Chapter Three
Kassi of Pirate's Swoop
Disclaimer: I know it and you know it, so let's just all bow down to Tammy, shall we?
A/N: Recommended reading: me,acornandsometimesbanana's story Dancing with Demons, based on the fairytale The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Oh, and anything by WarriorofAvalon. And One Last Kiss by Snow*flake. All very good writing.
Okay, enough of my babble, on with the story!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tara stood still, shocked. How could King Jonathon do that? He had helped Lady Alanna become a knight! He had even let Sir Keladry earn her shield! How could he not let her join the Own?
Raoul coughed. "Tara, I'll talk to him. But I don't want you to do anything..rash. I'll handle it."
Tara glared at him. "I won't. But I should." Forgetting that Dom was there, she turned and stalked out of the room.
"Tara?"
Dom's voice jarred her back to reality. She couldn't run away like this. It wouldn't change a thing, and it would make her look like a fool. Blushing, she returned. "Sorry."
Buri's eyes were soft. "It's all right, dear. We understand that you're upset." She indicated for Tara to sit down. The girl obliged, feeling embarrassed. She hadn't wanted to make a scene. "Da will talk to Jon. You can't ask for anything else."
Tara nodded as a servant entered and bowed. "Dinner will be served shortly, my lords, my ladies." The nobles rose, Kassi moving to be closer to Tara. They followed the man to the dining hall. As they walked, Kassi murmured, "That wasn't like you."
Tara shrugged. "I know. But I lost my temper. Jon of all people should understand, after Alanna and Kel." Sitting, she noticed Kassi shake her head. I'll ask her about it later, she thought as Raoul gave the blessing. She automatically said, "So mote it be" as he finished speaking.
The servants placed steaming bowls of soup in front of them. Hungry, Tara managed not to think about the Own during dinner. She joined in the conversation that her parents and Dom were having about the realm, talking only to keep her mind clear.
When the dishes were cleared, Buri asked Dom if he needed a room. He nodded. "Masbolle's only a day's ride from here. (A/N: I have no clue where Masbolle is.) If I may, I could leave in the morning."
Raoul asked one of the men who had served to show Dom to his room. He and Buri left for their own rooms.
Tara touched Kassi's shoulder. "Do you want to walk out to the stables with me? I don't feel like going to bed quite yet."
Kassi shrugged. "If you to. But let's stop by the kitchen and get some apples for the horses."
The two followed the same winding corridor that Tara had taken earlier. Elle handed them a bag of apples, warning them about staying up too late. They ducked out through a servant's door that opened onto the gardens.
Tara breathed in the fresh air. Goldenlake was well kept, although Raoul and Buri were often not home. The gardens were alive with color, and she could hear the animals moving about in the forest.
Kassi ruined the moment, tugging at her sleeve. "Hurry up," she urged. "I'm cold." Tara rolled her eyes. Her little sister had no tolerance for the outdoors. Following Kassi, she entered the barn. Dom's horse was stabled at the far end of the stalls. Her own mount, Sunstreak, nuzzled her hand, smelling the food. Tara gave her an apple, then entered the stall.
Sunstreak had been a gift from her parents when she turned eleven. Because of her height, she could ride the mare. Sunstreak was beautiful, with a honey-colored coat and white socks. Her name came from the streak down her face, which was pure white. Tara leaned against the horse, rubbing her side. "Sunstreak, how would you like to go on an adventure?" she whispered. "Would you like that, girl? We would be together all the time. You would get to meet other horses." She knew that the horse's sweet temperament would be welcome in the Own. She would also need a warhorse, but her Da could afford it. The family was well off from all the purses Raoul had earned form the Crown.
Shaking her head to clear it, she could hear Kassi crooning to her pony, Daffodil. Tara stood up and went to Dom's horse. She cautiously held out an apple - she didn't know if this was his warhorse or his regular mount.
Tara supposed that it was his mount, because the horse seemed not to mind that a human was near it. The horse took the treat, moving further back into the stall.
Brushing bits of hay and apple off her shirt, she looked at Kassi. "Ready to go in?"
Kassi nodded, patting Daffodil's neck fondly. The girls silently began the walk back up to the house. They were nearly there when someone strolled out. Tara wasn't sure who it was until she saw them walk. "Dom? What are you doing out here?"
The figure turned its head to them. "Oh, hello. I couldn't sleep." Dom came closer. He was dressed as they were, in simple clothes. "I thought being outside might help. Gods know I'm usually out here."
Tara smiled. She knew that the Own almost never got the luxury of being indoors. It was another reason she wanted to join.
"Tara, could I talk to you for a moment?
She nodded. "Of course." Leaning down, she whispered to Kassi, "Go inside. Please?" Sighing, Kassi left.
Dom asked her to walk with him into the garden. When they reached a bench, he sat down. She sat next to him, wondering what he wanted. When he finally began, his voice was slow and halting. "Tara, why are you doing this?"
She relaxed. Tara had always liked the way that Dom talked to her: he never spoke condescendingly, or acted like she was still a child. "Because I want an adventure," she told him honestly. "I know it's hard work, but I've been training here at Goldenlake with weapons all my life. I can shoot and hunt, and I can stand the sight of blood." Pausing, she added, "I have the healing Gift. I know you always need healers."
She knew Dom was staring at her. "You have the Gift? But neither Raoul nor Buri do."
Tara nodded. "We think it came from some relative a long time ago. And I've been trained. The healer here has worked with me, so I know how to use my magic."
He paused. She knew he was trying to decide whether or not to say something to her. "Tara, you'll never marry." His voice was soft and regretful. "Kel and I want to get married, but I can't leave the Own. She understands, but it's hard." She was about to answer when he added, "I know you think you'll never fall in love, but you're still young. All of us fall in love at some time or another."
Tara thought for a minute, letting what he said sink in. "I know. But I chose not to go to the convent, so I can't have a traditional marriage anyway. Not that I want one. And I know you're right, but if I don't do this, I'll just join the Riders or something when I'm older." She smiled into the darkness. "I can't imagine a life without fighting."
Dom sighed. "I should have known that I couldn't change your mind. I told Raoul as much, when he asked that I speak to you." Tara sighed. "Oh, come on," Dom teased, "You knew he wouldn't let you go without a fight. You're his oldest daughter, his oldest child." Dom stood up, extending a hand. Tara took it and stood. "I'd be the same way, if Kel and I had children and my daughter wanted to join the Own." His voice was wistful. Tara glanced up at him. She wondered if he and Lady Knight Keladry could ever work things out. He felt that he had an obligation to the Own and to Third Company, but he loved Kel with all his heart. She couldn't imagine giving up her life for a man.
As they stopped outside Tara's room, Dom caught her arm before she went inside. "Tara, if you join, you'll never get any respect. You'll be called all sorts of things, few of them pleasant. It'll be hard."
She looked up into his sapphire eyes. "I know, Dom. But I still want to."
~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: REVIEWS! I got REVIEWS!!! ~dances around the room, delirious~ You rock, people! Oh, I'm so happy! ~calms down~ Yes, I'm know I'm insane, but let's let that be our little secret, okay?
me,acornandsometimesbanana ~ Thanks so much for R&Ring this and for the feedback!
Midnight Unicorn ~ You like it? Good! Because otherwise I would hunt you down..JK. Thanks for reviewing!
A Troubled Quill ~ Good name! Yes, I'm definitely a grammar/spelling perfectionist. What the heck is wrong with me? ~sighs~
kicks99 ~ "Interesting"??? Define "interesting." If needed, please read my answer to Midnight Unicorn. Lol, glad ya like it!
See??? See how happy reviews make me??? Please make this author happy by reviewing! I don't even care if you flame me. If you do, I probably deserve it. If I don't deserve it, I got a review anyways! Yay! ~slaps herself, saying something about what a crazy person she is~ So push that blue-grey button. Do it! Now! Thanks a lot! Read the stories above! Now! Bye! ~goes off to take a sedative~
ADDED LATER: Sorry about that, I'm just weird sometimes. Well, most of the time. Actually, it's more like all the time. But whatever. Thanks to all who reviewed! If you didn't, I will hunt you down. Refer to my answer to Midnight Unicorn.
Sorry this took a while to put up. I just went back to school and I've got a TON of homework. I know it's a lame excuse, but if I don't get good grades, I don't get to go there anymore. Since this Author's Note is way too long, I'll end it now. Thanks for reading! Oh, BTW - Tara is NOT in love with Dom! Dom's in love with Kel and Tara's not in love at all..yet. ~hint hint~
~Kassi
Kassi of Pirate's Swoop
Disclaimer: I know it and you know it, so let's just all bow down to Tammy, shall we?
A/N: Recommended reading: me,acornandsometimesbanana's story Dancing with Demons, based on the fairytale The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Oh, and anything by WarriorofAvalon. And One Last Kiss by Snow*flake. All very good writing.
Okay, enough of my babble, on with the story!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tara stood still, shocked. How could King Jonathon do that? He had helped Lady Alanna become a knight! He had even let Sir Keladry earn her shield! How could he not let her join the Own?
Raoul coughed. "Tara, I'll talk to him. But I don't want you to do anything..rash. I'll handle it."
Tara glared at him. "I won't. But I should." Forgetting that Dom was there, she turned and stalked out of the room.
"Tara?"
Dom's voice jarred her back to reality. She couldn't run away like this. It wouldn't change a thing, and it would make her look like a fool. Blushing, she returned. "Sorry."
Buri's eyes were soft. "It's all right, dear. We understand that you're upset." She indicated for Tara to sit down. The girl obliged, feeling embarrassed. She hadn't wanted to make a scene. "Da will talk to Jon. You can't ask for anything else."
Tara nodded as a servant entered and bowed. "Dinner will be served shortly, my lords, my ladies." The nobles rose, Kassi moving to be closer to Tara. They followed the man to the dining hall. As they walked, Kassi murmured, "That wasn't like you."
Tara shrugged. "I know. But I lost my temper. Jon of all people should understand, after Alanna and Kel." Sitting, she noticed Kassi shake her head. I'll ask her about it later, she thought as Raoul gave the blessing. She automatically said, "So mote it be" as he finished speaking.
The servants placed steaming bowls of soup in front of them. Hungry, Tara managed not to think about the Own during dinner. She joined in the conversation that her parents and Dom were having about the realm, talking only to keep her mind clear.
When the dishes were cleared, Buri asked Dom if he needed a room. He nodded. "Masbolle's only a day's ride from here. (A/N: I have no clue where Masbolle is.) If I may, I could leave in the morning."
Raoul asked one of the men who had served to show Dom to his room. He and Buri left for their own rooms.
Tara touched Kassi's shoulder. "Do you want to walk out to the stables with me? I don't feel like going to bed quite yet."
Kassi shrugged. "If you to. But let's stop by the kitchen and get some apples for the horses."
The two followed the same winding corridor that Tara had taken earlier. Elle handed them a bag of apples, warning them about staying up too late. They ducked out through a servant's door that opened onto the gardens.
Tara breathed in the fresh air. Goldenlake was well kept, although Raoul and Buri were often not home. The gardens were alive with color, and she could hear the animals moving about in the forest.
Kassi ruined the moment, tugging at her sleeve. "Hurry up," she urged. "I'm cold." Tara rolled her eyes. Her little sister had no tolerance for the outdoors. Following Kassi, she entered the barn. Dom's horse was stabled at the far end of the stalls. Her own mount, Sunstreak, nuzzled her hand, smelling the food. Tara gave her an apple, then entered the stall.
Sunstreak had been a gift from her parents when she turned eleven. Because of her height, she could ride the mare. Sunstreak was beautiful, with a honey-colored coat and white socks. Her name came from the streak down her face, which was pure white. Tara leaned against the horse, rubbing her side. "Sunstreak, how would you like to go on an adventure?" she whispered. "Would you like that, girl? We would be together all the time. You would get to meet other horses." She knew that the horse's sweet temperament would be welcome in the Own. She would also need a warhorse, but her Da could afford it. The family was well off from all the purses Raoul had earned form the Crown.
Shaking her head to clear it, she could hear Kassi crooning to her pony, Daffodil. Tara stood up and went to Dom's horse. She cautiously held out an apple - she didn't know if this was his warhorse or his regular mount.
Tara supposed that it was his mount, because the horse seemed not to mind that a human was near it. The horse took the treat, moving further back into the stall.
Brushing bits of hay and apple off her shirt, she looked at Kassi. "Ready to go in?"
Kassi nodded, patting Daffodil's neck fondly. The girls silently began the walk back up to the house. They were nearly there when someone strolled out. Tara wasn't sure who it was until she saw them walk. "Dom? What are you doing out here?"
The figure turned its head to them. "Oh, hello. I couldn't sleep." Dom came closer. He was dressed as they were, in simple clothes. "I thought being outside might help. Gods know I'm usually out here."
Tara smiled. She knew that the Own almost never got the luxury of being indoors. It was another reason she wanted to join.
"Tara, could I talk to you for a moment?
She nodded. "Of course." Leaning down, she whispered to Kassi, "Go inside. Please?" Sighing, Kassi left.
Dom asked her to walk with him into the garden. When they reached a bench, he sat down. She sat next to him, wondering what he wanted. When he finally began, his voice was slow and halting. "Tara, why are you doing this?"
She relaxed. Tara had always liked the way that Dom talked to her: he never spoke condescendingly, or acted like she was still a child. "Because I want an adventure," she told him honestly. "I know it's hard work, but I've been training here at Goldenlake with weapons all my life. I can shoot and hunt, and I can stand the sight of blood." Pausing, she added, "I have the healing Gift. I know you always need healers."
She knew Dom was staring at her. "You have the Gift? But neither Raoul nor Buri do."
Tara nodded. "We think it came from some relative a long time ago. And I've been trained. The healer here has worked with me, so I know how to use my magic."
He paused. She knew he was trying to decide whether or not to say something to her. "Tara, you'll never marry." His voice was soft and regretful. "Kel and I want to get married, but I can't leave the Own. She understands, but it's hard." She was about to answer when he added, "I know you think you'll never fall in love, but you're still young. All of us fall in love at some time or another."
Tara thought for a minute, letting what he said sink in. "I know. But I chose not to go to the convent, so I can't have a traditional marriage anyway. Not that I want one. And I know you're right, but if I don't do this, I'll just join the Riders or something when I'm older." She smiled into the darkness. "I can't imagine a life without fighting."
Dom sighed. "I should have known that I couldn't change your mind. I told Raoul as much, when he asked that I speak to you." Tara sighed. "Oh, come on," Dom teased, "You knew he wouldn't let you go without a fight. You're his oldest daughter, his oldest child." Dom stood up, extending a hand. Tara took it and stood. "I'd be the same way, if Kel and I had children and my daughter wanted to join the Own." His voice was wistful. Tara glanced up at him. She wondered if he and Lady Knight Keladry could ever work things out. He felt that he had an obligation to the Own and to Third Company, but he loved Kel with all his heart. She couldn't imagine giving up her life for a man.
As they stopped outside Tara's room, Dom caught her arm before she went inside. "Tara, if you join, you'll never get any respect. You'll be called all sorts of things, few of them pleasant. It'll be hard."
She looked up into his sapphire eyes. "I know, Dom. But I still want to."
~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: REVIEWS! I got REVIEWS!!! ~dances around the room, delirious~ You rock, people! Oh, I'm so happy! ~calms down~ Yes, I'm know I'm insane, but let's let that be our little secret, okay?
me,acornandsometimesbanana ~ Thanks so much for R&Ring this and for the feedback!
Midnight Unicorn ~ You like it? Good! Because otherwise I would hunt you down..JK. Thanks for reviewing!
A Troubled Quill ~ Good name! Yes, I'm definitely a grammar/spelling perfectionist. What the heck is wrong with me? ~sighs~
kicks99 ~ "Interesting"??? Define "interesting." If needed, please read my answer to Midnight Unicorn. Lol, glad ya like it!
See??? See how happy reviews make me??? Please make this author happy by reviewing! I don't even care if you flame me. If you do, I probably deserve it. If I don't deserve it, I got a review anyways! Yay! ~slaps herself, saying something about what a crazy person she is~ So push that blue-grey button. Do it! Now! Thanks a lot! Read the stories above! Now! Bye! ~goes off to take a sedative~
ADDED LATER: Sorry about that, I'm just weird sometimes. Well, most of the time. Actually, it's more like all the time. But whatever. Thanks to all who reviewed! If you didn't, I will hunt you down. Refer to my answer to Midnight Unicorn.
Sorry this took a while to put up. I just went back to school and I've got a TON of homework. I know it's a lame excuse, but if I don't get good grades, I don't get to go there anymore. Since this Author's Note is way too long, I'll end it now. Thanks for reading! Oh, BTW - Tara is NOT in love with Dom! Dom's in love with Kel and Tara's not in love at all..yet. ~hint hint~
~Kassi