Jennyvre Moss – Glad to hear it.
Wake-Robin – Thanks.
Alannalovingwriter – I am happy that you think so. I keep on turning back to the books to see if they are still acting right!
Annmarie Aspasia – Thank you so much. That's great to know!
Summer Raindrop – Thank you. That was a great review with so much wonderful depth! I am sorry about the fluff; I will try and be a bit more creative.
Atlanta Enchanted – Great!
Jamie Lynn – I'll try in future to update quicker, but I can't promise anything.
Alannasmoderndaytwin – Thanks.
Queenoffakittys – Thanks for the review.
Queen-of-sapphires – Thank you so much for correcting me on that little mistake with the gypsies. You are of course right!
Lady of Masbolle – Thank you.
Anonymous – I am sorry for the long wait.
DomisMINE – Sorry, but I find it hard to update regularly.
PsychoLioness – Dom had to survive!
Fairytale-princess-504 – Thanks, that means a lot to me. I learned English because I lived in the USA and Malaysia for a long time.
Alie Jnns – Thanks for the review.
Avchocaholic – Thank you.
Erica – Thank you, that was great long review. Glad that you enjoy my story so much.
Dom's Angel – Dom is the best! I hope the wait didn't kill you!
Piglet12345 – Your review really made me think. I came to the conclusion that you are right and that Kel shouldn't be that worried about "snogging" Dom. I'll keep it in mind!
Caremel – Thanks. That means a lot to me.
Knight Queen – Thank you, that's great to hear!
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Last Chapter …Silently her eyes spilled over and salty water droplets ran down her cheeks as Dom held her against him as firmly as he could in his weakened state.
She couldn't remember ever feeling so thankful and as they broke apart, Kel took Dom's hand and held it till he fell asleep again.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Chapter title: Message from Tortall
Chapter started: 3.4.05
Chapter finished: 22.5.05
Chapter posted: 23.5.05
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Chapter 17
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
A couple of days later, Kel and Dom were alone again. The gypsies had continued on their journey into the west and had left the two with enough provisions to get them to the capital.
They made a funny group: Dom pale with eyes still bright from his bout with the fever and Kel, arm no longer in a sling, but wrapped in ripped cloth to keep the almost healed wound clean.
Their horses had grown thin in the cold mountain winter and their tack had seen better days and was in dire need of a polish. Both humans had also carried more weight before their journey and their clothing was dirty and worn in many torn layers due to the cold. However, all of them were among the living and the horses moved steadily along the mountain tracks, their breath steaming in the freezing cold.
The clouds hung low; it looked like it would snow soon.
Dom had recovered quickly and well. He was still a bit weak, but that was expected after his illness and fight with the Black God, as he later told Kel in a hushed and awed voice.
Kel made sure that they took it at a comfortable pace. They weren't going slow and used up all of the scarce sunlight to travel in, but they had regular stops to water the horses and eat small bites of the bread that the gypsies had thoughtfully packed for them.
'It's funny', Kel thought to herself as she nudged Peachblossom down a steep mountain path, 'First Dom takes care of me, now I am taking care of him. It sounds so cliché.'
Smiling to herself, she turned around to see how Dom was faring behind her on Whistler.
Noticing her concern, Dom gave her a smile and a cheeky wink.
Shaking her head, Kel turned back to the front when a movement caught her eye above.
Looking
up, things slowed down around her. A magnificent bird soaring above
her folded its wings to its sides and plunged downwards. Watching its
dive, Kel could make out the sun reflecting of the deadly looking
beak and shining in the eyes of the hunter.
Then instinct took
over; Kel could hear Dom shouting as she threw herself out of the
saddle. She landed hard on the uneven, rocky ground, narrowly missing
spiking herself on the sword hanging by her side.
Winded, Kel
lay on her back as the eagle touched down gracefully next to her
head.
She had just enough time to admire the mighty bird before little brown feather balls bombarded her.
Sparrows
landed on her head, shoulders, legs and on the ground around her.
Amazed, Kel lifted her finger in front of her face and one little
brown bird landed gently on it.
"Arrow?" Kel whispered, in awe.
The sparrow chirped happily and gently squeezed Kel's finger with its tiny claws.
"What are you doing here? I thought I left you safely with Neal."
Arrow cheeped again before flying over to the eagle and landing at its feet. There nestled between the giant talons rested a leather pouch.
Leaning over, Kel picked it up. At the same moment Dom reached them at a canter.
"Everything alright?" he panted.
"I belief we just got a massage from Tortall."
Dom looked astounded. "The birds?"
Kel nodded mutely and pointed to the bag on her lap.
Dom left her sitting on the ground and took Whistler and Peachblossom and tied them to a nearby tree.
While he searched through the saddlebags for a bit of bread to feed to the new addition to their group, Kel reunited with her old friends. She recognised most of the eleven sparrows as well as remembering their names and as she got acquainted with the new ones, Dom feed them and the eagle, who turned out to be very vain and continuously ruffled his feathers, little titbits of broken up bread.
After a while everyone settled down and Kel tugged open the drawstrings of the pouch. Out she pulled a rolled up piece of parchment with the royal seal on it, a second role with the Queenscove seal and a simple folded piece of parchment with no seal as well as a small, plain looking mirror.
Kel broke the royal seal and unrolled the letter from his majesty.
Dear Lady Knight Keladry,I write to you with the intentions to receive information from you.
Please see attached a two-way-mirror, crafted by Master Numair Saliman to allow an ungifted person, like you, to use it.
Look into it, say my name and I will appear in it.
I look forward to our conversation.
His Majesty, the King of the Realm of Tortall,
Jonathan of ContéKel reread the blunt letter, mildly surprised. She assumed that Tyra was busy, worrying Tortall, but the King sounded impatient, if anything.
Passing the letter on to Dom, She pulled out the next roll of parchment. Neal's letter was thicker then the king's and Kel broke the seal quickly.
Dearest Kel,
I will try and forgive you for running off without a proper goodbye, just a scribbled note under my door telling me to take care of your animals in your absence and that you hope to see me again around spring time. I assume that you had your reasons for not being able to fill me in thoroughly before your hasty departure. Still I must say, I feel frightfully left in the dark.
His majesty called me to his office about a day after you left. He told me that you and Dom were of on a mission and that it was top secret. His reason for telling me so much was quite hilarious, really! He didn't want your friends thinking that you had eloped with that cousin of mine. I am sure you are more mature than that, but you did have me a bit worried at first.
Yuki was not happy, hearing about your abrupt departure. Actually, she was quite displeased. (She dropped a vase, which she was polishing, when I told her.) You know our wedding was planned for spring, don't you? Well, both Yuki and I refuse to have the wedding without you attending, so we are going to wait till you return to Corus.
Jump is well. He has gained a bit of weight this winter (Yuki spoils him), but he is a bit subdued since you left. Hoshi is doing well. I exercise her regularly and I have to say, she is a very smooth ride. I am jealous. The sparrows didn't take your departure all so well. They seemed confused. Daine came and talked to them. She explained to them, as well as to Jump, why you had left and why you didn't take them. I guess that made them feel a bit better, but when the king decided that you were to get a message via an eagle they wanted to go too. (Daine translated for me.) That is why those little fluff-balls are with you now. Eleven left here; I hope they all reached you. A couple stayed with me and Yuki and the others have returned to that tree in the courtyard outside your old room in the pages' wing.
Cleon is happily married. His wife is expecting their first child and their lands are flourishing under their care. I meet his wife for the first time a couple of weeks ago. She is kind and caring and seems to love Cleon strongly. He seems to be quite smitten with her as well!
Merric, Seaver and Faleron are doing well. Merric is still near the border of Scanra, making sure that everything returns to normal and helping the refugees settle back into their old life. Seaver is in Corus, working for the crown, still waiting for a proper posting. He wants to go to the border of Tyra, but the king hasn't given his permission yet. I belief Faleron has a found himself a ladylove. He seems happier and more cheerful, but I do not know the identity of the woman nor do I intend on asking, even if the suspense is killing me. Let him come out with it when he is ready.
Prince Roland and his beautiful wife are fine. I think their love for one another thrives with each passing day. He seems to be in awe of her and she strives to please him. (It goes so far to be quite sickening if watching the pair for too long!)
Owen is becoming quite the knight. He has joined a squad of the Own and is off chasing bandits in the south of the kingdom, like he said he would do.
The war with Scanra is over. The last battles have been fought against the remaining struggling clans, but most of their hope disappeared along with their killing machines.
King Maggur signed the peace treaty last week in the City of the Gods. It was a big meeting. The maggot came with a large group of advisers, but was not allowed to take any company of soldiers, only a small number of bodyguards. King Jonathan met him there. There was a banquet, a few speeches and then we all got to leave again. I attended with Yuki. Afterwards I visited the university. The library there will never cease to amaze me.
Tyra is restless. Many squads of the Own have been placed along the border as well as a number of rider groups and part of the regular army. The king is worried. You can see it when you look at him. I guess his work is hard; his duty is to the people of this land, who he pledged to protect. I wouldn't like to swap places with him.
I hope that you return soon, Kel. Give my regards to Dom. My father sends his love to him as well as the rest of our family.
I am not expecting a reply to this letter, but I demand a full recount of your adventure when you get back.
Rest assured, I am eating my vegetables and Yuki is taking good care of me.
May the Goddess protect you and tell Dom that I hold him responsible if anything happens to you.
Good luck and best wishes,
your friend,
Neal
Smiling, Kel rolled the letter up and placed it on Dom's lap, for him to read. She had enjoyed being updated about life back in Corus and felt a gentle throbbing of homesickness in her gut. Quickly pushing those thoughts away, she turned to Dom.
He was sitting silently on her right side, cross-legged, eyes fixed on her as he stroked the chest of a sparrow sitting on his right shoulder.
"You miss it, don't you?" he asked her quietly.
Kel shook her head and looked away. "This is what I aimed to achieve and I am happy." She held up her hand when Dom went to interrupt her. "However, I miss a home and my friends, yes, but that is to be expected and I will see them again soon. Anyway, you are here."
"That I am."
He smiled at her and didn't push her for more. Instead he took her hand in his while he unrolled Neal's letter.
Kel leaned on Dom's shoulder as she opened the last letter. Daine's handwriting was small and neat.
Dear Keladry,
I want to let you know that both Jump and Hoshi are in the best of health and happy. They understand why you left them behind and hope that you return soon. The sparrows understand that they face hardships, especially due to the climate change, but are willing to adjust. They missed you greatly.
Also, don't worry about the eagle. He will make his own way back home. I chose him especially because I knew that he was reliable and wouldn't hurt the sparrows if told not to.
Best of luck on this journey.
With kind wishes and regards from Numair,
Daine
Happy with this news from home, Kel was just putting the letters back in the pouch for save keeping, when she felt arms snake around her. Squealing, she tried to escape, but Dom held her tightly around the waist. Kel half turned in his arms, putting them both off balance. Before she knew what as happening, they were toppling over. It ended with Dom lying on his back with his arms still around Kel and she lying on her side, facing away from Dom.
"What was that for?" she asked, trying very hard not to groan; she had bumped her almost fully healed arm hard on the ground when falling over. For an answer, Dom turned onto his side, so that Kel's back was up against his chest, and brought his mouth close to her ear.
"Because," he whispered, placing a gentle kiss just beneath the earlobe, "you – are – amazing." His voice was husky and between every word another kiss was planted along her neck.
Kel shivered agreeably, even though she felt awkward lying in Dom's arms. Cleon had always been very standoffish in his affections. They had hugged and kiss many a time, but actually lying down together, no.
"You aren't half bad yourself." Her treacherous tongue slipped on the words and it came out as a stammer.
Dom planted on last kiss on her jawbone, before untangling himself and sitting up. However the kiss wasn't quite as sweet as the previous ones.
Cursing herself silently in all the languages she knew, Kel quickly sat up too.
"Dom," she started, but he cut her off.
"No, I understand. I am moving too fast." He moved to rise, but Kel gripped his sleeve and pulled him back down.
"Listen, Dom. I want this out in the open." Kel took a deep breath. "The only reason why I am holding back is because I have only ever cared about one man before and it didn't work out." Thinking back to her time with Cleon, she added, "True, the relationship we had couldn't have been successful, but I dreamed. I want to make sure that this isn't just a fling, a one-time thing."
"I know, but –"
"I trust you, Dom. I trust you with my life and I will trust you with my heart. Never have I doubted you. I want to go further, really I do. But every time you kiss me I think of what I have had before and how it ended. I am scared, Dom, scared of holding back and scared of going further. Most of all, Dom I am scared of losing you."
Kel broke off and looked away.
Dom sighed next to her and crossed his arms. "Kel, I'll be honest with you. I am older than you and being a man has its advantages with relationships. I have had feelings for women before, numerous women I should add, but never has it worked out and never have I felt the urge to make the flings, as you so charming put, last."
He ran his hands through his hair in a very Neal-like fashion. "That was prior to me meeting you almost seven years ago. Before that I knew you through Neal's letters, which he sent regularly, keeping me updated on his and your progress through the first stages of your knight training. I watched you grow from a girl-child into a young woman. I think you were sixteen when I became aware of the fact that you weren't only smart, funny and a great member of the Own, but also beautiful and mature. I enjoyed and desired your company even more than before. Lord Raoul, noticed at that point, I think, my attraction to you. Without bringing you into it in any way, he reminded me of my duty and my pledge to serve the crown. You know men of the Own aren't permitted to marry, right?"
Kel nodded.
"So I decided to admire you from a distance. I watched you fall for Cleon of Kennan. You two seemed happy, so I was pleased for you even though deep down jealously was gnawing at me. How far you two went is none of my business. I can't remember you two breaking it off; I hadn't seen you for a while before you came to north to take over the refugee camp.
"All I know is that I care of you strongly and have done so for a long time.
"And now, that I finally have you to hold in my arms and kiss you, I feel even more towards you. I love you, Kel. I am not going to pressure you into anything. I have waited too long for all of this to now throw it away because I can't control my emotions and actions. I can and will wait for you to be ready even if it is very frustrating for me. You have a duty. This mission is more important than you thinking about this relationship. Let us just continue on like we have before. When we get back, we'll see."
There was silence. Even the birds had stopped their eating of breadcrumbs to watch the two. Kel smiled at them as she thought over all Dom had said. She knew she could rely on him.
Kel looked up and their eyes met. Without out thinking, Kel slid into his welcoming embrace and buried her face in the crook of his neck. There she placed a tentative kiss before pulling back and meeting his mouth with hers.
They pulled apart breathlessly a few moments later. Dom rested his brow against hers.
She smiled weakly at him. "Thank you."
He grinned at her in return and straightened her collar. "No problem, Protector of the Small. Now, I think it's time for you to talk to the king."
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
I am sure the long wait killed most of you. Sorry about that.
I hope you enjoyed my longest chapter so far.
Please review.
Thanks,
Wolfy