Chapter 3-I Love You's and The Lists
Two nights after the encounter with Raoul in her room, Kel and Cleon had finally dared to kiss again. (After looking around corners for the knight of course.) He hadn't brought up the subject, but shot a look at them while they ate. Kel recognized that look. It was the same one he used on soldiers who looked as though they may question orders. But the sweethearts didn't care. They would see each other anyway.
The day after midwinter ended, Cleon slipped into Kel's room early in the morning. He set himself to setting out clothes and fixing a bath. By the time Kel woke up, everything was ready and the water was still hot. Sitting up, she met Cleon sitting on her bed. Rubbing her eyes she said, "What are you doing here?"
Cleon kissed her and said, "I came to see you. Oh. And give you a surprise."
Kel smiled. He was so sweet. She pulled herself out of bed and looked around. She saw the clothes and watched the steam waft lazily out of the bathroom. "You didn't have to do this.' She told him.
He smiled. "But I wanted to."
-
Later that day, Kel and Cleon went to check the lists. The first tournament was scheduled to start the next day. Cleon's eyes scanned the lists. "Well, it doesn't even look like you're on for…hello. Mithros save us, it's come back. Do you really want to die a virgin?"
Kel laughed. "Oh stop. I've survived Wyldon twice." She looked at him, but the look on his face told her it wasn't Wyldon. "Cleon? Who is it?"
Cleon swallowed. "Raoul."
-
Wyldon had told him she was ready. In his heart Raoul knew that Kel was an incredible jouster who would be some real competition. But he didn't want to hurt her. He shook his head. Kel would beat him for thinking she couldn't do it.
"Raoul! Are we going to dinner or not?" Buri yelled. Raoul jumped. "Coming!"
-
Cleon had forced Kel to go to sleep. She knew he was right, but the longer she had to stay awake without being able to talk to him as a distraction, the sicker she became. Finally she fell to sleep.
'Charge!' she whispered to Peachblossom. The horse ran to its fastest speed as the assault on Raoul came closer. Suddenly, Kel was thrown from her mount and blacked out. She came to a second later to see her lance unbroken. A sharp pain ran through her lance arm. She turned her head to see a large piece of wood protruding from her shoulder. Cleon tried to run to her, but Raoul stopped him. He advanced on Kel. Looking at her with a look of deepest disappointment, he said, "I expected better from my squire." He walked away, shooting back glances that became fiery. Suddenly he became a great dragon, blood red in color. He turned back, flew to the point he was right above her. Suddenly she was engulfed in flame.
Kel woke up in a cold sweat. She looked around her. She had planned to be up before sunrise to practice with her glaive, but to her horror the sun was already up. "Mithros save me! I'm going to be late!"
-
Cleon was pleading with the herald. "Please. Give Lady Kel ten more minutes. I'm sure she just overslept. She'll be here. I know she will be."
"No. The joust was to begin at 10:00! She should know better!"
"Please. I beg you. Kel has never been late for a joust before. Couldn't you give her some leave…"
Kel ran up. "I'm here! Please! I'm here!"
The herald looked around. Lord Wyldon nodded. "Fine. Mount up."
Kel climbed on Peachblossom who had been saddled by Owen. Owen was always willing to help her. The flag was lowered. "Charge." She whispered to her horse. Peachblossom took off at full speed. Kel lowered her lance; her aim she hoped was true.
CRACK!
Both lances hit and shattered. Kel felt a sting in her shoulder. She looked down, afraid of what she'd see. She gasped at the large piece of wood stuck there. Raoul rode over. "She needs a healer!" he cried. Neal ran over. He glared at Raoul. Looking at Kel he said, "This may hurt a bit." He pulled out the overlarge splinter and quickly applied healing to it. "Better?"
"Much. Thank you." Kel replied. Raoul clapped her on the shoulder and rode back to his side. Once again the flag was lowered. "Charge."
Peachblossom again attacked with fury, but once again both riders remained on their horses. For the final time the flag was lowered. "Charge."
But this time, something was different. Kel couldn't place her finger on what it was, but she lost her focus at the wrong moment. Kel was thrown from Peachblossom and landed hard on her back. Raoul and Cleon rushed over. Cleon tried to hold her, but Raoul stopped him. "Are you alright?" Kel nodded, trying to sit up. Cleon pushed Raoul out of the way. "Are you sure you're alright?" Kel smiled.
"I'm fine Cleon. I've had worse scrapes than that." She thought back to her fight with Blayce the previous year. "Much worse."
Cleon raised his eyebrows as if to say "When?", but Kel shook her head. Cleon helped her up. "You're not jousting any more today. Come on. You and I can go and spend the day in town. You got pretty beat up in there."
Kel nodded, afraid that if she opened her mouth again she'd vomit. Cleon helped her over to the palace to change.
-
That evening, the pair returned with their faces red from the cold. Cleon laughed. "That was so much fun."
Kel smiled. "Especially when you threw a snowball at Wyldon!"
Cleon blushed, and then laughed. "He'll never know it was me!" Cleon's face became serious. "Kel, you had me scared out of my wits today. One good hit from Raoul and I could have lost you…" Kel looked confused.
"Sorry?"
Cleon turned to face her and grasped her hands. "Kel, I know I said this in the library, but I mean it more than ever. I love you."
Kel's breath caught in her lungs. She looked Cleon in the eyes. "I love you too." Cleon pulled her in and kissed her. Neither one saw the shape in the shadows.
A/N: Cliffhanger! Aren't I evil? MOO HOO HA HA! I'm sorry to say that things may not be updated much now that school's almost over. Our school's being stupid with internet use (apparently it slows down the already slow and retarded system) and I can't get to the library much with guard starting tonight. (WOOT!) My summer's incredibly full, so please don't kill me if I don't update much between now and September. I will update as much as humanly possible. Thanks guys! New chapters coming ASAP! Now who could that shadow be?...oh, and my case of the plot bunnies is going to be kept to a minimum since I've really got to watch being on the internet in school now…Ok, now I'm rambling…Byes!