Avoiding Sergeant Domitan

Kel felt like she had a hangover, but she hadn't had anything to drink the night before. Under the circumstances, perhaps she should have grabbed a bottle to nurse, but it hadn't occurred to her. Dom had kissed her. He'd been drunk. He might remember. He might not. Kel would have given anything to be a million miles away from the palace, just somewhere to stay for a couple months until it all blew over and Dom had forgotten all about their little episode on the ground outside the barracks. Their little episode on the ground outside the barracks. That sounded horrible. Like she did that sort of thing all the time. Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan was not that kind of person. Did Dom know that? She hoped so.

There was a harsh rap at the door to her quarters. "Kel!" It was Neal. "I found this nice little place for breakfast! Very good porridge!"

"Neal," Kel said, trying to keep the misery out of her voice, "I don't feel all that up to breakfast!"

"Are you sick? Let me in, I'll have a look at you,"

"I'm not sick."

"Let me in."

Grumbling, Kel got up out of bed and opened the door. Neal peered into her face curiously.

"You look like shit," he said.

Kel scowled. "I just need some more rest, that's all. I didn't get very much sleep last night."

Neal gave an exasperated sigh. "Were you out with Dom?"

Kel froze. Did he know already? Had Dom told him? "Why do you ask?"

"Well, he's not 'all that up to breakfast' either. What, did you guys have some sort of party last night?"

She relaxed by a fraction. "There was this thing with the Own. Dom dragged me into one of the all-outs. I was full of adrenalin after the fight, and I couldn't sleep." It was easy to say that. That's what she'd been telling herself all night.

"Well, I'll just have to go to breakfast alone, then." Neal sounded so alone, so sad. He stood there, his bottom lip stuck out, his shoulders slumped, and his chin quivering.

"Very convincing, Nealan," she smiled. "I almost believe you." Neal straightened and leaned against the door frame, fully recovered. "I heard the Lioness was here, why don't you have breakfast with her, talk about old times?"

Neal scowled. "You think you're smart, don't you?"

"I have worked hard to become so."

"Forget you. I'm having breakfast with someone who appreciates me, a person with a decent sense of humour. Faleron will be happy of my company."

"See you later, Neal."

Neal mumbled and set off down the hall. Kel closed the door. She'd managed to avoid Dom so far. Of course, that didn't count for much. It was still early in the morning.

She reached for her breeches and shirt, draped over the back of a chair. Stepping out of her nightdress, she pulled them on and looked at herself in the mirror. She did look terrible, just like Neal said. She grabbed and brush and got her hair into order, then held her shoulders back and levelled her head so she looked her reflection straight in the eye. That was more like it.

Now that she was in decent shape to go out, Kel realized guiltily that she was hungry. Oh well. She stepped out of her rooms and headed for the kitchens, careful to keep a lookout for the sergeant she was avoiding. As she reached the doors the air became filled with tantalizing aromas and heat from the ovens. Smiling in anticipation of a freshly baked roll, she entered.

One of the cooks smiled at her and turned to a man sitting at the counter eating some pastry. "See deary? You aren't the only one who was late for breakfast."

The man was Dom. He was looking at her with a strange something in his eyes that Kel didn't care to speculate. She walked backward toward the corridor, to freedom. Dom got up. "Hey, Kel!" he called. But she was already gone. She did an odd sort of walk-run as fast as she could to where the hall branched, took the left way, and hid in a small alcove, behind a statue. She could hear his footsteps coming down toward her. He was breathing harder than she was. Must have run, she thought. This proved that her worst fears were true. He did remember. Why else would he run after her?

She peaked out between the statue's legs. Dom was looking around frantically. "Kel?" he called again. She didn't answer him. He waited a few moments, listening to the silence. "Damn!" he said, and kicked the very statue she was hiding behind. Kel jumped back.

Dom thrust his hands into his pockets and made his way dejectedly back to the kitchens. Kel waited a few moments before emerging. All clear. If he was as frustrated as he seemed, then avoiding him wasn't going to be easy. She decided that if she was going to get away, then the best thing to do would be to get those payments done. Then, she'd be outta there.

And then you'll have to avoid Dom forever, said a voice in her head. You should confront him now, before this destroys your friendship.

Maybe later, Kel thought. I'll speak to him later. But not now.