cowers sorry that i didn't have this up on Wednesday but my stupid computer kicks piece of junk wouldn't upload it mutters curses Not that any of you really care but hey. Apologies that this isn't the greatest, open to any ideas, email me at or review with it. thanks

Disclaimer - all characters belong to the wonderful, magnificent etc. Tamora Pierce not me sadly. Plot lines (not that i think this one will since i seem to suck at plots ;) ) wording and ideas may not be mine either so plz don't sue me, i have no money anyway so that wouldn't be worth your while and just remember its a compliment really (my dad says that whenever my little sisters steal my ideas) if i do ;) but anyway onto the story . . .

Dom clapped his older brother on the back in farewell.

Dom had just got back to Masbolle a couple of days ago, a few days after his brother, having been given two months leave to celebrate the end of the five year Scanran War (A/N just a guess correct me if I'm wrong). Dom did not know Thad very well, considering that they were four years apart in age and Thad had gone with his twin sister, Liana, to university when they were twelve so he was sad at not having the chance to get to know him better, as Thad was now making a hasty departure to court, although he was not quite sure why.

Just before he turned to go Thaddeus leaned over to whisper in his brother's ear.

"You know Lady Keladry." He stated, "what do you think? Do you reckon I have a chance? She is quite wealthy now since she managed to give that Yamani noble a natural death and Mother would be delighted to have a Lady Knight in the family, seeing as she admires them so." Thaddeus finished.

Dom's throat went tight and though he wasn't quite sure why, he felt as if the world had suddenly come to a jolting stop.

So that was why Thad was in such a hurry to get to Corus, he must have heard that Kel was planning to spend a month of her leave at Mindelan and he wanted to win her over before she left the capital in almost a months time.

For some strange reason, or not so strange replied a treacherous part of his brain, he felt angry at Thad for speaking of Kel as if she was just a sparkly ornament to adorn Masbolles many halls or some noble lady with a large dowry and not a person. Also he felt jealous. Yes jealous. His brother would marry Kel (which at that point in time he was pretty sure he would as Thad had more than half of the university girls following wherever he went) and he should be happy for Kel, his brother was a nice person, but he wasn't even remotely happy at the thought, he wasd jealous, though he wasn't quite sure why. The treacherous part of his brain once again piped up and replied smugly that he knew exactly why he was jealous.

Because he was the one that loved her. Not Thad. He was the one that wanted to bring her back to Masbolle with him. Not Thad. He was the one that wanted to marry her. Not for his mothers pride and happiness or money. But Kel didn't feel the same way, he was sure of it and Thad would win her.

Luckily Thad had not noticed his brothers deathly white complexion or strange behavior and had turned around without waiting for a reply from Dom.

Explanation - Kel went to Yaman (around the end of LK) with Yuki, Lady Haname and her Mother to help to the Isles against a raider attack. While fighting raiders Kel saves the live of a very old Yamani and he was very grateful so since he had no sons or daughters he made her his heir. Kel received a letter an year later (basically a couple of months before this story takes place) that he had a heart attack when he was out riding and fell off his horse. No one found him soon enough for them to help him (he died from the heart attack not falling off the horse!). Kel was sad because he was a cheery old man and she had liked him.

Hope it wasn't too disgustingly bad, i do try my best no to upload it when its complete and utter crud but i decided i needed to upload it now. I won't beg you to review but . . . puppy eyes you know you want to! ;)