A/n I know I haven't updated in ages, but this is my longest chapter yet to make up for it. Enjoy.
Lady Kel
'Course not.' That's what she'd said. Dom strolled angrily through the corridor. How could he ever be so foolish to think otherwise? She didn't love him, not like that. She didn't know how to love, that heartless creature. Yet even as he though it, Dom knew it wasn't true. Kel was the most loving person he knew, but he didn't want to believe it.
Dom was so caught up in his thoughts that he almost didn't notice when he ran into Neal coming out of the infirmary. Neal looked up at the man who had sent him into such shock that morning. Dom's eyes were clouded and grey. His face was hard, but he was hurt, and hurt deeply. Neal could tell.
"Care to tell me what that was all about this morning?" Neal asked his cousin.
Dom frowned, "Nothing it was just a game. That's all it ever was" Dom pushed past Neal and continued walking.
This answer, although it comforted Neal a little, succeeded in confusing him even more. "Wait" he called out after Dom. "what is that even supposed to mean?"
Dom turned around angrily, "It mean's go away and leave me alone. I don't want to hear anymore about HER."
Neal, being the intelligent thing that he was, deducted that 'she' was Kel, as there were only three females steadfast, and Kel was the only one in their conversation. 'I'll probably get more out of Kel' Neal thought quite sensibly. He headed off to find her.
Meanwhile, Kel had been talking to Raoul, catching up. "Oh and don't bother unpacking your bags." Raoul advised.
"Why not?" Kel asked, thinking she was still a little out of the loop.
"We leave tomorrow for the palace."
"No one told me that!" Kel exclaimed, "I knew we were going back, but not this soon."
"Well most people don't know themselves se I don't see how they could've told you."
"Oh," Kel smiled sheepishly. "So who else is returning?"
"Myself, Buri, the queen, Neal, Duke Baird, you, some of the Own, and a heap of lucky soldiers that are no longer needed are all going home. "Raoul counted them off with his fingers. "Merric will return to New Hope to say goodbye to the refugees and give them the news of the war ending…"
"But," Kel interrupted, "how come I…" Raoul held up his hand, "I know you'd like to go too but we can't allow you to in your condition. I suggest you send a note with Merric and visit them later. I believe they wished to become a township after the war?" Kel nodded. "Well then, I think Alanna will follow us in a few days with Merric and some more knights and soldiers."
"What own squad is coming with us?" Kel asked and Raoul knew which one she was hoping for. Don't worry Kel; Dom's squad is coming, along with a few others of course. I know you can't bear to be parted from your little boys and they need their mother to keep them behaving. Kel groaned at the mention of her nickname.
"c'mon. Let's go tell the boys. They'll be delighted to return to all the pretty ladies." Raoul said as Kel grinned.
Raoul pounded on the door of the Owns barracks. "le' me in boys" he yelled, "and I've got mother with me."
The door swung open immediately. "Hello mother, My Lord." Wolset greeted them, the other men not far behind.
"I've got some news for all you," Raoul told them, "Where's that hopeless man we've appointed your superior, DOM?" Raoul yelled the last bit.
Dom ran out of his room to face the knight, much to the amusement of the rest of the own. He scowled when he saw Kel. Raoul didn't notice, but Kel did. He hates me, she thought with shock. I wonder why.
"I'm sure you'll be delighted to know that we'll be returning to the palace tomorrow." Raoul told the now grinning men. "Lady Kel here will be joining us." This brought out cheers from all the men, but Dom. Raoul noticed this time. "You've got a problem with that?" he asked his sergeant.
"Yea I do." Dom said, the room went silent, awaiting his explanation. Dom realised he couldn't tell them the real reason so he had to quickly think of another. "Lady Kel here is not aloud to pick up a weapon, what is she to do if we get attacked."
"I'll be fine." Kel said, she had noticed this loop hole quite a while ago but wasn't inclined to tell Raoul. The other men looked relieved, but also worried now.
"I've already thought of that." Raoul assured them. "Kel will ride with someone else, don't argue Kel, and if there is any sign of danger they will take her away from it."
The men nodded in agreement but Kel looked ready to explode. "Sir I can ride by myself, you don't need to treat me like some kind of court lady." Her green eyes flashed with anger.
"I know you can ride, Kel." Raoul said gently, "But I also know that you would try to stay and help if we ran into bandits of something. That's why you have to ride with some who will get you out of there. You could do permanent damage to yourself if you stay." Kel hung her head, that was exactly what she'd been planning to do. Going against orders was fastly becoming a habit of hers.
"Now I think I know who'll take Kel, but just in case, are there any other offers?" Every man in the room raised his hand as far as they could, excepting Dom, who only half raised it. Raoul already knew who he would put with her and they couldn't disagree, but he wanted to make Kel feel better and he knew it was worthwhile when she smiled beside him. "Thanks boys." She said quietly, but still loudly enough for them all to hear. That was all she needed to say, they knew what she meant.
"Well we better get going." Raoul announced, "Kel feel free to stay and chat but I have to go tell others about our departure. Dom you come with me. See you all at 6am tomorrow." Raoul left the room, Dom not far behind him.
"So Kel, how about a game of chess?" Wolset asked dragging her over to the board. It was the first game of many that night.
"my office." Raoul said gesturing at a door for Dom to enter first. "I take it you know why I asked you to come with me?"
"I've got no idea sir." Dom said, although he did, he was just hoping he wasn't right.
"I want Kel to ride with you tomorrow." He was right.
"why me?" asked Dom, "why not Wolset or one of the other boys, if we're attacked, I should be there commanding my squad."
"I'll command your squad, if we have any trouble. I want you with Kel because I know you care enough about her to do as I say and not listen to her if…when she wants to fight. I know you'll take care of her. Am I right?" Dom nodded, orders were orders. "Good, now that that's sorted you can go. I still have some work to do before we leave."
Dom left.
Neal was about to give up finding Kel, he'd searched almost everywhere when he passed the Owns barracks. Hearing all the noise, he went inside to investigate. Kel and Lerent where in the middle of a very close chess match. The men had all chosen sides and were cheering their favorite on. Most were supporting Kel, but Neal suspected that was because currently she was winning. As he watched, Kel put Lerent in checkmate. Everyone cheered for Kel and plenty of money was exchanged.
Neal decided it was time to step in. "Can I talk to you Kel?" he asked walking forward.
"Yea sure, we'll just get out of these men's way, so they can continue to lose all their money." She grinned as they protested.
They walked out into the corridor. "I wanted to ask about you and Dom." Neal said. She sighed, "I knew that was coming. Honestly, we're just friends." She stopped and considered this, "well maybe not even friends anyone." Neal looked at her.
"explain." They started walking.
"well, it started when I was walking back to my rooms and I pasted the training yard where the Own was training……." She told him the whole story, including their conversation in the mess hall and his reaction to Raoul's announcement.
"I see," Said Neal when she'd finished, "so you two aren't courting?"
"Hardly, he hates me." Kel sniffed.
"I don't think he hates you Kel, not at all.
"What do you mean? He won't even acknowledge me."
"never mind we're not getting anywhere here. So you have to ride with someone else, did you say?"
"yea. I'm not happy about it though."
"You can ride with me if you want." Neal offered.
"I think Raoul already picked someone and I don't think your betrothed would be too happy."
"If you're sure..." Kel nodded.
"Okay I had better go, my Yuki is waiting."
"Okay. Say hi to Yuki for me. I'll see you at six am tomorrow." Neal groaned.
"bye."
They parted, Neal to his betrothed and Kel to her rooms to sleep.
A/N wow I am so proud of myself, three and a quarter pages. This might be the only chapter for a while as I leave for Vietnam and Cambodia in less then two weeks and then I'm away for two weeks. I'll try to put up a chap or two when I get back. I will be very motivated if I come home and find an inbox full of reviews. hint hint see ya all later,
Lady Kel