She couldn't find him. He wasn't in the stables, their rooms, or any of the meeting rooms. He wasn't anywhere to be found in the courtyard, the mess hall, or the storage areas. The only place she hadn't searched was the men's latrines, and bath house, and that was because, Lady Knight or no, she wasn't allowed inside them. Kel muttered to herself as she waited by the door. She'd come across Neal, and had asked him to go inside and look for Tobe. As she was waiting, Owen walked past her. She was sitting in the shade off to one side, and seemed to take him by surprise when she stepped out of the shadows. He grinned broadly.
"Kel, what are you doing skulking by the men's baths? Hoping to catch a glimpse of a certain soldier friend?" He joyfully teased.
"Looking for my boy. You haven't seen Tobe by any chance, have you?" She ignored his comment about Dom.
Owen tipped his head to one side, as if deep in thought. He smiled even wider.
"Tobe? He wouldn't happen to be that charming little waif who is currently instructing our young Master Domitan in the art of combat, would he?"
Kel started when she heard the intrigued tone Owen used.
"He's what?" Kel asked slowly, to be sure she had heard correctly. "Tobe is fighting with Dom?"
Owen chuckled lightly, "Indeed, he's right winning at this point too. Of course, Dom isn't really doing much but blocking and defending, but I'd say Tobe is wearing him down."
Neal came out of the bath house.
"I didn't see him in there Kel, I'm sorry."
Owen looked at Neal, amazed.
"You didn't tell her? I thought you would have told her as soon as you knew."
Neal flushed slightly when Kel turned an accusatory glare at him.
"I do believe it slipped my mind. However, now it seems that it has not slipped yours, and you told her. I suppose you explained why, as well?"
Keladry sharpened her gaze on her friends, and without another word headed off to the practice courts. She realized that Neal and Owen were following her, and that Neal was saying something, but she didn't stop to hear what it might be. Tobe was sparring with Dom when she reached the arena where they were. A crowd was quickly gathering, and many of the soldiers were wagering on the outcome of the match.
Kel turned to Neal and demanded,
"You mentioned a reason for this nonsense. What is it?"
Neal cleared his throat, then glanced at Owen. Owen smiled, and gestured to the fighting pair.
"'Tis a duel, for the lady fair's hand. One fights to have it, the other fights to guard it always. I fear that one will be heartbroken in the outcome." Owen laughed. "But it makes for jolly entertainment!"
Kel looked again at the two in the arena. She could see the humor, as Tobe was easily half Dom's size and at least that in age. Dom seemed to tower over his opponent, but not in a threatening manner. He merely stood still, and blocked each attack Tobe threw at him. Hand to hand combat had been a necessity to teach to the young boy, and a part of Dom's training. It was remarkable how easily Tobe seemed to fit in with this crowd. But the fact that he was dueling with someone over her was another kettle of fish!
Kel leaped over the fence, and strode toward the pair.
"Kel!" Neal shouted at her. "Come back here!" She merely waved at him, and continued on. When she reached the wrestling pair, she threw up one hand to stop them.
Unfortunately she did so, just as Tobe was coming in for a decent punch. He missed his mark, and instead of hitting Dom, his fist landed on the side of Kel's face. Everyone froze. Dom stepped back to see more clearly what had happened. Tobe fell to his knees.
Kel stood still, shocked, but not really hurt. Upset, but not angry. She looked down at Tobe blankly for a moment, then pulled him to his feet.
"Don't fight with the soldiers," she told him calmly, "Someone could get hurt."
Then she turned and walked away. Neal tried to follow her, but she waved him off. Owen started to say something, but seemed to change his mind, and closed his mouth again. Kel didn't even stop to turn around and look behind her. She just kept walking. If she had, she would have seen Tobe's eyes fill with tears, before he dashed off in the direction of the stables. She would have seen Dom watch her as she walked around the opening in the fence line. She would have seen he and Neal following her. But she never turned, she never looked, she just kept walking until she got to her rooms, where she sat on her bed, and stared at the floor.
Neal stepped inside and closed the door on Dom. Dom swore, but could take the hint, and went to the stables instead. He found Tobe huddled in the corner of Hoshi's stall, tears on his face, and in his eyes. Dom patted the serene horse for a minute, then crouched down next to the boy.
"Come now lad, what's this?" Dom asked gently, in the same way his father used to.
Tobe looked up at him, anguish and despair searing his face with emotion.
"Didn't you see? Or have you become blind? I hit her Ladyship! I swung my fist, and bruised her face." He buried his in his hands, and sobbed quietly. Dom rested his hand reassuringly on the boy's shoulder.
"It was an accident, Tobe. Kel will understand that. Neal is taking care of it as we speak. She's in capable hands, and she's a sensible woman. She knows how much you love her, and that you would never do anything to purposely hurt her."
Tobe looked up at Dom.
"Milady chose well, Master Dom. She knows what she wants, and I came in the way of that. She has been miserable this last day. I never saw her smile once, except when you walked in a room. But then that smile would quickly die, when you ignored her. I am to blame for that. And now, in my stupidity, I challenged you, for the right to court Lady Kel. I was foolish, and the outcome was dreadful. I not only killed her smiles, but I hit her as well. She will not want me to come back into her service." Tobe drew a deep breath that hiccupped with tears.
"You did what you felt was right, Tobe. I wouldn't fault a man for protecting his own, or for upholding the honor of a lady. I sincerely doubt that Lady Kel would. The only foolishness you are displaying is this now. There is no real worry as to your position with Kel, she loves you as much as you love her. I must admit, I am jealous. To be held in such high regard by her would be lovely, but to be loved by Keladry, now that would be the world to me."
Tobe smiled tremulously at Dom.
"I suppose I was jealous of you, Master Dom. Milady practically sighs whenever you are near her, and I know that you will bring her great happiness. I was afraid though," Tobe glanced back down. "I was afraid that if you and Lady Kel were to love and wed, that I would no longer be needed. She would have a proper maid, a lady to wait on her. She wouldn't need me any longer."
Dom smiled down at the boy, who showed so much wisdom beyond his years.
"I don't think Keladry could ever replace you, Master Tobe. You are invaluable. And you have an excellent right cross."
Tobe smiled up at Dom for real. Dom stood and extended his hand to the boy. Tobe allowed himself to be pulled to his feet for the second time that day.
"Master Dom," Tobe said softly, unsure, "You do love Lady Kel, don't you?"
Dom looked down into the boy's face, and took a deep breath.
"Aye, I do. Very much, in fact. I have for a while now, but I fear that she does not return my feelings to the same breadth and manner."
Tobe watched Dom for an inscrutable second, then nodded.
"Then you have my blessing, and, if you need it, my help."