Please read and review this story, comment, advice, criticisms all welcome.
Disclaimer: the plot is mine but nothing else, except maybe some characters I might make up.
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Chapter 1
As the days grew shorter, trees everywhere shed their leafy coats indicating that autumn has arrived once again. Keladry of Mindelan shivered with the season's first cold winds and sat back on her desk. Kel, Lady Knight of the Tortall Realm, had been a fully fledged knight for a little over two years now. She had spent the better part of those two years constantly being on the move, either helping to drive back the ever increasing attacks on the Scanran border or managing things here, at New Hope.
With all said and done, Kel was getting a bit tired from it all -although it would kill her to admit it- and longed to see her friends again. She couldn't wait to ask them what kind of mischievous antics they had all been up to. Kel quickly shook her head with a jerk and told herself off for just sitting here moping while there was still a war going on.
Suddenly her chamber doors burst open and a large figure stood there obstructing the doorway. Kel turned her head sharply back from where she was gazing out the window. She could see it was a heavily muscled man with coal black hair and equally black matching eyes. He was wearing a simple white tunic and forest green breeches but the Raven Armory dagger which hung from his waist states that he was anything but plain. He was Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak, Knight Commander of the King's Own and Kel's former knight master.
"Kel! Kel! You've been ordered come back to Corus with me and Dom?" Raoul yelled loudly before realizing that Kel stood only a meter away. Kel winced as her ears protested to being subjected to such a loud volume at close range. She looked away only to see a document clutched in Raoul's massive hand with the king's official seal clearly imprinted on the bottom right hand corner.
Kel, now slightly deaf from the result of Raoul's shouting, finally registered the information that she had just been given and jumped up and hugged him forgetting all of her Yamani calm. Even though Kel was very tall for her age, compared to Raoul she was only up to his ears. "Really? Why? What for? When are we leaving? Should I pack yet?" Kel said in one breath.
Raoul grinned widely and replied "I knew you would want to go back. As for your other questions, I received a message from Jonathan today saying he'd like me to come back and report the current status of the war to him. He also requested that you and Dom accompany me back to Corus. I think we should leave the sooner the better, how does tomorrow morning sound to you?"
Kel smiled slyly because she knew why Raoul was also eager to go back to the palace. He couldn't wait to see Buri. They did make a great pair after all, albeit a comical one. Kel once again mentally gave herself a pat on the back for matching those two together. She punched Raoul lightly on the arm before answering, "Tomorrow is good, I'll get ready."
Raoul nodded and exited the room whistling as he went along, leaving Kel standing there wondering what she should do first. After a few moments' thoughts, she went to gather up Jump and the sparrows.
Early next morning, the trio consisting of Kel, Dom and Raoul had all rose just after dawn. The three of them marched off to breakfast together to grab a quick bite in preparation for the ride ahead. The mess hall was still empty so they were served right away. Once they had all devoured food until their own heart's content, the small party agreed to split up to collect their belongings and packs before meeting up once again at the stables.
Kel arrived at the stables with Jump at her heels and Tobe by her side. A couple of the refugees and their children had also come to wish her a safe journey. She had decided that the sparrows should stay at New Hope since it was too much of a bother to move their entire nest, which has increased in numbers quite dramatically. Kel also left Jump behind and she entrusted them all to the care of Tobe.
Once they had all groomed and saddled their mounts, the group was ready to depart. Kel hugged Tobe and patted Jump before climbing onto Hoshi.
"Let us take our leave Keladry, I'm sure the occupants of New Hope will manage" Raoul said with a small smile. He knew how much Kel worried about her people.
"Goodbye everyone, look after everything for me Tobe" Kel nudged Hoshi to a gallop. Riding between Dom and Raoul, their company exited the fort's gates leaving a trail of dust in their wake.
The journey was a smooth one. They encountered no trouble and since everyone was anxious to reach Corus sooner rather than later so they covered ground much quicker than usual. They only stops that were made were to set up camp for the night, and to give the animals a drink and a quick graze.
Throughout the ride, Kel couldn't help glancing over at Dom whenever possible. It seemed than as soon as her mind was empty of thoughts then an image of Dom would just pop up and cause her to steal another look at the handsome Sergeant.
It's not like he'll ever look at you as more than a friend, the sensible, reasonable part of her mind told her. But he's flirted with me at times, argued the other part of her mind which held a flickering candle of hope that Dom might like her.
Dom was truly a sight for sore eyes. His dark hair which looked like it hadn't been brushed this morning flopped carelessly over his face. His blue eyes had a deepness about them that rendered Kel helpless whenever she dared look into them. His nose, one of the more noticeable resemblances between Neal and him, and a trademark of the fact that they were cousins. His mouth, that opened to a charming smile that few could resist. Kel was not one of them.
Was it any wonder why Dom was popular with the court ladies? Or in fact any lady that happen to cross his path.
But all this was not what made Kel notice Dom. She liked him for the person inside. The one that made her welcome when few others had. The one that was not only brave and kind, but a true friend to all. And if Dom happen to have all these qualities plus a killer smile, well that's just a bonus. Yet she knew that Dom would never like her, he would only see her as a friend, a comrade.
Dom, who had notice Kel's silence looked over with a questioning expression.
"What's wrong Kel? You're very quite today, even for you"
Kel snapped out of her trance "Oh, nothing Dom, just thinking about how to restrain myself from hurting Meathead too much"
"I too also have pondered the same thing, but alas will still probably pound him to a pulp. Though no doubt you're going to beat me to the punch. So be nice and save some of the action for your dear friend Dom here."
Kel laughed at his looked of mock disappointment "Well I'll try, but I'm not making any promises here"
Dom looked up and rewarded Kel with that very same perfect smile. Kel felt fluttery and pinched herself to shake the feeling.
"Although I must say, I don't think Neal stands a chance at all if our dear Lady Knight has decided to finish him off. If I were him, I'd rather run from here to Carthark barefooted then face our Kel" Dom smirked before kicking his mount forward and out of Kel's punching range.
Kel glared daggers at his back and raced forward to give him a piece of her mind. Raoul, who had enjoyed listening to this conversation, chuckled until his eyes watered.
Corus and the palace came within their sight near sunset of the third day on the road. Dom, Kel and Raoul had no more than just entered the palace gates when Neal, Owen, Esmond and Merric trotted forward to meet them.
Raoul laughed at the sight of them running with outstretched arms towards Kel "Well I'll leave you to your greetings with your friends, I've got to go and let Jonathan know that I've arrived"
"How did you know we just arrived?" questioned Kel who was locked in a hug from Neal and Merric.
"Stephan told us he saw you all arriving" Neal replied coolly. He released Kel and he went to greet his cousin, Dom.
"We haven't seen our Lady Knight in ages, I see that you're even taller now" Esmond said as he came up to hug Kel.
"Meathead! How have you been" Dom playfully punched Neal.
Rubbing the spot that just received a punch from Dom, Neal casually replied "Fine, until I saw you that is" Dom pretended to look hurt and Neal struggled to keep a straight face but lost.
"So why are you all back here? I thought all the soldiers that could be spared were sent to the border?" Dom asked seriously.
Merric decided to take the liberty of answering for him "We were at the border but the king ordered us to come back, something about an assignment. He said that we will be notified about it as soon as you lot get here."
"Oh, I see, any ideas on what that assignment could be?"
This time Owen answered "Nope, not a clue, though it should be fairly important if he's willing to pull us back from the actual fighting for it"
Kel looked around and then back at Neal with a puzzled expression "Neal where's Yuki, she should be here?"
A look of longing cross Neal's eyes and he sighed before answering "She's gone back to the Yamani Islands with the princess for a while, they wanted to convince the emperor to join the war and help Tortall fight Scanra. Seeing as how Maggur's forces have grown once again after that certain episode with our Kel and Blace."
The supper bell chose that exact moment to sound.
"Well I'll be going to my nice hot bath to rinse this dust coat off me. I'll see you all at supper." Kel walked off towards her chambers.
"I could do with a nice bath myself" agreed Dom. "Can't let people think that the best Sergeant in the Own is a grub who looks like he's gone for a roll in the mud."
Neal snorted at the thought that Dom was the best Sergeant. Dom raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
The group then spilt up to go back to their own separate rooms to wash up.
Disclaimer: the plot is mine but nothing else, except maybe some characters I might make up.
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Chapter 1
As the days grew shorter, trees everywhere shed their leafy coats indicating that autumn has arrived once again. Keladry of Mindelan shivered with the season's first cold winds and sat back on her desk. Kel, Lady Knight of the Tortall Realm, had been a fully fledged knight for a little over two years now. She had spent the better part of those two years constantly being on the move, either helping to drive back the ever increasing attacks on the Scanran border or managing things here, at New Hope.
With all said and done, Kel was getting a bit tired from it all -although it would kill her to admit it- and longed to see her friends again. She couldn't wait to ask them what kind of mischievous antics they had all been up to. Kel quickly shook her head with a jerk and told herself off for just sitting here moping while there was still a war going on.
Suddenly her chamber doors burst open and a large figure stood there obstructing the doorway. Kel turned her head sharply back from where she was gazing out the window. She could see it was a heavily muscled man with coal black hair and equally black matching eyes. He was wearing a simple white tunic and forest green breeches but the Raven Armory dagger which hung from his waist states that he was anything but plain. He was Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak, Knight Commander of the King's Own and Kel's former knight master.
"Kel! Kel! You've been ordered come back to Corus with me and Dom?" Raoul yelled loudly before realizing that Kel stood only a meter away. Kel winced as her ears protested to being subjected to such a loud volume at close range. She looked away only to see a document clutched in Raoul's massive hand with the king's official seal clearly imprinted on the bottom right hand corner.
Kel, now slightly deaf from the result of Raoul's shouting, finally registered the information that she had just been given and jumped up and hugged him forgetting all of her Yamani calm. Even though Kel was very tall for her age, compared to Raoul she was only up to his ears. "Really? Why? What for? When are we leaving? Should I pack yet?" Kel said in one breath.
Raoul grinned widely and replied "I knew you would want to go back. As for your other questions, I received a message from Jonathan today saying he'd like me to come back and report the current status of the war to him. He also requested that you and Dom accompany me back to Corus. I think we should leave the sooner the better, how does tomorrow morning sound to you?"
Kel smiled slyly because she knew why Raoul was also eager to go back to the palace. He couldn't wait to see Buri. They did make a great pair after all, albeit a comical one. Kel once again mentally gave herself a pat on the back for matching those two together. She punched Raoul lightly on the arm before answering, "Tomorrow is good, I'll get ready."
Raoul nodded and exited the room whistling as he went along, leaving Kel standing there wondering what she should do first. After a few moments' thoughts, she went to gather up Jump and the sparrows.
Early next morning, the trio consisting of Kel, Dom and Raoul had all rose just after dawn. The three of them marched off to breakfast together to grab a quick bite in preparation for the ride ahead. The mess hall was still empty so they were served right away. Once they had all devoured food until their own heart's content, the small party agreed to split up to collect their belongings and packs before meeting up once again at the stables.
Kel arrived at the stables with Jump at her heels and Tobe by her side. A couple of the refugees and their children had also come to wish her a safe journey. She had decided that the sparrows should stay at New Hope since it was too much of a bother to move their entire nest, which has increased in numbers quite dramatically. Kel also left Jump behind and she entrusted them all to the care of Tobe.
Once they had all groomed and saddled their mounts, the group was ready to depart. Kel hugged Tobe and patted Jump before climbing onto Hoshi.
"Let us take our leave Keladry, I'm sure the occupants of New Hope will manage" Raoul said with a small smile. He knew how much Kel worried about her people.
"Goodbye everyone, look after everything for me Tobe" Kel nudged Hoshi to a gallop. Riding between Dom and Raoul, their company exited the fort's gates leaving a trail of dust in their wake.
The journey was a smooth one. They encountered no trouble and since everyone was anxious to reach Corus sooner rather than later so they covered ground much quicker than usual. They only stops that were made were to set up camp for the night, and to give the animals a drink and a quick graze.
Throughout the ride, Kel couldn't help glancing over at Dom whenever possible. It seemed than as soon as her mind was empty of thoughts then an image of Dom would just pop up and cause her to steal another look at the handsome Sergeant.
It's not like he'll ever look at you as more than a friend, the sensible, reasonable part of her mind told her. But he's flirted with me at times, argued the other part of her mind which held a flickering candle of hope that Dom might like her.
Dom was truly a sight for sore eyes. His dark hair which looked like it hadn't been brushed this morning flopped carelessly over his face. His blue eyes had a deepness about them that rendered Kel helpless whenever she dared look into them. His nose, one of the more noticeable resemblances between Neal and him, and a trademark of the fact that they were cousins. His mouth, that opened to a charming smile that few could resist. Kel was not one of them.
Was it any wonder why Dom was popular with the court ladies? Or in fact any lady that happen to cross his path.
But all this was not what made Kel notice Dom. She liked him for the person inside. The one that made her welcome when few others had. The one that was not only brave and kind, but a true friend to all. And if Dom happen to have all these qualities plus a killer smile, well that's just a bonus. Yet she knew that Dom would never like her, he would only see her as a friend, a comrade.
Dom, who had notice Kel's silence looked over with a questioning expression.
"What's wrong Kel? You're very quite today, even for you"
Kel snapped out of her trance "Oh, nothing Dom, just thinking about how to restrain myself from hurting Meathead too much"
"I too also have pondered the same thing, but alas will still probably pound him to a pulp. Though no doubt you're going to beat me to the punch. So be nice and save some of the action for your dear friend Dom here."
Kel laughed at his looked of mock disappointment "Well I'll try, but I'm not making any promises here"
Dom looked up and rewarded Kel with that very same perfect smile. Kel felt fluttery and pinched herself to shake the feeling.
"Although I must say, I don't think Neal stands a chance at all if our dear Lady Knight has decided to finish him off. If I were him, I'd rather run from here to Carthark barefooted then face our Kel" Dom smirked before kicking his mount forward and out of Kel's punching range.
Kel glared daggers at his back and raced forward to give him a piece of her mind. Raoul, who had enjoyed listening to this conversation, chuckled until his eyes watered.
Corus and the palace came within their sight near sunset of the third day on the road. Dom, Kel and Raoul had no more than just entered the palace gates when Neal, Owen, Esmond and Merric trotted forward to meet them.
Raoul laughed at the sight of them running with outstretched arms towards Kel "Well I'll leave you to your greetings with your friends, I've got to go and let Jonathan know that I've arrived"
"How did you know we just arrived?" questioned Kel who was locked in a hug from Neal and Merric.
"Stephan told us he saw you all arriving" Neal replied coolly. He released Kel and he went to greet his cousin, Dom.
"We haven't seen our Lady Knight in ages, I see that you're even taller now" Esmond said as he came up to hug Kel.
"Meathead! How have you been" Dom playfully punched Neal.
Rubbing the spot that just received a punch from Dom, Neal casually replied "Fine, until I saw you that is" Dom pretended to look hurt and Neal struggled to keep a straight face but lost.
"So why are you all back here? I thought all the soldiers that could be spared were sent to the border?" Dom asked seriously.
Merric decided to take the liberty of answering for him "We were at the border but the king ordered us to come back, something about an assignment. He said that we will be notified about it as soon as you lot get here."
"Oh, I see, any ideas on what that assignment could be?"
This time Owen answered "Nope, not a clue, though it should be fairly important if he's willing to pull us back from the actual fighting for it"
Kel looked around and then back at Neal with a puzzled expression "Neal where's Yuki, she should be here?"
A look of longing cross Neal's eyes and he sighed before answering "She's gone back to the Yamani Islands with the princess for a while, they wanted to convince the emperor to join the war and help Tortall fight Scanra. Seeing as how Maggur's forces have grown once again after that certain episode with our Kel and Blace."
The supper bell chose that exact moment to sound.
"Well I'll be going to my nice hot bath to rinse this dust coat off me. I'll see you all at supper." Kel walked off towards her chambers.
"I could do with a nice bath myself" agreed Dom. "Can't let people think that the best Sergeant in the Own is a grub who looks like he's gone for a roll in the mud."
Neal snorted at the thought that Dom was the best Sergeant. Dom raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
The group then spilt up to go back to their own separate rooms to wash up.