A Large crack resounded around the ball room. All heads turned towards the source of the noise. Faleron's heart skipped a beat as he saw Kel, standing with her Yamani mask on, it would have fooled anyone but him. Her hand was still upraised, evidence of her brutal slap on her lovers face. Ex-lover now Fal thought with some satisfaction as Domitan of Masbolle reached out to her and she took an unconscious step back. Fal fought his way towards Kel, but by the time he reached where she had been standing she was gone.

As Fal forced his way through the room a hand clasped down upon his elbow, Neal. " What?" He snarled

" Leave her, she'll cool off eventually."

Faleron bit back a sharp retort did this man know nothing about his own best friend?

" She wasn't angry - she was.." Fal stopped, not sure if Kel would want Neal to know.

"...Was?"

"Never mind." he sighed

Neal pursed his lips in childish pique.

"go and look at your cousin." suggested Faleron, having spied the sergeant being cooed over by a beautiful court woman. He sneered " Bastard."

Faleron made his escape as Neal headed over to his cousin.

Faleron headed over to the Kings Own stables where Kel and him kept their chargers, in the past when she had been upset he had found her in her geldings stall. Sure enough, when he approached her testy gelding, a small sobbing made itself apparent in the silenced stables.

"Kel." his voice seemed unnaturally loud even to him.

She showed no outside signs of hearing him.

He sighed he had hoped it wouldn't come to this. It was time to get past Peachblossom. Peachblossom was not a particularly friendly at the best of times, tonight he was almost feral. Old scars, old age and unhappy mistress had combined to make him downright mean. As he edged towards Kel, the Gelding fixed an eye on him. Faleron stopped and gulped, the offered the horse his arm. To his left Kel stopped sobbing, Faleron grinned slightly. Peachblossom gently grasped his forearm, then released him and nodded. Faleron held his breath, waiting for a strike that was surely coming. A choked sob came from Kel's direction.

"Kel.." In two long strides he sank to the floor and gathered her into his arms. Faleron wasn't sure how long he was there, just hugging Kel to his chest until her sobs quieted.

Eventually Kel's hoarse voice broke the silence; "before, before the ball... we had a fight - he wanted me to... me to s-sleep with him." Kel ignored Faleron stiffening against her back " I said no, and he - he let the matter go, we went to the ball and, and I th-thought it was okay, I though it was okay!" She wailed. Faleron tucked her head under his chin and let her cry it out.

" I hadn't seen D- Dom in a while so I h-headed out to the gar-gardens to look for him, I found him, him and that, that Martis hill slut." Faleron now knew how hurt Kel was, she never used names as insults. " They where there in the middle of the gardens, and they, they couldn't even find a private spot.. just there... in, the gardens."

Kel suddenly went limp, Faleron startled worried that she might be hurt. He smiled at her sleeping face. " don't worry Kel, I'll pound him into the dust at the next tournament for you."

Faleron reclined with Kel in his arms, a dream of his for many a year, and slipped into Ganiel's realm.

~(0)~

"Well, well, well. And what do we have here then?"

Raoul's amused voice broke through Faleron's dream.

"Kings reach I do believe? And what would you be- oh!" it was almost comical the change in the knight commander's tone and expression, at any other time Faleron would've laughed. At the moment though he was more preoccupied with Kel, whose eyes had filled with tears upon awakening and remembering.

"Kel?"

She buried her head into Faleron's shoulder.

He looked up at Lord Raoul beseechingly.

" er.. right I'll send Tobe around with some fresh clothes."

Faleron nodded his thanks and watched as the famed commander disappeared around the corner.

~(0)~

Sorry for the wait, and I know most people won't read any of this till the 4th chapter any way hope you enjoy it! Keep reading! Please review! Also i'm really curious do any boys read POTS?

~ Dexterbird