---------------PLAGUE---------------
ONE: Greetings

"No, Peachblossom!" Kel scolded as her gelding lunged at Faleron's mare for the third time that afternoon. The Lady Knight cast an apologetic look to her new comrade; Faleron of King's Reach grinned back, amused.

"Don't worry about it."

Kel shook her head, knowing he liked watching her struggle with Peachblossom's attitude (why he had been called Peachblossom in the first place was a mystery to her - a more appropriate name might have been "Brute"). Glad that Faleron was so tolerant and easy-going, Kel led Peachblossom onwards. At first she had been dismayed to hear she wouldn't be with Neal or any of her closest knight friends on this assignment - Faleron had been so busy recently that they'd barely talked - but she was beginning to learn things about him, and so far his company had been enjoyable. One thing she had noticed, though, was that he was much quieter than he had been before his knighthood. She supposed something had happened after that to make him more thoughtful and patient, though she never asked about it.

Looking ahead, Kel calculated they would reach their destination in under an hour. It was hard to contain her excitement; she would be spending the next month or so with the Third Company of the King's Own. In particular she was looking forward to seeing Raoul, who was like a second father to her, and Dom, who was, among other things, very attractive. And, from what Kel had heard at the palace, there would be some interesting battles ahead.

Some of the nobles from local fiefs in the area had dubbed it "the plague". Immortals had begun to leak out of Tusaine a few months ago, at first a trickle, now an all-out flood. The mountains in the east of Tortall had become saturated with them, and once that land was full, the immortal creatures had started to venture out into inhabited land, causing trouble for people there. Several villages had already been overrun and viciously attacked before Third Company arrived. A temporary camp was built. Third Company now faced battles with all sorts of immortals every day. Kel and Faleron were being sent out to help for a month, or maybe more, depending on how long it took for the King to confer with Tusaine's ruler and find out exactly what was going on.

Just under an hour later, as Kel and Faleron rode into the small camp, the well-known Lady Knight found old friends waving to her, people she recognised from her time with them as a squire. Faleron observed silently and patiently as greetings were exchanged and a raven-haired man took them to Raoul. The huge man was sat at a desk in a makeshift office, examining maps, and stood when they entered. His coal-black mess of hair was even more rumpled than usual - he looked tired.

"Ah, Kel!" he greeted cheerfully. "You've arrived. How was the journey?"

"Not bad, sir," Kel replied warmly, smiling at her old knight-master. "The weather held out like we hoped, but Peachblossom was being difficult all the way."

"Your poor horse," Raoul said sympathetically, patting Faleron's shoulder. "Don't worry, though. We made a special stable for Peachblossom a couple of leagues away. We're going to get a really, really long stick and --"

Kel decided to interrupt, used to this sort of thing. "That's all very well, but can we talk of more important matters? We've all heard these Peachblossom jokes before..."

"We had a long ride, and personally I'd like to see a proper bed," Faleron added swiftly. "Can't the talking wait?"

"The man's right, Kel, rest first. Talk will come later. I'll send for you when I have some time this evening." Slowly Raoul returned to his chair, smoothing out the map in front of him with his massive hands. "Lerant! Come show our guests their rooms!"

Lerant of Eldorne appeared in the doorway. Seeing Kel, he scowled. She ignored him. "Oh. It's you," he said venomously. Kel shook her head - obviously he hadn't changed much from the arrogant and envious man she had first met at the age of fourteen. His appearance wasn't much different, either; his floppy brown hair, shorn short at the sides, fell over his forehead almost exactly as it had done years ago, and his gaze was still slightly cold. However, his chin was more stubborn than she remembered, and his skin more tanned. She also guessed he'd gained a small amount of height, but Kel was still taller than him. Apparently his attitude was not much different either, although she'd thought they'd almost become friends at the end of her squire years. It seemed that, over Kel's time away, he had reverted to old ways. Why, she wasn't sure - it wasn't like she was a threat to his place in Third Company anymore. Knights travelled and worked with the Own all the time.

"Yes, it's me," she answered sweetly, with her best fake smile. "Aren't you glad I'm back?"

Lerant smirked at her. "Only in my nightmares."

Raoul caught Faleron's gaze and rolled his eyes. "Stop bickering, you two!" he ordered, the table creaking as he leaned his arms upon it. "You're disturbing me. Don't you know a dismissal when you hear one? I thought it was clear as day."

"Sorry," Kel apologised sheepishly. Lerant led them out the door and down a hallway. The building had been thrown up quickly, so some of the woodwork was not as good as it could have been - but it's certainly far better than mine, Kel thought, remembering days of blisters and blood beneath her nails from her awful aim with a hammer. Kel looked at some of the doors they passed - all plain wood, almost indistinguishable from each other. She wondered if Lerant knew where his room was, let alone hers or Faleron's.

She noticed he was looking at a note, a tiny ripped scrap of paper in his hand. "Just my luck," he was muttering. "Next to mine and all." He stopped in front of one door. "King's Reach, this one's yours. And here's your key." Lerant dropped it into Faleron's hand. Then he took a step towards the door on the right and continued, "and Mindelan, looks like this one's yours. Enjoy." Turning, he threw the key at her and then turned on his heels and strode off, scrunching up the note and shoving it in his pocket.

Faleron raised his eyebrows at Kel. After a thin smile, she explained, "Because he's related to Delia of Eldorne, people aren't so nice to him. It's made him bitter, especially to newcomers. And me."

"Ah," Faleron said. They watched Lerant as he pushed open the door and left the building, scowling all the way. "Has he always been like this?"

"I don't know," Kel told him slowly. "I mean, he was worst when I first met him as a squire. I think he thought I was trying to take his place, when he didn't have anywhere else to go. But we were almost friends, later. He was nicer then."

They were both silent for a moment, contemplating him. "About time I got round to that nap," Faleron decided eventually. "I'll see you later." He unlocked his door and walked in. Kel heard the lock click again moments later, and decided it was time she went into her own rooms. Whoever had taken Peachblossom and Faleron's mare to the stables had also left her saddlebags and glaive outside her door, so she gathered them up and entered her little room.

Inside there was a small bed with plain white sheets, a desk, a pair of roughly-carved shelves and a small chest. It was only just big enough to fit everything in, and it was a plain sight, almost all the same local wood. On the wall next to her bed there was a small window, with the shutters closed tight. Kel opened them to let some light in. Then she dropped her saddlebags onto her bed, sighed, and began to unpack.

It was beginning to get dark outside. Kel was setting out some spare sets of clothes in the chest when there came a knock on her door. Opening it, she found Wolset standing there, smiling at her. "Hello, Kel."

She gripped forearms with him, remembering various battles where he had fought by her side. "How're things?" she asked, grinning at her old comrade.

"Good. We saw some action yesterday - but that's beside the point. Raoul sent for you."

Kel nodded swiftly. "And you've told Faleron?"

"Yes, he's just waking up," Wolset informed her. From the next room Kel heard a loud yawn, and she grinned broadly. "You remember the way to Lord Raoul's office, don't you?"

"I think so," she said unsurely, trying to recall the walk there.

"After you're done, come down to the mess. We're going to have a welcome-back party for you - everyone will be there."

Kel snorted. "What, even Lerant?"

"Sure!" Wolset laughed. "He's missed you, really!"

Kel chuckled. Everyone knew that she and Lerant had always had a kind of rivalry, although Lerant was the only one who actively played the part. Kel had taken advantage of this on numerous occasions, letting him "beat" her to Raoul's horse or armour because she was far too busy to do those things herself. She had also often played up to her role in the rivalry to annoy Lerant. The men of Third Company liked that. "Missed me? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. But of course I'll come. Now I have to go - Raoul will be waiting."

After dragging Faleron (who was still yawning and trying to smooth his bed-hair) down the hall, they eventually managed to find Raoul's 'office'. He briefed them; they'd spent at least a month at the camp, helping in battles and just generally around the camp. If, Raoul explained gravely, the flow of immortals did not slow or cease, they would have to get reinforcements. It was most likely that several Rider groups would join the camp, if need came. Raoul also talked of aiding local towns and villages who might require their help. "That's about it," Raoul said finally, glancing wistfully out the door. "I'd like to join you and the men, but these papers demand my attention." He waved them off, saying he'd be at the mess as soon as he could to join the welcoming.

Kel and Faleron split when they walked past the building that housed their rooms - Faleron wanted more sleep. "You can introduce me to everyone tomorrow," he said sleepily, trailing back to his room. Kel couldn't help but wonder if he just didn't want to attend the party, being a lot less social and rowdy than he had been as a page. But he did look tired, so Kel dismissed it. To find the mess hall she only had to follow the sound of shouting and raucous singing; it seemed that Third Company had got their hands on some alcohol.

As she entered, several men shouted her name, all shuffling up on their benches to allow her somewhere to sit. Someone shoved a bowl of stew towards her, spilling half of it on the table, and a few tables away, someone recklessly lobbed a spoon, which hit Qasim in the back of the head. He passed it to Kel, grinning. Remembering how hungry she was, Kel tucked into her meal, glad for something warm. She was swarmed around as people welcomed her, asked her of the ride to their camp or about Faleron. Kel searched for Dom over the heads of them all, but didn't see him. Wolset was also absent.

"Looking for someone?" Qasim asked finally. He'd been watching her scan the room for several minutes.

Kel fought back a blush rising to her cheeks. "I haven't seen Dom at all today."

Qasim nodded, leaning over the table so he didn't have to shout. "He likes the later shifts on scout duty," the Bazhir told her. "And he's tired from battling - he won't be coming tonight. Tomorrow he will be awake. You will see him soon."

Kel nodded. Tomorrow, then.

----------------------------------------------------------

Hello again :) it's been a while since I've posted anything on this site. Or, indeed, updated anything... -looks guilty-
Well, life has been really hectic. But, anyway, it's my first anniversary of joining so I thought, I'll work on a story to celebrate! Kel/Lerant was one of my favourite pairings from my drabble series Euphoria, so I decided to make it that. And the pairing won't change. Even if Dom tries to get in the way.

If there are any mistakes, please forgive me. Recently we had to wipe our computer's hard drive because our graphics card malfunctioned, and I haven't had time to reinstall any word software with a spellchecker. I've been using notepad (heh) to write everything. Anyhoo, it's good to be back. I'm looking forward to some feedback so don't let the weird pairing stop you from reviewing (please?)...