Chapter 4: Return to Corus/ A kiss
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, everyone. Sorry about the long time between updates! I just caught chicken pox off my brother and I get to take another two weeks off school, after which I come back to exams. Whoop-de-doo. I also read Trickster's Queen – borrowed off a friend. Yay!
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Kel nocked another arrow to her bow, sighted, and let it fly. The arrow thudded into the bullseye. She turned to the sergeant on her right. "You can equal, that, surely?" She allowed a teasing tone into her voice.
"Of course," Dom replied, not sounding unduly worried. "After all, you're not using your griffin arrows this time." Kel scowled at him, and he laughed. "No, just joking." Dom took his own sweet time selecting an arrow, tugging the feathers into line, checking it was straight and finally nocking it to the bow, which he raised and adjusted...again...and again...and again...
Kel sighed and waited. It was long past dawn, and if Dom didn't hurry up, they would be late for breakfast. Not that she really minded. It wasn't every day that the blue-eyed sergeant asked her to practise archery with him, and her life was getting busier by the day. Who knew when she'd next spend time with him alone? With the rumour of his betrothal heavy on her thoughts, she realised that this would probably be one of the last. He couldn't stay marry and stay in the Own, as she well knew.
"Bullseye!" Dom broke into her thoughts, punching the air and grinning. "Just like the last, what, twenty or so?"
Kel rolled her eyes and went to collect her arrows, clustered like a spiky hedgehog around the inner circle. "All right, Sir-I-have-to-make-my-point. Let's call it a draw. I want to eat breakfast already."
Dom pouted but followed suit. He groaned when he saw her target board. "You still got more bullseyes than me, anyway."
Kel eyed at his target board, then made a non-committing sound. "Well, all yours are embedded much deeper than mine. I guess I still need to train my upper arm."
Dom shrugged. "You're already very good, Kel. All these arrows are deadly to the people on the receiving end, and that's the main point of archery after all."
Together they walked to the mess hall, where most of New Hope's soldiers were already gathered for the morning meal. Neal saw them and gestured for them to sit with him. He handed Kel a slip of paper. "A messenger from Corus brought this for you from Raoul."
Kel sat and read the note. When she finished, she turned to tell the two men, to find Dom eying Neal's porridge bowl and the pepper shaker. Kel slapped his hand away. "Bad boy!" she scolded. "Don't interfere with your cousin's porridge!"
Dom stuck out his tongue at her, but couldn't help grinning. "Yes, Mother."
Neal prodded his porridge with a spoon. He tasted it tentatively, then spat it out in disgust. He scowled furiously. "He completely ruined my porridge!"
"Nonsense! I simply gave it a bit more flavour, to zest up your morning!"
Kel rolled her eyes. "Goddess! Would you two act within five years of your ages, please!"
"You just like Dom more than me, don't you. Favouritism!" Neal accused.
"Neal, right now I like a hurrok more than you," Kel informed him while Dom smirked. She showed the two the note. "Raoul orders us back to Corus for Midwinter celebrations."
Dom frowned. "The squads as well?"
Kel nodded. "Merric is taking command. I'll have to announce it tonight. The building is almost finished anyway; it should be fine without the squads."
Dom hmmed and spooned porridge down. He used to love winter in Corus. There were the Midwinter parties, and all the pretty girls he could flirt with. A ghost of a smile played around his face. Maybe this year he should do what some of the other men did – proclaim their love to the girl they liked. And away from the refugees, I might just stand a chance, Dom though wryly to himself.
Kel munched on a bread roll as she gazed around the room, filled with talking soldiers. "I won't be seeing this place for a while then...I'm going back to the Yamani Islands for a month after Midwinter, and by then I suppose the war will be over."
Dom stopped himself from groaning. Even if he did declare his love for Kel at Midwinter, she'd be leaving for a month-long trip straight after that. Was everyone plotting against him?
He wished Kel a safe trip and tuned into the conversation, which had now turned to Yamani sights and attractions. Seeing Kel's eyes light up as she talked about the ancient artefacts and breathtaking scenery, Dom sighed. It was hard to be annoyed when he saw her so looking forward to her holiday. And she deserved it, after all the work that she'd done, he knew. Dom resolved to ask her the date she'd be returning. That was the day that he could look forward to.
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Two weeks later, Kel, Neal and three squads of the King's Own arrived at the Tortallan Palace in Corus at last. Kel stretched in her saddle and smiled at Neal and Dom, who flanked her sides. "Home at last. Not a bad ride, don't you think? We managed to beat the snow, at least."
As if the Gods had heard her, tiny snowflakes began to drift slowly from the sky. Neal grimaced and dismounted quickly. "You jinxed it, Kel," he told her with his usual optimism.
Kel yawned. "Oh well...it's not too far to your rooms from here. You can be nice and warm by the time the snow really starts coming down." She slid from her saddle, landing heavily. The long ride had definitely taken its toll on her.
"Careful there, Kel," Dom, already on the ground, put out a hand to steady her. He grinned, a look of boyish mischief on his face. "Need help getting to your rooms?"
Kel raised an eyebrow at him. "Thanks for your concern, Sergeant, but I'm fine. You and Volorin and Aiden go and report to Raoul now," she ordered. Kel whistled to Jump and her sparrows, then handed Peachblossom to a waiting Tobe and stumbled off to her rooms.
Neal looked questioningly at his cousin. "Why don't you ask for a regular pass to her rooms while you're at it?" He slapped his cousin playfully in the stomach.
Dom was staring after Kel, an absent minded look on his face. "Actually, I wouldn't mind that," he murmured, then realised what he had just said. Before Neal could say anything, he walked away quickly to the King's Own stables, signalling for his men to follow. No doubt he was going to have to do some explaining, and do it soon. He could feel a migraine coming on already.
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Dom strode through the snow, boots crunching on the ice. He smiled when he saw the scene that awaited him – Lady Keladry sat on one of the courtyard benches surrounded by sparrows. Some pecked seed from the ground around her, while others perched on her shoulder and ate from her hand. He was surprised to see her so contented and peaceful – then again, they were moods which did not really suit a squire serving the Commander of the King's Own, or a commander of a refugee camp.
"Having fun there, Lady Knight?"
Kel looked up, surprised. "Dom!" She stood up, scattering sparrows and seed. "Yes, I was actually. Until you came."
Dom grinned, unperturbed. "Don't worry, I know you secretly love me." He couldn't have known how close he was to the truth at that moment. He sat next to her. The sparrow called Tenshi, named for the white halo marking on its head, immediately transferred herself to him, peeping for food. A/N: tenshi angel "You'd better head inside soon. The weather mages say the snow's going to get heavier."
Kel raised an eyebrow, but saw her sparrow and handed Dom the food bag. He proceeded to feed Tenshi, who gobbled the seed eagerly. "Don't you worry your head over my health, Sergeant. I'm going in soon enough. But I do like to enjoy the snow for a while. All this report-writing is driving me crazy."
"Don't worry, it's a passing pain." Dom stood up, stretched, then offered her an arm. "Want to walk?"
Kel accepted his arm and stood up, shaking snow from her coat. "All right." She thanked the Yamanis endlessly for the strict protocol that allowed her to keep the blush off her face. For now, anyway.
Slowly they strolled around the palace and its gardens, discussing the new government of the Copper Islands. Politics was always the main talk in the palace. Dom had noticed that Kel was an idealist very quickly– she talked about the slaves in both Carthak and the Copper Isles with a kind of quiet passion. "And the thing is that they don't treat them like humans any more. Under the luarin government, whole villages of the native people could be slaughtered in a heartbeat. I only hope that the new queen can change the laws about things like that."
"Very good," smiled Dom. "Thinking of trying for a spot on the council?"
"Very funny, Domitan."
"The queen will change the law, I'm sure. She's half raka herself – she won't allow her people to be treated like that," Dom reassured her. They stopped in their walk, at a point where they could gaze up and see the full glory of the Tortallan Palace in winter. "It's quiet today," he commented.
"Everyone's probably preparing for the party tonight," Kel observed. "At least, all the ladies prepare themselves at least half a day before the actual event."
Dom stared up at the magnificent structure, glass windows shining in the light. He seemed uncommonly pensive. "So is this what we fight for, Kel? So rich men and ladies who care about the way their hair is piled on their head can have parties and sip wine and nibble at cakes?"
Kel considered this. "Maybe it seems like it sometimes. But when we fight for peace...we fight for everyone in Tortall, including yes, rich men and ladies who care about the way their hair is piled on their head. But it's also for the servants, and the commoners...so they can live in peace as well. And sometimes I think...the peace that we achieve for the commoners is better than the peace of the nobles. Their lifestyle might be harder, but they don't have to put up with people stabbing you in the back because you're female, or the viper's nest of gossip at the palace."
Dom stared at her for a moment. "Maybe you're right," he said softly. They continued on their stroll of the palace gardens. "There's a party tonight," he commented.
"Yes, I know. I got the invitation this morning." She made a face. "Are you going?"
Dom nodded. "Everyone's coming to this one – it's one of the last parties of the season." He tugged her sleeve playfully. "Come. It might be fun!"
Kel rolled her eyes. "Yes, these things always are," she said, unable to keep the sarcasm dripping off her lips. Dom smiled. "Adele is going, isn't she?" she asked as an afterthought.
Dom nodded again. "But I'm not going with her." Suddenly, the huge bell that tolled out the hour rang. He sighed and let go of her arm. "I'd better go – I'm meant to meet with Raoul and the rest of the squad leaders. Sorry to leave you out here, Kel. You can find your own way back, can't you?" he asked teasingly.
Kel hid a grin. "No! I need, a big strong, man-creature to help me back to my rooms. I don't know how I could survive without you..." Dom snorted. "No, it's no problem."
Dom grinned, then hesitated and to her surprise, leaned down and kissed her quickly. Then he turned away abruptly and swiftly started walking away. Kel thought he must have regretted doing it, until he turned back and waved cheerily to her. "So I'll see you at the party, then?"
Kel could only stare after him in a stupor. This was either a very strange day, or a very good dream. She pinched her arm, to feel a sharp stab of pain. She winced. Studying self-defence in the Islands sometimes had its drawbacks. Kel rose and walked slowly to her rooms. Dom had given her a lot to think about.
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A/N: This may be the last chance to update for a while..TT Everyone, review please!
ladyla: I'm meant to be back to school too hope you enjoy this update!
Reina del Noche: Thanks very much!
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Immortals gurl: Thanks so much! I'll be able to update more after my evil exams are over..
Evilstrawberry: Thanks. Characterisation is so important to me...
Atlanta Enchanted: Here we go!
dreamerdoll: Hehe. You're one of the best KelDom writers out there, along with Pheep and Saraswarthi, so of course you can write!
dragon shadows: Hmm, well I guess it's necessary to make her think that...Kel's been pretty unlucky at love, it seems. Thank you very much!
DrStrangelove007: Thank you!
Sayadaine: Thanks very much! I'll update as soon as I can.
warrior of tortall: I'll save the fluff for later ;)
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nebulia: This is just one of those things that I must win - for both our confidence as writers
