The characters in this book are almost solely Tamora Pierce's. So I'm not a total genius. Enjoy!
He sat leaning against the trunk of a great oak. He was camping outside of Corus, the inn had been too stuffy for his liking. It had been five years since the Ordeal, and five years he had been away from Corus. He had been called back, not by the king, but by that voice. The only thing he was afraid of.~ ~
" So have you heard, Kel ?" Nealan of Queenscove asked his bestfriend as they walked toward the mess hall.
" Have, I heard what ?" Keladry of Mindelan asked tiredly. She had just returned from sword practice with the Lioness, and she was exhausted. She was also extremely hungry.
"Guess!"
" Neal I'm tired and I'm not up for games. Just tell me!" She groaned as she dropped into a seat.
" Grumpy, are we! You'll just have to find out from someone else."
" Neal, tell me right now! Or do you want me to complain to Yuki? I hear she hasn't been happy with you since you spilled cologne all over her new carpet."
" Kel, you know that you have a little mean streak? Anyway the carpet wasn't that new."
" I don't think you want Yuki to hear that."
" Fine. I'll give you a hint. He's returning after three years living with bazhir."
" You've got to be kidding. Stone Mountain is back?! " After he had tried to make her miserable during her years as a page and squire.
" Not yet, but tomorrow. What are you gonna do about it?"
" There's nothing to do. I'm just going to stay out of his away."
" You scared, Kel ?" She made a face at him.
" Please. Anyway, I'm gonna clean myself up. Dom said he wanted to talk to me."
" Good, I can smell you from this side of the table."
" Piss off! Later Meathead."
As Kel got up she couldn't help thinking if Joren had changed after all these years.
~ ~
Dom sat by the lake gazing at the calm crystal blue water. This is going to be hard, he thought. How can I do this to her of all people?
When he heard someone moving through the trees, he turned around palming a dagger.
" Oh, it's you Kel." He put down the dagger, then watched as she came towards him and kissed him then sat down. She is quite attractive, he thought. Maybe not beautiful, but, there is something there that can trap any man's heart. I hope for her sake, she understands this.
" What are you thinking of?" she asked, startling Dom out of his reverie.
"You." He said watching her blush.
" So what did you want to tell me?"
" Kel… this is really hard for me…"
" Dom, you know that you can tell me anything." But deep inside she could feel fear welling up inside her. She could feel a cold hand gripping her heart. Instantly her Yamani mask slid onto her face. Dom took her hands into his.
" When…when I went to Carthak I met a girl." Kel slid her hands out of Dom's. As she did her mask slipped a bit, and Dom could see pain enveloping her features. Even though he hated causing her pain, he continued anyway.
" She's pregnant. I'm so sorry Kel. I was drunk…"
" You're marrying her." It wasn't a question but a statement.
" Since, I'm a commander I will. Even if I wasn't I would. I have to Kel. She's my responsibility now, and so is her…our child."
"…I understand Dom. I hope you're happy. I'm going back to the palace now."
As she stood up to leave Dom grabbed her. She almost hit him.
" Are you going to be o.k?"
~ Flashback~
"Are you gonna be o.k. Kel?" Cleon asked worriedly.
~End of Flashback~
"Dom I'll be fine," she replied quietly and turned away , heading back to the palace. But Dom had seen that single tear slide down her pale face. In that moment he wished that she had hit him.
~ ~
That night Kel lay on her bed looking at the ceiling, crying. All the emotions that she had held during the day burst out. The betrayal, anger, and pain causing large sobs to break away from her throat. She wasn't o.k. She wished that she had beaten the hell out of him and then left him out to dry. He had hurt her so badly. It even hurt to breathe. There must be something wrong with me she thought. First Cleon then Dom. Both left me for other women. Am I that ugly? I guess I was just not made out for love. Even though I want it.
With that last thought she fell asleep, tears still falling down her face.
~ ~
As Joren gave up his mare, Darkness, to the hostlers, he looked up. He saw through one of the windows a pale yet lovely woman staring at him. He shrugged used to the stares of women and the glares of men. As he started walking towards the Chamber of Ordeal a servant came up to him.
" Sir Joren of Stone Mountain, his and her Majesties ask for your attendance."
" Is it absolutely necessary?" Joren asked, contempt clearly in his voice.
" Yes, Sir."
" Then what are you waiting for lackey. Let's go."
"Sir."
~ ~
So he's back. My quiet days are over, thought Kel. Well I better go get some breakfast.And she left the window she had been looking out of.
