The trip through Scanra went slowly. They had fewer men, albeit, but many
of them were injured, and winter was upon them. Every day was colder than
the one before. No one slept in their own tent, sharing the heat with a few
other men in cramped space. It helped with the packs and wagons, as well,
because they could discard a few tents on the side of the road, lightening
all of their loads.
Finally, after a long, cold trip, they arrived at the border of Tortall. Kel looked across the river they had to cross. The land looked the same. The same trees lined the opposite shore, the same rocks fell into the river, and the same water flowed between them.
But as soon as Kel crossed the small bridge into Tortall, she felt it: she was home. They camped just after the crossed the bridge. Kel and a few of her men helped her dig a hole to bury Jump. It took them a long time to dig, because the ground was frozen, and it took a number of men to carry Jump over to the hole.
If they had left him out, he would rot, even in the cold. Kel had a box constructed, and she filled it with ice and placed Jump's small body inside. It was cold enough that the ice did not melt, so Jump's body survived the trip.
Kel watched as they lowered him into the hole. After they had put him in, Kel dismissed them before they replaced the soil. She sent Fhire off to do some work, though Triaxx stayed and sat beside the hole. No matter how much Fhire called her, she could not get her to leave.
Kel stood there for a moment and looked at the plain wood box, and then picked up a shovel and started to cover it.
Dom walked up behind her. "Are you all right?" He said.
Kel nodded. "I will be all right."
Dom smiled and grabbed a shovel. "But you're not now?"
Kel shook her head. "I wasn't a minute ago," she said, as they patted down the soil. "but I think I am now."
Dom put his arm around her and they walked back to their tents. "It's going to get better, I think." He said.
* * * * *
Weeks later, they arrived back in Corus to a waiting Crown. Kel was called in to a meeting that night, after Jon had read the reports they had written. This was one of the things she enjoyed about being an important commander: she did not have to wait for the others to come out of the meeting and only tell her some of it. she was right there.
"Well," Jon said, looking at the reports again, "this looks both good and bad. We've lost more men than we have in years. But, we succeeded. There is no doubt that Scanra is beaten. We killed their king, and anyone who would be capable of becoming king. We ruined their palace, their soldiers barracks, their stables, and their armoury. They have nothing left. They are defeated."
Kel glanced at Raoul, who had been commanding one of the other armies. He smiled at her and nodded. He knew that she would be upset about losing so many men. She had to realize that they had died to save their nation.
After a long and boring meeting consisting of learning things Kel already knew, save a few tidbits, Kel wandered back to her rooms. Dom was waiting for her there.
"I was wondering when you would get back." He said, lying on her bed.
Kel smiled as she closed the door. "How did you get in?"
He grinned. "I went to one of the maids and said, 'excuse me, but can you please let me into my fiancée's room?' and she did."
Kel sat down beside him. "That works. And before you ask, the meeting was boring, and there was almost nothing new. But we did win. That is for sure."
Dom stood up. "Congratulations, Lady Keladry of Mindelan, on your defeat of the mage Jasson Mecdalen, and your defeat of the country of Scanra." He held out his hand for her to shake.
Kel shook her head. 'You are insane," she said, clapping her hand to his and shaking fiercely. "I don't know why I deal with you."
Dom smiled. "Because I'm just so adorable. Anyway," he said, "what exactly were our stats?"
Kel sighed. "We went in with 50,000 men. We destroyed the entire kingdom and killed about 40,000 men, according to what we've got from all the commanders, but I think it was a bit less, because I don't think there were that many soldiers there. We came back with 25,000."
Dom whistled. "25,00 men?" He made the sign against evil on his chest. "That's pretty grim. I didn't realize it was that much."
Kel nodded. "Nor did I. We were the first army in, so when we lost almost 7000 men it was because we were in the front. We were expected to lose that many. But every army lost a few thousand."
Dom nodded. "What are they doing?"
Kel gave a grim smile. "They couldn't collect all of the bodies, of course. The only body we took back with us was Jump's." She choked on the name, and Dom squeezed her hand. She continued. "they're putting up a memorial near the palace, I believe. On one of the lawns. They are going to do it this spring.
"Jon said that this battle was one of the greatest in our history. True, we killed the king last time we went as well, but this time we put the entire city of Desmaurads out of commission. They will not be able to attack for years to come, and Jon doubts they will when they can."
Dom looked at her quizzically. "Why is that?"
Kel grinned. A few hours after we left our camp, a courier was sent to Tortall. He arrived this evening, delivering a letter for the King of Tortall. In it was an official surrender."
Dom kissed her. "Oh, you're good." He said.
* * * * * Days passed slowly. The palace was busy, but it was cramped and noisy. Kel longed for practice after a few days, although Neal tried to persuade her that rest was good. He was still recovering from all the healings of the battle. One night, Kel found herself called to King Jons study during dinner. She quickly rose and walked to his study.
"You wanted to see me, your majesty?" Kel said.
Jon waved his hand towards the chair, and Kel sat. "You are going to ask why I did not invite Sergeant Domitan, but this is not the best of news, and I do not want to deal with the temper of a relative of Sir Nealan."
Kel smiled. It was true, Neal did have a great temper. Dom's was temperament was much calmer, though. But he still liked to voice his opinions.
"I am afraid that I cannot give you a purse for your deeds."
Kel's face fell. She had not been good enough for a purse? What did she have to do?
"I am afraid that we just do not have the money right now. You know better than me, there are thousands of refugees who are still homeless. We are building houses, yes, but we cannot build instantly. It takes time and money, and with winter coming, we are running out of both. As soon as we have the money, we will give you a proper purse.
"In fact," he said, his eyes twinkling, "you will probably get one of the larger purses we can give. Normally a purse would be given for a trek like the one you and Sergeant Domitan took if you were retrieving an object. But no, you also assassinated an enemy king. That would also be worth a purse. And then, of course, you led a rather large army back to Scanra, and killed the king. Again."
Kel laughed. The king looked positively giddy at how much she had done. He stood up and walked around the desk to face her. She too stood up. "Well, Keladry, all I can do right now is offer my sincerest thanks. You are truly one of the best knights in the realm."
Kel bowed. "Thank you, your majesty."
He dismissed her, and she went back to eat her dinner with her friends.
* * * * *
A month and a half later, it was Fhire's turn to shine. It was Midwinter. She had been Kel's squire for four years. It was her Ordeal.
The night before, she and Kel sat in her room talking. "Don't be nervous." Kel said. "You are ready. I know you are. You are a strong fighter, and you have a strong will, and you are a good person. Just remember not to speak during the Ordeal, and not to speak of it afterward."
Fhire nodded. She looked slightly pale, and she was tapping the floor with her foot, looking around. Kel tried to ignore it. "Have you been to the Chamber yet?" Kel asked.
Fhire nodded sheepishly. Kel smiled. "Good. Don't tell me, of course. When you are in it, try to analyze everything. The Chamber will try to prey on your greatest fears, but some of the things it tells you can be important. It often speaks in metaphor, but it also says things just to scare you. Try to figure out what is what."
Fhire nodded again, now tapping her knee with her hand as well. Kel banged down her teacup and stood up. "That's it. you can't stand the wait, and I can't stand watching you. Let's go."
She grabbed the girl by the arm and pulled her down the hall. She knocked on Dom's door. "Come on." She said when he opened it. "Fhire is nervous,"
"No I'm not!"
"And she needs to have some fun." Fhire rolled her eyes, but Dom grinned.
"Sounds delightful." He said. Kel nodded, standing proudly. "One of my better plans, I believe." She turned to Fhire. "Go find your friends. Most of them will be with their knight-masters, I suppose. Bring them back to my rooms, all right?" She looked sternly at Fhire. "If you don't show up, I won't help you tomorrow." She said as Fhire opened her mouth to argue.
She just rolled her eyes and walked down the hall to find her friends. Kel and Dom collected the rest of their friends and convened back at Kel's rooms. A few minutes later, Fhire appeared with about eight boys behind her. She was no longer pale and fidgety. She was grinning.
Fhire introduced Kel to all of her friends. Kel found it amazing that she had not met them before. Raoul knew all of her friends when she was his squire. Of course, they were on procession often, with all of the other knights and their squires. Kel had spent a quarter of Fhire's squiredom in Scanra.
Kel shook hands with all of the boys, who seemed very happy to meet her. A few of them would not leave her alone all night, asking her questions about her work and her travels. She was sure that if she had not had an engagement ring on her finger and Dom had not been standing beside her, scowling at the, they would have attempted more.
There was one young man, though, that Kel could tell was more to Fhire. It was not so big, she could just tell that Fhire looked at him slightly differently, and she said his name more slowly. Kel could see that they weren't much, but they were more than friends. She vowed to ask Fhire about it later.
The night did good for Fhire, Kel could tell. Her squire was more relaxed, she was no longer pale, and she was having a good time.
They both slept late the next day. Fhire was up earlier than Kel, again nervous. Kel opened the door to see the girl pacing her room, Triaxx whimpering on her pillow in the corner.
Kel frowned. "Fhire, you are wasting your energy. And you are upsetting your wolf. She is trying to sleep."
Triaxx lifted her head and barked (A/N: do wolves bark? They're dogs, right? I keep wanting to say meow...but that would just be too funny!) softly in agreement.
Kel invited Fhire back into her room where they had a glaive practice on the cold stone floor. Kel remarked at how skilled Fhire was getting with her blade.
"What was the name of that boy?" She asked.
"What boy?' Fhire asked, concentrating on her steps.
"The one who is courting you." She had space in her pattern to glance over and see Fhire blush.
"Elijah is not courting me." She said sternly.
Kel smiled. "All right. So Elijah is your lover?"
Fhire blushed even more. She was completely red when Kel started laughing. Fhire joined in, and they didn't stop laughing for quite a few minutes, when Neal knocked on the door and told them to shut up and come down for lunch.
Fhire was ready for this, Kel could tell as she watched the girl walk straight towards the room where she was to have her bath. She walked tall, with her back straight and her chin out, looking straight forward. After she had bathed and dressed, Fhire was ready for her advice from the knights involved, Kel, Alanna, and Neal.
"Never give up," said Alanna. "You may think there is nothing left in you, that you can never lift your sword, but if you don't you, or others could be in danger. Remember that you serve the Crown and the realm, and you must always have the energy to protect both."
"Always train all of your abilities." Neal said, looking very proud that he was getting to do this. "Something may have seemed trivial and unimportant in school, but it will come in handy one day in a pinch. Keep your thoughts clear when you are in a battle. Don't be worrying about how your friends are doing on the other side of the line. Concentrate everything you have on what you are doing."
Fhire nodded and turned to Kel. Kel had thought long and hard about what she would say to her squire, and she thought that she had the perfect thing.
"Throw the rulebook out the window. Remember everything, yes, but always be open to new techniques and ideas, even if you have not learned them, or have been told that they were not the best. If it works, do it, and don't worry about the consequences. If you stop to worry about the consequences, you will never get your goal. And most importantly," she said, "follow your heart. It knows what is best for you."
Fhire smiled Kel gave her a hug. "Good luck, Fhire." Kel said quietly. She didn't show it, but inside she was terrified for the young girl. She always was, afraid that the Chamber would make a mistake and kill a good person, or break her friends spirits completely.
She watched as Fhire stepped silently into the Chamber. Neal, standing behind her, put a hand on her shoulder. She felt his magic go through her and the knots in her stomach loosened. She looked back at him and he winked. He could read her even when no one else could.
* * * * *
Fhire made it out alive. She was sweaty and white, her hair sticking to her face and her hands shaking, but she was not injured. That night, she was knighted. Kel stood there, grinning. She had never been so proud of her squire.
Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, and Kel stayed mainly at the palace. Neal and Yuki prepared for their wedding, which, now that the war was officially over, could take place without Neal being shipped off to heal stab wounds. Kel and Dom spoke often of their own wedding, but did not make any plans. They had to find a way to have it first. Because of Dom's position in the King's Own, he was not able to marry. He spoke to Raoul often about the rule, but he said there was nothing he could do about it. He even went to the king, asking him for special permission, but King Jon said that, sadly, he could not make exceptions. Dom wanted to marry a knight, which was different. Nevertheless, he wanted to marry. There was nothing they could do.
One day after an unsuccessful attempt to convince the king, Dom came back to Kel's room grumbling. "It's not fair!" He said. "Anyone else in the realm can marry, except me. Why can't they let me?"
Kel didn't say anything. She had been lying on her bed with a book, which she placed softly on the bedside table. She sat up. "Dom," she said, "this is not going to work."
He looked into her eyes. "What do you mean?" he said slowly, dreading Kel's answer.
She sighed. "It seems that the problem is marriage. Every time, that is what stops us from being happy. Maybe it's a sign."
Dom frowned. "That is not true. Everything has gone our way."
Kel looked at him. "Dom, you know that's not true. We were lucky, yes, but now our luck has run out."
He looked at her with pleading eyes. "Kel..."
Kel shook her head. "No, Dom. I still love you, do you know that? With all my heart. But I can't live like this, courting forever."
Dom looked down and slowly, nodded.
Kel smiled weakly. "Thank you. I'm going home for a while, for a few reasons. I have not seen my parents in far too long, and I figure that time apart will give us time to figure ourselves out. Then maybe we can still be friends."
Dom nodded again.
"Don't worry, I will be back for Neal's wedding. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
She stood up. "Fhire offered to come with me, since I'm not supposed to ride alone all the way to Mindelan. She said she wanted to meet her brothers old knight-master, and her own knight-masters family."
Kel put her hand to Dom's face. She was trying to make it lighter, but she couldn't. A tear fell down her cheek. "Dom, I'm sorry. It is for the best."
Dom shook his head and whispered, "no it isn't." he was crying too.
Kel kissed him on the cheek. "Goodbye, Dom."
She picked up the pack beside her bed and walked out the door to meet Fhire by the stables.
"Is everything all right?" Fhire said as Kel walked up to her. Kel nodded and threw her pack onto Peachblossom. She was glad that, with Tobe and Daine's help, he had gotten better from his sickness. She stepped up onto Hoshi and was ready to go. The sparrows flew around her, but she missed having a dog run around her horses feet, snapping at flies.
The trip went quickly, taking only a week, almost a day and a half shorter than they had expected. Ilane and her husband (N/A: what's his name?) did not know that her daughter and her guest were coming, but they greeted them with warmth anyway. Kel was looking forward to spending three weeks relaxing at home. It had been a long time.
She and Fhire did a lot of practice with glaives and swords, as well as a bit of tilting and plenty of archery. It felt strange for Kel to be home again. When they walked down to the village, Kel felt like she didn't know it any more. But when they went for a walk in the forest, Kel realized that it was the same place. She recognized the place where she killed the spindren, she recognized the place where she punched a village boy in the nose for calling her a girl when she was six. Everything was exactly the same, except that the trees were a little bit taller, and there were a few more, both standing and fallen.
Mindelan House was the same. Ilane had kept almost everything the same. The family could not afford new décor to keep up with the fashion, so they stuck with classic Yamani and Tortallan patterns. Kel's room was exactly the same, and she was glad. It was nice to have something familiar to come back to. Even her family was different; her father had aged, his hair streaked with grey; her mother had lines on her face that had not been there before. Her nieces and nephews were growing as well. A few of the younger ones didn't remember her at first. They knew her more from the stories they had heard then from memories.
Her trip was helpful. She never stopped thinking about Dom, but she came to believe herself when she said it had been for the best. Her mother was compassionate, talking to Kel, giving her motherly advice.
But it was not her mother that helped her the most. It was Fhire. It happened on the ride back to Corus, almost four weeks later, on the last day of their trip back. Fhire had finally gotten Kel to explain what had happened the day they left.
"So you still love him?" Fhire asked.
Kel nodded. "With all my heart." She said.
Thy were silent for a few minutes. Kel did not notice, but Fhire was thinking hard. "You know," the younger girl said, "a very smart knight once told me something." She said.
Kel looked up. Fhire continued slowly. "'Most importantly,' she said, 'follow your heart. It knows what is best for you.'" She smiled at Kel.
Something heavy lifted from her heart. Knots untwisted in her stomach, and thoughts untangled themselves in her head. Everything felt lighter, more right. She realized what she had done just as they crested over the hill and caught their first view of Corus.
"My God." She murmured. "How could I have been so wrong?"
Fhire smiled. "Very easily. I'm sure it happens all the time."
Kel looked down at the city. "But, what if..."
Fhire rolled her eyes. "For God's sake, Kel, of course he still loves you!" She sighed, reaching and untying Peachblossom's reins from Kel's saddle. She took them in her hand. "Go on." She said. "I can handle this brute, and he can handle me."
Kel, still slightly shocked with herself, nodded slowly and kicked Hoshi to a gallop. Fifteen minutes later, Kel had a very tired horse, but she was there. She continued to gallop straight to the stables, where she quickly slipped off Hoshi.
"Lady Kel!" Tobe said, running out of the stables.
Kel smiled. "Not now, Tobe. I'll come see you later. Can you take Hoshi?" She asked.
Tobe nodded, taking the reins. "Where is Lady Fhire?"
"She's coming." Was all Kel said, turning to jog up to the palace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh, I am so mean. I bet you all hate me now, don't you? Sorry the trip to Mindelan was so short, but I don't know much about it, and it was not that important.
Rubber Duck: Aw... no crying for me today... oh well. Help on battle scenes would be great! Can you email me? My email is unolimbo@hotmail.com. That way, I can email you back, and you can help me! (and you will get to see the chapters early) thank you thank you thank you!
Rootless Californian: poor Jump indeed. I would never kill both of them off in one shot. That would just be mean.
Wake-Robin: Woo hoo! I got tears! That's what I was aiming for! Don't worry. He didn't rot.
PsychoLioness13: so true. Confusing sentences are always fun. I did know that she was Alanna's daughter, and I did know that it was called Tricksters Choice. I am really too lazy to read it anyway... that's basically it.
Lady Helada: I did know that she was Alanna's daughter, and I did know that it was called Tricksters Choice. I am really too lazy to read it anyway... that's basically it.
Snow*flake: I remember your story. Well, not exactly which one it was, but I remember your name, and I remember reviewing for you. Thanks...I read your story before I even learned how to post a story. I can't just think of something, I have to randomly get ideas. Its kind of annoying. Yay for Dom indeed!
Aznchicki: epilpuge? I think you mean epilogue. But no, I won't write an epilogue, because I'm going to finish everything in the story, of course! And can people please stop asking me if it's over? It will say THE END at the end of the chapter, and it will say FINISHED or COMPLETED in the summary. Ok? Have we all got that straight?
AJ 4EVA: I vaguely understand what you are saying, I think. I got the true to your heart stuff, so thank you.
Queenofdiamonds1: I'm glad you like it. Are you a new reviewer? Not really sure...
Aly: Thanks a lot! I'm glad its to your taste! Thank you very much, I always like to hear that I'm the best. Hee hee, fun. And no, I'm not perfect. But thank you for saying so!
Fhire: huggles indeed. Triaxx was there. And did you notice that I put her in, like, three places in this chapter? I was very proud.
Queenofdiamonds1: hello again. Thanks!
Kerzikhan: of course not. Just the end of the battle.
Soph: ooh, new reviewer, aren't you? Wow, that is humanly impossible to read. Lets use the English language, shall we? I hate AOL speech. It bugs me. Nothing against you, just AOL speech. Anyway, glad you like it.
Well, that's all for now.
"In America, Brazil nuts go for about $15 a pound." Well, those fell off the tree out back. And we don't call them Brazil nuts here." "No? What do you call them?" "We're in Brazil. We call them nuts."
-unolimbo
Finally, after a long, cold trip, they arrived at the border of Tortall. Kel looked across the river they had to cross. The land looked the same. The same trees lined the opposite shore, the same rocks fell into the river, and the same water flowed between them.
But as soon as Kel crossed the small bridge into Tortall, she felt it: she was home. They camped just after the crossed the bridge. Kel and a few of her men helped her dig a hole to bury Jump. It took them a long time to dig, because the ground was frozen, and it took a number of men to carry Jump over to the hole.
If they had left him out, he would rot, even in the cold. Kel had a box constructed, and she filled it with ice and placed Jump's small body inside. It was cold enough that the ice did not melt, so Jump's body survived the trip.
Kel watched as they lowered him into the hole. After they had put him in, Kel dismissed them before they replaced the soil. She sent Fhire off to do some work, though Triaxx stayed and sat beside the hole. No matter how much Fhire called her, she could not get her to leave.
Kel stood there for a moment and looked at the plain wood box, and then picked up a shovel and started to cover it.
Dom walked up behind her. "Are you all right?" He said.
Kel nodded. "I will be all right."
Dom smiled and grabbed a shovel. "But you're not now?"
Kel shook her head. "I wasn't a minute ago," she said, as they patted down the soil. "but I think I am now."
Dom put his arm around her and they walked back to their tents. "It's going to get better, I think." He said.
* * * * *
Weeks later, they arrived back in Corus to a waiting Crown. Kel was called in to a meeting that night, after Jon had read the reports they had written. This was one of the things she enjoyed about being an important commander: she did not have to wait for the others to come out of the meeting and only tell her some of it. she was right there.
"Well," Jon said, looking at the reports again, "this looks both good and bad. We've lost more men than we have in years. But, we succeeded. There is no doubt that Scanra is beaten. We killed their king, and anyone who would be capable of becoming king. We ruined their palace, their soldiers barracks, their stables, and their armoury. They have nothing left. They are defeated."
Kel glanced at Raoul, who had been commanding one of the other armies. He smiled at her and nodded. He knew that she would be upset about losing so many men. She had to realize that they had died to save their nation.
After a long and boring meeting consisting of learning things Kel already knew, save a few tidbits, Kel wandered back to her rooms. Dom was waiting for her there.
"I was wondering when you would get back." He said, lying on her bed.
Kel smiled as she closed the door. "How did you get in?"
He grinned. "I went to one of the maids and said, 'excuse me, but can you please let me into my fiancée's room?' and she did."
Kel sat down beside him. "That works. And before you ask, the meeting was boring, and there was almost nothing new. But we did win. That is for sure."
Dom stood up. "Congratulations, Lady Keladry of Mindelan, on your defeat of the mage Jasson Mecdalen, and your defeat of the country of Scanra." He held out his hand for her to shake.
Kel shook her head. 'You are insane," she said, clapping her hand to his and shaking fiercely. "I don't know why I deal with you."
Dom smiled. "Because I'm just so adorable. Anyway," he said, "what exactly were our stats?"
Kel sighed. "We went in with 50,000 men. We destroyed the entire kingdom and killed about 40,000 men, according to what we've got from all the commanders, but I think it was a bit less, because I don't think there were that many soldiers there. We came back with 25,000."
Dom whistled. "25,00 men?" He made the sign against evil on his chest. "That's pretty grim. I didn't realize it was that much."
Kel nodded. "Nor did I. We were the first army in, so when we lost almost 7000 men it was because we were in the front. We were expected to lose that many. But every army lost a few thousand."
Dom nodded. "What are they doing?"
Kel gave a grim smile. "They couldn't collect all of the bodies, of course. The only body we took back with us was Jump's." She choked on the name, and Dom squeezed her hand. She continued. "they're putting up a memorial near the palace, I believe. On one of the lawns. They are going to do it this spring.
"Jon said that this battle was one of the greatest in our history. True, we killed the king last time we went as well, but this time we put the entire city of Desmaurads out of commission. They will not be able to attack for years to come, and Jon doubts they will when they can."
Dom looked at her quizzically. "Why is that?"
Kel grinned. A few hours after we left our camp, a courier was sent to Tortall. He arrived this evening, delivering a letter for the King of Tortall. In it was an official surrender."
Dom kissed her. "Oh, you're good." He said.
* * * * * Days passed slowly. The palace was busy, but it was cramped and noisy. Kel longed for practice after a few days, although Neal tried to persuade her that rest was good. He was still recovering from all the healings of the battle. One night, Kel found herself called to King Jons study during dinner. She quickly rose and walked to his study.
"You wanted to see me, your majesty?" Kel said.
Jon waved his hand towards the chair, and Kel sat. "You are going to ask why I did not invite Sergeant Domitan, but this is not the best of news, and I do not want to deal with the temper of a relative of Sir Nealan."
Kel smiled. It was true, Neal did have a great temper. Dom's was temperament was much calmer, though. But he still liked to voice his opinions.
"I am afraid that I cannot give you a purse for your deeds."
Kel's face fell. She had not been good enough for a purse? What did she have to do?
"I am afraid that we just do not have the money right now. You know better than me, there are thousands of refugees who are still homeless. We are building houses, yes, but we cannot build instantly. It takes time and money, and with winter coming, we are running out of both. As soon as we have the money, we will give you a proper purse.
"In fact," he said, his eyes twinkling, "you will probably get one of the larger purses we can give. Normally a purse would be given for a trek like the one you and Sergeant Domitan took if you were retrieving an object. But no, you also assassinated an enemy king. That would also be worth a purse. And then, of course, you led a rather large army back to Scanra, and killed the king. Again."
Kel laughed. The king looked positively giddy at how much she had done. He stood up and walked around the desk to face her. She too stood up. "Well, Keladry, all I can do right now is offer my sincerest thanks. You are truly one of the best knights in the realm."
Kel bowed. "Thank you, your majesty."
He dismissed her, and she went back to eat her dinner with her friends.
* * * * *
A month and a half later, it was Fhire's turn to shine. It was Midwinter. She had been Kel's squire for four years. It was her Ordeal.
The night before, she and Kel sat in her room talking. "Don't be nervous." Kel said. "You are ready. I know you are. You are a strong fighter, and you have a strong will, and you are a good person. Just remember not to speak during the Ordeal, and not to speak of it afterward."
Fhire nodded. She looked slightly pale, and she was tapping the floor with her foot, looking around. Kel tried to ignore it. "Have you been to the Chamber yet?" Kel asked.
Fhire nodded sheepishly. Kel smiled. "Good. Don't tell me, of course. When you are in it, try to analyze everything. The Chamber will try to prey on your greatest fears, but some of the things it tells you can be important. It often speaks in metaphor, but it also says things just to scare you. Try to figure out what is what."
Fhire nodded again, now tapping her knee with her hand as well. Kel banged down her teacup and stood up. "That's it. you can't stand the wait, and I can't stand watching you. Let's go."
She grabbed the girl by the arm and pulled her down the hall. She knocked on Dom's door. "Come on." She said when he opened it. "Fhire is nervous,"
"No I'm not!"
"And she needs to have some fun." Fhire rolled her eyes, but Dom grinned.
"Sounds delightful." He said. Kel nodded, standing proudly. "One of my better plans, I believe." She turned to Fhire. "Go find your friends. Most of them will be with their knight-masters, I suppose. Bring them back to my rooms, all right?" She looked sternly at Fhire. "If you don't show up, I won't help you tomorrow." She said as Fhire opened her mouth to argue.
She just rolled her eyes and walked down the hall to find her friends. Kel and Dom collected the rest of their friends and convened back at Kel's rooms. A few minutes later, Fhire appeared with about eight boys behind her. She was no longer pale and fidgety. She was grinning.
Fhire introduced Kel to all of her friends. Kel found it amazing that she had not met them before. Raoul knew all of her friends when she was his squire. Of course, they were on procession often, with all of the other knights and their squires. Kel had spent a quarter of Fhire's squiredom in Scanra.
Kel shook hands with all of the boys, who seemed very happy to meet her. A few of them would not leave her alone all night, asking her questions about her work and her travels. She was sure that if she had not had an engagement ring on her finger and Dom had not been standing beside her, scowling at the, they would have attempted more.
There was one young man, though, that Kel could tell was more to Fhire. It was not so big, she could just tell that Fhire looked at him slightly differently, and she said his name more slowly. Kel could see that they weren't much, but they were more than friends. She vowed to ask Fhire about it later.
The night did good for Fhire, Kel could tell. Her squire was more relaxed, she was no longer pale, and she was having a good time.
They both slept late the next day. Fhire was up earlier than Kel, again nervous. Kel opened the door to see the girl pacing her room, Triaxx whimpering on her pillow in the corner.
Kel frowned. "Fhire, you are wasting your energy. And you are upsetting your wolf. She is trying to sleep."
Triaxx lifted her head and barked (A/N: do wolves bark? They're dogs, right? I keep wanting to say meow...but that would just be too funny!) softly in agreement.
Kel invited Fhire back into her room where they had a glaive practice on the cold stone floor. Kel remarked at how skilled Fhire was getting with her blade.
"What was the name of that boy?" She asked.
"What boy?' Fhire asked, concentrating on her steps.
"The one who is courting you." She had space in her pattern to glance over and see Fhire blush.
"Elijah is not courting me." She said sternly.
Kel smiled. "All right. So Elijah is your lover?"
Fhire blushed even more. She was completely red when Kel started laughing. Fhire joined in, and they didn't stop laughing for quite a few minutes, when Neal knocked on the door and told them to shut up and come down for lunch.
Fhire was ready for this, Kel could tell as she watched the girl walk straight towards the room where she was to have her bath. She walked tall, with her back straight and her chin out, looking straight forward. After she had bathed and dressed, Fhire was ready for her advice from the knights involved, Kel, Alanna, and Neal.
"Never give up," said Alanna. "You may think there is nothing left in you, that you can never lift your sword, but if you don't you, or others could be in danger. Remember that you serve the Crown and the realm, and you must always have the energy to protect both."
"Always train all of your abilities." Neal said, looking very proud that he was getting to do this. "Something may have seemed trivial and unimportant in school, but it will come in handy one day in a pinch. Keep your thoughts clear when you are in a battle. Don't be worrying about how your friends are doing on the other side of the line. Concentrate everything you have on what you are doing."
Fhire nodded and turned to Kel. Kel had thought long and hard about what she would say to her squire, and she thought that she had the perfect thing.
"Throw the rulebook out the window. Remember everything, yes, but always be open to new techniques and ideas, even if you have not learned them, or have been told that they were not the best. If it works, do it, and don't worry about the consequences. If you stop to worry about the consequences, you will never get your goal. And most importantly," she said, "follow your heart. It knows what is best for you."
Fhire smiled Kel gave her a hug. "Good luck, Fhire." Kel said quietly. She didn't show it, but inside she was terrified for the young girl. She always was, afraid that the Chamber would make a mistake and kill a good person, or break her friends spirits completely.
She watched as Fhire stepped silently into the Chamber. Neal, standing behind her, put a hand on her shoulder. She felt his magic go through her and the knots in her stomach loosened. She looked back at him and he winked. He could read her even when no one else could.
* * * * *
Fhire made it out alive. She was sweaty and white, her hair sticking to her face and her hands shaking, but she was not injured. That night, she was knighted. Kel stood there, grinning. She had never been so proud of her squire.
Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, and Kel stayed mainly at the palace. Neal and Yuki prepared for their wedding, which, now that the war was officially over, could take place without Neal being shipped off to heal stab wounds. Kel and Dom spoke often of their own wedding, but did not make any plans. They had to find a way to have it first. Because of Dom's position in the King's Own, he was not able to marry. He spoke to Raoul often about the rule, but he said there was nothing he could do about it. He even went to the king, asking him for special permission, but King Jon said that, sadly, he could not make exceptions. Dom wanted to marry a knight, which was different. Nevertheless, he wanted to marry. There was nothing they could do.
One day after an unsuccessful attempt to convince the king, Dom came back to Kel's room grumbling. "It's not fair!" He said. "Anyone else in the realm can marry, except me. Why can't they let me?"
Kel didn't say anything. She had been lying on her bed with a book, which she placed softly on the bedside table. She sat up. "Dom," she said, "this is not going to work."
He looked into her eyes. "What do you mean?" he said slowly, dreading Kel's answer.
She sighed. "It seems that the problem is marriage. Every time, that is what stops us from being happy. Maybe it's a sign."
Dom frowned. "That is not true. Everything has gone our way."
Kel looked at him. "Dom, you know that's not true. We were lucky, yes, but now our luck has run out."
He looked at her with pleading eyes. "Kel..."
Kel shook her head. "No, Dom. I still love you, do you know that? With all my heart. But I can't live like this, courting forever."
Dom looked down and slowly, nodded.
Kel smiled weakly. "Thank you. I'm going home for a while, for a few reasons. I have not seen my parents in far too long, and I figure that time apart will give us time to figure ourselves out. Then maybe we can still be friends."
Dom nodded again.
"Don't worry, I will be back for Neal's wedding. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
She stood up. "Fhire offered to come with me, since I'm not supposed to ride alone all the way to Mindelan. She said she wanted to meet her brothers old knight-master, and her own knight-masters family."
Kel put her hand to Dom's face. She was trying to make it lighter, but she couldn't. A tear fell down her cheek. "Dom, I'm sorry. It is for the best."
Dom shook his head and whispered, "no it isn't." he was crying too.
Kel kissed him on the cheek. "Goodbye, Dom."
She picked up the pack beside her bed and walked out the door to meet Fhire by the stables.
"Is everything all right?" Fhire said as Kel walked up to her. Kel nodded and threw her pack onto Peachblossom. She was glad that, with Tobe and Daine's help, he had gotten better from his sickness. She stepped up onto Hoshi and was ready to go. The sparrows flew around her, but she missed having a dog run around her horses feet, snapping at flies.
The trip went quickly, taking only a week, almost a day and a half shorter than they had expected. Ilane and her husband (N/A: what's his name?) did not know that her daughter and her guest were coming, but they greeted them with warmth anyway. Kel was looking forward to spending three weeks relaxing at home. It had been a long time.
She and Fhire did a lot of practice with glaives and swords, as well as a bit of tilting and plenty of archery. It felt strange for Kel to be home again. When they walked down to the village, Kel felt like she didn't know it any more. But when they went for a walk in the forest, Kel realized that it was the same place. She recognized the place where she killed the spindren, she recognized the place where she punched a village boy in the nose for calling her a girl when she was six. Everything was exactly the same, except that the trees were a little bit taller, and there were a few more, both standing and fallen.
Mindelan House was the same. Ilane had kept almost everything the same. The family could not afford new décor to keep up with the fashion, so they stuck with classic Yamani and Tortallan patterns. Kel's room was exactly the same, and she was glad. It was nice to have something familiar to come back to. Even her family was different; her father had aged, his hair streaked with grey; her mother had lines on her face that had not been there before. Her nieces and nephews were growing as well. A few of the younger ones didn't remember her at first. They knew her more from the stories they had heard then from memories.
Her trip was helpful. She never stopped thinking about Dom, but she came to believe herself when she said it had been for the best. Her mother was compassionate, talking to Kel, giving her motherly advice.
But it was not her mother that helped her the most. It was Fhire. It happened on the ride back to Corus, almost four weeks later, on the last day of their trip back. Fhire had finally gotten Kel to explain what had happened the day they left.
"So you still love him?" Fhire asked.
Kel nodded. "With all my heart." She said.
Thy were silent for a few minutes. Kel did not notice, but Fhire was thinking hard. "You know," the younger girl said, "a very smart knight once told me something." She said.
Kel looked up. Fhire continued slowly. "'Most importantly,' she said, 'follow your heart. It knows what is best for you.'" She smiled at Kel.
Something heavy lifted from her heart. Knots untwisted in her stomach, and thoughts untangled themselves in her head. Everything felt lighter, more right. She realized what she had done just as they crested over the hill and caught their first view of Corus.
"My God." She murmured. "How could I have been so wrong?"
Fhire smiled. "Very easily. I'm sure it happens all the time."
Kel looked down at the city. "But, what if..."
Fhire rolled her eyes. "For God's sake, Kel, of course he still loves you!" She sighed, reaching and untying Peachblossom's reins from Kel's saddle. She took them in her hand. "Go on." She said. "I can handle this brute, and he can handle me."
Kel, still slightly shocked with herself, nodded slowly and kicked Hoshi to a gallop. Fifteen minutes later, Kel had a very tired horse, but she was there. She continued to gallop straight to the stables, where she quickly slipped off Hoshi.
"Lady Kel!" Tobe said, running out of the stables.
Kel smiled. "Not now, Tobe. I'll come see you later. Can you take Hoshi?" She asked.
Tobe nodded, taking the reins. "Where is Lady Fhire?"
"She's coming." Was all Kel said, turning to jog up to the palace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh, I am so mean. I bet you all hate me now, don't you? Sorry the trip to Mindelan was so short, but I don't know much about it, and it was not that important.
Rubber Duck: Aw... no crying for me today... oh well. Help on battle scenes would be great! Can you email me? My email is unolimbo@hotmail.com. That way, I can email you back, and you can help me! (and you will get to see the chapters early) thank you thank you thank you!
Rootless Californian: poor Jump indeed. I would never kill both of them off in one shot. That would just be mean.
Wake-Robin: Woo hoo! I got tears! That's what I was aiming for! Don't worry. He didn't rot.
PsychoLioness13: so true. Confusing sentences are always fun. I did know that she was Alanna's daughter, and I did know that it was called Tricksters Choice. I am really too lazy to read it anyway... that's basically it.
Lady Helada: I did know that she was Alanna's daughter, and I did know that it was called Tricksters Choice. I am really too lazy to read it anyway... that's basically it.
Snow*flake: I remember your story. Well, not exactly which one it was, but I remember your name, and I remember reviewing for you. Thanks...I read your story before I even learned how to post a story. I can't just think of something, I have to randomly get ideas. Its kind of annoying. Yay for Dom indeed!
Aznchicki: epilpuge? I think you mean epilogue. But no, I won't write an epilogue, because I'm going to finish everything in the story, of course! And can people please stop asking me if it's over? It will say THE END at the end of the chapter, and it will say FINISHED or COMPLETED in the summary. Ok? Have we all got that straight?
AJ 4EVA: I vaguely understand what you are saying, I think. I got the true to your heart stuff, so thank you.
Queenofdiamonds1: I'm glad you like it. Are you a new reviewer? Not really sure...
Aly: Thanks a lot! I'm glad its to your taste! Thank you very much, I always like to hear that I'm the best. Hee hee, fun. And no, I'm not perfect. But thank you for saying so!
Fhire: huggles indeed. Triaxx was there. And did you notice that I put her in, like, three places in this chapter? I was very proud.
Queenofdiamonds1: hello again. Thanks!
Kerzikhan: of course not. Just the end of the battle.
Soph: ooh, new reviewer, aren't you? Wow, that is humanly impossible to read. Lets use the English language, shall we? I hate AOL speech. It bugs me. Nothing against you, just AOL speech. Anyway, glad you like it.
Well, that's all for now.
"In America, Brazil nuts go for about $15 a pound." Well, those fell off the tree out back. And we don't call them Brazil nuts here." "No? What do you call them?" "We're in Brazil. We call them nuts."
-unolimbo