A/N: Well, here's the second chapter. Hope you like it! And please, keep reviewing. Thanks.
Disclaimer: I own only the plot. Characters and other elements are compliments of Tamora Pierce.
Merric of Hollyrose, Neal, and Kel made good time when traveling to Steadfast. The weather was abnormally cold for mid-October and their canteens froze everyday. There was no snow yet, though, so the conditions did little to affect their speed. They just bundled themselves up in layers and blanketed their horses. Peachblossom, Kel's war horse, was in a foul mood and Neal learned to stay at least ten feet away at all time, due to Peachblossom's fondness of biting him.
They arrived at the fort to find that Alanna, known as the Lioness, the king's champion, would be joining their party. She, too, had been granted leave to attend the wedding. The Lioness was Neal's old knight mistress and infamous for her temper across the known lands. She was the only other Lady Knight in Tortall.
The young knights had one blissful night in Steadfast before they set out again, but this time with all of Third Company and several others. Despite the weather, most were in high spirits, even going so far as to attempt to entertain Raoul by singing bawdy love songs in honor of his wedding. They only stopped when Alanna threatened to behead them with a dull sword.
Kel found herself riding by Dom more and more often. They talked about everything, from the Yamani islands to battle tactics. Both respected one another as commanders and they found common ground in that.
The nights were growing steadily colder and often they found no inn or rest stop to accommodate them, forcing them to sleep in tents outside. Finally, Alanna approached Kel and said, "Listen. I can't stand the cold and I freeze in that piece of fabric they call a tent. I know you have that scruffy little dog, but another body won't hurt. Unless you have a lover lying about hear somewhere, would you mind if we shared a tent?"
Kel blushed deeply, but was grateful for the offer. "Of course, Lioness. I wish you had told me sooner."
Alanna sighed. "It's nights like these when I miss my husband most."
"It must be hard, leaving him and your children for so long."
"Yes, yes, it is. Speaking of husbands, I've noticed you have been spending a lot of time with a certain sergeant." Alanna looked very smug about her observation.
"Who? Dom? We're just friends." Kel tried to look as convincing as she possibly could.
"Whatever you say," replied Alanna smiling brightly. "Let's give our horses a little exercise and catch up to Raoul. He may be too content to sit there gazing at Buri." Alanna had watched Kel for a long time; though she was forbidden to help her throughout her page and squire years. Instead, she sent her mysterious gifts that baffled the poor girl. Still, she had not spent enough time with her quiet counterpart to be able to read her all the time. Alanna did, however, remember herself when she was in love. She could see how Kel and Domitan of Masbolle looked at each other. Her keen eyes were often unobtrusively observing the two as they rode together or talked at dinner. They could have convinced almost anyone else that they were just friends, but Alanna knew there was something else there. Under Kel's Yamani mask she had hidden something more than friendship. And, the way Dom looked at Kel when her back was turned confirmed that the feeling was mutual. 'They probably don't know it,' Alanna thought, 'but it's true. They will find out soon enough.' She smiled very slightly from her place behind them. 'I'll bide my time, but not for long.' Later that night, Kel sat around a fire with Dom, Neal, Yuki, and Merric. All of them were bundled in blankets and huddled close because of the cold. People all over the campsite were doing the same thing around various other fires. Neal, Dom, and Merric were arguing about the benefits of mages and Kel and Yuki were talking about Mid-Winter balls. Eventually, Neal and Yuki rose to go to bed. Yuki not-so-subtly kicked Merric on her way out, who decided that he too was tired. Dom and Kel were left alone with jump, the old terrier who was Kel's companion.
"We're getting close now," Kel said. "A couple more days at most."
"Excited to dance with all the boys at the fancy balls?" Dom teased. He smiled as his blue eyes locked on her hazel one.
'I could lose myself in those eyes,' Kel decided as she hastily looked down. 'I can't afford to do that.'
"A little." Kel smiled. "Though I doubt there will be much dancing with boys. At least my lord has Buri this year to occupy his time," she said, tactfully changing the subject.
Dom shuddered and glanced at Raoul's tent. Raoul was known for hating social functions.
"You just like the balls because you get to dance with all the pretty noble girls," Kel said jokingly.
Dom locked eyes with her again. This time, Kel could not look away. "What about you lady knight?" he said quietly and seriously. Kel had not realized how close they were sitting. She could not take her eyes off of his, sinking deeper and deeper into his gaze. Dom began to lean forward slightly. "I've never danced with you before." Kel leaned forward to him. Just as their lips were about to meet, a dog barked sharply nearby. Kel jumped back in alarm.
'Just take deep breaths,' she told herself, 'and don't look at him. What just happened?'
Quietly, she said, "It's late. I have to go to bed."
Dom was still attempting to make eye contact, but failing. "Yes, so do I. Goodnight." Kel got up quickly and called to Jump, who followed her to the tent. "Sweet dreams my darling," he whispered after she had walked away.
'Did she want to kiss me?' he asked himself as he stumbled toward his own cold tent. 'Was it my imagination, or did we almost kiss?' He fell onto his sleeping roll but had a hard time falling asleep as thoughts of Kel swirled through his head.
They arrived in Corus three days later. Kel had completely avoided Dom during that time. Both were confused about what happened, or was going to happed, but did not want to confront each other. Their friends noticed, but to everyone else, things appeared completely normal.
It had begun to snow and a soft layer of white covered everything. Their party was admitted through the massive gate. The city was more beautiful in the winter than Kel remembered. She had been away for a long time. Bright ribbons hung from the doors in honor of Midwinter and the tantalizing smells of roasted nuts drifted across the streets from the carts of vendors.
'It's good to be back,' Kel thought contentedly as she dismounted at the palace stables, 'To be home.'