Well, here it is. The thirty first chapter, just like I promised. Thank you
for all the amazing reviews, I hope that this chapter is up to all your
standards!
Kel woke up the next morning completely exhausted. She had had far too much to drink the night before, and her head hurt horribly from it. She slowly pushed herself up and pushed her hair back. She knew she couldn't go practice, she was just too tired, but she didn't want to go back to sleep.
She pushed herself out of bed and slipped on a pair of breeches and a shirt. She glanced back at her bed, where Dom was still snoring. She smiled. It still felt strange to her, being married.
She shook her head painfully. What did she mean, still. She had only been married for a night! Silently, she slipped out the door and walked down the hall to the dining hall. Her stomach was growling uncontrollably, and she needed something to fill it with. There was almost no one there when Kel got in. It was already very late in the morning. Ilane was there, doing her duties as a hostess to all of the wedding guests who stayed the night. She flashed Kel a smile and winked.
Kel smiled back at her mother as she went into the kitchen to get herself something to eat. She was careful with her food, making sure she took small bites, anticipating her guests coming up to her and congratulating her again. A few did, but many left her to her peace. After she ate, Kel reluctantly rose. She had to go and pack.
After much talk of it, Kel and Dom had decided to travel to the Yamani Islands. It was one of the few places in the realm that was not either savage or enemies of Tortall. Besides, Kel had longed to see the islands again.
Dom was still asleep when she got there. She rolled her eyes and walked over to the bed. "Dom." She said, shaking him. "Dom, wake up."
He moaned and rolled over.
Kel laughed and punched him in the shoulder. "Wake up."
Dom rolled over and looked at her. "You know, this marriage is not off to a good start." He said, grinning. "We need to do some serious work." He said, grabbing Kel's wrist and pulling her over.
Kel smiled. "Why did you do that? Now, not only can I not get you out of bed, I can't get myself."
Dom wrapped his arms around her. "It's your honeymoon. You don't have to get up."
Kel smiled. "I do when we have a boat to catch from the Western port in two days."
Dom sat up and frowned at her. "You have a perfect way of ruining everything, do you know that?"
Kel smiled. "I learned from the master. Your cousin has a remarkable talent for it."
Dom kissed her again and stood up. "I guess this means I have to pack something, don't I."
Kel nodded. "I do too. One moment." She went into the hall and stepped into another spare room, where, in the closet, were two large trunks, which she then dragged back to her room. "No traveling packs for us this time." She said. "We aren't even traveling on our horses. It's a carriage all the way for us."
Dom smiled. "You're really excited for this, aren't you?" He asked in all seriousness.
Kel sighed. "It's just been such a long time. For years, the only places I've gotten to away from Corus or home were camps and forts, with maybe an inn along the way. And I think the last time I traveled in a carriage was when I first went to school." She smiled. "And it's been a long time since I've been to the Islands."
Dom smiled and nodded. "Fair enough."
Kel threw a pillow at him. "Just pack your things, will you?" She said. They spent a few hours packing, though Kel took much longer. She spent ages trying to figure out how to pack all her dresses. She was planning on bring quite a few, as she was going to visit with old friends of hers, many of whom were royal.
Finally, they were ready to move onto other things. Their carriage was coming at sunrise the next day, leaving them with the rest of the day and night before they left. For some reason, Kel was exhausted. After they came back from luncheon, she collapsed on the bed.
"I am so glad to be getting a break from all this." She groaned. "Why was getting married to you so stressful?"
Dom smiled and sat down beside her. "You are just full of cracks today, aren't you?"
Kel smiled. "I guess." She rolled over. "I'm going back to sleep."
Dom smiled. "If you get to sleep, then so do I." He leapt onto the bed beside her, and they both fell asleep.
They got into their carriage at sunrise the next morning. Kel actually practiced, as well as bathing and putting on breeches, a shirt, and a tunic.
"I thought you said you were going to wear dresses on this trip." Dom said, coming out of the washroom after his bath.
Kel raised an eyebrow. "Would you like to wear a dress in a carriage?"
He laughed. "Fair enough."
Many of the guests had gone back to Corus the day before, but Yuki and Neal were still there. "Have a wonderful trip." Yuki said, giving Kel a hug.
Kel smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way." She awkwardly picked up Andrea and kissed her. While she loved the young infant, she still was not too good with children. She turned to Neal. "Don't cause too much trouble while I'm gone, okay?" She glanced over at Yuki and smiled. "And make sure he eats his vegetables."
Neal frowned. "Leave me alone."
Kel smiled and hugged him again. "Don't worry, I realize that Yuki knows how to take care of you."
Dom grinned. "Yeah, Meathead, you'll be fine."
Neal scowled at them both. "I'm not going to hold a grudge." He said, holding his head high. "I'm better then that."
Kel smiled at him. "That's very noble of you. Now, we really must be off."
Dom held out his hand for her. Kel raised an eyebrow. She was not use to that. Dom winked at her. "You're still my wife, even if you can get into a carriage yourself."
Kel grinned at him and took his hand.
As soon as she stepped into the carriage, Kel felt the rush. She had spent the past day wondering why she didn't feel any different. Yes, she felt hung over, but she still felt like Sir Keladry of Mindelan, Lady Knight. She didn't feel like Keladry of Masbolle yet. But suddenly, as she stepped into this small carriage, she felt it. She belonged to someone. She was important to someone. She was someone's wife.
And strangely enough, she didn't mind the feeling of belonging to someone. In fact, it felt right. All the time she had wanted to be her own person, she felt like such a hypocrite.
As Dom sat down beside her comfortably she realized that she still was Sir Keladry of Mindelan. She was still Kel. She was still the young girl throwing stones at a spindren, she was still the young woman climbing Balor's Needle to rescue her maid, she was still the fine leader of a refugee camp in the Northern Provinces.
She was just also a wife. It was not something new, it was something to add to the list. Kel looked up at Dom, who smiled at her. He looked very much at ease. They were alone in this carriage, all red velvet and dark wood, and he did not own her. He held her hand. They were equals.
Kel was very quiet through the ride, these thoughts running through her head. When she finally pushed them to the back of her head, Dom had fallen asleep.
They stayed at an inn by the water that night. The smell of salt air wafted into their room, filling their noses, burning their eyes. Kel didn't mind. She loved smelling the salt, hearing the waves, feeling the cool breeze. She had always loved being at the shore, especially since it would be the last true fresh air and space she would get before a cramped boat ride.
But the boat ride was nothing like she remembered it. She remembered being cramped in a small room with her sisters, fighting over the best beds, going out on deck only to see people throwing up any which way. Now, it was open, and while there were many people, they all seemed used to sailing, and the room, a large room, made specially for newlyweds, was larger than all the Mindelan children's rooms combined.
"There's not enough adventure here." Dom said a few days in to the trip, as he paced around the table Kel was sitting at, reading.
She looked up. "Personally, I am very glad to have a break from it all."
Dom spun around and kneeled next to her. "Kel don't you miss it? The rides, the camps, fighting the wars, killing the bandits..."
Kel put her book down. "Dom, at the risk of sounding old, you should know this. You should not be feeling exhilaration when you kill someone. You should be feeling remorse. Besides, you have lived through war. The war on Scanra lasted for years, and I helped finish it. I'm not in any mood to start a new one."
Dom sighed and leaned against the railing. "You're right. I just don't like being cramped on this ship for so long."
Kel smiled. "It's only a few more days. Three, is it not?"
He nodded glumly.
Kel laughed. 'Cheer up. This is your honeymoon."
Dom smiled. "You know, I thought you would be itching for adventure before me."
Kel smiled. "Frankly, so did I." She looked at him. "I think I really needed this break."
The three days passed quickly. Kel spent most of it just sitting with Dom, trying to keep him entertained. She remarked at one point that he was like a young child, always needing attention, and he got on the defensive. It took quite a bit out of Kel to convince him she was joking.
Finally, they could see the islands. "There, right in the middle. Behind that first island is another island, where the palace is." She pointed out towards the islands.
Dom smiled. "I'm glad to have such a wonderful guide." He joked. He turned towards her and kissed her softly. "I love you. And I am sure I will love this trip"
Kel smiled. "We still have a few hours to kill, don't worry." She said, and led him back to their room.
Ooh, naughty Kel! Anyway... I had fun writing this chapter, even though it sucked.
But, on the upside, I had enough fin that I'll be writing a sequel! All new material, now that she's married... I'm just telling you now, I will not be bothering looking up all the proper stuff for the Yamanis. I'm going by memory here.
Wake-Robin: Aren't you happy now?
Dream Wall: of course. Epilogue it is.
Lady-kitty: I was thinking about that, but I decided that I'm not bog on the creating completely new main characters. Especially with a new generation, where new friends and enemies are needed. That just means that it won't really be a TP fic any more, it will just take place in Tortall. I only put in minor/supporting characters. And Cleon disappeared after he alienated all of his friends.
Dream Wall: Hey... double reviewing! No fair!
Lady-kitty: you too? Maybe my comp just says you both did it twice...??
Rubber Duck: yeah, I ahd some trouble trying to work around that, but I decided it was okay like that. Just so you all know, I think my sequel will have storyboards and everything, so that it truly rocks. Except that there is a distinct possibility that I will be too bloody lazy.
Tricksters-daughter: thank you! Yeah, I didn't study either. In fact, that's probably what I should do right now... oh well!
Pinky: that's basically exactly what I am doing.
Finny 4 Me: Ha, don't worry. But thank you for calling it a masterpiece!
JesuslUver: thanks. It's true, I could have. But the question is, did I really want to? I think I already mentioned this. But I don't know much about any weddings, and it really seemed to take too much energy. I always seem to do that. Skip over things that could be really interesting and detailed, and move straight to the action/ending. I just always fear people will be bored, reading the details of her wedding.
AJ 4EVA: thank you!
Jas2008: ha, I do my best for that.
Dreamerdoll: thanks! And yes, I am planning on writing a sequel.
Lady Helada: Thanks. Peace out to you too.
Ellabelle1: Check what I said to Lady-kitty. I'm not going to do a story on Andrea, but if any one would like to take the character and her history from my story, just email me and tell me, and you're welcome to use it. Email me so I can make sure that only one person uses it!
Mage Light: fine... grumble.
Java: thank you for the English. It makes me happy. And I can understand getting bored with it. Thank you for trying.
Ceri: I have always hated that! But I've heard that she's in the tricksters series, and that some stuff might happen, so I REALLY have to read them...or, if anyone has read them already and just wants to tell me what happens, that would be okay too.
LiLiMaLfOy13: thanks.
Lady of Masbolle: of course. Here you are. Ooh... there's another lady of masbolle in town now...and I think she's a better fighter than you...
PsychoLioness13: WHAT A WONDERFUL IDEA! Jokes. That's the plan.
Punky Cobain: I totally agree. I remembered him being a real love interest for her, but then I reread the books, and the only hint it gave was the last line, where Kel said she would like to sit down and have a conversation with him without getting interrupted, and that made her ride faster. Not including the butterfly-in-stomach crap. That doesn't count.
Rachel: See, that's where I heard that they talked about it (and I was flipping through the first one in Indigo, even though I couldn't afford the hard cover)!
Gwen: thanks. I do my best, though I kinda feel this chapter was a bit too girly, though I tried really hard to show all sides of Kel.
Ceri: you know, I can't even remember what happened in chapter 21.
Rachel: of course! I couldn't leave them at loose ends!
Gwen: yep...don't even remember that part...
Ceri: yep...
Rachel: GAH! I don't remember anything!!!!
Java: well, here is the chapter. I mean, I couldn't start writing it until I had that many reviews, so of course it will take a while!
Lady Helada: I think you mean 352. And you people have to give me time to write. I'm not a robot, you know!
Kerzikahn: the best? Thank you! And just so you know, it's spelled style. But good try.
Kelly Masbolle: no. no you can't.
Speaking of which, Rachel, Gwen and Cery sounded very similar in their writing patterns and in the way their reviews were repeated in the same order...come on, fess up, I've given you the chapter anyway!
Alright, just thought I'd mention: though they are really long, you should read the personal notes this time. There's some important stuff in there.
"A good way to threaten somebody is to light a stick of dynamite. Then you call the guy and hold the burning fuse up to the phone. "Hear that?" you say. "That's dynamite, baby.""
Ah Jack Handy. Where would we be without him?
-unolimbo
Kel woke up the next morning completely exhausted. She had had far too much to drink the night before, and her head hurt horribly from it. She slowly pushed herself up and pushed her hair back. She knew she couldn't go practice, she was just too tired, but she didn't want to go back to sleep.
She pushed herself out of bed and slipped on a pair of breeches and a shirt. She glanced back at her bed, where Dom was still snoring. She smiled. It still felt strange to her, being married.
She shook her head painfully. What did she mean, still. She had only been married for a night! Silently, she slipped out the door and walked down the hall to the dining hall. Her stomach was growling uncontrollably, and she needed something to fill it with. There was almost no one there when Kel got in. It was already very late in the morning. Ilane was there, doing her duties as a hostess to all of the wedding guests who stayed the night. She flashed Kel a smile and winked.
Kel smiled back at her mother as she went into the kitchen to get herself something to eat. She was careful with her food, making sure she took small bites, anticipating her guests coming up to her and congratulating her again. A few did, but many left her to her peace. After she ate, Kel reluctantly rose. She had to go and pack.
After much talk of it, Kel and Dom had decided to travel to the Yamani Islands. It was one of the few places in the realm that was not either savage or enemies of Tortall. Besides, Kel had longed to see the islands again.
Dom was still asleep when she got there. She rolled her eyes and walked over to the bed. "Dom." She said, shaking him. "Dom, wake up."
He moaned and rolled over.
Kel laughed and punched him in the shoulder. "Wake up."
Dom rolled over and looked at her. "You know, this marriage is not off to a good start." He said, grinning. "We need to do some serious work." He said, grabbing Kel's wrist and pulling her over.
Kel smiled. "Why did you do that? Now, not only can I not get you out of bed, I can't get myself."
Dom wrapped his arms around her. "It's your honeymoon. You don't have to get up."
Kel smiled. "I do when we have a boat to catch from the Western port in two days."
Dom sat up and frowned at her. "You have a perfect way of ruining everything, do you know that?"
Kel smiled. "I learned from the master. Your cousin has a remarkable talent for it."
Dom kissed her again and stood up. "I guess this means I have to pack something, don't I."
Kel nodded. "I do too. One moment." She went into the hall and stepped into another spare room, where, in the closet, were two large trunks, which she then dragged back to her room. "No traveling packs for us this time." She said. "We aren't even traveling on our horses. It's a carriage all the way for us."
Dom smiled. "You're really excited for this, aren't you?" He asked in all seriousness.
Kel sighed. "It's just been such a long time. For years, the only places I've gotten to away from Corus or home were camps and forts, with maybe an inn along the way. And I think the last time I traveled in a carriage was when I first went to school." She smiled. "And it's been a long time since I've been to the Islands."
Dom smiled and nodded. "Fair enough."
Kel threw a pillow at him. "Just pack your things, will you?" She said. They spent a few hours packing, though Kel took much longer. She spent ages trying to figure out how to pack all her dresses. She was planning on bring quite a few, as she was going to visit with old friends of hers, many of whom were royal.
Finally, they were ready to move onto other things. Their carriage was coming at sunrise the next day, leaving them with the rest of the day and night before they left. For some reason, Kel was exhausted. After they came back from luncheon, she collapsed on the bed.
"I am so glad to be getting a break from all this." She groaned. "Why was getting married to you so stressful?"
Dom smiled and sat down beside her. "You are just full of cracks today, aren't you?"
Kel smiled. "I guess." She rolled over. "I'm going back to sleep."
Dom smiled. "If you get to sleep, then so do I." He leapt onto the bed beside her, and they both fell asleep.
They got into their carriage at sunrise the next morning. Kel actually practiced, as well as bathing and putting on breeches, a shirt, and a tunic.
"I thought you said you were going to wear dresses on this trip." Dom said, coming out of the washroom after his bath.
Kel raised an eyebrow. "Would you like to wear a dress in a carriage?"
He laughed. "Fair enough."
Many of the guests had gone back to Corus the day before, but Yuki and Neal were still there. "Have a wonderful trip." Yuki said, giving Kel a hug.
Kel smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way." She awkwardly picked up Andrea and kissed her. While she loved the young infant, she still was not too good with children. She turned to Neal. "Don't cause too much trouble while I'm gone, okay?" She glanced over at Yuki and smiled. "And make sure he eats his vegetables."
Neal frowned. "Leave me alone."
Kel smiled and hugged him again. "Don't worry, I realize that Yuki knows how to take care of you."
Dom grinned. "Yeah, Meathead, you'll be fine."
Neal scowled at them both. "I'm not going to hold a grudge." He said, holding his head high. "I'm better then that."
Kel smiled at him. "That's very noble of you. Now, we really must be off."
Dom held out his hand for her. Kel raised an eyebrow. She was not use to that. Dom winked at her. "You're still my wife, even if you can get into a carriage yourself."
Kel grinned at him and took his hand.
As soon as she stepped into the carriage, Kel felt the rush. She had spent the past day wondering why she didn't feel any different. Yes, she felt hung over, but she still felt like Sir Keladry of Mindelan, Lady Knight. She didn't feel like Keladry of Masbolle yet. But suddenly, as she stepped into this small carriage, she felt it. She belonged to someone. She was important to someone. She was someone's wife.
And strangely enough, she didn't mind the feeling of belonging to someone. In fact, it felt right. All the time she had wanted to be her own person, she felt like such a hypocrite.
As Dom sat down beside her comfortably she realized that she still was Sir Keladry of Mindelan. She was still Kel. She was still the young girl throwing stones at a spindren, she was still the young woman climbing Balor's Needle to rescue her maid, she was still the fine leader of a refugee camp in the Northern Provinces.
She was just also a wife. It was not something new, it was something to add to the list. Kel looked up at Dom, who smiled at her. He looked very much at ease. They were alone in this carriage, all red velvet and dark wood, and he did not own her. He held her hand. They were equals.
Kel was very quiet through the ride, these thoughts running through her head. When she finally pushed them to the back of her head, Dom had fallen asleep.
They stayed at an inn by the water that night. The smell of salt air wafted into their room, filling their noses, burning their eyes. Kel didn't mind. She loved smelling the salt, hearing the waves, feeling the cool breeze. She had always loved being at the shore, especially since it would be the last true fresh air and space she would get before a cramped boat ride.
But the boat ride was nothing like she remembered it. She remembered being cramped in a small room with her sisters, fighting over the best beds, going out on deck only to see people throwing up any which way. Now, it was open, and while there were many people, they all seemed used to sailing, and the room, a large room, made specially for newlyweds, was larger than all the Mindelan children's rooms combined.
"There's not enough adventure here." Dom said a few days in to the trip, as he paced around the table Kel was sitting at, reading.
She looked up. "Personally, I am very glad to have a break from it all."
Dom spun around and kneeled next to her. "Kel don't you miss it? The rides, the camps, fighting the wars, killing the bandits..."
Kel put her book down. "Dom, at the risk of sounding old, you should know this. You should not be feeling exhilaration when you kill someone. You should be feeling remorse. Besides, you have lived through war. The war on Scanra lasted for years, and I helped finish it. I'm not in any mood to start a new one."
Dom sighed and leaned against the railing. "You're right. I just don't like being cramped on this ship for so long."
Kel smiled. "It's only a few more days. Three, is it not?"
He nodded glumly.
Kel laughed. 'Cheer up. This is your honeymoon."
Dom smiled. "You know, I thought you would be itching for adventure before me."
Kel smiled. "Frankly, so did I." She looked at him. "I think I really needed this break."
The three days passed quickly. Kel spent most of it just sitting with Dom, trying to keep him entertained. She remarked at one point that he was like a young child, always needing attention, and he got on the defensive. It took quite a bit out of Kel to convince him she was joking.
Finally, they could see the islands. "There, right in the middle. Behind that first island is another island, where the palace is." She pointed out towards the islands.
Dom smiled. "I'm glad to have such a wonderful guide." He joked. He turned towards her and kissed her softly. "I love you. And I am sure I will love this trip"
Kel smiled. "We still have a few hours to kill, don't worry." She said, and led him back to their room.
Ooh, naughty Kel! Anyway... I had fun writing this chapter, even though it sucked.
But, on the upside, I had enough fin that I'll be writing a sequel! All new material, now that she's married... I'm just telling you now, I will not be bothering looking up all the proper stuff for the Yamanis. I'm going by memory here.
Wake-Robin: Aren't you happy now?
Dream Wall: of course. Epilogue it is.
Lady-kitty: I was thinking about that, but I decided that I'm not bog on the creating completely new main characters. Especially with a new generation, where new friends and enemies are needed. That just means that it won't really be a TP fic any more, it will just take place in Tortall. I only put in minor/supporting characters. And Cleon disappeared after he alienated all of his friends.
Dream Wall: Hey... double reviewing! No fair!
Lady-kitty: you too? Maybe my comp just says you both did it twice...??
Rubber Duck: yeah, I ahd some trouble trying to work around that, but I decided it was okay like that. Just so you all know, I think my sequel will have storyboards and everything, so that it truly rocks. Except that there is a distinct possibility that I will be too bloody lazy.
Tricksters-daughter: thank you! Yeah, I didn't study either. In fact, that's probably what I should do right now... oh well!
Pinky: that's basically exactly what I am doing.
Finny 4 Me: Ha, don't worry. But thank you for calling it a masterpiece!
JesuslUver: thanks. It's true, I could have. But the question is, did I really want to? I think I already mentioned this. But I don't know much about any weddings, and it really seemed to take too much energy. I always seem to do that. Skip over things that could be really interesting and detailed, and move straight to the action/ending. I just always fear people will be bored, reading the details of her wedding.
AJ 4EVA: thank you!
Jas2008: ha, I do my best for that.
Dreamerdoll: thanks! And yes, I am planning on writing a sequel.
Lady Helada: Thanks. Peace out to you too.
Ellabelle1: Check what I said to Lady-kitty. I'm not going to do a story on Andrea, but if any one would like to take the character and her history from my story, just email me and tell me, and you're welcome to use it. Email me so I can make sure that only one person uses it!
Mage Light: fine... grumble.
Java: thank you for the English. It makes me happy. And I can understand getting bored with it. Thank you for trying.
Ceri: I have always hated that! But I've heard that she's in the tricksters series, and that some stuff might happen, so I REALLY have to read them...or, if anyone has read them already and just wants to tell me what happens, that would be okay too.
LiLiMaLfOy13: thanks.
Lady of Masbolle: of course. Here you are. Ooh... there's another lady of masbolle in town now...and I think she's a better fighter than you...
PsychoLioness13: WHAT A WONDERFUL IDEA! Jokes. That's the plan.
Punky Cobain: I totally agree. I remembered him being a real love interest for her, but then I reread the books, and the only hint it gave was the last line, where Kel said she would like to sit down and have a conversation with him without getting interrupted, and that made her ride faster. Not including the butterfly-in-stomach crap. That doesn't count.
Rachel: See, that's where I heard that they talked about it (and I was flipping through the first one in Indigo, even though I couldn't afford the hard cover)!
Gwen: thanks. I do my best, though I kinda feel this chapter was a bit too girly, though I tried really hard to show all sides of Kel.
Ceri: you know, I can't even remember what happened in chapter 21.
Rachel: of course! I couldn't leave them at loose ends!
Gwen: yep...don't even remember that part...
Ceri: yep...
Rachel: GAH! I don't remember anything!!!!
Java: well, here is the chapter. I mean, I couldn't start writing it until I had that many reviews, so of course it will take a while!
Lady Helada: I think you mean 352. And you people have to give me time to write. I'm not a robot, you know!
Kerzikahn: the best? Thank you! And just so you know, it's spelled style. But good try.
Kelly Masbolle: no. no you can't.
Speaking of which, Rachel, Gwen and Cery sounded very similar in their writing patterns and in the way their reviews were repeated in the same order...come on, fess up, I've given you the chapter anyway!
Alright, just thought I'd mention: though they are really long, you should read the personal notes this time. There's some important stuff in there.
"A good way to threaten somebody is to light a stick of dynamite. Then you call the guy and hold the burning fuse up to the phone. "Hear that?" you say. "That's dynamite, baby.""
Ah Jack Handy. Where would we be without him?
-unolimbo