A/N: Finally my computer is up and running! This will either be a KN or KD pairing, if Kel seems to mesh more with one as opposed to the other as the fic progresses please let me know, I want to make this as natural as possible. As of right now, Neal and Yuki are not together and were never interested in each other (to keep my options open for him and Kel wink wink) Heehee this is all a test story, I have no idea what to do with it (as usual) so let me know what you think! I'm trying to work on my other story as well so hopefully the updates for both will be pretty regular….. sigh one can only hope. Onto the fanfic!
Disclaimer: It all belongs to the brilliant Tamora Pierce except for anything I made up (the plot and such). Enjoy!
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Kel sighed as she surveyed the large desk, laden with papers. The entire Kings Own, currently stationed at New Hope, was leaving and traveling back to the capital for the arrival of nobles from the Copper Isles, and Lord Raoul had given her the task of outfitting the excursion. "I don't see why the King needs everyone there," Kel mumbled to herself as she performed calculations in her head. Someone behind her cleared their throat, startling her. She stifled a yelp and turned, "Dom!" Kel could feel her face heat up, "Don't scare me like that." New Hope had just come off a dangerous spidren alert and Kel was still edgy.
Dom blushed, "Sorry Kel, I just came to ask if you need a break from your work." He shuffled his feet and refused to look her in the face.
His question startled her and she squinted at him, he did look particularly good today. She shook her head at her silly thoughts, "I could use the fresh air."
Dom looked up, obviously relieved. "I will meet you in the stables at the noon bell then."
She smiled at the blue-eyed sergeant, "Sure."
"Until then, Protector of the Small." With that, Dom grinned and bowed, ducking out of the door as she threw her coin purse at him. Still smiling she turned back to her desk, ignoring her duties and immediately slipping into a daydream. She quickly realized what she was doing and shook her head. "That's the last thing you need, a man before your first assignment alone." Kel grimaced with distaste as she thought about the plans the King had for her. The Copper Isles looked even less appealing if she was to be on one of them. With the details of the mission still unclear, Kel had to hope she wouldn't be there too long. Fingering the dagger hilt in her belt, she wondered what life on the Isles would be like. Letting her thoughts drift once again, Dom popped into her head. She immediately sat up, "Oh Goddess, I can't even keep my mind off him for a second."
Kel stood and stretched her aching body, still sore from Raoul's most recent torture: sparring with two swords. "You can pay attention to one but it will mean death to face an opponent who can maneuver both arms at once," Lord Raoul had told a very grumpy Kel an hour before dawn that morning. Not only did the practice require strength of body, but of mind as well and Kel found that the task of keeping her mind focused with two silver blurs dancing around instead of only one tired her out more than she expected. Exiting her room, she nearly tripped over her coin purse. Picking it up, she turned out into the hallway, a large grin spread across her face. Trotting out to the stables, she paid Peachblossom and Hoshi a visit, talking to them and giving them treats before Dom arrived. Peachblossom fussed as usual and Kel was searching for a brush to comb him with when she heard a familiar voice.
"Looking for this?"
She turned and smiled happily as she saw Dom holding a brush. "Why yes, thank you," she said accepting it. As her hand touched his, her heart thumped in her chest. Quickly snatching her hand away she began to brush Peachblossom. "Now that the spidren nest is gone we can take that small path through the woods and end up overlooking the valley. I need to survey the land for a new map anyway," Kel said, speaking more to her horse's hide than anything.
Dom leaned up against the stall, eyeing Peachblossom and crossing his arms over his chest replied, "My Lord must be an unhappy man, to be returning to Court. I figure the more time spent away from him the better. Gods know what getting back to Corus will be like."
Kel giggled as she thought of Raoul at past Midwinter parties, "I agree." She sighed, "It will be nice to go back to the palace though." She glanced sideways at Dom who was watching her through his lashes. He looks so handsome! Kel thought. Exasperated with herself she focused on saddling Peachblossom as she and Dom small-talked for a few minutes. They continued their chat as they walked outside, gelding in tow, and went to Dom's horse, tethered to the fence by the stable door.
Kel and Dom picked their way through the trail in the woods, laughing and talking as two old friends should. Kel was thoroughly enjoying herself when she heard strangled peeps coming from her left. Peachblossom heard too and snorted, pawing the ground. Her sparrows shot out of the trees, peeping an alarm. The horses began to fuss, trying to move away from the direction the sparrows came.
"That means trouble doesn't it," Dom stated glumly.
Kel squinted into the trees, loosening her sword in her sheath, "Please Goddess, no more spidrens," she mumbled. She looked over her shoulder and grinned, "Time to go hunting!" Dom laughed. Suddenly his face fell and became ashen. "Kel," he whispered.
A feeling of dread loomed over her. She really didn't want to turn around. Peachblossom was oddly quiet and the sparrows too had calmed. Slowly her head swiveled to face forward. She was looking into the jaws of an angry spidren.
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A/N: I know, I know cliffy and it's a tad confusing. All will be cleared up in the next chapter, I promise! And that will hopefully be coming soon……….. ;.p
Okay so, on the advice of the bestest person ever, westernrider1098, I have made a few small changes…. Nothing major…. Yay!