Lady Angelique of mystiqu – I agree.
Goddess Usagi – lol. You have a point!
Lady of Masbolle – Thanks. That review cracked me up!
Alannalovingwriter – Don't we all want our very own Dom??!!
Problem cows of the world – Thank you.
Dreamerdoll – I guess! And thanks for all the support.
Anonymous – No, Dom actually has brown hair. Lots of people get it mixed up.
DrStrangelove007 – Sorry that you had to wait so long.
Gopha-gurl – Thanks.
Atlanta Enchanted – Thanks for the constant support.
Aly Spy – I will try, but it probably will take a couple of weeks because I am not very reliable. Actaully, because I am on holidays, I might get it updated sooner.
Alanna's modern day twin – Thanks.
PsychoLioness13 – Definitely NOT a pointless review, it made me feel much better. By the way, random comment, my name is Hannah too!
Caidre – lol. I love the review! Thanks so much!
Cactus Queen – Well, I don't think my fluff will go further than this, if you get my drift!! ;)
Luna y sol – Thanks.
I love Gary – Thanks for the support!
Jennyvre Moss – Thanks. That makes me feel much better.
If there is anybody I missed, thanks for reading the story and I would love to hear your opinions.
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Chapter 12
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The town was of average size; big enough to have an inn, small enough for Kel and Dom to go unrecognised as a knight and a sergeant of Tortall.
The late afternoon sun didn't warm and the few people on the street wore wool cloaks. Kel shivered involuntarily. Ignoring the weather, she nudged Peachblossom through the gate and into the yard of the inn.
A boy stumbled out of the stable and took Peachblossom and Whistler away to unsaddle, feed and tie them up. He reminded Kel strongly of Tobe. Mixed emotions followed, thinking of him. Firstly, Kel was happy for him: He had decided to stay at New Hope and was being looked after by the new headwoman, Fanche. Secondly, she missed his company, his wise outlook on things and his simple child-love that had made him cling to her in the beginning.
Quickly, Kel grabbed her pack and joined Dom.
The inn was small and almost completely deserted. Only one man, presumably the owner, bustled around in the eating room, cleaning up. When he heard the door open, he dropped his duster and came over.
"Good afternoon, master, mistress." He said in Common with a thick, Tyran accent, "My name is Gevern and this humble tavern belongs to me and my wife. Would you be wanting a room to stay the night, or are you only travelling through, wanting a meal and rest?" While speaking, he looked Kel up and down. Kel hid her frown. She should have remembered that in Tyra women dressed in skirts, not breeches.
Dom looked at Kel before replying, "Two rooms with adjoining doors, if you please for myself and … my sister."
Kel sighed thankfully. She had been wondering how they would present themselves. They had to fake a relationship of some sort, for it was unheard of, in Tyra, for an unmarried woman to travel with a man, not in the direct family, or by herself. Kel had been dreading the obvious relationship kind: marriage.
This was much better to cope with.
She tuned back into the conversation, hating the fact that women in Tyra played more passive roles than in Tortall.
" … and could two baths be send up to the rooms, please?" Dom said.
"Of course, sir, my wife will tend to your laundry and soap will be send up with the hot water." Gevern replied, happy to please, "Will you be wanting anything else?"
"Yes, after the baths, could dinner be send up to my room?"
The water was scorching hot. Biting back a yelp, Kel lowered herself into the tub, bit by bit. She could feel the hot water turn her flesh red and the steam was making her skin oily and sticky. Sinking beneath the surface of the water, she held her breath while scrubbing her face, her hair and her body. The soap was rough, but did the job.
Finally clean, Kel leaned back and closed her eyes.
Kel awoke to find that the water was cold. Groaning, she made her stiff muscles move and lifted herself out of the tub. Grabbing the towel that was lying on the floor close by, she rubbed herself dry and put on clean cloths; dark brown breeches, a matching blouse, stockings and boots. Quickly she ran a brush through her hair, before knocking on the connection door between her and Dom's room.
Kel heard footsteps heavy footsteps approach. The door was pulled open and she found herself opposite Dom, who grinned at her.
Smiling back, she squeezed herself through the doorway without touching Dom who was standing in it.
A wonderful smell met Kel as she stepped into the room. Following her nose to the two chairs in front of the fireplace, Kel spotted a small table, which was stacked with bowls and plates of food. Smiling wolfishly she sank into a chair as Dom came over and joined her.
While Dom heaped her plate with rice, imported from Carthak, and cooked vegetables, Kel lifted the lids of the other bowls to find a deliciously smelling rabbit stew, a green sauce with beans floating in it, a saffron curry, and a platter of marinated chicken wings.
Pouring Dom a mug of ale and herself a glass of apple cider, she picked up a fork and started to eat.
Later they sat in a comfortable silence and stared into the dancing flames of the fire.
Dom coughed. Kel glanced over to find his eyes on herself.
"Now what?" Dom asked.
Kel raised an eyebrow.
Dom grinned wickedly. "What are your plans now that you are in Tyra?"
Sighing, Kel leaned back while rubbing her sore arm. "Well, I think we should rest tomorrow. The horses have been working hard it wont hurt us to relax."
"Sounds good to me."
Kel stood up and opened the shutters of the small window. Down below Kel could see the courtyard of the inn. The sign above the gate was swaying in the wind, giving off a creaking sound. Leaning out, Kel let the cold night's air cool her thoughts. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on her breathing and on the small breeze as it ruffled her hair.
A hand on her shoulder brought her back to reality. Turning around, she felt Dom pull her against him. Sighing, she hid her face in the crock of his neck. She didn't know that it could feel so good to be held. All worries slipped her mind as she breathed in his smell. One of Dom's hands was pressing her lower back tightly against him, while the other hand travelled up and stroked her freshly washed hair.
They stood for a long time like that, both lost in thought. Finally Kel pulled away. She felt Dom's arms slip away and their absence was like a cold blow. Ignoring the feeling, she pecked Dom on the cheek. When she turned to go Dom grabbed her arm and pulled her back. They kissed hungrily, but this time Kel kept a tight control over her emotions. She wasn't ready to take the relationship further. Even though she enjoyed their kisses and she valued his affections above anything, she was still scared of too much attention from him.
After a while, Kel pulled away. Noticing that she had closed her eyes she let them flutter open.
"Good night, Dom." Her voice came out as a whisper.
"Sleep tight, Protector of the Small. You need a peaceful rest." Dom stroked her cheek.
His eyes were bright as he showed her to the door.
Kel sighed as she slipped between the sheets. The bed was soft and a nice change from her bedroll. Pulling the blanket up till it was covering all of her, even her face, she thanked the Goddess that the first part of her journey was over.
Feeling a comforting warmth spread through her, Kel closed her eyes and slid over the edge into a dreamless sleep.
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I am truly sorry that I haven't updated. I won't give you any excuses, but just know that I am not planning on abandoning this story. So if you are losing faith in me, please don't!
Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas or, if you don't celebrate it, best of luck in this upcoming New Year.
Wolfy