Kel took once last cursory look around her. Everything was in place. Fanche had the archers staked out and ready behind the walls, spearmen waited behind the gates, and another group on the wall was ready with nets. She'd gathered all the leftover branches and twigs from Dom's building project and placed them in seemingly innocuous piles around the empty field. Underneath each pile lay a small portion of blazebalm. The refugees had placed thick, green pines at the top of the piles to mask the smell.
It was fortunate the spidrens had chosen to attack this time of year. The field was still bare, and the fires wouldn't spread to the woods. Kel thanked Mithros for small advantages.
Kel glanced down at Saru, who stood with the ground squad. The monkey was merrily twirling an extra spear about, as if she hadn't a care in the world. The lady knight shook her head and turned away. She also couldn't help but wonder where Saru had stashed the small hanabi.
The sky was looking a little too familiar, and Kel tensed. Any minute now…
Patrol galloped in, their horses wild with fear. The sparrows with them chattered and flew in mad circles. Ammon, the patrol leader, stepped forward "They're coming, milady. We found nests about two miles north, and they look recent."
Kel had to ask. "Any bodies?"
Ammon shook his head. "None. They're coming in hungry."
Wyldon tested his bowstring and grunted, "We'll give them more than they can chew."
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Kel was the first to spot the clan as they came over the rise. Looking through her spyglass, she counted at least thirty. "Archers ready." She called. There were corresponding twangs and rustling as bows were loaded.
The immortals must have been desperate. They moved across the open field, toward the camp. Or perhaps they were emboldened by New Hope's appearance. Clearly, it was a refugee camp. A place for the poor, unsheltered peasants that the Crown didn't give a damn about. Kel's smile was bitter. These were no ordinary refugees.
The first volley of arrows went out, and five spidren were felled immediately. Kel whistled to Fanche, who moved to light the next round of arrows on fire. As the second wave came down, the targets were not the spidrens but the piles of pine and wood. The monsters shrieked in confusion as their surroundings burst into flame. Two spidrens had been in the process of climbing over the piles, and an acrid smell rose up to the wall as their hides burned.
The remaining spidrens were almost at the wall. The leader, a nasty female with red hair and yellowed eyes, began to climb as she screamed threats and curses. Kel gave the signal for the first net to drop. It was heavy, made from chains and scrap metal, and the sheer weight of the net sent the spidren toppling back down to the ground. The remaining nets were released, picking off four more.
The gates of New Hope opened, and the refugees with pole arms rushed out. The archers loaded for a third time, providing cover fire. Kel ran down the stairs and grabbed her glaive as she headed out.
The Monkey took two spidrens at once. She dodged under their webbing and leapt onto one's back, where she gave its neck a merciless twist. As the body toppled, she somersaulted off and lashed out at the legs of the other.
Kel picked up a burning branch and thrust it in the face of an immortal. Temporarily blinded, it stumbled backwards into a bigger pile of flames.
With more than half their number dead or dying, the spidrens made a retreat. The archers fourth volley came down, picking off the slowest.
A cheer rose up from the refugees. Kel scanned the field; she didn't see a single human casualty. Some nursed burns from spidren blood, one man's arm stuck out at an unnatural angle, and a woman was struggling to get webbing off her foot. Kel's triumphant cry joined everyone else's.
Once the adrenaline had receded, Kel called up her special command voice. "I suggest you use these fires to burn the corpses. Spidren ash is bound to become the latest fashion in fertilizer."
Kel had to hold back a squeak of surprise when the men picked her up and carried her back to the fort on their shoulders. Wistfully, she thought of Dom.
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Tobe gave Dom a sidelong glance. The sergeant had gotten through Kel's armor in more ways than one. In some respects, the boy was happy that milady mother had someone new to look after her; but…what would happen to Tobe now? Dom was a good sort of fellow, and he treated Tobe with an almost brotherly camaraderie—but what if it was a show to get milady's attention? Tobe shrugged off his doubts. Milady might be fooled, but Peachblossom was a strict judge when it came to character. And the warhorse wouldn't have allowed a ninny to ride in Kel's place.
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Kel sat in her office, carefully folding and unfolding Dom's token. Her mind was tumbling with doubts and fears, and her hands were on automatic. By saving New Hope, she'd given up her chance to win the land as her own. She had left Dom, and never worn the flag she now held. She was going to have to tell the residents how she failed them. She was going to have to explain to Dom why she'd left so quickly, without leaving so much as a note. Oh gods, what if he thought she'd run off with someone else?
There was a knock on her door, and Wyldon sat down across from her. "You came home early." He commented.
Kel blinked, resolving her face into a blank mask. "I had to leave. The worst part is that I was still a competitor. I could—I WOULD have won, if I stayed." Kel wasn't a braggart, but she knew Prosper, and she beat Ansil of Groten when she was a squire. And Daisuke had more strength than accuracy. She bit her lip.
"I'm not excusing my behavior. I knew what would happen when I left. The alternative, knowing you and Fanche would die, was worse. But now, it's time to face the consequences."
"I came to tell you we have several visitors at the front gate." Wyldon remarked, as if he hadn't heard her at all.
Kel looked at him bleakly, her mask forgotten. "They're here already? I didn't even have time to exp—
"Why don't you come see what they have to say before you jump to any conclusions?" Wyldon suggested.
Kel's forehead wrinkled. Milord sounded almost…amused. Her spirits lifted. It had to be good news. Daisuke must've won. At least the people would be well fed from now on. She rose and strode out to the courtyard.
Tobe, Dom, and Daisuke were standing, grinning like schoolboys. Kel gave a slight bow to Daisuke. "Congratulations are in order, I assume." She said, as warmly as she could manage.
"Not quite yet." Dom corrected. He waited and watched the puzzlement grow on Kel's beautiful face. "The fief isn't yours until you sign the deed." He added.
Kel stared blankly at him, still not comprehending. "I didn't win." She clarified. "I must have forfeited when I didn't show. Who…?" She looked at Daisuke. "Thank you." She said, and the warmth in her voice was genuine this time.
The ronin waved her off. "I lost. To you, as I remember."
Kel's puzzlement returned. They must be joking with her. Playing a practical joke. Her eyes narrowed. This wasn't funny. At all.
Dom caught her glare and grinned. "No, we're not playing tricks on you, so you can stop scowling. You remind me far too much of Meathead when you do that." His tone was light, teasing.
Kel crossed her arms. "Somebody explain, now."
Tobe piped up, "Master Dom pretended he was you, an' he beat the Tameran Lord, an' then he went up against Master Daisuke, an' Master Daisuke knocked his helemet off an' then everybody knew it wasn't you fighting, an' then the king yelled at Master Dom, an' took Dom off into his office where they negotiated." He stopped, breathless.
The lady knight looked quizzically up at Dom. "They let me win anyway?" A million warm fuzzy feelings were coursing through her. Most of them were sparked by the blue-eyed gaze of a certain sergeant-turned-temporary-knight.
Dom took a step forward and put his arms around Kel's shoulders. He looked through those long lashes and watched the emotions flicker through her hazel eyes. "You've got friends in the courts; a certain Duke Turomont pointed out that when the king re-instituted the melee, he was reverting back to the old laws of the joust. It is a little known fact that knights that age could have seconds—someone to fight in their place if they were busy, injured, or otherwise unable to meet a challenge. Usually, that's the squire's job, but under the circumstances…" Throughout his explanation, Dom's arms had sunk down to her lower back, and they were slowly drawing Kel closer into his embrace.
Not caring who was watching, Kel threw her arms around his neck and brought him in for a deep kiss. After a moment, he pulled back, searching, a little uncertain.
"Peachblossom mentioned something about the Chamber. You're not about to run away again, are you?" His eyes said he'd follow her if she did.
She laughed, lightly. The sound was musical, lilting, and utterly enchanting. Dom's heart melted.
"I'm home." She answered. "I'm not going anywhere, thanks to you." She leaned up to kiss him again. He stopped her by placing a gentle finger on her lips.
"Before we continue these celebrations, I have something I've been meaning to offer you. Another token, if you will. Something to wear on the field and off, as a symbol of…" For the first time in his life, words failed him. He trailed off awkwardly, belatedly remembering he was supposed to be on one knee. He stumbled back and knelt as he pulled out the ring. "Keladry of Mindelan, will you marry me?"
"Absolutely. Yes." Kel's voice cracked. She felt like hanabi were exploding under her ribcage. Dom grinned and took her back into his arms.
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Daisuke smiled thinly. A happy ending for everyone. Well, except himself. Gods knew where Saru had run off this tim—
"What's everyone so excited for?" A familiar voice piped into his ear. The Monkey had an eyebrow quirked and she gazed questioningly at the couple. Daisuke shrugged. "They're getting married. Kel owns New Hope. Happy ending."
"Oooh." Saru grinned. "I wonder if she'll let me use the fireworks now." She said offhandedly.
Dai gave her a sidelong glance. "What she doesn't know…
"My thoughts exactly. Ready for another adventure?" She had forgotten how much she missed their tricks. Dai's grin mirrored her own, and the pair scampered away.
