Dear all my readers,

At last it's finally here! I'm sorry it has taken be so long!

lots of love

izzy

Chapter 6

Ordeals begin as the year ends

It had been over a month since Yuki's wedding and midwinter had almost arrived. With the festivities also came the ordeals for the men one year below Kel, including Owen. Like Kel had one year prior, he drew the last slot, meaning he would leave the chamber on the morning of Midwinter's eve. Kel had seen quite a bit of her friend, who interrogated her nervously any chance he got. Kel couldn't blame him at all but she had not yet told him that Wyldon had accepted her offer to act as the second knight in his instruction.
Kel was sitting on her bed wrapping her gifts and counting them all to make sure she had one for everyone: earrings for Yuki,a beautiful new shukusen for Shinko, a small but expensive spy glass for Dom... KNOCK, KNOCK.
"Kel!' Dom's voice came from downstairs followed by his footsteps coming up the creaky staircase.
Kel hurriedly threw her blanket over the items which were strewn over her bed and jumped up to the door, opening it as Dom raised his hand to knock.
"Dom," Kel said, slightly flustered, 'what can I do for you?'
Dom blushed slightly, hesitating. Strange, Kel thought, Dom's never nervous. He took a breath and said,'Well, Kel... Um... You know how my new position comes with new responsibilities...' As he trailed off, Kel nodded, encouraging him to continue. 'One of these is that I must make an appearance at the big midwinter banquet and...' He paused, 'Since I know your always uncomfortable at such things and I was thinking that maybe we... Um... could be uncomfortable together?' His blush deepened.
Kel's heart started doing a little dance in her chest but she kept her face casual, 'Of course, Captain.' She answered slightly teasingly with a grand bow, making her friend smile. 'It would be an honor.'
He leaned down and gently landed a kiss on her cheek, making her blush slightly, before saying, 'I look forward to it.' He stepped back from the doorway and began to make his way back to the house entrance. Kel stuck her head out of her room and watched him leave before closing it completely and sighing in relief. She then sat back on her bed and uncovered the gifts, going back to her original project.
Later that afternoon, Kel went over to Lalasa's shop, knowing that, in order to impress Dom, she would need a dress fit for the occasion.
'Milady,' Lalasa pulled her into the shop ahead of a large queue of women, waiting for fittings, 'I was wondering when I would see you.'
'Lalasa, I need something impressive for the banquet.' Kel told her friend quickly.
'That could only mean one thing, coming from you, milady,' replied the young seamstress, 'that one handsome captain in the Own has invited you.' Lalasa smiled at Kel's slight blush and shy nod. 'Then let's make a dress that is sure to dazzle him' she said before taking Kel's arm and leading her to the back of the shop.
After her time with Lalasa, Kel returned to her parents' townhouse just in time to run into Owen who was apparently looking for her.
'Kel, lord Wyldon's just told me that you're going to act as the second knight in my instruction.' Her friend was practically jumping with a combination of excitement and nervousness
'I was wondering when he would.' Kel responded to her younger friend. She was only now realizing just how much her friend had grown; he was now taller than her by an inch or two and he had all but lost the baby fat. She was confident that he would be a great knight.
Letting him into the house, he talked at her as she made herself some green tea, she'd offered some to Owen but he protested that tea lacked manliness which made her laugh. While they were sitting and talking, there was a loud knock on the door which Kel opened to reveal Neal, who was covered in cold snow.
'Yuki's pregnant!' Was all he could splutter out when he sat on one of the armchairs. Kel and Owen congratulated him as he accepted the warm mug of tea which Kel offered him.
Kel smiled as Owen interrogated him about various things before finally shooing them out of the house, finally allowing Kel to sleep.

Kel woke on the day before Midwinter's eve and proceeded with her normal routine. She knew that she would be spending her evening and night sitting waiting for Owen to emerge from the chamber so she planned on doing as much as she could before hand. First on Kel's list was to visit Yuki and Neal since she had not yet seen her friends other than at Neal's first announcement.
Yuki smiled at her when she came in and the two of them, along with Shinko and Buri, talked about various things. Kel noted that Buri, who was now about five months in, sported a large bump which she attempted to conceal under loose shirts. Even Shinko was hiding a small bump under the flowing fabric of her kimono. Kel ultimately had lunch with the ladies before going out for a wander around town, peeking into the shop windows with no intention of buying anything.
'Browsing for last minute gifts, My lady,' a teasing voice came from behind her, 'That seems incredibly unorganized for you.' Dom smiled as Kel turned.
'I'm just looking around, I needed something to take my mind off of everything that's going on. Besides last minute shopping is more your style than mine.' Kel retorted.
'But mother, I already bought all my gifts,' Dom teased.
'I am impressed.' Kel grinned.
'I heard you spent the morning with the pregnant ladies,' Dom said casually.
Kel chuckled, 'Yes, though I felt awkward not sporting a bump of my own. Can you believe Neal's going to be a father?'
Dom shook his head, 'Darling Sir Meathead has been nervously babbling at me day and night about baby things, I feel like I might explode' Kel giggled, 'Honestly, I pity the poor child, how will he survive.'
'What makes you so sure it's going to be a boy?' Kel inquired. She knew full well it was going to be a girl because of what Irnai, the child seer, had said to her some time ago.
Dom shrugged, 'Just a guess.'
They walked through town before stopping for an early dinner, allowing Kel to return to the palace for Owen's instruction. Her friend's face was solemn and calm, two things that would never usually be used to describe Owen. After his instruction, Kel and Wyldon kept vigil until the priest gently told Owen that it was time to enter the chamber. Kel said a quick prayer as she watched her friend walk slowly through doors before being swallowed by the darkness.
The heavy doors clanged shut behind him. Owen's ordeal had begun.