Chapter 5

Laughing the two women took off for the practice courts. There Kel showed Alanna some of the simple thrusts and parries a warrier used with the Glaive. She wove them into a simple dance for Alanna to practice and then moved to her own corner to complete one of her own, more complex dances.

Dom was just leaving his barracks to go for a walk on the walls when he saw the shadowy outlines of two people practicing on one of the far courts. He decided to wander over to have a look and, he hoped, find someone who could take his mind off what do to about Kel. As he came closer he realized that the lady in question was indeed the one training, accompanied by Lady Alanna. As he came closer he realized that Alanna was watching just as transfixed as he was. Together they watched her complete the complex series of turns thrusts and spins. Dom was awestruck, how had he never noticed how her checks flushed when he practiced, how had he never noticed the way her hair whipped around or how her chest rose and feel with each breath. How could have not seen that she was beautiful. He had known her for almost five years, but now he realized he barely knew her at all.

As Kel finished her dance with a final spin and thrust she realized that she had acquired an audience. Looking into the setting sun she could only see the outline of the two people applauding her on the side of the court. She knew the smaller one must be Alanna, but the bigger one… as she stepped into the shadows thrown by the setting sun her stomach gave a lurch. Dom. The one person she did not want to see, especially sweaty and horrible. She put on her best Yamani lump face and walked over.

" Lioness, I hate to say it, but you will never get better watching someone else practice" Lady Alanna gave her an amused smile.

" I can't believe I am getting lectured by a woman half my age about weapons training. Next time your at my command I am going to give you a lesson in swordplay that you won't forget." Alanna's words were threatening but her voice was light and teasing. Kel then turned to her companion.

" What are you up to Dom? I thought some of the rider groups arrived after supper, shouldn't be off with them pranking them and picking out which one to romance?" She was trying to make a joke, but Dom's face didn't twist into his usual playful grin.

" Actually Kel, I was just about to go out for a walk on the ramparts and I was looking for some company, care to join me?"

Kel was startled, why would he ask her on a walk, especially when she was sweaty and horrible. He must want my opinion on one of the riders she decided. " Sure Dom, can I have a few minutes to change?"

" Of course, I'll wait here." Kel set off at a run towards her room. Alanna stayed. She had noticed a flicker in the young Sergeants eyes and she watched in interest as he followed Kel's disappearing figure for far to long.

" She's quite something isn't she" she commented to him.

" Absolutely" he replied. Alanna was watching him intently.

Kel appeared from her door and started to jog back. She had changed her tunic, and by all appearances stuck her head in a bucket of water and then brushed her hair out hurriedly.

" Ready?" she asked.

" Yup, lets go"

" Wait, Lady Alanna, would you like to join us?" The look Dom gave Alanna was enough to make up her mind.

" No, Ill head back to my husband, I definitely need that massage after the extra practice. The night is to nice for a old coot like me, I'll let you two youngin's enjoy it" With that she left to walk toward her room, thinking a conversation with George was in order.

When she made it back to her room, the first thing she saw was her husband lying on their bed with nothing but his breaches on, reading a book. He glanced up at her, then crooked a finger at her and beckoned her forward. She obeyed and crawled onto the bed with him.

" Have I mentioned lately how much I love you" she whispered in his ear " I don't know what I would have done without you"

" my my, what's all this about, you would have done just fine without me. You always have"

" I know, but you're always there for me once I am done playing the hero. I love you for that"

He appraised her quizzically for a moment and then recognition dawned on him. " Is our latest lady knight a little lonely tonight?"

" How did you know that?"

" I just know you too well, but honestly you needn't worry lass, I happen to know there is a man who is at this very moment trying to figure out how to tell her how he feels without making a mess of it."

" this man couldn't possibly be Sergeant Domitan perchance?"

Now it was George's turn to be a little shocked. " How did you know that?"

" call it a hunch, and speaking of hunches my whole back is a giant mess from hunching in the saddle, would you mind?"

George gave a good natured chuckle and helped her tug off her boots, shirt and tunic. As he rubbed her back he reflected on how lucky he was to have a woman who still loved him after so many years of marriage. Feeling his hands become softer on her back Alanna smiled to herself, maybe she would get more than a backrub tonight.