bags packed moments later. She walked outside, searching the crowd for Lord Wyldon. He was talking quietly to her former knight-master. Her eyes widened in curiosity as he bowed and left. She intercepted him, opening her mouth to request a squad, when he spoke.
"No need to request it, lady knight. Lord Raoul has already given you a squad of his Own."
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dom speaking quietly to Lord Raoul. She smiled. It would be nice to have him back again.
Dom's gaze fell on her, causing her stomach to flop. She looked away quickly.
"Thank you, milord."
She bowed before wandering over to Dom.
"So I'll have you at New Hope for a while?"
He nodded as he collected his men from the reception. "Yep, it looks like we won't be getting our vacation as was promised."
Kel frowned. "I'm sorry about that, Dom, I didn't-"
He cut her off with a wave and a smile. "Don't worry about it." He leaned in closer with a mischievous smile. "Besides, this way milord will have to give us a vacation another time."
With a wink, he excused himself to ready his mount while Kel walked off to find Tobe. She couldn't help but smile.
"If New Hope's in one piece, Merric may have done me a favor," she thought ruefully.
****
As New Hope's massive walls came into view, Kel let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. A maternal smile crept on her face as the gate was opened. As they dismounted, Fanche approached her, a grin plastered on her face.
"Couldn't keep yourself away?"
She smiled at the headwoman. "I heard you couldn't take care of yourselves." She winked as she looked for her sergeants.
Sergeant Hanover was striding towards her. She looked at the sergeant. The most outstanding feature was his height. At over six feet, he loomed over Kel. He had dark brown hair and brown eyes nearly the same shade. She smiled; she liked him.
He bowed crisply. "Lady knight, it's good to see you're back." He soon got down to business. "There is a patrol out right now, though they should be returning at any moment. We weren't sure what your orders would be."
She was quiet for a minute before responding. "When they return, take your squad out to patrol. I want you to return before dinner. I think it would be wise to be weary for the time being."
He nodded and walked away to ready his men. Kel looked back to find Dom watching her. She smiled and motioned for him to join her.
"I see you're still in charge," he said lightly. "Meathead says the refugees love you."
She blushed. "Well, the ones that were harsh before have lightened up," she said simply. She didn't want to boast.
Coughing, she pointed to the barracks. "You know where you will be staying," she said politely. Dom nodded and left to lead his men away.
She watched him for a moment before starting towards her own room. His voice made her turn back.
"You still eat in the mess?"
Confused, she answered, "Yes." Tobe's yell sent her walking towards her room.
"Since when does he care where I eat?" she wondered, "And why did he look like he was blushing?"
****
After making sure all of her weapons were still in her room, she decided to take a stroll around the camp. As she walked, many of the refugees would walk over to discuss things with her, though the majority simply waved or yelled a "welcome back" before returning to work.
She was on her way to check the work schedules when she saw Tobe heading towards her. Behind him was her usual group of children. Each carried their spears. They stopped in front of her, looking up timidly. Finally Tobe stepped forward.
"We was wondering, lady, since you ain't teachin' your normal class right now if you'd teach us instead."
Gydo piped in. "We could use the practice." A blush stained her cheeks, but she kept her eyes hopefully on Kel.
Kel smiled. She couldn't help but let a flush of pride take over her face. She loved that her students were so eager to learn.
She took them to their usual place and watched as they set up to begin class. She taught them a couple new thrusts. She soon resigned herself to walking around their ranks, inspecting them. She was carefully repositioning a child's footing when she saw a soldier from Dom's squad approaching them.
He watched the practice continue, obviously surprised to see children of their age group showing such skill. Kel stepped forward, gesturing for the children to continue without her.
"Is something wrong?" she asked politely after realizing his attention was still focused elsewhere.
He tore his eyes from the children, looking rather sheepish. "I was sent to tell you you're missing dinner, milady."
She bowed and turned her back to him. She whistled loudly, waiting for the children to face her.
"Dinner time," she said with a smile.
A few of them groaned, sorry to see their lesson ending. Again Kel's heart soared with pride. Nevertheless, she made them scoop of their supplies and watched as they all raced off to their cabins.
"Kids never seem to walk anywhere," she thought as she began walking slowly towards the mess. "I guess there's just a certain age you reach when you decide the world will just have to wait that extra minute for you to arrive."
****
She spotted Dom quickly and headed straight for his table. She had just dropped into the seat next to Dom when Sergeant Hanover approached her.
Bowing quickly, he reported, "We have just pulled the patrol in for the night. The gates are closed. Is that to your liking, milady?"
She nodded. "I'll take the patrol out tomorrow, Sergeant."
He bowed. "Very good, milady."
He excused himself politely, leaving Kel to eat her dinner in peace. Looking into Dom's eyes, she knew she something was coming. He had a slightly scandalized look.
"Are you sure you should leave the fort?" he asked her, acting more like his cousin than he was aware.
Something about his words ruffled her. Carefully guarding her emotions, she spoke clearly. "We need a patrol. They have horns to alert me if they are in need of help."
He frowned at her, calculating with his eyes. She stifled a sigh. Why was he worrying over her all the sudden?
"His worrying comes so suddenly, it almost reminds me of Cleon," she thought bitterly. "But that was because Clean liked me. Dom just likes flirting."
Dom looked down at his food and Kel, thinking the subject closed, listened to his surrounding sergeant's conversations. Soon her anger was forgotten and she found herself rather enjoying their company. Slowly, the men started to disappear, heading presumably to the barracks.
When she rose, she was surprised to see Dom hurry to follow. Casting a curious look at his men, she received no explanation, only eyes that showed laughter.
She expected him to speak, but he merely followed behind her, keeping their silence until they were nearing his own barracks.
"How about my men patrol with you?" he asked suddenly.
Taken aback, she thought for a moment before agreeing. He nodded and turned quickly, heading to his quarters.
She watched him go, still surprised at his sudden request. She yelled across the yard, catching him just as he entered the barracks.
"We'll need to leave just after dawn, Dom!"
He nodded and she caught a glimpse of his smile. She was expecting the taunt before he threw it at her. "Send some sparrows. I imagine they serve as well as the morning trumpet call."
She laughed to herself, praying no sparrows had overheard. Shaking her head, she turned towards her own quarters, picturing her bed with a longing.
"If the sparrows hear him, they might just go on strike," she thought ruefully.
****
Author's Note2: I know, this is rather short and uneventful, but I'm sure you guys have figured out what comes next and I didn't want to include that in this chapter.
I'm sorry it took so long! I promise to update with a worthwhile chapter in a couple days. ^-~
Author's note(s): WHEW! It's been SO LONG since I could get to the computer. First of all, I wasn't allowed on for a day (we didn't have anymore internet time left) and then I spent the next day traveling from my grandmother's house home, and then the next day I couldn't get to the computer because we were running errands and today, hehe, well, I just got the new Harry Potter book and it pains me to put it down. ^_^ So yea. I'm going through a lot of pain in updating this. ^-~
WOW! 12 Reviews?! That's insane. And very welcome news. It's wonderful to hear some people like the start, and I will apologize once again. I hate rushing the romance, but I have a timeline that doesn't leave a lot of room for it. So. Oops.
Well, I've learned throughout my other stories no one ever reads my notes, so. Well, I'm an alien! Who caught that one?
Destined
'Homebound'
****
Kel took a deep breath and forced her feet forward. She took in the messenger's appearance. She knew him. He was a short black-haired man with a sweet disposition. The more she had gotten to know about him, the more she liked him. She hated to say it, but she wasn't too fond of him right now.
"Lady knight, you're needed back at New Hope immediately," he said quickly.
Kel saw Lord Wyldon striding towards them. Just as she had her feet, she now forced her voice to work.
"What's happened?"
He looked at her anxiously. "Lord Merric received word of his mother's illness. He had to leave immediately and he was forced to take a squad as escort. He wanted me to give you his apologies, milady, but he needs you to return."
She couldn't help it. Though New Hope was in danger, she breathed a sigh of relief. Lord Wyldon, who had joined them in time to hear the message, echoed the sigh. He turned to call Owen and cursed when he realized he wasn't in Fort Mastiff. He didn't have squads at his disposal.
Kel left her training-master, knowing he would come to a decision. She spoke quickly to the two happy couples, excusing herself and thanking them for their invitation.
Sighing, she headed for her room to deliver the news to Tobe. The boy grimly began packing as quickly as he could. Kel shooed him away to the stables to make sure their mounts were ready.
Kel left her room with her bags packed moments later. She walked outside, searching the crowd for Lord Wyldon. He was talking quietly to her former knight-master. Her eyes widened in curiosity as he bowed and left. She intercepted him, opening her mouth to request a squad, when he spoke.
"No need to request it, lady knight. Lord Raoul has already given you a squad of his Own."
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dom speaking quietly to Lord Raoul. She smiled. It would be nice to have him back again.
Dom's gaze fell on her, causing her stomach to flop. She looked away quickly.
"Thank you, milord."
She bowed before wandering over to Dom.
"So I'll have you at New Hope for a while?"
He nodded as he collected his men from the reception. "Yep, it looks like we won't be getting our vacation as was promised."
Kel frowned. "I'm sorry about that, Dom, I didn't-"
He cut her off with a wave and a smile. "Don't worry about it." He leaned in closer with a mischievous smile. "Besides, this way milord will have to give us a vacation another time."
With a wink, he excused himself to ready his mount while Kel walked off to find Tobe. She couldn't help but smile.
"If New Hope's in one piece, Merric may have done me a favor," she thought ruefully.
****
As New Hope's massive walls came into view, Kel let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. A maternal smile crept on her face as the gate was opened. As they dismounted, Fanche approached her, a grin plastered on her face.
"Couldn't keep yourself away?"
She smiled at the headwoman. "I heard you couldn't take care of yourselves." She winked as she looked for her sergeants.
Sergeant Hanover was striding towards her. She looked at the sergeant. The most outstanding feature was his height. At over six feet, he loomed over Kel. He had dark brown hair and brown eyes nearly the same shade. She smiled; she liked him.
He bowed crisply. "Lady knight, it's good to see you're back." He soon got down to business. "There is a patrol out right now, though they should be returning at any moment. We weren't sure what your orders would be."
She was quiet for a minute before responding. "When they return, take your squad out to patrol. I want you to return before dinner. I think it would be wise to be weary for the time being."
He nodded and walked away to ready his men. Kel looked back to find Dom watching her. She smiled and motioned for him to join her.
"I see you're still in charge," he said lightly. "Meathead says the refugees love you."
She blushed. "Well, the ones that were harsh before have lightened up," she said simply. She didn't want to boast.
Coughing, she pointed to the barracks. "You know where you will be staying," she said politely. Dom nodded and left to lead his men away.
She watched him for a moment before starting towards her own room. His voice made her turn back.
"You still eat in the mess?"
Confused, she answered, "Yes." Tobe's yell sent her walking towards her room.
"Since when does he care where I eat?" she wondered, "And why did he look like he was blushing?"
****
After making sure all of her weapons were still in her room, she decided to take a stroll around the camp. As she walked, many of the refugees would walk over to discuss things with her, though the majority simply waved or yelled a "welcome back" before returning to work.
She was on her way to check the work schedules when she saw Tobe heading towards her. Behind him was her usual group of children. Each carried their spears. They stopped in front of her, looking up timidly. Finally Tobe stepped forward.
"We was wondering, lady, since you ain't teachin' your normal class right now if you'd teach us instead."
Gydo piped in. "We could use the practice." A blush stained her cheeks, but she kept her eyes hopefully on Kel.
Kel smiled. She couldn't help but let a flush of pride take over her face. She loved that her students were so eager to learn.
She took them to their usual place and watched as they set up to begin class. She taught them a couple new thrusts. She soon resigned herself to walking around their ranks, inspecting them. She was carefully repositioning a child's footing when she saw a soldier from Dom's squad approaching them.
He watched the practice continue, obviously surprised to see children of their age group showing such skill. Kel stepped forward, gesturing for the children to continue without her.
"Is something wrong?" she asked politely after realizing his attention was still focused elsewhere.
He tore his eyes from the children, looking rather sheepish. "I was sent to tell you you're missing dinner, milady."
She bowed and turned her back to him. She whistled loudly, waiting for the children to face her.
"Dinner time," she said with a smile.
A few of them groaned, sorry to see their lesson ending. Again Kel's heart soared with pride. Nevertheless, she made them scoop of their supplies and watched as they all raced off to their cabins.
"Kids never seem to walk anywhere," she thought as she began walking slowly towards the mess. "I guess there's just a certain age you reach when you decide the world will just have to wait that extra minute for you to arrive."
****
She spotted Dom quickly and headed straight for his table. She had just dropped into the seat next to Dom when Sergeant Hanover approached her.
Bowing quickly, he reported, "We have just pulled the patrol in for the night. The gates are closed. Is that to your liking, milady?"
She nodded. "I'll take the patrol out tomorrow, Sergeant."
He bowed. "Very good, milady."
He excused himself politely, leaving Kel to eat her dinner in peace. Looking into Dom's eyes, she knew she something was coming. He had a slightly scandalized look.
"Are you sure you should leave the fort?" he asked her, acting more like his cousin than he was aware.
Something about his words ruffled her. Carefully guarding her emotions, she spoke clearly. "We need a patrol. They have horns to alert me if they are in need of help."
He frowned at her, calculating with his eyes. She stifled a sigh. Why was he worrying over her all the sudden?
"His worrying comes so suddenly, it almost reminds me of Cleon," she thought bitterly. "But that was because Clean liked me. Dom just likes flirting."
Dom looked down at his food and Kel, thinking the subject closed, listened to his surrounding sergeant's conversations. Soon her anger was forgotten and she found herself rather enjoying their company. Slowly, the men started to disappear, heading presumably to the barracks.
When she rose, she was surprised to see Dom hurry to follow. Casting a curious look at his men, she received no explanation, only eyes that showed laughter.
She expected him to speak, but he merely followed behind her, keeping their silence until they were nearing his own barracks.
"How about my men patrol with you?" he asked suddenly.
Taken aback, she thought for a moment before agreeing. He nodded and turned quickly, heading to his quarters.
She watched him go, still surprised at his sudden request. She yelled across the yard, catching him just as he entered the barracks.
"We'll need to leave just after dawn, Dom!"
He nodded and she caught a glimpse of his smile. She was expecting the taunt before he threw it at her. "Send some sparrows. I imagine they serve as well as the morning trumpet call."
She laughed to herself, praying no sparrows had overheard. Shaking her head, she turned towards her own quarters, picturing her bed with a longing.
"If the sparrows hear him, they might just go on strike," she thought ruefully.
****
Author's Note2: I know, this is rather short and uneventful, but I'm sure you guys have figured out what comes next and I didn't want to include that in this chapter.
I'm sorry it took so long! I promise to update with a worthwhile chapter in a couple days. ^-~