Hello my lovely readers! Finally, here is chapter 2. I'm so sorry it took so long, it's exam time! Chapter 3 will be here soon, so read on!
Chapter 2
The Feast
Kel felt uncomfortable. She felt like a third wheel on numerous dates; actually it was more like the eleventh wheel. She was at a table with Neal and Yuki, Raoul and Buri, Merric and his betrothed, Arina of Veldine, and two older knights and their wives. Each couple was enthralled in some conversation of their own, even Raoul, who was usually as uncomfortable as Kel, seemed to be enjoying himself. She looked around the room; everywhere she saw couples chatting and laughing at eachother's jokes, and women gasping at their husbands' war stories, and here she was alone. She caught sight of Dom and his squad seated at a table on the other end of the room, chatting and laughing. He caught her eye and winked and she felt her cheeks warming. She had meant it as a joke before but now she found herself glancing at the curtains and tapestries, wondering if there was any way to slip behind one unnoticed.
Not only did she feel awkward, she was also exhausted. All she wanted was to leave the feast and curl up in her warm bed. She watched pages and squires walk to and from tables with drinks and food. She was glad to see some familiar faces among the squires though she didn't recognize any of the pages. She smiled at Owen and his cousins, Warric of Mandash and Iden of Vikison Lake, both of whom she'd taught to use a staff. Much to her delight, she saw two young girls in pages' uniforms, one of which was serving at her table. The two of them seemed to watch her in awe when they were not rushing to and fro with plates. She desperately wanted to talk to them, give them some form of encouragement but she knew it was not appropriate here. Maybe she'd catch them after the feast.
When the meal was finished, the king rose from his seat on the raised platform at one end of the room. "Good evening," King Jonathon said as the room went quiet, "I am glad to welcome home so many noble and valuable warriors; each one of you has served your country well and honorably despite some very difficult placements." Kel stifled a laugh since that was exactly how she felt when first sent to the refugee camp. The king continued, "It's time to award every knight, rider and soldier for his or her contribution." The king began to read through names based on placement, and called the knights up in groups. When he called squads of soldiers or groups of riders, the leader would go up to collect the reward.
Kel, Neal and Merric were one of the last groups to be called up, which made Kel nervous though she did all she could to hide. Once on the platform, the three young knights bowed to the royal family, as was customary. The king then thanked each one for their service before handing each one a purse for their contribution. The king then returned to where he was standing to say one last thing, "We also thank these knights for risking everything to rescue kidnapped refugees, even going into deep enemy territory." She looked around the room to see familiar faces beaming at her a clapping; she pick out the faces of her brothers, parents, even her two sisters seated with their husbands, her friends from various years, Raoul, Buri and Dom. She was so relieved that the king had chosen to omit the fact that what they had done was completely against the law that she almost collapsed. Finally they returned to the seats for the remain groups.
She knew that after the ceremony, there would be a ball but Kel could not face it alone so she left just as it started with an exhausted Merric, Raoul and Buri. She could see the effects of the long days' riding back home taking their toll on Merric who could barely walk. After saying their goodbyes to Raoul and Buri, Kel had to escort Merric to the palace healers before getting to her own room. Tobe and Irnai were already in their beds, snoring softly, when Kel returned so she tiptoed cautiously around her room, trying to avoid waking them. Only when she was about to slip into bed did she dare to open the purse from the king. It contained a large fortune, more than any of her brothers had earned in previous wars. Sleep came easily, for the first time in a very long time, as she enjoyed the comforts of feathered pillows and the soft mattress.
The next morning, Kel rose early, as usual, and did her usual routine. Turning to her window, she saw the sparrows that she had left only a year ago perched happily on the window sill and in the branches around it. She smiled and thought back to the morning when the sparrows first flocked to her window. After dressing, Kel went to breakfast to find it almost empty except for Dom, Raoul and Buri. The four of them were enjoying a quiet breakfast when a group of young conservative knights walked in, one of whom was Garvey of Runnerspring, one of a gang of pages who sought to make her life and those of the other pages difficult. Most of the knights merely side glanced at Kel but a few, including Garvey, nodded stiffly at her, a sign of huge respect from the conservatives.
Kel turned to Dom and asked, "what time did you go home last night? I didn't stay long enough to see."
Dom responded that he left not long after she did, and admitted that he hated balls and banquets.
"Dom, I'd think you would love balls, with all the pretty girls looking for someone to dance with" Kel replied jokingly.
"Lady knight, you wound me so," he responded with mock indignation. The crooked grin that followed made her heart jump.
"Are you exited for Neal's wedding, Kel?" Raoul asked, unknowingly changing the subject at the perfect moment.
"Of course I'm exited, two of my best friends getting married. I even introduced them" She grinned.
"Are you up for some jousting practice this afternoon, I'm already getting restless?" Raoul asked as they were clearing the plates.
Kel nodded and left to have some of the morning to herself.