Disclaimer (applies to all chapters): I do not own any characters, places, or objects created by Tamora Pierce. Oh, how I wish I did.
Chapter One: Coming Home
Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle sat atop his horse, conversing with Lord Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak, Knight Commander of the King's Own. Third Company was returning from the North, after helping damaged towns after the peacefully concluded Scanran War, which had come to an end almost a year ago. The men of the King's Own had been home since the end of the war, but were ordered by King Jonathan, at various times, to help rebuild struggling fiefs and towns. They had been gone for a little over two months this time, finally returning to Corus before the onset of the harsh winter.
All of the men were eager to return home for Midwinter, the first one since the end of the war, which was sure to be a joyous event. Many were coming home to ladies they were courting, most to find women at the Festival, and the select few to their new wives. King Jonathan of Conté had had a new law passed after the war, allowing men of the King's Own to marry, as a means to try to populate their ranks, even though they are still always on-call and have to live near the palace. These two facts still deter many, but usually the unwanted. On the other hand, the new law has kept many worthy men within the Own, and has made many ladies happy to be wed. Still, most of the men prefer to stay bachelors, but for the others, they have or plan to take advantage of it.
As Third Company rode up on a bluff, they stopped and cheers sounded out from their riding party. Below them laid Corus, the capital of Tortall, and their home. There was not much going on below, considering it was the middle of the night. The men, however, insisted not to stop to set up camp earlier so that they could return home quicker. Some insisted more than others.
Raoul quieted the group, and then announced, "I know you are happy to be home lads, but I do not wish to wake the whole city, especially not His Majesty. He would probably order me to attend a ball, since that would be my worst punishment, and if he does, I will make every one of you my personal jousting partners. Clear?"
"Painfully so," replied Dom, looking over the men, as if daring any of them to make a sound.
"Good, I love using that threat. It always works," he said to Dom, chuckling. "I would do it, too."
"I don't doubt you, Raoul," said Dom, laughing. "And I'd rather not find out for sure."
Raoul laughed more, "Good choice, Sergeant." Then he said to all the men, "Ok, boys, remember my stakes. Now, let's go home."
The men all abided by Raoul's order for silence. When they entered the palace grounds and reached the King's Own barracks and stables, the men moved quickly to unload and go off- either to loving arms or taverns, and in some cases both- few tired enough to actually go to bed.
Dom looked up to a certain window in the palace, and smiled when he saw light burning from within. He was starting to unsaddle his horse, when Raoul came up beside him, and said, "Sergeant, would you mind taking care of my horse, also? Lerant seems to have run off."
Dom looked quizzically around. He could've sworn he just saw Lerant a second ago, but to his dismay he was nowhere in sight. "Of course," he replied, even though he desperately wanted to run up to his rooms.
He started to take Raoul's reins, clearly depressed, when the big man started to laugh heartily. Again confused, Dom looked up at his Knight Commander. When Raoul's laughter subsided, he smiled at Dom and said, "Go on," nodding his head toward the palace.
Dom didn't need to be told twice. He quickly grabbed his travel bag and raced to the palace doors.
Raoul broke into another bout of laughter, shaking his head after Dom. Lerant, returning from the stables, scratched his head in confusion as he approached Raoul, laughing there alone on his horse. "Would you like me to take your horse, sir?"
That seemed to make him laugh even more. "Yes, thank you, Lerant."
Taking his horse and another which appeared to be Dom's, Lerant left the big knight, wondering all the way back to the stables if Raoul had battled one too many giants.