Kel fell asleep at Dom's side. He spent the night unconscious in the
infirmary, and Kel never left. She tried not to sleep, to keep watch over
him, but she could not keep her eyes open, and she went to sleep.
Dom was still unconscious when she woke up. His and was in hers, his breathing was steady, and he was not nearly so pale. The healer walked over to her. "Good morning, my lady. I am Zephael of Nesgard. I am very sorry we were not properly introduced."
Kel rose and bowed her head to the man. "Keladry of Mindelan. You may call me Kel." She said. she looked at the healer. He certainly had the presence of a mage, but he was still young. No more than twenty, he had probably been put at New Hope right out of school. "Where did you learn?" Kel asked.
The young man smiled. "I studied to be a knight. I was only knighted two years ago. But I squired with a knight who was a healer, and I learned most of my skill from him."
Kel smiled back. "I can understand what that is like. My best friend did the same thing."
"Well," Zephael said, "let me check you over."
Kel stood up tall for him to check her over. He put out his hand and put it to Kel's forehead. She closed her eyes. She hated being checked for disease and infection, lice ticks, and little things. But she knew it was important to keep the villagers safe.
"You are just fine." Zephael said with a smile. "A bit dehydrated, though." He passed her a full flask of water, which Kel gulped greedily. "I am sure you are wondering of your friend here?"
Kel said that she was indeed. "He will be fine." Zephael said. "he should wake up sometime this morning. He is just sleeping now. I am not that powerful of a healer, so I cannot guarantee that he will be fine right away. He may have to stay in bed for a day or two, and he definitely should not be exerting himself for a few weeks."
Kel nodded, just glad that he would be fine. She wanted desperately to stay with him, but she had work to do. She stepped out of the building and blinked in the bright sunshine. Before she knew what was happening, she was being knocked over by children screaming her name.
"Hold up, hold up!" She said, regaining her balance by putting a hand on the doorframe of the infirmary. "there we go." She looked down. She recognized all of the faces. Gydo, Meech, and Loesia, as well as many others.
"Goodness, you all look so different!" She said, hugging them all back.
Gydo and Loesia giggled. It had been such a long time since Kel had seen them. Years, it seemed. How many had it truly been? Two, three years? Kel couldn't remember. All she knew was that both of the girls had grown into pretty young teenagers, no matter how much they acted like children when they first saw Kel. they both stepped back and curtsied sloppily at Kel, still giggling.
Kel smiled and bowed at them, then turned to Meech. "I didn't expect you to remember me properly." Kel said.
Meech's eyes went wide open. "Really, Lady Kel! I wasn't that young!" all the girls laughed.
"No, of course you weren't." Kel muttered. She stood up. "I have some work to do right now, but I shall come by later and you can all show me how good you've gotten with your weapons." She said. They all nodded quickly and ran off in the other direction.
Kel was glad to be at a camp where she knew her way around. She could walk straight to her offices without having to wander around aimlessly until someone pointed her in the right direction.
When Kel opened the door and stepped in, she was greeted by familiar faces. Terrec, the clerk, and Fanche were looking up at her. "Good morning, Lady Kel." Fanche said. "Did you have a good trip?"
Kel smiled. "Oh, it was an adventure."
"Everything is ready for you." Terrec said. "Mistress Fanche took control of our little camp after our last commander was killed. Everything is in order for you."
Fanche stood tall and straight. Kel bowed to her. "Thank you, Fanche. You have done us a great deed." She said.
"Don't be silly." She said. "I haven't done you any favours."
Kel smiled. "Well, thank you anyway." She said.
Fanche smiled and left.
Kel worked all day, making sure she still understood how everything worked. Finally, with only a few minutes of break before dinner, Kel raced over to the infirmary to see Dom.
He was awake when she got there, and being able to look in his eyes again made something loosen inside of Kel. she had not realized how worried she had been.
"Morning." Dom whispered when he saw her. Kel grinned and went and held his hand.
"How are you feeling?" She asked.
Dom looked at her, barely moving. "Never been better."
Kel chuckled. "Of course. You know the saying, what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger."
Dom nodded. "I am bound to be the strongest man in the world after this."
Kel squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry I wasn't here." She whispered.
He looked her in the eye. "Kel, I cannot expect you to be here for me every moment of my life. I know you have a job to do. I'm glad you came, though."
Kel smiled. "I'll ask Zephael if he minds if I eat here tonight. I have to go to the mess hall and meet everyone, just make sure they all know I'm here. I won't leave you alone."
Dom thanked her, and Kel went off to the mess hall to meet everyone.
A few people cheered when they saw Kel. every person who had been at New Hope when Kel had left knew that she was a knight they should want as their commander. She had only been a knight for about seven years, but she was already one of the most admired.
Kel stood up on a crate to greet them all. She checked its strength before she stood on it, then hopped up. The hall went quiet. "Good evening." She started. "Well, I am happy to say that everyone looks happier to see me now than they were the first time I was assigned here." A few people laughed. "And with good reason. We are not here, afraid of Scanran attackers, wondering what will become of our realm. We are here as people who need to sow our land to make a living, people who can fend for ourselves when there is a problem, and people who are proud of New Hope, this village that which we have built. I am proud to say that I am commanding here again, and I hope you are all proud to say you live here."0
Everyone cheered when she finished. Kel smiled and bowed to them, then got her food. By the time she was ready to go back to the infirmary, everyone was back to their own conversations.
Kel slipped into the infirmary with two plates of food. Dom accepted his gladly, and Kel helped him sit up so he could eat it. "I talked to Zephael." Kel said. "He said you can move to your own rooms tonight, if you wish."
He grinned. "That would be great."
"You've got your own room beside your squads barrack. It's on the other side of the camp from me."
"Does that bother you?" Dom asked.
Kel shrugged. "I don't want to make a big deal of it with these people. they respect me as a leader, and I think telling them I am engaged might lower that respect."
"However so?" Dom asked.
Kel shrugged. "I don't know, it's just that they've always seen me in a man's position, and seeing me married, that would make them realize that I actually am a girl."
Dom laughed. "Kel, they know you are a girl. And most of these people see you more as a friend then as a commander. I mean, sure, they respect you and do what you tell them, but they are not scared of you. They are not afraid to be themselves, and that's what makes them think of you as a friend. I am sure many of them would be hurt if you did not tell them you were getting married."
Kel smiled. "You are just trying to get into my rooms."
Dom laughed. "Absolutely. But seriously," he added, "why shouldn't I?"
Kel leaned over and gave him a kiss. "That is too true. And besides, there is more than enough room for both of us."
She settled back down in her chair with her dinner.
"So how is the old camp running?" Dom asked.
Kel grinned. "Beautifully. Fanche was in control in between me and the last commander, and she did a wonderful job. Makes me wonder why they need a knight commander in the first place. She tied up all the loose ends, and there was very little for me to have to start."
Dom smiled. "That's good."
Kel nodded. "Yes, but there is still a lot to do." She paused. "Has Zephael told you anything?"
He winced. "Yes. He told me that I would have to stay in bed for a few days and then not exert myself for even longer." He sighed. "I don't mind spending a day or two in bed, but I don't like the idea of not being able to do anything for however long."
Kel put her hand on his shoulder. "You shouldn't worry. Think of it as a break."
He laughed. "I thought I just came off of a break?"
Kel smiled and gave him a kiss. "I should be back in a moment. I just need to drop off our dishes, then we can get you to my rooms. Oh, and I guess I should get someone to bring your things over, should I not?"
Dom grinned. "I was just about to say that."
Kel went back to the mess hall and dropped off her plates. As she was leaving the kitchen, she was intercepted by Loesia and Gydo.
"My Lady, you said you would come and see us train." Gydo said, her arms crossed.
Kel smiled. "I'm sorry, I have been busy. I will come tomorrow, I promise." She kneeled down to them. "Could you do me a favour?" She asked. The girls leaned closer. "Could you go to the barrack that houses the Own and bring me Sergeant Domitan's things? You can put them in my rooms."
The girls nodded and ran off in the other direction. Kel smiled. She was glad that she did not have to ask any of the men to do it for her, as, even though Dom had told her it shouldn't be a problem, she still felt slightly embarrassed about telling them.
By the time she had helped Dom to her rooms, his bags were already there for him. Kel helped him into a cot where he could stay. "I'm going to ask Zephael if I can get a carpenter to make you a bench or something to let you lie outside on."
Dom smiled. "Thank you. I owe you one."
Kel gave him a kiss. "No you don't."
Kel decided that Dom was right, she could not keep an engagement a secret from the people who trusted her. So, the next day, when she was at breakfast and one of the women she was sitting with asked her what she had been doing since they had last seen her, she spoke truthfully.
"I got engaged." She said nonchalantly.
One of the women shrieked. "Lady Kel! Don't tease!" She said.
Kel looked surprised. "Why would I not be telling the truth?"
"It's not what any of us expect from you." Fanche said.
Kel smiled. "I didn't expect it of myself, actually." She said.
"Do you have a ring?" One woman asked.
Kel smiled and held up her hand, and all the woman oohed. Kel felt very strange doing it, like a giddy court lady showing off her jewels. She put her hand down quickly. "I- I have some work to do." She said. "Goodbye."
She stood up, bowed her head to the women, and walked out.
She brought her meal to her rooms where Dom was eating his. "I told them." She said. "It was weird. I felt like some court lady flaunting my jewel. I just excused myself and came here."
Dom smiled. "Thank you."
Kel looked at him, puzzled. "Pardon me?"
"thank you for telling them. I was so sure you wouldn't."
Kel sat down. "Well, you're welcome."
After a few weeks, Dom was back on his feet and ready to fight. Only, no one ever came for them to fight. Months went by with little more than a few bandits thinking they could get some treasure from a small time and finding only death instead.
Finally, after almost a year at New Hope, Neal came home. Kel and Dom wanted to go back to Corus to see him and Yuki, but they were not allowed for a while.
Kel got into the practice of lending more and more of her responsibilities to Fanche and Terrec. She was trying to make it so that they did not need a knight commander, did not need a squad of the Own. She knew that they could all fight in the town, and they had some people who were wonderful leaders, who could do just as good a job as Kel herself, if not better.
It was not that she did not want to stay with them, it was that she thought that they could handle themselves. After weeks of working with Fanche and the others, Kel felt they were ready.
"How would you feel about commanding this camp?" Kel asked Fanche one day.
"Pardon me?" The old woman said, raising an eyebrow.
Kel smiled. "I think you have what it takes to command here. You don't need me anymore, you can handle things yourself!"
Fanche sighed. "Very well. If you insist on giving me this control..." She winked, and Kel laughed.
Days later, Kel really had nothing to do. Fanche and the others would come to her if they did not understand something, but it was so very rare, as Fanche was far too proud to ask questions.
Kel busied herself with working with the children for most of the time, and training the adults in proper fighting skills.
"How are they doing?" Fhire asked one day as Kel watched the children practice.
She smiled. "Wonderfully. I didn't expect them to do this well."
Fhire grinned. "You got an answer. It's on your desk."
Kel's eyes widened. "Really?" She asked. Fhire nodded, and Kel excused herself and ran to her rooms. She had sent a letter to Wyldon asking to let Fanche take control of the camp. This would be her answer.
She tore open the letter and read it quickly: she read it again, making sure she had understood everything. He had agreed. Kel had explained how well Fanche had done without her, and she explained how she was sure that the old woman could command the town by herself forever.
Wyldon had agreed with her, and she, Fhire, Merric, and Dom's squad were to return to Corus in one week. Fhire walked in a few minutes after Kel finished the letter.
"Well?" She said.
Kel grinned. "We're going home. It's been almost a year now, hasn't it?"
Fhire jumped. "Lady Kel, that's wonderful!" She squealed. "But I feel I will miss the camp, don't you?" She asked, her face falling.
Kel smiled weakly. "I love this camp, and I love it's people, but I truthfully think they would be better off without us here. They can be more independent without us here, and they can trust themselves more. They should be better without us."
Kel had spent the past few minutes telling herself that, but she had trouble believing it. Deep in her heart, she did not know if she really felt that way, or if she was just pushing herself away from her duties, because that was what it felt like. She felt like she was dropping everyone she had been responsible for just to go home. It made her feel guilty.
She pushed the thoughts away from her as she and Fhire left the room to go and tell their friends the news. She and Dom went for a walk after Fhire and the others went back to work.
"Why did you do it?" Dom asked he hobbled along the path.
Kel looked at him. "Pardon?"
"It's not like you to give this up so easily, especially when it is going so well. Normally, you wouldn't give this camp up, even with strict orders to."
Kel shrugged. "I think the reason I am so quick to give it up is that it is going so well. If nothing had happened that first time I was here, and Wyldon told me to come home, I probably would have."
Dom smiled. "So, you only feel your are responsible when something goes wrong? You would make a great sibling."
Kel punched him. "I'm leaving. I have work to do." She said, and walked back towards the children practicing.
Well, that's it for today. I hope you enjoyed it!!! WAHOO!!!!! I reached 300 reviews...you guys rock, I love you! Let's try to reach 4...
Fhire: Ha, I'm glad...and yes, my story has sucked recently. I think its almost over.
Wake-Robin: Don't worry. He's fine. Always is...
Alannawanabe: Sacrilegious! Kel can't fall in love with anyone else! GAH! Okay, I'm done now. Anyway, it will for sure end with love, don't worry.
AJ 4EVA: Finally, someone who understands me! You rock!
Lady-kitty: I'll get to it, don't worry... I'm just busy right now, I promise!
Dream Wall: Don't worry...as I've said before, when it ends, you'll know.
Queen-of-sapphires: I know exactly what you mean. I just don't usually put new characters in, unless they are very minor, but Fhire was major, so I had some trouble integrating her. And it will end, it's almost over now. Remember how they said they would marry after Neal and Yuki got back?
Rubber Duck: Wow...enthusiasm... and don't worry people, I wouldn't kill Dom! I promise!
Totally Twisted: ooh, new word! 'ardent...' never heard it before! I'll have to use it...
Pinky: then you should have no complaints about this chapter, eh???...
Java: well thanks. That's one of the few truly good reviews I've had recently. Most people have said they like the story but not the latest chapters... so I'm glad to hear it! (though I would be anyway)
Rora: I quote it all the time too, don't worry. And don't joke about that, it's serious!! WAH!!!
PsychoLioness13: haha...I like that sort of there. Cute/
Lady Helada: thanks!
Lotrfreek: haha, don't worry.
Alannamagic: don't worry, people!
"If they ever come up with a swashbuckling School, I think one of the courses should be Laughing, Then Jumping Off Something."
If I repeat a quote or two, I'm sorry. I'm going through them all.
-Unolimbo
Dom was still unconscious when she woke up. His and was in hers, his breathing was steady, and he was not nearly so pale. The healer walked over to her. "Good morning, my lady. I am Zephael of Nesgard. I am very sorry we were not properly introduced."
Kel rose and bowed her head to the man. "Keladry of Mindelan. You may call me Kel." She said. she looked at the healer. He certainly had the presence of a mage, but he was still young. No more than twenty, he had probably been put at New Hope right out of school. "Where did you learn?" Kel asked.
The young man smiled. "I studied to be a knight. I was only knighted two years ago. But I squired with a knight who was a healer, and I learned most of my skill from him."
Kel smiled back. "I can understand what that is like. My best friend did the same thing."
"Well," Zephael said, "let me check you over."
Kel stood up tall for him to check her over. He put out his hand and put it to Kel's forehead. She closed her eyes. She hated being checked for disease and infection, lice ticks, and little things. But she knew it was important to keep the villagers safe.
"You are just fine." Zephael said with a smile. "A bit dehydrated, though." He passed her a full flask of water, which Kel gulped greedily. "I am sure you are wondering of your friend here?"
Kel said that she was indeed. "He will be fine." Zephael said. "he should wake up sometime this morning. He is just sleeping now. I am not that powerful of a healer, so I cannot guarantee that he will be fine right away. He may have to stay in bed for a day or two, and he definitely should not be exerting himself for a few weeks."
Kel nodded, just glad that he would be fine. She wanted desperately to stay with him, but she had work to do. She stepped out of the building and blinked in the bright sunshine. Before she knew what was happening, she was being knocked over by children screaming her name.
"Hold up, hold up!" She said, regaining her balance by putting a hand on the doorframe of the infirmary. "there we go." She looked down. She recognized all of the faces. Gydo, Meech, and Loesia, as well as many others.
"Goodness, you all look so different!" She said, hugging them all back.
Gydo and Loesia giggled. It had been such a long time since Kel had seen them. Years, it seemed. How many had it truly been? Two, three years? Kel couldn't remember. All she knew was that both of the girls had grown into pretty young teenagers, no matter how much they acted like children when they first saw Kel. they both stepped back and curtsied sloppily at Kel, still giggling.
Kel smiled and bowed at them, then turned to Meech. "I didn't expect you to remember me properly." Kel said.
Meech's eyes went wide open. "Really, Lady Kel! I wasn't that young!" all the girls laughed.
"No, of course you weren't." Kel muttered. She stood up. "I have some work to do right now, but I shall come by later and you can all show me how good you've gotten with your weapons." She said. They all nodded quickly and ran off in the other direction.
Kel was glad to be at a camp where she knew her way around. She could walk straight to her offices without having to wander around aimlessly until someone pointed her in the right direction.
When Kel opened the door and stepped in, she was greeted by familiar faces. Terrec, the clerk, and Fanche were looking up at her. "Good morning, Lady Kel." Fanche said. "Did you have a good trip?"
Kel smiled. "Oh, it was an adventure."
"Everything is ready for you." Terrec said. "Mistress Fanche took control of our little camp after our last commander was killed. Everything is in order for you."
Fanche stood tall and straight. Kel bowed to her. "Thank you, Fanche. You have done us a great deed." She said.
"Don't be silly." She said. "I haven't done you any favours."
Kel smiled. "Well, thank you anyway." She said.
Fanche smiled and left.
Kel worked all day, making sure she still understood how everything worked. Finally, with only a few minutes of break before dinner, Kel raced over to the infirmary to see Dom.
He was awake when she got there, and being able to look in his eyes again made something loosen inside of Kel. she had not realized how worried she had been.
"Morning." Dom whispered when he saw her. Kel grinned and went and held his hand.
"How are you feeling?" She asked.
Dom looked at her, barely moving. "Never been better."
Kel chuckled. "Of course. You know the saying, what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger."
Dom nodded. "I am bound to be the strongest man in the world after this."
Kel squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry I wasn't here." She whispered.
He looked her in the eye. "Kel, I cannot expect you to be here for me every moment of my life. I know you have a job to do. I'm glad you came, though."
Kel smiled. "I'll ask Zephael if he minds if I eat here tonight. I have to go to the mess hall and meet everyone, just make sure they all know I'm here. I won't leave you alone."
Dom thanked her, and Kel went off to the mess hall to meet everyone.
A few people cheered when they saw Kel. every person who had been at New Hope when Kel had left knew that she was a knight they should want as their commander. She had only been a knight for about seven years, but she was already one of the most admired.
Kel stood up on a crate to greet them all. She checked its strength before she stood on it, then hopped up. The hall went quiet. "Good evening." She started. "Well, I am happy to say that everyone looks happier to see me now than they were the first time I was assigned here." A few people laughed. "And with good reason. We are not here, afraid of Scanran attackers, wondering what will become of our realm. We are here as people who need to sow our land to make a living, people who can fend for ourselves when there is a problem, and people who are proud of New Hope, this village that which we have built. I am proud to say that I am commanding here again, and I hope you are all proud to say you live here."0
Everyone cheered when she finished. Kel smiled and bowed to them, then got her food. By the time she was ready to go back to the infirmary, everyone was back to their own conversations.
Kel slipped into the infirmary with two plates of food. Dom accepted his gladly, and Kel helped him sit up so he could eat it. "I talked to Zephael." Kel said. "He said you can move to your own rooms tonight, if you wish."
He grinned. "That would be great."
"You've got your own room beside your squads barrack. It's on the other side of the camp from me."
"Does that bother you?" Dom asked.
Kel shrugged. "I don't want to make a big deal of it with these people. they respect me as a leader, and I think telling them I am engaged might lower that respect."
"However so?" Dom asked.
Kel shrugged. "I don't know, it's just that they've always seen me in a man's position, and seeing me married, that would make them realize that I actually am a girl."
Dom laughed. "Kel, they know you are a girl. And most of these people see you more as a friend then as a commander. I mean, sure, they respect you and do what you tell them, but they are not scared of you. They are not afraid to be themselves, and that's what makes them think of you as a friend. I am sure many of them would be hurt if you did not tell them you were getting married."
Kel smiled. "You are just trying to get into my rooms."
Dom laughed. "Absolutely. But seriously," he added, "why shouldn't I?"
Kel leaned over and gave him a kiss. "That is too true. And besides, there is more than enough room for both of us."
She settled back down in her chair with her dinner.
"So how is the old camp running?" Dom asked.
Kel grinned. "Beautifully. Fanche was in control in between me and the last commander, and she did a wonderful job. Makes me wonder why they need a knight commander in the first place. She tied up all the loose ends, and there was very little for me to have to start."
Dom smiled. "That's good."
Kel nodded. "Yes, but there is still a lot to do." She paused. "Has Zephael told you anything?"
He winced. "Yes. He told me that I would have to stay in bed for a few days and then not exert myself for even longer." He sighed. "I don't mind spending a day or two in bed, but I don't like the idea of not being able to do anything for however long."
Kel put her hand on his shoulder. "You shouldn't worry. Think of it as a break."
He laughed. "I thought I just came off of a break?"
Kel smiled and gave him a kiss. "I should be back in a moment. I just need to drop off our dishes, then we can get you to my rooms. Oh, and I guess I should get someone to bring your things over, should I not?"
Dom grinned. "I was just about to say that."
Kel went back to the mess hall and dropped off her plates. As she was leaving the kitchen, she was intercepted by Loesia and Gydo.
"My Lady, you said you would come and see us train." Gydo said, her arms crossed.
Kel smiled. "I'm sorry, I have been busy. I will come tomorrow, I promise." She kneeled down to them. "Could you do me a favour?" She asked. The girls leaned closer. "Could you go to the barrack that houses the Own and bring me Sergeant Domitan's things? You can put them in my rooms."
The girls nodded and ran off in the other direction. Kel smiled. She was glad that she did not have to ask any of the men to do it for her, as, even though Dom had told her it shouldn't be a problem, she still felt slightly embarrassed about telling them.
By the time she had helped Dom to her rooms, his bags were already there for him. Kel helped him into a cot where he could stay. "I'm going to ask Zephael if I can get a carpenter to make you a bench or something to let you lie outside on."
Dom smiled. "Thank you. I owe you one."
Kel gave him a kiss. "No you don't."
Kel decided that Dom was right, she could not keep an engagement a secret from the people who trusted her. So, the next day, when she was at breakfast and one of the women she was sitting with asked her what she had been doing since they had last seen her, she spoke truthfully.
"I got engaged." She said nonchalantly.
One of the women shrieked. "Lady Kel! Don't tease!" She said.
Kel looked surprised. "Why would I not be telling the truth?"
"It's not what any of us expect from you." Fanche said.
Kel smiled. "I didn't expect it of myself, actually." She said.
"Do you have a ring?" One woman asked.
Kel smiled and held up her hand, and all the woman oohed. Kel felt very strange doing it, like a giddy court lady showing off her jewels. She put her hand down quickly. "I- I have some work to do." She said. "Goodbye."
She stood up, bowed her head to the women, and walked out.
She brought her meal to her rooms where Dom was eating his. "I told them." She said. "It was weird. I felt like some court lady flaunting my jewel. I just excused myself and came here."
Dom smiled. "Thank you."
Kel looked at him, puzzled. "Pardon me?"
"thank you for telling them. I was so sure you wouldn't."
Kel sat down. "Well, you're welcome."
After a few weeks, Dom was back on his feet and ready to fight. Only, no one ever came for them to fight. Months went by with little more than a few bandits thinking they could get some treasure from a small time and finding only death instead.
Finally, after almost a year at New Hope, Neal came home. Kel and Dom wanted to go back to Corus to see him and Yuki, but they were not allowed for a while.
Kel got into the practice of lending more and more of her responsibilities to Fanche and Terrec. She was trying to make it so that they did not need a knight commander, did not need a squad of the Own. She knew that they could all fight in the town, and they had some people who were wonderful leaders, who could do just as good a job as Kel herself, if not better.
It was not that she did not want to stay with them, it was that she thought that they could handle themselves. After weeks of working with Fanche and the others, Kel felt they were ready.
"How would you feel about commanding this camp?" Kel asked Fanche one day.
"Pardon me?" The old woman said, raising an eyebrow.
Kel smiled. "I think you have what it takes to command here. You don't need me anymore, you can handle things yourself!"
Fanche sighed. "Very well. If you insist on giving me this control..." She winked, and Kel laughed.
Days later, Kel really had nothing to do. Fanche and the others would come to her if they did not understand something, but it was so very rare, as Fanche was far too proud to ask questions.
Kel busied herself with working with the children for most of the time, and training the adults in proper fighting skills.
"How are they doing?" Fhire asked one day as Kel watched the children practice.
She smiled. "Wonderfully. I didn't expect them to do this well."
Fhire grinned. "You got an answer. It's on your desk."
Kel's eyes widened. "Really?" She asked. Fhire nodded, and Kel excused herself and ran to her rooms. She had sent a letter to Wyldon asking to let Fanche take control of the camp. This would be her answer.
She tore open the letter and read it quickly: she read it again, making sure she had understood everything. He had agreed. Kel had explained how well Fanche had done without her, and she explained how she was sure that the old woman could command the town by herself forever.
Wyldon had agreed with her, and she, Fhire, Merric, and Dom's squad were to return to Corus in one week. Fhire walked in a few minutes after Kel finished the letter.
"Well?" She said.
Kel grinned. "We're going home. It's been almost a year now, hasn't it?"
Fhire jumped. "Lady Kel, that's wonderful!" She squealed. "But I feel I will miss the camp, don't you?" She asked, her face falling.
Kel smiled weakly. "I love this camp, and I love it's people, but I truthfully think they would be better off without us here. They can be more independent without us here, and they can trust themselves more. They should be better without us."
Kel had spent the past few minutes telling herself that, but she had trouble believing it. Deep in her heart, she did not know if she really felt that way, or if she was just pushing herself away from her duties, because that was what it felt like. She felt like she was dropping everyone she had been responsible for just to go home. It made her feel guilty.
She pushed the thoughts away from her as she and Fhire left the room to go and tell their friends the news. She and Dom went for a walk after Fhire and the others went back to work.
"Why did you do it?" Dom asked he hobbled along the path.
Kel looked at him. "Pardon?"
"It's not like you to give this up so easily, especially when it is going so well. Normally, you wouldn't give this camp up, even with strict orders to."
Kel shrugged. "I think the reason I am so quick to give it up is that it is going so well. If nothing had happened that first time I was here, and Wyldon told me to come home, I probably would have."
Dom smiled. "So, you only feel your are responsible when something goes wrong? You would make a great sibling."
Kel punched him. "I'm leaving. I have work to do." She said, and walked back towards the children practicing.
Well, that's it for today. I hope you enjoyed it!!! WAHOO!!!!! I reached 300 reviews...you guys rock, I love you! Let's try to reach 4...
Fhire: Ha, I'm glad...and yes, my story has sucked recently. I think its almost over.
Wake-Robin: Don't worry. He's fine. Always is...
Alannawanabe: Sacrilegious! Kel can't fall in love with anyone else! GAH! Okay, I'm done now. Anyway, it will for sure end with love, don't worry.
AJ 4EVA: Finally, someone who understands me! You rock!
Lady-kitty: I'll get to it, don't worry... I'm just busy right now, I promise!
Dream Wall: Don't worry...as I've said before, when it ends, you'll know.
Queen-of-sapphires: I know exactly what you mean. I just don't usually put new characters in, unless they are very minor, but Fhire was major, so I had some trouble integrating her. And it will end, it's almost over now. Remember how they said they would marry after Neal and Yuki got back?
Rubber Duck: Wow...enthusiasm... and don't worry people, I wouldn't kill Dom! I promise!
Totally Twisted: ooh, new word! 'ardent...' never heard it before! I'll have to use it...
Pinky: then you should have no complaints about this chapter, eh???...
Java: well thanks. That's one of the few truly good reviews I've had recently. Most people have said they like the story but not the latest chapters... so I'm glad to hear it! (though I would be anyway)
Rora: I quote it all the time too, don't worry. And don't joke about that, it's serious!! WAH!!!
PsychoLioness13: haha...I like that sort of there. Cute/
Lady Helada: thanks!
Lotrfreek: haha, don't worry.
Alannamagic: don't worry, people!
"If they ever come up with a swashbuckling School, I think one of the courses should be Laughing, Then Jumping Off Something."
If I repeat a quote or two, I'm sorry. I'm going through them all.
-Unolimbo