Hello everyone:

New chapter, and the longest one yet too. Hope you like it!

StarryEmeraldNights

Lela-of-Bast: So happy you love it...I've always liked KD best because its by far the most realistic pairing at the end of Lady Knight :)

Opalshine: There will definitely be more! I'm really surprised you haven't come across other KD stories...there are literally TONS out there! Thanks heaps for reviewing :)

Sogno di Felicita: Yay! The page breaks worked! Thanks for reviewing :)

Madame-S-Butterfly: UPDATED, Madame:)

Meganidge: Hehe...Thanks for the review!

Addie W.: Either you're crazy or I'm much funnier then I thought possible :) So happy you like it.

TheWriter21: Now that was a random review...well rounded critique? Glad you liked it :)

Drop Your Oboe: Thanks for the review. I loved writing the Sakuyo bit, I dropped it in randomly but it sure was fun :)

LandUnderWave: Sorry, I wasn't trying to make it a cliffie! Hopefully this chapter is kinda fluffy :)

ILoveIt09: So many amusing possibilities with Neal...Thanks for reviewing!

Anonymous: Thanks for the review, glad you love it :)

Chapter 5

Last Chapter:

Kel took a deep breath, and asked herself one simple question. It was the million dollar, risk-absolutely-everything question. 'Do you like him?' Kel gave herself the answer, and smiled randomly at nothing in particular.

Then she turned around.

And he kissed her.

Kel's world seemed to spin totally out of proportion. Everything stayed perfectly still and quiet, yet everything was so loud and crazy at the same time. Nothing made sense…yet somehow everything did. She was kissing the one guy she had crushed on for six years…and he liked her back!

When they broke off Kel didn't look down or wipe the emotions of her face like she normally would. Instead, she looked straight into Dom's blue eyes as he grinned back at her and asked 'Was that a yes to the ball, then?'

'I think-I think it was.'

The Next Day

'Kel!' Yuki greeted her friend as Kel walked into the practice courts, glaive in hand. The two were soon joined by Crown Princess Shinkokami, Queen Thayet, Lady Haname and Ilane of Mindelan.

All five had knowing smiles on their faces. Upon realisation of this, Kel quickly dropped her own happy, contented smile and pretended to be oblivious.

No one was fooled.

'So Keladry' Thayet asked as they broke off into pairs 'Where did you go after that very interesting conversation in the Rider's mess hall?'

Kel raised an eyebrow as she began the fight. Thayet was good, but Kel was better and she quickly gained the upper hand. 'Riding' said Kel evasively.

'Riding with who?'

By this point Kel was absolutely sure that the palace gossip had gotten wind –already?- of the fact that she was going to the ball with Dom, let alone just going to the ball. But Dom had agreed not to say anything until tonight, so how could anyone have possibly found out?

'No one' Kel answered, quite truthfully. After all, Dom had been following her, not riding next to her.

Thayet relented for two reasons. Firstly, that she knew from experience that Keladry of Mindelan was as stubborn as her mother, and secondly that she was now losing the glaive fight very badly.

Dom groaned. It was five-thirty in the morning and someone was pulling the quilt off of his bed to try to get him to wake up. The sun hadn't even risen yet, and it was cold.

'Wake up, bright eyes! You didn't seem to care about early mornings yesterday.'

Dom knew that there was only one person that dialogue could belong to. With a 'Meathead, shut up,' Dom yanked the quilt back around his head and valiantly tried to get back to sleep.

It didn't work..

'He-y Dommy!' The baby sing-song voice. Always a bad sign. 'Spare me the details, Dommy…but was Kel a good kisser?'

Practice over, Kel washed quickly and threw on some warm clothes and a cloak. Having not forgotten Stefan's warning, she strapped her sword loosely around her waist.

The trip down to the city was quick even by foot, and Kel liked the walk. It was true, walks work wonders to clear out your head. Kel hated to admit it, but she was totally excited now about a ball of all things…though possibly most of that excitement was due to the fact that she would be the partner of one of the most eligible bachelors in the court. Possibly, thought Kel, her face splitting into a grin. Just possibly that's it.

It was quite quiet out, the shops only just beginning to open. Knowing the way pretty well by now, Kel found Lalasa's shop quickly enough. As soon as she walked inside, a blast of noise and orderly confusion hit her. There was a bell above the door that rung when the door was opened, but you wouldn't even know it unless you'd heard it at some point before.

Hanging up her cloak on a hook, Kel turned to see an apprentice tailor cautiously awaiting her.

'Milady, how can I be of service?' The girl asked, bobbing a curtsey.

'Could you please tell Lalasa that Keladry of Mindelan is here?'

'Of course milady' the girl said, her eyes popping at the name. This is the Protector of the Small! And Lalasa knows her! 'I won't be a moment.'

Within the minute Lalasa appeared in the doorway of the entrance room, a smile on her face. 'Do tell me that you haven't split your seams again my lady, and instead you've finally decided to go to a ball?'

Kel grinned, and to Lalasa's delight, nodded.

The fitting had been very quick since Lalasa knew Kel's measurements inside out. Mostly it consisted of Kel giving certain strict rules about how revealing the dress was allowed to be. Refusing as usual to take any money, Lalasa had informed Kel that she would have an apprentice drop the finished dress off a little before sundown. Knowing Kel way too well, Lalasa had also insisted that she asked Yuki for help with getting ready. Reluctantly, Kel had agreed.

Right now Kel was back in her rooms, passing the time flipping her shukushen. It was midday, and Kel supposed she would be off to the mess hall soon enough.

All mess hall plans were abandoned when her door suddenly opened revealing Dom, Neal and Owen. Kel's heart skipped a beat when Dom grinned at her, but nevertheless Kel thought: 'How many times have I tried to teach him how to knock? How many times?'

'Kel' Neal said in a slightly too bright and cheery tone 'We're having a Midwinter party in Raoul's rooms, care to join us? It will be-' Neal stole a glance at Dom, who was still grinning at Kel '-Intere-'

'Jolly!' Owen said a little too overenthusiastically, 'It'll be an awesomely jolly party.'

'Sure' Kel answered, laughing as she followed them out the door and down the hall to Raoul's rooms. Along the way Dom slung his hand around her waist. Kel didn't mind in the least. If Neal or Owen noticed, they didn't say a word.

The party was a lot of fun. The servants had gone all out with the food, and everyone was lively and funny. Shinko, Yuki and Lady Haname convinced Kel to join a game of fantoss, and Kel barely had a second anywhere near Dom, which annoyed her more than a little bit.

The beginning of the Midwinter festivities ended abruptly when Raoul's door slammed open with a bang and a man wearing the Royal Guard's uniform called for silence. Around his bicep ran a double band of yellow and purple, signifying he was part of the special services.

He spoke with a voice pitched to be heard above raucous noise. 'The Tortallan Spymaster requests the presence of the Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan: Immediately.'

Although she had pushed it to the back of her mind, Kel had been expecting this. She was already excusing herself from the game of fantoss by the time the Guard had finished his sentence. Walking over to the man, Kel was careful to keep her voice light and measured when she asked 'Where might I find him?'

'I will take you to him, Lady Knight. He also requests the presence of a male friend.'

Kel nodded her understanding and made a quick search of the room. Her eyes fell on Dom. Immediately he nodded and got up, following Kel out the door behind the guard.

The door closed, and the chatter in the room slowly rose up to its original level. Everyone figured they would find out what was up soon enough.

Raoul found his way over to Neal, along with Owen, Shinkokami, Alanna and Lerant.

'Hoy, Queenscove.'

Neal gulped and raised a hand in mock salute 'Yes, my lord, sir.'

Raoul proceeded to say carefully 'I thought you were Kel's best friend.'

Neal grinned, seeing where this was heading 'But I am, my lord, sir. And yes, I have excellent reasons to believe that your conclusions are correct.'

Raoul laughed and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like 'Took them long enough.'

Kel and Dom followed the Guard down the palace halls and up many winding staircases to the very top floor of the main keep. There, the Guard stopped just short of an antique oil painting depicting a young lady wearing a wimple, with what looked suspiciously like blue hair poking out of the cloth. The Guard gestured towards the painting, saying 'Walk straight at it my lady, Sergeant, and you'll be where you need to be.'

Dom turned and told Kel 'Ladies first.'

Walking straight through the painting, Kel found herself in a round room with a crackling hearth. Slit windows fit for arrows sat three feet into the thick stone walls. The floor was also stone and was covered with worn tapestries. Hung from the ceiling were low chandeliers with flickering candles. In the middle of the room lay one enormous desk, a big chair behind it and two chairs in front.

The walls were covered with maps from the Eastern Sea to The Roof of the World and from the lands below Carthak to Galla and beyond. Every map was heavily worn, marked and pinned. In one corner there was a cabinet hung on the wall for display. That was where the spymaster was now, his hood up and his back to Kel and Dom.

Hearing someone enter, George turned around as he took off his traveling cloak. 'Good afternoon Keladry, and?'

They crossed the floor as Kel said 'This is Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle, Baron Cooper.'

George nodded his greeting, and turned his attention back to the cabinet. 'This is my ear collection' he told them 'I started my collection at twelve, needless to say it's pretty big now.' Kel looked at the mass of shriveled ears for only a second before her stomach requested her to look somewhere else.

'Excellent conversation starter, hmmm?' Mused George as he gestured for them to take a seat, sighing into his own chair. 'Now, down to business I believe. I received a very interesting letter yesterday morning from a certain spy of mine. In short, it informed me that three assassins had been dispatched from his locality with one target: You, Keladry.'

George paused to watch Kel's reaction. Nothing showed on her face to George, but Dom reached under the desk and took her hand. George continued.

'I see that Stefan delivered his message. I also expect that you are aware who these assassins serve, Keladry?'

Kel waited a moment to be sure of her voice, and then said carefully 'I've really no idea, Baron Cooper; with respect I thought that was your line of work.'

George flicked his hand at the title, 'George is fine, I've spent the greater part of my life as a commoner. The ear collection, that was from my time as King of the Thieves. If I learnt one important lesson in the lower city, Keladry, it was that the two most powerful human motives are hunger and revenge.'

Kel swallowed. His meaning was plain. It was well known that the Scanran famine was costing many lives. 'So the assassins are Scanran then, Ba…-George. But with all due respect, I thought that no one but the King and Lord Raoul knew I was the commander of the Tortallans that killed Blayce the Gallan. So how would the Scanrans know to come after me for their revenge?'

George studied her face carefully. 'Correct, then incorrect. The Scanrans didn't know it was you behind the attack, until now. Perhaps the name Gydane Elder is familiar to you, Keladry.'

Kel's involuntary flinch was his answer.

'Miss Elder is dead. She was captured by bandits, who sold her for information to the Scanran King. They tortured her, and she told them everything she knew. All of the Scanrans believe that Blayce's death was the beginning of the end for them – that you were the beginning of the end for them. The new Scanran King, Eirne (A/N pronounced Yearn), is responsible for dispatching the assassins.'

'Of course,' Kel said bitterly 'All the children knew I was responsible for killing Blayce. By rescuing them…I put them in danger.' Her voice fell flat as she struggled to keep her anger at herself in check.. Dom squeezed her hand reassuringly, which helped a little.

George gave her only a brief moment before he pressed on. 'Now, to business. The assassins are in the capital. It is my belief that they will attempt to kill you tonight, while everyone else is at the ball and you remain in your rooms. So, the simple plan is…you go to the ball, disguised as someone else, and I get a nice team of say…ten or so guardsmen to hide in your room, waiting for the assassins. So that is where you come in, Domitan, you will be taking Kel to the ball. That's it really. Just act normally and pretend that there is nothing wrong tonight.'

Kel and Dom exchanged an incredulous look at the fragility of the plan. Kel opened her mouth to argue, but Dom beat her to it. 'George, there are several fla-'

He held up his hand. 'I know there are flaws. In my line of work, I there wasn't any flaws, I wouldn't be working. So I like flaws. They keep me on my toes, and they keep me worki-'

The portrait door dissolved at that moment to reveal Alanna stepping through it. She grinned. 'Hope I'm not interrupting anything George, Kel, Sergeant.' Her eyes lingered just a fraction of a second too long on Dom and Kel's joined hands.

George shook his head 'Not at all, I think I could use you my dear. See, Keladry here is now going to be going to the ball.'

Alanna sniggered, and then lost her battle to appear serious and snorted. Kel figured she had better set them straight.

'Actually, I was already going before now, George - with Dom. I've got a dress and everything, but I really don't see how I'm going to pass for anyone but me.'

'You'd be surprised' Alanna told her, still sniggering as she grabbed Kel's arm and pulled her from her chair 'We'll pick the dress up on the way.'

'On the way to where?' Kel protested as she was pushed through the portrait hole and down the hall.

'On the way to Lady Yukimi's and Neal's rooms.' At Kel's arched eyebrow she added 'Surely you didn't expect Neal to keep quiet after you told him about you and Dom.'

Kel stopped dead halfway down a stair, giving the wall a murderous glare because it was the closest available object. 'That's very interesting, Lady Alanna, because I did not tell Meathead anything…'

Dom got up to follow as Alanna pushed Kel through the portrait. He sat down again quickly when George cleared his throat after Alanna gave him a very obvious hint of what he was supposed to do over her shoulder. After thirty seconds of stare-out silence with Dom, George told him 'In light of the last thirty seconds of lingo, there are a few more things that might be needing discussion, young Domitan. Follow me.'

George set off at a brisk walk through the portrait and down the palace halls before stopping at the door to Raoul's rooms. George knocked, and Raoul answered with a half grim, half highly amused expression on his face.

Dom followed George inside and stopped short. The party was over, with Neal, Merric, Owen, Prince Roald and Wyldon the only current occupants. All wore expressions similar to that of Raoul. They circled Dom like a pack of dogs on the hunt, and Raoul cleared his throat. 'I think I'll make this super clear that I speak for all of us – as well as many more who send their regrets that they couldn't make it to our little meeting-'

Merric butted in '-such as the entirety of Third Company of The King's Own, a few Rider Groups, several more knights and squires, the Queen, the Crown Princess, all of the soldiers and civilians from New Hope, half of the Yamani Imperial Court including several Shang Warriors, several randoms who signed up for the hell of it, I expect Kel's family though we didn't reach them in time…Did I miss anyone?'

'Nope' drawled Neal 'I think Dom's face is ashen enough as it is.'

Raoul cleared his throat again 'Anyway, the point is this: If you hurt her, we will kill you.' After a pause for effect during which Dom's face turned from ash to grey, Raoul finished 'That is all.'

Dom was getting ready to run when Owen spoke up 'But apart from the deadly serious death threats, I think I speak for all of us when I say that it is absolutely splendiferously jolly that you and Kel are going to the ball together.'

Dom just stood there and gaped. There was only one possible explanation. They all must be absolutely mad.

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StarryEmeraldNights