Sorry for the delay! I just got a new computer, so hopefully I'll get to update more often. Thanks for your support, I'll try to get the story going again.

She knew the warm earth beneath her bare feet, she knew the breeze that danced in her hair and tugged at her clothes. This land was the home of her family for generations past and she prayed for generations to come. Before her the capital stretched out like a beacon calling her name, calling her to rest her weary head, but she couldn't there was still so much to be done, so many deaths to avenge... so much wrong to put right... it was a burden she was never sure that she was prepared to shoulder. One silver tear rolled down her cheek, it's path illuminated by the glow of the bright harvest moon. Soon the months would be turning cold and all the magic, the glow of fireflies and breathless warm gusts from the south would leave nothing but the harshness of winter. She turned to make her way back to the dark camp when a voice stopped her.

" It doesn't get any easier." It was not the voice she expected, but it was welcome none the less.

"Lioness?" Kel's voice was quizzical... confused about what she could mean.

" That burden... that responsibility, it doesn't get any easier to carry. It will weigh you down and make you feel like all the world is against you, but you'll push yourself... you'll keep fighting because that's the kind of people the God's rely on," Alanna sighed as she stepped into the light of the clearing and closer to Kel. Her restless amethyst eyes scanned the horizon, seeing perhaps more than the present night, but the past of her beloved home and the future. "I know. Trust me, I know. At least you've learned right off something that took me years to understand, you've learned to share that burden with those who will be able to help you. You've found a good man who will stand behind you, who will walk beside you, and never let you take yourself to seriously." Kel felt a blush climb up her cheeks, there was no reason for it... but she felt it dance across her skin and a smile split her face. It was the innocence of this place... the innocence of Tortall. With it's fervent belief in the future, and hope in the good of each man and woman. War and famine had failed to strip it bare, but Kel knew that if she failed this land would fall like the other... a barren waste, a shell of it's former self.

"Were you ever scared? When I went in to Scanra, both times... I was terrified but I knew... somewhere deep inside of me that I was being watched over, that the hand of whatever god called me their own at the moment would be with me, but things are different now. I carry their gifts, but not their protection, not their help... not their patronage." Kel wrapped her arms tightly around her middle, feeling for a moment more alone than she had in many months. Alanna reached out and clasped her tightly on her shoulder.

"Yes, every time. Every time I fight, every time the King calls on me to settle a dispute, every time I have to leave my husband, every time I think of my children off in the world trying to make a place for themselves in the world that would like to do nothing more than destroy them... I have seen far to many things for me to be without fear," Alanna paused for a long moment, Kel waited sensing that something more was coming, "I asked the Great Goddess once, what the future held... she explained something to me. That there is a time when the God's must removed their hands and let the us mortals sort things out. They select vessels," She gestured between Kel and herself before continuing, " to help turn the tide of the events, but in the end it is up to us to find a way through the turmoil. I know that it is different for you... but I think it is the same idea. People have grown so fat and happy, so comfortable with their weak faith in the Gods that they know it is time for radical change. Heroes like me... the God blessed and Gifted are a dying breed. We need new heroes must fill that gap, these heroes, people like you and your friends, are rougher, earthier... rooted in the earth, absolute in their belief in the themselves and the Gods... ready to take on the challenges of this new world we find ourselves in. I am glad to call you a friend and hope that on that glorious day of battle the Dark God prepares a place for all of his children, friend and foe, on the sandy shores where the sun can warm our cold bones." With a fatalistic smile and mocking salute she wondered back into the dark of the woods that surrounded them. Leaving Kel alone with her thoughts, until Dom walked toward her from the direction of the Camp. He didn't speak, simply took her hand and lead her back to their tent, wrapped her into his arms, kissed her softly, and held her until sleep finally came for her.

** Morning**

There was a flurry of activity as soldiers prepared the camp to leave, Kel felt apart from it... watching with interest as the group wordlessly coordinated their actions with one another. To one side her group, all ready packed and warmed up for the morning, waited for the others to catch up. Over a cup of strong Green Tea from the Yamani's Kel thought about what waited for them in the city below. By noon they would be caught up with the King, who had gone ahead to stay in an Inn, and would in Corus. Kel knew that somewhere in the Palace in the distance her best friends waited... A smile danced across her face... she could only imagine what Neal would say when he found out that Dom and herself were married.

It wasn't long before they were underway. The column of soldiers kicking up dust and moving slowly through the bright morning light. Kel felt the simple magic of the familiar settle her soul, perhaps... everything would be okay. She glanced over at Dom who rode beside her, his smile was open...

"Have I told you today, wife, that you are beautiful and that I love you?" His rich tones of his voice cut through the din of the company, behind him the men of Third Company made exaggerated kissing noises. Kel was sure if she looked back she would see the faces they were making, but instead she leaned over in her saddle and placed a light kiss on his cheek.

" I know, husband..." She smiled, "I love me too." The laughter from the crowd made Dom's smile even wider, he reached out and took her hand. Amidst the raucous laughter, Kel leaned smiled at Dom and spoke in a soft tone.

"I love you too, Dom." He tightened his grip on his hand for a moment. Telling her all she needed to know.

Corus danced in the fall light ahead of them, the golden hues of the day making each stone seem lively and welcoming. Kel let the smells and sights wash over her... it was a good day to come home. They entered the city at the height of the day. The Market was slow, lazy in the tepid October sun. Still faces turned their way... people whispered about who they were. Kel wondered what she looked like to these casual observers. Raoul fell back to ride along side of her and in his battle field called across the short distance.

"How does it feel to be back in Corus, Lady Knight?" His voice had the desired effect. The crowd stilled as they processed the words and exploded into motion. Had she been riding a more skittish mount she would have been tossed by the sudden influx of people reaching out to her. Kel absently rubbed her know ringing ear and glared at Raoul, he had done it on purpose... announced to all of the lower city that she was back and simultaneously deafened one ear. While she nodded and smiled politely to the growing crowd, Kel grumbled to herself about Knight Commanders who were louder than they thought they were, the consequences that should be leveled on said to-loud commanders, and how some people where so jealous of her new toys that needed to permanently disable her to compete.

It was nearly half a candle mark before they reached the gate to the palace. It loomed and shimmered, seeming less the "miserable rat warren" that Neal had once called it and more... like home.

They had begun to dismount when a familiar voice called out of one of the halls.

"Ah... see here, which one of you sent me this odd note? What do you mean you've found Dom? And... Oh Mithros... Kel..." He stopped mid rant as he saw her dismounting from her sturdy bay mare. As soon as her boots touched the stone of the courtyard she was enveloped in his strong embrace. She buried her face in the crook of his neck and held on as tight as she could. When she pulled back his emerald green eyes where feverish bright. His smile was luminous and hesitant. She could feel his eyes move over her. He took in the beads and braids, the scars, the clothes... he saw her with new eyes... trying to find the girl he once knew under this warrior woman who stared back at him.

"Have you been eating your vegetables? You seem to be smaller and paler than I remember!" Her voice was different... but it had the desired effect. Neal smile and wrapped her in his arms once more.

"Kel. You've been gone so long... Gods... I have missed you." His voice was soft and tight with emotion.

"If you would please remove your grumpy Meathead hands off my wife, I would be much obliged to not have to kill you cousin... after all I'd hate to have to explain it to my aunt... there would be tears and threats and then... I don't know but I can't imagine it would be pleasant..." Some time in the middle of Dom's rant, Kel and Neal started laughing, it filled the courtyard and made the men of the Own smile.

Neal moved away from Kel and embraced his long lost cousin. Their arms clasped tightly around each other, it was an embrace borne out of understanding, and gratitude.

Suddenly Neal pulled away from Dom...

"Wait one second... did you say wife?" Neal staggered away dazedly and looked between the two of them in confusion. Dom smiled and moved closer to Kel. His arm wrapped tightly around her middle bringing her into the shelter of his body. He leaned in close and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead right above her eyebrow. His eyes moved back to Neal before he spoke.

"Thank you, Meathead, You just won me ten gold crowns." Grumbles and laughter can be heard from the Own. Kel elbowed him lightly in the ribs.

"Dom and I are married. We have been for almost half a year." She turned a smiled at Dom, her fingers dancing across the willow band that decorated the crown of her head. Dom's fingers stilled hers, he brought them to his lips and smiled as she blushed.

"Dear Gods can you not do that in front of me, I don't want to go blind." The color was high in Neal's cheeks making him look as though he had just run a mile. His emerald eyes were a vivid shade. Kel stepped away from Dom for a moment and embraced her old friend.

"I love him Neal... he takes good care of me," Neal nodded absently at Kel's words...She started to say more but was interrupted by Neal's hasty question.

"are you... you're kidding me right? This is one of those trickster God joke day... things? Right?" Neal looked similar to a fish out of water, his mouth opening and closing, gasping for air.

Kel laughed long and hard a she waited for Neal to regain himself. It was some moments later before Neal came back to himself and shook his head to clear the confusion.

"well, then." Neal turned and walked toward the hall he had come from, all the while running is fingers through his messy hair. Kel couldn't stop chucking as she and Dom moved toward their horses and began to unpack. She motioned the other to follow her.

"Let me get settled and we'll get you to an Inn." Kel started to gather her things ready to head to the rooms she'd had so long ago called home.

"We will see that your friends have rooms within the castle. Fear not, Lady Knight, It is the least we can do." Queen Thyat's word's filled the space with their resonance. She glared briefly at the King, before informing one of the waiting servants to have rooms prepared for their guests. It was bustle of movement that Kel watched in silent amusement as her friends, hardened warriors, one pirate, and one bard were hustled off into the place.

Kel slung her saddle bag over her shoulder and started to walk away. A sharp smack on her butt stopped her briefly, She turned to glare at Dom amidst the hoots and loud gawfs of the the Third Company. He smiled and made kissey faces at her before she broke into a grin and continued walking away.

It was good to be home.

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