Kel stood on New Hope's wall, appreciating the sunrise. Breakfast would be soon, and the rest of her day would be spent teaching. While she was glad for a few moments by herself, she wished for a few movements alone with Dom. The last week and a half had been busy for both of them. Kel's heat ached; she missed spending time with Dom. Stop it, she ordered herself, you've gone years without spending time with him. You can do it for a few more months. Kel missed his touch, the way she melted in his arms. They hardly had time to say two words to each other, let alone be affectionate. Kel shook her hear to clear it, it would not do to have such thoughts throughout the day, and headed to breakfast.

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Dom rolled out of bed, dreading another day. The past week had been torturous. While he was able to briefly see Kel, they never had any time alone. Wyldon needn't have worried about being professional; both Kel and Dom were being kept busy sunrise to sunset. Dom had to content himself with longing looks and being able to sit by her at meals, when she came. Sometimes Kel was so busy, she forgot to eat. Dom tried to make sure she took care of herself, but it was so hard when they didn't see each other. If they were unable to spend time alone soon, both Kel and Dom would go mad. They didn't know they were about to get their wish, in a left-handed sort of way.

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Kel jumped out of bed, wondering what had woken her up so abruptly. Then she realized it, the call for "enemy" was being sounded. Swearing, she pulled on breeches and her hauberk over her nightshirt. Buckling on Griffin, she ran to the wall, where here fighters were assembling. Both Dom and Neal appeared at her shoulder. Even though she was still sleepy, Kel began barking out orders.

"Dom, command the archers on the wall. Neal, I want you to stay here and take care of the casualties. You're in charge if anything happens. I'll lead the frontal attack." Kel turned to yell for Tobe but found him standing nearby, Peachblossom saddled and glaive in hand.

"You forgot your pigsticker," he commented as Kel swung into the saddle. The gates opened and Kel led the men of the Own into battle. While New Hope had been caught off guard, the bandits hadn't expected to fight seasoned warriors. Kel led the men into an arc, clashing with the enemy. Kel spotted who she thought was the leader and made her way toward him. A swift pass of her glaive beheaded him. That was too easy, Kel thought as her heard someone call her name. Fire spread like lightning through her left shoulder. Hefting her glaive, she turned and sliced through her opponent. Kel didn't notice that they had won, she was too busy trying to stop the bleeding in her shoulder. The edges of her vision began to waver and gray.

"Dom?" she whispered as his worried face appeared in her line of sight. "I thought I told you to—" Kel fell off Peachblossom in a dead faint. Luckily, Dom was there to catch her. Swinging into Kel's saddle, he settled her in his lap, giving orders to the Own to clean up and return to New Hope.

"Damn," Neal said vehemently when he saw Kel. He got to work, stopping the bleeding and knitting the muscle back together. Luckily, the sword had missed any major blood vessels or muscles. While Kel might be stiff from time to time, she would retain the use of her left arm. When Neal finished his initial healing, Dom cradled Kel in his arms, taking her to the infirmary to rest.

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Kel woke up in the infirmary, feeling very alone and very stupid. Expect for Dom sleeping quietly on a pallet next to her cot, she was the only casualty being kept under Neal's eye. Dom stirred and peered at Kel through half-open eyes.

"You're awake!" He said, sitting up. "I was so afraid..." Kel could see the worry in his eyes. "I'm supposed to go get meathead now-"

"There's no need for that," Neal said from the doorway, "I was just coming to check on you, Kel. I'm glad to see you awake, you had us all worried for awhile." Neal sat on the edge of Kel's cot, checking her health with his magic. "You seem to be doing much better now. You still need to regain complete use of your left arm, but I'm going to release you. I don't want you to fight, or do anything strenuous." Neal smiled, "I'll keep an eye on you so I'll know when you've stopped obeying me."

"What happened?" Kel asked meekly.

"Well, you went out to fight, we won by the way, and were cut by a sword. They hit right where your chain mail stopped by your neck. You're lucky it didn't hit higher. Dom brought you back, where I used my wonderful skills to heal you," Neal drawled.

"Shut up, Neal," Dom said, "I'll help you back to your room, Kel." He placed a hand under her elbow, helping Kel to stand. They slowly make their way to Kel's own room, glad to be in each other presence. Kel gasped when she saw her desk. It was piled high with reports.

"What's that?" She asked in astonishment.

"Reports...and a message from the King." Dom handed her an official looking letter. Kel sat on her bed an opened it.

"They want us to go back to Chorus. Immediately," Kel looked at Dom, "Why would they want me to travel after I've been hurt, not that I mind, they just don't normally do this. And right after an attack, too." Dom smiled, but said nothing. He knew the reason they were heading back, having gotten his own letter from Raoul. "I'll tell everyone tonight, and we'll leave tomorrow. The Own and Neal are coming with us." Kel sighed and laid back on her bed, she was exhausted. Dom quietly let himself out of her room, smiling at her sleeping form.

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Kel spent the night wondering why she was being called back to Corus so urgently. Was there another war on the verge of breaking out? Kel thought she would have heard something, but one never knew. Even after a sleepless night, she was anxious to set out for the palace, for only when she reached her destination would she know why she was there. Kel saddled Peachblossom, blinking back tears as she gave Tobe a final hug. She had a feeling that he would be very different when she next saw him.

The group was quiet as they set out, it was early and many were still waking up. When they finally stopped for lunch, Kel cornered Dom.

"I know you know why were going back," she confronted him. He held his hand up in defense.

"I can't tell anyone." He said apologetically.

"Fine, I see how it is."

"Mithros Kel, the King forbade me to tell anyone." Kel crossed her arms over her chest, pouting. "Are you mad?" Dom asked.

"No, never with you." Dom took the opportunity to kiss Kel for the first time in weeks.

"Hey!" Neal shouted, finding them, "We're heading out."