Sorry it took so long for me to get this posted. I've been busy the last few days. Thank you once again to all my lovely reviewers. Please keep it up! For those of you wondering,there is fluff on the way, it will be worth the wait,I promise.

The Third Company left before dawn. Bandits had come over the border from Galla and were raiding villages along the River Drell. Dom was glad to be back out on the road and doing something, anything to get away from his personal problems.

As the company settled down into a brisk pace, Raoul rode up to brief the sergeants thoroughly.

"Sergeant Domiton, are you listening to me?" the Knight Commander bellowed after ten minutes.

Dom shook himself. "Yes, sir."

"What was the last thing that I said?"

Dom racked his brain. "I don't know, sir," he said eventually.

"Sergeant Domiton. I expect every one to pay attention when I give a briefing. If you do not have the correct information, it could cost lives."

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir." Dom forced his mind to focus on the task ahead.

After Raoul had finished, he moved to ride along side Dom.

"Something is not right with you, Dom. I've never known you to not pay attention."

"It's a personal problem, sir."

"Dom, I'm not asking as your commander, I'm asking as a friend."

"Like I said. It's personal."

"Something to do with what Jon said?"

Dom nodded.

"Sometimes it is harder when we are rewarded than when we are punished. Men are happy to sympathise when you are punished, but quick to criticise when you are rewarded."

"It's more complicated than just jealousy."

Raoul looked carefully at his sergeant. "It doesn't have anything to do with a certain former squire of mine does it?"

Dom did not need to answer.

"Whatever it is she'll get over it. She's not one to hold grudges. Not for herself anyway."

"I don't think this is something she's going to get over."

"What have you done?"

"Nothing, so far as I can tell."

"Then what is the problem?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean?"

"Ever since we rescued the refugees, we've become very good friends, but since the King made me a Lord, she's barely said a word to me."

Raoul thought for a long time and then said "Becoming a Lord does make it easier for you to leave the King's Own."

"Why would I want to…" began Dom. He swore. "She could have said something…"

"Why would she? She grew up in the Yamani islands. She's not exactly going to blurt it out when, I presume, you haven't given her any encouragement."

"No I suppose so." He looked at Raoul. "What I am I going to do?"

"First, you have to decide what you want and there's probably going to be a good few weeks of bandit chasing to do that."

"Raoul?" Dom asked as his commander made to move off. "How did you know you wanted to marry Buri?"

Raoul smiled. "I just did. Sometime we have to throw logic to the wind and follow our hearts."

"That's just what I was afraid of…" muttered Dom as Raoul headed towards the front of the column.

- - - - -

Later that day, Lord Wyldon announced that the government had now organised enough places to re-home all the refugees in New Hope. Kel and Neal headed straight out.

Kel found the return to New Hope comforting. The rhythms of life went on around her as she grappled with the mammoth task of arranging for her people to be moved on to their new homes. She had little time to think of Dom as she poured herself into charts, lists and messages, as well as her regular duties and exercises.

Kel thought was just as well that she found she rose before dawn and retired in the small hours everyday. The few hours of sleep she managed were light and disturbed.

The morning after the second group of refugees had headed south Neal was heading back to the infirmary after tending to a cut hand when Fanche cornered him. Inwardly, Neal groaned. Fanche was one of the few people on the planet who actually irritated him. She had a knack of getting right under his skin.

"I ain't one for worrying," said Fanche casually. "But our Lady Kel don't seem right to me."

"What do you mean?" asked Neal, surprised.

"She looks all pale like and I ain't seen her sleep in days. Least, not if the light in her window is anything to go by."

Neal looked up at Kel who was walking the wall. He frowned. "You're right I haven't seen her rest much either."

"D'you think she's sick?" asked Fanche.

"She could be, but I'd have to take a look at her."

"Way she's going she's not likely to let you do that is she."

"No," mused Neal.

"Want to know what I think?"

Not really, Neal thought.

Fanche didn't wait for Neal to answer. "I think she's pining for something."

"Pining?" Neal made a face.

"She's troubled about something."

Neal frowned. "Dom?" he mused quietly.

"What's that?" asked Fanache.

"Nothing," replied Neal hastily.

Fanche was having none of it. "You said Dom. Who's he?"

"He's my cousin."

"And her lover?"

"No!" exclaimed Neal, slightly uncomfortable about the thought. "Don't be ridiculous. I'm not sure if they're even friends. They had a huge argument before we came back."

"What about?" asked Fanche. "Lover's tiff or something."

"Fanche! Dom got raised to the peerage, that's all. Kel was a bit jealous."

"So she is in love with him then."

Neal shrugged his shoulders in frustration. "Who knows what Lady Kel is thinking?" and he walked away quickly.

He had barely gone two paced when he heard an echoing scream. Neal spun round. There was nothing he could do as he watched Kel tumbling through the air as she fell from the wall. He flinched as her body hit the muddy ground with an ominous crack.

Is Kel all right? Review me to find out...