Chapter 4:

The mess hall was packed with people in line and at the tables. Plates clanked as they were heaped with food. Neal, Kel, Raoul, and Alanna sat at one of the wooden mess hall tables. Kel was picking at her food. Since last night and her fight with Dom she hadn't had an appetite. She didn't even attempt going to breakfast that morning and was only at lunch because of the persistence of Raoul. Alanna was watching Kel from across the table.

"Neal, eat your vegetables." Kel scolded when she saw him try and get up.

"You have to be joking. We aren't pages or squires anymore." Neal replied with a frown. Kel just glared at him and he began to eat the green mass on his plate. Kel smiled as Neal shuddered at each bite, his face scrunched.

Alanna needed something to happen. Kel and Dom needed to get in an argument. For her plan to work they needed to be followed. They needed to be in an emotional state, prone to other emotions. Alanna gazed the hall and smiled as her eyes lit upon Dom. He had come to lunch as she had asked. Dom was flirting with a palace cook, showing the woman his sword. Alanna clicked her tongue to get Kel's attention. Kel turned to look at Dom, rolled her eyes and went back to her plate. Alanna nudged Raoul and he elbowed Neal as he looked up at Dom. Neal got up to leave but was pulled down by his tunic. Finally Dom finished his conversation and headed to the table. He sat in the only seat open, right next to Kel.

Alanna smiled and took in the opportunity, "It looked like you were having a lovely conversation with that woman. How is it that you are able to flirt so easily?"

Dom's face turned a slight shade of pink as he replied, "She asked me about my part in Third Company, if you must know."

"Seemed like bragging to me, as well as a slight flirtation here and there." Interjected Daine as she sat next to Dom.

"Well," Alanna continued, "what did you tell her about your 'part in Third Company'?"

"I said, 'I am a good soldier, Milady'" Dom bowed his head slightly.

"And a good soldier to a Lady." Kel mumbled. "But what are you to a man?" The mess hall seemed to stop at the challenge made. Most of the men in the hall were of the King's Own and they all turned to look at Kel and Dom. Kel wasn't going to play games anymore. She was going to speak her mind and not hide behind a Yamani mask. Dom needed to learn that she couldn't be pushed around by words, and she was going to show him.

"A man to a man, stuffed with honor, virtue, and valor." Dom responded a bit puzzled.

"Then it seems that you are a stuffed man. But, you also seem to please men and anger them. You stand on a target with an entire army shooting arrows at you."

"I am liked by all men and loved by all women except for you. But, I love none."

"Such a happiness to all of us. Although, I would rather hear Jump bark at a sparrow than a man swear he loves me."

"I hope you stay that way or some unlucky man will have a scratched face." Laughter arose from the hall and Kel glared at Dom. Neal tried to leave but Raoul pulled him down.

"This is getting good," Alanna muttered to Raoul.

"You sly fox!" Raoul whispered back.

"I knew Kel had the challenge in her."

Kel started to speak once the laughter subsided, "Scratching would not make it worse if it was a face that looked like yours." Silence.

"I wish my horse ran with the speed of your tongue, Lady Knight." Dom got up without touching his food and with a slight bow left the mess hall. Raoul got up and casually walked in the direction that Dom had gone and was followed by two others.

Kel sighed as she rolled up the cloth on her lap and slammed it on the table. She couldn't believe how badly these last two days had gone, even if he deserved it. Although she did enjoy the thrill of being able to lash out irrationally with words and not her glaive.

"Kel, what's wrong?" Daine asked acting as concerned as possible.

"She wounded his pride. He did keep pushing." Alanna answered.

"And I gave him reason for it." Kel spoke softly as she got up and left.

Alanna smirked. Neal tried to get up but was yanked down for the third time.

"If we can do this, glory will be ours. For, if loving happens by chance, than some are won with arrows and others with traps."