"Kel! It's so good to see you again! Come, there are many here who wish to see you, to talk with you. I'll go with you," Kel was only dimly aware of these words as they reached her ears. She couldn't make sense of what they meant, or who was saying them.

The hand on her arm was much more firm though, and when it wouldn't let go, Kel gave in and followed it. Slowly her stupor faded and when it finally vanished all together she found herself at the headquarters of Fort Steadfast, with Yuki beside her, still gripping her upper arm.

"Oh, Yuki. Well, um… Thanks," Kel looked down as she felt a blush mantle her cheeks. Since when have I shown this much emotion, she thought, angry with herself. "I appreciate you bringing me here…" Both Kel and Yuki knew this was a cover up as Kel's voice trailed off. Kel had been to Steadfast many times before, and she knew the layout of the fort well.

Gently Yuki placed her hand under Kel's chin, and made the girl meet her eyes. There was understanding there, and suddenly Kel realized that Yuki knew how she felt. The Yamani allowed a small smile to touch her lips, and told Kel, "After you meet with my lord commander, come to me, and we will talk."

Kel nodded her head in agreement, then turned to walk inside. A noise behind her caused her to turn, and she watched as Neal jogged up to her. A fleeting vision of what he must have thought when he saw her and Dom like that passed through Kel's mind, and she realized how awful it mush have been for him.

Neal stopped in front of her, "Mithros and Great Mother Goddess, Kel! What do you think you were doing! Could you imagine what Lord Raoul or Lord Wyldon would have done if they had seen that! How could you allow yourself to be put in that kind of situation!"

Kel regarded her friend with impassive eyes, her Yamani mask once again under control and in place. She felt bad for what she did already, and she also didn't need Neal to tell her what could have resulted, "Neal, we have to go talk with Lord Wyldon. He is expecting us." With that she turned around and walked into the building.

"Figures she would use the Stump as an excuse," he murmured as her caught up with her, saying, "We are not done with this conversation, you know, I'm not done with you."

"Fine Neal," Kel said, her voice clipped, "Fine." She stopped in front of the main office door, and tried to fix her appearance. Slowly Neal came over and helped her to straighten her hair and tunic. She allowed him to as she randomly tugged on one sleeve of his shirt, untwisting it.

Finally ready to see Lord Wyldon and give him their reports, Neal bowed to Kel, indicating that she should knock.

"Enter," An imperious voice called. Kel and Neal both exchanged a look, then let themselves into the office of their former training master. Lord Wyldon was sitting behind his desk, with a few sheaves of paper in one hand. Indicating the two chairs in front of him he said to Kel and Neal, "Welcome back to Steadfast, Lady Knight, Sir Nealan. Please take a seat."

Gingerly the two lowered themselves into the chairs after a quick bow. Both were still unaccustomed to sitting in Wyldon's presence, the seven years he had trained them still leaving its mark.

"Lady Kel, as commander of New Hope, I will hear your report first. I hope all is well," Lord Wyldon paused to pour water into three cups, and give one to each Kel and Neal. The third he kept cradled in his fist as he listened to Kel begin.

"All is well sir," She replied, "The harvest has been gathered, and New Hope herself is beginning to look like an actual town." Here she stopped, to see if Wyldon thought she was being pert. To her astonishment, he actually smiled.

"So your people have done much work in the little time they have had," He made it a statement, not a question. "It is good to know that you have strong people to support you."

Kel ducked her head quickly, pleased by the compliment to her people. Looking up she said, "Thank you my lord. It means much to us that you would say that."

Wyldon accepted her thanks with a slight wave of his hand. Before turning to Neal he asked, "Is there anything else you wish to report?"

"No, sir." When Wyldon looked away Kel began to rise, so she could bow and take her leave, but Lord Wyldon waved her back down. "Not yet, Mindelan. I have something else to discuss with you after Queenscove's report."

"Yes, sir," replied Kel as she resumed her seat.

When Wyldon's gaze fell on Neal, the green-eyed healer began to talk, "My lord, all goes well in the infirmary. All the residents of New Hope have been examined by either my father or myself, and all are in good health. We have a strong people, well cut out for the work ahead."

"Well done. Now, I am sure that you have other things to see and do here. You are excused." With a bow Neal took his leave, but shot one questioning glance back toward Kel before walking out the door.

Lord Wyldon waited until Neal's footsteps had receded before speaking to Kel. "Mindelan," he began gruffly, "This," he waved the sheets of parchment slightly, "Came for you this morning."

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And that's another chapter done. Yay!

I know Kel seems really jerky right now, but that is only temporary. She will be back to her normal self very soon. Well, almost normal, I promise.

And to my reviewers, thanks for the reviews! Yea, that was corny, but I mean it!

I also need everyone's help! I need a boys name that fits in with the time period, because I am horrible with names, and I can never think of a good one. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

R&R please!

Sull89 :D