Chapter 10 Visitors

Kel rubbed her temples as she held back a yawn. The meeting in Raoul's conference tent had long since rotted and even Kel, the keen Knight and servant to her Sire became bored with the proceedings. She took a sip of her fruit juice, and held back a wince as the syrupy sweetness from the fruits of the south assaulted her tongue. The cool juice had the desired effect on her though, she was instantly at attention, not being able to doze of with a dozen different flavours refreshing her mouth.

Dom himself sat beside her, as Raoul insisted that he take part in the actions, saying that as a young noble man rising in the world, he should be on the forefront of all action, especially if he was to rise more. Kel happily agreed, quietly of course, just the soothing presence of Dom sitting beside her kept her nerves calm and her head clear. It was a weird feeling, now that she thought of it, that she relied on Dom to keep her composed, but at the same time, she dare not question nature's doing.

Raoul went on, retelling every one of the passages into Tyra, the ones that should be used, and the ones a smart man would avoid. A man in the scouting company looked at Raoul and said quietly; "Then King Shima would use those roads, I suppose?"

A brief chuckle went round the tent. Lord Raoul sighed, wiping a tear of laughter from his eye. "At least I can find comfort in knowing that my men will have a sense of humor, even in the gravest of times." With another look over his map and notes, Lord Raoul made a motion with his hands. "I think that everyone has had enough for tonight. Morning will come quickly as it is, and I'm sure some of you would like a few hours of sleep before breakfast."

The tent murmured in agreement. Everybody was looking for the comfort of his or her bedroll and tent. Kel rose with everybody else and made a move towards the entrance. Raoul stopped her. "Kel, is something bothering you? You seem distracted."

"Distracted? How so sir?" Kel replied, not wanting to give anything away, for Raoul might just be sniffing at ghosts.

"With young Domitan." Kel looked up at Lord Raoul sharply. His eyes twinkled with the wisdom that came with age.

"And how would I be distracted with Dom?" Kel laughed lightly. Her mind was anything but light as Dom's name was mentioned. "He's a friend, and Neal's cousin, and nobody I would consider a distraction. Especially in the way that you mean." She put on her Yanami mask, so Raoul wouldn't be able to see how flustered his question made her.

Raoul, Kel's respected old Knightmaster, looked deeply into Kel's eyes for a moment. "If you're sure Kel."

"I am sure. Besides, I'm way too busy for any kind of distractions. Love or otherwise." Kel said firmly, giving him a reassuring grin. Lord Raoul looked at her oddly for a moment and let her go, thinking that his old squire was as stubborn as a wooden board and wouldn't tell him anything before she was good and ready.

-

King Shima sat in his Great hall, surrounded by his courtiers amusing themselves with Fools and eating their dinner. He watched as the ladies of the court fluttered about like graceful butterflies, the colours on their dresses adding to the effect. He could have his pick of them, for they all had their own ambitions, wanting to be in the favour of the king. They knew that if one of them became the King's favourite, their families would be more respected and given many favours from the king, whether it be land or titles.

Catherine, the lady who last had his attention had been nothing more then a whore, a lady of no virtue. As much as King Shima had disovered pleasure in the willingness of the lady, he wanted somebody with more substance and more to offer, yet at the same time, could take commands and follow them though in detail.

One of the ladies that the King of Tyra was watching was a raven-haired girl with bright green eyes and a generous figure. Shima knew her family well; they were the Duke and Duchess of Fairaway, a castle in the north. Two sons who had became Knights, and one who became a mage. Shime looked thoughtfully at the maiden, she must be no more then seventeen. Still young enough to be able to bear ample sons, so Prince Jonah, Shima's brother could not claim the throne if King Shima died in an unlucky accident.

Price Jonah. Shima thought the name with discuss as he gripped his wine cup with white knuckled hands. The name put a sour taste in his mouth, which he promptly washed out with the strong dark wine. The brother that Jonah had hated all him life, for he was bigger, stronger, more loved by his father. Shima grinned a twisted grin. The irony that on his deathbed, his father had named him King, instead of Jonah. Shima gave a chuckle. He remembered well the look of disbelief on all the courtiers in the room at the time, and the absolute shock that had registered on his brother's face.

Shima had savoured the looks, and had kept them in his head for weeks, becoming drunk on the feeling of disgust his brother must have felt for him. The King gulped down the rest of his wine, and motioned to a servant that he wanted it refilled. He then gulped down that glass and leaned back as he felt the effect of the liquor starting to wash over him. The servant refilled his glass again and waited behind the King, ready to fill it up again. The King put his goblet down on the table, and scooped up chucks of beef and potato in thick gravy with a chunk of wheaten bread.

He chewed, surveying his court again. As King, he could do anything he wanted. He could command all the citizens of his country to walk around on their hands if he wanted, and with the military, nothing, and nobody could stop him. He smiled drunkenly.

That was just the way he liked it.

-

Kel winced at the early morning sun. After the conference meeting ending in the wee hours the night before, Kel found it hard to get up when the morning wake up call was sounded. She rolled out of bed, pulled on a work tunic and breeches and climbed out of her tent. She went to check and see if Tobe was up, saw nobody in his tent, so she headed off to the mess tent for breakfast.

Grabbing a bowl of hot porridge and an orange, she walked towards a group of soldiers that she knew from the King's Own, third Company. She nodded to Captain Wolset and set herself down next to Dom.

"Good Morning." She greeted the men as she arranged herself, spooning milk and honey on her porridge and pouring herself a glass of juice. "How was everybody's sleep?"

Dom groaned and rubbed his eyes, looking blearily at her. "Not nearly long enough. I'm not much of a morning person as it is, but this – this is cruelty."

Captain looked at Dom and said with the utmost respect. "Sir, I don't know what you're talking about. I had a wonderful full nights sleep. The fresh air did me good." He flashed Kel a wink and ducked as Dom flung a grape at his head.

"Don't make me use an orange." Dom said jokingly, and he grinned as he spooned a mouthful of porridge into his mouth.

Kel laughed at the dramatics, and ate in silence as a loud voice boomed over the hall. "My dear cousin! And if the back of her does not mistake me, my lovely friend Kel, as well. What a reunion this is, all of us back together! What a happy couple!" Kel grinned at the voice, and choosing to ignore the last comment he made she jumped up.

"Neal!" She gave him a hug and held on tightly. "What in Mithros are you doing here?"

"Meathead." Dom said dryly. "They actually let you loose?"

"Kel…" Neal smiled warmly at her. "And dorkus maximus." He stuck his tongue out at Dom. "It seems that they needed the quickest mind, and most cunning of wits here on the border of desperation, that is Tyra, so I have traveled far, gone through the most impossible feats to come here before you and –"

"Escort me." Another voice from behind Neal answered. "Honestly Queenscove, can't you do anything without prose?" The King's Spymaster and Alanna the Lioness's adopted father stood before them.

"Sir Myles of Olau." Kel bowed, and Dom followed after her. "It is an honor."

"Pfft." Sir Myles said, "The honor is all mine Lady Knight Keladry and Sergeant Domitan. I've heard much about the both of you, most of it from Lord Raoul, who holds you both in high respects."

Kel flushed, pleased with the compliment. By the sparkle in Dom's eyes, she knew he was honored that Lord Raoul had talked good about him too.

"Well I am honored to be in the presence of all of you, so honored that I must –" Neal burst in, ruining the moment.

Myles laughed. "You like the sound of your voice too much Sir Neal."

Neal pouted. "That's what my mother always said. Then she'd make me muck out stables."

Myles grinned. "You must have deserved it, the Lady Queenscove I know only does things like that if there is dire need. I must be going though; I am to meet Lord Raoul in the Headquarters. Farewell." Myles of Olau nodded to them and walked out of the mess hall.

"Neal, I must say. You seem oddly awake for such an early time in the morning." Kel commented, motioning for him to come and sit with her and Dom, so they could finish their breakfast.

"Ahh yes. The early morning doves of the dawning sun." He held back a yawn. "This is late morning compared to the time Sir Myles likes to start riding."

"Why were you sent? Weren't you supposed to look after New Hope? How is it? Is everyone okay? Owen?" As soon as Kel stared the questions she couldn't stop. She just remembered how much she missed the place.

"I was sent because Lord Stump thinks that Owen is very responsible and Merric is now with him. Everyone is okay, and they all send their greetings. And Owen… well, he's still as excitable as he was when he was twelve." Neal grinned, helping himself to a spoonful of Kel's porridge. "Thank you… I needed the nourishment. Yuki sends her love."

Kel sighed, thinking of all the friends and family she had back in Corus and New Hope, with all the new happenings, she had forgotten how much she missed them all. Dom's hand came up and landed on her shoulder, rubbed her arm in a reassuring way and Kel instantly felt better. Neal noted to gesture with a raised eyebrow, but said nothing, judging it in his own way.

Dom looked at Neal. "So Meathead, how long will we be graced with your company?"

"A fortnight, I'm to help scout and keep watch, while I'm here with Sir Myles, but when he returns to Corus, so do I." Neal said, pouring himself a cup of cider.

"Good." Kel said, thinking to herself. It was nice to have Neal back; she had missed her best friend. Besides, if nothing else, Neal could always be counted on to keep things interesting.

To be Continued…

Author's Note: May I say I am honored? Whoever nominated me for the Tortall Hero's Awards… wow, thank you. I was very, very surprised. Now, about this chapter. Not as much Kel and Dom fluff, but more of (I hope) a plot development. Neal's back…. Woo hoo… and be prepared for the unexpected. More Kel and Dom fluff in the next chapter… I promise. Honestly.