"Kel, I would like you to join the King's Own! Join me Kel please!" Dom dropped his hand back down to his side.

"Oh Dom, is this all this is about? Couldn't it have waited? I have many things to do presently!" replied Kel, more than a little hurt and disappointed, her many years with the Yamani's put to good use as she hid her true feelings from him.

"No this isn't all this is about. I wish you wouldn't dismiss me so lightly Kel, I think you have the wrong ideas about everything."

"Well that's just great Domitan!" said Kel being cold and formal. "You think I'm wrong about everything. That's just great isn't it! Now if you'll excuse me I have more pressing decisions to make. I have to leave in two days and return to the village. I am here on business and have to report to my Lord very soon."

"My dearest Kel, I never knew you had such a fiery temper. Much too like the lioness. I fear the next lot of female knights this realm has to offer if both you and Alanna have such fiery tempers. I only meant by my last comment about you having the wrong ideas about us. I value your friendship and honest opinion. You have such a strong and good heart, but if you wish for me to leave you I will. I care about you too much to see you so angry at me."

Dom walked away looking very miserable indeed and Kel felt depressed and guilty about the way she had spoken to him. She didn't have time to deal with him now. She would speak to him later.

She entered the Chamber as silently as she could. Glad to see you could make it back to us Keladry, and I do believe a congratulations is in order. Not only have you survived that ordeal but the realm is balanced once again and I for one thank you.

"I thank you for your compliments and you're welcome. Is there any other way in which I can help you?" Kel replied quietly, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Yes there is actually.

"I knew I shouldn't have asked," mumbled Kel. Can I at least have."

A vision? Yes you may! Replied the chamber. Kel closed her eyes and she could see her camp, the village, finished and she could then see herself leaving. She looked at if she was traveling west, judging by the sun. In the distance she could see hundreds of people, seemingly slaves. Did Tortall and their allies know about this? Thought Kel as more images flashed through her mind.

There behind her was Dom and the Own. They were obviously on her side and helping her with whatever the Chamber was now assigning her. It seemed a very difficult task and she knew then that she would need the Own's help.

She could feel herself drawn away from the slaves and their guards towards a flat piece of land where she would start yet another fortress and a strong barracks. The stronghold would be called the Southern Cross. It seemed only fitting. It would help her prepare for the attack on the guards, whom she still had no idea who they were.

"Thank you!" replied Kel when the vision had ended as she brushed the tears from her eyes. Even after seeing all the dead people, men, women and children, she could not get used to it, and in her vision were hundreds of dead people. No one deserved to be a slave! Thought Kel fiercely. Kel walked out of the Chamber.

Now on to lunch, thought Kel wearily. She sighed and walked down the hall. Kel had her mind on other things and did not see the person in front of her as she bumped into them. It was Lalasa, her maid and seamstress. She had not seen the girl for quite a while. Lalasa, also lost in thought looked up sharply and began apologizing then saw it was Kel and hugged her.

"Oh my lady, I've so much news to tell you. I'm so proud of you, the way you defended all those people!"

"It has been quite a while," replied Kel as she hugged her back then Lalasa held her at arm's distance to get a good look at her.

"Yes Dom was right. You are maturing quite well, turning into a heartbreaker," said Lalasa absently. Dom had been talking to Lalasa about her? Thought Kel, her heart pounding once again. Perhaps she had been too hard on Dom. "Tobe is looking after you very well my lady! I'm so proud of him. He's been preparing your room ever since he returned, and he's been very anxious in waiting for you. I remember too well the amount of trouble you'd get yourself into." Lalasa laughed and Kel laughed with her. It felt good to laugh and to know she's been missed.

"Enough with the "my lady's" just call me Kel. So how've you been?"

"Oh my shop is doing really well. I'm so pleased. That reminds me, you need your shirts mended and Tobe has already seen to bringing those in his possession to me now I just need your other ones if you don't mind."

"How much will that be and I wont accept nothing as an answer." Lalasa laughed and shook her head.

"You haven't changed much Kel. Please it would be an insult for me to accept anything from you. I am happy doing it for you. Well I'm sure you have many things to do. I will come by your room later. I think I still have all your sizes correct." "I'm sure you do. I shall see you later then Lalasa," replied Kel as she hugged the girl again and they went their separate ways.

"So you've finally made it?" said Neal as he moved over to make room for her at their table in the mess hall.

"Yes, I ran into your cousin and Lalasa."

"Oh and what did Lalasa have to say?" asked Neal, his eyebrows arched.

"Just that things were going well and that she was going to mend all my shirts. She hasn't changed very much, she still talk a lot when she's excited and mumbles." Kel laughed, as did Neal. Their laughter caught the attention of many other knights and squires that were in the hall. Kel didn't know if she wanted to take a squire and as the Chamber had not either mentioned it or shown her anything that would help her in that aspect, she decided she was on her own in the department. Just then Lord Wyldon approached their table.

"Good afternoon Mindelan."

"Good afternoon my Lord," replied Kel evenly.

"Have you word of the village for me?" he asked

"Yes my Lord, I have sent my scribe to your office with the reports."

"Oh? Brought a scribe with you this time Mindelan? Well aren't we the official one?" he said and laughed.

"Kel!" called a familiar voice from across the room. Kel's head turned in the general direction and there was Sir Raoul of Goldenlake, beckoning her to his table. He seemed very happy and excited to see her.

"I will speak to you in my office later. I shall have someone send for you. Enjoy your lunch," said Lord Wyldon as he walked away leaving her to walk over to Raoul.

"Well hello there Sir!" she said as she accepted the seat Raoul offered her, after he hugged her as a father would, she hugged him back with the same affection.

"Please Kel, have you forgotten my need for informality? Call me Raoul," he said and laughed.

"Sorry Raoul. Too much time in the sun can do that to a person," she replied and he roared with laughter.

"Please forgive my rudeness Lady Buri, I did not mean to be so insolent," said Kel apologizing. "Oh please Kel, call me Buri. Much like Raoul I dislike formality. The wedding will be enough of that."

"As you wish Buri. So have I been missed terribly?" asked Kel jokingly.

"Well yes actually," replied Raoul in all seriousness. "A certain commander of the King's Own has been muttering about your return for several days, as has a young boy you might remember."

"Hmmm, well I shall have to see Tobe soon before he thinks I've deserted him."

"Well we need to finish up in the palace, if you'll excuse us Kel?" replied Buri and Raoul nodded.

"Sure, I need to see Tobe anyways," replied Kel with a smile. They all exited the hall and Kel finally got to her room. As soon as she opened the door, Tobe came hurtling at her. He threw his arms around her waist and hugged her tight.

"I've missed you so much Lady! Please don't ever go away for so long again!" said Tobe.

"Yes I missed you too Tobe and I will try not to leave you for so long again but I can't promise. Normally you're with me and I know you will always be close to me in the future. You'll probably get sick of serving me soon and will want to do something else. Have you spoken to Daine as I asked you to?"

"Not yet mother. I know I should but can you please come with me? I would appreciate it very much!" Tobe grinned at her relentlessly. He was such a cute kid and Kel couldn't help but yield to his requests. Her room was spotless, he'd done such a good job with it that she couldn't help but go with him, no matter how tired she felt.

Tobe grabbed her hand and they walked down the halls til they reached Master Numair and Lady Daine's room. Kel knocked enthusiastically on the door showing no trepidations. Numair answered and seemed delighted to see her.

"Good afternoon Kel, and with Tobe I see," he said and grinned at them both.

"Afternoon Numair, is Daine about?"

"Yes she is, Daine!" he said calling behind him. "Please come in," he said and stepped aside for them to enter.

"Oh hello Kel, it's good to see you again oh and 'Master' Tobe I see, how wonderful," said Daine as she hugged the girl and smiled at Tobe. Kel smiled.

"I've brought Tobe with me as he seems to have a gift with horses, I thought you would be able to help Daine, or even yourself Numair?" said Kel as she sat down on the chairs provided by Numair.

"Yes we could both possibly help. I heard about what you did in the 'Last battle' and I have to say I was most intrigued. I spoke to the horses and they say they listen to you and respect you and say that you can talk to them and listen to them. I had meant to seek you out earlier but I had some pressing engagements to attend to," replied Daine heartily.

"Thank you," replied Tobe sincerely. "I just like horses and they seem to like me well enough."

"Yes they do. Have you thought about becoming a stable hand?"

"Well I like attending to Kel, she is very entertaining you see and she keeps me well occupied," replied Tobe as if Kel herself wasn't even in the room. He always spoke so freely when he was comfortable.

"Hmmmm. I can see your enjoyment at staying with Kel. She's a lovely girl but is that what you want to do for the rest of your life? Be her sidekick?" said Daine. I smiled at the thought of Tobe being my sidekick.

"Yes!" he stated firmly.

"Well that's settled ain't it?" said Numair as he laughed merrily.