Disclaimer: the characters and story are not mine, the all belong to TP,
A/N: ok, I'm very sorry for not updating in so long but I've been ill and VERY snowed under with coursework, thank you to everyone who reviewed its great to have people who enjoy your work, anyway here's the next chapter.
Recap: She nodded, thankful that the darkness hid her heavy blush. Dom relaxed back "I never said I didn't want to get married" he commented, Kel stopped fiddling with the hem of her dress,
"But"
Ch4: Truths and twists
Kel looked back at Dom; he was staring up at the star coated sky, "Dom?"
"Mmm?" he continued to stare at the sky
"What do you? I mean do you…"
"Feel the same" he finished for her, and then slouched down putting his hands behind his head,
"Well do you?" Kel was almost knotting her hands in anxiety
"I'm not sure"
"Oh ok" She couldn't help keep the disappointment from her voice, Dom looked sideways at her, she looked really upset,
"Kel. As you said, I've never done this before, had a long relationship I mean, this is all new to me too"
Kel scoffed "new to you"
He looked straight at her "yes" Kel felt colour rise in her cheeks again 'I never thought it could be new to him' she thought
We'd best be getting back" Kel stood, Dom pulled himself up and taking her hand they walked back to the party. "Kel. I do care for you"
"I didn't doubt that"
≈
Kel woke up the next morning, feeling Dom soft breathing against her neck, and his warm body pressed against hers, she slowly rolled over trying not to wake him; he looked so peaceful sleeping. She gently placed her fingertips on his face tracing the line of his jaw, he wrinkled his nose then sighing he feel back into a deep sleep. Kel lay watching him until the dawn bell chimed, she went to get up then pulled the blankets back over herself, she could miss glaive training today.
When they finally reached the mess hall for breakfast most people had already eaten and gone; so the hall was practically empty, save the kitchen staff. They were eating in silence when a messenger entered the hall and approached them, "Lady Keladry, Sergeant Domitan." He briefly bowed, "lord Raoul is awaiting you in his study," Kel and Dom exchanged a glance, cleared their plates and hurried to Raoul's study, Raoul was reading a message, leaning back in his chair with his legs propped up on the desk. He pointed at two chairs on the other side of the desk, Kel and Dom sat.
"This is serious, we've had a long lazy year and other 'friends' have used there time to set up a spy ring inside Tortall, they know everything were doing, so to throw them off we need to move now"
Kel frowned, "I don't understand"
"They know that four of our companies are in Corus, they know the border patrols are taking it easy, they attack now and were lost"
"So where are we going?"
"No Kel you're going back to new hope, tonight you leave,"
Kel and Dom looked at each other, "but…"
"Sergeant Dom. I'm sorry, I know this will be hard, but orders are orders and I need to spread everyone out"
≈
Later that evening Kel was saddling up, Dom was watching; "Kel?"
She pulled a last strap tight; she rubbed her forehead, "yes"
"I won't see you probably till next winter,"
"I know" she turned back to Peachblossom rubbing her eyes, Dom wrapped his arms round her, she turned crying into his shirt, He lifted her chin, looking into her eyes,
"Don't forget about me"
Kel just nodded, her throat was too tight for words,
"You'll get to see new hope again," Dom added
"But I won't see you, I might never see you" he looked down knowing what she meant, he grinned and looked up
"Ok I promise not to die if you promise too"
"Done," she gave him a weak smile and swung into the saddle, Dom blew her kiss as she, then the two columns of men sent to guard New hope over the next year, followed.
Kel reached new hope at noon two days later, the people cheered as they rode through the town's gates. Kel looked round, the builder's must have been working all the time she was gone, and everywhere she looked she saw new buildings, farmlands, and houses. Fanche, the newly appointed headwoman, came out to see the arrivals. Kel dismounted hugged tobe who had followed Fanche out and handed him her reins,
"Fanche" She embraced the older woman "good harvest?"
"We did just fine, without you"
"Oh thanks" Both women smiled, there old rivalry long forgotten, they entered the headquarters, and were met by three boys all dressed in plain cream shirts and blue tunics, Kel rubbed her hands together "squires"
The squires bowed, and introduced themselves, the tallest, called Diand handed Kel an envelope,
Keldary,
I'm sorry to send you three, but these boys couldn't find knightmasters and you have more than enough work for them to oversee. I'll need you to report before February,
Wlydon
Kel looked back at the boys; Diand was almost six feet with black short hair, curled tightly. His dark eyes were wandering over the ceiling and he shifted nervously, the boy next to him introduced himself as Ciarn of Hersbane, Hersbane was on the southern coast of Tortall, he had long blonde hair tied back in a low ponytail, his deep blue eyes set off his pale skin well, he would be one for the girls of New hope; Kel glanced at the last boy he was much shorter than the other two, his skin was slightly tanned and his hair was coal black, his dark amber eyes stared into hers, he was the only one would looked her in the eye so far.
"so… why don't you go and see the village, we'll set duties tonight" all three nodded and left, Kel rolled her eyes at Fanche "when did they arrive?"
"this morning, we've settled them in the headquarters"
Kel rubbed the bridge of her nose, "good, now lets see the scribes. Whats the current population?"
"105."
"105? But the was only 87 when I left"
" three families arrived, four newborns and saefes found a local urchin."
Kel sighed it was going to be a long year.
A/N: my sorry's again for not upsdating sooner, from now on I think I will update in smaller chunks. Anyway, please R&R.
Becky Red