Wake-Robin – Yeah I agree with you; mosquito bites are annoying, but have you ever been bitten by a marsh fly? Now that REALLY hurts!
This is the comment to your second review: I guess my writing isn't effected too much by English being my second language (mostly spelling and grammar), but when you hear me talk – boy, some people don't even understand me!! Thanks for the great advice; I most defiantly won't take offence! Next chapter will lead up to a meeting and hopefully chapter 16 will have a lot of interaction with people. I won't give any more away, but thanks for the great review. That's exactly how I like them! Also, another 'thank you' for always being one of the first people to review. Your support is amazing.
Goddess Usagi – Yup, excitement level is going up!
Lady Angelique of mystiqu – Thanks. Good old porridge!
Dreamerdoll – I am trying to have a bit of humour in the story: doesn't hurt anybody.
HeartKel – Oh, I guess the name 'Second base' is American, because I haven't heard being used in Australia. The spies work for the Tyran court – can't really say any more here about them, but I am planning to have them appear in the story again. I'll see. I have to agree with you, my writing is improving – not necessarily into good stuff, but it's getting better!
This is the reply to the second review: I don't really want the fluff to take over the story and I don't really have any experience in fluff, so I would just stuff it up if I go into any more detail. Also, this new version of the chapter is pretty much dedicated to you, because you reminded me of the fact that aloe vera leaves don't grow in the climate. If you read on, you will be able so see that I changed that! Thanks so much for drawing that to my attention. Another thanks for writing such wonderful reviews: nice and long ones with lots of detail and constructive criticism. I love them! Keep them coming!
Warrior of Tortall – Thanks.(comment to second review -) Ok, I will work on improving my sentences. I love describing characters so it's good to know that people can understand my descriptions! I am German, so my first language is German.
Alannalovingwriter – I know what you mean; cliffies are annoying, but hey, they give the story a twist!
She-Who-Snogs-Weasly-Boys – Love the name! Thanks. Ah … fluff … who doesn't appreciate good fluff!?
Atlanta Enchanted – Thanks, that really boost my 'writing-esteem'!
This is for your second review: Yeah, but I have the suspicion that it is a bit out of character for Kel: She wasn't really this hesitant with Cleon! I won't have Kel and Dom do the deed, but I guess a bit more action wont hurt anybody! laughs Thanks for the great support.
Annmarie Aspasia – Thanks, I try and make the characters interesting and believable. (This is for the second review:) Thanks. I am fluent in English, but still, I do make a LOT of mistakes. But as long as I have a bit of support, I am happy. So thank you.
Akemi – I try to avoid spelling mistakes, but I guess I am not perfect. Thanks.
The eternity – Cool name. Yeah, I love constructive criticism and I normally never take offence. Yeah, German is my first language, but I am fluent in English as well. (I am half German, half Australian.) I speak English with quite an accent, but hardly anyone is able to place it: it's a mix-mash of all the languages spoken in the countries that I have lived in, which, trust me, is a lot of different places! At the moment my family and I are living in Sydney, but we have a little hobby-farm near Coffs Harbour, which is about 5 hours north of Syd. We spend all of our holidays up there. Where do you live?
Lady of Masbolle – Thanks!
Adurere – I have changed all the words that you corrected. I agree with you: Kel isn't the type to do the deed straight away, even if Dom is the perfect guy for her. I love the review; it's so nice and LONG! Thanks so much!
Allimba – Glad to hear it!
Daisydukes947 – Thanks. I hope I won't keep you waiting for too long with the next chapter, but I am a bit unreliable when it comes to quick updating. blushes
Ok, I hope I didn't miss anybody! That took quite a while to write, but since I didn't do it the first time, I guess it wasn't too bad.
This update is just a revised version of chapter 14. If you have already read it, you don't really need to read it again.
Thanks to HEARTKEL, I noticed that I did a very embarrassing mistake: Aloe Vera plants don't grow it cold climates because it belongs to the cacti family.
So I have changed the plant type and I have gotten rid of a view spelling mistakes (Thanks ADURERE!). The story line has not been altered at all!
Also, quite a lot of the reviewers have asked me what nationality I am and what my first language is; I am half German, half Australian (more German than Australian!) and I speak German as my first language.
I hope that has helped you guys to understand me better.
Thanks for all your great support! It's really encouraging!
Wolfy
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Chapter 14
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The rest of the day was spend buying new supplies, checking the horses, doing laundry, having large meals and going to bed early.
The sun hadn't even topped the mountains the next morning, but Kel and Dom, mounted on their horses with saddlebags filled with new supplies, were already out of the town.
They had left the town on the same road as the two Tyran men had yesterday. But as soon as they were out of sight of the town, they had nudged Peachblossom and Whistler into the gully next to the road. From there they decided to cut cross-country and so shorten their trip to the mountain pass, through which they would had to travel to leave the valley in the direction of the capital.
As the day unfolded, the landscape around them went from flat to rocky and to hilly. There were no trots or canters, both horses strained to place their hooves securely on the unstable slops that they climbed and descended.
Kel felt Peachblossom, a horse with normally amazing wind, begin to breath heavily. Her boots and breeches were coated in the horse's foaming sweat.
Whistler, Dom's gelding whose frame resembled the one of a stallion (arched neck included), wasn't coping any better than Peachblossom. Neither of the horses were rebelling to the exhausting track, but they were subdued and with every new slope they climbed, they became slower and Peachblossom could not even muster the strength to take a bite out of his four-legged companion.
Kel and Dom stopped regularly to give the horses a time to breath and at every creek they let their horses cool down before letting them fill their stomachs with cold water.
Even though the temperature didn't rise high enough for it to be called a mild day, both Kel and Dom had taken off their cloaks; the mounts' heat rose up and settled over the riders like a sticky blanket.
Late that afternoon, they rode onto a small clearing with hardly and rocks and a sparkling clean creek running through it.
Although they still had a good while till sun down, they decided that the horses were done in and needed a well-earned rest.
Happily, Kel slid out of the saddle. She was used to riding long and hard, but today had been challenging. Her legs were sore and she knew that her calves were rubbed raw.
Quickly she unsaddled Peachblossom, before lifting the reins over his head and grabbing his saddle pad. While he gulped down the water, Kel rinsed out the pad.
Peachblossom's coat was slicked back and steaming due to all the sweat that had built up beneath the saddle.
Looking at the wet cloth in her hands, she knew Peachblossom would hate her for this. Then, drenching the saddle pad again, she used it like a sponge to clean her horse's back.
Peachblossom flinched and tried to sidle away from her. When the wet substance on his back didn't ease he stopped drinking to and turned to Kel.
Kel watched his ears go back and knew that she had guessed correctly: Peachblossom was not happy.
Whispering soothing words, Kel managed to cool the gelding down without getting bitten or kicked.
Finally, Kel picketed Peachblossom near the water on a long rope so that he had plenty of space to graze and she returned to her packs.
Dom had collected large stones and had laid them in a circle in which he built a fire.
Kel, looking around, didn't spot a pile of firewood, so she cut into the wood to go and collect some. She hadn't gone far, only out of sight of the camp, when her right leg cramped up. Biting back a loud groan, she massaged the muscles.
Nothing happened, only the pain worsened.
Growling an oath, Kel tried putting weight on the leg. It didn't work. Dragging the sore leg behind, she limped to a nearby fallen log. Sinking down on it, she told herself to be stone. Concentrating on her breathing, she felt the muscles relax, even if the pain didn't subside.
All of a sudden Kel could hear the crunch of footsteps. Hating to be surprised in this weak position, Kel hoped that it was Dom approaching and not some trackers or bandits.
She just managed to hide her pain behind her Yamani mask before Dom appeared from behind a tree.
He looked surprised to see her sitting there.
"You alright, Kel?"
"Of course."
Dom's raised eyebrow indicated that he didn't belief her.
"Just sitting here enjoying the view?"
Kel glanced around. "Fabulous view … lots of trees!" she said sarcastically.
"What's the matter?"
Kel didn't answer. Her leg felt numb. Taking this as a good sign, she used her left arm to heave herself up, putting weight on the leg.
She had moved too quickly. The cramp returned full force. Her Yamani mask still in place, she sank back onto the log.
Dom moved forward. As a sergeant in the King's Own he had seen his fair share of injuries and was able to detect the symptoms of the cramp straight away.
Kneeling in front of Kel, the healer in him kicked in. "Thigh or calf?"
Kel pointed to her thigh.
Nodding, Dom began massaging the spot.
Kel felt uncomfortable. Even though she had strong feelings for him, which were returned, they had never gone any further than kissing. Body contact, other than hugging, had been avoided by Kel.
Dom seemed to be able to feel her tense up, because he sighed and, without looking at her, said, "Relax, I am only trying to help."
Kel took a breath and felt her muscles settle back into place.
After a while the pain eased and Kel could move the limp without any pain.
She felt guilty, however. Dom had been nothing but nice to her and she could not even touch him without flinching or feeling uncomfortably warm.
"Thanks, Dom." She mumbled. Lifting her chin to meet his eyes, she saw that he wasn't upset, but was reading her.
Giving him a small smile, she saw his face soften as the gesture was returned.
Carefully she took the few strides separating them and kissed him. She wasn't used to taking the first step, but she could tell that this pleased Dom, because he gathered her into his arms and kissed back.
This time as their tongues touched, she didn't pull away. Instead, she let Dom teach her the new steps to the next level in their relationship.
When they finally pulled away, both were breathless.
Dom smiled down at Kel before leaning down and whispering into her ear, "How is the leg?"
"Much better, thanks."
Dom let his arms drop from her shoulders. "I guess we better should continue setting up camp before darkness sets in." Looking up at the sky he added, "How about you go back to camp and get a meal going and I'll find us some more wood?"
"Sounds good to me."
On her way back to the campsite, Kel found a small plant with thick long leaves that were coated with small hairs, which gave it a velvety touch. Recognising it as one that Lord Raoul shown to her during her squire years, she picked a few, knowing that they worked medical miracles.
Later that night, when darkness had fallen, Kel and Dom sat on their bedrolls, which had been spread out next to each other for the first time.
Dom rolled up his breeches to reveal calves covered in rashes. Hissing in sympathy, Kel pulled out the remaining leaves, which she had picked that afternoon. She had used some on her own legs, which had also been rubbed raw.
Kel split the leaves open with her belt knife. A thick green liquid began leaking out. Pulling one of Dom's legs onto her lap, she smoothed the gel like juice onto the sore spots. Repeating the same thing on his other leg, she heard Dom sigh contently.
Done, Kel threw the used up leaves onto the fire next to her. Smoke flared up before the fire returned to it's previously crackling state.
After she had changed into her sleeping wear, she snuggled into her bedroll. It was cold, but began warming up straight away.
Lying on her back, Kel looked into the sky. It was a clear night and the stars were shining brightly.
She heard Dom get comfortable next to her; he was taking first watch.
There was silence; all sounds were muffled by the trees surrounds the clearing. Suddenly Kel felt a something creep over and grasp her hand.
Looking down, she saw her fingers interlocked with Dom's.
Smiling happily, she mumbled, "Good night, Dom."
She didn't hear his reply, because she had slipped over the edge into the Realm of Dreams.
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I hope all of you have had a terrific start to 2005!