Chapter 1: Kels Crush (Guess who?  Yeah, cause you didnt know.)

Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan, known as Protector of the Small against her will, walked into headquarters at her refugee camp, Haven.  Although the war against Scanra was over, the refugees houses hadnt yet been rebuilt and she was stationed at the camp still.  She was fine with this, since there were no combat posts available since the end of the war.  Unfortunately, she was without a healer.  Duke Baird of Queenscove, the chief palace healer who had helped her in the earlier parts of the war, was back at the palace, and his son Sir Nealan, or Neal to his friends (of whom Kel was the closest), had yet to return from his honeymoon trip to the Copper Isles.  But Merric of Hollyrose, another friend who was in charge of the protection of Haven, was still there.  The guards under his command had changed, too.  Her former knight-master, Lord Raoul of Goldenlake and Malories Peak, had done her a huge favor by placing one of the best squads of the Third Company of the Kings Own, which he commanded, at Haven.  Its sergeant was Domitan of Massobelle, Neals cousin and her very good friend who she had been trying not to allow herself to be attracted to for years. 

Domitan, or Dom as he was known to his friends and family, came knocking on the door of the headquarters as soon as she sat down.  Come in, Kel shouted.

Hello, my dear Lady Knight Keladry, Dom said with a flirtatious smile as he opened the door.  I thought you might want to know that I got a letter from the esteemed Sir Meathead for you.

That name is beginning to get old, Dom, she said, referring to him calling Neal Meathead.  I wish you wouldnt use it.

My apologies, Mistress Protector of the Small.  Would you care for the letter now, or would you like for me to place it on your desk?

Ill read it now, if thats OK, Dom, and you know I hate to be called that.

But my dear Lady Knight that is what you are.

No its not, she said, snatching the letter he held from his hands.  She wouldnt let her mind notice the tingles that shot up her spine just from touching his hand.

I must disagree, Lady Kel, but as much as I would like to stay and chat with you about the issue, I must go begin the nighttime patrol.  As always, I am forever in your service.  He took her hand in his, kissed it, and walked out the door.

She shook her head at his silliness and opened the letter from Neal.  As expected, he began with the name she hated so much.

My dear Protector of the Small (try to hide your grimace if you are in front of people, Kel), -Kel didnt bother since no one was around-

I know you are worried about me and my new wife, the wonderful and beautiful Yuki, who shines more brightly than the sun, -she was so glad to see him being dramatic about his love again, the refusal of conversation on the issue before his wedding had felt very unnatural- but you have no reason to be.  I am fine without you.  I am even forcing myself to eat a few vegetables occasionally in honor of you.  Kel doubted that this was true, he was just continuing an old inside joke-  As much as I would love to say that I cannot wait to be back at Haven and in your glorious presence, I cannot say that because I never want to go back to that wretched hell-hole again and I do not look forward to collecting yet more bruises from you and the Kings Own sergeant that calls himself my cousin.  Despite my arguments against this, my lovely new wife insists that I tell you everything about the scenery.  However, since I have yet to venture outside my hotel room and there are no windows, I am afraid I cannot do so.  Her message to you is to keep in practice with your Yamani weapons because she will be expecting you as a practicing partner as soon as she returns.  Kel had known the message from Yuki would be something of the kind.  Yuki would talk to her about more personal matters during these practices.  However, Neal didnt have to know that. As much as Im sure youve enjoyed reading this letter, I really must go and write a letter to your love.  Kel sighed.  Neal had decided right before his wedding that she was in love with Dom.  She might have a crush on him, but that certainly wasnt love.

          Farewell Lady Knight,

          Sir Meathead of Queenscove

She laughed at his usage of his old family nickname and folded the letter gingerly back into the envelope.  She missed Neal.  It was a good thing that Dom was there to keep her company.

Chapter 2 What Happened Next (Yes, exactly, Im not giving any hints)

The following day, she had breakfast with Merric, Dom, and her ten-year-old indentured servant, Tobe, at headquarters.  She hated to do this, but the refugees had insisted a month or so ago that she would be safer if she ate at headquarters.  She suspected it had something to do with the newcomers and their reluctance to accept an eighteen-year-old girl as their leader.  She didnt mind, because she felt that it showed these people that she was higher-ranked than them and deserved respect.  The only other time she had been requested to eat at headquarters was when the most powerful mage in Tortall, Numair Salmalin, had come to the camp during the war.  They had been very afraid of him, as Kel occasionally was.

Did you also receive a letter from your cousin yesterday, Dom?  He mentioned he was writing to you, Kel asked.

Yes I did.  What exactly did he say about me? was the reply.

He called you the Kings Own sergeant that claims to be related to him and he made a crack about his new-found conclusion that the two of us are in love.

That Sir Meathead is quite a fellow.  He should know that by no means am I good enough for your luscious self.

Yes, you would think he would realize that, wouldnt you? she said, knowing full well that he probably thought the opposite.

One of the scribes that had been hired by Numair as a birthday present to her (they had discussed that she loves scribes and he told her he would tell everyone to get her scribes as a present) came bearing instructions from Lord Raoul at this point, saying that Gareth the Younger of Naxon was to take her place and she was needed back at the palace.  Dom was told that his squad was needed at the palace also, and that another squad would take their place.  It did not say why they were needed.

After they had finished their meal, Dom went to inform his men of this new development.  Kel on the other hand went into the general mess to tell the refugees her instructions.

May I have everyones attention? she requested.  I am afraid that I have been ordered back to the palace and will have to leave the camp for its close.  My replacement will be Sir Gareth of Naxon, who is an excellent man and knight.  He has much more experience than me, which will make some of you happy, she smiled at the woman known as Fanche at this point.  They had had a crossways moment on this subject when she was stationed at the camp.  I trust that you all will make him feel welcome and assist him in learning the ropes, so to speak.  I apologize for appearing to leave in the home-stretch of our camps life.  I sincerely and honestly state that I would not do so if it were not my orders.  She noticed Dom had come in and was standing at the back.  I hope to see you all again.  I leave you with these parting words: keep working no matter what.  Changing commanders is no reason to stop behaving exactly as you have been.  Do not disappoint me.

She walked to the back of the room and Dom, who embraced her in a big hug.  That was a wonderful speech you gave them, he said.

You think so?  I was afraid I sounded stupid and dramatic, she said in response.

No, it was wonderful.  Youre wonderful, he said.  She smiled gratefully.

Kel, Tobe, Dom, and the officers in Doms squad packed their things and loaded them in a wagon to be pulled by their carthorse.  Kel mounted her mare Hoshi while Tobe mounted her ornery gelding, Peachblossom.  He was one of the few people that could do so because of the wild magic Kel suspected he had.  She pulled up at the front of the group

He looked over at her and grinned as he pulled the reins of his horse just out of Peachblossoms biting range.  He knew from Neals stories how much the horse bit.  Kels dog Jump used the opening to run up beside the horse.  She still didnt know how he did it.  A few of the flock of sparrows that followed her around perched on Peachblossom and Hoshis hindquarters and they didnt react, being used to the sparrows who followed Kel everywhere.

Those animals are going to just up and speak someday and it wont surprise anyone, Dom commented.  Kel nodded in response.  He wasnt the first person to make that kind of a comment.  This was the result of contact with Numairs lover, Veralidaine Sarrasri, or Daine, the Wildmage, who seemed to make animals smarter if she was near them for a long period of time.

They rode along in silence.  The path was well-beaten and Hoshi needed no prompting for directions, so Kel found herself spacing out and staring at Dom, noticing the way a strand of hair fell in front of his eye.  She would have fixed it, but he was too far away, and it wouldnt be appropriate.  He noticed she was looking at him and gave her a smile.  Her heart skipped a beat.  Mithros, I cant believe my heart skipped a beat.  Im not that dramatic, am I?

She forced herself not to look at him through the entire rest of the four-hour ride.  When they finally got to the palace, they walked their horses and gave them to Stefan, the chief hostler at the palace.  Then they separated (thankfully in Kels opinion, she didnt like her emotions doing things without her consent) and Kel went to go see Lord Raoul, who had specifically asked for her to come to his rooms.

She knocked on the door of his room and heard a shout of, Come in!

She opened the door and walked in cautiously.  Kel! he boomed.  How have you been, girl?

Fine, sir, she replied.  Why did you request that I come here?

Take a seat, Kel; I think you would prefer to sit for this news.

Her throat tightened up.  That statement usually didnt signify good news.  What is it, sir? she said as she sat in the chair next to him.

Kel, you probably havent heard, but we have had a death in the palace.

Oh Mithros, its a family member, or Lalasa, or a friend.  Please let this not be happening.

The training master of the pages and squires died.  We have asked Lord Wyldon to retake the position, but he refuses in light of the results of his students in the chamber.  We asked him to recommend someone else and he had a suggestion that I would like to run by you.

Thank the Goddess, he just wants my advice.  But why did he tell me to come right away?  Whats so urgent about advice on the new training master?

What would you think about becoming the new training master?