Chapter 4:

~ Time is too Short ~

The sound of banging on her door awoke Keladry of Mindelin from her slumber. She slid out of her bed, trying not to disturb any of her visitors. Jump grumbled in protest, but curled into the warm indent where Kel previously lay.  Bleary eyed, she walked to her door, struggling with a robe. She swore softly, trying to get her arms through the proper holes when her door burst open right in front her. Jumping back in surprise, she stumbled over a nearby chair. Regaining her footing, she turned to her intrusion.

A blue-eyed sergeant stood there trying to not laugh. "Good-morning to you fair Lady Knight. Sorry to wake you up, but if we are to leave for New Hope, we have to leave now."

Kel's heart raced, and it wasn't due to Dom's close proximity. "Oh no, there's nothing wrong, is there? Everyone's fine? Is something wrong?" She began to fire off questions at Dom, running around and packing her stuff. Throwing open one of her bags she began piling in all her belongings.

She froze when she heard Dom start to chuckle.

"No Kel, calm down. Your little chicks are doing just fine at the moment, even without their mother hen clucking about. Lord Raoul is leaving with Buri and the Third Company today, and he wanted to make sure that I was coming back with you and Meathead to New Hope." Dom smiled sympathetically. "I'm sorry if I got you worried."

A shoe flew, and Dom felt the wind rush past his left ear. Jumping back towards the door, he yelped. "So you're not a morning person…" He said, moving with grace towards safety. "I did say I was sorry."

"You scared me!" Kel said, her voice rising with irritation. The sparrows cheeped on the bed in protest, telling her off for being so loud. "Well, I am truly sorry if I woke you up, it is past dawn!" He voice began to climb higher in the scales of sound. She broke off, her voice catching. "It's just last time we had to leave immediately for Haven-" She shut her mouth recalling the nightmare that she had to live through. 

Dom looked at her in confusion, and then a look of knowing passed across his face. "Kel," He voice was calm, as if he was trying to sooth a jittery horse. "I am sorry for making you worry. I never meant it that way. I was just wondering if I was still going back with you. Also, if we want to get there by tonight… we have to leave now. Tobe is waiting to pack your things." His tone of voice changed. "Even as fetching as that attire is, you might want to change first."

Kel made a noise of frustration, flopping down on her bed. "I'll see you down at breakfast." She commented, shading her eyes from view.

"You have five minutes, then I'll get Tobe after you. He'll set you straight." He grinned. "Until then…" He saluted mockingly.

He left, shutting the door behind him. Kel stared up at the ceiling as her heart returned to its normal rate. Breathing slow and deep, Kel calmed herself down. She knew she shouldn't have reacted so emotional, but since the last time she had to be rushed to her charges… she didn't like the outcome. Changes into a riding tunic and soft breeches, she tucked her brown shoulder length hair behind her ears. She rubbed her eyes, willing herself to wake up, and headed out the door.

~*~

After a satisfying breakfast Kel, Tobe, Dom and his squad prepared to head out for New Hope. Since Yuki was staying at the fort for a couple of days longer, Neal would come back to New Hope when she left. Kel was grateful that she didn't have to ride back with him; he'd be as grumpy rabid bear.

Kel mounted Hoshi, making all last checks on her gear and bags. Tobe was waiting patiently next to her on a spritely, piebald mare that he had found in Scanra.

"We have it all, Lady Kel." He said calmly, moving his mare towards the gate. "Don't you worry or fuss."

Dom came up behind Kel, humming under his breath. Pausing he said; "Ready?"

Kel nodded, moving Hoshi to catch up with Tobe. Dom fell into step beside her, and his squad robe behind them, laughing and talking amongst themselves. Kel sighed, happy to get back to New Hope, it was a part of her now, the town and everyone in it. It'd be good to settle herself in the affairs of New Hope then struggle with her own feelings. She looked at the blue-eyed man beside her, thinking about the torture it had been the past few days, putting her head first instead of her heart. Normally, she had no problem hiding her emotions, but he either brought out the worst in her, or the best.

"Lady Kel," Tobe's voice broke through her thoughts. "Do you think you'd be able to show Loey how to roll when she hits the ground? 'Cause she's been tryin' to get it right, but even though she won't admit it, she's gettin' 'urt." He looked at her hopefully.

"I don't see why not Tobe," Kel answered him. "I showed her once, but I can easily show her again. Are you getting it right yet?"

Tobe ducked his head. "I am… I think."

Kel laughed. "Are you just asking for Loey, when you want help yourself?" Kel grinned at her young charge. "Tryin' to keep your male pride?"

Tobe looked as frustrated as a male should when he's been found out. Dom laughed from Kel's left side. "Poor man, she just doesn't understand, does she Tobe?"

"Nah, she doesn't sir." He sighed, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.

Kel laughed, "I guess I'm just a female without a clue. Of course I'll show Loey and you again."

Tobe ducked his head, and then came up, grinning. "Thank you Lady Kel, you see, I wanna beat Illivoin."

Illivoin was a new refugee that had arrived with his family after the Scanran war. They were a sorrow filled bunch when they first arrived, for the family had lost a member. Illivoin sister hadn't been found after the Scanran's had raided their village. But, they were coming around, becoming more involved with the activities of the camp.

"Tobe," Kel said, worried about his fascination of keeping up with the older boy. "I'm not teaching you these skills to make fights out of nothing. It's to defend yourself."

"I know Lady Kel, but if he wants to fight…" He paused seeing the look on Kel's face. "I wouldn't fight him." He put on an innocent face, looking as charming as he could at age eleven. "I wouldn't ever." He put such emphasis in his words that Kel laughed.

Tobe gave a half grin, and then slowed down to join the soldiers behind them. Kel was left at the lead of the group with Dom riding beside her. "Were you ever like that?" she asked Dom, mirth clearly heard in her voice.

"Was I ever like what? Like Tobe?" Dom answered, looking at her.

"Uh huh, eager to prove yourself. Well, that's how I see him." Kel replied, reaching down to pet Hoshi, a comforting gesture for the both of them.

"All boys are." Dom grinned. "All boys want to seem tough, so all the lady's will fancy them." He winked at her. "I still do."

Kel felt a blush rise to her cheeks. Ignoring it she said, as calmly as she could. "Do you still want all the lady's to fancy you?"

Dom grinned wider, turning into a boyish lopsided grin. "Nah…"

'Nah'? Kel thought. Is that all he was going to say? She nodded; a whisper in the back of her mind was desperately calling for attention. The nagging twitch that she might divulge in when she had time to let her mind wander became urgent, harder to ignore. The thought that maybe he felt half the way about her, as she felt about him was a thought that sent chills down her spine. A thought that allowed her to dream of days that seemed as if they'd never arrive. A thought that she'd never share with anyone else, ever.

"Are you involved with any of the court ladies?" She asked, partly because of idle gossip that she heard, partly because of her own desire to know, and partly to place the center of attention on him, instead of her.

"Nah," He repeated. "But I'm assuming that there are a lot of broken hearts because of it." He smiled, glancing around him.

"I bet there are." Again, Kel felt as if she was the one being interrogated, and yet, he hadn't even asked her about anything.

A silence followed their talk; they could hear the soldiers and Tobe talking behind them about the news in Tyra, the news of King Maggur, and Tobe was telling the soldier about the changes since they've been there. All in all, it was a peaceful ride back to New Hope. The sky was turning into an orange-purple sunset when they stopped for dinner. Kel began to set up the things for dinner and asked the sparrows to scout around the area, as Dom began making a small fire. The soldiers began to take out food, as Tobe lead the horses to a nearby stream for a drink, and then allowed them to graze.

"I don't know how he does it." Dom said quietly, waiting Tobe. He flipped the chunks of ham over, so they would cook on the other side. Kel added some vegetables to the pot, which would become a stew.

"How who does what?" Kel asked, cleaning the knife and placing it away.

"Tobe. He doesn't even tie them up, he just lets them roam free, and yet they don't move beyond a certain point." He sighed in wonder. "I wonder what it would be like to talk to animals."

"I guess they can be reasoned with," Kel said, crunching on a raw carrot. She offered one to Dom and he took one, biting it in half. "Maybe it's just the matter of setting a certain boundary, or notion, and they understand it. I bet it the same with the Gift."

"Hmm. Maybe." With a shrug, he went back to cooking the ham and stirring the stew. "It must be something to experience though."

Kel nodded and walked over to their packs, double-checking straps and such, making sure they were ready to leave as soon as dinner was done. At the rate they were going, they could make it to New Hope just before dark. As a matter of fact, they were making excellent time, stopping only to share food and let the horses have a rest. Maybe it just seemed shorter because on this trip, she didn't have Neal complaining about the loneliness of being away from Yuki, and she had Dom charming company instead.

Dinner was finished and cleaned up, the horses were fed, watered and well rested, and Kel, Tobe, Dom and his squad were about to leave. Kel whistled once, calling the sparrows to her. Raising her left hand and moving it forwards, backwards, then in a sweeping arc, five sparrows flew in opposite directions, being Kel's eyes behind and way up front.

~*~

They reached New Hope just before dark, and Kel could hear the familiar and comforting sounds of patrols coming in. The sentries in the walls saw her, and trumpeted a song for upcoming riders. A member of Dom's squad trumpeted back, signaling that they were friends.

A young, but loud voice could be heard coming across the clearing. "Lady Kel!" It said excitably. "Lady Kel is back."

The gates opened up and the civilians greeted the group of travelers. People were rushing to and fro, welcoming them, taking horses as the members dismounted, and in Tobe's case, being crushed into a big hug that included Loey, Meech, and many other children from the town.

Dom leaned forward and whispered in Kel's ear. "I guess the mother is back in the nest."

To be continued…

Valencia22:  Thanks for reviewing… also for the compliments.

Clarylissa:  Thank-you.

Ladyknight: I know… I love K/D fics too! I have a writing style? Anyways, thanks for reviewing.

Black Jaguar12:  I plan to… tell me what you think about this chapter.

Lady of the Lilacs: Since K/D is so popular; it's amazing that there is so little of it.

Angel of Wind:  Dom is most defiantly the greatest. I love him dearly… especially when he's paired up with Kel.

Lady Mage Dragoness:  I will keep writing… I enjoy it as much as reading. Thank you for reviewing.

Intellectual*monkey: Err… wow. Thanks! That was extremely positive… I can't think of much to say to that then, thanks!

WildMage789: Plot is coming up next chapter… well there are some hints about it in this chapter and in some previous ones… but you got to look for them... because I'm not going to spoil the surprise.