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Last Chapter …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."
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Chapter title: In the Capital
Chapter started: 11.7.05
Chapter finished: 27.8.05
Chapter posted:
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Chapter 18
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The two-way-mirror lay heavily in Kel's hands. Taking a deep breath she leaned over the glass. Her refection looked back up. Hazel eyes hadn't changed a lot, but the skin was stretched tightly over her cheekbones. Streaks of dirt on her face and in her hair gave her a rough look and her lips were chipped due to the dry, cold wind.
"Jonathan of Conté."
Her voice sounded unnatural to her ears. Official. Stiff. Distant.
Intently she stared into the mirror.
Her reflection started to waver. Like rings on previously calm water, her image was pulled apart, devoured by the liquid.
A moment passed, it felt like an eternity to Kel as she sat surrounded by her companions, alone with her thoughts. What was she to tell the king? What did he expect of her? What news had she missed since her departure? Was Tortall at war?
The mirror's surface stilled; King Jonathan of Tortall! His black hair and beard shadowed the facial features, only sapphire blue eyes stood out, staring at Kel unblinking.
"Your majesty!" Kel whispered. Was she meant to bow? Salute? Could he hear her clearly?
Then his face was softened by a small smile. A look of relief washed over his face.
"Lady Knight, it is good to see you … I had feared the worst … never mind … where are you? No, how are you?"
His voice sounded clearly through the mirror. Unaffected by the distance, Kel could hear the royalty slide away from his voice to be replaced by a compassion that forced business aside.
"The sergeant and I are well now, your majesty."
"Now? Meaning what?"
"We camped a night by the side of Lake Tirragen. Bandits attacked; we had a scuffle with them. There were three of them, but we," Kel paused, not sure how to say it respectfully, "brought them to justice before the Black God. One of them was in possession of a longbow and arrows and he shot one at me. It hit me square in my right arm. In my bicep.
Dom – Sergeant Domitan – removed it and made sure it healed well. It slowed us down a little bit."
The king nodded. "To be expected. Has the arm healed well?"
"Yes, sire, it is only a bit stiff, but no lasting damage."
"Were there any other encounters?"
Kel cleared her throat. "We crossed into Tyra and headed for the town just behind the border. In the inn we were seen and I was recognised. We received a short note saying that we were being watched. It was signed 'Tyra'."
The king sighed, but did not comment.
Kel continued. "We cut cross-country and moved into the mountains. Winter set in really quickly and at times it has been hard to keep warm enough. The sergeant got a cold, which build up to an illness that we could not battle by ourselves. Gypsies found us. Their Wiseman healed him and a couple of days ago they moved on, leaving us with enough get to the capital, which we should reach in about two days."
Jonathan of Conté nodded. "Good. Very good … what are your plans now?"
"Well, we are going to slip into different roles. We are going to become peasants. The gypsies left us a few items of clothing, which will help. Our weapons will be hidden from sight in our baggage. We will find a small, cheap inn; get some news about Tyra's strategy and then see. Maybe we'll have to split up."
Dom, who had been sitting quietly next to her feeding the birds, looked up at her words. A question was forming on his lips before he remembered who Kel was communicating with and let it go.
The king sat stroking his beard for a while. Finally a small sigh escaped his lips. "Very well, so far, so good. Remember we aren't at war yet. Don't go in there and make uproar. As far as we know a meeting has been called by King Artus set in ten days time. All trained mages of Tyra will be there and the location of the meeting is a day's ride to the east of the capital in an unnamed valley. Smuggle yourself in; at least one of you should hear what is said.
Through this mirror you can keep me updated. I will have to thank Numair again."
The king smiled. A smile that had and still made many women swoon. "Now, my dear, any questions about back home? Any messages to be passed on?"
Kel considered for a while. Her friends, Lord Raoul, her family, Daine …
"Please, your majesty, tell my family that I am alright and that I give my love to them and please thank Nealan of Queenscove for his letter."
"Very well," Jonathan of Conté said, "that can be done. What about the sergeant? Any messages?"
Kel turned to Dom, who had been listening and motioned him to come over and speak to King himself.
Dom scooted over and leaned over the mirror, which Kel was holding for him.
"Greetings, you majesty".
"Ah, Sergeant Domitan, I trust you have recovered well?"
Dom nodded. "As well as can be expected, you majesty."
"Good, good. Any messages?"
"Please send my regards to Lord Raoul and my family, your majesty."
"Shall be done. Take care of each other and remember to keep me posted. Good day to you both and good luck."
Before either Kel or Dom had time to respond, the mirror clouded and by the time it cleared only their reflections looked up.
"Now then," said Kel, "that went rather well."
Two days later, Kel and Dom rode through the city walls into the capital of Tyra. No one gave them a second thought; Kel was wearing a long, dark, wool skirt with a torn blouse under a dirty cloak. Dom was dressed similar and was leading Kel's horse from atop his mount.
Whistler, whose normally dark brown coat was shiny, was dull and his white blaze had been covered with dirt. Peachblossom's appearance had changed as well; the red was gone from his coat, hidden from view under a layer of dust.
Looking around the busy road, Kel spied poverty at every corner. Little children, their bellies bloated with hunger, chased each other, none of them wearing enough to keep the cold out. Girls, not much older than twelve, were crouched near the walls of buildings, begging money and scraps of food of people walking by. Hardly any stopped to help them. Merchants pulled their heavy empty, wobbly wagons, their women hurrying after them, wrapped in plain scarves. A carriage, pulled by two bays, sped past, water splashing everywhere when one of the large wheels drove through a puddle left over from the heavy downpour a couple of days ago. The folk jumped aside for the nobility, glaring silently after them.
They made an odd group, but no one doubted that they were two peasants, trying their luck in the big city.
Kel hadn't been happy to let Dom lead her, but she understood that it was part of their cover. Hardly any women knew how to ride in Tyra.
She had been just as miserable to wrap her sword into cloth and hide it in the luggage. Dom was carrying her glaive, but the tip had been also wrapped in cloth, to hide the little detail that it was a deadly weapon, not just a plain staff.
Dom led them into a courtyard behind an inn. They gave their mounts to the stable hand, who promised good feed and a warm stall for both of them when Dom pressed a bronze coin into his hand. Kel gave Peachblossom a quick pat on the forehead before grabbing her saddlebags and following Dom.
The entry hall was smoky, a delicious smell wafting through a door at the far back, the kitchen, and the clatter of utensils could be heard from the dining room on the left.
The two stood uncertainly in the open doorway, when a young man strolled out of a room on the right and came towards Dom.
"Ah, welcome, friend! Come in, come in … and close the door! You're letting the cold in!"
Kel hastily did as told.
"Now, I am Hugo, son of the owner. How can I help you? A room for yourself and you're pretty little lassie or would you like a hot bite to eat and a warm drink to warm you bones?"
Kel was a bit irritated by the man treating her like Dom's possession, but remembering that that was all what a woman was in this country made her swallow her anger.
Dom put an arm around her, having noticed her annoyed expression, and gave her a gentle squeeze. "A room for me and my lovely wife and a bath, please."
"Of course, chum, right this way."
As they climbed the rickety stairs to the second story of the building, Kel thought back to the night before as they sat around a small fire, discussing their disguise for the next day. Dom asked if they should be brother and sister again. She had shook her head. They would be married. She had decided to do it for her own safety; most men would leave her alone, knowing that she belonged to someone else. But seeing Dom's brilliant smile made her change her reason.
The room was small, but clean. A double bed took up most of the floor space. The tiny window overlooked an empty street and Kel could see that it was getting dark slowly.
"Dinner is only served in the dining hall. Please feel free to come down when you are ready. You're bath will be brought up shortly."
Hugo let himself out and closed the door behind him.
Kel was just opening the window and letting in the sparrows, who had been followed them overhead, when two men brought the tub and hot water in. When they were gone and the door locked, Kel and Dom looked at each other.
"You go first," Kel said, "I'll … err … face the other way."
Dom nodded and began unbuttoning his blouse. Quickly Kel turned away and busied herself. She heard Dom step into the water and her hands slipped on the clean blouse she was pulling out of the saddlebag. Silently kicking herself, Kel sat down on the bed, facing the wall. A bit of meditation would help.
A hand on her shoulder brought her back to life. Dom was standing next to her, only wearing a pair of breeches and water still dripping from his hair. Kel swallowed and quickly rubbed her eyes. "I'm sorry, I wasn't planning on dozing off."
Dom smiled evilly. "The water is still quite hot. I'll turn around and won't peek … much!"
Kel glared. "You will do no such thing, mister, or I'll have your ears and everything attached!"
Dom nodded and turned away, but not before Kel saw the grin.
She waited until she was sure that Dom wasn't going to turn around suddenly, before quickly stepping out of her clothing and slipping into the tub. The whole time she kept a sharp eye on him, but he was a gentleman and stared at the roof while lying on his back on the bed.
The dining hall was almost full, only a few tables near the door were vacant. Kel spied mostly men sitting at the tables. A few scattered women sat meekly with husbands, fathers and brothers and a number of women were serving. Kel could see men leering at them and calling after them. Sickened, she turned away and watched as Dom ordered a modest meal for them. They didn't talk a lot. It was too loud in the room and too many interesting characters were sitting around, that Kel could have had a proper conversation without being distracted by the appearance of one or the loud laugh of another.
Kel could feel Dom's eyes on her, but she continued chewing her meat thoroughly and pretended not to notice.
A man and woman entered the hall, both carrying a number of different musical instruments, and they were met with whistling, clapping and cheering. Free tables were pushed together as a stage and a crowd gathered around.
The two played beautifully. A jig was followed by a lively ballad. Most of the audience joined in when the couple played folk songs. Even Kel hummed along to the few that she knew. The woman had a sweet soprano voice, which soared above the hum of the audience and the man's deep voice matched hers perfectly. When the man struck a slow melody on his lute, the crowd fell silent. The two sang a beautiful duet about the strength and power of love.
Go where love goes …
Go where your heart leads …
When the last note faded the room was silent. Everyone had been listening spellbound. Finally someone began clapping and soon everyone had joined in. The couple bowed to the people surrounding them before climbing off the tables and making their way to the bar.
Kel turned to Dom, who had been watching her. His eyes were bright. She smiled at him as they got up and made their way upstairs. On the way, his hand found hers.
Their room was dark. Kel locked the door as Dom took off his boots, breeches and tunic and slipped between the sheets.
The moon had risen above the sea of houses. Stepping around the bed, Kel opened the window. The chilly breeze calmed her frizzled nerves as she rubbed her eyes.
"What is it, Kel?" Dom asked after a while.
Kel just shrugged.
After a while, it got too cold and Kel closed the window tightly, drawing the simple curtains. Slowly, she turned around and looked at Dom, her pregnancy charm swinging beneath her shirt.
Kel knew what she wanted, the last song had made up her mind, but she didn't know how to take the step.
"Kel … would you rather I sleep on the floor?"
Kel smiled at her sweetheart.
"No," she whispered, "definitely not."
Dom's eyes widened, as he understood her meaning. "Are you sure? I mean," he licked his lips, "I don't want to hurt you."
Kel took a small step forward. "You won't, Dom. I am ready."
Dom pushed back the blankets and jumped up. In three great strides he moved around the bed and claimed Kel's mouth with his. Her arms came around his neck and for a long moment they stood motionless, holding each other, enjoying the warmth the other one had to offer. Only tongues moved, fencing an age old battle … probing, touching, tasting.
When Dom's hands began roaming and his kisses moved over her cheek to her neck, Kel knew she wouldn't regret the night.
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Hello Everyone!
First off, an apology is in order – I am very sorry for taking so long. The chapter has been rewritten twice and I am still not really sure about it. The middle didn't really flow, and I couldn't get the images out of my head and onto paper.
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I AM LOOKING FOR A BETA-READER!
Anyone willing to check my chapters for spelling and grammar mistakes as well as giving me regular nudges to keep writing, please leave me a note in your review. (Please include your name, age and e-mail!) If anyone had MSN Messenger, please add me and we can have a chat about anything!
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Also, I hope the end of this chapter offended no one. I am sure most of you guessed correctly what Kel decided to do.
I considered it for quite a while:
Would Kel?
Wouldn't Kel?
And I came to the conclusion that, yes, Kel would do it. She had Dom have spend the last couple of weeks together, before that they were together in Scanra and they spend four years together, while Kel served Lord Raoul. They have had plenty of time to get to know each other, Kel is now around 20 and Dom is not promised to someone else, like Cleon was. Why wouldn't they do it?
If you have a better argument for against it, please tell me! It would really interest me!
Make me happy and review, please!
THANK YOU!
Wolfy