The Threads: Chapter 3
***** A/N: Well, I'm writing this the same day as I wrote Chapter two, so there's only been one more review. Thanks AJ whoever you are! So far, in my two reviews, there's been no criticism, so now I feel happy! Ahem, on with the story. Oh and sorry its so depressing...itll get better ;)
***** A slow, solemn song was played by a band, all in black. There was a slight breeze, a prelude to spring. The sky was blue, and there were no clouds in sight. It was a beautiful day, but no one was enjoying it. Instead, chairs were out, filled with hundreds of people. Naturally, since the funeral was not just for one person, or even one family. As well as Lady Keladry's friends and some third cousins twice removed that were the only family she had left after the murder, also present were the families of the riders that had been massacred. It was especially saddening, because none of the girls were older than 20 or 25. In some far reaches of her mind, she knew that she should be grieving for them as well, for their ruined families, but she couldn't. It just wasn't fair!! 'Why do they only get away with one death, when my entire family is dead?' she thought to herself. She watched as slowly the procession of coffins went by, one after another. Faintly, she heard some sobbing, and felt angry. 'They don't know hurt' she thought, 'not until they've been through what I have.' Yuki, her Yamani friend, was sitting next to her. She looked at Kel, slight concern showing on her usually emotionless face.
"Kel? They're bringing your parents," Yuki whispered. Kel. She looked up, her face wracked with grief.
*~*~*~*~*~*~ (hehe I love making pretty patterns with these)
It was a few weeks after the funeral, and Kel was slowly returning to her regular schedule. One sunny morning, she could be found out at the practice fields, the first time since coming back to Corus. She had set up the hardest target – a whippy willow ring that only the most skilled of jousters could touch, let alone get their lance through. It didn't help that it was also a breezy day, which made the usually jumpy ring totally hyper! She was riding her large strawberry-roan gelding, Peachblossom today. She whispered into his ear the words that Daine had taught both of them, in order to avoid the spur (A/N: took me the longest time to remember that word) "Charge," Peachblossom jumped ahead at full gallop towards the ring. Kel set herself, and sighted the target. The lance went through the middle of the ring, and it snapped off. She could hear clapping by the fence, a reminder of the time that Raoul had chosen her as his squire. The sun was blocking her view however, so she trotted up to her audience. Shading her eyes, she looked down on a smiling Neal and a blue-eyed Sergeant. She grinned down at them, and then jumped off of her horse.
"How are you doing these days?" Dom asked, "I haven't seen much of you around."
"Well, you know, I was keeping busy for my return up North. I still haven't been told where I was posted." A shadow passed in front of her eyes, and Dom knew that no matter how much she looked like she had healed, she was still hurting from the events of the last few weeks.
"When you two are done staring at each other, I will mention that my stomach is starting to get rather grumbly, and as much as I hate those vegetables, I wont get any less hungry standing here." Kel looked away from Dom blushing and hiding her face in Peachblossom. Little did she know that Dom was also blushing just a few feet away from her. Neal looked from one to the other, grinned, and then raced up the hill to the palace.
"Last one to dinner's a rotten egg!" He called laughing.
"Hey, no fair, I still have to put Peachblossom away!" Kel protested, also grinning. She jumped on his back and galloped to the stables. When she got to the stables she slowed down to a walk, and then hopped off his back, leading her horse inside. It was in fact, very relaxing to rub him down and talk about her problems to him. He was a very smart horse, and a very good listener, even though Neal said he was a menace and should be shot down (jokingly of course). After talking some things through with him, she jogged up the menace of a hill that led to the palace. She slowed her pace as she walked into the dining room. Looking around, she tried to spot Dom or Neal, but before she could, she was assaulted by a medium-sized whirlwind.
"Kel! I'm jolly glad you're back! It's been so boring with just Meathead and his cousin here!" Kel laughed and smiled at Owen of Jesslaw, but before she could reply, a drawling voice answered Owen.
"And since when have I become the Meathead to you? What is this world coming to?" he sighed melodramatically. Kel stifled a giggle, then ran into the ever growing line to get her food.
"Well, since Neal looks occupied, may I have the honor of joining you in this line?" Kel looked up into Dom's piercing eyes and gulped. 'Think Kel, think,' she thought to herself, and then realized she was thinking, a thought that made her smile at herself.
"Of course you may good Sir," Kel replied just as seriously, fighting to keep a straight face. He then elbowed her, ruining the moment and they pretended to fight until someone yelled at them to move up in the line. They got their food and sat down with Neal, and waited for Owen who was just getting his food.
"So, there any other knights down from Scanra yet?" Kel asked in between bites of food.
"Not that I know of," replied Dom, "But then, I'm not the knight of the family."
"I'll have you know—," Neal started.
"That a knight from Queenscove, yadayadayada," both Kel and Dom finished at the same time. They looked at each other and laughed. Neal pretended to look downhearted, but unfortunately failed, because at that moment, Owen came up and managed to drop a hot bowl of soup on his feet, which caused him to jump around looking much like one of those monkeys that Kel had read about. Even though the scene was hilarious, she did feel sorry for the newly made knight, and helped him mop up, then went to get him some more soup. Throughout the rest of dinner the three boys and Kel laughed and joked. When she was back up at her rooms, she sighed, 'Just like old times,' she thought to herself. Of course in "old times" she hadn't known Dom, Neal hadn't been in love – well, not really – they hadn't been to war, and her family still existed. She felt tears prickling the corners of her eyes at those thoughts, tears that had been threatening all day, but before she could feel too sorry for herself, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," she said, hoping that whoever it was could cheer her up. When she looked up, Raoul had stepped into the room.
"Hello Kel, I came to tell you your assignment for the next few years, or however long it happens to be." He smiled at Kel, but then became serious again, "It's a new fort, just built, called Asilo. Lord Wyldon and I decided it would be a step up in commanding for you as it is nowhere near any of the other forts." Inwardly Kel sighed. As much as Raoul tried to make it sound good, Kel knew that they were still babying her.
"Am I to have soldiers at this – fort –?" Kel asked.
"In fact, yes, you will have some squads from the King's Own. I think you know Sergeant Domitan?" He inquired. At that, there was a knock at the door, and Dom himself stepped into the room. He saw Raoul talking to Kel, blushed furiously, and turned around.
"I-I'll just wait outside then," he said. Raoul turned around.
"No actually, you can stay, we were just discussing you." Dom turned around and tentatively took a chair.
"You-you were?" He asked.
"Yes, now, as I was saying Kel, Sergeant Domitan here will be commanding the three squads that are to be with you. You will be leaving in two weeks. I will discuss more with both of you later." With that, Raoul got up and went out of the room. Kel watched him leave, and then got up, clearing her throat meaningfully. Dom looked up at her, and then stood up quickly.
"Oh-oh yes, well, I was just coming-to-uh-," Dom was confusing her.
"Yes?" she encouraged.
"Well, uh, Neal mentioned that you, well you didn't have an escort to next weeks Spring ball, and well-I-was-wondering, well if you would like me to escort you?" The last part came out in a rush. Kel's eyebrows lifted, giving her a look of faint surprise, then smiled. She nodded, then blushed herself.
"Oh! Well, I guess that's-um-settled then isn't it? Well, I'll see you later Lady Keladry. I have-uh-sentry duty to attend to. Yeah, that's it." He walked out, leaving a confused Kel. 'Sentry duty? In the middle of Corus? I thought they had the Guard for that.' Oh well... ************ A/N: Well, the end of that chapter had a much nicer and lighter note – see, didn't I say it would? Anyway, I've already written part of Chapter four, so it should come up quickly. I'm having fun with this! PS: I forgot the disclaimers for Chapter 2 and this one so here's the disclaimer for the rest of the story: I don't own anything that is Tamora Pierce's. There happy?
***** A/N: Well, I'm writing this the same day as I wrote Chapter two, so there's only been one more review. Thanks AJ whoever you are! So far, in my two reviews, there's been no criticism, so now I feel happy! Ahem, on with the story. Oh and sorry its so depressing...itll get better ;)
***** A slow, solemn song was played by a band, all in black. There was a slight breeze, a prelude to spring. The sky was blue, and there were no clouds in sight. It was a beautiful day, but no one was enjoying it. Instead, chairs were out, filled with hundreds of people. Naturally, since the funeral was not just for one person, or even one family. As well as Lady Keladry's friends and some third cousins twice removed that were the only family she had left after the murder, also present were the families of the riders that had been massacred. It was especially saddening, because none of the girls were older than 20 or 25. In some far reaches of her mind, she knew that she should be grieving for them as well, for their ruined families, but she couldn't. It just wasn't fair!! 'Why do they only get away with one death, when my entire family is dead?' she thought to herself. She watched as slowly the procession of coffins went by, one after another. Faintly, she heard some sobbing, and felt angry. 'They don't know hurt' she thought, 'not until they've been through what I have.' Yuki, her Yamani friend, was sitting next to her. She looked at Kel, slight concern showing on her usually emotionless face.
"Kel? They're bringing your parents," Yuki whispered. Kel. She looked up, her face wracked with grief.
*~*~*~*~*~*~ (hehe I love making pretty patterns with these)
It was a few weeks after the funeral, and Kel was slowly returning to her regular schedule. One sunny morning, she could be found out at the practice fields, the first time since coming back to Corus. She had set up the hardest target – a whippy willow ring that only the most skilled of jousters could touch, let alone get their lance through. It didn't help that it was also a breezy day, which made the usually jumpy ring totally hyper! She was riding her large strawberry-roan gelding, Peachblossom today. She whispered into his ear the words that Daine had taught both of them, in order to avoid the spur (A/N: took me the longest time to remember that word) "Charge," Peachblossom jumped ahead at full gallop towards the ring. Kel set herself, and sighted the target. The lance went through the middle of the ring, and it snapped off. She could hear clapping by the fence, a reminder of the time that Raoul had chosen her as his squire. The sun was blocking her view however, so she trotted up to her audience. Shading her eyes, she looked down on a smiling Neal and a blue-eyed Sergeant. She grinned down at them, and then jumped off of her horse.
"How are you doing these days?" Dom asked, "I haven't seen much of you around."
"Well, you know, I was keeping busy for my return up North. I still haven't been told where I was posted." A shadow passed in front of her eyes, and Dom knew that no matter how much she looked like she had healed, she was still hurting from the events of the last few weeks.
"When you two are done staring at each other, I will mention that my stomach is starting to get rather grumbly, and as much as I hate those vegetables, I wont get any less hungry standing here." Kel looked away from Dom blushing and hiding her face in Peachblossom. Little did she know that Dom was also blushing just a few feet away from her. Neal looked from one to the other, grinned, and then raced up the hill to the palace.
"Last one to dinner's a rotten egg!" He called laughing.
"Hey, no fair, I still have to put Peachblossom away!" Kel protested, also grinning. She jumped on his back and galloped to the stables. When she got to the stables she slowed down to a walk, and then hopped off his back, leading her horse inside. It was in fact, very relaxing to rub him down and talk about her problems to him. He was a very smart horse, and a very good listener, even though Neal said he was a menace and should be shot down (jokingly of course). After talking some things through with him, she jogged up the menace of a hill that led to the palace. She slowed her pace as she walked into the dining room. Looking around, she tried to spot Dom or Neal, but before she could, she was assaulted by a medium-sized whirlwind.
"Kel! I'm jolly glad you're back! It's been so boring with just Meathead and his cousin here!" Kel laughed and smiled at Owen of Jesslaw, but before she could reply, a drawling voice answered Owen.
"And since when have I become the Meathead to you? What is this world coming to?" he sighed melodramatically. Kel stifled a giggle, then ran into the ever growing line to get her food.
"Well, since Neal looks occupied, may I have the honor of joining you in this line?" Kel looked up into Dom's piercing eyes and gulped. 'Think Kel, think,' she thought to herself, and then realized she was thinking, a thought that made her smile at herself.
"Of course you may good Sir," Kel replied just as seriously, fighting to keep a straight face. He then elbowed her, ruining the moment and they pretended to fight until someone yelled at them to move up in the line. They got their food and sat down with Neal, and waited for Owen who was just getting his food.
"So, there any other knights down from Scanra yet?" Kel asked in between bites of food.
"Not that I know of," replied Dom, "But then, I'm not the knight of the family."
"I'll have you know—," Neal started.
"That a knight from Queenscove, yadayadayada," both Kel and Dom finished at the same time. They looked at each other and laughed. Neal pretended to look downhearted, but unfortunately failed, because at that moment, Owen came up and managed to drop a hot bowl of soup on his feet, which caused him to jump around looking much like one of those monkeys that Kel had read about. Even though the scene was hilarious, she did feel sorry for the newly made knight, and helped him mop up, then went to get him some more soup. Throughout the rest of dinner the three boys and Kel laughed and joked. When she was back up at her rooms, she sighed, 'Just like old times,' she thought to herself. Of course in "old times" she hadn't known Dom, Neal hadn't been in love – well, not really – they hadn't been to war, and her family still existed. She felt tears prickling the corners of her eyes at those thoughts, tears that had been threatening all day, but before she could feel too sorry for herself, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," she said, hoping that whoever it was could cheer her up. When she looked up, Raoul had stepped into the room.
"Hello Kel, I came to tell you your assignment for the next few years, or however long it happens to be." He smiled at Kel, but then became serious again, "It's a new fort, just built, called Asilo. Lord Wyldon and I decided it would be a step up in commanding for you as it is nowhere near any of the other forts." Inwardly Kel sighed. As much as Raoul tried to make it sound good, Kel knew that they were still babying her.
"Am I to have soldiers at this – fort –?" Kel asked.
"In fact, yes, you will have some squads from the King's Own. I think you know Sergeant Domitan?" He inquired. At that, there was a knock at the door, and Dom himself stepped into the room. He saw Raoul talking to Kel, blushed furiously, and turned around.
"I-I'll just wait outside then," he said. Raoul turned around.
"No actually, you can stay, we were just discussing you." Dom turned around and tentatively took a chair.
"You-you were?" He asked.
"Yes, now, as I was saying Kel, Sergeant Domitan here will be commanding the three squads that are to be with you. You will be leaving in two weeks. I will discuss more with both of you later." With that, Raoul got up and went out of the room. Kel watched him leave, and then got up, clearing her throat meaningfully. Dom looked up at her, and then stood up quickly.
"Oh-oh yes, well, I was just coming-to-uh-," Dom was confusing her.
"Yes?" she encouraged.
"Well, uh, Neal mentioned that you, well you didn't have an escort to next weeks Spring ball, and well-I-was-wondering, well if you would like me to escort you?" The last part came out in a rush. Kel's eyebrows lifted, giving her a look of faint surprise, then smiled. She nodded, then blushed herself.
"Oh! Well, I guess that's-um-settled then isn't it? Well, I'll see you later Lady Keladry. I have-uh-sentry duty to attend to. Yeah, that's it." He walked out, leaving a confused Kel. 'Sentry duty? In the middle of Corus? I thought they had the Guard for that.' Oh well... ************ A/N: Well, the end of that chapter had a much nicer and lighter note – see, didn't I say it would? Anyway, I've already written part of Chapter four, so it should come up quickly. I'm having fun with this! PS: I forgot the disclaimers for Chapter 2 and this one so here's the disclaimer for the rest of the story: I don't own anything that is Tamora Pierce's. There happy?
