Disclaimer: To put it simply: I do not own the characters in this story/plot thingy. I never did, as I have previously stated.

Chapter 8: The Battalion

~~~~~~DOM'S POV~~~~~~

Something always had to go wrong. Or so it seemed to Dom. It had been bad enough that he was separated from Kel, it didn't make it any better that she was wanted. I should have known, thought Dom, Kel's famous. Somebody wants her dead, it's the curse of fame.



Dom's thoughts had been along this line since he had received notice last night. Kel had left the day before.

/* FLASHBACK*\

Raoul had come galloping back very late that night. He immediately called together his officers, rousing them from sleep. They'd begun teasing him about his short honeymoon or grumbling about being wakened, when he cut them off.

"Listen up. I got a message from our king. It seems his spymaster, who got the information from his spies, obviously, informed Jon, that King Maggur has turned some of his attention from the war to killing a certain Lady Knight. Any guesses as to which?" He asked grimly. The men were silent. "This would normally mean next to nothing, set aside as a rumor. However, I was informed that a large, well-armed army had been heading to Steadfast. Then it turned, early this afternoon, heading towards New Hope. I was told the Lady Knight was called back to New Hope. If the reports of the army are true, Kel and her townsfolk, no matter how well trained, are doomed."

There was a long silence as Raoul let the information sink in. Dom stopped breathing for a moment, all he could think of was that he had to help Kel. And that he should have stopped her, Steadfast was easier to protect than New Hope. Aiden was the first to speak. "What are your plans?"

"We've got to stop them." Raoul said. "I've got a message headed to Mastiff, some soldiers are being sent to aid Kel. They'll get there before the army, some of us are riding out also, to attack them from behind."

"Who's going?" Aiden asked.

"From the Own? First company." Raoul answered.

"First?" Asked Dom. The first had been slaughtered not long ago, and had been rebuilt. They were not known for being the best fighters.

"We need the Third to hold down Steadfast while we're gone, you'll be short of men. It'll be hard if you're attacked, we need that skill here." Raoul answered.

"Will a mere hundred men actually help? How big is this army?" Someone in the corner asked.

"We didn't get an exact count. It seems to be an entire battalion. They're not taking chances. On the brighter side, they've not been thoroughly trained: they can be beaten. They're not well fed either. Maggur is getting a bit desperate."

"An entire battalion on a refugee camp?" Dom asked, Kel was doomed. It was all his fault. "That is ridiculous."

"Daine's spies say that Maggur was not informed that Kel had help in her expedition into Scanra. She is some sort of phenomenon there." Raoul smiled dourly. Dom knew Raoul was proud of Kel's venture, but wished now that it hadn't taken place. He felt the exact same way.

"Again, how will a hundred men help?" Someone asked.

"They won't. That is why the majority of the fort is going, leaving only the third behind, as well as a few odd men." Raoul answered.

"All this for a Lady Knight?"

"No. It will dishearten Maggur, hopefully. Over a thousand men dead, due to an attack on a refugee camp. How would you feel?" Raoul questioned. "The men from Mastiff are going to New Hope secretly, we will hope that we're not seen. No Scanran will escape, and Maggur will believe Kel's slaughtered his army alone."

"Does he think we're stupid? Not to see an army marching into our territory? How would we not see them and send out an attack"" Dom asked, he was worried for Kel.

"Not if the army is disguised, they have mages covering them."

"They have mages covering them? How will Kel see them then!?" Dom asked, he knew his voice cracked but he didn't care.

Raoul stared at him with curiosity, then smiled halfheartedly. "The soldiers from Mastiff will be arriving before the attack. They'll let her know."

"Oh, right." Dom said sheepishly.

"We leave tomorrow, at noon. Pack, then get some sleep. The rest will be alerted at breakfast. Now go." Raoul ordered.

/*END OF FLASHBACK*\

Dom had done as he was told, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't sleep. He'd been awake for an hour or so now, thinking of Kel. More accurately, thinking of how he wasn't helping her. How he was stuck in the fort.

Dom was pulled out of his thoughts by a sharp knock on the door. He jumped at the noise, and rolled out of bed. He opened he door and Raoul stood there. "Do you need something, Sir?" He asked.

"Can I come in?" He asked. Though it was a question, Dom knew he had no choice, he opened the door the rest of the way, letting Raoul in. Raoul sat in Dom's chair, and motioned for Dom to sit also.

Dom sat on the edge of his bed, supporting his head with his hands while resting his elbows on his knees. "Did you need something Sir?"

"What is going on between you and my squire?" He asked heatedly.

"She isn't your squire anymore, Sir." Dom said.

"I don't care. What have you done?" He sounded very much like a father. That made Dom nervous, though he didn't know why.

"I haven't done anything." Dom said.

"Nothing?" Raoul asked. "I don't believe you."

"I would never do anything to hurt her!" Dom cried out, exasperated.

Raoul stared at Dom. "You love her don't you?" He asked, a small smile playing onto his lips.

Dom blinked. Yes, he liked Kel, a lot. But was it really that infamous thing that called love? Or was it some short-term feeling, like he had had for the women he'd flirted with in the past? Dom thought back to all the descriptions of love he'd heard. He thought about Kel. "Yes, Sir, I think I do."

"What happened to not being caught Sergeant?" Raoul teased.

Dom wasn't in the mood. Kel was in danger, and he was safe. "Please go." He said, laying down, pulling his covers to his chin and turning his back to Raoul.

Raoul didn't move. He didn't speak either. Dom eventually forgot he was there. He jumped when Raoul finally spoke. "Dom, go to New hope." Dom sat up and stared at Raoul. "Ride fast, get to her before the enemy. They'll ride slower because of all the supplies and weapons. Go through the woods, they're keeping to the road, they'll kill you if they see you riding so fast, alone. Probably think you're a scout, that you know about them."

Raoul departed, leaving Dom staring at his empty seat. Suddenly what Raoul said sunk in. Dom jumped up and ran to the dresser. He couldn't stop and crashed into it, but didn't care; he'd see Kel soon. After packing his clothes, he packed his weapons. As well as some extra, for Kel or the refugees. He had to take two horses anyhow, why not use them fully.

He ran to the stables, tripping and falling in the dark. He was thoroughly bruised by the time he reached his mare, Silver. He saddled her and placed his bags and such on his pack horse, Willow. Mounting Silver, and leading Willow, he left through the gates, traveling as quickly as possible, his only thoughts on reaching Kel before the Scanrans did.

A/N: El fin. Please review. I beg of you! Next chapter coming when I've got the time. Probably Friday or Saturday. School sucks.