Dom cringed at the thought of competing with the ronin for Kel's affection. He didn't know how Yamani men flirted, but some body language was universal. The way the warrior had leaned in, as if to share a secret--and how DARE Daisuke mock Kel's commanding abilities?! As long as she was in charge, everything would be well ordered. Dom gave Daisuke a hard look.
Kel slipped away before Dom to could ask for a private conversation. The ronin still stood, his Yamani mask up and placid. Dom saluted the man stiffly and walked away. The fort wasn't that big. Kel couldn't avoid Dom forever…
8888888888888888
Kel spent the day counting supplies, moving the crates of materials that Raoul could spare (in addition to the original cargo that'd been sent by the Crown). Tobe helped explain things to the horses that would be pulling the wagons tomorrow. Both knight and servant were glad to be excused from burial duty.
The villagers seemed nice enough, though they were still stricken at the loss of their family and neighbors. However, these folk had lived better than most of the peasants Kel had encountered in the last year. Now they would learn to be survivors, soon they'd learn to be fighters. Kel could promise that.
8888888888888888
Raoul looked over Dom's shoulder as he completed his last drawing. "What do you think?" Dom asked casually, pretending he didn't much care for the work one way or the other.
"It's good. It's more than good, it's ingenious. Have you told Kel about it?"
Dom braced himself. "I haven't mentioned it yet. She's been hell bent on avoiding me for the last week. I think it's something I said."
"It's always the man's fault in a relationship, remember that." Raoul said absently, thinking of Buri.
Dom cleared his throat. "I don't think Kel and I have that kind of relationship—
"Yet." Raoul interrupted, his eyes mischievous.
"Yet." Dom agreed.
8888888888888888
Buri and Raoul held a quiet, reserved ceremony the night before Kel left the fort. Kel wore her special dress and sat Yamani-still throughout the mass. Even in the midst of everything, the newly wedded couple found happiness in each other's embrace. Buri's eyes sparkled as they made their way to the mess hall (Raoul proceeded to carry his bride the entire walk across camp).
Kel spent the night sober, as usual. She watched Daisuke down a large cup of wine and then continue to follow the intricate step patterns of a Tortallian dance. Now that takes discipline. She thought to herself. Dom eventually sat down next to her. She would have gotten up joined the dance, but the musicians chose that precise moment to take a break. She stopped her jaw from clenching unnecessarily.
"Want to go for a walk?" He asked. Kel had spent enough of her youth around young men to know that a "walk" usually turned into something quite different, especially when a man had that look in his eye. She checked the rest of the room quickly. Everyone was absorbed in their own activity. Why not go for a walk? It wasn't as if they were in the palace gardens. There was no place to hide from the moonlight and exchange passionate kiss—Kel stopped her thoughts there.
"Where to?" She asked.
Dom shrugged. "Anywhere with less people. I have something I want to show you."
my my, isn't he forward—STOP IT KEL, THAT'S NOT WHAT HE MEANT! Kel felt like that little voice in the back of her head was trying to migrate to the forefront of her brain, while the rest of her struggled to stay sane. Kel stood, and Dom offered his arm. Together, they slipped out of the mess hall, and into the cool night air.
My Gods, we're strolling, like real sweethearts would, Kel thought ironically, as they drifted across the fort grounds. Dom led her back to the Officers building and up to Raoul's space.
"I figured you could use another set of hands at New Hope, so I came up with this." Dom unraveled the canvas and held it out for her inspection.
It took Kel a minute to register what the drawing was. "What is it?" She asked, squinting at the intricate lines and measurements.
"Its building plans, for when you expand the New Hope. I figured you'd need the extra space so…
"you did this?" Kel took another look at the designs. "Impressive."
Dom blushed and shrugged. "Anyone could've done it, with the right tools."
"Well, I couldn't. Modesty isn't your strong suit, solider." Kel gently folded the maps and put them back in their protective covers.
Dom leaned back, half sitting on the desk. He folded his arms and quirked an eyebrow at her. "So, mind if I join you on the ride back to the New Hope then? You'll need someone to lead the construction, and—no offense lady knight—the hammer was never was your best weapon."
Kel eyed him suspiciously. There was something more behind his casual demeanor. He didn't usually ask if she needed help, he just stepped in. Was this a sign of increased faith in her, or was he waiting for Kel to inadvertently condone something else?
"C'mon Kel, a simple yes or no. I'm waiting."
What did she have to lose? "If you're feeling mad enough to leave the comfy, luxurious accommodations of the Third Company, then I'm mad enough to let you." Her lips twitched in a small smile.
Dom stood back up and clapped her cavalierly on the shoulder. "See you tomorrow morning then, dark and early."
888888888888888888
That night, Kel carefully folded the dress and put in away before going to bed. It hadn't been as uncomfortable as she expected.
The next morning, she finished packing her belongings, Tobe brought her some bread and cheese for breakfast, and they were ready to organize the refugees by dawn. Kel allowed herself a yawn. If only she knew how to sleep and ride at the same time, like some mages. The refugees were wide-awake, most were farmers and thus used to early hours. Kel noted Acacia, the woman from the fight, had a crossbow within reach. Some people learn quickly. Kel thought grimly. At least a dozen more people had weapons out. They'd appreciate the training she put every refugee through. These people would never be helpless again.
When they set off on the road, Kel, Daisuke and Yuki rode at the front of their train. Neal, Tobe, and Dom guarded the rear. The trip was uneventful, if not too quiet for Kel's taste.
As they passed through Greenwoods and came to the river, Kel heard an audible gasp from her charges and she felt a surge of pride. New Hope was impressive for a refugee camp. The fields were neatly harvested and Numair's rock wall was now forty feet high. Just wait until they meet New Hope's residents. She thought. Even Daisuke and Yuki looked surprised.
Kel noticed the flag with her shield on it was raised and flapping in the wind. She found Dom's eyes and nodded in thanks. He and her other friends in Third company had sewn the flag as a sort of housewarming gift when she was given command of Haven last year.
Children rushed to greet her and Kel dismounted for the sake of Peachblossom's nerves. He wouldn't hurt an innocent child on purpose, but when they swarmed over his legs and pulled at his tail…Tobe hurried up to take the gelding away. Kel picked up Meech in one arm and hugged Loesia with the other.
Irnai was among the children that rushed to greet the party. Ignoring Kel, the young seer folder her arms and stared at Dom. "It's about time you got here." She admonished the solider.
The adults that knew Irnai exchanged nervous glances. What had she seen now?
88888888888888888888
Yuki watched Kel with interest. The Protector of the Small was home. Yuki had heard about Irnai from Neal, and the she could guess what the child's comment meant. Some of the youngest refugees were falling over themselves as they tried to decide whom to tackle first, Dom or Kel. The Third Company's commander was home too, even if he didn't know it yet. Yuki nudged her horse closer to Neal so she could slip her hand in his. Neal looked at his betrothed and smiled. Yuki shivered at the intensity behind those emerald eyes. Hesitatingly, she grinned back.
888888888888888888888
At dinner, Kel waited until everyone had eaten before hoisting herself up on a stool to give her speech. All talk ceased, convicts, refugees, and knights alike looked at her expectantly. She took a deep breath and summoned her special command voice so everyone could hear.
"Tonight I came home with extra supplies, courtesy of the Crown." There was a brief applause. "I also came back with more residents." The air turned uneasy, more people meant fewer supplies to go around.
Kel continued, "I know what you're thinking. There was barely enough space for everyone before. So I brought back one MORE thing. I'm sure most of you remember Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle?" The former convicts cheered and some of the women let out high-pitched, feminine yelps of joy. Kel had to stop herself from frowning at the latter. Apparently, she wasn't the only one who found him attractive.
"Sergeant Dom has not only drawn up some innovative plans for construction, he has come back here to help build new barracks and the like. I'm sure you'll give him the same amount of respect that you give me, and the same amount of respect you're supposed to give Sir Neal." A ripple of laughter went through the crowd at Neal's blustering response to her joke.
She waited for the laughter to die down. "Anyone who wants to help build should see the clerks and put their name on the sign up sheet. Three shifts of construction work will get you out of one shift on latrine duty. Women may sign up for constructions as well, provided they can swing a hammer better than me." There were some knowing smiles from the men she'd worked with last summer.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a long bath and a good night's sleep. Dom…" She looked at him and completely forgot what she'd planned to say next. Her timing couldn't have been worse. The mess hall broke out with whoops and hollers at what Kel had seemingly just implied. The Lady Knight's cheeks turned bright red.
Dom laughed with the rest, wishing he could come to her rescue, but anything he could say would probably only make the situation worse. As she walked by, he whispered, "Sometimes the only strategic move is to retreat. I'll make sure to stay visible for the rest of the night, so no one thinks you were serious."
Kel could only manage a nod.
She met Fanche on her way out the door. "Did I miss anything?" Kel asked, trying to pretend what had just happened was NOT one of the most embarrassing mistakes she'd ever made. The Headwoman gave Kel a once-over, trying to figure out what had just happened. Kel was humble, but she didn't normally make self-deprecating—or lewd—jokes. Unless it wasn't a joke? Fanche couldn't afford having her knight-mistress going gooey-eyed over a man right now. They had more important things to worry about. The older woman shook her head and concentrated on answering the question.
"Harvest has been in for a while now, the cook enlisted a bunch of women folk to help with some of the pickling and such. How do you plan to keep the latrines clean if you're offering everyone time off in exchange for three constructions shifts?"
"There's no more field work at the moment, so that's one job off the list. I figure most farmers know how to raise walls, since most of them build their old houses themselves. If you're short on people for latrine duty, you can always add me to the list." She sent a quick prayer to Mithros that Fanche wouldn't take her up on the offer.
