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It seemed that the day passed in a daze. Kel felt something pressing down on her… like a weight but she couldn't place her finger on the cause. She should have been joyous, and make no mistake she was happy to be home, but she felt a distance from the celebrations and congratulatory speeches. She stood outside the grand hall, waiting to be introduced. The King's return home ball had been changed into something of a coming home party for her as well, of course no one knew for sure, but the palace thrived on rumors, and her arrival in the market today had reached many people's ears.

She could hear the din of voices in the room below her. The King had been introduced only moments before, so she had a little more time to steady her nerves. She concentrated on her Yamani mask, picturing herself as the calm lake she envisioned. A steady breath passed between her lips, and her dreamy hazel eyes opened. Dom glanced over at her as he tugged his uniform straight once more.

"Nervous, darling?" His eyes danced with mischief. Kel smirked and punched him lightly on the shoulder.

"You know me too well." Her smile faded as the herald motioned them forward.

"I know, but this can't be worse than the barbarian hordes can it?" Dom's arm was warm and comforting as he prepared to descend the stairs with her.

"Barbarian hordes don't require face-paints, a dress, and going in unarmed." Kel murmured, her eyes dancing across the hushed crowd.

"Presenting Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan and escort Sargent Domitan of Masbole." Dom growled in frustration as the descended into the crush. The King had told them in no uncertain terms that they were to be married under Tortallian law before they could announce themselves as husband and wife. Something about National hero's and conservatives… Kel didn't care much either way, she knew what her commitment to Dom was, and no law made any difference to her.

Dom leaned close and place a chaste kiss on the skin behind her ear, just below her hairline. His breath was hot against her neck.

"Let's give them something to talk about." He whispered as he wrapped his arm around her waist and moved throw the throng of gawkers.

Kel laughed and smiled as he moved her toward the dance floor. She remembered how awkward the first time she was introduced at court was and knew that it was Dom who made the difference.

The night passed in much the same way as the day, a blur of skirts and firm hand shakes. Kel heard some of the whispers and comments, but Dom didn't let her dwell on them. As the stumbled and laughed down the hall that lead back to their room, the moon was high in the sky and for a moment the fear of the coming fight faded to the back of her mind.

*Later*

Kel shot up in bed with a start. The walls of her chambers seemed to be closing in around her and for a moment she couldn't draw a breath into her lungs. Her hand groped the bed beside her, trying to find some connection to the real world before vision of her dreams once again swarmed over her. Her fingers connected with Dom's back, she blindly slid her hand up to his shoulder and grasped his skin with all the strength she could. Her fingers digging deep into the muscle and flesh of his arm, waking him from his peaceful sleep. She didn't hear the puzzled sound he made as he woke or him calling her name. She was caught in the grip of the vision dream. She cried out in the dream, her waking form was caugth in between, opening her mouth to scream but no sound came out. Dom moved quick, he knelt in front of her and place his hands on either side of her face. His eyes searched her unseeing ones, trying to find his wife, but he could not see her past the dream that consumed her He wrapped his arms around her and waited in the dark for his love to come back to him.

It was in moments like this that Dom feared most what was to come and feared who they had become. He recalled looking in the mirror today, freshly bathed and shaved... and back in his riders uniform. He looked like himself, himself from before only with a few alterations. The wedding band around his neck the scars, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. It was as though he saw himself and the self that he was at the moment standing side by side and found that he was unsure of his place in this new and dangerous conflict. Kel shuddered in his arms and hot wet tears fell softly on his shoulder... for a moment as he murmured gently to her... he reconsidered, he knew his place, his place was right here beside Kel.

"Dom..." Kel's voice was tight and scratchy.

"Yes, my sweet?" He kept his voice purposefully light. She sighed softly as she leaned herself fully into the comfort of his arms.

"I saw it. Not the battle this time... but the army. I saw their faces, their weapons. They're on the move. From the Great Pass, only months from here. They destroy everything they touch. The Army came upon a small village, it was just there along side the road, they attacked and killed everyone, but they didn't just kill... they raped, tortured, slaughtered everything and laughed as the blood lapped at their feet. They killed parents in front of their children, ripped out the intestines of warriors and strung them up by those same guts... it was a blood bath, the like of which I have never seen and pray to never see again. I watched it all. Ezekiel wanted me to know what we stood against." Dom knew she refereed to the First Warrior, a God who had followed Kel since her first steps into Scanra those many months ago. Kel leaned away from him and looked into his deep eyes... searching for something. She seemed to find it, she pressed a soft kiss against his lips and spoke into the humid space between them.

"We have so much to do... we must not fail or the whole world will fall." A shiver raced up her spine and Dom felt the goose bumps rise across her skin. He drew her back beneath the covers and wrapped her in his arms, as close to his body as he could.

"There is much to do and little time to do it, but I have faith, that in all things you will succeed. You must not second guess yourself now. You must stand bold and brave, listen to those around you who would advise and ignore those who would doubt. Now is the time to forge ahead... not look back," He raise himself up on one arm so he could look at Kel as she lay against him. "I will be with you, there will never be a moment that you will bare this burden alone."

He kissed her closed eye lids, the tip of her nose, and her generous lips.

"Now sleep, My Heart, there is much work to be done... after all who will make Meathead eat his vegetables." He smiled when his remark got its desire affect. Kel laughed softly and curled closer into him.

Dom lay awake for a few moments after she slipped away into sleep, his eyes closed, his heart filled with prayers to the Gods... Prayers for what he wasn't sure... but some sign that they might make it through this.

Hours later the sun poured into the bedroom, landing on the empty bed.

Outside in a small courtyard, far away from the prying eyes, Kel and Dom went through their morning ritual. Stretches, press-ups, sword work, and special weapons, some sparing both unarmed and armed, their breath came in heavy pants but they both took comfort in the familiar routine.

It was in the midst of this that Raoul found them. He watched for a moment. The movement of the two, the way they ducked, spun, dodged, and lunged at one another was like watching a dance. Dangerous and unpredictable, but beautiful. It reminded him of watching Daine and Numair working magic together or Alanna and George bantering and flirting with one another … it gave him hope. Hope that they would make it through whatever was thrown at them. He had spent more of his time looking after those two, and felt something fatherly toward them.

He cleared his throat, Dom and Kel didn't stop their sparing. He whistled loudly, causing them to jump apart, ready for anything. When Dom saw him leaning against the fence his face broke into a grin.

"Well… what brings you out this early?" Dom's face gleamed with sweat in the early morning light, Kel faired only slightly better.

"The King has requested an audience with you in two hours. It's short notice, but it's be the best I could do." He looked pointedly at Dom, who nodded and gave him a tight lipped smile. Raoul nodded and left them to prepare themselves.

Coming up next chapter: The meeting with the King.