Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter and really made my day. I've skipped ahead in time again. Really, you wouldn't want me to detail every burp, nap, and diaper change. You haven't missed anything really funny or important, I promise.

Alex Rose and SarahE7191: Yes, Kefira really does mean 'young lioness' in ancient Hebrew. I had a very interesting time choosing the name from an old baby name book—I learned that I narrowly escaped the name Bronwen—and as soon as I saw the meaning of it I knew I had to use it for Kel's daughter.

All the characters—except Kefira, and maybe her too because all her genetic material comes from Kel and Dom—and the location belong to Tamora Pierce.

Late Fall ( 3 months later, New Hope)

"Lord Wyldon is coming," shouted Tobe as he galloped into view on Peachblossom.

Kel quickly straightened her tunic, adjusting the sling that held Kefira to her chest, and ran her fingers through her hair.

"Do you want me to send one of the children to get Yuki so she can take the baby?" Neal asked.

Kel hesitated a moment before shaking her head. Lord Wyldon might disapprove of her carrying her child around with her while she was on duty, providing weapons training to refugee children, but she wasn't going to hide the fact that she did so. Besides, she wanted all of the children to take advantage of the unseasonable warm weather and get as much training in as possible.

She smiled at Tobe, who was riding without saddle or reins, as he slid easily down Peachblossom's side and ran over to her.

"I wonder what he's come for," Tobe said. "Not in the mud," he yelled at Peachblossom, who was eying the ground as though thinking about rolling on it.

Peachblossom gave a dramatic snort, spraying Neal's tunic with partially digested grass, and walked over to a clean patch of grass. Once there he lowered himself onto his side and began rolling, waving his hooves in the air and snorting with pleasure. Neal looked from the green goop on his tunic to Tobe in disgust. Tobe gave him a cheeky grin and winked at Kel, who had to bite her lower lip to keep from smiling.

Lord Wyldon rode into view and Kel unhooked her sling and deposited Kefira in Tobe's arms. Kefira was accustomed to being passed off to Neal and Tobe and barely seemed to notice the transition. Smiling, Tobe tucked Kefira's blankets securely about her and walked over to Peachblossom, who had stopped rolling and was lying on his side. Tobe sat down, leaning against Peachblossom as though he were a giant pillow. The warhorse's only response was to give a resigned snort.

"Kel," exclaimed Neal. "Do you have any idea what one of those hooves could do to your daughter's skull?"

"Calm down, Neal" Kel muttered out of the corner of her mouth as she bowed to Lord Wyldon.

"Queenscove, Mindelan," Lord Wyldon greeted them as he dismounted. "I am glad to see you are well." Tobe sat up and walked over to take Wyldon's reins in one hand, still holding Kefira in the other. Peachblossom rose to his feet followed him like a dog.

Lord Wyldon looked down at the baby in Tobe's arms. "Is this one yours, Mindelan?" The corners of his lips seemed too have turned ever-so-slightly upwards. "She looks a bit young to be out doing combat practice."

"Unfortunately, Sir," Neal remarked. "All three of them are hers."

Kel stepped sideways towards Neal so that she would be close enough to elbow him if necessary.

Lord Wyldon gave the tiniest of chuckles. "May I?" He gestured towards Kefira and Kel nodded at Tobe. Under Peachblossom's watchful gaze, Tobe passed the baby awkwardly into Wyldon's arms. Keeping one eye on the warhorse's intimidating stare, Lord Wyldon lifted a finger to stroke the baby's cheek. Kefira wriggled on tiny hand free of her blankets and wrapped it around Lord Wyldon's finger. He had to give a slight tug to get her to release it.

"She has a very determined grip," he remarked as he passed the baby back to Kel. "Hopefully, she will take after her mother in other ways as well."

Kel felt a faint blush come to her cheeks as she took her daughter, and it took years of Yamini training to keep an undignified grin from sprouting across her face. Neal looked like he was about to say something, but Peachblossom stepped delicately onto the edge of his boot.

Lord Wyldon coughed. "You seem to be managing well."

"The refugees practically run and defend the camp themselves by now, sir" Kel said modestly.

"I meant with your child."

Kel was glad to see that Peachblosom still had Neal occupied. Tobe was busy running his hands down Lord Wyldon's horse's hind leg, as though checking for an injury. "Queenscove and his wife—well, mostly his wife—have been most helpful, sir."

"I am glad to see that you have even found time to work with the youngsters." Lord Wydlon paused for a moment to watch the boys and girls who drilled with their spears. "They are doing well."

"Begging your pardon, Lord Wyldon, sir," said Tobe. "But you ought not to be ridin' this horse just now, the swelling on her left hind looks to be gettin' worse and she ought to have a day or two of rest. She likes you so well she doesn't like to show it, but she hurting."

Lord Wyldon raised his eyebrows and walked over to check the mare himself. Peachblossom choose this moment to release Neal who sank to the ground and began applying his healing Gift to his bruised toes.

"Thank you, young Tobias, I will make certain that she gets a few days' rest," Lord Wyldon said. Kel found that she wasn't shocked by the kindness in his tone, she had long known of his soft spot for horses.

"May I inquire as to the reason for your visit, sir?" Neal had finished with his bruise and he was now standing and looking at Lord Wyldon thoughtfully. "I presume you did not come merely to appraise the conditions of New Hope or to see little Kefira, adorable creature that she is."

"Indeed Queenscove, there is another reason for my visit," Lord Wyldon said, his voice once again grave and serious. "I wish to discuss with Lady Knight Keladry a few court happenings which concern her."

Kel swallowed and looked at the ground. He'd found out about Dom; they'd all found out and the conservatives were going to keep men of the Own from getting married. She wondered vaguely who had told. Dom's squad had spent a week at New Hope after Kefira's birth and Dom had slept in her room after she had moved from the infirmary, but both the men of the Own and the refugees seemed to have come to a tacit agreement not to gossip about Kel and Dom or their sleeping arrangements. The only acknowledgement of their relationship had been congratulations from Dom's friends and exclamations of "so that's where those beautiful blue eyes come from" from the refugee midwives.

"haMinch has suffered a debilitating stroke and will be unable to continue as training master for the pages and squires," Lord Wyldon said. "Tomorrow I will leave for Corus to hold the position temporarily during the winter months. The King has asked me to suggest a new training master and I have recommended you. It is likely that the post will be offered to you within a few months time. I would advise to accept it."

Kel blinked in surprise and she felt her jaw drop slightly. "Sir?" she gasped.

Lord Wyldon gestured to the refugee children Kel had trained. "You work well with young people; you teach well. You know how to keep them motivated and learning. And you have the organization skills needed to manage training." He paused a moment before continuing. "It would be an ideal post for you given your current, erm, circumstances," he said calmly. "Living in the palace would make it easier to raise a young child. And it would put your talented young manservant in closer proximity to the Wildmage, which may become necessary as his Wild Magic develops. And whoever Kefira's father is, he'll probably have an easier time visiting you in Corus than at New Hope; both the Riders and the Own stop by the palace fairly frequently."

Kel blushed and continued staring at the ground, scooting the toe of her boot forwards slightly.

"Are you feeling quite alright, sir?" Neal asked, with what appeared to be genuine concern. "You've haven't suffered any dizzy spells or anything of late?" His right hand was filled with green fire as he reached towards Wyldon. "Perhaps a fever?"

" I assure you, Queenscove, that I am in perfect health," Wyldon growled. Neal backed away quickly. "Mindelan, have you anything to say?"

"I don't think the conservatives will ever accept me, sir."

"You are underestimating yourself, Mindelan." Lord Wyldon looked almost amused. "Yes, you will have a struggle to convince the conservatives, and you will have a few hurdles to overcome"—he glanced quickly at Kefira—"but between your reputation as the Protector of the Small and letters of recommendation from Lord Raoul, Duke Baird, and myself—though my reputation is slipping as I'm growing scandalously liberal in my old age—you should be able to overcome their concerns. Certainly the king and queen will not object to you. Some might even make the argument that noble families will feel more comfortable sending their daughters to train as knights if they know that a woman will be overseeing the training." He glared at Neal who was approaching him with a palm full of green fire. "No Queenscove, I have not taken leave of my senses," he told him. "Your former knight-mistress was similarly concerned when I discussed the matter with her this morning," he remarked. "I think that she would have insisted upon examining me if she weren't at Pirate's Swoop."

Kel took a deep breath and elbowed Neal who was wondering aloud whether or not the Lioness had taken leave of her senses. "I see, sir," she said. "Thank you, sir." Kefira began to fuss and Kel bounced her up and down to quiet her. "What about New Hope, sir? Who would manage it?"

"You just said that the refugees are practically managing things themselves. And I believe it is time for Merric to get some command experience under his belt. Besides, New Hope will be largely disbanded as the refugees move to new homes in the next year or two."

Kel nodded, speechless. Kefira began to squall loudly and it smelled as though her diaper needed changing. Of all the things she would prefer not to have Lord Wyldon see, this had to be close to the top of the list. What kind of knight interrupted a conversation with a commanding officer to change a diaper?

"Well, good, then I'd best be going if I'm to set out for Corus tomorrow." He saluted Neal. "It sounds as though you've got work to do and I shouldn't keep you standing around." He stepped forward quickly and kissed Kefira's forehead. This action shocked Kel, Neal, and Wyldon—it even shocked baby Kefira who stopped crying momentarily and gave a hiccup of surprise. Lord Wyldon shook his head vigorously as if to clear it of sentimentality as he mounted his horse. He turned his horse and cantered away without waving.

Two weeks past midwinter (Goldenlake)

"Alanna," Raoul shouted joyfully as he pulled her off her horse, spun her around, and set her on the ground. "I'm so glad you've come, Buri needs distracting and I wanted to talk to you about Kel and Dom."

Alanna regarded him through bleary eyes. "Let's talk indoors; I'm cold, hungry, thirsty, dirty, tired, and—" she shot him a reproachful look—"dizzy."

Raoul nodded sheepishly and motioned for a stable boy in Goldenlake livery to take the horse's reins.

It took a long hot bath, a substantial meal, a roaring fire, and the joy of seeing a very pregnant—and somewhat irritable—Buri to put the Lioness in better spirits. Once they had retired to Raoul's study and he had finished fussing over Buri—and she had finished snapping at him for it—Alanna turned towards Raoul.

"They probably don't even know that Dom can legally get married yet, Raoul," she said. "The proclamation came all of five days ago."

"No, I've told Dom, he knows but he's refusing to ask her again," Raoul complained. "He's being a young fool."

"Funny," Buri remarked from beneath the pile of blankets Raoul had buried her in, "I would say he's being wise and patient."

"Kel will come around eventually," Alanna reassured him. "If I came around for the likes of George, it's only a matter of time before Kel realizes that she'd be happier married to Dom." A wide grin flashed across Alanna's face as a sudden realization hit. "I can think of a way to hasten the process, though," she told Raoul. "You see what Kel really needs now is a small battle."

"Exactly," said Buri. "There's nothing like decapitating or impaling monsters while in mortal peril to help a woman sort out confused thoughts. I wouldn't say no to a minor skirmish myself just now."

Alanna pursed her lips to keep from smiling again as a plan began to form in her mind. "Nothing like it," she agreed. "Buri?" she asked casually, "when do you expect to go into labor?" She smiled at Buri's answer. "And Raoul? Where exactly is Dom stationed?"

It took only a few minutes to work out the details. Alanna and Buri did most of the planning. "Good," Raoul remarked when they had finished. "I think it would be best if we didn't share this plan with Dom."

Alanna snorted but refrained from mentioning the fact that she had instructed Raoul to keep his sergeant in the dark five minutes before. 'I'll just go have a word with Neal, then."

Reasons to go to a women's college:

Tea (well, not the tea so much as the cookies that come with the tea)

It is a virtual guarantee that someone on your floor will have a copy of the BBC Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth to borrow.

I know that I left you with a bit of a cliff hanger but Alanna's little plot will be revealed in the next chapter. (I think that prolonged exposure to George has had an effect on her.)