Kel forced her mask into place while as she read the note handed to her by a young apprentice of the Raven Armory. She was on the practice courts watching the Own's drills for the morning fully aware of what the note was going to say though Kas never sent notes in his stead. But it was the morning of the ceremony and reception in his honor at the Weaponsmiths Guildhall and she doubted he had been told to do more than show up and look nice for his summons. The note before her expressed apology after apology for not being able to follow through on coming to spend dinner and likely the night with her though he had been missing from her bed for a couple nights again.

"Journeyman Lander said to tell you that these summons usually are for someone being granted their Mastery. There's always a reception and every smith that is a member of the guild is required to attend if physically able to honor each other. He doesn't know who is being honored but it's his duty to go. These receptions can go late," the apprentice twisted under her gaze. "He said he usually gets more notice than just the morning of and he's sorry."

Kel offered a small smile to the apprentice. Despite the note in her hands, Kas had asked the boy to relay all of the same information. She was getting ready to fish out a copper for the boy for his troubles when the boy leaned in a little closer.

"Master Reeves told me to ask if he should expect you at the reception tonight for Kas," he murmured as if it were the biggest secret he was holding.

"You can tell Master Reeves that I will be there," she confirmed.

"He wants you there early then. An hour or so because he wants you out of sight when Journeyman Lander gets there." The boy repeated.

"Of course, and make sure to report back to Kas I was unhappy while reading the letter but understood," she pressed the coin into the boy's hand.

"I was already paid by Kas, and by Master Reeves to come up here," the boy tried to hand the coin back.

"Then this is our secret. Go buy a treat," she closed his hand around the coin again. Apprentices that young rarely earned coin for themselves. His parents were paying Master Reeves to take him in and teach him, and he likely wouldn't start earning anything for himself for another year or so and usually that came in the form of tools to begin with. Coin for a treat was a rare gift, one that this boy seized the idea of and gave a quick bow before running away.

"Going somewhere tonight?" Dom asked from nearby, one eyebrow raised. She hadn't told anyone the news except for Baird and Lalasa. If Dom did know, it was from his uncle or Master Reeves giving him his own confirmation that Kas' mastery was a small time away.

"It's cleared by your uncle so I promise I'll be good," she flapped a hand at him.

"And which guard are you taking to make sure you are not pushing yourself?" He asked with a wave around at the men still doing their drills.

"I believe I'm not to bring an escort when I'm going someplace to support my sweetheart. I think it's frowned upon to bring another man into that situation," she teased. "Your uncle said yesterday that I'm almost ready to be cleared for combat again. I shouldn't need a guard to tell me when to sit."

"Ah, but you have one anyway," Dom told her with a smile. "I received my invitation a couple of days ago and cleared it with My Lord. Perhaps you'll allow me to ride in the carriage with you when you are already going that way?"

Kel grinned at Dom. It did make sense for him to be invited as he had tried to get Kas his mastery before, but she doubted that he wanted to join her in the carriage.

"I will be leaving the palace early to go to Lalasa's. She has something for me to wear and promised to help with my hair and face paint," Kel explained.

"I think you'll find I can grace a dress shop as well as you," Dom told her haughtily. "I do happen to look good in a gown."

Kel didn't bother hiding her smile. Dom was the only man she knew that happily pointed out he could wear a gown. He had done so after losing a bet and had paraded around the Own's barracks, mess, and practice courts before taking it off and soundly thrashing anyone that had mocked him on the practice courts. Having seen him in a gown, and knowing he was likely as graceful or more graceful than she was with his curtsies, had her sure he could indeed grace a dress shop.

"I will be ready early enough to accompany you to Lalasa's too," he informed her. "Then it's off to surprise your man."

"I hope he'll be surprised. The note he sent made it sound like he's genuinely unhappy he will miss his plans with me tonight," Kel folded the note and tucked it away.

Three bells after midday, Kel found herself tucked neatly into a carriage with Dom already dressed in his dress uniform of polished silver mail, well made black breeches, and a blue silken tunic. He had given a whistle of appreciation when he saw the carriage they were to take, not because it was luxurious in the least, but because it was very nondescript despite coming from the palace. Kel had thought it might draw attention to have one of the royal carriages arriving at the Weaponsmiths Guild and rumor of it would likely circulate before Kas even arrived. He was clever enough to take guesses there. So she had made her request that there be no royal insignia, palace uniform on the driver, or indication they were anything other than a hired carriage for the evening. And despite the nondescript outside, the inside of the carriage was as comfortable as any of the other carriages she had had to ride in from the palace.

Lalasa was quick to greet both of them though Kel hadn't had the time to send a note explaining Dom would be there too. She deposited Dom on a couch in a private room with tea, and set about preparing Kel.

"I don't know how the Weaponsmiths Guild does things but I've been invited to a few of these at the Weavers Guild as a business partner and the receptions are usually city formal. Not necessarily the palace type of festivities but we know how to dress ourselves for occasions," Lalasa commented. "I worked off of the assumption of them not all being barbarians. At worst you'll be mildly overdressed. At best, you'll blend right in with the other women." She layered Kel into a fine cotton chemise with full sleeves and then produced the over gown for her to see. It was pale purple silk with pale blue embroidery in a floral pattern all over it. The bodice laced in the front, marking it as more middle class than noble, which Kel found nice a practical. She hated having to find someone willing to unlace her at the end of the night in her gowns at the palace.

Then Lalasa curled her hair, swept it to one side of her head, and pinned it in place with pins that were decorated with pale purple opaque stones. Her face paint was kept simple and tasteful, much to Kel's delight. Finally made up and painted up, Kel bid Lalasa goodnight, reclaimed Dom, and was back in the carriage by the fifth bell after midday.

"I like this look on you. It's very becoming," Dom told her as the carriage made its way to the Guildhall.

"I like that it's practical," she informed him. "The middle classes and lower classes usually are more sensible than the noble classes."

"I'd expect nothing less," he chuckled in response and Kel couldn't help but smile. At least Dom never expected her to suddenly love the jewel toned silks and brocades that noble women favored, or the flashy gems they tended to stick everywhere to show off their wealth.

When they arrived at the Guildhall, they were met in the entry way by the same apprentice from that morning. He gave her a wide, toothy grin, and offered an arm to her. He led her and Dom to a small chamber off of the main chamber, rattling about how they were reorganizing the main chamber to accommodate tables, chairs, and a platform for the ceremony and reception. Once they were settled, he left them to go help.

"Lady Knight, Captain," a man dressed in a tunic bearing a gold embroidered Weaponsmiths Guild insignia came to find them after they had been tucked away for half an hour. The noise outside of the main chamber was growing louder as more and more smiths arrived from their work. "The ceremony will start in half an hour and the Masters would like you to stay put until then. Then Master Reeves will come for you, Lady Knight, and Captain, you will be allowed to roam as you please." He bowed low to them and stopped to pull a draping down over the door as he left. Upon inspection Dom pointed out that they could see through the draping enough to note who was arriving.

"There's Kas," Dom commented after watching out of the draping for fifteen minutes. "Along with the other journeymen from the Raven Armory," he stepped out of the way for Kel to peek out.

She could indeed make out Kas standing among his fellow journeymen. They seemed to be asking around to see who, exactly, was being honored. It would have been funny had it not been for the sullen look on Kas' face as he glanced at the great clock against one wall. She knew him well enough to know he was likely trying to figure out how soon he could slip out and if it would be enough time to get up to the palace.

"Here comes Master Reeves," Kel murmured, as the man in question started towards their chamber.

"Time to surprise your man," Dom teased as she backed away from the door.

Master Reeves stepped into the doorway with a wild grin and dug in his pocket to pull something attached to a ribbon out. He held it out to Kel and she couldn't help but smile at the silver medallion the size of her palm. It bore the Weaponsmiths Guild seal as well as the words "Kasen Lander, Master Swordsmith" on one side and the marks of the men granting his mastery on the other. The ribbon ensured he could wear the credential around his neck, at least for the night, and then it would hang on the wall of his forge along with the proper documentation that he was indeed a master.

"Normally, we have the smith's family present the medallion," Master Reeves told her softly. "But with Kas' parents gone, and his former Master unable to travel on such short notice, I believe it might be more than proper for him to receive it from you." He pressed the medallion into her hand and closed her fingers around it. Kel was touched but a bit surprised. She and Kas were close, they were courting, but she didn't feel like she was worthy of the honor when others had been there for him longer. "In a few minutes they'll start making preparations on the stage and then, Captain, you may slip out and join the crowds. Lady Knight, you and I will go through this doorway here," he pointed to another covered door at the side of the chamber. "And that will lead us to a doorway behind the platform."

"When will Kas realize it's him that's being honored?" Dom questioned.

"In a few minutes when they unveil the masterpieces that he's presented. I had them brought here earlier today. He thinks I brought them to have their sheaths fitted properly though I did that yesterday," he gave another flash of a wild grin. "Shall we wait until we see the look on his face?" Master Reeves let out a small cackle and took Kel's arm to steer her back to the door.

Kas had shifted closer to their door so he stood within fifteen feet of them, giving them plenty of opportunity to see his reaction. Master Reeves pointed out the platform and the display that was currently covered by a piece of silk. Almost as if on cue, one of the men wearing the guild tunic stepped up on stage to pull the silk off.

Even from this far back, Kel could see the beauty of both blades. They were polished to such a high shine that the magelights in the hall reflected off of them. The crossguards were small bars of high polished steel twisting like cyclones down to protect where a hand would hold the hilt. The pommels both bore the sapphire encrusted ball that glistened in a way that Kel knew Roald would appreciate when he received them. Then she turned back to see Kas and saw he was staring at the platform, his mouth hanging slightly open while the other journeymen pounded on his back.

"Time for us to go," Master Reeves took her arm and steered her towards the side door while Dom slipped out to join the crowd. The hallway they took held other chambers off of it marking places were business took place during the day, and then they came to a doorway at the end that led out to the platform. In the time that it took them to get that far, Kas had been pushed forward towards the platform by the other journeymen from the Raven Armory. His eyes were still wide as he stared at the platform and the sword and dagger on display.

"Wait here," Master Reeves stopped her. "I'll signal you." He stepped out of the doorway and joined the other masters as they made their way towards the platform. Once he reached the platform he signaled Kas forward and he nearly stumbled as he climbed up the steps of the platform. Master Reeves went to shake Kas' hand and Kel saw Kas lean in and start whispering to Master Reeves his face tight. She could only guess he was trying to demand answers as to what was going on.

"We're here tonight as a Guild to support our fellow Guildsman Kasen Lander, Swordsmith, as he formally applies for his mastery with his commissioned work from the Crowned Princess," one of the other masters called out into the hall. A cheer went up in response. Master Reeves pushed Kas forward to face the hall full of his peers. "Do we believe that he's ready to finally join the ranks of Mastership?" Another cheer was nearly deafening.

Master Reeves didn't even glance at the door to wave her forward. She stepped out and walked towards the platform. Kas didn't turn around as she came up behind him, stood on her tip toes, and slipped the medallion over his head. She saw his hands move up to lift the silver medallion to inspect it and then he turned, relief flooding his face when he saw her. His arm snaked around her waist to pull her in close against him.

"How long did you know about this?" He demanded quietly as he put his other arm around her back to keep her close.

"I was informed when you brought me that letter a week ago," she told him honestly.

"That sly fox. Let me brood all day about not getting to see you," he buried his face against her shoulder. "Gods, this is not what I envisioned this would be like at all," he murmured, his voice barely audible above the cheers.

"Are you upset?" She questioned. She knew he had been working towards doing everything himself without help. There was a chance he could be upset by the fact that the control had been taken from him so completely. He hadn't even applied for the mastery himself.

"There has been a lot of times the last two weeks where I had wished I could present these pieces as my masterpieces. I don't think I've ever done better and I wasn't sure how exactly I'd top them with the other plans I had. But I didn't think it possible with how close his Highness' birthday was. Normally, these processes take weeks," he breathed out. "Tonight when I realized what had been done, I only found myself wishing I had been able to have you here with me. And here you are." He squeezed her tighter.

"Kas," Master Reeves stepped over and he reluctantly backed away from her but did not let her go as his arm stayed tucked around her waist. "They keys to your forge. You're officially hired as a Master Swordsmith at the Raven Armory should you choose to stay. I have no doubts you'll have commissions lined up and waiting after these are presented to His Highness next week. I'd be a greedy weasel to not inform you that you'd make more than a few coppers opening up shop for yourself," Master Reeves held out the keys to Kas.

"I couldn't imagine leaving unless there was no space for me," Kas explained as he stared at the keys.

"There's space. I've been saving that forge for you since I first got a look at your work," Master Reeves pressed the keys into Kas' hands. "You start in three days. I don't want to see your face at the forge before then. Now, I believe there's a reception in your honor to enjoy."

Kel was surprised by the short, more informal ceremony, but it served its purpose and granting the mastery to someone deserving before his peers. It really didn't need to be anything more than the handing over of his credentials and certainly didn't need to be more than just Kas and the masters giving the credentials present. But she doubted the ceremony was the highlight of the event as the reception seemed to be the bigger draw of the evening. The display of Kas' work was left up for anyone to walk by and inspect while food and drinks were brought out for everyone to enjoy. Smiths, their wives, and business partners mingled and often came up to find Kas to congratulate him.

Kel stayed with him through the entire reception, his arm around her waist as he spoke to each person and introduced her. And unlike their first night they had met, Kas did drink a little as mugs were brought to him to enjoy. She didn't fault him for it at all, and never would have considered it. This was a celebration in honor of his hard work. If he wanted to get fall down drunk, he was very much allowed. But he stayed mostly sober as his attention increasingly turned to her.

"Do you need to sit?" He asked for probably the hundredth time as people started to filter out of the reception.

"I'm perfectly fine," she assured him again.

"Let's sit anyway. You should rest even if you don't think you have to," he pulled her over to a chair and pulled her down on his lap, grinning at her. "I have to say, this isn't what I imagined at all when I came here tonight. I thought I'd be stuck at a reception for someone I didn't know, and there would be no honorable way to leave. I wouldn't be able to get to the palace to see you before it became too late for me to be intruding on your time."

"Master Reeves was fairly secretive about it," she smiled when his arms tightened around her. "You truly aren't upset about not being able to present something else or that you didn't get to apply for yourself?"

"No. Like I said, this has been some of my best work, but I knew I didn't have the time to present it, and I would have needed Princess Shinkokami's permission to present them anyway," he lowered his head to rest against her shoulder. "I've watched others apply for their mastery. It's nerve wracking. You pour all of this time and energy and resources into a piece and hope it's good enough. I've seen many pieces thrown away or melted down again because of a tiny flaw. The Masters of the Guild, at least those with the highest ranks in the guild, inspect every inch of the piece. They can take as long as they like. One man I knew waited a month just to hear his piece had been rejected." He shuddered. "There doesn't even have to be something wrong with the piece for them to reject you. It can be as simple as they don't like it, or they didn't think it was enough of a challenge for someone applying for their mastery." He shook his head and gripped her harder. "I've maybe drawn plans and started pieces a hundred times since I reached my Journeyman status. Nothing ever felt worthy enough."

"Ah, there's the one thing that might be wrong with you," Kel teased. "You are too much of a perfectionist. I was wondering if I would ever find out how someone so perfect could possibly exist."

Kas pulled back from her and gave her a smile before kissing her happily. "I believe that's the pot calling the kettle black, my Love," he pulled her back against him as firmly as possible. "I believe I've heard enough stories about you and trying to achieve perfection."

Kel curled in against his shoulder, not caring about any of the remaining people at the party possibly watching them. She had simply meant to tease Kas about his insecurities but it was fairly truthful. She couldn't think of anything about him that she didn't enjoy and that was something that caught her off guard as she thought of it. And the way he had called her 'my Love' had her heart speeding. He had never used those words of endearment before and she found she very much liked the way they sounded.

"I'm proud of you," she murmured as he held her. "And, I love you." She felt her cheeks grow hot in a blush as she said the words. She had never been allowed to say those words in a romantic sense. She had never been allowed to say them to Cleon as they were as forbidden as the word 'marriage' in their relationship. It meant a great deal to her being allowed to say them and being absolutely certain she was being honest with him. She did love him.

"Keladry of Mindelan," Kas' voice had become thick and low. "I love you more than I have ever loved anything or anyone else," he informed her. "I'd do my best to give you the world if you asked it of me."

"I don't need the world," Kel assured him, throwing her arms around his neck. "I simply need you." Her heart was nearly bursting at his words. He loved her. It felt better to hear it for the first time than to have said it. She guessed he had heard it before, from other women he had courted in the past, but there was something putting an edge to his words that made her believe hearing it from her meant more.

"Is the Captain waiting for you to be ready to leave before he goes tonight?" Kas asked after several long quiet moments. Dom had come to chat with them several times throughout the evening after coming to offer his own congratulations to Kas. When he wasn't with them, and Kel had a mind to check on him, he was always in sight charming whoever he was speaking to.

"Likely," Kel admitted. "We rode together in the carriage from the palace. The poor man even sat in a dress shop for nearly two hours while I got ready."

"Would you get in much trouble if I asked him to leave without you and take the carriage too? Is there a reason you have to return to the palace tonight?" Kas murmured in her ear. Kel felt warm spread down her core at the suggestive thoughts that sprang into her mind with his words. A night away from the palace with him meant no interruptions. No chance Neal would suddenly decide he didn't care about what details she shared about his bedchamber activities. No chance anyone she knew would come looking for her. They could get carried away if they wanted.

"Other than not having clothing to return to the palace in tomorrow, or to sleep in," Kel bit her lip as she thought. "I was cleared this afternoon, before I left, to start training again. Meaning I'm no longer bound to the palace." She didn't necessarily revel in the idea of walking back up to the palace because it meant she wouldn't be able to do much for weapon exercises after, but she would survive without one day of practice.

"When were you going to tell me that?" Kas demanded, his face alight.

"I wanted to surprise you," she admitted.

"Well, I'm surprised, and pleased, and… give me a moment," he stood and deposited her in his chair before heading off in Dom's direction. She watched as Kas leaned over to whisper into Dom's ear before Dom turned to look at her, eyes wide with surprise. She hadn't told him she had been cleared either and it was likely that reason he was surprised, not that she would stay with Kas. Then Dom was walking towards her and Kas was pulled away to speak to someone else.

"You cannot tell me that Sir Meathead knows his father is letting you escape the palace," Dom prodded.

"Of course not. His Grace only cleared me when I checked in with him before leaving," she smiled. "Unless he told Neal, I doubt Neal will know unless he comes to check on me tonight."

"Or tomorrow, or tomorrow night, from what Kas implied," Dom winked at her. "Did my uncle say when you would return to being active for calls again?"

"He estimated a couple of weeks for me to get back into fighting shape," Kel patted the chair next to her. "Will you do me a big favor?" She asked quietly. "I doubt I can wear this back up to the palace and my clothing from earlier is at Lalasa's. Unlike Kas, I have nothing at his place because I wasn't planning on this." She felt her cheeks grow warm.

"I can send along a few things, so long as you are alright with me going into your rooms and digging through your belongings. I don't want to incur your wrath like a certain cousin of mine," Dom reached over to squeeze her hand. "I want you to still like me when I get to drag you out on a call again."

"Wanting to ensure someone will still save your sorry behind from time to time?" Kel teased.

"Absolutely! The world would be a dreary place without my handsome face in it, don't you think?" He teased back.

"Undoubtedly," Kel assured him. "I don't know the address to send the clothing to, unfortunately," she turned her attention back to the matter at hand.

"I have no concerns about that. I know where to send it to," Dom stood and blushed when Kel turned to stare at him. She had several guesses as to why he knew where Kas lived and none of them were very good reasons. "I wanted to make sure he was truly good enough for you before I put him in your path," Dom's voice became soft. "I'm happy he checked out. I don't think I've ever seen you so comfortable with someone."

"Someone other than you, at least," Kel stood. She lost nothing by telling Dom he was someone she was completely comfortable being around. Even more so now that she wasn't fighting to hide a crush from him whenever he gave her a smile or a small flirt. There would always be something slightly more than friendship to how she felt about him, she knew that was clear. But Kas had her considering a future with more to it than being a knight. He had her wanting more from being a woman than just to be acknowledged without being mocked or insulted.

"I'm happy you are comfortable with me," Dom told her after a long moment. "I think I'll take my leave now. Have fun and don't get into too much trouble," he winked at her and turned to walk away. Kel watched him, until he left the hall and then turned to find Kas. She had no intentions of being away from his side for very long.

A/N: The next chapter will be M rated and I am debating about separating it from the story as I have done in the past or changing the rating of the story to M completely. If anyone has an opinion they are willing to give, you are welcome to give it by review or PM. Either way, that means changing your filter to M when checking for me next. I appreciate every review, favorite, follow, and acknowledgment of my other stories. The emails I receive make me want to get back to my computer to write. Thank you all for being there.