Hello, my darlings. I am soooooooo sorry it's taken me so long to update. I was out of town for about 3 weeks, and I'm just starting driving lessons and a new job simultaneously, plus my Grandpa's visiting. To make it up to you guys though, I have the next chapter started, and a new story ready to type.
Also, my beta is on vacation, so sorry for any mistakes. I'll repost with corrections when she gets back.
Kel was irritable the next morning. Her lack of sleep was catching up with her, and she was embarrassed by the events of the night before. She snapped at everyone except Dom, who she avoided.
At last, Dom cornered her. "Kel, what's going on?"
She scowled at him. "Nothing's going on."
"Really?" The sergeant raised an eyebrow. "Then how do you explain the nightmares? The late nights? The constant pain medicine?" He folded his arms and waited.
The feisty knight gaped at him. "How do you know about that?"
"Tobe told me." He looked slightly smug, then apologetic. "Look Kel, he didn't mean any harm. He's just worried about you. We all are."
The commander's furious glare never wavered. "Well, I don't need your worry, so why don't you just leave me alone?" She whirled around and stomped off, horrified to find tears gathering in her eyes. Why couldn't she manage to stop crying for half a mark? Everything seemed to set her off these days. Frustrated and unwilling to let anyone see her cry, she changed direction and headed for the stables and Peachblossom.
Dom watched Kel gallop away, mentally berating himself. Why couldn't he ever say the right thing? He silently promised himself that the next time he had a chance, he would tell Kel how he felt.
When Kel awoke, groggy and disoriented, the sun was at it's zenith. The last thing she remembered was tethering Peachblossom before sitting down to cry. Stumbling across the clearing, she knelt by a small stream. She was halted in the process of splashing cold water on her face by the same sound that had awakened her. Alarm calls!
The fighter in her had Kel scrambling across the clearing and mounted astride her charger before she gave it a moment's thought. He cantered back to camp without waiting for her command.
They burst out of the trees and the strawberry roan lengthened his stride to a gallop while his mistress took account of the battle. There was a large party of Scanran raiders, about forty all told. Three mages, ten archers, and 25 mixed infantry and cavalry. Dom and Vidur's squads had met them on the field, but were hard pressed. Civilian archers shot at the invaders from the walls with varying degrees of success.
Horse and rider quickly made their way up to the town's gates. Guards flung the gates open to admit them. Kel dismounted and began issuing orders. Tobe ran up with her armor and weapons in hand. He buckled them on as she spoke.
"Connac's squad, mount up. Kortus, on the walls. Oluf, be ready to ride out if needed." The men nodded and left. Kel cursed the raiders' ill timing. Merric was off on leave, and the men had been left with no clear commander in her absence. "Thank you, Tobe." She remounted a freshly saddled Peachblossom. "Ride out!" The gates flew open, and they charged into the fray.
Sorry, I just couldn't resist the chance for a cliffie.
Also, special thanks to those of you from other countries/continents for reading. That makes me so excited! Not that I don't love my American readers, but still.
Reviews are appreciated, like always. I haven't gotten any lately.
Luv yas
Dragon Eyes