Disclaimer - no matter how much I wish that I did, I unfortunately don't own any of the wondorous characters you recognise, they are the wonderful creations of Mrs Tamora Pierce, not Megan, got that? good. now don't sue
Oh, and this chapter is set the day after the last one.
Dom's mind was set as he tacked up his piebald mare.
It had yet to strike dawn and he looked as if he had only been half awake when he pulled on his clothes and hadn't bothered to brush his hair as he left the Masbolle residence. Looks can be deceiving. This time they weren't.
He had decided suddenly in the middle of that restless night that he wouldn't give up so easily. Even though he was doomed to fail he was going to try at least. If Kel did not love him and she loved Thad then he would give his blessings and move as far away from Tortall as possible – he did not think he would be able to stand being around her when she was out of his grasp forever, in his own brothers arms.
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By the time he had mounted up, with a note left for his Mother with the stable boy for his Mother and ridden out of Masbolles front gates, Dom was more awake and had a chance to review the previous day's events.
By the time he had done, Dom was shaking his head at his folly. He had a major head start over Thad, not the other way around, having spent a lot of time at court, unlike his university-based brother and he knew all the secret passage ways from the games of hide and seek with Neal as kids.
Smirking, it occurred to him that it might not look so good if Thad got lost while making his way to meet Kel.
Oh yes, Thad had the university girls playing to his tune, but Dom was the one who had mastered the court – the halls, the balls and the women. With those bright thoughts Dom knew that it had been folly when he had thought that he had no chance, he was the one who knew Kel, and she was no court lady and by no means a male-like warrior (even if she could match the best) as his brother would soon find out, but he knew how to play both ladies and warriors (if in different ways).
His brother may have good looks going for him, but he was university bred and wouldn't know how to act around Kel.
Dom grinned evilly. But first to catch up to my dear brother, he thought as he pushed his horse into a full-fledged gallop.
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By midday Dom was well on his way to catching up to his unsuspecting brother, and slowed down, realizing just in time that a lame horse wouldn't help him catch up to Thad before he reached Corus.
A/N Hhhhhmmmm . . . I personally don't like this chapter that much - what do you think? I just needed a chapter inbetween explaining stuff so I could put in . . . well that would give it away wouldn't it? And I wouldn't want to do that now would I?
ideas and reviews are kindly appreciated ;)
Thanks, Megan, resident Evil