"What's going on here?" asked Kel as she stepped into a very crowded and loud mess hall. As the tallest person in the room, Kel's comment went unnoticed by few.
"It's these new refugees. They think that just because their new that they don't have to cook their own dinners," said Perin the cook.
"And why would they think that?" asked Kel.
"Well, I told them they could use the ovens in the kitchens. I didn't think it would be a problem," said a familiar voice. Bright red hair, unnoticed before, stood out from over the tops of other heads. Kel's gasped. It couldn't be. As the crowd thinned around her, Kel found out it could. She was greeted by a freckly face. Not just any freckly face, but one Kel was well acquainted with.
"Well, that's not how we do things here. Everyone except the gaurds and the administrative staff cooks on the fire pits outside their barracks. No exceptions," said Kel. She had said this many times before, and now was no exception; all refugees cook on their own fires. "I am sure every one of you has been shown your barracks. You can go eat now," she finished. As the crowd thinned Kel went to the serving window and grabbed her already prepared plate.
"I didn't mean to be difficult," said a familiar voice.
"It's okay. I know the crown posted you here so you could be with your people, but just make sure to be fair with all the refugees. Every single one of them has been through a lot, and they all deserve your respect."
"Yes, mother," said Cleon (if you didn't pick up on that before than you're a loser). Kel laughed. Her nickname, 'mother', was gained when she started howning the boys to eat their vegetables as pages; very little had changed when she became commander of her own refugee camp.
"Now come. Someone as big as you must be hungry."
"I really should eat with my people…," Cleon trailed off, looking wistfully at Kel's plate.
"Nonsense. You're here as a knight, and all the knights eat in here. Besides, I've had your cooking, and this is much, much better," rebuked Kel.
"Leave it to the professionals, I always say," said Cleon as he grabbed a plate.
"Since when do you say that," asked Kel.
"Since now." This inspired a laugh out of Kel. Cleon smiled, he always loved it when she laughed. Seeing the look on Cleon's face (you know the puppy dog one) Kel quickly sobered up.
"Dinner, then I have to go over infirmary supply requests with Neal," Kel sighed. Not the most exciting thing in the world.
"Hah. Remember our page days when everyone would meet in Neal's room and we would all study together?" reminisced Cleon.
"How could I forget?"
"Those were the days." Several minutes passed as the big knights, reminiscing about days of old, finished their food.
"I'm off. See you later," said Kel.
"Wait, Kel," after Kel stopped, Cleon continued, "I'm a little unsure of what I am to do. I know I help where I'm needed, but where exactly am I needed?"
"Well… Merric needs a new squad leader, and we're always in need of another trainer for the civilians. I know you have experience with that. Just check in with my wonderful clerks, and they'll tell you what to do. I really, really got to go." With one last look at Cleon, Kel ran out of the mess and made her way to the infirmary.