Title: Trust Betrayed
Author: jessalae
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to Tamora Pierce. I own the plot, the Laughing Lady, and Fermus.
A/N: "..." means thoughts.
Y-y-y-Y-y-y-Y
"The ship leaves tomorrow at dawn. I do not know when I will return." Yuki folded the last kimono and placed it gently in her trunk. Shinkokami rose from the chair she had been sitting in and walked over to place a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Are you sure you cannot tell me why you must leave?" Shinko asked.
"I cannot. I must not. All I know is that the Islands is where I need to be right now, away from here." Yuki pushed the lid down. It fell slowly, and closed with a dull thump.
"I will miss you, friend."
"And I you." Both women's faces were models of emotionless calm, but tears shone in two pairs of dark eyes. They hugged for a moment, then Yuki bent down to shut the locks on her trunk, closing them with two sharp clicks. She called a servant to take the trunk down to the carriage that was waiting. Shinko hugged her friend again and they walked from the room together.
The street was full of people rushing this way and that. The carriage was waiting. Yuki climbed in and it set off down the road. Shinko waved as it trundled away, sending passerby scrambling to the sides. She didn't notice the tall man running towards her.
"Princess Shinkokami!" Dom exclaimed, bowing. "Who was that in the carriage?"
"Do I know you?" The princess asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm Domitan of Masbolle, sergeant in the King's own. I'm a... friend of Lady Knight Keladry."
"Ah, yes! I did not recognize you out of uniform, Sergeant. That in the carriage was Lady Yukimi noh Daiomoru."
"What? Where was she going?' Dom asked, surprised.
"Did you not know? She has left for the Yamani Islands."
"What? Why?"
"She would not tell me." She looked at him curiously. "I don't suppose you would have any idea?'
"No." It couldn't be his fault. She hadn't even been speaking to him since Kel and Neal found out. How could he have done something to offend her when they hadn't seen each other in over a week? "She's traveling alone? Is that really wise?"
Shinko looked at him incredulously. "Rest assured, sergeant, Yukimi is quite capable. She needs no traveling companion. Really, one would think that after being around Keladry all these years you would know what women could do!" She smiled at him to show that she was joking.
"Oh! I didn't mean- I mean, yes, I'm sure she'll be fine by herself. I know she'll be perfectly safe. I you'll excuse me, princess, I need to get back to the barracks."
"Of course, sergeant. I myself must return to the palace." Dom bowed to her, and they went their separate ways.
Dom's head was spinning as he walked back toward the barracks. Yuki was going to the Yamani Islands, and she was going alone. Dom didn't have any doubt that she could fend off any attack, but it really wasn't proper for a lady to go all that way across the ocean unaccompanied. He would have to do something, or at least find out why she had gone.
The trouble was, who would know? She hadn't even told Princess Shinkokami, who was probably her best friend since the whole thing with Kel...
Kel! Kel might know what was going on. She knew more about the Yamani ladies than anyone else. But how could he ask her? Dom leaned against the doorframe of a building, deep in thought. People passing by barely glanced at him. The sun going down, staining the sky a deep golden color.
"Do you mind, sir?" He whirled around. A small man was standing behind him, looking vaguely irritated. "You're scaring away my customers."
"Who are you?" Dom asked.
The man drew himself up to his full height. "I am Fermus Griber, proprietor of this inn." Dom looked up in surprise. Sure enough, a sign hung above the door, bearing the words "The Laughing Lady" and a silhouette of a woman. "And you are?" the innkeeper asked.
"Domitan of Masbolle."
Fermus's eyes widened. "Well, by all means, my Lord, come in! Have a drink, something to eat. On the house." The man was obviously unnerved at the thought of a noble leaning against his door.
Dom frowned, considering. "That doesn't sound bad, Master Griber. I think I will have a drink or two."
He was escorted in and led to an empty table. The innkeeper spoke hurriedly to a serving girl, who brought Dom a mug of ale. Dom stayed, drinking for a long time, glass after glass after glass. He sat and thought and drank until most of the men had left the room. When he realized the person he had been sitting next to as gone, he blinked, then stumbled up and towards the door. Master Griber skittered over to wish him goodnight. Dom dug in his purse and pulled out a few coins, pressing them into the innkeeper's hand carelessly.
"Here," he slurred. "Keep the change." Dom staggered out into the cool night air. As he slowly made his way to the barracks, he tried to remember what exactly he had been going to do before he had gone into the Laughing Lady. Something about the princess... and a ship... and Yuki... that was it, he'd been trying to find out why Yuki was leaving, and... Kel! Kel had something to do with it. Was she going with Yuki? Where was Yuki going? Never mind that, he needed to get to Kel! He walked into the palace, wandering through the halls and up and down stairs until he came to somewhere that looked familiar. Yes, this was Kel's room. He knocked on the door.
Kel opened the door, blinking sleep from her eyes. At the sight of Dom, she almost closed the door again, but she took a deep breath and held it open a crack.
"What are you doing? Do you have any idea what time it is?" she whispered coldly.
"Kel... Kel!"
"What?"
"Need to ask...something..."
"What do you need to ask? Make it quick!"
"Not sure...Yuki! Where's she going?"
Kel stiffened. "Why would I know anything about Yuki?"
"I don't know..." Dom looked confused for a moment, then shook his head as if to clear it. "Where is she going? Why?"
"I don't know! I haven't been speaking to her. Or to you either! Or maybe you've forgotten what happened last week?"
"No, no...do you know why she would go to the Yamani Islands?"
"No! Now, please, I would like to go back to sleep!"
"Yes...sleep..." Dom turned around and stumbled back down the hall.
Kel closed the door and sighed. Lying back on her bed, she pulled the blankets up around herself and closed her eyes contentedly. However, sleep would not come. She tossed and turned this way and that, hoping to find a comfortable position. She kicked the covers off and pulled them back up. Finally she sat up completely and stared into the darkness.
"Why would Yuki leave? She was here yesterday, she must have been! She sent Neal a note." Kel shook her head ruefully. "And then he completely blew up. He really needs to stop losing his temper like that. I bet half the palace could hear him..." Suddenly it dawned on her. "What if Yuki heard him? That would give her plenty of reason to leave- she probably thought he was a hopeless case. But he isn't! He just needs some work... Okay, a lot of work. But he'll get over it!" She lay back down. If Dom came and asked her again, at least she would have an answer. And hopefully he wouldn't be so drunk he couldn't understand. "Then again, if he isn't drunk, why would he come here? Shinko would be more likely to know. He probably won't come here again. He has more sense than that." And with that comforting thought, she drifted back to sleep.
Y-y-y-Y
Dom woke up with an extremely bad hangover. Wincing, he sat up a bit. What had happened last night? Yuki had left, he had leaned against that door, he'd gone into the inn, come out some hours later, gone back to the palace, and gone to see Kel... Dom groaned. "Did I really go and see Kel? Gods, I'm an idiot." He would have to go and apologize for everything. And he still didn't know where Yuki had gone.
But first, to get rid of this headache. He didn't want to go to the palace healers- Duke Baird was kind of mad at him- so his only option was going to one of the Own's healers. He wandered through the barracks until he came to the infirmary.
After being healed, Dom strolled down the hallway in the direction of the palace. "What to say to Kel, what to say to Kel? Why am I even going to see her? She doesn't want to see me! No. I woke her up at some ungodly hour of the night to ask a stupid question, and I have to apologize for that. We'll have to make up sooner or later." Gathering his courage, he started the walk to Kel's room.
Halfway there, Dom rounded a corner and saw Kel and Neal further down the hall. Panicking, he ducked into a doorway. "What am I going to say? She must have seen me by now. I'll look like an idiot if I run away. No. I just have to go up to her and ask to talk to her." He took a deep breath and stepped back into the hall.
Kel was only a few steps away. Dom turned toward her.
"Kel, I need to talk to you," he said as calmly as he could manage.
Kel was a bit surprised by Dom's direct address, but she maintained a serene face. "You do?"
"Yes. As soon as it's convenient for you."
"Well, I'm on my way to lunch right now, but I should be free afterwards. Would you like to speak with me then?"
"That sounds fine. I'll stop by your rooms then."
"See you then."
"See you." Dom stepped aside, allowing Kel to pass. Neal brushed past him without a word. As soon as they turned the corner, Dom breathed a sigh of relief.
Y-y-y-Y
"Why did you talk to him?" Neal asked as they walked along.
"Why not?"
"Why not? Why not? He cheated on you!"
"Well, I can't very well ignore him when he's standing right in front of me, can I?"
"You could have just walked by. You should have! Why does he deserve your attention?"
"I might as well give him a chance. Maybe he has something to tell me."
"So what? He's not worthy of your attention! He hurt you once, he'll do it again! Can't you see that? What's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me?" Kel asked, turning to face him. "What's wrong with you, Neal? You just can't let things go, can you? You need to lighten up. You should give people a chance once in a while! You didn't give Yuki a chance, and now she's off to the Yamani Isles!"
"What?" Neal asked, startled.
"Yeah! Dom saw her leave yesterday!"
"When did he tell you that?"
"Last night."
"What do you mean, last night?" Neal narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
Kel sighed in exasperation. "He came to my door at one in the morning to ask why Yuki left. I didn't realize that she must have heard you until after he had gone back to the barracks."
"She heard me?"
"Why else would she suddenly leave right after asking to see you?"
Neal frowned. "I didn't mean for her to hear me. I was going to see her sooner or later."
"Well, why did you shout like that then?"
"I was mad!"
Kel sighed. "Look, let's not fight over this. The fact is, Yuki is gone and I'm talking to Dom after lunch."
"All right then. Case closed." The two friends walked off down the hall.
Y-y-y-Y
Dom was nervous. In fact, Dom was very nervous. Taking deliberately slow steps, he made his way to Kel's room, trying desperately to thing of something to say. He arrived at her door. "Well, no turning back now." He knocked.
The door swung open all too fast for Dom's liking, and there stood Kel.
"Hello, Kel." He said.
"Hello," Kel stated, as if it was more of a formality than a greeting.
"Kel- I need to apologize."
"Yes, you really do. Why don't you come inside?"
Dom stepped into the room tentatively and stood in one spot, shifting nervously from one foot to the other. Kel stood across from him, looking at him expectantly.
"Kel- I'm an idiot. And that doesn't even begin to describe it. What I did was very, very, very wrong. I know I shouldn't have done it. I won't try to make excuses, but I'm sorry."
"You should be. You really hurt me, Dom. You lost my trust, and it won't be easy to get back."
"I'll try, I promise."
"But can I believe you'll keep your promises? That's the problem. You say you're sorry, you say you'll try. But you also said you'd be faithful to me. Actions speak louder than words, Dom." Kel stared at him intently. "Prove to me that you're sorry."
"How can I do that, Kel? Give me something to do, and I'll do it." Dom looked at her pleadingly.
"Well... you can start by helping me practice my sword skills. I'm getting rusty."
Dom stifled a groan. "All right. Meet you on the practice courts?"
"Agreed." Kel smiled at him. "I'm glad you had the courage to apologize, Dom."
"I am too." And with that, Dom left to change into practice clothes. He could tell, these next few weeks would be very eventful.
Y-y-y-Y-y-y-Y
A/N: Sorry that this chapter's so long-winded and boring. Hopefully the next chapter will be up soon. However, I need something to happen! This day-to-day life stuff is getting monotonous. Please, in your review, suggest something that you think should happen, i.e. a ball, a tournament, something! And say why it happens, too. Thanks!
-- jessalae
Author: jessalae
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to Tamora Pierce. I own the plot, the Laughing Lady, and Fermus.
A/N: "..." means thoughts.
Y-y-y-Y-y-y-Y
"The ship leaves tomorrow at dawn. I do not know when I will return." Yuki folded the last kimono and placed it gently in her trunk. Shinkokami rose from the chair she had been sitting in and walked over to place a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Are you sure you cannot tell me why you must leave?" Shinko asked.
"I cannot. I must not. All I know is that the Islands is where I need to be right now, away from here." Yuki pushed the lid down. It fell slowly, and closed with a dull thump.
"I will miss you, friend."
"And I you." Both women's faces were models of emotionless calm, but tears shone in two pairs of dark eyes. They hugged for a moment, then Yuki bent down to shut the locks on her trunk, closing them with two sharp clicks. She called a servant to take the trunk down to the carriage that was waiting. Shinko hugged her friend again and they walked from the room together.
The street was full of people rushing this way and that. The carriage was waiting. Yuki climbed in and it set off down the road. Shinko waved as it trundled away, sending passerby scrambling to the sides. She didn't notice the tall man running towards her.
"Princess Shinkokami!" Dom exclaimed, bowing. "Who was that in the carriage?"
"Do I know you?" The princess asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm Domitan of Masbolle, sergeant in the King's own. I'm a... friend of Lady Knight Keladry."
"Ah, yes! I did not recognize you out of uniform, Sergeant. That in the carriage was Lady Yukimi noh Daiomoru."
"What? Where was she going?' Dom asked, surprised.
"Did you not know? She has left for the Yamani Islands."
"What? Why?"
"She would not tell me." She looked at him curiously. "I don't suppose you would have any idea?'
"No." It couldn't be his fault. She hadn't even been speaking to him since Kel and Neal found out. How could he have done something to offend her when they hadn't seen each other in over a week? "She's traveling alone? Is that really wise?"
Shinko looked at him incredulously. "Rest assured, sergeant, Yukimi is quite capable. She needs no traveling companion. Really, one would think that after being around Keladry all these years you would know what women could do!" She smiled at him to show that she was joking.
"Oh! I didn't mean- I mean, yes, I'm sure she'll be fine by herself. I know she'll be perfectly safe. I you'll excuse me, princess, I need to get back to the barracks."
"Of course, sergeant. I myself must return to the palace." Dom bowed to her, and they went their separate ways.
Dom's head was spinning as he walked back toward the barracks. Yuki was going to the Yamani Islands, and she was going alone. Dom didn't have any doubt that she could fend off any attack, but it really wasn't proper for a lady to go all that way across the ocean unaccompanied. He would have to do something, or at least find out why she had gone.
The trouble was, who would know? She hadn't even told Princess Shinkokami, who was probably her best friend since the whole thing with Kel...
Kel! Kel might know what was going on. She knew more about the Yamani ladies than anyone else. But how could he ask her? Dom leaned against the doorframe of a building, deep in thought. People passing by barely glanced at him. The sun going down, staining the sky a deep golden color.
"Do you mind, sir?" He whirled around. A small man was standing behind him, looking vaguely irritated. "You're scaring away my customers."
"Who are you?" Dom asked.
The man drew himself up to his full height. "I am Fermus Griber, proprietor of this inn." Dom looked up in surprise. Sure enough, a sign hung above the door, bearing the words "The Laughing Lady" and a silhouette of a woman. "And you are?" the innkeeper asked.
"Domitan of Masbolle."
Fermus's eyes widened. "Well, by all means, my Lord, come in! Have a drink, something to eat. On the house." The man was obviously unnerved at the thought of a noble leaning against his door.
Dom frowned, considering. "That doesn't sound bad, Master Griber. I think I will have a drink or two."
He was escorted in and led to an empty table. The innkeeper spoke hurriedly to a serving girl, who brought Dom a mug of ale. Dom stayed, drinking for a long time, glass after glass after glass. He sat and thought and drank until most of the men had left the room. When he realized the person he had been sitting next to as gone, he blinked, then stumbled up and towards the door. Master Griber skittered over to wish him goodnight. Dom dug in his purse and pulled out a few coins, pressing them into the innkeeper's hand carelessly.
"Here," he slurred. "Keep the change." Dom staggered out into the cool night air. As he slowly made his way to the barracks, he tried to remember what exactly he had been going to do before he had gone into the Laughing Lady. Something about the princess... and a ship... and Yuki... that was it, he'd been trying to find out why Yuki was leaving, and... Kel! Kel had something to do with it. Was she going with Yuki? Where was Yuki going? Never mind that, he needed to get to Kel! He walked into the palace, wandering through the halls and up and down stairs until he came to somewhere that looked familiar. Yes, this was Kel's room. He knocked on the door.
Kel opened the door, blinking sleep from her eyes. At the sight of Dom, she almost closed the door again, but she took a deep breath and held it open a crack.
"What are you doing? Do you have any idea what time it is?" she whispered coldly.
"Kel... Kel!"
"What?"
"Need to ask...something..."
"What do you need to ask? Make it quick!"
"Not sure...Yuki! Where's she going?"
Kel stiffened. "Why would I know anything about Yuki?"
"I don't know..." Dom looked confused for a moment, then shook his head as if to clear it. "Where is she going? Why?"
"I don't know! I haven't been speaking to her. Or to you either! Or maybe you've forgotten what happened last week?"
"No, no...do you know why she would go to the Yamani Islands?"
"No! Now, please, I would like to go back to sleep!"
"Yes...sleep..." Dom turned around and stumbled back down the hall.
Kel closed the door and sighed. Lying back on her bed, she pulled the blankets up around herself and closed her eyes contentedly. However, sleep would not come. She tossed and turned this way and that, hoping to find a comfortable position. She kicked the covers off and pulled them back up. Finally she sat up completely and stared into the darkness.
"Why would Yuki leave? She was here yesterday, she must have been! She sent Neal a note." Kel shook her head ruefully. "And then he completely blew up. He really needs to stop losing his temper like that. I bet half the palace could hear him..." Suddenly it dawned on her. "What if Yuki heard him? That would give her plenty of reason to leave- she probably thought he was a hopeless case. But he isn't! He just needs some work... Okay, a lot of work. But he'll get over it!" She lay back down. If Dom came and asked her again, at least she would have an answer. And hopefully he wouldn't be so drunk he couldn't understand. "Then again, if he isn't drunk, why would he come here? Shinko would be more likely to know. He probably won't come here again. He has more sense than that." And with that comforting thought, she drifted back to sleep.
Y-y-y-Y
Dom woke up with an extremely bad hangover. Wincing, he sat up a bit. What had happened last night? Yuki had left, he had leaned against that door, he'd gone into the inn, come out some hours later, gone back to the palace, and gone to see Kel... Dom groaned. "Did I really go and see Kel? Gods, I'm an idiot." He would have to go and apologize for everything. And he still didn't know where Yuki had gone.
But first, to get rid of this headache. He didn't want to go to the palace healers- Duke Baird was kind of mad at him- so his only option was going to one of the Own's healers. He wandered through the barracks until he came to the infirmary.
After being healed, Dom strolled down the hallway in the direction of the palace. "What to say to Kel, what to say to Kel? Why am I even going to see her? She doesn't want to see me! No. I woke her up at some ungodly hour of the night to ask a stupid question, and I have to apologize for that. We'll have to make up sooner or later." Gathering his courage, he started the walk to Kel's room.
Halfway there, Dom rounded a corner and saw Kel and Neal further down the hall. Panicking, he ducked into a doorway. "What am I going to say? She must have seen me by now. I'll look like an idiot if I run away. No. I just have to go up to her and ask to talk to her." He took a deep breath and stepped back into the hall.
Kel was only a few steps away. Dom turned toward her.
"Kel, I need to talk to you," he said as calmly as he could manage.
Kel was a bit surprised by Dom's direct address, but she maintained a serene face. "You do?"
"Yes. As soon as it's convenient for you."
"Well, I'm on my way to lunch right now, but I should be free afterwards. Would you like to speak with me then?"
"That sounds fine. I'll stop by your rooms then."
"See you then."
"See you." Dom stepped aside, allowing Kel to pass. Neal brushed past him without a word. As soon as they turned the corner, Dom breathed a sigh of relief.
Y-y-y-Y
"Why did you talk to him?" Neal asked as they walked along.
"Why not?"
"Why not? Why not? He cheated on you!"
"Well, I can't very well ignore him when he's standing right in front of me, can I?"
"You could have just walked by. You should have! Why does he deserve your attention?"
"I might as well give him a chance. Maybe he has something to tell me."
"So what? He's not worthy of your attention! He hurt you once, he'll do it again! Can't you see that? What's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me?" Kel asked, turning to face him. "What's wrong with you, Neal? You just can't let things go, can you? You need to lighten up. You should give people a chance once in a while! You didn't give Yuki a chance, and now she's off to the Yamani Isles!"
"What?" Neal asked, startled.
"Yeah! Dom saw her leave yesterday!"
"When did he tell you that?"
"Last night."
"What do you mean, last night?" Neal narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
Kel sighed in exasperation. "He came to my door at one in the morning to ask why Yuki left. I didn't realize that she must have heard you until after he had gone back to the barracks."
"She heard me?"
"Why else would she suddenly leave right after asking to see you?"
Neal frowned. "I didn't mean for her to hear me. I was going to see her sooner or later."
"Well, why did you shout like that then?"
"I was mad!"
Kel sighed. "Look, let's not fight over this. The fact is, Yuki is gone and I'm talking to Dom after lunch."
"All right then. Case closed." The two friends walked off down the hall.
Y-y-y-Y
Dom was nervous. In fact, Dom was very nervous. Taking deliberately slow steps, he made his way to Kel's room, trying desperately to thing of something to say. He arrived at her door. "Well, no turning back now." He knocked.
The door swung open all too fast for Dom's liking, and there stood Kel.
"Hello, Kel." He said.
"Hello," Kel stated, as if it was more of a formality than a greeting.
"Kel- I need to apologize."
"Yes, you really do. Why don't you come inside?"
Dom stepped into the room tentatively and stood in one spot, shifting nervously from one foot to the other. Kel stood across from him, looking at him expectantly.
"Kel- I'm an idiot. And that doesn't even begin to describe it. What I did was very, very, very wrong. I know I shouldn't have done it. I won't try to make excuses, but I'm sorry."
"You should be. You really hurt me, Dom. You lost my trust, and it won't be easy to get back."
"I'll try, I promise."
"But can I believe you'll keep your promises? That's the problem. You say you're sorry, you say you'll try. But you also said you'd be faithful to me. Actions speak louder than words, Dom." Kel stared at him intently. "Prove to me that you're sorry."
"How can I do that, Kel? Give me something to do, and I'll do it." Dom looked at her pleadingly.
"Well... you can start by helping me practice my sword skills. I'm getting rusty."
Dom stifled a groan. "All right. Meet you on the practice courts?"
"Agreed." Kel smiled at him. "I'm glad you had the courage to apologize, Dom."
"I am too." And with that, Dom left to change into practice clothes. He could tell, these next few weeks would be very eventful.
Y-y-y-Y-y-y-Y
A/N: Sorry that this chapter's so long-winded and boring. Hopefully the next chapter will be up soon. However, I need something to happen! This day-to-day life stuff is getting monotonous. Please, in your review, suggest something that you think should happen, i.e. a ball, a tournament, something! And say why it happens, too. Thanks!
-- jessalae