Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle finished weapons practice with his men early on the morning after the 'bloody cold night' as he had decided to refer to the prank that Evelyn had played on him and his men.
He hadn't been paying full attention all morning and had got his fingers bashed several times. He had heard disturbing reports that Kel, innocent, never put a foot out of line Kel had been involved in the abuse of himself and men from the day before…
'She wouldn't do it, after all its not like I've teased her… well not recently, at least not since yesterday'. He paused as he remembered the form the harmless 'teasing' had taken; well actually now he came to think about it, it hadn't been fun at the time.
He had been talking about court ladies, comparing their 'assets' and Kel had pretend to pout and asked was that the way he referred to her out of hearing, he remembered laughing, ruffling her hair and saying, "of course not, you're just like one of the lads!" The expression in her eyes could almost have been described as hurt, but he was sure he had imagined it, 'cause as soon as it was there it had gone and she had that dammed mask on again…
As the doubt in his mind grew, he stopped shouting orders and paused to recount all that he or any of his 'boys' had done to Raoul's squire…
"Am sir," Fulcher, paused as if what he was about to say hurt, or he was convinced that the sergeant would kill him for even suggesting such a thing. It was common knowledge among Third Company that Dom had a soft spot for a certain squire. At Dom's questioning look he took a breath and supported by the other squad members began, "is it true that Kel was involved in pranking us? That it was her who pointed us all out to the Lady of Naxen?"
Dom ran fingers through his dark hair and opened his mouth as though to answer, but was cut off by the deep voice of Lord Raoul, "Yes, unfortunately my goddaughter has led Kel astray," this last bit was delivered in a serious tone but his laughing eyes gave him away.
At the shocked look on all of the squads faces Raoul finally succumbed to laughter, "It's not the end of the world boys, she is entitled to her fun, after all we tease her enough". Dom had a pained look on his face and the rest of the men looked as if they had been informed their best friend had dyed. "In fact, a certain young lady (Evelyn) as informed me that she wants to 'see' Kel for the last two bells today and then for the entire day before midwinter, in fact that's tomorrow, don't forget your presents lads…"
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Dom burst unceremoniously into Kel's room; just as she was trying to feed the griffon. He was dressed in his uniform of dark loose breeches, silver chain mail, and royal blue tunic trimmed in silver.
Kel glancing up couldn't help but notice how handsome he was, 'Gods Kel get a grip of yourself, last summer it was Neal you 'loved' now it's his cousin'. As she mentally argued with herself the griffon spotted his chance and sank his beak deep into her finger, "Ouch!" Kel glared at the creature while trying to release his beak from its current position.
Dom started, and made his way over to help her, but was stopped by her voice, "Don't Dom, remember if you touch it its parents will smell it off you," Dom gave a wry smile "Thank you mother, but I'm capable of protecting myself." Kel looked as though she were about to argue but just then the miserable piece of winged vermin, (the griffon) released her finger tired of his game.
"Is it true, that you helped that, that creature, to place myself, our honourable knight commander, Aidan's and my squad on the roof, in bloody cold conditions?" Kel studied Dom for a minute, a host of emotions were running through her head but as always her face was blank. "If you are referring to Evelyn, then yes I did help her, you boys deserved it!"
The blue eyed sergeant let out a thoughtful sigh and collapsed back onto her bed with the beginnings of a grin, the kind that Kel supposed left all the court ladies weak at the knees. "Hmm well then I'll just have to think of something truly horrible to do to you in revenge…"
Kel laughed and was about to retort when the 7th bell rang, dam time to go and visit Evelyn. "Dom, as much as I would love to hear your plans I have to go and I don't trust you alone in my rooms with the griffon". Dom raised an eyebrow, so like Neal that she didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Ah yes your visits to that 'creature' what is all that about? Anything you want to tell me?"
"No, now if you don't mind I have to go", and with that Kel dragged Dom out of her room and left him standing in the hall puzzled at her abrupt behaviour, had he said something? While she hurried towards the Naxen's suit.
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Evelyn smiled nervously as she opened the door to Kel, tonight was the night in which she put everything that she had learned at the convent / prison into use and by the gods she hoped she was a good enough teacher because more then anything she wanted Kel to succeed…
Kel walked into the main room and was greeted by the sight of what seemed like hundreds of dresses in all different styles and colours sprawled out all over the place, she stopped dead and stared.
"There's a lot I know but I wasn't sure what design you would suit best, although I suspect something in brown / beige would be a good colour for you…" Evelyn trailed off as Kel smiled, "Thank you, I really appreciate this, it's just I'm so sick of being treated like another boy, I'm a girl and I want someone to notice…"
If Evelyn thought that Kels' sudden need of femininity was anything to do with a certain sergeant or squire she said nothing but started instead asking Kel to try on dresses and teaching her the proper way to curtsy…
Two hours later Evelyn put the finishing touches of make up onto her flinching subjects face and stepped back. The past couple of hours had been hectic with Kel learning to dance; curtsy and flirt like a young court lady, but it would all be worth it if she could wipe the faces off all the conservatives who said girls couldn't be warriors and impress that certain someone at the same time…
"Whoa Kel you look amazing!" Kel turned around and looked at herself in the mirror, she was in a full length forest green gown, that was embroidered in gold, the neckline was a modest 'U' shape while the sleeves were bound to the elbow before flaring out, the skirt itself floated, she had never felt prettier.
"Ohh, I never even dreamed you could do this, I've never looked like this before!" Her make up was understated, wit a little foundation and some blusher and a hint of purple eye shadow that brought out the green in her hazel eyes.
"Well you look stunning, now all we have to do is re create this look tomorrow and you'll be the bell of the ball!" Later that night after Kel had left Evelyn stayed awake long into the night trying to work out who she could get to escort her friend to the largest ball of the season…
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Heya! Please review, I need help, who do you think Kel should end up with? I already have one vote of Dom, but I'm open to other suggestions…
Thanks xxx