Disclaimer: No cigar besides those characters and places that are not copyrights of Tamora Pierce. Understood?
A/N: I'm still getting emails saying that my chapters aren't long enough! It's infuriating! Are they or are they not long enough?! My last chapter was 5500+ Words! Ah hell, I really don't think they need to be any longer so I'm keeping put no matter what. Gahh
Please, I beg you, forgive my sin! I haven't updated in, alas, for two month? Please accept my deepest apologies!
I'm going to do something I have never really done before so here goes:
~**~
BIG thanks to the following:
Kenta Devina: You are a piece of work you know that? My mistake, food poisoning then. I too suffer from bad cafeteria food. It's cheap and anything close to being called meat bounces, literally. You are a wonderful reviewer to ALL of my stories. THANK YOU!
Valencia22: Alas, my first name and friend, ANITA! When one of us kicks ass, the other does too! You just can't separate the greatness about us. (Thanks Kenta!) I'm so honored that you like this story! I find it amazing that anyone does!
Cami of Queenscove: What can I say? You were one of my first reviewers and (gasp) you still review. You were great then and your great now! Thank you so much for writing long reviews that have made me cry tears of insane laughter for far too long! Your writing is superb and congrats! You have almost 400 reviews for Underneath the Surface! (I'll be happy to make 100)
Carolyn: One of my new fanatic reviewers who actually printed out my story. Retake: she printed out my story. It's funny to think that my writing is on paper at some other house! Ha.
Jazy716: Another wonderful reviewer who deserves a "Caps Lock" thanks. THANKS!
Hayden's Super Hobbit: You were just fanatic about the whole "Haydn" business weren't you? I'm happy to see random "out of no-where" fits of happiness!
Clarylissa – Alas, another interesting person who I enjoy talking to a whole bunch. As Cami says, "You rock my box!" Thanks for all the appreciated reviews!
Taryn – Wow! I pick the rights names, don't I? I'm happy that you're happy that I picked your name for one of my characters on sheer coincidence. (Phew. Big sentence.)
MORE THANK YOUS NEXT CHAPTER!!! (For the last time, I don't care if there are to many exclamation marks! I'm a hyper person!)
****
I can see when I look into your eyes
You mean no harm
It's just the way you manipulate me with your charm
*- Jennifer Lopez (Loving You)
****
Chapter 11: Harsh Words
"Hurry it up, lads! The vessel ain't going to wait for you! Your royal soldiers now! So, get those' lazy boots of yours movin'!"
"Thank you, Laszlo, but really, if they need last minute arrangements, I won't let the boat leave without them." Drawled Keladry as she shaded her eyes from the early morning's glare.
Laszlo grinned. "Oh I know, milady. I just want them to be able to eat and digest before we move out. Thieves aren't exactly -- err--." Laszlo hesitated, unsure how to put it lightly.
Kel smiled, keeping the questioning look out of her eye. A voice behind Kel laughed quietly. "My dear, he's trying to say they aren't exactly prone to the sea and they don't take to it well." Kel and Laszlo turned around to see Baron George Cooper smiling brightly.
Kel shrugged with a smile and Laszlo blushed slightly. "You would be the one to know."
George advanced Keladry, holding out a friendly hand. Kel smiled and reached out to grasp it warmly, welcoming the callused hand in her own.
"I do hope you come back for a pleasure trip soon. I look forward to making a lasting friendship with you." He said, my Kel blush furiously.
"Oh please, can we just get going already?" Mocked someone from behind Kel. Turning, she saw Neal, rolling his eyes sarcastically.
Kel glared at her friend venomously, making Neal throw up his hands in surrender. Wait until I get you alone, you annoying bird! Kel thought with a glare. Neal had been acting very unsettled lately as if he was trying to be rude to her on purpose. Kel frowned. She would have to confront him later.
Turning her attention back to George, she smiled. "I'm sorry you ever had to go through what I have to everyday. Thank you, I'm sure to come back."
Kel sighed as George walked off, only yelling over his shoulder to tell his wife to use the charm he bought her for seasickness.
The vessel itself was a marvelous sight indeed. Lady Midnight (the boat's name) was very simple but beautifully painted. Perhaps the best Yamani carvers worked on it, for the pale moss green that covered the deck and mast were of the purest color, flawless to the human eye. Lady Midnight's bordering was of a yellow, shimmering gold. Keladry admired it from below, squinting her eyes from the glare that radiated from the curves of the ship.
"Quite a marvelous working, isn't it?" Domitan of Masbolle asked, as he walked up next to Kel and placed his hand into her own.
Kel nodded with a blink. "Let's get aboard. Who knows? Maybe I'll see a past friend!" She whispered, smiling into her lover's sapphire eyes. He nodded once, taking the opportunity to take the chance to lead her onto the vessel. Kel gave a small, gleeful grunt and followed. She just hoped that there would be some relaxation on the ride, for danger would be one problem she wouldn't have to worry about, hopefully.
!**!
Kel choked back a laugh, hoping to succeed. What Captain Nyk had said was supposed to be a joke, and fortunately, it was actually funny. Swallowing the green tea that flowed through her taste buds, she smiled, satisfied with her surrounding.
"Nyk, this was obviously the perfect job to suit you. Alas, a captain who doesn't tell bad jokes and serves a good brew!" Keladry stated toward Nyk Elyaa, while others recovered from their bursts of laughter.
Nyk Elyaa smiled brightly, nodding briefly. Waving her hand in Keladry's direction, Nyk Elyaa squinted her eyes in ironic amusement. "You yourself, young one, have changed into the someone you told me you were going to be. I never doubted you for a second as a child and I sure wont try to now."
Kel shook her head, a soft smile creasing her lips. It was quite ironic. Captain Nyk had been the Mindelan escort years ago when Keladry made her first trip to the island. The older woman was not old at all, in age or in attitude. Being most likely in her early forties, she was a pretty rather than beautiful, partly because of the harsh training the navy gave their recruits. She had raven black hair with the palest eyes, reminding Kel of storm clouds and early morning fog. Her skin, for a Yamani, matched her eyes, with a pale complexion. Although Captain Nyk had gone through rigorous training, her skin was not aged or lined in any way. Sometimes, Kel hoped quite often, when Nyk laughed or smiled, small puffs sprouted from underneath her eyes, allowing her eyes to be hidden from the view of others and leaving her in a pit of blissful darkness.
"Thank you, Nyk, but I'm afraid I haven't lived up to my expectations, not yet at least."
Dom, who happened to be seated across from Keladry at the time, chocked in astonishment. Gaining control and swallowing the liquid that he had been drinking, he held up a finger and pointed at Kel.
"My dear friend, how can you say such blasphemy?! You have accomplished far more than many of us seated hear have, perhaps the most besides our Lioness!" He said, giving a respectful nod to Alanna, who in turn, nodded back.
Kel blushed. "Well, I mean --."
"At a loss up words, hmm?" Neal said dryly. Kel stiffened. She actually detected actual tension when he said that, as if it was meant to be taken as an insult. Everyone else thought nothing of the comment and continued talking. Nobody but Kel heard that – that moment where he practically – hissed.
'What is the matter with him? What did I do? He's been acting so strange lately. I will definitely have to talk to him later on.' Kel thought to herself, frowning, her brows creasing heavily. Dom however, noticed the creased brows and held up one of his own in curiosity. Noting the blank face Kel held, he decided something was definitely wrong. He excused himself from the rest of the party and walked over to Kel.
Kel, who was deep in thought, didn't realize Dom was next to her until she felt the warmth of his palm, squeezing her shoulder.
He bent down and whispered in her ear so only they could hear. "Love, please, could we please talk?"
"Now?" she asked gently, hoping he was say yes so she could escape the thought of Neal.
At his nod she smiled and relief poured into her. She excused herself as well and they walked back to their room. On the boat, ironic enough, they both had separate rooms, with adjoining doors. She didn't want to show affection with Dom while skeptic Yamani's were around so the small addition fit perfectly. Seeing two young women, fluttering their fans, Kel nudged Dom, signaling they should enter their rooms through their front door and meet through the adjoining one. He nodded and they took their separate paths, only to meet up moments later.
"Hey." Dom said as soon as he glimpsed Kel. Taking one great stride, he was in arms reach of Kel. Taking the advantage, he pulled her close to him and kissed her gently once before releasing her.
Kel stifled a laugh, smiling up at him, starring into the very depths of his sky blue eyes. "I thought you wanted to talk?" she said mischievously.
He nodded and Kel gave a small frown, making Dom laugh. "Come. Sit." He beckoned Kel over to two carved, wood chairs, with pads of silk cushions stitched to the seat.
They both sat down, neither saying a word. The silence drew on until Dom leaned forward, elbows on his knees with his hands cupped together. "What's the matter?"
Keladry eyed him, confused. "What do you mean?"
Dom sighed. "I mean, back there, with everyone, you were happy and then your face went blank. I knew something was wrong."
It was Kel's turn to sigh. Here she thought she was getting away with her problems with Neal and he wanted to talk about it. Kel figured it would help and she thought it sweet that he cared so much, but right now? "I guess I can't hide my feeling from you. Do we have to talk about this? I mean I thought we were going to talk about something more pleasant, but, c'mon, just not right now?" She pleaded.
Dom frowned, then smiled. "Sweet, I have something else to talk to you about, but I would like to know why you are so upset." He said, gently, not wanting to scare her off the subject. He was deeply concerned about her.
Sighing, she swept her hand across her hair as if an old habit. She looked up at him and smiled slightly, giving a small shrug. "You're probably right. It's just have you noticed Neal lately? He – He's mad at me for some reason or something is bothering him. I have no idea why and I'm scared that he won't forgive me for whatever I did to upset him."
Dom nodded and bit his lip, thinking. "Are you sure you did something? Do you think he's upset about Taryn and everything? Maybe he's been working extra lately and that's making him grouchy? I don't know. Just giving ideas." He said with a shrug.
Kel shrugged her shoulders, unable to answer the question laid before her. "I wouldn't know. It just seems like he's mad at me. Maybe I'm just delirious, I don't know, but it's like he wants to make me aggravated. I haven't seen anyone else notice anything unusual so I couldn't confirm anything." She said, relieved that Dom had persuaded her to talk.
"Well would you like me to talk to him?"
Kel closed her eyes, thinking deeply. "No, I can talk to him later I guess."
Dom nodded. At least that subject was closed for now. "Well." He said in a cheerful tone, making Kel raise a questioning brow. "I have something for you –if you will accept it." He said, giving her a smile.
Kel paled slightly. What did he mean? If she accepted them? Kel nodded, showing no emotion on her face.
Dom rubbed his palms on his tunic as he rose from the silk cushion chair. Walking over to the side table, near his bed, he pulled open the drawer. He pulled out a small key, one that looked similar to the one Kel held for the purpose of locking the closet located in her room. Surely that must be what this one was for, but for the closet in his room.
Dom walked slowly over to the locked closet and inserted the key, turning slightly until he heard the click that indicated that in was now open. The door creaked slightly as he opened it. Kel tried not to seem anxious. After all, she had no idea what it could be.
The closet door was now wide open. Only Dom's body stopped her from being able to see inside. It looked as if her grasped a long object, wrapped in layers of silver washed silk. Bringing it towards her Kel starred at it. She knew what it was. "Dom—why in gods name would you--." She started, but bewilderment overcame her and she fell silent.
"Because I love you, and well, you needed a new one. Not that your old one doesn't work, it's just I thought you might like to give the Lioness a good workout with a newer one." He said smiling.
He handed the wrapped object to her, placing her hands on areas that would bring her no harm. Kel unwrapped it slowly until the silk fell away gently from a silver platted weapon with a deadly 18-inch blade. He had gotten her an hkato' glaive, made by the empress's own hand. She was the most skilled glaive master ever known. Kel starred in blissful shock, unable to think past it. "Dom—how did you ever buy something like this? It must have cost a life's saving!" She said, awed by the expensive present.
Dom shrugged, obviously relieved that she liked the present he had gotten her. He had to admit that it had been expensive, but not as much as Kel had suggested. The emperor, after finding out who it was for, told the empress to make one like no other. They both agreed that Keladry should have her own styled glaive and would not have to pay for it, except for the plating of her name in pure gold, so the giver of the present would still be the giver of the present.
"Do you like it, then?" He asked, quietly, taking a seat once again.
"I'm speechless about it Dom. Are you sure? You could still sell it--."
"I'm sure." He said gently, but firmly.
"Thank you, Dom. I don't know what to say." She stated, with only slight hesitation.
He shook his head and smiled. "Don't say anything then. Your happiness is all I need." He said, leaning over to her and kissing her forehead gently. "We must get back to business, love. I will see you at dinner, then?"
Kel nodded and smiled. "Of course."
"Now you go ahead and practice with that and I'll see you in a few." He said. Thinking of something as he walked to the door, he laughed. "Some barbarian Scanrans are going to find that thing pretty interesting."
Kel laughed and waved as she too, walked away, but back into her room instead of the main corridor.
~**~
Dom walked down the hall and past the dining hall, hoping to find Neal in the indoor practice courts. Unfortunately, no Neal was found. A young Yamani Lady, a beautiful one at that, sat, watching a group of young men practice sword work with one another. Dom stayed at the doorway, watching them from bout to bout, interested in their unusual sword techniques. Dom recognized one of the young men to be one he had met recently, at last night's dinner. He seemed to be of a friendly sort. The man had mastered five languages; Dom had seen him speak in all five. Dom shook his head after hearing the young man – Khalid was his name—recite poetry in more languages that Dom thought possibly existed.
Khalid caught a glimpse of Dom and beckoned him over, which Dom accepted. Walking over he also seemed to catch the glimpse of the Yamani lady up close. Fair she was indeed. She had raven black hair like most Yamani's, but a darker, tan shade of porcelain looking skin.
He nodded respectfully and she fluttered her fan flirtatiously, alarming some of the young men. Dom ignored the jealous looks on the men's faces and focused on his new friend Khalid who obviously had no feelings for the lady, at least, no visible ones.
"Dom, welcome! It's good to see you again. Meet my comrades." He said cheerfully as he introduced the other three young men, who stilled glared suspiciously as they nodded the mandatory nod. Khalid had left out the lady's name, no doubt on purpose, for Khalid seemed aggravated with the lady. Maybe they had once had something, for the sour face playing his features when she walked up told a whole story.
"Do forget your manners, Khalid? Never mind you, you never were the gentlemen of this group." She said, waving her fingers toward the other men who's manly look turned into one of a lap dog. She smiled at them, making them stand up straighter than before.
Dom smiled at her and introduced himself respectfully. "My lady, pleased to make acquaintance with such a lovely being. I'm Domitan of Masbolle, third in command of the aboard company. May I ask your name?"
The lady smiled a flirtatious smile and turned around to look at the other young men, including Khalid, who glared back at her, looking quite annoyed. "Finally, a actual gentlemen. You could take notes, all of you." She said, directing the comment toward Khalid in person. He just continued to glare.
Dom's prediction had been correct. Khalid was a handsome young man who came from a noble and wealthy family. Being the oldest son, he had much to offer and probably had many ladies after him. This one must have caught his eye and one point, and she too, must have been attracted to him greatly, for their was still a small look of pain in her eyes, as if she was trying to prove something to him by all this.
'Great Mithros, she is actually in love with him but she won't allow herself to fall in love. She knows she's on top and she wants to play with all of them. Sounds like a few ladies I have met before.' He thought dryly. He didn't think much of her, treating the men as her pets, but she was probably insecure and felt safe on top like that.
Lost in thought, he only glimpsed the other men, run of to find ink and parchment so they could take notes. Khalid still just stood, motionless.
She turned her attention back to Dom. "The pleasures all mine, Domitan. I'm Lady Winter of Zhara, First Class Daughter of Nemesio of Zhara. Unfortunately, I must be going, for I have to pick up my gown for dinner tonight. You mustn't trust the servants on this ship, they're terrible at handling anything these days." She said, glancing over her shoulder at Khalid, making him red faced.
Smiling at Khalid, she brushed a strand of hair out of his face, playing with him like a toy. "Khalid, would you mind telling the boys I am off and won't be back for a few hours. If they would like, tell Jonayk and Sabyr that they may show Domitan around if they wish and he agrees.
Domitan smiled at her. "I thank you Lady Winter, I hope we meet again." He said, lying completely. He didn't feel like being disrespectful to any of the Yamani's on the ship. It wouldn't be very good for the company or for Tortall if he upset the ones that were helping, against their alliance with Tortall, to get them to the Scanran border.
"Oh, be sure you will, Domitan of Masbolle, be sure you will. Perhaps, at dinner, if you have a moment to spare, you shall come over for a moments chat, yes? I would love to hear the heroic tales you must have undergone to be in such a high position." She said, giving him no chance to answer, her being already out the door.
"Don't fall for her, friend. She's gorgeous yes, but her bite is far worse. Many have met their deaths by their own hand because she has played with them like puppets." Khalid said, eyes locked on the spot where Lady Winter had exited.
"I shall keep that in mind for my fellow comrades, but not myself. I believe I am safe from all ladies at this point." He said firmly.
"Aye, you say? Already hooked on someone else, hmm? Are you together? Married? Kids?" He asked, curiously.
Dom shook his head with a laugh. "Great Mithros, No! We are not married and we certainly don't have children! There is no time!" He said, laughing at the thought of him, right now, being married with littles running around crazily.
"So just a mistress? Now how can you be sure she's yours forever, way back in Tortall and not sharing someone's bed other than yours?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
Dom shook his head. He figured that's how the Yamani women played their game. Thank god the decent ones in Tortall were fair to those they loved. Hopefully some Yamani's were decent too, else Neal and Roald were going to be heartbroken!
"Well, I have no worries, she travels with me—no that's not right—I travel with her." Dom said finally, making Khalid's eyebrows rise once again.
"A rider, then?"
"No, Khalid. Guessing games just aren't your thing are they?" Dom said, amusement glinting in his eyes.
Khalid shrugged. "Not when foreign men are so confusing, no. You brought a court lady along, into danger?" Khalid asked, shocked by the idea.
"No Khalid! I told you, she brings me along! She's a lady but not a court lady and I'm under her orders!" Dom said laughing outright.
Khalid looked extremely confused for a moment until his eyes lit up, bulging from his skull and he spoke. " She's one of your betters, hmm? Higher in command you say? You're third so that means – ahh must be the company's first for your second is married to that Goldenlake giant – odd couple those two." He said, thinking off the subject.
Coming back to it he smiled with a shake of the head. "Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan, First in Command of Traitor's Hill – awkward name for a company – well, I guess not considering that's where you must all be headed if this fails. Very nice, third in command, very nice. I haven't had the pleasure to meet her yet but surely, at dinner?" Khalid asked, hope filling his eyes.
' A very strange but very nice young man. Fun to converse with too.' Dom thought, bemused.
Dom nodded in agreement. "Yes, at dinner. The commanders will probably be seated together and I will introduce you two if you like."
Khalid nodded vigorously. "That would be wonderful, yes, thank you! Dom, would you mind?"
"Hmm?"
"If – If –my father met her again too?" Khalid asked, hope again, was spotted overcoming his eyes.
"Again?" Dom thought confused.
"Well, yes, see, my father had the pleasure to meet here before she left the islands, when she was seven or so, but he had no idea what she would become. She lived at our fief for a month at the very least, before moving to the royal court."
Dom nodded. That made sense. "Wouldn't you have met her then?"
Khalid frowned. "I saw her on horseback once, when they arrived, but I had left for training two days later, never getting the chance to meet her. I believe I was ten at the time – no eleven –yes eleven." He said, checking to make sure he was eleven.
"Khalid, what fief?"
"Azuriah, right next to Zhara."
They bid their farewells and nothing more was said. Khalid reached the doorway when a sudden thought came to Dom, making him frown. "Khalid isn't Zhara where Winter is from?"
Khalid looked grim and aggravated, not by Dom, but by the thought of Winter. He nodded slowly. "Yes. Yes, she is. She – She's my betrothed." He said quickly and walked out before Dom could ask more.
'That explains things.' He thought as he walked back to his room to get ready for dinner.
~**~
"I'm sorry, Kel. It is just bad habit I guess." Alanna said, apologizing for slipping her hands into a deathly grip on her practice glaive. Someone would have killed her if she didn't kill herself with it first. "I haven't had weapons practice in years – no that's not right – decades. I thought I learned all the weapons I possibly could and then this killer showed up in the hands of a twelve-year-old girl!" She said, exasperated.
Kel couldn't keep from laughing. "It's okay, really. You're doing fine. We haven't been practicing for more than an hour. This is your first lesson, Alanna. We don't become masters of this thing for years normally, but yet, you've mastered things that took me two years to understand in twenty minutes! Stop saying its bad habit, too! It's good habit. That's how you grip a sword isn't it? Wrists twisted to right, yes? It will just take awhile to understand that everything with a glaive is to the left!" Kel said with a smile. "I have never seen speed like yours either! It's spectacular!"
The Lioness grinned. "Please, Kel. Look in the mirror. You're twice as fast with that thing as I am with my sword!"
Kel blinked, then grunted loudly, making Alanna laugh.
"Don't worry, you'll get over it Kel. It was shocking too to know that I was better at archery than the Lioness was." A voice said from behind them. Turning, they both smiled. Daine walked toward them, cheerful as ever, her badger claw swinging to and fro with the wind on the deck, where they were practicing. "If it's not to much, could you teach me, too?" Daine begged, pleading filling her eyes.
Kel loved Daine's company as much as she loved the Lioness's. "No need to ask, Daine, of course. Just grab a practice glaive over there." Kel said pointing to a stack of ones she borrowed from the ships military weapons master. It was funny, that the ship was actually a training facility for combatants; it was its own little equipped town!
"Make sure its no taller than you and has a good sand paper feeling grip, marked by those red lines." She said, pointing to the lines on the Lioness's. Daine nodded. Kel didn't have to tell her to find one with a good enough blade, for Daine was just a skilled as her or the Lioness with weapons. She was probably better than Kel with most weapons, except the glaive and sword.
Again, before they started instructions, the sound of clearing throats was heard behind them. Turning again, Kel saw Buri, Evin, Aura of Terenway, and Taryn, smiling brightly.
Kel smiled and then laughed. Before they could ask and waste time, Keladry point to the box of excess glaives and Daine gladly told them how to pick the correct one. Taryn commented on Kel's glaive, awed by it, as Kel had been. She had recognized it and everyone asked curiously, who had gotten for her. Everyone agreed it wasn't a surprise that Dom would go out of his way to make her happy.
"I wish Neal or Landon were more like Domitan. They are very tiring to be near. I just left them; both were mucking in the kitchen. I hope the cook is nice." Taryn commented, shrugging her shoulders at Kel. "I think Neal's sick from eating so much food. He's been looking quite pale."
Kel blinked. Smiling she shook her head. Taryn was still having awkward moments with both men. It was just her nature and she was pretty good about cooling down afterward. Taryn already had some experience with weapons. She was good at archery, better than average in fact.
Alanna was teaching her more tricks with the dagger, which she had mastered. Alanna had wanted her to learn sword combat but Taryn refused. Alanna and Kel both wondered why for whenever Taryn set eyes on any sword, practice or no, that was all she focused on.
Daine had confronted Taryn about the magic in her animals and she was completely off guard, saying that it couldn't possibly be hers. Daine insisted it came from her, and to prove her point, one night, when Daine was in contact with Numair through magic, he too saw it flowing through her as a bright silver – a very awkward color for the gift. When Numair tested further, a night when Taryn was not around, he and Daine figured out what kind of magic she possessed. It was a rare kind, one known as MageSpeech. It meant that Taryn could talk to whomever she wanted to, animal, human, or immortal, through the mind. They could only answers back however if they possessed the gift. To Daine's dismay, it's not possible for animals to have gifts so it was not possible for them to answer back.
Daine still hadn't told Taryn, that Keladry could see. She just wasn't sure when would be the right time. 'I'll talk to Daine and ask her to tell her tomorrow while I'm present. Then we can control whatever emotional drama she suffers together, God Bless.'
"Well let's get started then." Keladry said after everyone had their correct glaive. "The first thing you need to know is how to hold it."
"Goddess help us, or in particular, me." Muttered the Lioness, making everyone present laugh. "You'll never get it in a thousand ye--."
"Like this, Keladry?" Taryn asked, holding the glaive correctly, with the wrist in a leftward position.
Kel looked over at her impressed "Yes, exactly. Everyone, look at Taryn. That's perfect. Her wrists are to left and the pressure and weight of the glaive is on her forearms because of it. Very good. How did you know?" Kel asked curiously.
Taryn shrugged. "Before I left my family in western Tortall, I knew a Yamani by descent. While visiting her family, Yoko was her name, she took lessons and would teach me how to hold it so it looked like I could use it, even though I can't." She lied, hoping it passed. It wasn't that far from the truth. Yoko was a real person who had helped out at her fief when she was six and she was of Yamani descent and she knew how to hold a glaive and use it somewhat. Taryn couldn't believe she still knew how to hold it. That was the extent of her training with it though, she could do no more. She was thankful of that now, for no one would look at her suspiciously.
"God bless, is there anything else you know about this thing?" Evin asked.
Taryn smiled. "I know we won't learn by standing here."
"That at least I can handle." Alanna said as Taryn walked over to help her with her wrists.
~**~
Walking back to her room, Kel sweated heavily. Every few moments, someone would walk up, asking her for advice on the company, allowing the short walk back to be an hour. It was delayed again we Kel noticed Neal walking toward the meeting room.
Kel frowned. There was no meeting. "Neal!"
Swiftly, he turned around, glaring. "What?"
"Wait, okay?"
Neal grunted, but stopped, while Kel caught up.
"Don't you have better things to do?" He asked, a tad bit gentler, but still annoyingly.
"What's the matter? Why are you so itchy lately?"
"Why would you care?"
"Neal! How could you say something like that? You're like family and you're my best friend! What's the matter? Tell me?"
Neal starred at her for long minutes, locking his eyes on hers. Finally he grunted and walked off. Again Kel followed. Catching up again she shoved him into the first open door she saw and slammed the door shut behind them. "Now, what is the matter?" She hissed, dangerously low in tone.
Again he starred at her. He seemed like he was about to burst, but then he looked like his normal self, but sick, really sick. "Kel?" He asked.
"Neal, what's going on?"
He paled a deathly white. "Neal have you been? Great Mithros! You have been doing excess magic haven't you? Neal, your delirious! How come nobody noticed until now?" Kel asked, looking at the swaying Neal.
She beckoned him over to a seat and made him sit down. Looking at her surroundings, she realized that she was in Captain Nyk's study hall. Kel, wondering why nobody had seen to Neal, sat still, deep in thought. Then it hit her. "You've been shielding yourself from us seeing you sick, haven't you? Damn it, Neal! What is so important that you have to use all you energy? You've been up late, you haven't been eating, you're not yourself, and it's because you are using yourself up!"
Neal sat with a hand to his head. "Kel. I'm sorry. I just--."
He didn't get to finish the sentence. Kel checked Neal, who passed out on the chair, immediately. She wanted to make sure he had just passed out, nothing more serious. Then quickly, scared, she ran to the healer's room. She didn't even stop to knock.
She found Healer Kiatu sitting at his desk, reading through scrolls. "Can I help you Lady Knight?" He asked. Then seeing the look in her eye, he gathered up his bag.
"Who?"
"Neal. In Nyk's study."
"Neal? He can heal himself can't he? He's better than I am."
"Not when he's passed out."
"Passed out, how long?"
"Few minutes."
"Pulse?"
"Yes. Fine."
"Why?"
"Damn him! He's been shielding himself from us seeing him sick. He's overused his gift."
"Foolish thing to do. How long do you think he's been ill?"
"And delirious?"
"Delirious too?"
"Yes."
"Well, since his father's not hear to reprimand him, who should when he's awake and stable?"
"Both of us, and the Lioness. He'll never do it again."
"Right, he shouldn't after that beating."
"Will he be okay?"
"Neal may be foolish but not anywhere close to stupid. He drained his gift to sickness yes, but not his life power. He shall be fine in a few days. Be up by late tomorrow night I suppose."
"You haven't seen him yet, are you sure?"
"I'm a healer, Keladry. Trust a healer to know what he's talking about."
"I hope so." She breathed, showing him into the room to where Neal sat, still unconscious.
After a quick examination of the passed out Neal, the Healer assured her that he would be fine after a good rest and food and that she was right, he was partly delirious, particularly in the way of grouchiness.
"He won't be at dinner as you know. Make sure everyone who he knows understands he all right. Nothing serious."
Kel smiled. "Thank you. I'll make sure to tell them. Please, we he's awake and I can visit, could you send someone to get me?" Kel asked hopefully.
He nodded. "I'll come myself. Now, out with you. Captain Nyk said he could stay here until he wakes up and then we'll moving him back to his room."
Kel nodded and walked out the door, only to bump into Dom. "Neal?" he asked, shaking.
She shook her head. "He'll be fine, foolish man. Passed out from overworking that's all. He alarmed me. That's why he was so itchy. He wasn't taking care of himself."
She saw relief on his face. "Can we visit him?" he asked.
"Later, we he has recovered. The Healer says food and rest will bring him back to his normal self."
Again, Dom nodded. "Well should we go to dinner?"
Kel nodded but suddenly had a second thought. "Dom?" she asked as they walked back to their rooms.
"Hmm?"
"Would you mind if we came a little late to dinner? I need to cool down for a minute and relax." Kel said, sighing heavily.
Dom chuckled. "Of course, sweet. I can help you relax."
She hit him in the shoulder and he made a silent "ouch."
"Well see." She said, finally. Maybe now things would finally go back to normal.
'Or, maybe not.' She thought, amusing herself.
~**~
God that was long! It was 6300 words! I felt bad thought because I haven't wrote in so long. I finally got my computer back and I FINALLY felt like writing. I heard that good things come to those who wait so thank you for you patience and I hope thing was a "good thing." I watched THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING again for the millionth time times two. Orlando Bloom is ALL mine. (Yes, I'm a greedy lil' bitch, but, aren't we all when it comes to good lookin' men?)
My new name is: Karr (Used to be SheWhoPlaysWithFire)
My email address is: LadyKnight36@aolcom
Pe@ce Out Home Skillets.